1 week later

I crept under the brush slowly. My prey was unaware of me. It sniffed the ground, searching for something. It's powerful claws dug into the dirt with a simple flex. It's hate filled red eyes scanned the forest. I halted and held my breath. My emotions were calm. The dark beast had yet to sense me.

It stopped its search and went back to trudging through the forest. I was close enough and it's back was away from me. I gathered darkness in my hands. Two shadow bolts flew from my hands and slapped against the creep's side. It hissed at the sudden pain and whipped around for the source.

Two more bolts flew out. That was all it needed to find me. It's powerful legs allowed it to quickly face me and began bounding towards me. I clench my fist, gathering mana while my other hand flings more shadow bolts. One of which scored a blow on the creep's eye.

Weak spot hit 2 × DMG

It hissed in pain and rage as it closed the distance and left at me. I thrust my fist forward and open it to release the built up magic. The explosive spell not only deals a lot of damage. But the force pushed it back, sending it flying to the ground.

Creep Lvl 3

HP 13/120

?

The creep struggled on the ground as it reeled from its blown off jaw. It was painful to watch. But I had few opportunities to use my leech life. I had to use whatever chance I could to train it.

I latched onto it's leg and began to drain it of life. It gave out a last ditch kick that scrapped my arm. The pain was sharp and intense but I kept draining. The spell slowly closed the fresh wound and dulled the pain as it finished the creep off. I looked down at my new cut. It already looked as if it had been healing for weeks. It felt itchy now and when I tried to scratch it. Pain shot up my arm as my nails brushed the tender flesh. So to distract myself from the itch I reached into the dust pile. My prize? A single bone shard and a large patch of creeper skin.

I slid it into my INV without much thought. 'Wonder what can do with this bone. Make tools? Maybe, most effective weapon are spells. Waste to make weapon. Barter pieces? Probably not, town has many metal tools. Look better than bone'.

Over the week I had spent my time foraging for mushrooms, nuts, and berries. I had been so curious on what berries were good to eat and found that the first bushes I had found were safe. My observe had then identified them as salmon berries. A tasty discovery, much better than my two other food options. However, mushrooms and nuts weren't bad, Just not great.

When I wasn't working on food or water I lurked around the forest for easy dark beasts to slay. The search had not been so fruitful so far. So many were in big packs. Too many for me the handle. I had even spotted a handful of beowolf alphas among the pups and minors.

Thankfully my sneaking got much better as I crept everywhere in the forest.

As long as I hid in the underbrush or thick tree line. The dark beasts would eventually leave.

Though it wasn't perfect. One time a small pack of seven had sniffed me out on top of a tree. The only reason I was alive was because of my high vantage point. Whenever the beowolves tried to climb up to get me. They would either get pelted by stones or spells. Despite it terrifying me at the moment. It was a good opportunity to gain XP.

I had gained another PER point for throwing so many stones. It was also then did I learn a new spell.

Dark Imbue: lvl 2 (65.4%)

Type: Dark

Mana cost: 4 per square foot (min 1)

Imbue an object with dark magic. Weapons: Add an additional 25% dark DMG for 1 min.

Armor: Add an additional 25% dark resistance for 1 min.

Every 10 lvls will add an additional 5% bonus to buff.

It didn't do much since all I had at the time were rocks. But the small extra bite was helpful at repelling the dark beasts. Since rocks were so small, every imbued rock only took 1 mana. A price well spent since two of the beowolves alone died to the rocks. They just didn't know when to quit.

It was dangerous but also a weakness. If the beowolves had been smart they could have easily starved me out. But they weren't, this time.

Though my hard work and training were paying off. I was now lvl 5. Giving me another 10 precious stat points. I also discovered that I could train my stats. When I filled my INV with rocks and other heavy things. I was slow yes, but after a while I earned another STR point. More time got me another STR and END point. I still didn't know how I could train my other stats but I was sure I'd find put eventually. With all of this training and leveling up I no longer felt like a worm in a world of birds. Just more like a mouse in a world of foxes. But I could now bite the foxes back. I looked up my stat page.

Name: Shard

Species: ?

LVL 5

EXP 680/3'200

Title (?)

HP 65/65 (regen 0.75 per min)

SP 90/90 (regen 1.5 per sec)

MP 220/220 (regen 5.5 per min)

AP ?

