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My mother and siblings had prepared quite a surprise for me. When I returned with my father, I discovered a beautiful black and crimson coat adorned with the demon wolf's head as a shoulder pad. It looked absolutely awesome. I could also sense some of the Demon Wolf's power infused into the equipment, as if transferred through the crafting arts they had used.
That alone was incredible, but then I noticed what my sister held: a magnificent helmet crafted from the White Stag's skull and one of its horns, gleaming in white and gold. It radiated a powerful magical and spiritual aura and looked simply breathtaking.
"For me?!" I asked in disbelief as I stepped back into the tent.
"Well, for who else?" my mother replied. "Come on, put it on. Let's see if it fits. I made it so it will still fit when you grow up."
I slipped the coat over my shoulders. The belt wrapped tightly around my chest while the large demon wolf head rested on my left shoulder like armor, looking absolutely awesome. The moment I equipped it, I felt the Demon Wolf's strength envelop me like a dark shadow and red aura.
"And this?" I asked.
"A helmet we made using the White Stag's bones and horns," my sister said. "We only used one horn—we decided to save the other and turn it into dust for medicine."
"Awesome!" I said, equipping the helmet.
The moment I did, a strange golden spiritual protection wrapped around my body, especially my head. I felt as if both the White Stag and the Demon Wolf stood by my side, even if only in spirit.
"We used Monster Cores to give them a little more magical power," my sister explained. "They should be good enough for you for now. This is your first War Armor. It will protect you in battle."
"Yeah, if anything happens in the future, it'll be good if you keep it and equip it," my mother added. "You never know what might happen. We've been lucky we haven't met any hostile clans yet. But things can change from one day to the next, dear. Never forget that."
"I won't. Thank you!" I said, feeling pure bliss in my new equipment.
I wondered if they had any game-like status, like items in the game, and to my surprise, they did.
[Demon Wolf Coat (D+ Rank Armor)]
[Equipment Bonus]: +500 Vitality, +200 Strength, +200 Endurance, +200 Resistance, +200 Agility, +100 Charm.
[Equipment Ability]: {Demonic Wolf's Howl}: Infuse Mana to activate. Let out a ferocious Demonic Wolf's Howl that intimidates foes with a chance to temporarily lower their Agility and Strength by 20% for a couple of seconds.
Oh, they really grant bonus stats! That was the aura I felt infusing into my body when I equipped it. Just wearing this made me physically stronger. The ability was impressive too—a wide-area debuff.
[White Stag Bone Helmet (C+ Rank Armor)]
[Equipment Bonus]: +700 Vitality, +1000 Mana, +300 Endurance, +500 Resistance, +500 Spirit, +200 Luck, +300 Charm.
[Equipment Ability]: {White Stag's Spirit Blessing}: Infuse Spirit Energy to activate. Covers the wearer and a 5x5 meter area around them with a Spirit Blessing that hastens natural recovery by 200% and increases Endurance and Resistance by 20% for 60 seconds.
And this one was even better! It didn't boost my physical strength as much, but it packed so much magic and spirit power that it instantly made me a far stronger mage. The ability was amazing too.
"This equipment is incredible, Mom, Sis! You really outdid yourselves! Do you usually make equipment like this every day?"
"Not at all. Materials this good don't come by often," my mother laughed.
"You do look stronger when you equip them," my sister nodded. "Magic and Spiritual Gear can be created using Magic Beast or Spirit Beast materials, then infused with Monster Cores, Mana, and Spirit Energy. I learned that from Mom, and she learned it from Grandma."
"That White Stag must have been a Spirit Beast of at least Tier 4. You're lucky it was already dead," my mother sighed. "Though I'm surprised the Demon Wolf hunted it. It must have been an old and sickly one. We usually don't mess with them because their magic can be dangerous."
"Yeah! And that horn dust will make us a lot of medicine," my father added. "With it you can make the best potions and antidotes!"
