Upon returning to what he had come to term the 'staging area', the atmosphere felt different, heavier. The weight of the day's events pressed on him. Deep exhaustion threatened to pull him under, but he had tasks to complete first. An unattended cascade of notifications had been clamoring for his attention during the heat of battle, and he had dismissed them all, forcing them to remain hidden until he chose to view them.
Spotting a neatly stacked pile of wood beside the house, Sinclair wasted no time in setting up a small fire. He intended to cook some of the Bonehead meat, though he made a mental note to replenish his water supply in the next location – provided, of course, that clean water was available.
Positioning himself comfortably against the wall, he summoned his interface. Drawing a deep breath for patience, he tapped the notifications, starting with the most recent.
Enemies defeated x 83 Exp awarded 975
System Message - Level UP! X2
When humans level up, they receive five free points to spend and one automatically assigned to Willpower and Endurance. To level up, please assign your points.
Draugr Chieftain Defeated x 1 Exp awarded 105
Enemies Defeated x18 Exp awarded 450
System Message - Level Up!
When humans level up, they receive five free points to spend and one automatically assigned to Willpower and Endurance. To level up, please assign your points.
New Skill - Cleave (Uncommon) - You can transfer some of your magic into your blade expelling it into a larger area of effect along your weapons trajectory.
Effects:
1. Adds Fire attribute damage
2. Adjustable mana usage to increase or decrease damage output
Skill Ups!
Surefooted Level 0 > 4
Dual Axes Level 0 > 5
Medium Armour Level 0 > 8
Pain Tolerance Level 0 > 6
Base Stat Changes
+8 Strength
+2 Agility
+6 Constitution
+2 Intelligence
+1 Willpower
+7 Endurance
Hatchets of the Wolf x 2 - Rare - These twin hatchets are a gift from Jarl Hrondir, symbolizing gratitude for your heroism in saving his village. Crafted with exquisite craftsmanship, each hatchet features a sleek, lightweight design, enabling swift and precise strikes. The handles are adorned with intricate wolf engravings, a nod to the Jarl's lineage and the spirit of the wolf. The blades themselves are masterfully forged, their edges sharp enough to cause deep wounds that continue to bleed. +3 Agility +Bleed Soul bind y/n?
Axe of the Dire Wolf - Rare - The Axe of the Dire Wolf is a venerable weapon, passed down through generations of Jarl Hrondir's family. Its hefty, robust design contrasts with elegantly carved motifs depicting the dire wolf, symbolizing strength and ferocity. The axe's blade, dark and imposing, holds a keen edge capable of instilling fear in the hearts of adversaries. + 4 strength Chance to case fear. Soul bind y/n?
Congratulations you have cleared the Algiz challenge. Your reward is being generated. +50 silver, Warden's Belt of the North
Warden's Belt of the North - Rare
Description: The Warden's Belt of the North is a symbol of resilience and bravery, awarded for your heroic defense against the Draugr invasion. Crafted from the finest northern leathers and reinforced with mystical fibers, the belt is decorated with intricate runes that symbolize protection and endurance. It is a piece that resonates with the spirit of the northern wardens, known for their steadfastness in the face of overwhelming odds.
Attributes:
+8 Endurance: Significantly boosts your stamina and ability to withstand fatigue, allowing for prolonged engagement in combat without tiring.
+5 Constitution: Enhances your overall health and resilience, fortifying your body to withstand harsh blows and environmental hardships.
Draugr Defense Enhancement: Specially attuned to defend against the unique threats posed by Draugr, this belt offers additional protection against their bone-chilling attacks and necrotic abilities.
Defensive Aura: The belt emits a subtle aura that reinforces your defensive capabilities, providing an additional layer of protection in battle, especially against undead foes.
His stats were jumping by leaps and bounds. He was almost level 7. He was still banking his points until he could figure out his class and for his natural stats to stop growing. He wondered if there was a stat growth cap on humans or if it was on the rank of his race. Sighing to his self he looked over his stat sheet before laying down to rest. He looked up at the sky from his sleeping bag and marveled at what his life was becoming. There was no doubt in his mind anymore that this was real. The how and why of everything being what it was now still bothered him but there was nothing he could do about that right now.
