As I entered the hallway again, I noticed something with a small shine on the hilt of my sword. On further inspection, I noticed that it was some sort of letter etched into the hilt.
Identify.
Nothing happened. I frowned. Either I needed a higher identification skill, or there was a reason it couldn’t be identified. I’ll figure it out later, when I raise the skill. Turning my focus back on the rats, I see them ‘walking’ again. God, it looked silly.
Most people would, at this point, rush in and start attacking it. Then after dying multiple times, they would come to the conclusion that their stupidity is causing them to die, and formulate a strategy. Let’s skip the stupid step and go straight to the strategy. I know the rats’ attack, which is in the form of Magic Barrel. It seems to be a powerful move, but I can take a guess and say that the drawback is it can’t be stopped.
So, what do I do? I dodge it, and counter-attack while he’s stunned from hitting the wall behind him. Additionally, since these guys are passive, I can go for a critical attack on the first strike. So I have three steps.
First, a critical attack. Second, I back off and stand next to a wall. Third, I dodge Magic Barrel and then counter-attack. Seems simple enough. Executing it might be a bit hard however. Nothing to do but try.
I walk up to the nearest Small Rat, studying it for a bit. It looked like every other rat, except for a small glow from its fur and its weird shambling state. I decide to go for the beck in the critical attack. Who knows, maybe I can cut off its head and kill it. Mustering all my strength, I bring my sword arm up and then down as quick and with as much force as I can.
[Small Rat] -12 (38/50)
I make it an inch into the neck before I’m stopped. Which doesn’t make sense, that sort of force would knock off a human head easily, let alone a rats. I quickly shake myself form that train of thought though, as I don’t have time. I hurry over to a wall as the rat starts charging itself. I eye it, waiting until the last moment to dodge. Suddenly, it launches…
And I dive to the side…
Not fast enough…
I forgot I had a tail. I curse myself as the attack clips my tail, causing immense pain. It seems it’s a sensitive area for Draconite’s.
[Luna] -5 (15/20)
Small Rat dazed for 3 seconds!
I quickly recover myself, gritting my teeth against the pain, and start my counter-attack.
[Small Rat] -5 -5 -5 -5 (18/50)
Three seconds pass in the blink of an eye, and the rat gathers itself again. I quickly back myself up against the wall, ignoring the dull throb from my tail. This time I bring my tail as close to my body as I can, as I watch for the rat’s movements. There!
I dive again…
And make it out fine this time, I didn’t get hit. I quickly turn around and finish off the rat.
[Small Rat] -5 -5 -5 -5 (0/50)
The rat collapses and lay there. It’s stopped moving. I collapse, panting. The tension wore me out more than the exertion. It was a tougher battle then I thought. My lack of experience is really showing. I was low on stamina and had no way to increase it. Damn, I didn’t think about this.
Unique event!
Because of your courage in the face of danger, you’ve been granted a slight stamina regeneration!
Gained: 1/5s stamina regeneration
Unique my ass, they just knew I wouldn’t be able to survive without it. I think I’ve become a game to the GM’s.
[Luna]: No more help you hear me! It ruins the fun!
I don’t get a response. I’m talking to myself…I’m starting to doubt my sanity. Sighing, I look down at the rat.
I frown.
The rat should’ve disappeared by now. When monsters die, they’re supposed to disappear and some items be replaced. Even if the GM’s are wanting this to be realistic, it’s actually part of the game lore.
Unless…
If I remember correctly, this Dungeon wasn’t made naturally. If that’s the case, I might just know why. But first, I need to kill the other rats. I gather myself. Now that I know the strategy, killing them will just take time.
6 hours to be exact. I sit their panting, staring at all the dead bodies around me. I counted at least 20. I’d gained a couple of levels, but I decided to check on them later. After a quick rest, I picked myself up. Time to test my theory. I dragged all the rats back to the room with the paintings in it. I sat down, and waited.
Waiting…
I meditate for a while, trying to better understand the Void. I don’t gain much information about it.
Waiting some more…
I really want to check my levels, but I decided to do it a bit later. Its fun anticipating what I gained.
