Delmo's heart thundered as the marauder leader charged, blades glinting in the waning light. He felt the weight of the Supreme Skill Synthesis System thrumming within him, its energy a beacon urging him forward.
"Face me!" The marauder's voice echoed, deep and menacing.
Delmo tightened his grip on the Sword of Verdant Fury, feeling its power resonate with his resolve. The world around him sharpened—every rustle of leaves, every shift of shadows became a part of his focus. He sidestepped just in time, narrowly avoiding a slash aimed at his torso. The air sliced past him as he pivoted and struck back with a sweeping arc.
The leader blocked with surprising agility, sparks flying where their weapons met.
"You think you can take me?" he taunted, eyes gleaming with amusement.
Delmo gritted his teeth and retaliated fiercely. Each strike flowed into the next as he danced around the marauder's powerful blows. His newfound skills allowed him to weave through attacks, yet he could feel exhaustion creeping in as they exchanged blows. He was outmatched but unwilling to back down.
Delmo's breath came in ragged gasps as he parried another blow. The marauder leader grinned, relishing the challenge. Delmo's senses tingled, his body pulsating with energy, reminding him of the Systems presence.
He ducked beneath a wild swing and struck low, aiming for the marauder's legs. Sword met flesh, but the leader danced away with a laugh.
"Is that all you've got, kid?" He spat blood onto the ground, his expression darkening. "I've faced better than you."
Delmo clenched his jaw, fury igniting within him. He recalled his parents, their faces probably twisted in fear before their lives were snuffed out. The thought stoked his resolve like kindling to a flame.
He took a deep breath, calling upon the System's knowledge.
He felt a surge of warmth as the System's interface materialized before him, a translucent screen filled with information:
Name: Delmo
Level: 1
Age: 17
HP: 70/100
Mana: 50/100
Experience Points: 100/500
Attributes:
Strength: 10 (Influences physical power and damage with melee weapons.)
Dexterity: 15 (Affects speed, agility, and accuracy. Improves reaction time in combat.)
Intelligence: 12 (Determines mana capacity and effectiveness of magical skills.)
Wisdom: 8 (Affects healing abilities and resistance to magic.)
Skills:
Basic Healing (Lv. 1): Restores a small amount of HP.
Forest Affinity (Lv. 1): Increased movement speed and awareness in forested areas. (Passive)
Verdant Tempest Blade (Lv. 2): Combines swordsmanship and wood elemental manipulation, along with swift footwork.
Delmo focused on the glowing interface, its information cascading before him like a waterfall. Each detail flickered with potential, urging him to act. The marauder leader sneered, clearly unimpressed by Delmo's moment of distraction.
"Are you done? I'm not waiting all day!" He lunged forward, but Delmo's instincts kicked in. He dodged, narrowly avoiding a blade that would have carved into his side.
He zeroed in on the System's details, mentally processing what he had at his disposal. The skills felt like threads woven into a tapestry of power.
Basic Healing (Lv. 1) could restore some vitality, a lifeline in the midst of battle.
Forest Affinity (Lv. 1) offered him an edge—he could move through the shadows of the trees with enhanced speed and awareness, perhaps using the terrain to outmaneuver this brute.
But it was Verdant Tempest Blade (Lv. 2) that caught his eye most fervently. It merged his swordplay with elemental finesse; if he could harness that now…
"Enough playing!" The marauder charged again, a wild swing aimed at Delmo's head.
Delmo ducked beneath the strike and felt energy pulse through him. He pivoted on his heel, channeling the essence of the Verdant Tempest Blade into his next move. He slashed upward with a flourish, drawing upon the wood element's agility as he flowed around the marauder's bulk.
"Is this what you call skill?" The leader stumbled back but quickly regained composure, anger flashing in his eyes.
Delmo's heart raced as he ran towards the woods, embracing the forest's rhythm. Each step quickened his pulse; every breath filled him with resolve. He raised his sword again, this time summoning a surge of energy from within.
The air shimmered around him as he activated Verdant Tempest Blade. Leaves rustled violently in response to his focus—a vibrant green aura enveloped him, amplifying both speed and strength.
"Now you'll see," Delmo muttered under his breath as he lunged forward.
The leader braced himself for impact, but Delmo moved like lightning through branches and underbrush—quick as thought—slashing at any opening presented before him. Each strike bore down like thunder against an unsuspecting sky.
With every successful hit against the marauder's defenses, Delmo felt a thrill rush through him—the blend of fear and exhilaration fueled by vengeance turned into something intoxicating and pure.
"Is that all you've got?" Delmo challenged as he danced around the larger man once more. The ground beneath them trembled slightly with each clash of steel; he relished in it all—the taste of power finally in his grasp.
