Joe Just stood there—he watched as the blood continued to flow out of Ray's corpse. He could see his exposed guts now smothered in in dirt. The smell of the corpse could make anyone else vomit, but Joe seemed not to care about any of that. All he did was repeat a single sentence to himself.
"It was either me or him. You did good. He was a psychopath. It was self defense. I allowed him to flee and he refused. Yes, you didn't do anything wrong."
A minute passed with Joe still immobile. The same thought repeating in his mind. He was in all extents and purposes lost in a trance. What snapped him back into focus, were Syr's relentless notifications.
[You Have Leveled Up!]
[You Have Leveled Up!]
[You Have Leveled Up!]
[You Have Landed Up!]
[Current Level:14]
Joe couldn't believe his eyes. “4 Level ups? You mean I get to level up even if I kill humans?” Joe had naively assumed that he could only Level up by killing Mana Beasts. Which as he found out, was a completely wrong.
[You Gain Level Ups Everytime You Gain Experience In Battle. Whether it’s A Mana Beast Or Human, It Really Doesn't Matter. As Long As You Keep Fighting And Winning, You Will Grow. The Strength Of The Enemy Also Plays A Role In How Fast You Grow. The Stronger The Opponent, The More Level Ups You Will Receive. To An Outsider, Growth Is The Number 1 Priority.]
“That's seriously messed up!”
Rewards for killing? Doesn't something like that create chaos? Joe would've been fine even if he wasn't rewarded for killing Ray, he would just kill more Mana Beasts if necessary.
The fact that Syr actively encouraged murder was something he never expected.
[This is Grisha Joe, Most Of Your Earth Values Won't Apply Here. I Suggest You Adapt Quickly.]
Syr's creepy suggestion hung in the air. With Joe not providing a response.
[The Black Blade Has Reached (Lvl 12)]
[Your Skill (Outsider's Enhancement].Has Leveled Up]
[Your Skill (Outsider's Enhancement) Has Leveled Up]
[Your Skill (Outsider's Enhancement) Has Reached (Lvl 6)
[Achievement Unlocked: Native Slayer]
• Condition: Slay Your First Native.
▪︎ Reward: +3 Additional Attribute Points.
[Updated Attributes]
MP: 610//1400
• Skill: 23>31(+2 Class Boost Attribute Points)
• Strength: 22>30
• Speed: 24>32
• Defense: 18>22
• Mental Strength: 21>25
• Additional Attribute Points: 7
Joe shifted his attention to his notification screen. He couldn't help but smile at his progress. His numbers were several times higher than they were a few minutes ago. He guessed he had to thank [Rapid Leveling] for his insane growth.
“Give 4 to my Defense and 3 to my Mental Attributes” He ordered, after a few seconds scrutinizing the Window.
[Updated Attributes]
▪︎Defense: 22>26
▪︎Mental Strength:25>28
Joe nodded, his eyes falling back to Ray's corpse. He found his dagger submerged in gore. He went low on one knee to dig the blade out. The minute his right hand touched the handle—a searing heat shot through his fingers—forcing him to relinquish the blade.
“Ouch! That hurts!” Joe grimaced, as he shook his stinging hand vigorously.
He had to come up with another plan, since he couldn't touch it. Joe chose another alternative. From his hand a cloud of mana surged forth. [Skill Activation: Predator] His mana was like a hungry beast, not only did it take the dagger, but it also consumed Ray's body along with it. The thought of consuming a corpse was nasty, but Joe was able to bare it.
[The Mana Tool:( Scorching Dagger) Has Been Added To Your Inventory. Do You Want Information On The Scorching Dagger?]
“Sure, go ahead”
[Mana Tool: Scorching Dagger]
Level: 9
Class: D
Description: A prestigious dagger forged using Ember Stone. Its compact size makes it ideal for light warrior-class adventurers who favor weightless weaponry. The Scorching Dagger can absorb mana injected by its user and convert it into fire. However, controlling the fire requires a high mental strength attribute.
