Henry clicked the exchange button, his arm still wrapped around his meal’s tail and as he hid under an isolated outcropping of barnacle covered rocks, he checked the notifications.
Mimicking Arms (F): Level 2 -> Level 4
Bite (F): Level 1 -> Level 2
Goatfish Core (F) was exchanged for 3 F-Tokens.
Access to Stat Increase module granted.
Access to Skill Acquisition module granted.
Access to Trait Acquisition module granted.
Henry chomped on the fish as he read through the text, feeling grateful for the lack of sensory nerves in his mouth, and waited to see if he’d get another skill, but this time, there was nothing. Magic Mimic had nothing for him.
One… no, two possibilities; Either Dart is blocking new skills from being copied, which I doubt, or the level 2 goatfish had nothing for me to copy.
He looked down at the fish. And took another bite. Then another.
I guess I’ll know for sure when I sample more fish, but it seems like this little guy lived a simple life.
Henry ate until he felt full, then a quick look above told him it was time to leave. A few larger fish seemed to have noticed his meal, and they were circling closer.
I’m full anyway, he thought as he slinked away. He carefully looked into the rock crevices, then entered one that was covered by some anemones. A large dotted rust-red starfish was nestled against it, and Henry decided that would be dessert.
Maybe it has a healing Skill. Those would be important to have, if they exist.
Feeling safe and comfortable in the roomy crevice, he started with Stat Increase module and as soon as he clicked, he got a small prompt.
This module allows for stat point purchase.
The points are limited to 5 points per stat, per rank.
Caution: For F-rank, the base stats count against the purchase limit.
Oh that sucks a bit. But I guess it won’t be a big deal in the long-term.
Next, Henry checked his current and before he checked the prices, he eyed his currents stats.
Strength: 1
Constitution: 1
Spirit: 4
Perception: 2
Dexterity: 2
Alright… all of these seem straightforward enough and if we follow game rules, then I want to prioritize Perception and Constitution. At least while I’m this low level. One would allow me to see danger, and the second would allow me to survive it.
The Stat Increase menu listed every Stat, and he had to click on each to get the cost of the purchase. Henry was surprised at the costs.
So I can buy points, but the higher the stat, the more I have to pay? Right now the lowest to upgrade is Strength and Constitution, which cost 1 F-Token each, while the most expensive is Spirit at 4 F-tokens. Then again, considering the caution message, it might be because it’s considering the higher stats as if they’d been bought points? That’s explain why Spirit is so expensive. Technically I’ll be buying only the last couple of points in that stat.
Henry hummed. This meant he could shore up the low stats pretty fast, but for now, his priorities were still the same, so he tapped Perception.
Increase Perception: From 2 to 3 for 1 F-Token?
Perfect. One Perception, please.
Light coalesced around him, and Henry flinched. Some ink may or may not have been lost, but that wasn’t the focus right now. The light seemed to intensify, and he thought he could see motes of light drifting toward his eyes. Henry braced for… something. Pain? Pinching? He didn’t know. He did have to close his eyes though, as the light was blinding.
He felt a soft heat enter his eyes, then felt an uncomfortable burn. As if he’d opened his human eyes in salt water. The heat spread from his eyes to his brain for a moment, and then it was over. Henry opened his eyes.
Yes! Colors!
Henry peeked out and looked around, then his smile faltered.
There were colors, sure. But his depth perception was still pretty bad. Everything was still somewhat distorted, and the colors weren’t as vibrant as he knew they could be.
He got back inside and popped the menu up again.
Let’s see for another…. Crap.
Increase Perception: From 3 to 4 for 2 F-Token?
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
Henry glared at the prompt with his crappy vision. Did he want to put everything on Perception?
Henry thought about it for a second, then shook his head.
After the next hunt.
He bought a point for Constitution, which felt like he’d just got an amazing nap, and for the last point, he explored the other modules before committing.
The Trait Acquisition module was empty, and the Skill module had one item. He clicked it.
Add Dart (F) to class skills for 10 F-Tokens?
Can’t afford that. But good to know.
Henry turned his attention back to the stats again.
What else can I increase… what can I afford with one F-Token. Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution again. If Constitution makes more durable and have more energy, then I assume Spirit does the same for mana. Or whatever it is that is needed to use skills. Strength is straightforward. Dex… not sure.”
He went with Constitution. The same phenomenon happened again, with magic sinking into his flesh and give him a shot of energy and Henry decided he could get used to this feeling.
With that done, he sighed and looked out. Now that he knew how he could get stronger and increase his chances of survival, he just had to get out there, and hunt everything he could beat.