STR:5

VIT:4

END:5

DEX:2

PER:5

INT:11

WIS:11

WIL:36

CHA:1

LUK:1

I had improved immensely compared to week ago me. I had decided to name myself something until I got my old name back. After all, I had to give people a name of some kind. When I managed to work up the courage to actually go into town. I mean at least my charisma wasn't a 0 but a 1?! I would probably say something really dumb immediately! I also didn't have any money. I didn't think anything I had was even worth 10 lien. Or if 10 Lien could even buy me anything. I mean, I could probably find a job or task to do for someone. But then there was the low CHA problem and the lack of clothes.

The people from that night were covered head to toe in clothes while all I had was my scrap of darkness at the time. While I was grateful to whoever gave it to me from the dark place. It wasn't enough. Which had funnily enough, given me a quest.

Quest: Looking Decent

Objective: Craft or find enough clothing to look presentable to the townsfolk.

Reward: 1000 EXP, good first impression to the populace of Fort Slate

Failure: Bad first impression to the populace of Fort Slate

So that had been my project since yesterday. Gathering enough resources to make clothes. I had already gathered enough parts to make myself a poncho out of a beowolf pelt. I knew how to mash the fur scrap together until it made an entire pelt. It was thanks to my new skill.

Simple Crafting: lvl 4 (16.9)

The ability to craft basic tools, objects and clothing. (Skill efficiency increases from DEX and INT)

Crafting skill: primitive

Despite it saying primitive I thought the things I could make were pretty nifty. The poncho completely covered me and made sleeping actually possible on the stone floor of my cave. Maybe by primitive it meant that it didn't look as nice as the townsfolk.

That was another thing I had discovered over the week. I didn't need sleep. The two times I did though felt good. And it fully refreshed me. Scars vanished, old cuts fully healed. My MP and SP recovered too and I got a 2 hour bonus of gaining experience. It seemed as though I needed a bed of some sort to sleep. Otherwise, I would just be lying there. I didn't spend most of my nights sleeping though. I spent them training my spells on the cave wall. My shadow bolt was now 67, my discharge was 37 and my shadow mold 52. Not only did they do more damage now but also cost a bit less MP.

Speaking of shadow mold, I found out through experimenting that it was by far my most useful spell. I didn't need to fully craft most tools. Need a needle? Shadow mold. Need an axe? Find a sharp heavy rock and use shadow mold to wrap around it and form a handle. Of course, it's not perfect. The forms of shadow are not strong, especially in direct sunlight. It only takes a few swings with an axe before it starts to break and I have to fix it.

But it's easy and the more I train it the stronger it gets. It also counts for my Crafting skill. It doesn't give me as much XP as a real tool. But training two skills at once cannot be bad. Besides, it saves me time.

Speaking of time, with this last patch of creeper skin I could finally make myself some slippers. I looked around to see if my ambush had alerted any other dark beasts to my location. I listened out for the slightest ruffle of undergrowth. A snap of a branch or a howl. Nothing new came, just the breeze moving through the trees. The grasshoppers did resume their songs giving me a good sign there were no dark beasts nearby.

New skill Threat detection lvl1

Threat detection lvl1 (01.0%)

Radius of sensing bloodlust for you: 30 meters

The ability to sense a creature's bloodlust for you with all six senses

I blinked at the notification. 'Handy, wait six? Let's see, touch, sight, hearing, taste, smell. What is sixth one'? I pondered for a few moments before a fire lit itself above me. 'Magic perhaps'? I did not receive a confirmation or a denial so I would just have to live with my guess.

At the cave

I weaved the plant fibers together into strong string. I finished the last one with a sigh of satisfaction. +2XP It wasn't much and it took longer than I liked. But I should have enough string for the slippers now. It was nice that every little thing I made also gave me XP. While it was a minuscule amount, the number of little things I would need to make in the future would add up.

I pictured a needle in my fingers and a bit of my shadow climb up and condensed into my fingers to form the needle. 'Ah, such useful spell'. The sun was beginning it's descent meaning I had a few hours of daylight left. I got to work on my slippers. Bit by bit the creeper skin was sewn together until It began to resemble a slipper. I took extra care to make sure I got the size right. It was a pain looking for creepers that were alone. 'Make hole big enough for foot but not too big'.

An hour later my first slipper was done. I gulped as I went to put it on. With a bit of resistance, my foot slipped in. It was a bit too big but not unwearable.

+10 XP

1 slipper down, 1 more to go. This one was a bit easier. It didn't take so long, I didn't even struggle with the moss padding this time.

