Leaving the cobbled path from Vaelmont, the road narrowing as trees unified into a canopy that swallowed the light.
Each step felt heavier than his last. This was no sparring or training. He would kill, his hands already itching for action yet his gut twisted. 'Can I do it?'
'No, I have to.'
The deeper he walked, the quieter the world around him became, as if it was trying to ease the worries in his heart. Even the wind stilled, leaving only the wet squelch of his boots in the mud below.
Thick, snake-like roots crossed the ground, black sap oozing from the bark with a stench that made his nose twitch.
Patches of fungi clung to roots, their faint green glow spilling over stagnant pools of rainwater, fracturing his reflection into something unrecognizable.
Gulp.
Vergil's throat tightened, his fingers brushed the dagger at his hip. Its weight felt heavier than when he first held it.
Ahead stood a dead oak tree, its trunk hollow, a crude marking carved into its bark. Vergil's pace slowed. He was in their territory now.
"He exhaled once.'Finally here.' His pulse drummed in his ears. This was his first time killing, and he couldn't hesitate. Never again.
A rustle.
Vergil immediately ducked, slipping behind a tree to take cover, carefully avoiding pools of water. He steadied his breath as he peeked through the damp leaves.
A hunched figure was ahead.
It was a goblin.
Barely the size of a child, its sickly green skin stretched taut over bones. Jagged claws clutched at a mangled human corpse, and its yellow teeth tore at its flesh with wet, tearing sounds.
Shrrk… crunch.
The goblin's jaws worked greedily, strings of red meat dangling from its mouth, blood dripping from its chin. Its slitted eyes gleamed with satisfaction, enjoying the delicacy it had caught.
'Analyze,' he thought, gripping the dagger until his knuckles whitened."
A pale-blue screen flickered into view. Just for him.
[Goblin]
Race: Humanoid Monster
Level: 1
Tier: 0
Strength: 2
Constitution: 3
Dexterity: 4
Intelligence: 1
Wisdom: 2
Magic Power: 0
Mana Capacity: 0
Passive Skills:
Lesser Pain Resistance (F-)
Crude Weapon Proficiency (F)
Active Skills:
None
---
Vergil steadied his breath. He slid out from the shadow of the tree. His feet, silent on the damp earth.
The goblin's head snapped up, its nostrils flaring.
"Ghrraaaahhhk?"
But it was too late.
Shhhk! The dagger sank deep, green blood spraying across his face. The goblin spasmed, claws scraping uselessly, before going still.
It clawed weakly at his arm, its jagged nails scraping but failing to pierce. Vergil twisted the blade.
The goblin spasmed violently, gurgling as the dagger pierced its throat. Its struggles ceased, and it slumped against Vergil.
"Ha...ha."
Vergil's breath fogged in the cold air. Hand quivering around the dagger.
Yet he put his palm out nonetheless.
"Authority of Predation."
From his palm shot out black, fanged maws, glyphs of unknown drawing, detailed each one in red. They gnashed hungrily, drool of shadows dripping.
Crunchhh.
The goblin's flesh and bones were swallowed in seconds, leaving nothing but a skeleton that was feasted on.
The feeling of consuming life was revolting… and yet, a rush of power coursed through him, thrilling despite the disgust."
[1 Strength point gained.]
[2 Dexterity points gained.]
[Acquired: Lesser Pain Resistance (F+), Crude Weapon Proficiency (F).]
Vergil wiped his cheek with the back of his sleeve.
'This skill is monstrous,' he thought.
Then his eyes fell on what the goblin had been feasting on.
A man's corpse. A small dagger stuck from his throat, blood long dried around the wound.
Vergil crouched beside it. "Analyze."
Edran Valmont
Race: Human
Level: 1
Tier: 0
Strength: 4
Constitution: 3
Dexterity: 6
Intuition: 5
Magic Power: 3
Mana Capacity: 3
Passive Skills:
Keen Focus (F)
Basic Bow Mastery (F)
Active Skills:
Quick Shot (F)
Vergil hesitated for a moment. His dagger hand trembled once. Then he extended his palm.
"Predation."
Black fanged maws erupted, sinking into the corpse and devouring it in seconds."
Crunch.
"Disgusting… and yet, exhilarating."
The sound of flesh ripping filled the clearing. When the black void receded, only bones and clothing remained.
[1 Strength point gained.] [2 Dexterity points gained.]
[Acquired: Keen Focus (F), Basic Bow Mastery (F), Quick Shot (F).]
Vergil furrowed his brow. Strange. I didn't gain as many stats as I should have.
The system answered in its monotone voice.
[The corpse was already damaged, therefore provides fewer stat gains. Skills, however, are always acquired. As your strength grows, weaker lifeforms will give lower stats.]
Vergil exhaled slowly. "So it depends on both condition and strength."
