Chapter 105 (2/2)

The first spell blasted outward, igniting the thorns and smashing them outwards. Propelled by the close blast of fire, these flaming, thorny walls knocked most of the nearby squad members over, crushing them with heat, inflicting dozens of small wounds with the thorns.

As the smoke cleared, the Ghosthound was standing alone, surrounded by slowly burning piles of thorns. “Is that all, Donnyton?”

Tykes was insulated from the blast based on where he was lying, but the heat still burned his face. Pressing his eyes together to force away the bitter tears, Tykes just breathed for a long moment.

Then he opened them, and saw a beautiful figure, upside down, on the hill overlooking the arena. She was slender and blonde, with her hair twisting around her face. She seemed young, younger even than Tykes, staring intently at the arena.

He knew her, she was the girl who had always had such a weird relationship with the Ghosthound, the girl who was now somehow a town spirit, the girl they whispered had died. Lyra.

To Tykes immense surprise, she blew him a kiss.

Almost unbidden, Tykes blinked again and the girl was gone. But the strange heat from that blown kiss had not.

Tykes struggled to his feet, hefting the iron ball. “We…. we are not done-!”

Congratulations! Due to your actions, you have unlocked the Path Unyielding Will 0/10.

Tykes blinked as the Ghosthound slowly turned. In the Ghosthound’s green eyes, Tykes saw a flicker of recognition, which was oddly pleasing. But when the Ghosthound smiled, it was all ice.

“Then let’s finish this.”

With infinite slowness, the Ghosthound began to step towards Tykes, over the burning thorn walls. Unsure of what else to do, Tykes opened up his status screen.

Tykes (Last Name Unknown)

Class: ---

Level: N/A

Health(/R per hour): 93/355 (63)

Mana(/R per hour): 21/21 (7)

Stam(/R per min): 6/192 (20)

Vit: 15

End: 24

Str: 24

Agi: 22

Perception: 22

Reaction: 12

Resistance: 11

Willpower: 14

Inteligence: 9

Wisdom: 11

Control: 3

Focus: 6

Skills: Perseverance Lvl 32, Running Lvl 19, Physical Fitness Lvl 22, Endure Lvl 14, Farming Lvl 7, Woodworking Lvl 15, Leap Lvl 23, Animal Skinning Lvl 12, Hunting Lvl 7, Manual Labor Lvl 19, Cooking Lvl 6, Ball and Chain Mastery Lvl 20, Throw Lvl 27, Cleaning Lvl 16, Tailoring Lvl 9, Tough Body Lvl 13, Crush Lvl 25, Heavy Blow Lvl 18, Herculean Strength Lvl 34, Mana Bolt Lvl 9, Flail Lvl 15, Battle Sense Lvl 3, Heightened Perception Lvl 7, Dodge Lvl 14

PP: 10

Tykes blinked very slowly, then moved as if possessed. 10 PP, huh…?

He poured it all into his new path.

Congratulations! You have completed the Unyielding Will Path! In the face of great adversity, you do not bow. Although your feet blister and rip, and your eyes tremble as you tire, you stand and continue forward. For you realize that there is no choice but to continue on this path, or die. You have learned the skill Inexhaustible Will Lvl 1. You have learned the skill Unyielding Sword Lvl 1. Due to compatibility, Unyielding Sword has changed to Rebounding Sphere Lvl 1. Vit, End, Str, and Agi +5.

Tykes barely had time to take the whole of the notification in before the Ghosthound arrived, thrusting with his pole. Scrambling backwards, Tykes threw his iron ball forward, trying to buy some time. But the pole blurred, smashing the ball to the side with pure power, hitting Tykes in the gut.

Gasping for air, Tykes felt something strange in his gut that was familiar, and yet strangely new. An unwillingness to concede, that caused warmth to flow outward into his limbs. He straightened, slowly recovering, and he saw that he gained a level in Unyielding Will.

With clear eyes, he straightened all the way, only to see the tip of the pole rushing for his face.

****

The body slumped over, lifeless, and Randidly considered the young man briefly. If given the chance, he would definitely become strong. Randidly almost regretted giving out all of his Blessings, for this young man would be a powerful choice, if untested.

But at the moment, there were other concerns.

He turned slowly to face Donny, Decklan, Dozer, Kayle, and Paolo, along with a gasping healer, who was clearly overdrawn. Under Randidly’s pointed gaze, the healer paled and raised his hands, then hurried out of the arena.

Looking completely healed, Donnyton’s 5 Classer leaders stepped forward.

“You can’t defeat me like this.” Randidly said, quietly, taking stock of himself. Around 50 mana, 400 Health, and 90 Stamina. He surreptitiously absorbed the remaining 150 stamina from the stones on his fingers. Even still, it was hard to keep his breathing under control, to keep his mouth from curling up.

This was it. This feeling of having his back against the wall.

To his delight, they didn’t answer, only crouching into a fighting stance and rushing towards him. Donny cast his spell Righteous Bonds, and now all 5 were covered in golden light, rushing towards him with grim looks in their eyes.

They came to slay a Ghosthound.