He needed Strength to fight what came at him; he needed Mana pool to increase his Mana cultivation, condense more drops and then finally his core. He was also finding it annoying, the lag time between casting Hallowed Ground and then waiting to have enough Mana to increase the range or effects.
Hallowed Ground cost 175 Mana to cast. To extend or increase its effects, another 125 Mana was required. Every minute the Hallowed Ground was active, it had a base cost of twenty Mana. With each extension or increase in effects, another twenty Mana was required.
Erik did some rough math.
If I increase my Mana pool by seven attribute points then my Mana pool will reach 300 and I’ll be able to cast Hallowed Ground with an extended range or effect right away and it would take nine seconds until I can stack Hallowed Ground again.
Now that would drain me of all Mana, so if I increase it a bit more to deal with any issues, say add two points?
From a defensive point of view, the AOE Hallowed Ground was incredibly useful for buffing and restoring allies while harming and debuffing enemies. If Erik could hold his target within its range, he could create a Damage over Time, or DoT, adding on top of his and his allies’ attacks. It would also save him from rushing Simple Ranged Heals and give him more time to react to his allies being wounded. Strength and Agility would keep him alive and hitting hard. His Stamina could be augmented with healing and Stamina potions; healing repaired the muscle and removed lactic acid, allowing the muscle to recover. Converting his Mana into Stamina directly, he would reach a limit after a period of time, but it was more of a mental game with his nerves screaming out he needed to stop than actually requiring more Stamina.
Who would have thought military training would be good for Stamina?
He divided up his remaining stat points into his Mana Regeneration, Strength, and Agility.
He checked his new character sheet, confirming the changes.
==========
Name: Erik West
==========
Level: 29
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Race: Human
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Titles:
From the Grave II
Mana Lord
Dungeon Master II
Reverse Alchemist
Poison Body
==========
Strength: (Base 26) +34
==========
600
==========
Agility: (Base 19) +36
==========
275
==========
Stamina: (Base 29) +9
==========
570
==========
Mana: (Base 6) +26
==========
320
==========
Mana Regeneration (Base 10) +39
15.70/s
==========
Stamina Regeneration: (Base 27) +31
12.60/s
==========
***
Domonos no longer looked like the son of a wealthy merchant. His face was covered in bruises, cuts, and scars. The old wounds had been earned trying to race past the Second Realm and reach the Third.
The alchemists of the Third Realm might be able to do something about his sister’s problem and he wanted to build up a reputation with them.
Instead, he had been stripped of his arm brace, an item that he had acquired after hunting down a band of bandits that was plaguing the trade routes the Willful Institute protected. He’d assassinated their leader and gone on to kill the group over a night. It had allowed him to increase his Strength and Agility, being a Journeyman-level piece of gear.
Wearing the symbol of the Willful Institute—although others desired it, none of them dared to do anything.
Once he had reached the Third Realm, people from the Second Realm had passed word of his brace, creating envy in the higher-ups.
They, too, wore the same symbol and were seniors of the Third Realm sect while he had just ascended. With no backing, he had no one who he could go to to talk about his grievances.
In front of him was a large sparring square. On it, groups fought one another, wearing the emblems of four different sects.
Each of the sects were powerful existences in the Third Realm. Their people were groomed to ascend to the Fourth Realm, the battlefield realm. Although alchemist and crafters might be able to stay to the rear, they supported the warriors and fighters who clashed on the front lines. Those fighters had to come from somewhere. The Third Realm had turned into a training camp of sorts, to ready people for fighting in the Fourth Realm. The sects were all aiming at one another but the ultimate ruler, called the Alchemist Association, wouldn’t have them causing trouble. This allowed them an umbrella to train the younger generation without fear of large disruptions. In the Fourth Realm, they were open to fight one another in life-and-death battles.
Domonos could only watch the fights, holding a towel and a water bottle. He had suffered multiple beatings as people looked to take his remaining gear. Now that his arm brace was gone, they thought that he might have more items. He had been goaded into battle after battle until he had nothing left.
Without any items to his name and being called on for battle after battle, he needed protection. Either this came from having standing or strength to back up his position, two things that he no longer had, or he had to subordinate himself to someone who had standing.
So he had bent the knee and pledged himself to serve Mistress Luo. She was one of the strongest in the institute, ranked in the top five. She took pleasure in making people her items to do with as she pleased. She never attacked or abused him but lured him in with a simple invitation. Now that he was hers, she liked to play with him, showing him off as her water and towel holder.
She had bewitching looks but no one was jealous of her playthings. That’s what the people who followed her were called.
All of their efforts were groomed to serve their master. Their contracts only bound them tighter to her as they would put down their lives for her if they needed to.
She used them for training so they were heavily scarred and bruised, but their Strength increased in order to deal with the wounds, serve their mistress, and serve as her training dummies.
Domonos looked at Mistress Luo. He frowned slightly as he looked at the woman fighting her.
