As the light around me grew blinding, a humming sounded in my ears. After a few moments it grew to a deafening volume. I covered my ears to block out the sound, but it wasn't affected at all. The sound seemed as if it was coming from inside my head. All of a sudden it started to quiet and the light started to dim and change. When the light had settled I was laying face down in a patch of grass.
Sunlight warmed my back and fresh air filled my lungs. I slowly started to lift myself up and look around. It seemed I was inside a thick forest full of oak-like trees. As I was looking at the trees a window appeared.
___________________________
Oak tree
Age: 358
Durability: 16
___________________________
I was a bit confused at first then I realized that this must be my [analyze] skill at work. It seemed that I actually was in an oak forest. I started to examine myself and realized I wasn't wearing anything. I guess my clothes didn't come with me. I started to walk around to find any sort of land mark or vantage point. I walked and walked for more than an hour, but all I could see were trees. As I walked the trees seem to be thicker and taller.
I walked for another hour or two before deciding to take a break. Strangely enough, even after all that walking I didn't seem to get tired. I looked around and noticed that it was starting to get dark. I began looking around to find some shelter for the night. After a while it got to the point where I could barely see three feet in front of me. I realized that I wasn't going to find anywhere to stay tonight, so I climbed a tree to at least get better vantage for the night.
The entire night I was on high alert to make a break for it at the slightest sign of danger. The deafening silence seemed to last forever, not even the leaves rustled in the darkness. As the sky seemed to gain a very slight gold Hue, I started to climb down and prepared to start walking again.
*snap*
Behind me I heard a twig or branch break and slight footsteps sounded. I froze. Out of the corner of my eye I saw grey fur moving slowly in front of me. The fir belonged to a eight foot tall wolf that stood before me. I had the instinctual thought that i was about to die. Again. But decided to check how strong it was anyways
___________________________
Fenrir
lv. 78
Health: 750/750
mana: 125/125
Titles: Tempest of the far east, executioner, one who brings about destruction, winds incarnation
strength: 34
dexterity: 54
intelligence: 20
wisdom: 35
mana affinity: 22
skills: tempest, air manipulation, rage, iron stomach, true command
___________________________
It seemed that I wasn't wrong to assume I was fucked. It looked like the first monster I encountered was a late game boss. As I was standing there stupefied it growled and charged at me. I screamed and fell onto my back and it landed behind me. It growled again, seemingly angry that I dared to resist it's will. as it started to charge at me I panicked and activated anything I could. The air around me seemed to swirl and gather as it was thrust into the fenrir's head. It stopped and let out a whimper as its head exploded in a bloody mess, covering the surrounding area.
___________________________
New skill learned: aether manipulation
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
Skill leveled up: aether manipulation lv.2
Skill leveled up: mana manipulation lv.2
___________________________
...
...
It actually died. I actually killed it. I was stupefied, but I decided to open my status window and find out how it changed.
___________________________
Name: Hiyato Kage
Class: N/A
Titles: incomplete incarnation, unchosen, one who defies the gods, path maker, risk taker
level: 41
mana: 157/12300
strength: 45
dexterity: 47
intelligence: 55
wisdom: 53
mana affinity: 96
skill points: 120
skills: ethereal body lv.1, mana manipulation lv.2, item storage, steady mind lv.4, analyze lv.1, translation, aether manipulation lv.2
___________________________
"Maybe my magic capabilities are stronger than I thought?" As this thought came to my head an intense pain assaulted me. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH", I screamed as my insides burned. It felt like I was being ripped apart piece by piece, gut by gut! I fell to my knees. The pain made me feel like I would pass out again, but I couldn't afford to let that happen. "Not now, I can't fall asleep in a dangerous place like this! I don't want to die today!" I fought back the pain and drowsiness and tried to keep myself conscious. After nearly twenty minutes the pain started to fade.
I tried to stand, but found I was too weak. I shifted myself into a proper sitting position and waited for my strength to return to me.
___________________________
New skill learned: pain resistance
skill leveled up: pain resistance lv.2
___________________________
I noticed a few messages in the corner of my vision. I hadn't noticed them pop up due to the intense pain. Now that I finally had a breath, I decided to view the skills that I gained.
___________________________
skill name: aether manipulation
effect: Gain the ability to manipulate and shape the external aether and convert it to usable mana.
lv.2 effect: Gain the ability to use the raw aether for even stronger and faster spells.
___________________________
___________________________
skill name: pain resistance
effect: gain resistance to pain of all types.
lv.2 effect: gain near extreme resistance to pain
___________________________
I examined the skills and found them very practical. One seemed to enhance the magic I could use, which was already powerful before, and the other seemed to help with the pain from before. If pain like that would come often I could expect a skill like this to become very useful.
I finished examining my skills and thought I had enough strength to move, so I attempted to stand again with difficulty, but I was successful in the end. Looking around I found the path I followed the day before and started to walk in the opposite direction and looked for a place to settle for a while on the way.