Agony had become Hemalith's constant companion, an unwelcome familiarity in his life. As he regained consciousness, a bitter metallic taste lingered in his mouth, serving as a grim reminder of the bloodshed he had endured. Every inch of his body throbbed with pain, a testament to the countless wounds inflicted upon him. Attempting to rise, his weakened form betrayed him, succumbing to the weight of exhaustion that still clung to his being. He remained motionless, lying there in the aftermath, desperately piecing together the fragments of his memory. The recollection came in flashes—he had been overwhelmed, outnumbered, with no hope of victory. Retreat was not an option, shackled by the relentless demands of his bloodline. And then, in a desperate act of survival, he had unleashed a skill, tapping into powers beyond his comprehension.
Blood Rite: Novice (Level 1/10) ---- (Level 4/10)
Hemalith's mastery over blood manipulation extends to a potent skill known as Blood Rite. This skill enables him to empower himself by harnessing the blood of his fallen enemies, using it to enhance his own abilities and tap into their life force.
When Hemalith successfully lands a killing blow on an adversary, he can choose to activate the Blood Rite. By focusing his concentration and drawing upon the spilled blood, he absorbs its essence, channelling its power into his own being.
Upon activating the Blood Rite, Hemalith experiences a surge of strength, agility, and vitality. His physical attributes are temporarily augmented, granting him heightened speed, endurance, and resilience. Additionally, the absorbed life force bolsters his regenerative abilities, allowing him to heal wounds at an accelerated rate during the duration of the empowered state.
The duration of the Blood Rite's effects depends on various factors, including the potency and quantity of the absorbed blood, as well as Hemalith's own stamina and control over his blood manipulation abilities. As Hemalith's mastery of Blood Rite increases, he gains the ability to extend the duration and potency of the empowered state, unleashing even greater levels of power and resilience.
However, there is a cost to wielding the Blood Rite. After the effects of the empowered state wear off, Hemalith is left in a weakened state, experiencing a temporary depletion of his own blood reserves. This depletion affects his overall physical performance and can lead to fatigue, decreased stamina, and diminished blood manipulation abilities.
Furthermore, the act of absorbing the blood of fallen enemies carries a psychological burden. Hemalith becomes more susceptible to the dark impulses and urges that come with his bloodline origin. The more he indulges in the power of the Blood Rite, the greater the risk of losing control over his actions and succumbing to a state of mindless bloodlust. This makes it crucial for Hemalith to exercise caution and self-restraint, as the line between wielding the power and being consumed by it becomes increasingly thin.
And in an overwhelming rush, the memories flooded back—images of the mindless slaughter, a macabre symphony of violence etched into his mind. He gazed at his trembling hands, half-expecting to find the once blood-drenched nails that had transformed him into a monster. But to his surprise, they had returned to their mundane state, bereft of the menacing aura he had wielded in his rampage. He ran his tongue along his teeth, discovering that although his canines remained slightly sharper, they were far from the savage fangs he had used to tear through the flesh of his foes. Fighting to steady his breath, he grappled with the lingering shock. Seeking solace in distraction, he summoned his stat screen, hoping for some semblance of change amidst the chaos. And there, amidst the myriad of information, a few details caught his eye, beckoning him to delve deeper into the aftermath of his brutal encounter.
Name: Ethan Drake [Hemalith]
Level: 4 [0/5000 experience needed for level 5]
Blood Origin: Hemalith [Patriarch]
Class: N/A
Titles: Patriarch of Blood: First of His Kind, The Ascendant One: Level 1 Supreme, Against the Odds: A Trail of Ascension
Negative Traits: Call of the hunt, Ruthless Predator
Strength: 78
Agility: 78
Intelligence: 156
Vitality: 78
Wisdom: 93.6
Charisma: 78
Soul: 234
Free stats: 240
Upon scrutinizing his stat screen, Hemalith made a startling discovery. Despite the grueling battle, he had only managed to gain three levels, bringing his total to level 4. As he contemplated this meager advancement, a realization dawned on him—the allocation of stats during the early levels was influenced by one's blood origin. Recalling the hierarchy, he surmised that Patriarchs received a generous allotment of 60 stats per level, followed by Elder Bloodlines with 50, Nobile Bloodlines with 40, Ascendant Bloodlines with 30, Elite Bloodlines with 20, and Common Bloodlines with a mere 10. With this in mind, he calculated his newfound potential—240 free stats awaited him, ready to be distributed. But that wasn't all. Hemalith's gaze shifted to the second revelation on his stat screen—a brand new title now adorned his name.
