"Here goes nothing," Archie muttered and settled beside the violet crystal. He placed his hands on its crystalline surface and felt a faint warmth pulsating from within. Closing his eyes, in an attempt to focus, he began to release his mana, letting it flow from within his body and into the world around him.
His mana now intertwined with the ambient mana of his surroundings, while the violet crystal pulsed lightly in response to his mana injection. As his mana reserves dropped to 50%, suddenly, everything went dark.
All Archie could see was darkness, not even his hands were visible. Then, faint lights appeared; many small and colorful specks of light were shimmering through the darkness. A myriad of colors sparkled, like stars scattered across a night sky. Twinkling softly, they danced around him in what appeared to be a joyous fashion. The sight reminded him of when he went stargazing with Henry, and Father back when they went camping.
Archie sensed many different types of energy coming from the glowing lights, subtle yet calming. The sensation was soothing, like the gentle rhythm of a distant heartbeat.
As suddenly as they came, the colorful specks disappeared, seemingly vanished from existence. The sudden disappearance caused Archie to jolt from his position, eyes darting around trying to figure out what broke his connection with the lights.
Upon looking down at the violet crystal he saw that it was no longer purple, rather it became translucent. Shocked, Archie tried looking at his notifications in hopes for an answer.
Profession Challenge Dungeon
Objective 1: Connect with the spirits around you. ✔
Reward: Shaman Profession
You have obtained the Shaman Profession!
Shaman:
A Shaman draws upon the spirits and elemental forces of nature to perform various effects. Central to their power is effigy carving, artifacts that offer a myriad of effects. Abilities Granted: Spirit Link (Epic) & Effigy-Carving (Initiate). Stats per level: +2 Int, +2 Per, +1 Agi, +1 Free Point.
“Hmm, nice distribution across my mental stats. Now I only need to worry about Willpower, Wisdom, and Endurance. ” Archie said while overlooking his profession’s description.
Gained Skill: Spirit Link (Epic)
Spirit Link (Epic):
Through deep meditation, you enter the spirit realm of your current surroundings. By entering the spirit realm, you are able to connect with the spirits on a more intimate level and manipulate them. Linking with the spirits around you, your mental and physical capabilities are enhanced. The effectiveness of Spirit Link is based on your Intelligence and Willpower stats.
“An Epic skill, nice! Hmm… So those lights were the surrounding spirits.” Archie replied seemingly happy at identifying what those lights were.
Skill Evolved: [Meditation (Uncommon) → Deep Meditation (Rare)]
Deep Meditation (Rare):
By clearing your mind of the outside world and silencing all stray thoughts, you achieve a state of deep meditation. While in meditation, the regeneration of Health, Stamina, and Mana is deeply enhanced. However, while meditating, your connection to the physical world fades—your senses completely shut down, leaving you unable to see, hear, or feel anything around you.
“This sounds both good and bad. I get enhanced regeneration in all my resource pools, but when I use this skill, I become comatose.” Archie analyzed before deciding to only use meditation when he is isolated from any potential danger.
Gained Skill: [Effigy-Carving (Initiate)]
Effigy-Carving (Initiate):
Effigies are the most basic crafting abilities of a Shaman, allowing them to create unique effects when in use. Grants basic knowledge of wood carving. Effigies crafted will provide a minor bonus when activated, but after a certain period of time they crumble.
“What are effigies? Some sort of wooden sculpture?” Archie wondered aloud.
“Wait! I can make wooden sculptures that could give me stat bonuses? That’s broken!” Archie realized.
Profession Challenge Dungeon
Objective 2: Create four effigies: Wrath, Healing, Endurance, and Stealth (Common+)
Reward: ?
“How do I craft an effigy? Or get wood?” Archie wondered, remembering the book from within the cabin ‘A Guide to Shamanism’, Archie got up from where he sat and headed toward the dark oak cabin.
Pushing the cabin door open, Archie saw the book ‘A Guide to Shamanism’ and picked it up.
“Shamanism cannot be explained in quick and easy terms, for shamanism is different for everything and everyone. For example, shamanism for some people is a way to get revenge against their enemies and cause destruction, another would be shamanism is a way to bring harmony to spirits and use them for others. But the origin is the same; shamanism is the act of using spirits, be it of elemental, celestial, demonic, etcetera. I personally have a connection with nature, thus use the spirits of nature to empower both my magic and craft. But that does not mean I ignore other spirits; I also use spirits of the elements and healing as well. Once again, shamanism is using spirits, be it forcibly or gently, to do what you wish.” Archie read out loud, nodding along to Myrddin Oaken’s description of shamanism.
“Regardless, basic and essential ways to connect with spirits as a new Shaman is by crafting effigies and by utilizing your Spirit Link.” Archie read aloud, eyes narrowing at the mention of effigies.
