Mark jolted awake; the cave's horrors replaced by the sweet kiss of cool earth. He sat up, all fuzzy, taking in the scene. Lush grass stretched out, trees whispering secrets in the breeze. The air was clean, not like the goblin stench he'd grown used to. No more clanging metal or roars, just the peaceful chirping of birds.
He checked around, making sure nothing was about to jump him. Finding nothing, he took a deep, shaky breath, savoring the fresh air like it was the tastiest thing ever.
The battle came flooding back, making him feel sick and exhausted. Every inch of him ached, a reminder of the crazy fight he'd just been in.
He gingerly poked his side, the gash from Nam's axe throbbing like a drum solo. He winced, but a little spark of pride flickered inside him. He'd made it.
He'd faced a whole army of goblins, not to mention a super strong leader, and somehow, he'd won. He clenched his fist, testing how well he could move his fingers. It still hurt, but it wasn't so bad that he couldn't handle it.
Mark pushed himself to his feet, the world tilting precariously for a moment. His legs wobbled like jelly, his body a symphony of aches and protests. He leaned against the rough bark of a nearby tree, taking deep breaths until the dizziness subsided.
A familiar voice echoed in his mind, the system's cold, emotionless tone oddly comforting in the unfamiliar surroundings.
"Congratulations for your effort in slaying the Goblins. You have gained 35,000 EXP." A surge of satisfaction washed over him, a tangible reward for his grueling struggle.
The voice continued, "Congratulations on reaching level 10. Your remaining experience has been banked until you choose a class. Please go through your class options." Class options," the system had mentioned. The term sent a furrow into his brow. Class? Could the system be talking about the same class from the countless fantasy novels he devoured in his youth. Paladins, mages, rogues – these fantastical figures, each defined by their unique skills and roles, danced in his mind's eye.
Intrigue bubbled within him, a flicker of anticipation amidst the fatigue. He yearned to explore these options.
He closed his eyes, forcing himself to focus on the present and continued with the system notifications.
"Tutorial initial stage still in progress. Class options locked. Complete initial stage to unlock class options. Time left until end of initial stage ends: 3 hours. A flicker of disappointment tugged at him. He yearned to explore the available classes.
"Based on your effort during your battle in the goblin lair, for taking hits and not falling, you are awarded 1 Constitution point and 3 Endurance points,3 Vitality points bolstering your resilience and stamina." He acknowledged the reward, a wave of warmth spread through his body.
Another wave of warmth followed, accompanied by a sharpening of his senses. "For your creative use of mana during your battle in the settlement, you have been awarded 3 Wisdom points, 3 Intelligence points, 3 Willpower points, and 3 Perception points, enhancing your cognitive abilities and awareness." He had pushed his limits, and the system had acknowledged his ingenuity.
He then received a notification about his sword fighting skill. "Your Sword Fighting (Rare) skill is at level 10 and cannot evolve further. A concept is needed for the skill to evolve further." He pondered this, understanding that his mastery of the art had reached a bottleneck, requiring deeper understanding to progress.
Next came news of his mana manipulation. "Your Mana Augmentation skill (Mythical) has absorbed the skills Mana Barrier, Mana Bolt, and Mana Barrier, and is now level 6. Discover creative ways to use mana for the skill to increase." He grasped the system's message, recognizing the potential for further growth through exploration and experimentation.
Your skill Zen Mastery is now Level 6.
Your skill Identify is now level 7.
For your extraordinary efforts in sensing aether you gain the skill weak Aether sense
The memory of his last, somewhat haphazard, stat distribution played on his mind. This time, caution guided his hand as he delved into the familiar interface. With a deep breath, he poured three points into Vitality. A wave of warmth washed over him; a sensation far more pronounced than before. He could feel the raw energy coursing through him, knitting together torn muscles and mending broken bones at an astonishing rate. The throbbing pain in his body receded, replaced by a dull ache that felt almost pleasant in comparison.
Next came Intelligence. As he invested three stat points, a jolt of clarity surged through him. The world sharpened into focus, the verdant hues of the forest becoming distinct and vibrant. He felt a newfound ease in processing information, complex concepts unraveling before him with an almost effortless grace. It was as if a veil had been lifted, revealing the intricate workings of the world around him.
Finally, his gaze settled on Wisdom and allocated three stats. This one felt different – not a sharpening of the mind, but a deepening. He felt a connection to something more profound, an intuition that resonated deep within him. It was as if the fog of uncertainty had cleared, replaced by a quiet knowing, a sense of discernment that transcended mere logic. He couldn't quite explain it, but he knew, with a certainty that surprised him, that this newfound wisdom would prove invaluable in the trials to come.
A chime resonated within his mind. "You have reached the threshold for all your discovered stats.
Another notification surprised him. " "Statistic left to unlock: 1.
Stat already at tier 1 threshold due to (hidden bloodline), stat will be unlocked.
Charisma stat unlocked.
A final, resounding chime echoed. "Congratulations! You have discovered the Charisma stat. Charisma: 17. Tier 1 evolution already completed." He basked in the revelation, understanding the inherent power of his presence.
The system's voice boomed once more, offering a unique reward. "Due to your exceptional performance in achieving the first-tier threshold before class selection and cosmic trial initial phase ends, your tier 1 threshold abilities have been fused into one ability: Perfect Body."
Discover more features through use.
Perfected body would be fully applied after class selection. But abilities gained from each stat's first threshold can be used, except your INT, WIS, VIT Stat as you were awarded perfect body before acquisition of threshold ability.
