Chapter 24: August at Level 10
Year 0002, VI-VII Month: The Imperium
---
A Grind to Level 10!
During the height of the summer season, during the darkest hours of the day, August could be found deep inside the forest grinding his level. He hoped to at least reach [Level 10] before the anniversary of the village massacre—an event that still haunted the edges of his dreams despite the SYSTEM'S healing of his lingering trauma affliction.
His progress had been steady. Almost twelve months in, with just a month to go, he was on the cusp of his goal. Each Commander Grade Boarat he slew brought him closer, their tusked forms becoming familiar adversaries in his relentless pursuit of strength.
And then, during the last month of the summer season, it finally happened. That sweet, unmistakable sound of upgrade rang through his mind after he killed the last Commander Grade Boarat in the vicinity. The massive beast collapsed with a thunderous impact that shook the forest floor, its hide scarred from the battle.
After retrieving his arrows and catching his breath, August rushed back home, his heart pounding not from exertion but from exhilaration. He took his time butchering the beast, separating valuable parts with practiced precision. The meat would feed him and his friends for weeks, and the hide, bones and tusk would be used as raw materials for future use, no item was to be wasted.
This marked his twenty-first kill of the commander grade—a feat that would have been unthinkable a year ago when he could barely handle the juvenile variants.
"Pretty commendable," he thought to himself, allowing a rare moment of pride as he cleaned his hunting knife. The blade gleamed in the afternoon light filtering through his cabin windows.
Later, when his daily chores were done—firewood stacked, garden tended, hides stretched to dry—he went and sat on his father's favorite chair. The worn leather creaked beneath him, still molded to his father's larger frame. A pang of grief threatened to surface, but he pushed it aside. Today was a day for celebration, not mourning.
With a deep breath, he summoned the system. The familiar sensation washed over him, like cool water flowing through his mind. The holographic menu materialized before him, glowing softly in the dimming light of his cabin.
[SYSTEM ADMIN MAGNUS]: [DING!]
CONGRATULATIONS MASTER! YOU HAVE REACHED ANOTHER MILESTONE! YOU ARE NOW LEVEL 10; YOU NOW HAVE UNLOCKED PREVIOUS HIDDEN FEATURES, AND HAVE UNLOCKED THE PREVIOUSLY LOCKED SUB-STATS ON YOUR PERSONAL PANEL.
YOU NOW HAVE TWO TITLE SLOTS AVAILABLE; AND ONE OF YOUR TITLES HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO A BETTER VERSION WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION! SO WE DO APOLOGIZE.
[DING!]
*NEW* YOU HAVE ONE REGISTERED GUARDIAN BEAST:
° THE EMPYREAN HUNTER, SKY SOVEREIGN 'AETHERWING'
---
Personal Panel I: Overview
[SYSTEM MENU]
[MISSION PANEL]
- DAILY MISSION
- WEEKLY MISSION
- MONTHLY MISSION (LOCKED UNTIL LEVEL 15)
- YEARLY MISSION (LOCKED UNTIL LEVEL 25)
- EMERGENCY MISSION
[[PERSONAL PANEL]]
[GENERAL INFORMATION]
[BODY STAT]
[EQUIPMENT]
[BLUE PRINT]
[GUARDIAN BEAST]
August was surprised by the many changes reflected in his profile. This was precisely why he had purposely avoided looking at his personal panel for some time—to make the moment of revelation all the more satisfying.
The thought of his overall growth, now quantified and displayed in the form of the personal panel, filled him with a quiet excitement. He leaned forward in the chair, eyes gleaming with anticipation as he began to explore the expanded options.
