[====]-[===]-[====]
The bear roared at me, swinging its head as another flash of light detonated through the forest. The earth shook beneath me once more, but I paid no attention to it.
The light in my palm built, and built, and then built some more…
The light was so radiant, I felt like I was holding the sun itself in my hand for a moment. Finally, it began to coalesce into what I had been envisioning. A large, golden war hammer.
Its shaft was half the length of my body, and its head was the same size as my own. It took me nearly a hundred Mana Points just to construct, but it would be worth it. Whilst stabbing and cutting into the bear did plenty, my Stamina Points were beginning to dwindle.
So, trying to end the fight sooner was really my only option.
A blunt weapon like this hammer, one which was built from thousands of tiny motes of light and was being reinforced by my mana even now, would not only last for longer than a single strike, but also deal large damage.
The bear was upon me not a moment sooner. Where it had once been swift, it was now slow, both due to its draining Stamina Points but also falling Health Points. It very likely wasn't used to extended combat.
Neither was I, truly, but I had a smaller body to work with in comparison.
It made avoiding the Runebears attacks all the easier. I allowed it to keep trying to strike at me, moving around it with nearly practiced ease as Milady left small holes over its body.
Finally, it overestimated its swing, its angry but tired mind underestimating my swiftness.
[====]-[===]-[====]
|| [Herald of Fear]-[Activated] ||
[====]-[===]-[====]
Its entire body visually shuddered as the Attribute suddenly activated. Though I didn't back away from it as I had before, instead, I pushed my advantage.
My hammer descended with all the might of an Olympian, smashing directly into its large head and sending it falling to the ground with a strained whine.
The system flashed, as I raised the hammer again.
[====]-[===]-[====]
|| [Critical Hit!] ||
|| [-2000]-[Health Points] ||
|| [Critical Hit!] ||
|| [-2000]-[Health Points] ||
|| [Critical Hit!] ||
|| [-2500]-[Health Points] ||
[====]-[===]-[====]
The golden hammer in my hands broke on the third strike, its entire form shattering into hundreds of different crystals. Milady burned with a royal blue as I used all of my remaining strength and drove it into the caved skull of the Runebear a second later.
The great beast didn't even make a sound in its last moments.
The System flashed, as I finally fell to my knees beside the bear.
[====]-[===]-[====]
|| [Critical Hit!] ||
|| [-8,010]-[Health Points] ||
[====]-[===]-[====]
|| [Red Runebear Defeated] ||
|| [+15,000]-[Experience Gained] ||
[====]-[===]-[====]
|| [Quest Completed!] ||
|| [Quest]: [Bear thy Conquest] ||
|| [Quest Prompt]: [Your journey has just begun, and your first obstacle has been presented before you. If you wish to reach civilization, then the mighty king of this forest must be slain by your hand] ||
|| [Quest Rewards]: ||
|| [One Common Attribute]-[Bestial Hearth] ||
|| [One Uncommon Title]-[Appetite of Red Runebears] ||
|| [One Rare Aspect]-[Brute Claw] ||
|| [+15,000]-[Experience] ||
|| [+10]-[Stat Points] ||
|| [+3]-[Perk Points] ||
[====]-[===]-[====]
"Here we go…" I grunted, then wheezed, falling over the Runebears head as the pain of unlocking new Perks burned through me. Thankfully, it lasted for only a few seconds before it settled.
Standing up, I pulled Milady out of the bear's head with some effort, stumbling back a step from the force I used. Cleaning the blood off my blood with the bears fur, I spoke.
"System, show me my stats page and any upgraded Perks." I'd have a look at my new Perks after I checked my existing ones.
Two translucent screens appeared side by side for me to view.