Though now that he thought of his stats, could he get some from leveling his class?
Henry glanced up. “What’s the point of class levels? Are they worth investing in? System?”
Nothing answered him. Fine. Keep your secrets, he thought.
Henry looked around his small cave, and decided to rest up. Maybe his health and mana would recover a bit. Then he could go out and hunt.
I’ll come for you, eel. In… god knows how long. But I’ll get there.
He felt sleepy. But right before he let his mind drift, he clamped his arms around him, and mimicked a rock.
Then he went to sleep.
***
Henry woke up to excruciating pain.
He jerked away and reflexively shot a jet of ink, which had the unfortunate side effect of making him blind.
His arm was burning with pain. When he tried to pull it, it felt stuck in something.
What’s happening?
Henry darted toward the exit, expecting to hit something on the way out, but nothing happened. He realized he still couldn’t dislodge his foot. Though from this angle he could see what was causing the pain.
You little shit.
Henry dove at the rust-red starfish, beak ready to strike. It had somehow dragged one of his arms under its center and begun to munch on it.
The starfish didn’t offer much resistance, and a second later there was a beak-shaped hole in its central disk. Which had the unfortunate consequence of shaving off the tip of his arm.
Henry freed his limb from the starfish and glanced at his it. The wound was still pulsing with pain. A few seconds later, he felt a numbness spread upward, confirming his fear.
Venomous. It's a carnivorous, venomous starfish.
[Starfish (F) - Lvl 2]
What should he do? He looked down at the starfish, and to his shock, horror and fascination, he saw the hole begin to reform.
No way… I damaged the central disk. It shouldn’t be able to reform.
The starfish seemingly didn’t care for his opinions and continued reforming. The dots on its rough skin were fading, one by one. Then a limb curled, and it began crawling out of the crevice. One millimeter at a time.
Would I adapt? Is this a dangerous venom?
An idea came to him. He hated it, but it might help.
The pulsing pain was still at the extremity of the arm and, having already lost a limb to the eel yesterday, he knew he could stop the blood flow. So Henry brought the arm under him, and bit the extremity off.
Damn it. Why the ocean? Why a fucking octopus?
Blue blood drifted off the severed limb, but once the pain of the bite mellowed, he could feel the burning pain lessening.
He glared at the starfish. Then glanced at his notifications.
Magic Mimic: Venomous Grip (F) can be copied. Discard Dart (F)?
Looks useful, admitted Henry. He glared at the starfish and reached out an arm and dragged it back into the cave.
I’m not done with you, little guy.
How did it heal? Was it another Skill? If so, Henry needed it. But could he risk ingesting more of this thing? Well… yes. Probably. He just got confirmation that its grip was venomous. Not necessarily its blood.
Or I can wait for a few hours. See if the bit I already ingested does anything.
The starfish slowly curled toward his arm, and Henry dropped it in front of him.
You’re a dick. And I will make it quick. But you’re gonna give me your skills first.
Henry wanted to test something as he waited to see if the starfish’s blood was poisoned. He refused the replacement of Dart, then went to the Skill Acquisition Module.
Venomous Grip was available for purchase.
So I just need to encounter the Skill to get it? Same price too... Good to know. Though it might be worth checking if there’s a time limit somehow. I’ll have to see if Dart is still available after a few days.
Thirty minutes or so later, he had no poisoning symptoms he could think of. No numbness, burning, or wooziness of any sorts. So he leaned over the starfish, and bite one of the starfish’s limbs. He tried to keep the barest piece in his mouth, then swallowed it.
Henry watched more of the white spots disappear from the starfish’s skin, and his heart soared when the limb began to slowly reform.
Please give me that. Whatever that is.
And the System answered his prayer.
Magic Mimic: Hoard Vitality (F) can be copied. Discard Dart (F)?
Hoard Vitality (F): Store a small portion of your health to be released at will or when severely injured for a burst of healing. This skill does not affect your total health.
Henry looked down at the skill description, and he couldn’t feel the excitement he hoped for. Did it take the health away to give it back later? It sure looked like it…
Do I want it instead of Dart, though? I think so… this is healing.
Henry considered it for a moment, then looked down at the starfish. Should he kill it and take the Core?
Henry didn’t feel good about that. It was trying to get away… and it was utterly defenseless. But his survival was at stake, here. He didn’t have that kind of luxury. Every stat might save his life.
He glanced down at the starfish, then dragged it back closer. With a couple of quick firm Bites, the familiar glow surrounded the remains of the starfish, and a little pearly core dropped.
Henry turned his attention back to his menu, and sighed. It was time for some more testing.