Meera was sure she had done everything correctly this time. It was nighttime again, so she had her Shroud of Shadows active and stayed in the shadows, so she was invisible. She had flown in the air using Mirror Wing, leaving no footprints behind for Zona to track. She even controlled her breathing as best as she could. No huffing or making any loud sounds. She had even extended her armor upwards to cover her neck and head, forming a mask.
Despite all this, she lay dying with two arrows in the face—one in the eye and the other in the ear.
The only reason she wasn't dead yet was because of her Constitution and Vitalize skill. She was hoping against hope that she could survive this long enough for Zona to appear.
Zona no longer came to impart any wisdom as Meera lay dying. Not since five deaths ago, when Meera almost got her. She had laid a trap for Zona as she had made a habit of coming to Meera as she lay dying. This time, the trap was ready as well. Her chakrams were hidden out of sight and waiting.
Zona never came, but Meera's death shortly did.
Brison stood over her when she returned. He no longer looked disappointed. He just accepted that Meera was never going to win against Zona.
"Okay, end of the day, Meera," Brison said. "Go eat something and get some sleep. You must be tired after…"
"A whole day of dying," Meera finished for him.
He didn't meet her eyes. "Not the way I would've put it, but yes."
"I actually think I won all my fights on luck alone."
"Or maybe she's just that good," He countered. "But still, there were seven times when you could have secured victory." He patted her shoulder. "It's okay. You're still young. You'll learn. But don't take too long. Your and Neel's life will depend on it one day."
Meera's eyes widened. "How did you know?" She looked around but couldn't find Zona, but that didn't mean she wasn't around and listening. "Do the others know?"
He smiled. "Relax. Zona has already retired to her hut. As for how I know about Neel, you said his name as you died facing off against Melas for the first time. I ignored it then, thinking there must be many Neels in the worlds, even if it were an odd name. Then, when you got your new class, I began to wonder and put two and two together.
Meera remembered now. Melas had punched through her gut, and she really thought her time was up. "Do the other know?"
The Keeper shook his head. "No, they do not. It's not my story to tell. Besides, you did tell them you're doing this to get information on your brother." He leaned forward. "Though, I do think you should. It will make them feel secure knowing they are fighting beside the Champion's sister."
She smiled. "I'll think about it. For now, I want to rest."
"But make sure you check your notifications before you do. I won't give you time once the hour is up."
Meera snorted and walked off to her hut. To save her time, she opened her notifications. Though she hadn't gained any levels in her class, she had gained some level in her skills.
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Mirror's Affinity has gained 5 levels and reached Level 182. All of your mirror-based attacks will get a 187% boost.]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Armor of Mirrors has gained 2 levels and reached Level 97]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Shroud of Shadows has gained 2 levels and reached Level 87]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Mirror Step has gained 3 levels and reached Level 91]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Mirror Eagle's Perceptivity has gained 2 levels and reached Level 101]
*ding!*
[Skill Evolution. Mirror Eagle's Perceptivity evolves to Mirrorstrike Vision. Mirrorstrike Vision – Type: Active. Your powers of observation have increased by tenfold. You can analyze the weak points all over a person's body, increasing the chance of hitting vital organs and doing critical damage.]
Meera stared at the notification. You evolve now? Now? This skill would have been more than handy in the fight against Zona, though she doubted it would have helped as she hardly ever saw the Archer Warden before an arrow struck her down.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Now, Meera desperately wished that she had stolen the skill that let Zona hide her arrows, as even those Meera hardly ever saw.
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Mirror Blast has reached Level 91]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Mirror Shard Barrage has reached Level 87]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Vitalize has gained 3 levels and reached Level 100]
She was expecting Vitalize to evolve as well, but it didn't, which meant like classes, not all skills got their evolutions at level 100. She still wondered what the evolved version of Vitalize could do that the Vitalize skill couldn't. Though having the ability to heal others would be nice.
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Mirror Wing has gained 5 levels and reached Level 95]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Shadow Affinity has reached Level 65. All of your mirror-based attacks will get a 67% boost.]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Mirror Phantom has gained 3 levels and reached Level 45]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Wild Instincts has gained 3 levels and reached Level 48]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Spectral Resilience has gained 5 levels and reached Level 87]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Iron Skin has gained 8 levels and reached Level 50]
She quickly brought up her stats page to see how far along she was.
