Varis continued his aimless walk through the dense forest in search of something familiar to guide his way.
Exhausted and with the ever gnawing shadow of hunger making it difficult to focus, his thoughts were a tumultuous mix of emotions. The scenes of carnage from the battle with the manticore and following massacre of those goblins replayed in his mind like a bad dream.
All he could understand was that he had recieved a power that he couldn't fully comprehend, and it weighed heavily on his conscience.
As he navigated through the underbrush and the ever present Mist, Varis began to mull over possible explanations to the others for his sudden development.
Late-blooming Soul Runes were rare but not unheard of, although they usually manifested at a younger age. He could claim that he had been hiding his ability all along, nursing resentment for his family's rejection. It was a story that might hold water, even if it was far from the truth. Well not like he even knew what the fuck was going on.
Varis couldn't help but feel the weight of his newfound powers pressing down on him. The Devourer System had granted him abilities beyond his wildest dreams, but it also came with a dark and unsettling aura. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was treading on treacherous ground.
How had he acquired this system, and what was its true nature? It felt like the opposite of the soul runes he had heard of, the coveted symbols of prestige among the Players. While Players were revered and respected, this Devourer System seemed ominous and foreboding. He couldn't help but wonder if he was treading into forbidden territory.
That doesn't event take into the account his growth would be off the charts when comapred to other's. Already after one mindless session of slaughted he had drown so much. Compared tyo the slow Leveling process that most Platers had to go through, wasn't his power too much of a cheat?
It was as if his very essence was evolving in a manner that defied the rules and norms he had always heard about.
He reflected on the lessons that had been brutally beaten into him during his childhood by his own family. They were a wretched bunch of pompious nobles who had never known the suffering it took to survive. He thought back to one day when he was 8 years old after another energetic beating from his father.
"Players are the chosen ones," his father had grumbled, while cleaning his hand of Varis' blood. "They level up, they gain power, and they become unstoppable. But remember, boy, it's a slow process which takes talent, time and money. Be happy you are born a Blackthorn.
Varis had been a mere child then, absorbing the harsh words of his father like a sponge. He had watched the Players in the city from afar, their status and abilities casting a long shadow over his dismal existence.
The notion of leveling up and gaining strength had always seemed like an unattainable dream—a dream he had almost given up on.
But now, with the Devourer System coursing through him, he felt a strange and exhilarating sense of growth that defied everything he had been taught. It was as though he was transcending the boundaries that had been imposed on the world.
Unlike Players who had to earn experience points and level up through battles and quests, Varis's Devourer System seemed to hunger for something else entirely. It craved the essence of his defeated foes, allowing him to absorb their abilities and stats. It was a sinister power, one that hinted at a darker path, but it was also undeniably effective.
Varis couldn't help but marvel at how this system was rewriting the rules of his existence. It was as though he had been handed a forbidden key to unlock a new realm of power. His family's derisive words echoed in his mind, but now they felt like distant memories, fading into irrelevance.
He knew he had to be cautious, that this newfound strength came with its own set of dangers and consequences. But he also couldn't deny the allure of becoming more than what he had been born as.
Varis had always been a survivor, scraping by with stolen goods and scraps from the slums. The idea of wielding power was both exhilarating and terrifying. He knew that the Players, with their soul runes and abilities, were a force to be reckoned with. But he also understood that they were governed by rules, bound by their own hierarchy.
The Devourer System felt different—sinister, as if it was a force that didn't play by the same rules. The vision he had experienced while unconscious had hinted at a connection to the seven deadly sins, and it left him with a sense of foreboding. The mention of Gluttony and the potential to devour the world sent shivers down his spine.
As he continued his trek through the misty forest, Varis couldn't help but contemplate the implications of his newfound abilities. He was walking a fine line between opportunity and danger. The Mistwood, with its eerie mist and hidden perils, seemed like the perfect place to test his powers discreetly.
But he also knew that he had to be cautious, that his survival and escape from the slums depended on his ability to control this enigmatic system. He couldn't afford to draw unwanted attention or reveal the sinister nature of his abilities. The Devourer System was a double-edged sword, and he needed to wield it with care.
