The main incentives I have for writing this is knowing that other people are interested in the story, and I really really want to move onto my favorite ideas for worlds.
That said, I'm kind of awed, shocked, surprised, disbelief, skeptical you are still reading this, considering the slow updates.
Take Change: New World for example, the author seems to do daily updates and while its not the same premise as this, its still a pretty good read.
Summarized: God turns world into a game, boy's school turns into a dungeon, he starts grinding.
Finding a good story is a horrible task, hiding themselves behind a bad title or uninteresting/cringy synopsis.
I'm not apologizing, nor am I making an excuse. This is just an observation I wanted to share.
Anyways, slightly longer chapter than usual, have fun.
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I stood on the field in mere cotton clothes with the sun high in the center of the sky. I had chainmail back at the inn, but for my purposes it would be best to display that I don't need to wear armor before resorting in the future to protecting myself.
When I do wear the chainmail it'll be cumbersome to wear. I have to increase the mass to prevent blows from splitting the links and even then I may still lose HP from blunt force. Still better than fighting as a porcupine though, and when I do wear chainmail I'm likely going to be fighting all-out.
The only sign of weaponry lay in my right hand, a long wooden pole reinforced by a metal shaft running through the center with a iron tip formed on the end. It felt almost light in my hands and I was severely tempted to reinforce it using Gravity Cloak, however I refrained. My body was still under the effects of a strong Gravity Cloak, and I wanted to see how far I could go in this state before resorting to superhuman strength.
My journey to the Stone Kingdom hadn't been a lazy walk, even as I practiced my magic I was working under a heavy Gravity Cloak with steady stat gains coming every so often. My losses from the rift fiasco were restored, and my new stats for the most part had gone completely beyond. I'd even gained a level from it. I was close to reaching level 9 in the Gamer skill, and this fight will push it over the tip.
But that's not the present. As I was saying, I stood on the field in mere cotton clothes. Staring at the army across the field with excitement running through me. We were finally going to fight.
The men dressed in leather, the majority wearing small pieces of iron armor in strategic places. Not going to be enough. The horn blows, its time to fight.
As they closed in I walked forwards to place distance between myself and the other two, it wouldn't do to have them attacked. The advancing army had obviously considered us as harmless I could see, of the approaching army at least half had remained behind. Ten swordsmen, two spearsmen and two archers in the charge, the archers lagging behind. The rest of the army relaxed as they watched, though the commander was in the charging half of the army.
As the distance closed, I felt it was just about time to give my speech. But first, I need to prepare myself.
I took a slow deep breath, held it, then let it go. Taking a deeper breath my blood began to pound through my veins as a small tingle ran up my spine. Violent thoughts surged as I fanned the flames and excited my body. Skin on face tightening, mouth twisting into a smile.
I could feel the tingle running through my arms as I thought of violence and deliberately excited myself. Psyching myself up and forcing my mental state to change, I could feel my muscles demanding to move as my breathing grew rapid. Swallowing, I could hear the screams already.
Rended flesh under my fingers, bones breaking under my grip. It began to flow naturally, I could feel myself yearning for the fight already. As I stood there and grew excited with the carnage to come, starting to anticipate what I would soon do, to my surprise a window displayed.
You have learned the skill Aura: Bloodlust
My thoughts lurched, and my body was filled with lust.
I want to taste their blood and hear screams.
The charging warriors instantly stumbled as the tension in the air skyrocketed, my thoughts filling with carnage and blood as I looked on them with maddened eyes and a cruel grin. Excitement coursing through me, I was about to move before belatedly realizing I have to give them a speech.
"Before we get started, I need to tell you two things" I spoke gleefully.
The army had halted 15 meters away, wary of the sudden shift in the air. The archers behind them began to raise their bows as they notched an arrow, however I ignored them as I eyed with anticipation what places they left unprotected.
"Rule one" I smiled cruelly, already imagining the scene. "Just considering attacking my commander is grounds to die"
One of the archers fired his arrow at that time, and I could see the warriors slowly react to the sight as it flew through the air. I had plenty of time to dodge, my stats providing me a clear advantage as I considered my choices to take. But I had only one real goal with this speech, so I directed my body into position.
Barely penetrating, the arrow hit the center of my neck and penetrated an inch before bouncing out under its own force.
It did hurt, but not as much as the bullets had.
HP -41
Bleeding status, -1 HP a second
Grinning at them, my bloodlust spiked as the tension in the air increased.
The skill Aura: Bloodlust has reached level 2Physical stats increased by 8%
Mental stats decreased by 30%
Sadism and rage raised
Fear state has a chance to be inflicted
"Rule two" my voice spoke, as if nothing happened.
