As we entered the scorching zone, I was immediately hit by the oppressive heat. Sweat began to bead on my forehead, and even Aria, who was seemingly unfazed, displayed a slight glisten of perspiration. Aria wasted no time and offered a simple yet instructive remark: "Prepare, Tatsuya. I'm going to show you how it's done."
In an instant, Aria sprang into action, dashing forward with incredible agility towards a formidable Lava Ryot. She wielded two daggers, one in each hand, and with remarkable finesse, executed a whirlwind attack. Aria leaped into the air, spun her body, and delivered a powerful kick squarely to the Lava Ryot's face. The impact sent a minor shockwave through the air, but it was astonishing how the creature endured the blow and remained standing. It was a stark reminder of the strength we were up against, making me yearn to reach Aria's level of prowess.
Undeterred, Aria thrust one of her daggers into the Lava Ryot's neck. The creature made a futile attempt to grasp her, but Aria's agility and precision thwarted its efforts. With another swift motion, Aria withdrew the dagger, spinning gracefully through the air. She concluded her series of maneuvers with a powerful downward strike to the Lava Ryot's head, slamming it forcefully into the ground. Aria was clearly attempting to weaken the creature without dealing the final blow to give me an opportunity to act.
She called out to me, "Come on, Tatsuya. Use your scythe and cut him in half."
Seeing the Lava Ryot with its head pinned to the ground beneath Aria's foot, I swiftly grabbed my scythe. With determination, I raced toward the creature, leaped into the air, and delivered a flawless cut that cleaved the Lava Ryot in twain.
Immediately after the successful strike, a series of notifications filled my vision:
[You have received 10,000 EXP.]
[You have successfully learned the Passive Skill: Fire Resistance]
[You have successfully leveled up.]
My stats had significantly improved:
● [Title : Beast Killer] - 5% more Total HP
○ [Passive Skill : Vampirism, Predator, Cold Resistance, Fire Resistance]
● [Race : Vampire]
[Level : 95] [EXP : 0/470]
• [STR : 378] - Strength
• [HP : 1070/1070 (5%+)] - Health Points
• [STM : 1020/1020] - Stamina
• [SP : 0] - Skill Points
• [MP : 55/55] - Mana Points
° [Skills : Trident Strike, Ice Spikes]
° [Inventory]
Notably, my Mana Points (MP) had increased by 5, likely due to the use of the Ice Spikes spell in creating the bridge within the cavern. This indicated that practicing magic might be an effective method for improving my mana pool. The realization left me excited about the potential for growth, especially given the incredible experience farming opportunities that battling the Lava Ryots presented.
In a rush of enthusiasm, I considered asking Aria for assistance in securing last hits on these formidable creatures, recognizing the invaluable experience they offered. It was indeed an amazing opportunity for my journey as an adventurer.
Excitement surged through me as I made a request to Aria, "Aria, can we do this with all the Lava Ryots we kill? I kinda want to get the last hit on all of them!" Aria responded with a hint of amusement, "Why? Do you feel like a hero or something? HAHA! But ok, if you want, I will let you take the last hits."
With newfound determination, I embraced the opportunity to land the final blows on the Lava Ryots.
After some relentless fighting, I found myself perched atop the lifeless forms of five defeated Lava Ryots, their formidable presence humbled in the wake of our teamwork. Fighting these powerful creatures was exhausting, as it required a great deal of strength even to cut them in half in a weakened state. The physical exertion was immense, and I admired Aria's barefoot combat prowess. Yes ladies and gentlemen ARIA IS BAREFOOT HERE.
As we continued to hunt, the battle took its toll on me. Lava Ryots remained challenging adversaries even when weakened, and my stamina started to wane. Aria quickly incapacitated another Lava Ryot, but despite the difficulty in breathing, I knew we had to press on. Ultimately, we managed to take down a total of 11 Lava Ryots.
Gasping for air, I implored Aria, "Please, Aria, let's take a break." The strain was overwhelming, and I could no longer bear the weight of my scythe. Collapsing to the ground, exhaustion coursed through my entire body.
In a surprising turn of events, a notification appeared:
[You have successfully learned the Passive Skill: Breathless]
I swiftly checked the information on this new skill, and it revealed that "Breathless" allowed me to gain 5 times the normal stamina regeneration for 10 seconds when my stamina fell below 50. The skill had a cooldown period of 30 seconds. I welcomed this newfound passive skill, and as my stamina recovered at an accelerated rate, going from 20 to 300 in just six seconds, I couldn't help but acknowledge its practicality.