---
Personal Panel II: General Overview
THE [PERSONAL] PANEL
[GENERAL INFORMATION]
[NAME:] AUGUST FINN
[AGE:] 11 YEARS AND 1 MONTH
[GENDER:] MALE
[RACE:] NEW HUMAN ARKANIAN
[JOB:]
I. [FARM HAND] - (CLASS I - ADVANCE)
II. [HUNTER] - (CLASS III - ADVANCE)
[CLASS:]
"ALL-ROUNDER CLASS" (CLASS V-NOVICE)
[TITLES:]
I. ["THE ONE WHO STRUGGLES WITH DEATH"]
II. ["BOARAT HUNTER"]
[SKILLS:]
[ACTIVE SKILL]
I. (WIND BLADE - CLASS I - NOVICE)
[PASSIVE SKILL]
I. FARMER'S BLESSING (CLASS II-EXPERT)
II. STEALTH (CLASS I-EXPERT)
[HP]: 29,160/29,160 HP
[MP]: 3,860/3,860 MP
[(ATTACK) DAMAGE]:
+ 3,419
+ (MGK.ATK.), 1,258
+ (CRIT.DMG.), 1,760
+ (AMB.DMG.) 1,637
[(DEFENSE) DAMAGE NEGATION]: 4,778
+ (MGK.DEF.) 1,258
[EQUIPMENT:]
I. CLASS V - NOVICE HUNTER CLOTHING SET
II. CLASS V - NOVICE SET OF BOW, QUIVER AND ARROWS, SWORD AND SHIELD, AND DAGGER
[BLUEPRINT SCHEMATICS:]
+25 INTELLIGENCE PATCHED WALL, LEVEL 1
+25 INTELLIGENCE WOODEN PALISADE, LEVEL 1
[GUARDIAN BEAST:] THE EMPYREAN HUNTER, SKY SOVEREIGN 'AETHERWING'
[FAVORABILITY: 1/10 *]
[STATS]
- STRENGTH: 321
- AGILITY: 521
- STAMINA: 286
- DEXTERITY: 516
- MOBILITY: 286
- ENDURANCE: 286
- SPEED: 521
- WILLPOWER: 336
- VITALITY: 386
- CHARISMA: (LOCKED, LEVEL 20)
- MAGIC: 286
- INTELLIGENCE: 336
OVERALL STAT: +340%
[SUB-STATS]
- [ATTACK]: 3,419
- [DEFENSE]: 4,778
- [MAGIC DEFENSE]: 1,258
- [MAGIC ATTACK]: 1,258
- [HEALTH REGEN]: 1,258/7,548
- [MANA REGEN]: 1,258
- [CRITICAL CHANCE]: 176%
- [CRITICAL DAMAGE]: 1,760
- [STEALTH]: 214%
- [ACCURACY]: 135%
- [AMBUSH CHANCE]: 164%
- [AMBUSH DAMAGE]:1,637
"Ohhh, my base damage looks pretty good now," he murmured, running a hand through his unkempt hair. "No wonder I could kill the Commander Rank Boars more easily lately."
He frowned slightly, brushing a finger across the screen. "Too bad I don't have any defensive magic skills yet. That would make hunting even safer."
The soft glow of the panel illuminated his face as his eyes scanned the additional information. "So many new things to explore," he whispered, a mixture of wonder and determination in his voice.
He continued scrolling down the menu, eyes bright with expectation. Each new entry represented not just numbers and abilities, but survival—the difference between life and death in this dangerous world.
---
Personal Panel III: Job, Class, and Title
[ JOB ]:
• FARM HAND - (CLASS I - ADVANCE)
~A job suited for people with the desire to till their fields!~
+ 35 STRENGTH
• HUNTER (CLASS III - ADVANCE)
~The masters of the hunt, applicable to all beings with the ability to hunt both prey and predator!~
[STAT]
+ 55 SPEED
+ 55 DEXTERITY
+ 55 AGILITY
[SUB-STAT]
+ 19% STEALTH
[ CLASS ]:
*NEW!!!
• "ALL-ROUNDER CLASS" (CLASS V-NOVICE)
~A jack of all trades, they are the master of none, but at times, better than the master of one.~
They truly are the most balanced of all the classes.
+ 25 ON ALL STAT AND SUB-STAT
+ 10% INCREASE WHEN LEARNING FROM ALL DIFFERENT CLASSES.