Name: Sinclair Hagerson
Race: Human
Level: 0 (6)
Rank: F
Path: None
Class:
Health 470
Mana 280
Stamina 760
Strength: 61
Agility: 32
Constitution: 47
Intelligence: 28
Willpower: 28
Endurance: 76
Luck: 25
Available Points: 30
Sinclair was starting to adapt to these amplified stats. With each enhancement, his need for sleep diminished, a blessing in disguise given his time constraints. With two doors remaining and only five days in this world equivalent to three Earth days, there was no room for dawdling. He fell asleep with these thoughts on his mind.
It didn't take long for him to come back to the world though. He was down to needing about 4 or 5 hours of sleep at this point. After a quick breakfast and tidying up his makeshift camp, he approached the next door. Ansuz beckoned, promising challenges of true vision or inspiration. Of all the challenges, this one seemed the most enigmatic.
Upon entering, Sinclair found himself in a tranquil clearing encircled by towering trees. The open sky above shimmered brilliantly, a celestial tapestry he'd never witnessed before. The earthy scent of loam filled the air, accompanied by the soft, comforting crackle of a distant fire. The stars and sky looked unreal. They were brighter and more numerous than anything he had ever seen. Everything was in stark contrast and incredibly high detail.
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Drawn to the center, he spotted a low, domed structure. Wisps of smoke escaped through its small fissures, suggesting a fire within. As he neared the tent, a haunting, somber chant reached his ears, growing more pronounced with each step. Bracing himself, Sinclair anticipated the familiar appearance of a system message. And sure enough, just as he reached the entrance of the tent, the awaited prompt materialized before him.
System Message - Ansuz - Test of the Dreamer
Quest Objective: Embark on a spiritual odyssey under the guidance of the elder shaman. This test challenges you to delve into the mystical realms and discover your unique pathway. It is a journey of introspection, enlightenment, and self-discovery.
Process:
1. Shamanic Guidance: The elder shaman will lead you into the journey, but the true path must be navigated by you alone.
2. Spiritual Exploration: Traverse through visions, challenges, and revelations in the mystical realms.
3. Pathway Discovery: Your task is to find and recognize your personal pathway, understanding its significance and the role it plays in your destiny.
Rewards: Successful completion of this test will grant you deeper self-awareness and possibly unearth latent abilities or hidden strengths. It’s a chance to grow not just as a warrior but as an individual connected to the greater mysteries of the world.
What sort of test was this? He had read about sweat lodges before but discounted the theory as new age stuff. With the magic system he no longer knew what to expect. What he did know was that he was about to find out regardless of his beliefs on the matter. Walking up to the flap of the tent he went to reach for the opening when a gnarled hand reached out and opened it for him.
“I have been expecting you young warrior. It is a good night to go on a journey don’t you think?” The shaman was weathered in the sort of way you get from staying outside too long with no sun screen on. He had thick white hair on his head and beard. The beard was braided with bits of metal and what looked like antler. Staring at this weathered old man Sinclair did what he could to stay in character. Not knowing if that even mattered. It was just kind of fun at this point. “I was sent here to find my pathway. Are you to be my guide?”
“Yes, young one. I will be guiding you this night and watching over your body while your spirit ventures forth on its quest. Come in and disrobe. You can take this seat by the fire while I close the flap.”
Sinclair made himself comfortable sitting on a small rug. He went into his system screen and unequipped his clothes. This had to be one of the best features of the whole system if you didn’t count stats and skills. The shaman turned around walking over to his side to sit down. He grabbed an old ladle from a bucket Sinclair had not noticed. Splashing a little water on the rocks instantly raised the temperature in the small dwelling.
“Take these young warrior. You will need to eat and drink all this before we can begin.” The shaman handed him two small bowls, one had small shoots of what he assumed were a local mushroom while the other contained a muddy looking drink.
Sinclair eyed the small mushrooms with a degree of apprehension. Fully expecting them to taste like earth, he hesitated for a moment before consuming them. Trying to push aside thoughts of the natural environments where such fungi typically thrived, he quickly downed the accompanying liquid. Handing the containers back to the shaman, he swiped a bead of sweat from his brow. The heat inside the tent was intensifying.