-------------------------------------------------------
The following hours of relentless walking through the eerie Mistwood Forest had taken their toll on Varis. He trudged on, his steps growing heavier with each passing moment, exhaustion settling into his very bones.
The persistent feeling of hunger gnawed at his insides like a relentless predator. It had been a long journey since his fall, and he was beginning to wonder if he would ever find what he sought.
As he navigated the winding, shadowed paths, a subtle pull seemed to guide him. It was a strange sensation, like an invisible thread tugging at his consciousness, urging him forward. At first, he resisted, wanting to rest, to find sustenance, and regain his strength. But the pull was undeniable, a persistent whisper in the back of his mind.
He pressed on, his eyes scanning the oppressive mist that surrounded him, searching for any signs of danger. After being caught so off guard by the Manticore, he wouldnt be surprised like that again.
The forest was a symphony of mysterious sounds—rustling leaves, distant animal calls, and the eerie murmurs of the mist itself. Each step felt like a struggle, the weight of the last day pressing down on him.
The mist seemed to thicken with each passing moment, enveloping him in an otherworldly haze. Shafts of pale, ghostly light pierced through the dense canopy, casting strange, dancing shadows on the forest floor. The air carried a strange scent, a mixture of damp earth and the peculiar smell of sweetness on the wind.
As Varis continued forward, he couldn't ignore the strange sensation of being drawn toward a specific destination. It was as if the forest itself conspired to guide him. Despite his fatigue and gnawing hunger, curiosity and determination pushed him onward.
Finally, as if the forest had granted him a reprieve, Varis emerged from the dense foliage into a tranquil clearing—a sanctuary untouched by time or the encroaching mist. His breath caught at the sight before him.
The clearing was a circular oasis, bathed in dappled sunlight that filtered through the ancient trees. The ground was covered in soft, velvety moss, and a sense of serenity hung in the air. In the center of this tranquil haven stood a gnarled oak tree, its twisted branches reaching upward in silent supplication.
The sight of the clearing brought a brief respite to Varis's exhaustion. Despite his lingering unease, the apprent absence of immediate danger allowed him to relax slightly.
He watched the beautiful scenery and felt a momentary calm wash over him. But a soft white glow at the bottom of the great oak pulled him from his reverie. He turned his attention to the base of the tree, heart racing with anticipation. Could it be?
As he traversed the narrow path to the island, his pulse quickened. The glow grew more distinct with each step, illuminating the path before him. When he reached the clearing's center, he saw it—a softly glowing white plant, the legendary herb he had been searching for.
A surge of triumph and relief coursed through him as he marveled at its otherworldly beauty.
But his elation was short-lived as movement and the sounds of tiny footsteps was caught by his senses.
He spun around to find a group of goblins emerging from the shadows—a small horde of the very green monsters he had killed before. Did they track him here?
Goblin's known for their brutality and darkness. Torturing and raping those who they caught in thier grimy green clutches. They didn't care about race or gender. Just they fun they could have by inflicting suffering. They were weak individually but deadly in numbers.
With a quick count he realised there was around 13 enemies in front of him. His hand tightened around the black blade hilt as he drew it with a slight hiss, feeling the familiar hunger surge within him.
The ever-present craving had intensified since his encounter with the manticore. Baring his teeth, he launched himself into battle, taking the initiative as a surge of energy coursed through him.
To his surprise, he found that his strikes were more potent than he had anticipated. With a single blow, he dispatched two of the thirteen goblins. Thier bodies dropping like puppets with theier strings cut.
Suprised with the strength and speed he used, Varis stared at his hands then at the Golbins. A horrifying smile marring his features.
Renewed confidence flowed through him, and the sword in his hand seemed to vibrate with approval.
Varis lept at the rest of the group with a mixture of determination and glee. A similar red fog seeping across his vision. His movements precise and deadly.
With each kill, the hunger within him grew, mingling with a dark exhilaration that he had never experienced before. He carved through the goblins with calculated intent, his mind consumed by the rhythm of battle.
The clearing became a canvas of violence—the clash of weapons, the pained cries of goblins, and the erratic rhythm of his heartbeat merging into a symphony of chaos. He reveled in the bloodlust, his senses heightened, and his movements flowing seamlessly.
