Part-212

  A new notification appeared before his eyes:

  *[Midse cleared. EXP gained: 500.]*

  James allowed himself a moment of satisfa, his body still buzzing with adrenaline.

  Just as James expected, the final se of Level 1 featured even more Ratling Sgers—this time, 40 of them. James activated his enhanced "sloth view" and dove into battle, knowing he had already fought through the midse twice.

  Twenty Minutes Later...

  James stood amidst the chaos of the final se of Level 1, his breath heavy but steady as he wiped the sweat from his brow. He had just defeated the st of the 40 Ratling Sgers, his heart rag with the thrill of victory. The room was eerily silent now, the echoes of the battle fading into the dim corridors of the dungeon. James grinned, feeling a sense of aplishment. This time, he had pushed his limits and emerged victorious.

  But just as that thought crossed his mind, something strange began to happen. The fallen Ratling corpses, scattered across the floor, started to twitd move, as though drawn to some unseen force. James’s eyes widened as he watched in horror. One by ohe corpses merged, fusing together into a grotesque, massive creature. It stood over teall, its body a twisted amalgamation of Ratling limbs and heads. In its hands, the beast wielded a rge, wooden on resembling a hockey stick, except this one lintered and jagged, clearly designed for brutal bat.

  James instinctively took a step back, his muscles tensing as adrenaline surged through his veins. The creature let out a low, guttural growl, its red eyes glowing menagly. James quickly activated **Sloth View**, his ultimate ability that slowed down time around him. The world seemed to slowed, allowing him a moment to assess the situation. But even with the slowed time, he could see that this creature moved with unnatural speed and aggression. It wasn’t like the other Ratlings—this was something far more dangerous.

  Before James could act, the massive Ratling swung its on with lightning speed, closing the distaween them in an instant. James barely had time to raise his arms in defense before the jagged on smashed into him, sending him flying across the chamber. His body crashed into the stone wall with a siing thud, and for a brief moment, everythi bck.

  When James came to, he found himself back at the Level 1 midse, the familiar stone walls of the dungeon surrounding him. His head throbbed, and his body ached from the impact. He groarying to shake off the dizziness. “What just happened?” he muttered, still trying to make sense of the sudden turn of events.

  The respawn had saved him from a fatal defeat, but it also meant that he had to start the se ain. His mind raced as he repyed the battle in his head. The creature—whatever it was—had caught him off guard, and its strength was overwhelming. He hadn't even had a ce to exge the points he earned from defeating the Ratling Sgers, which could have boosted his stats and given him a better shot at surviving the fight.