– Day 4 –

A Serious Mistake

I awaken to the early dawn noises that typically come from a forest, the birds tweeting, animals playing and the like. It had taken me four fricking hours last night to get that wretched fire roaring, but it’s kept me warm all through the long night despite being nothing but embers now.

I guess I can consider those four hours to have been well spent.

Strange, although having slept on the forest floor, I don’t appear to have been bothered or bitten by the creepy crawlies what usually scurry about a forest's woodland, and I feel completely refreshed, albeit a little hungry and thirsty.

HP: 120 / 120 MP: 227 / 227

Hunger: 48% Thirst: 52%

Blood State: Normal

*blink*

Looking at the water-skin gifted to me from the lady at the clearing, I’ve about a litre and a half of water in here. I’ll need to make it to a river today or encounter another one or two more of those boars from the second night. Otherwise, I might have a situation on my hands once more.

HP: 120 / 120 MP: 227 / 227

Hunger: 8% Thirst: 4%

Blood State: Normal Inventory: 26 / 99

– Meat Ration x4 –

Being a vampire might be regrettable, but it definitely is helping me keep my rations in check…

Anyway, long day ahead. Let’s get on with it.

I continue to transverse the forest with both [Night Eye] and [Herbalist Eye] activated. [Night Eye] seems to adjust to the light, so I’ve decided there isn’t much point in turning it off due to its cheap operating cost.

The problem I have right now though is with [Herbalist Eye]. Since activating it, I seem driven to collect every damnable plant, herb or root I happen to stumble across, even if it’s entirely out of my way.

As such, I’m barely moving at a snail's pace towards the highway. I know I should just turn the skill off, but I just can’t seem to stop collecting!

It reminds me of that old scrolls game. As I know alchemy is likely going to be an all-powerful skill based on the effects of the plants, I’m gathering. I justify this madness with ‘gathering a lot now will save me time in the future~’ and it’s this that’s going to lead to me running out of water if I don’t squash it now! ..but I just can’t. When did I become so weak-willed!

Aargh, there are just too many useful plants! Gotta pick ’em all!

Inventory: 27 / 99

– Dark Sage of Agamenty’s book –

– Sword of Edoas –

– Very basic fire-starter kit –

– Meat Ration x4 –

– Raisen Boar Smashed Carcass –

– Firewood: Large x6 –

– Firewood: Small x6 –

– Firewood: Kindling x14 –

– Flat Stone x1 –

– Goblin Archer corpse x2 –

– Goblin Guard corpse x1 –

– Make-shift Goblin Armour x1 –

– Rusted Iron sword x1 –

– Wooden short-bow x2 –

– Short Stone Arrows x23 –

– Leather Quiver x2 –

– Purple Flower hestis x52 –

– Blue Flower ampist x53 –

– Red Flower alfist x39 –

– Blue Root tealist x65 –

– Red Root geltis x83 –

– Green Weed herist x41 –

– Red Weed urist x28 –

– Taproot x32 –

– Ash Flower x18 –

– Teakish Pollen x12 –

– Eldis Flower x8 –

I’ll do you a deal body, eh? We only collect the rarer ones right, like Eldis Flowers, Teakish Pollens, Red Weed urists and Ash flowers. In exchange, I won’t complain any more no matter how many we gather during the journey? Hows that? ..agreement? Yosh!

Okay, okay, now then, let's pick up the pace to a jog and find this highway!

– One hour later –

..Aargh!

I thought we were in agreement stupid body! Why are we still collecting every damnable plant we see!? What is wrong with me! Wahd; who’s ever heard of a herbalist vampire! We need to sto–

"Woo, Teakish Pollen~."

...I’m hopeless. I deserve to run out of water! So be it, fine, I’m done fighting my urges on this–

..?

I turn quickly to the source of the sound, my head rushing from left to right while scanning the surroundings.

I knew immediately from the noise, like a tree being split in half, something dangerous was near.

In a small clearing, I spot it..

What the hell is that? An Ogre…? That, that’s an Ogre, right?

Human coloured skin, check. Orc-like face, check. Loincloth and club, double check. Yeah, that’s a bloody Ogre alright... I think it’s time to be going!

A loud thud? Wait, it’s not hunting me?

I scan the area around the Ogre to better ascertain the situation and notice an enormous boar. It must be a cousin of the boar I hunted on the second night as it’s twice the size, deep red and has six tusks protruding out its lower jaw.

The Ogre must be here for it and hasn’t spotted me yet… He-he, chance?

[Deactivate Herbalist Eye]

HP: 120 / 120 MP: 227 / 237

Whoa one second here, reality check! That thing is nothing like what I've faced so far. It’s seven foot tall, twice my width and covered in muscles for heaven's sake. This is not a fight I should even be considering right now!

…And yet, its completely preoccupied with the boar while in range and hasn’t noticed me…

What the hell is wrong with me today! Am I seriously going to do this?

