It’s not looking at me.

  It’s not looking at me, right?

  I mean, it’s really dark in here, and I have Camouflage. It’s just standing there… so…

  Still, even with my Night Vision, the creature’s black, leathery hide blended itself into the darkness of the cave. Its mouth was half open with its heavy breaths, letting its teeth and eyes stand out, turning it into a monstrous face hovering in the darkness.

  I activated {Vail of Shadows} just to improve my Camouflage further. I was careful to breathe as shallowly as possible, doing my best not to make any noise.

  Then, there was another massive inhale through its nose… and it started slowly making it’s way in my direction.

  Thump… Thump… Thump…

  I put my body low to the ground and started crawling away.

  Can it smell me? It had also picked a mole right out of the ground, so maybe it had Pulse Sense as well?

  I could see the exit of the cavern, the soft light from above barely glowing down. I needed to get out of here, but it would surely see me the second I crossed over into that light.

  Thump… Thump… Thump…

  I continued to crawl, slowly.

  Please! It can’t end like this! After everything I’ve been through, it’s not fair to get eaten by some giant monster I have no chance against! I don’t even taste good, and I’m small! I’m not a good snack, Mr. Monster!

  Then, I made a crucial error as my paw moved forward and kicked a small rock.

  I froze, watching the rock bounce a couple of short skips, but in the spacious cavern, it echoed around louder than anything.

  I stopped breathing entirely, just listening. The monster stopped walking.

  Then, suddenly—

  Thump-thump-thump-thump-thump—

  I bolted upright and started running as fast as my legs could carry me, heading for the light. I glanced back only once to see it charging across the cavern. Each stride sent dust exploding from the ground, and small rocks broke loose from the ceiling, falling all around.

  I sprinted harder, claws digging deep for traction as I shot toward the slope. The faint light above felt miles away, the tunnel narrowing like a throat about to swallow me whole. The monster’s roar hit a moment later—deep, thunderous, and close enough that my ears rang.

  More chunks of dirt rained from the ceiling. I didn’t dare look back as I kept my eyes on the path ahead. If I were to trip or run into something, it would all be over. I had no time to spare!

  I made it to the slope, reaching the faint light from above, but the monster was right on me. It was faster than me, and there was nothing I could use for cover until I made it back to the upper cavern!

  But I already knew I wouldn’t make it. I was too far from safety, and the monster was too fast.

  I glanced back to see it diving down—this was it!

  I leaped forward with everything I had, hoping my sudden forward acceleration would be enough to save me from its jaws for just a little while longer.

  There was a clash of fang against fang, the monster’s mouth snapping shut. But I was still in one piece, and still running.

  I glanced back to see it struggling. It had stopped, it was… It was too big to make it through the tunnel! Its thick body was wedged between the stone walls!

  It roared in irritation as its massive claws dug into the ground in front of it, and it thrust its head back and forth, snarling in anger.

  I didn’t mean to slow down, but I couldn’t help taking a moment to take in its appearance. It looked like a dinosaur more than anything else. Its scales were dark, nearly perfect black, layered across its body like armor, shimmering faintly from the glow of the shrooms above. A jagged ridge of stone-like spines ran from its skull to its back, grinding against the rock ceiling as it thrashed. Dust and debris rained down around it as it clawed at the ground, digging deep trenches as it tried to pull itself through.

  Then, it stopped and let out a deafening roar that shook right down to my bones. The entire cavern was shaking as if an earthquake had just occurred. Then, as it reached forward and dug, it suddenly shifted forward—it was breaking free!

  I began running again with all my might, pulling myself up the slope as pebbles danced and rolled down past me. As I reached near enough to where the slope meant the cliff I jumped up to buy myself a few extra seconds vs running fully around. My back legs scrambled up, and just as I pulled myself up, a huge crash echoed from below.

  Thump-thump-thump-thump-thump—

  The monster was free! It charged up the hill, breaking through the plume of thick dust it had created from tearing apart the tunnel walls.

  I knew the only way to escape was far back the way I had come when first discovering this cavern. That tunnel was so small that even a human would have to get down to their hands and knees to get through.

  I already felt myself becoming winded, running up that slope had really drained me after already having such a long night of hunting. I did a quick check of my vitals, trying to gauge if I’d have enough stamina to make it.

