I, The Anomalous God

Chapter 10 Borina Cave

Name: J¤•■ A¤[!] (Lv.1), Heal (Lv.1), Boost (Lv.1), Energy Control (Lv.1)

Passive Skills: Nature Heart (Lv.3), Reading Mastery (Lv.2), Basic Sword (Lv.1), Quill Mastery (Lv.1)

Title: Ishishin’s Daughter, Wide Reader, Nature Lover, Achiever, Worm, Wise

Title Skill: Memory (Passive)(Lv.1)

Status points: 0

===================

Name: J¤•■ A¤[ - Armor Plate (Active) (36 mins)]

Level: 2 (Exp. 15.18%)

Race: Human

Class: Worm

Age: 2 weeks, 1 day

Health: 12120

Mana: 17260

AP: 5652

DP: 8675 (+15)

Strength: 19 (+300)

Dexterity: 10 (+300)

Intelligence: 100 (+508)

Vitality: 101 (+505)

Wisdom: 50 (+290)

Agility: 10 (+312)

Active Skills: Telekinesis (Lv.5), Float (Lv.3), Divine Light (Broken), Sprint (Lv.2), Force Shield (Lv.4), Meditation (Semi-passive/Level 3), Parkour (Lv.3), Hard Punch (Lv.2), Skull Bash (Lv.1), Appraisal (Lv.1), Sink (Lv.1), Hold Breath (Lv.1), Swim (Lv.1), Energy Control (Lv.1), Area Sense (Lv.1)

Passive Skills: Universal Language (Max), Fear Resistance (Lv.1), Pain Resistance (Lv.2), Memory Bank (Semi-active/Lv.1), Illusion Resistance (Lv.1)

Title: Anomaly (Awakened), Tatiana’s Son, Contracted, Reborn, Coward, Worm, First Kill

Title Skill: Danger Sense (Passive/Lv.3)

Status points: 0

=================

“Good! By tomorrow, Anton and Trekka would level up.” Val pondered. “Alright, let’s continue the hunt!”

The trio started to hunt again after some rest. The monsters ranged from level 3 to 5 on the first floor. Thanks to Reborn’s defenses, Anton and Trekka were able to cope with.

Val also did not dally and instructed them accordingly and provided help as needed. Soon, by the end of their first week in Borina Cave, Anton and Trekka became level 2 while Reborn became a level 3.

He asked Val what status he should invest in. “Hm. That depends on you, actually. For me, I focused my status investment to Intelligence and Wisdom, so those are relatively higher than my other stats. Why I chose those, is because they are convenient for my class. I am a Scholar. I need to have the best, widest and deepest perception of things. That is why I am also most adept in using Sprite Magic.” Val explained.

“Soldiers mostly focus on raising either their Agility or Dexterity stats. Some do focus on their Strength stat, but it is very rare in the village. Magicians focuses on either Intelligence or Wisdom, however, there some that tries to focus on both statuses.” He continued while the three Worms listened attentively.

“Scholars like us, mostly focus on raising either the Intelligence or Vitality stats. There are some that raises their Wisdom stats, but it is seldom the choice. I am even more on the rarer cases; I chose Intelligence and Wisdom stats to raise.” He said. “So, as you see, it really depends on what you prefer and what is your strengths.” Val explained.

“Then, what do you recommend, sir?” Trekka asked.

“Well, let’s see, for Trekka, you are intelligent and wise, you are a wide reader too. I recommend you raise either Intelligence, Wisdom or Vitality stats. That is also because you already awakened your Sprite Magic.” Val told her. “For Anton, I recommend you focus raising your Agility status. With higher Agility stat, you will be faster and more responsive to your environment. That will also complement your Blink and Hide skills.” Anton nodded and decided to listen to the Grand Scholar.

“For you Reborn, honestly, I can’t recommend a better way of managing your stats.” He said.

“Huh?” Trekka and Anton looked at each other then at Reborn in wonder.

