11 The Next Battle is Terra
Battle of Terra
Lord Hordak has sent you to take the town of Terra as it could create problems once the Horde is ready to fight Brightmoon. The main reason it has been left alone has been due to Plumeria's neutrality, but they have publicly announced to have joined the new Princess Alliance. Hordak cares little how it is done, but Terra must be taken.
Objective: Eliminate the soldiers of Terra
Hidden Objective: ???
Hidden Objective: ???
Rewards: 100 EXP per soldier defeated/killed, Title: [Conqueror] updated, ???, ???
Failure: Potential death
Time Limit: [06:12:54:21]
Tigra took a deep breath as she would be arriving with the soldiers in a few minutes. As she let that breath out, the flames surrounding her body suddenly went out and her right hand stopped emitting a small yellow light.
Flame Resistance gained 39150 EXP. Leveled up! LV 20 → 35
Heal gained 46940 EXP. Leveled up! LV 26 → 36
[Heal LV 36 (4743/5300) - Heals target 197 HP/m. Cost: 5 MP/m]
Flame Armor gained 15600 EXP. Leveled up! LV 25 → 28
[Flame Armor LV 28 (5063/5600) - CON*(1+AMOUNT_USED/344)]
"I expected them to grow at an increased rate once I found this neat little trick, but I didn't expect them to grow this fast." Tigra hummed to herself.
In two hours time, she gained a collective 28 levels when it comes down to her skills and spells.
Heal would never have leveled up this quickly since she doesn't visit clinics or injured soldiers, unless she personally knew them, and neither would have Flame Resistance.
She had it confirmed a while ago, but it seemed that she could only get resistances after being harmed by that type or she has the capability to be harmed by that type, such as how Fire Armor had been her first spell that could cause actual damage to her and didn't focus on increasing her control over her magic.
In fact, by doing it slowly over a longer period of time and using HP instead, Flame Armor actually gained more EXP than it would have with MP, due to how long it takes her to regain her MP to start over again.
So, slow and steady had outdone speed.
'Ironic.'
She reached the soldiers about 5 minutes later and slowed her skiff to a stop and hopped off of it.
She landed with little noise before walking forward and looking over the soldiers to see if she recognized a few.
[Sarah the Reptilian Age:17]
[Level: 19 Relationship: 27 [Acquaintance] ]
[Buuka the Canine Age:17]
[Level: 22 Relationship: 21 [Acquaintance] ]
[Abby the Satyr Age: 17]
[Level: 18 Relationship: 12 [Acquaintance] ]
[Serena the Human Age:17]
[Level: 26 Relationship: 11 [Friendly] ]
Out of everyone there, those four names were the only people she seemed to have any relationship with that didn't end at 45 [Acquaintance] due to her titles- [Conqueror] +10, [Princess Fighter] +5, and [Force Captain] +30 - increasing them for one reason or another.
She slightly remembered Sarah and Buuka. She feels like she has fought them a while ago. Sarah was more memorable because she was the first person she properly fought in the Academy.
Abby…nothing. Considering that her relationship is lower than the default seems to be, she can guess that she must have rubbed Abby the wrong way somehow.
Not surprising. She had one main goal in the Academy and that had been to learn and improve as fast as she could. It didn't matter who she pushed to the side, save for her squadron. Abby was likely just one of those caught in her path.
Serena, however, seems to actually like her. Which is a positive, considering that she seemed to be the highest level in front of her with the exception of a 28 for a Canine in the back.
That doesn't change the fact that she doesn't remember Serena.
"Which one of you can give me a blueprint of the town, their estimated numbers, and shift changes?" She called out.
A quiet murmur went through the soldiers before Serena stepped forward, her curly, red hair bouncing with a few strands going side to side in front of her violet eyes.
"I have that information, Captain." She told.
"What is your rank in this situation?"
"I am Force Commander Serena, Miss."
"Commander Serena, gather everyone here that has experience when it comes to sneaking into places." Tigra commanded. "As for the rest of you, dismissed!"
A few grumbled while Serena went off to gather those that fit her criteria.
She looked at her quest once more and noticed that, instead of defeating them, she had to eliminate them.