"That's nice to hear!" I nodded. "Anyway, is dinner ready?"
"Yeah!" my brother said. "The least we can do is honor those you hunted and make sure to use everything they left behind so nothing goes to waste. Let's eat. The Demon Wolf meat was tough, but I softened it by cutting it into chunks and boiling it into a stew. The horned rabbit has been roasted. There's still some wolf meat roasted too, but it's not the best."
"Okay, I'll eat everything."
I sat down with my family to eat together, keeping my new equipment on just to feel important. The food was delicious. The Demon Wolf stew was great, and the roasted meat, though tough, wasn't bad at all. My brother had added plenty of seasonings from plants and herbs he had gathered in the wilderness.
Although instead of being hunter-gatherers, it would be nice to settle down, start farming, and raise more animals rather than wander aimlessly. If we could settle near one of those big rivers, we could build a huge town—just like in the game.
Eventually, by defeating all the clans and unifying every territory, the entire Green Plains could become a country… this was the supposed endgame of Barbarian Conquest.
And it's slowly becoming my goal too, as I realize the strength I can cultivate and my need to protect the Red Fang Clan—my family.
"So, did you learn the technique, Brunhild?" Magnus asked. "I heard you two were fighting like maniacs outside… Was Dad too brutish?"
"He was!" I said angrily. "He was so brutal… but I still managed to learn it thanks to that."
"She's got plenty of talent. She learned the first form in a single day!" my father said proudly. "She also has several Skills, I believe, right? Though I couldn't identify them all, she has Charge."
"Charge?! That's a strong one. Did you learn it naturally or did it just appear?" Astrid asked.
"I got it after choosing my class," I said. "…What?"
My family stared at me with raised eyebrows. It seemed nobody knew what a Class was, further confirming there were differences between a Player and what NPCs in the game—or people in this world—could obtain.
The Player Avatar had unique access to these systems. NPCs grew differently, and in this real world where I refuse to call my family NPCs, it seems they develop powers in their own way.
"What's a Class?" my dad asked.
"Ah, well, I guess it's something like an awakening," I shrugged. "But yeah, I did get a couple of skills, among them Archery. I'll need to start learning that too."
"Oh, your brother is pretty good at archery, right?" my mother asked. "You teach her, Magnus."
"Eh? Ah, but I was going to go meet my fluffy friends tomorrow," he said. "Also, aren't we moving? It would be inconvenient to learn that while we travel."
"Yeah, yeah, you're still doing it," my mother said. "And no, you cannot use your fluffy friends as an excuse. You are doing it."
"Fine…" my brother gave up quickly, sighing. "Well, Brunhild, I'll teach you what I know."
"I'm looking forward to it!" I nodded.
"Hmm, now I'm the only one not teaching her something," my sister sighed. "Hey Mom, let's teach her how to Craft and Sew, right?"
"I suppose so," my mother nodded. "I could have taught her earlier, but she's such a wild girl she often didn't even bother listening, or we were busy collecting the relics she kept telling us about."
"Hahah, I'll gladly learn…" I muttered. "It'll be nice. I want to learn how to make my own stuff anyway."
"Well, then it's decided," my father nodded. "For now, everyone should go to sleep. We'll be waking up early tomorrow as soon as the sun rises."
At night, I considered sneaking out to hunt more monsters but fell asleep before I could leave. Sleeping between my two siblings was too cozy… and my sister didn't mind me hugging her and rubbing my face against her chest.
♢♢♢♢
The next morning, I woke up lazily to the sound of my siblings stirring.
And the first thing the System did when I opened my eyes was jump-scare me with a sudden quest.
[You have received your first quest as a War Goddess]:
[Hunt a Tier 1 Magic Beast: 0/1]
Congratulations on finally awakening the War Goddess System. Your path toward Ascension has finally begun on the Green Plains. To forge into the perfect War Goddess, you must start from the beginning. Go hunt a ferocious critter!
