Finishing packing my things, I decide that it's finally time for me to take the portal. As I enter, the sensation is like a viscous pool of water. The feeling quickly dissipates and I find myself in a new corridor. Unlike the previous one, this one is lit by yellow glowing stones, as if I'm in an intermediate stage. I continue to explore the dungeon, and everything seems simple, no traps, no dead ends. It's suspicious, I think with apprehension.
Shortly after, I come across a metal door. Adjacent to it is a large lever. Upon reflection, I imagine that the lever is used to open the metal door, but it's better to be cautious. So far, this second part of the dungeon has been too easy... I examine everything and finally decide to pull it. The lever descends, and a few seconds later, small whistles are heard. I try to quickly back away to dodge, but I stumble and fall to the ground. A cloud of dust rises and the whistles stop. When I look again, I see holes in the wall and a multitude of arrows are planted on the other side.
Astonished, I think that falling to the ground was the best action I could have taken, I tell myself. I get up slowly and see that the door is still closed. I try to push it open and without effort, it opens. Feeling tricked, I realize that from the beginning, everything was organized to be simple. So simple that we drop our guard without even realizing it. I'll have to be extra careful from now on.
The other side of the door leads to a large room. In the middle of each side is a large stone tower. At their respective tops, I can see a Chaekren, a tiny devilish creature resembling a small monkey with spikes pointing up its back. This monster usually lives in abandoned ruins or dungeons and likes to hide to ambush prey entering its territory with their electric spikes.
I stay behind the door which serves as my cover and aim for the left Chaekren. It's about thirty meters away, so easily reachable. I shoot and it falls off the tower. The dull sound of the body hitting the ground resonates weakly against the sound produced by my musket. The creature on the right emits small, low cries and gets on all fours. The spikes on its back light up and a few moments later, they propel towards me. I hide behind the door and the spikes impale it. I can feel my curly hair standing on end from the static they cause. I reload my musket while taking a glance on the other side. I see the Chaekren come down from its tower and run towards me. My reloading is finished, so I take the opportunity to shoot it. The monster stops in its tracks and slides a few meters with an unpleasant sound.
Oops, I forgot to bring a knife to skin the monsters, my dagger is made for piercing and not cutting, I think, remembering that I could have pulled a few coins from them, but it's no big deal, next time I'll bring one. Without worrying too much about it, I continue to explore and kill the monsters that I encounter in the dungeon. After arriving in a room with a small pre-existing campfire, I came to the conclusion that these rooms are safe places where one can rest and prepare between the different levels of the dungeon. I eat, rest a little, and decide to check my status window:
Name: Heolstor Xel'Mourndor
Level: 03
Profession: Void Merchant (Ordinary)
Talent: Void acquisition
STATS: ● Strength: 10
● Agility: 11
● Intelligence: 10
● Mana: 10
● Dexterity: 11
● Luck: 10
● Constitution: 10
STATS TO DISTRIBUTE: 6
Skills:
● Sales Listing ●
Void acquisitions :
● Radonix ● Chaekren 20% ●
I leveled up by killing the Chaekrens and I'm happy about it. I can see that the assimilation of Radonix is complete since 90% of it has disappeared and 20% of Chaekren has appeared. I try to activate my Synchronization skill again and my body starts to glow. The effect spreads throughout my body, from my toes to my head. The sensation is gentle and makes me feel more powerful. Curiously, I open my status window again:
Name: Heolstor Xel'Mourndor
Level: 03
Profession: Void Merchant (Ordinary)
Talent: Void acquisition
STATS: ● Strength: 10
● Agility: 11
● Intelligence: 10
● Mana: 10
● Dexterity: 11
● Luck: 10
● Constitution: 10
STATS TO DISTRIBUTE: 6
Skills:
● Sales Listing ● Psionic attack ●
Void acquisitions :
● Radonix (+1agi/+1int/+1dex) ●
● Chaekren 20% ●
Psionic Attack (Cost 5 mana):
Sends a psionic wave that destabilizes the target. The duration of the effect depends on your intelligence and that of the target.
As I think about it, I think I've discovered what my talent brings me. When I kill monsters, I acquire them and when I'm at 100%, I gain a skill and stats!
I can't believe it, this is amazing, I think as I jump for joy. My profession isn't that bad after all...