11Hello to you all! This is Forzarismo here with something a little different...
Now this all started as an idea I had and with the help of other writers, I was able to bring this fic to fruition.
So I present to you all... Calian: The Wendigo Gamer~!
I won't take up much more of your time and I hope you all enjoy!
Chapter 1: Brand New World, Same Ol' Killers
Honestly, looking back at everything that has happened these past two decades certainly makes one think where in the hell it all went wrong?
Like seriously, what the hell went wrong in the world for it to reach this state?
Was it when the gorilla killed the kid? When our newly appointed president decided it would be a wonderful idea to start a war with our rival superpower because they invaded a country we're not even allied with? When a large chunk of Eurasia got glassed into oblivion? Or was it when the entirety of Australia was razed by an inferno so intense that international law declared the whole continent uninhabitable?
Well, whatever the case may be, it certainly has helped fan the flames of our current predicament.
The world has gone to shit, the very country I'm in has split into civil war, and apparently, everything in the bible turned out to be real.
It's gotten so bad that all of the remaining tribes of the Oceti Sakowin have banded together along with a couple of other tribes of both the Navajo, Apache, and Cherokees who we extended a hand of unity to help us survive during these trying times.
Thankfully over the past decade and a half, we've been able to make such a successful defense against the savages coming from their concrete jungles in the west that we pretty much halted them in their tracks and it gave us quite the reputation. So much so we were approached by the Neo-Confederacy, and despite the name, they genuinely have good intentions as far as we can tell. They wanted us to join them and aid in their effort into driving out those who wish to destroy what's left of the True American Ideology, and have even signed contracts that say by aiding them they will give us full control of the states of Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, and both North and South Dakota.
Naturally we accepted, and in turn we gained supplies that we would never have dreamed of obtaining through legal means.
Newly drafted soldiers, a steady supply of goods, and an increase in technological advancements were just some of the boons gained by just accepting their offer.
It's really amazing how fast humanity can create new revolutionary tech when their way of life is at severe risk of extinction.
Even more so when a lot of said scientists have abandoned any form of morality to reach their objectives at a faster time table.
And with the steady supply of human guinea pigs coming from enemy's side, we can safely see those experiments of theirs reach fruition much more quickly.
I would feel bad for them, if they weren't all bastards who gave into their primal desires and raped and murdered to their hearts content under some absurd guise of "reparations".
Rewatching the footage of the man with the glowing orange eyes being crushed by the fallen helicopter for like fourth time today, I can't help but grumble at the fact that one of our tribe's valuable informant Faust had been killed on his way to getting his family over here from California to Montana.
Such a useful man put in a horrible situation…
Ugh… nevermind that, at least his sacrifice wasn't in vain. We of the last remaining Oceti Sakowin made sure of that.
Looking out from my post, I can see that his family seems to be in brighter spirits since that incident a couple of years back, with Faust's younger brothers helping unload our supply trucks while his sisters help the injured in our hospital.
They all do their part, which is great. We all must be proactive if we want to survive what's to come.
"Calian, it's time." My cousin calls out from the intercom.
"Hotah, I'll be there in ten minutes." I call back, grabbing my equipment satchel before leaving the watchtower to head to our rendezvous point in the mountains.
Heading through the foliage, I take note of all the subtle signs put there by Chatan, who is the best when it comes to traversing the lands here in Montana, and notice the patch of leaves and branches under the bush that marks our hidden entrance.
Opening it, I head in before closing it, letting my body slide through the damp dirt walls before landing on the ground, the dark tunnels leading to multiple other tunnels not unlike an underground labyrinth.
Making my way through the winding trails, I eventually find the door leading to our base of operations, where the others are waiting for me.
Opening the doors, I see Hotah polishing his cybernetic arms as Wapasha puts away his tool kit, no doubt just finishing up maintenance on them.
On the opposite side of them, Chatan is putting the finishing touches on his sniper rifle while Mato completes loading the minigun on his power suit.
And in front of me is Tatanka, who has his tomahawks symmetrically lined up on the table as he looks at me seriously.
