Chapter 17: Nirvana chains

[Next Morning]

"Damn it!" Langris shouted after chopping his second log, "It's been 30 fucking minutes!"

Langris was in the plantation field training for his Strength quest.

On one side of the plantation field, there was a swarm of people growing crops in a land covered by green plantations, while in the center, there were work areas and a barn where animals would live. Finally, on the opposite side of the plantation field, there was a vast pasture with cows with horns the size of a muscular man's arm and horses with long and magnificent manes. There were also massive and intimidating pigs with two large teeth on each end of their bottom teeth.

Wooden fences ran around the pasture's perimeter, preventing the animals from venturing beyond it. A concrete walkway with two paths went beside the fences, while another route led to the Wranven estate.

He was in front of a barn holding a heavy axe, and a pile of logs right next to him with a guard watching him.

Despite his rise in strength stats, he was struggling to cut through what was a simple log.

"This is so fucking hard!" He exclaimed as he sat on the ground with sweat covering his whole body, "I'm supposed to be stronger, but I feel even weaker than before right now!"

Suddenly, the guard watching Langris came to the chopping block and grabbed the axe on the ground. He placed a log on the chopping block, and with one hand and a slight movement, he sliced the log in two.

Langris seated witnessed everything in astonishment.

"Tobi, how on earth did you manage to do that?" He asked slowly standing up to check how well Tobi cut the log.

The ginger head guard with a well-shaped beard smiled and handed an axe to Langris.

"I used to be a woodcutter before becoming part of the family's guard," He replied.

This was the best situation for Langris if he wanted to complete his quest as fast as possible.

"I need you to show me how to cut this wood, Tobi!" Langris exclaimed grabbing his axe from the dusty ground.

Tobi took a few steps backward and put his two hands in front with a nervous smile, " Are you sure Young lord, I think it is better if it is a family member th-"

"I chose you, so you're gonna teach me the art of cutting wood alright!" Langris shouted.

Tobi gave out a big sigh and eventually accepted Langris's request.

"Alright then young lord, get a log and place it on the chopping block," Tobi said, and Langris did as he said.

"Your shoulders should be leveled off relative to the condemned log when splitting wood. This stance directs the most force down during your swing,"

Langris then carried out Tobi's instructions perfectly, "Alright, what now?"

"Put your dominant hand just beneath the head of the axe; when you swing, it will slide down, guiding the axe and increasing force as you advance. Your second hand should be gripping the axe handle at the bottom. Swing toward the center of smaller logs and cut closer to the exterior of larger logs, a striking parallel to an assumed diameter with the axe. In this case, the log is a smaller one, so you must swing toward the center,"

At the moment Langris swung the axe toward the center, a large breeze of momentum was carried with the swing, and Langris chopped the axe in two with an incredible force.

Even Tobi was surprised by the strength Langris demonstrated given his body build.

"I did it!" Langris shouted, even though he seemed surprised at how well he did.

"Well done young lord, you are stronger than you look from what I see!" Tobi exclaimed clapping his hands to congratulate him.

< Progress 3/50 >

"Thank you, Tobi, you helped me a lot there!" Langris said shaking hands with the guard.

"I am honored, Young lord!" Tobi replied bowing to the youngster.

"Alright, let's finish this quest now!"

[Several hours later]

< Congratulations, you have completed the strength quest >

< Reward 50exp, 1 strength stat point, fitter physical appearance >

Langris, drenched in perspiration and dust, collapsed to the ground, surrounded by numerous chopped wood. The sun was already setting, making way for the dazzling full moon.

Beside him was Tobi who was smiling with his arms crossed.

"You truly are a hard worker Young lord," Tobi said, "Your family would be proud,"

Without answering, Langris stayed on the ground trying to catch his breath, and his arms were aching him a lot. He had been cutting wood for the whole day, and his technique made it even harder for him because he was not as experienced as Tobi.

< You have unlocked your first skill: Nirvana chains >

< Reward 100 exp >

< Warning: Because it was the first time you unlocked a talent, this award is only available once >

"Yes, and an additional 100 exp!" Langris whispered.

*

< Name: Langris Wranven >

< Level: 1 >

< HP 15/15 >

< Exp 165/350 >

< Strength 6 >

< Agility 8 >

< Durability 5 >

< Stamina 5>

< Filial 3 >

< Stat Points 0 >

< ??? >

*

"Now I can practice the Nirvana chains!"

Langris stood back up and went to a bucket full of water inside the barn to wash his face.

After that, he went back outside the barn, and another message popped up

< Would you like to unlock skill: Nirvana chains? >

'Finally, I'll be able to use my filial now, whatever it is, I'll learn more about it after I use this skill,' Langris thought, 'Yes, unlock the skill,'

Suddenly, a flash beamed Langris in the face, and his eyes turned to gold for a moment before turning back to normal.

At the same time, his eyes returned to normal, and Langris recognized that the system had done something in his head. It was as though the system had encoded instructions for him to follow.

Langris then lifted his hand and started to concentrate Zeal Energy in the palm of his hand. The palm started to glow white, and suddenly, a thick metal chain with a sharp dagger at the tip of the chain rushed out of his hand and went piercing through the chopping block creating a clear hole through it.

The chain then rushed back into Langris's palm at a fast rate, and the palm stopped glowing white.

The chain then rushed back into

"Oh... so that is your filial young lord?" Tobi said with slight astonishment, "Not bad at all!"

"I still need some practice with it," Langris said focusing on the hand in which the chain came out, "Tobi, every time I come to train, I want you to be the one to accompany me, is that alright?"

For now, Langris didn't know if his filial would be based on this Nirvana chain, or if this was just one of the many abilities he had. This is why he would like to keep this between him and a guard he trusts.

"Oh, I don't have any problem with that young lord," Tobi replied.

"Good... Oh, one last thing, for now, I would appreciate it if you keep this to yourself, and not tell everyone about my filial,"

Tobi nodded his head in agreement, and later after, another guard came to them and walked up to Tobi.

The guard has a long brown beard and a bald head. The man whispered in Tobi's ears, and they had a small conversation before Tobi walked up to Langris.

"Young Lord, we have special guests this night," Tobi told him.

"Really, and who are those special guests you are talking about?" Langris asked.

"The Valhoran family, one of the 4 Maines of the Kingdom,"