NOVEL NEXT First Level up.
[Lesser Swamp Lizard. Pwr:4 Mag:4 Spd:10 Grc:8. Skills: Bite. Hide. Swim. Run(new)]
This info box haunted me. I had spent the last week running from everything. But you would too if confronted by these.
[Lesser flightless Owl. Str 14. Mag 0. Spd 8. Grc 2.]
[Dung Beetle. Str 20. Spd 2. Mag 2. Grc 10.]
And the worst one.
[Steelskin Tyrant Frog.]
Its Level and stats just appeared as a skull. I'm no stranger to gaming, I know what that means. It ate some of my new siblings. But was taken out by a huge creature.
[Swamp lizard.]
The adult form of what I now was. But not an ally, as it started eating the others as well. So I ran, and I hid. I lost my tail to an owl. Hopefully it would regrow. I ate grass and fallen fruits and nuts, but i was always hungry... and finally, finally, i found something weaker than i was.
[Swamp Mouse. All stats 2. The favorite food of Swamp lizards.]
The first time analysis had flavor text. I decided to kill it. After all, I was an animal now, and I was starving. It was kill or die. I slowly stalked through the mud, my skin turned the color of the Damp earth... I got within striking distance before it sensed me... but it was too late. I lunged, and felt my jaw snap closed over its neck. Blood filled my mouth, as it struggled... then fell limp. A chime resounded in my head, but I was too busy eating. It was delicious.
[Lesser Swamp lizard Lv0>LV1. Str: 8. Mag: 8. Spd: 20. Grc: 16. Bite>lv1. Hide>lv2. Swim>lv1. Run>lv5. Ambush(new)>lv1. Poison Fang(new)>lv1. HP:100. MP:100. Title: Ambush Predator, Grants Ambush Skill. Grants Poison Fang Skill.]
I was stronger now. This world seemed to work like a game. And I was going to survive.
[A holy realm]
Eina held the red soul... its light was flickering.
"It won't be long now. Your body is failing. I wonder, will you regret your choice?"
<no. I... I killed him. I was such a coward, afraid to admit my own feelings, so afraid of rejection... I kept playing the Macho Role... and in the end, that's what took him from me. Now, you offer me a second chance, a way to finally confess my feelings? Of course I Accept. Nobody will really miss me, I was just a waste of space.>
"I think you are wrong. Theres one person who already misses you... but He'll be okay. Your Sister will see to that."
<kev and Julie, eh? I hope they have a happy life.>
"They will. I have the assurance of the god over there."
<good. So... how much... long... er...>
The light faded from her hands.
"Right now, My child. Right now."
[A small Town.]
"Push! One more time, Lacey. Push!"
"Grrrr... GRRRAAAAH!"
"Waaaah! Waaaaaaah!"
A babies cry broke the night's silence. The midwife, an older woman, handed the newborn wrapped in a blanket to Its mother. The exhausted Beastkin Smiled, looking at her baby.
"Congratulations, Lacey. A strong, healthy boy."
"Thank you, Granny. For your help."
"Of course I'll help. My granddaughter giving birth? You couldn't pay me to stay away."
The door burst open, and a mountain of a man stormed in... he took one look at the woman, barely more than a child, really, and the baby in her arms... and his fierce expression melted. The Huge Bear-kin Smiled at his Exhausted Daughter.
"So this is my grandchild?"
"Yes, Papa. He's beautiful, isn't he? Did... did you find Georg?"
"Sigh. I'm sorry, Lacey. The Blackguard fled his hideout with magic. The cages were empty."
"It's fine. If Georg was alive, I'm certain he would be here, captured by a Necromancer or not."
"We don't know that he's dead, sweetheart. That Necromancer was also a slaver. Hopefully, Georg is still alive."
Lars smiled at his newborn grandson.
"Let's get our minds of sorrowful things. What will you name him?"
"I'm not sure. I don't know why, but I keep hearing a voice in my head. Its saying Rick."
"I see. Rick. A name from the goddess, perhaps?"
"Yes. I think. Rick it is, then."
The baby opened his eyes. [Analysis Granted. Self Analyse. Name: Rick. Race: Bearkin, all stats currently 0. Lv0. Age0. Hp50. Mp0. Skills: Cry.] Rick smiled. <I'm coming to find you, Jeff. Whatever you are now. And when I do... I'll tell you how i feel... and apologize. Someday. So wait for me, buddy.>
