Soul Ranks

I dove into the water and cleared the surrounding air, making an air bubble.

Alright, it looks like I've gotten it.

I looked around and searched for the snake. There was absolutely nothing in sight.

"Hmm, I swore I saw it."

I looked around again and my instincts told me something was approaching at high speed from my rear. I immediately turned and their was a serpent with its mouth wide open. I would've gotten swallowed if I didn't dodge.

It passed me and I didn't have the time to strike it. Damn, I'll get it next time.

It's a good thing it didn't get my tail. I almost forgot I even had one. Wait a minute, if I can master the use of my tail then…

I can have a third hand!

I'd concentrate and make two more water swords. Now I can do triple wielding!

I looked around and waited for the water snake to make its move.

Tingle~

From the rear again!

I spun around and the snake was coming for me. I waited until it came to me.

Almost… almost…

NOW!

I stepped to the side and the serpent entered, then I hopped a little and did a vertical spinning attack, rapidly slashing it with my Katanas.

Slash-slash-slash~!

Blood spewed everywhere and when the snake exited the air bubble, its blood clouded the water. I'd jump out of the air bubble and swim for the surface.

Once I reached the surface, I took a deep breath and exhaled.

Did it work? I hoped it worked.

[Level up!]

[Task Completed!]

Whew, a sigh of relief. You know, that was easier than I thought. Guess a water snake can't even beat a monkey. What a loser. Didn't even take a bit of health off me.

[Rewards: Stat Points +10…]

[New Skill(s): Water Summoning]

Ring!

[You have acquired Water Manipulation, Water Resistance, and Water Summoning. Absolute Water Manipulation is unlockable.]

Well then, what are we waiting for?

[Invalid Level: 11/15]

What?! I'm not at the required level yet? God damn it… that's just dumb as hell.

[… you can kill monsters to level up.]

Yeah but where?

[In the forest.]

I looked at the forest but just looking at it gave me chills. In the forest… alone? Hell nah, I'd rather farm off slimes then enter the forest.

[Sadly, it would take approximately a month for you to reach level 15 by just killing slimes. The forest may have stronger creatures, but with your water manipulation, they should be easy for you to take out.]

Damn, so I have no choice but to go into the forest?

[Yes, if you want to keep leveling up.]

Well then, I guess I have no choice.

[And along the way, I can explain to you soul ranks now.]

Oh yeah, I almost forgot about that.

As I entered the forest, the system spoke.

[Soul ranks are the type of auras that one has. There are 5 sections with different levels. The order from weakest to strongest is: Vintage, Spiritual, Kaiser, Immortals, and lastly, Omnipotent. You are currently at the weakest rank there is, Dismal, Vintage. In order for you to rank up, you need to reach a specific level and have specific items. After Dismal, you will reach Cruel, Vintage. After that is Brutal, then Anarchic, and lastly, Savage.]

"So basically every rank's name in Vintage is chaos?"

[Technically, yes.]

"Well I don't know why it's called Vintage when it should be chaotic but alright."

[I didn't make the name. Anyway, to get to the next level, you need to become level 15.]

"Ahh, basically when I can get Absolute Water Manipulation."

[Mhm. And also, when you ascend to the next level, you are able to absorb another core. So once you reach Cruel, you can absorb two cores.]

"Alright, thanks for the info… so that's it?"

[Yes.]

"Well, it was fun having someone to talk to."

[Out of all those I have helped, you are the most interesting one.]

"Huh? Helped? There are others like me?"

[Yes, all of them were completely different from you.]

"What do you mean by different?"

[They don't talk as much as you do.]

"Haha, you're a comedian."

[This is farewell. From now on, a systematic voice will take over.]

"Alright, adios."

[So long, and good luck.]

And then, there was silence.

I'm alone again…

"Well then, I guess it's time I get to grinding!"

I'd run into the forest and awaiting whatever was coming at me.

***

About two days passed.

I found no creatures at all.

I've been sleeping up in the trees these pass two days and let me just say, it is uncomfortable.

"Tch, where are the god damn creatures in this place?"

Right when I said that, I heard a growl coming from beneath.

Growl~!

I looked down and there was a wolf with red glowing manes. I think I sensed a bit of heat coming from it.

