“Sammuel, do you know what day it is?” Marie tugged on Sammuel’s back. She jumped up and tried to bring him down.
“Marie, stop fooling around. You’re troubling him.” Fian ran off and tried to pry Marie off Sammuel.
Sammuel knew the answer to this question but he played along with Marie. Looking over her change from a dull girl into a cheery one brought a smile to his face.
“I don’t know. What day is it?”
“It’s your month-long anniversary since you got here. Tadah!” Marie took a small box and gave it to Sammuel. He slowly opened it and was genuinely surprised. This wasn’t what he expected at all.
It was a set of grey clothes. The fabric was relatively decent and could pass off as something a nouveau riche would wear. The outer part consisted of flowing patterns of air moving through a valley. The innerwear had a contrasting pattern of water flowing down a river. Overall, it was a whole lot better than what he was currently wearing.
Who knew something so simple could make a man so happy?
“Did you make it?” Sammuel turned his head to Marie.
“What do you think?” Fian’s words didn’t seem to have been an answer to her question, rather it was something that related to this article of clothing.
Marie looked in between the two adults. “I did everything!”
“It’s high quality, better than anything I’ve seen so far.”
“It’s so high quality that no one else could fix it.” Marie puffed out her chest full of pride. Despite only contributing by getting the materials her mother needed, the sense of accomplishment didn’t diminish.
Immediately changing his clothes, Sammuel understood what it meant for it to breathe. His movements didn’t feel impeded at all as he could fully rotate his limbs without any restrictions. Such a welcome change was something Sammuel wouldn’t hesitate to accept.
“Thanks. So what’s the catch?” Sammuel kept up appearances but within his heart, he was genuinely touched.
“Keep protecting the library for the rest of your life. It’s only fair.” Marie said.
“Hahahaha, that seems fair. You should go out to meet your friends now. I bet they’re dying to play with you.”
She ran off as fast as she could when she heard this. Sounds of Marie’s name came from outside as she greeted them.
“It’s been a month. Things changed so much in such a short amount of time.” Fian shook her head. Things had been looking up ever since Sammuel came to their doorstep.
“I guess it has…”
Fian sighed, she needed to talk to Sammuel. Make no mistake, everything has been going well for the time being. It’s just that…
“Things aren’t going to stay the same. We’ve made a lot of money from the underground arena and I could tell you’ve been improving my leaps and bounds. I have enough to comfortably live in a better area and you…”
“It’s time for me to get stronger. I’ve reached my current limit.”
[Name: Sammuel Arthus
Ego: Base
Card Quality: Colorless
Star Quality: 1 | 10/10 | 0/100%
Affinity Level: 0.75%
Combat Power: 9.63]
[Assimilation Requirements:
Evolution Condition: Using [Ego: Base], kill 10 creatures with a Combat Power of 10 or higher | Reward: Colorless to Bronze and Level Reset]
He had been keeping his head down this entire time. The current situation in the city was getting more and more perilous as the Hatchling finally made its way inside the city of Aganth. No one knew who the Hatchling was but it served to spike the greed of those who knew no fear.
It had been an entire week since Sammuel started having to deal with actual intruders. This place was no longer safe. Sammuel was no longer strong enough to keep them safe.
“I could… pull some strings and vouch for you. I believe you’ll have an easier time finding a group to party up with. The Merchant Faction will definitely appreciate your keen perception.” It took a lot out of Fian to say such a thing.
Sammuel saw how conflicted Fian was. Her past was her past for a reason. There was no reason to force her hand.
“I’ll be fine. I was planning on joining a caravan and leaving this place into somewhere less stressful. I’m thinking of the Kingdom of Delion. Your thoughts?”
“That sounds about right. It’s a safer place to be in since they are under the protection of the Salvo Empire. Anything dangerous would’ve already been wiped out.”
Both of them had a mutual understanding of the future. The only problem now was to tell Marie.
“Marie’s my daughter, I’ll tell her. You can leave now.” Fian wanted to give Sammuel more but she knew that she wouldn’t be able to. This was a mere fleeting interaction that would only hold positive memories between them.
“I’ve never been good with kids. Take care.”
Sammuel placed his sword inside an actual sword sheath and left the library. He had managed to get his footing down in this world, all that was left now was to push through. He had a considerable wealth of 23 gold coins in his possession. His skills have been honed to a greater degree and it was time for him to make a breakthrough.