A/N: COULD NOT SURPASS ANYTHING BEYOND THE EXPERT CLASS.
August's brow furrowed slightly at the class designation. The SYSTEM had deemed him too well-rounded for his own good. Although he couldn't eventually master anything beyond expert class, there was wisdom in versatility.
When you thought about it, being adaptable had distinct advantages. Since he wasn't focused on a singular skill set, he could respond more effectively to changing circumstances. In a world where dangers shifted like the wind, versatility meant survival.
"All-Rounder," he muttered, testing the title on his tongue. "Not the most impressive sounding, but practical." He nodded to himself. That suited him fine—he had no interest in fame, only in staying alive and maybe, someday, finding answers about the past.
He continued examining his personal stats, curious about how his abilities had developed over months of hunting, farming, and surviving alone.
[TITLES:]
TITLE: (2) SLOTS CURRENTLY OCCUPIED (MAX 2)
A/N: Gain an additional +1 slot every 5 levels.
I. TITLE UPGRADE, ["SURVIVOR"]→["THE ONE WHO STRUGGLES WITH DEATH"]
~When host reaches a critical health level, title effects would automatically activate:~
+ 500% HEALING REGENARATION RATE FOR 5 MINUTES
+ 100 VITALITY
+ 50 WILLPOWER
+ AUTOMATIC HEALING OF VITAL ORGANS
+ RESETS ONCE EVERY MONTH]
II. ["BOARAT HUNTER"]
~A title exclusive to hunters who have hunted a hundred Boarats.~
[STATS]
+ 5 SPEED AND 5 AGILITY
[SUB-STATS]
+ 20 ACCURACY, STEALTH, AND DAMAGE
*A/N: WILL ONLY APPLY WHEN HUNTING OR FIGHTING BOARAT SPECIES.
August's eyes widened dramatically when he saw the upgraded version of his Survivor Title—the one the system had modified without his knowledge or consent.
"Woah, hold on," he breathed, staring at the description in disbelief. "This is pretty broken. When did I even get this?"
He thought back to the night of the massacre, the memory less painful now but still vivid. Had his desperate struggle to survive triggered this title? The automatic healing of vital organs could mean the difference between life and death in a critical situation.
[ . . . . ]
"You!" August called out to the void, addressing the system directly. "At least tell me something about it, pretty please." He added a playful wheedling tone, hoping to coax a response.
[SYSTEM MANAGER DOROTHY: HMMPPFF. . . . >.<]
August was ignored in the end. With a resigned sigh, he returned his attention to the personal panel, accepting that some mysteries would remain unsolved for now.
He now had a pretty good understanding of what was new under his TITLE, specially the upgraded title.
Which was still a vague memory for him, with little to no recollection of how it happened only that, apparently it was forcefully overwritten by his SYSTEM without his permissionin an effort to save him. So when he saw how good it was, he no longer has any qualms about it, since it was the best upgrade he could have wished for.
But still, he wished the Cold System Lady would spill him some tea 0.0
---
Personal Panel IV: Skills [Active & Passive]
[ACTIVE:]
I. WIND BLADE - (CLASS I - NOVICE)
~A beginner skill under the wind affinity. Sends three sharp wind blades, 10 feet in front of the user; costs 15 mana, and each blade deals 20-30 damage to its target.~
- COSTS 15 MP
+ 20 TO 30 HP DAMAGE PER BLADE TOWARDS THE INTENDED TARGET
[PASSIVE:]
I. FARMER'S BLESSING (CLASS II-EXPERT)
~Blessed by the Deity of Life, a farmers lifelong skill.~
+ 35% PLANT NOURISHMENT
+ 35% SOIL NOURISHMENT
+ 35% PLANT GROWTH
+ 35% BOUNTIFUL HARVEST
II. STEALTH (CLASS I-EXPERT)
~Like the the thief if the night a true expert on camoflauge and use of one's own surroundings to his advantage.~
+ 30% CRITICAL DAMAGE CHANCE
+ 30% CRITICAL DAMAGE
+ 30% STEALTH
+ 30% AMBUSH CHANCE
+ 30% AMBUSH DAMAGE
+ 30% SUCCESS CHANCE IN ESPIONAGE
August's eyes widened in surprise. "Is that why we have such a great harvest?" he wondered aloud, his mind flashing to the robust vegetables and grains that had sustained him through the winter. "Was it actually because of my passive skill all this time?"