  Vitals

  Health: 270 / 305

  Mana: 240 / 335

  Stamina: 35 / 300

  My stamina was so low! And as I forced my paws to keep bounding myself forward, I could feel my stamina depleting more and more. If it were not for the reduced stamina drain I received from the Night Hunter level up, I’d probably already be spent.

  Would it be enough to sprint all the way across the cavern? I didn’t think so. I could easily see myself losing the strength to jump across the upcoming stream.

  But then, a welcoming ding sounded as a screen popped up in front of me.

  If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

  [Achievement! Run for your life!]

  You are underleveled and underpowered against a rare class monster that has its sights on you. With no other options at your disposal, there is only one thing left to do!

  +10 Dexterity bonus Dexterity until you next sleep.

  Thank you, system! I cried out internally. I take back everything bad I ever said about you!

  As before, it gave me exactly what I needed most for my current situation. I once again had to wonder if it really was watching out for me, but I could ponder that more another day.

  10 dexterity would give me 40 extra stamina, and already I could feel it in my body. I was still winded, but no longer at the cusp of muscle failure.

  The monster scrambled up the cliff, letting out another irritated roar as it saw how much distance I had already gotten from it. But soon it was thumping after me once again.

  Thump-thump-thump-thump-thump—

  Fire Martins scattered from the path ahead of me, running in all different directions. I saw a Wind Mouse leap out from behind a rock, rocketing itself to the far side of the cavern. Every single thing in this cavern now considered itself prey, and as I approached the stream, I even saw a couple of Lightning Toads escaping into the water.

  I jumped for the first stepping stone I saw, front paws down, then back, and leapt again.

  My back paws slipped, hurting my momentum as I dunked my rear into the cold water, but my front paws made it to shore where they scrambled to pull myself out again.

  Thump-thump-thump-thump-thump—

  I didn’t let my soaked backside slow me down as I continued to run. I could see the tunnel I was aiming for, just a short sprint away. But a splash behind me told me the monster was right on my tail.

  I angled my face forward, digging deep for whatever extra speed I could muster when suddenly the ground began shaking again.

  A geyser erupted in front of me, blocking my view of the tunnel and too close to change my direction as I twisted to slow down and not run into it.

  As I turned around, I saw the monster diving on me, jaws wide open, ready to swallow me whole. I didn’t think I could escape to the left or right, so instead I dove under the monster, just barely making it under its bottom jaw as its teeth snapped on thin air, and it dove its nose into the ground where I had been standing.

  Seeing a leg, I used {Crippling Bite} out of instinct. My teeth sank into its flesh, but it was very clear I did not have the power to do any real harm. Though I did draw some blood, and the monster roared in pain as it began thrashing around, stomping its feet all around me. Any one of those stomping limbs could crush me, so I bolted to the side, out from the shadow of the monster's belly. I don’t think it noticed me, so I ran around the rock wall it had created and made a beeline for the tunnel.

  It was right on me again—thump-thump-thump-thump-thump—I ignored it and focused solely on moving as fast as I could. There was a pause in the thumping as it leaped forward, looking to scoop me up once again, but I leaped at the very same moment, making a last attempt at the safety of the small tunnel where it had no way of following me.

  I could practically feel its breath on my tail as the glow of the cavern was consumed by the monster's shadow, but as I crossed the threshold into safety, its jaws snapped shut behind me.

  The walls of the tunnels shook and dirt fell from the ceiling as it slammed into the wall. But after a few steps, I turned, panting, seeing its jaws snapping repeatedly over the opening, trying to reach in after me—but I was safe.

  Trying to catch my breath, I checked my vitals.

  Vitals

  Health: 270 / 305

  Mana: 240 / 335

  Stamina: 15 / 340 (+40)

  Well, I escaped death, at least, but that was it for hunting for the night. Once the adrenaline of the chase wore down, I knew my limbs would feel feathery and hard to move.

  It continued to growl and snap its jaws behind me, throwing its body into the wall outside the tunnel as I calmly walked away.

  Ha! Take that! Stupid monster! Thought you could out-chase a Hell Hound, huh?

