Chapter 52.2: August at Level 15: Party System and Encountering an Ancient Beast
Year 0003, I-III Month: The Imperium
---
The Party System
After reading through his personal panel, August was very pleased and satisfied with what he saw; he even received the option for an equipment upgrade should he wish to advance further. But there was one thing entirely new to him after reaching Level 15.
"Hmm, party system?" he murmured, examining the unfamiliar notification. "Let me see what this is all about."
[DING! CONGRATULATIONS MASTER, AFTER REACHING THE REQUIRED LEVEL, YOU HAVE NOW GAINED ACCESS TO THE UNIQUE [PARTY SYSTEM] FEATURE.]
• [PARTY SYSTEM]—A new unique system feature unlockable at level 15.
**Host Capabilities**:
Host can now add any person of his own choosing to his party and has the option to remove party members. (Can add up to a maximum of 15 persons in the host's party.)
**Information Access**:
Host can now see desired information from all beings added to the Party System using the built-in ["Inspect"] function. (Applicable only when said being's willpower isn't stronger than the host's.)
**New Job Acquisition**:
Host has gained a new JOB:
• [BATTLEFIELD COMMANDER] - (CLASS I-NOVICE)
~Fearless leaders who take the front lines along with their soldiers.~
+ 5 ALL STATS (Host Exclusive Only)
+ 20 ALL SUB-STATS (Host Exclusive Only)
+ ACQUIRED A COMMANDER EXCLUSIVE ACTIVE SKILL: [INSPIRE]
[INSPIRE] - (CLASS V - NOVICE) (Mid-Tier **)
-PARTY SYSTEM EXCLUSIVE SKILL-
~A war cry by a Battlefield Commander that can inspire the soldiers beneath his command.~
~Temporarily boosts the troops' morale, stats, sub-stats, and fighting power~
~Ability has a 10% chance to remove mental debuff proportional to the rank/rarity of the host.~
+25 TO ALL STATS AND
+100 TO ALL SUB-STATS OF PARTY MEMBERS AFFECTED BY THE SKILL
+10% CHANCE TO REMOVE LOW-TIER MENTAL DEBUFF
+10% ATTACK DAMAGE INCREASE FOR 15 MIN
+10% DEFENSE DAMAGE NEGATION INCREASE FOR 15 MIN
-180 MP CONSUMPTION PER MINUTE WHEN SKILL IS ACTIVATED
**Automatic Party Benefits**:
When invited into the party, members will receive automatic additional buffs for the duration of their invitation:
• +15% buff on all stats/sub-stats to all party members.
• Fair distribution and sharing of experience points gained to all party members; experience points will be divided amongst the party members.
• Gain an additional 15% EXP POINTS on top of shared EXP POINTS for all party members.
(A/N:Leader has the option to exclude members from receiving any experience points.)
Members with no apparent level outside the system would be assigned to level 1; all previous stats/sub-stats, skills, titles, jobs, and classes gained outside the host's PARTY SYSTEM will be retained by the party member. The level-up system will only be applicable inside the party; when a member leaves or is kicked out from the party, they will revert to their original level, and the level they acquired will remain in the system database. Will automatically reapply when the host invites the entity into the party again.
• +Gain 2 base stats/sub-stats per level can be acquired only when in the party.
Party members will not have the host's unique feature of upgrading stats/sub-stats when the host is doing something in repetition/sets/laps or anything meaningful that would greatly affect his stats.
---
Happiness
After reading all of this, August felt jubilation welling inside him. He sprung up from his seat and nearly shouted with joy, only spared from embarrassment when he realized he wasn't alone.
"Are you okay, Gus?" A concerned look appeared on Gel's face, mirrored by everyone else; they all looked at him with bewilderment. One moment he was in a distant gaze as if lost in serious thought, and the next he had sprung up from his seat, catching everyone off guard. They thought something serious had happened.
"Ummm well yeah! Everything is all good," he replied with a devious smile etched across his face. The others recognized this habit of his—when that particular expression crossed his face, something really good must have happened.
As August processed the information, he realized the potential of the system and how powerful it could be, especially when faced with stronger beings. Tomorrow he would test it with someone and see how it would work and function, at least for the people who would join him.
He got up from his seat and went on with the remainder of his day, his mind buzzing with possibilities.
