5 Chapter 5: A Fight for his Life

For unknown reasons the system rewards struggle and hardship. Fighting for you life is the prime example, in a situation where you must expend your all to survive skills will level more quickly. This has led many to unbelievable heights of power yet many more to their deaths.

Any experienced individual will tell you that the system is neither good nor evil, it helps sentient races to achieve their aims. It provides a route to power for all, whether their intentions are to murder, rape and pillage or serve, protect and heal.

This has led to the emergence of several shady organizations justifying their existence on the back of religious beliefs that if the gods intended us to be good, as subjective as that is, then they would not have provided classes such as thief, rogue or bandit.

Of Adventurers and the Road they Walk, Anonymous ex-Adventurer

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Congratulations due to the vigorous activities you have taken over the past few days you have gained the following stats:

+ 1 Endurance, + 1 Strength, +1 Dexterity, +1 Agility

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Groaning, and lethargically stretching the acknowledgement of his efforts over the last few days helped ease Jacob disgruntlement with sore body. Despite having lived a fairly active lifestyle on Earth, as individual who enjoyed sports, the level of exercise required to live in the Wilderness was drastically greater.

Now more at home in the forest moving with greater ease and grace across the rough ground, Jacob quietly hums to himself excited to see if he has caught anything. He heads out to check the traps he laid last night, hopeful that he could be having his first self provided meal on Pangea. The first three traps unfortunately come up empty but as he approached the final trap, he heard a squealing sound, and when it came into sight lo and behold, he had caught a very much panicking rabbit.

As he approached the trap, it suddenly freezes and crouches, stock still it starts to shiver in fear staring right at Jacob. Its eyes seem to pierce into his soul begging him to let it go bringing up Jacob short. As a member of the modern world he had never taken a life of an animal despite eating meat for his entire existence. More to the point the trap which had been intended to kill the rabbit had not, instead leaving it to suffer since it was caught, a rather abrupt introduction for Jacob into the cruelty of the natural world.

All of a sudden doubt crossed his mind, unsure if he had what it takes to kill, albeit a non-sentient being, in him Jacob slowly approached the rabbit. Reaching out to grab it, his hands shivered as they took hold of the rabbit, feeling the softness of its fur.

Reflexively he stroked the rabbit muttering calming words to it as he paused, uncertain over his next actions. In a trance his hands move up towards the rabbit's neck, no longer shaking as he steels himself for what he must do, and with a quick snap he twists the rabbits head. A crunch accompanies the movement as the rabbit's head sits at a disturbing angle its body going through the last throws of death.

Once back in the clearing Jacob robotically goes through the motions dictated by his Forestry skills, cutting open the rabbit from its neck all the way along its belly, the rabbits innards spilling out into the hole he dug to bury them in. Rinsing out the rabbit before proceeding to skin, and finally skewer it over the fire. The task completed he finals notices a blinking notification:

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Congratulations on catching and processing your first skill you have been rewarded 50 race xp!

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With the sun barely reaching it's zenith, he tucks into the first substantial meal he has provided for himself in this new world. Having been rationing himself on nuts and system bought food, he feels full for the first time since this mad adventure began a great help for his mood. Debating what to do he heads out to explore a bit more of the surrounding area looking for new areas to set up traps.

Going further towards the edge of the forest than he has yet to explore, he hears a rustling from behind some bushes. Shrinking back against a nearby trees, his heart pounds as a black boar steps out of the shrubbery snorting as it spots Jacob. Its hackles are instantly raised, as it freezes its charcoal colored eyes locking with Jacob's who notes it is covered in short wiry hair giving it a mean look. Unsure of how to act Jacob hesitantly backs up, slowly drawing his sword as he recalls story of people being mauled to death by wild boars on earth.

As the boar makes no other movement, Jacob unconsciously lets out a sigh some of the tension in his body lets up, only to be instantly replaced by a resurgent fear as the boar paws at the ground readying to charge him. Unsure over what action to take, his fighting proficiency skill kicks in causing Jacob to stop his slow retreat, instead readying himself for the boar's charge. Planning to jump to the side and swipe at the boar as it passes him by.

All too soon the quiet of the forest is broken as the Boar lets out a sequel, bunches its hind legs and pushes off quickly accelerating towards Jacob. A strange calm overcomes Jacob, as he faces his first fight for his life, his breathing slows, his mind clears, and his sight narrows until only himself and the boar are left. Dodging to the left at the last moment he swipes out with his sword grunting as he impacts along the boar's line of charge striking its face and right flank, drawing blood.

Thankful for the sharpness and quality for the system bought blade in line with the suggestion of fighting proficiency Jacob quickly spun around and backed up creating some space between himself and the boar. The boar slid struggling to come to stop quickly but looked more irritated than particularly hurt by the cut along its side. As he was charged again Jacob reacted in a similar way as to before, again scoring a solid strike against the boar. This time however his dodge was not as well timed, and Jacob took a glancing blow from the boar at the same time a gash opening up along his right hip and losing his grip on the sword.

Thankfully his sword managed to cut deeper this time, causing the boar more than just an irritant, the new wound bled freely dripping blood onto the ground. The boar moving more haggardly, but still very much on its two feet as Jacob drew his two daggers. A game of cat and mouse ensued, a war of attrition between the two waiting to see who would tire and slip up first, while Jacob was unable to get back to his dropped sword without risking an injury. Throughout this period Jacob becoming more confident managed to score a few hits with his knife but dealt fatal wounds.

He became more and more panicked that he would be unable to outlast the boar, deciding to make a run for his sword which was lying at the base of a tree. As Jacob turned to make a run for it he could hear the boar closing distance between the two, as time seemed to slow down the seconds stretching on, each breath lasting for an eternity.

Sliding the last few steps to the sword Jacob gripped his handle turned and braced his sword into the ground, placing himself behind it just in time. As the boar impaled itself on the sword which pierced between its ribs striking its heart, its momentum carrying it forward and into Jacob's chest with a loud crack.

Jacob was knocked back hearing a crack as the board hit his chest and sent him flying into the tree on which he hit his head. Stars appeared in his sight, as he landed on his back the boar on top of his legs, the sky seeming to spin he struggled to sit. The very act of exerting enough effort to sit was too much as he failed and his vision slowly dimmed.

Authors note:

Titles: Otherworlder

Name: Jacob Lockerby

Race: Human lvl 4 (450/800)

Class (lvl): n/a (unlocked at race lvl 5)

Second Class* (lvl): n/a/ (unlocked at race lvl 10)

Health: 100% Health Regen: 2.3% per day

Mana Points: 180 Mana Regen: 12% per hr

Stats:

Strength: 13 (12) Dexterity: 14 (13) Perception: 11 Constitution: 13 Agility: 13 (11) Endurance: 14 (13) Intelligence: 15 Control: 8 Magic Power: 18

Skills: Forestry Novice (1/10), Trapmaking (1/10), Fighting Proficiency, Climbing Novice (2/10), Free Running Novice (1/10)

Traits: High Grade Mana Affinity, Enhanced Health Regen Weak (1/10), Enhanced Mana Regen Weak (1/10), Tough Body Weak (1/10)