“Grand Scholar…” Reborn called out feeling the strange looks in his friends’ eyes.

“Hm? Oh, right! You two should not mind me or Reborn, he is special, you know.” Val said to them.

“Huh?”

“Reborn tell us your stats.” Val said.

“What?!” Reborn was taken by surprise. Why is the Grand Scholar asking him to reveal his stats? Should he reveal the truth about his status? He was in a dilemma that moment. Then, he thought, he once revealed his HP and MP value to the Grand Scholar, so, maybe if he just tells them of his base stats.

“Alright, my Strength, Dexterity and Agility statuses are average, but my Intelligence, Vitality and Wisdom statuses are abnormally high since I was born.” He said. “My Intelligence stat is 100, Vitality is 101 and Wisdom is 50.”

“What?!” Anton exclaimed.

“That is way past abnormal! You are only level 3!” Trekka pointed.

“See that? That is why I am hesitating what status to recommend for you to raise.” Val commented. “You are already perfect for a Scholar with hat stats you know. I had stats like that just when I reach level 50.”

“Huh? Level f-fifty!?” Anton was surprised again. “W-what is your current level then, sir?”

“Oh, 109. It is so hard to raise levels when you reach that high.” Val casually said.

“109…” Anton whispered weakly.

“You should read more, Anton.” Trekka sighed.

“What? Are you not surprised? That is a very high level! When do you think can we reach that?” Anton said.

“For your information, there are individuals with much, much higher level than that!” Trekka said proudly.

“What?” This seemed to be Anton’s favorite word of the day.

“That is true. The dragons for example, the lowest level you can find for a normal dragon is level 400. There was even a rumor of the strongest dragon, Asmodium, to be level 999.” Val said.

“I think you should raise either your Strength, Dexterity or Agility statuses.” Val said to Reborn.

“Hm. I thought so as well.” Reborn answered. So, Reborn decided to invest 10 points to Strength, 3 points to Agility and 2 points to Dexterity.

Name: J¤•■ A¤[ - Armor Plate (Active) (41 mins)]

Level: 3 (Exp. 4.27%)

Race: Human

Class: Worm

Age: 3 weeks

Health: 12120

Mana: 17260

AP: 5702

DP: 8725 (+15)

Strength: 29 (+300)

Dexterity: 12 (+300)

Intelligence: 100 (+508)

Vitality: 101 (+505)

Wisdom: 50 (+290)

Agility: 13 (+312)

Active Skills: Telekinesis (Lv.5), Float (Lv.3), Divine Light (Broken), Sprint (Lv.2), Force Shield (Lv.4), Meditation (Semi-passive/Level 3), Parkour (Lv.3), Hard Punch (Lv.3), Skull Bash (Lv.2), Appraisal (Lv.2), Sink (Lv.1), Hold Breath (Lv.1), Swim (Lv.1), Energy Control (Lv.1), Area Sense (Lv.1)

Passive Skills: Universal Language (Max), Fear Resistance (Lv.1), Pain Resistance (Lv.2), Memory Bank (Semi-active/Lv.1), Illusion Resistance (Lv.1)

Title: Anomaly (Awakened), Tatiana’s Son, Contracted, Reborn, Coward, Worm, First Kill

Title Skill: Danger Sense (Passive/Lv.4)

Status points: 0

==================

Another week passed, Reborn and the others leveled up again. It was also that time when Val announced to them, “Alright Worms, Reborn is already level 4 and you two are level 3. It is time to advance to the second floor of this dungeon. However, you will be doing it this time by yourselves. I am summoned back to the village.”

“You are not going with us?” Trekka said sadly.

“Hm. There is nothing to worry about. You are stronger than before and besides, the monsters on the second level are only slightly stronger than the monsters on the first floor. I am confident you can handle it.” Val said.

“Yeah, we can! I am more proficient in using this quill and I want to try my Sprite Magic on some monsters as well!” Anton said excitedly.

