Chapter 4
Jennifer woke up, her head throbbing as if she had spent the night at a never-ending party.
She grumbled to herself, "Worst... day... ever."
Blinking away the grogginess, she found herself lying on a rough surface within what appeared to be a dimly lit cave. Her staff next to her. The events of the past day rushed back to her – the goblins, the escape, the adrenaline-fueled flight through the woods. She could still feel the remnants of fear and exhilaration coursing through her veins, mingling with the dull ache in her head.
"...but the part with magic was kinda cool." She gave a feint smile, her lips quirking up despite her fatigue.
Rolling onto her back, Jennifer gazed up at the cave's ceiling, lost in thought. The cave provided a temporary respite from the chaos outside, its walls shielding her from the unknown dangers of the swamps. It was strange how even a cave could feel oddly comforting, like a temporary sanctuary in this unpredictable world.
But her mind wasn't focused on the cave; it was on the last message she saw before she passed out.
System Message
You have gained 50 stat points.
"What should I do with my stats?" Jennifer murmured to herself as she pushed herself to a sitting position, wincing at the ache in her head.
She opened her Menu and saw her stats.
JENNIFER
Race: Swamp Otter
Class: Mage
Level: 9
HP: 60/60
MP: 20/20
Stamina 100/100
Strength: 3
Dexterity: 9
Intelligence: 12
Charisma: 2
You have 50 stat points.
"Wait...that's a lot of stat points for my level, I think." Jennifer realized, her mind racing with possibilities."And I'm a spell caster now, neat!"
"But...how did I get so many points?" she wondered, a frown creasing her brow. "Could it have been some of the potions I drank?"
There was so much she didn't know about this new world, and the mysteries seemed to deepen with every step she took.
From the shadows, Rachel emerged, her fur illuminated by the cave's soft light. "Hello, friend, are you okay?" Rachel's voice carried a gentle concern.
"Rachel!" Jennifer's otter eyes lit up with a mixture of relief and excitement. "I'm glad you're here. I could use a bit of company and maybe some insight into these stat points."
Rachel hopped closer, her rabbit ears perked up attentively. "Do you not know how to use your points? They are very helpful, I can teach you."
Jennifer nodded, her curiosity piqued. "I have a general idea, but I'm still a bit confused about how they work."
Rachel smiled warmly. "No worries, Jennifer. It's actually quite simple once you break it down. Let's start with the major stats."
"Strength," Rachel began, "increases your overall physical strength, which affects your damage output in both melee and ranged attacks. It also boosts your defense and maximum HP, making you tougher in battle."
"Dexterity," Rachel continued, "improves your accuracy, agility, and reflexes. This means you'll be able to hit enemies more often and avoid their attacks. It also increases the chance of landing critical hits for extra damage."
"Intelligence," Rachel explained, "enhances your magical abilities. It increases your magic potency, making your spells more powerful. It also boosts your magical resistance, helping you resist the effects of enemy magic. Additionally, it increases your MP."
"Charisma," Rachel concluded, "influences your social skills. It affects your physical appearance, making you more appealing to others. It also enhances your trading abilities, allowing you to strike better deals. And while it sounds a bit sneaky, it can even help you tell more convincing lies if needed."
Jennifer listened intently, her understanding growing. "So, these stats are like building blocks that shape different aspects of my abilities?"
Rachel nodded. "Exactly! By allocating stat points, you can tailor your strengths to your fighting style."
Jennifer grinned. "Thank you, Rachel. This really helps. I'll definitely keep these explanations in mind."
With that knowledge, Jennifer understood that these points were her ticket to survival, her path to shaping herself into someone capable of thriving in this new world. Her eyes flickered across the stats, each number representing a facet of her potential. She considered her strengths and weaknesses.
"Hmmm..."
Strength had been a constant struggle for her, its low value a reminder of her Otter fragility. She knew that in a world like Eryndor, physical power mattered.Dexterity had served her well during her escape from the goblins' clutches. She was almost sure Intelligence had given her access to magic but was unsure as she looked at her magical staff. Charisma… well, that was a work in progress. Jennifer decided to put a few points on that as well.
"Maybe it's time I put more into Intelligence," she mused aloud, thinking about how magic had been a game-changer. "But Dexterity is crucial for my survival too." Her fingers tapped on her chin as she considered her options, her gaze drifting to the number 12 next to Intelligence.
She took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling with resolve. Jennifer's shoulders squared, determination burning in her eyes.
"It's time I choose my destiny."
And with that, she made her decision. When she was done she looked at her stats.
JENNIFER
Race: Swamp Otter
Class: Mage
Level: 9
HP: 120/120
MP: 150/150
Stamina 100/100
Strength: 10
Dexterity: 24
Intelligence: 35
Charisma: 7
With a commanding force, she rose to her feet and proclaimed, "I am Jennifer, the magical swamp Otter!"