The small garden behind his cabin had yielded far more than he'd expected, keeping him fed when hunting grew scarce in the deep winter months. Now he understood why.
A grin spread across his face, the rare expression transforming his usually solemn countenance. "I'm pretty good at this, aren't I?"
Unseen by August, System Manager Dorothy rolled her eyes at her boastful prospect, while Admin Magnus giggled in the corner. The administrator appeared to be enjoying a sweetened popcorn, likely appropriated from the celestial realm of Aerthe.
August, oblivious to their observation, continued his exploration of the system interface.
---
Personal Panel V: The Guardian Beast
• GUARDIAN BEAST:
"THE EMPYREAN HUNTER, SKY SOVEREIGN, 'AETHERWING'"
*NEW!! UNLOCKED SYSTEM FEATURE, UPON TRIGGERING A CERTAIN UNIQUE SCENARIO, ANY EQUIPMENT CAN NOW BE BLESSED AND FURTHER UPGRADED TO A RARE AND EXCLUSIVE "GUARDIAN BEAST SET"
° WHEN FULLY EQUIPED COULD WARD COULD ACCESS 1-5% OF THE GUARDIAN BEAST'S POWER.
° COULD ACCESS ONE OF THE LOW TIER SKILLS FROM 'AERTHERWINGS' DATABASE, THE GUARDIAN BEAST'S MAGIC POOL, ONCE A DAY.
° FAVORABILITY: ONE STAR OUT OF TEN *
A/N: NEEDS TO UPGRADE FAVORABILITY WITH GUARDIAN BEAST TO GAIN MORE ACCESS TO HIS POWER AND MAGIC POOL
August frowned, puzzlement creasing his brow. "I wonder who this Guardian Beast of mine is and when I even met it?" he mused, trying to recall any encounter with a magical creature. "Must have been when I was knocked out?" "Oh right the other may have briefly mentioned it when I woke up!"
He had forgotten that the others had mentioned a mythical beast that had protected him and aided them during their brief way back home.
The information remained cryptic for now, but as he examined his current equipment, he noticed significant changes that hinted at a connection to this mysterious guardian.
---
Personal Panel VI: Stats and Sub-Stats
[STATS]
- STRENGTH: (20 Base Stat) + (25 Class Effect) + (241 Accumulated Stat) + (35 Job Effect) → 321
- AGILITY: : (20 Base Stat) + (25 Class Effect) + (241 Accumulated Stat) + (55 Job Effect) +(5 Title Effect) + (150 Equipment) + (25Full Equipment) → 521
- STAMINA: : (20 Base Stat) + (25 Class Effect) + (241 Accumulated Stat) → 286
- DEXTERITY: : (20 Base Stat) + (25 Class Effect) + (241 Accumulated Stat) + (55 Job Effect) + (150 Equipment) + (25Full Equipment) → 516
- MOBILITY: : (20 Base Stat) + (25 Class Effect) + (241 Accumulated Stat) → 286
- ENDURANCE: : (20 Base Stat) + (25 Class Effect) + (241 Accumulated Stat) → 286
- SPEED: : (20 Base Stat) + (25 Class Effect) + (241 Accumulated Stat) + (55 Job Effect) + (5 Title Effect) + (150 Equipment) + (25Full Equipment) → 521
- WILLPOWER: : (20 Base Stat) + (25 Class Effect) + (241 Accumulated Stat) + (50 Title Effect) → 336
- VITALITY: : (20 Base Stat) + (25 Class Effect) + (241 Accumulated Stat) + (100 Title Effect) → 386
