Making Progress
It's been quite a few days since I've set up my trap along the different Paths, specifically the trail in and out of the Boar's little Territory, and the Rabbit's Dens, I've made a few catches using the combination of the Ensnare and Pressure Runes.
After setting the same trap for multiple days, and while doing so practicing the runes off to the side, I've noticed that the Mental Energy that gets sapped from you during the process gets higher the higher your efficiency. As I'm better at using the Pressure Rune, I can make it 4 or 5 times before I need a 2 to 3 hour nap. The Ensnare rune is a whole different story. Being incapable of setting it up correctly has really prohibited any form of hunting I've done as any animal stronger than 0.2 can escape it within 15 seconds. As the rune is supposed to manipulate the surroundings to immobilize the target, when the energy that It's manipulating doesn't respond because it wasn't drawn correctly, it could make parts of the trap vigorous while some parts of the trap fragile, it could strengthen some pieces of grass holding onto the target to an incomprehensible degree or it could turn it to ashes.
Though optimistically, the animal species who've been caught the most are my favorite, the Wood Rabbits.
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[System Observation]
[System Status
Name: Unnamed
Species: Wood Rabbit
Tier: 0.2
Affinity: Fire
Eval: Bloated]
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That's right. Bloated. These little animals are Omnivores, but they tend to sap the surrounding environment. They eat all of the plants in the surroundings without discrimination, hell, even the small trees don't make it out alive. Slightly disturbing, but their meat is... scrumptious. As they tend to move around agilely, especially under and over small obstacles with a very agile speed, the unexpected pressure around them tends to make them trip and fall. Not to mention most of them are BLOATED. Full, fat, juicy rabbits jumping and running around, yet they can barely support their body-weight.
Over the past 30 days, I've hunted every other day and have finally completed my System Objective how I wanted to. I've only eaten 3 Wild Boars, all of which were 0.2 in Strength, the weakest they go. Yet, the Rabbits are unique. They very wiley creatures and without my little traps there's no way in hell I'd be getting a full meal every evening. Unlike the Deer, these animals are very easy to take back to base yet with no way to hold them, I can only do 1 at a time.
As the System Objective stands, I'm pretty satisfied with what I've got, yet I have no resources to help sustain it.
[System Objective]
[Kill and Absorb the bloodline of One or Many species of the same Affinity: Complete]
[System Generated Reward: Wood Element Body Tempering]
[Host has obtained Bloodline Ability called Vitality Compression. Using the Vitality in your body, this skill guides you through compressing your current muscle and vitality, and if desired, bones.]
'System, pull up my Full Status'
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[System Status
Name: Hollow
Species: Grey Wolf
Tier: 0.2
Affinity: Neutral -??-
Points: 58
Psychical Proficiencies:
◊Claw Proficiency 2◊ -0.6%-
◊Fang Proficiency 1◊ -56%-
Elemental Proficiencies:
>Host is lacking in Elemental Proficiencies<
Aux Skill: Runic Trapping
Bloodline Ability: Vitality Compression
System Evaluation: A (subpar) Rabbit's worst nightmare.]
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As he has hunted this past Month, 12 0.2 Wood Rabbits and 8 0.3 Wood Rabbits, the 4 Prided Deer, and the 3 Wild Boars. We're making progress. Only a little more until the Den can be purchased from the System. Something unnatural has been happening during my time Hunting. Whenever I eat an animal, I feel as if I'm revitalized, and there's no need to eat, and this can last from 3 - 4 days, but if I'm in front of a good meal my Stomach will rumble, my head will ache, and my body will tremble with anticipation, as if I'm on some sort of Drug. When I digest a recently eaten meal I feel my body grow stronger, more resilient, more predatory.
Over the past month, I've grown noticeably, from a length of 1.7 meters to 2.1 meters, there's no fat on my figure, but I feel as if I've got infinite potential for growth. Looking into the water that reflects my image after this brief time's vicissitudes, I also see a change in the marking on my face. The white scar shaped pattern on both of my cheeks has grown more symmetrical, and the change between Grey and White is no longer a gradual change, but a noticeable shift in colors. My eyes, betraying the previous Hazel - Green combination, have become a clear Emerald color, that reflected the growing calmness I've obtained from my gradual hunting.
During this time, I've been asking myself what I wanted. I couldn't come up with an answer, so I started blindly fantasizing and seeing what I'd think I'd enjoy. I'd enjoy becoming a God, yes, but only if I was the God of Leisure. I've found myself in a fantasy lying on the side of a lake, having many beautiful women massage me, as a human, and... enjoying myself. Or lying down as a Wolf near a Lake or Beach and looking at the sunrise and sunset, just letting the imagination roam.
I've found out that I enjoy Art, like Carving and Architecture. It's lead me to the thought that the previous me had hobbies in that area, except I've got no hope in that end seeing how I lack any hands whatsoever.
