The pair shared a meal quietly together in each other's company. They each received a bowl of hearty stew, a thick sauce almost like a gravy full of chunks of meat and vegetables, along with a freshly baked roll. The hot meal was perfect, after having such a long day, which had taken it's toll.
After their meal, Kai brought up their empty bowls and nodded to the woman in gratitude, before heading up the stairs with Elise to their shared room.
"If you want to go in alone to get washed up and changed into your nightgown that's fine, I was actually planning to head out already." Kai said quietly to Elise as he leaned against the wall, next to the door.
"A-already?.. But it's already getting late Kai, are you sure you don't need the rest?" Elise asked back, a hint of worry and something else in her voice.
"I am tired but I don't want to ruin your privacy y'know with you washing and changing and all." He responded sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head.
"R-right.. That makes sense. Just please don't be out too late, okay? You need sleep too." She murmured, her cheeks colored slightly pink as she fidgeted with her hair, her eyes still showing concern.
"You just focus on relaxing and enjoying the new clothes and stuff you got, okay? I'll be fine, promise." Kai chuckled softly as he ruffled her hair before turning around to head back down the stairs, "I promise I'll come back and it not be too late."
"H-hey! You can't just mess with my hair and then take off like that!" She squeaked, clearly flustered as her gaze stayed locked on Kai's back as he waved back at her, descending back down the steps.
"Heading out already?" The woman manning the desk asked as she watched the young man walk towards the exit.
"Yeah, I have to get some work done, but I won't ve too long, please make sure Elise is okay for me while I'm gone, okay?" Kai looks over his shoulder as he responds, before turning back to the door and walking out.
I have to get stronger... And I have to make more money.
Kai thought to himself as he silently walked to the gate leading out of town.
Open Inventory
Withdraw Sword and Shield
Kai smiled quietly to himself as he felt the now familiar weight return on his hip and back, he gave a silent nod to the guards at the post as he head back out into the wild.
Level Up!
Level Up!
Level Up!
Level Up!
***
Skills Increased:
Martial Arts: Lvl. 7
Shield Bash: Lvl. 4
New Skills Acquired:
Taunt: Lvl. 1
Sweeping Blade: Lvl. 1
Critical Strike: Lvl. 1
Wow... not bad at all, I wonder what these new skills do, and how do I activate them, is it just by using my mind?
Kai thought to himself as he whipped a skewered goblin corpse off of his blade, adding it to the pile. According to the System after this grind session, he was now Level 15, a substantial increase from him being Level 6 just earlier today. The familiar ring could be heard again in Kai's head as he bent over to deposit the goblins into his inventory.
Wait... Strong? I haven't heard that bef-
"Gahhh!" Kai let out a hoarse cry as he suddenly felt himself knocked off his feet and sent rolling several yards, his side aching immensely. He got back onto his feet quickly lowering himself into a defensive stance as he faced what had struck him.
That thing is no goblin...
Kai's eyes narrowed as he looked at the creature. It was about the same height as him, maybe slightly taller. It had a pale grayish-blue skin color, and it's muscles rippled across it's entire body, like the thing's skin was a tight shirt, ready to tear open. The creature was unclothed, aside from a hide sash around it's waist, and it carried no weapons.
That thing sent me flying, with it's fist?.. I would have definitely been killed if I didn't select Bastion to greatly increase my physical abilities...
A lump formed in his throat before quickly calming himself, keeping himself in a firm stance.
"Ha, ha! Little one rolled on the ground!" The thing abruptly spoke, it's voice deep and bellowing as it laughed, "Look at little one! It is mad now."
This thing can speak our language?.. Even if it is terrible.
Kai ignored his troubled mind and steeled himself, his shield raised as the creature lumbered towards him like a silent fright train.
How is that thing so quiet? It's about the same height as me but has to have 150 pounds on me easy!
Crack! The brute's fist met Kai's shield and with a single punch the entire wooden part of the shield cracked away like it was a toy, the only thing left was the metal middle with the handle attached as Kai was sent sliding backwards, his feet leaving visible drag marks across the dirt, but was unharmed.