Moreover, the intense battles had not only provided valuable experience but had also unlocked a new title, 'Grinder.' This title bestowed upon me an impressive bonus:
[Title: Grinder] - 15% more Total HP/STR
These developments significantly transformed my capabilities. I felt lighter, stronger, and faster overall, and it was clear that the continuous fighting had propelled my growth. Gratitude swelled within me, and I couldn't help but acknowledge the invaluable support and guidance I had received from Aria. Our partnership had proven to be an incredible asset on this perilous journey.
● [Title : Grinder] - 15% more Total HP/STR
○ [Passive Skill : Vampirism, Predator, Cold Resistance, Fire Resistance, Breathless]
● [Race : Vampire]
[Level : 217] [EXP : 640/1700]
• [STR : 866 (15%+)] - Strength
• [HP : 2290/2290 (15%+)] - Health Points
• [STM : 2240/2240] - Stamina
• [SP : 0] - Skill Points
• [MP : 55/55] - Mana Points
° [Skills : Trident Strike, Ice Spikes]
° [Inventory]
These newfound statistics reflected the significant growth I had achieved during the battle against the Lava Ryots.
As we gathered the heads of the defeated Lava Ryots, a whirlwind of thoughts raced through my mind. My newfound strength, the skills I had acquired, and my rapidly increasing levels – all of these were becoming harder to conceal. The temptation to reveal my leveling system to Aria was growing with each passing moment, yet I couldn't help but be fearful of her reaction.
With a heavy heart and a voice tinged with uncertainty, I finally mustered the courage to ask Aria, "Aria, would we still be together, no matter what happens?" My voice quivered, betraying the inner turmoil that had consumed me. Aria, engrossed in her task of bagging the Lava Ryots' heads, paused and turned her attention to me.
Her eyes met mine, filled with curiosity and concern. Setting down the bag, she approached me, her gaze unwavering. "Why are you asking that all of a sudden?" she inquired, her tone gentle and reassuring. "Of course, Tatsuya, we'll be together no matter what. I'll stand by your side through thick and thin, even if you turn out to be a psychopath. That's how much I love you."
Aria's words hit me like a wave, leaving me momentarily breathless. Her unwavering love and loyalty were beyond anything I had ever experienced. The depth of her commitment filled me with warmth, but it also reminded me that I couldn't keep my secret hidden any longer.
Gathering my resolve, I met Aria's gaze with determination. "When we get back home," I began, "there's something I need to explain to you." With those words, I hoped that she would understand, just as she had always understood me, and accept the truth I had been hiding.
In Yamane's perspective, we see her sitting with Kaori, completely taken by the little girl's charm. She couldn't help but express her adoration, "Why are you so adorable!!!! I love your yellow hair and green eyes! You truly are an angel fallen from the sky, Kaori." Yamane wrapped her arms around Kaori in a warm hug. As they spent time together, it was evident that Kaori had captured Yamane's heart.
Meanwhile, the abrupt entry of Aria and I startled Yamane. She couldn't hide her annoyance and exclaimed, "STOP SLAMMING THE DAMN DOOR. YOU JERKS!" However, she quickly shifted her demeanor and greeted us warmly, appreciating our gratitude.
I humbly bowed to Yamane and expressed my thanks, saying, "Hello Yamane! We are back. Thanks for taking care of Kaori." In response, Yamane, who had taken quite a liking to Kaori, replied, "Please raise your head, I am not a princess. Plus, Kaori is too cute not to be taken care of."
Aria, always a bit nonchalant, chimed in with an air of indifference, "Yeah yeah, whatever, guys," but she was quick to hand over the bag containing the heads of the Lava Ryots to Yamane. In appreciation of their successful mission, Yamane rewarded Aria and I with 10 gold coins each.
With our task complete, Aria, Kaori, and I left the Adventurer's Guild, bidding farewell to Yamane. Her kind words and care for Kaori had warmed my heart, and I couldn't help but appreciate her even more.
As we walked the familiar streets of the city, I couldn't push away the growing anxiety inside me. The time had come to reveal my secret to Aria. But would she still accept me once she knew? Could our bond withstand this revelation?
We finally arrived back at our tavern, and a weight seemed to hang heavy in the air. I turned to Aria, still grappling with my thoughts. "Aria," I began, "there's something I need to tell you. It's about me."
Aria looked at me, her eyes filled with curiosity and concern. "What is it, Tatsuya?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine interest.
I took a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest. "It's about the leveling system, my abilities, and where I come from," I confessed, hoping that our friendship would be strong enough to withstand the truth.