Yet, that wasn't it at all. I found out that there's a very direct answer to my question. I wish to live without concern, concern for the past or future. I just wish to live in relaxation, lording over everything with such power that I don't HAVE to care. I can just do it. And I've realized that's REALLY FUCKING HARD. Looking away from my reflection with droopy eyes, I move out and head back to the Den to try this new ability, Vitality Compression.
One of the things that made me happy about obtaining this skill is the fact that in the process of obtaining it, it only occupied 'Bloodline Ability', not Affinity. Although I wouldn't have minded, this really opens up a lot of avenues having this ability. Well, if I did obtain the wood affinity I wouldn't have been able to use it seeing how I don't have mana.
But Vitality, apparently, that's a whole new ball park. Vitality, Life Force, Physical Strength, whatever you want to call it... It's the opposite of Mana. Abilities that use Vitality are Body Tempering abilities, that promote physical growth instead of Mana Manipulation. These abilities normally come as Innate Abilities, but if a Beast, Animal, Creature, whatever you'd prefer, reaches a high enough level, they can sense Vitality naturally and temper their body.
'System, where does the excess mass go from Vitality Compression?'
[As the Host uses this ability, while you are still weak your body will go into a small Hibernation like most Body Tempering abilities, to ease the mind. During that time, the compressed muscle will excrete any impurities and the body will redirect those impurities through forcibly widened Skin Pores. Upon waking up, the Host will have to eat to make up for the energy used during the process. Hydration is also necessary.]
Okay.. that was a bit extra. I suppose the System means something that I didn't pick up.
'System, what will happen if I don't eat and Drink afterwards?'
[Host's body will not wake up, and likely starve or die of Dehydration.]
Alright.. a bit severe. But it makes sense. Compressing muscle density, or bone density, can be fatal to a body. Although I lack general knowledge of my body and the bodies of other animals, this could be great and this could be horrible. In stories, I've always imagined things that have made your body bigger or inflate your muscles CAN make you stronger, but you're at a severe risk of the lack of Agility, no matter what you say or do it's nowhere near as efficient as not carrying that weight and having the capability to do more damage.
In the Den, nothing's changed except there is a Pressure Rune sitting every step you take, as I figure if someone comes wandering in or forces themselves in, being used to being under the pressure could be good for me, make myself a little bit stronger, and have the enemy in an unfamiliar environment. To help with that, I replace them as practice one by one, on my days off of hunting. Though, as I get stronger with it it gets slower and slower.
Being 2.1 meters long and 82 cm tall on all fours, looking at Vitality Compression and my body size, I don't want to get too small but I wouldn't mind a reduction back to 1.7 meters or so. Although my size change is different, I'd like to set a standard to myself.
'System, how do I control how much I compress?'
[Host's body will constrict and compress depending on how much Vitality is consumed to compress your Muscles/Bones. (Vitality that isn't consumed will be compressed into purer energy to fit Host's body.)]
Alright, as much as that makes sense, this isn't something I want to experiment with. A single mistake and I'll look like a fool walking around as a midget wolf or a really short, long wolf.
'System, how do I know how much Vitality to use for my changes?'
[System will adjust according you user's input preference if Host would allow.]
Lying down, I contemplate looking at the food I have around me and the fact that the River isn't right next to me, I decide to ask the System what a safe parameter would be.
'System, if I resize down to 2 meters, how long would my mind go into hibernation?'
[Host would be unconscious for 1 Day, give or take a few hours.]
'Would I be in immediate need of water upon completion of this change, or would I be fine?'
[Host would be in a severe state of Thirst, but your body would be able to go on for a full 24 hours without water afterwards. System does not recommend Host does so.]
Getting ready, I move beside the entrance of my Den as it curves in, so I'm out of sight to any roaming curious animal, although most couldn't care I'm scared of that happening one of these days.
In front of that position, I set up an Ensnare Rune, Pressure Rune, and the one and only, Paralysis Rune! While setting it up, my other Left Paw got stuck inside of the area of effect, proving my inefficiency at using it.
Lying down next to the precious food, I tell the System to enable Vitality Compression to 2 meters, just to be safe. Feeling a striking pain as my skin constricts, a shocking System Notification presents itself before me.
[System Objective]
[Use any form of Body Tempering before having access to Mana or Vitality Naturally]
[Objective Specifics: Using Vitality Compression, compress your bone and muscle size from 2.5 Meters to 2 Meters, increasing your physical power while keeping your original agility.]
[Reward: Triggered Evolution to a form of Astral Wolf - Doing so will cut off your access to Mana in the future]
Excitement flashing through my eyes, I feel an anticipation I've never had before.. I can evolve.
Who needs Mana anyways?