Skills
1. BurN
Effect: Ignites the dagger, covering it in flames.
Boost: +10 Skill Attribute Points
Mana Cost: 25 Mana Pool Points
2. Flame Thrust
Effect: Manipulates the flames surrounding the dagger, allowing it to extend beyond its normal length.
Boost: +20 Skill Attribute Points
Range: 8 meters
Mana Cost: 30 Mana Pool Points
3. Flame Severing
Effect: Generates intense fire to cut through other fire-based skills.
Boost: +25 Skill Attribute Points
Mana Cost: 35 Mana Pool Points
4. Ignite
Effect: Unleashes a wave of flames that devour everything in their path.
Boost: +30 Skill Attribute Points
Mana Cost: 50 Mana Pool Points
Range: 10 meters
Seals
Seals Unlocked: 0/5
Awakening: Locked
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
Joe was surprised to see the Scorching Dagger possessed so many skills at such a low level. Meanwhile The Black Blade which was higher in Level still only possessed one skill. Maybe Mana Tools came with a predetermined number of skills and The Black Blade just happened to be unlucky. That was Joe's hypothesis.
[You Have Absorbed The Soul Of The Native Ray]
[+1 Soul Has Been Stored Inside Your Body]
[You Have Unlocked A New Skill: Soul Control (Rare)]
Joe had unlocked a new skill and this was all due to absorbing Ray's corpse. Just the thought of having a soul inside his body was more uncomfortable than devouring a corpse. At least with a corpse Joe was certain it was dead. But a soul, what if it just came alive and took over his consciousness? A chill went through his spine just thinking about it.
Shelly began to stir and this forced Joe out of his disturbing thoughts.
“He’s right, you know,” Shelly's voice was louder this time. She sniffled, wiping her tear-streaked face. “Everything Ray said was true…”
Her words spilled out as she sobbed. “I watched them all die. So many of my party members were devoured by those beasts. I’m the healer. They relied on me, placed their lives in my hands. But no matter how much I healed them, it didn’t matter. They just kept dying. And each time..."
Shelly clutched her ears, her cries growing louder, as though blocking their echoes in her mind. “I froze, I couldn’t move. I couldn’t save them. All of those people back there…” She pointed at their disfigured corpses not far from her. “They died because of me!"
Her eyes, wet with tears and burning with anguish, locked onto Joe’s. “Ray was right. I don't deserve to live. Please… just kill me!”
Joe was just about to open his mouth—when a guttural howl echoed the Black Forest. The ground trembled and the trees wiggled. Turning his head to face the source, Joe could see a burning crimson light in the distance. It dwarfed everything before it, turning the tree tops bloody. A thunderous roar accompanied the light and Joe knew immediately. Something huge was coming.
Trees toppled one after the other. A large number of Wolfins came rushing through the fallen trees. They brisked past Joe and Shelly's forms not sparing them a glance. They were running away.
A giant breeze blew past Joe, he had to shield his face and make sure his footing was firm and stable otherwise he was going to be blown away. When the breeze died down—it finally came into view.
It's crimson fur shone brightly under the now night sky. It stood double the size of any Wolfin Joe had seen. It's Mana Beast Core radiated a chilling red.
[Main Quest.]
• Objective: Slay The [Lvl 20] Dungeon Boss ‘The Great Wolfin’
Reward: 15, 000 Gold Pieces.
[Evolution Stage 3]
[Clan: Yakura]
The Dungeon Boss Had Arrived.
Joe stood, frozen for a second.
His eyes feel on a single notification in particular. “Evolution Stage?” Joe had seen Syr reference this very thing before but he had absolutely no idea what it was.
[Mana Beasts Evolve As They Level Up. The Higher The Stage Of Evolution. The Stronger The Beast. The Wolfins You've Killed Were Of Lower Stages. Compared To Them, The Difference Is Night And Day.]
