A Dance of Blades and Venom

As Reed emerged from the dark depths of the dungeon, his muscular frame covered in grime and sweat, he stood with an aura of untamed confidence. The makeshift wolf cape draped over his broad shoulders added an air of primal ferocity to his appearance. With only pants to complete his rugged attire, Reed scanned the surroundings, seeking guidance.

Reed, having just emerged from the dungeon, looked around for guidance. Spotting a vulture perched nearby, he approached it with an inquisitive gaze.

"Hey, you there. Any idea where I should head next?"

The vulture turned its head, its piercing eyes meeting Reed's, and let out a low caw. Understanding the significance of the bird's response, Reed eagerly awaited its guidance.

[Seek the path to the Chapel of Shadows, There lies the first step on your journey.]

Reed's eyes narrowed as he absorbed the vulture's words. He was determined to make his mark in this unknown world, and the mention of the Chapel of Shadows intrigued him. However, he needed more than a mere name to navigate his way there.

"I appreciate the tip. Can you be more specific about the chapel's location? I need a direction to follow."

The vulture, wise and stoic, spread its wings, seemingly pointing toward the northeast.

[The Chapel of Shadows awaits beyond the treacherous Withered Woods, nestled amidst the heart of the Forgotten Peaks. Venture forth, and you shall find your path.]

Reed's gaze followed the vulture's guidance, his mind processing the information with a modern twist. The vulture's cryptic directions urged him to traverse the treacherous Withered Woods, a journey that would ultimately lead him to the Chapel of Shadows within the Forgotten Peaks.

"Northeast, through the Withered Woods, into the heart of the Forgotten Peaks. Sounds like a challenge, but that's where the answers lie."

With a confident nod, Reed accepted the vulture's guidance and set his sights on the path ahead.

As Reed made his way toward the chapel, his eyes caught sight of a formidable sight—a towering knight astride a demonic horse. A pop-up window materialized before him, revealing the creature's name and stats in bold letters.

[Demon Knight - Argath]

Level: 50

Health: 10,000/10,000

Strength: 90

Defense: 85

Agility: 70

Skills: Sword Mastery, Dark Aura, Charge

Reed's gaze flickered over the stats, and he realized the magnitude of the challenge that lay before him. It was clear that engaging in direct combat would be unwise given the current discrepancy in their abilities. His mind raced, calculating possible strategies to evade the knight and reach his destination unscathed.

"Argath, huh? Those stats are no joke.

He surveyed the surroundings, searching for alternative paths or potential distractions that could divert the knight's attention. With a hint of determination in his eyes, he meticulously planned his escape, taking into account the terrain, potential hiding spots, and the knight's limited field of vision.

"Numbers aren't everything. I'll outmaneuver this guy."

Confident in his ability to outmaneuver the powerful adversary, Reed cautiously began his stealthy retreat, silently making his way through the shadows and using his environment to his advantage. Each step was calculated, each movement precise, as he sought to slip past the watchful gaze of the demonic knight and continue his quest.

Reed's presence did not go unnoticed as the knight's horse neighed loudly, charging towards him with incredible speed. In a split second, Reed managed to sidestep, narrowly evading the powerful hooves that thundered past him.

"Whoa! That was close," Reed muttered, a touch of frustration in his voice. "I really need to work on my stealth skills."

With a quick shake of his head, Reed refocused his attention. He gripped his short sword and dagger tightly, assuming a defensive stance. The knight and his horse were formidable opponents, and Reed knew he had to tread carefully.

"The knight's strikes are heavy, and that horse is lightning fast,"

Reed observed, his voice tinged with both respect and concern.

"And that armor... it's like hitting a solid wall."

Reed's mind raced, seeking a solution to the challenges at hand. He analyzed his skills, calculating the best course of action. His determination surged, fueled by the desire to overcome the seemingly insurmountable odds.

"I'll rely on my agility and {Serpent Senses} to find openings."

