[Level up]
[Congratulation! You have defeated a Volcanic Salamander]
The system notification appeared as Skyler, using the earth element, pierced through the heart of the salamander burning in crimson scorches. The battle was anything but effortless. Skyler had nearly exhausted his entire MP just to land the final blow.
"Phew!" He exhaled, sinking to the ground. His gaze shifted at the enormous corpse— nearly five times of his size, "Sheesh! I didn't expect to face something like this, specially after moving so far from that volcano two days ago."
Two days earlier, he slain the Sand wyvern. To save himself form predators such as those, he decided to go as far as possible from the volcanic mountains. Yet, somehow, a monster as fearsome as the salamander managed to track him down.
"Man! I'm starving." He muttered, calling out, "Inventory."
The inventory interface showed up before him. It was empty at the beginning of his journey. Right now it was stocked with various items, meats, fangs, and other spoils. He selected one of the meats.
[Item 'Wyvern Meat' has been selected]
The meat appeared in mid-air, and Skyler grabbed it. Using the still-burning scales of the dead salamander, he started grilling it.
"Before I grab the loots from this guy, I might as well put his fire to good use. After all, there's no point in wasting my remaining MP on cooking-flames." He murmured, resting quietly next to the corpse, "While I' at it let's check my stats. Status"
[Level: 10]
________
[HP: 1580/ 3890]
[MP: 1250/4900]
[Strength: 195]
[Agility: 190]
[Defence: 210]
[AP: 11/10]
[EP:9/10]
******
"Whoa! Thanks to the level-up rewards, I can probably handle another of his kind." He chuckled confidently, "But right now, I'm not in the mood."
The aroma from the grilled meat interrupted his day-dreaming. He grabbed the cooked portion, and started eating. He was filled with pleasure as he savoured it with satisfaction.
"Despite how ferocious they looked, their meat is surprisingly delicious." His eyes shined as he enjoyed every bit of it, "But more importantly, I was surprised when I found it out this…."
[+700 HP received]
He stared at the notification, watching as his lost HP somewhat replenished. The wyvern meat— part of his loot from defeating the Sand Wyverns— was proving to be quite valuable. Not only did it reduced his exhaustion and hunger, it recovered his health bar as well. Speaking on the matter, he also had wyvern's fangs in his inventory, but they weren't any of use at the moment.
"Now, lets check what treasure this baby has for me." He chuckled with a smug grin as he commanded, "Scavenge."
[Item received: 'Scorching Orb'— increases fire-element spells patency by 20%. Usage: 1 time]
[Item received: 'Salamander Scales'— Crafting material, items made from these scales grants 20% fire-resistance]
"Both gives 20% boosts? That's insane!" Skyler marvelled, looking at the items in his hands, "I should save them for emergencies. Inventory."
Collecting the materials in his inventory, he stood up, and started his journey anew, hoping to find any human civilisation nearby. Though, deep down he already knew, it'd take him quite a while before finding one— unless some miracles were to happen.
********
Skyler walked, heading in the opposite direction from the volcanos. He was tired of the gloomy, desolate landscape— stretched endlessly before him, and found nothing but scattered rocks as far as his eyes could see. Every now and then, he used his water element under the active skill 'Element Lord' to quench his thirst— the only way keep himself hydrate.
Suddenly, a scream came to his ears from not far ahead. Startled but curious, he dashed towards the source of the sound, feeling somewhere between hope and cautious. 'Could this be a hope or another betrayal?'
Within moment, he approached the scene of chaos. A party of five adventurers was trapped in a massive pit, and was surrounded by hobgoblins— not the ordinary kinds though.
These hobgoblins stood about five feet tall. Their skins glowed like molten rock, burning in scorches similar to the salamander earlier.
Volcanic or not, they were rarely considered as a threat. However, their sheer numbers made them formidable enemies.
[Alert: 'Scorching Hobgoblins' have been detected. Number count: 20]
"That's bad news." Skyler muttered, concerning himself with a cold and distant voice as he debated, "Should I intervene? But it's not my problem. They seem tough enough to handle it themselves."
He stood there, watching intently as the adventurers prepared to fight. Yet another thought crossed his mind.
"But if I help them out, they might feel indebted to me." He smiled with grin, "I could use that to gain entry into their nation without paying taxes— and more, I can gain information. Though, I have to be on my guard. Can't get deceived myself, can I?"
The hordes a hobgoblins formed an attack pattern. Preparing themselves for the assault, they wielded the stone-hammers— each burning in searing heat.
A man with jade-black hair, prepared his silvery-shield, gazing the foe with his black eyes. Clearly, he was a tanker-class, holding his defensive stance in the front.
Just after him, his fellow party member, another man with brown hair, tightened his grip, holding a shiny sword with a golden hilt. He looked brave enough, yet had doubts in his blue eyes— he must be a fighter-class.
Covering their rear, it were a woman in blue hair with mage outfit and a blonde man with archery-bow. His arrows were made of water spells casted by the mage woman.
At the centre, it was a young girl, with green long hair, summoning a blue magic circle beneath her allies. Her emerald eyes shined as she continued enchanting the spell to boost everyone's strength and defense.
Their attack formation was solid— but wasn't enough to counter all of their enemies, unless their stages were high.
They were too occupied with the hobgoblins to notice Skyler's presence just above the pit. He jump into it, coming up with a plan to take them head on.
As he landed just before the Tanker, their entire team startled, seeing the unanticipated individual. Skyler gave them no mind, and punched on the ground.
"Earth Cage." As the ground trembled, the 'Scorching Hobgoblins' got their lower halves trapped in unyielding rocks, " I can't hold them much longer. Finish them off while you can."
The party was surprised, but wasn't distracted from their goal. They rushed head on, getting the golden opportunity, and started killing the hobgoblins.
[ 'Earth Cage' has been used twenty times under the effect of 'Element Lord'. Total MP cost: 1000. Remaining MP: 250/4900]
"Damn, I'm out of MP." He was worried, yet murmured confidently, "Guess I have no choice but to rely on my other stats for the time being."
He rushed with his sharp agility, smashing the 'Scorching Hobgoblins' one after another with his raw strength. He nearly obliterate nine of them while the party took care of the remaining.
[Congratulations! The enemies have been defeated]
The party members were amazed to see how he fought the enemies.
"That was incredible!" The fighter remarked, putting his sword on his back, "To think a mage can fight barehanded like that….truly amazing."
"You're right, Joseph." Said the mage, smiling hopefully, "But why didn't you use your magical attacks? It'd have been more effective."
"Ah- well!" Skyler smiled, patting his head, "It's bit embarrassing to say, but I actually ran out of mana holding them off at the situation."
"Come on, Nyla." Said Joseph, addressing the mage, "You of all people should know that casting such spell could drain anyone's entire mana." Turning towards Skyler he stretched his hand, "oh, pardon my manners. We haven't introduced ourselves. I'm Joseph, the leader of this party. And this is our mage Nyla."
"Nice to meet you, our saviour." She said warmly.
"This is Martin, our tanker and that's Kosel, our archer."
"Thanks for the assist, buddy." Martin and Kosel chuckled.
"And finally, this is our healer, Hellen." Joseph finished introducing at the green-haired girl.
While others were relieved, Hellen looked shaken. Trembling in fear, she stammered as she pointed her finger at Skyler, "He's not a mage. He's… He's a Sorcerer."