Against the Odds: A Trail of Ascension
For his remarkable feat of slaying multiple enemies at level 1, despite them being over 10 levels above him. In the face of overwhelming odds, he displayed unwavering courage, exceptional skill, and relentless determination. Hemalith’s unwavering belief in his own abilities, combined with his refusal to back down in the face of adversity, struck fear into the hearts of his enemies and instilled doubt in their minds.
* Adrenaline Surge: Ethan's victory against overwhelming odds unlocks a latent potential within him. He gains a permanent boost to his adrenaline production, enhancing his physical abilities and reflexes during combat.
* Battle Instinct: Ethan's combat instincts sharpen as a result of this achievement. He gains a heightened sense of awareness, allowing him to anticipate and react more effectively to enemy movements and attacks.
* Resilient Spirit: Ethan's indomitable willpower and determination are strengthened by his triumph. He becomes more resistant to mental and emotional manipulation, making it harder for others to break his resolve or control his actions.
* Experience Harvest: Despite the negative trait that limits his experience gain, Ethan's exceptional feat grants him a bonus experience multiplier for future battles against enemies higher in level or possessing high-level bloodlines. This helps him level up more rapidly and unlock new abilities and skills.
The revelation before Hemalith was nothing short of astonishing, making the arduous journey he had endured feel somewhat justified. A surge of exhilaration coursed through his veins as he contemplated the tremendous growth he had achieved. However, a flicker of horror crossed his mind as he realized that he would willingly endure it all over again just to experience the same profound sensation. Aware of the dangerous allure of such thoughts, Hemalith refocused his attention on the stat screen, uncovering yet another surprise that awaited him. To his dismay, he discovered another negative trait, offering an explanation as to why his level gains fell short of his expectations.
Negative Trait: Ruthless Predator
Description: The Ruthless Predator is a negative trait inherent to Hemalith’s bloodline, which hinders his experience gain unless he is facing enemies of higher level, greater cunning, or possessing a formidable bloodline. This trait reflects the inherent nature of his bloodline to thrive on challenges and grow stronger by overcoming superior adversaries.
Effects:
Stagnant Experience Gain: When Hemalith defeats enemies who are of lower level, less cunning, or possess weaker bloodlines than him, his experience gain is significantly diminished. The challenges posed by such opponents do not provide enough stimulus for his growth, resulting in minimal experience rewards.
Diminishing Returns: Repetitive encounters with the same enemy or type of enemy yield diminishing experience gains. The more Hemalith kills a particular enemy, the less experience he gains from each subsequent kill. This mechanic discourages grinding on weaker foes and encourages him to seek out new, more powerful adversaries to continue his growth.
Heightened Experience from Superior Enemies: On the other hand, when Hemalith faces enemies who are of higher level, greater cunning, or possess powerful bloodlines, he gains an increased amount of experience upon defeating them. The more challenging the opponent, the greater the experience reward, reflecting his bloodline's inclination to evolve through overcoming formidable obstacles.
Incentive for Bloodline Challenges: Hemalith’s bloodline compels him to seek out opponents with high-level bloodlines. Defeating enemies who possess advanced bloodlines not only grants him substantial experience but also unlocks the potential for Hemalith’s to discover and develop new abilities or skills associated with those bloodlines.
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On one hand, this new trait wasn't a catastrophic setback for Hemalith, considering his lack of interest in hunting and killing weaker monsters for mere experience. However, on the other hand, when combined with his existing negative trait, "Call of the Hunt," he would find himself in dire straits if outnumbered by high-level enemies and unable to escape or disengage due to this particular trait. Realizing the urgency of the situation, Hemalith came to the conclusion that he must strategically distribute his free stats into attributes that would assist him in combatting these negative traits as effectively as possible. With this in mind, he carefully allocated his stats, accordingly, seeking to bolster his defences against the challenges that lay ahead.
