Over the st few hours, Jason and Maggy had honed their skills through relentless battles, each fight sharpening their instincts and refining their abilities. Now, they stood before their most difficult challenge yet.

  “Death Stalker – Grade F. A petrified human wrapped in cursed rags, using those rags as weapons sharp enough to cut through steel. Left unchecked, these stalkers have razed entire settlements, their thirst for blood ever-growing.”

  With a nod, Jason summoned Undying-Fme. He’d learned that the creatures in this region were especially vulnerable to fire.

  Handing Maggy a staff he’d looted from an earlier fight, Jason said, “Same as before. I’ll attack from the front. Once it’s distracted, hit it from behind.”

  They waited for the Death Stalker to expose its back. The moment came, and Jason unleashed Fme Crescent. The searing fire arced through the air, slicing deep into the Stalker’s back and severing one of its four rags. Encouraged by his progress, Jason charged in, fully engaged.

  But the Death Stalker was blindingly fast. It shed out, and though Jason defended as best he could, his inexperience with the bde became evident. Two of the rags struck deep into his legs, pinning him to the ground. The creature snarled, sensing victory as it loomed over him, ready to strike.

  Luckily, Jason wasn’t alone.

  With a deafening crack, Maggy had cast Spirit Bolt, causing the Death Stalker to stumble. Grunting through the pain, Jason forced another Fme Crescent forward, the fiery arc carving another burning gash into the creature. Howling in fury, the st remaining rag shot toward Maggy’s chest. It was mere inches from her when she vanished, her Sacred Sanctuary skill activating in the nick of time.

  Jason clenched his jaw. No more mistakes.

  Focusing through the pain, he unleashed a final Fme Crescent. Any more than three in quick succession, and he’d pass out from the strain. But luck was on his side—the bde struck true, fire engulfing the Death Stalker before it disintegrated into ash, leaving behind only the scorched remains.

  Jason used the familiar skill, Consume.

  A notification popped up. Not enough remains for consumption. Skill failed.

  A surge of energy coursed through Jason’s body, filling his Ascendant Core. He could feel himself growing stronger, his power deepening.

  Benchmark hit – Ascendant Core filled 25%. New skills avaible.

  Skill Sync (Common): Gain the ability to use all non-combat-reted skills without drawing your weapon. Harmonic Ssh (Uncommon): Passive. The swordsman, attuned to their bde, can sense the weak points of their foe. Fsh Step (Epic): Allows the user to teleport a short distance at high speed. However, each use pces a heavy strain on the body. A physical step is required for activation. Jason examined his choices carefully. Skill Sync was convenient but not immediately useful. Harmonic Ssh had potential, but against these fire-weak enemies, he needed something more versatile. Fsh Step, however, was a game changer. The ability to reposition mid-fight was too valuable to ignore.

  A rush of exhiration hit Maggy as their pn came together perfectly. The Death Stalker fell, and she could feel her own power surging as well. Smiling, she turned to gnce at Jason—just in time to see him step forward and vanish from sight.

  THUD.

  The sound was followed by a loud smacking noise, and she turned to see Jason bouncing off one of the obsidian pilrs, dazed and stumbling.

  Jason groaned, staggering before colpsing onto his backside. “Okay, maybe dreams of being a ninja, fshing in and out of combat, were a little out of reach for the moment.”

  Maggy ughed softly, shaking her head. “I thought you were supposed to be the warrior here, not the jester.”

  Jason smirked, rubbing the back of his head. “I’ll get there. Just… need a little practice.”