Blacksmith Assassin

Forest of Trials V

[Name: Zeke Elwood]

[Level 8 Assassin]

These are the things that appeared in front of Zeke as soon as he finished the second part of the quest. He wants to celebrate his victory as much as he could but, his body is just not in the right shape anymore. After all the fights he went through, he’s inevitably beat up.

Even though leveling up replenishes some of his depleted stamina as well, he’s learned through experience that it doesn’t do so completely. His heart is beating faster and faster – louder and louder. His fingers trembled and his throat felt dry.

His legs and arms weighed thrice at the moment and, he can barely move an inch from where he’s standing as well. That is how bad of a situation he is currently in. That’s why it’s a good thing that, the goblins are actually positioned close to the river. Zeke went towards it, disregarding all of the notifications popping up for the moment. And as soon as he’s right in front of it, he shoved his face on the crystal-clear water.

Zeke sipped as much water as he can put on his mouth. He continued doing so, letting the water do its work. He would’ve loved leaving his face right beneath the water as well. Unfortunately, that’s not an option he can take; unless he intends on suffocating or drowning his head. Both of which doesn’t seem to be the case.

Zeke got out of the stream and allowed himself to lay on the soft grass. The wind blew its warm air towards his wet skin and the rest of it, making him feel a lot better.

This is a welcome change. After all, as soon as he came there, the only thing that happened are fights. He’s forced into fights over and over again – to the point that it’s become something of a tiring experience for him. In fact, if not for his [Veteran’s Composure], he’s sure that he would’ve died by now. There are a lot of mistakes that he would’ve made if he isn’t thinking straight. Nevertheless, all of that’s done. For now, Zeke can rest…for now.

Zeke knows that this is far from over. This thing that he’s doing, all of this fighting that he’s forced into, he knows that it probably won’t end soon. There would be a lot more and, judging from the first two quests that he received, he’s guessing that the difficulty will keep increasing as well – to the point that Zeke may not be able to clear the quests anymore. That is what he’s thinking and, he’s right.

If the missions do keep stacking up, it will truly reach a point of impossibility for him, just like what he’s thinking. But since that has yet to come, he will remain alive. And with this comes the rewards for the fight that just finished.

[New Skill: Lethal Tempo]

[Skill Type: Active]

[Mana Cost: 50]

[Cooldown: 30 seconds]

[Information: Upon casting, the user’s speed is increased by 20% which lasts for ten seconds.]

[Information: The skill’s cooldown begins upon the activation of the skill.]

“An active skill huh.” Zeke said under a weak voice. “That’s a good change.”

It makes him feel good that the fight is finished. It makes him feel even better that he has killed all those goblins with his own hands. He can still see it when he closes his eyes. All of the blood, the look on the goblins when they realize their looming death, and the movement of attacks. All of these things just made Zeke feel more alive. More than when he was truly alive on earth.

[You have gained two new features]

[You obtained Inventory]

[Information: Allows items, materials, and equipment to be stored within a pocket dimension. The contents can be seen through a separate system screen and, items can be pulled out by clicking on their icon or by saying their name.]

“Good. I was wondering when I’d get something like that.” Zeke said as he allowed his eyes to rest for a while. Closing it for a couple of seconds.

The Inventory basically ensures that he has a place to put every loot that he can get his hands on. This is important because, judging from his experience, he needs a lot of weapons. A LOT. If he plans on fighting with every possible style that he can muster, then he needs a good variety. A wide one which would also leave his opponents at a disadvantage since it would be difficult for these monsters to read his next moves.

[You obtained Minimap]

[Information: Grants you vision of parts of the terrain that you have already passed through, and those that can be registered through the use of a real map.]

“That’s also useful.” Zeke said as he opened the minimap right away.

This, as well as the Inventory word, have both been registered under the system commands. Replacing two of those that are previously left as question marks.

That being said, Zeke straightened himself and got up from the grassy ground. He wants to relax more but, he doesn’t know when this shitty situation of his would bring him even more trouble. He needs to be prepared and, that means that he has to understand what it is that he can fully do with the things that he has. Starting off with the minimap.

“Huh.” Zeke said right away.   

The map of the forest opened up before him. There is a [???] on top of it which is reserved for the name of the place. Zeke doesn’t have it yet for obvious reasons. After all, most of the map is left in a black state. There are parts of it that are clear and, the only reason why that is so is because Zeke’s able to open them up himself.

“Well, I guess I have a clear goal now.” Zeke said to himself as he continued looking on the map and, it seems that the [System] agreed with him on this.

[Third Quest – Find the Ogre Tribe Village]

“Find huh. So I do need to map out this forest then.” Zeke muttered. “Well if I’m gonna do that, I’d need a lot of things for the road.”

The teen looked around him. The place that he engaged the final fight against the goblins with, just so happens to be their nest as well. All of the loot of these small creatures are lined up and collected here. Meaning, Zeke is free to get as many of these as he needs in order to survive the next mission, all while making sure that he meets his basic needs as well.

“Let’s see…food, weapon, water…” Zeke walked towards the supplied and gathered those that he needs.

This is the only rest he’s gotten after the two quests that he finished. It’s good that he has this much of a lull period because, it allows him to properly rest his body for the coming battles. And that is truly a must because, the ones that he’d be facing next are thrice as dangerous compared to the goblins.

In fact, he doesn’t seem to have to wait for long. Because in the shadows, lurking just outside the next of the goblins, is a scout goblin from the ogre tribe. And now that it has seen Zeke, it would only be a matter of time before the forces of the ogres come to hunt him down.