Strength: 78
Agility: 78 --------- 98
Intelligence: 156 ------- 176
Vitality: 78
Wisdom: 93.6 ------- 193.6
Charisma: 78
Soul: 234 --------- 334
Free stats: 0
With his stat allocation complete, a wave of euphoria surged through Hemalith's body, mind, and soul. He felt a newfound sense of agility, intelligence, and inner harmony. The additional focus on his soul stat instilled a deep connection within him, an understanding of his bloodline and the very essence of his being. It seemed that this strategic distribution would aid him in mitigating the negative traits' effects, enhancing his overall prowess.
Hemalith specifically chose to invest some of his resources into agility, recollecting the encounters with the giant ants where his slight lack of speed resulted in being hit more frequently. By reinforcing his agility, he aimed to synchronize his mind and body, ensuring their seamless coordination in combat.
Recognizing the importance of planning and accelerated learning, Hemalith allocated a portion of the resources to intelligence. This decision would expedite his strategic thinking and enable him to grasp new concepts swiftly, equipping him with a sharper intellect to navigate the challenges ahead.
However, the paramount attribute he fortified was wisdom. Its significance resonated deeply with Hemalith, as it not only expanded his spiritual insights but also bolstered his overall perception and responsiveness. Wisdom and soul intertwined harmoniously, empowering him to perceive the spiritual realm more keenly and act swiftly with greater clarity.
As this surge of power and enlightenment coursed through him, Hemalith embraced the profound changes that took place within his being. The heightened agility, intellect, and wisdom infused him with a newfound confidence, arming him with the tools to overcome adversity and unravel the mysteries of his bloodline and magical heritage.
With that done Hemalith had a looked at his skill and noticed some changes there as well.
Blood Manipulation: Intermediate (Level 1/10) ----------- (Level 2/10)
Bloodbane: Novice (Level 4/10) -------- (Level 6/10)
Blood Rite: Novice (Level 1/10) --------- (Level 4/10)
Hemalith noticed a significant improvement in all of his skills, albeit with only a single level increase in blood manipulation. Curiosity piqued, he pondered the mechanics of skill levelling, seeking answers from the enigmatic system.
1. Basic: This is the entry-level tier for skills, representing the fundamental abilities that every individual possesses. Basic skills are typically simple and easy to learn, providing a foundation for further skill development.
2. Novice: The Novice tier denotes skills that are slightly more advanced than Basic skills. These skills require some training and practice to master, offering a broader range of application and effectiveness.
3. Intermediate: Intermediate skills are a step above Novice, indicating a higher level of proficiency and complexity. These skills require significant training and experience to excel in, providing noticeable advantages in their respective areas of expertise.
4. Advanced: The Advanced tier represents skills that are significantly more sophisticated and specialized. Mastering Advanced skills demands extensive training, dedication, and a deep understanding of the subject matter. Possessing Advanced skills sets individuals apart from the majority and grants them distinct advantages.
5. Expert: Expert skills signify a mastery level attained by only a select few. Those who reach this tier have honed their abilities to an exceptional degree, demonstrating unparalleled proficiency and finesse. Expert skills are often characterized by their high versatility and extraordinary impact.
6. Master: The Master tier denotes the pinnacle of skill mastery. Those who possess Master skills have dedicated their lives to their craft, achieving unparalleled expertise and understanding. Master skills are revered and coveted, granting individuals an almost legendary status in their respective fields.
7. Supreme: Supreme skills represent an extraordinary level of mastery that surpasses even the Master tier. These skills are exceedingly rare and are associated with individuals who have pushed the boundaries of their abilities to new heights. Possessing a Supreme skill is a testament to unparalleled achievement and often grants individuals unparalleled power and influence.
8. Ultimate: The Ultimate tier signifies the zenith of skill mastery. Ultimate skills are unmatched in their potency, scope, and impact. Those who possess Ultimate skills are legendary figures, capable of awe-inspiring feats and reshaping the world around them. These skills are often considered divine or mythical in nature and are regarded as the pinnacle of human capability.
Hemalith couldn't help but feel a sense of relief as he realized that the higher, he climbed in skill ranks, the more arduous it would be to advance to the next level. It dawned on him just how fortunate he was to have obtained an ultimate skill right from the start, even if its usage was limited to once every 50 years. It was a remarkable advantage that set him apart. However, there was yet another intriguing revelation awaiting him—the emergence of a new section called "General Skills," holding promising new skills.
