I can’t describe the joy I feel, seeing the first rays of sunlight puncturing through the forest’s canopy.
It had been a long sleepless night left alone in the dark. Thankfully, what Tabitha told me about hostile magic beasts avoiding where an elemental has been turned out to be true.
I went the night without seeing anything other than the usual star dragonflies. In fact, there were more beautiful insects than usual because I guess blood bats were considered aggressive beasts and were nowhere to be seen.
Last night was the quietest night I’ve had since entering the Endless Forest proper, and lucky me, I couldn’t enjoy it in the slightest. Mainly because lying next to me was the unmoving form of Tabitha. She hasn't stirred much since passing out the other day. I checked her multiple times to ensure she was still breathing and thanked the annoying gods every time she was.
Tabitha had been asleep for almost twelve hours, and I was praying she would wake up soon. I was nearly at the end of my rope here. For the first time in my life, I learned what happens when you push your body beyond what it's capable of.
I had dragged Tabitha and our gear for almost a mile before I was forced to give up and claim this little divot as our emergency campground. We were positioned up against a large tree root that had grown out of the ground, it offered little cover, but it was better than nothing.
After that, I stumbled around in the quickly fading light, trying to set up a makeshift camp. I managed to wrap Tabitha in my canvas and force down some dried jerky, but at that point, it was becoming harder and harder to move. It was then I settled in next to Tabitha and waited for her to wake up.
At least I had managed to drag us far enough away from the battlefield that I wasn’t subjected to the stink of rotting goblin flesh all night. Admittedly, it wasn’t much of a win, but I was trying to focus on any good news I could.
I could barely move my body; it was so sore. If I had gotten a chance to rest after our fight with the goblins, I might have been ok; but because I pushed to get our gear, move Tabitha, and stay up all night, I had nothing left. So for the last three hours, I've been leaning against the root, unable to move.
Things were so bad that my Stamina pool refused to go over 15%.
The only thing I could do to stay awake was scan our surroundings with Sense Mana and repeatedly check my Status Page:
LV: 75 Experience: 499,970/ 1,054,850
Health: 1,984.58/2,530
Stamina 229.73/1,697
Mana: 476.61/1,030
Vitality: 253.00
Endurance: 100.31
Strength: 156.00
Dexterity: 156.00
Senses: 62.66
Mind: 65.53
Magic: 103.27
Clarity: 79.19
Status Points: 0
Skills:
Tier 1:
Meditation (LV80), Running (LV79), Blacksmithing (LV75), Hammer Skills (LV70), Axe Skills (LV60), Cleaning (LV53), Mining (LV51), Chanting (LV51), Drawing (LV48), Trading (LV48), Cooking (LV43), Sword Skills (LV40), Dagger Skills (LV34), Acting (LV35), Wood Carving (LV32), Sewing (LV32), Dancing (LV26), Alchemy (LV15), Pugilist Skills (LV11), Spear Skills (LV2)
Tier 2:
Sense Mana (LV80), Double Step (LV67), Charm (LV50), Hammer Arts (LV50), Measurement (LV49), Axe Arts (LV39), Intimidating Shout (LV34), Writing (LV32), Steady Hands (LV33), Mathematics (LV31), Increase Price (LV22), Lower Price (LV20), Sword Arts (LV17), Dagger Arts (LV13), Gourmet (LV10), Marching (LV5), Shout of Valor (LV3),
Tier 3:
Expel Mana (LV63), Mana Manipulation (LV63), Double Strike (LV45), Weighted Strike (LV45), Precise Strike (LV44), Flash Step (LV36), Contract (LV22), Enchanting (LV10)
Tier 4:
Mental Resistance (LV61), Mana Skin (LV60), Inject Mana (LV54), Extract Mana (LV39), Magic Blacksmithing (LV36), Magic Threads (LV24), Air Walk (LV21), Empowered Spell (LV16), Ironclad Agreement (LV8), Appealing Deal (LV3), Multi-Strike (LV1)
Tier 5:
Sense Soul (LV40), Soul Manipulation (LV19)
Tier 6:
Soul Devourer (LV10)
Increased Skill Levels
Meditation (LV80) 4,000exp
Running (LV79) 3,950exp
Hammer Skills (LV69-70) 6,950exp
Chanting (LV51) 2,550exp
Cooking (LV43) 2,150exp
Acting (LV34-35) 3,450exp
Dancing (LV24-26) 3,750exp
Pugilist Skills (LV10-11) 1,050exp
Sense Mana (LV80) 8,000exp
Double Step (LV67) 6,700exp
Hammer Arts (LV50) 5,000exp
Intimidating Shout (LV33-34) 6,700exp
Steady Hands (LV33) 3,300exp
Gourmet (LV10) 1,000exp
Weighted Strike (LV45) 6,750exp
Precise Strike (LV44) 6,600exp
Double Strike (LV44-45) 13,350exp
Flash Step (LV35-36) 10,650exp
Mental Resistance (LV61) 15,250exp
Mana Skin (LV60) 15,000exp
Magic Threads (LV22-24) 17,250exp
Air Walk (LV21) 5,250exp
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Empowered Spell (LV15-16) 7,750exp
Multi-Strike (LV1) 250exp
Soul Devourer (LV8-10) 27,000exp
Skill Experience: 195,350exp
Crafting Experience: 1,247exp
Fighting Experience: 393,551exp
Total experience Gained: 590,148
I knew staring at my Status Page wouldn’t help my Health, Stamina, or Mana recover any faster, but it was either that or I went over my gains in my head for the thirteenth time.
