Imagine if you woke up one day and all of your problems had simply disappeared. Vanished into thin air. All of your financial struggles, solved. All of your career hurdles, blown away. All your academic fears.. erased.
Now imagine your life's work was gone as well. Everything you had ever accomplished, now irrelevant. Every plan you ever made, now undone. Everything that mattered before.. Everything you knew..
Everyone..
Gone.
Vincent hated this stupid system. It had taken Everything from him. Well.. Everything he had left anyways. When he lost his parents it hurt. It felt unfair and wrong. It felt like there was a piece missing. But all of that pain somehow felt natural. Maybe it was meant to be. Maybe the hands of fate have woven a web that could not be altered. For better or for worse, everything seemed to work out the way it was supposed to.
But here in this new world.. in the system. Everything felt wrong. Every death. Every birth. A perpetual cycle of forced life and death.
If Vincent didn't know any better he would say some malevolent entity, perhaps even the system itself, had stitched together an infinite number of planets and species in an unnaturally harsh and aggressive world in order to actuate an artificial war. The question was.. for what purpose? What did it gain by allowing various creatures of different origin to grow stronger through constant warfare and death?
From what he had understood from Gildarts, the Orcs were the dominant force (though some rare creatures were more powerful, they were far less numerous) in the country which they called Garkan. Garkan was allegedly the most powerful Orc that ever lived. Legend has it he actually founded the very country on which they walked.
They say that in a much darker period of history, the Orcs were at constant war with other Nexus occupants. Wars erupted amongst the many humanoids that made the petty squabbles of today seem peaceful in comparison. Garkan, no longer able to stand watching the death of his people at the hands of the system, used his infinite strength to reach deep into the ground.
He heaved, and there occurred an incomprehensible, grinding, crunch. The country that would later be named after the Legendary Orc was ripped away from the rest of the world and set adrift on the endless sea. The landmass drifted for an unknown number of years. Eventually there was a shuddering impact and the country came to a halt. It had collided with the very mountain containing what would one day be Vincent's Mythical Cavern, as fate would have it.
While drifting the country had been primarily in the shape of a C, though one of astronomical proportions. The jungle comprised the middle of the country with open lands on each side. The mountain lodged itself directly in the middle of the C forming more of an O shape. Over time the natural forces of the elements fused the two colossal landmasses permanently together.
He thought about it for a long time. If Vincent had to guess.. Originally there were only the Orcs in this country, hence why they were so dominant and powerful. They had an evolutionary advantage by virtue of having a head start in their development.
Monsters must have begun to spawn and breed rapidly sometime many years after the country had collided with the mountain. Something ancient slumbered within the mountain causing the environment to be invigorated with untamed energy. The Nectar..
Vincent launched himself from tree to impossibly thick tree in the jungle. His movements were uncanny, like a wild animal's. He would swing himself from a low branch, launching himself toward another tree. Using the tree's system enhanced bark as a makeshift springboard, his Reinforced bones and Unparalleled physical fitness allowed him to propel himself inhumanly far.
A new skill he had recently achieved;
Aerodynamics (rare) Allows the user a small semblance of control over the forces of resistance (typically air) that counteract movement. Due to the 'Rare' rarity gain a small bonus per skill level in degree of control over air currents and other restrictive flows.
combined with his telekinesis meant he had an unnatural degree of control over his direction of travel as well as his loss of inertia between each movement.
Though agility accounted for most of an individual's speed, the strength stat also boosted one's mobility due to the explosive force of their system enhanced muscles. Vincent's strength of 59 and his agility of 54 were further amplified by his growing number of skills.
It was only because of this precise combination of unusually efficient movements, abnormally high stats and his versatile skills that he was able to keep up with the currently expeditious movement of his new Orc friend. It had been a few weeks now since the two had met and not much had occurred since then. Vincent decided to take a break on his skill grinding while he gathered information about the wider world around him.
He also took this time to revisit his bases. Repeatedly using a skill simply to use it wouldn't provide any skill XP. It was, however, a great way for a user to establish a connection to and familiarize themselves with their skill. Each skill had a unique feeling and energy flow. Each one targeted a different portion of the body and served its own functions. Some even required emotion and passion to wield effectively.