"Thank you for meeting me on such short notice everyone. Chatan has got some solid information on the Neo-Confederacy. Looks like the Democratic States have been sneaking supplies from Washington to Michigan. Prototypes that have been recently put into production." Tatanka begins, looking at Chatan with appreciation with Chatan giving a curt nod in return.
"So we're doing what we always do and taking everything we can?" I ask Tatanka, who nods in confirmation.
"Exactly. And what makes this even better for us is that they're moving within home territory. We will have the home-field advantage here." Wapasha responds, now strapping on his leg gear.
"But isn't that strange? They usually move through what's left of the Canadian border. Why would they suddenly change routes and march straight into enemy territory? Never mind that, how would they even pass the sentries posted on our borders?" Mato suddenly asks, and by the way he's putting it, I can't help but think the same.
I don't like this.
Not one bit.
"All those are valid questions, and unfortunately we don't have time for answers. We have our mission, and it's time for us to do our part." Tatanka remarks firmly, picking up his tomahawks and placing them on his waist. "Did you remember to bring your stealth suit with you?" He continues, giving me a smirk that already alludes to him knowing I did.
Nevertheless, I do give him confirmation. "Always have it with me sir."
"Very well, we leave within the hour. Tie up any loose ends you have left, and may the spirits guide us to victory." Tatanka proclaims, dismissing and leaving us to our own devices.
Yeah… may the spirits watch over us…
I feel my heart tighten as those words ring in my mind.
This… this isn't going to go well, I can tell.
Later…
Trekking through the mountain range, Tatanka and I separate ourselves from the group to head to our designated position. Chatan heads by himself up the mountain to get a good vantage view of where we know the enemy will be passing through.
All the while Wapasha, Hotah, and Mato head down towards the trail where the convoy will soon be passing.
After a while, I catch a glimpse of them heading our way, and glancing to Tatanka, I can tell he did as well.
"Everyone in position?" Tatanka calls out from our comms, our new thermal goggles helping us see around the mountainous terrain with incredible detail.
"My sights are already on the driver, tell me when." Chatan confirms through.
"C4s have been planted. All is ready to go." Wapasha adds, hearing a series of clicks echo through the comms.
"Mato and I are ready to overrun them if things go awry." Hotah remarks, my binoculars catching the moment steam exits through his arm's vents and Mato's minigun is already starting to spin.
As we lie in wait, I activate my suit's camouflage system while Tatanka does the same. We then begin to encircle the convoy and look for any stragglers to pick off just in case.
Thankfully we found none, though that just makes me worry just a tad more. Considering the size of this package to only have a trailer truck with an escort unit front and back sets off warning signals to my mind.
Sure, that can be attributed to them trying to be discrete, but if they truly wanted to do so they would've just sent the trailer truck by itself.
I shake my head to get out of my stupor. Maybe I'm just overthinking things. We've done many raids like this one and none of us have died yet.
"You're unnaturally quiet Calian… more so than normal." Tatanka whispers to me suddenly.
Taking a glance at him I notice his furrowed brows as his eyes lock onto mine. "Don't worry about me, I'm just overthinking things…" I mutter back to him.
"If you have any grievances you know I'm all ears." He presses on.
I let out a sigh. "It's just… this seems all too convenient in my eyes. It feels like a trap to me. I don't know if it's my paranoia talking but everything is adding up a little too well for my liking." I warn him.
"To be honest… I've felt the same. But even with that in mind, I will gladly take the risk." Tatanka presses on, and before I can even continue the C4 detonates, taking down both escort vehicles in one fell swoop and collapsing the surrounding trees to further assist the blockade and keep the truck from moving.
As this happens, Chatan does his job shooting his rifle, a hole puncturing through the front window of the truck where the driver is located.
The passenger door exits and out runs the last surviving member of the convoy.
Pulling out one of my knives, I set my sights behind the man's head before said man's head explodes along with a good amount of his upper body.
