As Hemalith stirred from his slumber, he instantly regretted his decision to doze off in the heart of a gloomy cave within an eerie forest, teeming with menacing creatures. Exhaustion had clouded his judgment, rendering him oblivious to the potential dangers that lurked in the darkness.
Upon awakening, Hemalith was greeted by a jolt of realization. The weariness that plagued his mind seemed to dissipate, replaced by an unusual sense of serenity. Though immobilized, he felt an unexpected surge of control over the dire situation. Aware of his trump card, the Bestial Transformation - Bloodline Ascendancy, Hemalith contemplated using it to cleanse his body and eliminate any looming threats. However, he hesitated, reluctant to squander this formidable ability without just cause.
In his attempts to assess the extent of his predicament, Hemalith strained to open his eyes, yet his efforts proved futile. Undeterred, he delved deep within himself, drawing upon his innate power of Blood Manipulation: Intermediate (Level 3/10). Hoping to hasten his regeneration and purge the poison from his system.
You have been poisoned.
Paralyse set in, you are unable to move for the duration of 8 hours 23 minutes. Due to resistance from both blood origin, title and active use of blood manipulation this has been reduced to 2 hours 32 minutes.
A faint glimmer of success flickered within Hemalith as he noticed the diminishing duration of the poison. However, he still had a significant stretch of time ahead before complete recovery. His mind raced, considering alternative ways to harness his blood manipulation skills to his advantage. Suddenly, a thought struck him – perhaps he could employ the very same ability to force his eyes open. With unwavering focus, he directed his magic towards his eyes, commanding them to obey. And just like that, his vision returned, but what he beheld was far from desirable.
Hemalith found himself suspended against the cavern wall, ensnared in a sticky, web-like fluid that enveloped his body, leaving only his head exposed. The cave he now found himself in was a far cry from the one in which he had fallen asleep. It exuded an aura of unspeakable horror and despair. Before his horrified gaze lay a macabre mound comprised of bones, flesh, and blood, a grotesque amalgamation of twisted remains. But the true terror lay in the presence of the creatures that prowled amidst the abomination.
Resembling nightmarish spiders, these abhorrent beings stood at the size of preternatural wolves, boasting eight barbed legs, a grotesque multitude of eyes, and a mouth brimming with razor-sharp fangs dripping with venomous malice. Their repulsive appearance alone was enough to send shivers down one's spine, but the sight was further accentuated by the abominable sounds and foul stench that emanated from their vile forms.
There was at least 25 of them in the cave with him and Hemalith used his skill Level Sight Novice (Level 1/10) to identify what he was up against
Level 22 Venomweaver Worker
Species Weakness: Despite their venomous nature, Venomweavers are highly sensitive to extreme temperatures. Exposing them to intense cold or heat can impair their mobility and hinder their venom production. Additionally, their reliance on silk for web-building makes them vulnerable to fire, as their webs can easily catch flames and trap them.
Worker weakness: Their thin exoskeleton, which can be easily pierced or shattered.
The cavern was teeming with Venomweaver workers, their numerous bodies scuttling across the walls and floor in a grotesque display. These smaller arachnids made up the overwhelming majority of the cave's inhabitants. Yet, amidst the swarm, Hemalith's keen eyes also caught sight of a more formidable variation prowling in the shadows.
Level 30 Venomweaver Soldier
Species Weakness: Despite their venomous nature, Venomweavers are highly sensitive to extreme temperatures. Exposing them to intense cold or heat can impair their mobility and hinder their venom production. Additionally, their reliance on silk for web-building makes them vulnerable to fire, as their webs can easily catch flames and trap them.
Soldier Weakness: their weakness lies in their limited range of vision due to their multiple eyes. They can be easily disoriented or blinded, making them vulnerable to surprise attacks.
Hemalith wasn't intimidated by the levels of these creatures, but rather by their sheer multitude. He realized that prioritizing safety was the wisest approach, opting to wait until the poison had completely subsided before executing his calculated strike.
