Chapther 2
Trogg crouched in a fallen tree, watching the growing darkness around him. The soft sounds of the forest grew thicker as night approached. He was deep in thought, his eyes fixed on the horizon, as if calculating his next steps.
"Only one more beast to go…" he muttered to himself, his voice low and absorbed. "I wonder what the system will reward me with."
The air was beginning to cool, and Trogg felt a growing sense of urgency. He knew he had to complete his mission before the darkness deepened completely. The last prey was still out there, and he could not fail now.
Trogg, his senses heightened, moved cautiously, his eyes glowing in the darkness as he searched for his last prey. He had already killed four creatures, but his mission was not yet complete. He could smell something… something stronger nearby, but he could not tell what exactly.
Suddenly, a low, sharp sound pierced the stillness of the forest. A low, muffled growl, followed by the scrape of claws on the damp earth. Trogg crouched low, his ears ringing. Something was approaching. It was something large, but the scent of fresh blood that hung in the air indicated that the creature was injured.
From within the shadows, a large wolf with bloodstained fur appeared, its red eyes glowing with animalistic fury. It was clearly injured, but it still moved with the agility of a predator. Its sharp teeth gleamed in the moonlight, and its claws were covered in blood, probably from its own battles. The wolf sniffed the air and quickly focused its attention on Trogg.
With a hoarse growl, the wolf charged. Its ferocity and anger were palpable, but its posture indicated that it was not in the best of shape. It limped slightly, one of its hind legs clearly injured, but that did not make it any less dangerous. It was hungry. It was angry.
Trogg stood still for a moment, his eyes wide with surprise. A wounded wolf, but still dangerous. His instincts told him to run away, but he couldn't. Not now. He had already hunted four beasts, had already grown a little stronger, but not enough. Not enough to be defeated by a simple wolf. He took a deep breath, his teeth clenching. "I will defeat this beast. I am not weak anymore." He repeated this phrase in his mind, trying to convince himself. But the fear was still there, whispering in his ear. The wolf leaped towards him with incredible speed, its jaws open, ready to tear Trogg's flesh. The goblin was quick, throwing himself to the side, avoiding the deadly bite, but not without cost. The wolf's claws scraped his side, tearing off chunks of skin and flesh. Trogg howled in pain, but got up quickly, without hesitation.
The pain in his side was intense, but he couldn't stop. Not now. The wolf, now more furious, spun and lunged again, its teeth ready to pierce the goblin's flesh. Trogg dodged once more, but with each movement his body felt heavier. Blood was dripping from his wound, his strength was fading. He couldn't keep up with the wounded wolf's rapid movements. Every time he thought he could attack, the wolf was already on top of him, pressing him against the trees or launching itself at him with surprising strength. At one point, Trogg tried to counterattack, raising his claws to tear the wolf's skin, but the animal was faster, biting his arm and throwing him against a tree with a furious growl. Trogg fell heavily to the ground, the impact making his vision blurry. The pain of his arm being crushed by the wolf's jaws almost made him lose consciousness. He knew he was in real danger. This wolf could kill him at any moment. He scrambled backwards, his movements slow and filled with pain. The fight was dragging on, and Trogg was beginning to realize how helpless he really was. He didn't have the skills, the strength, or the agility to fight such a dangerous creature. Even a wounded wolf, a weakened predator, still put him at risk of death.
The wolf prepared to attack again, its fangs visible, ready to strike the final blow. Trogg was powerless, his breath coming in ragged, bloody pants. He could feel the frustration and anger building inside him. The fear of dying was palpable, but more than that, he felt the bitterness of weakness. He couldn't be defeated like this. Not while his mission was still unfulfilled.
"I… I can't lose…" Trogg whispered, his voice hoarse but firm.
With the last of his strength, he rolled to the side, narrowly escaping a fatal bite. He was dirty, covered in blood, and his muscles were burning, but his mind was sharp. He couldn't be that weak. He had no choice but to keep fighting.
The wolf lunged forward again, but this time, Trogg was more alert. He dodged, forcing the wolf to lose its balance for a moment. When the wolf regained its balance, Trogg seized the opportunity. With a desperate move, he jumped onto the wolf's back and, using his claws and teeth, tried to strike the animal's neck.
The battle seemed to last an eternity. The blood of both combatants stained the ground as they exchanged fierce blows and attacks. With each move, Trogg felt the weight of his body grow heavier, but the need to survive kept him going.
Finally, with a precise and unexpected strike, Trogg managed to sink his claws into the wolf's neck, forcing the predator to succumb to his attack. The wolf let out one last grunt of pain before falling to the ground, his breath slowly fading.