The fear and disbelief on their faces was obvious as they eyed the shallow wound on my neck which bleed lightly.
Eying them casually as if nothing had happened, I spoke with a malicious grin "If my commander and assistant is attacked, I will slaughter everyone"
A soldier swallowed as the second archer released his arrow, this time I took it on my chest just to prove a point. But the second the arrow hit me, the commander roared and charged at which the others followed closely behind.
HP -39
Bleeding status, -1 HP a second
The first man to reach me slashed downwards with his sword, seeking to slice my chest but I easily moved backwards as I used my pole to knock out his feet. Another spear jabbed towards me, but I took my time to knock it away with my free hand before sinking my spear into the fallen swordsman's unprotected shoulder. He howled in pain as the others roared in righteous fury.
DMG 45
Steadily moving backwards from the group of soldiers, I dodged their weapons and stabbed at unprotected regions. Taking shots where I could but trying to ensure that none of them died or were taken out of action, far too early for that. But numbers were against me and they began to surround me, my actions beginning to focus on defense. My Gravity Cloak prohibited me from moving around freely and so I could only focus on dodging what I could.
No matter, I want to make them break one of my rules.
One enterprising warrior lunged forwards as he tried to stab me, but instead of leaving him be I knocked the flat of his sword away with the butt of my spear before swinging it around and stabbing it into his thigh.
76 DMG
180 EXP
The spearsman screamed as I penetrated through his thigh, ripping through his tendons as he fell to the ground in pain. It was then a soldier finally realized the wounds on my chest and neck no longer bleed. Yelling to his comrades, he drew their attention at which they faltered, their advantage in numbers temporarily forgotten.
Expressions of shock on their faces, I decided it was probably time to force them backwards and to pressure them. My body was demanding their deaths, but rationally I knew I needed to give me excuse before I went all-out. They were not ready yet. Moving forwards with a maddened grin on my face, my bloodlust cowed them as they sought to stay back for every step I took.
I could see a few expressions looking unsure now, fear will come soon enough. Quickly stepping forwards I used the palm of my hand to slap the flats of two blades away before stabbing my spear into a shoulder and moving to stab another. However before I could stab the second man, he quickly yelled his surrender as he noted his fate.
68 DMG
150 EXP
The ones who surrendered were exempt from the battle, instructed to leave the battlefield immediately and peacefully else they would be killed by officials. If someone attempted to make a farce of surrendering, they would be killed by outside forces the second the battle ended. Not to mention their commander would receive a large fine.
In return for surrender, the other army would receive more money for not having killed the soldier.
The battle wouldn't have lasted this long if it wasn't for my high WIS seemingly slowing down the battle, body moving before their weapons could reach full strength as it moved towards me. I wasn't invincible either, but their reactions to exploit my movements slowed as they hesitated to close in towards me, knowing I would likely retaliate in return.
By this time no one wanted to attack me, I was provoking and goading them into further moving away as they sought to escape. Even the commander didn't dare rush forwards, knowing the moment he fell the battle was lost. I saw someone turn their head towards Kane and Lily and I grinned inside, they seemed to be considering other options now.
You have learned the skill Spears
The skill Gamer has reached level 9Inventory increases to 4x4 slots
Quests has been unlocked
By this time the commander knew I was playing with them and gave the order to fall back, and as they tensely separated from me I leaned against my spear with a grin on my face. I couldn't wait for what would come next.
I had taken down four men, kinda lightly injured roughly five others. The men who had stayed behind to watch had looked as if they would join the fight, and as the commander drew near they merged in with his group. He spoke quietly to them as I watched, my blood beginning to pound as I sensed the moment I had been waiting for drawing close.
Finally it began as the commander yelled "Kill!" as his army yelled "Kill!" back. Repeating it several more times, the uncertainty began to disappear as they howled louder with each yell and worked themselves up. It was with a final roar that they separated and began to circle the battlefield, their footsteps strong and expressions fierce as they spread across the battlefield in a wide semi-circle with distance placed between each man.
Moving backwards, I drew nearer to Kane and Lily as the wide semi-circle of men began to draw in, their expressions fierce as they scowled menacingly at us. Kane looked at me nervously, iron armor worn with leather protecting what spots it didn't protect. His face remained uncovered and from what I could see he looked haggard already.
"Don't worry" I spoke towards him reassuringly even as I drooled for the fight, "Its well in hand"
He didn't seem to believe me, and in the few seconds left before they reached us I spoke towards the advancing men.
"Are you sure? I'll consider this an intention to attack my commander you know"
They charged, and I grinned with fierce joy as my blood surged.