“So if those earlier Wolfins were children, this guy must be the big daddy.” Joe had a forced smile on his face.
[Well, This Forest Is A Dungeon To Humans, But To The Mana Beasts Of The 'Yakura Tribe’ It’s Their Home, Or Territory To Be Exact. In Order To Protect Their Territory And Children, A Guardian Is Appointed. 'The Great Wolfin' Is That Guardian.]
The Great Wolfin realesed a powerful roar and mana erupted from Its figure. The mana then discharged and pulsed throughout the entire forest. [Skill Activation: Prideful Roar]
[-18 Attribute Points To Your Mental Strength.(Current: 10)
[-10 Attribute Points To Your Speed. (Current:22)
[-10 Attribute Points To Your Strength. (Current:20)
Joe's whole body suddenly weighed him down. His hands vibrated and his grip on The Black Blade became unstable. His legs were rotted, struggling to move an inch. It was as if gravity itself had decided that infront of such a beast. A mere existence like himself, had no right to move.
“Dammit, so this is it. The power of a Dungeon Boss.”
The Great Wolfin raised its foot, mana shrouded its giant claws, and with a single motion—three horizontal red slashes of pure mana manifested. They shredded the earth like paper—their crimson glow bathed Shelly's figure as they rapidly approached her form. [Skill Activation: Crimson Claws]
Shelly didn't move. She instead closed her eyes. Almost as if resigning herself to die.
"What is she doing?"
The Mana Slashes were moments away from ending her life when…
Joe's figure apoeared infront of her. [Skill Activation: Outsider’s Enhancement (Lvl 6) X2]
[-140 Mana Pool Points]
[Current Mana Pool:470]
[Total Speed:22>70]
[Total Strength:20>68]
[Total Skill: 31>87]
He swung his blade horizontally. producing his own arc to counter the incoming attack. [Skill Activation: Mana Slash]
[-100 Mana Pool Points]
[Current Mana Pool:370]
[Total Skill: 87>137]
Joe's arc was much larger than before, it zipped through the air and collided with the incoming slashes. The contact produced a shockwave that buzzed throughout the Dungeon. The tress that remained standing wobbled and Joe himself struggled to maintain his footing.
Joe's skill looked to he winning out—it pushed the [Crimson Claws] back but that was only an illusion. [Crimson Claws] ultimately overpowered Joe's [Mana Slash] It sliced through the attack and proceeded to go of its caster. Its speed was almost untraceable at such a distance, before Joe even thought about defending himself—his entire midsection was sliced open.
Blood gushed from his stomach and mouth as he crumbled to his knees. Blood started to leaked profusely and as he touched his midsection, his hand came out completely crimson.
Joe's eyes blurred “ Dammit, I should've definitely invested more into my defense Stats”
More blood exited his mouth as he coughed. His chest cave in as he struggled to breathe. But even through all that, Joe wobbled his way back to his feet. He panted, barely standing on his own two legs.
Just one attack, that single attack from the Dungeon Boss placed him on death's door.
“What the…helll is wrong with you?” Joe snapped, his head turned to face Shelly. “You think dying will change anything? Those people, Kite and your party members. They died so you could live! Throwing away your life is the same as spitting on their graves!”
Shelly's eyes widened. Joe's words seemingly striking the core of her heart.
“I don't know about you…” Joe turned to face the Great Wolfin, his Black Blade firm in his grasp “I'll fight! I'll fight until I die!” Joe's voice rang proud and loud. His eyes burned with conviction, even as he stared down the mighty Dungeon Boss.
“Syr let's do it. Let's go X3!”
[Are You Insane? You Saw The Backlash Your Body Received When You Went X2. Not To Mention, Your Body Is In A Much Worse Physical State Than It Was Back Then. A X3 Multiplier Will Kill You.]
“What choice do i have? I'm already going to die!” Joe shot back through gritted teeth.
