Chapter 29: Confusion Come's
[You have found your Life’s line Nothing acknowledges your lines Inexistence and {Oath}]
'What Is “Nothing” and why does it acknowledge my line?' Question, questions, and more questions, ever since he fell from the sky.
It's about time I get some answers.
I’m putting my life on the line for a girl I’ve known for less than a day. Goes to show that I don’t know her. But for him, I’d be putting my life on the line for someone I’ve been waiting for my entire life.
How many years and starting now I start considering myself a “dedicated” classer. What else would you call this, this blind devotion? And If I’m not dedicated what am I I'm not blind, I’m mute.’ This is my choice, a choice that I’ll live with or die with if it comes to that. There’s nowhere to run when you’ve reached the finish line.
‘What a line it is.' Lowering myself to Class up next to the girl, was not my brightest idea seeing as she’d frozen half of the room.
“No, you don’t, get your ass up and go sit back behind the counter." A better idea is given on Glothmin's behalf, "Kitty don't eat him. If anything happens to the girl "Out" the door she goes! Now get to it Bane before I lose my patience. Kitty windows please.” Glothmin had given orders again to an unseen accomplice.
It was about time I connected the dots, but this world had its fill of mysterious and ongoing events to pin whoever this “Kitty” in question is down. Kitty could be anyone, anywhere and I’m broadening my perspective when I think “anything.”
On each side of the shop, some windows didn't appear on the outside. I could see that the shop was covered in snow. So there was no way we had ourselves an onlooker.
Glothmin’s squint served as another reminder that I was wasting time.
“They’ll manage, and the girls holding up just fine, a couple of cold feet is all. Now get to it, Bane” For a minute he seemed like the Glothmin I had once known. The Glothmin that had his ear on Fallohar's pulse. A constant effort reminding myself that “this was Glothmin”, I had just seen another side of him, the conniving salesman.
I glanced across the shop regaining its previous warm potentially boiling temperature before the wave of cold hit.
I sped another glance toward Adena lying on the floor beneath me, easing onto my knees to recall the distant feeling of drifting off. Letting the forest fog cloud my mind-
“Before you do that, entertain me. What's the biggest secret involving your "rejuvenation" as you would put it? Don't go skipping out on me.” He was either greedy or persistent possibly neither or messily both.
Standing back up I looked at Adena back across the room. He had fulfilled his part of the deal. It was time to talk, but what could I say? what should I say?
“I don’t know how” I stopped mid-move, thinking hesitantly about what to sign next while Glothmin kept squinting at me in anticipation with his head resting on the register. “Yes, keep going, I'm listening.” He smiled letting silence claim the room.
Silence was another weapon he didn’t have to use against me, I was already crunched for time, racked with reminders and risks.
“I don’t have any secrets,” I replied.
“All lies, why are you protecting that girl when you don’t even have a lingering attachment to her?” If the attachment was lingering maybe I would have abandoned her by now.
“She’s important to me.” I stopped myself from looking down at the thread.
“Why is she? Is it the Mate?” He smiled even harder showing a couple of yellow crooked fangs.
“I do not have a Mate, stop saying that!” I signed in protest only for his eyes to open in overly exaggerated shock.
“So, it's true! You were never a virgin, to begin with so what’s brought on this change? You're practically in Heat. I can smell it from here. Pheromones galore! Don’t tell me that you a "Kin" are blind to your customs. HAHAHA, this is just too much!”
Denial, after all these years.
Odesta had brought this up, but how could she notice before me? I don't know much about my people, but that wasn't my fault.
“Okay, Clivent you poor unfortunate soul, I'll bite. Where do I start? Kin, the smallest of margins. The unrequited who have found their so-called "Bond, "Wait, is it the other way around?" How does a register hold a head so heavy?
"It starts with love, this love is more than likely unrequited. And unrequited love drives one mad. This is a crumb to the crumbling cookie. It is a sight if I do say so myself. Beast kin might fail to notice the change or simply ignore it. Who wouldn’t want a life partner? The downsides of the Bond also have its share of harsh drawbacks Beast kin nowadays consider it reckless. You become irritable, why wouldn't you with a connection that amplifies? If I remember correctly "Love is a drug," is the proper saying. There are times when a mate accuses the bond of infidelity or betrayal. Often problems stem from blatant insecurity, insecurity leads to tragedy. This is when a Kin distances themselves from the unwilling or willing recipient before courting. It's walking a fine line of love and madness. Bystanders have no problem shunning the Bonded before they become an unwilling piece of the tragedy."
"None of what you just said makes sense." Why can't anyone in this city explain something without losing track of thought or going on a tangent?
