Groggily, Scott awoke, his back resting against the rough surface of the large boulder. A quick inventory of his surroundings brought a small measure of relief – everything seemed to be where he'd left it. His left arm was still mostly numb, but he could feel a faint, encouraging tingle of movement returning. "Everything is still here, and I can barely feel my left arm, but it's slowly moving," he thought. Checking his internal status, he noted the lingering Vitality damage. A shaky smile spread across his face, which soon erupted into a short, pained laugh. The movement of his ribs protested with a sharp throb. He glanced to his left and saw the magical chest, still emitting its soft glow and rhythmic hum.
Using his right arm for support, he slowly pushed himself to his feet, his balance precarious as he swayed back and forth, fighting through the waves of pain. Finally, he managed to stumble over to the inviting glow of the chest.
"Man, that Beast Mode takes a lot out of you when you use it for long periods," Scott grumbled, his voice still weak. "Okay, now let's have a look at what's inside this beautiful chest that this cat bastard was protecting." With a slow, deliberate motion, he opened the chest and found a fur cloak nestled within. "I need a good cloak, but I was hoping for some goggles to see in the darkness or some boots with fast movement. Maybe next time I can find some goggles," Scott said jokingly aloud, half-expecting a response from the system. "Well, let's scan it and get a good idea of what it does, shall we?" he then thought to himself.
[Cloak Of Fangs(Rare)]
This rare cloak is made from a patchwork of tanned hides, giving it a rustic and savage look. A faint, almost imperceptible growl can be heard when the wind catches its folds, and the edges are lined with small, sharp bone fragments that look like teeth. When worn, the cloak instills a sense of primal aggression and predatory readiness. Abilities:Savage Resilience (Passive): The cloak provides a layer of physical and magical defense. Bestial Bite (Active): As the name suggests, you can channel the cloak's power to grow sharp, bestial fangs. This ability can be used up to 3 times a day, with each activation lasting for 5 minutes. While active, you gain a powerful bite attack that can be used in combat. Stats: +30 Agi, +30 End, +30 Tough.
"Wow, I think the system is trying to tell me something," Scott mumbled to himself, a hint of amusement in his thoughts. He shrugged and put on the cloak. "Man, is it comfy and warm." A mischievous glint entered his eyes. "Well, let's try something stupid and grow the fangs while I'm boosted with Beast Mode," Scott thought, eager to test the limits of his new gear and abilities.
A moment later, the familiar tearing sensation of [Beastmode(Common)] returned, muscles bulging and straining with renewed energy. Then, Scott focused on the cloak, willing its magic to manifest. A searing pain shot through his jaw as his canines elongated into formidable fangs, his other teeth shifting and grinding to accommodate the sudden growth. "Man, this feels as if I was getting the numbing injection in my jaw for a moment, and if you've ever felt that, it hurts like a motherfucker," Scott thought, his teeth clenched against the intense, localized pain. Just as the discomfort began to subside, a notification popped up in his vision. He instinctively opened the system message.
**Bloodline Unlocked**
"What's this so-called 'Bloodline' shenanigans? Must be a joke, go home system, you're broken," Scott said sarcastically, disbelief lacing his tone. Seconds later, a new screen materialized in his vision.
[Nature of the Beast(Common)5% Bloodline]
A faint, primal call has always echoed within your soul. It is the legacy of a forgotten lineage, a whisper of the wild that yearns for release. This skill is a manifestation of that inner beast, honed by your natural hunting ability and a deep connection to your feral form. Abilities:Nature of the Beast (Passive): When you assume your Beast Form, the primal mind takes over. Your senses are heightened, allowing you to perceive the world with the sharpness of a predator. You gain a wolf-like sense of smell and the ability to see in the infrared spectrum, revealing hidden heat signatures. Feral Fury (Passive): Fueled by the thrill of the hunt, your physical attributes become more potent. While in Beast Form, you gain a 5% boost to all of your abilities, and your rage is a roaring engine that enhances your physical prowess.
