Magic Missile
- Mana Cost: 10
- Range: 15 meters
- Overall Damage: Moderate (pure impact, no elemental properties).
As I absorbed these details, I fell into deep thought. I spent some time internally debating, trying to understand the difference between spells and skills. The best conclusion I could reach was that spells seemed to exist as a stored memory, something I could consciously access. Skills, on the other hand, were deeper, engraved into the essence of my soul, almost like a natural reflex.
After equipping myself with my spear and backpack, I decided it was time to hunt again. I needed more combat experience and, more importantly, XP to level up.
I headed in the same direction where I had previously found the putrid rat. Caution was my priority. I moved forward slowly, observing my surroundings and keeping my spear always at the ready. After some time, I spotted a lone rat.
The creature was rummaging through the remains of a corpse, completely unaware of my presence. I moved slowly, taking light steps, trying to avoid any noise that might alert it. Once I reached what I considered an ideal distance about ten meters I prepared Magic Missile.
I concentrated my mana in my right hand, feeling the energy flow and condense into a bright projectile. I aimed at the rat's head, holding my breath out of reflex.
"Come on, I just need a perfect shot..."
I fired.
The spell whizzed through the air and hit the rat but not where I intended. The projectile struck the creature’s body, making it let out a horrible screech and spin around in confusion. I cursed internally but didn't waste time. I gripped my spear firmly and dashed toward it before it could react.
The rat, stunned by the impact of the spell, took a moment to realize my approach. I used this to my advantage, thrusting my spear directly into its side. The tip pierced through with ease, and with a quick twist, I brought the creature to the ground. It struggled for a few seconds but soon fell still.
"One more for the count. That was easier than I thought."
Of course, saying that out loud invited bad karma. Before I could savor my victory, I heard a sound behind me a low, menacing growl.
I turned quickly, but not fast enough. Another putrid rat was there, having been drawn by the noise of the previous fight. It lunged at me with an unexpected leap, its claws slashing at my back with force.
"Damn it!"
I hit the ground, feeling the impact of its claws tearing through my leather armor and scratching my spine. It was a sharp pain, mixed with the unpleasant sound of bones scraping. The creature tried to bite my neck, but I rolled on the ground, barely escaping.
I got up quickly, gripping my spear with both hands. The rat growled again and charged. This time, I was ready.
It leaped at me, and I spun the spear shaft, using it like a bar to push it away. The rat tumbled to the side, but before it could recover, I channeled another Magic Missile in my right hand.
"Let's see if you like this."
I fired the projectile straight at the rat. The energy struck its chest with a strong impact, making it stagger. I took the opening to rush forward with my spear, driving it into the rat with force. The creature screeched, but with one final push, I brought it down. This time, it didn’t get up.
I took a few steps back, breathing deeply out of habit even though my body didn’t need it. I touched my back and felt the cracks where its claws had hit me. The pain was annoying but bearable.
Before I could reflect further, a new notification appeared:
[You have defeated: Putrid Rat x2.]
[Experience gained.]
[You have leveled up.]
I felt something change within my body. It was like a wave of energy coursing through my bones, reinforcing them, making me stronger. A new panel appeared before me:
[Level 2 Reached!]
- HP increased.
- Mana increased.
- Base stats slightly improved.
I stood there for a moment, looking at the interface and feeling the impact of this evolution. Even without flesh or blood, I could clearly feel that I was tougher, faster, and somehow more skilled.
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An internal smile formed.
"This is getting really fun."
After checking the loot from the rats two more stones similar to the raw crystal I had found before I decided to head back to the cave. I needed to rest and plan my next steps. This world, with all its threats, was starting to feel like a place where I could truly enjoy myself.
"Now I just have to keep going. Every battle is a step closer to becoming stronger."
After defeating the rats and feeling the impact of my first level up, I stood still for a few moments, absorbing that strange sensation. The level-up was real. My body or rather, my bones felt more resistant.I could still feel the scratches on my ribs, but I knew they wouldn’t stay there for long. My natural regeneration, something I still didn’t fully understand, was already beginning to repair the damage.