However, fate had other plans in store for Hemalith. Two venomweaver workers were rapidly approaching his location, leaving him with no choice but to confront them sooner than anticipated. Despite being paralyzed and trapped on the wall, he knew he had to rely on his magic to navigate this perilous situation.
Drawing upon his proficiency in Shadowmeld: Novice (Level 4/10), Hemalith weaved an illusion that concealed his presence from the venomweavers. From their perspective, all they could perceive was a seemingly endless expanse of wall. Utilizing the adjacent wall as his vantage point, he cleverly disoriented the workers, rendering himself invisible to their senses.
Continuing his strategic manoeuvres, Hemalith tapped into his budding abilities in Menacing Presence Novice (Level 1/10). He delved into the workers' minds, sowing seeds of doubt and uncertainty. With each subtle manipulation, he convinced them that there was nothing to be found in that location. Employing his mental prowess like a skilled surgeon, he fabricated a narrative, making them believe that the other worker had already taken the food, fostering distrust and turning them against each other.
He skillfully planted insidious suggestions into their minds, goading them to attack each other before their counterpart could steal the coveted food, ensuring the secrecy of their theft. This mental manipulation took a toll on Hemalith, as maintaining the illusion and breaching their mental defenses without arousing suspicion proved to be an arduous task. However, his perseverance paid off in due time.
In a sudden flurry of movement, the workers launched themselves at one another, descending into a frenzied state of savage hacking and biting. Chaos ensued as other workers, lured by the prospect of claiming their own share of food, joined the brawl. Hemalith, hidden on the cave wall, seized this opportune moment to sow further discord. Exploiting their primal instincts and desires for more sustenance and triumph, he implanted suggestion after suggestion into each worker's mind, aligning with their own thoughts and fuelling their determination to emerge victorious.
Now, a total of twenty-two workers were locked in a life-or-death struggle before Hemalith, tearing into each other with reckless abandon. Hemalith marvelled at how a few carefully placed suggestions and a seed of doubt had orchestrated this chaos. However, he also realized that these workers were mere pawns, disposable in their blind pursuit of sustenance.
Fourteen workers lay lifeless before Hemalith, their blood-soaked bodies testifying to the success of his orchestrated chaos. However, the unfolding scene took an unexpected turn as a Venomweaver soldier abruptly entered the fray. With swift and lethal precision, the soldier dispatched those workers who dared to stand their ground, causing the rest to scatter in fear. The carefully crafted brawl that Hemalith had orchestrated came to an abrupt halt.
While this turn of events wasn't catastrophic, as Hemalith had achieved more than he had hoped for, a new crisis loomed as the soldier decided to remain in the spot in front of Hemalith, relishing in the spoils of his and the workers' efforts. Hemalith realized that he could not sustain his illusion until the poison had run its course, leaving him in a precarious predicament. His mind raced, desperately searching for a solution to extricate himself from this perilous situation.
Surveying the blood-drenched surroundings of the cave, Hemalith berated himself for not capitalizing on his blood manipulation abilities earlier. Here he stood, surrounded by pools of blood, a resource he could wield to his advantage. Extending his consciousness through his Blood Manipulation: Intermediate (Level 3/10), he reached out to the spilled blood near him and the Venomweaver soldier. With utmost caution, he slowly drew the blood closer, ensuring his actions went unnoticed by the soldier's senses.
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Aware that this maneuver would inevitably draw attention and trigger a chain reaction throughout the cave, Hemalith braced himself for the impending chaos. He knew that maintaining his illusion and manipulating blood simultaneously would exact a toll too great to bear, especially with the presence of at least ten more Venomweavers lurking in the depths. Energy conservation became paramount.
Harnessing the blood, Hemalith used some to cover himself and the web-like structure that had ensnared him against the wall. The remaining blood surged toward the soldier. Steadying his breath, Hemalith activated Bloodbane: Novice (Level 8/10), enhancing his attacks with piercing potency. In a fury of motion, he unleashed a barrage of hundreds of blood spikes from the ground, driving them mercilessly into the Venomweaver soldier's abdomen from every direction. A piercing screech filled the air as the soldier writhed in agony, but its fate had already been sealed. It succumbed to its wounds; its life extinguished.
