Chapter 12: 12. Strongest Weakling

You have accumulated 13 points of Force.

Rhys heaved a sigh of relief as the Blue Fanged snake fell dead at his feet. He had spent the last three days exploring the hunting area of the inheritance. However, his hunts had been slow since the wildlife in there seemed to be avoiding him as much as possible. He called up his stat page to see how close he was to the next rank.

Next Rank: 297/325 of Force Accumulated

Almost there. Rhys sighed as he glanced at his surroundings. The snake had attacked him on the edge of a swamp. The lush forest just suddenly disappeared and bordered on that foul terrain. I didn’t think there would be different areas down here.

Rhys mused over that discovery as he attempted to peer through the fog that rose from the surface of the murky waters. Truth be told, he had found that the forest had become relatively easy by using his Freezing Sphere spell alongside his sword.

I guess this swamp area is supposed to be for a mage on my rank. Rhys cocked an eyebrow as he spotted several shadows moving. He guessed the hunting areas were designed to test a mage’s limits so they would not be caught unprepared out in the world.

Those beasts in there will definitely attack the moment I step foot inside the fog. A playful smile crossed Rhys’ lips as he considered whether the risk would be worth the potential reward. I could keep hunting the forest to bring myself into the next rank, but the creatures there are wary of my presence. It could take a while.

Rhys entered the swamp. He would not take the safe path to power since he was certain there would be times he would have to take a risk to gain worthy benefits. His eyes dashed back and forth as he studied the shadows. They’re keeping their distance just now.

He tested each step before taking it. The worst thing that could happen was if he were to tumble into the water. It would give the beasts the perfect opportunity to attack him! You’re not getting me that easily. Rhys chuckled as the shadows grew closer each time he was about to take a step.

A sharp clicking noise came from somewhere to his right as one shadow rushed towards him! It got too impatient! Rhys already had Freezing Sphere and his sword at the ready as he turned to face the incoming threat.

Water and mud flew everywhere as a hulking shape sprung towards him with its circular mouth full of rows of sharp teeth wide open! Rhys gasped as he jumped to the side, onto a piece of muddy earth as the creature flew past.

It was then that he realised all the shadows he had seen were, in fact, a single creature! His inspection revealed it to be a Swamp Worm. The size of the beast sincerely amazed him. It had to be at least forty metres long! Though, that just makes it an easier target!

He unleashed his spell, which had no problems in striking the enormous mass as he leapt forward with his blade. The worm screeched as the biting metal slid into its body. Leaving a gaping wound that its insides fell out of.

Although the creature had taken a severe wound, that alone was not enough to kill it. Rhys knew he could not take one of its charges head on. There was enough strength and weight behind it that made him sure it would knock him into the water if he tried to block it!

Rhys cursed as he noticed the beast had only lost a quarter of its health from those combined attacks. It made him believe that kind of creature probably specialised in the physique stat. The worm swam back into the fog, but remained close to Rhys.

He felt the tension rising as he watched the worm’s shadow moving through the fog wherever it surfaced. Lightning crackled at his fingertips as he switched up his tactics. The worm was so large there was no need to slow it down and, with its size, his Creeping Lightning spell would deal more damage.

Rhys eyed his footing to be sure of where to move to when the worm charged again. He knew he had to be aware of his surroundings to survive in that situation. When he saw the shadow moving again, he focused all of his attention on it. Ripples reached the water near him and he knew the worm was about to leap at him again.

As soon as he heard the clicking of its teeth, he made his move! Once again, he jumped to the side. Crackling filled the air as he covered the spot where he had been in a constant stream of lightning! The worm let out an angry screech as it jumped straight into the spell.

The worm spasmed as Rhys surged towards it and hacked away with his blade. Scorch marks and thin layers of frost spread on the beast’s skin as blood and flesh splattered on Rhys’ face. Rhys frowned as he watched its health plummet. The creature was trying to slither back into the swamp waters. However, Rhys had no intention of allowing that to happen!

His onslaught was relentless as his Power reserves dwindled. Just die already! He screamed in his mind as the worm released a hallowing screech. Rhys was concerned that the monster would draw the attention of other predators in that swamp.

It seemed his worst fears came true when several beastly noises echoed from deep within the fog. Damn it! Rhys grit his teeth as he swung his sword as fast as he could. He cut away large chunks of flesh with each swing as he constantly checked his surroundings.