General Skills:
Skill Name: Level Sight (Basic Level 1/10)
Description: Level Sight is a basic skill that grants Hemalith the ability to perceive the level of monsters he encounters. By activating Level Sight, Hemalith's perception is enhanced, allowing him to gauge the relative power and strength of the monsters he faces.
Upon activating the skill, Hemalith's vision undergoes a subtle shift, enabling him to discern the inherent power radiating from the monsters around him. He gains a clear understanding of their level, which indicates their overall strength and capabilities compared to his own.
Level Sight provides the following information:
Level: Hemalith can accurately determine the level of the monster, allowing him to assess its relative strength and determine whether it is a formidable adversary or a more manageable opponent. The higher the level, the more powerful and challenging the monster is likely to be.
Activation and duration: Level Sight can be activated at will by Hemalith, requiring him to focus his perception on the target monster. The skill remains active as long as he maintains his focus, allowing him to determine the level of the monster in real-time during combat or exploration. The skill does not consume significant mental or physical energy, and the duration is dependent on Hemalith's concentration and the complexity of the target monster.
As Hemalith's abilities and experience grow, Level Sight can be further enhanced to provide additional information about monsters, such as their attributes, weaknesses, and abilities. However, in its basic form, Level Sight serves as a valuable tool for Hemalith to gauge the power dynamics in his encounters and make informed decisions based on the relative strength of his opponents.
Hemalith couldn't help but reflect on the usefulness of this newfound ability, wishing he had possessed it during the encounter with the giant ants. If only he had been able to perceive their levels and true identities, he might have approached the battle differently. However, upon deeper contemplation, he realized that even with such knowledge, he would have had no choice but to face the creatures head-on. Perhaps it was indeed for the best that he had remained unaware. With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Hemalith turned his attention to the final ability that had manifested within him.
Skill Name: Menacing Presence: Basic (Level 1/10)
Description: Menacing Presence is a beginner-level skill that allows Hemalith to project an aura of overwhelming fear and intimidation. By tapping into the dark depths of his bloodline, Hemalith exudes an aura that installs doubt and uncertainty in the minds of both monsters and people.
When activated, Hemalith's presence becomes suffused with an oppressive energy, causing those in close proximity to feel a growing sense of unease and apprehension. This aura of terror can affect the mental state of weaker individuals, making them more susceptible to Hemalith's influence.
Menacing Presence provides the following effects:
Doubt Induction: Weaker monsters or individuals may experience doubt and uncertainty, questioning their own abilities and purpose. Their confidence wavers, making them hesitant and prone to making mistakes or faltering in their actions.
Suggestion: Individuals who are particularly weak-willed or susceptible to manipulation may fall under Hemalith's influence. While not outright mind control, Hemalith can plant subtle suggestions or influence their decision-making process, nudging them towards certain actions or beliefs.
Activation and duration: Menacing Presence can be activated by Hemalith at will, emanating the aura of fear and intimidation from his presence. The skill is passive and does not require active concentration to maintain, but its effects are more pronounced when Hemalith deliberately focuses on projecting his menacing aura.
The duration and intensity of the skill's effects depend on several factors, including the strength of the target's willpower, their resistance to fear, and Hemalith's own control over his bloodline powers. Strong-willed individuals or formidable monsters may be more resistant to the skill's effects, while those already predisposed to fear or easily influenced are more susceptible.
It is important to note that Menacing Presence is primarily a tool for intimidation and psychological manipulation. It does not provide direct control over an individual's actions or thoughts, and its effects are limited to creating doubt, uncertainty, and potential susceptibility. Mastery of this skill can lead to the development of more potent and refined abilities related to fear and manipulation.
Once again, Hemalith marvelled at the incredible potential of his newly acquired skill, foreseeing its usefulness in future endeavours. With his strength restored and determination coursing through his veins, he finally rose to his feet. The sun had ascended to its position in the sky, its rays struggling to penetrate the dense foliage. Aware that lurking dangers awaited him, Hemalith knew it was time to continue his journey. No longer the prey, but the hunter, he vowed to make his adversaries realize the true extent of his power.