Before at Geotan, defeat made sense as, no matter how it could have gone, a fight would have happened regardless. They had known that they would have been attacked by Horde soldiers within the week.
But Terra? The soldiers had stationed themselves away from the town to not draw attention. Serena likely did this to prevent additional soldiers from being called for reinforcements.
'If I use this properly, I can take Terra without having to take a single casualty.' She planned.
About 15 minutes passed before Serena returned with five soldiers behind her, all already in full armor.
"I've retrieved those that you have requested, Captain."
"Good work, Commander Serena." She nodded at Serena. "How much do you trust there to not be a spy among us at this moment?"
She seemed taken aback.
"Miss?"
"I have been developing a plan since I was assigned this mission. So, I need to know if any of the five you have brought could be a spy. My plan will be happening tonight and if it goes well, you'll be occupying Terra come morning."
Serena looked at the five she gathered before turning back to Tigra with a determined look in her eyes.
"If there is a spy, they are not with us at this moment."
Tigra nodded before positioning herself to look at all of them.
"A night attack. Who among you can't see in the dark that it won't impede the mission?" One raised their hand.
She nodded. "I am asking for complete honesty. I can not bring those who will risk the operation. Now then, who is not 100% confident in their ability to sneak into the town without alerting the guards?"
Another two lifted their hands before receiving another nod.
"Finally, who has not taken a life or can't kill quietly." The other two hands went up.
Tigra nodded while inwardly frowning at having her downside be shown now.
If she wants to do this quickly and quietly, she'll have to do it herself. If someone were to see her or she is not fast enough to remove them before they reach the alarms, she'll be stuck in enemy territory all by herself.
While she doesn't think that she'll be in any danger if she's caught, she would rather take as few risks as she could while still improving her skills and spells.
If she planned to sneak, Haste and Fire Armor are off the table. Haste creates a dim orange light around the target while Fire Armor sets her alight. Flame and Fire would only draw attention to herself.
It would leave Heat as the only spell that wouldn't draw attention in complete darkness that she would be going out in.
"Alright, I've got a different assignment for you five then." She informed them, getting them to stand just a tad straighter. "You are to prevent communications from leaving this camp. While I doubt there is a spy in this small contingent, it only takes one unaccounted variable to cause a plan to fall apart."
"Captain Tigra…" Serena started.
"Commander Serena, you have another important job. Should I be successful, I will head to the outskirts of the town and light two fires. If they are not lit by morning, assume that the plan has failed and the soldiers will be under your complete command."
She seemed surprised.
"I can confidently say that I can sneak into the town and dispose of the guards. All I need is the blueprints of the town and what times their shift changes are."
She nodded before pulling out a large slab of paper and laid it out in front of her.
"The guards seem to largely stay on the newly constructed walls, the barracks, and the town square. At night, the only active guards are in the barracks and on the walls. They have a guard shift every hour on the hour. So if you plan on doing this completely quietly, you need to start here," She pointed towards one end of the wall before sliding her hand along the wall in the opposite direction. "And make your way towards the barracks. You'll only have one hour to do so without suspicions being raised. Maybe 45 minutes at the earliest."
Tigra raised an eyebrow at that timeline.
"Terra isn't an important city of Brightmoon nor is it slightly militarized like Geotan. This is a Plumerian town guarded by Plumerians. They don't worry unless the mess is right in front of them." She explained. "Nor are they in communications like us, where we would know something is up if they don't send some kind of message every 10 minutes of their shift."
While the constant messaging was said to have been annoying for those who dealt with it, Tigra had seen the reports where multiple attacks had been repelled due to a soldier on duty not meeting their scheduled check in and others being sent to investigate.
Tigra nodded before looking at the map and drawing up her plan.
"I'll move out at 2200, about 7 hours from now." She informed. "Until then, I wish to remain alone. I have my rations for the next 3 days on me and will be wrapping up my plan until then."
"Understood, Captain." Serena nodded before she and the other soldiers left her alone in the pitched tent they had been in.
Reputation with Serena increased. 11→23 [Friendly]
Tigra waited a moment before she bursted into flames once more, preparing herself just a bit longer.
Heal has reached max level! Due to this, WIS has increased by 5 and gained 1 skill point.
