Lucien watched with apt attention as the bloodied, ominous letters appeared and slowly took their respective spots on the floating dark, translucent system screen. What he thought was just an interesting but mostly useless feature of the system, grew in importance a lot after their brief discussion.
It seemed that this feature of the system was one of the key requirements in terms of power. Whilst gaining attributes and increasing his physical traits were important, Lucien was fully aware that the true strength, the true power meant more than that. He understood the importance of growing his connection with this still cryptic other self of his, but his previous gains were nothing much.
Now, although the system was heavily emphasizing the importance of the Library, Lucien at least felt some excitement as the screen has slowly appeared.
[…::: Creature Library :::…]
[…::: Available Categories:
< Critters >
< Magical Beasts > :::…]
"Well… Not much to see, but I guess that's understandable. Well, let's see the two critters first." He mumbled as he focused his mind on the Critters option. A moment later the screen updated, bringing up a list of choices that currently only had two options to choose from.
They were the two critters he had killed and fully absorbed earlier: the 'Forest Squirrel' and the 'Forest Hare'. Lucien picked the Squirrel first, watching as the outline of the creature appeared in red, and below it, a detailed description and even some other, interesting tidbits of text.
[…::: Creature Page - Forest Squirrel :::…]
Completion: 80%
Level: 0
Category: Critters
…::: Description :::…
A small rodent with a slender body, bushy tails, and large eyes, sporting short, soft, and silky fur. The color of the fur is highly variable, ranging from milky white, gray, yellow, red, orange, brown or even black in some rare cases.
…::: Statistics :::…
STR: *
AGI: **
STA: *
…::: Skills :::…
????
…::: Behaviour :::…
Forest Squirrels are extremely vocal with one another. They often flee from anything they deem as a potential threat. :::…]
To Lucien's great surprise there were still parts of locked content inside the little critters Library page. Also, there was a strange categorization of its statistics, which he couldn't understand.
'System, what do the stars next to the creature's attribute mean?' Thirsty for knowledge, Lucien immediately voiced his question mentally.
As expected already, a new, smaller window appeared atop the other one, with the system's response, which, considering the nigh-instantaneous appearance, was probably already prepared.
[…::: Attributes are defining traits of the creatures. They range from one star, which is the lowest, negligible to all the way to ten stars which would be the highest possible. :::…]
"I see… And what about the still locked section. Why can't I see all?"
[…::: The Host hasn't consumed enough essence for the system to fully complete the analysis. The host is advised to gather more examples if he wishes to complete them. :::…]
"But, if that is the case, how can it be already counted in the task's progress?" He asked, slightly confused at the system's latest response. If the page was not completed, why was it counted? Shouldn't he complete each page first? "Also, what happens if I complete the pages and reach a 100% completion rate?"
The system's response, despite the multiple questions, was immediate again.
[…::: For the page to be registered as a new entry, only 50% completion would be needed. Full completion of each page would grant further benefit and growth in the host's skills and abilities. :::…]
"I still don't understand what this all means…" Lucien helplessly sighed, waving his hand dismissively and selecting the second entry in the Critters category, the Forest Hare.
[…::: Creature Page - Forest Hare :::…]
Completion: 80%
Level: 0
Category: Critters
…::: Description :::…
A slightly bigger version of the rabbits with taller hind legs and longer ears. Commonly carrying brown, or lighter tones of fur depending on the climate they are found in.
…::: Statistics :::…
STR: *
AGI: **
STA: *
…::: Skills :::…
????
…::: Behaviour :::…
Hares spend most of their time foraging. They often make their nests burrowed into the ground, at the base of trees or rocks. When confronted by predators they rely on their natural speed on outrunning them in the open. :::…]
Similar to the squirrels, this page was also missing any entries from its skills section, making Lucien wonder about what potential skills could he gain from them. Once again, his thinking proved wrong, as even these worthless-looking ones carried some hidden surprises.
"Maybe I need to hunt more, or perhaps search for some rare versions? Not sure…" Lucien mumbled, as he navigated through the system's interface and selected the Magical Beasts' category.
