As I entered the protection zone, exhaustion consumed every fibre of my being. My body craved rest, and I couldn't ignore the call any longer. I dropped the backpacks containing my belongings, relieving myself of their weight. Urgently, I attended to my basic needs, finding relief in the release of bodily functions and using whatever materials I had at hand for cleanliness.
With a weary body and a mind burdened by recent events, I stumbled into my tent, seeking solace in its confines. I collapsed onto the floor of the tent, surrendering myself to the embrace of slumber. Despite the early morning hour, I knew my sleep cycle would likely be disrupted, with waking hours reserved for the night. But in that moment, I didn't care. The overwhelming comfort of my skill 'Detect Danger' enveloped me like a warm hug, providing a sense of security and ease. It was a soothing balm for my weary soul.
In the embrace of sleep, I found respite from the trials and tribulations of the past hours. The weight of grief, guilt, and anxiety momentarily lifted as I drifted into a deep and dreamless sleep. Time slipped away, and the sun gave way to the moon, guiding my restless slumber.
In that tranquil realm of dreams, I sought solace, healing, and renewed strength to face the challenges that awaited me in the waking world. I knew that when I awoke, I would carry the weight of my experiences, but for now, sleep granted me a temporary reprieve from the harsh reality of my circumstances.
…
As I stirred from my slumber, my consciousness slowly returned, accompanied by a sharp pain coursing through my left arm. I had neglected the wound sustained during the fight with the goblin, and now its presence demanded my attention. Gritting my teeth, I braced myself for the discomfort that awaited me.
Cautiously, I made my way to the backpacks I had brought with me, carefully emptying their contents onto the floor of the tent. The moon cast a faint glow through the fabric, providing me with enough light to see. With a meticulous approach, I organized the items, arranging them in a manner that would allow for easy access and efficient use.
Amidst the dimly lit space, I located the supplies necessary for tending to my wound. Extracting a clean cloth and a small bottle of antiseptic from the backpack, I prepared myself mentally for the stinging sensation that would accompany the cleaning process. Taking a deep breath, I poured the antiseptic onto the cloth and gently began to cleanse the wound, wincing as the liquid made contact with my tender flesh. Though the pain was uncomfortable, I knew it was a necessary step in preventing infection and promoting healing. Once this was done, I turned my attention to the goblins that I had recently defeated. Their levels, being significantly lower at 9 and 10, made me wonder how much essence they would grant me compared to the Boss Beast.
With a sense of anticipation, I accessed my system notifications:
For killing:
(1) Monster: Goblin [Level:9]
(1) Monster: Goblin [Level:10]
27 Essence
30 Essence
Upon some calculations, it became apparent that each goblin provided approximately 3 essence per level. This realization left me feeling somewhat disappointed, as the reward seemed disproportionally small compared to the difficulty of the monsters and the essence yield of the Boss Beast.
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Considering the hypothetical scenario of defeating a level 22 goblin, it would only grant around 66 essence. The significant difference in essence rewards between boss monsters and regular creatures was quite striking.
While I couldn't be certain of the exact mechanics behind essence distribution, it seemed that the essence value assigned to each creature was influenced by factors such as their rarity, difficulty, and significance potentially. Boss monsters, being formidable foes, typically held greater importance and would probably reward people larger amounts of essence.
Reflecting on this information, I recognized that the essence system likely aimed to provide a sense of progression and accomplishment for overcoming challenging adversaries. Although defeating regular monsters like goblins yielded comparatively smaller essence rewards, it was essential to consider the cumulative essence gained through multiple victories.
After reflecting on how I had obtained essence thus far, another thought crossed my mind. How would non-fighters be able to gain essence? As of now, it seemed that the only method of acquiring essence was through killing, but I couldn't help but doubt that this was the sole means. If that were the case, the world would descend into chaos, and the idea of "unprecedented unity" mentioned in the initial screen would be far-fetched. There had to be other ways for non-fighters to accumulate essence, allowing them to contribute to society in their own unique manner. I wondered if there were quests, achievements, or tasks that promoted cooperation, exploration, or the development of non-combat skills, offering opportunities for non-fighters to earn essence and unlock new abilities. It was a question that lingered, hinting at a broader new way of living life that extended beyond mere combat.
As I contemplated the growing strength of individuals, it became clear that combat would play a crucial role. With enough power, individuals would be able to take on multiple opponents, becoming formidable forces in their own right. This realization left me pondering the potential consequences for society.
In a world where individuals possess such immense strength, the dynamics of power would undoubtedly undergo a significant shift. Traditional notions of authority and control may crumble as those with extraordinary abilities rise to prominence. The balance of power would be redefined, and new hierarchies could emerge, cantered around individual prowess and combat skills.
I couldn't help but wonder how society would adapt to this new reality. Would conflicts and rivalries escalate as individuals sought to assert their dominance? Could we witness a rise in duels, skirmishes, or even full-blown battles as these powerful individuals vie for control and influence?
Yet, even in a world where strength reigns supreme, the importance of unity and cooperation should not be underestimated. While individuals may possess incredible power, there will always be challenges that require collective effort. Some threats may be too significant for any single individual to handle alone, necessitating alliances and groups to tackle them.
Society's response to this shift would depend on various factors. The values and norms that prevail, as well as the stability of the world, would shape how individuals as powers unto themselves are integrated into the social fabric.
As I reflected on the implications of individual strength in society, I couldn't help but acknowledge my own tendency to overlook crucial variables. It seemed that in my musings and contemplations, there was always something I failed to consider, much like the sword I had thrown at the goblin.
It was a stark reminder that even the most well-thought-out plans could be undermined by unforeseen circumstances. In the heat of the moment, it was easy to overlook crucial details or make assumptions that proved to be false. This tendency of mine had often led to unexpected consequences and complications.
It served as a humbling lesson, reminding me to be more thorough and meticulous in my thinking. I needed to weigh all the factors, consider the potential outcomes, and account for any variables that could affect the situation. Blind spots and oversights could prove costly, as I had experienced first-hand.
The world I found myself in was full of uncertainties and dangers. It demanded a keen and attentive mind, one that could anticipate and adapt to the ever-changing circumstances. While I couldn't predict every possible outcome, I could strive to be more cautious and comprehensive in my analysis, minimizing the chances of overlooking critical elements.
I made a mental note to be more mindful of my tendency to get carried away in thought and to ensure I thoroughly considered all the variables in any given situation. It was a lesson learned through the sharp reminder of the sword that had come back to haunt me. As I became aware of my thought process, an idea struck me with a force I had never experienced before.