"The azure pot, calling the kettle black. It's quite hard to seduce you. I noticed when you first walked in but it’s still fun trying. Wolfmen only release the slightest amount of these pheromones during sex it's like sweat. Only much harder to wipe off. Kidding, you can't wipe the scent off. I believe you're already mated my friend. How long did it take? What does it feel like?”
Why is he so happy about it and who the hell would I even mate with? He must be mistaken.
“So, who did you mate with Bane? It's not the Human “Adena” was it? The smell, similar to hers the slightest bit.”
I stood there stuck in time. "I smell no different from usual." There’s no possible way.
“So, who’s been sharing a bed with Clivent Bane?” Glothmin’s right eye gleamed red under his silver eyelash.
“No.” Escaped from my mouth at the thought of only one person in mind. 'Not a person, a "child".
"This can’t be happening!" Sniffing my arms, I couldn't smell anything but my scent there was nothing else to smell. That’s impossible. I would never! He may be quick-witted for a six-year-old but no, I would never!
“Ooooh that’s the face of someone in denial, care to answer. I can feel our contract breaking Clivent Bane.” His silver hair once gray fell on the register as he tapped his left hand on the emerald green counter mat. Adena lay behind him in the middle of the floor. A part of me hoped she didn't have any awareness of the conversation taking place.
[You have found your Life’s line Nothing acknowledges your lines Inexistence and {Oath}]
“Speak! And upheld our deal!” Glothmin wasted no time voicing his anger. We had an agreement, I had to uphold my part of the bargain.
His words were on repeat, a tingle across my ears as a shiver trails down my spine, exiting the tail.
Depthless brown eyes hide hints of evergreen. They look past me, through me. A memory so distant yet so close I start to question its validity. How could I be haunted by a child, a child seen less than twenty-four hours ago?
Dark blue fur stood on end as my tail coward in submission. Hundreds of years, hundreds of years since my tail abided by the laws of gravity why was it complying now? As if fighting a battle with some inner beast my tongue slides against my teeth, my teeth part with my thin lips, and against all odds, I hear something.
My gut twisted under brown and white linen as if I was breaking a code I didn't recall agreeing to abide by. When did I ever speak his name? I can't remember the why or the how but I hear it on the wind.
A whisper in my ear, as if a soft breeze would take form and strangle me.
“Nothing matters," his voice, there it was, there it went. Nothing playful or cute about a child speaking with such resolve.
A resolve that calms the mind, a resolve that tricks you into ignoring his voice, how squeaky and carefree he can be, a resolve that opens you up to a hidden vulnerability.
When the voice is gone it leaves you wanting to hear more, it doesn't have to be words now that you're on the hook. You'll never hear the voice again, the voice you can no longer recall. An unfamiliar voice, deep down you've heard somewhere before but you can't recall the where and when. You can’t PinPoint or place. The voice has already stolen the "moment" those moments for itself, so you think about who the voice belongs to. I've forgotten who the voice belongs to. When you can't recall a person's voice you try to recall their traits. A face, smell, hair anything of familiarity to help shape their image.
But images stolen are by time. It's been dreadfully long, however long it's been. Time makes you forget and I can't recall someone I've never met. But I could swear on my life that I've met you before maybe in another life.
If only I could get a clue as to the where in when, where was I when I first met you!? It drives me "crazy" that I can't remember! If only my mind knew what to do with the emptiness, the emptiness that comes over me when you are not near!
'I need it to be there! Where!? Where is it!?' So I scrounge around, in my head for any sign of it. That one person, place, or thing that'll stand out. It has to stand out, that's how I know that "That's" what I'm searching for!
So I search my memory no matter how long it takes.
There's some good, It gets overshadowed by all that's bad. And there's too much bad because I don't often find anything good.
It's not there, so I close my eyes and move my parched tongue.
What I'm looking for is right on the edge of my mind but I have nothing to compare it to, nothing to reference it from.
”I've got nothing.” I give up, a hassle getting this mind of mine to stay afloat. The ship is sinking! My ship sank because my only working crew member had jumped overboard.
I've given up so many times over the years. I'm hopeless, I don't have anything to live for. I thought that I'd one day run a ship, not a very tight one.
Turns out all I'm good for is a one-wolfman raft.
I'm a Raftsman with a line. Every day I fall into the deep end and fish myself back out using my line. It's a thin line, as you know hair thins over time. Those who live in the deep sea become the deep sea.
I look at my reflection in the deep blue sea and all I see is nothing.
I'm a nobody, with no place to go, and no place to call home, I'm hopeless. Life is hopeless and pointless, kind of like my line.
That is why I follow my line instead. I haven't caught anything yet but I'd rather stick to the line, Life is just too "unpredictable" for me to try anything else.
I know better than to trust life, it'll feed you, clothe you, and busy you. But there's no point, through it all, you end up naked on a raft, Nothing to your name but a line made out of the fur life peeled off of your bare skin.
