Hero Read online

  1

  Intellect

  0

  Intellect

  0

  Agility

  5 (+2 Apollo’s Light)

  Agility

  1

  Stamina

  5

  Stamina

  1

  Constitution

  9

  Constitution

  1

  Charisma

  4

  Charisma

  1

  Rage Capacity

  15

  Rage Capacity

  10

  Skills

  Dodge – 10

  2H Spear – 11

  Improvisation – 4

  Fire Starting – 1

  Fortification – 1

  Unarmed Combat - 1

  Skills

  None

  Skills

  Dodge – Level 10

  Dodge is the ability to avoid blows in combat. Each successful combat session where you successfully dodge at least one attack will raise this by +1. Only one level will be achieved per combat session. Current affect – 10% more likely to dodge an attack by an attacker of the same or lower level. Each enemy level above yours reduces the chance to dodge by 5%. Agility level increases Dodge.

  2H Spear – Level 11

  Your chance to land a blow with a 2H spear is increased by 11% against an attacker of the same or lower level. Each enemy level above yours reduces the chance to hit by 5%. Agility increases chance to hit with a weapon.

  Improvisation – Level 4

  Improvisation is the ability to make something from nothing. 4% increased chance to put together a viable item from raw materials.

  Fire Starting – Level 1

  The ability to start fires is a gift straight from Prometheus himself. Higher levels allow you to start fires in adverse conditions. 1% increased chance to start fires.

  1H Sword – Level 1

  You chance to land a blow with a 1H sword is increased by 1% against an attacker of the same or lower level. Each enemy level above yours reduces the chance to hit by 5%. Agility increases the chance to hit with a weapon.

  Shield – Level 1

  Your chance to block a blow with an equipped shield increased by 1% from an enemy at or below your level. Your chance to land a blow with a shield increased by 1% against an attacker at or below your level. Each enemy level above yours reduces the chance to block and hit by 5%. Agility increases chance to hit and block with shields.

  Stealth – Level 4

  You move silently, grasshoppah! 4% chance to move unnoticed while sneaking around. You are slightly ashamed as a Barbarian shouldn’t be sneaking, but here we are.

  Fortification – Level 1

  You begin to appreciate the value of a well-fortified position. You do 1% more damage and receive 1% less damage when fighting from a fortified position.

  Unarmed Combat – Level 1

  You are a barbarian! 1% more base damage dealt when using your fists in combat.

  Blessings

  Apollo’s Light

  +2 to Agility

  +2 to HP regeneration (5 per minute)

  +2 to Stamina regeneration (5 per minute)

  Time remaining: 01:24

  Jaxx was pleased at his progress. He was leveling steadily but as he grew in levels, he expected it to slow down by quite a bit, due to the ever-increasing experience levels. He also noted that his buff from Apollo was rapidly running out. Only an hour and change left!

  With this reminder, Jaxx knew that if he wanted to keep his advantage he had to take the fight to the Alpha immediately. He couldn’t afford the increased stats to run out before he faced the Level 7 Alpha. At Level 5 and with the buff, his stats were roughly the same as a level 7.

  He considered his options. Obviously, the Alpha was too smart to fall for another ambush; it would wait him out. A frontal assault seemed suicide with his limited (and damaged) armor and spear. He really needed a knife.

  With the thought of his gear, he checked his spear.

  Sturdy Stone-Headed Spear

  Durability – 10/20

  Weight – 3kg

  Damage – 10-15 (piercing)

  Description – A basic stone headed spear. Well made, but it’s not bronze. What did you expect for free?

  Smiling again at reading the snarky description, he noticed the durability had dropped. Looking more closely, he saw that several areas of the stone spear head were chipped and dulled. Recalling the stone that Hwiksos had given him, he pulled it out. A simple description of “Knap Stone” was all that identified it.

  Jaxx took the stone and started tapping the edge of his stone spear head. As he worked, he saw small areas on the blade light up, and when he hit them a small piece of the edge would flake off, revealing a razor-sharp edge. When he was finished, the durability had gone up to max, but Jaxx noted that it was now 16/16. He had lost 4 durability! Thinking it over, it made sense: he was removing part of the stone to reveal another sharp edge – eventually, he wouldn’t have much stone left.

  Weapon Repair +1

  “Another skill gained,” Jaxx crowed. It took some getting used to, but he really was getting to like the way his skills continued to develop as he learned new things. Given enough time, he could raise his skills to God-like abilities, able to do anything he wanted perfectly. “Perhaps that is what makes a God in this game, they are just beings with all of their skills at max level,” he mused. Immediately his buff from Apollo pulsed and diminished, reminding him that in Olympus, the Gods were paying attention. “Best not think about things like that for now,” he chided himself.

  Putting the Gods out of his mind, he thought some more about his upcoming fight with the Alpha. He obviously needed something more to turn the fight to his side. But what? He only had the one weapon….