The skill Aura: Bloodlust has reached level 3Physical stats increased by 11%
Mental stats decreased by 30%
Sadism and rage raised
Fear state has a chance to be inflicted
Everyone on the field stumbled at the sudden increase in tension, Kane included and I took that opportunity to move towards the closest man and stab him in the face with the iron tip of the spear.
112 DMG
150 EXP
Realising I had upped the stakes, the warriors roared as they charged in and meters away I realized with joy, I was going to kill them all. I could consider them to have broken my first rule.
Throwing my spear at another man advancing towards Kane, it penetrated through his leather chestplate as I drew my club from my inventory.
98 DMG
160 EXP
The movement on the battlefield grew to a still as I released my Gravity Cloak and my body was unencumbered for the first time in weeks. I felt so so light as I took off a head of a warrior, his voice not given the chance to scream before the next man heard his ribs crack loudly in the air.
Ever so slowly, Kane turned towards me with shock in his face as I mowed through the advancing army and killed whoever I could touch. I had to apply Gravity Cloak on my body to increase my mass and gravity at times, but I could instantly remove it and reapply it as I liked. The mana cost was negligible at this point. I did have to constantly increase the mass of my club for each impact however, it wouldn't do to break it.
My hand closed about a mans neck and as I squeezed another two windows popped up which I ignored as I moved onto the next man.
In the space of ten seconds, the eight men closest to us died, battlefield standing still as I grinned, hands dripping blood as they eyed me with abject fear.
Kane looked at me with horror as he eyed the blood splatters on my arms, the club caked in old blood dripping yet more fresh and warm blood. "W-What" he stammered with his eyes wide and his face slack as he tried to process the sudden change in the air. I grinned at him carelessly and turned to the other soldiers.
"Lets continue" I grinned happily, tasting blood on my lips as their cute faces screwed up in terror.
They made no attempt to attack, their bodies stiff with fright and terror. Slowly, I began to walk to the nearest man who screamed "I surrender!" as he fell backwards in terror, body scrambling to push distance between us.
"But you tried to attack my commander!" I happily spoke as my club took his head.
180 DMG
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160 EXP
The three nearest me hoarsely screamed in desperation as they began to run, weapons dropped as they desperately tried to escape. But I grinned as I dug my feet into the ground, dirt shifting as my legs pushed me forwards to the nearest man where my fist impacted the center of his unprotected back. His leather armor bent under the blow as a dull crack sounded through the air, I suspected his spine snapped or broke, not sure which.
121 DMG
160 EXP
They tried to run, terror spreading rapidly through the army as they heard the telltale cracks of broken bones and the screams of men who didn't die instantly. The plan was going brilliantly I happily thought, my body moving to intercept another man who tried to run. I did make sure that they were not in pain for long, I'm not that much of a monster.
They quickly realized I killed those who tried to run, but staying still didn't exactly help either. When no one was running, I walked steadily at a slow pace towards them, taking my time. A few even tried to surrender, desperate to get out of this alive.
Their commander I left alive and broken. Literally.
He tried to faint with the pain, and for a second I thought he was going to die. But luckily for me his health stabilised about 8 after I finished working on him. As I walked away satisfied, his screams tore at the air.
250 EXP
You have leveled up to 22You have been given 5 stat points to distribute
Cool.
Finally looking back at Kane, I noticed with disgust his chest was heaving as he tried to spew, spew already on the ground with more about his mouth. It ruined the scenery about us.
We stood in the center of a masterpiece, bodies lying on the ground with the trodden grass and dirt painted red. Regretfully both Kane and Lily been hit with a few splatters of blood, but the picture and the scent in the air was delightful! I noticed with amusement some of the bodies looked untouched, despite being clearly dead. I snorted as I looked at the drastic contrast to the ones missing heads.
Honestly, I may have gone overboard with this, but its all part of the plan! I wonder how much Lily knows. Hopefully not enough, I can still persuade her to continue if I can drown out Kane's voice.
The commanders screams finally ran silent as we stood on the empty field, delightful scent of blood filling my nose as I took a deep sniff. I looked over at him curious on what happened, but was relieved to see that he had only fainted. Better for my image if they see his torment goes on.
All in all, this fight took approximately nine minutes, most of that being waiting for the commander to attack Lily and Kane.
I could see a few soldiers far from my painting still alive, but they hadn't been part of the attack. Briefly considering going after them regardless, I yelled out to them "What's the matter! Don't you want to attack these two?!"
They heard me, but they moved away with weak legs, faces tight with fear as they watched me nervously.
