Grinding Levels, Part 2

As it died, White Death's timer also ended, and he evaporated, going back to being just a flame attached to Astaroth's soul.

Astaroth could finally look at his notifications.

*You have helped in killing a Dire Wolf (Lvl 35). 149 Exp awarded for contribution (Bonus 300% for kill three tiers higher) (2.31% damage done)*

*Level up! You are now level 8. From leveling; you gained 1 skill point, 1 free Attribute point, and all Attributes increased by 1.*

*You have helped in killing a Dire Wolf (Lvl 34). 165 Exp awarded for contribution (Bonus 300% for kill three tiers higher) (2.43% damage done)*

*You have helped in killing a Dire Wolf (Lvl 32). 147 Exp awarded for contribution (Bonus 200% for kill two tiers higher) (3.08% damage done)*

*You have killed a Dire Wolf (Lvl 30). 4500 Exp awarded for contribution (Bonus 200% for kill two tiers higher)*

*Level up! Level up! Level up! Level up! From leveling; you gained 4 skill points and 6 free Attribute points, and all Attributes increased by 4.*

"Wooooh!" Astaroth sighed loudly, laying on his back.

He felt exhausted from the fight. He had to constantly refresh 'Mana Skin' and 'Enhance Weapon' on the shield, just to mitigate as much damage as he could.

That plus counter-striking on every chance he got, just as to not lose aggro. Next fight he wouldn't try to keep it.

It was too much trouble for him, for now. He would let White Death tank it, as he had planned originally.

This fight was just a test of his capabilities. From this combat, he also gleaned another detail.

Most attacks were best avoided altogether. He couldn't dodge the wolf's attacks this time, because its agility stat was probably much higher than his, but he knew that when he got to the same level, that would no longer be a problem.

He had also withheld the active skill gained from his armor set in that engagement. He wanted to find out his capabilities before using all his tricks.

"Nice moves, for a rookie." Astaroth heard from his side.

He turned his head and received a flick on his forehead. The voice had come from Korin, the rogue.

"Next time, if you want to fight a creature on your own, just say so, instead of acting so carelessly." Korin added, a disapproving look on his face.

"Ahh, yes. I'm sorry, I only wanted to know my strength." Astaroth responded, rubbing his forehead.

"All right, lads. I think we have rested enough. We should get a move on." The Colonel said, grabbing his broadaxe from the tree he had rested it on.

"Aye, sir!" Everyone replied, getting ready to move.

Astaroth got up from the ground and they all got back into formation, with Korin scouting up ahead like earlier. Astaroth walked towards the back of the formation, where I'dril was.

"Thanks for the healing, by the way." Astaroth said to the reaver.

"Only doing my job." I'dril responded, nodding lightly.

'Not much of a talker, I see.' Astaroth thought.

"Err, I have a question for you." He said to I'dril, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.

"Hmm?" I'dril said, turning his head to Astaroth.

"Where would one go, to learn your magic?" Astaroth asked.

"To a city." I'dril answered, not offering more words or conversation.

...

"Thank you." Astaroth replied, walking back forward.

I'dril was the silent type, and he didn't know how to deal well with those. So he walked back to his spot in the formation and peeled his eyes to his surroundings.

His silence didn't last very long, as their tank, Aj'axx, walked back to him, leaving Chris in the lead.

"Say, rookie. That wolf of yours, can you use it as many times as you want?" Aj'axx questioned.

"Ahh, you mean White Death? Yes. I can summon him back right away when he disappears. There is no cooldown." Astaroth answered.

"And can it be used to take some weight off me?" Aj'axx followed up, with another question.

"I originally intended to, yes. Would you want me to do that?" Astaroth replied.

"That would be great!" Aj'axx exclaimed.

"If you can take even one enemy off of me every fight, this patrol will be much easier." He added.

"Then it's as good as done." Astaroth said, smiling and giving a thumbs up.

Aj'axx patted Astaroth's shoulder, smiling, before going back to the front. The next voice Astaroth heard came from within.

"Boy. I received no experience from that fight. Have you not activated the Exp share?" White Death spoke, in his head.

"Ahh, I might have forgotten." Astaroth replied with his mind.

He quickly opened his skill page and switched the Exp share from 0/100 to 25/75. While he did that, he heard a snicker of contempt in his head.

"How did I lose to an airhead like you?" White Death derisively said.

"You tell me." Astaroth replied with a smidge of mocking.

He then ignored the wolf's complaining.

They soon came across another group of wolves. They again arranged their formation before combat, this time letting Astaroth grab one monster on his own.

They supervised him from the corner of their eyes but never interfered. They knew this patrol was training him and strengthening him.

The most trouble they got into was when they stumbled upon a group of wolves with higher average levels. There were no weaker enemies for Astaroth to bait to the side, therefore, he had to fight with them, only doing hit-and-run tactics.

He still gained much from the entire ordeal and leveled up two times. He was happy with his progress.

Although he knew he was far behind the main level of players, he was closing the gap quickly. They had also got some good loot in the progress.

Astaroth noticed that monsters in this game did not drop coins. So he requested a part of the loot.

He could probably sell it for some coin later.

Thus they returned to the village and Astaroth went to rest and logged off.