A tremendous roar echoed through the forest as the vines rose from the ground and grasped at the cat’s body. The vines quickly wrapped around the cat’s frame, but the massive creature’s might immediately began snapping off the tendrils. I realized that the trap would not hold the beast for long, and quickly started to fire arrows at the cat. I used every debilitating shot I had to keep the monster at bay, and while they seemed to work for the most part, the cat still relentlessly tore away at the vines that encircled its body.
Tási had been forced to hold back her own attacks to prevent her fire from burning through the vines that were restraining the cat. I was beginning to worry about what might happen once the beast freed itself from the trap when Bane landed squarely upon the cat’s broad back. He plunged his head into the cat’s thick fur and bit the beast repeatedly. I watched in amazement as the giant feline grew sluggish and then collapsed to the ground unconscious.
Bane quickly settled onto my shoulder and I stroked his scales as I spoke to him.
“You told me your venom had gotten stronger, but that is truly impressive, Bane.”
“I’m feeling a little inadequate at the moment,” Tási complained.
“You did exactly what you should have Tási, no more, no less,” I offered. “I’m going to finish off this beast, so if you don’t want to watch, now’s your chance to look away.”
I was about to kill the giant creature the same way I had dispatched the ogre, by hacking away at its body mercilessly while running through every possible talent before it finally succumbed to my relentless assault, but looking at the giant cat made me remember the forest cat I had killed back in Tula. Its pelt had been fairly valuable, and I couldn’t help but think that the hide of this giant beast might be worth a great deal more than that. So, rather than ruining the pelt with a series of needless slashes, I carefully planned my assault.
Instead of attacking the cat’s body and ruining the pelt, I focused only on strikes to its head. I slashed and stabbed the beast repeatedly, finally ending its life with thrusts into the eyes of both its battered skulls. With the beast finally dispatched, I pressed my hand against its still-warm fur and pulled up the loot menu. Just like with the forest cat, the feline’s claws and fangs popped into the menu alongside its pelt. Harvesting the tremendous carcass would truly be a chore, and I asked Tási and Bane to keep watch while I set about the gruesome task.
It took quite a bit of work to peel the hide off the cat’s gigantic carcass, but eventually the pelt I had put so much effort into saving was mine, and I stuffed the giant hide into my backpack along with the cat’s massive fangs and claws. While I had no idea what they might be worth, just having the trophies from our battle felt like an accomplishment to me.
Instead of checking my notifications right then, I decided to wait until we were safely behind the protection of our wall again. We had just fought two rather noisy battles in the dangerous wilds, and it was well past time for us to be out of the area. Being ambushed while I was busy navigating the level-up menus was definitely not on my to-do list.
Bane scouted ahead of us, making sure that we encountered no further surprises on our journey back to the valley. His task was easy this time, as nothing popped up along the way and we made it back inside the safety of our fortifications without incident.
I sat down when we reached our new campsite beside the wall and let out a deep breath. The day had been a very long and stressful one, starting with our battle against the orcs and including my own struggle with the summoning magic before ending with our fights in the forest. Now that it was finally over, exhaustion set in and I felt the full effects of the day’s exertions.
I could barely sit up straight, but fortunately, Tási offered to prepare some dinner for us, and I thanked her as I opened up my UI. I focused on my pending notifications and brought up the messages.
Experience gained – You have gained 1650 XP
You have gained a level! – You have earned sufficient experience to advance to level 25.
You have gained three Attribute points. Two of your points have been automatically assigned to WIS and CHA. You may assign the remaining point to any other Attribute as you see fit.
I decided to put my stat point into Constitution this time, boosting my Health and Endurance. Neither had become an issue for me yet, but I was concerned that my stats were becoming far too imbalanced. All of my Attributes had value, even though some would only be apparent in the long-term, but my goals ranged far beyond my immediate needs, and I was rapidly learning that I needed to keep the future in mind at all times if I wanted to have any chance of success. With my choice made, the next menu immediately appeared before my eyes.
You can now choose a new Ability. You must choose one of the following:
Rapid Fire – After firing an arrow, your follow-up shot takes half as long as normal to be fired. Cost – 10 Endurance.
Seeker – Your next single shot has an increased chance to hit. Cost – 10 Endurance.
Body Blow – Your next dagger attack, if it lands, will cause your opponent to suffer an Endurance penalty. Cost – 20 Aura.
Impale – Your dagger inflicts a damage-over-time bleed effect. Cost – 20 Endurance.
Focused Fire – Your next arrow causes increased damage if it hits. Cost – 20 Endurance.
Long Range Shot – Increase the effective range of your bow. Cost – 30 Aura.
Shockwave – Advanced Ability – Your arrow explodes on contact, dealing minimal damage but generating a stunning shockwave in a radius around its detonation. Size and scope of this effect increase with proficiency. Modifier – Strength. Cost – 120 Aura.
Companion’s Aegis – Advanced Ability – Provides additional armor for your companion animal. The selection of this Ability provides a permanent boost to your familiar’s armor rating.
Your choice is final and must be made now. Choose wisely, as you will now only gain a new Ability every five levels.
