( Haru Pov )
" unngh..." I opened my eyes and looked around to see myself in the store again.
' It wasn't a dream...' I thought sadly as I looked at my hands before looking at the dead body in front of me.
I sat in silence as I spotted the man's bag.
I grabbed it and saw a manual.
[ Ding! Do you wish to learn Eskrima? Y/N ]
' ...yes.' I replied as the basics of Eskrima flooded my brain.
[ Eskrima: Level 1 ]
There were many techniques like sticks, knifes, and blades.
I looked at my grip on the staff and shifted its positions as I felt a more comfortable position.
I sighed as I stood up and grabbed my backpack.
Bang! Thud!
I heard something falling as I quickly turned on my flashlight towards the direction of the sound.
Grrr!
I heard a growl as a zombie turned the corner.
A chill ran down my spine as I fought through the sense of fear and tightness my grip around the staff.
I slightly placed the flashlight to the ground to keep the aisle lit.
' I'm too small to fight a regular sized person...I should use the staff for reach.' I thought as quickly swung the staff at the left side of the Zlmbie's face.
Pok!
The zombie swung to the side as I hit the right side of his face before attacking the torso.
" Haaa haa." I felt my stamina depleting as I realized I should finish this fast.
I stabbed the zombies eye before attacking the stomach, causing it to hunch over before hitting the knee.
Thud!
The zombie fell to the ground as I striked the head.
[ Critical Damage! ]
[ -64 ]
The laid motionless on the ground as I received exp.
[ + 15 exp ]
I relaxed as a sense of relief overcame me as I didn't use magic this time.
' Maybe I should've chosen the Fighter class. But I can't complain. I'll have to return later, and I can't explain my fighting abilities.'
" I might asleep well practice Eskrima while I'm in this... dungeon. And practice magic back in my home world."
I git ready to move from this place and just as I got to the back of the store I froze in place as I saw the sight in front of me.
The back of the store was missing as a green ooze dripped from the ceiling.
" Acid?" I muttered as I realized I couldn't use this exit.
I turned around and walked to the front of the store to use the other door.
I also realized that the door was barricaded.
Before doing anything, I looked at my status.
[ Haru Yagi/Sorahiko ] [ Age: 4 ]
[ 4 Stat Points; 8 Skill Points ]
[ Class: Mage - Level 1 ]
[ Sp: 179 ]
[ Level 8 ]
[ 15/800exp ]
[ Health: 120/120 ]
[ Stamina: 100/100 ]
[ Mana: 400/400 ]
[ Strength: 2 ]
[ Dexterity: 2 ]
[ Vitality: 4 ]
[ Intelligence: 10 ]
[ Charm: 8 ]
[ Spirit: 9 ]
I had unused stat and skill points.
[ Haru Yagi/Sorahiko ] [ Age: 4 ]
[ 4 Stat Points; 8 Skill Points ]
[ Class: Mage - Level 1 ]
[ Sp: 179 ]
[ Level 8 ]
[ 15/800 ]
[ Health: 150/150 ]
[ Stamina: 100/100 ]
[ Mana: 400/400 ]
[ Strength: 2 ]
[ Dexterity: 2 ]
[ Vitality: 4 -> 7 ]
[ Intelligence: 10 ]
[ Charm: 8 ]
[ Spirit: 9 -> 10 ]
I was a little sad that I couldn't put stat points in strength or dexterity.
I relaxed and let out a sigh of frustration before trying to put the door open with the staff.
Before I could use the staff, a system panel popped up.
[ Ding! SPIRIT has reached Level 10! ]
[ You have been awarded Mana Manipulation! ]
I wanted to save my skill points after training my magic and skill until it became harder to do so.
' Finally.' I thought as I closed the system panel.
A sense of warmth overcame my body and mind as I felt a small connection to a foreign energy in my stomach.
As much as I wanted to stay and keep practicing, I knew I could stay here any longer because of that acid ooze behind the store.
" Hup!"
Creeaakk! Thud!
I managed to pull the wooden plank a bit as I reached through and unlocked the door.
Click
I pushed the door open before ramming my shoulder into the plank.
Bang!
I fell through the wood and landed on the ground.
Graaaa!!
I heard a scream ahead of me as I jumped to my feet with my staff in hand.
A runner was rushing towards me at high speeds.
Calming myself down, I looked into the runners eyes and used my new magic eye.
The Eye of Confusion.
The zombie wobbled before stumbling over to the ground as I used this chance to smash the staff over its head.
Pokk! Pok!
[ Critical Damage]
[ -65 ] [ -67 ]
Grraaa!!!
The zombie screamed, causing me to wince as I felt my ears ring.
But I fought through the pain in my head as I forced myself to continue my attacks.
I jabbed the staff into the zombies eye before stabbing it into its neck.
" Ahh!!" I shouted as I pushed the staff through the zombie neck.
[ Ding! Runner killed! ]
[ 29exp ]
I caught my breath as I observed the surrounding area.
There were a few slow walkers making their way toward me.
They were slow to the point that I could easily dodge them.
But I need this to fight and to learn.
I knew my path won't be an easy one, especially when I wanted to save everyone in the world.
To help, yet today I learned that I won't be able to save everyone.
' But at least... I could save the ones i could,' I thought to myself as I swung the staff at another zombies head and stabbed its stomach.
I pushed the zombie back, causing it to fall on its back.
I looked at the other zombie and used the gaze of confusion, causing it to lose its balance.
I brought my attention to the zombie on the ground as I stabbed the staff through the zombies eye into its brain.
I gritted my teeth as I pulled the staff from its brain before slamming it onto the other zombie.
" Haa! Haa!" I huffed as I ignored the system notifications.
I stood over two zombie corpses as the realization of my action hit me.
There was guilt, anger, and fear.
I felt guilty killing these people who were once people with their own lives and feelings.
Angry at myself for reason, I don't understand.
And fear at this new eye-opening experience that will forever change my life from this point on.
I felt my mouth dry.
" Haa... I need some water." I muttered as I felt how tired my body felt.
" Maybe some food as well."
I walked away from the scene and down the empty road to find more zombies to kill.
If my theory was correct, then I'll be able to escape this dungeon.
' If this dungeon has its monsters, then it shall have a boss monster as well. I'll need to kill it.' I resolved myself as I tightened my grip on the staff.