The brute roared at me angrily, the deep red of its blood staining the whitish color of its semi-hairy skin as it continued to drop from its new cut.
"Aww, love you too buddy," I responded sarcastically, before sprinting full-speed at the Ogre.
It swung its arm horizontally, and I channeled my strength into my legs to leap into the air, landing close to its chest. Suddenly, its other arm came crashing down onto me, and instinctively I cut the dagger up to meet it.
A loud BAM! ran through the clearing as the sharp edge of the blade cut into the fatty muscle of its arm with the help of Slash.
The Ogre cried out in pain, slamming its free fist into me and pulling its injured arm away. The dagger was firmly lodged in its arm and I was sent flying away without it as the beast cradled the injury as if it were its own baby.
My vision flashed white as my body slammed into a tree, slumping down against it. Blood spilled from my mouth and nose as I tried to breathe in, so I spit it out instead.
Dingding!
A more urgent notification ping sounded, and a message popped up right in front of my face.
[Warning! User Health: 21/35]
[User bleeding. Estimated Health drop to: 16/35]
"Well, fuck me," I groaned, pushing myself up a bit, but my entire body hurt. "That's not good."
Luckily, the Ogre was feeling apprehensive after my last attack, and stalked back and forth as if trying to decide whether to attack.
This would be a great time to strategize, if I could even see straight. I was bracing myself against the tree, but if I moved now I would simply fall on my face. 'Think, think, think,' I said to myself mentally, but everything in my head was drowning in mud.
In the end, it seemed like I still hadn't been strong enough. 'Man, I had been so excited to experience what it was like to have actual coordination.'
Even with my thoughts muddled, a few of them rose up to the surface suddenly. 'Actually… wasn't I already experiencing what that was like?'
It was true. My fights so far, even down to one as simple as the jackrabbit, was something that cost an immense amount of dexterity, more than I ever could have imagined. And yet that had been something 'easy' for me. With every fight, I had grown. Even up until now, I felt in top condition against the Ogre, like I could keep pushing my limit further and further. But now…
'FIGHT.'
I don't know what other moves I can make.
'GO.'
I had gotten so close. One more Critical Hit, and it probably would have dropped dead.
'DO IT.'
"Ahh. What the hell is going on with me."
Even though I felt ready to give up on my second life, I felt a heat steadily growing in my chest. It burned my heart, forcing me to hastily suck air into my lungs.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
Ding!
[The user is choosing to fight on after injury.
This achievement forcefully rose one or more stats.
+1 VIT, + 1 INT]
[New stats take effect in 3…]
[Target in sight.]
[Critical Eye Skill activated.]
I took another deep breath, attempting to steady myself. It wasn't very effective but I guess it would have to do.
A bloodied grin started to spread across my face. It felt fine, but it was quite an unsettling sight to the Ogre, who growled as it took a few steps back from the boy who looked as if he had lost his mind.
WHA-BAM!
I took off, letting most of my Instinct take over.
[New stats are in effect.]
A refreshing feeling came over me as my Vitality was slightly boosted. Tunneling my vision in on the X over the Ogre's neck, I picked up speed, pushing my body past what it felt like it would allow.
The Ogre roared somewhat fearfully as I approached, and its remaining eye began to glow red.
[Fanged Ogre has activated Berserk.]
I laughed. "Well, damn. Feeling that intimidated by lil ole' me?"
It swiped its unharmed arm at me. It was much faster than before, and I could feel the force from here.
Yet, my Instincts felt like they were on another level right now.
Ding!
"Shut up," I muttered, swiping the message away as I jumped, rolling clumsily over the sweeping arm. "Man, get more creative with your attacks."
I fell to the ground, but my blood was boiling too fast to stay down for long. Getting my feet under me, I pounce forward, grabbing the handle of the dagger in its arm and twisting it to rip it free. The Ogre screamed in pain, clapping its hands together as it pulled back to try and grab or crush me. I simply fell back, striking a beach model pose as it pulled its grimy fingers apart to stare angrily at its palms.
The Ogre didn't seem to like it, though, as it grit its teeth and slammed down upon me. I rolled out of the way, grimacing slightly at a fresh cut opening upon my back. The Ogre seemed to be speeding up to try and catch me, pushing me onto the defensive.
'It's fine.' I soothed myself. 'Be patient.'
