Blood trickles down my side from the wound in my arm, and my shoulder is aflame with pain. Jane stands beside me, her hands tending to my injuries, wrapping bandages around my wounds.

In hindsight, my decision to abandon my bow for close-range combat was not the wisest. The wolves' speed and agility allowed them to dart around me, forcing me to fight defensively. Had I stuck to my bow, I could have taken them out from a safe distance without sustaining these injuries.

Hindsight is 20/20, they say. It was only after the battle, once my anger had subsided, that I fully realized the consequences of my hasty decision to fight up close. If I had taken a moment to think during the chaos of combat, I could have used my bow and stayed out of harm's way.

I put aside my regrets, knowing that dwelling on them won't change anything now. Instead, I turn my attention to the flashing notifications that demand my attention.

You Have Defeated 3x Level 8 Goblin Ranger

You Have Defeated 3x Level 7 Wolf

Level Up 11–12

You Gain 5 Free Stats

Stats:

Strength - 8

Dexterity - 35 + 10

Constitution - 16

Mana - 25

Free Stats - 5

I decide to put my hard-earned points into Constitution, hoping to mitigate some of the damage my body takes in future fights. My healing is too slow, and my injuries linger longer than I'd like.

I realize that my Strength stat is abysmal, but I'm confident in my ability to rely on my Mana Infusion skill and Mana Circuit to augment my attacks and body for now. So, I decide to focus on other stats for the time being.

As I invest the points into Constitution, I can feel my body beginning to change even more. Muscles tighten, bones strengthening, and I can sense a subtle but significant increase in my body's resilience.

I focus intently on the sensations in my wounded arm, immersing myself in the feeling of my body repairing itself. I watch in awe as the torn flesh begins to knit back together, the skin mending before my eyes.

Inspired by Lucy's demonstration earlier, I attempt to infuse my wounded arm with mana. I channel the energy, feeling it surge through me, and watch as a faint pattern begins to take shape near the injury.

As I try to push more mana into the pattern, it shatters, and the energy disperses throughout my body, leaving a sharp pang of pain behind. I grimace as a headache begins to pulse in my temples, the backlash of the failed attempt.

I try to distract myself from the throbbing pain in my temples by accessing my stat screen once more, hoping to shift my focus to the numbers displayed before me.

Stats:

Strength - 8

Dexterity - 35 + 10

Constitution - 21

Mana - 25

I nod appreciatively as I review my stats. My Dexterity is undoubtedly the highest, boosted by both my class and equipment, and it's easily one of my favourite stats to work with.

I also take note of my Mana stat. After witnessing the profound difference in power from a mana-infused swing compared to a normal one, I make a decision to invest my future level-up points into increasing my Mana pool.

I evaluate my current stat distribution, satisfied with my levels of Dexterity and Constitution for the moment. Confident in my foundation, I steel myself to test the limits of my Mana Circuit.

I notice Jane's gaze is fixed on my wounded shoulder, her expression filled with fascination. She has stopped bandaging the injury and is intently watching as the wound slowly closes before her eyes.

I can't help but grin faintly, appreciating the fascination in Jane's eyes. "Pretty cool, right?"

"It's disgusting," she asserts.

Oh

I smile at her response, amused by her reaction. "Alright, enough ogling my wounded shoulder," I quip, "let's keep moving."

We begin trekking back through the forest, retracing our steps as we follow the faint trails to the site of our previous battle. The sounds of nature fill the air, providing a familiar backdrop to our journey.

We continue onwards, the journey to the battlefield passing without incident. Before long, we reach the area where the battle took place. The aftermath of the encounter is still evident, scattered bodies and bloodstains marking the battlefield.

I observe the surrounding area, taking note of the forest's natural process of decomposition. The roots of the nearby trees have already begun to ensnare the lifeless bodies of both human and goblin, the cycle of life and death continuing unabated.

I turn to Jane and whisper softly, my voice barely carrying past a breath. "Close your eyes," I instruct her, my gaze fixed on her face.

I can sense her reluctance as she returns my gaze, her expression hinting that she's unimpressed by my request. "I've seen worse than this," she retorts, her tone slightly sassy.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

Right… she’s basically seen her whole village get decimated.

I raise my hand in mock surrender, acknowledging her stubbornness. "Okay, fine. Just follow me closely," I advise. I begin navigating the battlefield, carefully treading through the scattered bodies as I search for any trace of Alex.

I continue treading through the battlefield, taking in the sight of the scattered bodies. I notice the majority of the fallen are goblins, their lifeless forms lining the ground. There are a few humans mixed in, but their number is relatively low – only two or three, as far as I can tell.

My eyes fall upon Leah's form, the horrified expression still etched on her face. Roots have begun to wrap around her body, ensnaring her in their relentless embrace. The sight of her face still distinguishable, amidst the encroaching grasp of the flora, sends a chilling shiver down my spine.

I feel a wave of nausea wash over me as the gruesome sight of Leah's body registers in my mind. Bile rises in my throat, but I forcefully suppress it, my determination overriding the visceral reaction. On the other hand, Jane seems almost unfazed, her expression neutral as she surveys the scene.

The things she must have seen to be okay with this.

At the sound of a faint whisper carried on the wind, my body goes rigid, and I instinctively raise my bow, arrow nocked and ready. Every muscle in my body tenses as I prepare to defend myself from the invisible assailants.

I lower my bow ever so slightly as a middle-aged woman cautiously emerges from the protective cover of the surrounding forest. Her face is familiar, yet I struggle to recall her name. I regard her cautiously, unsure of her intentions.

Her appearance is a reflection of the hardships she's endured. She's covered in dirt, her clothing torn and disheveled. She looks like she's been through her own share of trials and tribulations, just like me and Jane.

