Side Chapter - 103 - Two rewards in one day, Carla's Progression.
Kendor had seen several fights in the span of his lifetime. From the wall battles against the direwolves to the lethal desperate struggles of the several hunters with the netizens of the Desolate forest. He'd even been part of a few such fights though at the time he had brought little to the table in terms of skills.
Still, he was certain to have learned a lot. Especially after just two weeks of the journey out the Borders of what would be called the lands of man. With his ragtag cohort of just two, he'd found himself in several fights against wildings, hyenas, and Cursed Dogs. He used skills and abilities that he had only recently gotten.
While he had shaped himself quite solidly with the new gifts he had and simultaneously aligned his battle skills with the two siblings he was far from even capable enough. Or strong enough to do what lay in front of him. Of course, he knew that the girl was only capable due to a reason they were aware of. Yet he refused to deceive himself in believing that she was only capable by external means.
That would be calling him and the sibling's efforts and fights to earn soul essence worthless.
The battle in front of him was unlike anything he had ever seen. There was no beauty, no choreography, and no aligned movement. Just blood, wreck, and dust. Flames and pressure, explosions and roars. It was a mad battle between two apex life forms with neither relenting.
As mad as it was, as horrifying as it looked it served to make not just his but all three's hearts beat and blood boil. This was the strength the sort to defend their homes. The power they wished for to raise their race out of its ruins.
Their eyes sparkled even as Moira got the upper hand. Their fists tightened in a growing sense of determination as she pummeled the Orc once, twice, thrice, again, and again into the floor. The vibrations from the strikes reached their heels even from this distance.
Two red beams shot out her eyes right atop the Orc who shrieked in pain as it scrambled to get away. Gone was its pride and replacing it was the ever-boiling fear that came when faced with a predator. His arms took the full brunt of the beams as they caught ablaze flesh melting and charring quickly just as it had been with his chest.
Sumac could barely feel his arms or body at this point. His vision already blackened from the pain or was it the burnt face he had that sealed his eyes? He wasn't sure. But he did feel the next lethal strike. The fist ripped through his chest and broke past his ribcage. A pain within him as he felt something inside him forcefully separated, hot liquid splashing on his burnt skin.
Even as his awareness left him one realization was clear. It had been far easier when she held the blade.
(You have slain Green Orc Chieftain)
+ 96,000 essence.
EVOLUTION REQUIREMENTS -
Kill an Evolver life grade alone - (1/1) (COMPLETED)
Gain extra 1000 essence - (1000/1000) (COMPLETED)
LEVEL CAP MET - Lv 10/10
EVOLUTION REQUIREMENTS MET - (2/2)
PROCEED WITH EVOLUTION? - (YES/NO )
Moira stood there contemplating the records in her vision her right fist still gripping the dripping crushed organ fiercely. It took less than a minute before she finally decided.
"Yes".
And a world of pain descended.
What was evolution? At least what did Erizos see it as?
From the very first night, the god had planted the ability bead within her it was clear that she would not be able to use it without a blessing. Most would think at times that the blessing was the ability but indeed it wasn't. The blessing kept the mortal from exploding while using bits of divine power. Albeit at the littlest of units. Yet it didn't make it less dangerous after all the human body was too weak too fragile a vessel to contain such volatile energy.
This was where the blessing came in. Operating the ability and concealing it without letting it have a total effect on the human body while similarly releasing bits of it into the human to meld with them.
This brought up the issue. With the energy from the ability constantly melding with their bodies it did the opposite of intended. Even in its smallest forms, it wrecked the body and soul.
Yet that was where soul essence came in. By killing and stealing the soul essence of other lifeforms the said host would mend the damage done by the ability.
Then came evolution. If the body was constantly mended replacing little parts of the soul essence and body with the ability's energy then evolution reconstructed the entire body to a certain degree.
By using the stolen essence it reconstructed the body to fit its demands.
As such Moira completely ignorant of the prompts on her status screen screamed out in pure pain as her body began destroying and restructuring itself from within her.
The soul essence tore through her forging new veins or mana lines within her. Slowly it linked to every part of her body before halting once complete.
A bit of relief swept through her as she took a deep breath glad it was over.
Yet she thought too soon as new hotness spread within her. It was soon followed by a chill both racing from over her body to congregate right in her chest sending her shivering in shock and spasms.
A shudder of pain and relief from her chest had her slumping while breathing heavily.
The pain was gone and the evolution was over. Barely taking longer than five minutes.
Slowly Moira opened her eyes and found the screen flashing in her vision.
EVOLUTION COMMENCED
SOL VEINS CREATED.
MANA VEINS SHRUNK
SOUL CORE FORMED.
EVOLUTION COMPLETE
LEVEL CAP BROKEN
LIFE GRADE PROMOTED
SYSTEM UPDATING...
UPDATED
(YOU HAVE EVOLVED)
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STATUS
NAME - Moira Duran
RACE - Human(????) (A/N: ??? means the system is unsure. ## means the system is hiding it)
GENDER - Female
LIFE GRADE - Evolver
LEVEL - 11/20
SOUL CORE - 1/10
ESSENCE - 96,000/104,000
AGE - 18
TITLE - Priestess of Erlezos
CLASS- (Phoenix Queen)
ABILITIES - Heat vision, Super strength, Durability, Perception (NEW!)
DIVINE BLESSING - 1
SOLS - 100 (NEW!)