The shaman seemed unperturbed, methodically sprinkling water on the hot stones. The sweltering heat began to disorient Sinclair; the air grew thick, and a dizzying sensation enveloped him. Struggling, he attempted to roll to the tent's entrance, seeking a breath of fresh air. But as he tilted to one side, his surroundings spun, and he found himself staring straight up into the sky from the field, the tent and the shaman nowhere in sight.
Regaining his posture, Sinclair scanned his surroundings. All of his belongings, including his storage ring, were absent. The realization he might be hallucinating dawned on him, although he felt strangely lucid. There he was, stark naked under a breathtakingly clear starlit sky, a gentle breeze teasing his skin. The surrealism of the situation was almost comical. Everything felt just right, not a single oddity at all... or so he thought.
Sinclair paced the clearing, his eyes scouring for any hint of direction. Spotting a faint game trail to the west, he followed its winding path, careful to maintain its course and avoid disturbing the undergrowth. The forest was cloaked in an almost sacred silence, compelling him to move with quiet reverence.
As he journeyed, the landscape around him began to evoke an inner tranquility he'd never felt before. His thoughts were neither of trials nor challenges, but of simple admiration for the serenity the environment bestowed upon him.
Upon reaching another glade where a gentle stream carved its path, Sinclair felt a compelling urge to lie down. There were no obvious markers or signs indicating his next move, so he allowed himself a moment of respite. The trials the system put him through were multifaceted and often stressful. He took this lull as an opportunity to soak in the peace.
Lying on his back, the expansive sky above became his sole focus. The sheer serenity of the place enveloped him like a comforting embrace. Each heartbeat felt amplified, a soothing rhythm accompanied by the soft rustle of grass beneath him. For Sinclair, this moment was a glimpse into a coveted tranquility he yearned to find in the real world, far from digital trials and virtual challenges.
Sinclair felt an insistent pull from the North, originating deep within his chest. It grew steadily, urging him forward with an intensity he couldn't ignore. Almost on instinct, he stood up and began walking in the direction of the pull. Gone was the caution; his steps were determined, almost frantic. The urge built until he found himself breaking into a jog and then, an all-out sprint. Trees and shrubs became mere blurs as he navigated his way through the forest.
As he drew closer, the clang of metal against wood echoed, adding to his urgency. Though his breath came quick, fatigue didn't touch him, perhaps due to his enhanced stats or the illusory nature of this realm. He questioned, briefly, if injuries sustained here would carry to the other world.
Emerging into another clearing, Sinclair took a moment to process the scene before him. A group of brutish creatures, reminiscent of goblins but far larger and menacing than any tale or movie had depicted, surrounded the entrance of a cave at the base of a toppled tree. On either side of the entrance lay the bodies of two gargantuan wolves – or, DireWolves, as he thought of them, given their incredible size.
Drawing closer, driven by that fiery sensation in his chest, he began to discern faint yips and growls, like those of distressed pups. A sickening realization hit him: the creatures were attacking wolf pups. A rage bubbled up from within him; memories of his beloved dog flashed in his mind. While unarmed and vulnerable, Sinclair knew he couldn't stand idly by. Those pups needed him, and he was ready to do whatever it took to protect them.
The monsters stood just over 5 feet tall wearing leather and rags mixed with small pieces of shiny metal here and there. All of them carried javelins or spears and he would definitely need a tetanus shot if he got cut. All these thoughts sped through his head in a second. He knew he was committed and wouldn’t back down regardless of the pain. He was here to grow after all. And, that heat he was feeling was still growing. There was no reason he shouldn’t actually catch on fire at this point. If he could get the drop on them then he could take a spear from one and use it to help level the playing field. He triggered his Valkyrie's Gaze skill giving him insight into the creatures.
Creature Name: Norse Goblins
Description: Norse Goblins are a formidable variant of the traditional goblin species, standing at an unusual height for their race. These creatures are distinctively larger and more robust than their common counterparts. They are armed with an arsenal of spears and javelins, which they wield with surprising agility and skill, making them dangerous foes in combat.
