Chapter 22

I run through the forest late into the night, and I keep running even after that. Or, I would if my stamina did not run out. I would have to increase my stats to have more stamina, but I don't want to do that. I still want to increase my magical abilities first, so I'll work on Intelligence before I raise Vitality.

Late in the night, I see that most welcoming screen.

>Welcome To Tardeyad!

The shop is now open, and I can see what kind of things I can buy and sell.

>**Status**

>Name: Homogeneous Khalidius

>Level: 5

>Class: Novice

>Credits: 1960

>Health: 50/50

>Stamina: 34/50

>Mana: 38/50

>Strength: 25

>Dexterity: 15

>Vitality: 10

>Inteligence: 10

>Wisdom: 10

>Luck: 10

>Stat Points Available: 0

>**Inventory**

>Steel Bow

>Iron Arrow x81

>Demon Arrow x6

>String

>Rope

>Nails

>Coal x43lb

>Axe

>Orchelium Pickaxe

>Knife

>Shovel

>Hammer

>Hand Saw

>Grind-wheel

>Torch x2

>Mountain Hare Meat x26lb

>A shit ton of stone

>Wrought Iron x7lb

I don't have anything to sell other than the wrought iron, but it is only worth 10 credits for the shop too. I decide to sell 6 pounds and buy Intermediate Fire Magic for 2000 credits. I learn the skill book and then continue moving through the forest.

While running for a few minutes, I wonder if the shop has any skill books that increase stats. Probably not, but a man can dream.

I continue for a few more hours until I reach the first quest marker, one of six Black Tailed Fortilers. The fortiler looks like a giant monkey with huge fangs hanging out its mouth and a larger than necessary tail. I take an iron arrow into my bow and shoot the Fortiler in the head.

The arrow zooms at lightning speed and inserts itself into the Fortiler's head. The fortiler turns to face me, and it screeches!

"Ckreee!"

The monster was damn loud, and now it's charging at me. I'm not having any of that, and I get another iron arrow out and shoot at the fortiler. The arrow goes into its chest, and it keeps moving.

At this point, I need to do something do I don't get wrecked by this giant ape. I look around, and there is a low branch I might be able to grab onto. I jump up and grab onto the branch, using my 25 strength to pull me to safety.

However, I did not prepare for the climbing abilities of the Fortiler. With two jumps, the Fortiler jumps on the trunk of the tree and then jumps to grab onto the branch I'm on. Before it pulls itself up, I jump off and think about what I can do.

I just bought Intermediate Fire magic, so maybe I can put that to the test. With my right hand up, I try to summon fire. It took me a few seconds to use the water and earth magic, but I can see how being a few seconds from death might make me learn fire magic faster.

The fortiler jumps down from the branch and is right next to me, and it takes a swing at me with its claws. Before I can dodge or run away, I am slashed and fall down.

> -14

Shit, that's almost 30% of my health! Time for drastic measures!

"Give the power of bomb-ass memes to my fire! Papa bless!" I shout, and the fire roars from my hand and throws the monkey back! Bam! While the fortiler is down, I get another arrow out and kill that bitch.

>**Level-up!**

It's been a while since I leveled up last, I wonder if it has to do with killing new monsters. Before I go to fight the next fortiler, I'm going to use my stat points on intelligence. With these points, my magic will get 50% stronger.

>**Status**

>Name: Homogeneous Khalidius

>Level: 6

>Class: Novice

>Credits: 100

>Health: 36/50

>Stamina: 8/50

>Mana: 12/50

>Strength: 25

>Dexterity: 15

>Vitality: 10

>Inteligence: 15

>Wisdom: 10

>Luck: 10

>Stat Points Available: 0

The Fortiler gave me 100 credits, even though it is much stronger than the black bear. It is kinda on the same level as the Black Mountain Snake, but a little more resistant to my arrows. Instead of using iron arrows, it's time to switch to full demon arrows. With a demon arrow in my bow and the Fortiler in my inventory, I move on to the second quest marker.