Upon their return to Wolf's Run, appearing exactly where they had departed for their quest, Sinclair found himself in his room, accompanied only by his loyal companions. Curious about his sister's whereabouts and aware of her significant milestone, he quickly composed a message to Victoria, offering both congratulations and support.
"Hey, just got back to Wolf's Run. Good luck with the race evolution. Do you need me to come down to the center with you?" he typed, hoping to offer some sibling encouragement for her important moment.
Almost instantly, Victoria's response flashed on the screen, her words brimming with independence. "No need to come, big bro. I'll take mom and dad with me. You have enough on your plate. I'll delay telling them you're back, so no rush."
He let out a chuckle, grateful for the respite from family duties. "Appreciate it, Vic. If you need anything, just holler, okay?"
"Don't worry! And remember to take a break yourself," Victoria replied, her message followed by a winking emoji. "I'll see you after I've evolved!"
Closing the chat with a smile, Sinclair felt a sense of pride. Victoria was stepping up, and he could focus on the myriad of tasks awaiting him without the added worry of familial expectations.
As he preferred organized approaches, Sinclair opened the notepad section of his interface and began listing tasks as they occurred to him:
1. Check notifications.
2. Assess and, if necessary, replenish resources.
3. Send a message to Odin for any crucial updates.
4. Status of Meridian openings.
5. Explore Teleportation nodes.
He pondered over which task to prioritize. Deciding to start with notifications, he figured it would be wise to close out some quests that needed his immediate attention.
Navigating to the Quests tab, Sinclair opened the quest related to the recent Myrkr encounter, verifying its closure and reviewing the rewards.
Rewards:
- Experience: 845,000
- Item: Axe of the Valiant Skies
- Gold: 1,500
The amount of gold and experience left him momentarily stunned. The staggering figures prompted him to make another mental note to inquire about his experience acquisition and the unusually large rewards. He couldn't help but wonder about the disparity.
Examining the Axe of the Valiant Skies, he was thoroughly impressed with its enhanced description. It seemed almost too coincidental, receiving such a remarkable weapon right after losing his previous one. He couldn't shake off the feeling that Odin had a hand in this fortuitous turn of events, for which he was deeply thankful.
Axe of the Valiant Skies - Epic - This two-handed great axe, steeped in the legends of the Wolf Lords, is a symbol of the raw power and unyielding will of its wielders. Forged from meteoric iron and blessed by Odin himself, it was once wielded by the mightiest of the Wolf Lord generals Ulfric Stormfang during the great battles of yore. The axe's broad blade gleams with a celestial light, and its haft is adorned with intricate carvings depicting the valiant exploits of the Wolf Lords under the endless skies of the Norse realms. The Axe of the Valiant Skies is not just a weapon; it's an embodiment of the indomitable spirit of leadership and victory. It significantly bolsters the user's strength and imposes their willpower on enemies, making it a beacon of the Wolf Lords' power. Grants +30 Strength, +18 Willpower, and increases the intimidation effect on enemies, causing them to falter in battle.
He holds the rather large axe in his hands marveling at the history in volved. He had never felt so close to his ancestors, people that he would never get to meet thanks to the Myrkr. According to the knowledge that he got from Turgrin the line originator might have still been alive at this point due to his advanced levels and race. He would never know now.
Moving on to his next notification he cared about, he browsed down to the blessing he got from Jörd.
Midgard's Resonance (Mythic) - Granted the "Resonance of Midgard," you find yourself attuned to the frequency of the planet. This mystical connection allows you to 'listen' to the earth, granting you foresight into the movements of foes burrowed or walking upon the ground, making ambushes nearly impossible.
Bonuses:
"Tremor Sense": Detects all ground movements within a significant radius.
"Heart of Stone": Physical attacks become imbued with the unyielding strength of the earth, enhancing damage output.
"Guardian's Recovery": Accelerated healing when in contact with natural ground or stone.
