n

n

nA flash of blue light illuminated the surroundings, chasing away the darkness and blinding the supposedly eyeless creature whose frame seemed to have shrunk to common human size.

nThe strange bubbles morphed into some sort of energy that coursed through Aito's entire body as his wounds progressively closed, healing at a rapid pace, visible to the naked eye.

nHis muscles, genes, bones, and organs discarded some of their previous constructs to be replaced by strengthened, more evolved ones. Radiant blue steam arose from his pores, promptly purging the impurities from his past self.

nHis fatigue disappeared.

nSo did the coldness.

nSo did the voices.

nAito breathed in, enjoying the oxygen that had returned while sucking in some of the blue light. He felt empowered by his newfound strength but didn't revel in it—the pain that remained constantly reminded him of his previous arrogance.

nHe took his first step forward as a man reborn from the ashes of his troubling past, but that has yet to atone. Still aware of the threat in front of his eyes, Aito drew two axes from his inventory when a notification window appeared once again in the corner of his vision. A feature that seemed to be designed on purpose for him to avoid obstructing his vision while in combat.

nHost's status window updated

n————————————

nAito Walker

nI. General Info

nDeath: March 20th, 2030

nSpecies: Human

nSex: Male

nAge: 25

nHeight: 180cm

nWeight: 80kg

nEmotional state: Curious

/Furious

nClass: Lv1 Axwielder

nTitles: Black Challenger, Father killer

nII. Attributes

n1. Gifts:

n- Sharpened! Instinct (Potential to sense danger slightly before it happens. Activation is random but more frequent)

n- Strength blessed (Boost strength by 1 level)

n- Sharpened! Fury (Boost strength by 1 level when furious, minus the mindless state)

n2. Skills:

nNew section unlocked Passive:

n- New Ax Mastery Lv2

n- New Shield Mastery Lv1

n- New Weapon Throw Mastery Lv1

nNew section unlocked Active:

n- New Shield Bash Lv1

n- New Fearless Aura Lv1 (Shields the host from the lesser Fear)

n- New Ax Throw Lv1

n- New Whirlwind Lv1

nIII. Basic stats

n- Level up Strength: Lv3

n- Level up Body: Lv2

n- Level up Stamina: Lv2

n- Level up Agility: Lv2

n- Level up Mana: Lv2

n- Level up Destiny: Lv2 (cannot level up with Glory Points)

n—————————————

nA flurry of information entered Aito's brain as he took his second step, covered in a receding blue light, towards the still bewildered creature. It took him a third step to process the new knowledge he felt somewhat very familiar with.

nThe creature finally regained its footing. Angry and feeling ridiculed, it let out an invisible wave of energy that rapidly transmitted through the entire cave, which enraged his enemy even more.

n-Gift: Fury-

nAito's muscles contracted as his skin shone red. He sensed the air being deprived of oxygen, as well as the temperature dropping and the voices returning. He smirked at the ridiculous power but did not cower.

n-Active Skill: Fearless Aura–

nInstantly, formless golden energy covered him from head to toe, lighting the surroundings with a warm radiance while protecting him from the creature's strange magical attack. As if they were illusions, the Fear negative effects around him dispersed, disintegrated by the light.

n

"ImPosSibLe! WhErE dID yOu GeT ThA—

"

nLeaving no room for his opponent to recover from its confusion, Aito aimed for its tentacles and flung his two axes.

n-Active Skill: Ax Throw-

nThe two weapons rotated in midair, rapidly closing on their targets. Reflecting Aito's aura, their moving ax heads shone like two murderous suns in the dark, viciously cutting through the creature's arms.

nThe two axes continued their flight, heading towards a wall behind the creature. Unable to resist the power behind the throw, the blades shattered into multiple pieces.

nSix tentacles fell on the rocky ground as the creature wailed in pain, its deformed voice rebounding on the cave's walls.

nAito equipped a shield in one hand, and a two-handed war ax in the other—finding the weapon unusually light for its weight.

nThe creature sent its remaining tentacles his way, their pointy tips ready to puncture Aito's body. He sidestepped to avoid the first incoming attacks and used his new skill to parry a few others.

n-Active Skill: Shield Bash-

nHis shield broke from the sheer power of his skill, combined with his strength. Three tentacles veered upward, their momentum embedding them into the rocky ceiling.

nAito gripped his ax with two hands and dashed towards the creature, slicing through the remaining tentacles that were pointlessly delaying the inevitable.

n

"StAY BaCK!