Kane moaned and tried to spew again, his body limp on the ground. I noted with mild worry that he looked rather pale, his eyes were closed and his breathing was shallow. Shouldn't he have better resistance than this? Isn't he a mercenary?
I stood there considering him for a few seconds when Lily spoke, her voice was muffled under the armor yet she still managed to sound scared. "I-I-Is it o-over?" she stuttered almost incomprehensibly.
This scene about me makes me quite happy. Grinning towards the armor I replied "Yes my princess, its over"
"C-C-Can you c-carry me b-back" she stuttered, she sounded absolutely terrified. I should have made her wear earplugs. Is the aura effecting her?
I grinned at the two, one unable to move in a suit of impenetrable armor, and the other bloodless and terrified as they lay unconscious on the ground.
I'm going to catch shit for this later, but at the moment I really couldn't care. I hadn't felt this great since.. Forever. The removal of the Gravity Cloak and the allout carnage. I shivered in ecstasy. Can't wait for the next battle.
"Sure" I finally replied, a warm smile on my lips. "I'll carry you back".
Looked like the bloodlust was indeed effecting them, but I feel absolutely great! I should first assign my new stat points before we move on, no better time than the present!
NameJonathan CliffTitlesGamer, PawnLevel22 [2%]Health839/839Stamina1083/1094Mana598/598Balance9,055 CoinsVIT67 (+7)STR89 (+10)END95 (+10)AGI45 (+5)DEX31 (+3)INT95 (-28)WIS88 (-26)LUK23
Skills
* Gamer lv.9 [8%]
* Cooking lv.24 [43%]
* Clubs lv.39 [54%]
* Shock Resistance lv.26 [32%]
* Reading lv.20 [71%]
* Storytelling lv.12 [54%]
* Meditation lv.79 [13%]
* Crafting
* Woodworking lv.1 [96%]
* Banker lv.9 [26%]
* Negotiation lv.6 [13%]
* Gravity Mastery lv.59 [77%]
* Formless Magic Mastery lv.32 [47%]
* Light Mastery lv.54 [62%]
* Mana Channelling lv.68 [29%]
* Torchlight lv.19 [72%]
* Gravity Cloak lv.62 [26%]
* Gravity Well lv.10 [32%]
* Lightball lv.6 [9%]
* Rift Creation lv.1 [0%]
* Light Beam lv.35 [5%]
* Throwing lv.1 [76%]
* Spears lv.2 [24%]
Huh, interesting. I'd gained a few levels in Clubs from that fight. Wonder how quests work.
Investing my points into AGI, I applied Gravity Cloaks to Lily and Kane and effortlessly floated them both into the air as I began pushing them home. A minute after we left the field, a window appeared.
Aura: Bloodlust is no longer in effect
The high I had been riding on instantly disappeared, and I started to feel some disgust for what had happened. Shockingly enough, I found it disturbingly easy to ignore those feelings and lock them away, instead remembering the fight detachedly.
I didn't find it so easy to ignore the heavy regret as I looked at Kane and Lily.
Kane had fainted, his face pale and his arms floating freely by his sides as I pushed him along. Lily herself was silent and I couldn't see her face. I didn't look forwards to talking with her, I knew she was scared out of her wits. I had dragged them both into this, and I deliberately misled them to believe it would be easy.
Smiling bitterly to myself, I pushed the two in front of me through the air. I had to adjust their positions occasionally, but they floated along fine with only the occasional nudge. I hated the lies I had been forced to tell.
We soon began to encounter people, most of them coming down from the hill where they had watched the battle. It seemed the majority of the spectators didn't have the stomach to stick around after that, choosing instead to return home. They recognised me of course, faces blanching white in fear as they moved far from me.
We attracted attention as we moved, two bodies floating in the air with my arms utterly soaked in dried blood with the rest of my body covered in a light splatter. A few people unknowing of what had conspired tried to approach me, curiosity in their eyes. Others in the crowd held them back and whispered in their ears after which they stayed away.
I was forced to keep a content face and half-smile on, acting my part to the fearful people who saw me. Eyes looking neither left nor right in response to their glances as they gave me wide berth. I am indifferent to their feelings and beyond their feelings, someone who revels in death.
We soon reached the town walls, large gatherings of people behind me with scarcely anyone to be seen in front or to the sides. Only the brave dared to travel with me at their backs, knowing I was looking at them as we walked. They didn't dare to attract my attention and yet, they all wanted to see what I would do and so they followed. It was only natural.
As we approached the town gates, the guards watched us curiously as they noted the large crowd behind me and the two bodies floating in the air. It was impossible to dismiss the blood bath I had taken.
A guard captain stationed in the group watching us spoke up as we drew near, addressing me.
"What's going on?"
