Close Call
I opened my eyes slowly and attempted to sit up. "Agh, my head. Just what the hell happened?" I murmured to myself. I looked towards where the man was before and only saw a tattered book and a long sword. I stood up gradually and went to inspect the items.
[Congratulations to Player for being the first to acquire an Ancient Art]
[Please continue to learn about the Kyuriko Art]
'I'm guessing this is also part of the reward' I turned my eyes to the items on the ground. I picked it up and replaced my blade with the long sword. I turned towards the forest before deciding to head back to the village. I will need to log out before school begins. I started into a short jog and arrived at the village in under 5 minutes. I wandered around before coming across an inn to stay. I was able to rent a room for the night because the innkeeper needed rabbit meat which I had in abundance. 'I should probably check my stats before logging off' I opened my stats and looked at them for the first time since I arrived in this world.
[Name: Hekkai
Race: Demon(Oni)
LvL: 3
Strength: 18—-22
Agility: 10
Vitality: 7—-15
Intelligence: 12
Dexterity: 15—-25
Endurance: 9—-15
Stay Points: 0—-15
Skills:
Demon Strike. LVL.1
Demon Dash. LVL.1
Soul Absorption. LVL.1
Art: Kyuriko Art ]
In my opinion, they were good for a first run. I logged off with a smile on my face.
'I should thank Yuka for telling me about this game' I stepped out of the pod and looked outside. The sky had already begun to change from its dark color to a mixture of blue, pink, and orange due to the rising sun. I ensured to do a couple of stretches before I continued with my morning routine.
I was on my phone waiting for my waffles to finish toasting when I got a call from my dad's old colleague.
"Hello? Is this Sakagami-san"
"Yes, you've reached the right person. May I ask the reason for this call"
"I would like to inform you that you're father's funeral has been set for this Saturday"
"I see… Thank you for the information. I assume that is all?"
"Yes, once again I'm sorry for your loss"
I looked at the phone blankly before putting it in my pocket. I took the now-cooked waffle out of the refrigerator and started off to school. "Hyuno-chan!! Wait for me!!" I turned and saw Yuka running towards me. "Good morning Yuka-chan" I greeted. "Yeah Yeah, How was it?" She urgently asked. "How was what?" I shot back. "Don't act clueless with me. You know I mean Henka" She whined. "Oh… It was a good game honestly." I praised. "What was your starter race? What class did you choose? What's your name I'll just friend you" She barraged me with questions. "OK, calm down. My starter Race is Demon, I chose Oni Swordsm, and my name is Hekkai" I answered gently. "D-demon!! Are you crazy!? Demon is the hardest race to play." She reprimanded me. "Hardest? It's quite easy I have already gone up 3 levels." I told her. "Just 3 levels, people have already reached level 15." She exclaimed. "Well I was the first person that got an ancient art" I tried to redeem myself. "A-ancient art. No, we are going to meet up in the game." She ordered. By that time we had arrived at school. It went by in a blur, I was so confused does that mean I was weak compared to other players? It seems I will have to play harder.
I had rushed home the minute we were dismissed from school. I threw on my home clothes, did my assignment, and jumped in the pod.
[Welcome Back Player Hekkai]
I opened my eyes and found myself still in the inn I had stayed at. I jumped up and went to the innkeeper to extract more information, "If I may ask, is there any way for a young demon to get stronger?". He turned to Me and inspected me for a while. "You must really be an idiot. Demons get stronger by absorbing the souls of those they slay. During your yesterday hunt, I guess you did no such thing. I can't believe you didn't realize that was the reason for the skill Soul Absorption. Now get out of my inn you're ruining business." He chased me away. I didn't mind though as I immediately took off to the forest. I went to the place where jumping rabbits usually gather. I tried to use Soul absorption first to get a feel of it. I could use it for about 10 minutes before I had to stop. "Well, I guess it's time to hunt" I grinned. I jumped out of my previous hiding spot and killed the closest rabbit. Some started running off once they noticed my presence but I didn't allow it. Activating Demon Dash I ran in their direction and killed all the rabbits. I turned towards The other bunch and quickly discarded them.
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
'Ah, this feeling is exhilarating' I instantly started looting the rabbits. I felt a presence approaching me and turned towards it. A huge rabbit appeared in front of me. I took a stance in preparation for battle.
[Jumping Rabbit King Has Appeared]
'This looks problematic. But if he is a jumping rabbit king he's probably just a bit tougher' I leaped toward him and used my blade to do a diagonal cut on his arm. It barely grazed him and he counter-attacked with his other arm aiming for me. I bounded for his back and immediately targeted his spine. I underestimated him as he was smarter than the other rabbits. He evaded my strike and powered up a dash hitting me in my abdomen. I was propelled back and before I could recuperate, he struck once again hitting me whenever he could.
[-30HP]
I turned my body slightly after a while barely dodging his last attack. "I underestimated you, you punk. Let's end this quickly" I spat out some blood and used my skill; demon strike. I charged at him and cut his head off cleanly.
[Defeated Jumping Rabbit King]
[Recieved Title; Rabbit Slayer]
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
I quickly absorbed his soul before it could dissipate completely, gaining another two levels.
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
I stumbled away from my current spot to a safer place. 'I can't keep fighting like this. If I face smarter and stronger opponents will I be able to win by simply swinging my sword? I have to learn the Kyuriko Art' I became resolved to take out the tattered book and embark on the art that had been basically chosen for me.