3
[Character Status]
Name: Rin
Level: 2
Class: Mage
Health: 100/ 100
Mana: 65 / 65
Stamina: 100/100
[Title: N/A]
[EXP: 60/200]
[AP: 0]
[SP: 15]
[Attributes]
Dexterity: 11
Strength: 10
Agility: 11
Intelligence: 13
Endurance: 10
[Abilities]
Basic analysis
Rarity: F
Type: Active
Description: Allows the user to check monsters and creatures Lvl and HP.
[Tier 1 Magic skills]
Fireball - Lvl 1
Minor Heal - Lvl 1
Arcane Shield - Lvl 1
Ice shards - Lvl 1
Whirlwind - Lvl 1
Minor earthquake - Lvl 1
That was my stats after allocating the attribute points. As for the SP, I decided to hold onto them for now. No need to rush.
5 AP for a level seems kinda low.
"So what now?" I exhaled, leaning against a broken wall.
It had been a while since we fought the wolves. Now, we were resting in a secluded spot, trying to catch our breath. That damned angel didn't even specify how long we had to survive for.
"Beat the damned boss, of course," Violet replied confidently, like it was the most obvious course of action. "We can't just let those abilities and EXP slip away, can we?"
I couldn't believe it. We were just about dead, and now she wanted to dive straight into another fight? Them survival instincts be sleeping.
"You're being too greedy," I sighed. "I say we sneak around until the time runs out."
If there is even a time limit, that is.
"We've already rested enough, our mana and HP are full, so why be scared?" Violet scoffed, crossing her arms. "We took down four wolves, what's one boss?"
You're going to get killed with that kind of thinking...
"You can go die alone. We're not interested," I stood firm. I wasn't going to risk it again.
"God, you're such a pussy. What about you, Renia?" Violet turned to her, who was of course clinging onto my arm.
"Renia will follow Rin," Renia replied. Not the slightest hesitation. That's my girl.
Renia reached up with a pale, slender hand and caressed my cheek. "Renia will follow you everywhere..."
Her voice was soft but it slightly, very slightly unsettled me.
"Right..."
"Tch, whatever." Violet clicked her tongue and turned away from us, clearly frustrated.
That said, staying here could be counterproductive. Sooner or later, some monster would crawl its way in.
"I think we should go," I said, breaking the silence.
"Oh? I guess you're not brain-dead after all," Violet perked up instantly.
"No, we're not fighting the boss." She seemed to misunderstand my words.
She frowned. "You're seriously running away from free EXP?"
"And besides," I added, "only the one who lands the final hit gets the EXP. There's no point."
"You truly are an idiot," Violet scoffed. "We can use the party system. Sure, the EXP is split, but we all get the artifacts or whatever else."
Party system, huh? I hadn't thought of that. But how could she be so sure we'd all get the artifacts? Was she just assuming?
"You know a lot, huh?"
"Just a bit of common sense, you should try having some," Violet replied, a smug smile tugging at her lips.
Childish.
"So, how do you make a party?" I asked. A party could be useful. Even though I wasn't keen on fighting the boss, we could encounter other monsters.
"Just visualize it," Violet said, focusing on empty air. "I'll send you both an invite."
Soon enough, a message flickered onto my screen.
[Violet has invited you to join her party]
[Accept | Decline]
I pressed Accept.
A new interface popped up:
[No party name]
[Members]
-Violet
-Rin
-Renia
"Anyway, let's go beat that boss," Violet said, clearly excited.
"No, we're not fighting the boss," I clarified as she seemed to misunderstand again. "We should find some company. The more the merrier, right?"
Not really. The more, the messier. Just better chances of survival.
"You damned bastard..." Violet scowled.
What?
"Let's go, Renia."
Renia, who had been quiet the whole time, finally spoke, her voice soft. "Okay."
I stood up, Renia still clinging to me.
---
[Level Up! Congratulations, Rin, you are now Level 4!]
[HP and MP fully restored.]
[AP: 10 | SP: 45]
"Phew," I breathed out. We'd been getting ambushed by monsters for quite a while now.