Ah, hell, I might as well make it lucky number thirteen; I had nothing else I could do. And there was a lot to go through; of my fifty-eight skills, twenty-five leveled up, not including the new tier 4 skill I unlocked.
While a few of my skills only leveled up because they were relatively low leveled, and it had been a long time since I used them, most of the increased skills were the most important ones I used daily. I've been struggling to improve some of them for months, and our run-in with the goblins was just the catalyst I needed to break through.
So much changed that the only way I could process everything was to go through each tier individually.
For tier 1, there were so many skills I was happy to see level. Meditation, Running, and Hammer Skills were the big three, but the most incredible skill to level was, in fact, Chanting. Surprisingly, I hadn’t noticed when it broke through the first bottleneck, but it probably happened when I learned and recited the tier 3 spell flame javelin in under an hour.
The Acting, cooking, and Pugilist skills levels were excellent, but I was more interested in the levels I got in Dancing. According to Tabitha, my footwork was the biggest thing I still needed to work on, so seeing it shoot up three whole levels was more than welcome.
Usually, I'd be happy with just those skills improving, but things got even better when I looked at the tier 2 ones. All the skills were essential in combat, except for Gourmet, which leveled thanks to all the magic beast meat I’ve been cooking.
But again, there was one skill that drew a majority of my attention, Sense Mana. It leveled when I pushed through the overwhelming mana radiating off the elemental, and since it was one of the only skills I could still use in this situation, I had plenty of time to test it out.
It was hard to determine the exact distance without Tabitha’s help, but it was apparent the broad range I could sense things had increased across the board. The mana signatures of everything around me were clearer, and when I activated Meditation to boost my range, I could see almost 500 feet further than I could when it was at level 79. Of course, Meditation’s rising level must have played a part in that, but that still gave a considerable boost in the area I could cover.
Doing the math in my head takes a minute, but after calculating it out, I used to be able to cover 8,346,898 square feet. Now with the help of Meditation, I can scan 14,132,898 square feet. Saying that was a massive difference would be putting it lightly, and that was only half of the skills that leveled up!
All my tier 3 strike skills went up; Flash Step leveled twice after using it so much, and things only got better in tier 4.
Mental Resistance, like Chanting, was another skill I was surprised to see go up. I’d been trying to break past its second bottleneck for what felt like an eternity, and again, it leveled without my realizing it. It could have been the stress of dealing with the goblins, or I overcame it by pushing Sense Mana to its limits so many times.
Both could've done it, but I was reasonably sure it only leveled again, thanks to the elemental. Like with Sense Mana, I'm 99% sure Mental Resistance leveled up when it felt like my brain was about to leak out of my ears. Either way, it broke through, which meant when we left the forest, and I was safely back home, I could try and break through Sense Soul, which had also been stuck at a bottleneck for just as long.
And while Mental Resistance leveling was massive, it didn't take away from the other tier 4 skills. Mana Skin had officially reached its second bottleneck, which I would also need to work on. Then there were Magic Threads, Air Walk, and Empower Spell, all crucial skills centered around mana manipulation.
Each time I looked at my status page, it felt like I found something else to be excited about. The second to last skill was one such reason for this. Naturally, I wanted nothing more than to try it out, but as I am, I could only speculate on how Multi-Strike would come in handy in my everyday life. From fighting to crafting, the possibilities were endless.
There was so much to be happy for, so much excitement! If I could get up and dance with joy, I would!
And then I looked at the last skill that leveled, and all the joy I felt was tempered down. I was still happy about my success, but seeing how Soul Devourer leveled three times in only an hour sent shivers up my spine. No skill should level that fast, especially a tier 6 one.
I didn't regret using it against the goblins; I was just afraid of how addicting it was. It was so easy to level. Too easy.
It was like I was standing on the edge of a cliff. The danger was exhilarating and enticing, yet one wrong step…. A single lapse in judgment, and I would plummet to my doom.
I struggle to swallow a nervous lump in my throat. Fuck, even doing that was hard in my current state.
Just then, I feel a shift in Tabitha’s mana. Her highly enchanted gear acts as a shield and makes it difficult to focus on her mana current, but because she’s so close to me, I’m able to pierce through it, so I notice when her mana subtly starts circulating faster.
Struggling to turn my head, I look down at my unconscious ally just in time to watch her eyes snap open. I would've flinched backward, but I was too tired even to do that. Tabitha's eyes dart in every direction, taking in everything around her before zeroing in on me.
Under the canvas, I can see her hand shift to her side where her sword would usually be, and for a split second, she looks concerned when she realizes her weapon isn't there.
