CHAPTER 42: LEVELING UP

The night deepened, and under the silvery glow of the moon, Rhys and Puddle continued their relentless hunt through the corrupted forest.

Each battle brought sharper instincts, quicker movement, cleaner strikes. Rhys could feel the rhythm settling into his body—the flow of battle becoming second nature. The deeper they went into the surrounding grove, the more dangerous the monsters became, but that only meant more experience.

[You have defeated: Hexfang Wolf – Level 55]

[EXP Gained]

[Level Up! Current Level: 55]

[Skill Obtained: Mana Pulse Slash – Rank Uncommon]

A sword technique that releases a pulse of compressed mana along the blade. Medium-range slash. Scales with Intelligence and Strength. Cooldown: 120s. Mana Cost: 450

Rhys held his blade as the corpse of the Hexfang Wolf collapsed into the underbrush, its body disintegrating into shimmering dust. The forest pulsed faintly with residual energy.

He exhaled and looked down at his blade. "Mana Pulse Slash, huh?" He raised it experimentally and triggered the skill. A sudden flash burst from the edge of his sword, tearing through a fallen tree several meters away.

"Damn. That’ll come in handy."

Puddle wobbled proudly at his side and bounced once. Rhys chuckled. "You want to show off too?"

The slime began casting [Shadow Tendrils] and [Water Jet] in sync, layering damage and crowd control—something it hadn’t done before. Rhys raised an eyebrow.

"Huh... you’re getting stronger too."

They kept moving.

They took down a [Moon-Cursed Bear]—a hulking corrupted beast that took both of them working together to outmaneuver its berserker-like charges. Rhys used [Mana Shield] to block a claw swipe that would’ve torn him in half, then followed with a combo of [Vertical Slash] into [Mana Pulse Slash], cleaving through its neck in a single, glowing arc.

[You have defeated: Moon-Cursed Bear – Level 58]

[EXP Gained]

[Level Up! Current Level: 56]

[Rare Drop: Bloodfur Mantle – Cloak | Rarity: Epic]

+150 Defense | +10% Physical Damage Resistance | Passive: Regenerates 2% HP every 10s outside of combat

Rhys whistled and draped the cloak over his shoulders. "Now that’s loot."

The momentum only grew from there. They took down spiders that dripped venomous mist, fungal beasts that exploded on death, and even a lesser [Corrupted Dryad], who dropped a [Seed of Restoration]—a rare alchemical item used in forest purification rituals.

The grove, once silent and full of menace, now buzzed faintly with clear mana where they’d fought. The air no longer burned his lungs. He could feel it—the corruption receding with every beast they felled.

[Level Up! Current Level: 57]

[Skill Acquired: Reactive Dash – Rank uncommon]

A burst-movement skill triggered after blocking or taking damage. Grants brief invincibility during dash. Cooldown: 15s. Mana Cost: 30

"Nice," Rhys said with a grin. "That’ll help close distance or dodge big hits."

"It seems, being the first here, do gives a lot of drops" Rhys mumbled as he is getting fro very ten or so kill.

He took a deep breath and looked around. The tree at the center—the one where Milie had stayed hidden for so long—now stood brighter, the glow of the fairy’s resting spot spreading out through the nearby flora. The flowers were no longer wilting, and the wind carried a gentler hum.

He turned to Puddle and gave a firm nod. "Almost done here. We’re getting stronger fast."

The little slime gleamed with light and shadow swirling in its core. It was growing too—larger now, a bit more translucent, its core more distinct. Ancient power pulsed in its presence, steady and calm.

Rhys’s boots barely made a sound against the damp forest floor as he stalked deeper into the moonlit grove, eyes sharp and senses flaring. Each skirmish now came with practiced ease—his movements faster, his attacks more precise, and his mana surging like a river no longer bound by narrow banks.

[You have defeated: Corrupted Antler Stag – Level 60]

[EXP Gained]

[Level Up! Current Level: 58]

Puddle surged forward like a bullet made of fluid shadows, casting [Dark Mist] to blind the monster before Rhys delivered a finishing [Whirlwind Slash] that turned the stag to spectral dust.

"You’ve gotten terrifying, little guy," Rhys said, panting slightly. "That combo’s vicious."

Puddle wobbled proudly and let out a soft kyuuu~, then rolled over something in the grass.

[Item Acquired: Spiritwood Core]

A rare crafting material infused with condensed moonlight essence. Can be used to upgrade enchanted weapons or forge Epic-tier gear.

Rhys pocketed the Spiritwood Core with a nod. "That’ll come in handy once we’re done with this grove."

The forest began changing as they pushed toward the mountain. The trees twisted higher, denser, and stranger—branches shaped like grasping fingers, and bark etched with symbols long erased from common knowledge. The monsters here were stronger, faster, and more corrupted—but so was Rhys.

[You have defeated: Fungal Howler – Level 62]

[You have defeated: Bone-Winged Raptor – Level 63]

[You have defeated: Lost Moonshade Knight – Level 64]

[EXP Gained]

[Level Up! Current Level: 59]

[Level Up! Current Level: 60]

[Your Contracted Beast: Puddle has unlocked new Passive Trait: Mana Essence Flow]

Your body now channels mana essence more efficiently.

– All skill cooldowns reduced by 10%.

– Mana regeneration increased by 25%.

[Due to it being a sub-skill under Mana Essence, the player also receives this trait.]

Rhys stood still, stunned for a moment as the aura around his body subtly shifted. He felt lighter. His mana didn’t just pulse anymore—it sang, flowing smoothly through his veins like a second heartbeat.

"Woah, it’s like something unlocked inside me," Rhys mumbled as he hugged Puddle. "I knew it was a great choice to have you," he said, as Puddle just released soft "Kyuuu, kyuuu" noises.

However, suddenly his body began to glow like an light bulb..

"huh? what’s happening puddle?" Rhys asked worried bythe sudden unexpected phenomenon.

Kyuuu...! the slime answered, glowing slightly brighter than before. Its size had grown again, and a soft ring of light now circled the black core deep within its jelly-like body.

[Puddle has unlocked new skills after reaching: Level 60]

[New Skill Unlocked – Ancient Water Magic: Aqua Lance]

Fires a pressurized spear of water. Ignores 25% of enemy defense. Causes "Soaked" status.

Mana Cost: 600. Cooldown: 15s.