STRENGTH - 71
AGILITY - 69
DEXTERITY - 44
STAMINA - 45
VITALITY - 70
INTELLIGENCE - 42
MIND - 42
MANA - 65/65
SKILLS -
KAIGO DASH - (Active)
Fuel strength into one's legs and body to increase movement speed. Skill is dependent on stamina and strength.
THUNDERCLAP - (Active)
Strong hand claps release loud sounds and shock waves. Disorienting the enemy or causing knockback. Can be used as STUN or AOE.
Repeatable - 5 max.
Cooldown - After 5 max. 5 mins.
HAZER - (Active)
Fast whiplash punch with a stunning effect.
Cooldown - 1 min
FATAL LOCK - (Active)(Combo skill)
Launch a trapping combo that keeps the enemy in grasp by alternating both arms to hold and strike in intervals while using the foot movement to prevent the enemy from fleeing or disrupting the combo.
Period - Last till Disruption
Cooldown - 30mins.
Proficiency - 20%
HELLBARRAGE LV5 - (Active)
Release a flurry of powered punches without stopping. 50% chance of causing an inner bleed effect.
50% chance of Bone Shatter effect
Cooldown - 6mins
LOWER POISON RESISTANCE LV3 - (Passive)
Unaffected by lower-ranking poison.
HEAT RESISTANCE LV5 - (Passive)
Immune to certain heat levels.
COLD RESISTANCE LV2 - (Passive)
Immune to certain cold levels.
HYPERION'S MIGHT LV2 - (Active)
Release a concentrated energy aura around you within a 10meter range.
20% chance of knockout to same ranked individuals.
Higher level is unaffected.
Lower level 90% chance of submitting, knockout, or fear effect
THORIN'S STOMP LV1 - (Active)
Forcing strength into one or both feet create a force that spreads out to generate a jump and attack effect.
Cooldown - 5 minutes. (Let your legs rest little one. Such a stomp could pulverize a normal person to nothing).
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"Finally I evolved." Her voice came out weak and strained carrying the stress of a painful evolution. Yet her mind still went to her younger sister who was back with the camp.
"Hopefully has won't be as tough". Moira muttered unmoving from the ground.
*****
A few kilometers from the battle site at the very edges of the forest stood a makeshift camp. With tents set here and there. A campfire at the center and a few strings that surrounded the perimeter in a hidden manner while weaved around trees and huge boulders. An alarm of sorts to alert the people of intruders entering the camp perimeter unwelcomed and unannounced.
A little crowd of people could be seen all over the place. An obvious increment in their former size, either double or triple their previous numbers.
The sun was hidden by the clouds and tree canopies which made it uncertain what time of the day it was but the moving camp citizens made a few greetings to the other as they each moved about.
Some moved to the center of the camp where they made a subtle bow to a little statue that stood in the center of the camp. It was a simple 3 feet statue with wings and a featureless face. While the long hair and wings would have deceived many into thinking it was a woman it was a man. The statue was crude and left much to be desired
Perched behind it a few steps away in a lotus position was the Battle Medic, Carla Duran.
In her position, many considered she might be meditating or praying. After all, in the camp, she was the sole symbol of connection with the god that had saved them according to the sister's tale of that day.
While Moira was seen as a protector or defender everyone was certain that the younger one Carla was the bridge of sorts between the god and them earning her the name Jaeusi - Blessing of the Divine.
So in her posture they saw her as communicating or praying foe their blessings in their behalf . Smiles could be seen as the few that had actually be won over would make a prayer of sorts and then leave. Those that didn't believe of course didn't stop the others just choosing to ignore and continue their tasks. One couldn't blame them, most had known the various deeds of the world's gods. Others had lived through more pain than necessary and refused to believe in the help of some numen.
So while many either ignored, watched or prayed Carla sat there eyes closed. In her vision a string of words blinking for only her to see.
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STATUS
NAME - Carla Duran
RACE - Human
GENDER - Female
LIFE GRADE - Mortal
LEVEL - 10/10
ESSENCE - 47,350/51,200
AGE - 16
TITLE - Priestess of Erlezos
CLASS- (BATTLE MEDIC)
ABILITIES - HEALING, SUCTION.
DIVINE BLESSING - 1
STRENGTH - 37
AGILITY - 38
DEXTERITY - 39
STAMINA - 39
VITALITY - 40
INTELLIGENCE - 60
MIND - 60
MANA - 90/90
SKILLS - Light Cleave, Sanctuary, Drain Lv3, Sixth sense Lv8, Mana shield Lv2, Mana manipulation Lv2, Foraging Lv5, Weaving Lv5.
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An audible sigh escaped her lips as her eyes fluttered open gracefully. "Just a few essence more and i can get my evolution requirements too. I wonder how Moira's hunt is going." She made a frown in worry as she remained the conditions of the evolution.
" Well the stronger she gets, the better things will be. Guide her God Erlezos". She made a slow bow filled with hope before she stood.
" Everyone gather up everything, we leave as soon as Moira returns. We're still a long way from our destination. Only there can we be truly safe."
Nods and nutters of agreement rippled through the crowd as everyone scattered to get things done. A group of five made their way to the sixteen year old each wearing leather armor or robes. Looking to them she made a nod before turning to vanish into the woods.
Behind her the five halted perplexed. "What did she mean by that nod?" the first a female asked while scratching her nape
"She always does that. Nods and leaves like we understand what she means. " another complained a sigh leaving him. The rest chuckled for a bit before he shook his head and then turning he just began walking off.
"Let's just do what we normally do when she nods at us" He offered.