Simple Crafting lvl up

I grinned at the message as I finished the other slipper. 'Getting better' I slipped it on and was happy to feel a more snug fit.

+10 XP

I stood up and took a few experimental steps. It felt better, I went for a small walk around. I didn't have to watch where I stepped. Little pebbles didn't dig into my feet anymore. Roots didn't scrape skin. It was a very nice change of pace.

Even if my healing covered it, the pain was annoying and well, painful. I looked over my body proud at my new look. But the quest wasn't complete. 'Am I missing'? I thought back to the townsfolk. Some were wearing Headwear. I looked down at my hand. I was a lot more pale then them too. Maybe I should fix the mask. No wait, beowolf poncho, dark beast mask? I'll be shot on sight.

For avoiding a dangerous encounter +1 WIS +1 CHA

Huh, more charisma is good. OK so not a mask, how about a scarf? 'Wait no, scarfs go around necks. Hats go on heads. Maybe both would be good'. I looked down at the grass and shrubbery that surrounded my cave. Perhaps a simple plant fiber scarf would work. I thought of what I could use as a hat.

My mind thought back to the lake and the tall thick grasses that surrounded most of the shore. 'Weaving, a simple wide weave hat could work. Not dark beast parts, green is friendly. Yes, yes, good plan good plan'. I looked up to the sky to see oranges beginning to spread as the sun went down. I felt my stomach growl. 'First, dinner'.

1 hour later

The sound of crickets chirping echoed through the forest. The stars had begun to appear in the sky as the sun sang out the last chorus of its song as dark purples and fading pinks mixed with growing star and moonlight. My fire was small and growing as I placed a small log on it.

I was getting better at making fires. I hovered a trio of speared mushrooms over the fire. The mushroom flesh began to darken as it cooked. I reached my free hand into my INV and fished out a handful of salmon berries.

The sweet tartness flooded my tastebuds as I munched on them. I brought my cooking stick back to examine the mushrooms.

Cooked mushroom: common

Restores 1 HP & MP

My observe skill was quite handy. I blew on the cooling shrooms before plopping them in my mouth. The earthy taste, the squishy texture. It was fine on its own I guess but a faint memory of stew with mushrooms made me wish I had more variety of food.

Perhaps I should hunt a squirrel or bird tomorrow. Good roasted meat sounded delicious. I looked down at my last mushroom with mild disappointment. 'Oh well, food is life in wilds. Can't get picky'.

I then took a few more mushrooms and speared them before cooking them. Another handful of berries for me. The rest of my meal went by like all of my meals.

Relaxing by the fire. Enjoying the berries, filling up on mushrooms and walnuts. 'Perhaps I should make bowls and pot with the clay by the water. Make proper meal, mmm yes, good idea for soon'. At the end of my meal I began to work on a project. It was a wooden mask. While I wanted to eventually fix the beowolf mask I didn't have enough parts yet. So for now, a wooden mask would have to do.

I used mold shadow as my carving tools. Slowly I carved a large log. My shadow tools broke and were worn easily but it was simple enough to remake or fix them.

It felt nice to work on the mask. I had to keep the fire fueled and I wasn't training my spells. But this, this felt like a nice break. A little distraction from a dangerous world. It was just me and my unfinished mask.

An hour turned to several as each chip was carved off. The rough hard wood slowly obeyed my wish. I stopped for a moment and put it up to my face. The width and height were good. A bit heavy but that just meant it would be sturdy. Now I just needed to thin it a bit more and make eye holes.

My shadows bent and chipped. My magic leaked out from my fingertips. Chips were filled in, bending handles were reinforced. I lost count of time as I made the first hole. I widened it and placed it back on my face. 'Mmm, a tad bigger, hmm yes that's good'. I then slowly made a second eye hole. I blew the sawdust off and placed it on my face again. It would work, I just needed to smooth it. My shadows shifted to a rock with a rough texture. I formed a smooth handle for me to hold on to while I worked. I did have to remake the rough texture every stroke. The shadow grinding down easily but it was almost second nature to reform it at this point.

Shadow mold level up

I looked back down to my fire to see it burning my last log down. It wouldn't be long until it would begin to fade to embers and produce no light. I paused at my work to study it. The inside was all smooth, it wouldn't be uncomfortable to wear now. The outer side was obviously unfinished with swirls and carving lines visible. However, it kinda looked neat. I decided to keep it as it was.