Thankfully, the wolves seemed to be on the stronger side, and most of the monsters we were facing now were goblins. Still no sign of anyone though.
"Rin!!!" Renia whined, tightening her grip on me. "Renia needs to recharge."
"Can you two please stop flirting? You idiots are making my stomach churn..." Violet scoffed from behind us, glaring at our display of affection with disgust.
"You envy what you don't have," Renia said, burying her face into my chest.
True, I think she hates happy people.
"Like hell," Violet muttered, flopping down onto the blood-soaked road and letting out a deep breath.
Suddenly, the air grew heavy, and the ground began rumbling beneath us. I quickly tightened my hold on Renia.
A massive snake-like figure emerged from the earth just a few meters away, its body as wide as a train and covered in long spiked thorns. It was huge, more monstrous than anything we had encountered so far.
[Basic Analysis Activated.]
Name: Spiked Sand Serpent
Level: 8
HP: 500/500
This one looks strong. I quickly allocated my AP: 5 in Intelligence, 3 in Agility, and 2 in Endurance.
"It's a boss," Violet said calmly, standing up and materializing her katana.
Of course... Why wouldn't it be? Why just one? Throw a few more bosses into the mix, why don't we?
Renia trembled in my grip. Obviously not out of fear.
"Ugh, GOD DAMN IT!" Renia screamed, her voice furious. "Renia just wants to stay with Rin, but these GODDAMN MONSTERS!!" She turned to face the beast, her anger rising. "Renia's going to make this disgusting snake PAY!"
No longer clingy, no longer playful. She stood on business now. Show them girl.
"Control your girlfriend," Violet snapped, though she looked far more wary than usual.
"She's not my girlfriend."
"Whatever you say," Violet scoffed.
Obviously, the monster the monster didn't wait for us to finish our chit-chat.
It roared out a deafening cry, baring out it's humongous teeth and the sharp spikes covering its body began glowing a menacing red.
Soon enough they shot out of its body as agile projectiles, the target being us obviously.
Curse the gods.
"Behind me!" I yelled and held out my wooden staff. You didn't particularly need the staff to cast a spell but it felt cooler.
[Skill activated: Arcane shield.]
[-15 MP | MP: 75/90]
Violet and Renia wasted no seconds and dashed behind me in an instant. Perks of choosing those classes I guess.
Arcane shield is truly a very convenient spell, surely it will withstand the blow right? Right??
It did thankfully. The translucent barrier absorbed the full blunt of the razor-sharp projectiles. Just a minor crack.
"Violet, any weaknesses of that snake?" I asked. So much confidence, I am atleast expecting that from you.
"Although it is covered in spikes, its skin isn't covered in any protective scales," Violet replied, unseathing her katana and holding it upright. "We just have to avoid those pesky spikes, or better yet, break them."
It's literally covered in spikes, there is no opening for an attack. Not for them atleast. I could probably damage it with my aoe, or break its spikes even.
"Keep it distracted." That was enough.
I upgraded fireball to level 5, as I'd go broke if I put any more SP into it. It costs 5 SP till level 5 and then it increases by 5 SP with ever level. Fucking costly.
[AP: 0 | SP: 25]
Violet lunged forward with agility and raised her katana above her head. Not sure if jumping straight in was the best way to distract it, but hey, her funeral.
Violet's katana began radiating a harsh glow of light green.
"Katana technique: The wild wind storms forth," Violet muttered and the air surrounding us was getting suctioned into her katana.
Such an edgy name. It would be laughable if she fails that spectacle. Better make that count violet.
As soon as her katana made contact with the serpent's spiked head, the absorbed air shot out in an instant.
I planted my staff into the ground as to not get blown away by the powerful gust. God I can't even open my eyes, I hope Renia is fine.
The wind subsided soon, and I could finally let my eyes open. The sight in front of me was quite pleasing. The serpent was on the ground with a massive portion of its spikes broken off and violet was way back doubled down and panting heavily.
