Outskirts of Beginner's Forest
"Hello, I'm Lyra. Would you like to team up with me?" A stunning girl with White hair and blue eyes stood in front of him dressed in leather armour and wielding a steel sword just like his own. Despite her blood-smeared face and tattered armour showing signs of battle, her beauty remained intact. Kael was taken aback by her presence, his shock evident.
"Why do you want to join me?" he stammered, struggling to find his words amidst the surprise. The girl flashed a smile but there was a glint of determination in her eyes, revealing her seriousness about the hunt and her expectations from him.
"Did you kill the mutated beast yesterday?" She enquired eagerly, her captivating gaze fixed on him.
Kaels mind raced with thoughts. "What an adorable expression! This is exactly what I've longed for throughout my life." His eyes sparkled as he admired her.
"I can't let this opportunity slip away," Kael mused before responding with a simple yes to the girl.
As her face lit up with excitement, she took hold of his hands and gave them a shake. "Thank you so much! I caught your fight yesterday, and you were great."
Noticing the puzzled look on Kaels face, she suddenly recalled something; she saw his eyes as they were seeing her hands holding him. Immediately released his hands.
"Oh, my bad! The reason I approached you is because Im also a newcomer who started my journey yesterday like you. So I could really use your assistance. But don't worry, I won't be asking for gene crystals from your kills, okay?" She blurted out almost without taking a breath.
Kael couldn't help but burst into laughter at her antics, which took the girl by surprise. "Oh sorry! I just find the way you talk absolutely hilarious," he chuckled while trying to suppress his amusement. The girls earlier enthusiasm faded as she blushed and began to walk away, leaving Kael behind.
"Wait! Did I upset her?" Kael quickly reached out to grab her shoulders but hesitated, thinking it might make her uncomfortable. Instead, he swiftly positioned himself in front of her to block her path.
"Im truly sorry for my reaction. I just never expected anyone to want to talk to me, and it got me all worked up. I don't have friends, and I'm just a lonely orphan," Kael said with a hint of sadness in his voice as tears began to form in his eyes.
"This time I can't let her slip away," he thought to himself resolutely.
Witnessing Kaels tears brought moisture to her own eyes. "Its okay even though Im not an orphan. I can empathise with what you're going through," she reassured him, gently patting his shoulder. Kael felt a sense of relief wash over him.
"I did it," he thought to himself.
"What's your name?" she enquired as she entered the woods.
Kael silently followed her and responded, "Kael. Where are we headed?"
After a short pause, Lyra began to share, "I came here last night and discovered something intriguing." She moved ahead but suddenly halted her gaze fixed on something in the distance.
Kael stopped next to her, mirroring her focus. A pack of 4 wolves was feasting on a creature resembling a rabbit, their bodies radiating an ominous purple-black glow. Blood stained their fur as they voraciously tore into the remains.
"Ugh Lyra are we going to kill them?" Kael asked, his expression contorted with revulsion.
"Yes," Lyra replied, launching herself towards the wolves. Kael stood frozen for a moment. "This girl is utterly fearless," he thought before dashing after her and activating his swordsmanship skills.
[Basic Swordsmanship Activated]
[Skill Amplification 3x Activated]
Kael felt his senses sharpen, giving him the ability to see the energy flowing through the wolves. Everything around him appeared to slow down.
The wolves, sensing Lyra's impending attack, paused their meal and prepared for a confrontation. The alpha wolf unleashed its essence, followed by the rest of the pack.
"These creatures are surprisingly clever," Kael mused, gripping his sword firmly. He quickened his pace, moving swifter than before.
Lyra was the first to reach the wolves and swung her sword at the lead creature. "Are you in charge here?" she mocked.
In a turn of events, the beast caught the blade with its jaws, shattering it into fragments. Kael was taken aback by the wolves instincts in battle.
Lyra stood her ground, showing no signs of hesitation. With a mischievous grin, she remarked, "Hey cutie baby, now it's my turn." She let go of the sword's handle and quickly retrieved a card from her leather armour.
As the card came out, it morphed into a glimmering blue crystal rod adorned with ancient inscriptions. Lyra infused her essence into the rod, causing the inscriptions to emit a blue glow. This all unfolded within seconds.
Witnessing this, Kael muttered, "She's not what I expected." Lyra directed the rod towards the leader wolf's jaws and struck with force. The impact of the rod created a sound as it made contact, pushing the wolf leader backwards.
