-Ken POV-
My body feels heavy again. Honestly this feeling is getting annoying, it seems like it's become a normal feeling considering the amount of time i've been at deaths door. While thinking such pointless things, I slowly open up my eyes.
As I regain awareness, I notice that i'm still laid on the ground behind the Baron's mansion.
[Ken] " So I didn't die then?"
I groped around in search for my bow, as I was searching my hand stroked something soft. I jumped back out of fright.
[Ken] "Oh thank god, it's just a dead wolf... wait i'm pretty sure that's not something to feel relieved about"
I slowly crawled towards the corpse, not forgetting to remain vigilent of other attackers. As soon as I got within jumping range of the corpse, a loud voice sounded within my mind.
"Black Wolf Beast Death Confirmation, Bottomless Greed Activated:
Acquired Effect Skills: Sense Presence Lvl.2, Hide Presence Lvl.2
Acquired Combat Skills: Penetration Lvl.1, Beastial Slash Lvl.2, Intimidation Lvl.2"
[Ken]" Owowowow that hurt, what even was that?"
It seemed to have been a direct message towards my mind. It said something about acquiring skills but honestly I have no idea as to what that even means. To start with, did it just say I had Bottomless Greed? Is my own mind picking a fight with me?
As I was having a fight with my inner self, a screen appeared in-front of my eyes. The screen was translucent and would fade out of my vision if I didn't focus on it.
[Ken]" What is this? Is this me? It has my name and age"
Ken Oswald
Age: 15
Occupation: None
Titles: Gods Bane, xxxxxxxx
Level: 2
Base Stats:
HP: 230
MP: 450
STR: 60
AGI: 50
INT: 55
MGA: 50
VIT: 60
Skills:
Effect Skills: (Skills which are constantly active providing effects to the user/others)
Dark Magicka Resistance Lvl.1(NEW DGDP)
Magicka Aptitude Lvl.MAX
Sense Presence Lvl.2(NEW BW)
Hide Presence Lvl.2(NEW BW)
Combat Skills: (Skills which are used in combat, can be used outside however they're most effective in battle)
Basic Archery Lvl.3
Power Shot Lvl.1
Dark Sniping Lvl.2
Basic Stealth Lvl.1
Adept Hunting Lvl.2
Forest Walker Lvl.2
Collection Lvl.2
Black Wolf Lvl.2
Penetration Lvl.1(NEW BW)
Beastial Slash Lvl.2(NEW BW)
Intimidation Lvl.2(NEW BW)
Production Skills: (Skills used to produce things)
Blacksmithing Lvl.1
Tool Maintenance Lvl.1
Cooking Lvl.1
Unique Skills: (Skills that are unique to an individual at any one time)
Bottomless Greed Lvl.2
Logger Lvl.2
Magicka:
Elemental Magicka:
Dark Magicka Lvl.1(NEW DGDP)
Dark Shot Lvl.1
Light Magicka Lvl.1(NEW XXDP)
Light Heal Lvl.1
Divine Protections:
Stolen Death God Bryak's Protection
xxxxxxxx Divine Protection
[Ken]" So this is me? Is this my abilities? I don't even remember learning magicka though, I guess this is the effect of those protections?"
Of course no answer came to my question, well not that it matters. But what I am truly interested in is my unique skills. What could Logger be? A lumberjack skill?
"Unique Skill Logger: This skill allows the user to see in-depth details of something, it is a superior skill of Appraisal. It bypasses most concealment skills."
Eh? So it is an advanced appraisal? I suppose that's the reason why I can see my abilities without getting appraised. Then what about Bottomless Greed? I suppose I wasn't being insulted.
"Unique Skill Bottomless Greed: This skill allows the user to take the skills off those who have died. The user must be within ten meters of the corpse. The skill will automatically scale overlevelled skills to the level of Bottomless Greed."
[Ken]" Wait, wait, wait! Isn't this one of those so called cheat skills?"
This is just so much to take in but now isn't the time for all of this self-debating. I need to get to Lana.
I start running towards the mansion making sure to stick to the shadows. As I approach, I remember something. I have not been caught yet despite my novice infiltration experience. I wonder if it's thanks to my hide presence skill that I have just got. I guess my turning 15 has really saved me since it unlocked all of my abilities. Well that's what happens when you come of age in this world I suppose.
It felt like hours but I have managed to make it to an open window, it seems to be the guest bedroom on the second floor. I climb up using the ledges on the stone works and slip inside.