I look at Mato with an unimpressed look. "Showoff." I can't help but call out as I see the anti-material rifle strapped on his other arm hissing out smoke from its barrel.
He smiles at me smugly. "You shouldn't have taken too long. Never mind that, we need to take the supplies there and fast. Wapasha, check the trailer and see what we got in there." Mato states, with Wapasha waving him off as he pulls out his toolkit and starts picking the locks open on the doors of the trailer.
In only a minute or two, he gets them open and a blue glow exits out of the trailer as if there's something unworldly in there. "Huh, they really went out of their way to make it look as interesting as they can in here. The only things in here from what I can gather are some cylindrical metal vats! And they seem to be filled with some sort of liquid!" Wapasha starts calling out, making me curious as to what he's seeing.
As I'm heading his way, the next thing he says makes me pause slightly. "All these vats seem to have a name engraved in each of them! 'Project Anak: Series V' is what they each say!"
What the hell? Anak? That's a strange name for a project. The only thing I can gather from such a word is-!
The entire trailer explodes with intense force, sending shrapnel and debris my way.
I duck for cover behind one of the trees as I wait for it all to settle down. I hear a dull thump to my side and-!
Oh…
Oh no…
Wapasha!
Seeing his ripped arm smoking as it lays there charred and mangled makes my heart clench as I try my hardest to look away and focus on what's in the trailer.
As the smoke begins to clear away, I hear some shouting both in my comms and from my remaining allies, but I ignore all of them as I take in the sight of what is in front of me.
Or rather, who is in front of me.
I see twelve human-shaped figures standing roughly four to five meters in height getting out of the smoking debris, each and every one of them armed to the teeth with weapons proportional to their size.
I… I think I know what they are now.
"RAAAAAGH!" Mato roars in fury as he unleashes a flurry of bullets at the giants, but it doesn't phase them, as the ones getting hit by them turn their attention to him and head his way.
"Fall back! I repeat fall back!" As Tatanka calls from our comms, I immediately activate my active camo as we all begin retreating into the forest, where we know we will be at an advantage to take down these freaks of nature.
"Of all the times it had to be an ambush, it has to be now!" I can barely hear Hotah as white noise overlaps with his voice as I see him shooting his machine gun at one of the giant's head, causing it to stagger as he blocks the remaining shots with his arm.
I try to focus back on the giants on my side but from the corner of my eyes, I see Hotah's body implode from the inside out as another giant shot him with his enlarged pistol.
I bite back a curse as I pull out my explosive knives and begin throwing them at these abominations, many of them sticking into the areas where I deduced is their armor's weak points.
But even with my knives exploding in such vital areas, all it does is just buy me a couple of seconds at best. Jumping from tree to tree, I try my best in confusing them as I begin throwing smoke bombs all around me, all in the effort to buy me time to help Mato and Tatanka.
"What the-!? Get off me! No! AAAGH-!" Mato's voice screams in agony before it cuts out, leaving just me and Tatanka here with Chatan as support.
"Chatan! Cover fire would really be appreciated here!" I call out from my comms, before cursing at myself for giving my position away as I am forced to jump away from the tree as a whizzing bullet capsizes it.
"What do you think I've been doing!? I already got two of them, but that took much longer than it should've! Their armor is insanely dense! And it doesn't even appear to even weigh them down!" Chatan angrily shouts through, just in time to see the giant nearest to me get hit in the head by Chatan's bullet, causing it to stagger and trip onto the ground, hitting his face in the process with a tree trunk. "There's your window, now get the hell out of there-!" His voice cuts off as one of the smaller ones lets out a primal roar and somehow makes a long jump towards Chatan's general location.
Which is about three kilometers away from us.
And the giant has a missile launcher strapped onto his shoulder.
Which he then fires at the peak of his arch.
"Great Spirit…" is all I hear from Chatan before he is cut by static as multiple missiles reach and engulf his surrounding area in a torrent of white flames.
…
I'm dying today aren't I?
In just a matter of minutes, almost all of my brethren get slaughtered not unlike my ancestors. And now, it's just me and Tatanka here surrounded by artificial giants that if left alone will no doubt eventually find where our settlement is and do severe damage to it.
