First, I pull up my Skill and Spell advancements, eager for some of those tier up goodies!
Wilderness Survival(J):22--24
Animal Companion(J): N/A--Absorbed into Class Path ability
Huntsman’s Athleticism(App): 17--20!
Wild Rampage(App): 10--13
Natural Reinforcement(J): 21--23
Blood-Fueled(App): 15--18
Eco-Missile(App): 12--14
Environmental Clean(B): 3--5
Huntsman’s Athleticism(J!): Grants the Player advanced knowledge of their own bodily movement, capabilities and most physical pursuits. Also, grants the Huntsman a wider ability base in terms of movement through forests and other natural expanses, including deserts, caves/underground, bodies of water and mountains. Every 10 levels will increase tier and unlock further effects. Journeyman Bonus: Player’s physical Attributes now provide 10% greater effectiveness per stat point.
I had not been expecting anything too cool off of the Journeyman Bonus of one of my more under the radar passive Skills but that one is pretty phenomenal! Basically, for every 10 points I have in a stat, which is all of them now, I get an additional point, essentially, added on top!
And with it being a percentage, it will pay off more and more as I continue to advance.
Happy with my ability progress; next, I let the level up filter into my vision.
Congratulations! You have leveled up! You have 2 free Attribute points and 1 free Skill point available!
Constitution +1
Then, I pull up my full PAID to remind myself of my current stats.
PAID
Player: Nova
Age: 27
Race: Human
Class: Wild Huntsman(R)
Class Ability: Huntsman’s Duty, Advanced Companion(Path)
Level: 11
0/102,400 XP to Lv.12
Martial Style: Natural Disaster(J) Lv.29
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Attributes (Human range between 1 and 5):
Strength 11
Dexterity 10
Constitution 17--18
Intelligence 10
Soul 10
Mana: 100
HP: 90
Skills: Wilderness Survival(App) Lv. 24, Huntsman’s Athleticism(J): Lv.20, Wild Rampage(App) Lv.13
Unlock next free Skill point at Lv.21
Spells: Natural Reinforcement(J) Lv.23, Blood-Fueled(App) Lv. 18, Eco-Missile(App) Lv.14, Environmental Clean(B) Lv.5
Unlock next free Spell point at Lv.12
Items: Icy Soul Hatchet(U), Barely There Cloak(B), Basic Storage Ring
Titles: Natural Born Killer, Soul Searcher, Top Tier I, Human+, Dungeon Trainee I
Pleased with how my build looks, I particularly enjoy the freedom my balance gives me while my Constitution keeps me on my feet and battling even whilst grievously wounded. To further my strengths in that vein, I even my Dexterity with my Strength by adding one of my free points, best to stay flexible as more and more gets thrown at us. The other point I aim to put towards a mind stat just to get some extra points of Mana should I or, more likely, my Companions need the extra.
While Soul holds a special place in my heart, especially as the first point I ever placed went into it, I go with Intelligence this time around. While I don’t notice myself getting any smarter when I put points there, I definitely seem to think faster which is more than I can say for Soul. I know it will grow more important as I progress but thus far, not much has dealt with it, I basically just keep adding points there for the sake of symmetry, a small edge in understanding the mysteries of my Style and a slight instinct that it will be more useful someday soon.
Points done, it’s on to the extra juicy bit now!
Pulling up my Skills list, I make sure to scrutinize each because of Grover’s helpful warning.
Skills List (Recommended by Compatibility %)
Viking Defender(U)(100%)
Wild Blade Mastery(98%)
Tracking (96%)
Army of One(94%)
Skinning (93%)
Wilderness Conservation(App) (88%)
…
Tree Climbing(77%)
…
Blood Sacrifice(31%)
So……you know that old chestnut about making plans and God laughing?
This is much like that.
By near reflex I click immediately on the only ability I have ever seen with 100% compatibility.
I assumed it wasn’t even possible, that 99 was the ceiling!
But the expanded description clears things up a bit, the U meaning something far different than the usual “Uncommon” quality of Classes and items.
Viking Defender(Unique): For being the prime defender and difference maker in the defense of your Viking style settlement and beating extreme odds, you have earned this entirely and completely unique Skill. When fighting in the defense of others in a group battle or larger, every point of damage you inflict on your enemy will grant 20% of that point to the member of your group or ally with the lowest HP and will continue throughout the battle. Every 10 levels will not increase tier as this is a unique Skill that will not see additional benefits but it will increase the rate of return on HP by 5% each 10 levels.
I consider looking through my other options, I really do…..
But come on!
Its unique!
And it will help everyone around me survive much, much more damage!
Eagerly, I accept the Skill and await that lovely strike of pain.
It does not disappoint in the slightest, my brain etched into once more by the System that now seems to be more and more pushing me to be at the forefront of our world’s side in the coming Contest.
As I return to myself and crack my neck to ease some of the residual pain, I resolve to meet the System’s growing expectations of me.
Not that I see it as some sort of person or living being, not really, but as a program meant to accomplish a goal, one I fully support because if, in the process of helping the System win, I can help our world survive and maybe someday even thrive?
Then it is and will be a small price to pay indeed.
My convictions even more rock solid in my mind, I drift off to sleep with an errant hand petting Artemis and the other wrapped loosely around a dozing Horus.