Okay, not good, the damn thing just made my shield even though it was just wood look like a prop.. what should I do? Maybe I could use one of my new skills? But how?
Kai thought frantically to himself as he dodged and weaved around the creature's fists, some hits missing and creating small indents in the ground.
"Why does little one run away? This game is no longer fun!" The creature said with a whine that lowered in pitch to a deep growl, "Will break little one's legs so it doesn't keep running away!"
Alright.. let's try this out. Sweeping Blade!
Kai's eyes widened as the edges around the blade began to glow a bright blue.
Okay, now what? Should I just swing my sword at the thing?
Kai thought to himself as he experimentally swung his sword in the direction of the creature, the blue light flashed out in an arc from the blade and surged forward towards the creature.
"What is blue light from little one's sw-?" Swsshh! The creature had attempted to speak but was abrupted as the arc of light sliced straight through the creature's abdomen, cutting it clean in two, "Gyachk..." A low gurgle could be heard from the creature's top half as both pieces fell to the ground.
Wow, that was.. completely something...
Kai sat in quiet surprise as he stared at the creature's body. Crack... Kai's gaze darted to his sword, as the blade began to shatter into tiny pieces.
That is just lovely...
Kai sighed to himself as he stared at the handle of his sword, all that was left aside from the crossguard and pommel.
Level Up!
Level Up!
Level Up!
Level Up!
***
Passive Skills Acquired:
Sword of Light Mastery: Lvl. 1
Aegis: Lvl. 1
Skill Acquired: Multi-Shield
New Items Received:
Bastion's Lightblade: Lvl. 1
Bastion's Aegis: Lvl. 1
New Title Acquired: Orc Slayer
Okay, what in the world are these?..
Kai's eyes widened, never receiving a Passive Skill since Bastion, nor a Title and Named Items.
Open Inventory.
Access Skills, Select Passives, Detailed View of Skills Sword of Light Mastery and Aegis
Detailed Descriptions Listed Below:
Sword of Light Mastery: This skill allows user to have complete control of energy surrounding user's blade while wielding [Bastion's Lightblade], as this passive levels up, more skills will be unlocked and the power of Sword of Light skills will be enhanced.
Aegis: This skill allows user to gain maximum defensive capabilities while wielding [Bastion's Aegis] as this passive levels up, more skills will be unlocked and the defensive capabilities of Aegis skills will be enhanced.
Holy hell, okay, let's see what this Multi-Shield skill actually does. Maybe I should have read what Sweeping Blade did before using it, too bad that big fool made me completely forget I could do that... Okay, Access Skills, Regular Skills, Detailed View of Multi-Shield.
Detailed Description Below:
Multi-Shield: Allows user to form an energy shield around the user and up to one other companion. This shield will protect selected entities until a maximum damage threshold is met, will not protect against attacks capable of destroying protected entities' entire form. Strength of skill can be leveled up through use and damage threshold will increase as level increases.
Okay, this skill isn't bad at all... It would allow me to protect someone else, but I have to keep in mind the shield can break, and is useless against attacks that would destroy my body..
Kai thought quietly to himself as he stood over the Orc's body.
Deposit into Inventory
The Orc's body glowed lightly before disappearing into the bottomless abyss known as Kai's Inventory.
Now one last thing to check... Select Title: Orc Slayer, Open Detail View
Detailed Description Below:
Orc Slayer: This title when equipped moderately increases the power of the user's attacks with their fists, this title can not be leveled up, but damage will scale based on user's Martial Arts skill level. With this title equipped, user will take more damagd from magical attacks.
Okay, this one is kind of... eh? I guess if I get disarmed it would be useful, but the increased damage from magic can be deadly if I forget to take it off.
"Alright, I need to get back to town now, it's already been a few hours and I still haven't slept, I can check out my new gear back at the inn." Kai sighed wearily, before beginning to dash back towards the direction of the main gate.