The fact that we only killed two and knocked out two other ones is a testament to the sheer absurdity of it all.
But I can ponder later, I gotta head to Tatanka and fast. Running in the over of the foliage around me, I use my hud to guide me into finding Tatanka, dodging thrown pieces of scrap metal as my eyes catch him being hung in the air by the biggest of the giants, his arms held like sticks in his grip.
"Where are the rest?" He commands my bloodied-up commander, and I can hear Tatanka's bones cracking as the giant tightens his grip.
Thinking fast, I pull out my own tomahawk and throw it with all of my might-!
I feel a tremendous force club me down from my left side, feeling my ribcage shatter and feel my face be forced onto the dirt before I can even let out a scream.
Trying my hardest to look, I see Tatanka get both of his arms ripped off, his face contorted in agony as he spittles foam from his mouth as he tries his hardest from screaming.
"Ta… tanka…" I groan out, hoping that he hears me.
If I'm going down, I'm trying my damnest to bring these monsters down with me!
Suddenly, I hear trumpets blare from the sky, causing many of the giants to pause as they all look towards the sky, flashing streaks of lights fill the sky as the blaring trumpets are replaced by the sounds of roaring lighting.
"It has begun…" The giant holding Tatanka down mutters, his eyes never leaving the sky.
"Our time has come!" Another giant exclaims with joy, causing many of the others around him to roar with him.
I look at Tatanka, who is looking at me, and I realize that this is the chance that I've been looking for.
"Taŋyáŋ ománi ye…" I utter out the code phrase in the event we ever found ourselves in a dire situation. As I utter out the phrase, my suit lights up and a whirring sound begins to emanate from it.
"Taŋyáŋ ománi ye." Tatanka confirms, his own suit doing the same as mine.
"Yámni…" Tatanka says, making the surrounding giants pause as to what we're trying to do.
"Núnpa…" I continue, the giants around us looking on in curiosity.
"Wanji!" we roar out in defiance, feeling the intense heat from my suit erupt, blinding myself in a bright light as the intense soon fades from my body.
Somewhere…
…
Is this what the afterlife is like?
…
It's all just… nothing.
Pure black void just encompassing my entire vision.
I honestly don't know what to expect, but if this what eternity lies for me then I am going to be very upset.
There's nothing to do, and I can't move from my spot.
…
Yeah, this definitely su-what the hell is that?
I see what looks to be a massive disco ball heading my way and it just keeps getting bigger and bigger.
Just as it is about to encompass my entire vision though it suddenly stops in front of me, spinning slowly as it lights up my surrounding area.
Greetings! You have been selected to participate in our Gamer System™!
…
What?
I said you have been selected to participate in our Gamer Syste-!
No no I heard that, but what in the Great Spirit is the Gamer System?
The Gamer System™ is a Power System that lets you experience life in a new world as a video game in a sense! We take pride in our system's capability of tailoring itself to match the needs of the individual! Regardless of which world you land on you can either be the good guy, bad guy, or somewhere in between and the system will adapt to you actions and give you quests tailored to you!
I honestly have no words for this.
That is perfectly fine! Let's get started shall we?
Choose your name!
My name huh…
Well, as much as I would to humor this whole situation by giving myself a ridiculous name, I don't know what unintended effects it will have.
So, might as well stick with what you know.
Inputting my name into the console, a new message pops up in front of me.
You have chosen the name: Calian Echohawk
Are you sure?
Affirmative. It's the name I was given, and it's likely not going to change any time soon.
Your name is now Calian Echohawk.
We take pride in our free-flowing system that gives a unique experience for each individual.
So to help with that, we take a look at your past life and scan for any possible skills that can be transferred over to your new one!
PROCESSING…! (0/100%)
Well then…
This whole situation is certainly something.
For instance, the whole new world situation has me a little worried. I've spent most of my adolescence training to be a warrior and how to survive off the land, giving little recreational time to do such arbitrary things as play video games, watch movies and whatnot.
