Franny barked for the hundredth time, "Hold the sword with a firmer grip, Talax. It's a weapon, not a toy." Talax gritted his teeth in annoyance, feeling as if he had heard this advice a thousand times before.
"Remember to coordinate your right leg with your hand movements," Franny instructed as Talax made another swing. The sound of metal clanging against wood echoed through the forest.
"Maintain a low stance with your knees bent," Franny added, watching Talax's form intently. He swung again, and the chips of wood flew in all directions, marking the tree with numerous cuts.
Franny continued, "A forward stab can leave you vulnerable to a counterattack, so use it only as a last resort." Talax nodded, his body dripping with sweat and his muscles aching with fatigue.
After hours of practice, Talax had reached the point of agonizing numbness, and his movements had become instinctual rather than conscious. The tree, once sturdy and unblemished, was now marred with hundreds of cuts.
Talax found Franny's behavior to be most aggravating. While barking orders and corrections, Franny stood next to him snacking on sweets and sipping wine.
"Never stay still, always be on the move," Franny announced, popping a grape sprinkled with sugar into his mouth. Talax shot Franny a vicious look and contemplated using his sword on something other than the tree he was practicing on.
"Keep your focus, Talax! Your eyes should always be on your opponent, anticipating their next move," Franny insisted.
"I am keeping my eyes on my opponent," Talax muttered under his breath. He decided to return to his attack on the tree, recognizing that at least Franny would feed him later, unlike the stupid tree that could only stand there doing nothing. It didn't even have any fruits!
Clang, clang, clang.
Swordsmanship skill, Level 4
4% to aim, 4% to damage.
Talax heaved a sigh of relief as he lowered his trembling hand and let the sword clatter to the ground. Exhausted, he collapsed to the ground, taking deep breaths and allowing his eyes to lose focus. For a few blissful moments, he savored the sweet relief from the grueling training session, until Ferdinand's annoying voice shattered the peace.
"What are you doing? We have a couple of hours until nightfall," Ferdinand barked, interrupting Talax's moment of respite. Ignoring Ferdinand, Talax focused on recuperating from the physical strain.
The past few days had passed in a fog of tension. They chose not to linger in one place for more than a few hours, constantly on the move to evade the gnoll hunting patrols. The forest was teeming with the sinister creatures, and their yapping could be heard periodically, creating an unsettling atmosphere.
To track the nocturnal gnoll patrols, so that they wouldn’t be caught unaware, the group had decided to sleep during the day, never for more than a couple of hours at a time. They refrained from unpacking their bedrolls, always ready to move at a moment's notice. The constant threat of the gnolls and lack of sleep had taken a toll on their nerves, leading to frequent bickering and squabbles between Franny and Qalo over trivial matters.
Talax attempted to act as a mediator, but he often found himself joining the argument and losing his temper. The combination of exhaustion and sore muscles from training made it challenging for him to remain calm and rational.
Ever since the group had learned of the gnoll threat, Franny had become intensely motivated to train Talax while Qalo seemed to withdraw to himself. For hours on end, Franny worked on Talax's footwork and swordsmanship, often delivering harsh criticism in his cultured but grating voice. Despite finding Franny annoying, Talax viewed the training as an opportunity to improve his skills with the guidance of an experienced mentor.
"I just leveled up!" Talax exclaimed with pride, standing up and stretching to relieve the tension in his tired muscles.
"Well, that was quick. Your performance wasn't exactly deserving of a level up, but I suppose any advancement is welcome," Franny remarked, prompting Talax to grit his teeth in irritation.
"You should focus on your archery for the rest of..." Franny was cut off by a squelching sound as Qalo made his presence known. He had gone scouting, which apparently meant searching for disgusting things to eat. He returned clutching a vine that oozed a purple substance, leaving his tusks looking like he had gone toe-to-toe with a purple dinosaur. Qalo's voice was subdued as he spoke, still munching on the purple vine. "We've been here for too long. We should get moving." Talax groaned at the suggestion, but Franny nodded in agreement.
"You're right, Qalo," Franny said, pulling his guiding orb out of his satchel. The faint light from the orb started pulsing. "Talax, you can practice your archery on the road. Hunt whatever you come across as we travel."
