Chapter 13: The Shocking Gambit
Elliot grunted as Gorrik's massive fist connected with his side, the sheer force sending him sprawling across the alley. The impact left him breathless, his ribs screaming in protest as he rolled across the rough cobblestones. Gasping for air, he tried to push himself up, his fingers trembling. His [Arcane Sight] flickered briefly before stabilizing, and a quick glance at his interface confirmed the worst—he had lost nearly a third of his HP in a single blow.
Damn it. This guy hits like a truck. If I take two more hits like that, I'm done for.
Gorrik loomed over him, his towering figure casting a long shadow. The Hunter's lips curled into a cruel grin as he cracked his knuckles.
"Had enough, kid?" Gorrik rumbled, his voice like gravel. "You're slippery, I'll give you that. But tricks and tenacity only get you so far."
Elliot forced himself to his feet, his body screaming in protest. He winced as he straightened, steadying his stance. His mind raced. Gorrik's sheer power and the traps littering the alley made the battlefield itself a death trap. He needed to turn the tide before his luck ran out.
But how?
Gorrik cocked his head. "What's the plan now? Run again? Or are you finally gonna give up and take your beating like a man?"
Elliot narrowed his eyes. "You talk too much," he spat, trying to mask his desperation.
The insult drew a bark of laughter from the Hunter. "Feisty to the end, huh? Alright then—let's see how much fight you've got left."
As Gorrik stepped forward, an idea sparked in Elliot's mind. If raw power wasn't enough, maybe precision and strategy could make the difference. Channeling his dwindling energy, he activated [Static Charge]. Sparks danced across his fingertips, crackling with electric potential.
Feigning a stumble, Elliot let his body sag as if his legs were about to give out. Gorrik's grin widened. The Hunter took the bait, lunging forward with a wide, crushing swing. At the last second, Elliot surged forward, slapping his electrified palm against Gorrik's arm.
The alley lit up with a sharp crack as the electricity surged through Gorrik's body. The massive man froze mid-strike, his muscles locking up as the paralysis took hold.
"What the—!" Gorrik growled through clenched teeth, his limbs jerking as he struggled to move.
It worked. Elliot didn't waste a second. He darted backward, his heart pounding as he put as much distance as he could between himself and the immobilized Hunter. His chest heaved as adrenaline pumped through his veins.
It didn't do much damage, but at least he's slowed down for now. I just need to keep my distance and think.
The paralysis wore off quickly, far sooner than Elliot had hoped. Gorrik shook himself free with a frustrated roar, flexing his massive arms. "You've got some clever tricks, boy," he snarled. "But tricks won't save you forever."
"Maybe not," Elliot retorted, though his voice trembled slightly. "But they've worked so far."
Gorrik's expression darkened. "Not for long."
The Hunter charged again, his heavy footsteps shaking the ground. Elliot barely managed to dive out of the way, rolling to avoid the swinging fist that shattered a barrel where he had stood moments before. Splinters flew in every direction.
"You're slowing down," Elliot taunted, though every nerve in his body screamed at him to keep moving.
Gorrik smirked, unfazed. "You're running out of tricks, kid. Let's see how you dance when you're out of steam."
Elliot gritted his teeth, his stamina bar flashing dangerously low in his peripheral vision. He couldn't keep dodging forever. His mind raced, cycling through his abilities. One stood out—a risky gambit, but his only shot.
[Energy Overload Activated]
Channeling what little energy he had left, Elliot activated the skill. A surge of raw power coursed through him, amplifying the crackling arcs of electricity that danced across his body. The strain was immediate, his muscles screaming in protest as he pushed his limits.
"You ready to quit playing games?" Gorrik taunted, closing the gap once more.
Elliot didn't answer. He thrust his hands forward, combining the power of [Static Charge] with the devastating force of [Energy Overload]. The resulting arc of lightning exploded from his fingertips, streaking toward the charging Hunter.
The bolt struck Gorrik squarely in the chest. The massive man let out a guttural roar as the energy coursed through him, his body convulsing. The sheer force of the attack sent him hurtling backward, crashing into a stack of crates with enough force to shatter them into splinters.
The alley was blindingly bright for a moment, the air thick with the acrid smell of ozone. As the light faded, Gorrik's body slumped to the ground. Smoke rose from his singed clothing, and his chest heaved weakly before falling still.
Elliot staggered, his knees threatening to give out. His vision swam, the edges darkening as the strain of the fight caught up with him. He took a shaky step forward, his breath ragged.
"Stay… down," he muttered, though he wasn't sure if he was speaking to Gorrik or himself.
