– Day 2 –

A Fear of Heights

I awake to the glistening gemstone light embedded in the temple-like room's ceiling. I can’t help but stare at it… it is beautiful after all–

*grumble*

…my stomach. Not really surprising I guess since I haven’t eaten anything since reviving here. I think I better attempt this descent before I no longer have the strength to do so.

As I get up and dust my self off, my eye is drawn to the sword and book the sculptures are holding again.

The book is what has caught my eye this time as it might contain information about this place or general area. It does look like it will crumble in my hands but the opportunity to learn about this world compels me so I wander over to it and mindfully lift it from the statue, can’t rule out the figures going crazy at me for taking the book after all!

No reaction? Good. I hold the book by its binder and let it fall open on its centre page.

[ asdju iewdiuq jdfuqu qfd mw-q-dqnjswd wiodqiwdn ]

No good, I can’t understand it. I won’t lie and say I didn’t expect this outcome. I have revived in another world; it’s only natural for there to be different languages than my own.

[ Aslogain Language acquired ]

Hmm? A message pop up?

I open the menu to take a closer look. One of the tabs on the left of the status window reads ‘skills’. I guess it’s likely under this right?

> Skills

Known Skills:

-- Blood Magic: Lv 5 / 10 [>]

Available Skills:

-- Aslogain Language Lv 0 / 10 [>]

Skill Points: 10

I see, so a typical RPG skill based system huh. Well, this book is the first I’ve found, and I don’t have any idea how many points I will obtain per level right nor how common the Aslogain language is… it could be a dead dialect based on my location. Lets put 2 points into it for now.

>>

Aslogain Language Lv 2 / 10 [>]

Skill Points: 8

Oh, I can read the characters in the book now…. sigh.

>>>

Aslogain Language Lv 5/ 10 [>]

Skill Points: 5

Now I can understand the characters in the book. Understand is probably not correct. The book is now in English before my very eyes whereas before I could recognise but not understand. I’m guessing some magic, or divine interpretation is at work here.

Back to the book–

[ Herbalism acquired ]

[ Alchemy acquired ]

[ Ritual magic acquired ]

[ Summoning magic acquired ]

[ Binding magic acquired ]

[ Dark Arts acquired ]

[ Draconic Language acquired ]

[ Draconic Slayer magic acquired ]

[ Magical Perception acquired ]

[ Magical Item Enhancement acquired ]

Okay, not a waste of skill points then.

While skimming through the book, I can see it’s a complement of individual works by a Sage known as Christoph Agamenty. It looks to be his lifelong achievements compiled into a single book. There are recipes for potions, breakdowns of plant parts, rituals for demonic possession… that's particularly nasty stuff based on the pictures.. There are also some spells–

[ Blood Scythe Learned ]

Hmm? Interesting. I wonder why I learned that one and not this one?

Ah, I see.

It seems that if I have the base skill with sufficient skill points in it, I also automatically learn the spell or recipe if I read the composition in a book. Well, the latter is an assumption to be fair, but I’m confident I’m right on the money.

I think I'll keep this book with me for now and read it later when I get more time and skill points.

> Inventory

I press the inventory tab that I’ve been eyeing for a while now from the tabs on the left.

Inventory: 0 / 99

– Empty –

Expand by 10 for 1 Skill point [>]

Skill Points: 5

So inventory is treated as a skill and can be expanded by using skill points… Hmm so how do I store an item?

*blink*

Inventory: 1 / 99

– Dark Sage of Agamenty’s book –

Ah okay so–

*blink*

Inventory: 2 / 99

– Dark Sage of Agamenty’s book-

– Sword of Edoas –

I have to put my hand on the item I want to store and think “Store” and the item gets stored. Handy but how do I get it back out?

*blink*

Ah, the sword is now back in my hand. So I merely need to think about the item while looking at the place I want the item to appear.

Nice. For now, let's keep the sword and book in the inventory.

*blink*

“Hm? Sword of Edoas. Why does that sound familiar?”

Back to the main status window.

HP: 90 / 90 MP: 200 / 200

Hunger: 88% Thirst: 24%

Blood State: Low

What is blood state and why is it now low compared to normal yesterday?

When I first saw it yesterday, I thought it was talking about blood toxicity in case of poisoning and such, but I guess that’s not it. It’s concerning but then so is my hunger.

I think it’s best I stop dawdling and start my descent while I still have the strength.

I leave the temple and approach the cliff edge; I look down and immediately begin to have second thoughts all over again.

“Eeee! I hate heights! This is impossible!! WHY put me up here you damned sadist!”

I step away from the edge with my hands on my head and walk over to the waterfall behind me to wash my face and to try and calm down.

Ah. I somehow forgot I was thirsty so let’s top up my liquids while…

*Gulp Gulp Gulp*

Hunger: 88% Thirst: 0%

…?

Out of the corner of my eye, I spot it.

A cave under the water. It must be how the fish get up here!

It looks deep, but as I can see the light at the bottom. I, I can swim that distance, I’m sure. Yes, I can make that!

Hurray!

I can finally get off this cliff and head to the town. Maybe get something to eat and even talk to someone other than myself!

.…The light is moving..?

Ah. Based on the height of this cliff to where that light is. That’s not an exit, is it..

That underwater cave can't be linked to an exit due to physics either. I mean the pond I’m standing beside right now wouldn’t be possible with that bloody great hole there. All this water should be flowing down it if it led somewhere..

