CHAPTER 4

The only light now was coming from the campfire and even that was growing dim. Orion seemed to be the only one left awake and that was only because he faked being asleep. Claire had taken it upon herself to be the first guard of the night with him the second and finally Brandon. It seemed just like Orion distrust in Claire she felt similarly about the two of them. That’s when he decided he would go out when it was his time to watch. At first he worried that he would be unable to stay awake the four hours until his shift to watch but as Orion waited he felt most of that time Claire gaze was focused on him.

“This is bad… if I don’t relax it’s all over” Orion feared

He focused on why he was out here in the first place, to remember about his brother. Time passed and those thoughts were held in the front of Orion mind. Suddenly he felt Claire coming closer

“This is it I can’t back down now, I know why I am here and not even this woman can scare me to run away” with that final resolve Orion heard a chime

What… did I just earn a skill?

He opened his eyes the same time Claire touched his back

“It’s your shift to guard get up”

Orion did not respond, instead looking at the details of his new ability

Clam mind (passive) basic 1/100 (rare)

+2 Wisdom and Intelligence

(Mental series)

After deciding to overcome opposition and to focus on your goal you now can think more clearly in intense conditions. Further ranks will enhance this ability and unlock conditions for others. (Special) due to this skill unlocking as a (rare) variety bonuses to core stats will be applied, this will also make the skill harder to level.

Orion was so happy he could hardly contain himself

Mental series? Does that mean that there are other related skills having to do with a person thoughts and what about original core stats that implies I can unlock stats in the same category as strength and agility along with others but don’t have the slightest idea how to unlock or if I had to be given them

The possibilities of the future the power that came with it threatened to show on his face even with the new ability Orion guessed that without it he would not have been able to pull off what he was planning to at least it’s a passive ability,

The more skills I have that don’t use mana the better especially now considering my use of mana is still locked

Just like all his other core stats had soul points in intelligence and wisdom that governed how much mana he had and how fast he was able to recover it but in order to use mana a person had to unlock it but no one from his village used it so he did not know how to. Orion’s hope was that when they got to the town he would find out and from there learn spells. He stood up to compose himself before he faced her but could do nothing to hide how awake and refreshed he looked, this was a problem because to Claire she seemingly just woke him up

“You seem well” Claire questioned

“I was just thinking how nice it is to be close to the city, it’s like my journey is now making real progress”

Orion answered that made it seem like his one true passion in life was to go on quests and loved every second of it. Claire had almost a disgusted look on her face

“Just stop talking and make sure to watch, I am sure of myself to survive any single attack from what lives in this forest, can you say the same?”

Claire chuckled and turned her back to him

I seem so weak in her eyes that she turned her back to me, that’s annoying but it helps with what I want to do tonight

As he waited he half hour he decided upon earlier that day to make sure Claire was asleep Orion looked over how he had progressed since the journey started

Name: Orion Class: None

Level: 5 Race: Human

Title: None Organization: None

Health: 135 Mana: Locked

Strength: 9 Magic Resistance: Unknown

Agility: 6

Intelligence: 6

Wisdom: 6

Luck: 3

Endurance: 6

Vitality: 7

Easier (Variant): experience gained increased, 3+ soul points per level, much greater chance of increased rarity of skills and abilities

Clam Mind (Rare): +2 Wisdom and Intelligence

It seems I have done pretty well for myself, the next goal of level 15 and with that my first class does not seem that far off

Orion had learned from his father that at level 15 a person could pick a class, each class gives bonuses depending on the class picked and if it was a variant. He grabbed his sword and slowly made his way into the forest to start hunting. Orion started to go over the events that would be happening. The next day they would be at the town and the quest of escorting would give both he and Brandon at least a level if not more.

What class will Brandon pick?

Since a class is dependent on the person unlocking conditions and for all he knew Brandon’s main points were strength and endurance that cut off any options of classes that dealt with speed of stealth.

I guess a warrior but if we are both one that might not be the best

Orion summarized then stopped. It then dawned on him as he stood in the darkness

How long will I even be able to fight with him until there’s such a large gap that fighting together would be a waste of time?

