Level Up Legacy

With a final, desperate screech, the crane finally succumbed. Its furious struggles had sent it sprawling, the uneven terrain hindering every attempt to regain its monstrous footing. Arthur moved in, his movements precise and merciless. Nightmare scythed through the air, not slicing at flesh this time, but targeting the crimson eye, the beacon of the creature's malevolent intelligence.

The blade connected with a sickening squelch, and the creature's struggles ceased. Arthur stood over the monstrous corpse, panting, a strange mix of adrenaline and triumph coursing through him.

His victory, however, was immediately interrupted by a series of cascading messages:

[A new monster has been defeated.]

[Absorbing the monster's essence.]

[Analyzing its essence…]

[Rearranging the database.]

[Assorting genes into the known skills.]

Arthur blinked in surprise. His legacy was a living, breathing thing, learning and evolving with each encounter. A sense of eagerness sparked as he awaited the final assessment. [Results:]

[Name: Titan Crane]

[Species: Unknown]

[Evolution: Myth-Tier]

[Strength: 1250]

[Agility: 800]

[Stamina: 1500]

[Perception: 600]

[Mana: 1500/1500]

[Special Skills:

Hurricane Winds: The Titan Crane can manipulate the air flow around its massive wings, creating gusts powerful enough to uproot trees and deflect projectiles.

Bone Regeneration: Severed limbs and wounds rapidly regenerate, enhancing its survivability in battle.

Piercing Shriek: A focused sonic attack that can disorient and temporarily immobilize foes.]

Arthur grinned. These abilities confirmed the sheer power of the creature he had just felled. Now, to claim his spoils...

Focusing his intent, he activated his absorb rune. A vortex of energy swirled around the carcass, siphoning the creature's latent power. His legacy pulsed in response.

[Level Up!]

[Level Up!]

[+5 Strength Points!]

[+5 Agility Points!]

[+5 Stamina Points!]

[+5 Perception Points!]

[+5 Mana Points!]

A sigh of sadness leaked from his mouth. The legacy was still a regulator of the power that the outsider once had, but its creator has long since perished. The memory of the Scholar Guardian was still freshly painted in his mind.

Jizo did not just give Arthur a legacy, but also the Godslayer Arts and his new weapon, Nightmare. The scholar dedicated his life to aid Arthur, and he was never thanked for it.

The water struck like a battering ram, and the creature staggered. Nova circled, drawing upon the hidden streams and rivulets snaking beneath the earth. He became a conductor of nature's fury, a blur of blue amidst the chaos.

Lilo, seeing his opening, unleashed a breath of blinding flame. It wasn't aimed to hurt, but to obscure. The Golem flailed, blinded by violet fire, and its already sluggish movements slowed further. Nova saw the lumbering fist coming and, with a flicker of his wings, conjured a whirling shield of water. The fist collided with a spray that could have felled trees, but Nova held.

The ground around the Golem began to soften, the water Novo manipulated sinking the monstrous feet into the earth. Lilo darted around its head, flickering between real and illusionary, the roar of his flames masking Nova's careful incantations.

With a final push, Nova gathered the surrounding water, a swirling mass the size of a small lake. He strained, his eyes locked on the Golem's lumbering form. Then, he released it.  The wave crashed over the giant, its weight and force sending it toppling to the ground with a seismic thud.

The Golem thrashed, but Lilo was there. A wall of violet illusions crashed down around the beast, confusing and disorienting it. Its movements grew slower, its roars dulled. Nova hovered above, summoning the last tendrils of moisture. He formed them into ropes, coiling around the limbs, and with a final heave, constricted.

The Earth Golem finally lay still. Exhausted, the dragons slumped to the ground beside their master. Lilo grinned, chest heaving.  "See, little one? Nothing to worry about!"

Nova panted, a thin curl of smoke escaping his nostrils. "Perhaps... teamwork has its merits."

Arthur watched the battle unfold, a mix of astonishment and pride warring within him. It was as though the two dragons shared a bond deeper than mere brotherhood, a connection transcending their individual abilities. They were like two pieces of a puzzle, fitting together perfectly to create something truly formidable.

The Earth Golem, mighty as it was, stood little chance against this coordinated onslaught. Weakened, disoriented, and finally bound by the torrent of water, it lay on the ground wheezing rather than roaring.  Arthur raised Nightmare. It wouldn't be a clean kill, but it was necessary. This creature was too dangerous, a raw, untamed force of nature birthed from uncontrolled mana.

"Godslayer Art - Second Stance!"

Nightmare flashed down, the blade empowered with the resonance of the Art. It sliced through the Golem's weakened form, cleaving rock and hardened earth like butter. The creature gave one final, shuddering groan and fell silent.

As the last remnants of its earthen body settled, Arthur felt the familiar surge of his legacy reacting.

[A new monster has been defeated.]

[Assorting genes into the known skills.]

A sense of anticipation washed over him. The Earth Golem was unique, a creature of a different order than the beasts he'd previously encountered. Its essence might bring forth valuable additions to his legacy.

[Results:]

[Name: Earth Golem]

[Species: Elemental]

[Evolution: Myth-Tier]

[Strength: 2500]

[Agility: 300]

[Stamina: 3000]

[Perception: 100]

[Mana: 3500/3500]

[Special Skills:

Earth Manipulation: The Earth Golem possesses a deep connection with the earth, allowing it limited control over its surrounding terrain.

Enhanced Regeneration: As a creature of earth, it can rapidly repair minor injuries.

Seismic Sense: Able to detect and interpret vibrations within the earth, giving it a form of awareness beyond sight.]

Arthur smiled in satisfaction. These abilities confirmed the raw power of the creature. He focused his intent, activating his absorb rune. A vortex of energy swirled around the carcass, siphoning the creature's latent power. His legacy pulsed in response.

[Level Up!]

[+5 Strength Points!]

[+5 Stamina Points!]

[+5 Mana Points!]