**You Have Slain [Forest Jaguar lvl 5]**
Then it happened, a bizarre, almost superhuman transformation began. His vision swam, and when it cleared, the world was painted in shades of blue, save for a distant patch of yellow and red that seemed to pulse with heat – another Forest Jaguar, far off in the distance. "Well, let's test this form out," Scott thought, a surge of primal excitement mixed with trepidation. He quickly glanced at his stats, ensuring he wasn't too close to death before engaging another potentially deadly foe. "Okay, we're good."
He exploded into motion, a primal surge of speed propelling him through the undergrowth faster than he'd ever moved before. "Man, this must be what my dogs feel like when they're tearing through the forest – there's nothing like it!" He burst through a thicket of bushes and hurtled towards the heat signature. Rounding the foliage, his enhanced vision registered not one, but two Forest Jaguars.
Instinct took over. He reached the first jaguar before it could fully react, his shortsword flashing in a series of rapid slashes. The beast roared in surprise and pain, finally managing to clamp its jaws onto his left arm. "What is it with these cats going for my left arm?" Scott snarled mentally. He continued his assault, a whirlwind of sword strikes and snapping fangs, dodging and blocking the jaguar's claws with his blade until the creature, finally learning, released its hold. That's when the second jaguar lunged into the fray, but with his newfound bloodline abilities and the incredible burst of speed, Scott danced out of harm's way several times. Finally, however, both jaguars managed to latch onto his left leg. "Seriously? Again with the left side?" Scott cursed inwardly.
He hammered the back of the second jaguar's head with his sword hilt until it finally released its grip. Turning his attention back to the first jaguar, already weakened from his initial attacks, a few more swings sent it crashing to the ground, lifeless. Hopping precariously on his uninjured leg, Scott tried to fend off the remaining jaguar's claws. He managed to land several more blows, but the creature, realizing it was outmatched, suddenly tried to flee. That was all it took. A red haze of pure, primal rage descended upon Scott. He lunged forward with all his might, wrapping his arms around the fleeing jaguar, and then he bit back. His enhanced fangs sank deep into its neck, a lethal strike. The jaguar thrashed wildly, desperate to escape, but the momentum of Scott's lunge carried them both to the ground. With a final, brutal wrench, Scott ripped his fangs through the jaguar's neck, tearing it open as the beast bled out its life onto the forest floor.
**Slayed [Forest Jaguar (lvl 5)]**
**Slayed [Forest Jaguar (lvl 5)]**
**Level Gained [Slayer] level 6**
+1 free point unspent
Sitting amidst the gore, his body slick with the crimson ichor of the fallen jaguars amongst his own blood, Scott decided he'd had enough excitement for one night. He painstakingly skinned the three beasts, yielding two excellent furs and one of lesser quality. He noted that the last one, a female, was neither nursing nor pregnant.
With his throbbing leg, Scott fashioned a crude but functional crutch from a sturdy branch and some tough vines. Just then, the familiar, enticing hum of another magical chest reached his ears. Leaning heavily on his makeshift support, he hobbled towards the nearest source of the sound. "Oh, that sweet, sweet loot," he thought with a weary grin. He slowly reached the chest and creaked it open. "And it's the Elder Wand. Lol, just kidding." He immediately scanned the contents. "But of course, I scanned whatever wand-like thing is in here to see what it actually does." Scott chuckled inwardly at his own joke.
[Wand of Enlarge Person(Common)(30 charges)]
A slender, 15-inch rod of polished ironwood, the Wand of Enlarge Person is cold to the touch and unnaturally heavy. Intricate, faintly glowing runes for growth and strength are carved into its surface, spiraling down to a polished steel cap at its tip. When a charge is expended, the runes pulse with a brief, shimmering light. The wand has 30 charges. While holding it, you can expend 1 charge to cast the enlarge spell from it. When you do, you must choose a humanoid creature within 30 feet to be the target. The spell lasts for 1 minute, requiring your concentration. The wand regains 4 expended charges daily at dawn. If you expend the wand's last charge the wand crumbles to ashes and is destroyed.
