Chapter 3: Fallen from Grace, but MY LEVELS will bring me back to the TOP!

Deep in the depths of Aria, there alone stood a righteous warrior betrayed by humanity, but his spirit was never broken. And so the Constellations above gave him a second chance, and now he's coming back. Whether he comes back as the Hero or as the Villain is his choice, but God so help us if he chooses the latter.

And so time begins to move again...

"It's time for round 2!" Shouted the lone warrior as he peered at a horde of countless giant spiders!

The Horde of spiders lunged forward, I readied my stance and pointed my scythe forward. I swung forward and slashed one of the homing spiders, blood splashed me as I made impact!

"I need to kill them all! Every last one of them!" This thought echoed in my mind continuously, almost like a broken record.

The spiders evaded back and all looked upon their wounded sibling, it seems like the slash didn't finish the job. "These damn monsters are tougher than they look!"

I then noticed something appear above the heads of the spiders, it was similar to the glowing neon boxes but light-green and much smaller. The words on the small boxes read, 

"Lv. 3 Venom-back Spider Hatchling"

Is this some sort of new ability, it's naming the monster in front of me? I've never seen anything like that before!

I then looked upon the head of the recently wounded Spider, it had a flashing bloody skull icon right next above the name. "What does that mean? The others don't have it, so why does he have it? It has to mean something!"

Without warning, the other Venom-back spiders assaulted again. "Damn it here they come!" I swung my scythe downwards and pierced the head of the first one in front of me. The blade got stuck through it's forehead, and the small flashing skull icon appeared again.

I was then hit in the back with burning venom, the pain blistered but I fought against it! I kept swinging my scythe around frantically to ward off the beasts. It seemed to be working, but they kept shooting their venomous projectiles towards me. I evaded backwards to avoid them cornering me, all the while dodging their attacks!

I then re-dashed forward trying to avoid as many as I could, but there was only so much I could dodge. I was hit all over with the boiling spit, but my determination never faltered. I had one goal, and it was to kill every single beast in this hellish pit!

I noticed the spider I struck kept staggering around after my deadly slash, he had a strange skull icon hovering above his head. "Just what is that? Does that mean it's almost dead something?" I shouted while sprinting towards him.

Soon a small neon box suddenly appeared in front of me and time slowed down drastically again, "Oh what now!? I'm kind of busy here!"

I quickly took a glance over the hovering box and it read,

"Executions: When an enemies HP has been brought to a certain point, a flashing skull icon will appear above them. This means that the enemy can be eliminated instantly with a powerful finishing blow.

Be sure to perform a flashy finish to gain bonus EXP and SC! More brutal executions offer better rewards and EXP!"

After I finished reading the box, it quickly disappeared and time returned to it's normal speed. "What the hell!? An execution? I just have to do a finishing move for extra points? This just made things a hella lot more interesting!"

I reached the spider and looked down on him with a blood thirsty gaze, I gathered all my strength and plunged the scythe deep into it's ugly face. I proceeded to lift it upwards with the planted scythe and slammed him repeatedly into the ground like a jack hammer! Each slam made the scythe dig deeper and deeper into it's head, I repeated this motion until I saw the spider's status vanish into nothingness.

Then a small message box appeared next to me as the Spider died,
"EXECUTION! Bonus EXP rewarded!"

The other spiders had backed away when they saw their sibling viciously murdered before them. Then one spat dark green venom at me, and I raised my scythe to block it. The venom missed my scythe and hit me in the arm, I then dropped the scythe in pain!

My arm felt like it was on fire and I felt my HP drop a little, "Gyack!? I don't think I can take much more of this!" My strength began slowly diminishing as I got hit with more and more venom, it seemed to have a lingering effect that took a toll on my stamina!

Then two of the spiders took advantage of me being disarmed, and I dropped down to try and reach the scythe before they reached me. "I'm not gonna make it in time!" I soon saw the grimoire and remembered that I'm also a MAGE now with a very particular set of spells.

"Wait a spell!" I had no idea how I was going to cast a spell, I just tried thinking of one right off the top of my head and raised my hand towards them.

Without thinking, I blurted the first one that came to mind, "FIREBALL!" my hand immediately engulfed itself in fire and launched out towards one of the spiders!