As the venomweavers swiftly converged upon the source of their fallen comrade's screech, the cave reverberated with a cacophony of frenzied activity. Hemalith knew it was time to relinquish his illusion, for the creatures would naturally be drawn to his location. With the blood-soaked web-like structure behind him, he manipulated the blood, tearing it apart and freeing himself before gravity could claim him and to aid his mobility, he summoned blood limbs, forming makeshift appendages that would assist him in navigating the treacherous terrain. Though the energy drain was significant, Hemalith understood the necessity of mobility for his survival.
Observing the approaching creatures—ten in total, with two soldiers and the remainder workers—Hemalith strategically positioned himself in a defensible stance within the pool of blood left behind by the dead soldier and workers. With a resolute focus, he conjured blood spears above his head, readying himself for the imminent clash. His menacing presence, augmented by the Menacing Presence Novice (Level 1/10) skill, radiated an aura of intimidation that struck the approaching monsters with paralyzing fear. In their moment of confusion, Hemalith unleashed his volley of blood spears, precisely aimed to pierce their bodies. Six fell to his opening salvo, their lives extinguished, but the soldiers proved agile and mentally strong enough to evade the onslaught. The remaining creatures, positioned at a greater distance, managed to escape unscathed for the time being.
Closing the distance with alarming speed, the venomweavers advanced, poised to strike at their helpless prey. Hemalith, acutely aware of his dwindling mana reserves and the persistent poison coursing through his body, knew that he had to unleash his next ability to shift the tide of the battle. Activating Blood Rite: Novice (Level 4/10), he carefully absorbed the blood, savouring its power without succumbing to the consuming bloodlust. Instantly, an empowering surge surged through his veins, amplifying his strength, agility, and vitality to new heights.
You have been poisoned.
Paralyse set in, you are unable to move for the duration of 8 hours 23 minutes. Due to resistance from both blood origin, title, active use of blood manipulation and blood rite this has been reduced to 3 minutes.
Now that was more like it with the addition of blood rite and its ability to enhance his vitality the poison was close to being out of his system. However, he still had the venomweavers closing in and he had doubts they were going to give him the needed time to recover.
As a venomweaver worker lunged at Hemalith, mouth agape, he swiftly intercepted the attack with a powerful crash of his Blood Shield: Basic (Level 9/10), halting its momentum. Seizing the opportunity, Hemalith conjured blood spears once again, launching them at point-blank range, instantly ending the worker's life. Three adversaries remained—two soldiers and one worker. Glancing at his status screen, Hemalith noted that he still had two minutes until he could regain his mobility.
In a critical moment, both a soldier and a worker charged towards him. Hemalith raised a blood shield to block the worker's assault, but his blood limbs proved insufficiently agile as he attempted to dodge the soldier. Consequently, he was tackled by the soldier, pinned beneath its weight. Determined not to succumb, Hemalith unleashed a powerful Psychic Surge: Basic (Level 1/10), disorienting the soldier. Capitalizing on the opportunity, he thrust blood spikes repeatedly into the soldier's vulnerable underbelly, swiftly ending its life.
From the corner of his eye, Hemalith noticed the last remaining worker rushing towards him. With a mental effort, he skilfully employed his Shadowmeld: Novice (Level 4/10) to craft an illusion. As the worker perceived a colossal blood-red spear materializing out of thin air, it instinctively veered to the left to evade the perceived threat. Tragically for the worker, the real spear awaited on the opposite side, impaling it upon landing and ending its existence in an instant.
Only one soldier remained, cautiously approaching after witnessing the demise of its brethren at the hands of this audacious intruder. Hemalith sensed his dwindling reservoir of abilities and realized that immediate action was imperative to avoid vulnerability and potential swift demise. Drawing upon the blood surrounding him, he activated Blood Rite: Novice (Level 4/10), providing him with a rapid surge of vitality, agility, and strength. At long last, the awaited message materialized before him:
"You are no longer poisoned."
