บท 8: Tree Monsters Part 2

[Dying Divine Breath Activated]

[Climber gains a divine buff]

[Any active skills can be practiced five times faster]

The next thing you know, his eyes sparkle with a steely stare. As he discovered the number of tree monsters around him, his eyes rolled from left to right. He runs towards the one on the right side and strikes his sword in an instant.

Clack, clack, clack!

When the monster fires its wooden arrows, Peter's sword swings so fast that all three arrows fall the minute he lifts his blade. He only comes to a halt when his sword slices the tree monster in half.

Clack!

[Gained 5 EXP]

'Two at the back, two at the left, and one at the front. Let's slay them all!'

Whoosh! Clack!

A tree was hacked down in front of Peter by the gleaming metallic sword. His hands moved quickly, displaying the attitude of a genuine swordsman. He hurried back without even noticing as the blood flowed out of his body.

Whoosh! Clack, clack, clack!

He merely kept running at breakneck speed because he had already seen them. He ducked with his ear twitching. He swirls on the ground, his sword spinning along with him, twisting his toes. Those two tree monsters were slashed by the sword.

Whoosh! Clack, clack, clack!

The next thing he knows, he's rolling on the ground and sprinting towards his left side. When he comes to a standstill in front of those tree monsters, he stands up. His sword swings from top right to bottom left and vice versa.

Thud!

"Hu! Hu! Hu! Hu!"

He collapsed on the ground after slaying five tree creatures. But then his eyes twitched. He noticed a tree monster in front of him when he turned to the right. He couldn't move properly at the time, but then he spotted something.

Even though the tree monster was right in front of him, it didn't move.

'Is it because they aren't a part of the quest?' Few notifications rang in front of him just as he was questioning himself.

[Gained 2 EXP]

[Gained 5 EXP]* 5

[Greed stole the Shadow Wood Skill]

[Would you like to consume one of two active skill slots with Shadow Wood Skill?]

[Basic Sword Skill Level up!]

[Quest No.1- Completed]

[Rewards have been delivered to inventory!]

[EXP storage has reached its limit! Would you like to level up?]

[Yes] [No]

Peter clenched his teeth and pressed the yes button.

Suddenly, a breeze blew past him. The core inside his body suddenly released an insane suction and absorb the mana from the surroundings. The mana flow into his core and stayed inside it. Suddenly, the core released a burst of energy throughout his body and healed his injuries.

'So, mana can actually heal my injuries. Wait, was that really mana? I felt the same way but it could be different since I can't see it.' Peter muttered in his heart as he felt a burst of strength. That energy not only healed him but also strengthen his cells.

[Gained 1 EXP]*2

He felt a powerful strength bursting out of his cells. As well as the hunger bursting out of his stomach. He turned his head to the tree monster next to him and slashed his swords. But, the tree monsters shot the wooden arrows at the same time.

Clack! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Although those wooden arrows were fast, Peter easily dodged them with his fast reaction.

'Wow! My reaction speed really increased by a lot.' Peter looked at his arms and chest, seeing not a single damage, he couldn't help but feel amazed. But, he looked at the dead tree monster and thought 'So, I can't get EXP after killing the monster outside the quest.'

Nodding his head, Peter called out for the status.

[Climber- Peter Johnson

Age- 21

Level- 1 (EXP- 11/200)

Trait- Adaptability, Stone Heart, Mind of a Hero, Triple Personalities

HP- 15/15

MP- 5

Internal Energy- 5

Genetic Energy- Nil

STR- 2

AGI- 2

VIT- 2

STM- 2

Passive Skills- Greed (Lv.1- 0.05%), Dying Divine Breath (Lv.1- 0.02%)

Active Skills- Basic Sword Skill (Lv.2- 0.12%)

Stat Points- 10

Fame Points- 10

Items- Iron Sword, Healing Potions, Wooden Arrows Skill, Mana Coins*5]

'Oh! My stats have increased by two. Since it was previously zero. Is this to say I'm now twice as powerful as I was before? Or, am I four times as powerful? No, the second choice appears to be a little bit impossible. I can feel my power. It's certainly not that high.'

