Having fished with their flesh molding. Iden starts looking themselves over.

Its body was no longer covered in cuts. Having hidden them below their flesh it had added to itself. Even having put in extra work to try and blend the colors together. Making sure that as long as no one investigated too closely, the would be unable to see the patchwork of different colored skin. A task that had brought flesh modeling up to rank 6.

Satisfied with its work. And, seeing that it had yet to receive further orders. It decided to try something it had thought up while fixing itself.

Strength (Str)

A measure of the physical force one can exsert, relative to the build of the user.

Seeing that its plan worked, it quickly started focusing on its other stats. Gaining a general understanding of them.

From what it read, Strength seemed to be the amount of force it could exert. Dexterity seemed to be its control over its body as well as reflexes. Endurance seemed to be its ability to keep at a task and the ability to keep functioning having taken damage. Constitution was its resistance to all forms of damage. Intelligence was its ability to think fast and think about multiple things at once. Wisdom was its creativity and problem-solving skills. Charisma was its ability to interact with others and force of will. And finally, memory was its ability to memorize and recall things it had experienced.

Now with a working idea of what each of its stats was responsible for, it started to make plans for how to increase them. The two that seemed to give the most trouble was Constitution and Wisdom. Constitution required for it to take damage, something that it had no way of recovering from. While Wisdom seemed to take far more effort to level than the others to level. Hopefully though, by finding ways of leveling its other stats, Wisdom would increase as well.

So, after considering it for a bit, they decided it was best to start with strength. It was already near the level of Novice. Plus, out of all the options, it was the one that would leave it the most freedom to think as it leveled it.

So with that in mind, they decide to try and get one of the Roper to come down. Seeing as they would most likely be the easiest thing to use to increase their strength.

"Come down here." They say, pointing a finger to one of the Ropers.

The Ropers showed no sign of having even heard them. They did not give up yet. As there was still one thing they wanted to try first.

"Ropers, open your eyes." They say. This time getting the results they want, as 7 eyes open on the roof.

Pointing to one of them Iden starts to give orders "Lower yourself till you are around the height of my head"

Having been told what to do, it lowers itself down as Iden starts to walk over to it. As they reach it, Iden places his hands onto the monster.

"I want you to press down against me. Making sure that I'm always barely keeping you from moving down." Iden gives another order as they start to push up.

To their satisfaction, the creature seems to understand them. Pushing back against them and almost forcing them down onto their knees.

Feeling the creature starting to knock them over. Iden starts to push back as hard as they can. While starting to reposition themselves to deal with the pressure better.

This only makes the situation worse as the creature increases to meet them. Seemingly using its weight to help force themselves lower. Making them consider calling the creature off and trying something else.

Strength Growth ranked up to basic 10

Endurance Growth ranked up to basic 8

2 Points have been distributed

But, as its current method seems to be working. It decided to continue for the moment.

Strength Growth ranked up to Novice 1

By reaching Strength Growth Novice 1 in under a day, you have unlocked

Path of Strength 1 0/5

Seeing that they had gotten their strength to were they wanted it, they stopped pushing harder against the Sopel. As at this point it would only serve to make it harder to gain the endurance they were aiming for.

"All Sopels, but the one pushing against me, start to move around the roof in random patterns. Making sure not to move into each other." Commands Iden.

As soon as the command is issued, they start to crawl across the roof. Never moving in a straight line. Instead of moving in curved paths as they travel from one random point on to another.

After watching them for a bit, satisfied that they won't be able to predict how they are moving, Iden closes their eyes. As it does, it tries to recall as many details as it can. Attempting to remember everything from their position to the angle of their eyes. Though it quickly finds that it struggles to even remember the positions they were in. And swiftly being forced to write this attempt as finished and opening their eyes.

Being able to see again, they spend a few seconds watching them before once more closing their eyes. Trying once more to remember their position.

And after repeating this cycle a few times. They managed to get their Endurance up to eight and Memory up to 10. But, we're starting to encounter a problem.

It had started with their arms. No matter how much they tried to control them, they would not stop shaking. This shaking soon followed to their legs. Making it harder to keep pushing back. On top of this, the pain continued getting worse. Making it both harder for them to keep pushing back and harder to find the will to want to. And while every further level of endurance seemed to help decrease these symptoms. Its body was clearly degrading faster then it was being healed.