Sensation flooded Hemalith's body, and with a burst of determination, he exerted all his strength to dislodge the venomweaver from his form. Sensing the impending escape, the last soldier positioned itself to pounce. Hemalith swiftly sidestepped, his agility proving more than a match for the creature's predatory instincts. The venomweaver lunged again and again, while Hemalith adeptly evaded each assault, employing a combination of dodges, ducks, and weaving to keep himself out of harm's reach. The deadly dance continued, with Hemalith patiently awaiting the opportune moment to strike down this monstrous foe.
In a sudden leap, the venomweaver made its move, but Hemalith summoned a blood great sword into existence with remarkable speed, impaling the creature before it could comprehend the impending danger. With a final gasp, the venomweaver succumbed to its wounds, lying motionless on the cave floor, vanquished at last.
Fatigue crashed into Hemalith like an unstoppable freight train, overwhelming his body and mind. He collapsed to the floor, his breaths laboured and heavy, as the toll of exerting multiple skills against formidable creatures of a significantly higher level took its toll. Both mentally and physically drained, Hemalith felt the negative impact reverberating through his entire being. Despite the overwhelming fatigue, Hemalith recognized that the impact on his body and mind had diminished compared to previous encounters. He held onto the knowledge that he would recover more quickly this time, allowing him to rise again sooner than before.
He pulled up his status to see what this fight had afforded him.
You have survived an encounter with numerous enemies above your level whilst in a position of weakness and handicapped. Bonus experience and skill levels awarded. Note: Due to your negative trait Ruthless predator experience adjusted due to killing multiple enemies of the same type.
15700 experiences awarded!
Level: 8 [9000/9000 experience needed for level 9]
Level: 9 [10000/10000 experience needed for level 10]
Level 10: N/A
120 free stat points
Level 10 reached please choose a class to advance any further
Blood Manipulation: Intermediate (Level 3/10) ------------------ Intermediate (Level 5/10)
Level Sight Novice (Level 1/10) ----------------- Novice (Level 3/10)
Shadowmeld: Novice (Level 4/10) ----------------- Novice (Level 7/10)
Menacing Presence Novice (Level 1/10) ---------------- Novice (Level 3/10)
Bloodbane: Novice (Level 8/10) ------------------ Intermediate (Level 1/10)
Blood Rite: Novice (Level 4/10) ------------------ Novice (Level 6/10)
Blood Shield: Basic (Level 9/10), ----------------- Novice (Level 2/10)
Psychic Surge: Basic (Level 1/10) ----------------- Basic (Level 8/10)
Bloodbane gains the following:
With the enhanced Bloodbane, Hemalith's offensive strikes become infused with a concentrated surge of blood energy, bolstering their cutting power, and granting him the ability to bypass enemy defences. Each successful hit now carries an additional punch, exploiting the vulnerabilities in his adversaries' physiology or magical barriers.
At intermediate level newfound efficiency in mana expenditure is found and Hemalith's refined control over his blood manipulation abilities allows him to conserve his precious energy, enabling prolonged battles and a relentless onslaught of empowered attacks.
The damage inflicted by Hemalith's strikes has also undergone a significant boost. The intensified blood energy coursing through his weapons or flowing within his physical blows allows him to slice through enemy defences with remarkable ease, leaving his opponents reeling from the devastating blows that target their weakest points.
Blood shield gains the following:
The shield demonstrates increased proficiency in absorbing and dispersing external forces, mitigating the impact of physical blows, projectiles, and select energy-based attacks.
At the novice level, the Blood Shield surpasses its basic counterpart in complexity and reliability. It exhibits greater resilience, capable of withstanding attacks of moderate intensity with greater durability and efficacy. This includes countering minor projectiles and low-impact strikes, providing Hemalith with a more substantial safeguard against immediate threats.
Hemalith's face lit up with delight as he witnessed substantial progress across all his skills. Each improvement brought him closer to unlocking his full potential. However, there was one milestone that had him practically buzzing with excitement—the attainment of Level 10. With this achievement, it was finally time for Hemalith to embrace his destined path and select a class that would define his future endeavours.