Chapter 36 (1/2)
As for himself, Randidly was quite pleased with the night’s haul, although he was slightly perturbed by his lack of reaction to death. But he supposed that was just the world they were currently living in.
Dodge, Fighting Proficiency, Spear Phantom’s Footwork, and Haste had all improved by 1 level. In addition, Arcane Orb, Empower, and Sweep had improved by 2. The biggest gains, however, were in Roundhouse Kick, Healing Palm, and Calculated Blow, which improved by 4, 3, and a staggering 7, respectively.
Apparently killing large amounts of low leveled opponents did a lot for Calculated Blow. As it was currently, it was almost effortless for Randidly to see the weaknesses of the 4 enemies that populated the area.
The skill gains were enough for Randidly to finish off Monster Slayer V.
Congratulations! You have completed the Monster Slayer V Path! +5 stat(s) +1 to Health Regen, Mana Regen, and Stamina Regen. Sometimes the path forward leads through blood and gore, and sometimes the path is long. But you cannot hesitate.
But the completion of the path left Randidly with several choices. He had unlocked The Monster Slayer Path, which would take 50 PP, and also still had the Watcher Path, but he had also earned Potion Making I Path after getting the skill to lvl 20. It cost 25, but Randidly hesitated because of the real possibility that a skill lay at the end of it.
Ultimately, the lure of that skill was too great, and Randidly chose to pour his remaining 14 PP into Potion Making I. As he did so, he was delighted to find that after putting 5 in, he got a point in Focus, and 10 gave him a stat in control. It was a nice surprise, after the Monster Slayer paths, that only gave a completion bonus.
After Randidly put the 12 of his 14 PP into Potion Making I path, something else happened that gave him pause.
Congratulations! Your Soul Path “Green Spear Mastery” has reached level 250. You have followed this path for a long time, yet now it forks. On your left lays the Waning Rafflesia, and on your right lays the Blooming Hydrangea. Choose where you wish to Walk.
Randidly wasn’t overly familiar flowers, but he understood Waning and Blooming as adjectives. He briefly considered trying to perhaps consult Sam on what exactly the flowers were, but they didn’t seem very important. Instead, Randidly went with his gut.
“Waning Rafflesia.” The other path seemed to be the softer sides of plants, growth and healing. But Randidly knew that to possess the strength he desired, to protect the village, to find his friends… he needed the strength of rot and death.
You have chosen the path of the stinking corpse lily. Green Spear Mastery has become Spear of Rot Mastery. Skill level has reset to 1. You retain all the benefits of Green Spear Mastery.
You have learned the skill Pollen of the Rafflesia Lvl 1. You have learned the skill Edge of Decay Lvl 1. You have learned the skill Summon Pestilence Lvl 1.
Pollen of the Rafflesia: Release pollen from your spear, spreading the scent of spiciness and rot. Enemies caught inhaling your pollen will experience drowsiness, nausea, and minor hallucinations. Costs 50 mana. Effectiveness depends on Intelligence and skill level.
Edge of Decay: Passive ability. Wounds you inflect contain a hint of Rafflesia’s Rot, often leading to increased infection and necrosis of the wounds. Frequency of rot and speed of rot depend on skill level.
Summon Pestilence: The Rafflesia has a strong relationship with hungry insects. Summon a group of those hungry insects to unleash upon your enemies. Number of insects depends on Intelligence and Skill Level. Concentration of Insects depends on Focus, Wisdom, and Skill Level. Control over insects depends on Control and Skill Level.