Hemalith gasped for breath, his chest heaving as he tried to recover. The lifeless body of the creature lay before him, its head severed and lying nearby. The once-concealing shadows had dissipated, revealing the gruesome sight to anyone who happened to pass by. Hemalith no longer needed to rely on his Shadowmeld: Basic (Level 9/10). With a trembling hand, he deactivated the skill, scanning his surroundings to ensure there were no other enemies lurking nearby. Finally, he lowered himself to the ground, cautiously reaching out to touch the creature's lifeless form.
A sudden surge of darkness erupted before Hemalith's eyes, causing him to instinctively leap backward, his guard up and ready to defend himself if necessary. To his relief, the creature still lay lifeless, its severed head a grisly reminder of his triumph. Yet an unimaginable chill and an aura of darkness began to pervade the area, catching Hemalith's attention and drawing his focus to the source of this newfound power.
As a mist began to creep and envelop the head of the lifeless corpse, it swiftly ascended into the air, rotating to face Hemalith. Its eyes opened, revealing a void of pure blackness, fixed upon him. And then, unexpectedly, the head spoke with a voice that resonated with authority.
"You have slain one of my kin, young patriarch," the head declared, its words echoing with a chilling presence. Hemalith could sense the immense power radiating from this being, even though it wasn't physically present before him. However, he couldn't afford to back down, not when his very survival depended on his resolve.
"I acted out of self-defence! Your kin attacked me without provocation. What choice did I have but to fight back?" Hemalith retorted, his voice rising slightly in defiance, the adrenaline from his recent battle still coursing through his veins.
A cold, menacing response emanated from the head, dripping with a hunger for power. "Hmmm, yes, you should have met your demise. Such is the way of the Shadows of the Wild Hunt. We consume, you die. It is not your place to exist within this realm of forest shadows."
Hemalith's heart raced as he grappled with the weight of the situation. With determination burning in his eyes, he retorted, "I am not the hunted monster, whoever you are, I will not be so easily consumed by you."
The creature regarded Hemalith with a mocking smile adorning the face of the headless corpse. "I am Umbralith, and this forest is mine, young patriarch. You stand on its fringes, barely surviving a skirmish with one of my mere minions. You will soon realize that you are ill-prepared for what lies ahead. Despite all your power, you are nothing more than an insignificant ant compared to true might. While you have tasted the power of shadows, we are the very essence of darkness. Mark my words, young patriarch, if you wish to leave this forest, you must journey to its very heart. But be aware, for that is where I patiently await your arrival."
A sneering arrogance dripped from Umbralith's words, his voice resonating with an overwhelming sense of power. "I doubt you will even survive the journey. Know this, we are aware of your presence, and the hunt has begun. Beware the shadows, for they shall be your undoing."
In a colossal explosion of darkness, the head and corpse erupted outward, violently knocking Hemalith off his feet. The force sent him sprawling, a testament to the raw strength and malevolence of Umbralith.
Hemalith steadied himself, his mind swirling with a mix of emotions triggered by Umbralith's words and the overwhelming power he had just witnessed. The truth echoed within him, resonating with every fibre of his being: to find his escape, he would have to embark on a perilous journey toward the heart of the forest. Yet, he was acutely aware that facing Umbralith in his current state would be nothing short of suicidal.
A sense of caution settled over Hemalith as he contemplated his next moves. The use of shadowmeld, once a reliable ally, now carried an air of uncertainty. Who knew what other creatures lurked in the shadows, awaiting his misstep? The realization hit him hard. The creature he had vanquished with such difficulty was nothing more than a lowly grunt, a mere cog in Umbralith's hierarchy. Hemalith had barely scraped through the encounter, and now he was faced with the daunting prospect of navigating through adversaries of far greater strength and cunning.
Determined to survive, Hemalith knew he had to strategize, train, and acquire more power before venturing further. He could not afford to underestimate the perils that awaited him on this treacherous path. Hemalith's mind was set on growth, his resolve hardened by the awareness that his very survival hinged on his ability to rise above his current limitations.
With that being said, Hemalith called up the system to see what he had gained from this fight.
Congratulations you have survived and defeated a being of shadow over 34 levels above you. Calculating rewards…….
EXP gained: 27,900exp.