In a flash, one of the spiders got hit head on and was repelled backwards by it's force. That's when I saw the flashing skull icon appear over its head. I immediately took advantage of it and bolted straight into it, and within seconds I was looming over him. I forcibly shoved my hand into it's poisonous mouth and called forth the fire! 

"FIREBALL!"

A small burst of blood and smoke escaped from it's mouth, and regurgitated violently before his status faded from sight!

"EXECUTION! Bonus EXP rewarded!"

I then remembered about another spell I wanted to try out, and the small spider horde was the perfect mob for it. In a dark voice, I silently mutter.
"What's a spell that can hit multiple targets at the same time? Oh I can think of one now..."

"Chain Lightning..."

My hand erupted in electricity, and beamed towards the spiders! It paralyzed the spider, and suddenly it jumped to the 2 other spiders surrounding like a linking chain. Before me was 3 spiders helplessly being fried to death by electrocution, and soon the skull icons appeared. I kept the stream of lightning fixed on them until they were fried completely.

Not long after, the spiders emitted smoke and went completely limp.

"Enemy defeated! EXP rewarded!"
"Enemy defeated! EXP rewarded!"
"Enemy defeated! EXP rewarded!"
"EXP has breached past the limit! You are now level 2!"

The new messages caught me off guard, "What? I leveled up already? Now this is more like it!" I was then illuminated in a blinding light, and all my wounds faded from my body. My strength then returned in full, and my vigor was replenished!

"This is amazing! Just what did those Old Stars do to me!?" I exclaimed in joy!

I looked back at the remaining spiders, there was only 3 left but I can feel their fear from here. They didn't dare to take another step forward, instead they began taking steps back.

I uttered to myself, "I guess even monsters can feel fear..."

I walked up to my scythe and picked it up, the monsters definitely knew what was coming next.

I raised my scythe in the air, and in a loud voice, I said unto them, "I was sent here to die, but I'll be damned if that's my true fate! I'm going to escape this hell hole, even if it means defying Lady Fate herself!"

I locked eyes with one of the venom-back spiders, and in an instant I rushed straight at it!

"HYAARGH!" I swung with all my might and pierced the side of it's head! Then the execution icon appeared, I then pulled out the scythe, and replanted it right into it's web-sack! And in one savage pull, I completely opened up it's back and it's entrails fell everywhere!

"EXECUTION! Bonus EXP rewarded!"

The final 2 spiders realized all hope was lost, and soon began to flee in the opposite direction. I then aimed my hands towards them, "CHAIN LIGHTNING!" and a beaming ray of electricity paralyzed them right in front of me!

Soon the execution icon appeared and I ran right up to them! They were completely dazed and paralyzed from the volts, I placed my hand on both of their heads and whispered menacingly, "Chain lightning!"

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The sound of a million volts echoed into the abyss, and their cries sounded for all their comrades to hear!

"DOUBLE EXECUTION! Bonus EXP rewarded!"
"EXP has breached past the limit! You are now level 3!"

"I ranked up again!? That fast!? This is way too damn good!" I soon looked around myself and saw no more hostile spiders. The remaining few had already escaped deeper into the abyss  before I could get to them. "Damn they got away, hopefully that doesn't bite me in the rear later..."

I relaxed my tensed self and sighed deeply. "Looks like I survived, for now..."

 I took a few steps forward while observing the small field of corpses in my wake, "I think I did pretty good for my first battle as a player, however I need to become way stronger than this if I want to make it out alive. Who knows what else lurks down here..." 

I walked up to a small boulder sprouting out from the ground and took rest on it, "Alright I should probably check my status to see if anything is new. I levelled up twice so something probably changed."

I then called for my status menu, "Status!"

PLAYER STATUS
Level 3 MAGE 
Titles: N/A
HP: 50
MP: 100
SP: 25

Attributes: (10 Perk Points available!)
Strength: 5
Dexterity: 1
Intelligence: 10
Sense: 10
Vitality: 5
Luck: 1

Passives: N/A

I nodded my head as I saw my 10 perk points, "Looks like I got some perk points from my levels, I should spend them wisely."

I pondered for a bit on where I should place them, the choice was difficult. "Since I'm a mage, I should definitely add some to my Intelligence! And my strength too since I need to be physically stronger for future head-on battles."

