Chapter 8: Shield Bumps and Stirrings
The familiar sensation of a level-up greeted Ren as consciousness returned. Level 4. The subtle thrum of increased vitality was stronger this time, a comforting warmth that suffused his limbs. He felt less like a boy playing at survival and more like someone who actually stood a chance, however slim, in this unforgiving world.
Name: Ren
Level: 4 (EXP: 60/550 – EXP from buckler crafting & level up carried over)
HP: 190/190 (Base VIT 15 -> 190 HP)
SP: 165/165 (Base VIT 15 -> 165 SP)
MP: 55/55
STATS:
STR: 10
VIT: 15 (13 base + 1 from Lvl 3 + 1 from Lvl 4)
AGI: 12
INT: 17 (15 base + 1 from Lvl 3 + 1 from Lvl 4)
WIS: 14 (12 base + 1 from Lvl 3 + 1 from Lvl 4)
LCK: ?
Stat Points Available: 5 (from Lvl 4)
Skill Points Available: 2 (from Lvl 4)
The automatic increases to VIT, INT, and WIS with each level were a significant boon. He now had 5 more Stat Points to allocate. His Strength was still lagging, but Agility for dodging and Vitality for sheer survivability felt paramount. After some thought, he decided:
2 points into AGI (12 -> 14) – Speed and evasion were life.
3 points into VIT (15 -> 18) – More HP and SP, better regeneration.
HP: 240/240
SP: 210/210
The jump in HP and SP was substantial. He felt even more robust. For his 2 Skill Points, he looked at his current lineup:
[Basic Combat Stance Lv. 2 (EXP: 150/200)]
[Spear Proficiency (Basic) Lv. 1 (EXP: 0/100)]
[Skinning Lv. 1 (EXP: 0/100)]
[Basic Woodworking Lv. 2 (EXP: 0/200)]
[Basic Stoneworking (Primitive Tools) Lv. 1 (EXP: 0/100)]
Other non-combat skills at various low levels.
He wanted to improve his combat effectiveness with the new buckler. Boosting [Basic Combat Stance] would likely help with incorporating it. He put one point there.
[Basic Combat Stance Lv. 2 -> Basic Combat Stance Lv. 3 (EXP: 0/300)]
Effects at Lv. 3: +12% to Dodge chance. +12% to accuracy. SP cost for readiness significantly reduced. Moderate improvement to resisting stagger. Slightly improved perception of opponent's immediate movements when focused.
The new "improved perception" sounded promising. For the second point, he boosted his [Spear Proficiency].
[Spear Proficiency (Basic) Lv. 1 -> Spear Proficiency (Basic) Lv. 2 (EXP: 0/200)]
Description: Your ability to wield a spear is becoming more natural. Attacks are faster, more accurate, and carry slightly more force. Basic defensive maneuvers with the spear are more reliable.
With his points allocated, Ren turned his attention to his new [Wooden Buckler (Reinforced)]. It was strapped to his left forearm, the rough wolf hide facing out, the ironwood core feeling solid. He picked up his [Rough Wooden Spear]. The combination felt new, a little unwieldy.
He faced his ironwood training dummy.
"Alright," he murmured, "let's see how this works."
He adopted his [Basic Combat Stance Lv. 3]. The system immediately noted the addition of the shield.
[New Equipment Detected: Wooden Buckler (Reinforced) equipped.]
[Basic Combat Stance Lv. 3 adapting to Shield + Spear configuration. Initial coordination penalty: -5% to AGI until proficiency is gained.]
[Potential New Mundane Skill: [Shield Proficiency (Basic)] can be unlocked through practical application. Focus on defensive maneuvers and coordinated movement.]
A coordination penalty was expected. He began slowly, practicing moving with both spear and shield, trying to keep the buckler positioned to cover his center while his spear remained ready. It was like learning to pat his head and rub his stomach at the same time, but with potentially lethal consequences if he messed up in a real fight.
He tried a few thrusts with the spear, simultaneously bringing the buckler up in a defensive posture. His movements were stiff.
[Basic Combat Stance Lv. 3 (EXP: 10/300). Awkward. Your shield arm and spear arm are fighting for dominance. They need to learn to dance together.]
He spent a solid hour just on basic movements: advancing, retreating, sidestepping, all while trying to maintain a coordinated defense with the buckler and a ready offense with the spear. He focused on keeping the shield between himself and the dummy, imagining incoming attacks.
He then started to incorporate actual blocks. He'd tap the dummy with his spear, then immediately bring his buckler up to meet an imaginary counter-blow aimed at the dummy's 'striking' arm (a knotted protrusion he'd designated as such).
Clack. The sound of his wooden spear hitting the dummy.
Thwack. The sound of him deliberately bumping his buckler against the dummy in a blocking motion.
[Shield Block Attempt: Poorly timed. Left opening on lower body.]
[Shield Block Attempt: Better angle. Would have deflected a light blow.]
[Basic Combat Stance Lv. 3 (EXP: 50/300). Coordination slowly improving. Coordination penalty reduced to -3% AGI.]
After another hour, a new skill finally pinged.
[New Mundane Skill Discovered: [Shield Proficiency (Basic)] Lv. 0 (EXP: 10/50)]
Description: Basic familiarity with using a shield for defense. Governs block chance, shield bash effectiveness (if applicable), and stamina drain from blocking.
Comment: You're no longer just hiding behind a plank of wood. You're actively hiding behind a plank of wood.]
