Laying in my enemies and my own blood felt uncomfortably morbid, so I looked for something to busy myself with as I came to terms with my near death experience. Glancing around at the bodies strewn about in all directions, I wondered if I needed to loot anything. The fact that I didn’t know much about looting or butchering these creatures bothered me though.
Before I could get up, I suddenly realized it felt like hours since I had checked up on the GGC. That's what I’d nicknamed it, the gods group chat. Part of me wanted to scroll through the older messages that I missed, but I lacked the energy. I was physically fine, but mentally I was exhausted. So I decided not to read through the history and just start with what they were saying at the moment.
[“Gentle Autumn Breeze” sighs with relief, saying that you were close to death.]
[“Lazily Reaping Souls” clicks their tongue, complaining that you’ve done something they didn’t think you’d be able to.]
[“Traveling Spring Painter” smiles saying she never doubted your success.]
[“Whispering Playwright behind a Mask” scoffs at the others, saying that there wasn’t a chance you wouldn’t succeed.]
[“Seeker of Magic and Knowledge” says that actually you beat the odds, since the chances of your loss were greater.]
[“Whispering Playwright behind a Mask” complains that facts aren’t always beneficial, stating now is a time for celebration and support.]
[“Seeker of Magic and Knowledge” expresses that facts are even more beneficial for the celebration because they show how great of a feat it is that you’ve accomplished.]
[“Whispering Playwright behind a Mask” sighs, saying that he should just say that outright then, if not it might be misinterpreted.]
I suppressed a smile, but the pride welling up in my chest made it difficult. “Thank you, thank you.” I said theatrically while more and more messages accumulated.
Sighs of relief, cheers for what they considered an impossible feat, complaints that said I was lucky, and three gods who had been there since the beginning expressing their pride that they picked out such a human to support. I considered asking them if I should collect any spoils of war, but figured I would learn more from their reactions to seeing me try to collect materials from the corpses. Either way I put it aside for the time being yet again, because I wanted to look at our status windows. I opened my status window and along with it came several system notifications.
[Level Up!]
[Your Familiar Leveled Up!]
[You have earned the title “Unflinching Resolve”.]
Status Candidate Mia Burke Level 2 Title -- Experience 0/400 Health 70/70 Mana 80/80 Strength 5 Dexterity 6 Constitution 7 Intelligence 8 Unallocated Stat Points 2 Skills Familiar Creation, Familiar Evolution Passives -- Titles Unflinching Resolve
It was so worth it! All of my stats went up by one and I’ve got the 2 unallocated stats from the level up, I didn’t risk my life for nothing. The extra stat points were added in intelligence bringing my mana up to 100. I clicked on ‘Title’ to see if I could view the new one I got, and it pulled up a list of titles I could equip. Or what would be a list when I got more than one.
~~*~~
Unflinching Resolve
Description: You have taken a fatal blow, but continued to live. Your resolve in battle is unmatched. Others may wear down as a fight continues, but you remain steadfast.
Passive: If health falls below half, the amount of damage you take will be reduced by half of the percent you’ve lost and all stats will increase by the percent you have left.
Active: Once health falls below half, damage output and damage your defense ignores will increase by percent lost. Once health falls below 10% damage output will increase by twice the percent lost.
~~*~~
This is insane! Not only did this title give me an all around stat boost just for acquiring it, but it also gives such generous rewards? It is a bit of a strange distribution, if I don’t have it equipped I will take less damage as the fight goes on but I won’t be able to do as much damage in return. I can also equip it if I need a damage boost. Jeez, putting my life on the line like that was more than worth it.
I winced at the thought as I looked down at the dragon napping in my lap, I hoped he hadn't heard that comment. My heart still ached, he was just sobbing uncontrollably not long ago because I got hurt. I’d have to do better in the future so I don’t worry him. The rewards were worth it but I could still improve without dancing with death like I had. I gently placed him into the grass and proceeded to attempt to butcher the monsters we killed.
[“Abandoned Bloodied Sword” asks if you have butchered animals before.]
“Ah, no I’ve never really…” I trailed off as I held one of their corpses by a back and front leg. This was almost certainly not the correct form. At the very least I need to drain the blood, right?
Making an incision was harder than I expected, I pressed harder and inadvertently stabbed much deeper than I meant to.
["Seeker of Magic and Knowledge" states that he's pretty sure you aren't doing it right.]
"Well, have you ever butchered an animal?" I asked, pushing down the annoyance in my tone.
["Seeker of Magic and Knowledge" furrows his brows asking "Whispering Playwright behind a Mask" why you got upset when he said it the way "Whispering Playwright behind a Mask" suggested. He then mumbles to himself, why would I ever butcher an animal.]