As the knight's heavy strikes came crashing down, Reed skillfully parried and dodged, utilizing his {Sword Mastery} to defend himself. Each clash echoed with the resolute determination that burned within him.

{Dagger Mastery has been learned}

{Dual Wield has been learned}

"The key is to create distance,"

Reed realized, his voice filled with a calculating edge.

"I need to disrupt the knight's rhythm and find openings to strike."

Drawing upon his {Accel skill,} Reed executed swift and precise movements, darting around the horse and its charging attacks. He sought to exploit the slight hesitations in the knight's assault, aiming to land calculated blows where the armor was weakest.

"Heal," Reed whispered, activating his {Heal} to replenish his health and keep himself in the fight.

"I'll wear him down, bit by bit."

With a focused mind and fiery resolve, Reed danced with the knight and his relentless steed. Each evasion, each counterattack showcased his Serpent Senses and Sword Mastery, slowly chipping away at the knight's defenses.

‘Now, let's add some firepower,’

Reed smirked, channeling his Flame and Lightning Strike skills into his blades. The purple flames danced along the edge of his dagger, and bolts of lightning crackled across his short sword.

{New Skill has been learned}

{Poison Flame}

As Reed clashed with the fearsome demon knight Argath, a sudden notification flashed before him, revealing the acquisition of new skills. The words "Dagger Mastery," "Dual Wield," and "Poison Flame" appeared, signaling the growth of his abilities. However, Reed, completely immersed in the intense battle, paid no heed to the notification. His focus remained fixed on overcoming his formidable opponent.

With each strike and parry, Reed showcased his proficiency in swordsmanship, exploiting any opening he could find. The weight of his short sword felt familiar in his hand, but a newfound skill seemed to awaken within him. It was {Dagger Mastery,} expertise in wielding the smaller blade with precision and finesse. Though the notification urged him to explore this skill, Reed pressed forward, his instincts guiding him through the deadly dance of combat.

Reed paid no attention to the notification that highlighted the potential of this newfound technique. He was fully engrossed in the life-or-death struggle before him.

In the heat of battle, Reed's sole focus was victory. The notifications may have signaled the potential for growth and new strategies, but they were mere whispers in the wind to him. He fought with instinct, honed skills, and an indomitable will. The clash with Argath would determine his fate, and Reed was resolved to emerge victorious, regardless of the untapped potential that awaited his exploration.

As Reed and the demon knight Argath locked eyes, an electric tension filled the air. The clash of their weapons reverberated, each strike carrying the weight of their determination. In their glimmering gazes, a silent understanding of the battle's gravity passed between them.

In the heat of the fight, Reed's mind raced, analyzing each move and countermove. His thoughts became a battlefield of strategy and survival. As the demon knight launched a powerful assault, Reed's instincts screamed at him, urging him to block the incoming strike. His mind calculated the trajectory, the force, and the consequences of each decision in a fraction of a second.

But in that critical moment, Reed hesitated. Doubt flickered across his eyes as he questioned his own strength. Should he risk a block and expose himself to further danger? Or should he trust in his agility and attempt to evade the incoming strike? The fleeting seconds stretched like an eternity as he weighed the options, torn between caution and audacity.

However, before Reed could make a decisive move, the demon knight's strength prevailed. With a surge of power, Argath overpowered the under-leveled Reed, driving his weapon deep into Reed's shoulder. Pain flared through Reed's body, and a guttural curse escaped his lips.

‘ARGH!!’

‘FUCK’

The searing agony served as a cruel reminder of his limitations, a sharp sting to his pride.

In that moment of vulnerability, Reed's mind raced once more. He recognized the danger of his current situation, and the urgency of regaining control. Despite the searing pain, he refused to succumb to despair. His determination ignited, fueling his will to fight back against the overwhelming odds. With gritted teeth and narrowed eyes, Reed vowed to turn the tides, to rise above the depths of his current predicament.

