When Sam noticed the asterisk and concentrated on it for a few seconds a new message screen popped up.
{In order to create an item you first need a Crafting Workbench. To make this item please place the following resources in the area you wish the workbench to sit or on a pre-made table you would like to convert into your workbench.
Items:
Wood x10Iron Nails x50(or raw iron 1 ingot)
(Using a pre-made table will result in less items used)
Say 'Create' to continue}
She placed the items on the old rickety table she had been using.
"Create" Sam said. The items and table began to glow. The shine disappeared and standing before her was a well made workbench with places to hold her tools and what looked like a tablet built into the bottom left corner.
{Ding! Congratulations! You've made your first item. Reward: +50XP, +1 Intelligence}
{Double Double Skill Activated: +50xp, +1 Intelligence}
The rush of the added stats enveloped Sam.
"Sigh...that never gets old" she laughed at the rejuvenating feeling.
{Ding! You've Leveled Up! You are now level 6 30/761xp}
{You've Gained +2 STP, +3 SKP}
{Double Double Skill Activated: +2 STP, +3 SKP}
{To make an item tap the mana-pad}
{What would you like to make?}
She tapped the Mana-pad and brought it to life. On the screen in front of her were eight little menu squares. They were labeled, Workbenches, Item Creation, Accessory Weaver, Weapons, Armour, Beast Accessory Weaver, Beast Armour. Some were blue and some were gray.
The only squares that were active were, Item Creation, Accessory Weaver and Invent. Clearly she wouldn't be able to use the grayed out ones until she reached the level for them.
Tapping on Item Creation opened a new menu. She was greeted with another set of menu squares, four this time. Household Goods, Transportation, Tools, and Commercial Items.
Backing out of that menu, she then opened the next, Accessory Weaver. This one also had four, Hair Accessories, Jewelry, Textile Accessories and Miscellaneous Accessories.
As much as she wanted to lose herself in all of the possibilities first things first though she needed to move. Sure the cave has a... rustic charm about it, but having a working bathroom would be nice. No more bathing in streams and *shudder* makeshift toilets.
"Jarvis, now that I'm integrated I think I need to move." Sam said aloud.
{"Wise idea. As charming as Sunblaze is, I'm sure living with her has... certain odours you'd prefer not to live with."}
Sam laughed "You're not wrong there" being in civilization would be nice too. She had stockpiled a decent amount of coins thanks to original Sam's bartering of resources she obtained through hunting and gathering.
Most people just kept their coin on them. It was even integrated into their S.I.S.T.E.M. inventory without taking up valuable slots. Unfortunately when they died the coin went with them.
The countryside didn't have banks, they weren't necessary as bartering was their main economy. The big city had them, but it was mainly used by institutions, nobles, guilds and merchants. This way if the head of a family or leader of an organization, guild or merchant house died, their remaining family or business partners in the case of institutions, guilds and merchants, wouldn't be destitute. Their fortunes could be passed down.
In the countryside families tended to divide their coin amongst the family or secret it away a chest should the worst happen. Some just divided the coins equally amongst the oldest family members and taught their children the importance of why this tradition was used. It was 'Family Money's not for personal use'.
When the beast wave began, not being sure of the outcome and being the strongest in the village, Sam's 'father' and 'mother' emptied their coins into Sam's hands. If they survived she could hand it back. If they didn't…well Sam would have enough to start over. Unfortunately they didn't survive.
She also had an absurd amount of meat that was just going to waste. While her inventory kept it as fresh as it was when she put it in there, the mana from the integrated beasts slowly diminished in time. It was one of the main attributes of the meat that made cooking with it a delight for chefs. The meals created would give you buffs thanks to the type of ingredients used.
"Well as much fun as playing with my new toy is, I think I'll go out hunting and stockpile some more meat and other resources. Maybe gain some XP too. Plus I still have those quests." Speaking of, she opened the quest log to check if there was any new ones.
{Quests:
Main quests:
Reach level 10 and choose a Primary Class Reach level 15 and choose a Secondary Class Reach level 20 and advance your Primary Class (If applicable)
Daily Quests:
Daily Exercise Weapon Training Healing Salve Food Acquisition Water Acquisition
Special Quests:
Home Is Where The Heart Is Tinder and Teeth}
"Ooh that's a new one!" Sam excitedly said. She concentrated on the new quests to see what they were about.
