The Keilatrix was a little shorter than me, with a smaller frame. His claws and horns were a bit longer than a lesser Keilatrix, and his skin was maybe a shade darker.

Overall, underwhelming.

I said this thing was a normal Keilatrix, not a greater Keilatrix alright, you shouldn't have gotten your hopes up.

That being said, I had also freaked out a little when I saw how much bigger this thing was from the other guys in the den.

After seeing he wasn't even larger than I was, I calmed down. I nearly laughed at myself for getting so scared before getting a proper look at it.

Then the thing unsheathed its claws.

Holy shit, those things were more than a foot and a half long each.

I checked my hp.

3/12.

This might go poorly.

Keilatrix: Level 3

These guys are the evolved form of the lesser Keilatrix, growing up to become the bosses of their little brothers. Just as dumb as lesser Keilatrix's, they enjoy lounging around in the back of their den, ordering their lessers to bring them food. That said, these guys didn't evolve for nothing! Their claws are quite dangerous up close.

Yeah, I noticed the claws, thanks for pointing them out.

Also, this thing is level 3! Does that mean he's three times as strong as me?

No, the other Keilatrix's were also level 1 but they were much weaker than me. I shouldn't judge their strength based on their level.

I didn't have any more time for thinking about the description, because the Keilatrix growled in a very gravelly tone and ran at me!

Not wanting anything to do with those ridiculous claws, I did the reasonable thing and got up close.

Hey, offense is the best defense, right?

The demon seemed surprised I hadn't run backward and was too flustered to react to me stabbing two of my fingers into its left eye.

It screeched in a wretched voice and lashed out blindly with its claws.

Even though it didn't target me directly, due to how close I was and how huge those things were, I got cut pretty deeply in my already damaged shoulder.

And damn, those claws hurt!

I threw myself back to avoid any more attacks and saw the bastard running forwards with fury filling its good eye.

It looked like the dumbass had brought its arm up to the eye I had hit and accidentally damaged it more with its huge claws! Serves you right!

It was a small victory though, and I looked at my hp again.

2/12.

One more hit and I'll really be panicking.

The Keilatrix slashed at me.

I jumped to the side it couldn't see from and smashed my foot into its thigh.

It screeched and charged at me once again, its arms stretched wide apart like it was coming in for an extremely bloody hug.

I dove underneath, tackling it below the waist and sending it crashing to the ground.

I kicked it hard in the side, where it looked like its ribs were.

Again.

Again.

It howled in pain and tried to whip its claws around into my shin.

I tried to jump back, but it managed to scrape me.

Not too deep, I can keep going.

It got up, screeching at me, but with less anger this time. It was getting scared.

Good.

This time I darted forwards quickly in a feint. The demon fell for it, bringing its arms and claws up by its head in a defensive movement.

With its arms up, I brutally hammered my leg into its lower side, the one I had already kicked.

I felt something snap, and it stumbled, staying up, but stunned.

I took advantage of that, punching it hard in the face once, and grabbed its left wrist.

It sent its right hand slashing towards my head and I had to catch it.

The claws cut deep grooves into my hand but I managed to stop its movement.

Crushing its wrist with all my grip strength, I pushed the demon's hand forward in a quick and vicious movement, sending its own claws through its head.

It fell to the ground, unmoving.

You Have Slain: Keilatrix, Level 3

+24 XP Acquired

Punch: Level 3 Acquired

Kick: Level 3 Acquired

Grappler: Level 1 Acquired

Slayer: Level 1 Acquired

Slashing Resistance: Level 1 Acquired

Level 2 Acquired! Please See Your Character Profile To Level Up

Oh damn, that's a lot of messages. Makes sense, that guy was really scary.

And also, I leveled up! I guess killing an entire cave filled with demons gave me quite a lot of xp, huh?

Speaking of killing an entire cave of demons...

I turned towards the four prone demon young.

I still had a few left before I would complete the quest.

After that's over, I'll check out my level up.

You Have Slain: Lesser Keilatrix Young, Level 0

You Have Slain: Lesser Keilatrix Young, Level 0

You Have Slain: Lesser Keilatrix Young, Level 0

You Have Slain: Lesser Keilatrix Young, Level 0

+0 XP Acquired

Quest: The Great Keilatrix Massacre Has Been Completed

Uncommon Loot Box Acquired

Well, that was a little messy.