“Bane, Tási!” I called out nervously as I stared at the screen in front of me.
They both arrived at the same time, Bane perching on my shoulder while Tási sat down beside me.
“I recognize that blank stare, Dreya. What do you see in your Deathless messages that troubles you so much?”
I read the description of the two Advanced Abilities out loud to both of them before describing my dilemma.
“The Shockwave could be very useful for us if we are attacked by the orcs, or anyone else for that matter,” I explained. “But increasing Bane’s protection would make him so much safer, I’m having difficulty making the decision.”
I will be fine, Sintári. Choose the spell that helps you.
I knew he would decline the added protection for my benefit, so I ignored his advice and waited for Tási to offer her opinion.
“As much as I love Bane, I think you should choose the added offense,” she finally said after several, long moments of consideration. “He is most helpful as a scout. Stealth more than armor is his best defense.”
“Bane,” I said stroking the scales along his neck. “Tási is correct. But if I do this, I need to know that you are comfortable limiting your role to scouting and not taking any unnecessary risks. Especially in the middle of a pitched battle like the one we are probably facing.”
I understand Sintári. I will serve you as best as I can.
“Promise me you will stay safe,” I pleaded with him.
His little reptilian lips curled up in a smile as his thoughts entered my mind.
I will be just as cautious as you are, Sintári.
“Try to do a little better than that, alright?”
I shall. He replied as he nuzzled my face.
I brushed my hand along his neck as I selected the Shockwave Ability. The talent provided a clear means for us to dominate the field of battle, as long as the enemy allowed me the precious time I needed to launch the attack, but I would have to train with it quickly and gain as much proficiency as I could
before our enemies arrived for it to have its full effect. With the final choice made, the window closed, and I exited the UI interface. I gave Bane a little hug as he sat perched on my shoulder, and he leaned into me as I embraced him, returning my affection as best he could.
We ate dinner together, and I truly enjoyed the simple meal Tási prepared for us. It was more than just the sharing of a meal that was special to me, it was the recognition that the three of us were growing even closer as we fought to survive on our own in the dangerous wilderness. Our struggles, as difficult as they were, bound us to each other in a way that nothing else possibly could.
On the off chance that anything might get past our defenses, I added several additional traps around our camp before we went to bed. The effort sapped my last reserves of strength, and I tumbled into the blankets as soon as I entered the tent. Tási lay down beside me quietly and I froze for a moment, remembering her vow to repay me for how I’d tormented her the other night.
“Tási,” I said hesitantly. “I know what I promised you, but I’m so exhausted, can we—”
“Yes, it can wait,” she said, cutting me off. Her easy dismissal of the task she had clearly been looking forward to was uncharacteristic of her. Not only that, but her tone was completely off. Very un-Tási like.
“What is it, Tási? What’s wrong?”
She hesitated a moment before blurting out her confession to me.
“I’m scared Dreya. Terrified. Whatever my mother was, whatever she left inside me, I can feel it starting to come out. Somehow, I know that you are the key to its emergence; that you are the one who will pull the truth of it out of me. And more than anything, I’m afraid that when we finally do discover it, my secret will drive you away.”
The genuine note of fear in her voice caused me to pause and consider her words carefully. She was right in saying that we had no idea just what might be hidden inside her. For all we knew, some great evil had been tucked away beneath her gentle exterior, but I simply could not accept that possibility. I wasn’t naïve—I was more than aware enough of the threats that would be ready to pounce on me as soon as this world learned of my presence, but I also knew that my allies had been carefully planning to support me long before my arrival here. And while I had encountered my share of threats in this world, every one of them had been spontaneous in nature. Every single thing I came across that was prepared beforehand had only been beneficial to me. I knew in my heart that whatever Tási held within her was of a similar nature. Despite my exhaustion, I pulled myself up and took her hands in mine as I replied.
“You have been with me for a while now, Tási. You have seen so many amazing things in that time. So many things that have been laid out for me, centuries in advance. And all of it, every last bit that has been planned for me has been for our benefit. If I am the key to discovering the gift that your mother left for you, then she is also part of the preparations that were made for me. If your mother’s actions had anything to do with my arrival, then I have no doubt that her gift to you will be helpful as well.”
As I spoke, Tási gripped my hands tightly and tears streamed down her face. When I finished, she nodded her head, reluctantly accepting my words, but clearly not believing them.
“I hope you’re right,” she replied meekly. “But just in case, I think we should be careful until the others return. If it is something dangerous, I don’t want you to face it alone.”
“I understand, Tási,” I answered her. “We have a lot to do anyway. We can focus on that instead for a while if that makes you more comfortable.”
“It will,” she said, clearly relieved.
I laid back down and threw the blankets on top of me. Even within the comfort of the soft covers, I missed feeling the warmth of Tási’s body pressed against me. Fortunately, my utter state of exhaustion allowed me to fall asleep quickly despite my longing.
5
The next morning came, and I woke up alone. I smelled the smoke from our campfire almost immediately and realized that Tási had left to begin preparing for the day ahead. Although I had leveled the previous night, in my tired state, I had never taken the opportunity to look over my updated personal sheet. As I gathered my gear, I pulled up the window and gave the new information a quick review.