Quests from Jörd:
The Reclamation Rite: You are charged with reclaiming sacred lands that have been defiled by dark magic.
The Warden's Ward: Erect and empower wards around vital natural landmarks that serve as keystones to Midgard's stability.
The Rooted Menace: Track and eradicate unnatural creatures that are tainting the purity of Midgard's soil.
The Rooted Menace was his ticket to finding the Myrkr he thought. He could use his connection to the world and hunt them down now more easily. Relaxing some he could already feel a pull in him somewhere like he needed to be out doing something. It wasn't there a minute ago he thought so it had come from this new blessing.
His focus then shifted to the incremental bonuses he had received in his stats. Though the rate of raw stat gain had diminished, the strategic value of each point had increased, emphasizing quality over quantity. He had forgot to check these over over the last couple days so it looked like his system access just added everything up he had been expperiencing and put it in one readout. He definitely liked the efficiency. He felt like the system was learning from him and adapting to the way he liked to do things.
Base Stat Updates
Strength +31
Agility +29
Constitution +45
Intelligence +26
Willpower +57
Endurance +19
Reminded of his potential race upgrade from E to D, Sinclair accessed the Huginn and Muninn skill. He sent a concise inquiry, seeking the specific requirements for the upgrade. The Turgrin package hadn’t included this information, indicating its specialized nature beyond the basics. The reply he received was prompt, delivering the information he needed in a straightforward and efficient manner, devoid of unnecessary complexities.
Race Upgrade E to D
Race Level 25/100
Class Level 15/50
Advanced level skills 0/3
Looking at the screen he realized he didn't know what advanced level skills meant. His skills only come with rarity ratings . He searched his mind looking for the information. It was like a door being opened as the information was just there all of a sudden. He had to thank Turgrin again next time he saw him. The skills advanced according to their numerical level.
Basic or Novice (Levels 1-10): The foundational levels where one learns and practices the rudimentary aspects of the skill.
Intermediate (Levels 11-30): These levels show an enhanced understanding and improved effectiveness of the skill.
Advanced (Levels 31-50): At this stage, the practitioner can utilize the skill with high efficiency and has access to more complex applications.
Expert (Levels 51-70): The skill user is now an authority on the skill and can perform advanced techniques with ease.
Sinclair perused his list, aware that it was incomplete but still a good starting point. His immediate goal was clear: he needed to focus on advancing three specific skills to level 31. Many of his skills had recently progressed to level 20, which should have unlocked additional bonuses. However, due to his hectic schedule, he hadn’t had the chance to fully explore these new enhancements.
Taking the opportunity now, he navigated to his skills menu. He discovered that he now had ten skills at the intermediate level. He appreciated the interface’s intuitive design; it functioned similarly to an old search window on a PC, bringing up what he focused on with ease.
His attention was drawn to Commanding Presence, which had reached level 25. This advancement expanded its effective range to 300 meters and increased the strength and constitution bonuses to 15 points each. The skill had evolved from a once-per-day activation to a constant aura. Sinclair made a mental note to test whether the aura’s benefits would persist for individuals who moved out of its range.
Another skill that caught his eye was Beast of Burden, which had also reached the intermediate level. This skill had granted him an additional 15 points in Endurance, paralleling the Agility boost he had received from his Surefooted ability.
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Sinclair scrutinized his skill set, noting that Dual Axes, Medium Armour, Two Handed Weapons, and Improvised Weapons had all advanced to the intermediate level. Unlike his other skills, which often granted stat bonuses upon leveling up, these four simply offered enhanced proficiency in their respective areas. He mulled over this for a moment, an idea gradually taking shape in his mind.
He had been contemplating the potential of combining skills, particularly those that didn't require active triggering. Could he fuse multiple skills into something more potent? Curiosity piqued, Sinclair decided there was no time like the present to experiment.
