When I woke up after everything that had happened over the last few days, I hesitated for a moment before deciding to open the system.
[Darius]
[HP: 10/10]
[MP: 10/10]
[Blood: 80/100]
[Level 3]
[XP: 0/300]
[Class: None]
[Str: 7]
[Dex: 5]
[Int: 11]
[End: 10]
[Cha: 1]
[Status Points: 10]
Skills:
Bow Proficiency
Dismemberment
Polearm Proficiency
Arthromaster
As I stared at the screen, I realized that I gained five status points per level. Curiosity got the better of me, and after a moment of hesitation, I decided to test it out. With a thought, I allocated five points into Strength.
A sudden burning sensation spread through my body, causing me to wince. It wasn't unbearable, but it was definitely uncomfortable. After a few seconds, the feeling faded, leaving me feeling... stronger? I wasn't exactly sure.
I stepped outside, the crisp air helping clear my thoughts, and walked over to the axe resting by my cabin. Picking it up, I blinked in surprise—it felt much lighter than before. Testing my newfound strength, I swung it at a nearby tree. As the blade connected, it sank nearly a fourth of the way through the wood. My eyes widened. That was... more than I expected. I swung again, and again, until, on the fourth strike, the tree finally collapsed with a heavy thud.
As I looked down at the stump, something wriggling caught my attention—a giant centipede. My stomach twisted, but then I remembered my new skill. Swallowing down my nervousness, I tentatively held out a hand and focused on activating Arthromaster.
A faint green gas seeped from my fingers, wrapping around the centipede's neck before forming a glowing green trilobite symbol on its head. I gasped as a strange connection snapped into place between us. I could feel it. It was part of me now.
The centipede's hunger pulsed through my mind, and for some reason, I instinctively knew what it wanted. I hesitated before crouching down to search through the grass. Spotting a cricket, I carefully picked it up and placed it in front of the centipede. It stared at me for a second before striking, injecting its venom into the insect and slowly devouring it.
I watched in quiet fascination. There was something oddly satisfying about it.
When it finished, it turned its beady eyes up at me. Slowly, cautiously, I lifted my hand, and to my surprise, it crawled onto my palm. A small, nervous smile tugged at my lips as I gently cradled it, walking around in search of more food for it.
Before I even realized it, the sun had begun to set. I let out a soft sigh and headed inside, placing the centipede on my bedside table. As I lay in bed, I hesitated for a moment before murmuring, "I think I'll call you... Peanut."
The next morning, I woke before sunrise with an unbearable thirst gnawing at my insides. My body moved on instinct, my vision hazy. Before I fully registered what was happening, I found myself hunched over a deer, the metallic taste of blood sliding down my throat.
A little shakenI wiped my mouth and hurried back to my cabin.. The sun had begun to rise, casting a golden glow over the trees, but I couldn't focus on its beauty. I needed to prepare to leave for Kolgais
I quickly packed my belongings, trying to push the morning's events out of my mind. My hands trembled slightly as I reached for Peanut, who still rested on the table. I frowned, realizing I had no idea how I was going to carry him.
Before I could figure it out, he suddenly emitted a bright light. I stumbled back, shielding my eyes. When the glow faded, I blinked in shock. Peanut was no longer on the table—he had transformed into a bracelet, now wrapped snugly around my wrist.
I hesitated before lightly touching the cool metal. "Huh..." A small, uncertain smile formed on my lips. "Guess that works."
Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself and stepped outside. It was almost time to head to Kolgas.
I stepped outside, moving carefully behind my cabin, and picked up my father's naginata—a six-foot wooden pole with a foot-and-a-half-long blue metal blade. Holding it in my hands, I hesitated for a moment before giving it a few slow swings, feeling the way it sliced through the air. It was heavier than I remembered, but it still felt... right.
Taking a deep breath, I walked to the front of my cabin, where I saw the same tan, muscular man who had enrolled me. He looked down at me with a serious expression.
"Get in the carriage. It's a long ride," he said gruffly.
I swallowed hard and quickly nodded, not wanting to say anything that might make me look foolish. Climbing into the carriage, I settled into my seat, my fingers fidgeting with the hem of my sleeve.
Once inside, I hesitated before opening my status screen again. My hands trembled slightly as I hovered over my dexterity stat. After a moment of indecision, I finally added five points to it, feeling a strange tingling sensation rush through my body. My updated stats now looked like this:
[Darius]
[HP: 10/10]
[MP: 10/10]
[Blood: 95/100]
[Level: 3]
[XP: 0/300]
[Class: None]
[Str: 12]
[Dex: 10]
[Int: 11]
[End: 10]
[Cha: 1]
[Status Points: 0]
Skills:
Bow ProficiencyDismembermentPolearm ProficiencyArthromasterPeanut
I nodded to myself, though a small part of me wondered if I had used my points correctly. Shoving the thought aside, I leaned back and closed my eyes, deciding to take a nap for the journey.
When I woke up, I realized we had arrived. My breath caught in my throat as I peered outside. In front of the carriage stood a massive castle, its towering walls casting long shadows across the ground. It was... overwhelming.
Swallowing nervously, I climbed out of the carriage, my legs feeling unsteady beneath me. After a moment's hesitation, I resummoned Peanut. The familiar glow of his transformation reassured me as he coiled around my arm like a living bracelet.
As I stood there, staring up at the enormous castle, I couldn't help but feel small. I clenched my fists, trying to steady my nerves. This was it.
And I had no idea what was waiting for me inside.