Trogg fell beside the beast's body, exhausted and covered in blood. His vision was blurry, fatigue taking over him, but he could not allow himself to faint. He had won, but at a high price. His body was covered in wounds, and he knew he still had much to learn.
"I… am not strong enough yet," Trogg muttered to himself, staring at the wolf's corpse. He felt no joy in victory. Instead, he felt a silent anger and a bitter realization of his weakness.
The road ahead would be long. But he had taken an important step, a painful but necessary step.
"MISSION COMPLETE: 5/5"
The cold voice of the system sounded in his mind, indifferent to everything he had faced. Trogg took a deep breath, slowly standing up. He knew his journey was far from over. In that moment, he felt the bitterness of weakness, but also the flame of determination igniting within him. He had much to learn, but power was something he would earn. The fight for survival, for now, was won. But the battles to come would demand even more from him.
---
The little goblin sat on the muddy forest floor, his wounds still bleeding, but the expression on his face was one of relief and curiosity. The cold, mechanical voice of the system echoed again in his mind:
"Congratulations, Trogg, on completing two quests."
Trogg, with furrowed brows, muttered in confusion:
"T... two quests?"
The system responded in the same monotone:
"That's right. The first was the main quest and the second was hidden. Here are your rewards."
---
1. Main Quest Reward: "Slay 5 Beasts"
- Advanced Cultivation Technique:
Trogg's mind was flooded with a vast stream of information, as if someone was engraving knowledge directly into his soul. The technique was called Heaven and Earth Spiritual Absorption,
Cultivation Technique Details:
- Level: Advanced (Applicable to Planet Serene).
- Advantages:
- More efficient Qi absorption, with a rate above average for cultivators of the same level.
- Focuses on strengthening the body and physical endurance while solidifying the internal flow of energy.
- Limitations:
- Requires high concentration and a stable environment to practice.
- Not recommended for battles, as failures can damage the Qi channels.
Trogg felt a chill run down his spine as he assimilated the information. He knew that this technique was a great advancement, but it would require effort and patience to be fully utilized.
---
- Spirit Bag:
Beside Trogg, an object slowly materialized, emerging from a faint glow. It was a small bag, made of a dark, resistant leather material, with intricate runes engraved on its surface.
Spirit Bag Details:
- Description: A magical artifact capable of storing items in its own dimensional space, regardless of weight or relative size.
- Capacity:
- Allows you to store up to 50 small items or 10 medium items.
- Adaptable to hold weapons, spiritual essences, and even the corpses of smaller beasts. - Functionality:
- Quick access to stored items.
- Protects items from deterioration by keeping them in an isolated and stable environment.
- Limitations:
- Cannot store living objects.
- Requires a small flow of Qi to activate.
Trogg took the bag in his hands, admiring the detailed workmanship. He realized that he could store whatever he found without worrying about the weight. This would be crucial on his journey.
---
2. Hidden Quest Reward: "Complete Your First Quest"
- Ability: Adrenaline:
A sense of power flooded Trogg's body, and his mind was invaded by visions of himself in battle, moving with impressive speed and strength. The ability was called Adrenaline, and he felt he could activate it instantly, though there would be a price.
Skill Details:
- Description: A body technique that allows Trogg to double his strength and speed for a short period of time.
- Advantages:
- Dramatically increases physical strength, speed, and reflexes.
- Ideal for life-or-death situations, allowing for a brief increase in power.
- Cost:
- Consumes large amounts of stamina, which can leave Trogg vulnerable after use.
- Prolonging use for more than 30 seconds can cause bodily injuries.
- Activation: Trogg will need to concentrate and channel his will to activate it, making it more effective in moments of great pressure.
Trogg gritted his teeth, feeling the latent potential of this ability. However, he knew that using adrenaline without planning could be a death sentence.
_ _ _
Trogg looked up at the dark sky as the system completed the rewards. The forests of Nulkar were still a dangerous place, but now he had more than just ambition. He had the tools to grow.
Trogg, still looking at the statistics and trying to comprehend the depth of his rewards, muttered to himself:
"System... what is the ranking of the technique levels on this planet?"
The cold, mechanical voice answered immediately, with the same impersonal precision as before:
"Techniques on Planet Serene are classified into seven distinct levels. Each level reflects the effectiveness, complexity, and maximum potential of the technique in terms of the use of Qi, spiritual energy, and specific skills."
---
### Technique Rankings on Planet Serene
1. Deadly Techniques:
- Description: Common techniques, used mainly by warriors and beginner cultivators. They offer basic control over Qi and practical but limited abilities.