For every 5 soul points most people got Orion would have 8, in 10 levels he would be 6 levels ahead points wise and the power difference would even grow. He realized that the campfire had grown quite dim, Orion was further then he intended to go and he did not know what beast or there level lay upon him.

No this is fine, my strike skill proficiently is much higher than when I set out and with calm mind between the skill itself and the bonuses I should be alright, and the pack with that strange creature is already a good distance away

The damage he could now do went from 5-7 to 12-15, after going through new his abilities and power he stopped going forward and walked around the area he was in to find something to attack. It did not take long for him to find an armored deer, Orion quickly hid behind a tree and inspected it.

Level 8… with how my stats are now it should be about an even fight

He was not well versed in attacking a beast by himself since the majority of the time he was with Brandon so his strategy was simple: run as he as he can and attack before he was so that’s what Orion did. He sprinted from behind the tree and within seconds was upon the armored deer. The first strike landed on its neck, scoring a critical hit which was 50% more damage than a usual attack. The armored deer went into Frenzy from the attack, its eyes starting to glow red. While in Frenzy its actions became random and more powerful, Orion tried to strike again but the armored deer rammed him with its antlers and pinned him into the tree. When he was hit he dropped his sword and now used both hands to stop the antlers from going into his chest but he was still losing health.

I have lost a third of my health and it’s still dropping I have to attack it even if it’s with my hands

Orion freed one of his hands and started to hit it. It became a contest of who could deal more damage and as it stood now he would lose

I can finally think about what I need to do but I don’t know what to do! He screamed in his mind.

This armored deer was only able to pin me because it strikes me with a powerful hit, its force may still be a lot now but at least I can somewhat match it

It reminded Orion of himself, his sword strike was much more powerful than his usual attack but it only lasted a moment.

A sword, a head it does not matter the object but they both can use strike, in that case…

Orion focused on his hand and first tried to picture it as a sword but his attack was just as strong as before.

No, it may work the same but a hand is not a sword

This time he pictured the power itself of the sword strike but his fist was the one that was producing it. One again he pulled his fist back and now it felt more powerful, Orion used all his strength and hit the armored deer once again landing a critical hit. It instantly pulled back from him and was now in a daze, the Frenzy effect removed. Menus started to pop up but he ignored them and went for his sword that was still on the ground from when he dropped it. Picking it up he ran over to the armored deer and finish it off with another sword strike, both finally collapsed, the armored deer from its death and him for a total lack of energy. Orion laid on the ground next to the armored deer, soon it would fade away and there was a chance of it leaving items. As he waited he smiled

“I did all on my own… I did it!” he yelled out loud

He would do better next time and the time after that, getting used to fighting alone will be hard but also rewarding. Now Orion wanted to see the best part of the night, the 3 skill notices that were waiting to be read. He reached his hand forward and touched the skill icons so they would open to read

Hand Strike (Active) basic 1/100 (Uncommon)

The ability to use your body as a weapon rather than an object allows you to strike like a living weapon. Future ranks will allow you to attack faster and stronger along with other abilities. (Special) your understanding is beyond most and are able to wield a sword better

5% increase to attack speed

Battle Mastery (Passive) basic 1/100 (rare)

You have begun to understand combat itself by learning multiple combat skills. Improving those and learning new ones allows this mastery to rank. (Special) You can now last longer in a fight

+2 Endurance

Level up

With the level up his one problem was fixed, each time a person levels up there total health value is regenerated over the next 30 seconds.

“That’s good enough for tonight” saying to himself while getting up.

After how hard this one fight was he wanted better gear before attacking again.

“Your done all ready what a shame, the sight of you fighting so badly was amusing” called out the Claire behind him.

Orion jerked back and turned around to where her voice came from, he did it in time to see Claire punch him.

Critical hit, health under 10 percent

Orion could say nothing and barely could hit up on his knees. She was looking down on him, grinning

“I think this conversation would be better if we both faced each other directly so just give me a moment, you see I have to take off my weighted gear so I can help you”

Claire reached under her shirt, something seemed to be moving from under her cloths coming from her arms and legs and pulled out a diamond shape object that glowed for a few seconds then faded, she threw it on the ground next to them. To Orion it seemed to be the first time she had ever looked relaxed

“I feel great, it’s been awhile since I have taken that thing off but the part is now I can use my full strength.”

