The forest's deathly silence was disrupted by the creak and clatter of the handcart which followed a chattering Tiara. Her conversation partner had himself lost in his mindscape, listening to not a word spoken by her.
A number of system prompts had his attention fully. And he did not like what it showed.
[Quest Completed!]
[Rewards have been distributed!]
{Goblin Killed ×6 XP received: 30}
[Penalty had been applied as soon as rewards were acquired.]
|•••••|
Name: Darius Black
Gender: Male
Age: 24
Level: 1 (30/500)
Race: Human
Job: Adventurer (F)
Class: Priest Of Water (Uncommon)
Shop Tokens: 300
[Statistics] {Available Stat Points: 0}
HP: 57/57 (+3) » 50/50 (+3)
MP: 40/40 (+20)
Strength: 24 » 20
Dexterity: 30 » 29
Vitality: 27 » 24
Agility: 33 » 28
Intelligence: 30 (+50) » 28 (+50)
Magic: 10 (+10)
Spirit: 20 (+5)
Charm: 26
[Ability]
[Born during the Eclipse (S)]
Description: Growth will be extremely slow. The person with this ability will be much weaker than the average person if not trained.
• – 200% Growth Speed of Stats
• – 95% Experience Gain
• – 90% Learning Speed
[Genius (D)]
Description: A genius born once in a decade. Boosts the learning speed of any skill and knowledge.
» +50 Intelligence
» Skills requiring Mana i.e. Magic skills, Martial arts based on usage of mana, gain 2x more experience.
» +100% Learning Speed
[Water Summoning (C)] {Class Exclusive}
Description: Conjure water through your magic. The amount depends on the MP used and Magic stat.
» Water Manipulation (D) (Passive)
[Skills] {Available Skill Points: 1}
• One-handed Sword Arts (Rank: F) (XP: Max » 0%): LV 5 » 1
» Description: One-handed sword arts are taught to novice adventurers and soldiers to build the foundation for advanced one-handed sword arts. Maximum level: LV 5
» Damage with one-handed swords increased by 2% → Damage with one-handed swords increased by 0.5%
» Advanced one-handed sword arts gain 3% more experience. → Advanced one-handed sword arts gain 1% more experience.
• Observe (Rank: D » E) (Mana Cost: 8MP) Cooldown: 5 seconds) (XP: 15%): LV 2
» Description: Analyse objects or people to acquire more information about them. Maximum Level: LV 10
» Become better at analysing objects, people or situations (Passive).
• Battle Sense (Rank: E » F) (XP: 0%): LV 6
» Description: Acquire battle experience equivalent to a Rank: F Adventurer. Maximum Level: 5
[Class Skills] {Priest Of Water}
• Aqua Shield (Rank: E) (Cooldown: 3 Min.) (XP: 45%): LV 1
» Cast an independent water shield on yourself or a target with ×2 the health of the User at the cost of 10 MP. The user can maintain it manually with more effectiveness at the cost of 3 MP per second; the MP will decrease faster if the attacks from an enemy are stronger than the User.
Warning: This spell requires enough humidity in the air or a water source.
Requirement: Water Manipulation Skill, Magic Potential (E)
Maximum Level: 10
• Blessing Of Water Spirits {Class Exclusive} (Rank: C) (Cooldown: 10 Min.) (XP: 25%): LV 1
» Apply a buff on yourself or a target at the cost of 16 MP. Movements become more fluid like water. Duration: 3 Minutes.
Warning: This spell requires enough humidity in the air or a water source.
Maximum Level: 20
» +10 Agility
» +10 Dexterity
» +5 Strength
» +20% Evasion rate
|•••••|
'This is fucked up...' He thought, reanalysing the panel.
He delevelled back to LV 1 with experience required to level up ×4 more. The skills degraded by one rank. The ones that were already lowest ranked were set back LV 1. His stats also suffered a lot.
Doubt and regret began to take place in his heart, was his decision right?
He closed his eyes for a moment, sighing, 'I did the right thing. Their safety was the top priority.'
Tiara had not stopped speaking beside him, he smiled at her enthusiasm. It was kinda cute how she innocently talked about killing Goblins and other monsters…
'Nope. It's creepy how she can say that while keeping up with her childish and naive persona.'
"Really Goblins are so disgusting and annoying. If I find another one right now, I will kill it so slowly that it would start speaking human and beg me for death. First, I'll start with its fingers then gradually carve its skin with my dagger, then..." Tiara explained graphically, the hate and disgust in her childish and naive tone sent chills down his spine.
'I'm glad she's on my side.' He thought, smiling outwardly at her words.
Ahead of the two, Fiona was busy with her own thoughts. Half her mind still alert of the surroundings and other half occupied with the battle fought before, more specifically the feats performed by her mysterious tenant. The way he fought was much different than his fight against Hell Wolves. Against those Hell Wolves his movements appeared more experienced. This time he fought like a newbie, although he killed the a few weak-as-infants Goblins without sustaining injuries, his movements were fast but inefficient unlike before.
Moreover, he killed a Hobgoblin despite his crushing weakness. He showed power beyond what she sensed and expected from him. A mystery engulfed this person who abruptly entered their isolated life. Whatever this mystery, she openly admit that, "I'm impressed."
Tiara's mouth halted and Darius' ears perked up. They saw Fiona slowing and coming beside them. She looked him in the eyes, "It is impressive how you killed a Hobgoblin while also protecting us. Thanks to you, we still live."
His cheeks flared in a blush, intimately aware of her beautiful rough hand so close to his, the warmth emanating caused goosebumps like a tidal wave up his hand. He wanted to hold her hand. His hand sweated and twitched badly to feel that warmth directly on to his skin. The temptation, the need was being suppressed however, mercilessly beaten back into the depth of his heart as if by a sledgehammer.
"Please don't mention it." He said, striving to retain her ravishing visage away from his view, "It is my duty as a friend."
Her breath hitched at the mention of the word friend, mind thrown back to the train of memories. She clenched her hand, calming herself and attempted to change the topic, "Say, what was that magic you used to protect us?"
"Yes, yes what was it? It looked really cool." The personification of child adult, Tiara repeated.
This was the chance. An opportunity had finally appeared to show Fiona his cool side, if he did this right then by the time they reached home she would be in his arms saying, "You are so cool~ Please marry me~"
He laughed slyly and happily at the image before clearing his throat and puffing his chest out condescendingly, "The magic spell is called Aqua Shield. It is something that only I can do because of my unmatched talent and unattainable genius I hold. Other people are like untalented peasants in front of me."
He was expecting praises from them but what he got was blank stares which perplexed him into asking, "What?"
A sudden realisation of his condescending tone like that of a disgusting noble and the words that could only be uttered by a person swimming in narcissism, left behind a desire. The desire for his lie to become the truth, 'I want amnesia so bad~'