Dustin made up he’s mind and steeled his heart. This was no longer earth; it was killed or be killed. Moreover, he’s targets weren’t humans, but monsters.

He activated he’s skill, and immediately could sense the presence of some monsters nearby, just a few metres into the forest. From he’s sense, he could count five. Coupled with the radar like map that detailed the location of nearby monsters, he could also sense the presence of monsters after activating he’s skill.

He willed for them to come out, and as they did he got a clearer picture on what exactly had attacked him. Under the dim moon light, he could make out faint features, ‘sure are goblins.’ He consolidated on the systems identification from earlier as he looked at the humanoids before him.

Thanks to he’s skill, the things before him didn’t attack. He’s plan was to get them to come to him, and them he would attack and kill them. But the problem was in the way he’s skill worked. If he was to attack one of them now, the others might fight.

He’s theory was possible, but it was also wrong as long as he hadn’t tested it. Gritting he’s teeth a bit, Dustin swung he’s sword towards the one closest and farthest to his left.

He soon found out how skilful the girl from earlier must have been, as he’s sword had only gone a ways into the goblin’s shoulder, steering away from it’s neck. The goblin winced in pain before letting out a faint weird sound.

In panic of the other goblins attacking, or the one he had just tried to hack reacting, he pushed the goblin with he’s foot and drew out the sword from its shoulder, taking some quick steps back.

Contrary to what he had thought would happen, the goblins still remained unchanged and unmoved. The one he had hacked held it’s shoulder, covering the large wound Dustin had caused. It’s facial expression only clarifying just how much pain it was in.

He looked at the bunch for a bit, before coming to a conclusion. He would ask the system later. For now, he just wanted to take care of the problem before him.

With all the strength he could muster in he’s hand, Dustin swung he’s sword towards the injured goblin’s neck, and managed to cut it halfway through. He wasn’t able to make a clean cut even after three attempts, unlike the girl from earlier, but it was enough. As the goblin fell to the ground, he got a notification.

+7exp

“So killing one of these guys gives 7 exp huh? Not bad.”

It was almost freakish the others stood by without doing anything but watching as he mowed down of of theirs. F rank sure was weak.

He went on and killed the other goblins as fast as he could. He didn’t want to be lying amongst the corpses of goblins when a stronger monster was to appear.

He left the scene immediately, continuing forward towards the red dot.

After he was sure he had gotten far away, a considerable distance from the site where he massacred the goblins, Dustin slowed down to catch his breath. He had been thinking of some possibilities as he ran.

Looking at the map before he’s eyes, he could tell that at most, only goblins populated the nearby areas of the forest. All the red dots on the radar were the same size, and from he’s experiment back on earth, he knew what that meant. It either the detected monsters were goblins, or they were something similar in strength.

‘If I was to seize this opportunity and kill as much goblins and level up, that would be golden.’ “Hmm...”

Without a second thought, he jumped into the forest just by his side, and initiated his master plan.

Not minding only the ones closest, he drew towards him all the goblins that he could detect within the effective radius of he’s skill, which at that time was around 20 metres wide, with him as the centre.

In an instant, all the red dots on the radar started moving towards him at an astonishing rate, like ants drawn to a candy. In only a few seconds, Dustin was completely surrounded by pairs of glowing eyes all around him.

The goblins were nothing less than 20 that had gathered, and just like before, he hacked them all down.

“With this much, I should be able to level up right?” He said as he began his levelling up ritual.

After some minutes had passed, the whole place could be seen littered with bodies, with Dustin at one side panting a little bit. Swinging the sword was no small joke, unlike he had thought. The movies and anime make it look so easy and effortless, in reality, he wished for he’s hands to become Gatling guns.

Huff. Huff.

“Who knew swinging a damn sword was this hard?” Dustin exclaimed as he turned around to look at he’s hand job.

He heard a level up notification earlier while proceeding his ritual, it seemed the ritual was successful, and he had levelled up. He excitedly hurried and opened his status window. As always, the system responded and brought it before him.

Level: 2 (117/150)

Name: Dustin

Title: Progenitor

Class:

Hp: 160

Mp: 110

[Stat]

Strength: 11

Agility: 11

Sense: 11

Vitality: 11

Intelligence: 6

Unallocated stat point: 8

[Skill tab]

Passive:

Active: Taming Master (A), Reality Manipulation (A)

“Hmm. I can see the changes, but I still don’t quite understand how this works. System, explain the effect of levelling up.” The system wasted no time answering this query.