Waiting…
Finally, the set amount of time (four hours) for normal monster spawning passed. I looked in the hallway, and saw that nothing had spawned in it. So my theory was correct.
This is an ‘artificial Dungeon’ of sorts. Since it’s not naturally occurring, nothing respawns in here. This is dangerous by itself. It means that I can’t farm to get stronger. I have to continue on. I’m just extremely lucky that the only person who got in here was that scout, who couldn’t fight. I’d be much worse off if I came in here and all the low level monsters were killed.
There are also many more downsides to this information. Since this isn’t a natural Dungeon, the creatures in here are considered ‘animals’ rather than ‘monsters’ and so you do not gain loot form killing them. Which means I need to loot manually…skinning…
I feel a shiver run down my spine. Just thinking about it makes me feel icky. Besides, I don’t even have the proper tools. How about we leave that for later. Right now, I have one last thing I need to test. Seeing as I’m on a roll, I hope I’m right.
I pick up one of the rats and set it down a bit apart from the rest. I sit in front of it.
Focused Mind.
I gather myself. Instead of focusing on the Void in me, I focus on the rat. I try to sense the Rage inside.
Nothing…
I try again, but still no success. Damn, what am I missing? I was hoping this was the key to gaining Void. Wait, hold on. I need to ‘sense’ Rage don’t I. Where have I heard the word ‘sense’ before in this game?
I try to think back. It was a while ago. Something about stats…
I quickly pull up my Status Plate
Status Plate
Luna
Female
Race:
Draconite
Level:
3
Fame:
0
Class:
Wanderer
Infamy:
9999
Experience:
13%
Health:
15/20
Health Regeneration:
0
Stamina:
20/20
Stamina Regeneration:
1/5s
Void:
0/11
Void Regeneration:
0
Strength:
0
Vitality:
0
Might:
0
Endurance:
0
Dexterity:
0
Resistance:
0
Agility:
0
Defence:
0
Intelligence:
0
Sense:
0
Wisdom:
0
Luck:
0
Stat Points:
15
Titles
Forsaken by the Gods
Status Effects
None
Skills
Passive
Active
Celestial Understanding: MAX
Adaptive Body: MAX
Zero Start: MAX
Memories of Time: MAX
Void Manipulation: MAX
Void Mastery: Lv1
Dark Affinity: Lv1
Identification: Lv2
Focused Mind (Toggle): Lv2
Condensed Spiraling Sphere: Lv1
Minor Dark Enchantment: Lv1
Oh right! There’s a stat called ‘sense’. Maybe leveling this will let me grasp the Small Rat’s Rage. Looking a bit down, I notice there’s a new part to the status plate, showing the number of stat points I can currently distribute. I think on it a bit, before deciding to put 10 into Sense and 5 into Agility.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my fight with the Small Rats, it’s that I need to be quick on my feet. I’m going to face many unknowns in this Dungeon, so I’m going to (at least to begin with) go for three stats.
Agility, Sense and Luck.
Why luck? It’s the most underestimated stat in video games. The sword that was meant to come crashing down on you, missed by a hairs-breath? Just lucky right? That’s right, just Luck. Luck is an important thing, no matter who you are. But right now Sense and Agility.
I sit myself down again, trying to…
What the hell.
My body felt lighter. Slightly. I wouldn’t have even noticed it if I didn’t heighten my Sense. Is this the effect of Adaptive Body? It might just be overpowered. It’s not enough to make a difference now, but what about later? Well, we can only see. I focus my mind back on the task at hand.
I try and ‘sense’ the rat again. I look at it, and feel something inside it. It seems to flow through its veins, a dark red. That’s definitely Rage. It’s time to test out my theory. I put my hand on the Small Rat and imagine the Rage slowly detaching itself from the Small Rat’s body and flowing through into my hand and then inside my body, merging with the Void already flowing through my lanes.
I feel something…
It’s kind of intoxicating, like I’m a vampire sucking someone’s blood. I don’t know what that’d feel like, but I can guess. Sh-shutup okay? It made more sense in my head.
I felt the Void flowing through my veins take in the Rage, pulsing slightly before resuming its natural flow. I opened my eyes.
