Delmo stood over the fallen marauder leader, his breath coming in ragged gasps. The thrill of victory coursed through him, a stark contrast to the adrenaline still surging in his veins. As he focused on the stillness of the body at his feet, a shimmering interface materialized before his eyes, capturing his attention.
Current Status:
Name: Delmo
Level: 2
Age: 17
Max HP: 110 (increased by 10 upon leveling up)
Max Mana: 105 (increased by 5 upon leveling up)
Experience Points: 0/1000 (now within reach of Level 3)
Attributes:
Strength: 11 (gained +1 increase)
Dexterity: 16 (gained +1 increase)
Intelligence: 13 (gained +1 increase)
Wisdom: 9 (gained +1 increase)
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.
Synthesis Points:
Total Synthesis Points Available: 2 (to be allocated)
Delmo marveled at the changes unfolding before him. Each number represented more than mere statistics; they were a testament to his growth. The weight of his newfound power settled on him like a mantle, igniting an ember of purpose deep within.
With a quick flicker, he scrolled through his skills, contemplating how best to allocate the two synthesis points now at his disposal. The thought of improving his abilities sent shivers down his spine—more power meant greater chances for survival against the marauders still lurking in Eldham's shadows. Unfortunately, the current him lacked the Synthesis Points required to fuse Forest Affinity and the Verdant Tempest Blade
The vibrant green glow surrounding Verdant Tempest Blade caught his eye. He could feel its potential humming just beneath the surface, begging for further enhancement.
"Maybe I should combine Basic Healing with something else…" he murmured under his breath, envisioning scenarios where that skill could save him in desperate moments. Currently, Delmo felt like it was a bit sluggish.
He closed the status screen and took a deep breath, forcing himself back into reality. Each moment spent lingering on numbers was a moment wasted in this unforgiving world. Delmo scanned the horizon beyond the fallen leader's body, steeling himself for what lay ahead.
Muffled voices echoed from deeper within Eldham's ruins—marauders still patrolling their territory. They would pay for what they had done to his village and family, Delmo swore.
Delmo stepped away from the marauder leader's body, each footfall echoing in the silence of the desolate ruins. He moved like a wraith, blending with the shadows cast by crumbling stone walls. The air smelled of damp earth and iron—a reminder of the blood spilled in his pursuit of vengeance.
As he crept back toward the village, whispers reached his ears. Two marauders huddled around a small fire, their faces illuminated by flickering flames. Delmo squinted through the gloom, assessing their movements. One of them, a stocky brute with a scar slicing through his brow, leaned back in his seat while the other fidgeted with a dagger, glancing nervously into the darkness.
"Think we got 'em all?" Scar asked, kicking at the dirt.
"Dunno," replied the fidgeting one. "That kid's tougher than he looks. Heard he took down Krol."
Scar snorted. "A lucky strike if you ask me. No way a brat like him could handle us all."
Delmo clenched his fists at their words, anger simmering just beneath the surface. They had no idea who they were underestimating.
Silently shifting into position behind them, he summoned the Verdant Tempest Blade to his hand, feeling its familiar weight as it hummed with latent energy. With one fluid motion, he lunged from the shadows.
The first marauder barely had time to react before Delmo's blade sliced through the air with precision. The sharp edge met flesh and bone, silencing Scar before he could utter another word.
The second marauder froze, eyes wide as Delmo spun around to face him.
"What—who—" Panic washed over the man's features as he scrambled for his dagger.
"Your end has come," Delmo said coldly.
With practiced ease, Delmo activated his Verdant Tempest Blade once more and closed the distance in a heartbeat. He unleashed a flurry of strikes that combined speed and deadly grace. Each movement felt like an extension of himself; every swing brought him closer to revenge for Eldham's destruction.
The marauder stumbled backward but tripped over debris and fell hard onto the ground. Before he could regain his footing or draw breath to scream for help, Delmo stood above him—a shadow cloaked in vengeance.