Each day you throw out your line for as long as you can. The line weakens but that's okay, I don't expect life to give me any handouts.
I stare into the deep and I find Nothing. I've become my Line, and my line is a part of me. There is no meaning to this life.
I wish I would just die already. "There's nothing to see here!" I stare into the recesses of my mind where I measure the length of my line. In measuring my line I brush up against my last hope which is an old dog that needs to be put down like the last.
I see nothing in my future. I'm an old dog that needs to be put down. It's settled, 'I'll die.'
I ease myself into the deep, my mana pool used to serve a purpose. I remember that purpose, as it is being served out now.
Turning it all off at once, like I'm pulling back one big scab. I turn off my life support, the same mana that soothes every ache and pain.
My lips tingle from a pull coming from my very core.
“Adonin” I whispered with a care I couldn't control. It wasn’t my first time saying his name. It was the second time and it felt like it would be my last.
‘What's wrong with me?’ Why am I being…undone?
[You have found your Life’s line Nothing acknowledges your lines Inexistence and {Oath}]
“You seem disheveled and it's not because of the vegetable lying on the floor. So, who or what’s an Ado-neen? And there I was thinking you incapable of speech.” He talks too much. Why am I just noticing this? I wasn’t ready to say his name. I had already brought him up before this hadn’t I?
“I don’t smell anything”. I signed to Glothmin. "How can you even tell you're not a Beast Kin?”
“Youth, one-night stands, beasts of a Kin.” How old is the Dwarf? Trying and failing to distract myself from the topic at hand.
“Smell, taste, touch, they require a prolonged transaction to tell the difference. When it comes to you "Bane", is a smell that can only be described as a lone tree growing in the harsh winter, the last and first of a burned forest. The smell comes in waves. The closer I am to you the surer I am that it belongs to you. In your vicinity, it's thickest, and then it becomes lost.” He seemed so sure of himself.
“You see Clivent you’ve come around every so often fifty years now. I know your smell. I could spot that smell, walking around in a city full of Kin. Your nose could do the same to me so wouldn’t you think I'd notice a change? The smell of Clivent Bane comes in waves as do all smells to me. So, what’s new? You ask. If I was to describe it.”
He turned his head and took a whiff of me.
“That’s so odd even trying to spot it now my nose can’t catch or describe it almost like it's not there, but I know for sure it's there.”
Perplexed both of us. He described me so vividly.
“You see Clivent, it's a noticeable absence of your smell. I wouldn’t be able to spot the difference if I hadn’t known you or sat in this shop with you for hours on end. The smell of you Clivent Bane is intertwined with what I can only describe as an absence. If nothing had a smell that would be it. Besides your physical changes, and the change in attitude, I wouldn’t notice the change in smell but it's such a loud smell being amplified by the pheromone only a fool wouldn't notice the absence of what should be another. How can a Wolf’s stench be masked if not by magic? Your smell fades away instantly and comes back all in the same whiff. Telling me that there’s something I can't pick up just as there are colors I can't see. So, be honest and tell me who or what this Adoneen is. Pleases the tongue Adonin, Adonin, Adonin.”
“GRRRRR”, A haze, my teeth ache. I hated him for saying his name with such-. He deserves to die.
“Exhibit A! Look at you, almost foaming at the mouth, have some restraint. That was too easy Clivent you should learn to control yourself. You're no better than a wild animal, a bad Tame.” He laughed at my inability to control my own emotions.
“Well, that’s settled. So, who’s this lovely lady you've been sleeping with? Poor wolf It's already too late you can’t even undo what’s been done I doubt you would even want to. I mean look at you it's changing your mind and body. A complete overhaul if you ask me. Answer quickly so you can get back to Classing up.” His patience was waning just like mine.
“Her brother.” I signed in defeat and my eyes were watering. I'm pathetic. How could I do that to a child? I only slept in the same bed as him for a couple of days, nothing more. I didn’t want anything more. Right? He’s, my line. All I ever wanted was to find something to live for but not like this.
“Gods, Bane are you crying? The Bond is doing a number on you. Ha! so where’s the brother when I can meet him.” Licking his lips, he disgusted me fiending after what’s mine.
“GRRrr” There it was again unfiltered anger. Adonin didn’t belong to me. I knew this but I couldn't help it.
“Clivent how old are you, and so easily swayed by a Bond? Quite funny, fickle even, alright I’ll tone it down but truly where’s this man I’m sure he’s wondering where his sister is. He’ll probably drop dead seeing her state.” Glothmin perked up at the death of another when I couldn’t even imagine.
Almost whimpering, I caught myself in the act before it slipped out.