Another added benefit of establishing connections with your skills was that it lessened much of the strain one felt when using it. For instance, Vincent had become so familiar with Ecology at this point that the skill no longer strained his senses or left him with a throbbing headache when he couldn't understand some complex new pattern. The skill had become a natural part of him, like his arm or his mind.
None could appreciate the intimate connection to one's skills quite like Vincent. To him, each skill sang. Each skill was a part of the larger collective existence that made him, him. He saw how each ability interacted with and affected one another within him. He trusted his skills to keep him alive. Or.. in the current situation.. keep him from being left behind by the massive tank that was Gildarts.
Currently the duo were in the midst of a hunt. The creature in question was reportedly around level 50. Vincent had no frame of reference for overall creature strength but from the way Gildarts spoke.. It was one of if not the strongest inarticulate beasts in the jungle. It was also made apparent through their conversations that Vincent was the only one who could see the color of a creature's name so he had absolutely no clue what to do with that information. Gildarts's name still appeared to him as a series of question marks so he couldn't exactly use the man as a reference.
According to the Orc, level 100 was typically the cap for both skills and lifeforms but lvl alone didn't necessarily determine overall power. The allocation of stats and the types of skills a beast used often determined the outcome for battles. On that same token some builds worked better against some opponents than others. Vincent had a distinct feeling he was missing a piece of the puzzle and that there was more to it than that but for now that was what he had to go on.
When the duo finally arrived at what Vincent could only assume was their destination he did a double take. Everything around them in a three hundred foot radius was scorched and charred. He couldn't see their quarry yet, but a sinking feeling made itself known in his gut. Why did it feel like he'd been led into a trao set by fate itself?..
There was a large hill with various holes dug throughout it like a series of tunnels or catacombs. The air was stuffy and dry. Ashes and embers drifted dangerously all around them. The few trees the area possessed were leaning and roasted, nearly all of them more ash than wood. Curls of smoke rose relentlessly to the sky. It smelled like death.
To Vincent's ecological senses it was as if the very ground beneath them pulsed with a crimson red hue. Beside the focus-minded man the colossal Gildarts stepped forward and slammed his club down violently and without warning. The impact caused Vincent to yelp in fright and jump back a foot. "Gah!... What the hell?!" He asked indignantly. "Bahahaha!" The Orc laughed heartily, holding his stomach. "You should have seen your face. Relax. It was merely bait. Watch. It comes." He finished looking forward with a grin of anticipation.
Vincent frowned at the man but said nothing as he turned his attention towards the blazing hillside. There was a shift in the wind. Gildarts was right. Something was coming. In the middle of the large hill a massive energy stirred. He watched as a lone creature crawled through the earth before lumbering out of the largest tunnel entrance and stalking slowly over to the precipice of the hill.
Vincent's heartbeat quickened. He felt himself sliding instinctively into a defensive stance. Beside him Gildarts finished his pre-battle ritual and stepped forward. His steps were heavy and confident. He hefted his mighty club up on his right shoulder and stopped a few feet in front of Vincent. The black haired man focused a wary eye on both his self declared mentor and their target.
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He couldn't help but wonder.. Did the beast before them remember him? Did it remember that time it had thought him easy prey and hence allowed itself to be led into an improvised trap in the form of the jungles freaking dragon? Did it hold a grudge and would it perhaps ignore Gildarts entirely in order to end Vincent in one swift, brutal, retaliatory strike?
Vincent took in a long shaky breath. He really wished he had brought an extra pair of pants. Fifty feet away and roughly twenty feet up, the Fang of flame raised its head and roared. Yeah.. definitely should have brought those pants.
The beast leapt through the air landing with a harrowing crash. A plume of ash was blown through the air. It wasn't particularly large, at least not compared to some other creatures in the jungle, but it was clearly dense as the impact of its landing caused a spider web of cracks across the ground.
Vincent dearly wished he could use his courage ability on Gildarts. For whatever reason, though he suspected it was because they were different species, the two could not form a party together. As it was Vincent currently had courage cast from his companion onto himself and bleeding heart cast on Gildarts, so he effectively had another 50% of his health pool in reserve.