["Whispering Playwright behind a Mask" rolls their eyes, explaining that "Seeker of Magic and Knowledge" pointing out something you already knew would not fall under saying it the way they'd suggested to.]
With a huff I pulled the knife down through its chest and up to its neck, its mutilated organs spilled out onto the grass. Well, other than the hide and maybe bones none of this is going to be useful. I'll try to grab most everything anyways.
["Traveling Spring Painter" curls her lip in disgust asking why you’re making such a mess like this.]
["Whispering Playwright behind a Mask" says that "Traveling Spring Painter" doesn't understand humans need to collect things, even nasty things.]
["Abandoned Bloodied Sword" snickers saying that there wasn't much point in asking if you'd ever butchered animals, since if she'd waited your skill would've made it obvious.]
I was not very skilled at this and the GGC continued to let me know as much. The entire time I was clumsily collecting materials they heckled me. None of them commented on what I was doing outside of making fun of my poor skill. At some point I expected them to tell me I was doing something useless and just to leave it with how they were acting. My mood soured with every comment and each corpse I dissected.
How was I even going to carry any of this loot anyways? I’d have to ask directly if I’d want to find out what this junk might be good for. As I was cutting into the last rabbit, the one who nearly killed me I found a small red crystal in its chest. It was a few inches tall, with points on either end. It resembled an uncut gem. The surface of the crystal was moderately clear, but the center was hazy and dark when held up to the light.
[“Whispering Playwright behind a Mask” laughs yelling that you are the luckiest person they've ever seen.]
[“Traveling Spring Painter” agrees and adds that this is a very good find.]
[“Abandoned Bloodied Sword'' looks at you with greedy eyes. She urges you to quickly-]
I erupted in complaints before I could finish reading, “I literally almost died and y’all are saying I’m lucky?!” my grip on the crystal tightened as I glared down at it, these gods really were just playing around weren't they? I fought tooth and nail just to survive in this awful place they sent me and would have died if I hadn’t leveled up at just the right time and they say that I’m lucky. Sons of- the crystal in my hand shattered.
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My body began to go numb from shock, they just said it was valuable and I broke it in a fit of anger? The shattered crystal had turned into almost powder and began to glow, it floated from my palm circling around me. The crystal's glow pulsated as the clumsy circle became more defined, and then it suddenly shot towards me in a bright flash of red light. I flinched, guarding my face instinctually, but nothing happened. I looked up at the windows swarming my vision.
[You have earned the title “Lone Pioneer”.]
[“Reflection of an Empty Throne” scoffs and states that you must secretly be the contractor of a god of Luck.]
[“Seeker of Magic and Knowledge” says that he was surprised that you used the crystal correctly without instruction.]
[“Whispering Playwright behind a Mask” complains that you think they would let you die.]
[“Traveling Spring Painter” says they understand your feelings but expresses she definitely would take care of you while shooting an accusatory look at “Whispering Playwright behind a Mask”.]
[“Whispering Playwright behind a Mask” feigns shock wiping a nonexistent tear at her comment and states they wouldn’t possibly do that since it would be boring if you die this soon.]
“Uh huh… sure, can you answer my questions? The extra points in all my stats is that from getting the title?”
[“Seeker of Magic and Knowledge” confirms you are correct.]
“Then the second title ‘Lonely Pioneer’, what did I do?”
[“Whispering Playwright behind a Mask” tells you that most likely you are the only person in the world who has seen that item just now.]
[“Seeker of Magic and Knowledge” exclaims that he knew you would be the first one, he has a smug look on his face as he states that you also are likely to be the first one to get a title, if not there is an extremely high likelihood that you are the only person with two.]
“Really? I mean the first title was definitely a reward for nearly killing myself but the second was really easy to get. Can’t I just keep getting titles if I just do whatever at this rate?”
[“Abandoned Bloodied Sword” disagrees with “Reflection of an Empty Throne” proposing that you might just be a descendant of or even secretly just a god of Luck!]
[“Reflection of an Empty Throne” grumbles an agreement while asking you to meet his contractors and share your luck.]
[“Traveling Spring Painter” explains that titles are usually extremely hard to get and very helpful. Adding that there are some titles that are easy to get, but rely on random chance or luck.]
“Alright then what does that crystal do?”
[“Whispering Playwright behind a Mask” smiles and asks you to open your status window, but states they cannot answer the next question you’ll ask.]
~~*~~
Lone Pioneer (Unique)
Description: You have achieved a feat that no other human has accomplished, and better yet you have achieved it alone. As a solitary trailblazer you flourish when exploring alone, allowing you to get back to your peak state much quicker than others.