“Too easy, you're practically whipped. So, where’s the man in question? Don’t be ashamed, I'm not going to judge, no need to cry.” Glothmin was chuckling when it wasn’t funny at all.
I didn’t want to respond any further but breaking the contract was a no. Wait, the contract I didn't need to tell him everything.
“Adonin her brother, my biggest secret is that I've been waiting my whole life for him. My transformation is probably class-related. My body transformed into this when I met him. I’ve never had sex with her brother, and I don’t know if he’s the so-called mate or bond. I highly doubt it has much to do with him because he told me himself that he never learned Magic of any sort.” My hands were up in the air signing in defiance to Glotmins unsaid claims.
“That was no fun. Damn, it is class related, I can’t do much about that. Fuck, you got the better end of this deal. I’m not a romantic either, to think your biggest secret was love for another man. This was disappointing.” No, trouble voicing his disappointment.
Before he returned from walking in a circle talking to himself, I lay down on the oddly warm shop floor and called for the system. It was easy to ignore the damp floor and melting ice above.
First, I needed to look at my stats. I need power as well this time around. To protect. By any means.
[*BING!* YOU HAVE UNLOCKED NEW TITLES!]
[BING!* YOU HAVE MAXED SKILLS!]
Name: Clivent Bane
Race: Beast Kin (Wolf-Man)
Age: 179
Titles:
[Runt] - The Runt is the weakest and smallest of the litter. Rarely does a runt survive in the Village of Kaltamori rumored to bring family misfortune, often smothered by their mother at birth or Sacrificed during their seventh year of birth. 37% decrease in vitality, strength, and agility (Periodic 7% reduction if the user survives from infancy into adulthood.)]
[Survivor]-You will gain a 5% increase in vitality, strength, agility, and dexterity. Due to circumstances, this will be a rather difficult task. Surviving until adolescence will result in an 8% increase in vitality, strength, agility, and dexterity.]
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
[Outcast]- Due to your sickly appearance at birth, you have been recognized as the runt, a bringer of misfortune to the Kalmatori people. A rejection by the God Kalmotan has played a part in gaining this title, as is the rejection of his people you will be shunned in growth never to be a child of Mist. Appearance will change depending on the state of mind, bodily health, and environmental nurturing. Beware!!]
[Hunted]- The God Kalmotan rejects you in life and seeks your death. The remaining Wolf-men of the Mists shall see you as a defiler of faith. Beware!]
[Heretic]- Clivent Bane you are now capable of achieving Beastial evolution, a trait concealed and locked by the race's creator Kalmotan. Proper leveling and burgeoning health may lead to this rare trait of the beast people most often found in chieftains. Due to the title of heresy, the restrictions applied by God Kalmotan Wolf of Pride and Betrayal no longer apply to you. Beware!!!]
[Adventurer] - you have become an Adventurer after learning the ropes by completing five bounties. (Party up! Level up! gain bonuses)
[Student of Ilveen]- You have been taken under the wing of Priestess Ilveen. The first in a very long time.
[Elven Meditation] - Tier 1 - Take mana from the air with a breath improving your mana capabilities and control. -Tier 2 - Nature is a powerful source, root yourself into the land and become a conduit for the mana that lies beneath, understanding elven meditation grants 5% increases to all of the aspects of mana and vitality. (Accumulates by time practiced.) Hone the mind.
[Half-Alive] - Vital organs are missing yet the wolf still lives. Surviving on false mana organs, Natural remedies, and elven breathing techniques. -2% decrease in mana and vitality -2% decrease each year one goes without that vital.
[Mana Wielder] -You have learned how to use mana and have succeeded in unlocking a Mana realm. 10% Increase to aspects of Mana.
[A flicker in the mist] - A rarity for the wolf of the mist to be aligned to the light. You have survived the God Kalmotin's chase for a decade. May the hunt carry on. 10% boost to mana aspect, increased efficiency with growing the light attunement.
[Abandoned by the light] - Born a Wolf of the mist attuned to the light, you were unable to be loved by the spirits, for the forest of the mist is no place for the light. A rarity you sought few. 10% Loved by spirits, 20% feared by spirits, and 40% Feared by spirit eaters.
[There is no light without Darkness] - You have gained an affinity to darkness after so many years of living without the much-needed light, used to keep away the greatest misfortunes of one hated by Kalmotan. 60% Increased proficiency with darkness attunement. 120% Proficiency with light attunement.
[Chasing one's tail] - Nightmares, restless sleep, negative thoughts you cannot outrun the past, but you can try to overcome it. Maybe one day you will. 5% boost to intelligence, dexterity, and agility every year you survive the chase.
[Nosey Wolf] - You have saved countless lives indirectly and or directly by sticking your nose where it didn't belong. The system would like to congratulate you for your excellent decision-making. 10% bonus to the aspect of intelligence.