[Heal LV MAX - Heals target for WIS*3*MAGIC_CONTROL. 257 HP/m. Cost: 5 MP/m]
Fire Resistance gained 197600 EXP. Leveled up! LV 35 → 72
Fire Armor gained 79040 EXP. Leveled up! LV 28 → 40
[Fire Armor LV 40 (3703/8000) - CON*(1+AMOUNT_USED/320)]
Tigra nodded before opening the spell shop.
[Fireball], [Fire Step], [Fanning Fire], [Spark], [Bolt], [Chill], [Freeze], [Stoneskin], [Bubble], [Jet]
…
[Fanning Fire] has been chosen.
…
[Fanning Fire LV 1 (0/100) - The next step of pyromancy. This spell helps those to learn how to enhance or reduce the fire surrounding them through their breathing or actions. Cost: 20 MP/m]
Tigra used Fire before three flames appeared around her feet and the fire started growing and shrinking with every breath of hers. She focused on making the fire grow by imagining she was feeding more oxygen into the fire. It grew before she imagined taking away oxygen from said fire, just for it to grow into a weak flame.
After about 15 minutes, she stopped supplying magic to the spell.
Fanning Fire gained 5400 EXP.
Fanning Fire leveled up!
[Fanning Fire LV 10 (900/1000) - Cost: 16 MP/m]
She stopped as she needed to get moving, as night had dropped about half an hour ago.
'I should be able to max Fanning Fire out by the end of the day, maybe tomorrow. Thanks to Genius, it practically cut the time needed to learn it in half. With it, there's probably one or two other spells that I could master, seeing as I may be finishing the mission almost a week earlier than Hordak wanted.' Tigra thought.
Thanks to Genius and her much larger pool of Magic, she should be able to master these spells much quicker than it took to master the basics for fire.
She exited the tent before heading out on foot, running towards the town under the curtain of night.
It took about fifteen minutes to travel the eight miles of distance between the camp and the wall she needed to wait at.
She had started to sneak when she got within half a mile of the wall joint before sinking her claws into the wall and pulling herself up slowly until she almost reached the top.
She listened for movement before hearing nothing. She checked the watch that Serena lent her so that she could keep track of her time without having any kind of glare reveal her location.
10:58
"Hey!" A voice spoke up, causing her to stick herself to the wall.
While she doesn't doubt the 176% chance of not being noticed, someone could still get lucky and shine a light on her. If so, then her chances don't matter if she has a spotlight on her.
"Shift change. Go and get some rest. Want to look your best when Bolt comes here in two days, right?"
'Fuck.'
The last thing she needed to hear is that someone with a reputation would be arriving the day after tomorrow.
'Reputation means one of two things: experience or nepotism. Based on how they are talking about them as well, I'm more likely to believe the experience. Nepotism isn't too kindly looked upon, regardless of what kingdom you support.'
"Come on, you know I've got no chance. I've heard that he can out speed the Horde's skiffs while jogging . No doubt he's gotten many other suitors after him."
"Get off the pity horse. Sometimes, a person wants someone who will look at a person and not their deeds. I know my partner doesn't care about what I do, so long as I keep helping her around the house like I've been doing once I get back home. Now, go get your rest."
"Alright. Tell Harna I said hello, would you?"
"I will."
Tigra could only hear someone walking away and what sounded like someone sitting down.
Tigra took a breath in before moving five minutes later, in case the soldier returned for something they forgot.
She pulled herself up into a shadowy corner before spotting the guard with their back to her, watching out over the wall.
Tigra made her way over, watching her steps to not let out any sudden noises before stopping right behind them and raised her claws and struck.
691 damage dealt! (2x)
The guard would have fallen to the ground if Tigra has not stopped the guard at the last minute and placed the guard to stand upwards, leaning against the wall as if they were still on active duty.
'That should prevent anyone from being suspicious at a glance.' She thought before starting to run down the path she had determined before arriving.
If she continued running the entire way, it would take 25 minutes to reach the barracks, but dealing with each of the guards along the way would take an additional minute each to take care of and set them up, raising it to 40 minutes.
So, she ran and met another guard. Continuing her quiet run, she pounced and sliced.
1334 damage dealt!
'...fuck.'
