Ascendancy: The System’s Chosen

The Phantom Edge flickered in Eleanor's grip, weightless yet solid. It pulsed with an eerie silver light, a weapon forged from her own will.

The Ruinborne Stalker lunged.

Eleanor didn't dodge. She stepped forward.

Her instincts screamed, but she ignored them—because hesitation meant death.

The monster's claws swiped toward her throat—but her blade moved first.

She slashed.

A sharp, silver arc cut through the darkness, striking the beast's shoulder. The blade didn't just slice—it burned, leaving a glowing gash in the creature's decayed flesh.

The Stalker shrieked and recoiled, ichor dripping from its wound.

Eleanor's breath came hard and fast.

It worked.

She had power.

The creature snarled, red eyes burning with fury. It lunged again, this time faster.

But Eleanor was already moving.

Her body reacted before her mind.

[Skill Activated: Adaptation]

The Stalker aimed for her legs—a feint. It would follow with a pounce, crushing her beneath its weight.

She saw it before it happened.

Instead of dodging back, she dashed forward.

The moment the beast's claws grazed her, she twisted, using its momentum against it.

Then she drove her spectral blade straight through its chest.

The Stalker let out a horrible, gurgling screech as the Phantom Edge pierced its core.

It thrashed—once, twice—then collapsed.

For a moment, everything was silent.

Then—

[Ruinborne Stalker Defeated.]

[+250 EXP Earned.]

[Level Up! Level 2 → Level 3]

Eleanor stumbled back, chest heaving, heart hammering in her ribs.

She had won.

The Phantom Edge flickered once, then faded from her grasp.

Ronan and Lia stared at her, wide-eyed.

"That was…" Ronan swallowed. "You just…"

Eleanor exhaled, rubbing her sore shoulder. "Yeah."

She glanced at the dead monster. The Stalker had been Level 5.

She was getting stronger.

And she was only getting started.

She turned to Ronan. "Let's get out of here."

The boy nodded, helping his sister to her feet.

As they left the ruins behind, Eleanor felt something new settle in her chest.

Not just relief.

Purpose.

She wasn't just surviving anymore.

She was fighting back.

And whatever this world threw at her next—

She would be ready.