So… A couple of things before you read the chapter. 1. There was a question in regards to how the MC’s skills are set up or what he can use. His luck skill is a permanent active skill in the four slots he has right now. So, of the remaining three, each is occupied by the mimic skill, Elemental Earth, and Toxic Domination. However, as I explained before, Elemental Earth and Toxic Domination skills are more like certain categories of “magic mastery” and the subskills are the actual spells that can be used. I’ll explain a little more in this chapter about that topic. 2. There’s now some concern that I’ve made my character a bit too powerful, because of his mimic ability… However, I began writing this story with the mimic ability as a core part of his power. Yes, it’s a ‘Legendary’ skill… and it allows the “copying of skills.” But there are a good number of reasons why the MC won’t go super saiyan overnight…. TOverall, I have a wide variety of tools or ways I can uplift or screw over the MC… the question for you is what will I do each chapter…..*evil smile* LOL

Also, this will be the last chapter for a while where I’ll post all the Stats in the chapter. I’ve found that its fluff that belongs every seven or so chapters. That doesn’t mean that I won’t discuss skills and spells in each chapter, but I won’t give you a summary of everything every other chapter either. And it won’t be that bad since the leveling system in my story is designed to be super slow. Anyway… let’s get back to the story shall we…

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The campfire was lazily burning, its flames flickering in the light wind, spilling dancing shadows on the ancient trees scattered around the small clearing. Richard poked at the burning wood, lost in thought about the long day he had just gotten through. It had taken him nearly three hours to skin the damn grasards, and even then, he hadn’t actually done an expert job of it. There had been large clumps of flesh still attached to the skins when he had stashed them in sacks in his inventory. Thankfully, his inventory still had about 20 or slots still open even with all the random crap in it now.

The worst part of the whole thing was the bitter smell still surrounding him and the blood still coating parts of his arms and clothes. He hadn’t changed, not wanting to waste a fresh set of clothes on a still dirty body. However, he wondered if it might not be a good idea. Walking into a village covered in blood, even if it was lizard blood… didn’t seem like a good plan… or maybe it was, depending on who he had to deal with. Musing on the psyche of ordinary people, Richard took another bite of the slightly oily piece of charred meat. It tasted burned of course, but underneath that, it surprisingly tasted like a gamier version of chicken mixed with a rubbery texture. His cooking skills, sad to say, sucked, but he had a few pounds of the meat stored away in his inventory… just in case he found a real cook.

Why was he so satisfied with his inventory… well… he learned that his inventory literally froze time or something. For example, the dead evil rabbit that he had stashed in his inventory almost a week ago had still been fresh when he last pulled it out to show Master Mulfow. Richard figured, if worst came to worst, he could probably be a walking refrigerator or something… There had to be money in that concept.

However, the main thing that he was satisfied with was the real ‘loot’ from the dead lizards: their mana stones… and he wasn’t talking about their actual balls either. Master Mulfow had taught Richard about the mana stones, and with the old man’s help, Richard had actually dissected the evil rabbit corpse to remove its fingernail sized mana stone.

What is a mana stone, you ask? The simplest explanation Master Mulfow had provided was… a complex one. Suffice it to say… for now, a mana stone is basically the solidification of a living creature’s existing mana upon the creature’s death. The crystallized mana can literally be used by people to power their spells… one of the reasons why mana stones were in high demand. Of course, a sliver like the one from the evil rabbit was worth jack shit, never mind being worth enough to power one ‘stone projectile.’ Master Mulfow had told Richard that he might get a dozen copper coins for the mana sliver. Of course, 12 coppers equaled maybe one meal including a pint of ale at an inn or tavern… in a backwoods town. On the other hand, Richard had ripped out pinky sized mana stones from the dead grasards. Now, those… all 20 of them… well… he wasn’t sure how much they were worth, but he figured he could sell the stones for a decent price if he wanted.

However, he figured they could be more useful as a mana source. During the batt… slaughter of the lizards, he had tried using the evil rabbit’s mana sliver when he felt like he had exhausted his own mana supply. Interestingly enough, all he had to do was hold the mana sliver and activate the spell or subskill he had wanted. Of course, his subskill/spell icons had still been blinking, indicating he didn’t have enough mana to use them, but somehow, he had still been able to fire a ‘stone projectile.’ However, as expected, the mana stone had literally crumbled into small fragments of golden light in his hand in the process… but he hadn’t felt any type of drain from his own body.

On top of that, he had the weird barbell shaped, core thingy. He hadn’t shown it to Master Mulfow, mostly because he was afraid he would get in trouble. Richard remembered stable master Haroken saying the earth elemental had been an experiment of some kind, and from what Richard could tell, the core crystal had been the main part of the experiment. He had no clue how much something like that was worth… or if it could even be used as a mana source. However, he wasn’t willing to sell it or experiment with it for now… and maybe not until he was far, far away from Serenthal.