The attack had too much extra power and, while it did kill the guard, it tore a large amount of their neck off as well. She wouldn't be able to stand this one up well, considering that the missing part of the neck was obvious.
So, she was forced to lay the guard down while keeping any part of them out of view from the small windows in the wood around the walls.
She glanced at the body and then ahead before shaking her head.
The original plan had been to do what she did to the first one to buy her as much time as she could get.
But this body ruined it if any military personnel didn't see a guard in this position, they would investigate and then find the body.
'At least, assuming them to be competent.' Tigra admitted in her head.
No, now that the original plan had been ruined, she needed to eliminate as many hostiles as quickly as possible now.
So, she took a breath before dashing.
While it affects her STAMINA more than running - 12 to 8, it increases her base speed by 25% more than running, not taking their levels into account.
She started moving much faster and reached the next guard in about a minute and slashed, not stopping this time and continued moving.
1583 damage dealt!
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1583 damage dealt!
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1583 damage dea-
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1583 damage d-
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1583 dama-
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1583 da-
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1583-
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158-
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15-
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1-
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Tigra stopped after killing the last standing guard on the wall and checked her watch.
11:36
…
H2H gained 13500 EXP.
H2H leveled up! LV 88 → 90
STR, CON, and DEX increased by 1.
[H2H LV 90 (4143/9000) - Increases damage done while unarmed by 180%]
Sneak gained 21300 EXP
Sneak leveled up! LV 43 → 47
[Sneak LV 47 (4428/4700) - Chances of being hidden are: 93.5% if people are aware, 187% if unaware. -10% per level higher in sneak of said person]
Tigra let a grin show up on her face. She had started to become curious over what would happen when she reached 100 for one of her skills instead of a spell.
[Quest Created!]
Is This the Peak?
Get one of your skills to Level 100 and discover what happens then.
Objective: You just read it.
Reward: [???] function unlocked
Tigra blinked before a thought came to her.
'There are 'functions' locked to me?'
She had gone her entire life up to now believing that, whatever power she had, was just that: a power. She had received it and that was the end of it. She didn't know that there could be things hidden from her.
She shook her head to get focused again.
'Eliminating first, potential life changes later.'
She made her way off of the wall and down to the streets before sticking to the darkness.
As she reached about halfway, she spotted two guards heading in her direction, likely to check on the lack of communications.
'When I reach the barracks, I'm not going to have time to be quiet. I'll have to get my DEX up as high as I can and dispatch all of the guards in there. Here's hoping all of them are in there.'
As the two reached her area, she dashed.
1624 damage dealt! (2x)
H2H gained 1800 EXP.
She pulled the bodies into the alleyway where they would remain hidden for the night.
She moved out once more before reaching the 'barracks' she was looking for.
In reality it was a large building with flowers thrown all over the outside of it. A good amount of windows on the second and third floors and about two, maybe three entrances/exits.
Tigra made her way to the door before casting Haste on herself, creating a dim yellow light around her. Once more, hopefully for the last time of the night, she took a breath before exhaling.
She opened the door and activated You are Speed.
She noticed about maybe 15 guards at a glance before dashing.
She took a quick glance at her DEX.
DEX: 1126
'Horde damn.'
She moved and her claws had already entered the closest guard.
6345 damage dealt.
Her claws practically decapitated the guard with one slice. Yet, she didn't stop and had pierced the weak helmet of another guard. The guards were only now starting to scramble to their feet.
By the time they did, another three guards fell. By the time they grabbed their swords and guns, another five.
The last five guards shook in terror before meeting their swift end a moment later as well.
H2H gained 13500 EXP.
H2H leveled up! LV 90 → 92
You are Speed would continue for another 87 seconds as she quickly made her way up onto the second floor. A few guards were coming out, likely hearing the small amount of ruckus that had happened downstairs.
The three guards quickly found it as their last choice as they fell to the ground.
Tigra opened room after room and disposed of any guard inside if there were any.
H2H gained 6000 EXP
Tigra reached the third floor, just as You are Speed ran out. She took a second to get used to the new speed before continuing on.
Only to feel her instincts scream out. She activated Fire Armor at 500 MP a minute.
100 damage taken!
250 fire damage inflicted!