---
Uneventful
Life in Maya Village had become relatively uneventful since last week when they encountered the new group. The two newcomers seemed to have adjusted well to the village. Now they were only waiting for the other two girls to recover fully. Their exterior wounds had slowly but surely healed properly, and now they could venture beyond the village walls again. Having grounded themselves within the village, they had only engaged in minor activities inside its protective boundaries.
The morning light filtered through August's window as he prepared for the day ahead. He'd spent much of the night planning how to best test his newly acquired Party System. After careful consideration, he knew exactly who would be the perfect first candidate.
---
Testing the Effects
The following day, August invited Erik for a forest hunt, just the two of them. He called for him early in the morning to inform the lad of his plans.
"Hey Erik," August began, his voice carrying a hint of excitement. "I figured you would be the first one I should ask about this. I need you to come with me to the forest floor." He paused, meeting Erik's curious gaze. "Well, that is only if you would like to join me in a little experimentation. I have something new to test out, and you're the perfect person to help me with it."
Erik studied August's face. The boy wore a happy smile, and knowing Erik, he wouldn't dare reject him since he had asked so nicely. Without a word, Erik nodded in agreement and retreated to his room to gather his gear.
When he emerged from the house minutes later, he was fully armed and ready. His leather armor was securely fastened, a bow slung over his shoulder, and a hunting knife strapped to his thigh. He spotted August standing nearby, also fully equipped and prepared to fight or hunt whatever prey or enemy they might encounter.
"Ready when you are," Erik said, adjusting his gloves.
---
Before Diving Deeper Into the Forest
August nodded, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Perfect. Before we head deeper into the forest, there's something I want to try." He raised his hand, and a translucent panel appeared before him, visible only to his eyes. With a few swift motions, he selected a command.
[PARTY INVITATION SENT TO: ERIK]
Erik flinched as a notification appeared in his field of vision.
[AUGUST HAS INVITED YOU TO JOIN HIS PARTY. DO YOU ACCEPT? YES/NO]
"What is this?" Erik asked, bewildered by the sudden appearance of the floating text.
"It's a new ability I've unlocked," August explained. "If you accept, we'll form a party. It comes with some benefits—you'll be stronger, and we'll share experiences from battles. Just say 'yes' if you want to join."
Erik hesitated only momentarily before replying, "Yes."
A warm sensation coursed through Erik's body as the GAME-LIKE SYSTEM integrated him into August's PARTY SYSTEM. He gasped as he felt his strength, agility, and other attributes surge.
[PARTY FORMED: AUGUST (HOST), ERIK (MEMBER)]
[ERIK HAS RECEIVED +15% BUFF TO ALL STATS/SUB-STATS]
[PARTY EXPERIENCE SHARING ENABLED]
"This... feels incredible," Erik said, flexing his fingers and feeling the new power flowing through his veins. "What exactly did you do?"
August's smile widened. "I'll explain as we walk. For now, let's see what we can hunt together and test this on."
---
Encountering a New Beast
After an hour of walking in a seemingly random direction through the forest, they finally reached a desirable location. It was there that they encountered the first beast they had seen in a while—and one they had never encountered before. They crouched on top a huge boulder to study the beast before them.
It was a snake-like creature, measuring an impressive 10 meters in length and nearly a meter in width. August's system immediately provided information taken from the world's bestiary database:
[IDENTIFIED: LEVEL 20(45), ADVANCED RARITY, (*) COMMON RANK ARBORWYRM]
[OFFICIAL NAME IN THE BESTIARY INDEX: "ELDERTWINE GLOOM WYRM"]
"What are you seeing?" Erik whispered, noticing August's focused gaze.
"It's an Arborwyrm," August replied softly. "Level 20. Much stronger than anything we've faced before, but..." He paused, observing the creature more carefully. "It appears to be injured."
The beast's serpentine body featured overlapping dark, barky scales with a green-moss hue coloration—a perfect camouflage within the forest's dense foliage. Two appendages extended from its body, each ending in a frontal claw capable of grasping and crushing unfortunate prey. Its triangular head bore two amber eyes with exceptional night vision, and its jaws were lined with razor-sharp teeth that could stretch wide enough to swallow any large prey whole.