I added my first perk points in, then the system displayed a message, 

"3 added into Strength and 3 added into Intelligence! You have 4 left!"

I looked at my Luck and Vitality stat, they both seemed reasonable to raise up in my eyes, however I wanted to spend my last 4 on just one of them alone. 

"I may need some luck in the future, but I also need vitality to raise my HP. What should I do?"

I carefully considered both options, but after some thinking. I finally decided what could help me immediately since I'm still starting off. The system then displayed another message to me,

 "4 added into Luck! You have no more perk points to add!"

"Alright I think that's enough for now, I'm sure that Luck stat will come in handy pretty soon. Hopefully that doesn't cost me life!"

I then turned my gaze into the pitch black abyss in front of me, "I have no idea what lies ahead, all I know is that I need to get stronger! Much stronger than I am now!"

I know I have only been down here for a few moments, but the despair and loneliness of this quiet grave began to reach my heart. I can't even see the beautiful skies of Aria anymore, only the dark earth that imprisons me here.

I looked up to the ceiling of the cavern, it blocked my view of the beautiful night sky I longed to see. I then prayed silently to the Constellations above hoping that at least one of them would hear my cry.

"Oh Stars above! How I long for your beauty and grace, is this all part of your grand plan? Did I get sent down here for a greater purpose hidden from me? Why has this all happened? I was innocent and blameless before man! How come this has happened to me? What sin have I committed to deserve this unjust punishment? Will I ever see the light of day again? Will I ever succeed in this endeavor? If so, then please give me a sign so I can press onwards, free of these vain thoughts. A simple sign to let me know that you're still here watching over me!"

After much wrestling inside my mind, I finally came to a blissful conclusion.

"No matter if I'm abandoned here or not, fact is, I was given a second chance. I don't understand it all, but I do know I must push forward. If my fate is to die in this wretched place, then let it be! But I'll be damned if I am going to wallow over in misery and die without honor!" 

I stood to my feet once again and raised my scythe towards the unseen sky above!

"Hear me! I may have fallen from Grace, but my levels will bring me back to the top!"

Little did the player know but his prayer was heard by the Constellations, and this is what they said amongst one another in those very moments.

"His ambition is only second to mine! This warrior will do great and exceedingly abundant things, isn't that right Lady Fate?"

The Constellation of Fate replied back, "Yes you're absolutely right Ambition, it's all in God's Will for him to overcome these challenges. However we must follow the commandments of His Majesty before we act selfishly."

Then the Constellation of Willpower chimed in as this was spoken, "If his Willpower stays faithful and strong to his spirit, then he can overcome any adversity with ease!"

And then Valor commented on this saying, "Not just Willpower, but also valor, and discipline! If he faulters in those areas, it can spell certain doom for him."

Then Lady Wisdom spoke softly and added on, "Not just certain doom for him, but also for everything around him. Including Aria herself!"

The Constellations knew what she meant by this, it caused a shift in the mood. However though, Lady Hope spoke once again to set their minds at ease,
"However he uses this power is entirely up to him, however, we shouldn't forget why he was chosen for this calling. Does everyone remember why?"

It was then that another Constellation spoke out, "Because he's perseverant.."

And another said, "Also patient..."

Then one by one, each Constellation began naming adjectives that described the young mage in full sincerity.

"Zealous...", "Ambitious...", "Strong-willed...", "Disciplined...", "Valorous...", "Magnanimous...", "Passionate...", "Cunning...", "Faithful..."

Lady Hope then said unto them, "Inside of him lies a piece of all of us, whether small or big! If we keep hope in him, then isn't it the same as keeping hope in ourselves?"

All the Constellations we're in agreement with this, they knew inside of Shin lied all the traits of the Constellations. It was for that reason that he was chosen, even if it wasn't by his own will.  The tension in between the Stars began to ease up as everyone was reminded of this.

After the tension cleared up, Lady Wisdom voiced a suggestion to the other Constellations.

"I just got an idea, would everyone like to hear it?"

The other Constellations listened closely, and Zeal replied, "What is it Wisdom?"

 "What if we gave him a daily quest to prove once and for all that he's everything we claim him to be?"

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