[====]-[===]-[====]
[Name]: [Artorias Regulus]
[Level]: [12]-[2000/6000]
[Health Points]: [925/925]-[+50/500]
[Mana Points]: [357/1700]
[Stamina Points]: [143/1825]
[====]-[===]-[====]
[Vitality]: [16]
[Strength]: [18]
[Dexterity]: [18]
[Intelligence]: [16]
[Wisdom]: [18]
[Luck]: [10]
[====]-[===]-[====]
[Stat Points]: [17]
[Perk Points]: [15]
[====]-[===]-[====]
|| [Level Up!] ||
|| [Aspect]: [Blinkbolt]-[Level 1 > 2]-[Progression: 87%]
[====]-[===]-[====]
|| [Level Up!] ||
|| [Aspect]: [Forge of Radiance]-[Level 5 > 12]-[Progression: 26%] ||
[====]-[===]-[====]
|| [Level Up!] ||
|| [Aspect]: [Mana Manipulation]-[Level 2 > 5]-[Progression: 18%] ||
[====]-[===]-[====]
|| [Level Up!] ||
|| [Attribute]: [Onyx Mantle]-[Level 1 > 8]-[Progression: 68%] ||
[====]-[===]-[====]
|| [Level Up!] ||
|| [Attribute]: [Astral Melody]-[Level 2 > 14]-[Progression: 56%] ||
[====]-[===]-[====]
"Everything is growing quite well." I muttered as I sat down at the base of a tree. I leaned my tired body against it and released a small sigh. My everything ached right now.
"Was it due to [Astral Melody] that Milady began to glow?" I quietly wondered, gazing at the blade sitting on my lap. It made sense for it to be so, the Attribute spoke of using the power of stars, after all.
That, and it was of the Exotic Rarity, so there must be something more than just ingrained movements that I could learn and piece together as I had so far.
"A mystery for another day…" I decided. "System, show me my new Perks please."
Wordlessly, the two screens merged into one and widened.
[====]-[===]-[====]
|| [Attribute]: [Bestial Hearth] ||
|| [Level N/A]: [Progression: N/A] ||
|| [Status]: [Passive] ||
|| [Rarity]: [Common] ||
|| [Description]: [The user receives an extra regeneration rate of [+2%]-[Health Points] when in a forest] ||
[====]-[===]-[====]
|| [Title]: [Appetite of Red Runebears] ||
|| [Level N/A]: [Progression: N/A] ||
|| [Status]: [Passive] ||
|| [Rarity]: [Rare] ||
|| [Description]: [The user is able to consume anything, and it will bring sustenance to his body] ||
[====]-[===]-[====]
|| [Aspect]: [Brute Claw] ||
|| [Level 1/50]: [Progression: 0%] ||
|| [Status]: [Active] ||
|| [Rarity]: [Rare] ||
|| [Description]: [The user is able to imbue his body with mana and strike at any surface, creating a shockwave which rends the terrain] ||
|| [Cost]: [200MP Per Activation] ||
|| [Note]: [This Aspect can be charged for greater results] ||
[====]-[===]-[====]
"Well then, I guess that fight really was worth-"
The sound of a branch suddenly snapping echoed through the forest. I reacted entirely by instinct.
Jumping to my feet, I turned to face the direction of where the sound came from. Almost instantly, a dagger made of golden light manifested in one hand, whilst Milady was poised in my other.
[====]-[===]-[====]
|| [Herald of Fear]-[Activated] ||
[====]-[===]-[====]
"If you're a person, you have five seconds to reveal yourself! If you're some hungry animal, you have even less!" My words were loud, yet they carried a growl with them that echoed through the forest.
"Five…!"
"Four…!"
"Three…!"
My grip on my weapons grew tense as I saw a shadow come out from behind a tree. It had become night without me even noticing.
"Two…!"
"Wait! Wait! Wait!"
The shadow spoke, hurriedly waving its arms. I could hear a distinct tremor in their voice as they shuffled closer, their palms empty and facing me.
"Identify yourself." I ordered, releasing my Attribute.
The shadow slowly stepped closer, and I increased the power of my dagger just a little more, bathing the forest in a golden light. I could only make out their face, or should I say, her face.
"I-I-My name is Luciana! Luciana Elowen of Clan Omega!"
I blinked, feeling confused.
"Clan who…?"