James stood in the dim light of the cave, feeling the aftereffects of the leveling up process. His HUD was now filled with new prompts and options. Among the flurry of notifications, two stood out prominently: LEGENDARY FEAT and EVOLUTION OPTIONS.
James turned to Kurothrax, who was watching him intently. "What do I do first?"
Kurothrax didn't hesitate. "Distribute your attribute points first. Evolving and feats grant immediate bonuses to stats many points will be left on the table if you don't distribute them now. It's crucial to maximize those gains before evolving. Make sure to evolve second then we can look at the feat you have earned."
James nodded, focusing on his HUD. He saw the available attribute points and began to allocate them. "How do the attributes work exactly?" he asked.
Kurothrax's eyes gleamed with a hint of impatience but he continued anyway. "Strength affects your physical power and courage. Dexterity enhances your agility and stealth. Intelligence governs your magic power, while Wisdom helps you access and control the HUD more effectively. Constitution governs your willpower and health. Each point in Constitution increases the amount each health point is worth. That's why health is always 100 because it's a percentage of total health."
James considered this, seeing the 12 points he had. "Then I'll put most of my points into Wisdom and the rest into Dexterity."
Kurothrax snorted, his disdain evident. "Strength is far more important. Physical power is what truly matters in this world."
James, however, was resolute. "I have strength right now," he said, pointing at Kurothrax. "What I need is to understand and control this HUD. That's my advantage."
For the first time, Kurothrax looked genuinely impressed. "Very well, do as you see fit."
James allocated his points, feeling a surge of clarity as his Wisdom increased. The world seemed a bit sharper, the HUD more intuitive. His Dexterity boost made him feel lighter on his feet.
Strength: 10 Dexterity: 17 Intelligence: 15 Wisdom: 24 Constitution: 11 Health: 100 Mana: 50
Next, he opened the Evolution Options. A list appeared before him, detailing various paths he could take. He noticed the Warrior Chief option, which offered a 5% bonus to attack and defense for his villagers.
Kurothrax pointed to it with a massive claw. "Choose Warrior Chief. It will enhance your villagers' combat abilities, making them more formidable in defending the village."
Choosing Evolution
But another option caught James's eye: Small Town Mayor. The benefits included a 5% increase in tax income and unlocking the option to buy buildings. His eyes lit up with excitement. Making money out of nothing, I know an exploitable perk when I see it, he thought, smiling to himself.
James made his decision. "I'm choosing Small Town Mayor."
As soon as he selected it, a transformation began. His body became slimmer and smaller, more bookish in appearance. His strength was cut in half, but his wisdom doubled, enhancing his understanding of the HUD and the world around him.
Strength: 5 Dexterity: 17 Intelligence: 15 Wisdom: 48 Constitution: 11 Health: 100 Mana: 50
Kurothrax's eyes flared with anger. "You were supposed to listen to me!" He snarled, baring his teeth. "You dare defy my guidance?"
James, feeling the surge of wisdom and clarity from his transformation, stood his ground. "I made the choice I thought was best for the village. I see opportunities that require strategic growth and resources."
Kurothrax's eyes narrowed dangerously, but he didn't press the issue further. "Fine. But remember this defiance. It will not be tolerated again."
James, now feeling more attuned to the HUD, decided to analyze Kurothrax. He focused on the dragon, activating the analysis function. The HUD displayed the dragon's stats, and James was dumbfounded by what he saw.
Name: Kurothrax
Race: Ancient Black Dragon
Level: 250/250 Strength: 250 Dexterity: 200 Intelligence: 180 Wisdom: 160 Constitution: 300 Health: 100 Mana: 500
James's eyes widened in disbelief. "Your stats... they're in the hundreds! How is that even possible?"
Kurothrax chuckled darkly. "You have much to learn about this world, young hero. Power comes in many forms, and you have only scratched the surface."
James accessed the Legendary Feat, and the system seemed almost snarky as it displayed the details.
Feat Description: Tame an ancient dragon before your first evolution.
Bonuses: Fame increase: +1000 Gold increase: +2,500,000
Permanent Ability:
Dragon Link: You are forever linked to the dragon, able to send communication instantly. Be wary, you tamed a monster, and with this link, it can corrupt your thoughts with its own.
James read the feat description and bonuses, feeling a mix of excitement and trepidation. "I tamed you?" he asked, looking at Kurothrax.
Kurothrax's expression darkened instantly. He lunged at James, slamming him against the cave wall with terrifying force. "You ever even think I'm actually tamed, it will be your last!" Kurothrax snarled, his eyes burning with fury. "You are linked to me, but never forget who is the true master here."
James, gasping for breath, managed to nod. "Understood. I... I accept the feat."
A surge of energy coursed through him, and he heard a voice echoing in his mind, "Level up!" It repeated five times, each surge stronger than the last.
With each level-up, James gained 3 points, giving him a total of 15 points to distribute. He allocated these new points, focusing on enhancing his key attributes.
Strength: 5 Dexterity: 22 Intelligence: 15 Wisdom: 58 Constitution: 11 Health: 100 Mana: 50
As the final surge faded, James opened his eyes to see Kurothrax's sinister smile. The dragon's eyes gleamed with a mix of satisfaction and hunger.
James tried to gather his thoughts. His newfound wisdom granted him insights into the intricate mechanics of his abilities and the world around him. He understood that while Kurothrax's physical dominance was undeniable, his strategic acumen could turn the tide in their favor.
As his Wisdom passed 50, new options on his HUD began to unlock. He saw a detailed map of the dark elf village, its current status, and various options for interacting with it. He could see the villagers, their needs, and resources available. However, what caught his attention immediately was the chaos unfolding in the village.
The dark elf village was under attack, besieged by waves of monstrous creatures. The villagers were struggling to defend themselves, and it was clear they were on the verge of being overrun. Panic and desperation filled their faces as they fought to protect their home.
James's heart raced as he watched the scene unfold. He realized that his newfound abilities could make a difference. "Kurothrax, we need to act fast. The village is under attack. They're about to be overrun."
Kurothrax's gaze shifted to the HUD display. "Very well, what do you propose?"
"Kurothrax, we need to discuss our next steps," James said, cautiously picking his words. "I can enhance and fortify our defenses and expand our influence. But right now, we need to save them."
Kurothrax's gaze softened slightly, intrigued by James's proposal. "Go on," the dragon rumbled.
"I need to tax you." A smile grew on James's face.
Kurothrax growled deep in his throat, "No."
James's smile only grew. "I have two things I can do directly with you right now."
With apprehension for once, the dragon said, "Go on..."