And of the stuff I do know, I only know names and the most well-known locations of fiction such as DC, Naruto, and Pokemon with some knowledge of some obscure media here and there.
And judging by the amount of fiction out there in the world, the chances of me getting into a world that I am at least minimally knowledgable in is borderline zero percent.
Looking at the percentage rise up by each passing second surprises me since the voice said that it is reviewing my entire life, which is a little over twenty-six years.
Like it's only been like a minute or two and it's already at sixty percent completion.
Regardless of where I end up though, one thing's for sure and that is ensuring my survival.
As messed up as it is, I would honestly prefer to find myself in some kind of post-apocalyptic world like DayZ or Highschool of the Dead.
A place to wet my feet so to speak, since by the wording the system has told me, I can only assume that my first world won't be my only world.
Better to play it safe than to choose an option that would get me killed within the first month, or spirits forbid a week.
Ding!
COMPLETE! (100/100%)
From your previous skillset, you have obtained the following:
{Skills}
[Hunting] Lv. 78/100
An amalgamation of skills such as Tracking, Trapping, Reconnaissance, and Sneaking, this skill gives one the capabilities of an apex predator. You have a 312% higher chance of effectively tracking down your prey, a 156% higher chance of setting up a trap effective against them, is 78% more likely to attain long-term information from them, and is 78% quieter when sneaking upon them.
[Archery] Lv. 67/100
One's capability with the bow and how to murder someone with it. You are an expert in using such a weapon, but you still have a way to go!. You have a 268% higher chance of hitting a stationary target, a 134% higher chance of hitting a moving target, and a 67% higher chance of hitting them exactly where you intended to. Arrows now also deal 34.5% more damage.
[Throwing Knife Proficiency] Lv. 84/100
The ability to throw a knife a fair distance to un-alive a target. You have certainly reached master status with the art, but deep down you know that there is room for improvement. You have a 336% higher chance of hitting a stationary target, a 168% higher chance of hitting a moving target, and an 84% higher chance of hitting them exactly where you intended to. Knives now also deal 42% more damage.
[Axe Proficiency] Lv. 91/100
Sometimes the best way to tear someone apart is with a slab of sharpened steel stuck on the end of a stick. In your past life, your skills with this weapon were second only to Tatanka. Your ability to use the axe to such proficiency makes you a master even among most masters. Your attacks with the Axe use 22.75% less SP and deal 45.5% more damage.
[Pistol Proficiency] Lv. 41/100
Your skill with a weapon that launches death at long distances in a small package. While you are adept with this weapon, there are definite areas for you to improve upon. You have a 164% higher chance of hitting a stationary target, an 82% higher chance of hitting a moving target, and a 41% higher chance of hitting them exactly where you intended to.
[Rifle Proficiency] Lv. 55/100
Your skill with a weapon that changed warfare for humanity. You are certainly above average when it comes to your capabilities with the rifle. You have a 220% higher chance of hitting a stationary target, a 110% higher chance of hitting a moving target, and a 55% higher chance of hitting them exactly where you intended
{Class}
Due to your unique skillset, We've felt it prudent to give you two Primary classes to start with:
[Druid] Lv. 1/50
Revering nature above all, druids are mages that draw their power from the very planet itself or from a deity of nature. As a druid you are orientated with nature and animals in more ways than one, and as such your magic will be focused on those areas.
When you level up, you will gain +3 WIS and +2 INT
[Rogue] Lv. 1/50
Focusing on speed and skill, outwitting your opponents, and striking where they least expect it, the rogue is a skill-based martial class prioritizing stealth and taking advantage of weak points for high damage.
When you level up, you will gain +3 DEX, +1 STR, and +1 LCK
You obtain the following from these classes:
{Class Perks}
{Botanical Compendium} - As a druid one must have deep knowledge of the nature surrounding them. This perk grants you insight towards all nearby plants in your vision, allowing you to see their potential uses in spells, potions, survival, etc.
