3. The First Mission

As Zeik walked back towards the main guild hall he thought about his new skill," weird it didn't tell me what it was." He focused his gaze on his watch and his info panel came up. He noticed a new tab called skills and focused on it. The page shifted to a new one showing only one skill.

[ Skills: ]

[ Dark Devour Lv.1 ]

Shocked Zeik focused on the skill and it's info came up for him to read.

[ Devour ]

[ Level: 1 ]

[ Grade: ? ]

[ Skill description: the hosts stomach has become bottomless, the host will still feel hunger and can still satisfy it as normal however their stomach is now a bottomless pit. The first time this skill is used to devour a being the host will learn a random skill from the devoured being. Skills stolen through this method will be Level 1 however there is a 2% chance of creating a higher level skill. ]

[ Limitations: only the first time a host devours a specific kind of being can they learn a skill, however humans and beings on the same evolutionary stage as humans are special cases. User may not devour a being over 2 grades higher then the host. ]

Zeiks jaw hit to floor as he stared at the skill his feet stopping completely leaving him standing in the middle of the hall like an idiot. 'What the actual fuck!?' He screamed in his head completely unable to believe this skills use. He had to come to a complete stop completely dumbfounded. 'Is the damn thing serious?! Well you can be damn sure I'm not gonna start eating people any time soon.' He shiver involuntarily goosebumps raising up all over his legs and arms. Shaking himself he continued on his way thinking about this ridiculous skill he'd learned. 'If I ever go back down I'll have to thank that old man properly.'

In the main hall of the guild Zeik browsed the F rank missions on the bounty board before selecting an easy one. "Collect 30 thunder stones from the Shaxlin Wilds east of here. That should be a piece of cake and I'll get to explore a bit of the wilderness while I'm there," totally stoked Zeik ran to the counter and registered his mission before setting out.

●●●●●●●●

On the outskirts of the Shaxlin wilds...

Swinging his sword through the air to fling the black blood from it Zeik sheathed it before picking up the huge dead rabbit from the ground. This big rodent had the misfortune to cross into Ezekiels path and he'd chased it down before slashing its throat. He'd noticed the injured leg on the beast and couldn't believe his luck. This was called a rugout rabbit, a harmless monster that roamed the land around the stronghold. They didn't attack people and normally ran from them as soon as they caught sight of them. Normally these beasts were hard to catch as most hunters found out cause they had only one basic skill called robust legs. It made them extremely fast with powerful legs but this one had been injured by something.

Lifting the carcass Zeik quickly cleaned it before starting a fire to cook it. "Since I didn't have lunch let's kill 2 birds with one stone and try out my new skill too." He'd had to idea to try his skill out since he left the stronghold and when this lovely creature practically fell into his lap Zeik almost couldn't hold back his excitement. He'd chased the damn thing for over 15 minutes before the blood loss from moving had finally slowed it down enough for him to catch up and slash it. Soon the meat was cooked and he finished the entire beast in no time while having his skill Devour active. Soon he felt a burning power rushing from his stomach area and down through his legs like fire. The pain hurt but it was also some how pleasant to Zeik as he grit his teeth and forced his way through it.

After about 10 minutes Zeik opened his eyes and checked his watch. Scrolling through to the skills tab he almost shouted with joy at what met his eyes.

[ Skills: ]

[ Devour Lv. 1 ]

[ Robust Legs Lv. 2 ]

Shocked and ecstatic at the level 2 skill he quickly focused on it and the skills info came up.

[ Robust Legs ]

[ Level: 2 ]

[ Skill Description: increases the strength of users legs by 50%, increasing speed, strength, and overall damage power. ]

[ Limitations: only active for 10 minutes. After deactivation skill cooldown is 15 minutes. ]

Zeik punched the air and shook his ass a little bit not believing his luck. "I can't be stopped!" He shouted before raising both fists to the air with his eyes closed. What he didn't know was his shout echoed into the tree ahead of him. Deep in the thick wilds a being stirred from its slumber shaking it massive head. Snarling it rose before setting off to find whatever decided to wake its from its sleep.

Completely unaware Zeik ventured into Shaxlin Wilds and soon started finding the Thunder Stones he'd set out to retrieve. Picking up his second one he examined it in the light marveling at its bright yellow color. "Man is this place different."

*Crack Crack*

A low growling sounded and Zeik shifted to high alert snatching his sword from its sheath and jumping back while turning a complete 180. Coming from the edge of the small open area he was in, a cat like beast stalked forward its teeth bared at him. The beast looked almost like a mountain lion but was jade green, had 2 inch spikes down its spine, huge tusk like teeth, and razor talon like claws similar to a raptors. It stalked forward and started circling clockwise in the clearing, it's eyes fixed to him like he was its next meal. Zeik slowly walked clockwise his eyes never leaving the beast as his heart pounded madly and his mind tried to work through 10 different scenarios at once.

[ Jade Sabretooth ]

[ Description: one of the toughest younglings of the wilds. These creatures are usually children evolving later into a few different forms depending on the path their body takes. Their tough skin and powerful body usually gives new hunters some trouble. However, they aren't very bright. A smart hunter can overcome these beasts as long as they use their heads. ]

Taking a deep breath, Zeik steadied himself while following the beasts moments around the circle. He waited for the beast to strike and soon it leapt towards him. As soon as it's massive paws left the grass beneath it Zeik activated his Robust Legs skill and jumped hard to the right. Claws slashed the air where he just was viciously as he hit the dirt and rolled. He came up standing and lunged slashing up with all as might and managed to catch the side of the beasts mouth, a weaker spot to hit. Slashing straight through its left tusk his blade continued powerfully up and tore a 2 inch gash all the way up through its eye and scratching its forehead, before the blade finally came free from lack of reach. Roaring the beast swatted him hard and he flew back into a tree before smashing through it. Howling in pain Zeik coughed up blood before he shook himself and weakly stood.

The beast roared again before pouncing at him half blind. Without the strength to dodge all Zeik could do was raise his blade strongly in front of him planting his strengthened legs firmly on the ground. The beast slammed into him and they both went tumbling a few feet in the dirt. Soon the clearing fell silent as everything stopped moving and the battle was decided.