Chapter 4

[System: Level 4 Lily Wolf (Normal) was killed. Level difference of 3: EXP obtained increased by 50%. Obtained 110 EXP]

[System: You leveled up!]

The level bar of Caleb instantly rose to level 2 having a little remainder of 10 experience. He now only needs 190 EXP to level up again to level 3.

Usually, normal monsters around level 4 can give 60-80 experience. That's why he gets a lot of EXP aside from the fact that he soloed it.

On the other hand, players at level 1 can get 10-20 EXP when they singlehandedly killed a level 1 monster. However, since most of the regular players often play at parties, the experience was shared. Thus, a basic party of 4 people will need to kill 20 or 30 [Dark Rabbit] just to level up to level 2.

Hence, because of the system leveling rules, killing monsters that are three or more levels ahead of a player was an efficient leveling method. But it needs a lot of money and also a skill to pull it off.

This time, he spends 10 coppers in a single potion just to bypass the gap of speed between him and the [Lily Wolf].

It was 10 coppers!

This was not a small sum at this point in the game. Furthermore, because the monster rarely drops money, he cannot spend his coin casually.

He refocused his mind at the drop of the [Lily Wolf]. There was only one item that lay on the ground and from the looks of it, it was a category skill book!

He was elated for a second and quickly check its effects.

[Skill Book: Stride (Active)

Description: Allow the user to move in an instant for 1 meter in any direction. Amplified the next attack for 30% in 5 seconds. If blocks (enemy, wall, etc) the user will be stunned for 2s.

Requirement(s): Dexterity 3

Skill cooldown: 20s

Class limitation: Archer/Elementalist/Witch]

It was a skill book for Archer, Elementalist, and Witch.

Though, he grieved a little because it was not a skill book he could use. But understanding the rate of drop of every book, he can only sigh. He can be considered lucky with what he got.

[Stride] was one of the very useful skills because it increases mobility and increases the chances of survival. If he decides to sell the book, it could fetch a high price.

He considered exchanging it with Madame Trayne for a moment but then realized that the Witch who gave him the quest was most likely of a high level, and she may already have the skill of [Stride].

After storing the skill book, he decided to sit down first and retrieve the bread in his inventory.

Because his attributes were based on the melee class, his Magic was naturally low, resulting in a lower MP recovery rate. His Constitution was only 1 at the moment, so his HP recovery was also slow. As a result, he can only rely on eating bread to increase the recovery of both. And, because he only has a little stamina left after the fight, resting will help him gradually recover it.

Caleb called and checked his stats while eating. He was elated to know that a single Bonus Attribute was added to his Constitution causing his health to become 100.

Bonus Attribute (BA) were points that were randomly distributed by the system every time a player will level up.

In his previous life, he and the players didn't know what the condition or technique was for guiding the BA distribution to their desired stats. As a result, it was considered to be random.

He earned 5 AP and distributed it to Dexterity 3 and Strength 2 prioritizing speed and damage. After allocating the points, his movement and attack speed become 6 and his physical attack to 16.

———

[BASIC STATUS]

Name: Azrael

Title: None

Class: Novice Swordsman

Sub-Class: None

Level: 2

HP: 40/100

MP: 11/75

Physical attack: 16

Magical attack: 4

Attack speed: 6

Movement speed: 6

[ATTRIBUTES]

Strength: 4

Magic: 1

Dexterity: 6

Constitution: 2

Vitality: 2

Perception: 1

AP: 0

———

Caleb also gained 5 SP points but decided to not distribute it in the [Slash] skill, saving it for the future skills he would get.

After one or two minutes, he stop resting and immediately went to the [Lily Grass] to collect it. Since the quest never mentioned the number of herbs, he directly harvest all the [Lily Grass] in the vicinity.

After clearing all the herbs, he quietly leaves the cave to not further attract the monster inside.

On his way back, he can hear a clash of sounds resounding in the level 2 monster area. The game was operating for only just half an hour, so he expected that the majority of players will still be at level 1. That's why he can assume that the party ahead have a considerable amount of skill.

Peeking from the other side, he can see a party of four people fighting a level 2 [Vine Cat]. They had a Shield Warrior, a Lancer, a Cleric, and a Witch on their team. He can assume they're all level one and could say they're experts based on their coordination.

The [Vine Cat] occasionally leaps and thrusts its claws at the team, but the Shield Warrior steps forward and blocks it. Simultaneously, he was bathed in white light, healing his health.

