Ben moved as swiftly as he could through the woods. It had been about an hour of walking so far, and he'd come across no more corrupted entities, or any entities for that matter. The forest was eerily quiet as night approached. Ben was beginning to feel the itch of paranoia crawling across his back as he moved through the forest that was growing in density.
There must not have been enough time yet for game trails to be formed. He thought to himself. He had concluded this must be a completely net new area on Earth. Considering the Natovian Empire's words that the Earth had grown over 20 times its original size, it only followed that most of the land he'd come across would be something no human had seen before.
Luckily for Ben, he could swear he heard running water very close nearby at this point. What originally started as a whisper of sound, had now gained to a dull static nearby.
Status, he thought for what felt like the hundredth time in the last hour.
Status
Name: Benjamin October
Core Talent: The Passivist
Level: 4
Grade: 1
Points: 20
HP: 116/130
Mana: 130/130
Strength: 10
Fortitude: 16
Dexterity: 11
Wisdom: 10
Intelligence: 11
Willpower: 15
Skills
Actives: N/A
Passives: Hardened Skin 2; Reinforced Fists 1
From what he could tell his HP was regenerating around 1 point every 4 or 5 minutes so far.
At least it's regenerating at all. He thought with a wince, as fresh, taught skin pulled on the back of his damaged calf. It still wasn't fully healed, but felt as though it was doing much better, he still hadn't checked since he'd begun walking, afraid of what he may find.
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The sun had quickly sunk below the nearby cliff faces, shading the valley in a twilight of light. Looking up, Ben could already see the moon in the sky and some stars breaking through the remainder of the light of day.
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It looks so much more massive than I remember it. Ben pondered staring up at the sky as he walked.
As he paced through the woods growing closer to the now much louder sound of water, suddenly he broke free of the dense forest and found himself standing on the bank of a fast flowing creek. Moss blanketed much of the nearby woodland, creating a serene feeling in the fading light.
This would be quite the sight if it weren't for the pressing feeling of doubt and worry. Ben thought, with a small, defeated smile. Guess I'd better try to wash my wounds at least... Would hate to get an infection this early into this, who knows when I'll find supplies or people again. He considered.
Sitting carefully near the flowing water, on a small rock outcropping, Ben began to peel the shredded shirt from his wounds. The matted blood had caused it to stick, but removing it didn't sting nearly as badly as he'd expected. Getting it all peeled away, he gently washed his arms and hands first in the water, watching the dark blood sleek away, revealing completely healed arms and unbruised hands.
Huh. He thought to himself, moving on to his leg. After getting the blood cleared off his leg he found that it had healed up for the most part, leaving a scar that looked like a dog bite, surrounding a small scabbed over wound about the size of a quarter.
Well, I guess I know that Fortitude definitely does SOMETHING at least. He thought with a smirk. Ben understood his position. In so many words, he was fucked. But, he also couldn't shake the fact that he felt like a super hero. It would've taken weeks, likely months before he would've healed from the same level of damage prior to the system, and mana it self's, arrival.
Right, on that note, I guess I'll just drink this water raw and unfiltered, and bank on Fortitude keeping me healthy. Ben affirmed to himself, scooping the water hand after hand into his mouth and drinking deep. He had worked up a sweat with all the fighting and hiking, and didn't have the time or luxury to filter or boil the water before consuming it.
After quenching his thirst he looked around the creek, trying to find somewhere to stay for the night. Taking out his cell phone from his pocket, he tried the lock button, but got only a black screen in response.
Hm, I had hoped I'd be able to use the flash light, but either it's got a dead battery or the mana fried the electronics like in so many of those books. He thought to himself.
Shrugging he stood up and began walking along the creek, it being much easier than tromping through the wooded areas.
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After another 20 or so minutes of walking, he'd made much better distance. With water in his system he felt invigorated, and the walking was much easier over the rocky creek banks than over the wooded underbrush. Finally he had found something he considered promising. About 10 yards away from the creek rested a massive oak tree, and Ben felt he'd found his resting spot for the night. It wasn't perfect but it was already completely dark, nothing but the bright, full moon in the sky and the stars lighting his way.
Pulling himself up into the tree proved much easier than he'd expected. Ben hadn't had many reasons in life to climb trees, but his extra points in strength showed themselves in his ability to lift his own body weight.
It's weird but I almost feel like I'm heavier too. He thought to himself as he climbed the tree, the branches bowing heavily as he hung from it.
Settling into the nook of the tree, Ben stared up at the stars, and kept his ears alert. After a few minutes of lying still and appreciating the view, he began to hear the noises of the forest again. Owls hooting, and small critters running through the brush farther into the woods.
Slowly, Ben drifted off to sleep. He'd always been a light sleeper, a product of his upbringing he'd wager, and he was once again betting on his safety by hoping he'd wake up quickly enough in the event of an attack.
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Ben awoke several times in the night, sleep coming with some difficulty due to every noise nearby waking him from his fitful slumber.
He was dreaming again. The same ones as always. Vague rumblings of parents he couldn't remember the faces of, screaming and fighting, and what he believed was his mother hitting the floor.
Dashes of the foster home, bullies on playgrounds, and in the shared bunkrooms. Foster parents that couldn't really be bothered past collecting a pay check, and his own self hatred not even blaming them for it.
Finally dawn arrived, and Ben awoke a final time.
Well. Anything is better than that I guess. At least now I can do something. He thought, rousing himself to jump down from the tree.
Ben landed with a heavy thud, and peered around at the surroundings.
Today's agenda: Find food, and hopefully make some progress toward other people. This time, if there's a fight, I need to just face it head on. He affirmed to himself.
After he began walking along the bank for about 5 minutes he received a popup.
Skill Hiking Level 1 Acquired
Instantly Ben felt his gait change, and his body adjusting the way he was walking, some comfort settling into his aching muscles and bones.
My first passive I didn't have to buy from The Weave. I wonder how long that would've taken without The Passivist. He considered.
As he walked on he inspected the nearby plant life, kneeling and eating things he recognized as edible from school and personal study. Burdock, watercress and a few dandelions made of a vast majority of what he found. He also notices a massive amount of flora he couldn't recognize at all. He attributed some of it to ignorance, but there were so many varying species he deduced there must be a lot of mutated or additional flora and fauna on Earth now.
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After a few hours of walking, stopping to snack and drink on occasion, Ben got another happy surprise.
Skill Identify Level 1 Acquired
He received it after closely analyzing one of the unknown species of plant, a bright blue flower with a long stem, and several thin long petals. A window popped up immediately after he received it.
Manora Gensis: A plant used for it's mana regeneration properties. Caution when consuming, many races physiological makeups cause a nausea response on ingestion.
Hm, my first sorta useful new plant discovery... Ben thought, as he left the plant unperturbed on the bank of the creek. He figured there was no sense in picking something he had no means of storing for later use. Wiping his brow Ben peered up to see where the sun was in the sky.
What he found there marked the 3rd major surprise of the day: A pillar of smoke about a mile in the distance, from his estimates.