"I'll take the lead," he said, grabbing his bow. He stood still for a moment, trying to listen for any sounds that didn't belong to the forest. Even the constant chirping of birds had died down after the gnoll appearance.
Franny spoke up, “Don’t forget to steer northwest and loop back every half an hour to check on our position.” Talax nodded in agreement, happy to follow Franny's lead. Lately, the noble had gained more confidence and had taken on a position of leadership. Talax didn't mind, as Franny's suggestions were often sound and sensible.
"Qalo here will help me get out of these filthy clothes," Ferdinand announced, looking at his orc companion. The big orc groaned in frustration.
"Again? You've already changed clothes twice already!" Qalo interjected, annoyed.
"It's not my fault that after such strenuous work, my body protests with perspiration! I cannot stay in soiled clothes! I am not a barbarian," Ferdinand responded, throwing a surreptitious glance at the two companions who still wore the same clothes since the day he had met them.
Talax caught the look and felt his anger rising. He stomped angrily towards Ferdinand, ready to unleash his frustrations.
"I am not your servant! I don't have to help you every time you want something," Qalo shouted, making Talax stop in his tracks and causing Franny to look at him in confusion.
"Yes, you are! What do you think a butler is?" Franny retorted, leaving Talax smirking and waiting with anticipation for the inevitable argument.
"I don't know, some kind of title? You humans are weird with names," Franny laughed derisively.
"You think we're the weird ones? Remind me again what happens when a new chieftain comes to power?" Franny asked, his smug look making Talax uneasy. He looked at Qalo in question.
"He bathes in his fallen opponents' blood and feasts on their offspring's genitals," Qalo replied matter-of-factly as if it was the most normal thing to say. Talax grimaced in disgust, while Franny crossed his arms with a triumphant look on his face.
"Dude, that's disgusting!" Talax couldn't help but exclaim.
"And to answer your previous question, a butler is a servant, albeit a servant with a title, but a servant nonetheless," Franny explained calmly.
"I didn't agree to be a servant!" Qalo roared. Ferdinand, for his part, looked just as enraged, his olive face gaining a red tinge that indicated a coming explosion.
"Yes, you did! Why am I paying you, you big-headed buffoon! What could I have expected from a damn orc? All you know how to do is fight, and even that is mediocre!" Ferdinand yelled, his anger boiling over.
"Come here, and I'll show you how orcs fight, little human!" By this point, spit was flying all over the place from both companions, and Talax was growing bored. He knew from past experience that they would not end up fighting. Franny would say some pretentious words that would confuse the orc, and then he would offer him one or two more silver coins, and Qalo would forget his anger and end up helping the entitled noble.
Talax scoffed and left the two to their bickering, hoping that there weren't any gnoll patrols nearby because their voices would surely attract attention.
He activated his stealth and started running in a light jog. He felt his skill dropping and activating every time he left the protection of the trees. His stealth skill was still too low-level to remain effective while running during the day, but he hoped that he could level it up during his hunts.
He spent several hours wandering through the forest, honing his archery skill and experimenting with his stealth. Although he didn't make significant progress with his skills, he was becoming more and more comfortable with his bow. He learned that his stealth skill had limitations, especially during the day when it was much harder to remain unnoticed. He discovered that he had to crouch low to the ground to keep the skill active and that even the most oblivious creature could spot him as soon as he left the shadows of the trees.
Despite his lack of progress, Talax remained undeterred. He found the experimentation to be helpful in becoming more aware of his strengths and limitations. He now had a better understanding of when his skills and abilities would be most effective. Besides Ferdinand had told him that skills tended to progress slower when not in active combat.
Talax was on the prowl, scanning the forest for potential game. Suddenly, he spotted a movement in a nearby bush and halted in his tracks. He quickly stepped deeper into the shadows and activated his stealth. For long moments, he remained motionless, holding his bow tightly as he waited for his prey to reveal itself. Finally, a small creature emerged from the bushes. It was a strange-looking creature, a cross between a fox and a rabbit, and Talax hesitated for a moment, feeling a pang of compassion for the little furball. Its fluffy ears twitched, and it looked around nervously, as if sensing danger.