Suddenly, a familiar chime echoed in his mind, accompanied by a glowing notification that hovered in his field of vision.
___________________________
Quest Complete: Practice Makes Perfect
Reward: +10 Energy
___________________________
A weak smile tugged at Elliot's lips. "At least something went right today," he murmured, the adrenaline from the battle slowly ebbing away. His victory, however hard-fought, was bittersweet. His body was on the edge of collapse, the toll of the fight wearing him down faster than he anticipated. His breathing was shallow, each inhale feeling more labored than the last. The overwhelming exhaustion began to take its hold, and the world around him seemed to blur.
Despite the fleeting sense of accomplishment, the weight of his body felt like it doubled in the moments following the final surge of energy. The sheer effort it took to summon his last attack drained him more than he realized. He could feel his heart pounding erratically in his chest, a constant reminder of how close he had come to the edge. His vision swam as his body screamed in protest, the world tilting and spinning as though gravity itself had decided to abandon him.
The victory was short-lived. His legs buckled, and he crumpled to the ground. His hands scraped the rough cobblestone alley as he tried, futilely, to steady himself. The Status interface flickered into view as his strength gave out. The screen blurred before his eyes, the letters dancing like a mirage that was just beyond reach.
___________________________
STATUS
Name: Elliot Graham
Level: 2 (+1)
Sequence: 9 (Arcanist)
Health: 55/100
Stamina: 2/100
Energy: 0/20 (+10 from quest)
Attributes:
Strength: 6 (+1 from level up)
Agility: 8 (+1 from level up)
Endurance: 7 (+1 from level up)
Intelligence: 14 (+1 from level up, +5 from potion)
Perception: 16 (+1 from level up, +5 from potion)
Luck: 11 (+5 from potion)
Skills:
[Mental Barrier]: Creates an unyielding barrier around the user's consciousness, protecting them from corruption, mental intrusion, or manipulation. The user's mind is safe from the influence of powerful beings and the dangers of forbidden knowledge. Passive (Growth).
[Translate]: Effortlessly interpret, speak, and write in any known language without requiring learning or practice. Passive.
[Observation]: Allows the user to assess objects, people, and situations with heightened awareness and accuracy. It grants the ability to identify hidden properties, weaknesses, and intricate details that are normally unseen by the naked eye. Active.
[Arcane Sight]: The user gains the ability to see the flow of Energy around them, similar to Spirit Vision. They can perceive not only the presence of magic but also trace Energy pathways, detect magical disturbances, and spot hidden magical constructs or entities. This ability allows the user to navigate areas filled with concealed magic or traps. Active.
[Static Charge]: The user gains a limited connection to lightning energy. They can summon small electrical charges from the atmosphere, using them for tasks like igniting objects or delivering a small shocking jolt. The jolt causes discomfort, disorientation, or brief paralysis and can enhance physical strikes with a "shocking" effect to momentarily stun enemies. Active.
[Arcane Resonance]: The user can attune to the Energy surrounding magical items or areas, resonating with their arcane essence. This grants the ability to identify properties, uncover hidden effects, or unravel enchantments. Energy can also be siphoned from objects to replenish reserves, though this risks damaging the item. Active.
[Energy Overload]: The user can channel an intense burst of Energy to drastically enhance their skills or physical abilities. Overuse may lead to exhaustion or injury due to strain. Timing and control are essential to mitigate risks. Active.
Inventory:
75 pounds
Potion-making equipment:
Small cauldron
Stirring rod
Mortar and pestle
Vial set
Flask of purified water
Quests:
None
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The realization dawned on him as he scanned the changes, though his mind struggled to keep up with the flood of information.
The level-up increased all my stats by one, and the potion boosted my intelligence and luck even further...
For a fleeting moment, a sense of achievement bloomed in his chest. His stats had risen, his potential expanded—but it was all too much, too fast. His legs wobbled beneath him, unable to bear the weight of his exhaustion. The world around him darkened again, his vision narrowing to the edges of his interface.
He tried to focus on the glowing screen, but the letters were now blurring together, the words escaping him like water through his fingers. His body was giving up on him too quickly for the victory to feel satisfying. The sensation of the cold cobblestones against his cheek was starting to settle in as he collapsed, his pulse thudding in his ears like the toll of a heavy bell.
I need rest...
It felt like the simplest thought, but even that was hard to hold onto. His consciousness began to slip, the dark shadows at the edges of his vision inching closer. The faint sound of voices from the nearby tavern reached his ears, a distant, muffled buzz. It was like an echo from a faraway place—too far for him to grasp.
Then, darkness fully enveloped him.