" The creature said, feeling fear for the first time in its life.

n

"Have a taste of my iron,

" Aito replied, his enemy finally in range for the finishing blow.

nIn a tornado-like motion, he twisted his body while swinging the ax with every iota of strength he could muster.

n-Active skill: Whirlwind-

nThe blade sliced through the creature's body from head to toe. Its motion unimpeded by what had seemed like an iron skin before. Fluid and deadly, the ax cut the creature into multiple pieces.

nEven then Aito didn't stop his skill because…

n'Damn it, how do I stop this thing!?' He thought, his every muscle aching from the strain of his skill but also the strength that didn't match his body's capabilities.

nDesperate and with a mind going hazy because of the whirlwind motion, he released his grip on the weapon in an attempt to stop it.

nThe ax flew a few meters away before finishing its course like the two other weapons: shattered against a cave wall.

nAito forced himself to a stop. His rotation progressively slowed down, putting an enormous strain on his muscles that threatened to tear apart.

nHe slowly stumbled to his feet and towered over the creature's remains. Panting, he stared at the thick sushi-like pieces of grey meat soaked in blue blood. A putrid stench arose from the corpse as another notification window appeared, this time in front of him.

nHum… clumsy performance but commendable for a mortal

nBING!

nCongratulation! You have completed a hidden quest!

n_____________________________________________

nBlack Trial's hidden quest completed: An Ounce of Bravery

nHidden Quest: Kill the Paineater

nEnemy: The Paineater is a type of Fearmonger who feeds on its target's psychological and physical pain. Compare to other types, it uses the Fear to torment its prey with what it dreads the most. Upon consuming the prey's most painful memories, the Paineater grows stronger.

nDifficulty: Hellish

nRewards:

n- One part of Valinar's Inheritance

n- Ancient Shard

n- Glorious points according to your performance after the Black Trial is completed

n- Tutorial points according to your performance after the Black Trial is completed

n_____________________________________________

n

"The heck are those?

" He said, looking at the items that appeared in his inventory.

nLol. A notification window

"said,

" popping up in front of Aito's vision.

n

"Lol?

"

nI've just found my divine self a potential inheritor, and he is a fool on top of being a mortal. Sigh.

n

"Who are you calling a fool? You blue ass flying win—

" Aito replied, but was interrupted by a grim reminder.

nShush. If you want to save your dying monkey over there, you'll have to listen to what I'm about to tell you. I have little time left so pay attention.

nGuided by the notification window, Aito took out a small candle from his inventory and ran towards Jack—hoping his friend was still alive. He settled the item on top of Jack's dying body.

nNow infuse your mana in it.

n

"I… don't know what you're talking about.

"

nSigh. Useless. It said. Aito's jaw tightened upon reading the insult, but he kept his anger in check. I'll give you a hand. Be sure to remember this feeling.

nSome sort of energy originating from his bosom traveled through his arms and transferred into the candle, instantly lighting the wick. Shortly after, a notification window appeared on top of the candle.

nBING!

nScanning. Appropriate Class found. Would you like to grant

"Jack

" the Lv1 Daggerwielder class? Yes or No?

nAito pressed

"yes.

" Multiple bubbles of light coming from the Paineater's pieces of body parts flew towards Jack and merged with the monkey. Its body shone blue and its wounds rapidly closed.

nThe monkey that was on the verge of death sprung to his feet and instantly prepared for a battle that was already won.

n

"Good to see you too, Jack,

" Aito said, smiling warmly when yet another notification window appeared in front of him.

"I'm getting tired of those.

"

nBING!

nWould you like to see Jack's status window? Yes or No?

nCurious, Aito pressed

"yes.

"

n————————————

nJack

nI. General Info

nDeath: Never died

nSpecies: Evol Monkey

nSex: Male

nAge: 2 months

nHeight: 70cm

nWeight: 25kg

nEmotional state: Pissed

nClass: Lv1 Daggerwielder

nTitles: Little punk

nII. Attributes

n1. Gifts:

n- Digestion (Will be able to digest and secrete some sort of condensed feces out o the food previously consumed. Can lead to the creation of a new skill.)

n- Adaptability (Learns much faster than normal living beings)

n- Agility blessed (Boost agility by one level)

n2. Skills:

nPassive:

n- Dagger mastery Lv1

n- Poison resistance Lv1

nActive:

n- Faint aura Lv1 (An aura that partially hides the host's presence to those it does not wish to be seen from)

n- Poisonous Feces Lv1 (Secrete a poisonous substance from the host's rear upon activation)

n- Shadow concealment Lv1 (The host merges with the shadows, becoming harder to detect to the untrained eyes)

nIII. Basic stats

n- Strength: Lv1

n- Body: Lv2

n- Stamina: Lv2

n- Agility: Lv3

n- Mana: Lv2

n- Destin—

n—————————————

nSLAP!

n

"Little punk!

" Aito said, interrupted in his reading by a surprise attack.

"Why did you do that?

"

nJack showed Aito its tongue before giving him a thumbs-up, then extending its hand to ask for food.

nHe sighed,

"Seriously? That's the first thing you ask for upon escaping death? Whatever, at least now I'm sure you're back on your feet.

"

nJack was always in a foul mood when it was hungry.

nUsing the candle he had in hand, he lit a fire built with the wood he had in stock. He then cooked their dinner while notifications popped up in front of his face times and times again.

nNow that this is done. Let me introduce myself. I am Valinar, goddess of Bravery.. Or at least what remains of her.

n