Chương 40: Disrupt, Save, Avenge

I dodge a fireball, and then immediately am forced to sidestep a claw. I swing my hammer in a large arc, and obliterate a monster. But just one won't do it. Not anymore. A growl comes from my side, and I turn to see two wolves about to pounce on me. The instant the first one jumps, I feint to the right. Both of them end up crashing into the ground, and I spin around and stamina surges through me as I slam my hammer into the first one. I let the second one recover and jump at me.

We both fall to the ground, and I place Luxmore in front of my throat. The monster tries to get at me, but I quickly incant Light Ray. Closing my eyes just in time, I let the light go out like a flash. The monster recoils back, howling in pain as its too sensitive eyes are hit by the light. Using the opportunity, I flip the monster over and pin it to the ground, then I knee it in the side until I hear the familiar ding. Unfortunately, both were only level thirty three, so no levels for me.

No time to mull it over though, as I am currently just behind the front lines. Meaning there are both people to help heal, and also monsters to help kill. However, as I stand up, another ding sounds in my mind. A new trait, which I promptly pull up the description for. {Reckless Combatant} Your combat style has shown to be one of great recklessness. Either by intention, or by misfortune, you have ended up getting far too close to your enemies on many occasions.

There is merit to being careful, but recklessness is also a path of its own. Effects: Slightly faster natural healing, perception [spirit] and agility significantly enhanced when grappling with an enemy. I am not sure how to feel about the system calling me out for being risky. Like sure, did I have to let that wolf tackle me? Not really. But it was definitely the fastest way to end the fight, even if I ended up with a few scratches. Though I should be careful.

Just because the system gave me the trait doesn't mean I am suddenly going to drop my hammer and become a wrestler. As funny as it might be to wrestle a dragon, that does not sound that fun to me. Instead, I will call down the wrath of the sky upon my enemies. Or simply hit one really hard with my hammer. Dovey lands on my shoulder. He has mostly been scouting and only occasionally getting into the actual fighting. The poor guy is just a tiny dove, and honestly I am worried about him fighting at all.

Who knows what happens to one of my spirits if they die? They could simply come back somehow, or I could lose them forever. Which is one theory that I am not willing to test out.

"Master, I do thank you for worrying. But, you do realize how arrogant you sound? Just casually thinking about fighting a dragon, like it is something the average person does…"

"Ha, perhaps it is arrogant. I am nowhere near ready for that now, of course. But the goddess has plans, and I am sure to be dragged into them. Also, while I am not the most in tune with mythology, dragons with their mighty hordes of gold seem like prime targets for this malice."

"Let all hope that you are wrong in that regard, then." He shudders, "Trust me, you do not want to meet a dragon. Even one that isn't inherently hostile would be a danger unlike any other." I sigh, that sounds exactly like the sort of challenge to throw at an aspiring hero. Such is a problem for later though, as with my resources replenished, I best get back to work. Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Dovey hangs out on my shoulder for a while as I run through the streets. There isn't much need for scouting, when I can simply follow the sounds of death and destruction. I find an open space full of a bunch of parties, and some solo people. Most do fight together, but I am not entirely alone in being alone. This situation may be bad, and suck, but we best make the most of it, right? I dive right into the thick of it, and see an explosion in the distance. Rushing over, I find four people lying on the ground.

Two are dead, I think, and the third is injured pretty badly. The fourth is currently locked in melee with some sort of small bear. Leaping into the fray, I start the fight with a good ol' Anvil Strike. But the damn bear just has too much body, and my blow only breaks a few of its bones. Still, it does the trick and lets the other person get a few good slashes in. I take a step back, just as mana starts to concentrate in the air. A split second later, the bear coats itself in thick flames, and dashes right at me.

But, that split second was enough for me to prepare a Plane Step–which I have been getting faster at using. I appear two meters behind the bear, and it confusedly runs off into the distance. Eventually it realizes I am not there, and then turns around, focusing on the other person. Who raises their sword in defiance, despite their numerous injuries visible even through their heavy armor. I pause for a second and watch as they focus the energy within their body.

Using my imagination, I can almost picture it flowing through them as they swing. All culminating in the final impact against the bear's neck, decapitating it in one clean blow.

'Ding', You have slain [Firenado Bear - Level 39]. Experience split amongst group.

'Ding', Magic smith has advanced to level 38. Stat points distributed.

'Ding', New skill learned, [Lesser Stamina Sense (Common)]'Ding', Skills fused: [Lesser Mana Sense (Common)] + [Lesser Stamina Sense (Common)] -> [Basic Energy Sense (Uncommon)]. [Basic Energy Sense (Uncommon)] Energy, while not a concept unto itself, is made up of other concepts. Vital, mana, stamina, and many others. This skill proves that one is on the path to one day understanding that which underlies everything. Oh, and as a result you can get semi-visual feedback as you observe energies moving.

Alright, skills fusing, let's just tack one more thing onto the list of things this system can do. And it seems my theory was right. Skills are given out by the classes leveling up, but most of them have requirements. I wouldn't have unlocked my stamina sense without having watched that swordsperson do their thing. That tingle in the back of my mind must have been the system somehow recognizing that I was close to figuring it out. Thus, it gave me a helping hand. Similarly, with my phylactery skill.

I bet if I didn't have any spirits, then I wouldn't have unlocked that yet. Plane Step I am not sure what the requirement was, perhaps seeing teleportation or something? I did get transported to a different world, so I think that could qualify me. Anyways, reality, with dying people. I rush over to the one that is still saveable and cast Stabilization. I think I caught them just in time, thankfully. I pop open a healing potion and pour it over them.

Technically, one does not have to drink them, just make the liquid contact the body. Though most people do drink them, I imagine, makes the most logical sense. With that person stabilized, I turn to the one that was still fighting. They are leaning against a rock and I can see an empty potion bottle lying next to them. Some of their wounds are still leaking out though, so I cast Stabalization, just to be sure. They turn their head towards me, and nod in thanks.

Following the common law of nodding, I nod back in acceptance. Then, I head out to find more things to do. There simply isn't time to linger around every injured person. Perhaps if I was outside the city with far lower leveled people, I would. But everyone here is at least above level thirty, which is not something mere amateurs accomplish. I find a few more groups in varying states of aliveness. Some I can save, and some I can do nothing but avenge. But I will try my best.

My build is oddly suited towards protecting others, I think. At least when entering mid-combat. Smashing something with a hammer is a great way to shake up a battle, after all. Not to mention how bloody annoying Dovey can be with how small he is. One day I wonder if Luma will be able to fight. One part of me hopes not, and that she will stay super cute forever. But on the other hand, I do want a reason to make her some sick armor someday. Speaking of which, I haven't forged anything in a while.

Hopefully this incursion business ends sooner rather than later. Oh wait, I don't have to hope. I can simply make it happen.