Level 4: 5000/5000 experience needed for level 5
Level 5: 6000/6000 experience needed for level 6
Level 6: 7000/7000 experience needed for level 7
Level 7: 8000/8000 experience needed for level 8
Level 8: 3300/9000 experience needed for level 9
Free stats gained: 240.
It's astounding how I managed to gain four levels in a single battle, drawing me nearer to the level 10 cap and the coveted acquisition of my class. Now, a crucial decision awaits me: where should I distribute my valuable stat points?
Strength: 78 --------- 100
Agility: 98 -------- 120
Intelligence: 176 --------- 200
Vitality: 78 -------- 120
Wisdom: 193.6 -------- 223.6
Charisma: 78
Soul: 334 --------- 443
Free stats: 0
Having reflected on the previous encounter, I realized that my strength and agility were noticeably lacking compared to the grunts. It became apparent that I needed to bridge this gap to better handle future battles. Hence, I decided to allocate a portion of my stat points to bolster both attributes, ensuring I would be better equipped for future challenges.
Considering the importance of vitality, I acknowledged that my blood manipulation skills alone were insufficient in providing the necessary regeneration. The last battle had left me with lingering wounds, exacerbated by my depleted mana reserves. To address this vulnerability, I dedicated a significant number of stat points to enhancing my vitality, with the aim of improving my overall endurance and recovery capabilities.
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Although charisma held potential value for future endeavours, the immediate circumstances of my survival made its impact negligible. Given the relentless hostilities I faced, it seemed prudent to postpone allocating any points to charisma for the time being.
Now, focusing on intelligence, I resolved to elevate it to a minimum threshold of 200. This decision was driven by the realization that my victory in the last fight was largely attributable to my heightened soul and wisdom attributes. Without such perceptiveness and mental fortitude, I would have been unable to detect and engage the creature, let alone sustain my mana reserves long enough to secure the kill. As a result, I assigned the remaining stat points primarily to bolster my soul attribute, with a smaller allocation directed towards wisdom.
Next up was skill gains.
Level Sight: Basic (Level 6/10) --------- Novice (Level 1/10)
Shadowmeld: Basic (Level 9/10) -------- Novice (Level 4/10)
Blood Manipulation: Intermediate (Level 2/10) ----------- Intermediate (Level 3/10)
Blood Shield: Basic (Level 1/10) ------------ Basic (Level 9/10)
Menacing Presence: Basic (Level 6/10) ------------ Novice (1/10)
Bloodbane: Novice (Level 6/10) --------- Novice (Level 8/10)
For upgrading 3 skills to the next rank 300exp awarded and skill upgraded.
Level Sight gains the following:
Weaknesses: Hemalith gains insight into the vulnerabilities and weaknesses of the monster. These may include elemental resistances, sensitivity to certain attacks or conditions, or specific strategies that can be employed to gain an advantage. Knowing the weaknesses of his adversaries empowers Hemalith to plan his actions more effectively and exploit their vulnerabilities.
Menacing Presence gains the following:
Enhanced Intimidation: Hemalith's aura of fear and intimidation is more potent, making it more challenging for opponents to maintain their composure and perform at their best. It can create psychological pressure, disrupting concentration, and reducing the effectiveness of their actions.
Shadowmeld gains the following:
Enhanced Shadow Control: As Hemalith's mastery over Shadowmeld deepens, he gains the ability to bend shadows to his whim. He can shape and mold them, obscuring areas of his choosing or unveiling hidden truths concealed within darkness. This heightened control over shadows grants him an advantage in both reconnaissance and combat situations.
Having achieved an overall enhancement to my skills, I observed notable advancements as several abilities transitioned from basic to novice level, imbuing them with increased potency. Among these developments, one skill, in particular, piqued Hemalith's interest. It held the potential to serve as a valuable tool for identifying Umbralith's minions before they launched their attacks.
The prospect of this newfound ability brought a surge of anticipation to Hemalith. By honing his senses and sharpening his perception, he could potentially discern the subtle presence of Umbralith's servants, enabling him to pre-emptively prepare for their onslaught. This heightened awareness would prove instrumental in navigating the treacherous realm of shadows and thwarting the schemes of his powerful adversary.
