With my class chosen and weapon in hand, I looked at my updated status

Name: Rokthar Dreseus

Level 5

Title: None

Age: 17

Race: Human

Gender: Male

Class: Eidikos of Nexyna

Stats:

Strength: 16

Dexterity: 12

Constitution: 6

Wisdom: 5

Perception: 17

Will: 10

ASP: 5

General Skills:

Identify Lvl 9

Active Skills:

Phantom Shroud (E): The Phantom Shroud allows Eidikos to move quickly and quietly through the environment

Silent Arrow of Nex (E): Specialized technique of Nexyna that allows Eidikos to dampen the sound of arrows fired.

Charged Shot of Phantom Whisper (Unique): The Phantom Whisper enables Eidikos to channel their strength and focus into a single arrow, increasing the power and range of the shot

Passive Skills:

Bow Mastery (E): Grants wielder minor proficiency with handling bows. Minor bonus to accuracy, range and damage when wielding a bow

I did receive two titles from the fight with the Horned Serpent and Nexstalker. It had said at that time that titles can only be equipped after Class selection.

I focused on the Title and a new window popped up.

Available Titles:

Permanent Title: Eye Of The Dronawk (Grade A)

Title Effect: Reveal weakness(Greater Ability). Effect of Perception +20%

Permanent Title: Cover Of The Grixivyne (Grade A)

Title Effect: Camouflage while remaining still(Greater Ability). Constitution -2

I mentally clicked on the ‘Eye of the Dronawk’ title and equipped it. The boost to perception is pretty good. I think I need a living target to test its ability. I repeated the same with the second one and successfully equipped it as well.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

“I wasn’t sure I could stack titles or not, but I’m relieved to see that it works. Let’s try this out” I stood still for about thirty seconds when I felt my vision turn into gray, as if the color had drained from the world around me. The camouflage effect of the [Cover Of The Grixivyne] is probably active right now.

I tried to look at my body and the effect dispelled in an instant.

Hmm, not something I can use in the middle of a fight but still has a good potential.

With Bow Mastery skill, I already have a decent understanding of the longbow - how to hold it, the proper posture for a precise shot and several other tidbits of knowledge. I don’t remember learning this yet it felt as easy and natural as breathing, like I had always known this. Not at all scary, nope

“Huh, I thought [Phantom Shroud] would be a passive skill” I pictured mentally activating the skill and a dark shroud wrapped my body from head to toe.

“Yes! Oh God, yes! Finally, some semblance of clothes.”

The skill is still active even though I stopped focusing on it. I think my breathing seemed a little quieter but that’s about it. I took a couple steps out from my hiding spot and I noticed that the crunch of the leaves under my feet sounded muffled. Not bad at all.

Before testing the other skills, I might need some warm-up on my archery first. I moved further away till I reached higher ground and carefully scanned my surroundings for any danger. The elevated vantage point offered a broader view, and I took a moment to ensure I was alone before proceeding.

“Mr. System! When you brought me here, did you pick up my phone too by any chance? I was hoping you could play one of my music playlists on it. It’s named ‘Training Montage’ fyi”

I gazed expectantly into the sky. “Huh, can’t believe that didn’t work” Anyways, I looked around and spotted a tree roughly four hundred feet away, marked by a distinctive hole in its trunk.

I steadied myself, gripping the bow firmly in my hands. I plucked an arrow out of the quiver and nocked it with the front tip resting securely on the shelf of the bow. Drawing the string back, I felt the tension build in my arms as I lined up the shot, focusing on the mark. With a deep breath, I released the string, and the bow sang with a sharp twang. With a solid thud, the arrow buried itself right in the center of the hole

“That felt pretty satisfying!” While shooting the bow, I realized that my grip on the bow is far much stronger than what I could have done before. My palms felt like being crushed into the bow by my own grip strength. I guess my Strength attributes are too high compared to Constitution. The title [Cover Of The Grixivyne] has also reduced my already meager Constitution

I assigned each of the remaining Additional Stat Points to Constitution till I felt my hands to be durable enough to endure my own clenching fist, which turned out to be all of them.

Upgrade: Constitution +5

I chose my next target, a bright yellow flower barely above ground about six hundred feet away. I released the arrow and it arced and whizzed just below the flower, missing by a small margin. I adjusted my aim to a little higher and the next arrow pierced right through the flower.

I practiced on several targets at different distances and heights till I was confident in my shooting skills. By the time I shot ten arrows, I noticed that the quiver had restocked the first 2 arrows. Actively focusing on the quiver seemed to make it restock faster but I felt mentally tired so I refrained from doing that for the rest of them.

While I was still eager to test my active bow skills, the needs of thirst and hunger won me over. I reactivated [Phantom Shroud] which I disabled during target practice and set off.

At this point, the sunlight has started to wane into a dim orange hue indicating that it is evening time. While I have no idea what each direction holds, it made sense to pick a single direction rather than wander around in circles.

Naturally, I chose the direction right opposite to the clearing where the Nexstalker probably still is. I started walking, scanning my surroundings as much as possible while staying close to trees or rocks that I can use to duck behind if needed.

After an hour or so, I started to notice something that wasn’t present before - the soft hum of noises signaling the presence of birds and animals. No wonder the Horned Serpent zeroed in on me so quickly. I’m probably the only buzzing pest in that whole area. With renewed vigor, I continued further in till I spotted something out of the corner of my eye.

Immediately, I darted behind a tree and peeked, focusing on that spot.

[Gnormite - Lvl 7]

The furry beast is only 5 feet tall with its head the only part visible in the shrubbery. It looked like a giant beaver head with three sharp front teeth protruding out. It seemed to be on alert, swiftly darting its head around in quick, sharp movements.

My high Perception made it look as detailed as it was close by but I estimate it to be about two thousand feet away. I probably wouldn’t even have noticed it before my level up. My left eye flared as I activated my active ability Reveal weakness of the title [Eye Of The Dronawk]. I see areas of shades of red across the Gnormite’s head with a deeper hue a few inches behind its eyes.

I focused into my mind and summoned my bow. Nocking an arrow, I stood behind the tree and drew the bowstring halfway. I stepped out with my bow already aiming in the intended direction. I released the string with a twang and the Gnormite snapped its head instantly. It barely opened its mouth when the arrow hit it right between the eyes.

*Monster Slayed - Gnormite Lvl 7*

You have slain a monster higher level than you.

Awarded Title: Fight Above Paygrade (Grade E)

Title Effect: Strength +5 in battle against monsters higher level than you

I couldn’t help but revel in my first kill; the experience was exhilarating, coursing through me like a surge of adrenaline. Which I likely need as I saw three more heads pop up in the same shrub.