All I had left was to drill out small holes for me to loop string through. I placed it in my INV and looked up at the sky. The stars were out in mass. It was beautiful, lights dancing in the void. 'What are stars? Spirits, perhaps holes in the void. Holes to realm of pure light. Hmm, perhaps Fort Slate knows, or has good idea'.

Danger detected

I shot up and looked around. It was then did I noticed that the forest had gone eerily quiet. 'Should I go in cave? No ill be trapped, best position is tree. But what if they catch me halfway up. detect 30 meters away, too close'. I stood up and listened.

I flung a bolt to my right as I heard a faint rustle of leaves. Nothing, no cry of pain or surprise. I steeled my nerves. 'Can not waste mana'. An idea popped in my head. I ran to the nearest tree as I stretched my hand out and formed a ladder from shadow. My movement was slower due to my minor over encumbere. But I lacked the time to clear my INV. Something burst out of the bushes. It was large and heavy. I jumped up and scrambled up the growing ladder. I suddenly felt the ladder give out as something tackled into it. The tree shook as I grabbed onto a branch and looked down.

Two red eyes in a mask of white glared up at me. The alpha opened it's maw and snapped at my legs. Quickly spikes grew from my legs as the dark beast latched onto my leg. It quickly let go as the brittle thorns stabbed into it's unprotected mouth.

-7 HP

I winced as I pulled myself up. It's teeth had managed to pierce my skin but at least it wasn't able to rip it off.

I climbed up as the alpha snorted in annoyance. I could hear more footsteps approaching. Howls echoed in the night. The rest of the pack had arrived. I heard the alpha begin to climb up as well. I looked back down and grabbed a large rock out of my INV and imbued it with darkness. Using all of my strength I hurtled the large stone with both arms. The alpha had no time to react as all 10 pounds of stone enchanted with dark magic slammed down on its skull. A loud crack echoed out as the stone bounced off of the mask.

It roared in pain as it lost its grip and tore a branch off as it fell again. Another beowolf rushed past its fallen leader and leaped up high to reach me. Just as it's clawed hand reached out for me. A blast of discharge blew that hand off and another blew its head off. The alpha quickly recovered and howled for its pack to attack.

Old beowolf alpha lvl 25

HP 540/575

Armor 15

10% resistance to dark spells

The dark beast had bone plating covering the majority of its back. It's mask had grown to more akin of a helmet. This was the most dangerous dark beast I had entered combat with. If I wasn't careful. This one alone would tear me in half with ease. I quickly began to form bolts in my hands with quick precision.

The alpha backed away as I peppered it with my bolts. I could see that my damage was less than it should be. I would have to save my mana for that thing alone. I had already used 100 of my precious mana. If I kept using spells at this rate. I would be defenseless. So I would have to use a alternative ammunition that I had a stock of.

Two beowolf pups reached the tree and lept up to begin their climb.

The dark beast looked up with gluttony, it wanted to see the look of fear in its ey- *WHAM*!

Weak spot hit 2 × DMG

A large rock collided with its head, cracking its skull. Not only that but a faint dark energy ate away at its skin making it whine in pain as it fell down. The other pup held on even as the rock smacked it on the head. It looked up only to receive a spear made of darkness stab into it's eye.

LETHAL DAMAGE × 3 DMG

The beowolf pup roared in pain before I sent two more bolts to silence it. The dark magic eating away at its head as it fell back down dying.

Three more pups assaulted the tree making me rabidly throw down stones at quick succession. It did little help as one swiped at me. Forcing me to jump up and grab onto another branch as it broke the one I had just been standing on. One of its pack mates climbed further up and reached for me. Only for it to receive a discharge to the face, killing it instantly.

The previous one lost an arm as my discharge spell seemed to be the only thing doing meaningful harm to them.

I only had enough mana for two more and a handful of bolts. They were quickly overwhelming me as I quickly threw my small supply of stones. I hadn't stocked up for a siege like this one. I cursed myself for not stocking up backup weaponry up here or in my cave. The thought of me running into my cave was looking good right about now. At least then the beasts could only come from one way. And not sneak up on me as one did as it climbed the other side of the tree.

It's claws raked my back, leaving three deep cuts despite the thick poncho.

-17HP

I cried out in agony as my grip almost faltered. I swung around with a discharge and sent the beast back down with 1 less arm and leg. I looked back down to see that the alpha saw this as it's chance to get me before one of it's pack mates did.

