"(So my quest is to kill slimes, huh?" Atkinson inquired.
[Quest]
[Name: Squash.
Difficulty: Easy.
Description: Your First Task As A Hunter Is To Gather Mana Crystals. There Are No Caves In Greenhaven, So The Only Way To Get Them Is Through Defeating Slimes.
Clear Condition: Kill 25 Water Slimes (0/25)
Fail Condition: Die Or Expiration of Duration
Penalty: Death Or Loss 1 Level.
Duration: 24 Hours
Rewards: x75 Coins]
"(I needed to level up anyway.)" Atkinson said inwardly.
Atkinson strided forth and out of the village. He entered the vast and seemingly endless plains. He was unsure of where he was going, yet he knew where he should go.
Atkinson said, "(Water Slimes are found near bodies of water and are made from purely mana. The source of there mana is the mana crystal at there cores.)"
"(Finding Slimes in Greenhaven...)"
Suddenly, Atkinson could see a pond in the far distance.
"(.. is actually easy when you're actually looking for them. There are at least a thousand ponds littered around this territory.)"
Around the pond were little blue blobs that bounced around the body of water. They had large white and spiraling eyes that looked lifeless and they had no mouths. Their were eight that encompassed this pond.
Atkinson sighed. "(Guess it'll take a bit longer to complete the quest.)"
Atkinson strided towards the pond while his axe materialized in his hands.
[Axe Has Been Equipped]
When he reached, he kneeled down and placed his axe on the long wet grass. He then proceeded to scoop up some water in his palms and drink it.
After gulping down the water, a blue hologram popped up infront of Atkinson with a message.
[Your Intelligence Has Been Increased By 1!]
Atkinson spoke inwardly. "(Mana is a source of universal power and knowledge, containing infinite possibilities. Mana Crystals are formed when mana is condensated, which happens in caves, underground or any other enclosed place that doesn't have living things to absorb the mana.)"
"(That's when Mana Crystals are made and also how Monsters are made as well. Monsters are created through mana has Mana Crystals create a physical form. Depending on the environment and the amount Mana with a crystal, it can transform into any abomination.)" Atkinson elaborate. "(The most basic Monster a Mana Crystals form is a Slime. This is due to the low amount of mana and lack of adaptability to its environment. That's why it creates a being that can adapt to any condition; this is the reason why they're many types of Slimes.)"
He then materialized seven glass bottles in his hands and proceeded to fill them with water.
When he was done, Atkinson stood up with his axe and turned his gaze towards a nearby Water Slime. Slimes are generally passive creatures just like many other creatures in Greenhaven. Even if an individual attacks one of them, the others will go about as if nothing happened. While the one that was attacked becomes aggressive.
"(It's a good thing that I am Classless.)" said Atkinson inwardly.
Atkinson swung at one of the Water Slimes with his axe. It swiftly dodged, seemly anticipating his attack.
[You Have Used Chop]
[-45 MP]
[-22 HP]
[Mana Points: 85/130]
His axe was now stuck in the ground.
The Water Slime, its translucent body now glowing, lunged at Atkinson. Atkinson finally got his axe out of the ground and swung at it in a wide arc, striking the slime with a satisfying splat. The slime burst, releasing a splash of water that soaked Atkinson.
[You Have Used Chop]
[-45 MP]
[-22 HP]
[Mana Points: 40/130]
[Mastery: 14%]
[You Have Gained x24 Experience!]
"(That was easy.)" Atkinson thought. "(I won't be using Chop again as these guys are easy to kill with only a single slash.)"
Atkinson charged forward, slicing through the other slimes with ease. Each strike sent water flying, creating a bloodbath of not blood, but water.
Atkinson was done with this pond as all of the 8 Water Slimes were defeated. He then picked up all the Mana Crystals.
He strided another extra mile and found another pond. Near it was one particularly large slime, its body the size of a wagon wheel, barred Atkinson's path. The slime's core pulsed with an intense blue light. Atkinson recognized what that indicated. It meant that the crystal that the Slime possessed contained a lot of Mana and meant that it was stronger.
"Status Peek."
[Status Peek Is In Effect!]
[Name: Water Slime (Big).
Level: 4.
Grade: Spirit.
Health Points: 40.
Mana Points: 60.
Stamina Points: 240.]
[Attributes]
[Strength: 6.
Intelligence: 6.
Dexterity: 14.
Agility: 18.
Vitality: 4.]
[Skills]
Active:
[Aqua Blast] [Headbutt] [Consume]
Passive:
[Split]
With a mighty swing, Atkinson struck the Slime. The axe bit deep, releasing a torrent of water that knocked Atkinson off balance. The slime reformed its self and two tiny Water Slimes appeared from the spilled water.
Atkinson recovered, axe at the ready.
The Tiny Water Slime took three leaps forward. Its body began to bulge and glow blue. Suddenly, a burst of water came from its body heading straight at Atkinson.
Atkinson dodged between the slime's attack. His axe sliced, and splintered the water slime, sending them crashing to the ground.