  Looking at the knap stone in his hand, his gaze lighted upon some rocks laying in the clearing. “No way!” he thought as he grabbed the rocks. Sure enough, one was a flint nodule! Pulling it towards him, he prayed as he started whacking the nodule with the knap stone. Sure enough, parts of the nodule began to glow the same as when he had repaired his spear head! With rapidly increasing strikes, he fashioned a stone blade with a sturdy spine, a razor-sharp edge, and a somewhat pointed end. Hefting it, he saw that he had made a primitive hand-axe. Another notification popped up.

  Improvisation +1

  You have created an item! +50 XP

  Crude Stone Hand Axe

  Durability 10/10

  Damage – 5-10

  An extremely crude blade, nevertheless it is sharp and will cut! Who took you for a bladesmith? Looking at this, no one will really.

  Again, with the snarky description! But hey, if it worked….

  Jaxx removed his tattered shirt and wrapped it around the “hilt” area of the axe, providing a small amount of protection for his hand. Its weight was heavy and the balance was awful, but it would cut and provide him with a second weapon that the Alpha would not be expecting. He didn’t know if it was intelligent enough to remember what weapons he had, but he wouldn’t be surprised.

  Tucking his knap stone and his knife into his bag, he stood and grabbed his spear. With the buff running out, it was time to party.

  Chapter 10

  Jaxx stepped out of the tree, his legs bent in a crouch and his arms tightly holding his spear. Head swiveling, he looked around for evidence of the Alpha as he slowly walked into the clearing in a crouch.

  His senses were hyper alert for any sound or sign of the predator. He knew that he was at a disadvantage: he was the attacker, never a good sign, against a beast that had 2 levels on him and was arguably as intelligent. Jaxx figured his odds at around 50/50, at best.

  Still, he had to try. The Alpha was a potential goldmine of experience, not to mention being the last wolf he needed to complete both his original quest and the optional portion.

  Jaxx slowly walked into the brush, endeavoring to keep his Stealth skill acti
ve and make as little noise as possible. He kept stopping to listen for any signs – nothing. He was a bit worried now – his buff from Apollo was about to run out and he needed it to help him beat the beast. Stopping in front of a large tree, he threw caution to the wind and let out a loud roar, hoping the Alpha would hear it and come rushing in to attack.

  Jaxx waited. Nothing. “This thing is too smart to fall for that again,” Jaxx thought. Still, maybe he could use its intelligence against it.

  “Hey dog! Come out and play, puppy!” His tone was stinging, designed to convey insult. “Here doggy! You need a master? I’m right here!”

  In the woods, not far away, the Alpha sat and listened. As he heard the insults, his ears lay flat along his head, and a low growl began to emanate from its throat.

  “Come on, you stupid bitch! Come to Daddy! I already killed all your little bitches, it’s your turn!” As he finished with his latest taunt, Jaxx felt more than heard the approach. He spun in time to see the form of the Alpha rushing towards him, fangs bared and a low, thunderous growl preceding it. Despite its speed, it made almost no sound as its paws lightly hit the ground.

  Jaxx steadied himself, ready to brace his spear when the beast leaped at him. But the Alpha didn’t jump – instead, it kept rushing at him before turning at the last second. Jaxx thrust his spear but missed, and was bowled over by the Alpha’s shoulder as it slammed into him and caused his body to fly back against the tree trunk. As it ran by, its fangs slashed at his bare shoulder and caused a cut to open.

  Alpha Wolf bites you for 3 damage!

  Bleeding! 1 hp/sec for 10 seconds

  Not good. He only had 19 HP, well 16 now, and after the bleed he would only have 6. His HP regen might give him another 1 or 2 in 10 seconds, but either way another bite and he was done for.

  Jaxx thought quickly. He had to end this fight quick as he didn’t have the health for a prolonged fight. Standing up, he ran after the wolf as it slowed and turned. Jaxx saw the Alpha’s eyes widen a bit when it saw Jaxx running at him. “Surprised you, didn’t I” he screamed as he ran the stone spear into the flank of the Alpha. It howled in pain, and then its jaws flashed at him. He felt the stone blade penetrate between two ribs, and then break with a “crack” as the beast twisted and slammed the spear shaft against the ground.

  Ducking, Jaxx lowered his head and slammed into the side of the creature, letting go of his useless spear haft, although part of the head was still imbedded in the wolf. With his left hand locked around the beast’s throat, he summoned his axe into his hand from storage and began to stab with it. Blood colored the white fur red, as it struggled against him. Jaxx noticed his stamina bar and HP falling steadily. He knew it was now or never. He had hoped that his rage bar would fill and allow him to use his Fury, but it was only half full. He knew that if he waited that long, the Alpha would kill him.

  With a supreme effort, he reached around the neck of the struggling wolf, feeling its jaws slamming again and again as it tried to reach him, held back only by the power of his now weakening left arm. The axe reached around, below, and then was drawn savagely across the wolf’s throat, causing a flood of red blood to drench him.