You’ve learned the skill Void Regeneration!
Void Regeneration (Active): Lv1 (0%)
Allows you to transfer a dead creatures Rage, Energy or Mana for use as Void. This is the only way to regenerate Void.
Effects: Gain 1 Void for every 20 Maximum Rage, Energy or Mana taken from a dead creature
Cost: None
I wipe my brow, feeling the sweat come off. I pat myself on the back. I’m a Genius. I’m a brilliant mastermind.
WATCH OUT MORTALS!! BOW DOWN TO LUNA THE GENIUS!! FEEL MY MIGHT!!
Oh, right, I don’t have any might...I’m still really weak. Still, it’s nice to celebrate a bit. I’ve discovered a lot in the short time I spent here. Almost all my theories ended up being correct too. I really am doing well. I quickly walk over to the other Rats, and rain all of their Rage as well. I ended up reaching maximum Void again, after finishing off the last one. All 11 of it. Watch out world!
Now onto the next problem. Calling that damn merchant. He didn’t tell me how. Stupid stupid stupid merchant.
[Luna]: STUPID MERCHANT. STUPID LUCIFER YOU DUMB ASS MERCHANT.
[Lucifer]: You called?
Lucifer stood there with a grin on his face as he watched me fall on my behind. I got a bit mad.
[Luna]: How the hell did you know I was calling you?
[Lucifer]: oh didn’t I tell you? You just have to call my name to summon me. Easy right?
[Luna]: I hate you…
[Lucifer]: Brilliant! So, what have you got for me?
Sighing, I gesture over to the pile of rats. He picks them up and inspects them for a while, before turning to me.
[Lucifer]: What would I want with this rubbish?
[Luna]: What? I thought it would be of same value to you.
[Lucifer]: Luna, I’m a merchant. What possible use would I have for a dead rat? I sure as hell don’t want to skin it, if that’s what you’re implying.
[Luna]: Can’t you, you know, sell it to fanatics. Or other people who want its skin.
[Lucifer]: This rat’s trash. I’d have to PAY a fanatic to take it off my hands.
[Luna]: But…but it’s full of magic…
[Lucifer]: *sigh* that’s precisely the point. You seem to fail to grasp the concept, but this rat was severely corrupted by magic. What do you think would happen to someone who ate it? Precisely the same thing, of course. And its pelt is next to useless. The only reason someone would want it is for experience, and there’s much better creatures to skin then this thing for that.
[Luna]: So, you’ll give me nothing for it…
[Lucifer]: Well, let’s not say I’m entirely heartless. I’ll give you a skinning knife! It’s not the greatest, but I’m sure it’s a start for you no? You can then skin the rats and earn experience. Of course, as payment I’ll be taking all those skins off your hands.
[Luna]: I thought you said they were useless…
[Lucifer]: next to useless. It wouldn’t be worth the payment to skin them. But since you’re doing it for free, I’m sure I could get something for them…
[Luna]: You’re evil…
[Lucifer]: No, I’m just a businessman! Now, do you accept the deal?
[Luna]: of course, it’s still a good deal. Give me that skinning knife.
He held out his hand, and I shook it. Suddenly, a knife appeared in his hand. He handed it to me, before walking over to a corner of the room and sitting down.
[Luna]: Ah, by the way…
[Lucifer]: yes?
[Luna]: I…ugh… wanted to thank you for the hint earlier. It really helped me out
[Lucifer]: That’s great! I’m always happy to help my money mach-*cough* my friend out!
[Luna]: Go to hell…
Lucifer simply laughed. It was a quiet laugh, quite contrary to his booming facade. Makes me think it is just that, a facade. I look down at the knife he gave me, quickly identifying it.
Skinning Knife
Damage: 0
Durability: 99/99
A medium knife made for skinning the hides off of creatures. Made by a lesser craftsmen with a moderate amount of care.
Quality
Decent
Grade:
E
Special Effects:
None
Unique:
Skinning
If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
Unlike the sword I started with, this seemed to have an item quality. I wonder why my beginning weapon doesn’t, perhaps because it wasn’t made. Also, the Unique slot is filled no by ‘Skinning’. Perhaps because the knife has a specific focus, the Unique slot tells you that focus? Possibly, I’m not so sure. Well, let’s get to work. Or rather, let’s try and not throw up. I drag one of the rats over, setting it down into a resting position. As I go to cut it open, a message appears.