Softly, she pleads, her voice carrying a hint of desperation. "Please, you have to help... It's Madam Lucy," she implores, her eyes filled with a mixture of worry and hope.

I glance at Jane as her small hands tighten their grip on my sides, her worry evident in her expression. I can sense the concern radiating from her as she nervously awaits my response.

I slowly lower my bow, placing it back on my person, and shift my focus to the pleading woman. I try to keep my voice calm and steady as I address her. "Where is she? What's wrong?" I ask.

The woman points deeper into the forest, her expression pleading as she speaks. "She's hurt badly," she explains, her voice trembling with desperation. "She's just a minute walk this way, please help her," she implores.

I give a slow nod, signaling my agreement. "Okay, lead the way," I tell the woman. I then turn to Jane, my voice barely audible as I speak to her in a whisper. "Stay right by my side,"

The woman leads us through the forest, and I realize she wasn't lying about the short distance. We arrive at our destination, where I spot two figures lying motionless on the ground.

Without a moment's hesitation, Jane breaks into a sprint and tears towards one of the figures lying on the ground. I realize it's Lucy, and my heart sinks at the sight of her injured form.

I quickly reach Lucy's side, my gaze taking in the extent of her injuries. A wave of concern washes over me as I realize the severity of her condition, but I am relieved to see that she is still awake. Next to her lies Jake, unconscious but seemingly unharmed.

I turn to the woman who led us to this location, my gaze intense and focused. "What happened?" I demand, my voice filled with a mixture of urgency and concern.

I kneel down next to Lucy, my eyes scanning her injuries with concern. A strange feeling of worry tugs at me at the sight of her wounds, and I can't help but ask in a gentle tone, "What happened?"

Lucy manages to smile weakly at me, a tinge of sorrow in her expression. "We tried to run," she explains her voice soft and pained. "The battle...the poor villagers," she continues, her words filled with sadness.

Lucy's words are interrupted by a coughing fit that causes blood to spatter from her lips. I watch with concern, but the other lady steps closer and speaks gently. "Just rest," she tells Lucy. "I'll explain everything."

The woman kneels down beside Lucy, starting her tale. "It started when the goblins attacked," she begins, her voice quivering slightly as she recalls the traumatic events. "Me and Lucy were walking together, beside the young unconscious man over there." The woman points towards Jake.

The woman continues her recounting of the events, her voice taking on a solemn tone. "We watched as they started ravaging through our numbers, and we knew there was no way we could win the battle," she explains. "So, together, Lucy and I grabbed the young man and fled towards the forest."

The woman's voice shakes a little as she continues her story. "Goblins chased us, and we had no choice but to fight," she explains, a note of fear in her voice. "Lucy protected me and the young man, but the goblins were overwhelming. She managed to slay them all, but not before being injured badly herself."

I nod quietly, taking in the information. "Is there anything we can do to help?" I ask. "Why isn't she healing herself?" I wonder aloud, my gaze shifting back towards Lucy and her unhealed injuries.

Lucy's voice breaks through the silence, her words carrying a hint of resignation. "I can't," she explains quietly, her breathing labored as she speaks. "My core...it's been shattered."

I furrow my brow, confusion evident on my face, I query, "What do you mean? What does that mean?"

The other woman chimes in, a solemn look on her face, and explains, "It means... her mana is gone. She can no longer use it."

I feel a pang of disbelief, mumbling softly to myself, "How...?" I then shake my head, determination replacing my confusion. I reach out towards Lucy, gently placing my hands on her wounded body. "If she can't heal herself, then I'll have to heal her," I say firmly.

I feel the familiar surge of mana coursing through my veins as I channel it into Lucy's wounded form. My breath catches in my throat as I fully comprehend the extent of her injuries. She's in an extremely precarious state.

I realize that her body is not only damaged due to external injuries, but also because of internal bleeding. Her mana, lacking a core to confine it, runs wildly within her, further damaging her already compromised body. The fact that she's still alive seems astonishing, given the dire circumstances.

Lucy breaks the silence with a soft, labored voice. "Now you know," she whispers, her words carrying a resignation that speaks volumes.

I contemplate her words, my mind racing as I consider the implications of her situation. "Indeed, now I do know," I murmur, a sense of helplessness washing over me. There's no way to heal this.

I turn to look at Jane, her eyes brimming with tears. Her pleading voice echoes in my ears as she begs desperately, "Please, mister. Please help her."

I let out a heavy sigh, my gaze meeting Lucy's. She and I share a silent understanding- we both know it's almost useless, but I still can't give up without trying.

I take a deep breath, focusing my thoughts as I carefully direct my mana into Lucy's injured frame once more. I concentrate on the patterns I saw Lucy demonstrate earlier, desperately trying to replicate her technique.

I persist, determined to achieve even a small measure of success. But no matter how many times I try, my mana continues to clash with the intricate pattern. My head feels like it's been hit by a sledgehammer, and my eyes water from the effort. Despite my best efforts, the pattern proves to be too complex to replicate, and my attempts keep failing.

Lucy's weak hand finds mine, and I feel a wave of sadness wash over me as she speaks. "It's okay, Balin," she whispers. "I can feel it...my ancestors are welcoming me home now."

I watch helplessly as the light slowly fades from Lucy's eyes. Jane pushes forward, tears streaming down her face, and hugs Lucy's body tightly, her sobs echoing through the air.

Lucy's frail voice whispers one last sentence, her words fading away with the last breath. "They were all taken," she mumbles weakly. "Seek out Lazeral in Bala. He will know what to do." And then she falls silent, her life ebbing away before my eyes.

The forest slowly falls into a hushed silence, the trees seemingly mourning the loss of their beloved. The only sound that disrupts the stillness is the heartbreaking cry of a young girl, her grief echoing through the tranquil atmosphere.