The One Branch of The Tree

My sentence made them silent for a split second, only a split second but enough to see the change in their expressions. Kevin just frowned, Reno narrowed his eyes, and Dimas looked a little doubtful. 

Well, a little psychological pressure never hurt then Kevin laughed out loud in disdain.

“Look at him.”

“Just killing a level 1 monster already makes me feel strong.”

His friends smiled sarcastically, it was strange how consistently humans underestimated things they didn't understand. I gripped my shaft tighter, though it felt a little different now, more solid, still like a shaft, but with a warm, flowing sensation within it, as if it were slowly coming to life.

Kevin raised his sword the fire burned brighter.

“I'm getting bored.”

He looked at me with a faint smile.

“Just end it.”

Reno raised his hand, a small bolt of lightning gathering in his palm, and Dimas drew his bow. Three against one, not counting the two others behind him. 

Bad odds but now I have at least one chance of escape or mess but I choose a combination of both.

“Arrow!” Kevin shouted.

Dimas shoots.

SWIING!

The arrow flew fast, I moved sideways more easily than before, the +1 agility really felt. Good, the arrow missed and stuck in the tree trunk, Reno attacked next, a small lightning bolt shot out like a bullet, I jumped back.

HANDS!

The ground where I was standing exploded slightly, okay, I didn't want to get hit by that. Kevin quickly advanced with his sword, slashing horizontally, flames cutting through the air. I ducked, the heat sweeping across my hair too close. I stabbed the handle towards his stomach, but Kevin easily deflected it.

"Slowly." he said.

I agree it's very slow, but that's not the main goal. I backed away, observing the surrounding trees, large roots, fog, and fairly complex terrain. Good, if it were a pure stats duel, I'd lose. But if I could exploit the environment? There was still hope. 

Kevin chased again more aggressively but overconfidently a classic mistake, he slashed from above I rolled to the right then his sword hit a large tree root getting stuck for a split second enough, I hit his hand with the stem.

TOK.

Kevin twitched not in damage more to offend, he looked increasingly annoyed, worth it.

“Damn it!”

He drew his sword, then Reno attacked again with lightning. I ran in a zigzag motion, a small explosion appearing behind me. Dimas fired two arrows in quick succession. I took cover behind a tree, and the arrow landed, almost hitting my shoulder. Okay, the scenario was still bad, I just needed one kill, one weak target, and then more.

My eyes glanced at the two people behind Kevin, they hadn't advanced much just being more nervous and more hesitant supporters, ideal targets, I took a breath the decision had been made. 

Kevin attacked again, this time I didn't back down, I charged straight at him. Kevin looked a little surprised, his sword thrust straight at me. I twisted my body, almost dodging, but the tip of the sword grazed the side of my stomach, stinging, warm, and bleeding.

But I managed to get into his blind spot, I pushed Kevin's body to the side and ran past him.

“What?!” he shouted.

The target changed, I immediately headed towards one of the kids behind Rafi, his class was a support type not too combat oriented, his expression panicked.

“Oh wait”

There was no time, I hit his chin with the stick, he staggered, I swept his legs until he fell, I immediately stabbed his neck. 

My movements stopped for a split second my old human last thoughts tried to resist but only for a split second. 

Too late, the stab had already penetrated. Rafi froze, his eyes wide, and his body stopped moving. Silence, one second, two seconds, everyone froze in shock. Great, I just killed the first human, and it turned out to be much more effective than talking.

A notification appears.

Human target slain

Devour Root activated.

Absorption possible.

Roots emerged from the branches and pierced Rafi's body, energy far greater than the monster's flowed into my body, hot, strong, brutal, I gritted my teeth.

Spam notification.

Strength +2

Agility +2

Mana +1

EXP gained.

Level Up!

Level 3 reached.

Level 4 reached.

Trait acquired:

Minor Mana Sense

I slowly lifted my head, my body feeling lighter, stronger, and much better. Oh, the scalability is amazing. Kevin took a half step back, his expression completely changed, no longer one of disdain, but now of fear. Good.

“What was that?” someone whispered.

I turned the handle in my hand, the surface changing again, now with small spikes growing on the sides, the shape becoming rougher, more like a weapon, this progress. Kevin looked at Rafi's corpse, then at me.

"Monster." he said softly.

I laughed a little funny just five minutes ago they wanted to kill me, now things have turned so interesting, I stared at them.

“Weren't you the ones who started it?”

No one answered. Dimas took a step back, and the other looked pale. The momentum had shifted, and they knew it. Kevin gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with conflict, fear, anger, and ego—a terrible mix—but finally he shouted.

“KILL HIM!”

Ah still denying to honor the commitment, they attacked again but this time it was different, I was already level 4 the difference in stats was noticeable. 

I dodged the arrows more easily then dodged the lightning and got into close range Reno hit, stab, attack, kill.

The real battle had just begun and for the first time since coming to this world I was starting to feel like I had a chance not to survive but to win.

[END CHAPTER 3]