"It's not a bad drop for someone who can cast spells, but not this guy," Scott thought, a hint of disappointment in his mental tone. He tossed the wand into his bag and laboriously moved towards the next source of the humming.
"Opening this one... I've got a good feeling about it." Scott mused, He slowly opened the second chest, his anticipation building.
[Shortsword of Fire and Ice(Rare)]
This magically imbued shortsword is a study in contrasts. Along its blade, intricate, unknown etchings shimmer with a luminous glow, pulsating with opposing energies. One side of the blade radiates with a menacing, crimson heat, while the other emanates a chilling, ethereal frost. The hilt is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, with interwoven red and black leather complementing the dual nature of the blade, a perfect balance of two warring forces. Abilities: Dual Affinities: The sword's unique properties allow it to deal both fire and ice damage with each strike, simultaneously burning and chilling your foes. Elemental Synergy: The blade's opposing forces can be channeled to create a powerful effect. When you strike an enemy, you have a chance to either burn them with intense heat or freeze them in place with a numbing cold. Stats: +30 Str, +30 Agil, +30 Vit, +30 End.
"Okay, that sounds like a show I used to watch where all of the main characters kept dying," Scott noted inwardly, a wry smile touching his lips. "But this one is actually a good find. I should figure out where I am and find my way back to the Mancave. Though I may have to find a comfy spot and survive the night."
Hobbling back, Scott located a relatively sheltered spot behind the boulder on the hill and sank down wearily. He wrapped himself in the soft fur cloak and used the other furs, propped up with some sturdy sticks he found lying nearby against the rock face, to create a makeshift tent for a bit of extra coverage. Finally, he deactivated the lingering effects of his bloodline-enhanced Beast Mode. The exhaustion hit him like a physical blow, and he drifted into unconsciousness almost instantly.
Hours later, Scott's eyes fluttered open. "This must be a new regular thing I do – passing out when I'm nearly dead and waking up to a bloody mess. Apparently, using that boost a few times a night will really drain you," Scott mumbled groggily to himself. He gazed up at the sky and saw the sun just beginning to peek over the horizon. "Eh, it must be morning already." His first instinct was to check his limbs. "Yep, right arm's good, left arm's good, and I can move both legs."
Next, he checked his internal status. "Looks like I'm back to full strength. So, check, check, and check – I'm ready to move." Then, his gaze drifted to his system messages:
**Survive 178 / 180 days left in the tutorial**
He gathered up all the furs and meat from the previous night's brutal hunts and began his search for the way back, feeling utterly lost in the sprawling wilderness.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
Two hours of aimless wandering through the dense forest began to erode his hope, until a peculiar sight caught his eye. An odd Shrike was circling high above, its cries echoing through the trees. What made it so strange wasn't its flight, but the words it repeated. Not the typical bird chirps, but a clear, if somewhat garbled, "takaw takaw tukki tukki mother fucker" – a phrase David's familiar birds used to parrot during their old RPG campaigns.
"Hello, old buddy," Scott said, a laugh bubbling up despite his exhaustion. "Long time no see."
The Shrike, after circling him a few times as if checking his well-being, landed gracefully on Scott's shoulder. "Where the hell have you been?" David's voice, tinged with worry, chirped from the bird.
"Eh, long story short, I got tag-teamed by a stick and a boulder," Scott replied wryly, “Wait you can speak in bird form already?”
"Yep, I ran into a few beasts last night and had to put them into their place. So, I'm guessing you got beat up by monsters of the pocket kind?" David quipped.
"No, just walked face-first into a stick that literally poked me in the eye and fell backward into a boulder. After that, I woke up in the forest, fought quite a few Jaguars – the actual, toothy kind, not the older ladies – nearly died a few times. Oh yeah, I also found a few magic items too. But how did your night go?"
"You mean cougars?" David asked, a playful tone in his voice.
"Oh yeah, sorry, I get things mixed up. It was a long night," Scott said, chuckling.