It's heavier weight making it slower to climb up as it had to fully sink its claws into the trunk to move up. It received the rest of my stones. Though these were not as heavy as the first one. So I just annoyed it more as it closed the distance. I flung several bolts as a long spear formed in my other hand. It growled as my spells ate away at its armor. It roared when my spear stabbed into a softer section of it's shoulder. The weak shadow form however quickly snapped when the alpha moved.

'This is death, too many, too weak, I will die tonight'. I sent a discharge out causing the alpha to lose its grip and fall down on top of a pup. That was it, I was out of mana. I felt the draining feeling in my head. I looked in my INV and grabbed the shard that had been with me the entire time.

Mental check failed: Hoplessness debuff inflicted

Movement halved, mana regen -60%, will broken.

I held it close in a search of comfort. I didn't want to die but my options were spent. Out of things to throw, out of mana. I was now defenseless as the alpha and two other pups came after me.

I held the shard close to my ear. Hoping for at least some words of comfort from the dark place. Instead I felt an outside source of magic building up. I looked back at the shard to see a pitch black mass begin to engulf my hand. It quickly spread across my arm. I should have been scared of the void engulfing me. However I couldn't bring myself to be. It felt, familiar, comforting even. The sound of the beowolves deafen as I was completely engulfed by the dark.

I opened my eyes to see nothing. At first I thought I had returned the the dark place. But the roughness of raw stone told me otherwise. The roars outside made me realize that I was in my cave. I scooted away from the entrance and held a hand over my mouth. I saw a notification at the corner of my eye. In need of a distraction from my near death experience I opened it.

New skill Spear mastery lvl1 {12.0%}

The ability to use spears effectively

New spell Shadow shell lvl1 {5%}

Mana cost: 20 per section

Strength: 1 armor (as strong as cork)

Form a protective shell of shadow to protect you.

New spell dark retreat lvl 1 {10%}

Type: Dark

Range: 240 feet

Mana cost: 50

Heals 15 HP

Teleport away from danger using the shadows. (Note: must be below 75% max health. Cannot teleport in above dim lit areas nor teleport into above dim lit area)

For fighting an unwinnable battle and surviving with cunning and the will to not go down without a fight

+2 WIS, +2 WIL

I blinked at the spell that had no doubt saved me. I looked down to the shard to see it still had a blanketing darkness around it. The same tired old man from the tutorial spoke in my head. Except it wasn't tired or remotely sad. He sounded confident, and commanding but also reassuring.

"What is this? You're not ready to die. You didn't crawl out of the afterlife, just to die here. You're stronger than this, better. The situation is truly treacherous. But you, are made of sterner stuff. Too many lives are at stake to quit now. Take a deep breath, and exhale".

I did as the man said and felt my fear begin to disappear. 'You're right, I must fix world. Must fix self, must not fail'.

"The night will be long and the fight challenging. But I know you can do this. I'm, on your side"

Hope restored

Small dark boon received: duration 4 hours

+10% HP regen +10% MP regen +10% dark spell DMG while in shadow

I held the pebble sized gem close to me. "Thank you" I whispered to it. The pack outside was now going feral as they searched around for me.

I took another deep breath and steeled my courage. I wasn't alone entirely. I could feel the claw marks on my back closed up. I crossed my legs and focused on drawing more mana. I would need as much MP reserves to fight off this pack.

My meditation did not last long however as a sniffing head tried to push into the entrance. A growl echoed inside as no doubt the dark beast had found my scent.

I stayed silent as it tried to claw its way inside. Even if they could chip stone away. It would take a whole day if not more. I was safe, for now.

I placed the shard back in my INV.

I felt my pool of mana fill back up. Soon anger grew in my chest. 'How dare these beasts attack me. How dare they invade home'. I opened my eyes and suddenly I heard the sound of claws scraping against stone. I got up from my meditation stance. With as much confidence I could muster. I moved to the entrance to meet the invaders. It was stabbed and pelted by bolts. The beowolf yelped and backed away from the entrance bleeding dark blood.

Another beowolf pup took its place and a trio of bolts followed by a discharge kill the pup. The siege didn't last long however. Once this pup had died, the rest of the pack grew cautious. They didn't come close enough to stab or pelt with spells. But I could still hear them outside. It was a stalemate. Or so they thought. The more time they took the more mana refilled.