  The wolf gasped, shuddered, and lay still. As the last of the Bleed effect ticked away, Jaxx looked at his HP bar. 3 HP left. It ticked up to 4 as he watched.

  “Whew,” he thought, “close one there.”

  Just then, the wolf shimmered, its body outlined in gold light, before becoming whole once more. Jaxx fell backwards in shock, pushing backwards with his legs on the ground as he scrambled to get away. “I’m dead,” he thought, faced with the prospect of a fully healed monster and him in his sorry state.

  Then the wolf shimmered again, and in its place was a man. The man was wearing a toga, and his skin was golden tan. Short golden curls covered his head and forehead, almost reaching his eyes. He was missing his bow and arrows, but there was no mistaking the figure who was a match for the statue that Jaxx had seen in the temple back in Triada. “Who……. what………. Apollo?” Jaxx was trying to speak coherently, but between the fight, the pain, and the surprise that the wolf had turned into a God, he was almost incoherent.

  Apollo, for who else could it be, smiled, “That’s Lord Apollo, to you, Avatar.”

  Jaxx remembered where he was and just what this was. An AI for sure, this was one of the powerful Gods of the game. “Yes, of course, Lord Apollo. I apologize if I was rude.”

  Apollo waved away his apology. “No harm done, and I did not announce myself. Well done on your quest. I could not make it easy.”

  “You were the source of the quest?”

  “Of course. I needed a way to test your mettle, and also an excuse to talk to you privately.”

  “Why would you want to talk to me?” Jaxx was truly mystified.

  “You are first of your kind here, an Avatar. The Gods have been preparing this world for your kind, speaking to our priests and worshippers. We are all eager to see you “in action” as it were.” Apollo used his fingers in a quoting gesture as he said the words, “in action.”

  “But why? What makes us so special to require the personal attention of the Gods themselves?” Jaxx asked.

  “We know not the details, but we have been informed that your kind, the Avatars, are the key to turning back Chaos. We hold it at bay for now: eventually, it will be up to you and yours to finish it.”

  “That makes no sense. We, I mean the Avatars, have no powers to compare to the Gods! We are immortals here, yes, but….”

  Apollo cut him off. “We know not how, just that it is so. My father, Zeus, has heard from his own father, Kronus, that this is the future. The future is dire indeed, if the Titans are working with us Gods.”

  Jaxx remembered his mythology. “But how can the Titans….”

  Again, Apollo cut him off. “I know not, Avatar, and this is part of the reason for this test. I had hoped that by speaking with you alone, I might find illumination. However, I find only more questions, as you yourself have no inkling of your destiny or purpose here. All I can say for certain is that you must grow stronger to face what you must face.”

  Apollo began to fade, the light thrown off his body growing dim. Eventually, he was gone and the corpse of the Alpha remained for Jaxx to loot.

  He looted the corpse, finding the usual meat and fangs, and a singular item, Forest Alpha Wolf Skin.

  Forest Alpha Wolf Skin

  A massive skin that retains the head and jaws of an Alpha wolf.

  Perhaps this can be made into an item of some sort?

  Jaxx settled down into roots of an oak tree to allow his HP and Stamina to recover. While he did so, he looked at his notifications:

  Forest Alpha Wolf (Elite) killed!

  500 XP received!

  Congratulation! Level 6 achieved!

  +1 2H Spears

  +1 Dodge

  +1 1H Axes

  Name

  Jaxx

  Jaxx

  Race

  Human

  Human

  Level

  6

  3

  Total XP

  1810

  XP to Next Level

  1790

  100

  Strength

  11

  1

  Intellect

  0

  0

  Agility

  6

  1

  Stamina

  6

  1

  Constitution

  11

  1

  Charisma

  5

  1

  Rage Capacity

  16

  10

  Skills

  Dodge – 11

  2H Spear – 12

  Improvisation – 4

  1H Sword – 3

  Shield – 1

  Fire Starting – 1

  Fortification – 1

  Stealth – 4

  Weapon Repair – 1

  Unarmed Comb
at – 1

  1H Axes - 1

  None

  Skills

  Dodge – Level 10

  Dodge is the ability to avoid blows in combat. Each successful combat session where you successfully dodge at least one attack will raise this by +1. Only one level will be achieved per combat session. Current affect – 11% more likely to dodge an attack by an attacker of the same or lower level. Each enemy level above yours reduces the chance to dodge by 5%. Agility level increases Dodge.

  2H Spear – Level 11

  Your chance to land a blow with a 2H spear is increased by 12% against an attacker of the same or lower level. Each enemy level above yours reduces the chance to hit by 5%. Agility increases chance to hit with a weapon.

  Improvisation – Level 4

  Improvisation is the ability to make something from nothing. 4% increased chance to put together a viable item from raw materials.

  1H Sword – Level 3

  Your chance to land a blow with a 1H sword is increased by 3% against an attacker of the same or lower level. Each enemy level above yours reduces the chance to hit by 5%. Agility increases chance to hit with a weapon.