- CHARISMA: (LOCKED, LEVEL 20)
- MAGIC: : (20 Base Stat) + (25 Class Effect) + (241 Accumulated Stat) → 286
- INTELLIGENCE: : (20 Base Stat) + (25 Class Effect) + (241 Accumulated Stat) (+50 Blueprint Schematics Effect) → 336
[OVERALL STAT:] → +340%
[SUB-STATS]
- [ATTACK(DAMAGE)]: : (20 Base Sub-Stat) + (25 Class Effect) + (241 Accumulated Stat) + (20 Title Effect) + (300 Equipment +10%) + (100Full Equipment) → 777 + 340% → 3,419
- [DEFENSE(DAMAGE NEGATED)]: (20 Base Sub-Stat) + (25 Class Effect) + (241 Accumulated Stat) + (700 Equipment) + (100Full Equipment)→ 1,086 + 340% → 4,778
- [MAGIC ATTACK(DAMAGE)]: (20 Base Sub-Stat) + (25 Class Effect) + (241 Accumulated Stat) → 286 + 340% → 1,258
- [MAGIC DEFENSE(DAMAGE NEGATED)]: (20 Base Sub-Stat) + (25 Class Effect) + (241 Accumulated Stat) → 286 + 340% → 1,258
- [HEALTH REGEN]: (20 Base Sub-Stat) + (25 Class Effect) + (241 Accumulated Stat) + (500% Title Effect) → 286 + 340% → (1,258Per Hour) + 500% → (7,5485 Min)
- [MANA REGEN]: (20 Base Sub-Stat) + (25 Class Effect) + (241 Accumulated Stat) → 286 + 340% → (1,258Per Hour)
- [CRITICAL CHANCE]: (20 Base Sub-Stat) + (25 Class Effect) + (241 Accumulated Stat) + (30% Skill Effect) + (10% Equipment)
→ 286+ 40% → 400 + 340% → 1,760 ÷ 10 → 176%
- [CRITICAL DAMAGE]: (20 Base Sub-Stat) + (25 Class Effect) + (241 Accumulated Stat) + (30% Skill Effect) + (10% Equipment) → 286+ 40% → 400 + 340% → 1,760
- [STEALTH]: (20 Base Sub-Stat) + (25 Class Effect) + (19% Job Effect) + (241 Accumulated Stat) + (20 Title Effect) + (30% Skill Effect) + (10% Equipment) → 306+ 59% → 487 + 340% → 2,143 ÷ 10 → 214%
- [ACCURACY]: (20 Base Sub-Stat) + (25 Class Effect) + (241 Accumulated Stat) + (20 Title Effect) → 306+ 340% → 1,346 ÷ 10 → 135%
- [AMBUSH CHANCE]: (20 Base Sub-Stat) + (25 Class Effect) + (241 Accumulated Stat) + (30% Skill Effect) → 286+ 30% → 372 + 340% → 1,637 ÷ 10 → 164%
- [AMBUSH DAMAGE]: (20 Base Sub-Stat) + (25 Class Effect) + (241 Accumulated Stat) + (30% Skill Effect) → 286+ 30% → 372 + 340% → 1,637
After examining the extensive stat breakdown, August's temples began to throb. The array of numbers swam before his eyes, and the multitude of new sub-stats that hadn't existed before made his head spin.
He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, massaging the space between his eyebrows. The cabin fell silent except for the gentle crackling of the hearth fire.
After taking a few minutes to gather himself, August reopened his eyes and resumed scrolling through the information.
---
Personal Panel VII: Body Stat, HP and MP
[ BODY STAT ]:
°[HEAD]: 1,000/1,000 (GREEN)
°[ TORSO ]: 1,000/1,000 (GREEN)
°[LEFT ARM]: 1,000/1,000 (GREEN)
°[RIGHT ARM]: 1,000/1,000 (GREEN)
°[LEFT LEG]: 1,000/1,000 (GREEN)
°[RIGHT LEG]: 1,000/1,000 (GREEN)
• [ OVERALL BODY STAT ]:
6,000/6,000 HP (BASE STAT) + (386% VITALITY MULTIPLIER) = 29,160/29,160 HP
*NEW!!!