I couldn't leave but they couldn't dig their way in without losing a great number of beowolves. I retreated back into the center of my cave and meditated. With my mana pool filled again I came back to the entrance. No beast had tried their luck yet. 'Perhaps I need bait'. I sighed at the notion of putting one of my limbs on the line. But I couldn't stay in here forever.

So I began to squeeze my way through the entrance with a discharge gathering in my hand. Sure enough, a nearby minor lunged at me. I aimed my hand as best as I could and released the spell. The beowolf was blasted by the spell. But it did not die. It did however fall in front of me. Before it could lash out I quickly threw several bolts at it. The dark magic ate away at it's neck before it died of decapitation.

I scooted back inside as more of the pack lunged for me. A claw managed to cut my leg causing me to whimper out in pain.

-8 HP

'Mmm that hurts, bad idea, bad idea'. I fell back into the cave and began to throw out bolts galore. The taste of blood had seemed to reignite their blood lust again as another three died before the rest backed away.

Shadow bolt level up

'Well, at least shadow bolt went up again'. I looked down at my leg. It wasn't a bad cut. I pulled out a handful of salmon berries.

Salmonberries: common

Properties: Every 5 Heals 2HP

I stuffed the sweet tart berries into my mouth and chewed. 'Hmm, I have good amount of food to heal. Hmmm, no, pain not worth it'. I pulled a few walnuts out and cracked them open. The nutty treat closing the rest of my cut up.

65/65 HP

It would not be a favorable exchange anyway. The pack outside was large. More than 30 last time I saw. There could have been more however. I meditated, searching for an answer to my plight. I had enough food to heal me once over and that was it. Pain was also not nice. In fact, I was surprised I had yet to scream out. 'No, not suprise, made of sterner stuff. Already healed while many pups die'.

I had a full canteen and two days worth of meals still. But that would be a slow death sentence. They would just wait me out.

My only option was to continue to whittle their number down. 'How to lure them in'? I looked out to see the many red eyes staring back at me. The sky was beginning to turn lighter shades of blue. 'Morning already? Not good, mmm what if'. "Hey dark beasts, come and get me"! My yelling seemed to have an effect on the beowolves as some began growling and inching closer.

"Are you dumb pups waste my time more?! Come, here, I'm tasty you bastards"! More reactions from the dark beasts as I got angry. 'A bit more'. "Hey, flea bittens, come taste my blood! I'm nice and warm, come closer bastards"!

One of the pups broke away and began reaching for me. It's arm was nowhere near me. Instead of killing this one. I decided to get as close to the entrance without needing to squeeze through. "You can't taste me you dumb mutt"! This seemed to only make it more mad as it dug up the patch of dirt before it had to scrap through rock. I formed a spear and stabbed its arm. It growled as I spat at it. "Come on come on, you dig bad"! I squeezed my face through. Now my face was only a foot away from its reach. Another pup joined in and tried to squeeze past. "Come come, flea bastards, you can't get through"! I stabbed again and again drawing black blood.

I stopped for a moment and looked down at my hand. I took my hunting knife out. An idea clicked. I drew a shallow cut and let a few drops fall on the floor just out of their reach. The smell of fresh blood somehow making them go even more feral as two minors joined in. I wouldn't use bolts or discharge. Only slow painful stabs of my spears. Continue to yell and keep them mad.

For thinking of an effective battle plan +1 WIS

I ignored the message though it made me a bit happier. Though my mood was still foul given the circumstances.

So I kept yelling and stabbing. "You all dumb! Your mothers were dogs! I have better teeth than you"! One of them died, but I had riled them all up so much that they merely clawed him out of the way and chipped more stone away. I threw a bolt and stabbed again. "You all die! I spit on your dust! You can't get me"! Another fell, then another, then another until I had killed 10.

It was then did I notice that they were making noticeable progress on the entrance. It would take them hours to get through still as the entrance was several feet long. But they getting through the stone faster than I had first thought. More howls were heard outside. Which meant more beowolves. 'Not good, but no choice, must fight more'.

"You all slobber"! I yelled as I sent out my first discharge. The tightly packed beowolves meant that one died and a few lost arms. That didn't stop them. They seemed to be so riled up death no longer stopped them. I threw more bolts out until my mana ran dry. 3 pups and a minor died by my hand.

It was then did a different younger alpha pushed its way through the others and began digging through the stone at alarming speeds. It would still take an hour, maybe two. But my only defense was quickly breaking as my mana was dry. The loud noise of growls and howls made it impossible to meditate. The noise was just too much. I looked through my INV before seeing my water.