[Pushing the limit] - You can no longer support spells without losing the support of your vital mana organs, though this is the case your body has been exposed to mana constantly increasing your resistance to mana and spells. 5% increase (Accumulates by year)
[Reinforced]- You have adapted to being over-supplied with mana, which has resulted in the reinforcement of your body. Having survived a severe case of mana sickness, cracking your mana realm in the process, fortunately, you have been attuned to the element of light. 5% increase to all status aspects. (Accumulates by year)
[The Brink of extinction] - Now sharing little resemblance to the wolves of the mist, you are the sole surviving runt of the species. You are unable to receive any more mana attunements, or you may meet an early death. 100% Hatred of Kalmotan
[Recipe for a Curse] - The God Kalmotan is incapable of cursing you. Live on!!! %120 proficiency with the darkness attunement.
[Well Rounded] - You have seen elven fighting styles and turned away from violence, only to bare your teeth, fist, sword, and gauntlet as an adventure. %20 bonus to attack power, attacking or defending.
[Pick your poison] -You have been tortured using various poisons. Gain poison resistance. A most peculiar circumstance that you have survived. Though this tile is long overdue you may be granted poison resistance.
[Death is Bound] - You have created a variant of the skill [Death's call]. You are more in tune with the attunement of darkness. If only your mana realm hadn't reached its limit. Beware those playing with death, chances of death may increase.
[One of the Fast hands] - you have better than 20% efficiency when using your hands.
[*Bing!* You have been granted the Title [Dungeon Devotee] - You have cleared over thirty dungeons and survived with your life intact 5% experience bonus when inside or near a dungeon.
[*Bing!* You have been granted the Title - [Bountiful Day] - For every ten bounties completed in the adventures guild one random quest will be given.
[*Bing!* You have been granted the Title - [Citizen] - You have been granted citizenship and asylum in the city of Fallohar, congratulations the Sleeping Kingdom invites you!
[*Bing!* You have been granted the Title - [Hunter] - A Title long overdue you have found a friend among the Beast kin and are hunted in the way of the wolf.
[*Bing!* You have been granted the Title - [Dim or deceived] - You have been deceived by Two high-tier beings drawn to your unique Attunement of darkness. Taking advantage of your hidden attunement of light. 5% experience bonus when in the presence of the powerful.
[*Bing!* You have been granted the Title - [Silent System] - You have gone decades without looking at the system menu. The system does not question why Clivent Bane would avoid managing one's progression but chooses to reward nonetheless. Gain a 2% experience boost when ignoring the system'.]
[*Bing!* You have been granted the Title - [Growing Hatred] - Somehow as if witnessing a Miracle, you have been saved from the affliction of being born with the Title {Runt}. The system can no longer list some of the negative effects plaguing your body.
[*Bing!* You have been granted the Title- Bonded] - You have found your [Life’s Line] unrelated to this feat you have successfully imprinted on the one you call “Adonin '' You will live for Adonin and die for Adonin. You have chosen to connect your mind and body to Adonin’s waking and dying Breath. In turn, you shall be granted The Skill [Empathy]. You will be tethered to Adonin. Beware! SYSTEM ERROR!!!]
[*Bing New!* [Mana Empowerment] - You no longer suffer from a loss of organs, your attunements may be allowed to progress, and your realm full of excess mana will continue to be reinforced! Beware! (A 30% Increase in status aspects relating to strength, and vitality increases the more mana residing within the mana realm.)
[*Bing!* You have been granted the New Title- Born A New] [Pending..]- You have lived over a hundred years in a state of longing for both life and death. You have walked the line. Clivent Bane has recovered from the status effects and Titles [Disabled],[Castration], and [BlindFaith]. Clivent Bane has found his [Life’s Line] a task the system had concluded, improbable. A complete restoration and renewal of the body have allowed for the status effects of [Runt], [survivor], and [Heretic] to be annulled. Due to mental instability brought on by prior circumstances the Titles [Runt], [Survivor], and [Heretic] are now part of one's soul and will be allowed to continue rightful progression. If Clivent Bane accepts [Life’s Line] {Oath}, Title [Outcast] will be allowed to progress. Only when the {Oath} bestowed by [Life’s Line] Is accepted will the Title [Born a New] take effect in its entirety. Beware Unknown!!! SYSTEM ERROR!!!!!]
[*Bing!* You have been granted the New Title- Chosen][Pending..]- You have been Chosen by the Special Boy Loved By Nothing. He has seen you at your core and accepts you as you are. The special boy has chosen to bestow onto your life, he has let you keep your life, and he waits to see what becomes of your life because it is now his. He has never owned a Life or cared for one, not of his blood. He has promised to try his best. The special boy’s best knows no bounds. BEWARE Unknown !!!!SYSTEM ERROR!!!!!!]
