Not Again
"48... 49... 50."
*Sigh*
I finished doing 50 sit-ups and that is remaining objective for the mission.
[Mission Accomplished!]
[Rewards will be received soon...]
My body feels so heavy and is screaming in pain. I am so exhausted, I even thought I will pass out.
Ben joined me in doing the exercise and I taught Elise some basic fighting skills. As I taught her I realized I really knew how to fight at an adept stage already, so things are still missing from my fighting skills. Zeus and Hades were just running around and playing with each other.
[Rewards received]
My stats now look like this:
[Name : Danton Stonehead]
[Species : Human]
[Job : Beginner White Candidate (Chess King)]
[Level : 1]
[EXP : 40/100 (40%)]
[HP : 60(100%)]
[MP: 10(100%)]
[Strength : 8]
[Stamina : 5]
[Speed : 5.2mps]
[Intelligence : 130]
[Agility : 5]
[Endurance : 8]
[Magic Type : (locked)]
[Mage Class : (none)]
[Grade : (locked)]
[Skills : Omega Eye (partial), 9th Sense (partial), (locked)]
[Evolution : (locked)]
[Status : Fatigued]
[Due to Seals it is not possible to view additional information]
9th Sense should be that feeling I get from things around me that makes me know their movement, stature and body composition. I can practically see even though my eyes are closed. It's also the reason I felt mom's pregnancy and that it's a boy, and why I felt something awkward coming from Ben even before I found out he's half dragon.
Elise was grasping the few skills I taught her, and she performed them nearly perfect. At first, she didn't want to learn to fight, but I convinced her that the strongest mages formed their own mage art skills; I only spoke based on my analysis on Dad and those intruders.
The day is already turning dark, so we decided to start heading back, if it becomes too dark it's going to be hard to leave the forest.
We chatted along the way, well mostly Elise telling us about the things she has read.
Come to think of it, Ben has loosened up a bit around Elise; he still keeps his distance, but he talks to her from time to time now.
***
[Mission Accomplished!]
[Rewards will be received soon...]
We've been doing this for about a week now and everyone has made drastic progress, even Zeus and Hades; who now look like normal small sized dogs, even though they were born just a week ago.
As the days went by, I could notice changes in the system, and it is looking more professional than before.
Ben's body physique has become more muscular, I don't know if it's one of the perks of being a dragon but he hardly ever gets tired.
Elise's fighting skill are somewhat intermediate now under my guidance. The only thing she needs to work on now is her speed and strength. Because of her small figure, she's flexible enough.
Every time the mission shows up the penalty for failure has always been death, I can't lie I've been tempted to see if I will actually die; but who in their right mind will see fire and want to test if it's hot by putting their hand on it?
[Rewards received]
[Name : Danton Stonehead]
[Species : Human]
[Job : Beginner White Candidate (Chess King)]
[Level : 2]
[EXP : 60/150 (40%)]
[HP : 130(100%)]
[MP: 10(100%)]
[Strength :38]
[Stamina : 23]
[Speed : 6.4mps]
[Intelligence : 130]
[Agility : 35]
[Endurance : 50]
[Magic Type : (locked)]
[Mage Class : (none)]
[Grade : (locked)]
[Skills : Omega Eye (partial), 9th Sense (partial), (locked)]
[Evolution : (locked)]
[Status : Fatigued]
[Due to Seals it is not possible to view additional information]
I levelled up but the only things that increased when I levelled up were my HP and MP. Well it's logical for my HP and MP to increase when my body gets stronger; so I practically gained nothing for levelling up, this isn't what I expected.
We finished rather early today, since it's just half-past three. Ben suggested we venture deeper into the forest to hunt some lower-grade magical beasts and some normal animals, and I agreed; what could possibly go wrong?
"Aren't we supposed to carry weapons?" Elise asked with an expression filled with worry in her tone.
"I don't think there's need for that since we're just going to catch some rabbits and lower-grade beasts." Ben answered, I don't think he realizes we're not as strong as him. He can probably even kill both of us with just a punch each.
"I guess you're right." I concurred with what he said.
"..." Elise didn't speak but what we said didn't wipe the worried expression on her face.
I climbed a tree to scout for beasts to tell Ben to chase, while Elise was setting traps for rabbits.
We spent two hours doing the same thing over and over again, and the only thing we caught was... a toad that landed on Elise's head.
The day is getting darker, but I can't accept defeat like this.
"We're going deeper." I said it with enough confidence and resolve.
"I-I'm sorry I have to get back home before it's too late." It's obvious Elise doesn't want to follow because I remember her saying she can go back home when she wants to.