Leaving the city, Sammuel focused on finally focused on killing terrifying creatures.
[Flowing Swordsmanship | Gain Combat Power: 12.43 | Sammuel: 22.06]
For the [Evolution Condition] of [Ego: Base], it required him to use this exact [Ego] to fulfill the requirements. As such, it might be a little weaker than [Ego: Mineral-Clawed Ferron] but it was important. Even then, the vast power difference between them was far too much to even be of noticed.
Such an overwhelming power difference made it really easy for Sammuel to clean up all the creatures before him. He had changed his tactic. He only went after creatures that had a Combat Power of 10 and above or creatures that had a Bronze Card Quality.
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Exploring the nearby lands, it was clear that it was difficult to see monsters that there were far too weak to fulfill his requirements. As such, Sammuel had no other choice but to venture deeper.
Creatures slowly grew in power.
[Combat Power: 4.74]
[Combat Power: 7.99]
[Combat Power: 15.32]
A drastic increase to a Combat Power of 15.32 came from another creature. It was a Runic Bear. Sammuel focused his attention towards it.
[Species: Runic Bear
Card Quality: Bronze
Star Quality: 1 | 2/10 | 12.18/100%
Affinity Level: 4.3%
Combat Power: 15.32]
Sammuel’s eyes expressed pure shock. These stats were completely insane. It was only level 2 yet it already had such an oppressive Combat Power of 15.32. This was what Sammuel could call a higher tiered lifeform. He gripped his hand tightly, waiting for his opportunity to strike.
But then again…
Sammuel backed off, there was a better way to do this. Looking at his current conditions, there was something that he had been wanting to find after such a long time.
[Assimilation Requirements:
Evolution Condition: Using [Ego: Base], kill 10 creatures with a Combat Power of 10 or higher (4/10) | Reward: Colorless to Bronze and Level Reset]
Condition: Reach Base Card Quality Bronze | Reward: First Kill
First Kill: The first time a creature from a species would be killed it would guarantee its Card Drop.
Condition: Slay a creature with 20 Combat Power or higher | Reward: Increased Card Drop Rate
Condition: Gain 5 Bronze Ego | Reward: Ego Delegation]
It was finally time for Sammuel to become a worthy person. He had found the reason just why [Ego] had the right to be equal to Elias’ [Absolute Talent] and Sadin’s [Perfect Affinity]. He could keep getting stronger and stronger as there were others to steal from.
If he unlocked [First Kill], Sammuel would undoubtedly have such an easier time going about the world. He only needed to kill six more creatures and then slay this one to gain an unprecedented power-up.
And Sammuel exactly did that.
Observing a giant insect from the distance, Sammuel patiently waited for it to come closer to him before using [Flowing Swordsmanship] and decapitating it in one hit.
[Evolution Condition Cleared: Using [Ego: Base], kill 10 creatures with a Combat Power of 10 or higher | Reward: Colorless to Bronze and Level Reset]
Condition Cleared: Reach Base Card Quality Bronze | Reward: First Kill]
Sammuel then checked his current stats.
[Name: Sammuel Arthus
Ego: Base
Card Quality: Bronze
Star Quality: 1 | 1/10 | 0/100%
Affinity Level: 1.54%
Combat Power: 1.43]
This was a genuine surprise. His Combat Power was initially a worthless sub-1 value but now he had a base Combat Power of 1.43, a drastic improvement.
He wanted nothing more than to test his newfound strength yet first things first. He could slowly level up his [Ego: Base] so that he could efficiently kill the Runic Bear but that came with a problem that Sammuel hated. This was an opportunity that he might regret if he missed.
Choosing to not be greedy, Sammuel decided to kill the Runic Bear right here and now.
[Switch Ego: Mineral-Clawed Ferron]
[Name: Sammuel Arthus
Ego: Mineral-Clawed Ferron
Card Quality: Colorless
Star Quality: 1 | 10/10 | 0/100%
Affinity Level: 0.12%
Combat Power: 11.48]
[Flowing Swordsmanship | Gain Combat Power: 10.13 | Sammuel: 21.61]
When using an [Ego] that had terrible synergy with a [Skill], the resulting gain would be lowered. It was just something that Sammuel had to deal with.
