Jack sat on the ground, his breath coming in heavy, ragged gasps. The battle had been intense, and the close call had left him shaken. If not for his Savage Roar ability, he might very well have been a goner. The adrenaline was still coursing through his veins, making it hard to calm down. Goldeyes, his ever-faithful companion, trotted over with visible concern. His thoughts radiated worry, "Jack okay? Jack need healing water?"
Jack waved off the wolf's concern, though he appreciated the gesture. "I'll be fine, buddy," Jack reassured him, attempting a weary smile. "Just need a moment to catch my breath." As he sat there catching his breath, he couldn’t help but reflect on the encounter. The battle with the Starlight Stag had been a grueling test of his abilities. While he felt a sense of accomplishment, he was also deeply aware of his limitations. Using his once-a-day trump card had been a gamble, and though it had paid off, it underscored the urgent need for him to grow stronger.
Goldeyes nudged Jack with his paw, not enough to inflict pain but enough to draw his attention. “Jack should have let Goldeyes help,” the wolf projected through their mental link, his tone tinged with a hint of hurt.
Jack sighed deeply. He had deliberately chosen not to involve Goldeyes in the fight, wanting to test his own capabilities. However, in hindsight, he realized that it might have been wise to seek his companion's assistance when the stag began shooting those deadly glowing projectiles. “You’re right, Goldeyes. From now on, you have my permission to help whenever you think I’m in over my head.” The wolf responded with a soft, satisfied growl, his worry easing as he accepted Jack's reassurances.
With a deep breath, Jack pushed himself to his feet. The ache in his muscles was a sharp reminder of the day's trials. Despite his exhaustion, he knew they couldn’t afford to linger here. The scent of blood could attract predators, and staying in one place for too long could make them the hunted instead of the hunters. They needed to move quickly.
Getting the stag back to camp was a challenge in itself. Jack considered using his free points to boost his Strength to ease the burden, but he hesitated. He didn’t want to make impulsive decisions with his stat points that he might regret later. Additionally, maneuvering the massive animal through the dense forest, with its numerous trees and obstacles, proved difficult. Even with Goldeyes' help, it took several grueling hours to drag the carcass back to their camp.
When the familiar sight of the pool finally appeared, Jack let out a sigh of relief. He released his heavy burden and collapsed onto the soft grass with an exhausted groan. The exertion had taken a toll on him, and he lay there for a few moments, catching his breath and letting his body recover.
[You have driven your body to its limit]
[You have gained +1 Endurance]
After a brief rest, Jack made his way to the pool and began preparing healing solutions. It took about half a dozen concoctions before his health was fully restored. Once he was back to full strength, he lay on the grass once more and examined his Status sheet. He had 4 free points to distribute. With his recent acquisition of spellcasting abilities, mana had become increasingly important. He decided to allocate his points equally between Wisdom and Intelligence, hoping to bolster his magical prowess.
[Name: Jack
Race: Direborn
Exp: 430/700
Level: 7
Class: N/A
Profession: N/A
Path: N/A
Strength: 27
Agility: 25
Dexterity: 18
Wisdom: 6
Intelligence: 5
Charisma: 2
Constitution: 15
Endurance: 15
Health pool: 150/150
Mana pool: 50/50
Stamina: 150/150
Attunements: N/A
Skills: Identify (Level 5), Awareness (Level 1), Skinning (Level 2), Woodcarving (Level 1), Weapon Crafting (Level 2), Alchemy (Level 2), Tracking (Level 1), Water Magic (Level 1)
Spells: Fluid Grace, Ice Dagger, Conjure Water
Titles: Favored of the Alpha
Resistances: Water (11%)
Abilities: Savage Roar, One with the Elements, Empathic Shielding, Mental Link]
Jack remained on the grass for a few more minutes before getting up to start the laborious process of butchering the Starlight Stag. He methodically began skinning and gutting the creature, making sure to salvage every usable part. The hide was a valuable resource for crafting, the meat would sustain them, and even the antlers had potential uses. This task also helped level up his Skinning Skill. After carefully removing the hide and antlers, Jack inspected them for any damage. Fortunately, aside from a few small fragments that had broken off the antlers during extraction, both the hide and antlers appeared to be in good condition.