[Reward]: +10 Strength and the Talent: [War Spirit Physique (C Rank)]
Yep, same as always. Maybe I could do it now before we departed. Would my Physique evolve again to A Rank if I absorbed another one? Well, the +10 Strength is nice too.
"Brunhild, come, hurry, let's go take a bath."
My sister dragged me away before I could do anything, pulling me into a smaller tent where we bathed with warm water. Despite being "barbarians," we usually bathed two or three times a week—often together to save water.
Once done, it was breakfast time. As usual, my mother cooked a big portion for everyone: leftover stew and meat from dinner, plus boiled grains resembling brown rice, milk, and cheese.
"Once you're done eating breakfast, make sure to get things ready," my mother said, patting my head before heading outside.
"I'm gonna store all my things in my inventory. You don't mind?" I asked.
"W-What? Inside your inventory?" my mother asked. "But… well, if you want to. As long as it's only your things."
I quickly ran off and started storing everything that was mine. My siblings followed and begged me to store most of their things too.
I shrugged, nodded, and did it anyway.
Like that, we were the first family ready to depart in the entire village, while everyone else was still dismantling tents and packing onto their mounts—large monsters resembling hybrids between sheep and bison.
"It'll still take some time to depart… Mom, can I go hunt a monster?" I asked.
"What?! No! We're departing in an hour or two," she shook her head.
"Aw… Wait." I looked at Fenrir. "Fen, can you catch me a living horned rabbit? I'll give you demon wolf meat if you do."
"…!" He wagged his tail and darted into the forest.
"What are you even doing?" my mother asked, completely confused.
An hour later, Fenrir returned with a still-living horned rabbit, carrying it by the nape. It was completely paralyzed. He really was a good hunter—and smart too.
"Well done, boy," I nodded, giving him a treat: a small mana stone. Monsters loved eating these as they nourished their bodies. "Now… sorry."
I quickly ended the rabbit's life and…
[You have completed the Novice War Goddess Quest: [Hunt a Tier 1 Magic Beast: 1/1]]
[Reward]: +10 Strength and the Talent: [War Spirit Physique (C Rank)]
[Do you wish to accept the rewards?]
[Yes] [No]
There it is.
I pressed [Yes] and felt an infusion of energies surge through my body. Spiritual power coursed through me, and my muscles grew slightly stronger.
I saw the same crimson spirit giant emerge and merge into me before slowly fading.
[Complete! You have gained +10 Strength and the Talent: [War Spirit Physique (C Rank)]!]
[Your compatible Physiques have merged; the [Great War Spirit Physique – Tier 2: Rank 1 (B Rank)] has advanced to Rank 4!]
Oh, it didn't evolve this time—it just increased its Rank. So there are… Ranks within a Tier? That's new. I would need two or three more to reach Rank 10. Is that the max? I'm only assuming, but maybe there are higher ranks within a Tier?
Seeing how it jumped from Tier 1 to 2 when it evolved, there must be some inner workings. Perhaps it evolves once the Rank reaches maximum, which happened instantly when two physiques merged, but now I need more to Rank Up.
Still, this helps my body develop easily and for free, so it's not bad at all. If I can do this once or twice a day, I could keep repeating it endlessly for years.
How strong will my Physique become once I reach fifteen?
"We're going, Brunhild. What are you doing with that poor rabbit?" my brother called out, spotting me holding the dead animal.
"Ah, Fenrir hunted it, so I just ended its suffering," I replied.
Yeah, I'm totally not a psychopath.
"Poor thing… Well, alright," he sighed. "We'll eat it for lunch, I suppose. Better not waste its sacrifice."
"Hm." I nodded.
Though my brother often seemed to have a vegan-like mindset, he was still a carnivorous barbarian at heart. His philosophy was simple: he only hunted when truly necessary and treated animals as equals most of the time. On most days, however, I saw him eating vegetables or nuts. For some reason, he didn't extend the same respect to fish—maybe because they looked so dumb.