Filled canteen (broken): Common

Recovers 40 MP

It would be enough for one discharge. However, If I drank it and waited a bit more I could suprise them all with multiple discharges. Kill a few pups and maybe the alpha. The pups and minors took a while to dig up stone while the alpha tore through it. I could wait for my mana to fully fill back up for the pups.

A plan formed, I took my water put and drank it all. Just now realizing how thirsty I was. I placed the now empty canteen in INV and wiped the excess water off my lips and chin. 'I needed that'. I looked back at the alpha. It looked a lot like the first one I had met. Black fur, a bone white mask with bone spikes jutting off it's back.

Alpha Beowolf lvl14

HP 245/245

Armor 5

A beowolf that has survived at least a decade. The years have made it stronger and smarter. Pups and Minors follow their elders in the hopes of one day becoming strong like them.

I grew curious about the new information. Was it because of my extra perception or simply my higher level? Perhaps it would be worthwhile to invest some points in perception either way. But I was getting ahead of myself. I watched as the alpha and a few pups attacked the rock walls with wild abandon. It was strange, how much effort these dark beasts went to for me. They were somewhat like me. As in they had come from the dark. Or perhaps they came from a different dark and that was why they were so filled with hate.

Perhaps that is why my dark friend was helping me. To battle these unfriendly creatures of the night.

New quest: Cleanse The Grimm

Objective: Kill or ? All grimm

Second Objective: if there is one, seal, destroy or ? source or sources of grimm

Reward: A safer world, 100'000'000'000 XP, become a legend to the people of Remnant, gain Rep with ?, ? and ? lose reputation with ? and ?, ?

Failure: The world stays dangerous, ?

I perked up at the new quest. 'So you Grimm' I thought to myself as I stared at the Beowolf. It didn't seem to pick up my change of thought and continued to dig. 'What could other option be? Oh well, I learn later, now I survive'. I waited a good 10 minutes before the visible progress of the Alpha unnerved me enough that I had enough.

I went up to the entrance causing the alpha to roar at me. That might have scared me last night. But nearly being killed, surviving, and cutting a lot of the pack down. I wasn't afraid at the moment. I stretched my hand out. I felt the mana leave my core and flow to the end of my fingertips. I held it there as the power built up. I lifted my other hand and did the same. I pooled my magic into my hands. Focusing all magic into this spell. I failed to notice that the beowolves had slowed their digging as a growing void appeared in front of them. I felt the last trickle of my MP flow into the overcharged spell. I smirked before loosening my grip.

-14HP

The deafening boom hurt my ears as a torrent of dark magic shot forward with explosive speed. My vision recovered as more light poured into the widened entrance. The bunched together beowolves had been blown apart by my spell. I realized that I may have gone overboard with that one. The entrance was wider. It wouldn't take that much more time for the beowolves to dig through now. The ringing in my ears was not a good sign either. I noticed notifications at the corner of my eye. I looked back out to see that the beowolves were once again staying back after I had vaporized an alpha and a good chunk of their pack.

However, it didn't look like they would stay like this for long. Quickly I brought them up.

Level up!

New spell: Dark explosion lvl1 (5%)

Type: Dark

Mana cost: 100-max

Casting time: 5 seconds

Damage 350 (+20DMG per 10MP)

Backlash: 2 dmg to self per 50 dmg

Range: melee-30 foot cone

"I give my all into this final insult. All of my hate, disgust and sorrow. All of my joy, pride and hope" -unknown

A massive build up of dark magic with an explosive release. (WARNING: Can harm caster with backlash)

I wondered whose quote that was. A past dark wizard like myself? I did not know and I didn't have the time to think on the matter. I immediately put all five points into INT. I ignored the small migraine as I prepared to use the precious 100 mana I had gain from this action. The beowolves seemed to have sensed a difference from me. They didn't wait for me to execute whatever trick they thought I had. The old Alpha charged towards me with a few pups by his side.

This dark beast would surely make short work of my remaining stone defense. He had also healed from my previous attacks. My explosion spell would not be strong enough to kill it in one move now. There was very little I could do now except make it a difficult kill for them. My magic began to gather in my hand. The dark spell hiding my fingers.

However, Just as the old alpha was about to reach my cave. A loud crack went off in the distance and one of the pups yelped as a bullet drilled into it's side.