• [ MANA POINTS ]:
- MANA POINTS: EVERY LEVEL THERE WILL BE AN INCREASE OF 100 MP.
1,000/1,000 MP (BASE STAT) + (MAGIC MULTIPLIER 286) = 3,860/3,860 MP
• AFFLICTION: N/A
A weight lifted from August's shoulders as he noticed the absence of any afflictions in his status. Unlike before, he no longer carried the burden of lingering trauma—it seemed to have healed organically over time as he focused on survival and growth.
The appearance of mana points on his Body Stat Panel was another welcome development. Though he had been utilizing this energy for months, particularly when experimenting with his wind blade skill against unwilling Boarat subjects and during training sessions, this was his first time seeing it quantified on his personal panel.
He was expecting his health wasn't at one hundred percent—as one would expect after a day of hunting and physical exertion—but the absence of the fatigue affliction surprised him. His recovery had been faster than anticipated, suggesting that his increased stats were enhancing his overall resilience.
August noticed that his HP and MP were now visible in the top right corner of his personal panel, providing vital information at a glance.
What he didn't realize—or particularly care about—was that he could actually enable a HUD display that would show his HP and MP directly in his field of vision. He could even customize its position to suit his preferences.
For now, he operated in what some might call "hard mode"—the normal view shared by most inhabitants of this world. This would remain his reality for quite some time, but the option waited patiently to be discovered and utilized.
---
Personal Panel VIII: Equipment Hidden Feature
[EQUIPMENT:]
I. CLASS V - NOVICE HUNTER CLOTHING SET
~An armor set crafted and tailored to the host's current needs and style.~
[STAT]
+ 25 DEXTERITY × 6
+ 25 AGILITY × 6
+ 25 SPEED × 6
[SUB-STAT]
+100 DEFENSE x 6
+ 10% STEALTH WHEN CAMOUFLAGED IN THE SURROUNDINGS
A/N: AVERAGE STAT/SUB STAT IN INDIVIDUAL CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT
II. CLASS V - NOVICE SET OF BOW, QUIVER AND ARROWS, SWORD AND SHIELD, AND DAGGER
~A well crafted novice equipment that fits the needs and combat style of the host. The raw items used are taken from the hosts storage~
[SUB-STAT]
+ 100 ATTACK × 3
+ 100 DEFENSE × 1
+ 10% CRITICAL DAMAGE
+ 10% CRITICAL CHANCE
+ 10% INCREASE IN ARROWS
+ 10% ARROW DAMAGE
- 10% ARROW WEIGHT REDUCTION
*CRITICAL HIT MAY TRIGGER WHEN HOST IS IN COMPLETE STEALTH FROM ENEMY*
ADDITIONAL STAT/SUB-STATS WILL BE GIVEN WHEN HOST WEARS THE FULL SET:
[STAT]
+ 25 DEXTERITY
+ 25 AGILITY
+ 25 SPEED
[SUB-STAT]
+ 100 ATTACK,
+ 100 DEFENSE
A NOVICE HUNTER "GUARDIAN" SET (RARE) SERIES: Locked an exclusive hidden feature of your armor! Find out about the truth of your Guardian Beast 'Aetherwing'
~Far from the standard equipment, blessed by the Guardian Beast Aetherwing. Doubling the previous equipments stats/sub-stats.~
[STAT]
+ 50 DEXTERITY × 6
+ 50 AGILITY × 6
+ 50 SPEED × 6
[SUB-STAT]
+200 DEFENSE x 6
+ 20% STEALTH WHEN CAMOUFLAGED IN THE SURROUNDINGS
ADDITIONAL STAT/SUB-STATS WILL BE GIVEN WHEN HOST WEARS THE FULL SET:
[STAT]
+ 50 DEXTERITY
+ 50 AGILITY
+ 50 SPEED
[SUB-STAT]
+ 200 ATTACK,
+ 200 DEFENSE
[GUARDIAN BEAST SET EXCLUSIVE]