The knight hoisted him up.

“ARGH!”

As Reed dangled in the knight's grip, his blood seeping onto the darkened armor, silent screams of agony echoed within him. The pain was unbearable, coursing through his body like a relentless storm. His jaw clenched tight, but a bitter curse escaped his lips, seething with defiance.

"Dammit!" Reed hissed through gritted teeth, his voice laced with venomous frustration.

The knight's forceful throw sent Reed hurtling through the air, his body colliding with a sturdy tree trunk. The impact jarred his already wounded frame, eliciting a guttural groan of pain.

Gasping for breath, Reed muttered under his breath, a mix of anger and resilience evident in his voice.

“Shit!”

His hand trembling, he clutched at his throbbing shoulder, blood slipping through his fingers. Despite the excruciating pain, his spirit refused to yield. Every curse that left his lips carried a silent promise of vengeance and redemption.

{Name: Reed}

-Level: 3

-Class: Healer

-Title: Goblin Reaper

-Vigor: 19

-Mana: 16

Reed's eyes narrowed with unwavering resolve as he assessed the situation before him. Pain pulsed through his body, yet it only fueled his determination to turn the tides in his favor. He drew upon the depths of his cunning, weaving a plan that would exploit his adversary's weaknesses.

"Hmph, brute strength alone won't overcome this opponent," Reed scoffed, his voice dripping with confidence. "I need to be swift and elusive, striking where his armor falters. Dual wielding my blades will provide the finesse required to penetrate his defenses."

His mind raced, mapping out a battlefield strategy with precision.

"Utilizing {Accel} to amplify my speed and create openings," Reed mused, a wry smile gracing his lips.

" Evading his heavy blows while delivering swift, surgical strikes. {Sword Mastery} will guide my hand, finding weak points in his formidable armor."

But Reed knew that true victory required more than mere physical prowess. His eyes gleamed with a mischievous glint.

"Ah, but let's add a little twist to this dance," he remarked, his voice dripping with cunning. "Poison Flame shall be my secret weapon. A subtle touch and the venom will seep into his veins, sapping his strength with each passing moment. It's only a matter of time before he succumbs."

Reed's lips curled into a self-assured smirk as he visualized the battle unfolding according to his plan. The thrill of the challenge filled his veins, fueling his determination.

"I'll lure him into a false sense of superiority," Reed whispered, his voice carrying an air of calculated confidence.

"He'll think he has me cornered, but little does he know that I hold the strings. As the poison courses through his body, his strikes will grow weaker, his movements sluggish. That's when I'll strike with Flame and Lightning, a relentless barrage that he won't see coming."

With his eyes gleaming with a fierce determination, Reed sprung into action, his very presence igniting an aura of raw power. The clash of steel echoed through the air as his blades danced with lethal precision, leaving trails of shimmering light in their wake.

As he weaved through the knight's heavy strikes, Reed's movements became a mesmerizing display of agility and finesse.

His {Serpent Senses} skill grants him heightened senses like that of a serpent, including enhanced sight, smell, heat detection, and vibration perception. With these abilities, he can see through the chaos of battle, track the knight's movements, gauge his fatigue, find openings to strike, track the heat radiating from the demonic horse, and since the knight's movements through the vibrations in his weapon. With his {Serpent Senses} at Level 5, Reed can perceive even the slightest nuances in his opponent's actions, exploit weaknesses, react swiftly, and turn the tide of the battle.

The air crackled with electrifying energy as Reed unleashed his active skills, augmenting his already formidable prowess. Flames erupted from his blades, engulfing the battlefield in a blazing inferno, casting flickering shadows upon the determined faces of both combatants. Bolts of lightning cascaded around him, arcing through the air with a thunderous might, striking true and leaving a trail of crackling destruction in their wake.

But Reed had a hidden ace up his sleeve—the {Poison Flame.} With a swift and calculated strike. Each slice and thrust left a lingering poison, silently eroding the knight's strength and sapping away his vitality.