"So, I found [Elder Glow Horn (lvl 1)], a female Goat that produces milk with two kids, took them back to the Mancave, then went off searching for you. After running into a few [Golden Fox Bat (lvl 3)] that gave me a hard time – kinda like that one time we decided it was a great idea to go upriver on a kayak, rough time, which was more tiring than anything – I decided to head back to the cave, heal up, and come back out when it was safe," David explained.
"Ah yes, how many beers an hour was it to fuel that trip?" Scott asked, a smile in his voice.
"Lol, I think I was at 3.5 beers per mile," David chirped back.
“Also I unlocked a new ability.” Scott said.
“What is that?” David asked.
“A bloodline.” Scott said.
“Oh what does it do?” David asked.
He briefly told him about the new ability while David sat on a branch and listened.
“Ha ha, that is cool.” David said.
"Nice. Are you ready to lead me back? Because my sense of direction out here is not good." Scott said
"Yep," David replied, preening his feathers.
Their journey back to the cave took a slightly longer, more scenic route, which unfortunately led them into a bizarre and unwelcome encounter. A creature unlike anything they'd seen before – a vampiric murder bunny. Its fur was stark white, its eyes glowed with an unsettling bloodshot red, and its fangs were disproportionately long and wickedly sharp.
This was not a creature to be trifled with. The murder bunny was unbelievably fast, a blur of white fur and gnashing teeth. To put it mildly, it moved like a supercharged RC car on steroids, leaving them in the dust. And its fangs, when they sank in, delivered a nasty bite that chipped away at their very life force, causing Vitality damage.
It took a concerted effort and several frantic dodges before they finally managed to corner the cursed creature. Scott, in a moment of desperate opportunity, grabbed hold of the bunny while it was latched onto his forearm. Remembering his new fangs, he didn't hesitate and bit the little terror back. Turns out, despite its speed and ferocity, the murder bunny didn't have much health, and a few well-placed bites with his enhanced fangs did the gruesome trick.
"Damn, Monty Python was right! We do need a holy hand grenade," David exclaimed, the image of the killer rabbit flashing in his mind.
"Still haven't seen it," Scott replied, a hint of regret in his voice.
"And now you will never get the chance to either, should have listened to me the first time," David said dramatically.
"Never say never, buddy. I bet someone will use system fuckery to see old memories someday. I mean, I do miss my Netflix and chill," Scott countered with a grin. "Also, I'm curious if I can make this rabbit fur into some speedy shoes or something."
"Yep, nothing like having fluffy murder bunny shoes to ease your day," David continued, a touch of dark humor in his tone.
They continued on their way towards the welcome sight of the Mancave, chatting away about old times and the absurdity of their current predicament.
Once back, a collective sigh of relief swept through the group. The crew was reunited, and Scott desperately needed a long rest to recover from the significant Vitality damage he'd sustained from both the jaguars and the bizarre murder rabbit. He decided to dedicate the next three days to working on his new craft, leatherworking, in between the necessary task of nurturing the orphaned Timberwolf pups.
After three days of much-needed rest and dedicated leatherworking, Scott surveyed his creations: four sturdy leather cloaks, three cozy wolf pelt bedrolls, a particularly impressive Alpha wolf cloak, and a new pair of promising fur shoes. It was finally time to catch up on the system notifications he'd been neglecting.
**New title unlocked: [Den Mother]**
[Den Mother]
Awarded after staying in a cave and caring for a pack of wolves, the Den Mother title is a testament to Scott's gentle nature and his ability to form bonds beyond human companionship. This title grants him benefits rooted in loyalty, pack dynamics, and the wisdom of the wilderness. Passive Effects: Feral Affinity: Scott's time with the wolves has granted him an instinctive understanding of wild beasts. He gains a 3% increase to all healing received by himself and all allies within 10 meters. This represents his ability to nurture and care for his "pack." Heart of the Pack: As a Den Mother, Scott's presence instills a sense of calm and loyalty. When interacting with non-hostile wild beasts, there is a 50% chance they will not become aggressive upon seeing him, and instead show deference. This effect does not apply to magical or corrupted creatures.
