ATTRIBUTES
The number is a multiplier to the base body stats, divided by type. All bonuses apply after body training and before skills.
Strength: 1
Speed: 1.1
Durability: 1
Endurance: 1
Defense: 1
The speed attribute was the only number that was not a 1. Albert knew why, remembering the notification he received when he Usurped the second one of the elves who had attacked him. He had stolen some of his speed attribute, but the number had been small enough that, coupled with the fact that Albert did not really run or fight afterwards, it had gone unnoticed until now.
The other attributes were still at base level, but they offered an interesting insight at yet another power progression system that the System had provided. All that was left to do was reach level two and see whether leveling up gave buffs to attributes, and from there Albert could finally figure out a growth strategy.
Speaking of levels. He had meditated right before bed, reaching almost the halfway point for level two.
Level: 1/20 – XP: 972/2000
***
Kainen waited for Albert right outside the gate, sitting on a tree stump on the side of the road. He wore a full set of steel armor, polished to perfection, carried a titanic sword and an even larger shield.
“Shall we go?” Kainen asked.
“What about Arcane Equilibrium?” Albert asked back.
“What about them?”
The former master noticed how Albert’s face was not the stern resolution of someone wanting to do something, and that the question was not asked with the finality of decision. After all, he wasn’t here for this but to retrieve the Kirkesis core and go home.
Still. “We can't just leave. They are out there, hunting adventurers.”
“So what? Let the guild deal with it. Tom is more than capable, you know? Weren’t you the one to say that he is actually stronger than me? If anything, they are better off now that I forced him to return to activity.”
Albert hummed.
“Also, Tom isn’t as great a person as you make him to be. At least in your twisted, naïve and bratty way to look at things.” Kainen added.
“What do you mean?”
“You feel called to act by virtue of being strong enough to help, don't you?”
“Yeah, so?”
“Wasn’t Tom also strong enough to help?” Kainen asked, studying Albert’s expression.
“But he wasn't helping… He was retired.” Understanding dawned on Albert’s face.
“Yep.” Said Kainen, looking quite smug. “See what I mean now? He was being just as selfish as I was when I decided to quit.”
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“Yeah. Okay… we can go.”
***
A gigantic boar stood in Albert and his grumpy guide’s path. They had spotted it roaming the forest a couple hours prior to their encounter, but as time went on their avenues to avoid it became slimmer and slimmer as the path they traveled took them close to a river.
[Wild mutated boar. Level 4. Wildlife tainted and modified by runaway mana, it poses little to no threat to you beyond the fact that it’s huge and it has a lot of inertial mass.]
“Let me.” Kainen said, stretching his arms.
Albert nodded, resting his back against a tree. With his heightened senses, he kept the other presence he felt nearby closely monitored while also focusing on the coming fight.
Kainen flexed under his massive armor, not showing but hinting at his impressive build and hidden bulging muscles rippling with power. He charged at the mutated boar bare handed, and planted a fist in its hide so violently that his bloodied hand jutted out the other side, covered in gore. Everything happened so quickly that the boar didn’t even have time to react, the former guild master practically disappearing from where he was and reappearing inside the poor animal.
Albert watched with Bullet Time and Analysis Mode active. What Kainen did reminded him of an Elden Ring boss he really liked fighting back when he still played video games. Hoarah Loux, in its second phase when it would charge at the player and fling them in the air before goring them.
Perhaps it was an unfair fight, Kainen being at level 32 while the boar was a miser level 4. But Albert learned a lot from it, mostly thanks to Analysis Mode.
Skill level up!
[BODY] DASH 2
· Dash forward. You gain a speed bonus that decays rapidly.
"Do you understand now?" Kainen asked smugly.
"I do." Albert said. There was no need to say anything else.
"I want to see you fight. Next monster we encounter is yours."
Albert shrugged. “That’s fair. There just so happens to be another boar right behind us, so…”
He did not want to show off but perhaps it would be good to give Kainen a good measure of his own strength. Leaving the more exotic skills hidden for the time being.
[Giant mutated boar. Level 8. Bigger wildlife than before, still not much of a threat unless you decide to act irrationally because of your need to show off.]
Albert did not comment on what the system was trying to tell him, instead looking at the charging monster coming at him with the full force of a freight train. He thought about what spell to use to deal with it, and for a moment he wondered about how to better convey to Kainen his combat prowess.
The idea lasted a good tenth of a second before Albert realized it was stupid, and that doing so would only serve to prove the system right. Not only was he better off not showing his kit to an untrustworthy temporary ally, but it would also put him in danger in the process. Why teleport and dance around the boar when he could simply use telekinesis to deal with it, learning to better control the skill in the process?
Raising a hand, palm facing the boar, Albert focused on his control over the skill. A brief, dwindling distance away, the boar snorted and panted as it charged at him.
Then, all of a sudden, it turned into a red mist. Moments later, organs and shattered bones began raining down on the duo, avoiding the area they stood in as if moved by a strong wind.
Mana: 133FU + 59/hour -> 135FU + 60/hour
“Usurp.”
[Usurp successful. Strength attribute +0.1. Body affinity [D] -> [D+].]
[No skills gained.]
A quick look confirmed that the higher Strength and Body affinity played a role in how his Body skills worked.
[BODY] STRENGTHENING 6
· Strength is increased by 6 7.5 times. Power, agility and fine motor functions are improved.
· When the skill is active, your body is 6 7.5 times more resistant to damage.
“Hahahah!” Kainen roared. “Impressive. Why even fight when you have magic like this, am I right, brat? I really did underestimate your power. You have my actual respect now.”
Albert rolled his eyes. “Will you stop calling me brat, then?”
Kainen shrugged. “No, cause you are a brat, brat. Grow a pair and I will stop, how about that?”
“No thanks.” Growing a pair, in this world? Albert knew what it would mean for him, and it was a very slippery slope. Better cling to his faint hope at maintaining a moral compass.