HP: 6060/6160
Tigra heard the cry of pain before dashing at the person who just hit her and slammed a burning kick into them.
1085+250=1335 damage inflicted.
H2H gained 900 EXP.
Physical Resistance gained 500 EXP.
Her burning leg went halfway through their chest while cauterizing the wound. Tigra scrunched her face as the smell of burning flesh and cloth hit her nose.
She jumped back and disabled Flame Armor, leaving her with 628/1000 MP and continued fueling Haste. Only then did she glance at her HP to see how the increase in HP affected her normal HP after taking damage.
HP: 2361/2400
'That's roughly the same percentage of what my enhanced HP had been. So, I guess that it works based on the percentage of the new HP and it reverts to my normal HP afterwards.' She determined.
She continued walking onto the third floor and met 4 other soldiers, yet they sat at a table in front of her.
"Not going to attempt to fight me like your other companion?" Tigra asked, hoping to find out the reason.
"No. We know that if you were cautious enough to take out the first floor of guards almost silently, you would have likely taken out the guards on the wall as well. If not, you'll be doing so after." One of them spoke.
"We can only ask that you don't take your wrath out on the citizens."
Tigra raised an eyebrow before nodding.
"I never planned on involving the citizens. At the end of the day, the only thing that will change will be those in charge of the town. Whether it is Plumeria, Brightmoon, or the Horde, it would make no sense to involve them in a military matter. But if you want reassurance, then I'll say this. I, Force Captain Tigra, will ensure that the only deaths that will result from this take over will be military personnel." She declared for them.
Two of them nodded as thanks to her.
"In exchange, I'd like to ask a few questions. First, how likely am I to expect a violent attack against us by the citizens? Remember, I'll do my best to prevent civilian casualties but it will be out of my hands if they start a conflict. My first order is to protect those I command, especially if we're in hostile land."
"Unlikely. Most people here are traders and people who have lived here for generations. So long as they are left alone, they likely won't care."
She nodded.
"Second, has any message been sent for reinforcements?"
"It was brought up, but denied. By then, you would have built up a defensive line that would only result in lives that could be sent somewhere better."
Another nod.
"Finally, who is this Bolt that will be arriving sometime in two days?"
They were quiet for a moment.
"If you decide to hold information, I can contact intelligence on how dangerous this Bolt is and then prepare for elimination. If you tell me, I'll hold back on any order to remove this Bolt."
She would be contacting them regardless of what these guards say. An enemy you know is coming should be one researched. Their strengths, weaknesses, history, and even morals would be needed in a fight if it turns difficult.
"Bolt is from the rare race of Magicats, just like you. He honed his speed over his years and has been known as one of the fastest people on Etheria. He travels with three companions with varying degrees of use in combat and outside. He is noticeable by his short, brown hair, blue sclera eyes, and brown fur."
Tigra nodded before extending her claws.
"I'm sorry, but I've been ordered to take Terra."
The four of them nodded, hearing the hidden message that she conveyed through that sentence.
I'm not taking prisoners.
"Can you make it quick?"
"I can."
Through the use of dash, four bodies hit the ground soon after the statement.
H2H gained 4800 EXP.
Tigra shook her hand, getting rid of some droplets of blood that would be a deal to get out for the next chance at a shower she would get.
She walked out of the building, getting rid of Haste and made her way to the front of the town before finding a few stacks of hay left out.
She grabbed two bags laying around and stuffed them full of hay before continuing to the area she had told Serena to keep an eye on.
When she did, she placed the bags on separate sides of the entrance before setting her hand alight with Fire.
The first bag caught alight before building a larger fire from the hay combusting. The second caught fire a few moments later as she stood in place, her arms crossed and a smirk on her face.
'Misson…'
[Quest [Battle of Terra] Completed!]
Hidden Objective 1: Finish the battle by losing 10 or less soldiers.
Hidden Objective 2: Take Terra alone
Rewards: 100 EXP x 50, Title: [Conqueror] updated | 50 EXP x 70 | 2 Trait Points
…
8500 EXP gained!
Leveled up! Level 33 → Level 34
10 Attr. Points gained! 2 Skill Points gained!
…
'...Completed.'
She placed 5 into DEX and 5 into WIS before looking at the Trait Store.