Richard was starting to realize there was a growing list of things that were not governed by his core interface… or maybe interpreted by his core interface might be a better way of saying it. Master Mulfow had been very adamant about the interface being nothing more than a basic interpretation of who a person really was, and Richard was coming around to that same conclusion. However… the interface, like Martin had said, was very useful in managing and monitoring his skills and attributes. Pulling up his stats screen, he looked at the progress he had made so far.

Status WindowName:Richard Jaeger[tr]Race:HumanGender:MaleEndurance:NExperience:5%[Strength:N Experience: 2%Agility:N Experience:9%Dexterity:N Experience:3%Wisdom:N Experience:4%Magic:N Experience:6%Defense:N Experience:3%Charisma:N Experience:8%

As expected, he had barely gotten any experience for his different attributes even after killing the ‘Shit Monster’ and the 20 grasards. It didn’t look like the leveling system used objective data, but it instead seemed to rely on some kind of subjective scale: like how much of a challenge something was for him or how much effort he put into doing something. Even that seemed off, since he had literally been dead meat when fighting the ‘Shit Monster,’ and his only effort had been trying to escape. Truthfully, only luck had saved his ass.

However, he had made some progress. What really caught his eyes was the significant increase in Charisma, Magic, and Agility. Richard thought back to all the people he had dealt with so far: Martin, Welks, the elf captain, Haroken, and Master Mulfow. He realized he had established some kind of relationship with most of them and in some cases, even friendly relationships. Scratching his head, he wondered if that’s why his Charisma had increased so rapidly. The same seemed to apply to his magic and agility. It made him consider running a dozen miles each day for exercise and just practicing his magic to see if it would increase the percentage gained. On the other hand, combat or practical applications of his skills seemed to be a key part as well. Or maybe, was it something more complex? Richard felt a headache coming on. All he could say for sure was that the percentage increases seemed to match the type of actions he took in situations. It explained why his Defense and Strength had a lower percentage of experience gained… running away from physical fights had unfortunately become a habit for him.

Of course, the attribute levels were only part of the story. Flipping through the interface screen, Richard pulled up the list of his skills.

Active Skill: Critical Luck

A skill that allows the wielder a single, random opportunity to turn the tables in a desperate situation. Of course, the Gods of Luck will not provide such a skill without conditions:

Condition 1: This skill cannot be leveled.

Condition 2: This skill can only be used once every 720 hours

Condition 3: The more amusing the situation, the more powerful effect the skill will have.

Condition 4: The more desperate the situation, the more powerful effect the skill will have.

Condition 5: The Gods of Luck prefer the underdog, so be sure you are one. Or else…

Passive Skill: Mimic Skill

Gives the skill user a small chance of successfully copying one skill of a target creature, person, or construct that the user kills and adding it to his repertoire.

Level 1: 5% Chance of Success, Copied Skill has 50% the Effectiveness as the Original Skill

+5 % Chance of Success when Copying Skills of Elementals

Skill Cool Down Time: 240 seconds

Passive Skill: Earth Elemental

Allows wielder to gain affinity for earth based magic and is the core requirement to gaining and using earth based sub-skills.

Active Sub-Skill: Stone Projectile

The most basic of Elemental Earth skills. It allows the wielder to shoot a stone projectile at enemies.

Level 1: Stone Projectile Material: Talc, Initial Speed of Projectile: 50 m/s

Skill Cool Down Time: 35 seconds

Active Sub-Skill: Quagmire

Allows wielder to create a mud based trap that slows movement for a period of time.

Level 1: Circular Trap is Eight Feet in Diameter. Duration of Trap is 10 Seconds

Skill Cool Down Time: 60 seconds

Passive Skill: Toxic Domination

Provides the wielder with affinity in all magic relating to biological and chemical hazards and is the core requirement to unlock all Toxic Domination sub-skills.

Active Sub-skill: Biogas

Creates a globe of toxic fumes produced by decomposing waste and provides the wielder with the ability incapacitate an enemy or prey without killing them.

Level 1: Globe is 10 feet in diameter. Duration of the globe of toxic fumes is 10 seconds.

Skill Cool Down Time: 120 seconds

SLOT 1: Active Skill: Critical Luck Level: LOCKED

SLOT 2: Passive Skill: Mimic Skill Level 1: 2%

SLOT 3: Passive Skill: Earth Elemental Level 1: 0%

A. Active Sub-Skill: Stone Projectile Level 1: 5%

B. Active Sub-Skill: Quagmire Level 1: 3%

SLOT 4: Passive Skill: Toxic Domination Level 1: 0%

A. Active Sub-skill: Biogas Level 1: 2%

All his skills and spells were all still stuck at the bottom of the barrel even after all that. It was pretty disheartening. It made him wonder how most of the people, who came to the World Labyrinth managed to survive, never mind become stronger. But then again, a couple days worth of practicing didn’t really mean much. However, he got the impression that the subskills were capable of leveling up faster than the Passive Skills they were equipped under, based on what he was seeing.