"Kael, take care of those three. I'll deal with the leader," Lyra instructed as she made her battle stance. The wolf's eyes brimmed with bloodlust as it signalled its pack to attack Kael.
"Is this what it means to be a character?" Kael pondered quietly. Instead of voicing his thoughts, he simply acknowledged her with a nod and darted off towards the three creatures. His senses made their movements appear sluggish in comparison.
"Hey system, provide details on those creatures," he mentally ordered and instantly a screen displayed information about the beasts before him.
Name: Veil Wolf
Gene: Feral Tier—Veil Wolves Gene
Affinity: Null
Attributes:
ATK: 10
SPD: 11
DEF: 10
Skills:
Nerve Surge: This skill stimulates the user's cells and nerves, allowing their body to exert more strength than usual. However, prolonged use can lead to severe muscle fatigue and nerve damage.
Metal Skull: An inherent power that grants the Veil Wolves an exceptionally tough skull. Obtaining the full gene from these beasts can significantly enhance the user's skull durability.
"Haha, this isn't an easy task," Kael remarked, his voice steady. He could feel a wave of newfound strength and abilities surging through him.
One of the three wolves lunged at him, its jaws wide open. Kael expertly sidestepped just in time, causing the wolf to crash to the ground.
"Haha, this is the power of enhanced senses and 3x amplification," Kael taunted as he faced another wolf charging towards him.
With a breath, Kael executed a powerful vertical swing, sending the wolf sprawling onto its stomach. However, before he could strike again, the third wolf pounced at him from behind. Thanks to his senses, Kael was able to evade the attack.
"Damn, these wolves are relentless," Kael muttered, feeling his lungs burn as he took deep breaths, sweat trickling down his face. Suddenly a notification popped up.
[Utilise the Elemental Manipulation skill to activate your gene powers. Skill Amplification was now effect on it.]
Kael glanced at the notification and quickly activated his "Elemental Manipulation" skill. He mentally rehearsed the words, knowing he had to keep the system from Lyra.
Upon activation, the energy particles from the environment started to flow into him; visible trails of energy illuminated his form, and the air swirled around him.
However, while he was harnessing the energy, three wolves lunged at Kael. Just as they were about to reach him, a surge of essence erupted, sending them crashing back into the trees. The force of the blast reverberated through the forest, cracking the ground and stirring up chaotic winds. It caught the attention of both the Alpha Wolf and Lyra.
Lyra, who was engaged in a battle with the Alpha wolf, turned towards Kael in disbelief. "What? He didn't unleash the essence until now? And what is this essence? It's massive!" she exclaimed, taken aback by the sight. It was like she was seeing this amount essence absorbing by a person.
Disturbing her focus the Alpha Wolf's approaching attack forced her to return to the fight, leaving Kael to handle his own showdown.
Kael stood amidst the explosion, his figure completely obscured by dust. "Amplification, its like a game breaker" he remarked, his voice resonating through the haze. As the dust cleared Kael emerged, his body and steel armor aglow with a blue energy emanating a formidable presence. The 3x Amplification had greatly enhanced his essence manipulation skill making him consume more essence than a normal person.
"You filthy creatures come at me" he yelled, directing his challenge towards the three wolves that had relentlessly attacked him.
The three beasts paused, sensing a chill from Kaels overwhelming aura. They exchanged glances with their leader the Alpha wolf who was preoccupied in a fierce battle with Lyra, their clashes wreaking havoc all around them.
Left with no option the three wolves pounced on Kael. In response Kael charged forward channeling more essence from the surroundings into his body and sword.
As they approached the wolves unleashed their essence in their jaws showing glistening black teeth. Kael positioned his sword firmly and executed a horizontal strike so forceful that it sliced through the air with a whooshing sound.
With a single blow he severed the heads of all three wolves sending their lower jaws flying through the distance. The gruesome scene exposed portions of their brains with blood spraying like a downpour.
Not wanting to get soaked in blood Kael stepped aside allowing the lifeless bodies to tumble to the ground.
Feral Tier - Veil Wolf Killed
Feral Tier - Veil Wolf Killed
Feral Tier - Veil Wolf Killed
Three notifications popped up but Kael brushed them off, immersing himself in the intense showdown between Lyra and the Alpha wolf.
"Unleash the Berserk Charger Skill," he instructed. A surge of power coursed through him igniting his eyes as his form and weapon became infused with wild energy. Muscles swelled and his sword blade sharpened to a lethal point.