  My tail flicked up proudly as I made my way down the tunnel. I wished I could speak to Lily properly and tell her all about what I had just been through. Though, I was disappointed I wouldn’t be unlocking my new Path as I had hoped to tonight—

  The earth around me suddenly shook so violently that it knocked me off my feet. The monster was no longer bashing itself against the wall, yet the world shook as if another earthquake had hit.

  As larger rocks and debris broke free from the tunnel walls, I realized I wasn’t safe yet and started to run.

  One big rock struck my back, knocking me down again, but I scrambled up and continued to move. Ahead of me, the tunnel was collapsing, becoming smaller. I was going to be buried alive!

  Stupid, stupid, stupid!

  Was having taken that one crucial moment to celebrate really going to kill me now?

  Still, I ran, dodging rocks as I went, but the way ahead continued to collapse until it blocked my escape route completely.

  The earth stopped shaking, and I stared in horror at the pile of stones in front of me. At least I wasn’t buried, but…

  I gulped as I looked back. The outside of the tunnel was surprisingly quiet. Maybe it gave up and would leave? I could see the soft glow of the cavern and wondered how I would even get back to Lily now. But soon, the glow darkened as one massive eye looked in after me. I heard a soft growl that sounded more like the monster’s version of a laugh.

  It reached in a claw after me, not coming anywhere near me, but I backed up as close to the pile of rubble that blocked my way as I could. Then, the claw receded. All was quiet once again, until I heard a deep scratching sound, like stone against stone. Rubble fell past the open on the other side of the tunnel, then the scratching became faster and more rhythmic. It was digging!

  I turned around, pushing against the stones, trying to knock them out of my way. I was already exhausted, but even with a full stamina bar, I don’t think I could have cleared my way out of this!

  Damn it, damn it!

  I whined and let my head collapse on top of a rock.

  This isn’t fair! Why do you even want to eat me so badly?! Aren’t there better things out there you can snack on than some poor innocent pup!?

  I felt too exhausted to try any desperate attempts at digging to freedom. It was all over.

  I wouldn’t be getting my Path tonight. I wouldn’t even survive… and Lily would be left all alone. The red masks would be flooding the cave tomorrow, and she would be caught along with all of my other siblings.

  This isn’t fair! It’s not fair! I cursed inwardly once again. Tears stung my eyes, knowing how hopeless it all was now.

  Even if I could slip past the monster while it was digging, I didn’t have the strength to keep running. It had a good bit of digging to do, but it could use its rock powers to flush me out even quicker when it was ready.

  I closed my eyes tighter… feeling utterly defeated.

  I was truly done for…

  Then, I heard a small chirp sound. I opened my tear-glazed eyes, staring at something beside me.

  It was a small creature, even smaller than a rabbit, with brown fur and whiskers nervously bouncing as it sniffed alongside a rock. Its little hands reached forward, as if testing the rock as it moved along, until it found some loose dirt. There was then a soft glow from its hands, and a small plume of dirt exploded away. The tiny creature began to try burrowing into the little hole it had created.

  Without a second thought, I used the last of my strength to scoop it up between my jaws, and I bit down.

  Prey Eliminated! Level 1 Dirtling!

  No experience rewarded.

  I chewed and swallowed. It wasn’t a very good meal… but…

  There was a ding, and a blue screen popped up in front of my eyes.

  [Achievement! Essence of the Five]

  You have consumed a creature of all five elemental affinities. With the magical energies of the world now inside you, your body may harmonize with the primal forces that shape the magic of this world.

  That’s… that’s what I needed… that’s…

  Major Bonus to all stats!

  Bonus Development awarded!

  [You have reached 100% development and have advanced to stage 4!]

  [All prerequisites of an evolution path have been met!]

  Without giving it a second thought, I turned my focus to the evolution tab and selected “Arcane Nightstalker.”

  [Warning! The following active skills will be unusable with the selected Path; however, you will lose no development towards mastery of these skills, and they may be accessible again should you switch back to a compatible Path.]

  Pulse Sense

  Marrow Sense

  [Are you sure you want to evolve to the Arcane Nightstalker Path?]

  [Yes] > [No]

  By evolving, I would lose Pulse Sense… It was like an old friend and had been key to my survival up to this point. I never even would have made it out of the forest without it. But given my current situation, it was a necessary sacrifice… The system message implied I could get it back eventually, too… so…

  Without any hesitation, I confidently selected “yes.”

  Enjoying the story?