You’re about to attempt Manual Skinning!
If you wish, you can convert to Manual System instead of Manual.
Manuel System provides a less realistic feel, but you can achieve the same results without the gore.
Convert to Manual system?
Yes
No
Oh thank god. You saved me system. Please, PLEASE let that GM pass this by. I don’t want to have to throw up all over myself. I press yes.
Processed.
GM override attempted!
GM override failed!
You are now use Manual System.
Oh thank god. TAKE THAT YOU CONNIVING BASTARD! Someone else must’ve overridden him. Or her. Either way, I’m saved. I look down at the rat again, with the knife in my hand. This time I see an outline of where I should cut. As I cut in, I don’t feel any blood and gore on me and realise that there is none. While I’m shown where to cut, I don’t get any help. So Manual System simply removes the gore and gives me a guideline to go by. That’s actually really good. What a great system to implement.
You’ve learned the craft Skinning!
Skinning: Lv1 (0%)
Greater accuracy and quality in skinning.
Wait, what? A Craft, not a Skill?
Hmmm…
I quickly open up my Status Plate.
Status Plate
Luna
Female
Race:
Draconite
Level:
3
Fame:
0
Class:
Wanderer
Infamy:
9999
Experience:
13%
Health:
15/20
Health Regeneration:
0
Stamina:
20/20
Stamina Regeneration:
1/5s
Void:
11/11
Void Regeneration:
0
Strength:
0
Vitality:
0
Might:
0
Endurance:
0
Dexterity:
0
Resistance:
0
Agility:
5
Defence:
0
Intelligence:
0
Sense:
10
Wisdom:
0
Luck:
0
Stat Points:
0
Titles
Forsaken by the Gods
Status Effects
None
Crafts:
Skinning: Lv1
Skills
Passive
Active
Celestial Understanding: MAX
Adaptive Body: MAX
Zero Start: MAX
Memories of Time: MAX
Void Manipulation: MAX
Void Mastery: Lv1
Dark Affinity: Lv1
Identification: Lv2
Focused Mind (Toggle): Lv2
Condensed Spiraling Sphere: Lv1
Minor Dark Enchantment: Lv1
This damn game just keeps adding stuff when I discover it. Never before. Ah wells, least I know now how to get Crafts. Simply performing actions in the field grants me it, then I can improve it. Well, time to finish skinning.
It took a few minutes for each Small Rat, so it was an hour or two by the time I was done. The whole time, Lucifer never moved an inch. He simply quietly waited until I was done. When I finished, he walked over to me with a grin on his face. He heads over to the hides without a word. I look at Lucifer, who’s picking up all the hides on the ground.
[Luna]: Lucifer, I have a favor to ask.
[Lucifer]: Fire away!
[Luna]: Can I get something to mine with, and gather herbs.
[Lucifer]: you don’t need anything to gather herbs. You’ll need to learn herblore by identifying plants however, I’ll give you a book on different types of plants. As for mining, a simple pick should do. Since I like you, I’m going to be generous and give you an iron pick. Now, this doesn’t come with no cost of course…
[Luna]: *sigh* yes what do you want?
[Lucifer]: Your body.
[Luna]: *splutter* WHAT?!
[Lucifer]: Just joking. Hehe. You’re too easy to pick on.
[Luna]: Go to hell ten times over…
[Lucifer]: Oh stop it! You’ll make me blush. What I want from you is…hmm…Luna, where did that sigil on the hilt of your sword come from?
[Luna]: oh this? I’m not sure. I was messing around with my power when the sword sort of consumed it. It used to be a dull grey, but now it’s black and this sigil appeared.
[Lucifer]: WHAT?! You have no idea what you’ve got, do you.
He quickly strode up to her, grasping her on both shoulders. Luna looked at him, a bit of fear tinging her eyes.
[Lucifer]: You know that’s enchanting right?