"Alright everyone, let's move!" my father called. We nodded, mounted our rides, and set off as a large nomadic tribe.
The sun hung high in the clear blue sky. Only a few clouds drifted overhead, and the heat pressed down strongly. Yet the breeze remained as refreshing as ever, carrying a chill from the distant snow-capped mountains.
We traveled across the Green Plains for hours. My brother used the time to teach me archery, handing me my own bow and a quiver full of arrows. He demonstrated by shooting at distant trees and bushes as we moved.
I drew the bow with the help of my Archery Skill. It sharpened my sense of direction and sight, letting me know exactly where to aim with greater precision.
Following his instructions and the skill's guidance, I managed to hit three out of ten targets. Not the best, but not terrible either.
"Hah, you'll get better with time. Just keep practicing," he encouraged.
He constantly dashed across the plains to retrieve the arrows himself, returning to the caravan minutes later. He was incredibly fast, sometimes running on all fours like a beast.
While I practiced for hours, my brother—or occasionally Fenrir—brought the arrows back. We rewarded the wolf with small pieces of meat and white fat, which he loved.
After a quick lunch of stew and horned rabbit sandwiches, my brother grew curious about my Wild Beast Path Rune. He said it felt somewhat similar to Spiritual Roots, though on a smaller scale, and connected to Spirit Beast Tattoos.
"It's a truly strange one," he said. "You say it's a Skill, right? How did you even get this?"
"Ah, it just appeared once I leveled up enough," I answered.
"Leveled?" He tilted his head.
Do they not even know they level up?
It seemed they understood Skills, Talents, and Traits, but had no concept of levels or stats. That was quite bizarre. Perhaps it was because they couldn't see their own status.
"It's what I call it when you grow stronger after hunting many creatures," I explained.
"Oh," he muttered. "That's usually thanks to the spiritual roots, no? The more lives you take, the more the roots grow and expand. The same happens with spirit beast tattoos."
"So that's what you call it. I call it leveling," I said. "Right now I'm Level 10, and I'm twenty levels away from becoming even stronger once I hit Level 30."
"Weird… Why do you use so many numbers? That's so confusing," he said, scratching his head. "Hahah, well, you do you, lil' sis. I'm still curious about your Rune. What Spells does it have?"
"Wild Cat Leap and Wild Cat Claw," I explained. "One lets me jump really high or move super fast, and the other is an offensive spell that deals physical damage."
"Wow! That sounds interesting! It's similar to my Beast Tamer Magic," he said. "Though I draw power from the beasts I bond with."
"Really? But you only have Scaly with you?" I asked.
"I don't bring them all along," he replied with a gentle smile. "I travel around, rescue beasts in danger, help them, or feed them when they're starving. In gratitude, they form a small bond with me. They remain free to live as they please, but as long as they live, a part of their power is shared with me—and mine with them. From Scaly, I gained Fire Breath. From an Alpha Gray Wolf, Wolf's Bite. From a Wild Tiger, Tiger's Claw. Get it?"
"That sounds really cool, brother," I said. "Do you think I could learn that kind of magic?"
"Ah, I don't know. If you're not a Beast Tamer, it's unlikely. But you're bonded with Fenrir! That might let you gain Spells from him," he said. "But how does your Rune work?"
"It generates new Spells," I explained. "Later, I think I'll be able to create my own, but not yet. If I learn the magic circles from you, maybe I can use the skill to copy them."
"I see. We could try. Sure, why not," he nodded. "I guess nobody has taught you real magic yet, huh? Most of our clan combines elemental magic with weapon techniques. Not many focus on pure magic, but I do—so you're lucky to have me, heh. Alright, listen carefully."
While I rested my head against his chest, he showed me how to weave spells using pure Mana. His large hands made it easy to demonstrate the process clearly.
