An idea flashed in the Young Master's mind.
Sun Tie activated his [Mana Seer] skill. The world turned blue again, and he saw the yellow ball of light moving towards him, the beast reading to attack the youth.
Sun Tie avoided the creature with a swift sidestep and struck it in the belly. Mana flowed from the young master’s fist, boosting the force of the blow. [Echo Strike] sent the beast right above the platform's edge.
Its scream grew louder as it fell off the platform. After a few seconds, all was silent.
[You have gained a level]
[You have gained a level]
[You have slain Fire Boar - lvl 9]
[You have gained a rune level!]
[Dull Mana Rune] - level 5 - Common
Passive ability: Sword or Unarmed hits have a 5% of becoming a [Echo Strike].
This rune now serves only to enable me to use [Echo Strike] and nothing more. Percentages became irrelevant.
- Mission Updates -
Kill 15 enemies (8/15). Reward EXP and Uncommon Treasure Chest.
Kill 5 different Eternal Wind hostile life-forms (3/5): Reward: EXP and an Uncommon Treasure Chest.
Sun Tie felt the ground tremble beneath his feet once more. He sat down, awaiting the appearance of his chest, all the while checking his status.
- Status -
Name
Sun Tie
Level
8
Title
[Shattered One];[Pathfinder of the New World];[Peacemaker]
Race
Human (Eternal Wind)
Runes
(1/3) [Dull Mana Rune] - lvl 5 - Common
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Skills
[Combat Dexterity], [Swift Strike], [Combat Strenght]; [Identify]
Health Points
100/180
Mana Points
145/180
Strength
20
Dexterity
20
Vitality
18
Endurance
15
Intelligence
18
Luck
12
You have 2 points available.
With the recent reduction in mana and health recovery, Sun Tie realized he needed as much mana as possible to unleash his [Echo Strike]. Thus, he boosted his Intelligence to 20. It felt satisfying to see the even numbers, yet he yearned for more.
Next, he needed to look at the skills he had available. No new one had appeared to him. He could take [Stealth], [Tracking], [Mighty Strike], or [Counter-Strike].
Stealth and Mighty Strike seemed more aligned with Sun Tie's current needs. If he'd had Stealth earlier, he might have been able to evade the brothers, sparing himself the headache with the duo. Mighty Strike just felt like the straightforward combat choice for him.
With Mighty Strike amplifying his initial hit, it complemented his other abilities. Pleased with his decisions, Sun Tie closed the menu to find the chest before him.
He opened it, keen to discover its contents but apprehensive that the God behind the system might play another trick on him.
[Rune of the Fire Boar Spirit]
+2 STR
+2 DEX
Effects: Blade weapons can be imbued with the fire-boar spirit, allowing for fire attacks that last 10 minutes.
Sun Tie let out a deep sigh. He had no more energy to stress over these items he'd been given. This one couldn't even be utilized with his fists.
I will not give you the pleasure of seeing me complain. Sun Tie mused as he equipped the rune. He wouldn't refuse additional stats, even if the effects were specific to swords. Regardless of how the system mocked him, Sun Tie was determined to emerge victorious on the other side, and he would seize every stat advantage he could along the journey.
As the young master gathered his thoughts and readied himself to continue his quest, he felt compelled to gauge his newfound strength. With 22 points invested, he was theoretically stronger than when he began the integration. While Sun Tie had consistently honed his body, brute strength was never his distinguishing feature among fellow cultivators. Thus, he had never contemplated testing his new strength until now.
The chest before him seemed like the perfect test subject. The young master positioned himself before it and attempted to lift it.
It was a challenge, but the youth managed to drag the chest along, sweat forming on his forehead, and his breath caught in his throat. After a few moments, he let the box tumble off the edge and waited to hear it crash below. The platform was descending, already moving past the tree canopies.
When the chest met the ground, the young master heard someone shouting from below.
"Hey! What was that? You nearly killed me!" A voice shouted one that Sun Tie recognized.
He quickly dropped to the ground and peered over the platform's edge. Below, he spotted the bald head of James, the priest from the camp, glancing around. James then looked up, and their eyes locked.
“Oh, It’s really you!” James shouted, with a big smile on his face. “The scent was telling me to go up, but it seemed inadequate!” The big man continued.
“What are you doing here, stupid?” Sun Tie responded, in a lower tone, "You shouldn't be shouting in the middle of the forest, you know?"
“Oh! That does sound wise,” James admitted, "I've been tailing you... thought you might need some backup."
"Backup? From you?" Sun Tie chuckled, rising with a grin on his face. "A priest who's scared of wielding a blade?"
Down below, James simply shrugged, pulling his sword from his inventory and brandishing it for Sun Tie to see.
"To be honest, I've practiced a bit on the journey. Not a lot, mind you, but some."
Sun Tie couldn't contain his laughter seeing how awkwardly the priest held the blade, but deep down, he was genuinely pleased to see the man.
"Watch this!" James exclaimed, swinging his blade in wide arcs from one side to the other. He had improved, though it was saying little considering how unskilled he was.
"Oh, you do seem much better with it!" Sun Tie remarked.
Engrossed in his demonstration, James continued his movements, now striking a tree trunk in front of him, his back to Sun Tie. Between breaths, he managed to speak.
"Funny thing, I can't tell if you're being ironic or—"
James never finished his sentence. An arrow pierced his chest, swiftly followed by a second. He crumpled to the ground, face-first.