"Don't worry. I'll protect you even if it kills me. I promise." I smiled meekly at her, who is standing right beside me. I meant those words, but I also said it to see her blush, in which she didn't disappoint.
"Danny, your mom is going to be worried." Ben spoke up, trying to dissuade me.
"That will sort itself out." I shot a glare at Ben.
It became too dark, and we could only use the little light provided by the moon to know our immediate surroundings, well that isn't the same issue for me though.
I focused a bit more, and I could feel the ants walking, the leaves shake, the stream far down the forest... And... the beast rushing towards us! It's about 7 kilometres away, so I can't make out its physique, but one thing is for sure: it's moving fast.
"You guys run!" I shouted at Elise and Ben, who just stood and looked at me like I'm an idiot.
"Something is coming, we don't have time!" I added more pressure, but they still looked at me with an expression filled with confusion.
The beast is now just about 5 kilometres away, and they're still looking at me awkwardly.
I held their hands and started running back to the town. The beast sensed us move and charged forward fiercer than before.
We are slow since these two are moving reluctantly, now the beast is just 3 km away.
'We won't be able to escape.' I stopped and started thinking of a make-shift plan.
"Ben, since you're the fastest go call for help. Elise, I don't know the type of beast it is yet but just stay behind me and support me from time to time when it arrives. Zeus and Hades we'll attack that thing together. Go!!"
I issued out the commands, and they noticed I wasn't joking, so they started being serious. Ben ran at full-speed back to the town, while Elise made her battle stance with an expression filled determination and Zeus and Hades stood beside me and started growling.
The beast is just about a kilometre away from where we are, and we can now hear trees ruffle fiercely and the already settled birds flying away due to the commotion.
I am ready and prepared.
The beast slowed down because it likely felt us standing instead of running, and as it came closer I could see the beast.
It is big and covered in brown fur, and it stood on its two hind legs and is about 10 feet tall. Its bloodshot eyes are crimson red, and it bared its fangs, showing all its sharp teeth as its mouth drooled. Its claws are long and sharp that 1 slash will do the job.
[Beast : Evolved Grizzly Bear]
[Level : 50]
[HP : 60,000(100%)]
[MP : 1000(100%)]
[Grade : A-Rank Beast]
[Skills : Bear Slash, Bear Charge]
[Due to Seals It is not possible to view additional information]
"I-It's a bear!!!" Elise shouted, the fear and dread she felt could be heard in her voice.
'Damn! Ben's the strongest, I shouldn't have sent him to get help.'
I got into a battle stance with Zeus and Hades beside me, then we charged forward.
Zeus turned into a streak of lightning and appeared behind the bear and bit his right leg.
I ran forward with Hades and dodged the bears slashes. My speed has increased well enough for me to dodge its fast slashes with the help of 9th Sense.
Hades opened his mouth and a small red ball appeared floating in between his upper and lower lip. The ball grew bigger then he shot the concentrated fire on the bear's right leg.
The bear increased its speed and hit Hades with enough force. I ran to where I predicted Hades will land and caught him then dropped him on the ground. I breathed a sigh of relief* because Hades only passed out due to the shock.
I joined Zeus in battle with the ferocious beast. Since I don't have a weapon, I distract the bear and dodge its attacks while Zeus inflicts damage by biting.
We kept going on like this until the bear started infusing mana into its claws. It slashed, and I barely escaped because his slash cut down everything about 2 metres in front of him.
Zeus' mana capacity got drained before he got tired, the bear didn't want to miss this chance and attacked Zeus.
I stepped on the bark of the tree behind me with my two legs and propelled my body forward. Since I was closer to Zeus than the beast I got to Zeus before the attack and used my back to bear the brunt of it.
I felt the deep wound in my back because the stinging pain was already killing me.
I could feel the bear charge forward, and I tried to evade, but my body didn't listen to me. I tried to move as hard as I could but all to no avail as I just fell down flat on the ground.
'Argghhhh'
I heard a female voice shout and I felt relieved for the second I thought help has come.
"No! Elise!" I tried shouting her name to tell her to run away, but my voice couldn't come out as loud as I wanted to.
She held her own against the bear, but I can feel she's getting pushed back using 9th Sense.
I managed to turn my head to the battle only to see the bear about to slash Elise head as she knelt down on the ground.
'No! No! No! No! No! No! Not again! I can't go through this again!'
A million thoughts passed through my head in that second on how to prevent what is about to happen and one stood out: it was when dad appeared behind me then smashed my face on the ground.
I stopped thinking at that moment and I felt something within me take over my body.
I appeared in front of the evolved beast in the blink of an eye and extended my hand out and said,
"Excalibur 1st Sword Form"