Part-194

  Without warning, a figure darted out from the shadows. It was small but fast, a blur of fur and sharp teeth. James jumped bastinctively as the creature lu him, narrowly missing his leg. His eyes widened as he finally got a good look at it.

  It was a rat, but unlike any rat James had ever seen. This one was much rger, its matted fur covered in grime and its red, beady eyes gleaming with a feral hunger. Its teeth were sharp, and it moved with a vicious speed that sent a chill down James’s spihe system hadn’t exaggerated when it called it "rabid."

  [Enemy identified: Ratling Sger. Threat level: Low.]

  Low threat or not, James wasn’t taking any ces. He sed the cave floor, quickly spotting a loose stone, and grabbed it just as the Ratling charged again. This time, he was ready. With a quient, James hurled the sto the creature, hitting it squarely in the side.

  The Ratling screeched in pain, stumbling but not stopping. It lu him again, cws outstretched. James dodged to the side, his reflexes sharp, thanks to his increased stats from previous missions. He grabbed aohis time smashing it down oling's head as it made a final leap toward him.

  With a siing thud, the Ratling colpsed, its body twitg once befoing still.

  James stood there for a moment, breathing hard, adrenaline c through his veins. The battle had been short but intense, and while the creature hadn’t been a major threat, the enter left him more cautious. If this was the kind of challenge Level 1 had to offer, what y ahead?

  As if to answer his unspokeion, the system chimed again.

  [Ratling Sger defeated. Proceed to the area.]

  James exhaled, his grip oone loosening. He gnced around the cave, w what new challenges awaited him deeper ihe dungeon had only just begun, and he khat the Lamp of Time held more secrets—secrets he was determio uncover.

  With renewed determination, James pressed forward into the unknowhs of the dungeon. Whatever y ahead, he would face it head-on.

  James stood in front of a door after advang deeper into the dungeon. As he surveyed his surroundings, he felt a strange sense of unease. "Was that really it for Level 1?" he thought. The Ratling Sger he had faced earlier seemed almost too easy, and the simplicity of the enter didn’t sit well with him. Something about the cave felt unfinished, like a test he hadn’t fully pleted.

  His curiosity led him to the door. As he approached, he noticed something unusual—a small warning sign o the doorframe. Tilting his head in fusioepped closer ahe sign aloud, "Caution: Level 1 Midse. Avoid if you're not strong enough."

  James froworween caution and curiosity. The sign made it clear that this wasn’t going to be as straightforward as the initial part of the dungeon, but there was only one way to know what awaited him. His petitive spirit got the better of him, and with a determined breath, he decided to push forward.