..’After each level up, your hp is increased by 50, your mp is increased by 50, you get 3 free distributable stat points, and each individual stat is increased by 1. Due to your unspecialized method, the system is unable to focus your growth on specialized aspects.’ The system answered in a cool voice.

Dustin who was listening to the system’s explanation couldn’t help but notice the difference in the system. The system, unlike before, now sounded significantly less mechanical and more human. It no longer addressed him as player. Instead it used words like you, personalizing him more unlike before.

‘Did the system upgrade?’ He thought to himself before coming back to he’s senses as he looked around the body covered forest floor. “Let’s move.”

As Dustin left that spot, he couldn’t help but be a little proud of himself. He also seemed to be getting a little better at disposing off the goblins the more he killed them. He was now able to take them down with 2 or less strikes.

Being an occasional gamer himself, he was quite familiar with the situation he was in now.

“It’s grinding season. Heheh. Despite this horrid situation, I feel a bit glad that I have this kind of insane luck.”

“That voice, the messenger, he said they had taken measures, and that only monsters of our level would appear throughout this period. If the monsters of our level are these low level F rank monsters, then I just lucked out. Before I arrive at the red dot, I will for sure do a lot of grinding, non-stop till I reach the destination.” Dustin was happy as he walked forward.

No doubt in he’s mind. This was a good start for him.

Moving from one area to the other, Dustin stuck to his strategy and kept mowing down goblins in their hundreds. The plan was an effective one, and it was also a learning experience of some sort.

It seemed like every time he levelled up, all he’s fatigue went away with he’s previous level, completely restoring his physical state to a perfect condition. This was another good discovery.

He wandered deep into the forest, completely absorbed in he’s levelling ritual as he cleared groups of goblins after groups of goblins. From what he could see, only goblins populated the whole place. At this point, he had already killed over three hundred goblins and counting.

‘Maybe I should go a bit deeper.’

Dustin faintly remembered that the range of he’s taming skill could be expanded. Currently, the radar only showed monsters within a twenty to twenty five metre radius, not so wide. He had to move quite constantly to get a good haul of goblins towards him. Within this set radius, he could only get at most ten to twenty goblins, so he needed more.

‘Running around is getting a little tiring now.’ Dustin thought, as he spoke to the system to increase the skill’s range.

Like an intelligent AI, the system responded and gradually the range of the radar expanded.

Dustin stopped on the spot where he was to check the radar map well. He noticed that the map had become several times wider by a significant amount, but he wasn’t sure of the actual number.

“System, what is the range of this map?” He asked.

..’Two kilo metre on all sides, with you at the centre.’ The system responded with a cool voice that went straight into Dustin’s mind.

“That far? Is it possible to call all the monsters within this range towards myself?” Dustin asked, looking the many red dots on the radar. “Just how powerful is my skill? Can I even hold control over all of them?”

According to what Dustin had noted, it could be because of the low level of the goblins, but it only cost him one point in mana to control twenty goblins, which was very low and cost effective. However, the dots on the radar, as he could see, were well over a few hundred goblins, if not a thousand.

“Let’s try it. I’m sure it won’t cover everywhere though.”

As soon as Dustin willed for the monsters to come towards him, he felt a chunk of energy leave his body all at once. The feeling came as a surprise, and shook his standing a bit, but he stabilized himself.

‘What was that feeling? Is this what using a huge sum of mana felt like?’ He said as he pulled up he’s status window. From the looks of it, it seemed he had used one hundred and sixty five points of mana to call all the monsters towards him.

‘Just how many goblins are there? 165? That’s much!’ He thought to himself, a bit shook.

Around a minute later, goblins started gathering around Dustin, from atop the trees to the forest grounds, they covered everywhere, and more were coming.

He hadn’t thought he’s skill so powerful that it would gather all the monsters in a two kilo metre radius. He could only praise he’s luck that they were only weak monsters.

In a short twenty minutes, he’s radar map had turned completely red at the middle. Dustin was filled with exhilaration. The mere thought of how much he could gain from these goblins clouding his mind.

“Let the level up ritual begin.”

“Hnmm!”

[Killed goblin]

+7 exp

[Killed goblin]

+7 exp

[Killed goblin]

+7 exp

[Killed goblin]

+7 exp

+7 exp

+7 exp

+7 exp

+7 exp

...

After over an hour of constant hacking down on goblins, Dustin had managed to cut down every single one of the goblins, and when he looked at the map, there was no longer any single red dot within a two metre radius.

He had become very skilled in such a short time, cutting off the heads of the goblins and stabbing right through their skulls and hearts easily. Dustin had always been a fast learner and adapted quicker than his pairs, but he whether that was the only reason why he had become so good so fast, he wasn’t sure.

