DING… Level up
DING… Level up
DING… Level up
As a cascade of notifications flickered at the edge of his vision, William seized a brief moment of calm after the frenzy of battle. His chest heaved as he caught his breath, his heart still racing with the thrill of combat. With a single thought, he brought the system interface into view.
The status menu materialized before him, glowing lines of text assembling into a sharp focus. He stood motionless for a moment, overwhelmed by the transformation displayed before his eyes.
Name: William Conwell
Age: 16
Race: Human+
Class: Unassigned
Title: Chosen by Phosphorus
Level: 12
EXP: 600 / 2200
HP: 785 / 785 (derived from Endurance 27)
MP: 300 / 300 (driven by Intelligence 25 & Wisdom 12)
Stamina: 725 / 725 (based on Strength 20 & Endurance 27)
[Stats]
Strength: 20
Dexterity: 20
Endurance: 27
Intelligence: 25
Wisdom: 12
Charisma: 10
Luck: 10
Stat Points: 0 Available
↓
Name: William Conwell
Age: 16
Race: Human+
Class: Unassigned
Title: Chosen by Phosphorus
Level: 18
EXP: 600 / 4000
HP: 965 / 965 (+180 from Endurance increase)
MP: 340 / 340 (+40 from Intelligence & Wisdom increase)
Stamina: 890 / 890 (+165 from Strength & Endurance boost)
[Stats]
Strength: 28 (+8)
Dexterity: 26 (+6)
Endurance: 37 (+10)
Intelligence: 29 (+4)
Wisdom: 14 (+2)
Charisma: 10
Luck: 10
William felt his breath catch as he absorbed the implications. These weren't just numbers, they were a tangible surge of raw energy coursing through him. His muscles vibrated with newfound strength, his heartbeat steady and unyielding, his mind alight with clarity and precision.
The earth beneath his boots felt weightless, his body ready to explode into motion at a moment's notice. Even his skin bore an uncanny resilience, as if steel itself might falter against its durability.
The surge of power coursing through William was exhilarating, but he knew there was no time to waste. The goblins that had chased them earlier still roamed the forest, their cruel intentions palpable. Though they had yet to pick up the trail again, William could feel their presence, a faint ripple in the wind, the soft crack of a distant branch, the muted scrape of claws against the forest floor.
He crouched slightly, attuning himself to the earth beneath his feet, his enhanced endurance heightening every movement. Each step became deliberate and efficient, conserving energy while propelling him forward with precision. "Aria," he murmured, his tone firm yet urgent. "Stay close and do exactly as I do."
Aria, cradling her injured ribs, gave a quick nod. Her expression was a mix of gratitude and wonder as she observed the transformation in him.
With a powerful leap, he bounded onto a fallen log, then onto another, each movement fluid and precise. His newfound strength and agility transformed the forest into a dynamic playground, a web of opportunities for concealment and strategic elevation. Landing gracefully beside Aria, he offered her his hand. "Up!"
The two of them darted nimbly through the dense underbrush. Branches that would once have snagged and slowed him now bent harmlessly out of his way, like water parting around a stone. His heightened senses pinpointed weak spots in the terrain, roots to leap over, rocks to use as springboards, and natural pathways that ensured their movements remained silent and hidden.
A sudden rustling to their left made William pause for a split second. The goblins were close, but blissfully unaware of their presence. His heart pounded in sync with the adrenaline coursing through him, now balanced by his improved stamina and endurance. Analyzing their likely route, he subtly adjusted their course. They navigated around a shallow ravine, slipped behind moss-covered boulders, and wove a zigzag pattern designed to baffle any who might pursue them.
Upon reaching the crest of the hill, the dense forest below opened up to reveal a slender stream, its surface glinting and dancing under the sunlight. William slowed his steps, his gaze carefully sweeping over the landscape with measured intent.
A fallen tree stretched across the stream, its trunk slick with the dampness of morning dew. William's heightened reflexes quickly assessed its potential, ideal for a swift crossing. He stepped onto it, testing his balance with ease. "Stay close behind me," he instructed, his voice calm and assured.
Aria grasped his hand tightly as they navigated the narrow log together. William instinctively adjusted his stance with each subtle shift, his balance and agility sharpened to perfection. On the far side, he landed softly, rolling into a crouch to absorb the impact. Aria followed, grimacing slightly as her injured ribs protested, but she managed to cross safely.
