The battlefield reeked of blood and ash. The earth was torn asunder in every direction, with deep gouges from monstrous claws and black scorch marks where fire spells had exploded. The screams of the dying monsters echoed through the valley, merging with the howls of war cries and ringing steel. And above it all stood Riven, chest heaving, eyes burning with untamed fire.
As the soldiers regrouped at the center of the battlefield, their bodies caked in sweat, grime, and blood, Riven remained still, surveying the carnage. They had won—barely. But he knew the war was far from over.
He turned to the interface that hovered just before him.
LEVEL UP!Congratulations. You have reached Level 10.Attribute Points Gained: 6Skill Tree Points Gained: 2
He took a deep breath and opened his status menu. His body still ached from the last encounter, but the rush of power that accompanied each level was enough to fuel his spirit.
He allocated 4 points into Speed, feeling his nerves twitch with new potential as his reaction time and footwork surged. The remaining 2 went into Endurance—his muscles pulsed tighter, his lungs burned less, and his core felt more stable, more unyielding.
Then came the skill tree.
He navigated to the Ssireum branch. Two new skills lit up, now accessible thanks to his increased level.
Unlocked Skill: Back Hook (Active)
Use your lower body and grip to execute a backward throw using your opponent's momentum.
Unlocked Passive: Efficient Thrower (Passive)
Reduces stamina usage from throws and grapples by 5%.
The weight of the knowledge settled into him like an ancient instinct being awakened. He could feel his grapples becoming cleaner in his mind, more efficient, more devastating.
He looked at the field where soldiers were catching their breath. Without hesitation, he sprinted forward.
He couldn't use Flash Step—his daily three charges had been exhausted during the desperate duel with the massive bear-like monster. But he didn't need it. Not now.
He surged through the scattered lines of monsters. A wolf-like beast leapt at him. With a sidestep and a swift knee to its jaw, he sent it flipping in midair before crashing into a tree. Another, a spider-creature with razor legs, scuttled toward him. Riven ducked under its legs, grabbed its body, and with a spin, executed a flawless Back Hook, slamming the beast into a boulder.
The battlefield became his arena.
He delivered elbow strikes, low kicks, and devastating takedowns. Every move was a deadly combination of Earth's forgotten arts: Muay Thai for close-quarters devastation, and Ssireum for breaking balance and delivering crushing throws.
Combat Log Updated: 121 monsters defeated.
He kept going.
His gloves, glowing faintly, pulsed with power, enhancing his grip, his strikes, and his endurance. They were part of him now—an extension of his rage and skill.
As he neared his 300th kill, the interface lit up again.
LEVEL UP!Level 11 Reached!Attribute Points: 3Skill Tree Points: 1
But something else had been unlocked.
Refining System Unlocked!
Use Refining to enhance equipment. Each attempt has a success rate. Failure will result in the destruction of the item.
He stared at his gloves.
[Rare Combat Gloves]Refinement Level: 0Attempt Refinement? (Yes/No)
His heart beat faster. This was a risk. But Riven had always gambled everything when it mattered.
"Yes."
Refining... Success! Gloves +1Refining... Success! Gloves +2Refining... Success! Gloves +3
He couldn't believe it. Three refinements in a row without failure. His gloves now shimmered with a faint aura, crackling with latent power.
Bonus Effect: +20% Physical Damage, +15% Grip Strength, +10% Resistance to Weapon Impact.
His power had surged again. It felt like his fists were now maces wrapped in lightning.
He added 3 more points into Speed, increasing his motion blur to the eyes of the enemies, and used the skill point to Upgrade Basic Ssireum to Level 2.
He lunged back into the fight.
The rest of the soldiers were holding the line, albeit barely. Some were down, others fought on with broken blades and gashed armor. But when they saw Riven—a blur of fury, weaving through monsters and crushing them—they found their second wind.
He didn't slow.
He ducked under a three-headed serpent's strike, delivered a spinning elbow to its jaw, and leapt up to land a flying knee on the central head. It crashed to the ground. He turned to a brute charging him and tackled it to the ground with a Ssireum grapple, followed by a full combo of strikes: elbow, jab, uppercut, and a final kick to the skull.
Kill Count: 300.
A final roar echoed.
The last monster was beheaded by the captain's sword. The battlefield fell silent save for panting breaths and distant moans of the wounded.
A voice in the wind whispered across the minds of those who still stood:
Wave Two Complete.
Reward: 300 Gold Coins, 1 Random Equipment Chest (Rare), 1 Title – "Monster Breaker"
Title Bonus: +10% Damage against all monster types.
The soldiers collapsed or dropped to one knee. Some raised their weapons and cried in joy. Others looked to the sky, tears in their eyes.
Riven stood tall among them, his fists still clenched. His entire body felt like it had been pulled through fire, but he stood regardless. Stronger. Sharper.
And then he looked to the horizon.
Black clouds swirled unnaturally. The winds shifted.
Wave Two was done.
But there would be more.
For now… they had won.
And Riven had leveled up again. He was now Level 11.
The second wave had fallen.
But the war had only just begun.