The Ogre continued to throw attacks left and right, and every so often a blow would graze me as it grew faster and stronger. It clearly thought it was winning, evident from the grin on its face. Although I had faith in myself, my concern began to grow as my Health ticked lower and lower.
[Warning! Health: 12/40]
[Warning! Health: 8/…
[Warning! Health: 5/…
Finally, the Ogre staggered, dropping its head low as the red in its eyes faded away. Gasping for air, I could barely stay on my feet, yet my eyes remained focused on one thing: the Critical Mark. I slowly walked towards its head, holding my nose as I got closer.
"Jeez, you mighta done better if you knew how to bathe," I commented.
Suddenly, the damn brat opened its mouth wide, pointing four razor sharp canines at me. They weren't as long anymore, shrinking back to look like normal teeth, but they were still pretty lengthy.
[Fanged Boar activated Skill Heavy Bite.]
The four teeth closed in on me rapidly, and I could barely step to the left and deflect the large right tooth. The tip of the tooth dug into my shoulder, causing me to cry out in pain and jump back.
[Warning! Health: 2/40]
If I hadn't moved, I would be dead.
Thanking my amazing Instinct stat, I stare down the Ogre, who had finally given up and resorted to glaring at me as it huffed, as if it was pouting. After a long moment, I swung the dagger under its head, cutting into its neck, and the Critical Mark.
[Critical Mark has been hit. Dmg was adjusted to 350%.]
SHHING!
With a wet plop, the large head of the Ogre fell to the dirt, face locked mid-snarl.
"Fuuuck," I sighed, falling back flat next to the head as the adrenaline started to wear off. The heat I had felt slowly dimmed down until my body felt cold again, causing a small shiver down my spine.
The one time I end up being good at something, and I just about die for it.
The messages were starting to crowd every inch of my vision, so I organized them in a straight line so I could read them one at a time. I quickly mentally swiped away ones I had already seen, until I came upon the one I had ignored earlier.
[The user's synergy with Critical Eye has increased. This caused the evolution cost to fall.
Evolution Requirements:
- 12 ACC
- Land a hit on a Critical Mark 10x (9/10)]
That was a huge drop. It was only 3 stat points, but it made the line so much closer. I could almost taste the evolution.
Moving on, I swiped through a few more before I saw one that made me pause.
[???: Progression increased.]
[???: Progression increased.]
[???: Progression increased.]
[Total Progression: 68%]
I thought hard for this one, but I didn't have too long to think before I moved on. I could feel my consciousness slipping by the second. I could figure it out later, hopefully.
[Obtained 100 EXP from the Fanged Ogre.]
[Obtained 20 EXP for defeating a stronger opponent.]
[EXP: 144/50]
[User Leveled up!]
[Obtained Fang Ogre Upper Canine (x2) from the Fanged Ogre (Please touch the Fanged Ogre to collect)]
[Obtained Fang Ogre Lower Canine (x2) from the Fanged Ogre (Please touch the Fanged Ogre to collect)]
Immediately, I touched the head of the corpse, ignoring the Statbook as it transferred the rewards. The teeth on the head slowly dissolved as four new weapons popped into my Inventory. I was already reading the next message, letting out a low whistle.
[User learned the Skill Underdog.]
[Underdog (Super Rare Passive Skill): Whenever the user is facing an opponent with a higher level or higher total stat count, the user gains a 12% boost to all stats.
Duration: 10 minutes — Cost: 1 stam — Cooldown: 2 minutes
Evolution Requirements:
Defeat stronger enemies 5x (0/5)]
"I coulda used this 5 minutes ago," I chuckled softly. Still, I had grown more then I ever could have expected, which was more than enough to make me feel content.
I went to open my Life Statscreen, but I couldn't even think straight enough to see if it had done so.
I was already unconscious.
* * *
[Name: Klum]
[Age: 17]
[Lv: 3]
[EXP: 94/100]
[Health: 2/40]
[Mana: 27/38]
[Stamina: 0/40]
STR: 7 MAG: 4
AGI: 9 DEX: 5
VIT: 6 INT: 9
ACC: 7
DEF: 6
POW: 6
[Skills: Klum's Reincarnation (Unfound), Underdog (Super Rare), Critical Eye (Rare), Slash (Common)]