The other Tiny Slime took a bound towards Atkinson, but was swiftly dealt with as Atkinson evaded the headbutt and slashed it in half.
[You Have Used Evasion]
[-25 MP]
[Mana Points: 15/130]
Atkinson now came face-to-face with the Big Slime, its gelatinous body towering over him. He gripped his axe tightly.
The slime lunged, its sticky body swiping at Atkinson. Atkinson dodged, his axe flashing in the sun light.
Atkinson swung his axe, striking the slime's edges. The blade bit deep, but the slime reformed, undamaged.
"(Persistent, little dog.)"
He aimed for the slime's core, it's glowing blue center. The axe struck true, but the slime's sheer mass absorbed the blow.
"(That's not going to work. Time for plan B.)" Atkinson said.
Atkinson began striking the slime's edges, creating small tears that slowly drained its mass as water leaked from its body.
Atkinson pondered. "(I didn't put this in the game. But this thing is a like a water blister. The more you squeeze it, the smaller it gets but the more it hurts.)"
One final swing, and the slime burst. The creature dissolved into a puddle of clear water.
[Clear Condition: Kill 25 Water Slimes (11/25) and Collect Their Cores (8/25)]
[You Have Gained The Title "Slime Slayer!"]
[Name: Slime Slayer.
Tier: Common.
Description: +10% damage, +5% critical hit chance, and +2% experience gain against Slime-type enemies, with 10% reduced damage taken from Slime-type attacks.,]
***
There are many Classes in Aetherium. They provide many advantages such as amplified stats at the beginning and learn class-related Skills by leveling up or purchasing Skill Books.
Now, when someone is classless, they can only gain Basic Skills through leveling up but can learn class-related Skills through Skill Books.
The one limitation that individuals with classes have is that is that they can only learn class-related Skills or Basic Skills.
To sum up, a Warrior can learn Skills for warriors through leveling up or Skills Books and also some basic Skills through Skill Books too. While Classless individuals can obtain Basic Skills through leveling up or Skill Books, but can also learn any other class-related Skills through Skill Books.
But there is a class that takes the advantages of being Classless and having a Class to the next stage. That was the Class Atkinson was looking for.
***
[You Have Leveled Up!]
Atkinson said, "(Finally, I've reached level 5, even though I went a little overboard with the quest.)"
[Clear Condition: Kill 25 Water Slimes (30/25) and Gather Their Cores (35/25)]
"(It turns out that you can get more than one Mana Crystal from a Slime. A feature I didn't add as well.)"
[Status]
[Name: Atkinson Edwards.
Age: 27.
Level: 5 (20/500).
Class: None.
Sub-Class: None.
Job: Hunter (Unofficial).
Titles: Slime Slayer.
Coins: 50.
Health Points: 140/120.
Mana Points: 150/150
Stamina Points: 420/420.]
[Attributes]
[Strength: 20.
Intelligence: 15.
Dexterity: 18.
Agility: 22.
Vitality: 14.
Unallocated Points: 12]
[Skills]
[Active Skills:
[Evasion] [Second Wind] [Chop]
Passive Skills:
[Status Peek] [Mental Fortitude]
[Equipment]
[None]
[Items]
[None]
[Name: Mental Fortitude.
Level: 1 (1/3).
Type: Passive.
Tier: Rare.
Mastery: 0%
Description: You Are Immune To 10% Of Mental and Spiritual Attacks.]
"(I have 12 Attributes Points Left, I'll place them into Strength and Intelligence.)"
[Strength: 20 (+3) → 23!]
[Intelligence: 15 (+9) → 24!]
[MP: 150 → 240!]
[SP: 420 → 450!]
"(It's time to go to Moonstone.)"
***
[Location: Moonstone, Elyria]
It was night and a crescent moon was out. Atkinson now stood in a dark and eerie territory. It had trees, but they were dead and an endless stream of dark fog blowed below knee height.
Atkinson, at the moment, was hacking away at a tree. This tree was different however. It was huge, about 20 meters tall and 6 feet in width. There also seemed to be a face on the tree and whenever Atkinson chopped the tree, groans and moans could be heard. Also, translucent specters surrounded him.
"(These creatures can't harm a fly. The only thing they can do is mind control, but they can't do that when my willpower is higher than 30 and mine is at 39.)"
[Mental Fortitude Is In Effect]
Soon, a pink liquid began to pour from the trunk of the tree. Atkinson placed a glass bottle under the stream of liquid to catch. After a while of it pouring, it stopped and Atkinson drank it.
[You Have Become A Soul Eater!]
[Your Strength Has Increased By 2!]
[Your Intelligence Has Increased By 2!]
[Your Dexterity Has Increased By 4!]
[Your Agility Has Increased By 4!]
[Your Vitality Has Increased By 1!]
[You Have Learned Soul Absorption!]
[You Have Learned Shadow Walk!]
[You Have Learned Essence Sense!]
Atkinson clenched his fist.
"(I got the Class.)"
To Be Continued...
Next Chapter: Boss Fight.