That should have done a substantial amount of damage or even killed it.
[Ability activated: Basic analysis.]
Name: Spiked sand serpent
Level: 8
Hp: 370/500
What?
No way right?
Not the time for this. I have the perfect opportunity, and I should make use of it.
A fiery ball of pure flames manifested in front of my staff. I aimed the staff at the damned serpent. May you burn in hell!
[Skill activated: Fireball]
[-5 MP | MP: 70/90]
5 MP? I guess leveling has its perks besides the increase in damage. Pretty neat.
The condensed ball of blame burst forth and exploded into a chaotic mess upon hitting the Serpent.
It let out a blood curling screech, hopefully for its death.
[-50HP | HP: 320/500]
That's fucking all? Thankfully if the damage stays the same, I have enough mana to wreck this bitch. Gotta spam it before it wakes up.
"Don't approach it you guys," I yelled out, holding out my staff for another spell.
"Ok," Renia replied. Violet was still panting.
[Skill activated: Fireball.]
[Skill activated: Fireball.]
[Skill activated: Fireball.]
[-150HP | HP: 170/500]
[-15MP | MP: 55/90]
The serpent twitched, its body heaving as if struggling to stay up.
[Skill activated: Fireball.]
[Skill activated: Fireball.]
[-10MP | MP: 45/90]
Almost there.
Then, just as I raised my staff for the another blow—
The ground rumbled.
Shit.
The serpent plunged into the earth, vanishing beneath the sand. A massive tremor shook the battlefield. I lost my balance, nearly falling face-first.
Then it struck.
The ground exploded beneath us, sending me flying. My vision blurred as I was flung backward, slamming hard against a rock.
A sharp, burning pain shot through my ribs.
Fuck! I am not built for this shit. I want to retire!
[-30 HP | HP: 70/120]
"Rin!" Renia's voice pierced through the chaos, but I could barely process it. My body ached.
It hurts. It hurts a fucking lot.
I turned my head around. Violet wasn't faring any better. She had been launched even farther, landing in a rough heap on the ground.
Renia had managed to land on her feet, but her arms were wrapped around her stomach, wincing.
The serpent re-emerged, spikes regrown, its body towering over us.
Fuck.
"Now what?" Violet groaned, forcing herself up, her katana trembling in her hands.
I clenched my fists, gritting my teeth against the pain. That bastard just reset its defense.
No more burning it down.
I pulled up my skill menu and dumped everything into Minor Earthquake.
[SP: 25 → 5]
[Minor Earthquake upgraded to Level 5]
Heaven better have a seat for me if this doesn't work.
I slammed my staff into the ground.
[Skill activated: Minor Earthquake.]
[-10 MP | MP: 35/90]
The ground convulsed.
A deep, violent tremor erupted outward, cracks splitting across the battlefield. The serpent's body lurched, its massive coils struggling to remain balanced.
Then,
The earth below it collapsed.
The beast roared, trying to coil back up, but the unstable ground gave way, sending half its body sinking into the cracks.
It was stuck.
"NOW!" I yelled.
Violet didn't hesitate. She charged, katana glowing once more.
Renia vanished, reappearing mid-air, her dagger gleaming as she aimed for the exposed weak spots.
I raised my staff and prepared another fireball. A familiar condensed ball of fire materialized on the tip of the staff.
[Skill activated: Fireball]
[-5 MP | MP: 30/90]
The fiery ball shot forward, passing by Renia and Violet and crashed onto the damned serpent, eliciting a terrifying screech.
Violet and Renia followed, using their respective skills.
Flames, wind, lightning, all I was seeing was colors, before the long awaited message popped up infront of me.
[Congratulations on killing the Spiked Sand Serpent]
[Level Up! Congratulations, you are now Level 7!]
[AP: 15 | SP: 35]
[HP and MP fully restored.]
[A new ability has been obtained.]
Mana Reflux
Rarity: B
Type: Active
Cooldown: 5 min
Description: Allows the user to recover 50% of the mana used if used within 10 seconds of casting a skill.