The fight grew increasingly intense, their clash becoming a symphony of steel and primal roars. The knight's brute force clashed against Reed's finesse, the impact reverberating through the very core of the battleground.

Despite the relentless assault, Reed's resolve remained unyielding. His eyes burned with an unwavering focus, his every move deliberate and precise. He pressed on, tirelessly exploiting every weakness, capitalizing on each opening, and landing precise strikes that sent shockwaves through the knight's armor.

As the battle raged on, the knight's once-ferocious attacks grew sluggish, their power waning under the effects of the venomous poison. Reed seized this opportunity, delivering a final series of lightning-quick blows, each strike finding its mark with unerring accuracy.

In a crescendo of triumph, Reed's blades found their mark, penetrating the knight's defenses with a resounding impact. The knight's armor, once impenetrable, cracked and shattered under the relentless assault. With a final, devastating strike, the knight fell to the ground, defeated and vanquished.

Reed stood amidst the aftermath, his chest heaving with exhaustion and triumph. The battlefield was silent, save for the crackling embers and the fading echoes of the battle. The aura of victory surrounded him, a testament to his unwavering determination and skill.

He laid down in exhaustion.

{You have killed Demon Knight- Argath}

{Obain Stats Points}

{Name: Reed}

-Level: 3

-Class: Healer

-Title: Goblin Reaper

-Vigor: 9

-Mana: 1

{Stat}

Strength: 49

Agility: 45

Intelligence: 45

Endurance: 45

Wisdom: 35

{Passive Skills}

-Determination Lv. 5

-Serpent Senses. Lv. 5

-Sword Mastery Lv. 5

-Dual Wield Lv. 5

{Active Skills}

-Accel Lv.5

-Heal Lv. 5

-Flame Lv.5

(Poison Flame)

-Lighting Strike Lv. 5

{Available points to distribute: 10}

As Reed stood victorious over the defeated knight, a notification from the system appeared, informing him that he had earned 10 stat points for his achievement. His eyes narrowed as he contemplated how to distribute these points, seeking to further strengthen his abilities.

Reed took a moment to assess his current stats, analyzing his strengths and weaknesses. With a calculating expression, he decided to distribute his points fairly, aiming to enhance his overall combat prowess and healing abilities.

With a confident smirk, he allocated the stat points, feeling a surge of power coursing through him as his attributes increased.

{Name: Reed}

-Level: 3

-Class: Healer

-Title: Goblin Reaper

-Vigor: 9

-Mana: 1

{Stat}

Strength: 54

Agility: 50

Intelligence: 50

Endurance: 50

Wisdom: 40

Reed's brow furrowed in frustration as he glanced at his status window, only to find that his level remained stagnant. A tinge of annoyance crept into his voice as he muttered to himself.

"What's the point of pushing myself if my level doesn't budge? Feels like I'm stuck in some virtual limbo."

Reed's body, weary from the intense battle, sank down onto the ground. He allowed himself a brief moment of respite, the adrenaline slowly subsiding. As he caught his breath, a sharp voice pierced through his mind, originating from the vulture perched nearby.

[Disappointing, Reed. Truly disappointing]

the vulture's voice echoed with a hint of disdain.

Reed's eyes widened, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten as he turned his attention to the vulture. A mix of surprise and irritation flashed across his face.

"What do you mean, disappointing?"

Reed retorted, his voice laced with both exhaustion and defiance.

"I fought tooth and nail to survive. It wasn't easy."

The vulture's voice remained unyielding, its tone devoid of sympathy.

[Effort alone does not suffice, Reed. Your display was lackluster, a pitiful reflection of your capabilities. I expected more.]

Reed's frustration surged as he pushed himself up from the ground, determination sparking within him. He met the vulture's gaze, his eyes ablaze with a newfound fire.

Reed lay on the ground, his body drained of energy, as the vulture's voice echoed in his mind, tinged with a hint of disappointment.

