In a palace within Naberanu.
Sesostris moved a piece of solid carved gold onto the checkerboard. It was truly an interesting game. If he could remember correctly, his merchants had managed to acquire it from the Eborax region. They were despisers of magic, but it just so happened they had quite a knack for creating fun games.
He couldn’t blame them really. Since magic was banned, what the hell else were they meant to spend their time on? Well, he supposed they had their hands full with the neighbouring Khotar breathing down their necks.
Well, since they were on the other side of the planet, he wasn’t worried. War crazed lunatics, Sesostris spat.
His gaze locked onto his playing buddy, Manu. He was wearing the standard Namuris guard attire. Robed loincloth, bare chest, and a golden scarf. Gold bracelets and anklets also piled up on his limbs. He was his most trusted warrior, but he was being slow in his moves. It wasn’t like him. No, his eyes kept on glancing through the open window to the south-east. Of course it was nothing but an endless expanse of desert.
That’s why Sesostris enjoyed sitting where he was. He looked out at the horizon of the crystal clear ocean. It was as still as a tranquil bath. The reminder made him twitch the corner of his lips.
“Loreka, set up the bath will you?” Sesostris clapped his hands, and a lady bowed from the corner of the room. “Oh, and bring me those fruits from Aera. They really are spectacular.”
“Manu, just what has gotten you all worked up?” Sesostris raised his brows. The man was taking too long.
“Sorry, my liege.” Manu shook his head, then moved his place on the board.
Sesostris attached his vision to the spot he placed it. He thought for a good minute or two before tutting. He had lost. “Well?” He glanced at his general.
Manu took a sip of water. “It’s just that the Misted Isles are stirring. The mist is getting worse, and there are rumours of monsters appearing within them. We have already lost two merchant ships to the mist. I fear it will only get worse.”
“Not only that, It’s Imprexis, my liege.”
“The jungle land.” Sesostris nodded. He was about to continue when Loreka returned with a bowl of red, circular fruits. He threw one into his mouth and crunched down. The juices exploded into his mouth as he smiled at the incredible taste. “What of it?”
“Strange anomalies have occurred. A wall of supernatural vines have covered the entirety of the eastern border of Imprexis. Our mercenaries tried cutting it down, but it’s impossible. Yidos even tried, still nothing.”
“Even Yidos can’t clear it?” Sesostris asked incredulously. “Do you think it’s the Ixtal’s doing?”
“No,” Manu replied. “The Ixtal’s are still lost, along with their city. It’s possible some of their nature mages are responsible for it, but I can’t say for certain. After all, no-one in their right mind would want to enter the Ixtal border regardless.”
“That’s for certain.” Sesostris nodded. He had heard rumours that the entire land was a deathtrap. No-one dared travel within.
“People are calling it the impenetrable Domain,” Manu said. He was about to continue when a blinding pillar of colossal proportions fired into the sky like a heaven greeting beacon.
They both scrambled off their chairs and headed to the marble balcony. They gazed across the sea of sand, and looked up at the pillar.
“That’s where the impenetrable Domain is, my liege.” Manu said with a frown etched onto his forehead.
“Gather the Golden Mercs.” Sesostris commanded. “I want to know what is going on.”
“Right away, my liege.” Manu rushed out the gilded doors.
Sesostris absent mindedly sat down on a chair and locked his vision on the pillar of light. It was beautiful.
***
Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.
Somewhere within the tutorial jungle.
A young man with pointed ears crawled backward with bloodied hands. “Please, leave me alone.”
“I can’t do that, pointy ears.” Victor displayed his vicious canine teeth with a grin.
His pitch black, fur covered hand held a hand sickle within and plunged the tip within the man’s thigh, then twisted the blade so that it would bleed more.
“Goddess, help me!” The young man screamed in pain, tears streamed from the corner of his eyes, and spit bubbled forth from his parched mouth.
The smell of fear– Victor licked his lips.
“You know how difficult, and how long I had to wait to get you away from that fucking group?” Victor spat and covered the man’s mouth with his mighty hand. “Don’t be too scared, I don’t eat human flesh, or whatever you are. It’s unbecoming of a Wolfborn.”
Victor paused, then slapped the young man’s face. He awakened with a start. “Hey, my words aren’t boring you, are they?”
Victor moved his hand from the man’s mouth, took out the sickle from his leg, then plunged it in between the ribs, into the heart.
The young man’s struggle was no more as his eyes hazed over. His death rattle was rung.
Just as Victor was about to turn, a crackling sizzle caused his ears to twitch. A vivid purple spawned within the air above the dead man. It was a Pathstone.
Eyes widening, his clawed hands latched around the Pathstone with glee.
You have obtained the Epic Pathway - Fearmonger
Fearmonger: You have a keen sense of fear. Taste it, consume it, for it is yours to deal with how you desire.
| Stats per Level: Dex +2, Per +2
| You can detect fear within a certain range depending on your Dexterity Stat.
| Damage is increased against those who are fearful.
Do you wish to accept it? Y/N
“Yes.” Victor felt his blood boil at the words.
The three Pathstones have been acquired, granting class based on current Pathstones.
Victor was given a large selection of Classes to choose from, but there was only one that attracted his eyes. It was impossible for it not to–for it was the only Epic rarity Class choice available to him.
Epic - Harbinger of Fear: You have a keen grasp of fear, and everything, and one, shall tremble at the feeling of it. Fear empowers you beyond your capable means. Let it be known, oh Harbinger of Fear.
| Stats per Level: Dex +2, Str +2, Per +3, Con +1.
| Fear empowers you. You have increased strength when surrounded by fear.
You defeated a - Level 4 Gorred Gentumal.…
You have levelled up!
| Victor Level 5 -> Victor Level 6
You are being watched.
| Naira the Goddess of Fear, has sponsored you.
| Grace Coins added.
| Rare Health potion x2 gained.
| Uncommon Mana potion x1 gained.
| Rare Anti-UV Sunblock x1 gained.
| Olmatter the Watcher of the Void, has sponsored you.
| Grace Coins added.
Mission complete: Murder 1 elf.
World First Reward activating.
Upgrading reward…
Reward: Rare rogue path weapon.
| Grants Epic rogue path skill - Terrifying Cruelty: Dagger attack that deals great damage from behind. Bleedings caused by the dagger have increased. Has a chance to set Terrify.
World First Title Gained: Murderer
Murderer: You deal 15% extra damage against elves and humans.
So I was the first to accomplish it. Victor sighed in relief. He was worried since it took so long for him to finally get one of the pointed ears on his own. He had to be patient. If the others from the group found out, it would be hell to hide away from a bunch of crazed zealots.
He was already considered lucky with his Pathways as he had received one Uncommon, one Common, and the last one was an Epic Pathway.
The air sizzled and crackled. The air seemed to bend at the might of the universe as a purple hue blessed his iris. A stone with vivid purple veins caused his hand to stretch toward it without thinking. Accepting it immediately, the stone seeped into his arm, then finished by branding its brilliance within his mind.
A feeling of euphoria filled his thoughts. He pressed his back against a thick tree as his head took in the mechanics of the high powered Skill.
You have gained the Epic Rogue Path Skill - Terrifying Cruelty
Victor revealed a twisted grin. He would make his father proud. This was just the beginning.
A massive beam of blue light shot up into the air.
The hub area has been created.
First person to reach the hub will be awarded a World First Title.
Time left for reward gain: 48:00:00s
Victor clenched his fist. It was another title to add to his System.