Chapter 4: First Blood
I ventured into the forest alone and utilized [Shadow Step] to boost my speed by 25% in the darkness. However, I use it sparingly and in short bursts due to its significant mana consumption over time.
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Shadow Step (I): You can continuously consume mana 2 mana per second to move faster in the shadows and in darkness. Speed Increased by 25%.
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Since it has no cooldown, I can use it in short bursts at specific intervals. This allows me to preserve the 25% increase in speed without wasting any mana. I'm doing this to avoid attracting unwanted attention from groups of players, as using an unknown skill might draw their gaze.
*SNAP*
I jumped to the right, narrowly avoiding a bear trap that clamped onto my foot. As I landed, I felt something wrap around my leg, hoisting me up from the ground and turning me upside down. It shocked me for a moment, but I quickly regained my composure.
"I kind of expected this, but this is way too early!"
I quickly unsheathed my sword and swiftly reached for the rope, cutting it. I let myself fall to the ground, suffering no damage, but the landing still felt rough.
"Fresh meat!"
I stood up and drew my other sword, dual-wielding the two short swords. In front of me were four goblins, their daggers drawn. They were the common goblins one would see in video games—small as children, with green skin, yellowish, or sometimes red eyes, and pointy ears. Their also known for their cowardly nature, nimbleness, and being one of the most cunning and crafty races in the World of Fantasy.
"Die!"
The four of them moved in a specific pattern and charged at me. I don't want to step back, for there might be another set of traps, and noticing their movements alerts me that they know the specific places where the traps are.
I charged with swords drawn, swiftly engaging the goblins. The first leaped to strike my face, but my extended reach skewered it in midair. With my other sword, I deflected the attacks of two more goblins, swiftly disposing of them. As a dagger flew towards me, I ducked and retaliated, hurling it back, ending the last goblin's life.
[You gain 5 XP]
[You gain 5 XP!]
[You gain 5 XP!]
[You gain 5 XP!]
[You leveled up!]
[Your HP and Mana are replenished!]
[Stat Points rolling!]
[You obtained 5 stat points!]
Whenever you level up the system will roll a six-sided die and the number it lands on is the number of stat points you'll get. I'm quite lucky to get 5.
"Status!"
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[Name: Azrael]
[Level: 2]
[Health: 20/20]
[Mana: 12/12]
[Experience: 0/100]
[Class: Apostle of Death]
[Status: Strength: 9 Agility: 10 Dexterity: 11 Stamina: 5 Intelligence: 4 Mana: 4 Charisma: 4]
[Overall Stats: 47]
[Stat Points: 5]
[Skills: Dual Wielding Mastery (I), Accursed One (Max), Touch of Death (I), Shadow Step (I), Death Mark (I).]
[Achievements: Hero loved by death (Legendary)]
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I placed 3 in agility and the rest in dexterity.
[Your dexterity is now 13!]
[Your agility is now 13!]
The most difficult part about this game is the grind, you know? It all depends on your class and level, and how much experience you need to level up. It's a bit frustrating because there's not a whole lot of information available about this specific class. But when I see how much the experience requirement has grown, I can't help but get excited. It feels like I stumbled upon one of those legendary classes that everyone talks about.
The body of the goblins soon disappeared into blue particles and I just continued on my journey deeper into the forest, but as I moved further in the number of traps increased.
*SNAP*
*FWOOSH*
*THUMP*
*THUCK*
*SNAP*
*CRACK*
Arrows flying in all directions, bear traps just inches apart from each other, pit traps just a few more feet apart from the bear traps, and rope traps that would snare my foot and hoist me from the ground and up.
"Why is there a lot?!"
I couldn't just stand still either if there was an arrow flying by I would evade, then I would step onto a bear trap, then I would evade again, stepping into a different trap rinse and repeat, finally, I stepped on a safe spot near the tree, but when I sat down…
*DING DING DING*
I stood up and sighed knowing that there's no rest for a person such as I… I could hear dozens of goblins swarming the place as their distant cackles fill up the forest.
"Fuck, no rest for me I guess."
I stood up and unsheathe both of my short swords. It was then a few arrows flew in my direction, but I simply dodged out of the way circling the tree, and when I noticed it more than 20 goblins surrounded me.
"Surrender now, fresh meat, kekeke!"
"No use running!"
I stood there, my heart pounding in my chest, as I pulled out my trusty short swords. The forest around me felt alive, its whispers mingling with the rustle of leaves. The moment I readied myself, arrows rained down upon me. I reacted instinctively, dodging and weaving around a massive tree, hoping to shield myself from the incoming projectiles. But as I glanced around, my eyes widened in disbelief—more than twenty goblins had encircled me, their wicked grins fueling my determination.
Without a second thought, I lunged at the nearest goblin, my blades moving like an extension of myself. The clash of steel against steel filled the air, drowning out the sounds of the forest. I managed to knock one down, but there was no time to celebrate as the horde closed in, their frenzied eyes fixed on me.
With each swing and parry, I fought to create some breathing room. But the forest floor, it seemed, had turned against me. Hidden traps, cunningly set by an unknown hand, lay scattered around. The ground seemed to shift beneath me, spikes jutting out from the earth with deadly precision. I had to rely on my reflexes and intuition, narrowly avoiding the treacherous traps as I danced through the chaos.
The goblins were relentless, attacking in all directions. I twisted and turned, doing my best to stay one step ahead. It was as if the forest itself had joined the fray, vines snaking down from the trees, attempting to ensnare both goblins and me. Yet I refused to succumb, for I've fought using all of my experience in every character that I've made.
Every clash of metal, every clash of wills, brought me closer to victory. The goblins fought with fury, their determination unyielding. But I could see their spirit waning as their numbers diminished. The forest, in its own mysterious way, seemed to turn on them. Traps sprung from the branches, swinging with deadly intent, thinning their ranks. It was a battlefield of both steel and nature, and I found myself caught in the middle.
Finally, only one goblin remained, its eyes wide with fear. It lunged, but I reacted without hesitation, my blades finding their mark. With a last strike, the battle came to an end.
Breathing heavily, I took a moment to collect myself, my gaze sweeping over the aftermath of the fight. The fallen goblins lay scattered, defeated. I stood there, amidst the silence, a mix of relief and exhaustion washing over me. The forest had shown me its treacherous side, but it had also aided me with its hidden traps. I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for its unexpected assistance.
Sheathing my swords, I let a tired smile grace my lips. The challenges of the forest were far from over, but for now, I relished the victory I had earned. The fight had been grueling, but it reminded me of my own strength and resilience. I knew I had to prepare for what lay ahead, for the trials that awaited me within these ancient woods.
[You gain 5 XP]
[You gain 5 XP!]
[You gain 5 XP!]
[You gain 5 XP!]
.
.
..
…
[You leveled up!]
[You leveled up!]
[Your HP and Mana are replenished!]
[Stat Points rolling!]
[Your HP and Mana are replenished!]
[Stat Points rolling!]
[You obtained 5 stat points!]
[You obtained 4 stat points!]