After acquiring two new daggers from the lizards, I eagerly set to work on my own weapons by removing the horns. With careful precision, I sawed off the entire snout and removed the innards. The scale that held the horn was just the right size for my plan. I neatly cut out just the one scale holding the horns. I then bound the horns to the back of my forearms with dried skin strips, creating what I proudly named “Thunder Horns.”
As I tested my new weapons, making sure they were secure and compatible with my Strike skill, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride and satisfaction. My companions, Neytiri and Etu, were also practicing with their new weapons - two daggers for Neytiri and a dagger and shield combo for Etu.
We had studied the Lizards and discovered a new weak spot, it was a soft spot on the back of the head, at the base of the head and neck, right in between the neck armor scales. A hard spot for anyone but me to reach. At this moment, I could feel the camaraderie between us, strengthened by our shared experience. As I watched my new friends, I couldn’t help but think how far we had come and how much further we could go together.
***
The air was thick with tension as we prepared for round three with the Lizards. This time, four Armored Lizards were waiting for us.
I took the lead, my heart racing with adrenaline. My Augment was pulsing through my veins, urging me forward. I sprinted into the group of Lizards, my feet pounding against the rocky ground. With a powerful leap, I flipped onto the back of the first Lizard, my thunder horn aimed at its weak spot. In one swift motion, I plunged the horn into its vulnerable spot running it through, nearly decapitating it and killing it instantly. I repeated the same move on the next Lizard, my movements fluid and precise.
Beside me, Etu was locked in his own battle, his shield horn glistening with blood in the dim light. He moved with impressive accuracy.
Neytiri was right behind us. She moved with grace and speed, her daggers slicing through the air as she took down the last Lizard. She crouched low as the Lizard charged her and quickly hopped back when it lifted its head to gore her. Quicker than the Lizard could move she hopped back in its face and stabbed both daggers into the soft throat.
The battle was over in a matter of seconds, and we retreated to our usual spot in the tunnel to rest and regroup. As we caught our breath we gathered more resources for our weapons.
The next wave was larger, with eight Lizards this time. Then two more waves after that, one at sixteen and one with thirty-two Lizards. We gained ten experience points per Lizard, quickly leveling us up past level five.
***
Level five was an important milestone in this new world. It unlocked the Genus selection.
[You have reached level 5! Choose a Genus:
Transcendent (Mythical)
This Genus is for those who were born with a unique energy. Their power transcends both magic and divinity and is not limited to any specific species. Can become any species based on their personality.
+10 Wisdom, +2 All physical attributes, +8 Free points.]
I was a bit put out by the fact that I seemed to have only one choice. That is, until I read said choice. It answered some questions while also providing me with new ones. The choice and its revelations weighed heavily on my mind as I began to spiral, thinking of possibilities and questions.
Something about my behavior must have shown my inner turmoil as Etu turned to me, “Everything okay?” he asked, snapping me out of my reverie.
Neytiri’s curious gaze turned towards me, her expression mirroring my own confusion.
I couldn’t help but chuckle, “Yes, fine, great even. It’s just, I only have one choice for my Genus what about you guys?”
Etu answered first, “I have three but already know which one I’m choosing.”
Primordial (Unique)
This Genus is for those who have mastered primeval energies. Whether it’s fire, lightning, earth, air, or water, these individuals have honed their power and made it their own. It often leads to species such as elementalists, electromancers, firemancers, etc.
+4 Wisdom, +2 Strength, +2 Constitution, +4 Free points per level.
“Yeah, same here. It’s an easy choice, to be honest,” added Neytiri.
Arcanist (Unique)
This Genus is for those who are captivated by arcane energy. They study it, crave it, and consume it. It often leads to species such as witches, occultists, conjurers, etc.
+6 Wisdom, +2 Dexterity, +4 Free points per level.
We all laughed as we each made our Genus selections. Several things happened when we did. Etu and Neytiri were given new energies and we were all rewarded with new skills:
[Bound - Chains of lightning that tie down a target, electrocute, and drain them for ten seconds.]
[Firestorm - A tornado of fire surrounds the target sapping its health and strength for five seconds.]
[Siphon - Take 50% of the target’s life force and use it to heal yourself and allies.]
Each one was a powerful new addition, and I, for one, couldn’t wait to test them in battle. With our new Genus’ came new resources as well, at least for Etu and Neytiri.
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We distributed our points, each taking different approaches, whether shoring up deficits or supplementing strengths.
I needed to hit harder and noticed that a synergy between my skills, speed, and strength determined how much damage I put out. So I placed my points accordingly making wisdom, agility, and strength my highest stats.
[Designation: Achak Health: 340/340 Essence: 78/78
Level: 7 (39/700)
Soul: Ancient
Race: Human
Genus: Transcendent
Species: None
Affinity: Electromagnetic
Strength: 17
Constitution: 14
Endurance:15
Agility: 20
Dexterity: 15
Wisdom: 30
Free Points: 0
Skills: Shock Strike; Augment; Voltaic Regeneration; Bound]
***
Etu stayed on track with his earlier placement keeping strength as his highest stat and his new genus making wisdom his second highest.
[Designation: Etu Health: 320/320 Element: 44/44
Level: 7 (17/700)
Soul: Mature
Race: Human
Genus: Primordial
Species: None
Affinity: Combustion
Strength: 22
Constitution: 14
Endurance: 14
Agility: 8
Dexterity: 6
Wisdom: 20
Free Points: 0
Skills: Fireball, Barrage, Firestorm]
***
Neytiri kept wisdom as her highest stat. She had also noticed a synergy between her agility and dexterity when it came to her melee weapons and made sure those were her next highest stats.