Just like previously, the list expanded, although it only had one possible entry this time, the Black Warg.
[…::: Creature Page - Black Warg (Common) :::…]
Completion: 85%
Level: 3
Category: Magical Beasts
…::: Description :::…
A larger and more ferocious evolved version of wolves. They have short, black fur and large yellow eyes. They are fearsome predators, hunting mostly alone, unlike their distant relatives that could mostly be seen in packs. Their strength and speed are best kept in mind, being caught off-guard will most certainly spell certain doom to the unwary.
…::: Statistics :::…
STR: **
AGI: ****
STA: ***
????
…::: Skills :::…
Sense Prey, Bestial Rush, ????
…::: Behaviour :::…
Black Wargs hunt and travel alone, a big contrast to their distant counterparts. They are incredibly hostile and will attack even stronger beasts. :::…]
Interestingly, this page had a new fourth attribute added, but just like on his own status screen, it was still encrypted, hidden. Also, while he already gained two skills, it seemed that these feral beasts still had more to provide, making Lucien wonder what could they be. Although finding the answer to this question would undoubtedly have to wait, as he was clear that he wasn't nearly strong enough to contend with them.
Reading through the available entries, Lucien gained quite a bit of new knowledge, he also raised several new questions in the process.
'It seems I will need to continue hunting…' He sighed, realizing that his remaining time in this place would be spent with either hunting or recuperating and processing the gains. He had quite a bit to achieve.
He sighed again, closing off the system's screen completely. Although there was still one more feature that he had yet to inspect, and it may be even more detailed and in-depth, he had already spent almost an hour of his available daytime, Lucien needed to shift his focus and start assimilating all of the essences that his system had stored. He was unsure of how much time he would need, he felt too eager to finally feel the sense of growth, he wanted to feel stronger, faster…
He climbed up on his bed and laid down on it. He closed his eyes, trying to clear his mind, even if it seemed like an impossible task with all the thoughts and troubles that kept tormenting him.
Taking a long, slow breath, he slowly began to exhale after a few seconds of keeping it in his diaphragm. Along with it, he gave the mental command to the system.
'System, begin the assimilation process!'
Even though there was no verbal response, in the next moment, Lucien felt the increase in weight of his eyelids. He felt a shift in his mind, he felt his consciousness rapidly slipping away from his grasp.
A few seconds later, he was no longer conscious, he descended into a dreamless sleep. The system-induced temporary hibernation kicked in, knocking out Lucien in mere seconds.
As soon as it happened, his body began to tremble and convulse. The veinous system in his body swelled up and darkened, the dark tendrils spread all around his body, covering the boy's body in a halo.
His body was assimilating the changes, increasing the density of his muscle mass, altering his DNA… enhancing, evolving Lucien further…
—
Whilst Lucien entered into a deep sleep, at the other side of his door, the blonde-haired mature woman, Sera was looking in his direction from her chair. Her eyes and her entire body were basked in the same, white, colorless light, this holy aura. The faint, hollow image of a pair of feathery wings could be seen from her back, and whilst one would think that they were mere illusions and consequently immaterial, that wasn't the case. Their shape slightly distorted as it came into contact with the wooden backrest of the chair.
Sera was focusing her attention, her gaze towards Lucien's room. The faint traces of something resembling a smile appeared on her face when Lucien finally climbed atop the bed and closed his eyes.
She felt as his consciousness left him, and he entered a strange coma. Her smile curved even higher when she noticed the changes happening to his body when she felt the fluctuations of his aura. Just like her master has taught and explained to her, he was currently growing and enhancing his body.
All the beasts he absorbed, all the flesh and energy he took in, had to be processed and added into his ever-growing mass. After each hunting session, he would grow stronger, better… Closer to the man, she used to look up to, adore… and most importantly: Love.
'Don't worry Master. I will not let the same fate befall you again. I will save you!" She mumbled to herself with determination, clenching her fists.