What is it?

[Task: Defeat the Pack of Blazing Mane Wolves]

Well I just encountered a Pack of Blazing Mane Wolves, and they look angry, and hungry, hangry. I don't know but they were acting aggressive.

I'd form a water Katana. I counted 10 wolves. I hope after I slay these things, I can get up to level 15.

I'd drop onto the ground and smirked. I can already tell what their weakness is.

The wolves growled at me and one of them lit their manes, fire engulfing them. Its growl became more ferocious and I can just feel the heat even from here.

"Well, what these things don't know-"

I'd launched a water blade at that wolf, its head falling to the ground and the fire extinguishing.

"Is that water beats fire."

The wolves barked at me and lit their manes on fire.

"Oh? You think you can beat me? Let's see who would win. A water manipulating monkey or a pack of burning wolves."

The wolves launched towards me and I dashed forward. With my agility, I was able to run almost twice as half as a human being could.

Slash!

Krrsh!

Slice!

Heads fell onto the ground and fires extinguished. I turned around and there were only two wolves remaining.

One of them was whimpering, but the other was growling. Well, at least one knows when to give up.

But sadly, even if it begs for mercy, I have no choice but to kill it. It's for the sake of my own survival.

I'd send a wave of water blades and the growling wolf ran forward without hesitation. Of course that got it killed. The last one whimpered and attempted to flee but I was one step ahead of it. I made a water spear and threw it towards the wolf, nailing it in the head.

I have to admit, that may have been a bit too harsh. But I've finally done it!

[Level up!]

[Task Complete!]

[Rewards: Fire Resistance…]

Ding!

[Absolute Water Manipulation is Available.]

"Alright. Let's get it then."

[New Skill(s): Absolute Water Manipulation]

[Notice: After fusing skills, you are unable to obtain them again.]

"Well that's nice to know."

Tti-ring!

[Soul Rank Ascension is available.]

[Task: Upgrade your Soul Rank]

"Alright, how do I do that?"

[Requirements: One core, Int >30]

"So I need to absorb a core and my intelligence stat needs to be greater than 30. Alright, that's easy enough. Status please."

———————

[Info]

[Moniker: Yamato]

[Race: Monkey]

[Class: Vacant]

Soul Rank: Dismal

Core(s): Vacant

Title(s): Vacant

[Stats]

Level: 17

Hp: 1,849/1,849

Mp: 2,178/2,178

Strength: 31

Agility: 30

Defense: 29

Perception: 29

Intelligence: 29

Stat Points: 37

[Skills: Absolute Water Manipulation, Fire Resistance]

[Passive skill(s): Vacant]

[Active skill(s): Vacant]

———————

So I have 37 stat points. Let's see, I should put them evenly and then the remaining ones in defense. That should do.

Now all I need left is a core.

But recalling the warning that the system gave me, I can only absorb one core right now so it needs to be worth.

I looked over at the dead bodies. Maybe I should absorb one of their cores. No no no, they weren't even a challenge. I should absorb the core of something that is stronger than me.

But what is stronger than me? Technically, with the ability to manipulate water absolutely, I'm technically invincible whenever I'm around water.

Hmm, maybe if I go deeper into the forest, I can encounter stronger monsters and then maybe I can absorb one of their cores!

But then again, they might not even be challenging. Like these wolves, they couldn't even defeat a monkey. But, I think I should just absorb one of their cores. I wonder what happens once I absorb a core?

[Notice: Once you've absorbed a core, you are able to possess the abilities that the core's original host wields.]

Oh, so if I absorb the core of one of these wolves, then I could also get a fire mane as well? Actually, I don't really like the sound of that. Having burning hair would make me look funny, not like I already look funny.

"Uwaaaaaaah! This is too difficult! I can't choose!"

I just need one core to ascend, so absorbing one from these wolves would be fine. But a feeling inside me told me not to.

Crack!

"Huh? What the hell was that?"

There was a loud noise in the distance and then a loud crash. I think that noise just came from the fields.

I ran towards the direction of the field and upon arriving, I couldn't believe what I saw.

"I-Is that…"

No doubt about it… it is definitely-

"A dragon."

Next chapter