'Rather, my strength is now twice as strong as it was before. If this is a level one creature's stat, how can I kill a tree monster with a single strike? Hmm! Something suspicious is going on. Or, more accurately, did I overlook something?'

'Those monsters were being killed in a single blow. Does this imply that they lack vitality? They could move, albeit at a snail's pace.'

'In games, certain races are created with high stats while others are made with low stats. Human beings are born with average stats. If I stick to that pattern, it's absolutely feasible that they lack life and agility. Trees are often stronger when they are deeply rooted in the earth.'

'Well! Let's forget about this. I need to return to the city. Because I have mana coins. I'm sure I could buy something.' Finally, Peter emerged from the woods, his chest naked. His thoughts, however, did not come to an end.

'The Tree Monster appears to be a weak creature, but humans are thought to be average. He said that the tower is home to magical beings. That indicates that formidable creatures such as dragons and phoenixes exist. Those beasts could easily squish me to death even on the same level.'

'It's no surprise that those games don't need us to slay dragons right away. But, unlike a game, this is real. Fortunately, it appears that every floor has a level restriction.'

'As long as I don't disturb higher levels monsters, I'll be fine.'

He arrived in the city after two hours of interrogation and answered himself.

"Hold it right there!" When Peter neared the fortifications, he was stopped in his tracks as he approached the gate. When he turned back, he noticed a middle-aged man with a mustache standing next to a lizard-like monster. But, he was walking on his two feet while wearing clothes.

"What is your name? And where did you come from?" As he approached him, the middle-aged man spoke hoarsely.

"Hello! My name is Peter. I am a climber. An administrator dumped me on the grassland." Peter extended his hand for a handshake, but those two immediately bowed in front of him.

"Please excuse our interruption. Mr. Climber, we didn't recognize you. This is your access card. Please come into the city." The middle-aged man quickly withdrew the card from his pocket and placed it in the same spot as before.

Suddenly, the middle-aged man paused his hand and said "Can I confirm your identity?"

"How can I confirm it?" Peter asked.

"Climbers have an independent space to store things. Can you show us that?" The middle-aged man slowly raised his head and spoke.

"Alright!" Peter nodded his head and took out the sword from his inventory.

"Please excuse our rude behavior, Mr. Climber!" The middle-aged man instantly slammed his head on the ground and spoke with a trembling voice.

"It's okay. By the way, how do confirm that I am a climber with this trick? There can be such things as portal magic, right?" Peter asked while narrowing his eyes.

"No one except the climber can use spatial magic in zero floor due to many restrictions. Not with this ease at least." The middle-aged man kept on bowing down as he continued his speech.

"I can accept that reason." Peter nodded his head and accepted the white card. He turned towards the gate but suddenly, he turned back just as they raised their heads, forcing them to bow once more.

"Could you please provide me with a t-shirt to wear?"

Putong!

"Please forgive us, Mr. Climber! We were oblivious to your condition." As he knelt on his knees, the middle-aged man's skin trembled. Then he looked at the lizard man and exclaimed, "What are you waiting for here? Bring those things to Mr. Climber!"

"Hey, you don't have to go all the way. I'm not upset with you or anything. You should stand up. I have a question for you." When he saw the man kneeling in front of him, Peter was speechless. He had no idea that becoming a climber would be so well-regarded.

"Please pardon me, Mr. Climber, but as a slave, I cannot stand on the same level as someone whose position is comparable to that of a Noble." His heart softened as he heard Peter's words, yet he nevertheless kneeled down as the lizard scurried away.

"OK, tell me more about nobility and slavery. Is there a hierarchy of people? What exactly are they? What are the city's rules? What should I do? And where should I stay?" Peter had additional inquiries, but they were mostly pointless. Since he intended to complete these quests as soon as possible.