August recalled the information his system had provided about these creatures:
- *An ancient beast species that has roamed the Lonelywood's forest even before its inception.*
- *A solitary beast that does not shy away from trouble, facing threats head-on without regard for its own safety.*
The Arborwyrm before them belonged to the Common Rank classification, which August knew meant:
**Common Rank Arborwyrms**
Usually have a Rarity of Novice to Average with levels ranging from 1 to 15. They pose a moderate threat, especially to solitary targets. Highly territorial and solitary by nature, they nevertheless will confront groups if necessary. They expertly use the forest's camouflage to their advantage, occasionally overpowering even stronger predators. Their venomous fangs can kill an adult person within seconds of envenomation. The venom also serves as a slow liquefaction method for their prey's body while they wrap around and constrict it, crushing bones in the process.
This particular specimen, however, seemed to be an anomaly—a Level 20 with Advanced Rarity despite its Common Rank classification. It must have lived longer and grown stronger than most of its kind.
"Look," August whispered, pointing to the creature's flank. "See those wounds? It must have encountered something even stronger."
Deep gashes marred the Arborwyrm's bark-like scales, oozing a thick, sap-like substance. One of its claws hung limply, nearly severed, and its breathing came in labored hisses.
"It's the perfect opponent for us to test our combined strength and see how this Party System works," August continued. "It is indeed strong enough to be more than a challenge, but it is currently weakened enough that we stand a chance."
Erik with the surge of power grew a tad bit of his confidence with his enhanced attributes he replied. " So what's the plan?" he asked, his voice steady despite the danger before them.
August studied the creature once more, then accessed his new commander abilities. He felt a surge of power as he activated his skill [INSPIRE] for the first time.
"We can attack it from opposite sides," he said, his voice carrying a new resonance that sent a shiver of empowerment through Erik. "Okay then I'll draw its attention from the flank while you can target its wounds from behind. I'll try to aim for the already damaged areas—they'll be most vulnerable."
[INSPIRE] - (CLASS V - NOVICE) (Mid-Tier **)
[PARTY MEMBER ERIK RECEIVES:
+25 TO ALL STATS AND
+100 TO ALL SUB-STATS
+10% CHANCE TO REMOVE LOW-TIER MENTAL DEBUFF
+10% ATTACK DAMAGE INCREASE FOR 15 MIN
+10% DEFENSE DAMAGE NEGATION INCREASE FOR 15 MIN]
Erik felt the additional power surge through him as August's skill took effect. His hands steadied, his vision sharpened, and a newfound courage filled his heart.
"Ready?" August asked, he readied his spear for the battle at hand.
Erik nodded, his arrow aimed at the beast's wounded flank. "Ready."
The injured Arborwyrm sensed their presence immediately, its amber eyes fixing on them as it raised its massive head, fangs bared and dripping with venom. Despite its wounds, it remained a formidable opponent—one that would test their newly formed party to its limits.
August tightened his grip on his sword, a fierce smile crossing his face. This was exactly what he had been waiting for—a chance to see the true potential of his Party System in action.
"Now!" he shouted, charging forward as Erik's arrow flew toward the beast's flank, marking the beginning of their first hunt as a party.
---
Bestiary Index: The Eldertwine Gloomwyrm
"Arborwyrm"
Official Name in the Bestiary Index:
"Eldertwine Gloom Wyrm"
~Physical Description~
The Arborwyrm is a serpentine beast measuring 10 - 20 meters in length and 1 - 2 meter in width. Its body is covered in overlapping dark, bark-like scales with a moss-green hue, providing perfect camouflage within the forest's dense foliage. A distinctive feature is its pair of frontal appendages, each ending in powerful claws capable of grasping and crushing unfortunate prey.
The creature possesses a triangular head crowned with two keen eyes that glow yellow, orange, or red depending on its age and rank. These eyes provide exceptional night vision, allowing the beast to hunt effectively in darkness. Its jaws contain rows of razor-sharp teeth, and its mouth can stretch to extraordinary proportions, enabling it to swallow large prey whole.
Arborwyrms are primarily solitary creatures, territorial by nature, yet unafraid to confront threats directly, often showing complete disregard for their own safety when challenged.
~Ancient Heritage~
Arborwyrms are ancient guardians of the Lonelywood Forest, their existence intertwined with the woodland since before its recorded inception. These primordial creatures have adapted perfectly to their environment over countless generations, becoming one with the forest they protect.
~Ecological Significance~
Arborwyrms are intrinsically connected to the Lonelywood Forest's ecosystem. Their presence maintains natural balances in ways not fully understood by most scholars. Ancient legends suggest they may have played a role in the forest's very creation, their life force and the woodland's essence being fundamentally intertwined.
