Ghouls, creatures of the night and caves. Known for attacking in hoards due to their innately weak nature. Their dead bodies littered my surroundings, and yet compared to the ones still chasing me, it would seem their numbers barely dwindled.
By this point I've leveled up around six times, and continued to place my points in agility. If they couldn't touch me, they couldn't kill me, and durability wise their bodies were as weak as normal humans so one good hit with a stone was enough to knock them unconscious. After they were down I'd do whatever I could to kill them, which basically meant pounding their heads in until they died.
"Grrah..!" They yelled as I ran through them, picking the weakest of the bunch and making quick work of him.
Without a weapon, this was the best I could do, but still this was better than I've ever done so I hardly cared. Though, if I had the chance to get a weapon I couldn't let it pass by. So the ghoul that held onto a shabby short sword became target number one.
'A sword? I have to take it no matter what.'
I threw my rock into the ghouls face, causing him to drop his weapon. Even I was surprised at the speed it flew, but it makes sense for agility to also affect my arms as well and not just my movement speed.
"I'll be taking this."
[Item] Nobles Rusty blue sword
Type: Short sword
Rank: D
Attack: 14
Durability: 82/120
A sword once used by a noble wanderer who sought to to be an adventurer. Despite this blades fancy name and blue hilt, it's no different than a steel short sword. If used well, it should prove a good weapon even if rusted.
'Other than the grime and rust it appears to be in pretty good condition. I wonder who was trampled on and killed by these guys, who once held this weapon? That's so sad, but I guess it doesn't matter now. I should just be grateful it made it's way to me.'
The sword was small, and somehow heavy. I swung it at the ghouls who were unfortunate enough to be right behind me, but I missed. I was slow and sluggish.
'This is the results of only leveling up my agility points, next I'll add strength.'
I thought as I held my guard up against the hoard. Between my blade and the countless monsters surrounding me there was a sense of tranquility. Maybe it was my skill keeping me calm, but even in the face of danger I felt happy. An eccentric smile crossed my face.
"Come!"
My new blade swung heavily even with my increased movement speed, because of this I was hit. A claw grazed across my left shoulder. I could feel the ghouls mood collectively increase at the positive outcome for them. I'm sure If they thought they no longer had to be wary of my speed they would begin to recklessly charge me. So I let them.
One after the other they charged me until I could barely make out how many there were, and when they got close enough to take me down I shifted my weight.
The blade swung fast and heavy this time, plowing through three of the ghouls at once.
[Notification]
You've leveled up! 3 stat points have been added to your level up screen
I immediately placed my points in strength, and continued on. My stamina has risen by 90 after placing 18 points into agility, I could keep going.
[Stat screen]
Name: Allan Rose
Type: ???
Level: 7/???
[Health] 100/100
[Stamina] 71/110
[Mana] 20/20
[Stat points]
Available points: 0
Vitality: 10 +
Strength: 13 +
Agility: 28 +
Intelligence: 10 +
Dexterity: 10 +
Faith: 10 +
Luck: 10 +
The blade noticeably became lighter and was easier to swing. Without too much thought I dashed into the crowd and began to cleave through bodies of flesh. Fighting with a rock compared to a sword was the difference between night and day. The speed at which I killed them was a million times faster. A never ending deep hoard soon began to look somewhat shallow.
'This is so easy. I can't believe the difference in strength from just leveling up a couple times. Am I even scared anymore?'
[Notification]
You've leveled up! 3 stat points have been added to your level up screen
[Notification]
You've leveled up! 3 stat points have been added to your level up screen
( Strength ) +1
( Strength ) +1
( Strength ) +1
( Strength ) +1
( Strength ) +1
( Strength ) +1
'At what point did I begin fighting to level up rather than protect myself..?' I thought as I dwindled the crowd.
Suddenly, the world seemed to spin around me in a blur, as though something had hit me with incredible force. My body flew with no control until it smacked against a tree, blowing the air out my lungs.
"Keukk..!"
For the first time in this battle I took significant damage, and coughed up an enormous amount of blood. "What the fuck was that?" I groaned as I tried to pick myself up against the tree.
I slowly opened my eyes and then shuttered at the sight before me. A ghoul three times the size of a normal one towered over me. It's body covered in scars and cuts. It's arms the size of logs, and it's teeth too large for its mouth.
'...A brute. Where did that thing come from?!'
Before I could even finish my thought I caught a glimpse of a piercing hand just inches from my face. The claws came together to form one strong piercing point.
The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.
I immediately dodged to the side, just barely able to evade its movements. "...Fast." I
Mumbled in shock.
They stood together for a moment which sent a chill down my spine. Even with fortified mind I could feel my legs begin to get weak with anxiety. 'I got too confident, I can't beat this alone. I should run. With my agility maybe I'll be able to escape-'
[Notification]
Fortified Mind strongly activated!
I took too long to make a decision, the ghouls made their move. I clashed with the smaller one, but the brute caught me off guard and landed another successful blow to my side.
"Ugh!"
We fell into a frenzy, and battled all across the woods. It was a desperate situation for me where I was having to defend against two enemies with different specialities that complimented each other. I would dodge one of them, and then the other would catch me. Or I'd have the perfect opportunity to land a lethal blow, but so would one of the others.
'If they were alone I could likely beat them, but this is too much. I can't afford to be hit again, my health is already below halfway. At this rate I'll die.. I have to think of something quick..!'
As I was glancing at my health I realized something. 'Wait a second...'
[Stat screen]
Name: Allan Rose
Type: ???
Level: 9/???
[Health] 42/100
[Stamina] 39/110
Level: 9/???
A memory of Aremi showing off his new skill came to me. He was really excited since he had just reached level 10.
"Kukku, as you guys know everyone unlocks their first skill at level 10, and I just so happened to reach just such a level today." He said in a annoyingly confident accent.