“Yep, that’s a trap.”

I heard myself say it aloud as I felt all the joy that had filled me fall back out to be replaced with sorrow. Whatever light that is, it’s certainly not an exit and I am certain death awaits me if I were to do something as stupid as dive in…

No choice then is there, back to the Cliff plan it is.

“…”

After 10 minutes of trying to psych myself up, I’ve mentally prepared myself for this as best I can. I’ve located what looks to be the best path down, and I estimate it’s going to take me several hours to get to the bottom. In all likelihood, one mental slip is going to result in my second death so let's just hope boxy has a sense of humour should that end up being the case.

I’ve decided that lowering myself off the edge of the cliff ledge is pure suicide, stupid and risky. It’s better to go off the opposite side to the waterfall, up the cliff face slightly, around that ridge and then proceed to descend.

It seems counter-intuitive to climb the mountain when I want to descend it, but this looks to be the safest path from what I can see from where I am.

Time to concentrate…

– Sometime later –

Yep, that mental slip I was concerned about has just happened. I’ve lost my grip on a loose stone that’s come away from the wall as I grabbed it. The fatal mistake I foresaw before is happening right now!

Scrambling to regain my grip on the rock face as I'm sliding down the vertical drop, gradually gaining speed. I’m still far too high up to survive a fall should I not be able to stop and my hands are getting shredded as I clamour about trying to grip anything I can! I guess this is it, better practice my humility–

Hm?

My feet have landed on a small ledge, just large enough to stop my momentum for a minute. It’s long enough though for me to grab on to the cliff face and stop my fall to certain death! I felt a crunch in knees, but I don’t think anything is broken.

“…”

My hands, however, are ripped to pieces. To best describe them, think of the effects of placing your hands on a sanding belt while it’s on. Bits of flesh hanging off sides and lots of bleeding but oddly little pain? Must look worse than it is or maybe they’re numb due to shock?

I try to make a fist.

Good, I can see despite the sorry state of them. Let’s get on with this. Who knows how much longer I can keep this up.

– Four hours later –

As I stepped, or rather, collapsed onto the wonderfully firm, beautiful green grassy ground, I turned my head up to look at the cliff I’ve just descended.

I don’t know why I’m laughing like a madman while struggling to catch my breath, but I do feel a massive sense of achievement from this!

It’s safe to say that I’ve never done anything even remotely like that before in my previous life; I didn’t even think I was capable of doing that! Sure, I nearly died twice up there, and my hands look like mincemeat but still, it’s a proud moment for me!

Don’t get me wrong; you might be thinking that after one day up there, deciding to climb down a killer mountain was a terrible choice to make. Especially considering as there were both food and water up there.

The decision was actually for the best when you account the facts. For instance, although there were fish there, there was no wood for a fire, and there was no guarantee I would be able to keep catching fish without tools. This, in turn, means I would get continually weaker and that in turn means the chances of me being able to descend without death, lower significantly each day I go without food. Brash but not without thought! Pragmatic even.

Okay, so I’m off the mountain. Great. Now, I have meat sticks for hands, I'm starving and also thirsty...

Let's solve what we can first. To the waterfall!

HP: 42 / 90 MP: 200 / 200

Hunger: 100% Thirst: 50%

Blood State: Dangerous

I’m pretty sweaty after the climb, so I put my head into the waterfall to cool off.

Thirst: 35%

Thirst: 12%

Thirst: 0%

Hehe, two birds one stone.

That’s thirst taken care off; I guess I had better wash what’s left of my hands to try and keep infection at bay–

Oh, MY GODDESSES!!!

Pain. Unbelievable pain.

I guess this was to be expected. My hands are torn to pieces after all. How they managed to hold up until now without me feeling this, I have no idea, but I’m grateful.

The pain is so intense it’s causing my eyes to water… I need to bandage my fingers and hands..

My shirt looks to be made of cotton. I don’t like the idea of walking around like some 80’s boy band figure, but I have little choice if I want to attempt to prevent infection.

I take off the shirt and try to rip it…unsuccessfully. My hands are too badly hurt, and I am feeling every painful action. It’s like trying to peel an orange while wearing oven mitts…

*blink*

The Sword of Edoas. Let's try using this...

..Well, it’s better than nothing. That’s the best I can do without real bandages, but I’ve managed to cover each finger tightly and individually to the palm of my hands. It should give me some usage if I’m forced to while keeping them clean to some degree. Although the pain is getting quite intense now, I still need to deal with my hunger.

*blink blink*

I’ve put the sword and what’s left of my shirt into storage.

Hmm, how to do this… I have no real tools but that sword which isn’t going to be much help with hunting unless I throw the bloody thing…

Magic, I should use magic right?

Magic:

- Night Eye Lv 10 / 10 Exp: 0 / 0 [Racial]

- Blood Scythe Lv 1 / 25 Exp: 0 / 100 [Learned Art]

- Blood Syphon Lv 5 / 50 Exp: 0 / 500 [Racial]

- Blood Boil Lv 5 / 50 Exp: 0 / 500 [Racial]

- Blood Wound Lv 1 / 25 Exp: 0 / 100 [Racial]

Blood magic huh? I think I might genuinely be some kind of Vampire? Wait, maybe a Dark elf?

...

Ah so hungry. Forget it, don’t care, hunt food.