After successfully eliminating Bong, the Knights returned to Duke Everhart to deliver the news about their mission. The Captain felt a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction in fulfilling the task entrusted to them by the Duke. It may have been a straightforward mission, but its significance to the Duke made it all the more important.
After their long journey, they finally arrived at the Duke's palace. The Captain entered the mansion and made his way to the throne room to deliver the news.
"Your Grace, I am pleased to report that we have successfully eliminated the foul monster responsible for harming Sebastian," the Captain informed Duke Everhart.
As he knelt down and bowed, showing the utmost respect to Duke Everhart, the Captain awaited his response, his posture demonstrating his loyalty and dedication to his liege.
"Rise, Captain. Your performance has indeed pleased me. Now, what is it that you wish for? Feel free to ask," Duke offered, his tone conveying both approval and curiosity. With a pleased expression on his face, Duke Everhart's voice carried a sense of satisfaction as he addressed the Captain.
Rising from his bow, the Captain's face bore a grateful expression for Duke Everhart's words.
"Your Grace, your satisfaction is our greatest reward. Yet, if I might be so bold as to ask, I humbly seek your permission to wear the Everhart crest with even greater pride. Grant me the honor of representing our house in the tournaments scheduled for next year," the Captain respectfully requested, his tone a blend of deference and optimism.
"I am immensely proud of you. Your desire to enhance our faction's greatness is truly commendable. I grant you my permission," the Duke addressed the Captain with a joyful chuckle, his approval evident.
"Now I shall take my leave, Your Grace," The Captain said, bowing once more before the Duke.
The Duke nodded in acknowledgment, granting him permission to depart from the throne room.
Meanwhile, back in the cave.
[ALERT]
[Host death]
[Reviving the host from death]
[Penalty to revive the Host from Death, Level of host will be reset to One]
[Host revived successfully]
"Ahhgg, where am I? My head hurts," Bong groaned as he regained consciousness, his voice filled with disorientation and discomfort.
[ALERT]
[Bong, you have been revived back to life. Welcome back.]
After a while, as his consciousness fully returned, Bong became acutely aware of his surroundings and the events that had transpired.
"Wait a moment, I was dead... but now I'm alive? I thought I was mortal, but it seems I'm immortal after all! Those darn Knights..." Bong muttered, his emotions a mix of astonishment and frustration.
[ALERT]
[You are immortal. Did you not see your status screen? It clearly says, 'Immortal Bat'. Ghosh, bat's eyes!]
Bong's eyes widened as he read the message on his status screen.
"Status, " Bong Commanded to System
[Name: Bong Jum]
[Species: Immortal Bat]
[Class: Shadow Bat]
[Level: 1]
[Health: 50/50]
[Mana: 10/10]
[Innate Skill: Gluttony]
[Skills: Shadow Stealth (Skilled), Sonic Sense (Skilled), Shadow Manipulation (Proficiency: Apprentice), Dark Flight (Proficiency: Apprentice)]
[Passive Skill: Soul Siphon (Novice)]
"Yes, I am Immortal, but I never want to feel the sensation of dying again," Bong muttered to himself, his thoughts reflecting the gravity of his recent experience.
"But wait, System, why did my level reset to one?" Bong questioned, his confusion evident in his voice.
[ALERT]
[Every time you die, you will revive, but your level will be reset to one. You'll need to level up again.]
[Your skill Proficiency will be maintained, but if you die at level one, you cannot revive.]
[What did you think, that immortality comes for free?]
Bong stared at the status screen with a frustrated expression.
"How the heck did he sense my presence so easily? My skill proficiency in stealth is skilled," Bong muttered in frustration.
[ALERT]
[Higher skill proficiency levels consume less mana, but higher-level individuals can still sense you. You need your level to be higher than theirs.]
"System, why the heck did you hide this important information and only tell me after everything's already happened?" Bong yelled in frustration.
[ALERT]
[You didn't ask me. I provide information based on your inquiries.]
Bong continued to stare at the status screen, his frustration and annoyance evident.
"Bong, calm down. Let's focus on the current situation," Bong muttered to himself as he took a deep breath, exhaling slowly and attempting to center his thoughts on the present moment.
"Let's recap our experiences and knowledge for now:
Number one - When I die, I'll revive, but my level will reset to one.
Number two - Skill proficiency will be maintained and it only reduces the MP cost.
Number three - I can level up more than one skill.
Number four - My level determines the damage or proficiency of my skills," Bong summarized, attempting to organize his thoughts and understand the implications of his abilities.
"But dang, I need to level up again from the start. Dying is costly, so I need to be extra careful now," Bong murmured, realizing the gravity of the situation and the importance of avoiding unnecessary risks.
"Let's go level up, Bong! You absolutely cannot die again. Let's get moving!" Bong flew with determination, motivating himself and shouting into the forest as he soared through the air.
"You monsters and you, low-level creatures! Come at me if you dare! I'll drain you all!" Bong taunted the nearby low-level monsters, his voice echoing with a mix of challenge and amusement. He pointed his wing towards them, wearing a mischievous grin as he provoked them.
Every morning, he would sleep, and as night fell, he would awaken from his slumber with a mischievous grin on his face. He ventured into the dark forest once again for his "Bong Once Again Level Up" quest.
Bong continued his quest to level up by targeting low-level monsters in the dark forest. He skillfully hid in the shadows whenever a high-level monster appeared, ensuring his safety. He persevered in this leveling-up adventure for a month, gradually eliminating all the low-level monsters that were present near his beloved cave.