“If I'm going to die either way, I wanna give it everything I've got!”
[Fine]
Joe grimaced. Mana exploded out of his body. It flared like a whirlwind that could blow an entire house away. Joe's muscles tightened and his blood loss stopped momentarily. The weight of his mana pressed on his shoulders.
[You'll Only Be Able To Maintain This Boost For 30 Seconds Before Your Body Gives In. Don't You Dare Die!]
“30 seconds… that's more than enough”
[Skill Activation: Outsider’s Enhancement (Lvl 6) X3]
[Total Skill:87>143]
[Total Speed:70>94]
[Total Strength:68>93]
[-225 Mana Pool Points]
[Current Mana Pool: 145]
[30 Seconds Remaining]
With a single step Joe threw himself foward. His speed was boardering untraceable with the naked eye. Staring down the collosal monstrosity—he targeted its legs. Joe closed in, his blade in motion ready to sever the left leg.
But the Great Wolfin responded.
It raised its foot and stomped the ground in an effort to squash Joe's body like a bug. [Skill Activation: Mana Beast Stomp]
Acting purely on reflex, Joe launched himself backwards.
The foot struck the earth and spider web cracks manifested. The shockwave launched Joe further backwards, his form drifted as he looked to counter his momentum. The earth was displaced and large chunk of rocks flew his direction.
Joe had to dig deep to firmly plant his footing and stop his momentum. His boots sunk into the earth—finally he stopped.
He immediately followed this with a giant swing of The Black Blade. The arc it produced was collosal, but somehow it zipped through the air even faster than before. It sliced the incoming rocks like butter—reducing them to nothing but debris. [Mana Tool Skill: Mana Slash]
[Total Skill:143>193]
[-100 Mana Pool Rank Points]
[Current Mana 45]
[15 Secods Remaining]
Joe gritted his teeth, he didn't have much time left. With a thumping heart, he went full steam ahead in a lighting quick final dash. His eyes fell on the giant rocks that floated in mid air, held up conveniently by the Wolfin's mana. Joe smiled at the sight, these boulder sized rocks would surely do the trick.
He leaped to the sky and landed on one of these rocks, he then propelled himself higher jumping one rock the other. He did this several times in the space of a few seconds. Everytime he jumped, the rock he used for footing crumbled under his weight.
When Joe reached the final rock, he gave all of his strength to his legs. He crouched and then blasted to the heavens. The wind blew past his form, but he had no intentions of stopping. He rose higher, even eclipsing the imposing giant that was The Great Woflin.
[10 Seconds Remaining]
Joe raised his Black Blade high in the air. His mana flowed through it freely. As he descended, he prepared himself to bring it down in one final strike.
The Great Wolfin however, was not done.
It's maw opened and a red light manifested before condensing and taking the shape of an orb. Without waiting a second, the Great Wolfin launched the orb of pure mana at high speed. [Skill Activation: Mana Beast Orb]
As the orb rapidly approached Joe knew he couldn't rely on another skill. He had already pushed himself to the limit. The [Mana Beast Orb]’s crimson glow bathed his figure in red. Joe had already accepted it, he was going to die.
Just as the orb was moments away from consuming him, a green circular barrier shielded Joe's figure. [Skill Activation: Green Veil]
“I'll fight! I'll fight untill I die.” Shelly pointed her staff fowrd as she screamed at the top of her lungs.
Joe glanced at her before smiling, his eyes were once again hardened.
The barrier took on the full attack before it shattered into green shards of mana.
This left Joe's form to free fall from above. He reaffirmed his grip, before he brought his blade down with every once of stenghth he could master. “Die!”
Joe's blade curved into the Great Wolfin's giant skull. It traveled down its face and neck. Blood gushed out, but even then it continued. It sliced open the chest and severed the beast perfectly in half.
Joe landed as the beast's two halves fell on either side.
[1 second Remaining.]
They had won.