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Devin stood in the center of the simulation, his breath steady, but his heart beating faster with every passing second. The open terrain before him was eerily silent, the air thick with tension. It was a stark contrast to the usual thrill he felt when facing enemies, but today… today was different. This time, he wasn't facing any ordinary opponent.
In front of him stood multiple ferocious beasts, each one larger and more terrifying than the last. Their claws scraped against the ground, their eyes glowing red with hunger. This wasn't just a test; it was a battle for survival.
Devin's fingers twitched as he reached for his soul weapons—two pistols that had always felt like an extension of his body. The cold metal was familiar, comforting. But today, his instincts told him something had changed. The weapons were no longer just tools; they were conduits of his soul.
The first beast charged, a blur of claws and fangs, its eyes locked onto him. Devin drew both pistols and fired, his bullets screaming through the air.
But the bullets—ordinary, mundane bullets—had no effect. They struck the beast's hide, but the creature didn't even flinch. The sound of the shots echoed through the simulation, but there was no sign of the beast slowing down. It was as if the bullets were mere pebbles bouncing off a stone wall.
Devin's heart sank for a split second, but then a calm settled over him. This wasn't about ordinary bullets.
He could feel the surge of power within him. His soul energy, waiting to be unleashed. It had been dormant, controlled, but now it pulsed through him, urging him to move, to do more.
He lowered his pistols slightly, and for the first time, he closed his eyes, focusing entirely on the energy inside. He could feel the flow of power, the raw force of his soul. His vision began to blur, and he saw the world around him differently—more clearly, more sharply.
The creatures continued charging, but they moved in slow motion. He could see every muscle in their bodies twitch before they leaped at him. Devin's mind sharpened, and the world came into focus, as if he could read the air itself.
With a single thought, he raised his pistols again. This time, he didn't rely on the physical pull of the trigger. Instead, he drew from the depths of his soul. He could feel the energy, swirling inside him like a storm, begging to be released.
He took a deep breath, visualizing his target. Focus. Draw. Release.
And in an instant, his pistols roared to life, but these were no ordinary bullets. These were the manifestation of his soul, each shot laced with the raw power of his being. The moment the bullets left the barrels, they left a trail of radiant light behind them. They moved through the air faster than the eye could track, their trajectory perfect, as if guided by his very will.
The first bullet struck a beast square in the chest. The moment it made contact, the air around it seemed to freeze. The beast let out a strangled cry before its body stiffened and fell to the ground, frozen solid in an instant.
Devin didn't pause. His next shot flew from his pistol, hitting another beast that had closed the distance. This bullet was different—it wasn't just a bullet. It was a force, a burst of energy. The moment it hit the creature's shoulder, the impact caused a shockwave of power that knocked the beast back, slamming it into a tree. The creature's fur was singed as it lay twitching, clearly stunned.
Devin was in the zone now. His heart pounded, his breathing steady, but his focus was unshakable. With each shot, his confidence grew. He wasn't just firing bullets; he was channeling his soul, bending the very air around him to his will.
Another beast lunged at him from the left, but Devin was already prepared. He fired two quick shots, both aimed for the creature's heart. The bullets hit their mark, and as they did, the beast let out a high-pitched screech. The power behind the shots caused the creature's body to vibrate violently before it collapsed in on itself, crumbling into dust.
There were still more to deal with, though. More beasts were charging at him, each one faster and more dangerous than the last. But Devin was no longer just reacting. He was in control, his every move calculated, every shot intentional.
One beast came straight for him, its fangs bared and claws extended. Devin didn't flinch. He fired. The bullet flew with a trail of blinding light, hitting the beast in the eye. The impact was explosive, and the beast howled as its entire head was blasted apart.
But one final beast, much larger and more menacing than the rest, still loomed. Its skin was thick, covered in armor-like scales. It let out a roar and lunged directly at him, its mouth wide open to devour him whole. Devin's pulse quickened. This one was different. Stronger.
For a moment, he hesitated. But only for a moment.
He raised both pistols, aiming at the creature's head. He wasn't going to just shoot it. No, this would be different. This would be his perfect shot.
He focused all his energy, feeling the power surge through him, into his pistols, and into the bullets. His soul resonated with the world around him. With a sharp exhale, he fired.
The bullets shot out in rapid succession, but they were no ordinary projectiles. Each one seemed to carve through the air with a will of its own, a force guided by his soul. The first bullet struck the beast's armored skin, but rather than bouncing off, it tore through with ease, leaving a gaping hole in its chest.
The second bullet followed, this time aiming directly for the heart. The impact was immense. The beast was knocked back, its body crumbling as if the bullet had torn through its very soul. With a final, thunderous crash, it fell to the ground, lifeless.
Devin stood there, panting, his heart racing. The simulation chamber slowly began to fade, and the weight of the moment settled over him.
He had done it. He had awakened his soul skill.
His Perfect Shot.
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