My hands trembled. "Aremi.. that's so cool!" I shouted with fire in my eyes playing into his farce. "Please bestow us with your greatness and show us your newfound power."
"Kukkukku..." Aremi turned away and placed his hand on his face. "Dare I?"
He asked as he glanced at me from behind his hand. Seeing the desperate look on my face he caved. "Well if you're so persistent I have no other choice..."
"Fire!" He yelled as he emitted flames from both his hands like an evil warlord.
My thoughts focused back on the battle. "That's right, if I get to level 10 I might have a chance. In that case..."
The brute swung his fist, and every time he did my heart skipped a beat, but I dodged and dashed at the speedy ghoul. He put his arms up to brace for my attack, but to his surprise I flew past him.
Six, that's how many of the normal ghouls there were cowardly waiting for me to succumb to their two strong friends. I despised them, but that's not why I killed them before they even knew what happened. I had to level up.
[Notification]
You've leveled up! 3 stat points have been added to your level up screen
[Notification]
Congratulations you have reached level 10, a skill will be rewarded due to your achievement. Skill is being created based on your persona.
[Notification]
You've unlocked a personal skill (Limit Breaker)
Limit breaker (lvl 1)
Description: Consume all of a persons accumulated experience in order to increase their maximum level potential by 10. The chosen person must have reached their maximum level. As long as a person reaches their maximum level they can be permanently buffed by this skill again.
Limit breaker grants the caster a random permanent buff based on the attribute of the receiver it was used on.
Cost: Receivers experience
Cooldown: 24 hours
[Notification]
Your previously unknown class has been discovered. You are a support type mage!
'This...'
[Notification]
Fortified Mind strongly activated!
By the time I was done glancing over all these notifications the ghouls were in the middle of an attack. I spent too much time reading, and was hit by both of them at the same time. At least three of my ribs cracked, and my head began to spin.
( Strength ) +1
( Strength ) +1
( Strength ) +1
With just a thought I quickly placed the rest of my points into strength so that I could be more poised, and it worked. Although I had only a quarter of a tank left of health, their attacks no longer send me flying about. Did it matter though, my mind was the most distraught.
[Notification]
Skill fortified mind (lvl1) cannot resist your mental distress and has been forcefully deactivated!Attempting to reactivate.
[Notification]
Reactivation of the skill fortified mind (lvl1) failed!
[Notification]
Reactivation of the skill fortified mind (lvl1) failed!
[Notification]
Reactivation of the skill fortified mind (lvl1) failed...
'This is so fucked, I risked everything on the chance I would get some sort of useful skill but what is this, limit breaker? It sounds cool but I can't even use it on myself. Even if I could it wouldn't help my current situation at all..!'
I thought as I stood there with my sword up, taking on the harsh attacks of the ghouls. Every time I blocked a hit, my stamina and health took a steep dip.
'Shit shit shit, I should've just ran earlier. No, the moment I got to level two I should've left. How did I let this go to my head... I had a second chance and I blew it__'
From behind the ghouls I noticed a man standing amongst the trees at the top of the hill. If I wasn't already guaranteed to die I might've reacted like earlier and ran for my life, but there he was. The same white hair knight from the house. There was no emotion in his face as he glanced upon me.
'Go ahead, watch. This is what you wanted anyways right? Well it's too bad, your deformed friends got to me first.'
I was angry, I was sad, and most of all disappointed in myself. In the end I would die after all, and I wanted to put these bad feelings somewhere.
So I placed it all on him. His icy blue eyes were like frozen pearls, and they just stared at me as if attempting to look into my soul. Then they glowed, and a visual burst of energy left his body.
I felt nothing, but the ghouls jumped away from him and put up their guard. They bared their teeth, and scowled at the brilliant white light.
"Grrra...!"
"Kaaaah!"
"Do not bare your fangs at me lessers. If it were my choice I'd let you have your way with this man, but he isn't yours to take."
The knight spoke the human language perfectly. His voice like that of a pouring rain, soothing and rhythmic.
I could no longer move my body, but because of that I was stuck on my feet. 'Who is this man, why is he -'
He walked to my side and stood there as a dominating presence. "Leave this place and do not come back. If you do I'll be forced to take your lives."
Im not sure they could comprehend his words by the way they frowned and screeched, but they certainly understood his might. There was no attempt to resist, and they fell back into the wilderness's shadows.
A moment passed in complete silence as he watched where they left for awhile. The entire time my heart was beating a thousand miles an hour.
'Should I say something? No what if I say the wrong thing and he decides to kill me. Wait, but then why would he go out of his way to save me. I don't understand anything.'
"...Excuse me -"
"Shut up." He said firmly without looking my way.
"I'm sorry.. I just - "
He then glared down on me with his frozen eyes. "I said shut up. Do not think you can speak to me, trash." He said before facing away once more.
'What... what is this. There's no doubt he saved me, but why isn't he saying anything now and just looking past me. That's so weird.'
Swish swish swish..
The bushes behind us began to rustle, and then a person fell out. Her skin was grey, and hair white just like this man's and Just like him, I saw her earlier. It was the girl I saved.
If I could admit this dude was too attractive even as a male, then what would that say about his apparent female counter part? This species could possibly compete with the likes of elves or the fae if they were well known.
The man clearly noticed her, but just folded his arms and closed his eyes, paying no attention to her fumbling. She quickly got up and ran over to me speaking a strange language. "Sook na heemi nul... La nashi ba rim..?"
"...I don't... I don't understand." I mumbled.
"Hmph" The man judged me and turned even more so away.
The girl suddenly took my hand, and unhesitatingly kissed me. My eyes widened, and my heart beat began to beat even faster. I couldn't react.
'...huh?'