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
[Starlight Stag Hide
Rarity: Uncommon
Quality: Good
Description: The hide of the Starlight Stag is imbued with the essence of one of the Light realms. Its silvery sheen and intricate patterns make it highly sought after by craftsmen and artisans. When used in crafting, it can provide resistance to magical energies. Armor or garments made from this hide are said to grant the wearer enhanced agility and grace, as if touched by the stars themselves.]
{Starlight Stag Antlers
Rarity: Rare
Quality: Good
Description: The antlers of the Starlight Stag are a testament to its otherworldly nature, possessing a rare and ethereal beauty. Glowing with a faint celestial light, they are prized by collectors and enchanters alike. When crafted into weapons or decorative ornaments, they bestow a mystical aura upon their wielder or bearer.]
[Congratulations! Identify has gained a level]
After distributing the meat to Goldeyes and the pup, Jack turned his attention back to the materials at hand. His immediate concern was crafting armor. The recent battle had highlighted the necessity for better protection; the stag had nearly killed him with only a few direct hits.
Jack’s only experience with crafting hide armor had come from watching a few instructional videos online. He recalled that he would need something to hold the armor together. He remembered a plant he had identified near the Edible Glowleaves. Its description had read:
[Spinegrass
Rarity: Common
Description: Spinegrass is a hardy plant found in forests and grasslands, characterized by its long, serrated leaves and tough, fibrous stems. The plant's name comes from the sharp spines that line the edges of its leaves, which serve as a natural defense mechanism against herbivores. Spinegrass is known for its toughness and versatility, with its fibers often used by adventurers and craftsmen alike for various purposes.]
Among the plants he had encountered so far, Spinegrass seemed closest to what he needed. He returned to that spot, carefully harvesting the tough, fibrous stems, taking care to avoid the sharp spines. Using his knife, he skillfully stripped the leaves from the stems, collecting the sturdy fibers that would be crucial for crafting his armor.
Once he had gathered enough Spinegrass, he returned to his camp by the pool. The sun was setting by now, so he stored his materials in a hollow tree before gathering fuel for his fire. That night, he feasted on roasted venison, savoring the meal after the long day. He wrapped the remaining meat in strips of the stag’s hide, preserving it for later by burying it. With his tasks complete, he finally allowed himself to sink into a deep, dreamless slumber, utterly exhausted by the day's events.
The next morning, Jack retrieved the hide and dipped it into the pool to soften it. Once it had absorbed enough water, he set up some upright logs and stretched out the hide to dry in the sun. He carried out his daily exercises, although he did not gain any points in Endurance. Instead, he was pleased to discover a new Swimming Skill as he swam laps around the pool. He also practiced his magic as often as possible, focusing particularly on his Ice Dagger spell.
After three days of this routine, Jack had not gained any additional points in Endurance, though he had leveled up his Swimming Skill twice and Water Magic once. His aim with the Ice Dagger spell had improved from terrible to slightly less terrible. Honestly, if the stag hadn’t been such a large target, he doubted he would have been able to hit it at all.
Goldeyes kept urging him to hunt, and by the third day, when their meat supply ran out, Jack finally gave in to his companion's request. They went hunting together, focusing on smaller game. Jack managed to catch a few small rodent-like creatures called Churrls. None were above level 2, and collectively they only provided 12 experience points, but their meat was surprisingly tasty, especially when combined with some Edible Glowleaves.
Goldeyes was immensely helpful in leveling up Jack’s Tracking Skill. He taught Jack how to identify various animal tracks, scat, and other signs left behind in the wilderness. Under Goldeyes' guidance, Jack practiced tracking different animals, starting with simple tracks and gradually advancing to more complex ones. Having a knowledgeable trainer proved invaluable, as Jack managed to increase his Tracking Skill to level 5.
On the fourth day after Jack had set up the hide to dry, it was finally ready. Jack removed the hide from his improvised pole, picked up his knife and got ready to make some armor.