Skill gained:
Skill Name: Psychic Surge: Basic (Level 1/10)
Description: Psychic Surge is a basic psychic ability that allows Hemalith to unleash a surge of mental energy towards his opponents. By tapping into his psychic potential, Hemalith can project a concentrated blast of mental force, striking his enemies with a formidable impact.
Mental Shockwave: Hemalith can focus his psychic energy into a powerful shockwave of mental force, which he can direct towards his target. Upon impact, the Psychic Surge inflicts mental damage, causing disorientation and temporarily overwhelming the target's senses.
Activation and Energy Cost: Hemalith can activate Psychic Surge by channeling his mental energy and intent, releasing it as a burst of psychic power. The energy cost is minimal, allowing Hemalith to utilize this skill without significant mental strain.
Adding to the celebration, Hemalith acquired another skill, one that he had devised and employed in a moment of desperation during his encounter with the Umbralith grunt. Recognizing its potential, he foresaw its usefulness in overpowering his enemies and granting him valuable opportunities to strike the decisive blow.
This newfound skill held the power to overwhelm his adversaries, providing Hemalith with a crucial advantage by creating openings and buying him precious time to execute his lethal manoeuvres.
One last system notification appeared.
Title gained.
Ascendant Vanquisher: Dominion's Edge
In recognition of your remarkable feat of defeating an adversary far superior to you in every aspect, this prestigious title bestows upon you the mantle of “Dominions Edge” It symbolizes your exceptional rise above the ordinary, solidifying your position as a formidable force on the brink of dominion. With this title, you install fear and trepidation in the hearts of all who dare to challenge you, for they know that you have transcended the limitations of your own abilities and achieved greatness through sheer determination and unmatched skill.
* Overwhelming Might: Hemalith's attacks against foes surpassing his level carry an overwhelming force, dealing increased damage and breaking through their defenses.
* Resilient Resolve: Hemalith's determination and willpower in facing superior adversaries grant him enhanced resistance to their attacks, reducing the effectiveness of their assaults.
* Adaptive Mastery: Hemalith's combat skills adapt and evolve when facing higher-level opponents, enabling him to learn and exploit their weaknesses more effectively, increasing his chances of landing critical strikes and inflicting additional damage.
Now, this bestowed title proved to be more than just useful, for it perfectly aligned with Hemalith's arduous journey. Every obstacle he had encountered thus far had surpassed him in level, but now, with this title, he possessed a significant advantage.
Hemalith surveyed his surroundings once more, a brief respite giving him a moment of gratitude. Yet, even in his incomplete state of recovery, he knew he could not linger here for long. The lingering presence of danger compelled him to press forward. The realization dawned upon him that, since his awakening, he had not experienced a peaceful slumber. The need for rest washed over him, a deep longing that whispered in his weary bones. Strangely, hunger eluded him, despite days passing without nourishment. It occurred to Hemalith that his ability to sate his hunger by consuming the blood of slain creatures might be the key. Each time their lifeblood splattered upon him, it vanished into thin air, leaving him both perplexed and sustained. Another enigma to add to the ever-growing catalogue of mysteries that Hemalith had to unravel since awakening in this peculiar post-system world. The weight of unanswered questions bore down upon him but with no choice but to press on Hemalith set out to find some place of rest.
Two miles away from the site of his intense battle, the forest regained its sense of serenity, with the symphony of wildlife filling the air once more. Hemalith remained vigilant, his senses on high alert, scanning the surroundings for any signs of lurking danger. The once familiar shadows, once his sanctuary, now seemed like a treacherous abyss that could swallow him whole if he let his guard down. Moving with utmost caution, he refrained from utilizing his Shadowmeld ability, wary of exposing his position to Umbralith's minions.
Time passed, and Hemalith continued his arduous journey through the dense forest, each step consuming the ground beneath his weary boots. His wounds still throbbing, he recognized that without proper rest, his condition would deteriorate further. Even his mana, depleted from the previous battle, struggled to replenish, leaving him increasingly vulnerable as the day wore on.
Searching for respite, Hemalith followed a small trail of water, hoping it would lead him to a defensible haven. After another hour of relentless trekking, he finally stumbled upon a cave, its entrance exuding an aura of dark foreboding. Weariness tugged at his every fibre, his mana exhaustion exacerbating the strain. Yet, he pressed forward, determined to find solace within its confines, desperate for the rest his weary body craved.