"I guess it's about time." I muttered and exhaled a breath before standing up.
I was counting my thirteenth day since being transported to the dungeon. I've made a lot of discoveries and encounters since then, and after slowly building as much strength as I could, I chose to return to the Bone Spike den once again.
"Hah...but still, it would be a hard fight going against those nightmares without my spear. All I have with me is a worn out dagger." I lamented, suppressed a sigh, and pulled out a short full silver dagger with haggard blade.
This had accompanied me when I went up against the Boulder Crab and ultimately ended up this way. It couldn't even make a dent against the tough exoskeleton, and I was sure it would shatter in one hit against the Bone Spike armor.
Once more I lamented my inability of augmenting my weapons with Aura. I still haven't perfected Armament yet so I couldn't bestow similar effects my body would have on my weapon.
After all, I created Armament with the intention of turning my body to be the weapon. Aura was an energy used by warriors to refine and augment their bodies and weapons over the years and during a fight. I only decided to push that step a little bit more further with intricate control.
What has been limiting me back is my own current Aura capacity — in other words, my current Rank.
And the energy consumption was insane since I was concentrating all of my survival and folding it.
At best I could maintain Armament in my arms for a couple of minutes before. But since eating the Fruit, my Aura has become more denser allowing me to hold Armament for an even more extended period of time.
But it still wasn't enough.
Ah, no point thinking about it. I just gotta do what I gotta do. Making a mental shrug internally, i yawned then began doing final stretches.
I summoned my status screen, thinking of what was to come. Up until now I have either been meditating or practicing Aura while sucking on the Aurora leaves.
I actually found out that even those leaves had special properties. Indeed, every single part of the tree seemed to possess properties that a related to Aether.
While my mind wandered over the events of the last 12 days, a long screen of characters appeared on a blue interactive interface that hovered before my eyes.
...
__________________
___________________
[Name: Victor Bright
Level: 21
Rank: Mortal
Race: Human
Hp: ???
________
________
Strength:- ???
Speed:- ???
Agility:- ???
Constitution:- ???
Luck:- ???
Aura:- 25/25(+2)
Charm:- ???
______
______
{Appraisal}
Level: 1
Rank-: Rare
...
{???}
Level???
Rank-:???
...
____
____
[Aether Blessing]
...
Too little information is known
____
___]
__________________
___________________
...
I had reached the max cap for my Aura stats available to me as Mortal Rank awakened. Although, I received some kind of cap limiter release boost and have 27 total stat points.
This was associated with the strange and new
This included increasing the quality and density of my aura, and my passive knowledge about manipulating Aether.
Heh, if I was a mage I bet it would reflect on my intelligence stats as infinite or pretty high.
[Now why would I lie?]
'Shut up!'
While I chuckled self absorbed to myself, just then, Meta's synthetic voice resounded uninvited.
I fluently ignored her comment and continued.
I dismissed the status screen, gave one last look at the Aurora, and suppressed a small frown.
[You're thinking about turning the Aurora to spear gain.]
'Tsk. What a waste of fine wood. '
I lamented.
'And why won't you let me anyway? ' Meta was against — or rather, suggested against me carving a makeshift spear out of the ebony of the Aurora.
I wasn't even allowed to use it's twigs to light a fire...
[An Aurora is a rare mystical tree. Ever part of this tree can be considered component parts of some important production in today's society. From items to aid breakthroughs, to potions and weapons. Depending entirely in the grade, which corresponds to how ancient the Aurora may be.]
So Meta explained.
'Wow. I never tagged you as one to place empathy in something or someone. ' I sneered mockingly.
[I don't. If you made a crude spear out of the Aurora, that would be more of a waste than not making one at all. And if you get out of here, what would you do with it?]
I shrugged at the obvious question.
'Sell it.'
If the Aurora was as 'priceless' as Meta claims, wouldn't a 'crude' spear made from the branch of one go for a sweet price?
[Precisely. Then you'll be targeted eventually.]
"..."
Ah.
That...makes sense.
I was beginning to understand where Meta was coming from with just that.
True, something as priceless and rare as an Aurora would definitely be recognized as such along the run. If I made a careless transaction and indeed sell the makeshift spear, it would probably be only a matter of time before some higher power or something tracks me down in order to locate the Aurora.
That would be a pain.
[Same would apply even if you don't sell it. If you were to release the spear outside during any encounter or event, you increase the chances of someone or something, recognizing the characteristics, which will ultimately lead you to the same result.]
'In other words, don't touch the glowing tree. Got it. '
Attention was perhaps the last thing I wanted in this life. I was already going through the pain of hiding my abilities, it would be much worse if I was burdened with one more thing to hide.
My peaceful life depended on it!
I let out a lamenting sigh full of regret.
And a spear made from a magic tree would be so cool.
I shrugged my shoulders at the Aurora and shot it a piercing look.
"You have just been saved a branch."
Uncaring of my venom, the Aurora continued to glow in its eerie beauty.
'...I'm still taking some leaves though...'
***
It didn't take me much time to arrive before the Bone Spikes den. The large tunnel was empty with oozing darkness and shadows, shrouding the inside with gloom.
My body had advanced enough the last few days for me to find it much easier to pierce through the darkness , even without activating {Appraisal} skill.
Days spent drinking the spring and chewing on the Aurora leaves had left wonderius marks against my body.
I was still just a mid Mortal Rank, but even Meta had to admit I had physical senses that was lacking compared to Mortal Ranked Awakened on the crux if breakthrough.
The changes in my body were only subtle and barely noticeable actually. There were almost so insignificant. But there were numerous. But when this many subtle changes were considered all at once, I had achieved quite a lot from bathing in an Aether geyser for more than a week.
I stood before the tunnel entrance and remained unmoving for a couple of minutes. And a while later, my eyes sharpened and a dark smile crossed my lips.
I went into the darkness of the Den seemingly without any care of danger. I have already spent the last two days gathering information concerning the layout of the Den and furnishing out my preparations.
I know every nook and crannies of the outer region of the den, including the paths the Bone Spikes reside.
I had no reason to fear a surprise attack or an ambush from behind. But tha didn't mean I let my guard down. I restrained my excitement and withdrew my bloodlust to avoid being noticed.
Once again, I opted for the same tactic I used against the Boulder Crabs; lure and surprise attack.
The location of the battle would be a small cavern slightly separated from the main herd. And once I attracted the attention of one of the Bone Spikes, I'd lure it right where I want it then launch a surprise attack for its head.
I bid my time and waited till it was right.
A certain Bone Spike came into my radius and I quickly recognized my old friend.
Ah , he's as thin and bony as the last time he nearly gut me. Nice to see he hasn't changed while I'm gone, I smiled while I turned on my Appraisal skill.
I slowly separated the Bone Spike from the main group and attracted it towards the cavern with a series of diversion and throwing rocks. The frightening monster made of bones, dumbly followed like a mindless zombie, it's long claws almost scraping the ground.
"Now then." My fists ignited with a prominent purple glow and weaved ethereal ghostly threads round my arm.
Before the Bone Spike could realize my presence like before, I kicked off the ground with a terrifying spring in my step and raised my augmented fist.
I had a bright and warm smile for finally getting to see my old friend after so long. I have always meant to repay his hospitality and kindness from before, so...
"Round two!"
-BOOM!