The thing that kept it going was the fact that it had no natural form of healing. Meaning that taking a break would be of no use to it. And doing so might simply leave them in a worse state when they had first started their training.

So with no other available options, it simply held its ground. Knowing that quitting was no longer an option. They simply stood their ground. Unable to even continue its memory training.

Endurance Growth ranked up to Novice 1

By reaching Endurance Growth Novice 1 in under a day, you have unlocked

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

Path of Endurance 1 0/5

Seeing the box finally appear to tell them that they were done, they gave up trying to fight back. Instead, letting themselves fall to the floor. Giving the Sopels a quick order to return to their original positions.

Seeing the Sopels return to their original position, they simply laid there. Content with what it had accomplished. But, unsure if they would be able to get back up once it was time for it to continue.

But at the moment, it did not care for the future. Instead, laying on the ground and enjoying the break it had.

"What are you just laying there for?" Questioned the voice, giving no warning of its return. "Whatever, that's not important right now. We got some more invaders. And I can't finish the modifications while they are in the dungeon. So I need you to deal with them."

Realizing that it was in no condition to carry out its orders. Iden began to try and think of a way to get out of this. Since even though it had not yet been ordered to actually go after them. If it didn't start moving soon. They almost certainly would be.

So, with no other options available, they invested their points into the endurance path.

Path of Endurance 5/5

+1 End

+1 End

Unlocked title Resilient

Felling some more relief. Iden got to their feet, doing their best to hide their exhaustion. And begin to head out of the room and towards the entrance of the dungeon. This time making sure to memorize the correct path to take back to the end.

Once they get to the entrance, they see three people standing there. Though these people seem much different from the ones they had seen before. Appearing much cleaner and wearing a thicker, brown, garb instead of the clothes that both it and the others had been wearing. In each of there hands, a long and thin piece of metal. About the length of their arms and seemingly exceedingly sharp.

"Whats a brat like you doing all the way out here?" The one in the front says. Seeming to have noticed Iden despite their best effort to stay hidden.

"Exploring" they reply. Not having a better answer to give.

"Ah, I'm guessing your one of the kids from that village we saw on the way here." They say, starting to walk over towards them.

"Yes, how did you know?" They say, attempting to go along with them.

"Your parents were looking for you. I happened to be passing through the village at the time. So I told them I would help find you. So why don't you come with me and head on back to your village." he says. Clearly trying to sounds kind.

It seems like they were mistaken for someone else. If they were careful, they might be able to use this to trick them refuter into the dungeon.

"Gotcha, you little brat." They yell, charging forward at them. "You'll be perfect to threaten them villagers with."

Seeing the man begging to charge at them, they turn to try to run away. But before they are even able to start, feel hands wrap around their neck.

"Now don't be trying anything now. While you'll be more useful to me alive, I don't have anything against killing a kid if they're causing me too many problems." They say, tightening their grip a though to prove a point.

Realizing they were the one that was tricked. Iden starts to try and struggle out, hitting the arms holding them with everything they have. But each hit only seems to amuse the one holding them. Causing them to further tighten their grip.

"What did I tell you brat. Struggling is only going to make this worse. Not like you could do much anyways. I have a combat class." They say, as though this alone means they have already won.

Realizing they are getting no were, Iden stops struggling against their captor and starts to reach into their clothes.

"Heh, seems as though you finally get your situation. Now be a good boy and you'll be back with your family in no. Well as long as they pay us that." they fail to finish. Iden quickly pulls the sickle out and swings behind them.

Felling it sink into something and hearing the man scream, Iden quickly pulls it back. And doing so see an eye on the end of their blade.

Quickly turning around, they see the man screaming at the other two kill them. Having been given their orders, the two men rush forward.

Seeing an opportunity, Iden tries to make a quick slash at the first man's face. But, seemingly already know what they were going to try, leans back. Letting the blade swing by harmlessly. Before stepping forwards and kicking Iden directly in the chest. Sending them flying into one of the cave walls.

They try to get back up as quickly as they can. But fell something steps onto their hand, preventing them from getting back up.

"Well looks like we need to teach an arrant little shit a lesson." Declared the man. Playing the cold metal of there blade against Iden's neck. "Well, any last words kid?"