Master Mulfow had described the Passive Skills like Earth Elemental and Toxic Domination as ‘Classes’ of magical study under which each of the subskills/spells fell. According to Master Mulfow, it was possible to ‘master’ the ‘classes’ of magic, forcing SOME of them to ‘evolve’ over time to higher tiered ‘classes.’ For example, Mater Mulfow indicated Earth Elemental would eventually change to Terra Mastery. How did that happen? According to Master Mulfow, it was by the magic wielder’s body gradually becoming stronger through experience and increasing its pool of mana until the body could handle higher tiered spells. Based on how his Core Interface’s interpreted all that, Richard guessed his Passive Skill Earth Elemental would eventually level up to Terra Mastery. To do that, it seemed like he had to use the Subskills frequently and level them up… eventually forcing the Passive Skills they fell under to level up.

Though he was limited for now to four slots for his ‘skills,’ the ‘subskills’ or ‘spells’ he could use under each of those ‘Skills’ or ‘Classes” was almost unlimited. There was no equipping involved, and from how he understood it, he could use any of the ‘subskills’ or ‘spells’ he had access to at any time as long as their ‘Skill’ or ‘Class’ was equipped. It sounded amazing and almost overpowering… until he realized he was limited in how many of those spells he could use in succession based on his supply of mana.

The worst part of it was that there was no numerical estimate of how much mana each spell or subskill required and how much mana he had. It meant that he had to have a deep understanding of his own spells, limitations, development. With each successive level he gained in his magic attribute, Richard guessed his mana limit would increase… or maybe even as he progressed further in each level… like a 50% level N magic attribute might allow for a larger mana field than a 5% level N magic attribute.

Luckily, his core interface at least let him know when he couldn’t use spells due to the lack of mana by flashing little icons around the perimeter of his vision when he thought of a certain subspell he wanted to use. More than that, the failure for the magic fields… like the globular field of his Biogas spell… to form was a good indicator that he didn’t have the mana necessary to use the spells. Most of the World Labyrinth inhabitants seemed to have similar limitations based on what Master Mulfow told Richard… excluding the little flashing icons showing up.

All of it was scarily complex… with the most screwed up thing being his Mimic Skill. Richard massaged his temples as thought about Master Mulfow’s reaction to the knowledge that Richard had a ‘Legendary Skill.’ The old man had literally frozen up and stared at Richard for a few minutes in shock, curiosity, maybe some horror… and gods knew what else. The old man hadn’t mentioned anything about the skill after that, other than to tell Richard to never tell anyone else about it no matter what. The almost scarily intense look on the old scholar’s face when he said that had scared the hell out of Richard. After understanding some of the details about how skills and magic were related and their importance in his new world, Richard finally realized how dangerous his skill was…

Staring at the fire…. lost in thought, Richard didn’t notice he had company until it was almost too late. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw movement, and his spidey senses went on full alert.

Fwuup!

Just as he shoved himself backwards, something went whizzing right past where his chest would have been a moment ago. He only caught a glimpse of the glinting piece of metal and wood that passed him, but… it didn’t take a frikin’ genius to figure out someone had just shot a god damned arrow at him!

As soon as his back hit the ground, he rolled instinctively to his left, towards the road and away from the forest from where the arrow had come from. Almost immediately, another arrow whizzed past where his body had just been, skidding on the ground nearby before coming to a rest near a tree.

“Did ya get ‘im!”

“I kan’t see him! Beldek, go circle aroun’!”

Richard clearly heard the shouting after crawling on his elbows and belly to behind a fallen log. He was breathing hard, as his heart raced at a hundred miles per hour. “What the f#$k?” He wanted to yell, but his words came out in a furious whisper.

A quick peek over the rotting log revealed a few shadowy figures in the woods, but nothing definite. Richard quickly glanced behind himself just in case, but he didn’t see anyone there. In a whisper, he muttered, “Three… four… who are…?”

Thunk!

Even before he could finish, another arrow pierced the log right next to his face. “Shit!” This time around, he wasn’t able to hold back.

To his right, almost perpendicular to how he was lying, he saw the dark figure of a man holding what looked like a bow. A piece of metal glinted right in front of the man as firelight played across the clearing, and Richard knew the man was nocking another arrow.

Out of desperation, Richard pointed his right hand towards the figure and cast ‘Stone Projectile.’ A piece of Talc a bit larger than a tennis ball shot out from in front of his open palm, almost appearing out of thin air.