{Special Quest:
Quest One: Home Is Where The Heart Is - Isolation isn't good for anyone, that's why it's a punishment in prison. Now that you are Integrated you have a better chance at protecting yourself from strangers. It's time to meet the rest of the world.
Objective: Gain lodgings in a city or large village.
Reward: +XP, Items for your new home.
Quest Two: Tinder and Teeth - Hunting is exhausting might as well reap the rewards.
Objective: Build a safe firepit and cook a meal.
Reward: +XP, temporary buff}
"Sweet, I can probably bang out a couple of these today. First...ugh exercise. Wait, I never did look at that one."
{Quest:
Daily Quest One: Exercise - You know the saying, No pain No gain... That especially applies here.
Objective: perform 25 push ups, sit ups, squats and run 5km (after a month it will increase to 50 and 10km) gains 50xp and +1 to strength, agility or vitality randomly.}
"Ugh…Alright let's get it done" She mentally hit accept on a few quests.
After performing the required push ups, sit ups and squats in the cave she geared up and prepared to leave.
"Sorry girl, you're staying home" she said to Sunblaze. "Might as well make this 5k run useful." She patted the horse's head and refilled her water. She left breakfast for the kittens and left the cave
Planning on getting some better and theme appropriate cores for the girls Sam started off at a sustainable pace as she ran through the woods. The added obstacles would probably help her agility too. Just as she was approaching a small herd of deer her S.I.S.T.E.M. dinged.
{Ding! Quest complete! - Daily Exercise}
{Reward: +50xp, +1 Agility}
{Double Double Skill Activated: +50xp, +1 Agility}
"Ok time to get some sweet, sweet cores." Sam said only panting slightly. "Inspect" she thought, activating her skill while keeping her distance from the weird looking deer.
{Name: Lightningrod Stag (M)
Age: Adult
Species: Deer
Level: 6
Rarity: Rare
Tier: Blue
HP: 390/390}
Standing at least 10 feet, not including the antlers, it was huge. Lightning could be seen flickering between the antler prongs. It had a thick dense hide that may cause issues.
Thankfully the rest were much lower at tiers green and orange but all uncommon. They also ranged between level 3 for the youngest looking doe and level 5 for the highest. There were also some younger fawns and males that hadn't reached adulthood yet and been pushed out of the herd.
"What are the chances I'll be able to kill all of them?"
{"Slim. If they were regular deer, they would panic and flee at the first arrow. Assuming you'll use an arrow. The male will definitely fight back, the females will probably split between fleeing with the young and fighting.
On the plus side your weapons are enchanted gifts from your 'father'. The bow has a piercing enchantment that will help and with your strength and perception, if you're VERY lucky you may be able to take down the stag in a few hits. Avoiding its lightning will probably put those extra agility points to good use.
Thankfully it's the only one with that ability. The rest being low level Dappledbacks, Silverhides and Cinderhoofs. Those last two will definitely fight. It shouldn't be too much of a struggle if you keep calm.. I'd recommend taking the stag out at a good distance and then if you can, getting to a tree and giving yourself a height advantage for the rest."
"Alright, so difficult, but not 100% impossible. Uh what do the female deer do? Lighting is self explanatory to a degree." Sam questioned while looking for a good tree to climb. She had retreated a bit to not attract attention. Thankfully the wind was in her favor, blowing in her direction.
{ "The Dappledbacks tend to flee, they have a rapid dash skill that boosts their speed 200%. They also have a 70% chance of going unnoticed if standing still. You most likely won't have to worry about the antler attack since they tend to flee from danger though.
The Silverhides on the other hand will attack, and with stealth, they can also phase through trees so you'll definitely want to be in a tree, not behind one or else they'll use those little horns of theirs to definitely make an, impact, if you will. On the plus side, their hides do make excellent invisibility cloaks.
Now the Cinderhoofs, while they do have a fire ability, it's more of a smoldering effect. Their levels are pretty low so you shouldn't have too many skills yet so not much to worry about. Picking them off from the trees should be manageable as long as you don't waste too many arrows"}
"All right, so kill the stag. Jump in a tree. Shoot the Cinderhoofs and Silverhides or whoever is within shot anyway. And if there is any Dabblebacks take them out too as long as they haven't run away or been hidden from me"
{"On the plus side, I can use the map to tell you their locations, should the Dappledbacks hide from you. That is, if they aren't miles away by the time you've killed the rest."}
"Thank you for that boost of confidence, Jarvis."
{"Anytime Sam. That's what I'm here for."}