Passive: When you are not in a party your Health Regeneration Rate and Mana Regeneration Rate will be increased by 100%. When this title is equipped the percentage will increase by 300%. If you are in a party, the effectiveness will be reduced by half.
~~*~~
Status Candidate Mia Burke Level 2 Title Unflinching Resolve Experience 0/400 🬋🬋🬋🬫🬗🬗🬗🬗 1/??? Health 80/80 Mana 120/120 Strength 7 Dexterity 8 Constitution 9 Intelligence 12 Unallocated Stat Points 0 Skills Familiar Creation, Familiar Evolution Passives -- Titles Unflinching Resolve, Lone Pioneer
I flopped back into the grass, these gods were frustrating. They wouldn’t give straight answers and I almost died listening to them. Briefly I considered asking if the crystal had given me the extra boost in stats as well, but decided there wasn't a point in asking. I covered my face with my hand in time to hide my lips curling up. It was hard not to jump up and thank them for such an amazing title. It was almost as if it was tailored to me, but I doubted they set this up since they were acting like kids who found a rare trading card.
There was no way I could act like I was indebted to these gods. I had to maintain nonchalance, anyway I could I needed to keep their attention, to make them need to keep sponsoring me. From what I’d seen so far I decided that the Painter would dote on me even if I didn’t do much, but even more so if I was pitiful. While the Playwright would just want something entertaining to happen and the Seeker, well it seemed he just wanted me to do many different things so he can study me.
It was doable but if I acted like I needed them and am too grateful it would make treating them as equals difficult. I really didn't want to grovel for benefits. I decided I should give them the silent treatment for a bit while I opened up Aureus’ status window, I still needed to allocate his level up stat points.
Status Familiar Aureus Level 2 Dragon Experience 0/400 Health 30/30 Mana 30/30 Strength 3 Dexterity 3 Constitution 3 Intelligence 3 Unallocated Stat Points 2 Skills Basic Elemental Attack Passive Continuous Evolution
Even though it made me a little worried for his safety I put the next two stat points into intelligence as well. He would prefer that, and since I have been the tank shouldn’t he become my glass cannon? Though I really didn’t have the stats to become a tank, I was much closer to one than him. I could always beef up his other stats later if I need to. His mastery over Basic Elemental Attack increased and the description changed a little.
~~*~~
Basic Elemental Attack
Description: Creates a projectile that can change in form, size and element depending on the user's intention. No flat mana cost.
Available Elements: Fire, water, wind, earth
Mastery: 70%
~~*~~
This fight really brought us a lot of benefits. I was briefly pissed at the gods earlier, but it was difficult to stay angry when following their advice brought me so many benefits. Well I could only get the benefits if I struggled and nearly died. But it really did seem like they wanted the best for me.
Being the only person in the world to have found that item was a significant leg up on the competition, probably. Not to mention the titles I got came with extremely good perks. Things were really looking up, so I decided to stop giving them the cold shoulder and obliged them with conversation.
[“Traveling Spring Painter” cries we really did our best to help you!]
[“Abandoned Bloodied Sword” makes fun of the three gods for being so generous to someone who isn’t even contracted to them.]
[“Whispering Playwright behind a Mask” gasps and says that you’re looking at them again.]
[“Traveling Spring Painter” smiles and asks if you have any questions.]
[“Seeker of Magic and Knowledge” claims that you likely have the best stats of anyone at your level.]
“Ah, so there are people who are leveled higher than I am.”
[“Reflection of an Empty Throne” scoffs and states that it is so conceited to think that you’re the highest leveled human.]
“I mean I guess you’re right, do you think I’ll fall behind since I have to share XP?”
[“Seeker of Magic and Knowledge” disagrees. He theorizes that you currently have an average leveling speed, since many Candidates and Adventurers form parties to hunt they get an even lower percentage of experience than you do. He adds that the reason you aren’t surpassing others however is that your fights drag out since there are only two of you.]
[“Traveling Spring Painter” exclaims that there is nothing wrong with leveling at your own pace, and states that you won’t fall behind others if you work hard since your class is unique.]
[“Abandoned Bloodied Sword” mentions that you should raise your stats naturally as well by exercising since you may end up with a slow leveling speed.]
[“Whispering Playwright behind a Mask” asks why “Abandoned Bloodied Sword” is being generous to someone who isn’t even contracted with her.]
[“Abandoned Bloodied Sword” flushes and complains that she is rewarding a good warrior for such an impressive battle. She adds that she thinks the titles you received were well deserved.]
[“Reflection of an Empty Throne” states that the battle was impressive but unnecessarily reckless and implores you to never do such a foolish thing again.]
“You’re right, but this time it worked out exceedingly well. At least taking risks has good rewards.”