Fortunately since the pair couldn't form a party, Lone wolf and honor would also be active for the duration of this fight. When combined with courage and Berserker's rage his attack, speed and defense were increased by nearly 75 percent. Even still with all his boosts.. he wasn't sure how helpful he would be in this fight. The mighty Fang regarded Gildarts cautiously before it fixed Vincent with a savage glare promising unending torture and pain.
It was apparent that the creature did indeed remember his previous encounter with the blue eyed fellow and based on the look he was giving the man he was sure beyond a shadow of any doubt at this point that the beast held a grudge.
Gildarts raised a curious brow. "A friend of yours perhaps?" He asked, looking at the cowering Vincent quizzically. "It would seem he knows you from somewhere. Perhaps that is why you were so confident your strategy would work."
Vincent for his part just shook his head and summoned his sword and shield. "Yeah look I really don't want to talk about it. You're sure you can take this thing out?" He asked. The whole plan was a bit sketchy. Especially the using him as bait part.
Apparently Gildarts had fought this thing in the past to a stand still. The flaming wolf couldn't breach Gildarts' considerable defenses enough to land a decisive blow and Gildarts was unable to hit the swift, nimble beast.
The Fang was a solid level 50 and Gildarts was approximately halfway through the forties. Typically the system was designed in such a way that it would usually take a team of at least 5 individuals to take down a creature of the same level as them. Rarity and attributes depending of course. But it seemed Gildarts was truly talented. Even among a species that is well known for their strength and combat ability, few stood toe to toe with Gildarts.
The large Orc snorted in amusement. "I merely need to land one blow, and I shall fell this slippery beast." He exclaimed. Vincent shook his head and sighed. "So be it.. just.. try to be quick." He said as he began to walk forward at a slow and steady pace. Gildarts chuckled. "That is my middle name!"... it definitely was not, Vincent decided.
Vincent's Sixth sense screamed as he approached. He wanted nothing more than to run away.. but he couldn't run forever. Eventually he had to stand and fight. He eyed the beast cautiously as he closed the distance between them. The Fang, for its part, waitied cautiously, seemingly content to let its two prey create some distance between one another. It was clear from its darting eyes this beast was extremely intelligent, even if it couldn't communicate.
Vincent was just about to make his move when he paused. He couldn't help the intrusive thought that came next.. If this was the strongest non-civilized beast in the jungle.. The Earth man's eyes went wide and he gasped. "That damn dragon could have spoken to me!" Vincent instantly regretted letting himself get distracted on the field of battle.
His sixth sense exploded. He wouldn't have time to dash away from the incoming swipe from the massive thing. The moment it noticed he lowered his guard it didn't hesitate to strike. The monster before him was a true, experienced, Apex predator. "Unyielding guard!" Vincent called, drawing up his shield just in time to take the strike. He was faintly aware he had gained another skill level or two.
He leaned back as best he could to avoid some of the impact. All of his defensive skills and stats were working in tandem to boost his durability well beyond the limits of all but the strongest materials found in the world, before the system came to earth. It was far from a direct hit. Even so, despite all these factors working in his favor…
The attack blew the man completely off his feet. He ragdolled through the air for God knows how long before landing harshly in a heap of a pile. He had landed near a giant archway cut into the rock around them. Above him the arch began to crumble and he rolled out of the way of the tumbling debris.
Gildarts crossed his arms and shook his head. "Pathetic! If you can't even survive a single swipe from the beast how do you expect to hold its attention while I slay it with my mighty club?" He bellowed.
Vincent rose shakily to his feet. He huffed several times, waiting for the mind numbing pain to recede. It felt like he had been crushed by a train. A large gash was cut into his shoulder and blood dripped from his mouth. "Yeah, yeah.. lucky shot. I wasn't ready." He huffed. He tried his best to make light of the situation but the fact was he had just lost a tenth of his mana and nearly a fifth of his HP.
Health: 7500/8600..
7504…
7508…
He couldn't take many more hits like that. And god forbid he take an attack directly. He quickly downed half a health potion to top himself off.
The warm rush he felt left him with a frown, even as his shoulder wound knitted itself together. Why hadn't he thought to stockpile more health potions? He barely had 7 and a half as it was. His instincts screamed at him as the beast sought to follow up its attack with a finisher. It's entire body folded up in a flaming ball that began to spin rapidly like a wheel. It bounced into the air before blasting itself forward in a trail of fire.
