CHAPTER 4

Gideon walked for around an hour before he reached the forest. The trees were huge and would take at least 5 grown men to hug around it.

After admiring the sight in front of him, Gideon stepped into the forest.

'For now, all I need to focus on is finding a place to settle down, maybe kill a few astral beasts on the way.' He thought as he walked.

After some time of walking, Gideon saw a large lake surrounded by trees, the sun's rays hitting it making it look quite beautiful.

'There's no way such a lake could be here and a single beast would come to at least take a drink.' Gideon thought.

He then looked for good spot to hide and concealed his aura, held his dagger and waited.

[Ding, Host has learnt the skill "Stealth" lvl1: Allows user to conceal his presence and will not be found unless a stronger for appears.] The system alerted causing Gideon to smile but he focused.

Ten minutes later, a target soon entered Gideon's view. An astral beast that resembled a lizard, but was 2 meters long and had horns protruding from it's head.

'Now's my chance.' Gideon thought before the muscles in his legs tensed before he sprung from where he was and reached the lizard very quickly.

The lizard sensed the danger behind it and tried to avoid the attack. But wasn't fast enough and Gideon reached it's head and swung his dagger down at it's neck, beheading it instantly.

[+30]

[Ding, Host has learnt new skill "Critical Strike": User is able to deal 50% more damage if the enemy isn't aware.] The system alerted.

'Two skills already, this is awesome.' Gideon thought feeling over the moon at that moment.

'Speaking of skills, my magic skills are a bit lacking.' As that thought entered Gideon's mind, he suddenly had an epiphany.

'Since I mostly studied biology, I know how the bodies of most beasts and people are. And since my affinity is poison, I can develop neurotoxins and corrosive poison and other things.' Gideon thought and immediately put his plan into use, on the dead lizard next to him.

'Poison manipulation.' He thought, and then a green liquid formed up in his hand.

'I will try corrosive poison since neurotoxins won't work as this thing is already dead. Let's see, corrosive poison directly destroys anything it comes in contact with, so in that case.' Suddenly, the green liquid inside Gideon's palm suddenly gave off an acidic smell.

Gideon then let the liquid pour on the dead lizard, and the results were way better than he expected. Immediately the poison came in contact with the lizard, it's scales and skin began to melt leaving a foul odor in the air.

'It's not very fast, but it's effective. If I do poison enhancement on my stuff, they should give off corrosive properties as well.' Gideon theorized.

[Ding, Host has created a new skill "Corrosive Poison" lvl1: Unless target is stronger than the user or has a strong poison resistance, target will begin to corrode until it is dead or poison is cancelled. Cost 5 AP] The system alerted.

'Now to the next thing.' Gideon thought.

'If I'm able to use poison enhancement on my stuff, why not use it directly on my body.' He thought and then closed his eyes.

He then casted poison enhancement, but instead of it going to his gear, he kept the green energy in his body, making it enter his muscles and veins, eyes ears and the rest of his body.

He kept this up for sometime before he received the notification.

[Ding, Host has created a new skill "Poison Augmentation": This skill boosts users physical abilities by 20% (Cost 20 AP)] The notification appeared and Gideon opened his eyes and immediately noticed that all his senses had improved, same with his physical capabilities, his body was also covered in a faint green coloured hue.

'I should have enough skills to protect me for now.' Gideon thought before he walked around the lake in the forest.

After another hour of walking, Gideon saw a cave, in fact he didn't actually see it, it was the system that alerted him that there was a cave nearby.

The cave was very well hidden by bushes and was behind a large tree and the space between the tree and Gideon was barely large enough for him to enter. The cave wasn't too large, about ten meters in diameter, but it was also untouched.

"It's a bit dark, but it will do the job." Gideon said as he sat down and used his hands as a pillow while staring at the cave ceiling. It was about then that the whole situation began to sink in.

"Victoria." Gideon said sadly as images of his sister flashed through his mind before his face was filled with determination.

"System show my my stats." He ordered.

[Name: Gideon Kingston]

[lvl: 2 30/200]

[Age: 16]

[Hp: 350/350]

[Magical Affinity: Poison]

[Stats]

[Str: 8]

[Agi: 7]

[Dex: 8]

[End: 6]

[AP: 100]

[Attribute points: 0]

[Skills]

[Poison Manipulation lvl1, (cost 5 Ap)]

[Poison Immunity (passive)]

[Poison enhancement lvl2 (cost 10 Ap)]

[Poison slash lvl1 (cost 20 AP)]

[Stealth lvl1]

[Critical Strike lvl1]

[Corrosive Poison lvl1 (cost 5 AP)]

[[Poison Augmentation lvl1 (cost 20 AP)]

Gideon saw this and formed his resolve.

"I'm going to become so powerful that nothing will dictate my life, I won't be controlled by anyone." Gideon vowed before using his vest as a pillow and falling asleep. He dreamt that he was a powerful being controlling poisonous clouds and destroying beast tides by himself.