[Luna]: Yeah, I got the ‘Minor Dark Enchantment’ as a skill.
[Lucifer]: A skill? Ah, I see what’s happened now. It’s because you don’t know what you did. It registered as a skill instead of a craft.
[Luna]: Enchanting’s a craft?
[Lucifer]: Yes, an extremely rare one. Only a few people in the world are born with the innate ability to embed power into crafted runes. Strong enchanters are even rarer…
Lucifer ended up explaining the entire system to me. Apparently, Enchanters are rare because they require an Awakening to become one. This is generally when another Enchanter inscribes a sigil for them. Someone talented to be an Enchanter can understand the process on a fundamental level. Unfortunately, Enchanters are extremely reclusive and protective of their sigils. So it’s very rare for them to take apprentices, and even rarer for them to test people for their ability to Enchant. It makes all Enchanters unique, as they discover sigils and combinations on their own, but also extremely rare and so very coveted. Since I had no idea about Enchanting when the sigil was inscribed on the sword, I wasn’t given the Craft at the time.
[Lucifer]: It’s odd though, it takes many years for an Enchanter to come up with a symbol. Did you get yours by luck? No…I don’t understand…well anyways, this clears things up!
Lucifer claps his hands in glee, making me shudder.
[Lucifer]: I will waive the fee for now, if you enchant some items of mine in the future for free.
[Luna]: How many…
[Lucifer]: Hmm…how about we say 10 items of my choosing?
[Luna]: Deal. But I’ll need to learn Enchanting as a Craft to do it.
[Lucifer]: You should’ve learned it just now, as I explained the process to you. Besides, I don’t mean straightaway. I’ll ask this of you when your Enchanting skill is a bit…better.
I nod my head. He waves good bye, as he disappears with the hides. I look down at the message that came up.
You’ve learned the craft Enchanting!
You’ve lost the skill Minor Dark Enchantment!
Enchanting: Lv1 (0%)
Allows you to enchant any sort of equippable item. Requires knowledge of a sigil.
Hmm…So I lost that skill. Which means I can gain the knowledge of the sigil. I study the sigil at the hilt, focusing entirely on it.
Focused Mind.
I pay attention to every detail, memorizing its layout perfectly so that I can replicate it with ease.
You’ve learned the sigil Dark Attack (Weapon)!
Sigil Dark Attack (Weapon): MAX
Gives a weapon an amount of Dark damage, related to the skill level of Enchanting.
Interesting. I bring up my Status Plate again, to check the differences from before.
Status Plate
Luna
Female
Race:
Draconite
Level:
3
Fame:
0
Class:
Wanderer
Infamy:
9999
Experience:
13%
Health:
15/20
Health Regeneration:
0
Stamina:
20/20
Stamina Regeneration:
1/5s
Void:
11/11
Void Regeneration:
N/A
Strength:
0
Vitality:
0
Might:
0
Endurance:
0
Dexterity:
0
Resistance:
0
Agility:
5
Defence:
0
Intelligence:
0
Sense:
10
Wisdom:
0
Luck:
0
Stat Points:
0
Titles
Forsaken by the Gods
Status Effects
None
Crafts:
Skinning: Lv1
Enchanting: Lv1
Sigils:
Dark Attack (Weapon)
Skills
Passive
Active
Celestial Understanding: MAX
Adaptive Body: MAX
Zero Start: MAX
Memories of Time: MAX
Void Manipulation: MAX
Void Mastery: Lv1
Dark Affinity: Lv1
Identification: Lv2
Focused Mind (Toggle): Lv2
Condensed Spiraling Sphere: Lv1
This status plate just keeps on expanding. Seems I’ll have to focus a bit of time into my crafts from now on. Well, I kind of expected as much. I look down at the items I requested, the book about plants and the pick. I wondered why I asked for this stuff, but I can only assume I decided on my instincts. It’s true, in a place like this the most likely things I could get would be minerals and plants. Well, I hope I find some, or I just made a deal for nothing.
I look around the room, trying to decide on the place to exit through. This room was a bit troubling, because there were three ways I could go. Left, right or forward. In the end I decided to go with my gut.
Left it is…