I smiled at him good-naturedly "I won the battle"
"Ah, I mean what's with the body and armor floating?" he half-gestured.
"Ah right" I tilted my head with a half-smile. "I'm a mage"
His brow furrowed further "A mage?"
"A combat mage. I hope for more in the next battle" I happily spoke. Thinking thoughts of carnage and blood, I forced the skill to come into effect.
Aura: Bloodlust is now in effect
Everyone near me staggered, Lily moaned from the armor as the men yelled in terror and women screamed. The few children that hadn't fainted began to whimper as the guards recoiled in shock before recovering as they pointed their weapons towards me.
"My bad" I sing-songed as I forcibly calmed myself down.
Aura: Bloodlust is no longer effect
The guard captain swore as the guards surrounded me. His face was openly hostile as he glared at me with anger, the crowd screaming as they tried to escape. I noted with interest quite a few women had fainted, even less children remained conscious.
"The hell was that!" the captain yelled angrily, his long sword pointed towards my throat with fierce intensity as his men pointed their own weapons at me. A few of them looked positively sick, maybe Kane's reaction was normal after all.
"Sorry, I got excited for a second there" I cheerfully smiled. Half a second later I asked eagerly "Do you want to fight?"
His face scowled heavily at me with anger ignited in his eyes, then to my relief a man approached from the few that remained scattered about us.
Yain lv.7 Sanid Guard Swordsman
Despite my words, I didn't actually want to pick a fight with them. Posturing and spreading word of my attitude was my goal. Watching Yain as he approached the captain, I heard his words as he spoke quietly.
"Sir, he fought Ruan's army alone. Killed half the army in less than a minute"
The captain reacted, but Yain continued as I happily watched "His movements were inhuman as he fought, his hands crushed bone. Before he started fighting, he deliberately moved into an arrow and took it in the neck. It barely scratched him"
The captain looked at me with something akin to shock and maybe the beginnings of fear in his eyes as Yain quickly moved backwards, retreating to a safe distance as he extracted himself from the situation.
"Can we fight?" I asked the captain with a slow smile as I slowly took out the club from my inventory.
What remained of the crowd dispersed, yells and screams as they scrambled away. I ignored them however, watching the captains face as he changed expressions. His eyes caught the fresh blood on the club and widened as I smiled carelessly at him.
"I've kept to your laws" I smiled, "I believe challenges are allowed? Will you accept?".
"N-No" he finally swallowed as his eyes followed my club. "That's fine".
He quickly stepped away as I showed a regretful expression and placed my club away, the other guards moved with him with small sighs of relief as the tension loosened. I knew what they were thinking, what I made them think. I wanted to fight them, to kill them.
As we moved through the gates, I noted with humor the brave souls that had stayed to watch our small scene, others that had remained with their carts. A few of them still even seemed to think the floating bodies were the main show and almost ignored me as I pushed Kane and Lily through the air.
As we moved back towards our inn, we attracted another large crowd who largely seemed to be unaware of the situation. A few even dared to approach me, their fellow gawkers doing nothing to prevent their decision.
"How do you do that?" a man gestured towards Lily, I ignored him and stepped past. He tried to ask more questions, I ignored him. This happened more than a few times, the people varying and the questions changing.
One man even asked if I was interested in doing a private show, paid of course. I gave him the same silent treatment as I gave everyone else, ignoring him as I pushed the bodies.
Occasionally I was forced to wait for people to disperse before I could move forwards, but when a man stubbornly stood in my path and refused to move. I looked at him bleakly "Move".
A minute later, his leg was broken and we continued towards the inn.
The innkeeper to his credit despite gawking still helped move Lily and Kane towards the courtyard where he handed me a bucket, I told him to move inside the inn and to keep everyone else out. Threw him a few gold coins to help his decision.
Operating the pump, I declined to think about why they had water as I used the bucket to rinse off what blood had splattered on Lily's armor. She made no sounds inside the armor as I did so, and after finishing with her I used more water to clean up Kane's mouth and the few splatters of blood on his clothes. Rinsing off what I could on my own body, I finally removed Lily's armor and helped her out of the iron prison.
She looked utterly drained and tired, her face pale and legs shaking. She refused to meet my eyes and with my help moved to her room where she collapsed into her bed. After depositing Kane on his own bed, I moved the armor into the corner of the room before nodding satisfied.
Quickly changing into new clothes, I went back out into the city. A crowd still remained outside the inn, but they gave me wide berth as I moved and I quickly lost them in the crowd.
I should talk to Oliver now and see what will happen now that we've won our first battle.
I felt regretful about the situation Kane and Lily found themselves in, but I'm given no other choice.