“Effigies are simple carvings made by imbuing a carved object with a respective spirit. For example, to make a wrath effigy you need to complete three steps; First, create a sculpture that you think personifies wrath, second imbue your personal emotion/feelings of wrath within the sculpture and third manipulate the spirits in your surroundings to empower the effigy.” Archie read aloud finally getting an answer on how to make an effigy, specifically for wrath.
“The spirits I refer to are not ones of nature, rather they are non-sentient lesser elemental spirits. As you evolve you will be able to perceive spirits of higher degrees, but for now you can only perceive lesser spirits. Now you might be wondering how to create an effigy without wood, as there are no trees within the cave. The answer for that is to look behind the cabin.” Archie read, almost feeling the smirk from the author.
Sighing at his own stupidity for not properly exploring the cave, Archie decided that he needed to rest to properly reset his own mental. But before he headed for the bed, he decided to open his status page.
Archie Gracefield
Race: Human F-Grade Lv 18
Class: Warrior Lv 23
Profession: Shaman Lv 0
Health: 861/861
Mana: 5/250
Stamina: 420/420
Stats:
Vitality: 82(86)
Strength: 92(96)
Endurance: 42
Agility: 64
Intelligence: 46
Wisdom: 25
Willpower: 26(27)
Perception: 25
Free Points: 3
Skills:
Basic One-Handed Weapon Mastery (Common)
Basic Light-Shield Mastery (Common)
Identify (Initiate)
Savage Charge (Rare)
Adrenaline Rush (Rare)
Warrior's Resilience (Rare)
Deep Meditation (Rare)
Mana Manipulation (Common)
Spirit Link (Epic)
Effigy-Carving (Initiate)
Bloodline:
Adrenaline Junkie (Unique) [+5% to Strength and +5% to Willpower]
Titles Collected:
Bloodline Progenitor [+10 Vitality and +5% Vitality]
Tutorial Points:
1,306
“Ah, that’s why Spirit Link stopped working” Archie chuckled to himself while looking at his almost empty mana reserves.
The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
As Archie sat on the bed, he felt as though he was on a cloud, it was softer than anything he had ever touched. As he fell on the bed, he felt the cushioning perfectly mold itself to him. As such Archie slept peacefully for the first time since the tutorial began.
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Waking up from the greatest sleep of his life, a refreshed Archie left the sheets of the bed with a smile and a spring in his step.
Now fully awake Archie realized he had not done probably the most important thing he should have, Identified stuff.
Looking at the desk, books, and the knife he read:
Sigil Ridden Desk (Common):
This dark oak desk has been etched with many sigils invented by Myrddin Oaken to preserve its integrity throughout time and crafted by a C-Grade Carpenter. Due to the passage of time, all effects on the desk are gone, rendering all sigils on the desk as ornate designs. Status: Moderately used.
Sigil Ridden Chair (Common):
This dark oak chair has been etched with many sigils invented by Myrddin Oaken to preserve its integrity throughout time and crafted by a C-Grade Carpenter. Due to the passage of time, all effects on the desk are gone, rendering all sigils on the desk as ornate designs. Status: Moderately used.
Sigil Ridden Book (Rare):
‘Connecting with the Spirits’ by Myrddin Oaken. This leather book has been heavily inscribed to withstand the passage of time, but without proper maintenance, its condition has semi-deteriorated. Effects: Time Preservation & Translation. Status: Moderately used.
Sigil Ridden Book (Rare):
‘A Guide to Shamanism’ by Myrddin Oaken. This leather book has been heavily inscribed to withstand the passage of time, but without proper maintenance, its condition has semi-deteriorated. Effects: Time Preservation & Translation. Status: Perfect.
Silver Carving Knife (Uncommon):
A silver carving knife made from Silver (Rare) but with the efforts of [Redacted] it became a silver carving knife (Epic). Due to the effects of time, the rarity has dropped by multiple tiers. Effects: Soul-Bound, Self-Repair & Sharpness. Requirements: Humanoid Race. Status: Perfect.
Sigil Ridden Bed (Uncommon):
A dark oak bed etched with many sigils etched by Myrddin Oaken to preserve its integrity throughout time and crafted by a C-Grade Carpenter. The mattress, pillows, and sheets are filled with the wool of a D-Grade Cloudhopper. Due to the effects of time, the rarity has dropped by multiple tiers. Effects: Time Preservation & Enhanced Recovery. Status: Perfect.
“So that’s how those runes became English and why this bed is impossibly soft.” Archie said but then said, “I'll pocket this carving knife to carve up some effigies. I’m not gonna touch the redacted thing with a ten-foot pole.” While placing the silver carving knife in the potion pouch.
Walking out the cabin door Archie analyzed the translucent crystal and a violet crystal.
Essence Crystal – Shaman:
Affinity crystals are physical manifestations of condensed essence towards a specific archetype, role, class, profession, or element. The chance to find an essence crystal grown naturally within the multiverse is infinitesimally small. Effect: Shamanic Essence.