"Don't kill him here." The man who lost an eye speaks. "We're going to bring him with us for when we destroy their village. Make him watch his friends and family all die first." He says, before punching them in the stomach.

The force of the punch being too much for them, Iden falls to the ground coughing. Being unable to stand with its hand trapped left them feeling helpless. And knowing that people like this existed, far stronger and more prepared then they left them feeling terrified.

Though it also made it realize something else. It didn't need to use strength to beat these people. That's not what it had been made for. It was meant to trick and lie to others, not overpower them. And following this line of reasoning, decided to try something else. And so, turned to the one holding it down and started to speak.

"I... I'm so sorry. Please don't hurt them. When I saw that man charging towards me, I thought he was the strongest one. If I had known I wouldn't have tried anything." Iden says. Making sure to appear as afraid as possible.

"What was that." Says the leader as he picks them up and slams them against the wall. "You think you're being funny or something kid?!"

"I mean sir, you did lose an eye to a kid." Says the one who had been holding them down before.

"What was that!" Bellows that boss.

"Nothing." shoots the terrified man.

"And you." He says, pointing to Iden. "While I said I would make you watch your village die, I don't think you'll be needing both eyes to do so. Maybe I'll take on of them now to replace the one I lost." He spat while drawing a smaller blade from his waist.

"Well, which eye should I take. You right or left?" He asks. Moving the dagger in front of the respective eye as he does.

Not bothering to give an answer, Iden instead jumps up. Slamming the top of their head into the leader's jaw. Giving them the opportunity to grab the blade out of the bosses hand.

"Wha." The man's question is cut short as a dagger is logged into their throat. Before being quickly ripped out.

Not wanting to let the opportunity go to waste, they quickly swing at the man who had beaten them the first time. Quickly slashing into their stomach before they had time to process what had happened.

With two men down Iden quickly turned to look at the final man. He had yet to do anything. Though they still could not afford to let them go. As doing so would make people far more cautious around them.

"Listen, I'm not like them. I never wanted to turn to a life of thievery. But after getting back from the war I had no money and no skills for anything but killing. If I didn't do this I would have starved." The plead.

"It's fine, I forgive you." Replies Iden.

"Really?" They ask. Seemingly in disbelief.

"Yes. I have no reason to hate you." Iden says. Using the moment they relax to stab into their chest.

"Wha, why?" The man manages to ask. Though they do not get a reply.

As soon as the man stops moving Iden notices multiple boxes. Though, whether they had been there the whole time and it had been too focused or they had just appeared, it could not tell. Though after trying to look through them all, decided it would simply be easier to check their updated stats

Stats

Name N/A Race N/A  Gender      N/A        Age    10 Hours Title None Crimes None Str 7 (+12) Dex 7 (+12) End 9 (+12) Con 7 (+12) Int 7 (+6) Wis 7 (+8) Cha 7 (+14) Mem 7 (+10)

Classes

Skills

Flesh Molding Basic 6 Str Growth Novice 1 Dex Growth Novice 1 End Growth Novice 1 Con Growth Novice 1 Int Growth Basic 6 Wis Growth Basic 8 Cha Growth Novice 2 Mem Growth Basic 10    

Traits

Paths (23)

Path of Strength 0/5 Path of Constitution 0/5

"Great job there, I honestly did not think you were going to be able to do it. Good thing you did though. Killing those people just got me more Ather then I have spent on you in total at this point. Their leader, in particular, seemed to give quite the chunk of Ather." Says the voice. Seeming to be mildly amused with what happened.

"You did take quite the beating though. Are you still in working order? It would be a shame to replace you so soon. But if you can't do your job it would be better to just recover as much Ather as I can." Continues the voice.

Having not put much thought into it themselves, Iden decides to check out their body. Which, next to their right hand, seems to be fine. Quite painful and no longer in quite the same condition, but at least still operational. Which was far more than could be said for their hand. Now a sickly purple color. Was nearly impossible to move, with each attempt to do so simply resulting in a massive spike of pain.

"My condition is fine, I will be able to continue my tasks." Says Iden. Hoping they won't ask for more details.

"That's good. Then grab a sword and a clean dagger from one of these bandits. So once the next group of people arrives you can pretend to be an adventurer and lead others who come to clear this place to their death." Says the voice.

So, having been given commands, Iden begins to grab what they were told to. Before standing at the entrance of the dungeon and beginning to wait.