"If this keeps up, I could become absurdly strong…"
I smirked internally at the thought. It excited me more than I wanted to admit. The prospect of growing stronger and surpassing my own limits was addictive. The stronger I became, the easier it would be to face any threats in this world.
Not wanting to take unnecessary risks while still feeling the remnants of battle, I began walking back to the cave. The return was uneventful. No monsters appeared, and I took the time to pay attention to my surroundings. Now that I was stronger, I perceived things differently. My awareness seemed slightly sharper, as if my mind was more alert.
When I reached the cave, I let out a relieved sigh. As much as I was starting to enjoy the thrill of hunting, knowing I had a safe place to return to was still comforting.
I sat down near the stone wall, resting my spear beside me. Now that I was in a secure location, I could finally test what had changed with my level-up.
The first thing I noticed was my regeneration. My clavicle and ribs, which had been damaged during the rat attack, were almost fully restored. Before, it would have taken much longer for my bones to regenerate. This meant that, besides becoming stronger, my recovery ability was also improving.
I decided to test my strength. I picked up one of the loose stones on the cave floor and gripped it tightly. Previously, when I had tried the same thing, my grip wasn’t as firm. Now, I felt like I could crush it with just a little more pressure.
I squeezed the stone hard. At first, nothing happened. But then, I heard a faint crack, and a fissure appeared. My bony fingers applied more pressure, and with one final effort, the stone broke in two.
"Interesting…"
My strength had increased, but not to monstrous levels. The evolution was gradual, which made sense. I was still only level 2.
I stood up, feeling lighter. The urge to fight, to hunt, was growing inside me. It was almost an instinct, something primal. The desire to become stronger was uncontrollable.
"I need to go out and test this in real battle."
After waiting a bit for my bones to fully regenerate, I left the cave again, this time with a clear goal. To hunt another putrid rat and feel the difference in combat now that I had leveled up.
It didn’t take long to find one. The creature was sniffing at the remains of something rotten, its claws scratching at the filthy ground.
The difference now was subtle but noticeable. My body responded better to my commands. My movements were faster, my mind more focused.
This time, I didn’t hesitate. I approached slowly, keeping my spear ready. When I got close enough, I activated Magic Missile before attacking.
The projectile shot straight at the rat before it could even detect my presence. The impact made the creature recoil with an agonized squeal. I seized the opening and lunged forward, spinning my spear with precision.
The strike landed squarely on its skull. The rat thrashed for a few seconds but soon collapsed, dead.
"That… was easier than before."
Even though the difference wasn’t drastic, it was noticeable. My attacks were faster, more precise. Leveling up made a subtle but important difference.
I collected the loot another one of those greenish crystals and then decided to do something different.
This time, instead of heading straight back to the cave, I chose to explore a bit more. I climbed a small hill nearby to get a better view of the battlefield.
From up there, I could see farther than before. The surrounding landscape was arid, filled with jagged rock formations and dry vegetation. I hadn’t paid much attention to it before, but now I realized just how vast and unknown this world still was to me.
That’s when I saw the tower.
In the distance, a solitary structure rose against the cloudy sky. It was an abandoned tower, made of dark stone and covered in moss and cracks. It looked ancient, forgotten by time.
The moment I saw it, I felt something different.
A strange sensation washed over me. It wasn’t fear, nor mere curiosity. It was a calling. Something inside me told me I needed to go there.
My mind tried to rationalize it. Maybe it was a natural instinct for exploration, or perhaps there was something there that could help me grow even stronger. But the truth was, it felt almost magnetic, as if something in that tower was waiting for me.
I clenched my fist.
"Should I go there?"
The idea of finding something unknown both excited and worried me. But one thing was certain: if there was something in that tower, I would find out.
The desire to become stronger kept growing inside me. And maybe that tower was the key to it.
I looked at the dark sky for a moment, then back at the distant tower.
My decision was already made.
I was going there.