[System Notification: "Chameleonmorph Level 8 defeated. XP Gained: 150."]
Caelum frowned at the notification. The XP seemed too low for such a formidable and elusive creature. Almost on cue, another system message appeared:
[Party Detected. Elara has been added to your party. XP share activated.]
Caelum raised an eyebrow. Elara, now officially part of his party, would share in his victories and challenges. It was an unforeseen development but not unwelcome. Elara's abilities had proven invaluable, and her presence had added an unexpected dynamic to his journey.
Before he could contemplate further, another system notification flashed:
[Item Detected: Mask of Thousand Faces.]
Intrigued, Caelum approached the Chameleonmorph's body. Among the creature's remains, he discovered a peculiar mask, its surface shifting and changing, mimicking the faces of various forest creatures. It was an eerie, yet fascinating artifact. Picking it up, he turned it over in his hands, feeling the residual magic pulsating through it.
"Elara, look at this," Caelum said, holding out the mask for her to see.
Elara approached cautiously, her eyes widening in awe. "It's beautiful," she whispered, her fingers hesitantly reaching out to touch it.
Caelum studied the mask intently, activating the System's Observe function. The interface immediately provided a detailed analysis:
[System Notification:
Item: Mask of Thousand Faces
Ability: Allows the wearer to change their appearance to mimic any recorded face. The mask itself becomes invisible, showing only the chosen face to others.
Limitation: Individuals above Level 20 can see through the disguise.
Usage: Can store up to a thousand different faces for later use.
Intrigued by its capabilities, Caelum turned the mask over in his hands, contemplating the strategic advantages it offered. The ability to change one's appearance at will could be invaluable in infiltration, espionage, or simply avoiding unwanted attention.
Elara, observing the mask with a mix of fascination and caution, remarked, "This could be really useful, but also dangerous in the wrong hands."
Caelum nodded, his expression thoughtful yet unreadable. "It's a tool, like any other. It's the intent behind its use that matters." His voice was even, betraying no emotion, a reflection of his pragmatic nature.
He pocketed the mask, aware of its potential usefulness in their journey. Turning his attention back to the task at hand, Caelum surveyed the clearing. The battle with the Chameleonmorph had left its mark on the surrounding vegetation, a chaotic blend of trampled grass and upturned earth.
Caelum stored the Chameleonmorph's body into his inventory, intending to extract its Monster Core later. His thoughts were already shifting towards their next destination, the nearest town. The forest, with its lurking dangers, reminded him of the inadequacy of his simple weapon. In a world where a single misstep could spell doom, he needed something more reliable. If they encountered multiple creatures like the Chameleonmorph, they would be in serious trouble.
As he started walking, Elara approached him, her face alight with excitement. "I leveled up," she announced, her voice tinged with delight. Caelum offered a small nod of approval. Elara's growth was beneficial for both of them; her increased strength and skills would make their journey easier.
Elara continued, "I need to train to allocate my free stats. I feel like there is more than one." She seemed eager, her newfound abilities awakening a sense of purpose within her.
Caelum stopped, considering her words. Unlike him, others couldn't see their stats or freely allocate them. For most people, training was essential to channel their free stats into specific attributes. It was a process familiar to the adventurers and warriors of this world, where one had to feel their internal 'basin of water' full and then, through rigorous training, guide this 'water' to their desired stat 'canals'.
Caelum once again used the Observe function on Elara, confirming her gains: Vitality (VIT), Agility (AGI), Wisdom (WIS), and Charisma (CHA) had each increased by one, and there were 5 Free Stats. But then, something unexpected caught his eye—a plus sign next to her stats. "I can use her free stats?" he thought, bewildered. "Is it because she's in my party now?"
Taking a moment, he sat down with Elara, gently holding her hand. "Elara, my class is special, and it allows me to see things others can't," he began, choosing his words carefully. "I can allocate free stats without training. It seems I can do the same for you." He was cautious with his explanation, revealing just enough but keeping the deeper secrets of his dual existence to himself.
Elara's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? That's amazing!" she exclaimed, a mixture of wonder and gratitude in her voice.
Caelum nodded, his expression serious. "Yes, but we need to be careful with this power. It's not something that's commonly known or understood." His tone was cautious, hinting at the dangers of such knowledge falling into the wrong hands.