"Like this, see?"
He moved his fingers, forging several Runes in midair with pure Mana and weaving them into a single circle.
"Each Rune carries meaning. It's the language we all speak," he explained. "For this simple spell, it goes… Beast. Claw. Tiger."
Three Runes combined. Circuits spread through the air. He completed the circle, forcing the runes together into a finished spell.
And then—
"ROOAAARRR!"
A mighty roar echoed. The magical spirit of a tiger manifested and slashed a nearby tree, shattering it into pieces. Several people in the caravan turned to stare in surprise.
"Yeah, like that," my brother said, looking a little embarrassed.
"Got it. So like this?" I asked.
I moved my fingers, infusing Mana into the Runes. My brother watched in surprise as I closed them into a circle and added the final surge of Mana.
FLASH!
Nothing happened.
"Ah, nothing."
"Yeah, you don't have a Tiger to use it, hahaha. Let me make one for Fenrir."
He quickly wove new Runes and offered me the circle. I appreciated my brother even more in that moment—he was genuinely talented at magic, a true genius.
"There, try this."
I infused Mana into the circle, and—
"GROAR!"
The mighty roar of Fenrir echoed. His jaws manifested from silver, ethereal, and spiritual light. They snapped at empty air.
"Okay, it works," he said. "You've got yourself a new Spell. I call it Fenrir's Fang."
"Sounds cool!" I nodded excitedly. "If Fenrir grows stronger, I can create more Spells around him. Also… do you think I could tame another beast?"
"Hmm, is your soul even big enough yet?" he wondered. "Let me see."
"Huh?"
He placed his hand on my forehead and sent spiritual energy into me. A red aura flared, startling him.
"What the hell?!" he gasped. "Brunhild, you already contracted a Spirit?! What was that red giant?"
"I don't know. It's part of my Physique," I explained.
"Hmm…" He nodded slowly. "I think your soul is big enough. That thing is expanding it for you."
"I had no idea. So I can tame more beasts?" I asked.
My brother nodded. "Yes, but I'd recommend holding off for now. Just Fenrir is enough responsibility, alright? There also isn't much here worth taming yet, and we haven't discussed compatibility."
I agreed. "You're right. Sorry for being too hasty."
He smiled and patted my head. "It's fine. Now keep practicing Archery."
The day passed smoothly as I continued training. My shots grew sharper and more precise. When night finally arrived—
[Your Class Skill: [Archery – Tier 1: Level 1/10] has Leveled Up!]
My efforts had been rewarded.
"Oh, the difference feels nice."
I could now pinpoint exactly where my arrows should go. At this stage, I could even infuse my Mana Aura and Spiritual Aura Embodiment into them for greater power.
As the sun set and the caravan stopped to set up camp, I kept scanning the sky with my Archery Skill while sitting atop Fenrir. He carried me around as he explored the new land, sniffing everything.
"Hmm, oh?"
Then I saw it—a large white creature soaring high above. It had ghostly eyes. Ghostly eyes?
"GRYYAAARRR!"
That was no ordinary bird. It was a giant Bone Wyvern.
It dove the moment it spotted us, wings spread wide, flapping furiously. Ghostly flames began raining down across the caravan.
Fuck!
"WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!!!" I screamed.
Everyone panicked and looked skyward.
"SHIELDS UP!"
My grandfather, the chief, raised his shield and rushed to protect nearby children.
The flames struck.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Dozens of small explosions of ghostly fire rained down. Equipment caught fire, but the flames dissipated quickly. Ghost flames burned souls—and that made them terrifyingly lethal.
"Don't let the flames touch you! They can hurt your soul!"
I nocked an arrow and aimed at the wyvern as it continued bombarding us.
"Protect the children!"
My father charged through the camp with a massive shield, gathering every crying child beneath it.
At the same time, my brother fired dozens of arrows at the creature. The wyvern dodged them skillfully while charging energy in its maw.