[*Bing!* You have been granted the New Title- Gift] [Pending..]- Nothing leaves The Special Boy in your care nothing Acknowledges your meaningless existence the child Belongs to no one not even me for I am Nothing it is futile to claim what will one day surpass that is Nothing. Nothing awaits you, Clivent Bane. Adonin waits for you in Nothing, do not leave him waiting. &3W@RE!!!!!!!S*7TEM ERr0R!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]
[*Bing!* You have been granted the New Title- Acknowledged by Nothing] [Pending..}- You have lived a life of longing for Nothing. You have given away your life. To beg for Nothing’s embrace. Nothing acknowledges your [Life’s Line], Nothing sees your will to live for the Special Boy. The Special Boy has plans in store for you. Nothing will Aid you as long as you are in the Special Boy’s favor. Nothing has touched your thread. May you follow the Special Boy and Witness his entirety. Nothing is of the past, it becomes present.]
[*Bing!* You have been granted the New Title- Adonin’s Oath] [Pending..] - “Clivent Bane the Runt in name, wants nothing more than Adi, time is not on his side because no one can have me. The Runt has talked and laughed. He professes love when asked. The pain of life is nothing short of an endless task. No children will be offered, will love ever be returned? He will most likely die following a boy to his death with nothing gained and nothing earned. Clivent Bane, will you live for me, without expecting anything in return?” Give your entire life.{Accept (YES)(NO) BEW@RE U!K0WN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!SY$tEM ERR0R!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]
General Skills:
[Racial Trait: Beast Sense] {Close} - You are a part of the Kin. Though mute and forsaken by your race’s creator you are still Beast. You are granted enhanced senses such as a stronger sense of Taste, touch, smell, sight, and hearing. A wolfman is not a wolf without his natural sense.
[Racial Trait: Bond] {Close} - You have embraced a trait of the Kin frowned upon. No matter, you are already an [Outcast]. The (Bond) can’t be broken it intertwines two Kin within the body and Mind, a curse to many and a blessing to some. It is rumored to touch upon the soul if Empathy is allowed to progress. Beware!
[Racial Trait: Born A New] - SYSTEM ERROR!!!!! PENDING… NEW!!!!
Empathy - Lvl.1 New {Close} - The Bond between Clivent Bane and mate. Correction, Clivent Bane and Adonin are not mates. Clivent Bane has Bonded with Adonin without consent. Users will be in tune with Adonin’. Beware! May be harder to distinguish between a user's and a mate's emotions. Users may also undergo mood swings when failing to withstand the bond and be consumed. Beware!
Maul - Lvl.MAX {Close} - A dog has teeth to bite, a Wolf has teeth to hunt and you so happen to be akin to the Wolf. Maul here before she can take any more of your teeth.
Claw- Lvl.MAX{Close} - Attack using the claws as a weapon, claw the enemy to death, or claw at the stone that shows no sign of breaking.
Animal Instinct - Lvl.5 {Close} -Clivent Bane has momentarily lost his mind and been reduced to basic instinct. Hunger, despair, thirst, darkness with no sign of life, a wolf needs only the hunt and everything else shall follow.
Swordplay- Lvl.2 {Close} - Has practiced the sword. The sword is a weapon used to slash, maim, or behead but you seek to do no such thing, without the use of your claws.
Hand to Hand -Lvl MAX {Close} The User is accustomed to using gauntlets. You have no talent for the sword, during times of war you have been trained to use gauntlets instead, Though you are not a master you are quite efficient in hand-to-hand Combat.
Death’s Call - Lvl. MAX {Close} The user senses death when it is near. A unique skill falling short of a Blessing you are unable to meet your desired death.
Meditation - Lvl. MAX {Close} Used to calm the mind. Access one’s Mana Realm and speed the mana regeneration process. Also helpful in recovering stamina.
Mana Affinity - 1st Tier MAX {Close} You are capable of wielding Mana. Uncommon, ware the wielders of the arcane, unlikely are those to be trained. The Elven Priestess Ilveen Descendant of the White priestess has taken you under her wing.
Mana Realm - 2nd Tier MAX {Close} You have unlocked a Mana realm. You may strengthen your mana affinities and reach new heights. The realm of mana may vary significantly based on size, quality, and quantity being the amount of mana able to be reproduced. Your mana realm has reached the 2nd tier, Your mana realm is unable to progress therefore you possess a mana realm unable to be named accordingly.
Light Affinity - 2nd Tier MAX {Close} You are capable of using healing magics of the light attribute, element, and attunement. You can emit a healing light using your Mana Realm as a conduit.
Darkness Affinity - 2nd Tier MAX {Close} A most peculiar wolf will always have darkness to follow his light.