Her expression quickly returns to a neutral one, but I immediately recognize her discomfort at not having her weapon. Tabitha slowly sits up and moves out from under my canvas, again scanning our surroundings, this time specifically looking for her sword.
"Your sword is on the other side of me," I explain in a tired voice before she really starts to worry. “Sorry, but I didn’t know how you’d wake up after falling unconscious.”
Tabitha slowly stands up before looking me over with a critical eye. “Understandable," she remarks, to my relief. "How long was I out for?” She asks as she grabs her sword and reattaches it to her side.
I want to laugh at her cavalier attitude, seeing how she woke up in a new location after passing out, but I can’t muster up the energy to do so. “Twelve hours,” I inform her.
“Oh?” Tabitha focuses on me after securing her weapon. "I thought it would've been longer," she off handy comments like it wasn’t a big deal.
“What do you remember?” I ask, wondering if she forgot anything due to the concussion.
“I remember telling you about elementals. Then I tried warning you that I might be out for a few days, but you didn’t answer me before I passed out.” Tabitha cocks her head to the side and looks at me like I’m the one with brain damage.
Of course, she would remember everything because why not? At least I no longer had to worry about that. “Sorry about that; I was engrossed in scanning our surroundings for hostiles, and when I was done, you were already asleep. But wait, a few days?”
“Yeah,” she confirms like it was obvious. “You watched over me all night?” Tabitha glances around us while rolling her shoulders. "In that condition?"
“What else was I supposed to do? You were unconscious; someone had to keep watch,” I tiredly grumble. "And how were you expecting me to stay up for three days?"
"I didn't." Tabitha moves directly in front of me and proudly smiles. “I'm proud of you; I expected you to pass out alongside me. But you not only got our gear but moved me to a better spot and kept watch by yourself, not knowing when I would wake up. It’s impressive.”
To my growing embarrassment, Tabitha continues. “I figured we would be safe for at least a day after the elemental's rampage. I thought we would both be out, but I figured you'd wake up sooner than me and would be able to handle things while I recovered. Again, thank you. As your senior sister, I should’ve been watching over you, and yet you were the one to care for me."
“It’s not like I could’ve done anything if we were attacked,” I try to downplay my contribution so Tabitha would stop looking at me with that satisfied smile of hers.
I wanted nothing more than to turn my head to the side to hide my increasingly reddening cheeks. It was times like this I missed Tabitha's previous stony expression because when she hit you with a compliment, she bashes you over the head with it.
“Regardless,” Tabitha casually brushes off my attempt to downplay what I did, and seeing how I couldn't move, I could only dodge her smiling visage by closing my eyes. I know it's childish, but it was my only option.
"You're right; you should get some sleep," I hear Tabitha say right in front of me. Good, not only could I dodge her excessive praise, but I'll finally get some much-needed sleep.
Almost immediately, I start to feel my conciseness start to drift away…. That is until I feel my world shift as two arms scoop me up in a princess carry.
"What the hell!" I shout as my eyes snap back open and come face to face with a still-smiling Tabitha. "Why are you carrying me?" Again, I snap, half from anger, half from embarrassment.
"You can't move on your own," Tabitha replies like that magically explains everything.
“Yeah, and?” I fume.
“How else was I supposed to shift you to your canvas?" Tabitha twirls in place and softly sets me down where she was initially sleeping.
“Sorry, I didn’t realize what you were doing,” I awkwardly cough to try and hide how embarrassed I was.
I think my Acting skill might have leveled too much because Tabitha mistakes my fake cough for a real one. "Hold on, give me a second," Tabitha moves over to her bag, grabs her waterskin, and brings it over to me. "Here, drink this."
I stick out my tongue in disgust. “Yeah, thanks, but I’m not that thirsty," I lie. I hadn't drunk anything since midday yesterday, and I was incredibly thirsty after the jerky I had last night. Just not for toad eggs.
Tabitha looks confused by my refusal until her face lights up in understanding, and I’m treated to one of the few times I’ve ever heard her snicker. “It’s regular water,” she uncorks the top and holds the waterskin to my lips.
As soon as the cool water touched my lips, I greedily started to guzzle all I could. Eventually, I had to come up for air, and when I did, I confronted Tabitha. "I thought you filled both our canteens up with toad eggs?"
“Correction, I filled your canteen up with toad eggs. As for the water still in your waterskin, I poured it into mine before I contaminated it. So what, did you think I’d poison both our waterskins?” Tabitha asks me with a straight face.
“Wa…. I….. Kind of,” I stammer.
“Would you like more?” Tabitha holds up the waterskin again.
I wanted to say yes but knew I shouldn't drink what was left of it all in one go. "I'm good, thank you."
Tabitha nods and puts the stopper back on her waterskin. “Feeling better.”
“Yeeessss,” I let out a long yawn. Now that I was no longer parched and lying down, staying awake was becoming increasingly challenging. "Is it ok if I rest my eyes?" I tiredly mumble.
“Of course,” I hear Tabitha say, my eyes having fallen shut.
"You faithfully watched over me; now I'll do the same for you," was the last thing I heard before I slipped into blissful sleep.