After the hunt of Demonic Gray Wolves ended, we decided to quickly take a small break before continuing our investigation. I had taken a good look at everybody's progress over the battles, and although some of them struggled and even ended wounded, they all pulled through until the end.
As they are not Cursed like I am, everyone ended leveling up way more than I did. While I gained 2 levels, everyone else probably gained six or eight levels, depending how low level they were. I don't know what level caps they have, but I'm fairly sure they had surpassed Level 10 some time ago now.
And talking about stats…
Name: Blake Hunter Goathorn.
Spirit Orb Realm: Rank 1 (Peak Stage)
Physique: Vampiric Blood Emperor Physique (Tier 2: Rank 5)
Job Class: [Invoker: ★]
Subclass: [Alchemist: ★]
< Health Points: 546/546 -> 586/586 >
< Mana Points: 1012/1012 -> 1072/1072 >
< Strength: 563 -> 603 >
< Agility: 418 -> 458 >
< Vitality: 431 -> 471 >
< Intelligence: 688 -> 748 >
< Dexterity: 461 -> 501 >
Spirits (1/1): [Half-Vampire: Eleanora (Rank 1 Peak Stage)]
Physique Abilities: [Tier 1: Body Strengthening (+Demonic Arm)] [Tier 1: Enhanced Senses] [Tier 2: Vampiric Eyes (+Demon Eyes of Paralysis)]
[Link (Eleanora): [Shadow Sneak: 3]
Passive Skills: [Acrobatics: Lv4] [Robust Body: Lv4] [Hard Worker: Lv2] [Hawk Eye: 4] [Gifted Magic Apprentice: Lv4] [Heavy Drinker: Lv2], [Intimidation: Lv2]
Active Skills: [Throwing Technique: Lv4] [Spearmanship: Lv3] [Butcher: Lv3] [Alchemy: Lv2] [Brewing: Lv1] [Synthetize: Lv1] [First Aid: Lv4], [Command: Lv2], [Cooking: Lv2] [Agriculture: Lv1]
Magic Skills: [Blood Edge: Lv2] [Shadow Manipulation: Lv1] [Create/Delete Familiar: Lv2] [Summon/Unsummon Familiar: Lv2] [Familiar Storage Expansion: Lv2] [Familiar Synthesis: Lv2] [Apprentice Alchemist Recipe Book: Lv1] [Spirit And Master Connection: Lv1]
Title Skills: [Beast Slayer: Lv2] [Demon Slayer: Lv2] [Savior: Lv2] [Slaughter King: Lv1] [Dragon Slayer: Lv1] [Kin Slayer: Lv1]
Available Stat Points: 40
Available Skill Points: 0
Can gain 10 Stat Points and Skill Points with each Level.
EXP required to level up x100
Proficiency required to learn techniques and skills x100
Mana/Qi/Aether Recovery speed decreased by -50%
I have accumulated 40 Stat Points which I've had yet to distribute, as I've been thinking about my Stats for some time. The necessities of what I want to prioritize the most are always changing as I develop, but I've noticed that the stats that grow the slowest are Agility, Vitality, and Dexterity.
However, thanks to enhancement magic and the assistance of Eleanora and my Familiars, alongside my friends in here, those stats are usually not as important as dealing as much damage as I can.
All my past Stat Points had been distributed to either MP or Strength for obvious reasons, dealing more damage means I can kill my opponents faster… And that three-headed wolf didn't go down as easily, perhaps due to my lack of physical damage.
Hm, it is not good to be impulsive about these things, but I suppose I'll go for the safest option.
[You have exchanged 40 Stat Points, you gained +40 Strength]
Much like always, the moment I applied those Stat Points into my Strength, I felt my body and muscles develop rapidly, which usually hurt quite a lot. However, this time it didn't hurt at all.
"Huh, it didn't even hurt this time…" I said, looking at my body.
"Perhaps it is due to your developed physique?" Wondered Eleanora.
"Hm, you might be right."
"Hahh… I'm tired…" Erika sighed, looking like she was exhausted out of her life.
"Ugh, that was so intense…" Eric sighed. "Should we go back home now? We have hunted more than enough, right?"
"Y-Yeah, I think even Blake would agree." Said Chris. "Right?"
"Haha, of course this was merely a warmup." I said. "I already told you we were going to the swamps and quite possibly defeat anything that was controlling these monsters in the process. And we'll do so. This will make you all stronger, and also forge our bonds as companions.
If we can learn from one another's techniques and magic while learning battle experience, when we go to the dungeons in the capital, we'll be able to coordinate even better."
"Y-You're insane…" Eric said.
"Well, that's that! Not like we can really change his mind." Chris added.
"Can we eat something before at least?" Erika asked with puppy eyes.
"Food… I'm hungry…" Elizabeth groaned, looking like a noodle over the floor by how weak she felt.
"A good meal might raise everyone's spirits." Said Erdrich.
"SIGH… I know you're all asking me to make food, I've brought everything necessary." I sighed.
I quickly took out a large pot, made a bonfire, and cut down vegetables and meat I brought with myself, added water using magic, and some salt and spices, and began boiling everything. This was a quick stew made out of wild boar meat, potatoes, carrots, onions, and other things we harvest in my house.
Usually when people exhausts their MP and Ki, they feel incredibly hungry, so this is essentially for them, a super fortifying stew.
As the stew was being prepared, I began feeding my Necklace and Gluttony some of the blood from the carcasses lying around, while Eleanora stored them afterwards. I had Huginn and Falcos surrounding our perimeter so they could alert me of any monster that might appear as well.
"Blake, what are you doing?" Wondered Erika, getting closer to me.
"Oh? I am absorbing the blood of these monsters, Cursed Weapons and Accessories grow stronger by absorbing blood. Want to give it a try?" I wondered.
"Eh? So that's how they do it!" Erika said in surprise, quickly taking out her blade. "T-Then…!"
She quickly pierced the body of one of the carcasses lying around, as blood began to be absorbed, making her sword shine bright red.
Erika was suddenly startled by the bright light, as I managed to catch her with my arms.
Erika was blushing a bit, as I quickly noticed something.
Her sword had changed shape.