Vincent's eyes widened and he used his dash ability to launch himself to the side. As he landed in a slightly crouched position he turned just in time to see the beast impact the arch-way he had previously been standing under. The flaming missile blew a massive hole into the large rocky structure. He definitely didn't think he could have survived that.
He still had roughly 5000 mana so he could use dash quite a few times if need be. The problem was.. how did he get the creature to stand still long enough for Gildarts to charge up his special attack?
Gildarts informed him he would need at least a minute and he had to launch it nearly as soon as it finished charging so the timing had to be perfect. It also took a massive amount of mana and stamina so it wasn't a technique he could use carelessly.
The Fang shook his head as the beast dislodged itself from the hill and growled, stalking toward its much smaller prey. It spared a brief glance to the massive Orc that had thus far seemed content to sit the fight out.. The creature knew instinctively that the Orc was the true threat but if he wasn't attempting to fight then it could focus it's attention on the task at hand. After labeling Gildarts a non threat for now the creature turned its head back to Vincent, shaking its mane to dislodge some loose rubble from it.
It was Vincent's turn to take advantage of the creature's carelessness. As it shook its head it hadn't noticed the 5 ice bolts its opponent had fired in rapid succession. The first impacted its left eye as it turned back towards him, causing it to rear up and scream in agony. The 4 ice bolts after that all managed to impact the creature's gut with resounding thuds but it wasn't nearly enough.
The young man had wondered if ice would do more damage against a fire based enemy and was extremely disappointed to find that while fire worked wonders on ice based opponents, the reverse wasn't necessarily true. At least not at the level of combat that Vincent was currently capable of.
The creature landed on all fours again and fixed its target with a murderous one eyed glare. Its other eye was twitching, still stinging from the unfortunate point of impact. He hadn't meant to hit the damn thing in the eye.. he hoped it didn't take it personally.
The Fang snorted before rearing back on it's hind legs and launching a fireball from its snout. Vincent yelped and did a back handspring to avoid the intense ball of heat. He was sure with his fire resistance sitting at a solid level 49 he could probably have survived the blast but it would have hurt like the dickens. The creature was clearly making a point by saying 'ha let me show you how it's done!'
Skidding to a halt he raised one arm toward the beast. He closed his eyes in intense concentration and yelled, "Plante!" There was a persistent rumbling and suddenly several large, thorny roots sprang up from the ground, wrapping themselves tightly around the legs of the beast. An acidic substance dripped from the tip of each thorn, a clear sign of Vincent's sanguine toxicity being mixed with his plant based skill.
Vincent found that with enough practice it was easy for him to mix just about any combination of skills whether they were primarily active or passive. Of course the compatibility of the skills' energy played a large part in how effective the end result would be. Sanguine toxicity in particular allowed him to coat nearly every attack he had in his toxic affinity simply by focusing on the energies as the attack formed. It was even more effective if he used his actual blood to coat a physical substance. He could have done the same with his fire and ice, because they too granted him affinities towards the respective elements but he figured the ice would just melt and the fire might actually heal the damned thing.
Not wanting to give the beast any room to build momentum once more, Vincent made what, looking back on it, was probably the dumbest decision he'd ever had at that point in his life. He charged the beast. As he approached the creature growled, launching itself forward. Vincent's pathetic roots were shredded like paper as the beast lunged. The scratches left on its body fostered and bubbled a bit but the miniscule amounts of poison wouldn't slow it down in the least.
His natural reactions couldn't keep up with the monster's system enhanced stats, but he had no intention of meeting the thing head on.
It seemed as if an impact between the two was inevitable. The distance was closing rapidly, the Fang clearly moving with much more grace and momentum than the inexperienced Vincent. Just as the Fang began to bring its claw down in what would undoubtedly be the last attack Vincent ever saw, the man disappeared.
The beast impacted the ground where he had just been, throwing up a cloud of smoke. It swiped its paw left, then right growling angrily and stomping around as it attempted to clear the dust from it's view and make sense of what the hell had just happened. It had just about finished off the annoying little bastard when he had just vanished…
BOOOM!
End of chapter 13.