But now my quest is done! That's good, right? That was worth it, right?

Yeah, I'm sure. Killing demons, even baby ones, is its own reward.

But it was time to level up! I couldn't wait to see what would happen.

"Open up my character profile!"

My character profile was the same, except it said I was level 2 with 0/200 xp. there was a green message at the top that said "level up", so I clicked it.

Level Up

+5 Random Base Stats

+3 Selected Base Stats

A bit more text flashed in front of me, and I had a sensation that felt a lot like an orgasm but in every part of my body. I was enveloped in bright golden light that wound around me, filling me with bountiful energy. All the wounds I had acquired over the course of the past few hours slowly disappeared in the light, and I felt amazing.

Lake Rogers

Age: 19

Level: 2 (0/200)

HP: 14 (Regen/Day: 6)

SP: 13 (Regen/Day: 24)

MP: 0 (Regen/Day: 0)

Power: 12

Endurance: 14

Agility: 12

Vitality: 12

Manipulation: 11

Concentration: 8

Willpower: 15

Skills:

Perception - 1, Foresight - 2, Climbing - 1, Contemplation - 1, Punch - 3, Kick - 3, Jump - 1, Stomp - 2, Analyze - 1, Demon Killer - 2, Abyss Sanctum; Mastery of Death - 1, Demonic Envelopment - 1, Sprint - 1, Explosive Artist - 1, Grappler - 1, Slayer - 1

Resistances:

Fear Resistance - 1, Heat Resistance - 2, Bludgeoning Resistance - 1, Pain Resistance - 2, Slashing Resistance - 1

Skill Acquisition Period: 3 Hours 21 Minutes Remaining

+3 Base Stats

Holy shit, that was incredible.

I think I just got addicted to leveling up.

That was honestly the best thing I had ever felt. Which was a little weird, having the best sensation ever when I was literally in hell, but hey. I'll take whatever I can get, okay?

Looking over my character profile I immediately noticed a few changes. My hp and sp had both been increased a bit, and it seemed like I had points added to my power, endurance, agility and willpower.

My lists of skills and resistances had both increased a lot since I had woken up, and it felt good to look over my expansive lists of abilities.

It would be nice to know what they each did, though.

We'll figure that out later!

I tapped the green text at the bottom, which allowed me to add a total of 3 stat points to my total. I decided to put 2 points into concentration, bringing that up to 10, and another into power. You can never hit hard enough, am I right?

Again, I felt a huge surge of energy, leaving me feeling stronger than ever, but it also cleared my mind. I felt more awake than I had ever been. It was fantastic.

....

I started walking out of the Keilatrix den. There was no reason to stay there, alongside all the demon corpses in the dark. That was creepy and gross. Besides, it was just as hot in there as the main cave I had woken up in.

Continuing the trek, I opened up my loot box menu to see the uncommon box I had gotten from the demon-hunting quest.

It popped into existence in the middle of my outstretched hands, and I eagerly peeled off the cap.

Just as before, it burst into light as I felt the weight leave my hands, replaced by something else.

Now, after the amazing explosive potion I had gotten before, I was eagerly awaiting what amazing thing I would get out of this box. I didn't even think about the most important reward I could have obtained.

In my arms was a large bundle wrapped in cloth. One side felt cold, the other hot. I was surprised when system text flashed from the bundle

Cloth of Preservation - Uncommon

This enchanted cloth will keep anything kept within preserved at the same temperature and condition as when it was first placed inside. Useful for keeping lunches, shrunken heads, and the odd severed hand all in pristine condition on your travels.

Half-realizing what was inside, I eagerly opened the cloth and looked.

It was a huge amount of food, and what appeared to be a very large and chilled waterskin.

There was what looked like hot sliced bread, cooked chicken, steak, and some weird things that looked like purple oranges and small blue watermelon slices.

The waterskin felt like it had at least three or four liters of water. That would probably be enough for two or three days, which was a good start.

But the food made my mouth start watering.

I realized that it would be a huge waste to eat it all at once, this was my only real supply of food and drink I had at all.

So with a heavy heart, I took one slice of chicken and a single swig from the waterskin and closed the bundle.

That was probably the best thing I could have gotten, I thought.

A large number of edible items, plus something that will keep them in perfect condition.

If I could continually obtain and complete quests like that, I would have an endless source of food and water.

That would be my two main problems dealt with easily!

The future was looking up.