I woke up quite early the next morning. Yesterday, after the meeting with the Guildmaster, I had immediately hit the Ordials Marketplace in order to buy some things before I was off on my way to deliver the letter to this Jio person.
The supplies I had bought mainly consisted of some recovery potions - which I doubt I'll need, but I bought in case I find someone injured along the way - some fruits and other food, and then lastly I hit the blacksmith, purchasing a short sword - just in case.
Although, the last one definitely felt more of a wasteful purchase, as the short sword probably wouldn't get any use during a fight, because of my skills being technically all I needed for any battles I may encounter on my way.
Anyways- Like I said, I woke up early the next morning. The trip to this forest was apparently around 4 or so days alone - So I wanted to depart as soon as possible, in order to hopefully reach it in a timely manner.
The Guildmaster did offer to set up a carriage for me, however I had declined, since I figured I would get to the forest as effectively and efficiently as possible on foot and by utilising my
[Shadow Manipulation] skill as much as I could.
After all, this one skill could possibly be the greatest form of transport I had.
After gathering all my things and ensuring that the inn room I had been staying at this whole time was all tidy and clean, I checked out of the inn, before walking out into the Ordial streets one last time for a couple of days.
Gotta say, in early mornings, the streets were much, much more empty than any other time of the day. It genuinely felt like a ghost town instead of a sprawling one, filled to the brim with life.
I managed to successfully walk through the town, taking a short cut as I did, before eventually waltzing out of the towns gates.
The Guards didn't stop me and instead had wished me good luck on my journey - apparently the Guildmaster had issued out a note to the guards about my departure, which I suppose was nice of him.
After all, I'd hate to be stopped in my tracks because of the guards not allowing me to leave the town.
And so, I was off onto the road again.
The Guildmaster had given me a map which had the most 'efficient' path towards the forest marked, however, after the marked path hit the forest border, there was no more mark.
It's like the path just cuts off as soon as you hit the forest, which most definitely felt like a horror movie or something scenario in real life.
Although, if it was like a horror movie, I wouldn't really have anything to worry about. After all, with my power, I'm sure I could take on anything that came at me.
As I continued to slowly walk down the rather dark path, for a moment, a strong headache hit me, almost causing me to collapse.
The headache felt ridiculously painful, however strangely also extremely brief - like it only lasted for a moment or so.
'What the hell was that just now..?'
I thought, looking at my hand.
This type of headache... I swear I had felt it before sometime in the past, however I couldn't remember when.
While I could ask [Sages' Wisdom] what that headache was, I didn't exactly want to waste time, so instead, I simply rose back to my feet, shook my head and continued to walk forward, deciding to ignore that whole headache just now.
At least... Ignore it for now.
...
The sun rose quickly and lit up the path I was walking. The path I was taking, which was marked in the map, led through a small forest called 'Ordial Woods', which then led to a large open plain that didn't have a name. After the plain, my path led me through another forest - 'Blue Skies Woods'.
Interesting name if I say so myself.
After that forest, the path was just straightforward - it didn't cut through any more woods, fields or even caves and simply stretched on across a large open field or so, which eventually hit the 'Deadmans Graveyard'.
Honestly, when you run over the path in your mind, it makes you wonder - how in the living fuck is this journey supposed to take 4 to 5 days to get to the forest or 'graveyard' I suppose, and then another 4 - 5 days to get back?
Trust me, I was wondering that too.
However, even though I'm early in my journey, I can confidently say - that I can very much see how it would take that long.
I mean, I was barely even around a kilometer or something away from the Town of Ordial, and the time had already passed so much.
Well, to some extent.
Like I said, the sun had risen quickly after I began my journey, however that alone already happened around 3 or so hours ago.
Don't ask me how I have only walked around a kilometer towards my destination in 3 or so hours, because I genuinely don't have an answer to that question.
I myself didn't understand how I had walked so little in such a, dare I say, long time.
'Maybe time flows differently in this world..?'
Negative.
Timeflow is the same as always.
...That wasn't what I meant by my thought, but okay, good to know.
As I continued to walk forward, following the map, I began to wonder to myself.
Could I perhaps farm up some valuable materials and maybe even lots of exp while on this journey? I mean, if I was going to be on the move for around 4 to 5 days, surely that was an acceptable thing to do.