[Ken]" It's so dark, that's the door over there right?"
I head towards the door and grab hold of the handle. The moment I held the door knob a shiver ran down my spine. Without thinking, I leapt backwards and reached for my bow.
[???]" I had a feeling there was a rat in the mansion!"
Brilliant I was discovered straight away. Let's use Logger on this guy to see it's effects on others than myself.
Brad Wertz
Age: 32
Occupation: Soldier Captain, Mercenary
Titles: None
Level: 20
Base Stats:
HP: 300
MP: 210
STR: 110
AGI: 100
INT: 50
MGA: 60
VIT: 110
Skills:
Effect Skills: (Skills which are constantly active providing effects to the user/others)
Co-ordination Lvl.2
The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
Magicka Aptitude Lvl.1
Sense Presence Lvl.2
Body Strengthen Lvl.1
Leadership Lvl.2
Combat Skills: (Skills which are used in combat, can be used outside however they're most effective in battle)
Basic Swordplay Lvl.3
Strong Slash lvl.3
Earth Shatter Lvl.1
Earthen Body Lvl.1
Basic Scout Lvl.2
Tracking Lvl.2
Keen Eye Lvl.2
Production Skills: (Skills used to produce things)
Blacksmith Lvl.2
Tool Maintenance Lvl.2
Slow Repair Lvl.1 Cooking lvl.2
Unique Skills: (Skills that are unique to an individual at any one time)
Power Of Many
Magicka:
Elemental Magicka:
Earth Magicka Lvl.1
Earth Wall Lvl.1
So he is a soldier and a captain to boot huh? Why could it not have been a simple butler or something nice like that.
[Ken]" So what now? I can't exactly just run along home so i'll patiently ask you to let me get what I need please"
[Captain]" Sorry you little brat, i'm sure my boss will want you especially since you're related to that Lana Bitch"
At the mention of Lana, anger spread throughout my whole body. My mind focused on one thing, that was to kill this man.
[Ken]" Where is she?"
Calm down Ken, I need to stay cool otherwise I will end up dead. If that happens then Lana will suffer.
Clinging to the last of my rationality, I meanaged to control my anger before I got myself killed for carelessness.
[Captain]" I'm sure right now the Baron is just about to begin toying with her, he tends to savor his food you see"
The mans voice contained joy and condescension at the fact that I was here for Lana.
[Captain]" I wonder how that bitch would react if I brought you to the Baron? I'm sure he would make you watch, he's into that sort of stuff. He truly live's up to his nickname of Home wrecker ahahaha"
The captain was filled with joy at the events happening currently, he was dripping with confidence that only those who have survived many battles had. However his pride seems to be a bit too big.
Without letting him continue, I grab my bow and fired at his head. The shot was fast and any normal person would have died. Contrary to that, the captain calmly lifted his sword and deflected the arrow.
[Captain]" Getting angry kid? Well no matter, let's get this over with before my shifts done"
He rushed at me, within seconds he was before me and swinging at my shoulder. I instinctively dodged to the opposite side and rolled. His sword blade grazed my arm but missed. Refusing to give me anytime, he fixed his posture and launch three consecutive slashes of towards my legs and chest. While they narrowly missed, it seems he is trying to avoid mortally wounding me.
[Captain]" Tch a fast brat huh, why not just give up? It's less painful that way"
As he said that, he yelled 'Strong Slash'. His sword glowed red as the skill activated. I jumped back as far as possible, the sword blade scratched my nose and blood flowed down my face. When his strike hit the ground, the wooden flooring shattered making the house rumble similar to an explosion.
[Ken]" So much power, i'm pretty sure that overkill jackass"
Irritation filled his face as his strongest skill was dodged by a child, he charged at me while shouting 'Earth Body' and 'Strong Slash', his movements slowed however his weight increased. Alarm bells rang in my mind realising I won't survive this. On reflex I knocked an arrow and aimed, as I was going to shoot I remembered so something. A skill in my basic archery was different from normal skills. I loosed my arrow as I shouted.
[Ken]" It's all or nothing, DARK SNIPING!"
The arrow cut throught the air and punctured the mans forehead despite the Earth body defense increase. The Captains body fell forward and blood dripped from his body.
[Captain]" D..evil"
His last words were short but they remained with me for a while. I guess the dark attribute is seen as bad to humans huh.
Leaving the body I headed towards the door as a monotone voice echoed in my mind.