“Isn’t your first Sprite Magic a water-based spell called “Sprinkle”?” Trekka pointed. “Can it even deal a damage?”

Anton winced when it was pointed by Trekka. “Just shut up!” he said.

“Well then, I will make Reborn in charge.” He looked at Reborn, “You are the greatest damage dealer and defender in this group, so, I expect you to protect them well.” Val said.

“Yes, sir! Please rest assured!” Reborn promised.

“Just remember, do not go down another level, not until you reach level 10! The third level of the dungeon is where monsters from level 10 and higher can be found. There are also other races in that level, it might cause trouble if you cross some.” Val reminded. “Alright, I am off!”

The Grand Scholar bid the Worms farewell and left the cave.

“So, what now?” Anton asked.

“We go deeper and look for the entrance to the second level.” Reborn said.

The trio continued hunting in Borina Cave. Anton finally able to learn an offensive skill. He was so happy about it and bragged it all day long.

After two days of exploring and hunting, they finally arrived at the deepest part of the Borina Cave’s first floor. “Wow! That is a huge door!” Anton exclaimed.

“Hm, this door should be made from Pathon. It should be relatively hard to break!” Trekka said as she inspected the stone door.

“Let us look around, there must be some sort of key here.” Reborn said.

“Roar!” A loud roar suddenly shook the cave.

“Oh frack! It’s a dungeon boss!” Anton said.

“That’s the key to the door!” Reborn said.

“We can’t fight that!” Trekka stated.

=============

“Name: Borina Club Ape

Level: 6

Description: A huge ape with club-like arms. Its hide is so hard that normal weapons cannot penetrate.”

“s**t! It’s level 6! Run away!” Reborn screamed after he saw the monster’s status using his Appraisal skill.

“Roar!” The monster swung its huge club-like arms towards Reborn. He immediately made two stacks of Force Shield and received the blow. The first shield broke and the second shield cracked.

“I will hold it off! Go on, get out of here!” Reborn screamed at the two sprites.

“Boost!” Trekka used her skill on Reborn then said, “We will wait for you at the entrance! Don’t die!” Trekka flew away after that together with Anton.

“Yargh!!” Reborn pushed the Force Shield away together with the ape. He then raised his hand and grabbed some stalactites from the ceiling with Telekinesis and pulled them down on the ape.

 It did not do a thing though; at worst it made the monster angry. The ape charged at Reborn. He made another Force Shield to intercept the ape’s charge. However, the ape must have learnt its lesson because it jumped over the shields instead of smashing through them. It landed in front of Reborn. With its large, club-like arms, it swatted Reborn aside.

“BAM!”

“Gwarkk!” Reborn felt his right arm break at that moment. If not for the Boost given by Trekka, it would have not been just be his right broken arm.  His armor cracked with the impact. “Damn it!” Reborn saw the ape charging at him again. He hurriedly encased himself in many layers of Force Shields.

The ape started to smash and pound on the shields. It shook and c***k then broke. But another shield will replace it again. “If this goes on, my mana will run out!” Reborn thought.

What other things can he do? Aside from telekinesis, there is no other offensive skill he knows. Hard Punch won’t be of help, even the stalactites can’t make a scratch. “My MP is running low fast!” The ape kept smashing and breaking the shields while Reborn made another to replace the shields. After all, it is the only thing separating him from the ape. “Ah! Energy control!” He blurted.

“Ting! 50 Defense points are about to be used. Confirm?” the announcement sounded.

“Yes!” He said. Then, the Force Shield around him alighted and when the ape pounded on it, the shield only shook but did not c***k or break. “It worked!”

Reborn remembered how to use his Defense points. So, he tried if he could use it on his Force Shield skill and it worked. The shields were strengthened. The shields lasted for more than two minutes before breaking. “Its short but its good enough!”

