After hunting another three goblins using the Dizziness Fumes, Nikolai's stat increased again. He got crystals for Vitality, Strength, and Agility. Nikolai also got the goblins' weapons, which he can sell in the market for a few silver coins.
[Vitality: 9]
[Strength: 12]
[Agility: 10]
[Intelligence: 9]
[Mana: 0]
However, he had spent his remaining 6 Fate Points on getting the monsters to drop crystals. That left him with no points to get more stats from the crystals themselves. He lucked out with Vitality, getting 2 points. As for Strength and Agility, he got one point from each.
Beggars can't be choosers. If Nikolai wanted to earn more Fate Points, he would need to rise further. He would need to kill people with an impact on the world, to steal their fate.
'Am I becoming that kind of person?' Nikolai sighed as he used another Silent Feet potion on his legs to get back to the city.
As he ran across the meadow, using the road beside the river to go back to the village, Nikolai thought about his new powers.
'To kill others just to grow stronger, even though there are other ways, like the points I got from Ash, it's still the easiest method.'
Nikolai never considered himself to be a good person, but deep down, he wished he was. That was until he saw the true selfish nature of mankind in the war. Betrayals and cruelty seemed easy if someone was suffering.
He saw the city's walls in the distance, making him run faster. After he doubled his vitality, he needed less time to rest but he was still a weakling.
He stopped beside a bridge that went over the river to catch his breath. He then walked to the riverbank and fell on his knees to splash some water over his face.
As he felt the cold water dripped over his shirt, Nikolai spotted something in the water. It was a momentary light that blinked at him, nothing that a normal river under the moonlight wouldn't do.
However, it was odd because the light disappeared right after and another blinked. The lights were like a sequence, guiding him somewhere.
[Choose a response in thirty seconds.]
[Action: Follow the Lights.]
[Action: Return to city.]
Nikolai looked at the lights and they were leading him toward another direction of the Alm Forest, a region that not many dared to venture due to its oddness.
It was said that vengeful spirits roamed those grounds, those of the fallen ones in battle. Over hundreds of years, those grounds became a forbidden place that no one dared to go to.
Nikolai was tempted, but he turned and walked back toward the city. There was no other reason besides the fact that he was too weak to risk his life.
After the thirty seconds were up, his system sent him another notification. Nikolai grinned when he saw it.
[Danger has been avoided.]
The system didn't give him any points for avoiding this. However, he gave Nikolai the idea to come back here when he gets stronger. At that time, what's dangerous for him now wouldn't be so dangerous.
Nikolai returned to the city and headed directly toward the market. He sold the looted weapons to the first shop he found for three silvers. He then went to the market and bought another herb.
It was almost 5 AM by the time he was done. He returned to the academy's lab and took out the three blood vials. Boiling the blood with the herb he got, Nikolai got something different than a potion.
It was a liquid with an official name of Goblin's Pheromones. He poured the liquid into the vials with a yawn. He hasn't slept for a full day, making his eyes feel heavy.
However, the result is worth it. Nikolai stored the vials and went to the cafeteria to grab some food. It was empty at this hour, so he had a peaceful breakfast until someone walked up to him.
"A gunman is a rare profession," Valkyrie was covered in sweat, a result of her usual morning training. Nikolai glanced at her and resumed his meal. "I don't think you like me that much." She said with a smile.
Nikolai was stuffing his mouth when Valkyrie sat next to him. She slammed a card on the table that had a fine print of her name and contact information.
"I'm creating a party, so we'll be needing a gunman."
"A Magic Archer is better," Nikolai said as he sipped on his tea.
"We already have that. A good gunman is excellent for the team's dynamic. As a support, you can turn the battlefield into our playground."
"I'm not interested."
"Yet," Valkyrie stood up. "Train your body a bit, I don't want you to die accidentally with me. Let me know of your decision afterward."
Nikolai grabbed the card and read it. It had her name and a number he can contact. He knew about this party, as Valkyrie did the same in his previous life.
After they graduate, Valkyrie and her party will go on to create a guild of their own. The guild will slowly expand into one of the strongest in the world.
This was a decent offer, but Nikolai had different plans. After he gets enough money for his ship, he will be getting his first 'cheat' skill. A skill so powerful that would give him an advantage.
At some point, he planned on making his guild. He didn't see a reason why he wouldn't, as he had enough knowledge of the future to create the strongest guild in the world.
Nikolai registered the number in his phone before getting rid of the card. He then took his bag and walked slowly through the city's streets. After he passed the gate next to the forest, he saw a man looking at him before disappearing.
With this, the prey has taken the bait. Not long after, Nikolai felt a few people following after him into the woods.