Focusing intently, he mentally selected Dual Axes, Medium Armour, Two Handed Weapons, Spear Mastery, Javelin Mastery, and Improvised Weapons, aiming to fuse them into a unified skill. To his mild astonishment, a window popped up, displaying an 87% synergy rate. These were all general skills, lacking any special attributes, which might explain the high compatibility.
Weighing his options, Sinclair reckoned that even in the worst-case scenario, he would only face a temporary handicap. On the other hand, the best-case scenario could yield a significantly beneficial new skill. He decided to take the leap.
Pressing 'OK', a brilliant flash of light enveloped him, and moments later, his interface updated to reveal a newly formed skill on his screen. The anticipation of discovering its capabilities tingled through him.
Arms Adept (Rare) - An extraordinary skill developed for combatants who aspire to be versatile and formidable across all forms of warfare. It is the culmination of diverse training, granting the warrior a rare adaptability and proficiency with a variety of weapons and armor. The bearer of this skill can deftly switch from dual axes to polearms, don armor without hindrance to movement, and utilize the environment for improvised armaments. This skill is a testament to a warrior's dedication to mastering the art of war, providing adaptive bonuses and the flexibility to use any gear or weapon encountered.
Sinclair couldn't hide his excitement as he read the details of the newly formed skill aloud to Chewy and Leia, eager to share the moment with his companions. The skill, intriguingly named and highlighted in blue, beckoned him to delve deeper into its effects and capabilities. With a click, he accessed the detailed description.
Skill Effects:
Weapon Versatility: Gain a passive bonus to damage and attack speed with any weapon, with specialized maneuvers for each weapon type.
Armor Adaptability: Medium armor provides enhanced protection with no penalty to dexterity or evasion. The user can also adapt to any armor type, gaining a portion of its specific advantages.
Improvised Combatant: Objects not traditionally considered weapons can be used effectively in combat. The user gains a bonus to damage and hit chance with improvised weapons.
Javelin and Spear Mastery: Increases throwing range and accuracy with javelins and enhances melee effectiveness with spears, allowing for both precise strikes and wide sweeping attacks.
Heavy Hitter: Two-handed weapons wielded by the user have increased damage output and can occasionally knock back or stun opponents.
The new skill, amalgamated from a blend of his previous abilities, sat at level 21, comfortably within the intermediate range. This was a relief, as it meant the skill wasn't starting from scratch. Given its diverse origins, encompassing various weapons and armor proficiencies, Sinclair was optimistic about its potential for rapid development. Each aspect it covered now contributed to a single, more potent ability, promising a swift and efficient leveling process.
He wanted to try and fuse Pain Tolerance and Punching Bag again. This time he added Ironclad Fortitude in this time. The goal was to get a high tolerance physical and magical resistance skill out of it. The two original skills were both in the intermediate levels now and should fuse fine. He didn't know what he had such a low synergy last time. Bringing up the window this time he saw that the new synergy level was much better at 86%. He selected yes on the screen and got a nice new passive skill.
Triadic Bastion (Rare) - A rare and multifaceted skill that embodies the pinnacle of resilience, fortifying the body, mind, and arcane defenses of the user. It merges the mental fortitude of Pain Tolerance, the robust endurance of Punching Bag, and the enhanced physical defense of Ironclad Fortitude into a singular, formidable ability. This composite skill not only makes you less susceptible to pain and physical injury but also bolsters your defenses against magical forces, allowing you to withstand assaults that would overwhelm others.
Sinclair couldn't help but feel a sense of achievement as he contemplated the potential of his newly fused skill. By combining multiple abilities into one, he had streamlined his training process significantly. Each individual skill had its own unique strengths, and now, merged together, they offered a more versatile and powerful ability.
This fusion meant that he could now focus on a singular, more robust skill that encompassed various aspects of combat and weaponry. The efficiency of this approach was not lost on him; where he previously had to divide his attention and effort across several skills, he could now concentrate on leveling up this singular, multifaceted skill.
