The atmosphere was heavy as the warrior went silent, keeping Cian tense about what was to come.
'They are just six, if my observation skill also activates for players and my buff skill is available it wouldn't be easy for them to take me down without losses, except their level is very high… I wish I had remembered to invest my stats point'.
After a few seconds, the lead warrior put down his hands, allowing Cian to pass.
"I already told you, the Badlands isn't a walk in the park. There are only B-grade monsters and above… but if you still want to go it's your funeral" the lead warrior sighed.
"We'll just have to wait for another warrior to come" he concluded as they returned to their initial area.
Cian felt a huge wave of relief as the warriors left. He couldn't afford to fight all six of them on his own, he neither had the time nor the strength for that.
He continued out of the village and into the small forest at the foot of the Mountains.
"Thank you, Warrior Cian" Aiden voiced as he steadily followed behind Cian.
"For what?" Cian asked.
"Back there… I couldn't understand everything those warriors had said, but I suspect they told you to kill me, and you didn't, so thank you" Aiden said with his head bowed in gratitude.
Cian turned to see Aiden had stopped walking and simply standing, with his head bowed.
"If you really want to thank me, try not to slow me down" Cian replied as he continued walking.
"O-okay" Aiden stuttered as he ran to catch up to Cian.
"To be honest at first I actually thought you were going to do it… up until now I felt you were an emotionless person, but I'm beginning to think I was wrong" Aiden said, wearing a very honest smile.
'Did he say beginning to think?, this bloody ingrate…'
"Maybe I really should have done it, so I don't have to carry a burden like you" Cian quipped with a smirk.
"Hahaha, if you had tried I would have shown you how to win a fight without fighting" Aiden replied, focusing profoundly on the path that lies ahead.
"What does that even mean?" Cian muttered, but his words were met with silence, as Aiden was only focused on the path ahead.
'Again with this bull****, maybe I really should have killed this idiot'
By now, the clearing that had served as their road through the forest had come to an end, and they now stood at the foot of the mountain. Luckily they didn't run into any beasts in the forest, but from here on anything could literally happen.
Cian needed to be fully prepared for what was to come, and to do that he had to distribute his stat points.
"Status window"
The holographic screen appeared in front of him.
______
*Able to perform measly tasks in the Craftshop. No perceivable talent for Crafting.
MP:3/3
HP:25/25
Strength: 2; Agility: 2; Vitality: 5; Intelligence: 1; Luck: 1; Wisdom: 8;
Stats point (SP): 210
SKILL 1: INSPECT(1st grade);
-Active-
* As a craftsman apprentice, you can identify in-game items and resources. No mana required
SKILL 2: OBSERVATION(1st grade);
-passive-
* As an apprentice, you can carefully perceive and understand details in your surroundings, using all senses to gather information. No mana required
Skill 3: SPRITE BUFF (3rd grade)
-Active-
* Increases all physical stats. Time Limit: 1hr 30 min. No mana required
{Quest}
SAVE THE LOWLANDS BY ENDING THE DROUGHT
info: A witch has placed a curse on the land because of her personal interest. Simply travel to the Badlands and find the White sapphire Rune Stone and dispel the curse.
Grade: S
Reward: *the title 'Hero of the Lowlands'*
Failure: Death
–––––––
[You have a total of 210 stats points, where do you plan to invest them? I'd advise INT since your mana capacity is so low]
"I don't think I'd do much even if I had more mana, most of my skills don't need mana to activate so… I think it's better I go with something physical like Strength or speed".
[You shouldn't be in much of a hurry to boost your physical stats when you can easily use my buff]
"Your weak buff is even more reason I have to do it!"
[....]
Cian reasoned that both his Luck and Wisdom stats wouldn't be of much help in the Badlands. With that, he put 60SP in his Strength, Vitality, and Agility, with nothing left to do with the rest he just dumped it into his Intelligence. As he acquired mana he could feel energy gather around his body, although it was very little in quantity, just creating a thick skin making him warmer in the cold environment.
*Your ability to access mana has resulted in the use of mana to sense your environment.
___
MP:93/93
HP: 387/387
Strength: 62; Agility: 62; Vitality: 65; Intelligence: 31; Luck: 1; Wisdom: 8; Perception: 1;
Stats point (SP): 0
–––
Cian didn't think much about the new stat as it didn't cause any physical improvement in his strength or agility, he considered if it would affect his inspect and observation skills, but there was no way he could check it out without more SP.
Aiden, who has since been waiting patiently, asked, "Are we good to go?"
"Not yet" Cian replied,
Different trails were leading into the mountain, and he needed to choose the right one. The one with the least chance of running into a beast. He knew the dangers posed by the beasts, so avoiding the beast was the best he could do at his level.
The beast in the Badlands had certain characteristics, and one of them was that they were very territorial. Except for a few stragglers that would go out looking for trouble, most would only attack if you entered their territory. Warriors normally tried their best to avoid running into beasts except it was part of their quest, but it's impossible to know when you have stepped into a hostile beast's territory until the beast appears.
The trails might not stretch far, and some could even cut through beast territories at some point. Not to mention, the longer they spent walking to the temple, the more likely they'd run into stragglers. They needed to move smartly.
<Observation skill used: Hidden trail detected>
'Is this what I think it is?!' Cian could suddenly notice the subtle differences in the snow—the texture, compression, and disruptions that he hadn't seen before. He could now easily spot the tracks left behind by other warriors.
Most of the trails had already been explored by other warriors and were considered safe, at least for the early parts of the journey. According to the Quest Map, however, the Sapphire Stone was located deep within the abandoned temple of the Demon King. Using this information, Cian knew they just had to follow the path that most of the warriors had already used.
"I can see the trails created by other warriors," Cian said, eyes focused ahead. "This will help guide us to the temple."
"Warrior Cian, I think it will be best to follow the tracks left behind by smaller beasts, since they have a better sense of danger," Aiden suggested, pointing in another direction.
[That's not a bad idea. The weaker beasts are programmed to avoid entering beast territory, and you stand a better chance against them than you would fighting a territorial beast.]
'He can also see the trails?' Cian wondered, surprised at Aiden's observation.
"Okay then, let's go," he called out, and with that, they began their journey, following the path suggested by Aiden,
The trail they were on continued through tunnels and frozen valleys. At times, they were forced to climb a few slopes while carefully following the trail.
As they went on, Cian began noticing something that caused him to worry. The snowfall had got heavier and the trail ahead was slowly getting covered.
Not only that, the cold had finally started getting to Aiden. The thick fur was no longer able to protect him from the snowy winds, making it harder for him to keep up.
He was shivering, at the same time struggling through the treacherous wind, with a hand above his face to shield off the incoming snow. He was steadily pushing forward, but Cian knew he wouldn't last for long at this rate.
Even with this condition, Aiden didn't complain even once, probably because he didn't want to be a burden. Although Cian felt guilty for being unable to protect him, he admired his resolve.
As they struggled to the peak of a small hill, a glimmer of hope ignited within them. Their head rose in unison, revealing a breathtaking sight – the majestic temple standing on the horizon.
"The temple" Aiden mumbled
They could tell it was massive but based on how far out they were it looked like the size of a normal house.
Aiden began sprinting excitedly, as if the sight had restored his strength and stamina. Tripping over a few times only to get up and go even faster.
"Slow down" Cian called out as he also began sprinting, unable to hide his own excitement.
After a few steps, he was already catching up to Aiden before he heard a horrifying message that turned his body cold.