**Exp gained in Leatherworking for creating**
[Leather Cloak(Common)]x4
This is a simple but sturdy cloak made from cured leather, often dyed a dark brown, green, or black to help its wearer blend in with the wilderness. fastened with a simple leather tie. The thick material is useful for warding off a biting wind, a light drizzle, or the scratch of a thorny bush. +10 End, +10 Tough.
[Alpha Wolf Cloak(Common)]
This heavy cloak is crafted from the thick pelt of a fearsome Alpha wolf. The fur is coarse and matted, and the cloak is clasped at the neck by a carved bone wolf head that seems to watch those around you with hollow, glass eyes. The material is surprisingly warm and sheds water with ease, but its true power lies in the faint, primal aura of defiance it exudes. The cloak seems to respond to your will, offering a stubborn resistance to spells and effects that would hinder you. Stats: +10 Str, +10 Agi, +Vit.
[Fur Boots of Swift Movement(Rare)]
These boots are crafted from thick, Murder Rabbit, with soles made from tough, cured leather. They are lightweight and incredibly comfortable, muffling the wearer's footsteps and providing excellent insulation in cold climates. The fur is surprisingly durable, and the boots feel as if they are urging you forward. When wearing these boots, your movement is notably quickened. Your movement speed is increased. +30 Vit, +30 Agil.
[Bedroll(Common)]x3
A bedroll is a simple and essential piece of camping gear, consisting of a thick leather, outer layer stuffed with wool or straw. It is typically secured with a leather strap when rolled, making it easy to carry. While far from luxurious, a bedroll provides a measure of comfort, insulation from the cold ground, and a dry place to rest. A bedroll weighs 7 lbs. and can be unrolled to provide a sleeping space for one Medium creature. This bedroll also slightly increases your stat regeneration.
**Level Gained[Leatherworking] level 2**
**Level Gained [Leatherworking] level 3**
**Would you like to make Craft Profession: [Leatherworking] your Primary Craft? Extra bonuses will be given to this Craft while performing your primary Craft.**
**Make [Leatherworking] your Primary craft? Yes / No**
"Hell yeah, that's definitely what I'm looking for," Scott muttered, his fingers hovering over the mental 'Yes' button. A new notification appeared instantly.
[Leatherworking (Primary)(Lvl 3)] Using the pelts acquired from your hunts, you skillfully maintain and improve old and new gear while honing your artistic talents. Experience gained from Leatherworking will be moderately enhanced, and you gain +1 Strength, +1 Wisdom, +1 Endurance, and +1 free stat point for every level you gain.
"Okay, let's add the three free points into Perception since I was told that Perception is the best skill to have in the multiverse," Scott decided, mentally allocating his newly acquired stat points.
[Name: Scott Armidais Wheaton]
[Race: [Human]Iota]
[Class: Slayer (lvl 6)]
Profession: Skinner/Leather Worker
Health Points (HP): 940/940 (740/740 after Vitality damage)
Mana Points (MP): 218/218
Stamina: 599/599
Stats:
Strength: 59
Agility: 121
Vitality: 94
Wisdom: 19
Intelligence: 21
Endurance: 78
Toughness: 44
Perception: 25
Willpower: 17
Skills:
[Armor Proficient: Medium]
[Bloodline(Nature of the Beast(Common)10%)
[Craft Leatherworking(Primary)(lvl 3)]
[Craft Skinning (Common)(lvl 1)]
[Dagger Mastery(Common)]
[Weapons Proficient: All]
[Short Sword mastery(Common)]
[Shortbow Mastery(Common)]
Abilities-
[Beastmode(Common)5%]
[Mark of Prey(Common)]
Titles-
[First Kill In Tutorial(2%)]
Scott noticed he still had the vitality damage, and it might take a while for that to heal up completely, if it ever would. The crew had been in and out the past few days. Tomas had already gathered three undead minions: Bones, the [Undead Timber Wolf (lvl 4)]; Gravel, the [Undead Cougar (lvl 1)]; and a new one Scott hadn't seen yet, Evan, the [Undead Water Python (lvl 1)]. It looked like for each undead, you couldn't have anything higher than your own level, so since Tomas was now level 6, he could have one level 4 and two level 1 minions. "Apparently, he gets the option to level up those minions when he levels up, which is a pretty cool setup for a necromancer, not gonna lie. I'm a little jealous of all his pets," Scott mused mentally.