Mist Affinity- [Locked]
Water Resistance - Lvl.4 {Close} You have become better at resisting the element of water. You have survived water torture and have developed a resistance to induced drowning in the form of water.
Fear Resistance - 2nd Lvl.3 {Open}
Pain Resistance - 2nd Lvl.5 {Open}
Frost Resistance - 2nd Lvl.2 {Open}
Fire Resistance - 2nd Lvl.1 {Open}
Poison resistance - Lvl.2 {Open}
Earth Resistance- Lvl.3 {Close} You have become more adept at resisting the element of Earth.
Class 1: [Life Line’s Yearner] Lvl.72
[Life’s Line] Lvl.62 Max {Close} - A skill used to find Clivent Bane’s Line. Clivent Bane sees the Line as a thread. The thread is attached to his Life’s Line, something previously presumed by the system to be non-existent. Clivent Bane had once given up hope of finding this Line. [Life’s Line] has been Found! Clivent Bane Recognizes “Adonin” as his Line. The skill is automatically maxed; its purpose has been served. Clivent Bane has witnessed the true purpose of [Life’s Line] to find “Adonin” wherever he may be. Nothing has recognized Clivent Bane and his skill. The Meat and Bones of the Class Searcher of Life’s Line. The Line is a thread used to keep Clivent Bane alive; he will be bound to the one and only [Life’s line]. Used to curb and distract from suicidal thoughts. Other uses have not been found. Nothing matters more than Life’s Line. Scales with all aspects of the status menu.Syn.{Found}
[Hands of the Hearth] Lvl.100 Max {Close} - Clivent Bane has been taught healing magic by Ilveen the Ex-Priestess. The state of the user's mind has limited his teachings. Clivent Bane has poor Light Magic affinity; his weakened body has led to poor affinity. The user can only project healing magic through his hands. Due to his body's previous state, the user has failed to increase light magic affinity. Poor efficiency.
[Time’s Tail] Lvl.100 Max {Close} - A skill used to enhance the body's five senses to uncover the truth and or search for clues. Scales with all Aspects of status. Syn.
[Deep Breaths] Lvl. 100 Max {Close}- User Clivent Bane has been tortured and drowned often. once prone to panic attacks never a fear of drowning but the memory would say otherwise. The skill allows for easier breathing and better breath support. Syn.
[Restoring Wounds] Lvl.100 Max {Close} - Used to heal wounds, close cuts, realign bones, to restore wounds as the name says. The user is on the brink of death due to organ failure and mana exposure all brought on by the attempts to make up for organ loss. The skill has proven to be useful regarding those three problems as well as restoring Clivent Bane’s mental and physical wounds from deterioration. SYN
[Steel Stomach] Lvl.100 Max {Close}- A skill used to store food for longer periods and keep up with the User’s food consumption. A steel stomach breaks down the Cavern worms, Sasnoot, and Kempal all nutritional foods inedible to the average wolfman.
[Hidden Hands] Lvl.100 Max {Close} - Clivent Bane has given up general skill [Sign Language] to create skill [Hidden Hands] a skill used to make hand movements not just as a means of communication but as instruments to use as Clivent sees fit. Faster hand movements. More efficient mana use when using hands as a point of focus.
[Unused Skill Slot] x 1
Class 2: [Protector of Life] Lvl.99[MAX] (CLASS UP AVAILABLE!!!)
[Cold nerves] Lvl.100 Max {Close} - A skill branching from the general skill [Death’s Call], User Clivent Bane had decided to keep the general skill [Death’s Call]. [Cold Nerves] is used in battle to sense incoming danger, danger does not always result in death, Death can come by any means. Be on high alert by using the dice senses to warn of danger. SYN
[Leap of Faith] Lvl.100 Max {Close} - A skill used often to flee and or escape; it can be used to leap great bounds. Often in the direction of safety. SYN
[Mending the mind] Lvl.100 Max {Close} - A skill used to take the burden of time off of User Clivent Bane’s Mind. Healing Magic can only do so much when the User has such a wavering will to live. Represses memories, mends onset mana fissures in the brain, and lessens the burden of time on the mind.
[Mana Organs] Lvl.100 Max {Close} - A skill once used to substitute for Clivent Bane’s lost Penis, Testicle, Kidney, and Intestines. Clivent Bane has survived for over one hundred and seventy years, The luckiest of Kin can live to two hundred years of age. [Mana organs] does the job of keeping the dying Wolf man alive. Active at all times. Warning [Mana] is needed to keep the skill active.
