I opened my Status screen and focused on the Title status. The Title status is modified

Title: None

Inherited Title: Eye Of The Dronawk (Grade A); Cover Of The Grixivyne (Grade A)

Available Titles:

Fight Above Paygrade (Grade E)

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

Well, assigning that as my active title.

I looked at the slain Gnormite bodies in the shrub. There is a decent sized burrow in the middle of the shrub; most likely the same one the last beast used to sneak up behind me.

Huh,they must’ve made a few such tunnels underneath. Probably not too many as the thick tree roots would be too hard to clear

This might just be my meal of the day. However, water takes priority. I moved the bodies to the middle of the shrub and continued in the direction I was initially going. The background buzz of the forest grew louder as I moved further in.

The surroundings felt like a sense of normalcy had returned. The trees where I woke up were huge and tall without any low hanging branches. The trees here are relatively smaller and there is a lot more diversity in the trees and vegetation.

I sighed deeply, feeling as if a knot of tension I hadn’t even realized was there had finally unraveled. I realized that the whole time I was traversing through the forest, I was sure that a giant snake was going to ambush me. Even though there is still that possibility, I somehow felt much safer now. Probably what the Gnormbites thought too a few minutes ago.

With my mind finally unwinding from the eventful day, I realized that I forgot something. “Quest!”

No Active Quests Found

Quest Completed!

Survivor(Hard): Survive encounter with the Horned Serpent agitated by your wails. Reward: Rare Accessory.

Accept Reward?

“Yes”

Choose your reward:

* Hunter's Sigil Ring: Provides bonus to tracking and perception skills.

Active effect:Temporary boost to strength for a single attack

* Rejuvenation Pendant: Boosts passive health regeneration

Active effect: Healing surge for short duration

These are pretty good. Actually, better than I was expecting them to be. Maybe System-senpai isn’t the villain I’ve been making him out to be. Sure he whisked me away from my life, probably damaged my memories even and dropped me butt naked in an unfamiliar place without so much a hint of what to do or where to go. But hey, cool trinkets.

Back to the relevant question, what to choose. There are no details on how much buff to strength or how potent the healing surge is. So assuming they are somehow of equally strong effects and of similar cooldown between uses, which would I rather pick? If I am expecting to skirmish like with the Gnormbite beasts, then the boost to strength isn’t that great as I was able to single shot them, if hit at their critical weak points. Having an active heal would provide a peace of mind.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

But it isn’t the Gnormbites of this world that I should be wary of but the Nexstalkers and Horned Serpents. To defeat such higher level beasts in the future, the perception bonus and the active effect of the ring are more likely to affect the outcome than the pendant.

I mentally chose my reward and felt something drop into my palm. It's a silver band etched with designs of unfamiliar beasts with a gemstone in the center that glows with a subtle amber light. I wore it on my right hand ring finger and I instinctively know how to activate the active effect.

While I have kept [Phantom Shroud] skill active throughout the journey, after the encounter with the Gnormbites, I actively focused on its effects. While the skill muted most of the noise, it would likely still be audible to beasts with keen hearing.

So I actively focused on avoiding fallen leaves and sticks, sticking to the tree shade as much as I could so that the dark wrap of the [Phantom Shroud] blends with the surroundings. As I reached closer to the stream, I got a notification

Upgrade: Phantom Shroud (E) -> Phantom Shroud (D)

That’s a pleasant surprise. A quick glance at the skill description showed that it didn’t change. However, I could feel the lightness of my feet when landing on the ground, a small haste in my steps. The shroud around me transformed from a light gray mist to a more thicker, dense mist that now hovered much closer to my skin.

I heard the sound of rushing water before I could even see it. It sounded faint like a humming melody. It took only a few minutes after that for it to come into view. It's a wide river cutting through the jungle. The water shimmered in the evening light as I approached it warily. I mean, waterholes are supposed to be neutral zones, right? Hope these beasts got the memo

The river bank is lined with lush greenery and the trees stand closer. Once I was certain there was no danger nearby, I drank to my fill, scooping up the water with cupped hands.

I stared at the unfamiliar face reflecting back in the water. I knew that it would be different but to see a complete stranger staring back really hit it home. The water’s gentle ripple distorted the image slightly but I could still see the flawless skin, accentuating high cheekbones and a perfectly chiseled jawline. But what truly held my attention was the glowing blue eyes staring back with an intensity that felt surreal. I look more like a fantasy elf with normal ears than a human

I felt a tiny prickle, a subtle sensation creeping up my spine, as if someone’s eyes were on me, watching from the shadows. I darted back to the closest bush, crouching low till I reached a nearby tree. I am not sure if it is just me being paranoid but I didn't want to take any chances.

I didn't see anything from my hidden view but stayed still and focused on my skill from the title [Cover Of The Grixivyne]. Soon, the color faded from the view. It took a few uneventful minutes for me to calm down and as I was about to turn back, I heard the sound of a branch creaking as if something landed on it. It took everything to not flinch instinctively. I heard the faint shuffle of feet above, followed by a heavy thud just to my right.

Soon, I could see in the corner of my vision a beast that stood on two feet, its head rising to my chest level. It is combing through the bush, its snout twitching as it inhales the air around it. Searching for me probably

I cast [Identify] as it came into full view

[Gnoll (Scout) - Lvl 12]

Although I heard only one set of steps so far, I am not sure if there are more of them nearby. The Gnoll scout hunched over with its snout close to the bush, trailing away from me towards the spot where I previously knelt to drink water.

This is the best chance I probably got. I summoned my weapon, grabbed an arrow and turned towards it. The gnoll showed no reaction as it seemed to be absorbed in following the trail to the river bank. It’s hearing is not that great - that’s good to know. I debated for an instant to activate the Hunter’s ring but immediately dismissed it. Apart from having it when truly needed, I need to know if I could take this higher level beast with one arrow.

The [Eye of Dronawk] skill activated as I nocked the arrow. Apart from its head, there are two other dark red spots highlighting the throat and the middle of its chest. Activating [Silent Arrow], I struck true at the back of its neck piercing its throat. True to its name, the arrow flew as a whisper that the Gnoll didn’t even react till it struck it.

The beast gave out a choking gasp as it collapsed into the river. It took two seconds before the notification popped up.

Level Up 7 -> 8

Upgrade: Strength +2, Perception: +2, Dexterity + 1, Additional Stat Point +1

With another arrow already prepared, I stood warily behind the tree with all my senses on high alert. The trees that stood here are shorter and have many branches that they intertwine that formed almost like a walkway between them. After a couple minutes of standing still and observing, I started retracing my steps back to the Gnormbites spot.

As I got closer, I noticed that a new pack of beasts had found my dinner. Well, looks like tonight’s menu just updated