{Dead Silence} - Bypassing enemies has never been so easier. When this perk is activated, it completely silences all physical movement, significantly increasing stealth at the cost of stamina.
{Skills}
[Growth]: Lv. 1/100
Sometimes even the smallest of plants can be useful. With this skill, it allows one to grow plants in exchange for MP. Cost varies depending on the plant, but as you level this skill up, the more the plant will grow per MP point.
[Control Plant]: Lv. 1/100
As one who is tune with nature, you have been gifted the power to bend it to your whim, Cost varies depending on the plant, but as you level this skill up, the less MP you will use when controlling a plant and the more plants you can control while doing so.
[Pickpocket]: Lv. 1/100
Sometimes when in a bind, you may find the thing you need in someone else's pocket. You have a 4% higher success rate in pickpocketing someone.
[Lockpicking]: Lv. 1/100
Locks are a hindrance? More like an annoyance. You are 8% faster and more successful when picking locks.
Reading though the walls of text that have popped up in front of me, I can only look on in both wonder and confusion.
It's truly an eye opening experience seeing your capabilities translated into numbers, since it kinda gives you an estimation as to how far you are with certain things.
But it's also confusing because I feel like some areas are being underestimated yet it's the opposite with some others.
But even so, I really can't complain. The fact that it's listing these particular skills of mine means they are noteworthy enough for them to be important to be brought over to my next life.
Which is honestly fantastic, as I hope that means I don't have to retrain my body to do relearn these skills once more.
Suddenly there is a stat sheet that pops up in front of me.
Calian Echohawk, The Gamer, Lv. 1
Class: Druid Lv. 1/50
Rogue Lv. 1/50
Race: Human(Cursed)
Alignment: Neutral Good
HP: 690/690 [2.3 HP Every Second]
SP: 690/690 [2.3 SP Every Second]
MP: 520/520 [2.5 MP Every Second]
EXP: 0/50
STR: 57(Tier 1)
END: 69(Tier 1)
DEX: 88(Tier 1)
INT: 52(Tier 1)
WIS: 75(Tier 1)
CHA: 16(Tier 1)
LCK: 23(Tier 1)
Currency: 0 gold
MP Regen = WIS X 2
MP = INT X 10
SP/HP Regen = END X 2
HP = END X 10
SP = END X 10
Looking over my stats I can't help but be impressed by most of them, except for my last two stats, which while they seem unimportant in the grand scheme of things, seeing them be substantially lower than the other stats has me a tad miffed.
But as I look closer, I notice something that doesn't sit quite right with me.
A Cursed Human.
It certainly feels ominous I will admit, but throughout my entire life I don't ever think I've felt cursed in any given moment.
Well, except for my last final minutes of life, but that's besides the point.
Uh… game system? Can you tell me what this means?
I could, but where's the fun in that?
Okay I guess that avenue is out…
So long as I don't learn what it is in the worst possible moment.
Maybe you will, or maybe you won't? You won't know until you head out to your adventure now won't you?
And before I forget, no gamer is complete without these in hand!:
[Gamers Mind]
Allows the user to calmly and logically think things through.
Allows peaceful state of mind,
Grants Immunity to psychological status effects.
Skill Gained!
[Gamers Body]
Grants a body that allows for the user to live real life like a game.
Skill Gained!
[Observe]
Provides information on target.
Inventory now available for use!
Charming… Can I get a starter kit as well?
Well since you asked so nicely~!
You have been rewarded with:
[Druid Starter Package - Uncommon, C-Rank]
An aspiring druid's gear! Comes with a Basic Druid Robe, Basic Druid Staff, Basic Druid Magic Gloves, A Bag of Magic Seeds, and a Giant Sloth Knife.
[Rogue Starter Package - Uncommon, C-Rank]
The common rogue's equipment! Comes with a Basic Rogue Cloak, Dark Outfit, Leather Armor Vest, Leather Armor Vambraces, Thieve's Toolkit, a grappling hook, and five steel daggers.
…I actually did not think that would work.
Thank you.
You're very welcome!
