'A new skill, huh?' I mused. It had been quite some days since I got a new skill but I had been unable to try it out, or rather dare I say that trying it out would have been pointless.
The skill Last Fortress made me invincible for a short period of time granted my health was already very low, however this invincibility was useless if I was still unable to inflict significant damage to my opponent.
Now, however, I had unlocked Dauntless, a passive skill which would make me think better when facing stronger opponents. Though not an offensive skill - which I needed the most right now - it was still useful since basically all possible opponents would be more powerful than me.
With this, the thought of getting stronger still lingered on in my head, since at the very least I needed to be able to protect myself. Moreover, the looming threat of the Wyvern when we would travel to the Capital in a few weeks still pressed on my mind. If that Wyvern attacked and eliminated my family again, it was likely that this time would be a repeat of everything I had just escaped from; and that was unacceptable.
I looked at the dark red screen hovering before my face and smiled. I was blessed to actually have this 'system'. Though I may not be well acquainted with it's functions and origin, but I was quite sure that should I keep using it, I would eventually get the answers I desired.
Looking again at the dark red screen, I noticed something I had not seen before.
User has reached Level 2.
All stats. will increase by 1.
User: Jason Xilmoa.
Age: Twelve.
Race: Human.
Level: 2
Experience: 0/100
Vitality: 100
Magic Essence: 10
Strength: 4
Agility: 2
Dexterity: 2
Intelligence: 2
Stamina: 2
This brightened up my mood. It meant that whenever I leveled up, all my stats. would increase by 1. All I needed to do then was increase my level. I looked a little lower, something caught my attention.
Skill points: 1
User can use a single skill point to increase any single one of his stats. by 1.
Does User wish to use skill point now?
Yes. No.
'Ah, this system is getting more and more interesting. So, I can still increase my stats. by not just leveling up, but also by using skill points? Good, very good. Let me see... If I can indeed use the skill point to raise my stats., which should I raise?'
A really tough choice arose in front of me. I could increase my strength or agility to boost my offense, since that was my main aim right now, but which of them should I focus on? My strength should focus on pure physical prowess.
Even if I increased that, I wasn't sure I would still be able to match those deadly beasts that were known for their unrelenting strength, but having to increase my agility would help me put in a punch or two unexpectedly and in weak spots. Moreover, having better agility would help me in times where I need to escape from faster magical beasts, thus preserving my life - which was the most important thing to me right now.
Having given it quite some thought, I had an answer ready for my dark red friend.
'Yes, I wish to raise my agility.'
User has requested to raise agility by 1 using skill point. Confirm?
Yes. No.
'Yes.'
Confirmed.
User: Jason Xilmoa.
Age: Twelve.
Race: Human.
Level: 2
Experience: 0/100
Vitality: 100
Magic Essence: 10
Strength: 4
Agility: 3
Dexterity: 2
Intelligence: 2
Stamina: 2
Skill points: 0
After completing all this, I dismissed the system screen with a thought and continued on my way back to the forest surrounding our little town. It was my intention to test this power of mine right away.
I waltzed right into the forest and began to look around to see if I would find any low-ranked magical beast to engage in a life and death battle with; hopefully ending with me keeping my life and some spoils of war. I looked around for hours, but all I got was static: there was no such beast to be found by me tonight.
Just as I was about to retire home to the mansion for a rest tonight, I heard a low beast roar. Roarrr. I turned my head and smiled. It seemed Fortune had eventually decided to smile on me this night. This roar was low, indicating that the beast what owned the roar was of quite a low tier.
I turned my body and dashed in the direction of the roar. Today would be a lucky day for me if I was able to get a kill in. Moving at full speed, I was able to get in the location of the continuous roars in a few minutes. It was a dark cave enshrouded by a faint, fierce aura - kind of made one a tad scared to go in.
I steeled my resolve and made my way into the cave. Upon entering, faint katzenjammer filled the air. There were yowls and grunts, almost a tad too indistinct for me to hear. I slowly walked, on my guard, through the many tunnels as I followed the sounds lingering in the air; until I came to a complete stop. The cave tunnel spread out into a large cavern where a large bear-like monster and a wolf-like monster were having at it.
I quickly hid myself to avoid being noticed by any one of them. My luck was really not good. It was truly unexpected that I would actually meet two magical beasts when I was hoping to find one I could luckily just finish off.
'Huu... ' I sighed as I began to walk back in the direction I came. About to take my second step, I paused my foot as a brilliant idea came to mind. 'This must be the passive skill Dauntless doing it's work' I thought.
I moved back to my hiding spot and waited. I took a peek at the raging battle between the extremely large canine and the equally gargantuan bear shaped magical beast. I let out a silent praise in my heart. Magical beasts did indeed have a fierce strength. Even the shockwaves from their battle could be felt from where I was. I managed to find a suitable spot to hide where I could also watch the battle. I got to say, it was certainly intense.
At the moment, both beasties were having a stand off as they stared intensely at each other, observing each other's movements. Even I felt tense in this kind of atmosphere.
They both eventually set off, aiming for vital spots on their bodies, so they could give killing blows.
In my heart I knew, this would be a fight I would forever remember...