With a new understanding of his abilities and limitations, Delmo calculated his next move. His HP had decreased from the intense battle, but his mana reserves had also taken a hit from utilizing Verdant Tempest Blade. The skill had cost him a significant amount of mana but had also given him an edge in combat.
Considering his opponent's superior stamina and strength, Delmo thought of a plan. He couldn't match the marauder's raw power, but he could use the terrain and his agility to his advantage. If he could lure the marauder deeper into the forest and exploit his sluggish movements, Delmo might be able to finish him off with less risks.
The marauder leader charged at Delmo, determined to crush him beneath his blade. With an intense focus, Delmo anticipated his opponent's next move, channeling the last remnants of his energy into his legs.
"Forest Affinity (Lv. 1), let's see what you're capable of," Delmo murmured to himself.
With a sudden burst of speed, Delmo sprinted through the trees, dodging low-hanging branches and leaping over roots. The marauder leader cursed, his vision obstructed by the dense foliage as he tried to follow Delmo's agile movements.
The leader, fueled by rage, recklessly hacked at any trees or shrubs that came in his way. Delmo noticed an increased accumulation of debris and obstacles created by the marauder's erratic behavior.
"The environment, that's what I'll use against him," Delmo whispered to himself, a thought sparkling in his mind.
Delmo assessed his situation, making a strategic calculation. With his HP at 60 and the marauder leader at a disadvantage due to the dense forest terrain, Delmo knew that his next moves had to count.
Delmo leaned against a tree trunk, silently drawing upon the power of the forest. For a moment, he closed his eyes, feeling a connection to the land, the air, and the subtle yet vital magic within.
With the forest's energy coursing through him, Delmo set his sights on ending this battle once and for all.
Delmo's eyes snapped open, his focus refreshed as he pushed away from the tree trunk. He slid into a sprint towards the leader, the forest floor a blur beneath his feet.
He sprinted towards the marauder leader, his feet pounding the earth in rhythmic motion. The forest's energy pulsed through him, imbuing his senses with vivid details. The scent of damp earth and decaying leaves filled his nostrils. The rustling of leaves seemed to echo his resolve and make him stronger.
As he drew closer, Delmo's focus narrowed on his opponent. The marauder leader, though battered, still radiated a fierce aura, his massive frame exuding raw power. Delmo's heart pounded in his chest, but his determination never wavered.
Delmo dodged to the side, avoiding a wild swing from the marauder leader. The marauder stumbled forward, his momentum carrying him into the dense underbrush. Delmo seized the opportunity, striking from an unexpected angle. His sword sliced through the air, narrowly missing the marauder's exposed flank.
The leader recovered quickly, but Delmo's relentless assault pushed him back. With each strike, Delmo's confidence grew. The marauder leader was a formidable foe, but Delmo's skill Forest Affinity had leveled the playing field.
Delmo landed a solid hit on the marauder's shoulder, but the leader's armor absorbed most of the impact. The marauder retaliated with a crushing blow, sending Delmo flying across the forest. Delmo landed hard, the wind knocked out of his lungs. As he struggled to catch his breath, he saw the marauder leader charging towards him, his blade raised high.
With a surge of adrenaline, Delmo rolled to the side, avoiding the marauder's attack by mere inches. The marauder stumbled forward, his momentum carrying him into the trees. Delmo sprang to his feet, his eyes locked on the leader.
"Now's my chance," he whispered, a plan unfolding in his mind.
Delmo launched himself at the marauder, sword flashing in the fading light. The leader parried the blow, but Delmo's quick follow-up caught him off guard. The marauder stumbled back, his eyes widening in surprise as Delmo unleashed a flurry of strikes, each one precise and deadly.
The marauder leader's movements grew sluggish, his reactions delayed. Delmo sensed victory within his grasp. With a final, mighty swing, Delmo struck the marauder's exposed chest, sending him crashing to the ground.
As the marauder leader lay motionless, Delmo stood over him, his chest heaving with exertion. The System's interface flickered before his eyes, displaying the outcome of the battle:
Battle Summary:
Experience Points: +400
Level: 2 (promoted)
HP: 40/110
Mana: 20/105
Delmo's eyes widened as he realized he had leveled up. A surge of excitement and relief washed over him. With the System's power coursing through him, Delmo felt an unshakeable sense of determination. He would avenge his village, no matter the cost.
As the marauder leader's body lay still, Delmo's thoughts turned to the challenges ahead as the other marauders still roamed the village. They had thought their leader had the upper hand. He took a deep breath and with a vengeful heart, Delmo set forth, ready to face whatever lay in store.