"Send Scaly to distract it!" I urged.
"B-But if he gets hit, he'll die!" my brother protested.
"Brother, sometimes we have to make hard choices. What's more important—your pet or the entire clan?" I demanded. "Besides, I won't let him die. He just needs to distract it!"
"W-What are you planning?" he asked. "Brunhild, your aim is still worse than mine—"
"Just send him!"
"…Fine!"
He clicked his tongue. Scaly spread his wings, flew upward, and clashed with the wyvern, smashing its head and unleashing his breath. The undead creature was annoyed enough to interrupt its attack.
"Now…!" I gritted my teeth and poured every ounce of power into my arrow.
What if I apply Charge Attack?
I could do it.
The arrow glowed bright red, overflowing with fiery aura. The moment the power of Charge Attack infused it, I released it.
BOOOM!
The arrow tore through the air like a blazing storm and pierced straight through the Bone Wyvern's rib cage, shattering its spine and destroying one wing. The creature plummeted.
"It's coming down! Kill it!!!"
My grandfather rushed forward with his hammer raised.
"ROAAAR!"
The elephant-sized wyvern charged, inhaling deeply before unleashing a sea of phantasmal flames.
"Fortress Shield!"
My grandfather manifested a fortress of Aura and smashed through the flames, crushing the monster's head with his hammer.
CRASH!
It still wasn't dead. It hissed and slashed at his shield with massive claws.
"Destroy the core! THE CORE!"
He swung again, shattering the ghostly core inside its rib cage. The wyvern collapsed into a lifeless pile of bones.
"Haaa…"
I sighed in relief. That was too close.
"Is everyone okay?" I asked.
"W-We're fine!" my sister replied. "Ugh, someone give me a bow. I didn't know things like that roamed around here…!"
"No bird we've faced has ever fired ghostly flames before," my brother added with a heavy sigh. "Ahhh! Scaly! Your leg—don't worry, I'll heal you."
"I can do it," I said, conjuring healing fire over the wound. "This should prevent infection. Being bitten by undead is dangerous."
My Healing Fire Skill proved invaluable—a purifying flame that sealed wounds quickly.
"I think some people were hurt by the flames. They're suffering from a strange pain they can't describe," my father reported grimly.
"Gather all the healers. We have to—"
"ROOAARRR!"
"SHYAAAAH!"
Two more enormous silhouettes appeared in the sky—white, ghostly, and massive.
"Fuck."
Two more Bone Wyverns had arrived. The entire clan looked up in disbelief, grabbing weapons and shields in panic.
"Mom, go grab the Holy Scepter! Use healing magic to keep everyone alive!"
"F-Fine!"
She ran as fast as she could while the wyverns surveyed the camp below.
Then they struck.
"GROOAARR!"
Furious roars split the air as two massive fireballs descended.
"RUN! GET OUT OF THE WAY!"
The camp scattered. Mothers grabbed their children, but the cries of forgotten newborns echoed from a few tents.
"Shit, there are still babies! Go find them!" my mother shouted, snatching one before fleeing.
"MY CHILD! LET ME GO! MY CHILD IS IN MY TENT! I FORGOT HIM!"
A young barbarian woman screamed desperately. Her baby—the only one still crying—was in a tent not far from me.
...
Well, here I go again, acting like a damn hero.
RUMBLE!
Shadow Step fused with Charge and Wild Cat Leap.
I reached the tent in a heartbeat as the two gigantic fireballs loomed overhead.
"Here!"
It was a little red-haired boy. I grabbed him and leaped away, using Wild Cat Leap repeatedly to escape.
"Uwaaah! Buaaaahh!"
The baby wailed as ghostly fire surged just behind us. I threw him forward. His mother caught him in time.
But the flames swallowed me completely.
I guess… this is what I get for doing something stupid again…
"BRUNHILD!!!"
BOOOMMM!!!
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