Durable-Multiply CON by 1.15
Speedy-Updates DEX multiplier to 1.3
Strong-Multiply STR by 1.15
Intelligent-Updates INT multiplier to 1.3
Wise-Multiply WIS by 1.15
Charming-Multiply CHA by 1.15
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Pyromaniac-Multiplies EXP for Fire spells by 2
Electromaniac-Multiplies EXP for Lightning spells by 2
In the Shadows-Increases Sneak's level influence by 50%
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Improved Regen-Multiplies HPR by 2
Enhanced Regen-Multiplies MPR by 2
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[Pyromaniac] and [Enhanced Regen] purchased.
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3 skill points have been used for H2H.
H2H reached level 100!
Feature [Prestige] unlocked!
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[Prestige: Once a combat or combat-related skill reaches level 100, you are given the choice of either staying at that level or restarting at level 1 with excess EXP carrying over. However, doing so multiplies EXP needed by 2 but it multiplies the effect of the skill by 2 for every level of prestige the skill gains]
[Would you like to Prestige Hand-To-Hand?]
[ Y /N ]
[Hand-To-Hand has reset to level 1. Converting excess of 7013 EXP into new regulation.]
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[Hand-To-Hand LV (1)13 (13/2600) - Increases damage dealt while unarmed by 52%. [H2H_Level*2*2^Prestige_Level] ]
…
'While my attacks will be weaker for a little bit, it will be worth it in the long run. It would have stopped at 200%, but now it can go to 400% if I'm right. Then 800%, 1600%, and continuing. It's best to do this as soon as possible while combat is still on the table.' Tigra determined.
"Well, I might as well put that new trait to work." She muttered before the dual flames around her started to grow and shrink.
While waiting, she continued thinking how she would likely continue training with fire until the next element was decided.
'I'm thinking Ice. If it is anything like Fire, then there's likely a chilling control that would work similarly to Heat. If so, I could then regulate my temperature in and around me however I want. On the other hand, I almost have Electricity Resistance maxed and Fire Armor proved to be an effective way of raising it.'
…
'Well, I'll make that decision once I have enough skill points to get another [-omaniac] trait to learn the skills quicker. For now, I'll learn Fire spells much faster than any other branch.'
She didn't care to learn attacking spells, but would rather learn control first so that when she does learn any offensive spells, they can make up for their use of low damage in the beginning.
An hour went by before another pop up appeared.
Fanning Flames gained 28800 EXP.
[Fanning Flames has reached max level! As a reward, WIS is increased by 3 and 1 Skill point is awarded]
[Fanning Flames LV MAX - The step of pyromancy of controlling fire around you. Cost: 1 MP/m]
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Spell shop opened
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Fire Step selected.
[Fire Step LV 1 (0/150) - This spell allows the user to send a condensed amount of fire through their feet to shoot them around in the air. Cost: 23 MP/m]
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Tigra blinked in shock at finishing Fanning Flame so quickly. She figured that it would take another half hour or so.
Having nothing to do, she channeled fire through her feet before hovering in the air about a foot off the ground as the flames kept her in the air.
Two more hours passed before Horde soldiers appeared further out based on the dim lights she could see reached her and she let go of the spell.
Fire Step gained 28800 EXP.
Fire Step leveled up! LV 1 → 20
[Fire Step LV 20 (300/3000) - The ability to move the body with propulsions from flames. Cost: 9 MP/m]
…
Tigra took one last look at her sheet before they reached her.
Tigra Age: 17
Level: 34 (4130/6700)
HP: 2460 HPR: 246
MP: 1000 MPR: 296
SP: 1230 SPR:246
STR: 32 DEX: 135
CON: 123 INT: 100
WIS: 74 CHA: 34
Magic Control: 35%
[H2H LV (1)13], [Run LV 63], [Dash LV 74]
[Dodge LV 41], [Reading LV 75], [Writing LV 69], [Sneak LV 47]
[Fire Res. LV 72], [Phys. Res LV 35], [Elec. Res. LV 82], [Magic Res. LV 2]
Spells:
Flame, Fire, Heat, Flaming Armor
Fanning Flames, Fire Step
Haste, Heal
…
Reputation with Serena increased. 23→57 [Friendly]