As Delmo stood over the helpless marauder, the forest around him seemed to darken, as if the very trees themselves were closing in to exact justice. Flickering flames danced across his face, casting eerie shadows that deepened the cold look in his eyes.
"You destroyed my home," Delmo said, his voice emotionless. "You took my family from me."
Delmo's gaze never wavered as he stood over the cowering marauder. The air was heavy with the scent of blood and smoke, a constant reminder of the destruction that had ravaged Eldham.
As he raised his blade for the final strike, a faint cry echoed through the streets. Delmo's head snapped towards the sound, his ears perked up in surprise. The cry came again, this time louder and more insistent. It was a voice he knew, one that had been etched into his memory.
With a growl, Delmo dispatched the marauder, his blade flashing in the flickering light. He sprinted towards the source of the cry, his heart racing with a mix of hope and trepidation.
As he turned a corner, he saw a figure huddled in the shadows. It was a young woman, her face smudged with dirt and her clothes tattered. Delmo's eyes widened as he recognized her - it was Elara, the daughter of the village elder.
"Elara?" Delmo called out, his voice barely above a whisper.
The woman's eyes snapped towards him, and she scrambled to her feet. "Delmo? Oh, thank the gods!" she exclaimed, rushing towards him.
Delmo's face broke into a wide smile as he opened his arms, embracing Elara in a tight hug. For a moment, they stood there, holding each other as the world around them seemed to fade away. So there were survivors…
As they pulled back, Delmo saw that Elara was not alone. Behind her stood a small group of villagers, their faces haunted by the trauma they had endured. Delmo's eyes widened as he recognized some of them - there was Jax, the village blacksmith, and his wife, Lila. There was also a group of children, no more than ten years old, who looked up at Delmo with wide, fearful eyes.
"How...how did you survive?" Delmo asked, his voice shaking with emotion.
Elara's eyes clouded over, and she hesitated before speaking. "We were hiding in the old windmill on the outskirts of the village. We saw...we saw what happened. We were too scared to come out."
Delmo's face twisted in a mixture of anger and relief. "I'm glad you're alive," he said, his voice rough. "We need to get you out of here. The marauders could return at any moment."
As he spoke, Delmo's gaze swept the surrounding area, his senses on high alert for any sign of danger. But for now, they were safe. And with Elara and the others by his side, Delmo felt a sense of purpose.
Continue the story as Delmo finally clears the village of the marauders and kills every last one of them and saves all the remaining villagers.
With Elara and the small group of villagers by his side, Delmo led the charge to reclaim their village from the marauders. He moved with a newfound sense of purpose, his Verdant Tempest Blade at the ready as he stalked through the ruined streets.
The villagers, emboldened by Delmo's presence, followed closely behind him. Jax, the village blacksmith, gripped a massive war hammer, his face set in a determined scowl. Lila, his wife, carried a makeshift spear, her eyes flashing with a fierce determination. A young boy, no more than ten years old, clung to Elara's hand, his eyes wide with fear, but also a spark of hope.
As they moved through the village, Delmo's senses remained on high alert, his ears tuned to the slightest sound of movement. The marauders, however, seemed to be in disarray, their numbers dwindling as Delmo and his companions cleared the streets.
The sun began to rise, casting a golden glow over the ruined village. Delmo and his companions had been fighting for what felt like hours, but they pressed on.
As the final marauder fell, Delmo let out a ragged breath, his chest heaving with exhaustion. He gazed out over the village, his eyes taking in the devastation. But amidst the ruins, he saw hope. The villagers, freed from their hiding places, emerged to survey the damage.
Elara approached him, a smile on her face. "Delmo, you did it. You saved us."
Delmo's face twisted, a mix of emotions clashing within him. He felt a sense of satisfaction, but also a deep sadness. The village was ruined, and many innocent lives had been lost. But he also felt a sense of pride, knowing that he had protected those who remained.
As the villagers began to gather around them, Delmo's gaze swept the horizon, his thoughts turning to the road ahead.
There would be more challenges, more threats to face. But for now, they could rest, knowing that their village was safe once more.