Taking a moment to pause, William scanned the forest ahead. The faint calls of goblins echoed in the distance, carried by the wind, they had yet to discover the pair's new position. He released a slow breath, allowing the tension in his shoulders to lessen slightly. "We're not out of danger yet," he cautioned. "But we've gained some distance."
His thoughts raced as he calculated their next move. With his enhanced intelligence, he analyzed the goblins' patrol patterns, anticipated their likely routes, and identified the fastest paths to safety. Guiding Aria through a maze of winding trails, he vaulted over fallen trees, slipped soundlessly through shadows, and moved with a fluid precision that rendered them almost invisible.
Suddenly, the sharp crack of a branch echoed behind them, one of the goblins had caught their scent and was heading in their direction with ravenous haste.
It was neither as large nor as muscular as the champion, but it wielded a pair of spiked bone clubs, still slick with the blood and gore of those it had recently finished off and devoured. It charged through the woods toward the duo, pounding its clubs together in a deafening rhythm.
POW
POW
POW
The resounding impacts of the clubs echoed through the forest, catching the attention of numerous goblins. Their ears perked up as they eagerly turned toward the direction of the noise, excitement gleaming in their eyes, it seemed one of their own had successfully cornered its prey.
William's eyes narrowed as the goblin armed with a spiked club charged toward him, its muscles tense like a coiled spring ready to explode. Every instinct within him urged him to attack, to crush the creature with the electrifying power coursing through his veins. With a thunderous roar, he surged forward, his fists striking with a speed and precision that would leave even the most seasoned warriors in awe.
The goblin's reflexes were sharp, but William's agility allowed him to evade its swings, narrowly dodging the deadly arcs of the spiked club. He twisted, pivoted, and delivered a crushing blow to the goblin's ribs, sending it stumbling back. Another calculated strike followed, and the goblin collapsed onto the forest floor with a pained grunt.
For a fleeting moment, triumph surged through him. This, he thought, this is what it feels like to wield true power. His muscles vibrated with untamed energy, and for a moment, he felt invincible.
Then, a searing, burning pain erupted in his side.
His elation faltered as the realization hit him, the arrow was still embedded in his ribs.
A pang of panic flickered through him. Despite the extraordinary strength and agility flooding his body, the arrow remained a relentless reminder of his vulnerability. Each punch, each leap, each uneven step on the forest floor sent waves of agony rippling through him.
Sensing weakness, the goblin snarled and lunged once more, teeth bared in a feral grimace. William had no time to dwell on his pain. Dropping into a defensive stance, he raised his fists, his movements sharp and deliberate. He dodged and parried with calculated precision, ensuring that every strike he delivered accounted for the fiery pain radiating from his wound.
"Aria…" he muttered through clenched teeth, "stay back!"
She stumbled but managed a nod, her eyes wide with a mix of awe and concern. Despite his injuries, William's presence commanded the battlefield, though she now noticed the subtle signs of strain, the slight falter in his step, the quickened pace of his breathing, betraying the limits of even his enhanced endurance.
The goblin's onslaught was relentless, its spiked clubs pounding the ground where William had stood moments earlier. He ducked, twisted, and rolled, his movements precise yet impeded by the searing pain of the arrow lodged within him. Sweat dripped from his brow as he pushed his body to its limits, staying just ahead of the creature's vicious rhythm.
A sudden, wild swing caught him off guard, the impact hurling him backward into a moss-covered boulder. Pain erupted as the arrow burrowed deeper, tearing at him from within. For a fleeting moment, frustration clouded his mind, "I can't believe I forgot this!"
Summoning his strength, he planted his feet firmly and braced himself. With a guttural roar, he drove his fist into the goblin's chest, his enhanced power sending the creature stumbling backward, nearly airborne. His body protested every motion, screaming in agony, but he refused to falter. Pivoting quickly, he dodged the goblin's retaliatory attack and delivered a final, decisive strike to its head. The creature crumpled into the underbrush, unconscious with a distinct red fist print where its nose used to be.
He stumbled briefly, the arrow's agony now a muted, relentless thrum beneath his skin. Gasping for breath, he forced himself upright, his eyes sweeping the forest for any lingering dangers. The rush of adrenaline, coupled with the raw thrill of battle, drove his body forward despite the searing injury.
"Aria... we have to go. Now." His voice was raspy but firm, cutting through the tension.
She paused momentarily before gripping his hand tightly. Together, they pushed through the dense forest, William's heightened speed and sharp reflexes counterbalancing the pain that sought to hinder him. Each movement was precise, every step intentional, yet the ever-present ache of the arrow kept him wary, compelling him to depend on his expertise and instincts rather than brute force alone.