But enough dilly-dallying, we've wasted enough time as it is, I believe you are more than ready to face whatever challenges you have ahead on your next adventure!
I wish you good luck and may you enjoy your new life!
Welcome to The Gamer System™!
Your Starter World has been pre-selected!
Starting in…
5
4
3
2
1
The moment I began to feel a sudden shift as the organs that I didn't have moments ago begin to move upwards due to the instant appearance of gravity.
One moment I'm in an eternally black abyss and the next I'm suddenly falling from the sky by my estimate to be a couple thousand feet above the forest below me.
Great, now I am mere seconds from dying again.
Open your Inventory you silly-willy! You will know what to do.
Immediately doing as instructed, I quickly pull out the Basic Rogue Package and open it, scouring through its contents to find the grappling hook. Once I do so, I dump all of the package's remaining contents into my inventory before beginning to rapidly spin the grappling hook so as to have it gain as much momentum as it can. I wait for the right moment to throw, even if it means having to fall hundreds upon hundreds of feet so as to have the perfect shot.
Wait for it…
Wait…
…
Now!
Throwing with all my might, I feel the hook ensnare the peak of the massive oak tree, allowing me to change my momentum from straight down to around the tree.
Still, even with that over, I am still not done since there are more branches in the way.
Forcing myself to let go of the rope from my grappling hook as it is about to entangle itself with a large branch, I am now airborne as my body rapidly descends towards another oak tree. Since I no longer have my hook with me, I guess I have to this the old fashioned way.
Pulling out two steel daggers, I use them to help control my descent down the tree as the sturdy blades dig and carve their way through the oak tree, slowing me down enough for me to manage my way down the tree the old fashion way.
Climbing.
After I find a thick enough branch for myself, I dislodge the daggers from the tree and land on said branch. Soon enough it's just a matter of me slowly descending the tree at my pace, getting down from it in just under a minute.
Never have I once been so thankful to have such luscious earth beneath my feet. I will never take it for granted ever again.
Looking up towards the sky, I notice that the sun is just beginning to set, not giving me much time to make an adequate shelter for myself.
Looking at the tree that has my grappling hook lodged onto it, I can't help but let out a sigh that I have to most likely wait until tomorrow to retrieve it.
Though, I still have enough time to make a shelter.
And considering I am now a druid…
Pulling the Druid Starter Package from my Inventory, I pull out the Basic Druid Staff and use [Observe] on it.
[Basic Druid Staff - Uncommon, E-Rank]
Made of purpleheart wood with silver runic inlays, this staff is mainly used by aspiring mages beginning their new journey as a Druid. All Druid Spell's effectiveness increased by 20% and casting time is reduced by 15%.
Durability: 200/200
Holding the purple staff in my hands, I can't but notice how light it is for its size; I would hazard a guess that the whole staff is standing roughly around five feet in length, maybe an inch or two longer. Then there is the immaculate craftsmanship in adding the silver inlays into the wooden staff. Even if he didn't know that the inlays were magical in nature, they still do catch the eye.
Looking up at the huge oak tree in front of me, i focus my attention towards two of the larger branches on the tree, feeling that it would be just right for me to build my temporary shelter.
Okay then… here goes nothing…
[Growth]!
I feel something coming out of me and flowing onto the staff, causing the inlays to glow brightly as the energy I now remember to be my MP leaves me and is being sent to the tree with my staff being used as a focal point for it.
The smaller branches growing from the bigger ones soon rapidly increase in length, though it seems I can only do four at a time.
Calculating the combined lengths of what are basically now wooden vines, I then use [Control Plant] to have one bottom vine and one top vine intertwine with one another, before using [Growth] once more to thicken and essentially fuse the vines together to create a part of the capsule I have planned.
Rinse and repeating the process more than twenty times, I take a look at my MP and I see that I am only left with sixty points, which while may seem like a lot, when taking into consideration my MP Regen, it took more out of me than expected.
And seeing the sun finally set behind the mountain also tells me I spent quite a bit of time doing this.