The alpha halted as the pups went past it. Some of the pups on the outskirts of the clearing looked around for the second threat. Another crack and a pup died instantly. A roar, not of a beowolf, but of something else rang out. I could hear something charge through the brush. The sound of bones cracking as something heavy hit one of the pups.

The old alpha backed away to see the commotion. The other pups launched themselves at the entrance. They were close to squeezing through. One could probably squeeze through if they weren't all trying to get in. With a snarl, I unleashed another dark explosion and killed all 5 pups.

The old alpha turned back to me. I could see it thinking behind those red eyes. It could probably squish in here with a couple more scrapes. But the barks of fire and metal caused it to huff. It turned and ran off as the other pups and minors rushed towards the commotion. I became confused as a pup went flying past my view. My eyes widened as I heard the strange language of people. Another crack went off and a minor lost it's head.

I was not ready for people! My cave was a mess! 'What if shoot me!? Need to leave now'! I looked down at the many shiny items. I quickly gathered them up. An idea went through my mind. If I ran out there I might get shot at by a boom stick. One hit would surely kill me.

I ran back into my cave. I used shadow mold to form a blanket over me. 'Just hide until they leave'.

A perfectly good plan. I wasn't ready for guests. I need the right amount of clothes. I listened until the fighting had stopped. 'Wait, what if people lost? They might need me'. I threw the blanket off and crept towards the entrance. The fighting had gone quiet. I looked around to see a few shiny objects near the large tree I had first used as shelter from the pack. I crawled out of the cave and looked to my right. No grimm could be spotted.

I looked to the left to see another pair of eyes staring at me. I shrieked and retreated back into the cave. 'People won, good good, time to leave'! I looked at my mana to see if I had enough for a dark retreat. I closed my eyes and focused on the spell. "Hay u, ur afe"!

I ignored the calling for me. I just needed to escape.

No suitable location nearby to retreat too

'Damn'! I panicked 'too late to hide? Should I run? What do I do'!? Foot steps came closer "arro? Ew bon art u". The voice called out. It was male if my assumption was correct. I formed another blanket of shadow to hide me. Soon the steps were right outside my cave. They were cautious now, slow, his hands no doubt holding a weapon ready to strike me down. "Arro, re u ni ere. Mom out, I eam io rm". My curiosity began to set in. I could have sworn some of those words sounded, familiar. I then noticed a notification at the corner of my eye.

'Let me see' I mentally commanded and whatever power this was listened, 'Useful'.

Language translation in progress: +100% due to complexity, +50% due to low INT & WIS

11/250

'Aaaww, I am dumb, dumb and weak'.

For realizing your limits +1 WIS

'Now you being mean'. I mentally cursed my magic or power, or whatever this was.

The blanket began to thin as a light was shone directly on it. 'Nooo, my cover'! "I-si at u, Arro"? I watched in horror as my cover began to disintegrate more. Quickly I grabbed my mask and used shadow mold as the headband. I slipped it on and looked up from my cover.

The man stumbled back. In one hand was a thing, it bled out light like a miniature fire in a container. In the other was a large, to me, knife. "Oo, hat eaku, um, hello are. Ao ko, I'm out aoing ot art u".

'By the dark, this is bad. Maybe he understand me'? "Not dark beast, you no stab me. Not ready guests". 'Ugh, my talking bad too'. The man seemed confused by what I said. He instead motioned me outside as he slowly backed away. A man with a knife telling you to come closer? "No" I shook my head.

The man seemed annoyed at first but upon seeing his knife out realized his mistake. "Oh, rry" with a quick motion he slid it back into a seat on his leg.

Suitable spot made

I blinked at the message before looking back at the man. He seemed trustworthy. I realized I could observe him.

Name: unknown

Species: unknown

LVL: Danger

Stats: unknown

Social check failed: Social anxiety debuff inflicted

'Well, if powerful unknown, stay away'. I began casting dark retreat. Shadows began to spread across my body causing the man to look surprised. He took a few steps back in case this was an attack. Exactly what I wanted him to do. "We meet again, under better, circumstances".

I suddenly found myself underneath a large tree. The shade strong enough with the sun's angle against other trees. I looked around to see another person with a rifle turn to me. I raised my hands up in surrender. The person immediately put their rifle away. "Hey, rer ot yelp! Lease, ount opi"!

Social check failed: Social anxiety debuff stronger

Seeing this woman not immediately shoot me down. I turned heel and ran away, diving in between trees in case she changed her mind. 'Not ready, no people, no thank you'!