Resonant Pebble
Nearing the entrance of the castle, Alexander once again examined the Earth Elemental Stone. Its surface was rough and uneven, with tiny flecks of gold and brown that sparkled in the dim light. He turned it over in his hand, feeling the weight of it, the power that lay within. "I should be able to use my spell now, right?" he asked the empty air, his voice tinged with anticipation.
To avoid recreating his earlier Backstreet Boys pose, Alexander simply raised his arm and pointed at a torn tapestry hanging on the bedroom wall. The tapestry depicted a grand battle scene, with knights and dragons locked in fierce combat. The colors were faded, and the fabric was frayed, but the image was still clear.
As he willed the spell to cast, he felt a surge of raw power emanating from his chest and flowing to his hand. A light brown glow emitted from his hand, which then condensed into a small rock about the size of a golf ball. The energy swirled and danced, forming a perfect sphere that hummed with potential.
After a short time, the rock shot forward, moving so fast that Alexander couldn't follow it as it blazed across the room. The air crackled with energy, and the room was filled with the scent of ozone. As it hit its target, a loud boom filled the bedroom, sounding almost like a firework going off next to him. Alexander could see a wave of force spreading out from the impact, almost too faint to see, but he could feel it in his bones, a shockwave that resonated deep within him.
"That...WAS AWESOME!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with pure joy. He rushed over to inspect the impact site, his feet barely touching the ground. The wall was pockmarked and scarred, and the tapestry was torn to shreds. The crater was deep and jagged, a testament to the power of the spell. "If force still equals mass times acceleration in this world, this thing will HURT!" he said with an exhilarated smile, his mind already racing with the possibilities.
Alexander had never felt anything like the power that he wielded in that moment. It was a rush, a thrill that sent his heart pounding and his blood singing. He felt alive, truly alive, in a way that he had never felt before. The world was filled with magic and wonder, and he was a part of it, a conduit for the forces that shaped the universe.
After his heartbeat slowed again, he had the idea to check his status screen, which he opened with a thought. The screen was filled with numbers and stats, a detailed breakdown of his abilities and progress. "Damn that cost me 25 mana? Ok, I guess I'll have to use it sparingly," he said to himself, his mind already working on strategies and tactics. His eyes moved to his level, and he saw that he was close to leveling up. "90% to level 2. I wonder what I get when I level up," he pondered, his thoughts turning to the future.
Once he reached the wall, he saw the destruction the small rock brought. It created a crater about 6 inches in diameter and left a ragged hole in the already ruined tapestry. The stone was cracked and chipped, and he could see the layers of rock and mortar that lay beneath. "This is solid rock," Alexander wondered, his mind racing with the implications. "If this spell can do this to a wall, what will it do to something living?"
His thoughts were interrupted by a sharp pang of hunger, and he realized that he hadn't eaten in hours. With a grimace, he made up his mind to venture outside in search of food. He strode into the open courtyard, his footsteps echoing in the silence. The courtyard was overgrown with weeds and vines, and the once grand fountain was dry and cracked. The statues that lined the walls were worn and weathered, their features eroded by time and the elements.
He followed the path that led him to the clearing in the nearby forest, his mind still buzzing with the excitement of his newfound abilities. The forest was a riot of color and sound, with birds singing and insects buzzing. The trees were tall and majestic, their branches reaching for the sky, and the ground was covered with a thick carpet of leaves and moss.
"I reckon I might find some small game in here," he mused to himself, his eyes scanning the underbrush for any sign of movement. The forest was alive with activity, and he could hear the rustle of small animals as they scurried through the undergrowth. He moved with caution, his senses on high alert, knowing that the forest was filled with dangers both seen and unseen.
As he waded through the overgrown foliage, he kept his eyes peeled for any sign of movement. The forest was a maze of shadows and light, with the sun filtering through the leaves, casting dappled patterns on the ground. The air was filled with the scent of damp earth and rotting leaves, and he could feel the cool breeze on his skin.
Hearing movement in a nearby bush, he moved his gaze and stood still. His heart was pounding in his chest, and he could feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins. The forest was silent, the sounds of nature hushed as if holding its breath. Then, suddenly, a small green scaly animal emerged 20 feet away from Alexander.
The creature was unlike anything he had ever seen before, with shimmering brown scales and six legs that allowed it to hop quickly and quietly through the forest. Its body glowed softly, emitting a calming aura that seemed to radiate peace and tranquility. Its eyes were large and round, filled with curiosity and intelligence.
"That'll do I guess," he thought, his mind already working on how to catch it. "I'm sorry for this buddy, I don't really have a choice." He attempted to use examine, and a prompt appeared, giving him a detailed description of the creature.