- Use: Everyday practices or basic fighting.
2. Spiritual Techniques:
- Description: Advanced techniques compared to mortal ones. Allow for more refined control of Qi and may contain basic elements of elemental manipulation.
- Use: Intermediate-stage cultivators often master these techniques.
3. Advanced Techniques:
- Description: Teach more complex forms of Qi absorption and manipulation, with the potential for significant impact in battle. Often require greater talent or specific bloodlines.
- Use: Most effective for cultivators at the upper levels of Qi Condensation.
4. Noble Techniques:
- Description: Rare techniques associated with noble families and powerful cultivators. Capable of influencing the surrounding environment, they can incorporate more complex elements and large-scale attacks. - Usage: Cultivators at advanced levels of Core Formation or Soul Awakening.
5. Royal Techniques:
- Description: Techniques that have become legendary on Planet Serene. Reserved for those with a solid cultivation base, they are highly destructive and difficult to master.
- Usage: Requires absolute control of Qi and great spiritual perception.
6. Divine Techniques:
- Description: Extremely rare techniques, considered cultural artifacts or inheritances from ancient kingdoms. They are used to create true forces of nature in battles and even to alter the surrounding terrain.
- Usage: Exclusive to cultivation masters close to transcendence.
7. Sacred Techniques:
- Description: The most powerful and legendary techniques on Planet Serene. It is said that they have their origins in the gods themselves or in cosmic forces. - Usage: Nearly unattainable for most cultivators, only one in a million can use them properly.
--
"You have now received an advanced-level technique, one that is considerably superior to the initial level of ordinary cultivators. Study it carefully, as your advancement in cultivation will depend on how well you understand it."
Trogg absorbed this information, his eyes fixed on the forest around him. He knew that reaching the higher levels would be a monumental task, but the path was set, and he had no intention of giving up. "Advanced... That will suffice for now."
Trogg tightly gripped the ancient scroll that had appeared in his spirit bag. His green, deformed fingers glided along the edges of the paper, feeling its rough, ancient texture. He carefully unrolled the technique, his yellowish eyes shining in the dim moonlight that filtered through the treetops.
"Advanced Cultivation Technique: Spiritual Absorption of Heaven and Earth"
The title was engraved with ancient characters that seemed to pulse faintly with energy. As he read, his mind seemed to be drawn in by an invisible flow, as if each word carried a profound meaning that resonated with something within him.
Technique Contents:
"The world is formed by spiritual energy, an invisible force that permeates all beings and elements of nature. To cultivate and transcend the limits of the mortal, one must learn to absorb this energy, harmonizing body, mind, and soul with the universe around them. The Spiritual Absorption of Heaven and Earth technique teaches the cultivator to draw in this energy with precise methods and use it to strengthen their body, mind, and spirit."
"Beginning Steps:
1. Cyclical Breathing: Control your breathing in a pattern that mimics the flow of spiritual energy in nature. Inhale deeply to draw in Qi from the environment and exhale to purify internal impurities.
2. Focus on the Spiritual Marrow: Imagine a point of light within yourself—the center of the Sea of Qi. Concentrate all the absorbed energy into this point, allowing it to grow and stabilize over time.
3. Harmonization: Visualize your connection with heaven and earth, feeling the energy flowing through your meridians like a river towards the ocean. Avoid distractions, as any interruption may cause deviation or damage to your body."
---
As he read each line, Trogg felt a chill run down his spine. It wasn't just the knowledge of the technique that struck him, but the complexity of it. He realized that his current weakness would make executing the initial steps a monumental challenge.
"This is just the beginning," he muttered to himself. "Absorbing spiritual energy... sounds simple, but I know it will be anything but."
The technique also contained warnings:
"Attempting absorption without full concentration may result in reversed Qi, internal injuries, or even death."
This made Trogg hesitate for a moment. He looked around, the dark forest whispering with the sounds of the night. He was exhausted from his fight with the wolf, but he knew he had to start now if he was to survive in this cruel world.
He sat down, crossed his legs on the ground, and closed his eyes, trying to follow the instructions. His breathing slowed as he tried to synchronizing it with the patterns described in the technique. The night seemed alive, charged with a subtle energy he had never noticed before.
"I can feel... the Qi all around me," he thought, as a slight tingling sensation ran through his body. However, the flow was not smooth. It was irregular and challenging, like a river full of rocks.
_ _ _
Trogg opened his eyes briefly, looking at the parchment again. His hands were still shaking with excitement and exhaustion. He knew this would only be the beginning of a long and arduous journey, but for the first time since he had been reincarnated, he felt something other than despair: purpose.