George and Corvus walked along the twisting path. The sound of battle travelled from a distance as the two took their time. The target's smile flashed in Corvus's mind.
Skye. Find him.
By your order, it will be done.
Why do you always ask her to spy?!
Rogue, is it still hiding?
Yep! Ignored the hunters completely.
Mmm… Keep a close eye.
TING
There goes that noise again.
"Are you hearing it? The tinging sound?" asked the dwarf.
"Mmm. I hear it inside my mind…"
"Summon your status and tap on your rank."
Corvus did as told and was shown a strange menu.
"Ex…"
"Experience." George started explaining. "For eliminating the pests from the forest, you are awarded points called experience. Each monster in the forest will give a certain amount of EXP that you will need to collect to rank up.
"Rank up…" Curious, Corvus tapped around on the purple screen. "'Level up to 10 to rank up." Corvus looked to his left. A dwarf was working on a metal doohickey. " Do this mean-"
"Yes, another golden fruit. Although not as potent as Alendo's. The boy had connections."
"Potent or not…" Corvus gripped his sword. "If I can get stronger-"
No. I am only here for the job. Don't forget your duty.
Corvus
Rank: Seed.
Lv 2
"Interesting system…"
Covus halted. His keen sense froze him still. Something heavy crushed the grass ahead.
"George. Hide well. I will take care of it."
Corvus grew wings of vibrant aura and, with a flap, flew near the treetops. Weaving through branches, he glided.
"There he is. Big fella." Just like the rest of the monsters before him, floating in green luminous text above his head, were his rank, level and type.
"I knew orcs were big, but this giant seems two storeys tall." Corvus glided closer. "His rank? Budding?"
The green orc, with tusks to rival wild boars, turned to me. How? His eye looked into mine as he stretched back to throw his spear. The orc's javelin pierced through the air on its way to Corvus. A barrel roll evaded the projectile, and a step on the branch avoided another. Corvus flew right, using the trees as cover, and yet the javelins ignored it all as they tore the wall of trees apart.
THUD!
On the left side of the body, a spear hit. The orc howled in victory.
Corvus smiled. Too much time in the fishing town. Too long being normal. But he didn't forget.
Shadow consumed Corvus. Obsidian in a bright forest, two ravens split the body, and a javelin fell to the ground.
Two crows of the darkest black flew at great speed, soaring past any spears hurled their way.
The Orc groaned, finding his area empty of spears, and picked up a large greataxe by his large self. The birds split around the slice of the axe that felled a dozen trees and arced back in, as the two crows flew speedily toward an unguarded back
Now.
A burst of feathers revealed two Corvus. Their aura flared with a colourful violet on their short swords. Runes were burning on the two Corvus' skin, strengthening bone and muscle as he lunged for the giant's massive jugulars.
"ARGGGGGGGHHHH!!!" the orc bellowed as Corvus ripped his sword out of his veins. His blood flowing like a miniature waterfall, the monster dropped to his knees, cracking the ground with his huge green body.
TING.
With the corvids' nod to each other, back to birds of the shadows, they collide to form one.
"Phew!" Corvus stretched his body limber; he shook his head off of the dizziness. "It's been some time. Out of practice." Corvus jumped off the Orcs' back, immediately finding his party member who didn't try to be in the shadows. George walked into the clearing with his mouth ajar.
"Wow…" He said, bending down to see the dead orc. "You've definitely earned your reputation! Heralds are a different breed. To think I worried! I might live to see next week after all!
With crossed arms, Corvus stepped up to the dwarf.
"Explain."
"Your status, mate," George smirked under his beard. "For the future. Learn to use your privacy settings. A 2nd-grade core even after you ate a golden apple. Either Alendo got a dud, which is impossible, or…"
"I never had a core." Corvus stepped closer. "An assassin does not need it. And you hired an assassin." Hovering over the dwarf, Corvus could see his sweat drip down. "If you were so unsure of my skills, why did you choose a lone herald? One belonging to an old forgotten god. The Zoreth Knights were there. A little payment to the lion deity, and you would be the safest man on this isle."
Arms on his stocky hips, George sighed deeply. "Because they are your next targets." George twisted on his heel, heading back to the path. "Lands above, I thought Ravens was supposed to be smart. Come on, Corvus, we can't be lagging behind!"
Corvus held back his hand from his blade. A dead client was not what he needed today.