Essence Crystal – Empty:
Affinity crystals are physical manifestations of condensed essence towards a specific archetype, role, class, profession, or element. The chance to find an essence crystal grown naturally within the multiverse is infinitesimally small. This affinity crystal is empty and does not provide any effects but can be used in rituals. Effect: Empty.
“Huh, I might grab a couple of them to take with me considering how rare they are,” Archie said.
Remembering his damaged chest piece, he Identified it.
Plated Chain-mail Chestpiece (Common):
A Plated Chain-mail Chestpiece, provided to those who have chosen the warrior starting class. Due to taking more damage than it could handle it has broken, rendering it useless and deadweight. Effect: Soul-bound. Status: Broken. Requirements: Humanoid Race.
Upon reading the description of his chestpiece, he sighed and took it off. At the very least without the chestpiece, I feel lighter. Archie thought while making his way to the back of the cabin.
Behind the cabin was an arched doorway, the doorway was made from grey brick, contrasting with the rough walls of the cave. Through the doorway, it looked as if it led to a new world. Luscious grass swayed gently by an unseen breeze, and a vast forest painted the background, trees larger than anything he had ever seen.
Looking around the forest Archie could only chuckle and think, ‘A pocket dimension in a pocket dimension.’
Unslinging his hatchet, Archie walked toward a large oak tree and swung.
----------------------------------------
Looking at the large pile of chopped logs around him, and the stumps showing evidence of his massacre against trees, Archie smiled, finally able to start carving.
Sitting down with his back against a stump, Archie pulled out his carving knife and grabbed a chopped log.
“Hmm… Wrath. What symbolizes wrath to me? A wolf? No. Hmm…” Archie said with a frown marring his face, unable to find a symbol of wrath.
“I should come back to wrath; healing should be easier for now. A symbol for healing…. A health potion should work.” Archie decided, moving from trying to make a wrath effigy towards a healing effigy.
Placing a health potion on the ground in front of him, Archie started to carve out a health potion.
Archie clicked his tongue as he nicked his thumb with the carving knife, staining bits of the log with his blood. This is gonna go well, Archie sarcastically thought while licking his bloody thumb.
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Looking at his first successful potion carving, Archie smiled with joy. Around him lay a scattered collection of discarded carvings; some cracked from excess pressure, others chipped from inefficient hand coordination, and many of them disfigured beyond recognition.
Identifying the carving, Archie read:
Wooden Miniature Sculpture (Initiate):
A rough wooden carving made from oak depicting a distorted potion bottle.
Smiling at the system acknowledgement, that his carving was considered to be in the design of a potion bottle, no matter how crappy it looked.
“Now I have to imbue the feeling of healing within the sculpture. Should be easy enough, self-mutilation and waiting for it to heal on its own.” Archie smiled, finally happy to move on to the next step.
Pulling out his dagger and gritting his teeth, Archie deeply cut his bare abdomen, drawing blood, and then started to use his Deep Meditation in an attempt to focus on his regeneration of health.
Everything turned dark as the skill activated, everything around Archie vanished leaving him surrounded in darkness and isolation. Archie started to envision his body, tracing his form – starting with his limbs, then his torso. Then he focused on his internal components – the intricate network of veins and blood flowing within them.
Feeling his vital energy travel with increased speed and purpose towards his injury. With Deep Meditation active he instinctively knew what he had to do to heal his injury. Archie continued to feel the increased regeneration of his health, until his health reached full, causing him to exit his Deep Meditation.
Focusing on the feeling of healing, he then started to imbue both it and his mana into the potion carving. Identifying the carving he then saw:
Imbued Wooden Miniature Sculpture (Initiate):
A rough wooden carving made from oak depicting a distorted potion bottle. Now imbued with the feeling of healing belonging to an F-Grade human.
Archie then activated Spirit Link, causing him to be surrounded by darkness once more, but now with many small colorful dots, spirits, he corrected himself. Now with the skill Spirit Link, Archie was able to feel his connection with the spirits strengthen, and slowly started to drag a few of them within the imbued potion carving.
Just as the last spirit he controlled disappeared into the carving, he canceled Spirit Link. The galaxy of spirits that filled his mind now faded away, leaving Archie on his lonesome within the forest, with his senses fully returned.
Identifying the potion carving he read:
Effigy of Healing (Initiate):
An oak wood healing effigy made in the design of a disfigured Potion of Health, imbued with the feeling of healing belonging to an F-Grade human and empowered with lesser elemental spirits. Allows minor increased health regeneration for 2 minutes for the one who activates the effigy. Effects: Minor Increased Health Regeneration. Requirement: Lv 1+.
*Your Profession has reached Lv 1 – Points allocated, +1 Free Point*
*Your Race has reached Lv 19 – Points allocated, +1 Free Point*
“Yes!” Archie shouted, he had finally created his first effigy and received his first level into his profession. Proof that he was on the right track. The elation he received from making his first effigy rivaled that of when he built his first plastic cubed castle as a kid.
He missed making models and robot miniatures.
Riding off the dopamine rush, he got back on the effigy-carving grind.