The large bandit burst out laughing.
"You hear that, boys?! We've been graced by the mighty Hero's presence!" [Large Bandit]
The other joined in on laughing. It was the perfect opportunity to check what I was up against.
("|Analyze|.") [Solace]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Name: Holdren Cold
Race: Human
Class: Berserker
Gender: Male
Age: 42
Level: 83
Health: 8211/8700
Mana: 2982/3132
Strength: 1488
Agility: 720
Intelligence: 321
Willpower: 2100
Status: Bleeding
Skills: |Heavy Arts: Rolling Boulder Lv. 9| |Heavy Arts: Iron Fist Lv. 9| |Heavy Arts: Overburdened Lv. 11| |Enrage Lv. 20| |Cleave Lv. 12| |Grappling Lv. 19|
Unique Skill: |Soft Body Lv. 18|
Titles: |Deserter| |Enduring Valor|
True Titles: |Barehanded Combatant|
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Surprisingly, this guy had a true title. I was a bit interested so I used |Analyze| on it as well.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Classification: |True Title|
Name: |Barehanded Combatant|
Description: Given to the one who faced a hundred men fearlessly. This title is granted by Zerv, the God of Wrath.
Effects: Increases all stats by 30% if the user is unarmed.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
I had a few things to say. First of all, Holdren is a pretty weird name for a bandit. Secondly, that |True Title| didn't seem very fair.
("Oooookayy… His stats are similar to mine. Well, only when holding that ax.") [Solace]
I also checked the rest of the bandits, albeit only briefly. I can say that they were around level 50-60 all around.
"So, what will the mighty hero do?" [Holdren]
"Take out the ads I guess." [Solace]
"...Ads?" [Holdren]
He obviously didn't know the gaming terms of getting rid of the minions. That bought a little time where I charged up a |Liquid Barrage| and fired it out like a fan.
"You-!" [Holdren]
Caught by surprise, I managed to take out a good chunk of them.
"You have gained |Experience|. |Experience| limit has been reached. You have gained a level." [Spirit Guide]
I leveled up several times thanks to that.
"K-Kill him! Avenge our brothers!" [Holdren]
I got rushed by a bunch of sweaty dudes. Can't say I liked it very much so I was quick to remove them.
"|Vortex Arts|." [Solace]
Flexing my fingers, I passed through them while tearing their flesh apart. I gained a few levels from those I managed to cut in vital areas like the throat, but most were left injured on the ground.
"|Cleave|!" [Holdren]
Unable to bear his anger, Holdren stepped up. He brought down his massive ax on me, so I did what I usually did.
"|Revolving Shell Arts|." [Solace]
That move was my bread and butter. With just a touch, I deflected the ax. Unfortunately, I didn't expect the strike to be so powerful. It struck the ground by my side, flinging dirt and random stuff into my eyes.
"Agh!" [Solace]
Within that small time frame, I suddenly felt a great force strike my side.
"|Heavy Arts: Iron Fist|!" [Holdren]
"Urgh!" [Solace]
I grit my teeth as I felt my insides shake. I was able to bear the punch since I let myself go with the momentum a bit. Although… I probably would have died if not for my durable frame.
"Warning: It has been detected that the spirit |Solace|, has lost 20% of their health within a short time frame. Consider re-evaluating options." [Spirit Guide]
That was a first. It never did that when I almost got one shot by Jukhan. Maybe it learns as time passes?
("20 percent?!") [Solace]
Taking direct hits like that was most definitely not optimal. I summoned up a little bit of water and wiped out the dirt in my eyes before Holdren could do anything else.
"Damn bro, you almost killed me." [Solace]
"...Most people would have gone down from that." [Holdren]
"Thank the gods I'm not most people then." [Solace]
Holdren nodded towards his men. Or rather, what remained. Turns out I got rid of most of them from just the |Liquid Barrage| and |Vortex Arts|. Either way, they began to surround me.
("Do they think I'm just going to let them do that?") [Solace]
I charged at the bandit furthest away from Holdren, who practically yelped at the sight of me coming.
"Stop!" [Holdren]
Holdren chased after me, which was to be expected. I summoned up an |Earthen Shield| between us and kicked it with |Explosion Arts| to send shrapnel his way. It also helped boost me towards the other bandits.
"|Vortex Arts|!" [Solace]
The other bandits tried to fight back with swords and spears, but I ended up cutting the weapons apart as I came through. After that… I think you know the rest.
"You have gained |Experience|. |Experience| limit reached. You have gained a level." [Spirit Guide]
"No!" [Holdren]
He cried out with a bit of sorrow in his voice. Though, it didn't take long for any form of it to shift into rage.
"It's just you and me now." [Solace]
I knew it was going to be a tough fight from here onwards. Still, I would bet on myself winning. I felt invigorated from gaining levels.
"...You're right. It's just you and me." [Holdren]
He then dropped his ax.
"Warning: The use of a |True Title| has been detected. Warning: The skill |Enrage| has been detected. Total amplification is approximately 71.33 percent of all attributes." [Spirit Guide]
I did not think to check what |Enrage| did. Silly me.
("Oh. That ain't good.") [Solace]