[Protective Fur] Lvl.100 Max {Close} - A skill used to protect Clivent Bane from the forces of nature such as the cold. Clivent Bane’s Fur Coat hides his scars as much as possible aiding the skill [Facade]. SYN
[Facade] Lvl.100 Max {Close} - A skill used to hide one's weakness. Clivent Bane is a dying wolf he has been dying since the age of seven yet to find someone or something to replace his organs. Lower-tier Healing Magic can only do so much. To survive you must mask weakness. [Facade] does just that. SYN
[Unused Skill Slot] x 2
Class 3:[Locked]
Free Stats: (450)
[Strength: 1,452]
[Dexterity: 25,507]
[Vitality:25,014]
[Agility: 11,052]
[Intelligence: 7,607]
[Mana: 14,425]
[Mana Control: 12,635]
[Magic Power: 11,740]
[Mana Regeneration: 12,635]
I never thought I’d see the day when the Title {Runt} wasn’t reducing my stats. Didn’t care to see the day to be completely honest. No, I'm the runt and that’s okay.
Yes, I was accepting the {Oath}. There was no doubt in my mind. It wasn’t just the {bond} I’ve lived my whole life living for [Life’s Line] it was living for myself. My [Life’s Line] finally showed up. It was real! The skill had more than one use. Why would I not accept the oath Adonin made for me? I loved every part of it. I remembered when it was made even though he wanted me to forget. The only problem was the “Beware” part of these Titles, even a “system error” I'd never seen in my one hundred and eighty years. What does it mean to even be {Born a New}? These titles are most wary. What the hell is Nothing why did {Gift} Read like that, it wasn’t even a description it was a warning about what I was getting myself into.
Doesn’t matter, I'm accepting Adonin’s Oath. What will matter in the end? I choose to live for him in his words. The Bond may be playing a part, but it wouldn’t make the fact any less true. I slipped away looking forward to seeing my younger self. It had been a while over a hundred years -
Now to class up, What the hell does it mean to be [Born a New] it's stuck in my head. Will I give up being me? An attachment to Clivent Bane, Who would’ve thought?
I hoped Adena wouldn’t wake up or whoever took claim of her body. Two hours max until she wakes up probably less. Damn, I still have to distribute my free stat points. It shouldn't be that hard to do.
Four hundred and fifty points are split between agility and Intelligence. I'm fine with that. I'm not good with stat distribution, never have been, and probably never will be. My intelligence was lacking compared to my other stats so I thought it was a good idea. As for my agility, I couldn't come back from the loss that had put me and Adena in this situation. I want to be quicker even though a part of me was saying to put more stat points into magic.
If only there were more points to go around.
Free Stats: 0
[Strength: 1,177]
[Dexterity: 25,507]
[Vitality: 19,242]
[Agility: 12,530]
[Intelligence: 11,635]
[Mana: 14,425]
[Mana Control: 12,635]
[Magic Power: 11,740]
[Mana Regeneration: 12,635]
'I'm pathetic.' It was my fault for wallowing instead of leveling my second class past one hundred.
In this city, being higher level than one hundred was common ground for anyone who hadn't taken a citizen-related class. How else would a Beast kin survive the cold climate to get into the city in the first place? The climate and kingdom were unforgiving along with the monsters that came with them. Taking a breather more than anything I felt feeble.
I had met Adonin and just for a minute, I thought my life was turning around for the better but my inability to properly take care of myself over the years had reared its ugly tail. For so many years I had remained stagnant. And now, I was close to losing everything again!
What if Glothmin hadn't decided to help me? I would've been at his mercy. I was at his mercy. I am at his mercy. I'm always at someone else's mercy just like in the library, just like in the village.
Nothing's changed.
Distributing my stats, It was time. There was no undoing the mess I had made of my stats. I needed the power to protect what I had found, was that so wrong? How much longer could I stay a ghost hidden away in the outer city? A city that never waited for me.
The girl would one day want to leave and so would he. After all, he followed in her footsteps. He'd leave? Shallow thoughts pass, and I ponder if I should accept the oath before or after classing up. There was nothing to consider I was taking the Oath.
"(YES)", I thought trying to focus on the new Title "{Adonin's Oath}" alone. I opened my eyes behind the countertop, wasting more time by not classing up immediately.
I had tried accepting the {Oath} but nothing happened.
I didn't know how to feel. No, I knew exactly what I felt, empty. He didn’t want me. Closing my eyes, I drifted off. I would never be ready to class up. Have I reached the end of my life? I had found what I wanted to live for so why ask for more? What would happen when the parents came for the two? when Adonin finally met back up with his sister, they would go away? What were the odds that they'd take a weak wolfman along with them?
A minute there my facade had made me forget who I was at heart. How could a child know who I was? When I'd forgotten just for a moment.
I was so swept up in living a lie that I decided to turn off my system notifications. Who in their right mind would do such a thing? How much did I change after being rejuvenated?
So many questions and no answers. My class up was long overdue.