Another notification blinked.
[User has gained a total of 9 skills. 6 more required to unlock the second function of Authority of Predation.]
Vergil smirked. "So that's the game, Weever."
As he rose, something caught his eye. Amid the goblin's remains, a faint blue glow pulsed. He crouched and picked it up.
"Analyze."
[Astralyth Stone] (F-Tier)
The weakest type of energy stone in Eternia. Can serve as a power source or be absorbed to accelerate cultivation for different pathways.
Vergil turned it in his palm. "No wonder these are valuable."
A silver necklace gleamed against the bones as Vergil reached for it, untouched from predation, etched with the name Elira Valmont. Beside the body, a bow and quiver rested on the moss.
He touched the necklace lightly.
"Mother, then… he must be single."
His jaw tightened. "You never stood a chance. I'll take what you left behind and make it count."
Vergil tucked the necklace and stone into his inventory before continuing.
A faint rustle drew his gaze. Two goblins crouched in the bushes ahead, whispering guttural noises.
"Grhh… kreeehhh…"
Vergil reached for the bow. His movements were awkward, his grip stiff. He nocked an arrow, breath shallow.
Thwip!
The arrow struck one goblin's shoulder. It screeched, stumbling.
"SKRRRIIIIIHHHHH!"
The second goblin shrieked back, charging him with a rusted dagger. Its steps splashed mud. Vergil drew and loosed again.
He's faster than I expected… stay calm, aim for the weak spot.
Thwip!
The arrow sank into its skull.
"GRHHHHK—!"
The goblin dropped face-first into the dirt, twitching once before falling still.
The first goblin writhed, clawing at the shaft in its shoulder. Vergil closed the distance. His blade plunged into its chest.
Schlk!
Its scream cut off in a wet gasp. Blood bubbled at its lips before its body sagged.
"Predation."
The corpses were stripped bare in moments.
[1 Strength point gained.]
[1 Dexterity point gained.]
[1 Constitution point gained.]
[Acquired: Dash (F), Lesser Poison Resistance (F-).]
[Level Up! User has reached Level 2.]
[3 stat points gained.]
"All in Constitution."
[Constitution has been increased by 3.]
Vergil nodded. "Endurance matters more than strength right now. I won't leave until I get all the skills needed for the second function."
Hours had passed, as the sun dipped lower and lower. Bleeding its crimson, vibrant glow through the branches, Vergil stood. Blood both dry and fresh on his clothes.
"Looks like I've cleared this section," he muttered. "Took longer than I thought."
He pulled up his Status.
Name: Vergil
Level: 3
Title: Commoner
Lifespan: 65 years
Spouses: None
Race: Human
Stats:
Strength: 6 → 11
Constitution: 8 → 11
Dexterity: 7 → 15
Intuition: 6 → 8
Magic Power: 3 → 4
Mana Capacity: 4 → 5
Equipment:
Basic Clothing (+2 Defense)
Metal Dagger (+5 Attack)
Passive Skills:
Keen Focus (F)
Basic Bow Mastery (F)
Lesser Impact Resistance (F-)
Basic Pain Resistance (F)
Crude Weapon Proficiency (F)
Lesser Poison Resistance (F-)
Wild Instincts (F)
Active Skills:
Authority of Predation (???)
Throwing (F-)
Pack Tactics (F)
Quick Shot (F)
Dash (F)
Feral Bite (F)
Arts: None
Available Stat Points: 3
Vergil smiled. "Analysis said one had Dim Vision, the other Camouflage."
The mouths surged from his palm, swallowing the corpses again. A pulse of strength echoed through him as the system confirmed the acquisitions gained.
Another screen appeared.
[All conditions met. Unlocking second function of Authority of Predation…]
[Unlocked: Skill Combination (EX).]
Vergil's eyes widened. "Combination…?"
The system explained.
[Skills can now be fused. Compatible ones can create stronger forms. Incompatible attempts may fail or downgrade.]
A slow grin stretched across Vergil's face. "This is broken…" He laughed. "Hahaha! Absolutely broken."
[Temporary fusions unavailable. Requirements unmet.]
His grin faltered. "…You're a real piece of shit."
[Correct.]
Vergil shook his head, still smirking. "Fine. Let's test it."
"Fuse Pain Resistance and Impact Resistance."
[Fusion complete. Acquired: Endurance (E-).]
[Endurance (E-)]
Grants resistance to physical impact and pain. Allows user to withstand blows more effectively without staggering.
Vergil exhaled. "Useful. This will keep me standing when it matters."
He closed the screen, breathing in the forest rustled faintly with the night wind.
"It's time to head back," he murmured. He stored the bow and necklace away, his steps quiet as dusk bled through the branches.
His mind turned to Edran. He was pitiful yet his bow and skills would become his foundation and he would carry them forward.
This was only the beginning.