[Reed, your performance in battle was truly underwhelming,]

it began, its tone sharp and critical.

[But I shall offer you some guidance on how to become stronger.]

Reed's exhaustion momentarily subsided as curiosity and determination welled up within him. He strained to listen, eager to absorb every word the vulture had to offer.

[Firstly, Reed, you must enhance your physical strength]

the vulture advised.

[Your current level of strength is insufficient. Seek out rigorous training regimens, push your limits, and build your muscles. Only through physical strength can you withstand the trials ahead.]

Reed nodded silently, his mind already racing with thoughts of intense training sessions and physical conditioning. He understood the importance of strengthening his body, the foundation upon which his skills would flourish.

The vulture continued, its voice unwavering.

[Next, focus on your agility. Swift and precise movements are the key to evading attacks and launching effective strikes. Train your reflexes, hone your speed, and develop the agility of a predator. Only then can you truly dominate the battlefield.]

Reed absorbed the vulture's words, imagining himself becoming a nimble and elusive warrior. He saw his movements becoming fluid and graceful, his every step imbued with a dancer's elegance.

The vulture's guidance persisted, unrelenting in its quest to mold Reed into a formidable force.

[Intelligence is equally crucial]

it remarked.

[Sharpen your mind, expand your knowledge, and study your enemies' weaknesses. Strategic thinking will allow you to turn the tide of battle in your favor.]

Reed nodded again, understanding the significance of intellect in his journey. He envisioned himself analyzing his opponents, unraveling their patterns, and exploiting their vulnerabilities with calculated precision.

Reed slowly rose to his feet, his body feeling heavier than before. A sharp pain pierced through his chest, causing him to stagger. Confusion and worry clouded his mind as he tried to make sense of his sudden weakness.

"Why... why am I feeling like this?"

Reed questioned aloud, his voice filled with frustration. He clenched his fists, desperately searching for answers.

And then, his eyes fell upon the stats of the demon knight he had fought earlier. There, amidst the array of information, he spotted a skill that stood out—Dark Aura.

The vulture's voice echoed in his mind, confirming its suspicions.

[Reed, the demon knight's Dark Aura skill is responsible for your current state. It drains the life force of its opponents, weakening them significantly.]

Ta-Ting!

{User, the Dark Aura skill possessed by certain entities in the world is a formidable ability that poses a significant threat. When exposed to the Dark Aura, user experience the following effects with a percentage-based breakdown:}

-Weakening: The Dark Aura weakens you, reducing your overall combat capabilities by 25%. This includes a 20% decrease in health and stamina regeneration rates.

-Impaired Movement: The oppressive nature of the Dark Aura slows down your movements and reaction times, reducing your agility and dexterity by 15%.

-Decreased Attack Power: The Dark Aura diminishes your offensive abilities, reducing your attack power by 30%. This means your attacks will deal 30% less damage to enemies.

-Impacted Mental State: The malevolent influence of the Dark Aura negatively affects your mental state, impairing your decision-making abilities in combat. This imposes a 10% penalty on your critical thinking and strategy formulation.

‘Tch!’

‘Is there a way to counter these effects!’

Desperate for answers, The system once again beeps.

Ta-Ting!

{To counter the effects of Dark Aura, it is recommended to:}

-Purge the Aura: Seek out skills or abilities that can temporarily nullify the Dark Aura, providing a brief respite from its negative impact.

-Fortify Defenses: Equip items or utilize abilities that enhance your resistance to dark or negative energy, reducing the overall impact of the Dark Aura by 15%.

-Strategic Maneuvering: Plan your movements carefully, focusing on evasive tactics and seizing opportunities to strike when the enemy's guard is lowered.

-Exploit Weaknesses: Study the behavior and patterns of enemies with Dark Aura, discovering their vulnerabilities and capitalizing on them to gain an advantage in combat.

END OF CHAPTER 21.