While the [Vine Cat] was occupied, a single Lancer leaped from its side. The tip of his lance was glowing in blue, activating his skill.

Upon seeing it, the monster was planning to evade the attack but before it could move, a taunt skill was thrown from the Shield Warrior.

This opportunity could not slip from the Witch as a single ball of magic energy travels like a missile targeting the monster.

The tip of the lance and the magic missile hit the [Vine Cat] at the same time. Two values appear at the top of the monster.

- 10, -12

These damages were too low but their enemy have a sliver of health remaining so just a little patience and they could kill it.

"Nice call there, Blade!" a woman wearing a hat complimented the Shield Warrior. She was elated because of the performance of her team.

But it disappeared in the next few seconds when their tank was suddenly thrown a few meters away. It's 55% HP lost quickly.

The party stood there dazed, confused at what had happened.

Only Caleb knows what happened. Like [Lily Wolf] that he fought in the cave, [Vine Cat] also possessed a single skill.

When its health is low enough, it will whip its opponent with its vine tail. It was a simple skill, but because the Shield Warrior didn't know about it, he didn't pay attention to its tail and took the full brunt of the attack from his side.

While they were still stunned by what had occurred, the [Vine Cat] did not pause and leaped forward to pounce on the Cleric.

The male Cleric panics and takes a desperate step backward, but the monster continues to pursue him. When its claws were close, a single shadow appeared from his front and blocked it.

- 25

"Move." The silhouette was Caleb and he told the Cleric to evacuate while still looking at the [Vine Cat].

——

[Vine Cat] (Normal)

Level: 2

HP: 33/190

——

Like with his previous fight, since he has no [Parried] skill, he can only block the claws' advance but half of the damage was still inflicted on him.

Caleb can choose to abandon this team but he changed his mind once he saw the name of the Witch. She was his previous acquaintance that help his guild in the past.

Her name was Arphina, the Guild leader of the famous guild [Rising Phoenix]. In all the past virtual games, just like its name, this guild rose to the top and earn its fame. Her family's big company was also backing her guild as well as the various corporation. That's why her guild had a strong foundation.

After the force bring by the momentum of the claws decrease, he pushes the monster. The paws of the cat deflected up a little considering his strength was only 4 but it's enough for him to turn around as he fluidly circled to the side of the monster and delivered a [Slash] skill causing it to lose 20 HP.

Because he levels up and his physical attack becomes 16, he now can inflict better damage.

Before the [Vine Cat] can turn around its head, Caleb already makes another swing of his sword taking all the remaining HP.

The [Vine Cat] let a cry before bursting into light.

[System: Level 2 Vine Cat (Normal) was killed. Obtained 37 EXP]

Since he was the one who killed it and not the party he had saved, all the EXP was in him.

In another word, he was kill stealing.

"Ah!"

Gasps can be heard from his side. Caleb turned around and opened his mouth quickly.

"Sorry, it was an impulse. I can assist you in killing another [Vine Cat] so we can call it quits."

He looks around before focusing on the woman in the hat. This lady was considered to be beautiful. People sometimes refer to her as the 'Empress,' which is appropriate given the name of her guild.

"No, it's fine. Saving our cleric also means saving us, so there's no problem if you got the EXP," she replied calmly, her gaze fixed on Caleb. The other two people who were still alive nodded in agreement.

She was astounded by how this guy moved in a fluid motion, lashing the [Vine Cat's] remaining HP. It still had 20% left, but the damage inflicted by this swordsman was enough to deplete it in an instant.

"Alright, if that's what you all agree on." Caleb was relieved, but he was still willing to assist them if they responded differently.

"By the way, do you belong to a guild? If not, I'd like to invite you to mine. My name is Arphina, and I'm the guild leader of 'Rising Phoenix.'" She introduced herself as he invited Caleb to her guild. Even before he saved them, she could tell that the Swordsman in front of her was already level 2.

This was a shred of evidence that this guy was a true expert, so she won't pass up the opportunity to invite him.

"Yes, I didn't have a guild yet. And no, I have other plans in the future so I can't join your guild." Caleb politely declines her offer. He has other plans and if he were to join a guild, sooner or later he will be restricted.

"Is that so... Then can I add you as a friend? Please contact me if you change your mind."

"It's fine then."

Caleb agreed since he know it would be also helpful to him if he needs help in the future. Having contact with a guild leader of a big guild was not a bad choice either.