The prospect of this skill developing faster due to its multi-pronged nature was exciting. It was as if he had created a shortcut in his training regimen, one that would allow him to harness and enhance his abilities in a more cohesive and effective manner. This was a strategic move that could give him an edge in the battles to come, making him a more formidable opponent.
Clicking on the skill he looked at what it had to offer in the way of bonuses.
Skill Effects:
Enhanced Resilience: Reduces the impact of all forms of damage, physical and magical, by 15%, allowing the user to shrug off blows that would normally cause significant injury.
Mental Fortitude: Increases the user's focus and concentration, ensuring that pain and minor injuries do not hamper combat effectiveness.
Endurance Amplification: Passively adds a +25 bonus to the Endurance stat, reflecting a heightened ability to endure sustained damage.
Magical Resistance: Grants a temporary increase in resistance to magical attacks and effects, reducing their potency by 20% for a short duration.
Defensive Stance: When activated, the user can enter a defensive stance that further enhances damage resistance by an additional 10%, but this may slightly reduce mobility due to the stance’s focus on protection.
Sinclair's methodical approach to organizing his skills showcased his penchant for structure and efficiency. He realized that his skills screen, originally lumped under a general category, lacked the clarity he desired. The mixed presence of passive and active abilities under a single umbrella was somewhat misleading and could potentially slow him down during crucial moments.
To remedy this, he decided to categorize his skills more intuitively. He envisioned an interface split into two distinct categories: 'Passives' and 'Skills.' The 'Passives' section would include all the abilities that were inherently active, such as sure-footedness or enhanced endurance, which didn't require his conscious trigger. These abilities were always in effect, subtly boosting his capabilities.
The 'Skills' section, conversely, was meant for abilities that required his deliberate activation. This included a range of combat techniques, weapon mastery, and other skills that he could engage at will, particularly in battle scenarios.
Engaging the interface in an 'edit mode,' he mentally organized the skills, moving each to its appropriate category. This reorganization made his interface not only more user-friendly but also allowed for quicker access and assessment of his abilities. The new layout saved him precious moments in making strategic decisions, whether in combat or planning his next move.
Skills
Passives
Aura of Intent 15
Arms Adept 21
Call of the Hunt 18
Beast of Burden 22
Dark Eye 18
Commanding Presence 25
Focused Charge 26
First Aide 10
Huginn and Muninn 16
Gluttonous Determination 15
Hurricane Onslaught 25
Mana Manipulation 15
Leap 19
Meditation 18
Phantom Call
Mental Flexibility 15
Predator's Gait 15
Rapid Regeneration 18
Primal Resonance 10
Shadow Sight 10
Savage Cleave 27
Surefooted 20
SoulForge Blessing 10
Trap Detection 10
Sunder 10
Triadic Bastion 15
Telekinesis 16
Visage of the Wolf 19
Once he was done, he saved the changes, and the interface smoothly reverted to its regular mode, now much more streamlined and effective for his purposes. This simple yet impactful reorganization was a small step that significantly enhanced Sinclair's interaction with his skills, reflecting his continuous effort to optimize every aspect of his journey.
As Sinclair navigated away from his skill and stats screens, he couldn't help but be impressed by the adaptability of the System. It demanded conscious effort, but the ability to make changes was invaluable. The disorganization of his skills in an alphabetical mess had been a nagging issue, but now that was neatly sorted out.
His next task was to investigate the teleport network, a concept that had piqued his interest during his conversation with the elder at Thorsgild. Navigating to the Merchant screen, he typed in 'teleport nodes' and was presented with two options:
1. Teleport Network - Base - Common: Priced at 1200 gold.
2. Teleport Network - Base - Advanced: Priced at 2700 gold.
The first option seemed straightforward, matching what he had gleaned from the elder’s explanation. However, Sinclair was curious about what justified the higher price of the Advanced model. Selecting it, he found its description intriguing:
Teleport Network - Base - Advanced: This node is a central hub for a village or city, controlling all subordinate nodes and providing access to allied locations. Beyond standard security features, it offers advanced communication capabilities, allowing the user to send messages through the nodes, even to locations set as restricted.