Dreya Dae
Sintári Female
Title: Sintári
Level - 25
262229/281200
Health - 319/319 Aura - 648/748 Endurance - 319/319
Sintári – Sintári interact with their surroundings in unusual ways. The effects of these interactions can be unpredictable
Class – Warden – Wardens gain a 10% bonus to skills associated with nature or which have natural effects
Specialization – Protector
Mastery –
STR - 32 (+3)
CON - 27 (+2)
DEX - 24 (+2)
INT - 23 (+2)
WIS - 22 (+2)
CHA - 40 (+4)
Abilities
Ignore Armor – Your next arrow will ignore a portion of the target’s armor. Cost – 20 Aura. – 36%
Stun – Your next arrow has a chance to stun its target on hit. Cost – 20 Aura. – 35%
Block – You may attempt to use your bow to parry a single melee attack. Cost – 20 Endurance. – 20%
Swarm – Your next arrow duplicates itself in flight. Cost – 20 Endurance and 20 Aura. – 46%
Flurry – Perform three rapid strikes with a bladed weapon. Cost – 30 Endurance. – 25%
Parry – Chance for your blades to block next melee attack targeted at you. Cost – 20 Endurance. – 23%
Hamstring – The next arrow fired has a chance to cripple your opponent. Cost – 20 Aura. – 32%
Hilt Bash – Stun your opponent with a successful hilt strike from your bladed weapon. Cost – 30 Endurance. – 23%
Blood Price – Your arrow inflicts a damage-over-time bleed effect. Cost – 30 Aura.– 37%
Blind – Your next arrow has a chance to inflict blindness on a successful hit. Cost – 30 Aura. – 35%
Achilles Strike – Cripple your target with a slash of your bladed weapon. Cost – 30 Endurance. – 25%
Penetrator – Advanced Ability – Your arrow pierces through armor easily. With increased proficiency it may penetrate through even greater barriers. Modifier – Strength. Cost – 60 Aura. – 16%
Disable – Advanced Ability -A successful strike of your blade to an extremity renders the affected limb completely useless until healed. Modifier – Strength. Cost – 60 Endurance. – 5%
Shockwave – Advanced Ability – Your arrow explodes on contact, dealing minimal damage but generating a stunning Shockwave in a radius around its detonation. Size and scope of this effect increase with proficiency. Modifier – Strength. Cost – 120 Aura. – 1%
Sintári Abilities
Natural Affinity – The Sintári’s unique connection with the natural world may manifest itself in random ways at times. While these effects are generally beneficial, they are also typically outside the direct control of the Sintári. Modifier – Charisma.
Control – Effect varies, applies to all Sintári Abilities. – 27%
Protector Abilities
See Truth – Once per day, the spoken words of your target become visible to you, allowing you to see the truth held within them. Strength and duration of this effect increase with proficiency. Cost – 60 Aura. Modifier – Wisdom. – 18%
Spells
Enhanced Sight – May be cast on self or ally. Improves visual acuity of the recipient in dark or obscured conditions. Cost – 20 Aura. – 46%
Create Trap – Place a magical trap upon an area. Size, type and trigger of traps is determined by your proficiency. Cost – 40 Aura. – 51%
Elemental Arrow – Your next arrow is imbued with elemental energy and causes additional elemental damage accordingly. Cost – 30 Aura. – 28%
Bolt – Release a Bolt of pure Lightning at your target(s). Cost – 40 Aura. – 24%
Find Weakness – Highlights vulnerable points on the target. Modifier – Intelligence. Cost – 80 Aura. – 9%
Summon Elemental – Summons an Elemental creature. If you succeed in binding it to your will, the creature will serve you faithfully until the spell’s expiration. Modifier – Charisma. Cost 100 Aura. – 8%
Skills
Bow – 50%
Critical Hit – 40%
Blades – 34%
Long Sword – 37%
Short Sword – 29%
Dagger – 26%
Critical Hit – 29%
Two-Handed – 30%
Pole Arms – 14%
Spear – 23%
Armor – 30%
Medium Armor – 35%
Perception – 43%
Environmental – 45%
Identify Enemy – 43%
Identify Person – 39%
Combat Dodge – 25%
Subterfuge – 30%
Stealth – 35%
Find Trap – 11%
Disarm Trap – 8%
Set Trap – 10%
Manipulation – 35%
Persuade – 47%
Barter – 30%
Survival – 24%
Tracking – 26%
Identify Creature (Beasts) –19%
Skinning –16%
Field Dress –15%
Alchemy –17%
Herbalism – 25%
Potion Craft – 21%
Lore – 3%
Identify Magical Item – 5%
I had so many talents that I needed to improve before the orcs or any other threat might attack us. In addition, I needed to come up with some new defenses—if the orcs did return, as we were certain they would, they would be prepared for my traps next time. But first I needed to get something to eat and look over Ridge’s progress. Stepping out of the tent, I made my way over to the small fire Tási had built, and she handed me a bowl of oats for breakfast.
Second Skin: Unified: A litRPG Adventure (Second Skin Book 3) Page 7