A swarm of bats descended upon Balinor, tearing at him with their fangs. He collapsed under the agony. Nearby, Oak fought the beast with tiger-like claws, drenched in sweat. It was clear Balinor's combat style wasn't built for a mob of enemies.
[CAMELOT: User at death's door!!! Releasing Adrenaline.]
My eyes snapped open. My skin felt like it was on fire, while my insides felt frozen solid. The blood trickling down my forehead and cheek felt searing hot. Cough, cough. "Phantom hand, woven from mist, I summon thee—execute my will," I whispered. I had to divide my mind—think of two separate things at once, split the thought. Then, I unleashed the spell.
Mage Hand -> Level 3 New Record: You have summoned 20 Mage Hands.
The hands hoisted me up, and I forced myself onto my feet. Several hands supported me as I walked. While I had been unconscious, the others had retreated 240 feet.
New Quest: Kill the Mutated Dretch. Reward: 50,000 Bao, Title: Monster Slayer.
The hands lifted me off the ground, hurling me forward with the speed of a predator. I used several hands to pin the beast. Oak backed away and launched a fireball at the bats swarming Balinor.
The Dretch tore through several of my spectral hands. I frantically traced a Warding Bond in the air, but the creature shattered it instantly. "DIVINE SMITE!" Balinor roared.
His sword erupted in a crimson radiance as he struck. The creature recoiled in pain, though it took no critical damage. A wolf lunged from the shadows. The four of us—including the summon—battered the beast. Its back was charred from Smites and fireballs; its ribs had turned unnaturally soft, likely broken in multiple places. The creature screamed; the creature wept.
Suddenly, it seized the wolf and hurled it at Oak. From its position on the ground, it kicked out to the right. I was sent flying toward Balinor, who quickly cast a shield. After catching me, he cast Ring of Wind. A sphere of howling air swirled around us, acting as a barrier. My Mage Hands dissipated.
Using the Ring of Wind, Balinor performed a wind-dash, leaping into the air. He cast Ensnaring Strike upon himself. "DIVINE SMITE!!!" he bellowed.
He drove his blade directly into its spine. Spores erupted from the wound and the creature's chest due to the strike. He gripped the hilt and twisted. The beast fell dead atop Balinor.
Quest Complete: Reward: 50,000 Bao Title Unlocked: Monster Slayer
I collapsed. Balinor dragged himself out from under the monster, grabbed Oak and me, and hauled us toward a teleportation circle leading to the Dark Bazaar. He dragged our bodies across the ground toward a clinic.
I opened the System Shop, one eye swollen shut.
Potion of Rapid Regeneration Regeneration is instantaneous. Note: All muscles will ache feverishly for 1-2 days. Side effects: Insomnia, high fever. Price: 35,000 Bao
"Phantom hand... execute my will," I whispered. I locked eyes with Balinor. I used the hands to shove him away. They struck the ground, launching me five meters back, then gripped the earth to drag me away into the shadows.
Purchase. I willed the potion to appear in my hand, and it materialized. I didn't drink it yet, just gripped it tight. By the time I reached the edge of the Bazaar, my back and rear were badly scraped from being dragged.
I downed the regeneration potion in one gulp. Then, I pulled a Bottle of Wind from my clothes and uncorked it. My body soared upward and turned translucent. Once I was far enough away, I landed outside the Bazaar's perimeter. My wounds were already gone. My left eye cleared.
I stripped off my ruined coat, adjusted my gear, and ran toward the city. I needed to wash the blood from my hair and coat at the waterfront. My legs felt tireless.
[Where can I see my titles and equip this one?] [Titles have appeared in Statistics.]Statistics Name: Sven Laocard Race: Human Class: ??? | Subclass: ??? Title: Monster Slayer Traits: Perfect Eyesight (Lvl 2), Tough (Lvl 2), Aberrant Mind.
I tapped the Monster Slayer title.
Title: Monster Slayer You can perceive the weaknesses of monsters you have previously encountered. You are immune to Fear from monsters unless they significantly outrank you.
I reached the river and began washing my hair. Thankfully, my trousers and shirt were clean, though a boot print marked my jacket. As I scrubbed, I heard singing. A voice so beautiful and tender it caressed my ears. Unknowingly, I moved toward the source.
A girl stood by a waterfall, sitting on a rock with a lyre. She had pale skin, vivid lips, and an aquiline nose. she wore a crisp shirt, white stockings, a black corset, and a tight leather skirt. She had dark heels, a green kandibober (elaborate headpiece), and a green cloak, all covered in intricate ornaments.
Suddenly, she spoke. "Oh well, I saw you anyway." "What are you doing?" I asked loudly. "Hush, you'll scare them," she said, pressing a finger to her lips. I stepped closer. "Scare who?" "The fae. Sit here." She pointed to the rock.
I sat beside her and listened. Her voice was ethereal. "Ommo dey sawa. Kunay de way, sy way!" — The wind began to pick up. "Kento mona konga sy way, qu ruy." — In the distance, cicadas and faeries began to glow. "Q amo gakky. Vlad kenqu, de way!" — A massive, genderless faerie appeared. "Fango rui ko nai. Ki way, suy ruy may." — It began to dance and landed on my hand.
As it lay there, my head began to spin.
Your body has sensed Fae Energy. Class Granted: Warlock
WHAT THE F... How is this possible? Classes are granted at the Tower. Sometimes they manifest earlier, but only under the pressure of someone else's Kir (energy).
"What's wrong? You've gone pale," the girl said. "I... I just gained a class," I said, my face a mask of pure shock.