Dawn filtered through the canopy, streaking the forest in quiet gold.
Ash tightened the leather wraps on his boots,
double-checked his spearhead, and inhaled the mossy chill.
[Status: Rested]
[Buffs: Survivor's Tension (1h 05m), Predator's Path (21h 12m)]
Yesterday, he'd chased prey and nearly died. Today, he'd turn the land into a weapon.
Target Zone: The Winding Chasm
Terrain: Steep Ledges, Water-Carved Walls, Dense Overgrowth
Threat Level: Moderate
A soft stream trickled through the chasm's base—just audible through the stillness.
Ash crouched at the edge, scanning the shadows below.
[Tracking Skill: 1 (Untrained)]
[Detection: Passive Success]→ Echo Ravager
(Beast – Tier C) LVL 8 | Speed: Moderate | Aggression: High | Echo Affinity: Medium |
Ash tensed.
The Ravager was lean and fast—jaws lined with translucent fangs, eyes faintly glowing.
Medium Echo affinity meant it bled volatile fragments—dangerous to fight,
but potent for upgrades.
He eyed a ledge across the chasm: narrow, unstable, with a loose shelf of rocks above it.
Perfect.
Objective:
Trap and Kill the Ravager‣ Lure target onto ledge‣ Trigger rockfall‣ Finish it before it recovers
Bonus: Harvest Ravager Fang for crafting.
Ash crossed carefully, gripping moss-lined stone for leverage.
At the choke point, he wedged loose rocks above the ledge,
shaping a crude trigger system with vines and a stick baton.
[Construction Skill: +1 XP]
[Trap Setup: Rockfall Choke – 75% Stability]
He descended to the streambed, crushed a fireberry against a rock,
and snapped a branch sharply.
[Bait Deployed: Fireberry Crush – Sound & Scent Lure Active]
Then he climbed halfway back up the wall, crouched behind a boulder, and waited—spear poised, heartbeat measured.
A pale shape glided into view, low and sinuous—claws clicking against stone.
The Echo Ravager.
It paused, nostrils flaring. A growl low in its throat.
Then it advanced, head down, toward the scent.
[Predator's Focus Active – +10% Critical Chance]
[Survivor's Tension Active – +15% Damage on Next Strike]
Ash tensed.
The Ravager stepped onto the choke point.
He rose in one smooth motion and hurled his spear.
[CRITICAL HIT – Neck Strike]+12 Echo XP
Ravager staggered, blood misting in the air.
It hissed—but didn't fall.
Ash scrambled toward the trigger point—but hesitated.
What if the rocks didn't fall clean?What if the Ravager leapt too soon?What if—?
He forced the doubt away and swung his bone hatchet.
[Trap Triggered – Rockfall]
Stones crashed down, cracking the ledge.
The Ravager shrieked—half-buried, dazed.
Ash ran, pain flaring in his legs as he vaulted debris. A jagged stone grazed his ribs—
[HP: 110 → 85]
The Ravager lunged, bloodied but alive. It slammed into him with a burst of fury.
He rolled aside, gritting his teeth. The ledge beneath them shifted—a bad place for a stand.
[Stamina: 55/60]
He struck again, low and fast.
[TALENT TRIGGER – Survivor's Tension]+15% Damage
The spear sank into the Ravager's exposed flank. A rush of energy pulsed up Ash's arm.
[DEVASTATING STRIKE – Tier C Beast] +18 Echo XPCritical Echo Surge: +20% Echo Bonus
The beast convulsed—then stilled.
ECHO RAVAGER – SLAIN+80 Echo Fragments+3 Talent XPLoot Unlocked: Ravager Pelt, Ravager Fang, Echo-Tinged ClawStats Gained: +1 Power | +1 Focus
Ash dropped to one knee, breath ragged.
The air buzzed with fading Echo resonance. His fingers shook as he retrieved his spear.
He cut free a glowing fang and used dewroot pulp to seal his wounds.
[Crafting: +1 XP – Trophy Cutting]
New Blueprint Unlocked: Ravager Fang Dagger(+4 Power | +5% Crit Chance)
He wrapped the claw in bark-cloth and pocketed it, then slung the pelt over his shoulder.
Even injured, he felt stronger. Not just from the kill—but from how he'd done it. Terrain. Timing. Instinct.
The land had fought beside him.
The Wheel stirred.
[Spin Token Earned – Successful Hunter Milestone]
Ash paused to watch.
It spun once, symbols flickering like runes in smoke. Then:
Outer Slot #4 – Evolution Edge→ Next Beast Evolution Threshold: –10%
Ash's lips twitched—almost a smile.
[Next Evolution: Defeat 2 More Echo Beasts]
Tonight, he'd rest. Tomorrow… hunt again.
He pressed a hand to the empty air where the Wheel shimmered in memory.
And whispered to the darkened forest:
"I am the predator of this land."
The Wheel turned silently—pleased.