"Brad Wertz Death Confirmation, Bottomless Greed Activated:
Acquired Effect Skills: Sense Presence has risen to Lvl.3, Body Strengthen Lvl.1, Leadership Lvl.2, Co-ordination Lvl.2
Acquired Combat Skills: Basic Swordplay Lvl.2, Strong Slash Lvl.1, Basic Scout Lvl.2, Tracking Lvl.2, Keen Eye lvl.2
Acquired Production Skills: Blacksmith has risen to Lvl.2, Tool maintenance has risen to Lvl.2, Slow Repair Lvl.1
Acquired Magicka: Earth Magicka Lvl.1
Acquired Unique Skill: Power of Many Lvl.1"
Wow ok that was a lot for one guy. I guess it's because his occupation needed for him to learn those skills. Wait I have no time to check this.
I rushed out of the door and head to the end of the hall. The mansion seems deserted, maybe the rumbling scared everyone away. Less witnesses means it's easier to flee so I am not complaining.
I arrive about 2 meters from the door and walk slowly but loudly to declare my presence to the other party, this may seem dumb but its helping me keep calm so I prefer that. As I open the door, the sight of a round slime like being pushing down a half-naked Lana fills my vision.
[Baron]" W-who are you?!?!"
[Lana]" K-ken! Is it really you?"
Two separate reactions to the situation. I enter the room and close the door behind me.
[Ken]" Oi Pig. Move out of the way"
I activate intimidation and the baron falls on his ass and crawls to the edge of the room.
[Baron]" You cretin! Don't get cocky and die!"
He grabs an ornamental sword from the wall and charges. He's slow, so slow. My eyes follow his every movement. I grab my bow and mutter 'Dark Sniping'. The released arrow cuts through the air with a black trail and blows half of the barons head away.
I stand in the middle of the room with my mouth hanging wide open. It doesn't fit the mood but this situation itself is bizzare.
[Ken]" Was he just way weaker or was that shot more powerful?"
[Lana]" What was that Ken? Wait no! Why did you come here! Why? Why?"
Lana rushed at me and grabbed my clothes as tears streamed down her face. I hugged her tightly until she started to calm down. She separated from me, the warmth we had was slowly lost and a hint of disappointment filled my expression.
[Ken]" We need to get going, we have to move away from town. Are you coming with me?"
I had to ask, I just murdered an aristocrat. That penalty is either slavery or a death sentence so my only option will be to run since I doubt that Lana won't be suspected.
[Lana]" Of course i'm coming, I want you to come with me"
[Ken]" That was the plan from the start, let's go"
I picked her up and jumped from the window. In the distance the sound of guards running around could be heard.
In my mind the monotone voice spoke.
"Lionel Trent Death Confirmation, Bottomless Greed Activated:
Acquired Production Skills: Merchant Lvl.2, Etiquette Lvl.2, Negotiation lvl.2, High-Speed Calculation Lvl.1
Acquired Magicka: Fire Magicka Lvl.2"
That guy was really weak then, maybe nobles are weaker since they barely do anything like fighting at the frontlines or even hunting for that matter. Well a guy with the physique of a slime could not be said as strong anyways.
We ran to the house and quickly collected our essentials, we took our savings and locked the door. It took around 2 hours to get back in a full sprint while it tooks 20 minutes to gather our stuff. With our excess time, I visited the weapon shop.
As I approached, the lights flickered on and someone came out.
[Muscle Granpa]" You're here boy, how's the girl?"
[Ken]" She seems fine physically but emotionally she seems vulnerable"
[Muscle Grandpa]" Fulfill your job as her man and everything will be fine as time passes my boy, now why are you here?"
[Ken]" I have a request and a parting gift, I would like to buy two steel daggers and a new bow please"
As I asked him for the items, I handed him enough money for it all. He went inside and got two daggers made of blood steel and a bow made of spirit wood.
[Ken]" Hold on this is way too expensive I can't accept these"
[Muscle Grandpa]" Consider it a loan, make it big boy and come back for business later on"
At the Grandpa's obvious attempts to persuade me I gave in and thanked him for his consideration. After saying goodbye I threw him a small bag, inside contained Mana gems of B and one A rank monster. These will be worth enough to feed a common family for 6 months. I sprinted away before I could hear a rejection and headed to Lana.
The sun was slowly rising as me and Lana walked side by side in silence along the dirt path. The village was slowly becoming smaller. I looked at Lana and our eyes met, I gently smiled and said 'It's okay'. She grabbed my hand and smiled back.
I wonder what our future together will hold, regardless i will never let go of this hand.