After many level ups, he’s strength stat had increased to significant amount, so much so that Dustin had even gained the confidence in himself to go toe to toe against Viper, the man from Old cub’s group. He was no longer just a weak scrawny boy; he was now a strong scrawny man. He might have levelled up, but that didn’t mean he’s body suddenly evolved.

Beep. Beep.

..

[Congratulations on your achievement. You have gained a new skill, Bloodlust.]

[After killing more than three thousand enemies all in one go and fighting in countless hardened battles, bathed in their blood, and drank from their blood, you are the true embodiment of a savage undying warrior.]

[Congratulations on your achievement. You have gained the title Slaughterer.]

[After killing a thousand enemies using some rusty cutting weapon, and bathed in the blood of your enemies, your relationship with cutting things has improved.]

..

“Huh?”

It was true that he killed all the goblins without taking a break, but bathed in their blood? Dustin was sure he didn’t partake in any demonic ritual. With the effects of levelling up, Dustin’s fatigue was always reset, so he didn’t need to worry about getting tired.

As Dustin read the notification, he only then noticed how much blood he had on he’s body. If someone were to walk in on him, no doubt they would call him an occultic ritualist. He was completely drenched in goblin blood. Not to mention the drinking part, bleh!

‘Well, I guess this count as bathing then. I can’t believe I got blood into my mouth. Blehh..’ He shrugged as he stared back at the system window.

“Status.”

Level: 14 (3,125/5,300)

Name: Dustin

Title: Progenitor, Slaughterer

Class:

Hp: 940

Mp: 880

[Stat]

Strength: 24

Agility: 24

Sense: 24

Vitality: 24

Intelligence: 19

Unallocated stat point: 50

[Skill tab]

Passive: Bloodlust (A)

Active: Taming Master (A), Reality Manipulation (A)

“Hmm.. My stats have definitely improved, but...” Dustin said while going through the interface.

If his memory served him right, he could remember some interesting perks that the progenitor title had, but for what every reason, it not taking effect at all.

“Is the system broken? First three skills, then it gave me only two. Now the title is defective, and I had such lofty ambitions.”

[Progenitor: You are the first ever awakener in your universe. You are the beginning, you are the end. Without you, there is no awakener. Even in the presence of the creator, you deserve a seat.

Effect:

All awakened, regardless of rank or lineage will revere you deeply.

You will gain 10% of two random stats from whatever you kill.

You will gain one stat point for every person who shows reverence towards you. Can only work once per person.

+50 increase in all stats after first level up.

-Due to the effects of Progenitor; You are exempted from all and any class restrictions.You are immortal. Death won’t come easily to you. Injuries recover faster.You do not suffer from language barrier.All awakened under you will receive a 75% increase in battle strength(Attack & Defence) during war.You are able to awaken normal beings. [Limited]Attacks from awakened will be reduced by -65%.]

“What gives? System, why are the effects of the Progenitor title not working?”

..’The Title requires you to be at least level 100 before it can be equipped. Once equipped, it cannot be unequipped. One who is powerless cannot rule over others.’

‘Huh? – What?’

“Whaaaatt!?? Level hundred?”

At that moment, all of Dustin’s dreams of being the most powerful at the start of everything came crumbling down before him. What was there to do anyway? All he could do was thank the heavens that he even had two strong skills, well three now. Those should at least suffice.

“Let’s see the new skill and title.”

..

[Bloodlust]

After killing so many enemies all in one fell swoop, bathing in, and drinking their blood, your being has undergone a permanent change, one that shows through your very skin. Through your battles and countless deaths to your name, no one is fit to thirst for blood before you.

Rank: A

Effect:

-+10% attack damage.

-Those exposed to your bloodlust will suffer from, intimidation/fear/hallucination/killing empowerment.

-Grows with the number of kills, and battles you experience.

..

“Fuck. Is this a curse or a gift? It’s passive, which means I can’t exactly control it, right?” Dustin said while looking at the skill heart ached. Doesn’t this mean getting a girlfriend would be impossible? He thought that after he became powerful, girls would flunk themselves towards him, and he wouldn’t have to worry about searching for them himself, but with this...

“Next.”

..

[Slaughterer]

- +50% attack damage when using cutting weapons.

- Increases the sharpness of any cutting weapon equipped.

..

“Not bad. At least this one’s normal.”

“Alright, might as well get out of here before someone shows up. Adios rites.”

As Dustin left the area, he smoothly blended into the dark forest, unnoticed and undiscovered.