[Name: Meera Singh]
[Age: 24]
[Race: Unnatural Human]
[Class: The Shadow Image – Level 238]
[Class Ability: Hoarder – Level 26]
Stats
[Health: 1930]
[Stamina: 2110]
[Mana: 2250]
Attributes ( Free Stat Points)
[Constitution: 193]
[Power: 50]
[Dexterity: 172]
[Endurance: 211]
[Focus: 225]
[Agility: 158]
[Perception: 133]
Skills
[Ambush Tactics – Level 93]
[Shroud of Shadows - Level 87]
[Vampiric Chains - Level 79]
[Mirror Step - Level 91]
[Druvis Power - Level 70]
[Mirrorstrike Vision - Level 101]
[Mirror Shield - Level 87]
[Mirror Blast - Level 91]
[Mirror Shard Barrage - Level 87]
[Vitalize - Level 100]
[Mirror Wing - Level 95]
[Petrifying Surge - Level 35]
[Shadow Coating - Level 50]
[Mirror Phantom - Level 45]
[Mist Concealment - Level 29]
Shadow Skills
[Decay Bite - Level 9]
[Death Mark – Level 25]
[Inferno Storm – Level 19]
[Bastian's Strength – Level 24]
[Camouflage – Level 1]
General Skills
[Identify – Level 9]
[Mirror Affinity – Level 182]
[Climbing – Level 20]
[Tree Walker - Level 15]
[Potion Making - Level 1]
[Alpha Aura - Level 22]
[Wild Instincts - Level 48]
[Charred Body - Level 15]
[Shadow Affinity - Level 64]
[Tactician's Gaze – Level 67]
[Prismatic Distortion - Level 15]
[Absorption - Level 51]
[Haunting Presence - Level 24]
[Spectral Resilience - Level 87]
[Blood Magic – Level 1]
[Soul Bond - Onyx the Stallion – Level 18]
[Negotiation Expertise – Level 1]
[Alcohol Tolerance – Level 1]
[Eyes of a Phoenix – Level 12]
[Iron Skin – Level 50]
[Gladiator's Last Breath – Level 10]
Armor
[Armor of Mirrors - Level 97]
Meera was impressed with her progress in the past few days. If only she could steal Brison's Keeper abilities, she could create a free training world whenever she wanted. Meera reached her hut as her notifications ended. She shook her head at how far she had to walk. I must've traveled half a kilometer in the forest. Her eyes fell on Zona's hut. And the result was the same.
With a sigh, she went inside her hut, ate the food that Brison had conjured, and plopped herself down for some well-needed sleep after a day of defeat. I hope I fight Dirik next. He's easier than the rest. But given my luck, I'll have to fight the Hulk next.
----------------------------------------
Meera's luck had turned. She was facing Dirik or Dalektor if that was even his real name. Meera was going to go with Dirik. It was easier and didn't blow his cover if he was on a secret mission. But his concerns for his mother seemed genuine. The only problem with facing Dirik was his new level.
[Shade – Level 284]
"Since when did you get so strong?" Meera asked.
Pallas, who was Dirik's last opponent, patted his back. "Oh, the lad will surprise you. He's gotten terrifyingly strong."
"You're one to speak," Meera countered.
[Guardian Warden – Level 302]
He smiled. "Thanks for the compliment. But you have been lacking. What's happened?"
"Zona."
"Oh, that makes sense." He looked at Dirik and smiled. "Well, I hope you level up much more by then."
Dirik looked between them. "Why? Is she that strong?"
"I never managed to kill her," Meera said. "Not even once."
His eyes widened. "You're joking."
"She's not," Brison answered for Meera. "It got so bad, I had to move my hut here to save myself the trips."
"Zona tends to tad overdo it," Pallas said. "Did you manage to cut her at least?"
"Yes. I got her one time, but she got the better of me," she replied.
"What skill did you get?" Pallas asked, eyes going manic again.
Meera rolled her eyes. "Camouflage."
"Oh." His face fell. "Truth be told, it's a very generic skill. I'm not even sure why she still has it. She would've been better off if her class never even offered that skill."
"Okay, that's enough details on that front." Meera had just begun to feel a little better, but seeing Dirik's progress had made her a little jealous. At this rate, he would easily hit level 300 in the next three days.
Pallas and Brison wished them well and went on their way.
Brison paused at the shimmering door. "I hope I don't have to make another hut on this peak."
"Ha ha, very funny," Meera replied.
Brison smirked and walked through the door.
"Sounds like you've had some day," Dirik said.
"You don't know the half of it," Meera said. "Who've you fought so far?"
“Tekton, Melas and Pallas,” he replied. “You?”
“Pallas, Tekton and Zona. Looks like we've fought two of the same so far."
"And now we fight each other once again. Ready, Meera?" Dirik asked. He even sounded more confident.
There's no way I'm losing to you on the first match after yesterday. She smiled. "Let's go."