Alex sighed, glancing once more at his stats.
> [Hunger: 61%]
[Energy: 39%]
"Why are you just standing there?" Reagan taunted, stepping closer. "You scared?"
Alex muttered, "Can't we just settle this like normal people? We don't always have to throw fists. Let's just talk."
Reagan blinked, then laughed. "You? Suggesting we talk? Where was that attitude back in the library?"
Alex stepped back slowly, eyeing the side path—but Raegan slammed his foot down, and a thick slab of earth erupted from the ground, cutting off the escape.
"Damn…" Alex muttered. "Guess we're doing this the hard way."
> [New Quest: Defeat the Enemy – Reward: 50 EXP]
[DING — Half Starvation Mode Activated]
[+10% to all stats temporarily]
Veins darkened under Alex's skin. One eye lit up in crimson glow. His muscles tensed, his body more responsive—faster, sharper.
But that hunger… it grew louder.
"Let's dance," Raegan sneered.
Alex dashed forward, throwing a quick jab. Raegan activated his skill.
"Stone Skin!"
A brown-grey sheen covered his arms just as the punch landed. It echoed like rock smashing against steel.
> [HP: 23/25]
Alex hissed. "Damn. Solid defense…"
Raegan retaliated fast, swinging a heavy fist. Alex blocked—barely—but the force sent him skidding back.
> [HP: 20/25]
"Already feeling it?" Raegan grinned, then raised both hands. "Let's shake things up."
He slammed the ground.
Thick spikes of earth jutted upward like a deadly forest. One scraped Alex's shoulder.
> [HP: 19/25]
[Energy: 36%]
[Regeneration Activated: -3 Energy]
Blood oozed briefly before sealing shut. Alex grunted and dashed again, landing a kick—but Raegan tanked it and launched an elbow to Alex's gut.
> [HP: 16/25]
Alex wheezed and stumbled.
Raegan was strong, and his Stone Skin gave him a major edge in close combat. Alex could dodge, but he couldn't take too many hits.
He backflipped away, ducking behind a crumbled wall. His eyes darted to the interface.
> [Unallocated Stat Points: 2]
[Would you like to allocate now?]
"Yes," Alex whispered. "Both to Strength."
> [Strength increased to 21]
Raegan came charging.
Alex stood his ground, then sprang forward with newfound power. He punched—this time cracking the Stone Skin slightly and staggering Raegan.
Raegan frowned. "So you're getting serious?"
Alex didn't respond. He attacked again—kicks, punches, dodges. The fight turned brutal. Alex was faster, but Reagan was durable as hell and fought like a wild beast using the terrain.
At one point, Raegan launched a boulder-sized chunk of rock straight at Alex, who narrowly dodged—but it clipped his leg.
> [HP: 15/25]
[Energy: 29%]
Alex winced. His breathing grew heavier. His eye flickered. The hunger inched closer to the tipping point.
> [Hunger: 67%]
"Damn it… one more hit and I might—"
Zack interrupted his thoughts with a tackle, slamming him into the wall.
> [HP: 13/25]
Alex's growl escaped before he could stop it—feral, low, and inhuman.
Raegan paused. "What the hell are you?"
Alex's red eye flared brighter. "Someone who's getting real tired of this fight."
He ducked Raegan's next punch and unleashed a barrage—one, two, three, four strikes to the ribs and jaw. The final blow was an uppercut enhanced by all his remaining strength.
Raegan flew backward, smashing through the rock wall he created—and didn't get up.
> [Quest Completed: +50 EXP]
[Level Up: 7]
[EXP: 0/120]
[Stat Points +1]
[HP: 13/25]
[Hunger: 68%]
[Energy: 14%]
Alex stumbled back, breathing hard.
"I thought his ability was just Stone Skin…" he muttered, looking at Zack's crumpled form. "Guess that was just one of his earth-based tricks."
He wiped blood from his mouth, eyes dimming as Half-Starvation Mode deactivated.
"And if Drevon really sent this guy…" Alex clenched his fists. "Then this isn't over.I have to warn the others especially miranda"