After all, how else would I pass the freaking time? When I'm taking a break from walking, I mean.
'Who knows, maybe I'll even be able to grab some useful skills while I'm on the move..'
I thought, laughing to myself a bit.
Skills... Now that I mentioned skills.. Perhaps I could use [Fractured] to combine some skills while I walk?
I looked down a bit, before saying:
"Open Status."
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Name; Faofa Shin
Species; Superior Serpentine
Level; 82 — Rank; B
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Stats:
HP; 89670 — ATK; 14090
MAGEN (MAGICAL ENERGY); 19030
STAMINA; 10890 — INTELLIGENCE; 705
OVERALL POWER; 24890
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Titles:
<Reincarnated> ; <Ally of Abyss> ;
<Guardian of The South> ; <Dragon Slayer> ;
<Ally of Fire> ; <Bringer of Hope> ;
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Common Skills; [Trickster], [Harden]
Rare Skills; [Fractured],
[Magic Nullification Barrier],
[Magic Resistance], [Thread Manipulation],
[Crimson Lightning], [Heat Regulation]
Epic Skills; [Venom Control], [Overworld Detection], [Holy Magic Nullification],
[Greater Physical Resistance], [Undetectable], [Abyss Magic], [Soul Appraisal], [Second Life],
[Dragon Arts]
Individual Skills; [Sages' Wisdom](2), [Devourer], [Shadow Manipulation],
[Beasts Will],
[Venom Shocker], [Serpents Wrath],
[Venomous Chomp]
Legendary Skills; [Warlock], [Jester]
Arc Skills; [Ifrit {Lord of Flames}],
[Odale {Prince of Fire}]
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Now then... What could I combine with [Fractured]?
I stared at my skills for a bit - scanning through them and looking for any possible combinations that would stand out as viable for a potential [Fractured] combination.
'Can't really see any skills that would make for a good combo... Any suggestions Sages' Wisdom?'
Analysis of all potential Combinations begun.
.
. .
. . .
. .
.
Analysis completed.
Combining the skills [Venom Shocker] and [Venomous Chomp] may prove to bring favourable results.
Venom Shocker and Venomous Chomp huh...
Well, I can't say that either of these skills gets much use anymore. [Venom Shocker] used to be my go to damaging skill and [Venomous Chomp]... I actually haven't even used once.
So perhaps combining them could be the best option I've got right now.
And so, I closed my eyes, continuing to walk forward while also beginning the merging.
Using the Skill [Fractured]...
Successful.
Individual Skill [Vitriolic Befall]
...What on earth is that?
Also, two individual skills formed... An individual skill? That's new.... Last time I combined two individual skills, I obtained the Arc Skill Ifrit..
Why is it different this time?
Well, anyways-
What does this new skill do?
Analysis of [Vitriolic Befall] suggests that the skill allows its wielder to create highly deadly orbs of venom which are also filled with electricity, and then send down to the ground like meteors.
...Holy shit. Talk about flashy and OP sounding.
I basically gained the ability to throw FUCKING POISON METEORS AT MY ENEMIES.
If this wasn't the coolest thing ever, than I must be brain dead.
Anyways... Is that all the suggestions you have? Any more?
Negative.
Really? Only 1 [Fractured] combination?
Well that's a shame. I was hoping to combine a couple more, but I guess I'll have to first get some more skills to combine.
I suppose the ones I have right now aren't really compatible with one another to the best potential.. so I suppose that it was understandable that there were no other combos available.
I sighed, before closing the Status window and looking at the path infront me once more, stretching out as I continued to walk.
'This is going to be one long walk..'
I thought, smiling slightly to myself, before crossed my arms. Perhaps I'll be able to finally remain as my true self for a longer period of time.
I doubt that anyone else was going to be walking on this path after all.
I chuckled to myself, before picking up the pace, beginning to slowly run down the path I was walking, feeling a sudden rush of excitement enter my body.
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Hey!
So this is a much shorter chapter than the last one.
And apologies if it felt a bit 'lazy' however this chapter is simply a start off to the next 'arc' that will happen in this story.
Hopefully you are excited to see what Faofa will encounter on his way to the Deadmans Graveyard as well as what he'll find in the graveyard itself.
See ya in the next chapter:
52. -
"An Infestation? Great.."