With his blade steady, Sammuel finally faced the Runic Bear.
It had glowing marks all over its fur. Even its eyes had a mellow blue glow to them. Its bare green fur and freakishly long limbs made it quite a terrifying sight. Seeing Sammuel encroach upon its territory, the Runic Bear charged forward mindlessly.
Sammuel stood still, he knew that there was no need to fear the foe before him. In a direct confrontation, the Runic Bear would have a slightly better chance of achieving victory. But a direct confrontation wasn’t what Sammuel wanted. He desired a battle where he wouldn’t be harmed in the slightest.
The Runic Bear raised its absurdly long limbs and slammed it down in Sammuel’s direction. Jumping up, Sammuel could see spider-like cracks appear on the ground before him. Even some of the trees were uprooted from the battle.
“A chance.”
Its arms were stretched out so Sammuel took this opportunity to sever them from the Runic Bear’s body. With two quick slashes, the fur growing on its limbs wasn’t enough to protect them. Two of the Runic Bear’s arms were torn apart.
Crying out in pain, the Runic Bear instinctively ran away.
[Status: Dismembered | Permanently Lose Combat Power: -9.33 | Runic Bear: 5.99]
[Status: Bleeding | Lose Combat Power: 0.04/s | 5.95]
After such an interaction, Sammuel made it tremble before him. He didn’t immediately go after the Runic Bear as he had thought of a better idea.
[Switch Ego: Base]
His Combat Power might’ve gone down considerably but it was still more than double what the Runic Bear currently had. With his capability, the Runic Bear stood no chance. Decapitating the Runic Bear, he activated everything.
[First Kill | Gained Ego: Runic Bear | Cooldown: 6 Days 23 Hours 57 Seconds]
[Earned 20% EXP | Star Quality EXP: 20/100%]
Sammuel finished it off. He could feel so many things change before him. He had struggled for two entire months in such a new world yet for the first time he felt as if he could do it. It took him a while to understand the world yet his patience had finally paid off.
“I did it. I’m finally getting one step closer to those two.” Sammuel was satisfied, he entered Aganth once again yet he didn’t return to the library. He had opted to stay inside an inn.
~~~
Within the Salvo Empire, Elias was currently speaking to a high priest. His current status was nothing short of grand. Everything he desired would be immediately given to him. There was even a time when his gaze lingered on a nearby servant for a little longer than normal.
When he returned to his chambers, the servant was patiently waiting there, wearing revealing clothing. Elias sighed and sent her away, such hospitality was the exact opposite treatment he had expected.
Looking at his status, Elias felt that the world was a little odd.
[Combat Power: 532]
He clearly understood that he had been growing quite fast yet he didn’t have an accurate basis on how fast it was. Sleeping it off, he continued gathering his thoughts on the current state of the entire world.
“Everything’s much more complicated than I would’ve hoped for.” Elias looked on, staring at one particular person’s direction.”
~~~
In the direct opposite area of the Salvo Kingdom, had a very festive mood. Celebrations were everywhere as Sadin laughed, raising his cup in the middle of the banquet. The nearby soldiers similarly raised their liquor, toasting to an expedition well done.
Grabbing a nearby girl’s waist, Sadin brought her closer in. He drank his cup in one gulp and grabbed another beauty from the side. Taking these two on his shoulders, he went back to his tent. He left the tent the following day with the two women unable to walk.
Sadin enjoyed his current life filled with action, in more ways than one. Looking at how well he has done, he felt that this was the world he was meant to live in.
[Combat Power: 387]
“Hey Sadin, one of the recruits said you’ve been slacking!” A soldier pushed another soldier playfully. The camaraderie between everyone raised morale.
[Igneous Wrath | Gain Combat Power: 395 | Sadin: 782]
Sadin’s entire body had turned into molten rock. His very existence seemed to have scorched everything around him. Even the air itself was depriving itself of moisture. Throwing a small fireball down, the new recruit had his hair burn down to ashes.
Everyone started laughing at the new bald recruit as he put his head underneath a nearby river. He didn’t sustain any injuries at all except for the one that hit his pride. Sadin’s control over fire was perfect.
Sadin deactivated [Igneous Wrath] and stared at his hand. “This mana stuff really does make a lot of stuff possible.”