4 The Brutal Start (IV)
[Spatial Isolation Deactivated]
[Quests:
(Hunt in the Woods
// The Dreadberry woods are known to be over-filled with monsters.
- Slay 10 Dreadberry Wolves: 0 / 10
- Slay 1 Dreadberry Pack leader: 0 / 1
Time Limit: 3 Hours
Reward: + 10 XP ; + 10 Points
Oh welp, let the hunt begin? Astrid thought ready as h already could sense wolves in the distance.
- πΏππ ππππππ πΎππππ (IV): πΏππ ππππππ ππππππ -
They seem to have an incredible sharp and keen sense of smell right off the bat, as Astrid could hear the large pounding of there footsteps. That also included the snap of dead tree branches and the shake of every bush they whizzed passed. Running to my sword, Astrid got ready in a stance.
Suddenly, the rustling of the leaves and the bushes soon appeared followed by a wolf that leaps out. It had a dark gray fur as it almost borderline black and it was incredibly large. With a loud growl, it leaped aiming directly at Astrid's shoulder. However he was much prepared and slashed its stomach.
With a large yelp in pain, he swerved and collapsed onto the ground. However, even it appeared the wolf still had a sharp glimmer in its eye. Still injured, its pride got the best of the wolf as it didn't back down, as it attempted to stand up even as the blood from his wound poured out like a faucet.
Ending it, Astrid ran forth and slashes his back once more even before it could even react.
In the end, Astrid watched the wolf died. Its bitter pleas and whimpers were only ignored as Astrid pulled out his sword. With his back turn, the wolf let an enraged howl in the air, whirling around Astrid was annoyed that the wolf still had a glimmer of hope left him. Finally, he sliced the wolf's neck precisely and sharply.
A howl was something Astrid knew about. It's a wistful howl signal death of a wolf. Sometimes, specifically now was something more than just a simple somber occasion. It was a howl that probably signaled the other wolves to his location. The last resort towering towards avenge.
Right after the wolf died, an unexplainable and amazing sensation appeared. Astrid was startled at first but then he welcomed that feeling. At the same time, he didn't even know what it was. It felt like a sudden and large boost of energy similar to adrenaline. Though it seems small and limited felt permanent.
Ignoring it for now, Astrid got ready for the second battle that was just around the corner.
More branches shook and snapped as more wolves came out from the bushes. Astrid felt intimidated and fear flashes across his face.
Urghhβ¦
The three wolves began to circle Astrid as proceeded with caution. They understood that the human was quite strong yet they had him cornered and had difference in numbers.
Darn, Astrid thought as wolves cornered him while starting to circle around him. Sweat fells from his neck as he slowly looked all around to see which one would be willing to attack first.
A large wolf with darker fur than the rest decided to leap out in confrontation, as it also misses Astrid's shoulders shoulder by a couple of inches as he slide to the right. Losing its formation, Astrid knew the time was right and ran toward the wolf that just attacked and slashed its leg. Though the wound is not deep, Astrid left it for now and went after the second wolf.
The second wolf saw Astrid and ran toward it, with a pounce he tried to attack him, spinning Astrid sliced the wolf's leg as it howled in pain.
At the same time the third wolf who took notice Astrid's moment of readable unfocus and decided to attack by launching himself on Astrid covering the distance in a matter of a couple of seconds.
Why now? Astrid thought as he was sent flying towards the trees as his timing wasn't quite right. Falling towards the dust, his body kicked up much debris as it flies into the air and blocking most of his vision. Astrid tried to get up again but felt lifeless and weak.
Bruised and tired, he readied the sword as he wasn't ready to give up especially when he just gained a sliver of power.
The wolves who seemed to be mocking him at this point were surprised that he had the determination to get up again and dashed towards him in a final battle. Astrid dodged and using his wooden sword skewering the wolf as it quickly bled out and died.
With only two wolves left, one was injured and the other was now starting to lose a part of his pride as it was conjured into fear.
The tables had turned and the wolf had a mental battle. A decision to abandon his comrade and escape or fight til its last breath. The wolf decided to run.
"Hey come back here!" Astrid yelled as he went on to chase the wolf. In a few seconds, he had caught up and stabbed the wolf to first slow him down.
A large gash appeared on the wolf's leg as the wolf did a little tumble at the same time and crashed into another great oak. With zero mercy and tolerance for those who tried to slaughter Astrid, he slashed the wolves at sight. Killing the third wolf and ending the second battle.
Astrid stood there with his hands and wooden sword coated with darkish and terrible blood all around. It gave off an inky metallic smell that made fill his intentions were ill-witted. Not only that but his tattered clothes were also drenched in blood.
It was the first time he had killed multiple living being and the moment of peace was the perfect moment given to confront his thoughts. He felt awful killing despite the being tried to kill him first.
Justifying that it was alright to kill them because they tried to attack him first. Sooner or later, Astrid would have to learn that killing was just a part of his life and everyone elses too.
Standing around, Astrid just realized and took notice of my background. He in an dense part of the forest where multiple trees stood around him, there were green vines hanging from the branches as more vines swirled around the trunk of the trees grasping it. Most of the trees were comprised of large oak trees that spanned a huge height.
There were bushes with much greenery and provided coverage for the wolves if they would ever need to sneak attack.
However, based on the wolves that he had fought, he believed that they wouldn't have high enough intelligence to sneak attack him. Furthermore there pride also wouldn't allow it as they preferred to have a one on one battle in the clearing.
'Status'
Name: Astrid Whitlock
Level 0: 0 / 5 Points: 0
Strength: 8
Agility: 7
Endurance: 8
Intelligence: 10
Charisma: 1
Mana: 4
Extra Stats: 10
Innate Traits:
- Isorropian's Chosen One (SSS)
Skills
{Deathly Swordsmanship Lvl 0:
A unique swordsmanship style created by Satan himself. This swordsmanship will teach the true meaning of the way of the sword. As you practice each stroke with dedication, the higher the understanding and the skill will get.}
{Burner of Souls Lvl 0:
Souls are the essence of living beings. You are able to harness the power of souls and convert them into the power and strength of your own. This skill is deprived of the innate trait of Isorropian's Chosen One.
// This Skill is Locked}
Yep, definitely not normal, Astrid thought as he notice his stats. It's true that his stats went up but it should have gone up by 2. Here it looks like his strength went up by 4.
This seemed to confirm his conjecture that exercising itself could add points in a 'natural way' to his stats. Though that also didn't explain why it went up by a lot.
"Wait what the-"
Then with an even more shocked expression, Astrid noticed the burner of soul's skill. It was now unlocked.
Ecstatic he jumped up and down in glee as he was happy that his primary skill was unlocked. Though he still didn't know how to use it.
"How do you use the skill?"
[Figure it out yourself.]
Astrid decided take the system's advice. Understanding that the system itself could only create ripples in the water to affect the rock. As it can only sway it in any direction. However, the rock itself still makes its own decision on its own accord while the water guides its way.
With an idea in my head, Astrid tried to go back where former place, that he had once feared. Closing his eyes, and taking deep and heavy breaths he tried to find his way back to the spot where he found his soul. Soon enough he found it though there was something odd and considered to be 'irregular.'
True the area was dark, dim and had an eerie feeling. The feeling of this place became even worse as it felt like the shadows were screaming at him. However, that was not the most irregular change that happened.
This time, stood two wooden doors that had intricate carvings scraped throughout.
