Chapter 8 - Battle Cleanup

Callum was curious about his stat changes and the notification indicators that were gently blinking in the bottom right of his vision. But he first needed to fix his active status debuffs. And top of the list was dealing with the bleeding.

He reached into his bag for his dinner; a cloth wrapped cheese wedge, apple, and heel of bread. The food went back into his bag as he only was after the cloth. It was a thin material, perfect for tearing into makeshift bandages.

The tattered tunic was lifted away to reveal severe lacerations. Callum suddenly wished wasn't still active. In places his torso looked more like ground beef than living tissue.

The lynx's rear claws had really torn up his abdomen during the fight. Callum tried casting on the wounds. He didn't know if it would have an effect or not as it wasn't really something he'd tested before.

He also cast his cantrip on his waterskin and used a little water to help try and clean the wounds as best he could. was also used on the cloth as he tore the thin material into usable strips.

The strips of cloth went over his most grievous wounds, mostly his abdomen and the hand that had been in the beast's jaws. Unfortunately, the wounds far outstripped his supply of makeshift bandages.

During the bandaging process, he lost another 11 HP and was sitting at 17 HP. He winced at how low his HP had fallen after the fight. He dearly hoped he hadn't won a pyrrhic battle against the Snow Lynx only to die of blood loss.

- 4 HP lost to bleeding

+27 HP gained from recovery

Callum Murray | Lvl 19 Human Farmer (XP: 69%)

HP:(40/450) Stamina:(43/360) Mana:(52/100)

ST:45 (-15) | Con:45(-15) | Dex:20 | Int:10 | Will:15(+5) | Cha:12 | Luck:16

"Oh thank the gods!" Callum whispered to himself as he pulled up his stats once more.

The reason for Callum's elation was simple: he would outheal his bleeding debuffs. He gained back 5% of his HP or 27 HP back every five minutes. He lost four HP to bleeding every minute, or 20 HP every five minutes.

Even accounting for his bleeding, his health would slowly climb every five minutes.

While he was bandaging his wounds, Callum had been keeping an eye out for any further surprises. He also made sure that he knew exactly where that hatchet was at all times and that it was within easy reach!

Bleeding dealt with, Callum decided to check out his active effects first before tackling the notifications.

Active Effects:

- (Bleeding: -4 HP/min for the next 15:28)

- (Weakened: -25% of Strength and Constitution for the next 11:54:43)

- (Will to Survive: +5 to Willpower for the next 71:54:43)

- (Cold: -15% stamina regeneration for the next XX:XX:XX; 5:14 remaining until effects worsen)

'That explains the changes to my stats, but it doesn't explain how I got those two effects or why I'm not an icicle right now.'

Callum had just over five minutes to figure out how to stay warm or the 'Frostbitten' effect would return and he'd be dead. He grabbed his hatchet and cautiously approached the cave.

It was likely empty as nothing else had joined the battle. But Callum was taking no more chances with his HP and stamina in such a precarious position. on, he explored the cave.

The cave didn't take long to explore, it was only 15ft (4.5m) deep. It quickly narrowed down to a small ledge that had a mess of leaves and twigs that formed a sort of nest. A jumble of pinecones and jagged stones littered the floor.

Satisfied that he had the cave to himself, Callum started to clear an area for a fire. And he knew just the log to help keep it going. He found a perverse sense of justice as he dragged the log that had tripped him into the cave.

A small murmur and a flash of magic distrurbed the stillness of the cave.

""

His last cantrip was very useful for a farmer who spent most of his time outside. He used it to dry out the log for use as firewood, although he needed multiple cantrips on it. It was also used to dry out his snow and bloodsoaked clothing.

Next he fished his knife out from his bag and attached its sheath to his belt. He had gotten into the habit of not openly carrying his knife when he went into town. The sight of his knife often led to confrontations. So like today, he often left it at home.

He pulled out his knife, but it resisted his first attempt. Callum yanked it out harder only to suddenly stop at the sight of blood on its blade. He quickly surmised whose blood it was and how it had gotten onto his blade.

His brother was the only one who had ready access to it and knew where he kept it. And innocent Betty had likely been killed with this blade in a bid to further implicate Callum.

Strongshield's presence must have thrown off their planned 'reveal' of his knife with her blood on it.

"Oh, you poor woman . . . you poor woman. I'm sorry you got caught up in this mess."

The blood might have shocked him a mere 24 hours earlier. Now however, he had been through so much that it barely had an effect on him aside from some sorrow for Betty and her distraught parents.

was quickly cast on both sheath and knife. He wedged the knife in a crack that ran vertical in the 7ft (2m) log. He used the hatchet's flat side as an impromptu hammer to widen the cracks in the log.

The log was soon split in two and it was easily cut into smaller sections with a couple of swings thanks to the hatchet's skill. Pinecones and half the nest served as a base for a fire.

started a small little fire that he carefully nursed with the wood he had just cut up. And soon a cheery little fire was lending him its warmth. He knew he'd soon have to get more fuel for the fire. But for now, he just wanted to take a minute.

Sat down on a convenient rock, Callum decided he finally had time to go over his notifications. But first he wanted to confirm something with his 'Cold' debuff. He pulled that debuff up and carefully watched the timer.

'Cold: -15% stamina regeneration for the next XX:XX:XX; 1:24 remaining until effects worsen . . . 2:23 remaining . . . 3:22 remaining . . . 4:21 remaining'

"Not enough to make the 'Cold' debuff go away. But at least this fire will stop the 'Frostbitten' one from affecting me. Every second pushes it back another minute."

Callum narrowed his eyes thoughtfully before turning to his notifications.

'You have learned the ability <>

<> Effects:

- (+150% to Strength and Constitution while is active)

- (+25% to critical chances against you and your opponent(s))

- (All active control effects against you lose one tier immediately)

- (Control acts against you suffer -25% to success chances; control acts that do succeed are -25% effective)

- (You cannot retreat from combat and cannot take any defensive actions)

- (You cannot turn off <>. <> will end when all enemies are defeated or you go down)

- (<> end will trigger a 'Weakened' state for 12 hours)'

"Well that's a very lucky ability to have picked up right now. My first combat ability too! It also explains the biting" Exclaimed Callum.

'You have gained the 'Will to Survive' effect for the next (3) days for learning the out of class ability <> during a battle you were losing'

"Hmm, well it'll help me regain my mana. Which is nice because my cantrips are getting a workout," he reflected before he turned to his last notification. He had already dismissed all combat notifications such as damage done, damage taken, etc.

'Hidden World Quest' Accept: (Y/N)

Success: Survival of 'Callum Murray' after one month in the wilderness.

Failure: Death of 'Callum Murray'

Reward: Variable depending on reward format chosen and performance

Note: Time for choice has expired. Quest automatically accepted and delayed format chosen. All XP and skill gains will be held until (30) days have elapsed.

"My experience! I need that to level up!" Wailed Callum.