A swarm of smaller bats descended upon Balinor, biting him mercilessly. He crumpled from the pain. Oakh, using his tiger claws, fought the main creature, drenched in sweat. It was clear why Balinor fell; his fighting style wasn't equipped for dealing with multiple enemies.
CAMELOT SYSTEM ALERT: USER AT THE BRINK OF DEATH!!! ADRENALINE SURGE ACTIVATED.
My eyes snapped open. My skin felt like it was on fire, but my insides were icy cold. The blood trickling down my forehead and cheek felt searing hot.
Cough-cough.
"Phantom-Woven Hand, I summon you! Fulfill my will!" I whispered. I had to split my mind; first, focus on disparate thoughts, separate them completely, and then pronounce the spell.
MAGIC HAND $\rightarrow$ LEVEL 3NEW RECORD! YOU HAVE SUMMONED 20 MAGIC HANDS.
The hands lifted me, pulling me to my feet. Several of them supported me, allowing me to stand and move. While I was down, the group had been pushed back about 240 feet.
NEW QUEST:Slay Mutated DretchREWARD: 50,000 Bao, TITLE:Monster Slayer
The hands hoisted me into the air and hurled me forward with animalistic speed. I used several of the summoned hands to grab the fiend. Oakh backed off and threw a fireball at the bats swarming Balinor.
The Dretch tore off a few of the Magic Hands. I quickly drew up a Protection from Weapons barrier, which the creature shattered just as fast.
"DIVINE SMITE!" Balinor roared.
His sword glowed with a red radiance and struck the Dretch. The creature staggered back in pain, but didn't suffer severe damage. A wolf burst out of the ground. The four of us attacked the beast: its back skin was charred from the Divine Smites and fireballs. Several bones might have been broken; its ribs looked unnaturally soft. The creature was screaming, wailing.
But in one sudden move, it grabbed the wolf and hurled it at Oakh. It then kicked me with a sideways swipe of its leg. I flew straight toward Balinor, who quickly cast a shield. Once he caught me, he cast a Wind Ring. A sphere of swirling air appeared around us, protecting us. My Magic Hands evolved further in the process.
Using the Wind Ring, Balinor performed a wind-assisted dash. He stepped onto the air itself and cast the Contagion Strike spell on himself.
"DIVINE SMITE!!!" Balinor screamed.
He plunged the sword straight into the creature's back. Thanks to the Contagion Strike, spores erupted from the wound and burst from its chest. Balinor grabbed the sword's hilt and twisted it. The monster fell, lifelessly crashing down onto Balinor.
QUEST COMPLETE:50,000 BaoTITLE UNLOCKED:Monster Slayer
I collapsed onto the ground. Balinor crawled out from under the monster, grabbed Oakh and me, and began dragging us. He teleported us to a shadowy market district (Dark Bazaar), then hauled us across the ground toward a clinic.
I opened the system window: Shop. One of my eyes was still closed.
POTION OF RAPID REGENERATIONImmediate regeneration, but your muscles will be wracked with feverish pain for a day or two.NOTE: Insomnia, High Temperature.PRICE: 35,000 Bao
"Phantom-Woven Hand, I summon you! Fulfill my will!" I whispered.
I met Balinor's gaze. I pushed him away with the Magic Hands. Then, the hands struck the ground, launching me about 5 meters away. They then grabbed the earth, forcing me to crawl rapidly.
Acquire. I willed the potion to appear in my hand, and there it was. But I didn't rush to drink it; I held it tight. Once I reached the outskirts of the Dark Bazaar, with my back and backside sufficiently scraped and bruised...
I quickly consumed the Potion of Rapid Regeneration. Then, I pulled a vial of concentrated wind from my undergarments and used it. My body soared upward, becoming translucent. When I was far enough from the ground, I dropped down behind the Dark Bazaar. I landed without any noticeable wounds. My left eye was starting to see properly again.
I unbuttoned my coat, untied my trousers at the waist, and slipped off my boots. Putting the trousers and boots back on, I ran towards the city. I'll wash my head and coat by the embankment. My legs didn't tire at first.
[How can I view my titles and equip this one?][Titles have appeared in your Stats.]STATSName: Sven Laokard Race: Human Class: ??? Subclass: ??? Title:Monster SlayerTraits:Perfect Eye (Lvl 2), Resilient (Lvl 2), Aberrant Mind
I touched the Monster Slayer title.
TITLE: MONSTER SLAYERYou can perceive the weaknesses of monsters you have previously encountered.You will not fear monsters unless they significantly overpower you.
I reached the river and began washing my hair. Fortunately, my trousers and shirt were clean, though the jacket had a boot mark. While I was cleaning my hair, coat, and jacket, I heard singing. The beautiful, tender voice caressed my ears. Without realizing it, I drifted toward the source of the music.
It was a girl standing by a waterfall, playing a lyre and sitting on a rock. She had pale skin, bright lips, and an aquiline nose. She wore a neat shirt, white stockings, a black corset, a tight dark leather skirt, dark heels, a green kandibober (an ornate hat/headdress), and a green cloak. All her clothes were covered in ornamental patterns. Then, she suddenly said:
"Oh well, I see you saw me anyway."
"What are you doing?" I asked loudly.
"Shh, you'll scare them away," the girl said, putting her index finger to her lips.
I approached her.
"Scare who away?"
"The fey. Sit here," she motioned to the rock she was sitting on.
I sat next to her and listened to her music. Her voice was gentle.
Ommo dey sawa. Kunay de way, sy way! – The wind began to pick up.
Kento mona konga sy way, qu ruy. – Cicadas and fey began to glow in the distance.
Q amo gakky. Vlad kenqu, de way! – A huge, androgynous (sexless) fairy appeared.
Fango rui ko nai. Ki way, suy ruy may. – It started dancing and landed right on my hand.
It rested on my palm, and my head started spinning.
YOUR BODY HAS SENSED FEY ENERGY.YOU HAVE BEEN GRANTED THE CLASS: WARLOCK
WHAT THE F... How is this possible?! Classes are supposed to be acquired at the Tower! Sometimes you can get one earlier, of course, but only under the pressure of another's Ki!
"What happened? Your face is pale," the girl asked.
"I just got a Class," I said, utterly stunned and astonished.