System Made Me a Tank [LitRPG-Evolution]

Boran and Noemi began climbing a hill. As they ascended, the valley vista became increasingly impressive. The treetops danced gently in the wind, leaves gleaming in countless shades of green in the sunlight. Mist rising from the depths of the valley drifted among the trees.

"Everything looks so different from up here," said Noemi while catching her breath. The sky was clear and clouds drifted slowly above the valley. Sunbeams pierced through the layer of mist, creating golden columns here and there.

On the western side of the valley stretched a long, deep valley arm. Here the trees were denser, the shadows darker. Noemi shielded her eyes with her hand as she looked in that direction.

"Boran, did you see that?" she pointed. "It looks different from the other areas."

Boran squinted as he looked. There was something strange about that section of the valley. The treetops were irregular, some appearing as if they had been cut. "Yes, I see it. Something has damaged those trees."

"Should we take a closer look?"

The pair carefully began moving in that direction. As they approached, the scene before them became clearer. Most of the trees were cut through their middle, as if a giant scythe had passed through them. Fallen tree trunks and shattered branches littered the ground.

"This isn't normal," said Boran, examining a tree trunk. The cut surfaces were smooth, as if sliced in a single strike. "No ordinary creature could cut trees like this."

Noemi examined the tracks around them. "Look, there are some marks here." Deep scratches were visible in the soft soil. "These would perfectly fit a six-legged creature..."

"We've found Valley Reaper's territory," said Boran, readying his shield. "These cuts must be from its scythe-like tail. Clearly a powerful creature."

When the wind blew, a strange sound came from among the trees — a sharp whistling like metal cutting through air. Boran and Noemi looked at each other. They were both thinking the same thing: Valley Reaper was nearby.

"We can handle this," said Boran, gripping his shield firmly. "If things get out of control, we'll use the emergency exit. But first we need to deal with this creature."

Noemi nodded. She gripped her staff with both hands, her eyes scanning the area. "The sound came from this direction," she whispered, pointing to a dark passage between the trees.

Boney Stark followed behind them.

As they advanced, the air grew heavier. The wind had stopped, leaves remained motionless. It was as if the entire valley was holding its breath, waiting for what would happen. The hair on Boran's neck stood on end.

And then they saw it.

Valley Reaper glided from between the trees like a shadow. It moved spider-like on its six long legs, but its appearance was far more terrifying. Its body was covered in dark purple scales, and spines protruding from its back gleamed with a metallic shimmer with every movement. Its most striking feature was its tail — sharp and deadly like a giant scythe, extending from its body in a silvery crescent.

The creature stopped. It slowly turned its head toward them. Its eyes were bright red.

"Noemi..." whispered Boran, backing away. "I think..."

He couldn't finish his sentence. Valley Reaper attacked with such speed that Boran barely managed to throw himself to the ground. The creature's scythe sliced through the air, cleaving the tree behind them in half with a single strike. As the cut tree slowly toppled sideways, the resulting boom shook the entire valley.

"Get away!" shouted Boran, lunging toward Noemi. They rolled in opposite directions. Valley Reaper's second attack passed right between them, slicing through the rocks on the ground like glass.

Noemi quickly straightened up, raised her staff. "Fireball!" A bright fireball shot from the staff, striking the creature directly.

Valley Reaper suddenly turned, swinging its scythe toward Noemi. Noemi threw herself aside at the last moment, but one of the creature's legs caught her, lifting her into the air.

"NOEMI!" Boran shouted. He shouted primitively again, using his Taunt ability.

[Taunt skill has no effect]

"What's this!" Boran exclaimed in shock. "My Taunt ability... didn't work. This has never happened before," he thought.

He hesitated for a moment. If even his most trusted ability wasn't working, this creature was far more dangerous than they thought.

Not knowing what else to do, he charged at the creature with his shield. He landed a powerful blow on Valley Reaper's leg. The impact made the creature stagger, losing its balance. Noemi freed herself and fell to the ground.

Valley Reaper hissed with rage — the sound was like a metal blade scraping against stone. It turned its body, advancing toward Boran with all its might.

"IS:B!"

Boran raised his shield but the creature's power was incredible. Each strike pushed him backward.

[You took 30 damage]

[Thorn dealt 25 damage]

"It hits so hard despite my high physical resistance! Noemi! Are you alright?" called Boran, while trying to block Valley Reaper's attacks.

"I'm fine!" Noemi staggered to her feet.

Valley Reaper suddenly stopped. It tilted its head at an odd angle, as if studying them. Then... it smiled. This was the most terrifying thing Boran had ever seen. The creature's mouth split open, revealing countless sharp teeth.

The creature approached with heavy steps. The ground shook with each step. It attacked with incredible speed. Its scythe whistled as it spun through the air. Boran raised his shield but the strike was so powerful that he was thrown backward, his back hitting a tree.

[You took 120 damage]

[Thorn dealt 25 damage]

Noemi raised her staff once more, her eyes gleaming with determination. A Fireball shot from the tip of her staff, striking Valley Reaper's scaly hide. The creature let out a painful scream, its purple scales burning with a crimson glow.

Valley Reaper hissed with rage, baring its sharp teeth as it turned toward Noemi. Moving swiftly on its long legs, its scythe-like tail swaying threateningly in the air. When it reached Noemi, it swung its tail in a deadly arc.