Together, they discussed how to allocate her free stats. Caelum suggested a balanced approach, enhancing her strengths while addressing her weaknesses. They decided to allocate two points to Agility, given the dangers of their journey, one to Vitality for increased resilience, and the remaining two to Wisdom, to enhance her understanding and control of her Nature's Guardian abilities.
As Caelum focused on Elara's stats, he marveled at the unique capabilities of his system. The ability to see and manipulate stats was a formidable tool, one that could tip the scales in their favor in this unpredictable world.
With the stat allocation complete, Elara stood up, stretching her limbs. She felt a surge of energy coursing through her, a tangible manifestation of her increased capabilities. "I feel stronger, more alert," she commented, a smile touching her lips.
Caelum stood as well, satisfied with the outcome. "Good. We'll need every advantage we can get," he said, his voice carrying a note of resolve. Their journey was far from over, and the challenges ahead were numerous.
As they resumed their trek towards the nearest town, Caelum's mind was already formulating plans. They were at the outer perimeter Whispering Fores, but the journey ahead promised its own perils and opportunities. He needed to upgrade his weapon, gather more information about the world, and continue to hone his skills as a Novice Gunslinger.
It took Caelum and Elara three days to navigate their way through the dense foliage of the Whispering Forest. Despite Elara's growing abilities and the guided paths that posed the least danger, their journey was fraught with encounters against numerous forest creatures.
One of their first challenges was a swarm of Venomous Thicket Wasps. These insects, each bigger than a small bird, attacked in a coordinated formation, their stingers dripping with paralyzing venom. Caelum, relying on his agility and quick reflexes, managed to dodge their attacks while picking them off one by one with his makeshift firearm. Elara, using her Nature's Guardian skills, summoned branches and vines, scattering the swarm and giving Caelum a clear shot.
Further into the forest, they stumbled upon a Slumbering Moss Bear. This massive creature, camouflaged as a moss-covered boulder, awakened as they neared. Its roar shook the very ground they stood on. Caelum engaged the beast head-on, drawing its attention while Elara circled behind it. She called upon the vines and roots of the forest floor, entangling the bear's legs and immobilizing it, allowing Caelum to deliver the final blow.
Another memorable encounter was with a pack of Shadow Lynxes. These feline creatures, almost invisible in the low light of the forest, attacked with lethal precision. Their claws, sharp as razors, left trails of light as they moved, a hauntingly beautiful yet deadly display. Caelum's enhanced marksmanship skills proved crucial, as he was able to pinpoint their locations based on the slight disturbances they caused in the air. Elara, in turn, used her Floral Whisper to communicate with the surrounding plant life, creating a barrier that slowed the lynxes' movements.
As they progressed, Caelum's proficiency in combat grew, his skills as a Novice Gunslinger evolving with each encounter. His agility and quick thinking, combined with Elara's growing mastery over her Nature's Guardian abilities, made them a formidable team. By the time they reached the edge of the forest, Caelum had reached Level 7, and Elara had advanced to Level 5.
Their updated profiles were a testament to their growth:
Caelum's Status:
Level: 7
Experience Points (XP): [1300/2700]
Health Points (HP): 107/107
Mana Points (MP): 107/107
Vitality (VIT): 17 (10 base + 7 from leveling)
Strength (STR): 10
Agility (AGI): 28 (12 base + 16 from leveling)
Intelligence (INT): 21 (10 base + 7 from leveling)
Wisdom (WIS): 10
Charisma (CHA): 8
Luck (LUK): 23 (14 base + 7 from leveling)
Free Stats: 35
Elara's Status:
Level: 5
Experience Points (XP): [800/1000]
Health Points (HP): 105/105
Mana Points (MP): 100/100
Vitality (VIT): 15 (10 base + 5 from leveling)
Strength (STR): 10
Agility (AGI): 16 (10 base + 6 from leveling)
Intelligence (INT): 14 (10 base + 4 from leveling)
Wisdom (WIS): 15 (10 base + 5 from leveling)
Charisma (CHA): 14 (10 base + 4 from leveling)
Free Stats: 0 (Allocated by Caelum)
Caelum opened inventory to check their loot over three days.
Venom sacs from the Thicket Wasps, useful in potion-making.
Moss Bear fur, valuable for its durability and camouflage properties.
Shadow Lynx claws, sharp and sturdy, ideal for crafting weapons or traps.
Various herbs and plants unique to the Whispering Forest, with potential medicinal and magical uses.