I. WHEN FULLY EQUIPED COULD WARD COULD ACCESS 1-5% OF THE GUARDIAN BEAST'S POWER.
II. COULD ACCESS ONE OF THE LOW TIER SKILLS FROM 'AERTHERWINGS' DATABASE, THE GUARDIAN BEAST'S MAGIC POOL, ONCE A DAY.
"Wait, I still need to find out about the truth of my Guarding Beast to unlock this exclusive equipment?" August muttered, running his fingers along the material of his hunting garb. "It appears to unlock its full potential I must meet with my Guardian Beast, but it seems like that is not possible right now."
"If only my System would help at times like this."
*Sigh*
The concept intrigued him: access to any of the beast's low-tier skills, albeit with reduced power, once per day. "Isn't that too good?" he wondered aloud, his mind already calculating the tactical advantages such abilities might provide.
"I should try it on a Commander Boarat if I ever unlock it," he decided, excitement building in his chest. "I need to see what maximum leveled skills can do."
With renewed purpose, he scrolled back up to the Guardian Beast panel, seeking more information about this mysterious ally.
---
Testing His New Equipment
Later on upon learning more of his Guardian Beast from the others and after much persistence in asking his system he finally fully unlocked it.
[DING!]
A familiar sound echoed in his mind and he knows that whenever it would ring it would only bring him good tidings.
August would ventured into the familiar hunting grounds where Commander Rank Boarats were known to roam. The late afternoon sun filtered through the canopy, dappling the forest floor with patterns of light and shadow.
He tracked his prey methodically, following disturbed undergrowth and distinctive hoof prints until he found his target—a massive Commander Boarat with tusks that could rend flesh from bone in a single swipe.
Rather than relying on his bow or wind blade, August decided to test his newfound connection with the Guardian Beast. Drawing upon the link, he called forth one of Aetherwing's low-tier lightning skills.
"[Piercing Bolt]," he whispered, feeling a foreign energy surge through his veins.
A brilliant lance of blue-white lightning erupted from his outstretched hand, illuminating the forest in stark relief for a blinding moment. The bolt struck the Boarat directly between its eyes, and to August's astonishment, the beast collapsed instantly—dead before it hit the ground, steam rising from its charred flesh.
August stared at his hand in disbelief, then at the fallen beast. "How powerful is my Guardian Beast?" he wondered aloud, voice barely a whisper in the sudden silence of the forest. "Wasn't that only supposed to be one percent of its power?"
The implications staggered him. If this was merely a fraction of Aetherwing's capability, what might the creature be capable of at full strength?
As the sun began to set, casting long shadows through the trees, August stood motionless, gazing into the distance. His thoughts stretched beyond the horizon, contemplating the mysterious forces that had chosen to align themselves with a simple village boy—and wondering what destiny might lie ahead for one who struggled with death and emerged stronger.
In the crimson glow of twilight, he sensed that reaching level 10 was not an end, but merely the beginning of a journey beyond anything he could imagine.
---
Information Panel
[INFO PANEL : RANK AND CLASS]
• [RANK]:
THERE ARE 5 RANKS KNOWN IN THE LAND; IT IS THE OVERALL MASTERY OF THE PERSON WHO IS IN THAT CLASS CATEGORY.
°NOVICE
°ADVANCE
°EXPERT
°MASTER
°GRAND MASTER
• [ CLASS ] :
- A CLASS WITHIN A RANK CORRESPONDS TO THE PROFICIENCY OF USE OF THEIR ADDED SKILLS IN THAT CLASS CATEGORY, WHETHER IT BE A SWORDSMAN OR ETC. THERE ARE 5 CLASSES IN EACH RANK.
° CLASS I, II, III, IV, & V
I.E., HUNTER CLASS (CLASS I-NOVICE) IN BOTH HIS PASSIVE AND ACTIVE SKILLS INDICATES HIS PROFICIENCY AND HIS MASTERY IN THAT SAID RANK.