Eventually, the worm curled up on itself as life fled from its body. If something else attacks now, I’m done for! Rhys thought, but he was not about to forsake his reward for that battle. His palm reached for the mutilated body as he prepared his Drain Force spell. Energy surged from the worm and flooded every fibre of Rhys’ being as his eyes scanned the smog.

Come on! Hurry up! Rhys panicked as a massive shadow appeared in the fog. He could watch as the shadow came closer while he drained the force of the worm. He grit his teeth so hard that a jolt of pain snapped along his jaw.

Before he could make out the features of the new monster, he felt the energy in his body fading. He heaved a sigh of relief as he used Raise Lesser Undead on the worm to buy himself some time. The rotten corpse dashed into the swamp towards the oncoming threat as the first notification arrived.

You have accumulated 43 points of Force.

Force accumulated exceeds maximum.

Purging excess Force.

Rhys frowned at that notification. He did not want to give up even a single point of the force he had earned, but there was nothing he could do about it. He used the abrupt break in the notifications to dash for the forest as the sounds of battle reached him. I wonder how long it can hold out for. He had just made it inside the treeline as the next lot of notifications reached him.

Congratulations, you have reached F+ Rank!

Starting Body Nourishment.

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Rhys felt the familiar burning sensation spread throughout his body. However, as his body adapted to be a better container for his power, the pain exploded throughout his body! What the hell! Rhys collapsed face first into the dirt as the agony wracked his body. He felt his consciousness drifting away as he struggled to remain aware of what was going on around him. The pain finally receded as the next lot of notifications arrived.

91 points of Force remaining from Body Nourishment.

Adding remaining points to Force Accumulated.

You have gained +10 Will, +5 Luck and +10 Free Points!

Rhys was soaked in sweat from the experience. His arms trembled from the effort of attempting to push himself off the ground. I did it! I’ve reached the peak of the F Ranks! It was only a small milestone on the path to the lofty peaks of being an empowered, but Rhys could not have been happier at the moment.

His enthusiasm did not last long as he realised he was merely a big fish swimming in the pond belonging to the bottom of the food chain. He let out a long sigh as he rested his back against a nearby tree to allow his body to recover from the nourishment.

If that worm was anything to go by, then I really to consider adding some points to strength. Rhys already knew where he wanted to invest his free points, but his recent experience made him reevaluate his plan. He pulled up his stats page and smiled as he dumped his points into Strength, Physique, and Speed.

 

Health: 180/180

Power: 270/650

Rank: F+

Next Rank: 91/660 of Force Accumulated

 

Strength: 10

Physique: 18

Speed: 12

Will: 45

Luck: 20

 

Rhys nodded as he studied his new stats. It’s going to take a lot more time to enter the E ranks. However, that was to be expected. The gaps to increase my rank is steadily getting larger. He could only sigh when he thought about that.

At the rate it was going, there would be a vast difference between people at different stages of each rank in the future. The gaps for each person would vary depending on their potential. Which was affected by each person’s will stat.

Rhys shook his head as he carefully stood up. My power has recovered enough for my journey back to the living area to be safe. I guess it’s time to check that last book and get in touch with the players. He already knew what he was going to say to them to stir them up against the cult.

The journey back was uneventful. It seemed the beasts within the forest area could sense his power and chose to avoid him completely. Before anything else, Rhys enjoyed a long soak in the warm bath. Damn! I forgot to bring back some food! Rhys complained to himself as he was drying himself off.

It was not a major issue, as his body barely felt hungry. He threw his robes into a corner of his bedroom as he rummaged through the wardrobe. He quickly selected a pair of brown trousers, another white shirt, and knee-length red robes.

Once he was dressed, he sat on the bed and pulled up the player forums. I need to see what they’re up to so I can make a plan. Tolke would be the best target since she likes to voice her opinions on here. Rhys mumbled to himself as he scanned to the posts, looking for her name. However, he was disappointed to discover that she had not posted anything new.

Rhys rubbed his chin as he leaned back to consider his options. I could just risk it and approach the first players I find. It’ll probably be Tolke’s group anyway, since they seem determined to hunt me down. Rhys sighed as he wondered what the odds were that he could meet a player he had not killed yet.

After all, they would be more likely to hear him out. But there was the chance they would keep any information he gave them to themselves. He could not let that happen as everything depended on his information spreading amongst them. As he was wondering about what to do, a new post appeared.

Rhys’ eyes lit up as he scanned the title and the name of the poster. Long Day? Rhys chuckled at the name the player had chosen for themself. Seems like I should meet this guy! A wide grin spread across his face as he closed the forums. Such luck! I can’t believe he’s just waiting in the crystal room for me to appear!

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