William's piercing gaze scanned the forest, both ahead and behind, his mind calculating their position with unnerving precision. The snarls of goblins reverberated from every direction, turning the once-opportunistic maze of trees into a suffocating trap. If this continues, we'll be cornered in moments, he thought, his chest rising and falling from exhaustion and agony.
The arrow lodged in his side pulsed with pain, a constant reminder that even his formidable body had its limits. He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to endure the searing discomfort, and made a decision forged in the fires of desperation.
"I can't take them all like this," he muttered, his voice strained and low. "Not while I'm dragging this—" he motioned toward the arrow, which had burrowed deeper with each labored movement.
His eyes locked on Aria, her face pale and her grip on the staff trembling but firm. "You're going to help me," he said, his tone commanding and steady despite the turmoil within.
Aria swallowed hard and nodded. "I… I'll try."
William tore his shirt to reveal the arrow embedded in his side, bracing himself against a tree for support. With a sharp yank, he pulled the arrow free, a scream of agony ripping from his throat as his body convulsed in response. Blood flowed freely, but he forced himself to take deep breaths, fighting to steady the rush of adrenaline surging through him.
"Now!" he barked, his voice strained but commanding.
Aria raised her trembling hands, and a brilliant golden light poured from her palms, glowing like molten sunlight. The holy energy enveloped William's wound, radiating warmth and brilliance as it began to close the jagged edges. The pain dulled slightly as the light knitted the flesh, though the healing was incomplete. It was enough to keep him on his feet, to grant them a moment's reprieve. Imperfect, but barely sufficient.
Pushing himself upright, William wiped the mixture of sweat and blood from his face. "Go. Run," he ordered, his tone firm and unyielding.
Aria hesitated, worry flashing across her face. "W-Will—"
"No time!" he interrupted, his eyes darting toward the encroaching shadows among the trees. "I'll hold them off! Just go!"
Her grip tightened briefly on his hand before she turned and sprinted into the forest, weaving through the dense underbrush with a desperate urgency born of fear. She didn't look back.
William leaned against the rough trunk of a tree, his body tense and ready to spring. His chest rose and fell in ragged gasps, each breath a sharp reminder of the arrow's lingering pain. The forest around him was unnervingly quiet, its calm masking the danger lurking within. His eyes darted to the patches of sunlight filtering through the canopy, every shadow a potential threat.
His fists clenched tightly.
Every fiber of his being was poised for action. The goblins were coming. They always came. And he would be ready.
But his eyes kept flicking to the path Aria had taken. Please make it, he thought desperately, his mind a chaotic mix of fear and hope. Just get out alive…
The faint rustle of underbrush reached his ears, soft but deliberate. He froze, heart pounding, mind racing. It wasn't her, he knew that instantly. The goblins were closing in.
He let out a slow, controlled breath, forcing his heartbeat to steady despite the burning pain in his side. The faint glow of Aria's healing magic still lingered on his skin, a warmth that dulled the worst of the agony. It wouldn't last long, but it was enough to keep him upright, enough to prepare him for the fight ahead.
Another rustle, this one louder. A branch snapped, and the scent of blood mingled with the damp, earthy aroma of the forest floor. He clenched his jaw. They were close now, their brutal presence evident in every shift of shadow and sound, as well as the growing sense of bloodlust.
William's mind raced, analyzing every detail of the terrain around him. He noted the fallen logs that could serve as cover, the low-hanging branches perfect for ambushes, and the uneven ground that might hinder their advance. He envisioned their every movement, predicting each step they would take and every blow they might attempt.
Time seemed to stretch endlessly, each second dragging on. He could almost sense Aria's presence as she ran, the faint sound of her footsteps brushing against the forest floor as she navigated the dense undergrowth. Get out... please...
A guttural growl broke the silence, drawing his attention. William's sharp eyes detected motion in the shadows, and soon the first goblin emerged. It was hunched, its spiked clubs scraping noisily against the ground. Its beady eyes locked onto him with a predatory glare, its teeth bared in a savage grin. More figures stirred behind it, the commotion from earlier having attracted others.
Pain radiated through his side, sharp and relentless, but he steeled himself against it, determined to endure as he awaited the inevitable assault from the goblins.
A chilling silence settled over the scene as more goblins emerged from the shadows, their numbers growing until William found himself encircled by ten fearsome adversaries, each more menacing than the one before.
[AN - On the next episode of Escaping Diddy!]