Before he could let his arrow loose, the small animal screeched and bolted away with surprising speed. Talax looked at the empty spot with confusion. He checked his stealth and confirmed that it was indeed active, and he was also downwind, so it couldn’t have smelled him.
Maybe it had some kind of ability that could detect predators. Unless...
Pain exploded in his midsection, and he was sent hurtling into the air before he could even comprehend what was happening. His grip on his bow slipped, and he heard it clatter somewhere off to the side. He hit the ground hard in a heap, the wind knocked out of him. As he gasped for air, he heard a low, menacing growl. His head snapped up, and he frantically scanned his surroundings for the source of the attack. When he finally caught sight of his assailant, his expression twisted into one of indignation.
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"Of all the creatures in this forest, it had to be a damn cat!"
Before he could even react, the cursed creature zeroed in on him and jumped over an outcrop of rocks, pumping its powerful legs. It had reddish fur with yellow stripes running down its sides, resembling a tiger, although it was quite smaller, more like a large dog than a tiger. Still, its body was full of powerful muscles that boasted power that made Talax wary.
In seconds, the beast was in front of him, snarling with its fangs bare. Talax rose slowly, trying not to make any threatening moves while he tried to figure out a plan of action. The cat tensed, ready to attack, and Talax reacted.
"Of course, it had to be a cat," Talax muttered under his breath. He had never been fond of cats, with their snooty attitudes and judgmental stares. A fleeting image of the cantankerous Sir Gallant came to mind.
The cat hissed at him, and Talax cringed. "Ugh, can't you go bother someone else? Like a crazy cat lady or something?" He proposed but the cat didn't seem to appreciate his comment and lunged at him. Talax dodged out of the way, muttering to himself, "Great, just my luck. I get stuck with a cursed cat that's as cranky as a Qalo when he has to bathe.”
He felt a sharp sting in his left arm, but he ignored the pain and quickly rose to his feet. Time was running out, and he knew he had to act fast before the cat attacked again.
Ungracefully standing up, Talax began to chant, the sound of his voice blending with the cacophony of the surrounding wilderness. As he focused on the spell, he noticed something peculiar in the corner of his eye. A small rivulet of blood trailed down his hand, where he had gotten a wound during the scuffle. But what he saw next nearly took his breath away.
A collection of small rocks had formed where the wound should be, and they seemed to fold and curve in intricate patterns that resembled a coral. The rocks emitted a faint blue light, and Talax realized that he had just activated his new ability, Armor of the Deep.
The sight was cool, but he couldn't afford to be distracted by his new ability. The words he chanted were unlike any he had ever spoken before, each syllable resonating with an otherworldly power. His hands moved almost of their own accord, weaving together the spell with precision and determination. And with a final word of power, the spell was complete.
A sphere of turbulent water enveloped the cat's head, causing it to let out a panicked shriek that was soon silenced by the surging waves. The creature's frantic movements became increasingly erratic as it struggled to break free from the magical waters that held it captive.
Taking a moment to check his mana reserves, Talax was pleased to see that the Bubble of Confusion had barely drained his mana pool. Encouraged by this, he pressed on with his plan, knowing that time was of the essence.
With a deep breath, he began to cast Fog of Mystica, his hands weaving complex patterns in the air. The spell had a cast time of five seconds, which meant that he was cutting it pretty close with the four-second duration of Bubble of Confusion. Hoping that after the disorienting spell ended, the beast would still be confused, buying him a few extra seconds.
This time, the spell proved to be much more challenging, and Talax felt the strain on his mind and the faltering of his concentration. With gritted teeth, he pushed through the difficulty and watched as the bubble of water around the cat's head burst with a loud pop, sending water droplets spraying in all directions.
The cat screeched in fury, its eyes blazing with anger, and Talax had to fight hard to suppress his laughter and not ruin his spell. The cat's fur was now drenched and clung to its skin, making it look more like a drowned rat than a fierce predator, and its vicious snarls now seemed comical rather than menacing.
After finishing the spell with a flourish of his hands, a heavy fog instantly enveloped the area around the cat before it could retaliate. The fog slowly expanded like a creeping blanket until it reached Talax. To his surprise, he could see clearly while the cat looked around with confused eyes, trying to find its target.