Impossible with that “reduced” punch she almost killed me and crushed my armor

His calm mind ability was shattered in the face of a person who may as well be a force of nature compared to himself. Claire reached down and grabbed him by the throat with one hand and lifted him up to eye level.

“You look so powerless, it’s really a great feeling to see you like this and how easy it was”

It was more than a grin now, but a bright smile

“You’re a Z rank so you may not know this but your nothing compared to be, at level 50 and my total soul points beyond that I could do anything I wanted to do to you and there would be nothing you could do to stop me!”

She yelled, Claire lightly her neck with her free hand

“It hurts right? Like your dying, maybe you’re wondering if this is it or there’s more to come”

Claire grabbed Orion more tightly, he was trying to pull away using both arms in vain.

“There is more than just leveling to acquire soul points you idiot, if you use weights you gain strength, if you run agility”

What’s going on with her?

Claire’s faced was flashing between sadness and rage, her emotions were building up and overflowing.

"You look like him… you remind me of myself back then”

Her nails dug into his throat causing blood to come out in 5 different places

Claire’s lost it and there’s no way I can get out this alone so how do I get help?

Orion tried to think back if anything if he saw anything to use now

There was that pack, they would be far but if he could make Claire a little louder they should come

He could tell anything about this subject made her more unstable so in order to survive he had to remind her of that trauma. Orion was starting to black out so he did the only thing left in his power: He reached out and grabbed her throat as tightly as he could. Compared to Claire he had little strength but it had the intended effect.

“NOOOOO”

Claire screamed and threw him into the pond, Orion gasped for breath. She had the look of death in her eyes and slowly walked to him, he was now riding on the second part of the plan working so Orion had to wait. It was not long to find out, first he heard them then saw that rare type Armor deer with its glowing body and huge horns leading a pack of beast he had never seen. A wolf but not they seemed much larger than a usual wolf from around this area. The glowing armored deer rammed into Claire’s side at full speed, Orion could guess if not for her complete bloodthirsty desire to kill him she would have noticed what was going on around her and easily dodged. Claire was pinned on the ground surround by around 20 creatures and he could no longer see her but Orion was not planning on watching to see who would win so he started to run. It was only for a moment but he stopped again and looked around, he was only for the object Claire before she single handily lifted him from the ground

I already have a huge advantage from Easier but with still being Z rank, the lowest, I need the way Claire gained her power

Orion found it nearby and ran, hiding in under his cloths. When he got to the camp sit both Brandon and Keira were armed

“Orion what’s going on…. What happened to you?”

Brandon went into his pack and got out bandages, while he started to lightly wrap them around Orion neck Keira sat down beside him

“I am sorry but I can’t heal you, have you seen Claire?”

Orion nodded, waving Brandon off before continuing

“I was out hunting when Claire came up from behind me and attacked, if not for a pack of creatures coming along I would have been killed.”

They were both shocked to hear that and asked for details but Orion did not tell them what Claire said to him. He could guess what happened to her and that did not justify her actions but Orion saw no reason to tell others. After he answers a few more questions he convinced both of them that they should all leave the area leaving Claire’s things behind. By morning the three of them reached the gates and it was time to separate.

“How this ended was not what I wanted but we still manage to get here”

Keira said with a small smile, trying to lessen the gloom of the group

“That’s true and I think we got much from traveling with you” Brandon responded slightly eagerly. Orion just smiled “Well at least we finally got here… wait the quest!”

as if Keira read his mind she continued what he was thinking. “With me at the gates your quest is successful. Orion watched the quest scroll appear in front of him.

Escort Keira to Trine

In times of war it is now more important than ever to move in a party though the lands. Escort Keira to the town of Trine, her dying results in the quest ending in failure

Difficulty: X Progress: Completed

Level up

Level up

Level up

“Wow I got 4 Levels! Thank you for giving us this quest”

Brandon beamed, Keira Chuckled in response.

“I have things to do now but since there is still a few weeks till the army moves out of the city, the shop Volantis is where you can find me”

With that Keira bowed and walked away. Brandon and Orion now looked at each other

“So where do we go first?” Brandon asked, Orion lightly touched his neck

“this time you lead the way.”