As the battle reached its climax, the last goblin fell, and Varis stood panting amidst the aftermath.
Sweat dripped down his brow, his body covered in dirt and gore. Exhaustion settled over him once again, and he felt the weight of his actions—the lives he had taken.
In the moment he had loved it. Perhaps a bit too much.
Notifications blinked into existence before his eyes, each representing a gain in stats from the fallen foes. Though the increases were minor, they were tangible proof of his growth. But one notification stood out—the revelation of a new ability gained from the last goblin.
Varis's heart raced as he read the words: Basic Weapon Fighting Absorbed.
Shock and elation surged through him, that same manic smile stretching across his lips. He glanced around at the goblin bodies, a mix of excitement and unease settling in his chest. The insatiable hunger he felt when looking at them was unsettling, yet he pushed it aside to focus on the task at hand.
Deciding that he should get a move on before the noise of the short battle drew any more tof the creatures he made his way back over to the glowing plant.
Varis skillfully employed the techniques he had learned from Esme to carefully remove the plant from the soil and store it in his threadbare satchel. His touch gentle and almost reverent.
He then took a moment to gather the goblin ears, certain monster part fetched a good price in the Player's Guild.
A sense of accomplishment surged within him as he stood in the clearing. He had acted like a true Player, using strength, skill, and newfound abilities to achieve his goals.
A rush of determination swept over him, a renewed conviction that he could shape his future. He had gained something like a soulrune, found the herb, and most importantly survived.
Yet, beneath the excitement, he felt a darker undercurrent of emotion—a desire for control and vengeance.
He yearned to repay Malachai for the years of abuse and to prove to his family that they had made a grave mistake in discarding him. He envisioned a future where he would stand at the pinnacle of strength, looking down on those who had underestimated him.
With a renewed sense of purpose, Varis turned his gaze to a path he saw at the edge of clearing, one that hopefully led back to the city.
His journey was far from over; in fact, it had only just begun. He was determined to seize his place among the Players, to attend the Player Academy, join the Guild and to rise above the hardships that had defined his life.
But as he walked back through the forest, his updated status layout blinked into existence before his eyes, reminding him of the changes he had undergone. he noticed a few new additions since he last checked.
Name: Varis Blackthrorn
Race: Human
Level: 1
Health: 120/120
Stamina: 110/110
Strength: 15 (+1)
Endurance: 16
Dexterity: 15 (+1)
Intelligence: 15
Luck: 6 Charisma: 9 (+1)
Abilities:
Soul Skill: Devour (Level 1)
Basic Weapon Fighting (Level 1)
As he left the peaceful haven, he couldn't help but marvel at the changes he had undergone. His body felt different, stronger, and more attuned to the world around him.
The newfound skill, Basic Weapon Fighting, had stirred a sense of excitement within him. It was as if a door to a new realm of possibilities had swung wide open. Varis had always been a survivor, relying on his wits and resourcefulness to stay alive in the unforgiving streets of the city. But now, with this skill, he had a formalized path to become a true warrior.
The thought of honing his combat abilities filled him with determination. Basic Weapon Fighting, while one of the weakest early Player skills, would allow him to wield any weapon with greater proficiency, turning him into a versatile fighter. Varis knew that this skill would be invaluable in the treacherous world he was navigating.
The thought of returning to the city filled him with a mix of apprehension and anticipation. His plans were beginning to take shape, and at the center of it all was Lady Elenor, the enchantingly sexy noblewoman. Varis knew that gaining her favor could be his ticket out of the slums, a chance to change his destiny.
With his improved stats, the healing plant and his growing mastery of weaponry, he felt more confident in his ability to make an impression on Lady Elenor. He couldn't deny the allure of her beauty and charm, and he was determined to prove that he was more than just a street urchin.
As he journeyed back to the city, thoughts of the noblewoman and the path ahead occupied his mind. He knew he had a long way to go, but he was no longer the powerless orphan he once was.
With the Devourer System by his side, he was ready to carve a new fate for himself, one filled with opportunities and the tantalizing promise of a different life. Even if he had to slaughter his way to the top....