Sinclair pondered over this. The utility of being able to communicate through the teleport nodes, especially with those marked as restricted, could be invaluable. It was a hefty price, but given the recent influx of gold and the loan from City Lord Garret, it was within reach. The real question was whether he could afford to overlook such an asset. The decision weighed on him; it was a significant investment, but its strategic importance was undeniable.
Sinclair took a moment to ponder, turning to Chewy and Leia for their opinion. They had always been reliable sounding boards, offering honest and thoughtful insights.
After explaining the options between the Basic and Advanced Teleport Networks, he awaited their response. Leia was the first to speak up, her tone reflecting careful consideration. "If the gold isn't immediately needed elsewhere, I'd suggest going for the Advanced version. The added functionalities seem too valuable to pass up."
Chewy nodded in agreement, sitting attentively. "Leia's right. The difference in cost is significant, but the ability to send messages through the nodes, even restricted ones, could be crucial."
Sinclair found himself nodding along. "Yeah, I think you're both making good points. The Advanced option does seem like the smarter choice in the long run."
Just as he was about to confirm his purchase, a notification flashed across his screen. Glancing at the new message, it read: "Class Level +2." Sinclair raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Well, that's unexpected. Seems like my class level just went up."
How had he gained class levels simply by engaging in a conversation? "Do either of you know why I just got two class levels just from talking to you?" Sinclair asked, puzzled.
Leia was quick to respond. "It's likely the system is recognizing your use of class skills in a non-combative way. Remember, we're more than just combat aids. When you genuinely involve us and trust our input, it aligns with your class role, which the system rewards. It's not all about violence; there are other paths to gaining power."
Sinclair's expression shifted to one of mild shock, a hint of embarrassment coloring his cheeks. "I'm sorry, you two. It's just... I've always had to rely solely on myself, and with everything being so chaotic, I fell back into old habits. I'll make a conscious effort to involve you both more." His smile, warm and genuine, was a silent promise, communicated clearly through their bond.
With a decisive click, he purchased the advanced teleport node. As he selected it from his inventory, the system prompted him to assign it to Wolf's Run, not giving him an option for physical placement. It seemed the system was streamlining the process for him, integrating the node directly into the city's infrastructure.
Confirming his selection, Sinclair watched as his map icon flashed, revealing the placement of the teleport node. It was conveniently situated across from the Town Hall, opposite his main house. Nodding in approval, he thought it was an ideal location.
He then navigated to the city management screen, where he found the teleportation settings. After some consideration, he adjusted the security settings to allow only current residents of Wolf's Run access to the node. He also set a usage fee of 5 gold per trip, a necessary measure to help offset some of the town's developmental costs.
The process of registering the node on the network was straightforward. The system automatically suggested the city's name for the node, which he accepted. Upon completion, a list of other towns already registered on the network appeared:
- Thorgild - Restricted
- Acrovney - Restricted
- Ravens Watch - Restricted
He promptly marked Thorsgild as an approved location for both incoming and outgoing travel, establishing a direct link between Wolf's Run and Thorsgild. This new connection promised to be a valuable asset for both communities.
Sinclair reviewed his lists, making mental notes of the smaller tasks that still needed his attention. Despite the lengthy process of sorting through notifications, he felt a sense of accomplishment. However, he was reminded that his Meridian cultivation was still ongoing, with a little over a day left to completion.
As he prepared to leave his room to check on the town's resources, Chewy alerted him to his parents' voices outside. Sinclair wasn't surprised; his constantly active aura was like a beacon, and it wouldn't take long for people to deduce his whereabouts based on its range.
With a light-hearted chuckle, he turned to Chewy and Leia, "Well, it's time to face the music, I guess. I've done as much as I can here for now. Let's go see what mom and dad want." Resigned yet ready to tackle whatever came next, Sinclair stepped out to meet his parents, his loyal companions at his side.