10 Origin Stone (2/2)
You have defeated an apex existence of the Grootslang species and absorbed its essence. You can now use essence to develop its unique ability. This ability allows you to have dominion over all lesser snake species and can induce a fear effect in an enemy. The effect is stronger the more your willpower exceeds your target. A significant difference can induce paralysis.
I stared at the notification appearing in front of me. I blinked a few time to make sure that I wasn't dreaming. It is real!
”Hell Yes!”
I couldn't help shouting out!
First time upgrading and I gained the chance to earn an amazing new ability! Snake King Aura looked extremely useful and I could already imagine many different scenarios where it could be used. Since the ability was a mental ability it shouldn't affect my appearance.
Another surprise is my starting stats which are significantly higher than in my previous life. In my last life, my highest stat was willpower at 7, but the rest were all at 5, which I could only assume was because of my weak physique and lack of involvement with sports.
What caused the change? I thought back to what has happened.
It had to be the treatment of the Geodenisis Arboreth sap, that is the only thing that could have impacted the fitness of my body. Such amazing stuff, no wonder the G'eth would want to keep it secret.
Now I was faced with a decision. Use all my essence to level up, or use the essence to unlock Snake King Aura and use the rest to level up. The increase in fitness from leveling up would be immense, however, Snake King Aura would significantly increase my combat abilities. Not to mention I would have to save 20000 in the future to get it. Whereas I can still level up quickly using what's left and my knowledge of Agartha.
I put 20000 essence into Snake King Aura. The notification changed.
Snake King Aura: (Active)
This ability allows you to have dominion over all lesser snake species and can briefly induce a fear effect in an enemy if their willpower is lower than yours, even paralyzing them for a moment if it's significantly lower. To use this ability focus your mind on domineering thoughts and direct them at your enemy.
First I checked my face then body to see if any changes had occurred and fortunately nothing had changed in my appearance. Then I tried using my ability. Unfortunately, without a target it mind it seemed to not do anything, although I couldn't be sure. Unlike a video game where you can instantly use an ability, when you gain skills from the Archaic System you have to learn how to control it and use it properly on your own. It could be that I'm just not using it right.
Lastly, I still had 2008 essence left and can use it to level up. I started pouring the essence into my level.
Level 1: (100/100)
Level 2: (200/200)
Level 3: (450/450)
Level 4: (750/750)
Level 5: (0/1100)
At the end, I was level 5. I gained 8 stat points and had 508 essence left over. The reason I didn't put all the leftover essence into level 6 is because of a piece of advice an old man in a tavern gave me in the last life. He said, ”Never dump essence into your level unless you can level up. You never know if the next time you come to an origin stone you have a chance at a new skill and sometimes skills are more important than a level up.” So it became a habit to hold on to the leftover essence.
Now it's time to distribute the stat points. I decided to distribute the most into willpower and then dexterity. This is because Snake King's Aura can cause an enemy to pause in fear and in that moment if I deliver a quick blow I can kill them immediately. For the moment willpower and dexterity are my most important stat. However, strength and constitution cannot be overlooked. Constitution was greatly boosted by the Geodenisis Arboreth sap so I didn't think it needed increasing however, strength could use another point.
Name: Troy Williams
Level: 5 (0/1100)
Essence: 408
Stat Points: 0
STATS
Strength: 7 + 1
Constitution: 9
Willpower: 7 + 5
Dexterity : 8 + 2
SKILLS
Snake King Aura: (Active)
A cool feeling shot through my hand and into my body. I could feel my muscles tightening then expanding. My mind felt refreshed and my joints loosen up. You never get tired of that feeling, the feeling of getting more powerful. It's intoxicating.