Thud!

In a fraction of a second, the sound of rock hitting flesh echoed through the clearing, followed by, “Aharrrrgg!” Richard saw the glint of metal falling and glimpses of a dark figure retreating, while plowing through the forest sounding like a wild boar.

“Beldek, Wha’ happened!” The shouting came from ahead of Richard, and he raised himself up just enough so he peeked over the log while resting his chin and arms on it. Three figures came out of the trees. Two of them were carrying what looked like swords, and the third was carrying a bow. Richard couldn’t make out too much of what they looked like, but he could tell the two swordsmen were a lot burlier than the archer.

Coming to a decision, he cast ‘Biogas’ right in front of where the archer was walking.

Cough! Cough! “Hurrrghghh! Urgggghghgh!” Almost immediately, Richard saw the archer drop his bow and grab his throat and face, while stumbling. The man, however, failed to fall and instead staggered out of the ‘Biogas’ cloud gasping loudly. “Maaagggge!”

“Shit!” This time it wasn’t Richard yelling. “Rush him!”

“Oh f#$K!” Richard knew he was screwed. Without stopping to think, he cast ‘Quamire’ on the lead swordsman, who was like a bearded, black haired man.

SLUSSSSH!

“Oragghhh!!!” The black haired man just began to yell a war cry, when it suddenly turned into a shout of surprise. Richard watched as the man tripped while losing his balance in the sludge like ground!

That just left the last man… and Richard was out of skills. He hadn’t gained anything from the damn lizards… and it looked like the skill cool down for his ‘Stone Projectile’ was only two thirds done. Unfortunately, the blonde haired man, who was maneuvering around the first swordsman, didn’t look too happy. His bearded face was covered in a scowl, and he held his sword like he knew how to do more than poke things with it.

Richard thought fast and….. “Hold! One more step and I’ll blast you!” A pure bluff… Holding out his arm and pointing it towards the blonde haired, burly man, Richard also pulled out his short sword from his inventory.

To the blonde swordsman, it looked like the sword had appeared out of nowhere. Now… he wasn’t stupid… He knew of magic users and especially about how dangerous outworlder adventurers were. Of course, he was the most intelligent out the four, and realizing his prey had just thrown maybe two or three spells at his band of thieves without pause made him hesitate.

That’s just about the time Richard was able to use ‘Stone Projectile’ again. Brandishing his sword, he fired the spell, aiming for the man’s face.

Thudssshh! “Arrrrrraaaaaaahhghg!” The blonde man, who was about 10 to 15 meters away grabbed his face and collapsed to knees, making gurgling sounds. Richard caught sight of blood pooling out between the fingers of the hand clutched to man’s face and took a step back in surprise.

Richard’s nervous eyes flitted back towards the other swordsman and the archer, but all he saw was the fleeing back of the black haired swordsman.

That just left the blonde man….

“Hey! You!” Richard called out to the man, but other than the fellow moaning while hunched over, he didn’t say anything.

Richard nervously made his over to the man, keeping his short sword up in front of himself in what he thought was a guard position.

“Hey! Answer me!” The closer he got to the man, more Richard got agitated. He felt himself shaking a bit. Muttering, “F#@k, [email protected]$k, [email protected]#k!,’ he repeated the cuss word like it was a prayer.

Edging close enough to almost touch the man with his sword, Richard shouted, “Damn it! Answer me, you bastard!”

“Gwafwwwahh!” With a gargled scream, the man threw himself forward with his arms stretched out to grab Richard.

Richard jumped back, almost crapping his pants in surprise and fear as he caught sight of the man’s mangled face. The man’s nose had been pulped, with cartilage sticking out of the fleshy mess, and his eyes looked like something had shredded them, leaving them in bloody tatters. Worst of all, there was a shallow dent right above where the rim of the nose would have been, and Richard’s shocked mind couldn’t understand how the fellow was still moving after that kind of damage.

Richard stumbled back even as the man lunged forward, and almost reacting out of reflex, Richard swung his sword diagonally… right as the man’s neck got close enough.

The next moment, Richard found himself on his back wrestling with a 200 some pound smelly bandit. “GET OFF!”

“Gwwahahhh!” The man’s calloused hands grabbed Richard’s neck, but almost immediately, Richard felt the grip around his neck relaxing. But… that’s when the stream of blood washed over the man’s shoulders, pouring down on Richard’s face.

“Gahhhh!” With a desperate push, he rolled the man’s body off himself, and Richard flipped himself over coughing and gasping. He felt shaky all over and a bit dizzy… When he finally looked over to the… dead body, all he saw was blood, blood, and more blood.

“GUAAAHHH UGGHGGG!” The next second, he hunched over and vomited.