Ray dashed into the fray, relieving the pressure from Erith and the hunter. Shallow wounds had accumulated on both of them as the battle took its toll. Ray's flurry of strikes forced the creature, already covered in black ichor from multiple wounds, onto the back foot. It tried to block the strikes, but it was useless. His speed increased even compared to his last fight. Seeing no other option, the creature tried to use the same sound attack as the last one. This time, Ray was ready, and before the creature could make a sound, he drove the extended dagger into its neck. Seeing the light fade from its eyes, he turned to the last shrieker. He saw Chio standing over the dead beast, the black blood glistening on his great sword, and a chilling silence filled the air. The gruesome sight of the third hunter, sprawled in a widening pool of blood, the crimson liquid reflecting the morning light, caught Ray's attention. One of the creature's claws appeared to have slashed the hunter's throat before its defeat. Following the fight, the surviving group members united at the spot where their leader rested against a tree. The echoing cries of two other scouts warned them they remained unsafe. With a grunt, the leader pushed up to his feet. Ray saw the man had ripped his shirt and used the piece as a bandage.
“We need to move. The other scouts are likely already dead and I don't plan on joining them today, so keep up.”
The leader said. Everyone nodded, and they made their way through the forest as quietly as possible. After 20 minutes, the pained cries and horrid noise produced by the shriekers had completely faded. Having put sufficient distance between themselves and the creatures, they ran back to the village. Upon their arrival, they found a scene of unfolding panic. The townsfolk, alerted by the hunter’s tale, frantically packed their belongings, bracing for the horde's advance. The elder’s voice boomed out over the village, stopping everyone in their tracks.
“We've confirmed the hunters encountered only a small portion of the horde. The bulk remains over two days away. Please calm down, but continue packing. We will leave at sunset tomorrow.”
The message repeated a few times before fading. Although the atmosphere remained tense, most people had calmed down, methodically packing their belongings instead of frantically grabbing whatever they could carry. Before venturing further into the village, Ray beckoned Erith for a private conversation.
“Yes?”
She asked, following him to a secluded area near the entrance of the village. Ray cautiously checked their surroundings before leaning in to ask, making sure no one was close enough to overhear.
“What level did you make it to?”
Erith frowned at the question before reluctantly answering.
“Only level 5, but if I go out hunting tonight and tomorrow, I can still make it. There is no need for us to leave.”
She said.
“Erith, you saw what those things could do today. Even if you make it to level 10 if we stay here, then we will never stand a chance of defeating an entire army of those things.”
Ray sighed.
“You remember what you said during the trials, right? That one day, when we were powerful, we would turn this clan around together. We've got one shot at this—let's take it! Upon our return, we will be unstoppable, destroying the hordes and saving our clan.”
Erith stared into the distance for a while before she finally sighed.
“You're right. I was just clinging to a false hope that I could change things without having to leave my life and family behind, but if we are to become truly powerful, then it looks like I have no choice.”
Ray nodded, grabbing her hand.
The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
“Let's meet here at midnight tonight. Then we set out to change our world for the better.”
Erith squished his hand tightly before nodding and letting go.
“At midnight.”
She agreed. They then parted ways to pack for their upcoming journey. Ray went back to his hut and filled a bag with everything that he thought they would need. In it, he put a bundle of dried meat with a few mementos that he still had from his parents. He searched the empty hut for anything else he needed, but he'd already packed all his possessions that would fit in his sack. Looking up through the hole in his roof and seeing that the sun was only just setting, he sat down on his straw bed and checked his gains for the day.
Status
Name: Ray
Leval: 8
Ascension: 0
Class: Beginner Artisan (Rare)
Mana: 270/270
Stamina: 60/60
Stats
Strength 5
Endurance 6
Dexterity 30
Intelligence 56
Wisdom 27
Available Points: 3
Multipliers
Strength 0.5
Endurance 0.5
Dexterity 2
Intelligence 2
Wisdom 1
Skills
Appraisal, weapon bond, dual wielding
Titles
[System Appointed Artisan], [Low-Grade Stats Collector]
Surprised that the fight had netted him three additional levels, He first checked what his dual wielding skill did.
dual wielding
Requirements
-Dexterity minimum 20
-Level gained while wielding a weapon in each hand
Effect
Increase dexterity by 10% while fighting with a weapon in each hand.
His eyes widened at the description and he grabbed his two daggers and checked his dexterity. To his surprise, he had gained 7 points.
Hmm, If It is only a 10% boost should I not be only gaining 3 dexterity?
He puzzled. Then he realized he had enhanced both of his daggers, meaning that the weapon bond skill may trigger as well. He focused on that skill to bring up its description as well.
Weapon bond
Requirements
N/A
Effect
10% Increased the effectiveness of attacks and skills when using a weapon that you have crafted or enhanced. Every 10 points in intelligence further increases this effect by 1%.
Current increase: 15%
So it increases skills as well, meaning that I am gaining a 25% stat boost.
Satisfied with the skills that he had gained so far, Ray then moved on to his new title.
Low-Grade Stats Collector
Gain 100 stat points before reaching the first threshold +2 all stats.
Ray contemplated the title briefly. He was aware of level thresholds every ten levels, increasing both leveling requirements and rewards, but was unfamiliar with any titles awarded for attaining a high number of stats before crossing a threshold. Happy with his gains over the past day, Ray closed his screens and waited for midnight to arrive.