Chapter 2: Slaying the Demon Hound and Absorbing Source Energy-This Stranger Story Is a Bit Chilly(A Modest Goal)

"Heart of the Abyss, Blood of Dusk, Fallen Star Core—three epic materials. Where am I supposed to find such high-level items?" Lin Xiao shook his head. Not to mention this was the real world—even in Arad, these three epic materials were almost impossible to come by. There was probably no hope of repairing the Star Annihilation Axe.

He decided not to dwell on it further. A game was a game, and reality was reality—the two should not be confused.

He opened the skill panel again. It was completely empty—not a single skill. At level 0, he was just an ordinary person, naturally with no abilities. Only after leveling up to LV1 and choosing a class would the skill tree appear.

However, this game system’s leveling mechanism differed from DNF's. Progression didn’t rely on experience points but rather on source energy.

According to the system’s introduction, source energy could be gained by killing dark creatures such as demons, monsters, and the like, thereby absorbing their soul essence.

What’s more, Lin Xiao noticed the level settings were also a bit different from DNF. Instead of class advancement at level 18, this system allowed it at level 10, with a first awakening at level 24, and a second awakening at level 36—becoming a demigod. He wondered whether this demigod status was the same as in the game.

As for the starting classes, there were five: Ghost Swordsman, Mage, Gunner, Night Stalker, and Priest.

As one of the top-ranked Second Awakening True Dragon Star Sovereigns in China’s servers, Lin Xiao’s choice was already set. He would definitely go with Priest as his starting class. His leveling strategy and proficiency were highest with this class—there was no need to start afresh with a new character.

After all, this was the real world—there were no resurrection options. Once dead, you were truly dead. There was no chance for trial and error; the cost of a mistake would be eternal damnation.

Judging from the series "Stranger Things," real monsters existed in this world, and the Priest’s subclass, the Exorcist, was the best choice against them.

What worried him, however, was the lack of NPCs. Whether he could even change class was uncertain. Still, considering how miraculous the system was, it probably wouldn’t be a problem. He’d know once he reached level 10.

After reviewing the basic information, he opened his inventory again. A golden, glittering gift box sat in the items bar—the new player welcome pack he’d just received.

He opened the box. A flash of light, and three items appeared in his inventory: a red potion for health recovery, a blue potion for mana, and a vial of holy water that could harm dark creatures.

Roar...

As Lin Xiao was examining the properties of the potions, a low growl sounded from outside his room, accompanied by the rapid thud of footsteps. Something was crawling toward the door.

“Is this a monster from the Upside Down? Could it be the Demodog from the original show?”

The sounds drew nearer. Lin Xiao finally realized how different games were from reality. Game characters had no emotions, but real people were flesh and blood—capable of fear and panic. Confronted with mortal danger, his whole body weakened, and he couldn’t muster any strength at all.

Just a moment ago, he’d been dreaming about conquering all with the game system, exploring the mysteries of the Upside Down. Now, he just wanted to survive carefully, keep a low profile, and not die needlessly.

Bang!

A loud crash—something slammed against the door, startling Lin Xiao. Instinctively, he reached for something to defend himself, but the room was empty apart from a battered bed.

“Am I out of my mind? I have the Star Annihilation Axe. Even if it’s damaged, a broken ship still has three pounds of nails.”

With that, he quickly opened the equipment panel and clicked on the Star Annihilation Axe icon. A flash of light, and a uniquely designed battle axe appeared in his hand.

Unlike the exaggerated design in the game, this real Star Annihilation Axe was of moderate size, somewhat resembling Thor’s Stormbreaker—but instead of Groot’s wooden handle, it was forged from steel.

Crash!

The battered door finally collapsed in its entirety. A faceless, skinless dog-like abomination on all fours burst through, charging at Lin Xiao like an arrow.

Demodog!

He recognized it at once—a monster from the second season of "Stranger Things," also known as the “Chrysanthemum Monster.” The nickname came from...

As the Demodog lunged through the air, its massive jaw split open, the entire face dividing into five petals like a sunflower turning toward the sun, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth—easily capable of biting off a human head.

The first season’s boss, the Demogorgon, was the Demodog’s fifth-stage form—a fully evolved monster. The Demodog was fourth-stage, far less powerful than the Demogorgon, but still much stronger than an ordinary human.

At the brink of life and death, Lin Xiao forced down his terror and, driven by instinct, swung the Star Annihilation Axe viciously at the Demodog’s blossoming face.

Though damaged and downgraded from LV90 Epic to an ordinary white-tier weapon, the Star Annihilation Axe was still astonishingly sharp.

In the original show, Demodogs were nearly impervious to bullets—almost impossible to kill with gunfire. Yet, struck by the axe blade, the monster’s head split in two.

The axe continued through its body, slicing it from head to tail. Fetid, reeking fluids spilled everywhere, some splattering onto Lin Xiao, making him gag.

He withdrew the axe, shook the handle, and all the blood flew off the blade, leaving it clean and gleaming once more. This axe’s power far surpassed any ordinary weapon in the game.

[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for killing LV1 Demodog. Source energy +2. You may now decompose the monster’s corpse to produce basic materials for crafting equipment or weapons.]

[Congratulations, Host, for slaying your first monster. You have unlocked the system title quest: Demodog Slayer. Kill 10 Demodogs to earn the “Demodog Slayer” title.]

The two notifications filled Lin Xiao with joy. Killing monsters really did yield source energy, and there were quests as well. He wondered if completing them would grant extra rewards.

Following the system instructions, he knelt by the Demodog’s corpse, placed his hand on it—and the body vanished. An icon of the Demodog appeared in his inventory.

Lin Xiao clicked on the icon and placed it into the decomposition machine. A system prompt popped up, stating he would have to spend 1 point of source energy to decompose the Demodog’s corpse.

“Seriously? I earn just 2 source energy for killing a Demodog and have to spend 1 just to decompose it? How am I supposed to level up at this rate?”

The top priority was to quickly collect 10 points of source energy, level up to 1, pick a class, and unlock the skill tree. Without skills, relying solely on his meager self-taught techniques, if he came across multiple Demodogs, he’d be dead or at least gravely wounded.

Murphy’s Law, Rule One: Never underestimate your own jinx; bad luck always comes true.

Rapid footsteps echoed down the corridor—at least three more Demodogs on the way, judging by the sound.

In the original show, Demodogs always hunted in packs, just like hyenas on the savanna, attacking in groups.

Lin Xiao hurriedly closed the interface and gripped the axe tightly. His heart pounded, his abdomen burned hot, blood boiled, and adrenaline surged through his body.

Three Demodogs crowded into the doorway, glaring hungrily at their prey. Their heads opened up, and the sight of three chrysanthemum-like faces made Lin Xiao so nauseous he nearly vomited.

He was neither a game character nor a Priest or True Dragon Star Sovereign. He didn’t have resurrection coins or similar items. Against three at once, his chances of victory were slim.

In desperation, muscle memory from years of gaming kicked in. Without hesitation, he summoned the system interface and grabbed the holy water from the new player welcome pack. This thing had to be useful.

Two Demodogs lunged first. Lin Xiao hurled the vial, which exploded midair. A splash of sanctified water struck the two monsters.

A sizzling sound followed. The two Demodogs’ bodies were rapidly corroded by the holy water, soon reduced to half, and finally dissolved into puddles on the floor.

[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for killing LV1 Demodog. Source energy +2.]

Two system notifications sounded. Lin Xiao’s eyes gleamed as he looked at the third Demodog—not with fear now, but with keen interest.

“Come on, you little mutt—come into my bowl.”