Parallel - A Virtual Reality.

V2. Chapter 5. First Death, Unforgiving Time. (Part 2)

I say out loud

"Show notifications"

-You have created a new Stat! Killing intent. +10 Killing intent

-You have learnt a new Skill! Dark Coat. Do you want to see the skill description?

- Killing intent

A stat that was created by the full commitment to eradicate someone or something. It can inflict negative status to the ones on which it is being directed. Its effect can stack along with Fighting spirit.

You cannot distribute points to this stat. This stat will increase accordingly

- Skill: Dark Coat (Active) Beginner Level 1: 0%

This is a Darkness defensive skill. It allows the user to form darkness to defend against attacks. It can also increase defense on armors while it is active

1% Increase in base armor while it is active

It consumes 100 mana per second

'Killing intent... well, it will come in handy later and its effects can stack along with Fighting spirit' I think a bit bitter about it

"Oh yeah, what skill did you get?" Asks Vladi

"Dark Coat... wait, did you get a different skill?"

"Dark Bullets, I can also shoot a Darkness Full Buster now, that's how I know that we might have gotten different skills"

"Oh... And you guys?" I ask the pair that was watching us

"I received effectiveness in magical attacks" Says Peko

"Me too, but in physical ones, I think it is because we have a sort of Darkness alignment that we didn't really receive skills"

"I see..."

We just sat and chatted for a few minutes to collect information on our team's physical states. It seems none of them have lingering effects of the battle.

I am grateful to Vladi for her attention to them, she ran up to them to help the moment she was available and managed to save their lives, especially Zenith's, who had been on the brink of death.

A little later, Arksen and Isa logged in and I cooked as they checked the skills they got. My friend shrugged and my cousin was extremely surprised.

He got the Dark Spear skill that not only killed him, it also killed Isa and me.

Nevertheless, it was a useful and powerful attacking skill with high penetration power.

Isa on the other hand, being a Paladin, didn't get a skill, but instead obtained a boost in power towards all of her Light related skills... of which there are many.

"So, what are we doing now?" asks Zenith.

He seems a bit anxious to start.

"I think we should go to Gardan Village" I suggest to the group.

"Hm? Shouldn't our destination be the Dungeon of Wishes?" Vladi asks in a concerning voice

"I think I know where you are going..." Isa interjects

"Is it because we are now low on supplies and it would be better to talk to the villagers about our quest completion?"

"Yes, the sooner we get to report the news the better; we can ask them help for later and it would be good to resupply now since we have a Village that seems to be just a one month away" I say while adding "Also, I doubt we can just rush into the Dungeon, as there would be even more difficult challenges awaiting us inside than out."

"I think we should too, the fight against Mader was extremely exhausting, and if we didn't have that Blood Orb, then our annihilation would have been a sure thing" Says Arksen in a serious and rarely seen tone.

At the statement everyone started to have flashbacks of the fight against Mader, who even in his weakened state, managed to kill almost everyone in the party.

"Then Gardan Village it is!" Exclaims Peko

Peko gets up and ready herself to go outside the cave to face the onslaught of the golems outside before Vladi interrupts.

"Yeah!" Shouts Vladi with a burst of energy.

We had set off soon after.

The way out of the cave was hard, the golems were stronger and had somehow risen to even higher levels while having their numbers increased. It took us, with great effort, over one week to finally reach the sunlight.

During the time span I used my skill, Dark coat, every time I could to increase its proficiency as it is still weak. Most of their attacks lacerated it and connected squarely at my body. Some of the cause was attributed to the majority of my skills being at the intermediate level, but the shield, as of this moment, is truly pathetic.

The trip to Gardan Village seemed to be shorter when compared to our journey towards Mader's lair... It's probably because we had all grown stronger.

We were also able to monitor the situation with our guild after finally being able to once again access the news. It seems that from what was said on the announcements, our guild was at war.

While it was certainly news, I didn't feel the need to inquire any information from our other colleagues as I could understand why they had kept silent.

'We got some reliable allies after all' I think to myself while smiling.

I open the system and send a message to Kagito and Eliana to thank them for their hard work.

We have finally made it to Gardan village! In front of me stands a two-meter-tall guard who, from eyeing me, starts to do his job.

"Welcome foreigners, what are your reasons for coming here?"

"We need to talk to the Mayor of the Village, we have defeated Mader" I say upfront and with a direct tone.

I could not currently afford to delay my words as time is of the essence.

Knowing this, we just have to act with the intent of making the most of it—to move forward to carry out the mission and fulfil the promise which we made on that grey eventful day.