Talax's heart pounded in his chest as he sprang into action, racing toward his bow and keeping his eyes locked on the cat as it stumbled around in confusion. He swiveled his head to see the cat react to his movement. For a moment, it seemed like the cat had spotted him, but as soon as it took a step forward, it looked confused again and made a circle around itself.
Satisfied with the effectiveness of his spell, he reached for his bow and picked it up, knowing he didn't have much time. He took a deep breath and focused all his energy on the shot, his eyes never leaving the cat as it sniffed around, searching for him. The arrow sank deep into the cat's haunches, eliciting a wild screech.
Realizing that remaining in the same spot was risky, he decided to change tactics. He opted to hide in the shadows and use his stealth skill to gain an advantage, potentially giving him the chance for a few more shots. Racing to the nearest tree, he activated his stealth and readied his next arrow. Suddenly, his spell ended, and the fog dispersed with a slight breeze, vanishing in an instant.
The cat searched frantically for Talax, but it soon became clear that it couldn't find him. Frustrated, it growled and began to sniff around. Talax waited patiently for the perfect moment to strike, and it presented itself when the cat turned away from him. With a surge of adrenaline, he activated his bow's zoom function, hoping to increase his chances of success. He could feel his mana draining rapidly, but he knew it was worth it as the arrow flew through the air with deadly precision. The cat let out a gurgled snarl as the arrow embedded itself deep in its neck, causing it to stagger and sway from the force of the impact.
The cat released a deafening roar that reverberated through the forest as it stumbled back, its body convulsing in agony. Talax's arrow had dealt a critical blow, causing extensive damage to the beast. The cat swayed unsteadily, desperately trying to overcome the trauma. Its legs spasmed, and it let out a gurgled snarl as it struggled to remain upright.
Taking cover in the shadows, Talax readied his bow, waiting for his next opportunity to strike. Despite its injuries, the cat remained alert and able to detect even the slightest sound. It quickly pinpointed Talax's location.
Despite the arrow lodged in its neck, the cat lunged forward, its movements slow and labored. Talax took careful aim, his fingers tightening around the bowstring. He released the arrow, choosing not to use the bow's ability and save his remaining mana. Unfortunately, the arrow missed its mark, falling harmlessly to the ground.
With a curse under his breath, Talax quickly readied another arrow. He watched as the cat crawled towards him, its breathing labored, and realized that the fight was all but over. The arrow had done its job, and it was just a matter of time before the cat collapsed.
Talax saw this as an opportunity to improve his archery skill. Franny had always told him that practicing against foes would help him level up faster than practicing against a dummy or a tree. He shot arrow after arrow at the beast, some missing, but many finding their mark. By the time the cat drew its last breath, its body was riddled with arrows, like a pincushion.
Feeling a sense of satisfaction, Talax put away his bow and went to retrieve the arrows that were still salvageable. As Talax retrieved the arrows, he couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief that the fight was over. "That's the last time I mess with a cat," he muttered to himself. "They may have nine lives, but I only have one."
Talax checked his gates, having felt the level up when the cat let its final breath. He willed the next gate to open with the excess mana flooding his body.
He had reached level 8!
With another token in his possession after leveling up, he decided to unlock another spell. As he walked away from the scene of the battle, Talax felt a rush of excitement. He had not only honed his archery skill but had gained a level and gotten another token that let him unlock a new spell.
He debated which one to unlock, but in the end, he decided on the one that he felt would be more useful.
Rejuvenating water
You are bathed with calming water that rejuvenates your body and makes physical exertion easier.
Summon time: 2 seconds, spell duration: 5 minutes, cooldown: 20 minutes
Despite his depleted mana pool, he was eager to test out his newly unlocked spell. With a few whispered words and swift hand movements, a thin layer of water enveloped his entire body, sinking into his skin with a satisfying pop. The sensation was akin to taking a rejuvenating dip in a cool stream on a hot summer day. His muscles, sore and exhausted from the fight, suddenly felt light and refreshed.
As he inspected the arrows he had managed to salvage from the battle, he cast a curious glance towards the dead cat lying next to him. He couldn't help but offer it a cold, victorious smirk as he contemplated his recent skill gains.
