First Battle

With the enemy in sight I started to think about my next move. I pulled the machete out of its sheath; the only item that I brought along. Though it looked useless because of its now grey color, it's sharpness still remain. It's much better than fighting without a weapon.

Calculating the creatures path of advancement, I hid behind a tree ahead. A few meters in front is a rice field. If I want an easy and successful ambush this is the only place left.

I patiently waited for the monster to arrive. As time ticked the sound of footsteps entered my ears. It's steps became louder the nearer it gets; thanks to the dried leaves. Then the moment I've been waiting for arrived.

The instant I saw the monsters figure I immediately assaulted it with my machete. Estimating the monsters height I aimed for it's neck.

*kachack*

I felt a solid impact and instantaneously knew that the ambush was a success. I saw that the monster sustained some damage but not as severe as I thought it would. I didn't hit it's neck but rather it's jaw. It's not a fatal injury but it's quite effective as the monster seems to be stunned.

Without any second thought I slashed my weapon again: properly aiming for it's neck this time. It couldn't dodge my attack but I saw it raise it's arms intending to block my attack.

*kachack*

The machete hit it's arms but a weird thing happened. Upon impact I saw an orange like aura just half an inch above the creatures arms blocking my attack. It shattered right away but it decreased the force of my slash. Maybe this is the reason why my first attack didn't cause as much damage.

Though my attack was impeded I inflicted a bone deep wound causing it's arms to bleed non-stop. It's right hand is pretty much useless but the left received less damage.

I followed up with another assault but the monster quickly took out a dagger and blocked my attack using it's left hand. Our weapons collided generating some spark.

*kaching*

When I looked at my weapon I could see a large chip on it. That weird thing happened again when I clashed with it. Though there is a surprising difference this time.

When our weapons met the both emitted an orange aura. Mine only persisted for a split second before eventually crumbling away.

However the monsters momentum has evidently been reduced.

With it's dagger out I didn't recklessly charge again. It's weapon obviously, have a higher quality than mine. It will only put me in a disadvantage if I keep clashing weapons with it.

Our eyes met. It was glaring at me viciously. Though it look weakened underestimating wi be disastrous. If possible I would like to wait until it bleed out but it's out of my options now. The monster keeps on opening it's mouth letting out muffled sound. I think it's trying to shout and call for help but thanks to it's damaged jaw it keeps on failing.

I can't let it succeed. If a reinforcement comes then I am done for. I lowered my body before charging towards the monster. Holding the machete tightly with my right hand I made a horizontal slash.

*kaching*

As expected the monster parried my attack. A large crack appeared on my weapon and small chips of it flew about.

Ignoring my weapons condition I followed up with an upper slash. The monster, affected by it's wound, was delayed in taking a defensive stance. When our weapons collided the force made it loosen it's grip on it's weapon. It flew quite a distance away but I wasn't lucky either. My weapon broke in half.

Now both of us is weaponless. It is still defenseless so I didn't waste the opportunity and executed my plan.

With a hand full of soil and dust which I grabbed earlier, I made a hasty action to throw them on it's face.

The monster couldn't avoid nor block my sneak attack. It took a direct hit on it's face. The large stones was blocked by the orange aura but the smaller pebbles and dust came through smoothly.

"Success." I rejoiced as I saw the enemy rub it's eyes. Hurriedly, I dashed towards my blinded opponent to tackle it then slammed it forcefully against the ground.

Without giving it a chance to get up, I rode on top of it and delivered a storm of punches. The orange barrier always hinder my attack but I still managed to inflict damage bit by bit.

Punch after punch, I hit pounded it with an unending barrage of punches. At first it resisted quite strongly with it's bloody arms. However a few of my punches would occasionally slip it's guards and directly hit it on it's face.

It took a while before I noticed that the monsters resistance is gone. Though I wanted to rest my throbbing arms I still continued my attack. I was worried that it is just feigning weakness. I will not stop until your dead.

It lasted until I heard a voice. I immediately stopped my onslaught and backed away from the monster.

[You killed a Level 1 Goblin Scout!]

[Bonus experience gained from solo kill!]

[+300 experience points!]

[You leveled up!]

A bunch of notifications popped out. I'm relieved and excited as I won my first fight but my ego will not inflate because of that. I hurriedly scanned the area for any potential enemy reinforcement. Finding nothing I quickly slipped myself in the bushes to hide. My recent fight exhausted me, physically and psychologically. I need a rest.

I wanted to rummage through the monsters remains for any useful material but it vanished soon after it was killed. I also searched for it's dagger but I also failed in finding it. Maybe it vanished along with the body.

With nothing else to do I checked the notifications again and looked at my status.

Name: Kendi Tomas M/20

Level: 1 (66.67/100%)

Race: Human-

Status: Normal

Health: 25/25

Stamina: 3/10

Mana: 10/10

Strength: 6

Sense: 6

Magic: 8

Defense(P): 11.4 {10+1.4}

Defense(M): 11.2 {10+1.2}

Skill Count: 5

Skill Point(s): 1

Stat Point(s): 5

I received 1 skill point and 5 stat points from the level up. It also said that I got 1 void point.

I instantly added the skill point to my Tough Meat skill. Though a 2% increase in defense is nothing it will eventually add up the more I increase my defense.

Speaking of skills, I forgot to use my only attack oriented skill which could have helped me a lot. Having skills is new to me so I couldn't really blame myself. Next time I will definitely not forget it.

Now, how should I distribute my stat points? I toggled the menu for a bit before I found the distribution rate options.

Putting 1 point in health will increase it by 5 and strength by 0.2. A point in Mana will increase it by 2 and magic by 0.2. While increasing stamina will raise it by 2 and sense by 0.2.

Adding a point in any of this will increase the resource stat by a lot but the increase in basic stat in very small.

Increasing strength will raise it by 1 and will also increase health by 0.5. One point in magic will increase it by 1 and Mana by 0.2. And 1 point in sense will increase it by 1 and raise stamina by 0.2.

For battle oriented Players (or those fighters) this will be their main upgrade focus. The only problem is that the increase in resource stat is almost negligible. This will be a problem for those Mana reliant Players.

Increasing any defense stat will raise it by 1 and health will also receive a 1 point increase. Perfect for being a front liner where taking damage is unavoidable. Also perfect for those who are afraid to die.

I dismissed the idea of increasing my strength and magic. First, I don't have a magic based attack so increasing my magic is pointless. Second, fight is not my strong point and I don't have a rich fighting experience prior to this

I wanted to increase my Health but I also dismissed the idea because it will not really help me defeat my enemies. I made up my mind and added 2 points in each defense stat and the remaining point to sense.

With my skill, Harden (which I forgot to use), any increase in defense is an increase in damage. Because of this heavenly skill I am able to increase defense, health, and damage all at the same time. Awesome.

I decided to add a point in sense stat mainly because it will also increase my stamina. Why not directly increase stamina then? Because I prefer sense stat more. I also hoped that it will increase my enemy detection and reaction speed.

Finished with my point allocations, I got up to meet my next opponent. Hmm, I'll replenish my stamina first. haha