Examine
Glowing Serpentine Hopper
Level: 2
Elemental affinity: Light
Description: The Glowing Serpentine Hopper is a small, snake-like creature that is covered in shimmering brown scales. It has six legs that allow it to hop quickly and quietly through the forest. Its body glows softly, emitting a calming aura that can put predators to sleep. Its meat is succulent and tender, with a unique taste that is both sweet and savory. The skin of the Glowing Serpentine Hopper is prized for its shimmering scales, which can be used to create magical potions and talismans.
"Even the small game is crazy and magical," he thought to himself, his mind reeling with the possibilities. "At least the prompt says it tastes good."
Not making a sound, Alexander lifted his hand and channeled his spell, his mind focused on the task at hand. The energy flowed through him, a torrent of power that he could feel in every fiber of his being. The rock formed in his hand, a perfect sphere that hummed with potential. With a flick of his wrist, he released it, and it shot forward, a blur of motion that struck the creature dead in the head.
"HEADSHOT!" Alexander yelled, his voice ringing through the forest. The sound of the impact was like a thunderclap, a sharp crack that echoed through the trees. The creature fell to the ground, its body twitching as the life drained from it. "I just hope that boom doesn't attract anything bigger," he muttered to himself, his eyes scanning the forest for any signs of danger.
Suddenly, two prompts appeared in his vision, and he saw that he had leveled up.
Arcane interface prompt:
You have killed: Glowing Serpentine Hopper
Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.
You have gained 123 experience
Arcane interface prompt:
You have leveled up! You have gained 6 attribute points to distribute!
"Kind of anticlimactic, but I'll take it," he said, his mind already moving on to the next task. His hunger was gnawing at him, a constant reminder of his physical needs.
Going to retrieve his bounty, Alexander grabbed it by its tail and made his way back into the castle courtyard. The courtyard was bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun, and the shadows were long and deep. The air was filled with the scent of damp stone and moss, and he could hear the distant sound of water dripping.
"Now I just need to make a fire," he said out loud, his mind already working on the problem. He gathered some small sticks, tinder, and a slightly longer, straighter stick, and sat in the clearing. The ground was cool and damp, and he could feel the chill seeping through his clothes. He started rubbing the straight stick between his hands, his muscles straining with the effort.
He repeated this motion for what seemed like an eternity, his mind focused on the task at hand. Sweat dripped from his brow, and his arms ached with the effort. The world seemed to fade away, and all that existed was the stick and the tinder, the friction and the heat. Suddenly, he saw smoke, a thin wisp that curled into the air. "Come on, baby, don't fail me now," he said, his voice filled with excitement and determination.
Pushing the small embers onto the tinder, the smoke became more abundant and darker until a small flame emerged. He fed it with sticks, nurturing it, coaxing it to life. The flames danced and flickered, casting a warm glow on his face. "I may not be a caveman, but I sure know how to make fire," Alexander said with a proud grin, his eyes reflecting the flames.
As the small bonfire burned, Alexander started the process of pulling off the scales from the hopper one by one. The scales were smooth and cool to the touch, with a faint iridescent sheen that caught the light. They came off with a soft, ripping sound, and he could see the pink flesh beneath. He skewered the animal onto a long stick and made a spit that he mounted the animal onto. The meat sizzled and popped as it cooked, filling the air with a rich, savory aroma.
Slowly turning the stick, he put all of the scales into his satchel. "These could come in handy later," Alexander pondered, his mind already working on the possibilities. The scales were a valuable resource, and he knew that he could use them for crafting or trade. He opened his inventory screen, and he saw the grid filled with his possessions. The scales were neatly stacked, their number displayed next to them. "Sweet, at least my whole inventory isn't filled by lizard scales," he thought, satisfied with his progress.
The lizard-like creature now cooked, he pulled it off the flame and took a bite. The meat was tender and juicy, with a unique flavor that was both sweet and savory. "Could use some salt," he remarked to himself, savoring the taste. "But still, not bad at all!" With a full stomach, he put out his fire and stood up, his body feeling refreshed and energized.
"What now?" he thought, his mind turning to the future. He had magic, a weapon, and a newfound sense of purpose. The world was filled with possibilities, and he was eager to explore them. "I do have magic now, as crazy as that sounds. Why not check out that dragon's landing site?" he mused.
Once again climbing the rubble on the wall to get a better view, he saw the clearing created by the massive beast. The ground was scorched and blackened, and the trees were twisted and broken. The air was filled with the scent of burnt wood and ash, and he could see the faint traces of smoke rising from the ground.