Step one and two, clear. Step three…

That thing is going to be fast. The forest is thickest to the right of me. Running through there should buy me time to escape sh- when I need it. Okay, clear.

Step four, weak spot is definitely the eyes or neck but I have no aimed magic right now, so this step is pointless.

Okay, I think.. maybe I can do this..? Pure confidence huh..

[Blood Boil]

HP: 120 / 120 MP: 221 / 237

That’s a hit! The Ogre looks understandably pissed off and lets out a mighty roar.

It’s loud, but it seems it hasn’t realised that attack wasn’t from the boar as its roaring at the boar… a lucky freebie shot! Let just observe–

The Ogre raises and then quickly swings down his club on top of the boar

--Oo, that’s not a pretty scene...

I can only assume the rage caused by my sneak attack resulted in the Ogre forgetting it was hunting the boar as there is no way the boars still edible in it’s current that state.

Eww. Just eww.

The red bar above the Ogres head is decreasing steadily but [Blood Boil] really cannot be considered effective. I am confident that the spell will wear off by the time it’s shaved less than 10% of the Ogres health.

This battle is certain suicide at my current level but my escape route is planned, and this is just the distraction I need to stop me from gathering those herbs. Besides, I need the battle experience; nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?

[Blood Wound]

[Blood Wound]

HP: 120 / 120 MP: 181 / 237

The Ogre looks in my direction and lets out a roar while pounding the ground with its club.

Damn, it’s spotted me. I did manage to get 2 [Blood Wound]’s off before it noticed me. Based on the damage, it’s going to take another 9 of these to kill it outright.

Time to run and cast boys. Run. And. Cast-- EEEEK!

[Blood Wound]

HP: 120 / 120 MP: 161 / 237

Darting in and out of trees, minding my footing while zigzagging looks to be working. It’s causing the Ogre to bump into the trees and get tangled in the vegetation. It’s forcing its path through, but yep, it looks to be an effective tactic; albeit it's only barely slowing it down but it’s enough to give me opportunities to strike.

[Blood Wound]

[Blood Wound]

HP: 120 / 120 MP: 121 / 237

*BARGH! WARE!*

[ Skill Acquisition failed ]

The Ogre clearly sees red but suddenly stops…

It seems to have come up with something?

As I’m running, I watch as the Ogre suddenly raises both of its arms and--

Oh crap…

*Thud*

HP: 20 / 120 MP: 121 / 237

The Ogre has thrown his club at the next tree I was heading to zag behind. It bounces off the tree and hits me in the abdomen.

The force alone is enough to expel all the air from my lungs. Worse, my heads bounced off something hard.. All I can hear is my heartbeat ringing through my ears.

Con..cussion? I need ..to move. I need to move now, or I’m dead. You hear me body! MOVE!

“…”

Nothing, willpower alone isn’t going to make me move. I’m concussed. I need to do something…!

[Blood Syphon]

[Blood Syphon]

[Blood Syphon]

[Blood Syphon]

HP: 20 / 120 MP: 97 / 237

Good, I can still use magic even in this state.

*——!!—!!–*

I have no idea what it is you are saying, nor do I care!

[Blood Syphon]

HP: 20 / 120 MP: 91 / 237

I will bleed you dry! Just die–

*——*

Aargh let go, fuck, let go!

It’s grabbed me. Squeezing me. I can’t breathe. This ..is it, Game over right? ...I've got.... some serious fucking words to share--

HP: 5 / 120 MP: 91 / 237

I attempt to look up while writhing in agony. The pain is immeasurable to anything I've ever felt. I want to scream out, but I don't have any breath left to make even a sound. I struggle, but finally, I manage to lift my head high enough to see the bastards health--

Attacking the Ogre was definitely a mistake; I should have known better. I shouldn’t have been so fucking stupid! I’m level 1 in this world. Who goes for a boss fight before even reaching the first town!? The outcome of this fight should have been obvious to a gamer from the very start! I mean it, it was obvious, I knew the danger..

*Slosh Slosh Slosh Slosh*

HP: 900 / 900 MP: 533 / 533

Blood State: Empowered

The blood from all five [Blood Syphon]'s poured into me in rapid succession. Unexplainably, immense power fills me, and I flex on simple impulse. The Ogre is thrown into the tree behind him, and I fall to the floor to land on my knees.

What is this?

The Ogre looks to have died immediately upon impacting the tree while I’m completely refreshed and full of energy!

I cannot adequately describe it, I imagine it to be like a drug-induced high! This Power, it feels like electricity is flowing through me and energising my every movement. I can taste the air, the blood on the ogre's skin from being tossed away into the tree. Time even seems slower; no that’s incorrect. I can process information faster; time has nothing to do with it. Heh, I can even smell the unclean lady from the clearing yesterday; Just what is this?

I take a few moments to collect myself and try to asses this new power.

It took about 20 minutes before I finally returned to normal. I learnt a few things during this time.