Mistress Luo used a whip as her weapon while her opponent used a spear.
Domonos couldn’t help but look at the other woman. She looked familiar to him.
Mistress Luo’s whip snaked out; the other woman dodged it and rolled to the side. The whip missed her as it snaked back, leaving Mistress Luo open as the woman tossed her spear.
Mistress Luo dodged to the side as the woman ran forward, closing the distance. She ducked down, the whip missing her again as she swept Mistress Luo’s leg, dropping her onto the platform. She placed a knee in her chest, her fist shooting forward and stopping just inches in front of Mistress Luo’s face.
“Julia Oui might have come from the Second Realm but she is no weaker than Mistress Luo.”
“Weaker? I would say that she’s stronger and more of my type!”
“Are you looking for a wife or watching a sparring match?”
“Why can’t I do both?”
“I heard that she was able to get a fighting manual from a dungeon’s prize hall,” another added.
“A dungeon’s prize hall? I wonder what grade it was. It mustn’t be low for her to defeat Mistress Luo,” the second speaker said.
“Imagine the clan you could raise!” the wife searcher said, his eyes practically turning into hearts as the second speaker smacked him on the head.
“Don’t you have a mother to be your matchmaker!”
“Julia Oui wins!”
The woman got up off Mistress Luo and clasped her hands. “Thank you for your pointers.”
Mistress Luo had a face that could kill as she got up, barely containing her anger. “You may have made it into the T
hird Realm, but you’ll always be some bottom-feeder of the Second Realm. What man will want a girl who is nothing more than a brute!” Mistress Luo turned her head to the sky as she stomped away.
“Who says I need a feeble man who thinks he’s stronger than me. Don’t forget—this is only the Third Realm. There are plenty more above us. Having someone else establish your value, no wonder you will remain a princess of the Third Realm,” Julia said with a mocking tone, turning and no longer paying attention to Mistress Luo.
Mistress Luo didn’t turn back, but her expression darkened to a terrifying degree. She flung her whip at Domonos, causing him to cough from the force as he made sure to hold out her towel, accepting the violent attack.
She took her towel and slapped him so hard that it forced him to his knees and drew blood.
She didn’t seem satisfied, kicking him and sending him rolling back two meters. She kicked him a few more times, breaking bones and causing internal injuries.
“Pathetic.” She sneered and walked away.
Domonos slowly regained his feet, looking at the back of the woman. He remembered her now. She was one of the people who had come from the Second Realm to take part in the Beast Mountain trial!
He could only watch as she went back to the group of people from the Iron Spear sect.
People might meet one another at different times to see how far their paths have changed.
Domonos could only swallow his beating. He didn’t even have any medication to seal up the cut on his face as he followed after Mistress Luo, hoping and praying that there was a way for him to leave her contract and find a better master.
I will go to the Alchemy trials and see if there is anyone who might help my sister. If I can at least do that, then being under Mistress Luo won’t be too bad.
***
Lord Jonsain greeted Alchemist Di, personally serving him tea and sitting down.
“I was wondering if there was something that you could help me with?” Alchemist Di said.
“What is that?” Lord Jonsain asked. He had assumed there might be something like this. Alchemist Di rarely stayed behind long after a trial was conducted. He was a powerful figure and with his two children trying to enter the Alchemist Association, it was one way he could make the road ahead easier for them.
“I was wondering if you know about the man who placed second in the trial?” Alchemist Di mused. “I believe Erik West was his name.”
Lord Jonsain fought to contain and hide his emotions. He had heard about his son’s actions from his personal staff. He didn’t think of it much; after all, he was the overlord of this area. Whereas West was a man who, although he placed second, didn’t have a deep background, having only just arrived to the city and fled into the forest.
“I don’t know anything about him,” Lord Jonsain said apologetically.
Alchemist Di frowned.
“I-I can send people to look into his background immediately, if you desire? I wanted to meet with him personally but I have heard that he has left the city already,” Lord Jonsain said.
Alchemist Di waved his hand, dismissing it. “It is no worry. If he has already left, then it will be hard to get what I want. I hope that you send on any information that you find on him. I will head to the place of the second trial and hope to meet him there.” Alchemist Di nodded to affirm his plan.
For Alchemist Di to change his plans, what did he see in this Erik West? Luke, just what have you done? You better make sure that that man never makes it to the second trial grounds!
***
“Boss!” Han Wu entered the room where Roska was sleeping.
She jumped up, her staff in hand. “What is it?” she demanded, ready to fight.
“I found out about a dungeon! It’s called a raid dungeon and it can be found in the Black Scale Mountain nearby! I went to that Adventurer’s Guild and I saw that they are looking for people to join in on the raid. They’re promising a big reward!” Han Wu said.
“A big reward means a higher risk,” Gong Jin said as he was reading a blacksmithing manual in the open area of the house they had rented.
“What is this raid dungeon?” Roska’s staff disappeared back into her storage ring as she looked at Han Wu, her eyebrow arching.
