Kaden could feel the strain of maintaining Nature's Grasp, but he pushed through, ignoring the searing pain in his chest and the throbbing in his head.
He could feel the small amount of energy coming his way from the healing part of the skill and he clung to that absorbing more and more, drawing every ounce of strength the skill could offer.
The kobold's struggles grew weaker, its movements frantic but uncoordinated. Its claws scraped at the roots ineffectively, its sharp teeth gnashing in a futile attempt to bite through the unyielding tendrils. Blood spilled all over the roots.
Kaden felt a flicker of triumph, but he knew it wasn't over. The strain of maintaining the spell was like a weight pressing on his chest, the poison in his veins a constant, burning reminder of how close he was to collapse.
"Just… stay… down!" Kaden growled, his voice barely audible.
The kobold let out a guttural screech, its fear palpable as the roots continued to climb, coiling around its neck and cutting off its air.
Kaden felt the shift, the moment when the creature's defiance turned to desperation. It thrashed one last time before its movements stilled, the glow of its yellow eyes fading into lifelessness.
[Ding! You have killed Kobold Scout.]
[Ding! You have learned a new skill Sanguine Roots]
[Ding! You have unlocked a hidden class Dreadwood Druid]
[Ding! You have gained a new title]
Kaden gulped. What was this? What was he seeing?
[Dreadwood Druid]
As a Dreadwood Druid, you are the embodiment of nature's darker side, wielding the untamed power of the forest's fury. This class merges the restorative aspects of nature magic with sinister life-draining abilities, turning the life force of enemies into your own strength. The Dreadwood Druid excels in controlling the battlefield, weakening foes, and sustaining through stolen vitality, all while invoking the fearsome presence of an ancient, cursed forest.
+1 Mental Strength, +1 Dexterity, +1 Physical Strength
Kaden froze in shock. His hands trembled as he immediately accepted the class upgrade, afraid of the system taking it back from him. How did this happen? He did not completely understand. It was definitely related to the [Sanguine Roots] skill. He could tell that much.
[Sanguine Roots]
Summon cursed roots imbued with the sinister power of blood magic. These roots pierce enemies, draining their life force to heal the caster while spreading fear and weakness among nearby foes. The roots grow more potent against immobilized or bleeding targets, thriving in their agony.
Kaden's eyes remained locked on the glowing notification as the details of Sanguine Roots solidified in his mind.
The power of the skill, the sheer raw potential it carried, sent a chill down his spine and a surge of exhilaration through his veins. He had some idea about a druid build but this was all new to him. He was now completely on uncharted territories.
He wasn't afraid.
Hidden classes were just that powerful!
Kaden clenched his fists and his gaze landed on the kobold's lifeless body that lay crumpled within the circle of bloodied roots. He forced himself to crawl forward and search the damn thing's corpse.
If he was not wrong, then there should be a vial of antidote for the poison. This was not his first time going up against these vicious creatures. They liked to kill but they also liked to capture and torture their prey. For that, they carried around the antidote.
His hands rifled through its pouches and crude belt. The creature had been well-prepared, likely anticipating a skirmish like this. A small bag jingled with coins, a poorly drawn map caught his eye briefly, but then his fingers brushed against a cool, glass surface. He exhaled in relief as he pulled out a small vial filled with murky green liquid.
"This has to be it," he muttered, uncorking the vial with a flick of his thumb.
The sharp, acrid smell of herbs and chemicals confirmed his guess—it was definitely an antidote. Without hesitation, Kaden tipped the vial back and drank its contents. The bitter liquid burned as it went down, but almost immediately, he felt its effects.
A cooling sensation spread through his veins, neutralizing the fiery pain of the poison. His labored breaths began to even out, and the relentless pounding in his head subsided.
He let out a long sigh of relief and collapsed on the ground. Meditation could be done with face planted smack dab in the ground as well.