Their appearance is rugged and untidy, with scraps of cloth and rags haphazardly draped over their bodies. Interspersed within these fabrics are bits of shiny metal - fragments of armor, coins, and trinkets - giving them a scavenged, almost patchwork look. These metal pieces are not just decorative; they serve as a form of rudimentary armor, offering some protection in battle.
Norse Goblins are known for their cunning and resourcefulness. They often move in groups, using their numbers and weaponry to overwhelm opponents. Despite their rough exterior, these goblins have a keen instinct for survival, making them unpredictable and challenging adversaries.
With a deep breath and a silent prayer to whoever was watching him he put all his strength and agility into running quickly across the remaining few yards. He plowed into the back of the two goblins on the left driving their heads into the dirt as hard as he could. He jumped to his feet snatching up the larger spear and stomping down on the back of the two goblins heads as hard as he could hearing a loud crunch. With no regard to his personal safety he lashed out with the spear catching the next goblin in the throat so hard it severed the spine sending it spinning to the ground.
Unfortunately at this point the other goblins were mobilizing on him as the threat and he was soon proudly sporting two searing lines of pain on his thigh and rib cage from grazes. One thing he noticed was that he was far stronger and faster than these monsters, the numbers were going to be difficult to beat though. Didn’t matter he thought to himself, he had some puppies to save in this strange hallucination/world?
Driving forward with unstoppable force was the only way forward now. He had no defense and no real skill with a spear. So swing hard and stab fast was the order of the day. And, he stabbed hard enough into the next goblin that it went through it and stabbed the shorter goblin behind it through the throat killing both of them.
Half of the goblins were down in the first several seconds. Scooping up one of the javelins he chucked it at the goblin trying to flank him and pinned it’s thigh to the ground. It looked like he hit an artery as there was a lot of dark blood pumping out of the wound. Spinning around to the pain that had flared up his back he used the spear like a golf club and split the offending globin in two, causing his spear shaft to shatter. They might have long cutting edges but they were not designed for that level of action.
He had three goblins left and a metric ton of anger and heat built up in his chest. The last three goblins started backing away thinking that flight was the better option here. Instead of letting them go through Sinclair lunged down grabbing two more spears and giving chase. Catching the first two was pretty easy as they didn’t get more than a couple feet away. Jumping up to gain a little height and momentum he reversed griped the spears and drove both goblins to the ground with a spear from each hand. Grabbing one of the javelins from the last Goblin he launched it at the remaining goblin pinning it to a tree.
For not having any real skill with throwing weapons outside of throwing javelin on the track team he was surprised at making the shots he had made so far. Luck was on his side it seemed.
Panting and looking around to make sure all the goblins were dead he surveyed the ground around him. He was splattered in blood. Some of it was his own blood but mostly goblin blood. This had been far too easy. It looked like had gained two new skills. Thankfully he had a high endurance as his wounds had already stitched shut and he was slowly ticking up the last few health points he was missing.
New Skill - Spear Mastery (Common) - A foundational skill that allows the user to use spears in combat.
New Skill - Javelin Mastery (Common) - A foundational skill that allows the user to use javelins in combat.
Skill Ups!
Javelin Mastery Level 0 > Level 3
The days Sinclair had spent perfecting his javelin throw in high school track and field events weren't wasted. Though he hadn't clinched gold every time, he had earned a spot in the state championships on more than one occasion, proving he had a knack for hurling objects with precision. This skill now lent itself to the battlefield as he meticulously scoured the area, picking up weapons and any valuable items left behind.
Unfortunately, most of the goblins seemed to possess an odd collection of trinkets. Discolored pebbles, worn-out feathers, and half-rotten meat constituted the bulk of their possessions. Still, persistence bore fruit. Amidst the remains of the larger foes, Sinclair's fingers grazed cool metal, and he retrieved a handful of shimmering silver coins. He stored them carefully in the least tarnished pouch he could find, yearning for the moment he'd be reunited with his personal storage.
Surveying the battleground, a mix of triumph and melancholy washed over him. He was momentarily lost in thought, wondering if the normalcy of his previous life would ever grace him again