10 Chapter 10

While the rest of the team was still getting over their shock, Three was taking a look at the loot, he touched the dead ogre, the body disappearing into a smattering of lights. The items it dropped where a [Thick hide of the Ogre] and a [Vial of Ogre Essence]. He walked back to the group and told them about the drops, he had Sumi ask them what the vial did. They told him that if an essence was dropped, it would give the one drinking it five levels in one of the monsters main traits. For the Ogre that would probably either be thick skin or ogres strength, they shortly debated who should get the essence. The choice ended being either Three or Emmi, Three gave the vial to Emmi, the ogre's strength might be useful for him but the thick skin would be less effective than his own iron skin should that be what the vial gifted. Emmi asked him if he was sure he wanted to give it to her as essences were fairly rare drops, he simply nodded.

The group held their breath as she put the vial to her lips and drank it. A soft red glow went over her body as she tightened her muscles grimacing, they could see her muscles becoming more defined. She flexed her muscles then picked up her greatsword, this time with only one hand.

"Wow this is great! Here let me show you what it does."

She handed them the status plate hanging around her neck.

Name : Emmi Furvenhart

Age : 18

Lvl : 3

Occupation : N/a

Class : N/a

{Skill : Slice : Skill level 14}

{Skill : Greatsword Mastery : Skill level 21}

{Skill : Ogres Strength : Skill level 5 }

{Stats}

{Strength : 23}

{Agility : 14}

{Dexterity : 13}

{Vitality : 16}

{Endurance : 17}

{Wisdom : 11}

{Intelligence : 11}

{Charisma : 18}

{Leadership : 3 }

Emmi tapped on Ogres Strength with her finger, to access the skills information.

{Skill : Ogres Strength : Skill level 5 }

{This skill increases strength by 1% per skill level,

{reduces weight of weapons by 1/kg per skill level up to a maximum weight reduction of 50%

{Increases passively, increased growth rate during combat.}

"The strength increase will take a while to show itself, right now its barely a one stat point in strength, but the weight reduction on weapons makes a real difference! Especially on lower levels, my great sword weighs about eleven kilograms so its weight is already almost reduced by half" She said smiling proudly.

Grimli smiled, "Ogre's strength be a good skill to have early on lassie, ya seem to be a lucky sort, now we should be headin back to tha village, get those statuses reset so you can become stronger!"

The rest cheered their agreement, discussing how much experience they thought they gained and what they would spend it on. Three was confused about the ordeal so he asked them to explain it, as it turned out every time you went into a dungeon or killed a monster experience was gained, but to be upgraded to the next level one needed to come back to one of the four major guilds. The adventurers guild for instance, had a World Core that was connected to the world's energy, they needed to touch the world core and it would grant them the energy needed to increase their strength. There were a few natural places where this could be done as well, Grimli told them. Places that were naturally dense would allow you to level up, vials did not need to be used near world energy-rich places because the vial itself already contained it, meaning they could simply be used on the spot.

Three was not that well informed about the system so he kept asking questions, some of the things he found out were important, especially for later development. If he wanted to use the rank up on the skills he received at level ten, he would only be able to use it on the three highest ranking skills in his possession, Grimli asked for a look at his status plate so Three handed it to him.

Name : Three

Age : 17

Lvl : 1

Occupation : N/a

Class : N/a

{Skill : Lesser-regeneration, : Skill level 84}

{Skill : Pain-tolerance, : Skill level 63}

{Skill : Tough-body, : Skill level 72}

{Skill : Iron Skin : Skill level 81}

[Skill : Stomp : Skill level 2 }

{Skill : Challenging Cry : Skill level 3 }

{Perk : Mana-sustenance}

{Perk : Battered Body }

{Inheritant-Core - ?????}

Grimli blinked at his skill levels, Three himself was curious about his stats but that would have to wait until they reached the village. "I would advise usin the rank ups on any of the three skills you have right now, all of them be extremely rare to have as highest skill. If they still be highest level for your second rank up use it on one of the others, ye can't be usin it on the same one a second time, unfortunately." Grimly said stroking his beard.

Emmi, Davis and Talin walked over to take a peek. Davis muttered a curse, and the others stared blankly at his status plate, "What the bloodyfishentrails happened to you for you to have those skills at that level!" Davis asked in outrage.

Three grunted and scratched his chin, "not me, us" he said pointing to Sumi and back at himself. Sumi grimaced as the questions were obviously going to be directed at her. She sighed and told them the story, She told them how they woke up in the cages the mages had set-up, and how they had tortured herself and Three daily. How when they had reached a certain point a core of some sort was forced into their bodies changing them from the humans they originally were. The eyes from the others went wide as she told the story, Three saw Grimli almost shimmering with rage, he saw the air slightly distort around the dwarf. Emmi had tears in her eyes and was hugging Sumi as hard as she can, Davis was clutching his axes and muttering a string of curses that would make any sailor blink. Talin listened silently but was running his hand over his bow, eyes sharp.

Then Sumi explained Three's actions the day before, how they had been tasked with finding allies that they could grow strong with, so they would no longer be at risk from the group of mages. The group suddenly nodded in understanding, they also understood how his loss of memory made him ignorant of many things. Grimli suddenly spoke up with a voice that sounded like gravel, "Lassie, I will share this story with those I am connected to." The dwarf said with a glimmer of rage in his eyes, his rage near palpable as the air shimmered around him, making the rest nervous and taking a step back from the dwarf. Even Three who was near fearless and thought his body could take almost any punishment felt intimidated by the sheer bloodlust the dwarf was exuding.

"This group of so called mages will be hunted until there is nothing left, rest assured we will not inform the authorities as I am sure your friend was right, there is a good chance the mages have some pull in the government. Adventurers like myself, however, do not have such oversight or limitations. I know a few parties that would love to get their hands on those who would do such things to children."

Three stared at the dwarf wondering why his weird way of speaking had suddenly evened out. He didn't really understand what the dwarf had said but he heard the difference in accent and he could base his guess on the reaction of the others and the few words he did understand. He felt it would be good to have groups hunting the mages, if they were as strong as Grimli then there was a good chance they would be a serious threat to them.

The rest of the journey back was made in silent contemplation, the other groups had not yet returned from the dungeon but they had decided to make their way back first, Grimli had left a message with those still guarding the camp site informing them of their departure. As they walked towards the village the group was contemplating the story Sumi had told them and how they could best spend the stat points they had earned. Three was also wondering how he should spend his stat points, three stat points could be gained per level, he wondered what level clearing the dungeon and killing the boss had brought them to.

It took some time to get back to the village, which he only now figured out was called Grathem. They made their way to the adventurers guild, Maia was working again today and greeted them enthusiastically, she seemed to be well known with the rest of his group and Grimli in particular. They told her the story of the dungeon and how they had beaten an ogre and how they were especially excited to get their new status checked. The rest went first, Three wanted Sumi to go before him but she denied with a grin and pushed him forward to the core.

He shrugged and put his hand on the core, he gasped as the energy coursed through his veins, he felt, Alive. He could see clearly for a moment, feel the subtle differences in the air, he could smell more things than he ever could before, colors deepened into shades unseen. Then all at once it disappeared. He released a breath he didn't know he had been holding, the others were grinning at him, knowing exactly what the experience felt like.

He took a moment to calm himself before he looked at his status plate.