Kairiki

Level 8: The Birth of a New Warrior

[The Penalty Zone faded from Hydro's view, the scorching desert sands giving way to the chilling stillness of the throne room. He landed on the cold stone floor with a slight thud, his eyes narrowing as they adjusted to the dim light that barely illuminated the vast chamber.]

[But something was different. The once sparse ranks of Knights that had previously guarded the throne had swelled in numbers, their armor gleaming ominously in the darkness. The room was now teeming with them, their swords drawn, their visors locked onto him with unerring precision.]

HYDRO: So, they brought reinforcements the moment I came back. I've gotta see what this Knight Killer would do.

[He didn't flinch. Instead, a slow, confident smile crept across his face. The challenge had grown, but so had his strength. Hydro rolled his shoulders, feeling the familiar weight of his new dagger—the Knight Killer—resting at his side.]

[Without wasting another moment, he launched himself at the nearest Knight, his speed unmatched as he weaved between their attacks. His fist connected with one Knight's chest plate, denting the armor with a thunderous crack. But as the Knight crumpled to the ground, Hydro's brows furrowed in confusion. There was no familiar rush of power, no level-up notification flashing before his eyes.]

HYDRO: What's going on? I kept killing them, but I don't feel like it. I can't even level up by killing knights.

[He looked around at the advancing Knights, his mind racing. He had defeated several of them already, yet his level remained the same. Hydro leapt back, dodging a sword swipe, and quickly scanned the room for any clue as to what was happening.]

[Then, it clicked. The Knights weren't the true enemies. They were merely pawns—summoned creatures with no life force of their own. The real threat was something else, something hidden among them.]

[His eyes darted around the throne room, searching for the source of the summoning spell. And then he saw them—three robed figures standing near the far wall, their hands glowing with the telltale light of magic. The Mages.]

HYDRO: So, you're the ones pulling the strings.

[Hydro's grip tightened on the hilt of his dagger. He needed to eliminate the Mages to stop the endless tide of Knights. But getting to them would be a challenge, with so many enemies in his path.]

[He took a deep breath, centering himself. This wasn't just about brute force. It was about precision—finding the right moment to strike. He focused on the Mage closest to him, his eyes narrowing as he activated a skill he hadn't had the chance to use yet.]

[The air around Hydro seemed to ripple as he invoked Dagger Toss, channeling his mana into the blade. With a flick of his wrist, the dagger shot forward like a bolt of lightning, cutting through the air with deadly accuracy. It found its mark, sinking into the chest of the Mage with a sickening thud.]

[The Mage's eyes widened in shock as the light in his hands flickered and died. The Knights he had summoned immediately began to waver, their forms growing translucent before crumbling into dust. Hydro smirked, satisfied with the result.]

HYDRO: One down.

[But there was no time to rest. The other two Mages had realized what had happened, and they quickly began chanting new incantations, their hands glowing brighter as they prepared to summon something far worse.]

[Hydro didn't wait for them to finish. He dashed toward the second Mage, his movements a blur as he closed the distance in the blink of an eye. The Mage barely had time to react before Hydro's fist connected with his jaw, sending him crashing to the ground. A swift kick to the chest followed, crushing the Mage's ribcage and ending his spellcasting for good.]