Ren grinned. Progress. He continued to drill, practicing spear thrusts followed by shield blocks, or quick shield shoves (he imagined a shield bash) followed by a spear jab. The ironwood dummy took the abuse stoically. His [Spear Proficiency Lv. 2] gained EXP, as did his [Basic Combat Stance Lv. 3] and the new [Shield Proficiency Lv. 0]. The initial AGI penalty for the new configuration vanished as he became more accustomed to it.
By midday, after his usual physical conditioning grind (which felt a tiny bit easier with his increased VIT and AGI), Ren was soaked in sweat but pleased.
[Basic Combat Stance Lv. 3 (EXP: 120/300)]
[Spear Proficiency (Basic) Lv. 2 (EXP: 80/200)]
[Shield Proficiency (Basic) Lv. 0 (EXP: 35/50)]
He needed resources. His meager supply of dried meat was dwindling, and his waterskin was nearly empty. He also wanted to try and find better flint for new knives, as his current ones were truly awful. A quick trip to the Kukan'yu River was in order.
Before leaving, he decided to check in on Old Man Hemlock. He found the elder sitting comfortably on the now-stable communal bench, carving a small wooden bird.
"Good day, Elder Hemlock," Ren greeted. "The bench seems to be holding up well."
Hemlock looked up and smiled. "Ah, Ren. Aye, your tapered peg idea did the trick. Solid as the day it was first made, almost." He held up the nearly finished carving. "A good idea deserves a good turn. My old carving knife is getting dull, and my hands aren't what they used to be for sharpening. You seem to have a knack for finding sharp stones by the river, from what Martha tells me about your spear-throwing pest control."
Ren blinked. Martha again. The village information network was surprisingly efficient.
[New Optional Quest: A Sharper Edge for an Old Hand]
Objective: Find and deliver 3x [Choice Flint Shard (Good Quality or higher)] suitable for fine carving to Old Man Hemlock.
Rewards: +50 EXP, +10 Reputation with Oakhaven Elders, [Old Carving Knife (Worn)] - (potential for repair/reforging later?), Hemlock's woodworking tips (minor WIS EXP).
System Note: Quality matters. Generic sharp rocks won't do for this one.
This was perfect. A clear goal for his trip to the river. "I'm heading to the river now, Elder. I'll keep an eye out for some truly choice pieces for you."
"Good lad," Hemlock said, returning to his carving.
At the river, Ren spent more time and care selecting his flint nodules. He looked for finer grains, more uniform textures. His [Basic Stoneworking Lv. 1] gave him a slightly better eye for promising material. He also managed to find a patch of Sweetroot by the riverbank, a good source of hydration and minor SP recovery.
[Herbology (Kukan'yu Region - Novice) Lv. 1 (EXP: 75/100). Sweetroot identified and harvested.]
Knapping the flint for Hemlock was a challenge. The system seemed to differentiate between his crude self-use blades and the "Choice Flint Shards" the quest demanded. He broke several promising pieces before he managed to flake off three that the system deemed [Choice Flint Shard (Good Quality)]. They were thin, razor-sharp, and small enough for delicate carving work.
[Basic Stoneworking (Primitive Tools) Lv. 1 (EXP: 40/100)]
He returned to Oakhaven as the afternoon sun began to dip. He presented the flint shards to Old Man Hemlock. The elder examined them closely, running a calloused thumb near (but not on) an edge.
"Aye," he said, a note of genuine appreciation in his voice. "These are fine pieces, Ren. Much better than I could find myself these days. You've got a good eye." He rummaged in his tool pouch and produced a small, old knife. The wooden handle was dark with age, the metal blade thin and worn, but clearly made of actual steel, not flint. "This old friend has seen better days, and the edge is gone. But the steel is true. Perhaps one day you'll learn how to put a new edge on it, or even reforge it. For now, it's yours, for your trouble."
[Quest Complete: A Sharper Edge for an Old Hand!]
+50 EXP Awarded!
+10 Reputation with Oakhaven Elders (Respected by Some Elders -> Highly Regarded by Woodworkers & Elders).
Obtained Item: [Old Carving Knife (Steel, Worn, Dull)].
Old Man Hemlock shares some woodworking insights. +5 WIS EXP.
Level: 4 (EXP: 110/550)
[Old Carving Knife (Steel, Worn, Dull)]
Quality: Poor (currently unusable for cutting)
Material: Steel (Blade), Aged Hardwood (Handle)
Potential: Can be sharpened or reforged with appropriate skills/tools.
System Comment: A relic from a bygone era (of about twenty years ago). Has potential, unlike your current flint collection.]
A steel knife! Even dull, it was a treasure. This was a huge step up from flint. The skills to repair it were far beyond him now, but it was a goal.
As Ren walked back to his hut, he noticed a subtle change in the village atmosphere. A few of the women were gathered near the well, their voices hushed and worried. He caught snippets: "…fewer rabbits in the snares…" "…odd tracks, bigger than a wolf's…" "…something stirring in the deep woods…"
His [Basic Combat Stance Lv. 3]'s new perk – "Slightly improved perception of opponent's immediate movements when focused" – seemed to subtly heighten his general awareness too. Or maybe it was his WIS. He couldn't be sure, but a faint sense of unease prickled at him. Oakhaven was isolated. If a new, more dangerous threat was emerging, they were largely on their own.
He had his spear, and now a buckler. He had his system. But the forest was vast, and he knew from his HxH memories that far deadlier things than Grootslangs and Root-Wolves lurked in the shadows of this world. He needed to get stronger, faster. The thought of Nen, the true power, burned in his mind. His current training was essential, but it felt like baby steps on the path to a colossal peak.