Despite their fearsome reputation, Arborwyrms rarely venture beyond their forest domain unless ancient territories are threatened. Those who respect the forest and its guardians may pass through unharmed, though those who desecrate the woodland or hunt within it recklessly often discover too late why locals warn against disturbing the shadow beneath the trees.
Rank Classification
**Common Rank Arborwyrms**
**Rarity:**
Novice to Average
**Level Range:**
1-15
**Size:**
10 meters long, 1 meter wide
**Threat Level:**
Moderate, especially to solitary prey
**Notable Features:**
Venomous fangs capable of killing an adult human within seconds of envenomation
**Hunting Strategy:**
Uses forest camouflage to ambush prey, then constricts victims while venom slowly liquefies their internal organs
**Behavior:**
Highly territorial and solitary, but will confront groups when necessary
**Characteristics:**
Very solitary and territorial in nature, but not afraid to face groups if necessary. They use the forest's camouflage to their advantage and occasionally overpower even stronger predators. They possess venomous fangs that can kill an adult person within seconds of the venom entering the bloodstream. The venom also serves as a slow liquidation method for the prey's body while the wyrm wraps around and constricts it, crushing its bones further.
**Soldier Rank Arborwyrms**
**Rarity:**
Advanced to Expert
**Level Range:**
1-25
**Size:**
12 meters long, 1.5 meters wide
**Threat Level:**
High when alone, Very High in groups
**Notable Features:**
Battle-scarred body, enhanced senses, acidic venom that melts living tissue
**Offensive Capabilities:**
Two massive claws that can tear through armor and flesh with ease
**Behavior:**
More tactical hunters, occasionally form hunting parties when summoned by Commander Rank specimens
**Characteristics:**
Bodies bear scars indicative of battles fought, and they use wisdom to stalk and hunt prey. They use two huge claws to rip through armor and flesh, while their acidic venom melts any living tissue it contacts. Their enhanced senses allow them to detect prey from greater distances. Soldier Rank Arborwyrms sometimes respond to calls from Commander Rank Arborwyrms, forming small teams of specialized hunters.
**Commander Rank Arborwyrms**
**Rarity:**
Expert to Heroic
**Level Range:**
1-30
**Size:**
15 meters long, proportionally wide
**Threat Level:**
Very High when solitary, Extremely High in groups
**Notable Features:**
Regenerative bony scales layered over bark-like hide, telepathic communication with lower ranks
**Offensive Capabilities:**
Corrosive spit that melts metal, dark metallic claws that can rend even the hardest natural armor
**Tactical Advantage:**
Can summon and coordinate Soldier Rank Arborwyrms telepathically
**Threat Assessment:**
Capable of decimating an entire army when leading a group, or defeating a small battalion of veteran hunters when alone
**Characteristics:**
Possess bony scales atop bark-like scales that regenerate over time. They can produce corrosive spit capable of melting through metal. Their dark, metallic claws can rip through a Scythe Stalker's exoskeleton with ease. Their massive bodies can cause tremors in the surrounding area. Commander Ranks can telepathically order Soldier Rank Arborwyrms to form hunting groups. When solitary, they can defeat a small battalion of veteran soldiers or hunters; in a group, they can decimate entire armies.
**Boss Rank Arborwyrm
(The Ancient One)**
**Rarity:**
Legendary
**Level Range:**
1-50
**Size:**
20 meters long, 2 meters wide
**Threat Level:**
Legendary
**Notable Features:**
Colossal body with ancient, gnarly bark-like scales and obsidian claws
**Special Abilities:**
- "Mind Fear" skill projected through glowing red eyes
- Shadow teleportation
- Extremely corrosive breath that dissolves magical barriers
- Command over forest flora to entangle and slow enemies
**Material Value:**
Claws highly sought as weapon-crafting ingredients for their defense and barrier-negating properties
**Threat Assessment:**
Capable of destroying entire cities if provoked
**Characteristics:**
Possesses a colossal body with ancient, gnarly scales resembling a bony, barky tree dragon. Its red glowing eyes can inflict the "mind fear" skill on enemies. Its obsidian-like claws, despite high regenerating scales, bear ancient wounds indicating battles with near-peer or stronger enemies. It can leap through the shadows to appear unexpectedly before foes. Its extremely corrosive breath can melt magical barriers. Its claws are highly sought as weapon-crafting ingredients due to their ability to negate defense and magical barriers. It possesses intense mastery over the forest floor, using plants to slow prey when necessary. It could decimate cities on a whim if provoked.