Osia had taken on a familiar, choosing a pug through the system prompts. She called him Sir Pugglesworth that she had to summon – a name that definitely suited the little fella with his silver fur and the way his demeanor was like a little soldier marching around and guarding her every move. He'd even tried to bite Scott when he'd attempted to pet him. She'd also picked up a skill using protection circles, utilizing sacrifices from some of the dead beasts they had acquired.
Peter managed to gain a revolver, a huge change from his bow. Hopefully, he doesn't shoot himself in the foot with that. He must have found it in a nearby chest; apparently, it shoots small fireballs using his mana. He told us to keep a lookout for another one because he would like to run with dual pistols instead of just one. Though I'm not sure how good his shot is, time will tell," Scott continued, recounting the recent developments.
David had leveled up to level 7 and had received the option to take on a companion, but he insisted on waiting for the right one – which, in his mind, meant nothing less than a baby Griffin. Scott had wished him good luck with that lofty goal, but David seemed remarkably optimistic. David had also started delving into Alchemy, primarily focusing on potion-making. He'd already brewed a few healing potions and one stamina potion and was currently wrestling with a mana potion, having recently acquired a new cauldron from a huge glowing chest. He'd mentioned that the mana potion was proving to be the most challenging to create due to the scarcity of necessary ingredients.
"Man, I miss those golden chests already, and I'm itching to get back out into the field to find more magic items," Scott mused mentally before checking his system update.
**Survive 175 / 180 days left in the tutorial**
"Five days in, and I'm only at level 6. Not sure if that's a good thing or bad thing, but I need to get out and level some more," Scott said to Onyxia, gently stroking her soft fur.
Apparently, Rick had been busy improving his stealth, and from what Scott had heard, he could now practically walk through shadows. His dual dagger fighting style had also become significantly more refined, and he was even collaborating with David on potion-making.
Their monk, George, had already integrated burning energy into his palm heel strikes and was now using magic to enhance his mobility, making him even more agile. He had also taken on the unofficial role of cave cook, and his cougar steaks were legendary. Every time Scott asked for the recipe, George would simply reply with a knowing smile, "A magician never reveals his secrets."
"Well, tomorrow is a big day," Scott thought aloud. "I'll finally head out to hunt with the group, while Osia stays back at the 'zoo' – I mean, the Mancave – to keep the wolf pups fed and tend to the goats."
The next morning, Scott was awake before the sun fully crested the horizon. He meticulously cleaned his gear and packed all the essentials for the day's hunt. Finally, he slipped on his new murder rabbit shoes. "Man, I can't wait to test these bad boys out!" he thought, a thrill of anticipation running through him. David had already brewed another healing potion that morning, but the dwindling supplies were a growing concern. Today's main objectives were clear: replenish their stock of vital herbs and bring back some fresh game.
Scott took a moment to check in with the system, a routine he'd established:
**Survive 174 / 180 days left in the tutorial**
Moments later, Bones came rushing into the cave, agitated and whimpering, his light blue glowing eyes wide with distress. Tomas was nowhere in sight.
"What's wrong, boy?" Scott asked, rising quickly from his bedroll, a knot of unease tightening in his stomach.
Bones began scratching frantically at Tomas' empty bedroll, his whimpers growing more insistent.
"Is Tomas in trouble?" Scott asked, his voice now laced with worry.
As if in answer, Bones ran to Scott, licking his face urgently before leaping around him in a frantic display.
"Hey guys!" Scott yelled towards the back of the cave where Rick and David were engrossed in their potion-making. "Tomas is in trouble, and he needs help!"