Remembering the rough direction, he made his way through the rough terrain, his senses on high alert. The forest was silent, the sounds of nature hushed and still. The air was heavy with tension, and he could feel the weight of unseen eyes watching him. Nearing the site, Alexander heard fewer and fewer forest sounds, the silence growing deeper and more profound. He felt a chill run down his spine, a sense of foreboding that settled in his gut.
Almost instantly, a huge shadow emerged from a bush near Alexander, leaving him with just enough time to duck as a clawed paw swiped and missed his head. "WHAT THE FUCK!?" he shouted, his heart pounding in his chest. A massive feline creature hurtled over him, its eyes filled with rage and hunger. Alexander had just enough time to examine the beast before it made its next move.
Arcane interface prompt
Felissian Sabertooth
Level: 5
Elemental Affinity: None
Description: This large, muscular feline is covered in thick, golden fur, with dark brown stripes running down its back and legs. Its piercing blue eyes are set in a broad, flat face with long, curved fangs visible even when its mouth is closed. The Felissian Sabertooth is a skilled and ruthless hunter, with powerful legs and sharp claws that it uses to take down prey. Approach with caution.
"So that's how we're doing this, you asshole," Alexander said, his voice filled with anger and defiance.
The battle that followed was brutal and intense, a dance of death that tested Alexander's skill and courage. He dodged and weaved, clumsily managing to stay one step ahead of the beast. The creature was relentless, attacking with a ferocity that was both terrifying and awe-inspiring.
Alexander's heart beat with an intensity never before experienced. It was on the precipice of exploding, yet it gave him more drive to keep moving and stay alive. He moved more on instinct than anything else as he ran through the woods and occasionally looking back to find a good time for his finishing move. As the sabertooth stumbled on a brush, Alexander found his chance.
With an upheld arm, Alexander charged Resonant Pebble and struck the creature in the jugular, leaving a gaping wound that spurted blood. The beast reeled and staggered, its movements slow and unsteady. Its soft gurgles turning more and more haunting by the second. "Not dead yet, you fucker? Let's fix that," Alexander said, his voice cold and hard.
Arcane interface prompt:
You have killed Felissian Sabertooth
+1,200 experience
Progress until next level: 70%
Panting from the exertion, Alexander fell to the floor, his heart racing. With a laugh tinged with exhilaration and panic, he looked at the creature. "Not so scary now are you?" he asked to the carcass. With no response, Alexander gathered his thoughts. He looked at the massive teeth of the animal, knowing that if it got a hold of him he was done for. "Well, you have no use of these anymore, right?" he asked it as he picked up a rock next to him. Moving the head, he lifted the rock and struck down repeatedly until he dislodged the two 7-inch teeth from the animal's mouth.
Picking the teeth up, he received a prompt.
Arcane Interface prompt
You have found: Felissian Sabertooth fangs
Description: These teeth are curved and razor-sharp, with a yellowish-brown hue. They are heavy and solid, with a smooth surface that is slightly rough to the touch. The tips of the teeth are stained with what appears to be dried blood, and there are small cracks and imperfections along the surface. Despite their age and wear, the teeth are still incredibly sharp and deadly, capable of tearing through flesh and bone with ease.
Holding one of the teeth like a knife, Alexander said to himself, "this'll do in a pinch. If the forest is this dangerous, though, I'll need an actual weapon." Looking around, Alexander's gaze fell on some thin vines hanging from a tree. Using the long tooth to cut the vines, he grabbed a bundle and the stick he used to finish off the beast then sat cross legged. Splitting the top of the shaft, he inserted one of the teeth into the stick and used the vines to tie the tooth to the shaft as tight as his strength would allow. Once he was done, he swung the makeshift spear around to see how it felt to wield, when suddenly a prompt appeared, followed by a second.
Arcane Interface Prompt:
You have made:
Crude Sabertooth spear
Arcane Interface Prompt:
You have learned a new skill!
Crafting
Description: Crafting is the skill of using various materials and tools to create new items. It involves knowledge of materials, techniques, and creativity to produce something useful or decorative. With this skill, you can create various items such as weapons, armor, tools, and even decorations. The level of complexity of the item depends on the level of the crafter and the materials available. A skilled crafter can create items of high quality and durability, while a beginner may struggle to create even basic items. Crafting requires patience, attention to detail, and a willingness to experiment with different techniques and materials.
"I may have gone from CEO to a caveman, but at least I can still engineer my way out of this wilderness!" he exclaimed, holding the spear over his head with both hands.
Now holding a weapon and slightly more prepared to brave the forest's dangers, Alexander continued on his way to the dragon's landing site.