[Designation: Neytiri Health: 240/240 Arcane: 48/48
Level: 7 (5/700)
Soul: Mature
Race: Human
Genus: Arcanist
Species: None
Affinity: Refuge
Strength: 10
Constitution: 10
Endurance: 10
Agility: 13
Dexterity: 16
Wisdom: 24
Free Points: 0
Skills: Minor Healing, Barrier, Siphon]
We rested before facing the boss. Fresh air and a new world were finally within reach. We had only need to keep moving forward smartly.
***
The monstrous creature perched atop a massive boulder, its presence commanding the center stage of the dim cave. Its form was regal, like a king on a throne, waiting for its new subjects to submit and cower at its feet.
As we entered, I activated my Augment and swiftly flanked the Komodo. Etu followed close behind, his fiery abilities ready to attack the boss. Neytiri hung back several feet, her support ready.
An instant later our escape route was blocked by a barrier, trapping us with the powerful beast. It was a do-or-die situation as we had predicted.
The Komodo roared, its challenge directed at Etu, completely ignoring me and Neytiri. I tried to strike from behind, but the beast was ready and swiftly knocked me off my feet with a swipe of its powerful tail. I tumbled and regained my footing, barely avoiding further injury.
Etu launched Barrage, causing the Komodo to dodge and evade, but one managed to strike its side. I took the opportunity to attack, digging my horns into the tough skin on its back, leaving only shallow wounds.
The beast quickly retaliated, charging towards Etu and kicking him with such force that it snapped his shield’s horn and sent him flying. Focusing on me now, the Komodo lashed out with its sharp claws, but I used my weapons to deflect its blows. Its strength was formidable, leaving deep gashes on my weapons, but I managed to hold my ground.
Suddenly, it spun and struck me with its tail yet again, throwing me off balance. The cave was dim and eerie, with only the faint light of our skills and some lichen illuminating the scene. The adrenaline pumping through our veins, our senses heightened as we fought for our lives. But the Komodo was relentless, its attacks growing more fierce by the moment.
The Komodo turned, continuing its relentless attack on Etu. The young warrior, determined to defend himself, thrust his dagger into the beast’s thigh, creating a deep, bloody gash. Neytiri, with her daggers, joined in the fight, leaving deep gashes on the back of its leg.
Infuriated, the Komodo lashed out, destroying Neytiri’s protective barrier and sending her flying backward. It then turned its attention back to Etu, attempting to strike him with a powerful blow. But Etu, using all his strength, held up his shield and braced for impact.
As the fight raged on, the Komodo turned its focus back towards Neytiri, who was still recovering from the last attack. But before it could pounce on her, I landed a powerful blow to its cheek, leaving an ugly gash and stunning the beast. I landed and lunged forward driving my other weapon deep into its belly, causing a devastating wound. However, the monster struck back, scratching me across the face and sending me flying through the air with a powerful kick.
Etu, using his shield as a weapon, slammed it into the same leg Neytiri had cut, causing it to stagger. He and Neytiri followed up with a barrage of stabs and shield slams on the same knee immobilizing the beast. But even with a wounded leg, the Komodo was still a formidable opponent. It began hurling the rocks lying about at us, using them as projectile weapons.
Neytiri, seeing the danger, rushed to Etu’s side, and together they braced against the onslaught of rocks behind his shield. She reapplied a new Barrier and Heal every chance she got slowing down the damage they were taking.
I, on the other hand, had been thrown across the cave by a particularly powerful kick. But I quickly regained my footing and joined the fight once again, using my Voltaic Regeneration to heal my broken ribs as I went.
The Komodo began throwing rocks with more force when it noticed me rejoining the fight. I activated Bound, and eight lightning chains burst from under its feet, four red, and four black. The red chains wrapped around its feet and hands, holding it fast to the spot while electrocuting it. The black chains wrapped around its torso and began draining its life.
As she surveyed the boss, now chained down, Neytiri activated her Siphon skill, channeling most of the healing energy into Etu and some into herself as well. A purple light flowed from the monster to her and from her to Etu as she stole its life force.
Etu’s screams echoed through the cave as his bones began to mend themselves, a harrowing reminder of the brutal injuries he had sustained from the boss’s projectiles. His knee was shattered, rendering him unable to walk, and his shield arm hung limply by his side, dislocated by the force of a massive rock. Neytiri, too, bore the marks of the intense battle, with scratches covering her body from the debris that had crashed against Etu’s shield.
Etu knew he could be out of commission for a while, but he couldn’t dwell on that now. Time was ticking on my Bound skill, and he needed to act quickly. With a surge of determination, he activated his Firestorm skill, unleashing a torrent of fire that engulfed the boss in a blazing inferno.
The once formidable creature now lay as a charred husk, defeated by our combined efforts. As the message announcing our victory and completion of the quest appeared, a rumbling filled the cave, signaling the opening of the exit from this treacherous miscellany. The exit did not materialize in the cave we were in, leaving us with little choice but to wait till we were all well enough to walk before searching for it.
It took several minutes while Neytiri slowly released the vitality she had taken from the boss to heal Etu. Afterward, we rested before moving out of the cave. Yes, there was now an opening leading out of the miscellany, but we didn’t know what awaited us so facing it fully recharged was best.
While we rested, Neytiri carefully searched the remains of the boss and discovered a fist-sized green crystal among the ashes. As she picked it up, a message appeared, revealing it as a Monster Nucleus that could be used for various tasks, from obtaining skills to crafting, and alchemy. Excitedly, Neytiri shared her discovery with us. As we made our way back to the main tunnel, a soft light emanated from the entrance of the main cave, drawing our attention.
We hurried over to investigate and were met with a breathtaking sight - a large eye-shaped opening in the back wall of the cave, revealing a lush tropical rainforest beyond. “We did it,” Neytiri exclaimed, all of our eyes were moist with tears of joy, exhaustion, and relief.