Archery skill, level 5
5% to damage, 5% to aim
Stealth skill, level 4
4% to noise reduction, 4% to hiding
Although he had only leveled up in two skills, he knew it was expected given his reliance on his water magic and bow to dispatch the animal. It was the first time he had used his newly learned magic in combat, and the ease with which he was able to incapacitate his opponent left him in awe of the power of mages.
Reflecting on the battle, he realized that without his spells, he would have surely been defeated by the cat's agility and deadly claws. He acknowledged his limitations in sword fighting and knew he needed to improve his offensive abilities if he wanted to survive future encounters with stronger foes.
He still lacked offensive spells. His only spell that could deal damage was Stone spike, and even that was capable of only minor damage. He would have to practice his earth magic and level it up to level five in order to unlock new spells. His impatience to master more offensive spells was overwhelming, but he knew he couldn't afford to linger any longer.
Reaching level 5 in archery filled him with satisfaction and excitement. The prospect of the new abilities the skill could offer left him humming in joy, but a sense of urgency made him decide to look over his new gains later.
He had spent too much time hunting and he had to go back and check with his companions. He considered bringing the cat with him, but he decided against it. The big cat would be a burden and he was unsure how it would affect his stealth skill. After being attacked while using his ability he resolved to be more careful, especially since the forest was full of gnolls.
As he stood up and brushed off the dirt, he groaned at the sight of new tears on his already ruined shirt. Checking his wound, he saw that the armor of the deep had sunk back into his skin, leaving a shallow claw mark. He was relieved to see the effects of his new ability, as he felt vulnerable without armor. Any extra protection was welcome, especially an ability that turned his skin into stone.
He started jogging cautiously, activating his stealth skill and moving in a half-crouch from shadow to shadow to remain undetected. However, some animals noticed him when they came too close, causing his skill to activate and deactivate every few minutes.
The gnolls' raucous yapping muffled his footsteps. Talax could hear several patrols around him, some further away, but few were perilously close to his location. Tempted to abandon stealth and run to safety, he chose caution and continued on his path hidden by the shadows.
He followed his previous path, with his old tracks illuminated by his tracking skill when he felt a level up.
Tracking skill, level 2
2% to observation, 2% to clue detection
His vision filled with new tracks. His gaze scanned the terrain ahead, taking in the multitude of tracks. Some were so faded he could barely make them out, indicating it had been a while since any animals had passed through, while others shone like a beacon, fresh and unmistakable. Yet the ones that stood out the most were his own, making him feel reassured that nothing dangerous had passed through since his fight with the cat.
As he moved forward, retracing his steps, the sound of unfamiliar voices caught his attention. He froze in place, seeking cover behind a fallen tree, its trunk overgrown with moss. Holding his breath, he waited anxiously to see who or what was approaching.
Their yipping voices, which at first sounded like maniacal laughter, gradually transformed into recognizable words as he strained to listen to their conversation.
"Why do we have to hunt these humans? I don't understand!" protested one of the gnolls.
"You heard the chiefling! He wants that human dead!" snapped another, as a third one grunted in agreement.
Talax's heart pounded in his chest as he watched the gnolls draw closer, their savage demeanor sending shivers down his spine. The stench of their unwashed fur assaulted his nostrils, and the sound of their raspy breathing made his stomach churn with unease. Never before had Talax been this close to gnolls, and the realization of how dangerous they were caused his hands to tremble uncontrollably.
Talax held his breath, pressing his body tightly against the tree trunk as the gnolls passed by. He couldn't help but notice the scars that crisscrossed their bodies, and the bloodstains on their mismatched armor and dull swords, leaving him to wonder what kind of battles they had faced before arriving in this place.
As the gnolls moved further away, Talax felt a surge of relief wash over him. He waited, hoping to overhear some useful information, but the trio remained uncharacteristically quiet, unlike their rowdy comrades who made a commotion wherever they went. Perhaps that was why he had failed to hear them until they were almost upon him.
Though his curiosity urged him to follow them and learn more, Talax was exhausted after his recent battle with the cat. He feared that if he was discovered, he would be killed within seconds. With a heavy heart, he waited for a few more minutes before resuming his trek to rejoin his companions. This time, he hugged the shadows close to his body, moving stealthily and keeping a watchful eye on his surroundings.