The system continued, elaborating on the details of Perfected Body. He learned of enhanced physical attributes, increased mana reserves and circulation, and his meridian system elevated by a full grade and threshold abilities merged into the ability.
Mark leaned against the tree, the verdant forest humming with life around him. A wave of reflection washed over him, casting a critical eye on his hasty exit from the safe zone. Sure, leaving so soon after arriving might have been a tad rash. He could have stayed, spent more time fiddling with the system, figuring out the whole mana thing.
But a deeper look within revealed a different truth. He closed his eyes, picturing the scene – the moment during meditation when an overwhelming urge, raw and primal, had taken over. It was then, he realized, that pure instinct had grabbed the reins. He didn't know where it came from, but a suspicion gnawed at him – could it be tied to this "hidden bloodline" the system mentioned?
The answer remained shrouded, but one thing was clear: no regrets. The brutal battle, the close calls, the hard-fought victories – they'd all molded him, forged him into something tougher, more resilient. Sure, the safe zone and group hunts offered comfort, but out here, he'd learned, adapted, and emerged not just a survivor, but a warrior with a thirst for knowledge and a fire burning in his gut.
Leaning back against the rough bark of the tree, Mark ran a hand through his hair, the verdant symphony of the forest a stark contrast to the metallic tang of the goblin lair that still lingered in his memory. The notifications from the system echoed in his mind, each one a piece of a puzzle slowly clicking into place.
First, there were the stats. Strength, Agility, Endurance – these seemed straightforward, building blocks for a stronger body. Then there was Intelligence, Wisdom, and something called Willpower – these felt more abstract, affecting his mind and perception in ways he was only beginning to grasp. He poured over the information, a suspicion nagging at him. Was there some underlying structure to how these stats interacted? Did certain combinations unlock hidden potential? He needed more data, more experimentation.
He didn't know how thresholds worked, but with each stat evolution, he felt... denser. As if his very being was being compacted, like a blacksmith folding steel, making him stronger, more resilient, somehow... more real.
The concept of classes was intriguing. Reaching level 10 triggered the ability to choose a class, would it define his combat style and abilities? Was it going to be like the novels he had read- a warrior wielding raw power, a mage manipulating the very fabric of reality, or something else entirely? The class choices remained frustratingly locked.
The hidden bloodline the system mentioned hinted at a deeper level, a genetic inheritance that whispered of untapped potential. Perhaps it explained the primal urge that had driven him out of the safe zone, a subconscious pull towards something greater.
Then there was mana and aether. He had sensed when he got injured aether would gather around the injuries, the system confirmed it by giving him very weak aether sense as a skill. Mana, seemed to be a refined form of another and also the fuel that powered his abilities.
He remembered the raw surge of energy when he augmented his sword strikes, the instinctive manipulation that had surprised even him. But how exactly did one control this mana? Was it a matter of sheer will, or were there techniques to be learned? No guidance whatsoever was offered, leaving him with another question mark.
Finally, there was the cryptic mention of the meridian system. His knowledge of anatomy wasn't vast, but the term conjured images of pathways within the body.
Was this network somehow linked to channeling aether, to manipulating mana? And how did the Perfected Body ability the system awarded him tie into it?
Did it strengthen these pathways, allowing for a greater flow of power? He flexed his hand, a newfound awareness tingling through his muscles. The answer remained a mystery, but the effect was undeniable.
Lyra's words about a war also echoed in his mind. What kind of war required warriors wielding mana and honed with these mysterious systems? Was it a conflict between settlements, or something far grander?
That was not even everything, What did the tier beside his race mean, how was his body resources calculated, he would need to really try to solve all these mystery as much as possible, as soon as possible
A shiver ran down his spine. The world of Aethel, once a simple haven after the goblin encounter, was now a tapestry woven with hidden threads, each discovery revealing a deeper layer of complexity. He was just a single thread in this vast expanse, but with each passing moment, his resolve hardened. He would unravel these mysteries, unlock his potential, and face whatever challenges awaited him, war or not.
Mark Reynolds (Human - Tier 1)
Figure: Average Human (Base: 5) Health:5580/2HPS
Level 10 Mana:4860/3MPS
Stamina:6210/4SPS
Class: Locked
Titles:
- Pioneer (Grants +20% stat boost)
-Progenitor (Grants the perception of opportunities for bloodline advancement)
-Survivor (Grants increase in physical damage based when in combat with creature significantly higher level than you)
-Mana Savant (you gain enhanced control over mana, accelerated mana recovery, deeper arcane insight, and a natural affinity for mana-based skills and abilities)
Statistics:
Strength: 16.8(14) (T1)
Agility: 16.8(14) (T1)
Endurance: 20.4(17) (T1)
Willpower: 20.4 (17) (T1)
Perception: 20.4 (17) (T1)
Intelligence: 15.6 (13) (T1)
Wisdom:16.8(14) (T1)
Vitality: 18(15) (T1)
Constitution:19.2 (16) (T1)
Charisma:20.4(17) (T1)
Skills: Abilities:
Identify (Lvl 5) Perfect Body (Lvl 1)
Zen Mastery (Lvl 6)
Sword fighting (Lvl 10)
Bloodline:
- Hidden (1%)
Inventory:
- Divine Meridians Card, dry rations, water bottle
Quest:
Gain as much experience and level up before 24 hours elapses (3 hours left)