The soft, ever-present hum of the System reverberated in my mind as I opened my skill tree. A branching network of potential stretched out before me, like a constellation of stars that promised power and growth. Many of the slots remained darkened, their icons faint and unreachable, but even the few unlocked skills I had sparked a sense of pride—and hunger for more.
Basic Camouflage, Tracking, Rend. These were the essentials, tools that had kept me alive during my training as a Hunter. But it was the other two that made my blood sing, despite me having gained basic mastery of the skills, the awakening of the system strengthened them further: Floral Wake and Thunderous Claws.
Though Floral Wake was still in its infancy; the healing I could do was significantly strengthened by the system. It was a powerful skill that used seeds to create healing flowers, but I knew its potential stretched far beyond this rudimentary form. With enough training, I wouldn't need seeds—I would summon life from the earth itself, bending nature to my will.
Thunderous Claws, on the other hand, was as straightforward as it was exhilarating. The memory of using it for the first time still burned bright: my claws wrapped in arcs of electricity, each swipe delivering a thunderous crack that echoed through the wilds. These skills weren't just tools; they were extensions of myself, raw manifestations of what it meant to be Ixorym. However, unlike Floral Wake this skill evolved to a higher quality altogether, turning my lightning a dark torrent life blue.
Yet, as I gazed at the unlit pathways branching from my skills, a wave of impatience crept in. I didn't have any skill points yet, and without them, those tantalizing options remained just out of reach. Still, I reveled in the idea of earning them. Each unlocked path promised a unique evolution, a way to carve my identity further into the world.
Now that I was a True Hunter, the structured training of the clan no longer dictated my days. The freedom was both intoxicating and daunting. My path was mine to choose, but that also meant no one would guide me.
The System flickered again as I opened the missions window. My anticipation grew. The missions were unlike anything I'd expected; they weren't endlessly accessible or something I could spam for easy rewards. Instead, each day granted a limited number of Quest Points (QP), which could be spent to activate a random mission of varying difficulty.
The difficulty levels themselves were telling, their descriptions laden with both promise and warning:
Easy: Super simple, low risk, low reward. (5 QP)
Medium: Simple, mediocre rewards. (25 QP)
Hard: Difficult, might lose life. (100 QP)
Nightmare: Death is nearly certain. (1000 QP)
Dream: Just stop dreaming. (??? QP)
That last one made me pause, a wry smile tugging at my lips. The System had a personality—or perhaps its creator did. The thought was unnerving. Not even the demi-gods of the Ixorym nor other species were able to sense the mysteries of the system. It existed beyond their reach, an omnipresent force that demanded respect and defied understanding.
Still, the allure of testing myself was too strong to resist. I spent all of my Quest Points, selecting a Medium mission to ease into my new role as a free Hunter.
[Mission Activated: Stalker in the Shadows]
Objective: Track and eliminate a rogue predator that has recently conquered part of the northern forests.
Reward: 50 System Points, Minor Skill Shard.
The details burned into my mind as a wave of energy rippled through me, marking the activation of the quest. My claws flexed involuntarily, and I felt a surge of anticipation.
The northern forests were vast and treacherous, home to creatures both familiar and unknown. As a True Hunter, I had faced countless dangers in my training, but this was different. There would be no elders watching, no safety nets. The outcome would rest entirely on my shoulders.
I left the enclave without hesitation, the weight of my newfound freedom sitting heavily on my shoulders. The Ixorym lived and died by the strength of their choices, and now, I was no exception.
The air in the forest was heavy with the scent of damp earth and blooming flora. I crouched low, activating Basic Camouflage. My form shimmered, blending seamlessly with my surroundings as I moved silently through the underbrush.
The trail of the predator was faint, a series of claw marks gouged into tree trunks and tufts of fur snagged on low branches. It was careful, almost intelligent in the way it masked its movements. My Tracking skill guided me forward, each detail sharpening as I pieced together its path.
Hours passed, and the forest grew darker, the canopy above thickening. The faint chirping of birds faded, replaced by an eerie silence. My senses heightened, adrenaline surging as I realized the hunter was now the hunted.
The first strike came without warning—a blur of motion from the shadows, a set of fangs aiming for my throat. I twisted, activating Thunderous Claws in an instant. Electricity crackled as I slashed upward, the predator's snarl turning into a pained yelp as it recoiled.
It was a shadowstalker, a beast native to the depths of the northern woods. Its sleek, black fur rippled like smoke, and its eyes glowed with an unnatural light. The creature circled me, its movements calculated and deadly.
The fight was brutal. Each exchange of blows left my body aching, but I refused to falter. Every skill I had learned, every ounce of strength I possessed, was put to the test. In the end, it was Floral Wake that tipped the scales. Summoning a burst of healing flowers mid-combat was risky, but the surge of vitality allowed me to land the final blow.
As the shadow stalker fell, the System chimed in my mind:
[Mission Complete. Reward Granted.]
50 System Points Acquired.
Minor Skill Shard Acquired.
The rush of victory was tempered by exhaustion. My breathing came in ragged gasps as I leaned against a nearby tree, the lifeless form of the predator before me. Despite the accomplishment, a frustration lingered. There were no levels, no XP granted for the fight. The System was cryptic in its rewards, a constant reminder that my journey wouldn't be an easy one.
The System had unlocked a world of possibilities, but it also demanded something in return: effort, risk, and, above all, survival. The path of the True Hunter was not for the weak, and I intended to prove that I was worthy of it.
As I made my way back to the enclave, the shadow of the System loomed large in my mind. Tulmyria was changing, and I would change with it—or die trying.