The state I had entered I believe to be called Empowerment, according to the menu system anyway and I think its achieved by draining blood from a staunch opponent while reaching a 'Blood State' of 'Greater'. I believe the strength of the opponent and the blood state level will significantly affect the enhancement during Empowerment.

During its activation, senses become over stimulated and hyperactive. I was much more aware of my surroundings than what I usually am. It felt like I could extend my vision by using my other senses to compensate for sight. It was an extremely unusual sensation but particularly useful. I could grasp my surroundings in a 3D style sonar-like map. Or at least what I would assume sonar to feel like. As such, I was able to sense the heartbeat of a travelling merchant and his horse 30 minutes that way.

The effects of empowerment are way beyond cheaty.

Increased stats, health, mana, spell power and resistances. Combined with a full heal, enhanced senses and regeneration. All of which lasts 20 minutes with no apparent cool-down and only one side-effect:

Hunger: 50% Thirst: 50%

Blood State: Dangerous

However, I foresaw this possibility, and while waiting on empowerment to wear off, I had gathered 3 of those black-grey boars here, trapped them in a make-shift pit and wounded them so they would be ready for consumption. So without further to do,

[Blood Syphon]

[Blood Syphon]

[Blood Syphon]

HP: 330 / 330 MP: 670 / 670

Hunger: 0% Thirst: 0%

Blood State: Good

Yep, this mode will from now on will be referred to as cheat mode and is by far the coolest aspect thus far of having become a vampire. I mean, it felt like I was a kaio-ken user without the usage penalty!

Oh, one moment while I just gut, skin and butcher these guys.

- Uncooked Meat Ration x24 -

- Raisen Boar butchered Carcass x3 -

Let’s collect the Ogre while I’m at it.

- Ogre Corpse x1 -

- Ogre Club x1 -

Okay, upon sober reflection. I should not have attacked that Ogre and I knew that from the start. It was just plain stupid of me, and I was probably closer to death today than scaling the mountain just a couple days previous. Had it not been for cheat mode, I would definitely have been meeting green boxy again hoping that it had a sense of humour. Consider this a lesson learnt. I am not all-powerful just because I’ve revived and have cheat mode.

With that said, however…

Level: 12 EXP: 1340 / 8050 STAT points remaining 120

Skill Points: 55

There’s this…

That one fight got me 11 levels total. The danger was clearly deservedness of the reward, but I have learnt the lesson. A risk like this will not be retaken in the future unless it cannot be helped.

Power-up time.

>>>>>

Herbalism Lv 10 / 10 []

>>>>>>>>>>

Alchemy Lv 10 / 10 []

>>>>>

Blood Magic Lv 10 / 10 [] Skill Points: 35 [ Alchemic Creation learned ]

[ Alchemic Reduction learned ]

[ Alchemical Compounding learned ]

[- Master Alchemist achieved. +20% Creation potency and effect -]

[- Master Herbalism achieved. +20% Refinement success -]

[- Master Blood Magic achieved. +20% Damage dealt and effects -]

A quick look at magic.

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

- Blood Scythe Lv 1 / 50 Exp: 0/100 [Learned Art]

- Blood Syphon Lv 6 / 100 Exp: 180/600 [Racial]

- Blood Boil Lv 6 / 100 Exp: 100/600 [Racial]

- Blood Wound Lv 3 / 100 Exp: 120/300 [Racial]

- Herbalist Eye Lv 10 / 10 Exp: 0/0 [Skill based]

- Herbalist Touch Lv 10 / 10 Exp: 0/0 [Skill based]

- Plant Identification Lv 10 / 10 Exp: 0/0 [Skill based]

- Toxicity Extraction Lv 10 / 10 Exp: 0/0 [Skill based]

- Potency Enhancement Lv 10 / 10 Exp: 0/0 [Skill based]

- Alchemic Creation Lv 10 / 10 Exp: 0/0 [Skill based]

- Alchemic Reduction Lv 10 / 10 Exp: 0/0 [Skill based]

- Alchemical Compounding Lv 10 / 10 Exp: 0/0 [Skill based]

I see, so increasing [Blood Magic] has increased the max level of the skills but done nothing to the skills themselves. Mastering it has increased the effectiveness of the skills overall, but it might have been premature to use those skill points here and now. I guess the information gained though was maybe worth the usage though.

I still don’t know how I want to build myself up so stat points will remain unused for now. I am apparently able to handle most 1v1 fights with my basic stats, even against stronger opponents if I properly engage tactics.

I should be strong enough to get away from 1v1 fights as well should the need arise as long as the terrain allows it… Higher level enemies though will probably get dangerous soon if I leave it this way for too long.

I guess I need to get to the Capital and find a teacher, some essential equipment…and money.

Right, time to leave the forest I think.

I’ve found the highway thanks to empowerment. It’s quite busy for a fantasy road so I can see why it been called the 'highway' by the lady at the clearing.

Several people are walking on the grass beside it and carts pulled by horses passing every few minutes. This is precisely the right path. Let’s get on with it; to the Capital!