As I enter my makeshift shelter, I notice I need to get some bedding so I can sleep comfortably, but despite still having enough stamina to get back down from the tree to find anything remotely comfortable, the ide of having the tree make me a bunch of leaves to use as a bed appealed more to me.
And knowing how oak tree leaves tend to be, I poured in extra MP to get them to be as soft as golden poppy petals,which quite frankly turned out to be the least MP intensive thing I've done with the [Growth] skill.
After having everything all set up, I pull out both my druid robe and rogue cloak and set them as makeshift blankets while I use my spare shirt to fill with the softened leaves and turn it into a pillow.
Feeling satisfied with my work, I turn around towards the entrance of my little resting pla-
Gurgh!?
What the-!?
My head! Why's it hurting so much? How do I make it stop!? I thought [Gamer's Mind] was supposed to-!
Why's the floor coming to me so suddenl-urk!
-80 HP!
Ow…
Ooh… my head hurts so much more now…
What is wrong with me?
I… I can't even think straights.
Wha… whatje… wuzza?
Why'za tree smaller?
And… what'za smell?
Looking towards the new smell, I see-I see a lot of people wearing weird masks with glowing red eyes and they all have weird skin.
"Ghur…" one of them growls out, raising his spear while the oes behind him do the same.
No… I can't fight them… not like how I am now…
Gurgle!
Even more so when I'm hungry!
But… these guys…
They smell… so… so…
DELICIOUS.
Maybe… it wouldn't hurt to take a small bite? Right? I mean, they don't look alive, and they certainly don't behave as if alive either.
Yeah… that's right, and seeing that they're in this condition I doubt they will be missed.
Even better is that they are small enough for me to hold down with my two hands.
Walking towards them, I feel my hunger get greater.
And greater.
And greater.
I… I must eat…
Eat…
Consume…
Sate hunger…
Seeing the closest one rush towards me, I grab the spear and yank it from his hands, leaving him defenseless as I begin to feast.
As I chew through the armor and into his arm, I cand't help but enjoy the sheer tenderness and flavor that is filling my mouth.
I grab more of the delectable meat, enjoying to my hearts content, ignoring the ticklish pricks these delicious meals are giving me…
Until the corpse finally disappears.
No.
NO.
NO!
I am hungry! I crave it…! It's so delicious!
More…
I want more!
And you will give me more!
Grabbing the nearest delicacy, I bite through the head, my mouth filling with such delectable juices as my body let's out a roar of ecstasy.
It's so good
And there's so much!
I must have it all!
I will have it all!
I. SHALL. FEAST!
With Unknown…
Man, the crows sure are rowdy tonight!
Talking about a massive deer monster eating these new monsters that have been appearing recently! My goodie even I couldn't believe such words without seeing it for myself.
And though it took some time to convince them to show me where they saw this, I am so glad I get to see this with my own eyes!
"▂▂▃▃▄▄▅▅!" The unholy screeches of this beast echo throughout the forest, with my familiars letting me see through their eyes this massive human-deer beast devour these other monsters piece by piece, completely unbothered by their constant stabbing as whenever one gets too close, the beast reaches out for it with its lanky sharp claws and firmly holds his prey down as he finishes eating the other one.
Man, I really should've made me some popcorn, or the very least brought some snacks from Mufasa and his family.
Eh, whatever, not even having no snacks will stop me from studying this new specimen.
Maybe once it's all said and done, I could maybe have the chance to dissect it.
Oh boy, that is such a goodie idea! Why didn't I think of that earlier!?
But even so! As a master of the dark arts, even one such as I must take careful precaution with what I'm doing.
So… I guess that means I will keep observing this creature until the time is right!
Wonder what you have in store for me buddy ol' pal~!
Now that is all I have for you! I hope this first chap is up to your guys' liking?
please leave a review if you can, and favorite and follow as well! I truly appreciate all the support in both this fic and Faust: The Horseman Gamer and I will do my best to get back to y'all when I can!
Sincerely,
Forzarismo
May 31, 2021