"Are you sure you want to leave, Tyler?"
"Yes, Si. I want to explore this new world, and find my own way in life."
"Remember to come visit me, okay?"
"Of course. I owe you more than you can imagine. Besides, you're my first friend."
It's been two months since I bid Si farewell. I have ventured out on a journey of self discovery.
That being said, I'm still wandering this forest!
It's called the Dellmore Forest, and it's the largest area of woodland in Aren. I did find a few dirt roads, however, with travelling merchants to boot. Obviously, I avoided these paths. I don't want an alarmed traveller to issue a subjugation request.
In reality, I have no choice but to stay in the forest. The people have been taught to hate the undead, and I'm right in the middle of a human continent. All I can do is train myself, and find another way.
I stop to think about my former home. I feel guilty about leaving my parents alone. Have they gotten over their grief? How is everyone doing? I wonder what my funeral was like?
I shake my head to dispel these thoughts.
Enough. I've spent enough nights drowning myself in pity. I'm glad Si wasn't around to see me. From now on, I have to make my own home, find my own way of enjoying life, or rather, my afterlife.
While I walk, I use a sharp stone to chip at the thing in my hand: a mask. If I want to establish relations, the other party must not run for the hills. If I wear this, my black cloak and leather gloves, I would look... horribly suspicious. A lot more work still needs to be done.
Every three days, I hunt something for "food". More importantly, I'm trying to raise my level and earn enough skill points for
Name N/A Race Undead Class Risen Skeleton Level 5 HP 40/40 MP 8/8
Base Modifiers Total Max HP 40 40 Max MP 8 8 Attack 10 +3 13 Defence 8 8 Magic 1 1 Resilience 4 4 Agility 11 11 Integrity 32 32
Unique Skills Ruler of One Innate Skills Night Vision (Basic) | Create Status (High) | Soul Core (Basic) | Soul Eater (Basic) | Enhance Mind (Basic) | Parallel Thought (Basic) Extra Skills Project Voice (Basic) | Sneak (Basic) | Heavy Strike (Basic) Magic Skills Custom Skills Skill Points 30/50
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Affinities Spirit | Dark Resistances Nullify Manipulation | Nullify Mental Impairment | Nullify Pain | Nullify Metabolism | Nullify Fatigue | Nullify Ailment | Temperature Resistance | Decay Resistance Weaknesses Holy Weakness | Blunt Weakness Titles Worldfarer Blessings None Equipment Iron Shortsword | Wooden Mask | Cloak* | Gloves* Items Book*
Each level seems to generate 10 Skill Points, and
Speaking of levels, I have confirmed it does have dynamic progression, with some stats more likely to grow than others. I was humming a lot (albeit, in short bursts) before I had reached level 5, and amazingly, upon levelling up my mana points increased by 20%...! It's only one point, mind you. It also doesn't reset your status.
In addition, you can gain experience without killing, but I have a sneaking suspicion it's faster if I do. Not that experience points exist. I'm level 5 now thanks to catching this hare.
It's still alive, and bound in my rotten funeral rags. I keep it on, well technically inside, my body as emergency rations. If I find nothing to kill, I'll break its neck. Luckily for it, I find much bigger game.
It's a boar. A normal boar. Not every creature in this forest is a bloodthirsty newb-killer. I use my skill
Who's Crest? It's my
I creep up to three paces behind it, and lunge with
So ends another day for our poor friend Mr Rabbit. No, I have not started naming food for heaven's sake.
Ding!
Wow, that scared the living... Actually, I don't have such a thing in my body anymore. That being said, the hare residing within me might. It wouldn't be the first time it has happened. I could store it in my pouch, but I need to maintain my balance and it would ruin my items inside.
But never mind all that. Show me the title, Crest!
I guess I should have expected it sooner or later. It's basically a skill, but it does not scale with stats or experience. It also lies outside the ranking system.
I stop and concentrate. It's almost like a sixth sense, as I can roughly tell the presence of the birds above me, and the limp hare within me. This is going to be helpful, especially against an ambush by a pack of wolves. It hasn't happened yet, but I did watch one hunt while I was atop a tree.
It's well past noon, and the sun slowly descends. I wish I had a watch. As I continue to walk, I notice a small clearing past the trees ahead. Upon closer inspection, I find a cabin in the woods, with its residents currently outside.
I immediately use
I pay close attention to her as she continues to teach. She appears to be in her mid-twenties with a tall, thin figure wearing a short sleeved shirt and a long cotton skirt. She has lengthy, auburn hair tied back with a ribbon, and hazel-coloured eyes set on a lightly freckled face. Her voice is enthusiastic yet soothing, as she guides one of her student's hands.
Could this be a chance to learn how to speak, read and write? It sounds much better than grinding boars and hares. With each level, there is a definite slowdown in growth.
The problem is... how do I communicate with her?
I should wait until the young ones leave, lest I trigger an angry mob of peasants. In the mean time, I will quickly finish this mask.
As the sun slow sets, I listen to the kids shout a few words, before they run down a small forest path. Right, now is the time to establish contact! I am wearing my mask, my cloak and my gloves. I left my short sword in a bush. Is there anything else I need to do?
How about a gift! I've just hunted a boar as well. With its fur largely intact, it must be worth a fair deal. Should I bring the head as well?
I excitedly return to the boar's carcass, thinking of ways to express my desire to learn.