He gulped. Seemed he realized he just woke Roska up from her nap.
“Apparently there is a beast that is trapped underneath the mountains. It has been sending out demons to attack people in the surrounding areas, bringing them back for sacrifices to increase its strength. The area militaries learned about it. Then they turned to the Adventurer’s Guild. The military might be strong but the Adventurer’s Guild can gather more Experts and not put the national strength of the surrounding armies at risk. Basically, we clear out the demons, then find whatever is sacrificing the people in the area, kill it and then we get Experience. A raid dungeon is declared when there is no restriction on the number of people who can go into the dungeon and the threat that it poses puts thousands of lives in danger. The Adventurer’s Guild sent in scouts and confirmed it is a raid dungeon. While the risk is high, the Experience can be even doubled and the rewards are enough to see some people into retirement. The Adventurer’s Guild will take care of it. All we have to do is qualify to join.”
“Sounds like it’s not going to be simple or easy.” Roska looked at the others.
Gong Jin closed his book, a smile on his face. “Is it ever? But we might learn something about dungeons.”
“I’m in,” Imani said.
Tully, who was reading a book on spear techniques, held her thumb up and then continued reading through her book.
“All right. Once Yang Zan gets back from gathering supplies, we’ll talk to him and go over to the Adventurer’s Hall to register.” Roska nodded. “Till then, I’m taking a nap!” With that, she turned Han Wu around, pushed him out of her room and closed the door with her foot.
Chapter: Pet?
Rugrat woke up, feeling a big head on his lap.
He scratched the neck of the head without thinking about it, ruffling up its fur as he started to wake up fully.
He looked down to find the firewolf’s head there, turning his head to get a better scratch out of it all.
“Huh?” Rugrat said as he started to wake up. It was a little bit longer before his brain kicked in fully.
Instead of jumping away, he scratched the firewolf’s head harder, with a big goofy grin on his face.
“Who’s a good boy? Yes, you’re a good boy. Do you like scratches? Yes, you do!” Rugrat pulled out a piece of raw meat and put it in front of the beast’s face.
He reached out with his tongue and took the meat, tearing it apart with his sharp teeth before licking Rugrat’s hand.
“That’s a good boy,” Rugrat said, playing with the massive wolf that was nearly twice his size.
Erik and Matt could only look and shake their heads.
“What will we name you, huh?” Rugrat asked.
The firewolf looked up at him in confusion.
“I’ll call you George after the most noble animal I know,” Rugrat said, nuzzling up to the firewolf.
It seemed to agree as it rolled onto his back, exposing his belly.
Rugrat took this as an opening and scratched George’s stomach.
George’s previous image of an all-powerful beast was erased as the big puppy had a pleased expression, his tongue hanging out of his mouth as he panted, his legs raised to the ceiling as his tail swept the floor clean.
“Looks like you found a new friend.” Erik got up from where he had been leaning against the wall.
George noticed the movement and rolled over, looking at Erik, ready to attack.
Rugrat played with the fur on George’s head. “Don’t do that. That’s Erik—he’s my brother,” Rugrat said in a stern voice.
George looked up askance, like a kid asking their parent whether it was okay.
Rugrat raised his eyebrows and waved over to Erik. George and Rugrat seemed to
have a mental battle for a few minutes.
Finally, George went over with his head hung low.
“Hello, George.” Erik pat his head and then lowered himself to look over the wolf’s head. When he wasn’t snarling at people, he was rather...cute.
Erik used his Simple Organic Scan and looked through George’s body. He had seen the signs of fighting from before and he wanted to make sure he was okay.
He saw the bone breaks and wounds that were still prevalent. Erik used his healing spells, removing the injuries from George.
George’s pout turned into a look of excitement as he looked at Erik with shining eyes.
The remaining wounds on George were sealed and faded away as if they were never there. A new powerful aura spread out from George as he had broken through a bottleneck.
With Rugrat getting Erik to heal his worst injuries and then Rugrat continuing to pour in healing spells afterward to deal with minor injuries or those that had been left over time—even going so far as to give him a monster core—George had built up a tremendous amount of energy in his body. Now that the energy didn’t need to be used in healing himself, it poured out through his body, changing it.
George grew a little larger, his skin and bones tougher as his muscles became more pronounced under his fur coat. The color of his fur grew richer as he looked at them proudly.
Erik patted George on the head.
George moved forward, licking his hand and sniffing Erik, letting him pet him.
“Well, Rugrat, looks like you’ve got a new pet,” Erik said.
“Who’s a strong boy, George? Yes, you are!” Rugrat said.
George looked over, a proud look on his face. He went over to Rugrat, nearly tackling him to the ground as Rugrat played with the big firewolf.
Erik and Matt settled down to have some breakfast as the other two calmed down, Rugrat feeding George and himself.
“So, we getting a move on?” Rugrat asked.
The Third Realm Page 15