He shielded himself with another strengthened shield. Then, with Telekinesis, he grabbed a large, pointy stalactite and tried to use Attack points on it.

“Ting! Target is not available for Attack Points to use.” The announcement said. “Can I only use it only on myself and my skills? But it worked on my armor. Does it have to be touching me for it to work?” He thought.

“Roar!” The ape became angrier. It was annoyed by the unlimited number of shields and it noticed that the shields became sturdier and harder to break.

“I have to think of another idea!” He mumbled as he tried to hold out.

===============

“Anton, you are faster with your Blink skill! You should go first and ask for help!” Trekka said as they flew away from the area. Some monsters tried to intercept them, but they were used to fighting them that they easily defeated the lower leveled monsters.

“What about you!?” Anton saw that Trekka is exhausted. They had to fight numbers of monsters along the way. Although, they killed many weeks ago, monsters in Borina Cave can respawn in just a day.

“I can hold out if its only these monsters! The most important thing now is to ask help. Reborn might be stronger than us but that monster is a level 6. He might hold out a bit, but it won’t be long. Go now!” Trekka said.

Anton nodded and immediately used his Blink skill to get out from the area. He flew so fast and Blink at times, it took him a short while before exiting the cave. He continued flying towards the village while maintaining his current speed.

=================

The ape continued the pounding on the shields. It seemed to have unlimited stamina. It did not stop even once at all. Reborn’s mana is now less than half his maximum mana capacity and his Defense points have 3402 left.

The time he spent inside the shield, Reborn reviewed all his skills, trying to look for a way to escape his predicament. And he found a possible solution.

“Ting!

Skill Name: Energy Control

Level: 1

Description: A skill that controls energy. Control includes transformation, enhancement, and manipulation.

Cost: 100 MP.” The announcement said.

“It looks different. Anyway, this is it!” He thought. He immediately used energy control on his Force Shield. He tried the transformation control of energy and imagined a spiky shield. Unfortunately, nothing happened.

“Rargh!” The shield broke when the ape pounded it. Reborn forgot to make another shield. With his Danger Sense, and Area Sense, he was able to accurately pinpoint the best way to avoid the ape’s attack in a split second. Using Telekinesis, he pushed himself off the ground, and with his Parkour skill, he used the ape’s large fist as a pedestal and jumped out of the ape’s range. “Argh!” He gritted as he felt pain in his broken right arm.

He made layers of Force Shields again. The ape roared angrily and grabbed a boulder and smashed it on the shield.

“Maybe, I need to use Attack Points?” Reborn thought. He immediately tried it. Then he heard the announcement.

“Ting! 100 Attack points are about to be used. Confirm?” Reborn instantly confirmed it. Just a second after he confirmed it, the shield transformed into a shield filled with sharp spikes.

“Ting! Thorn Shield skill acquired.” It said. The thorns on the shield pierced the arm of the ape as it suddenly sprouted when the ape brought its arms down to smash it.

“GRAAAOOH!!” The ape howled in pain.

“Yes! It worked!” Reborn blurted happily. He thought of another idea again. “Let’s try this!” He made Thorn Shields around the ape, from above and its sides.

“Compress!” He screamed. The shields clamped on the ape.

“Gaoooh!” It howled as it struggled inside the Thorn Shields. After a few minutes, the ape went quiet.

“Ting! Borina Club Ape killed. 2.5% experience gained.”

“Ting! Skill creation bonus. Additional 30% experience gained.”

“Ting!

Skill Name: None

Level: 3

Description: Traps enemies inside a box made of thorn shields.

Cost: 150 MP.”

“What? I created a skill?” Reborn blurted in surprise. “Hm. What should I name it? Thorn Coffin, perhaps?”

“Ting! Confirm skill name Thorn Coffin.”

“Oh. Yes.” Reborn thought.

“Ting! Thorn Coffin skill acquired.”

Reborn slowly stood up and walked towards the ape’s corpse. He took the items dropped from the monster. It was a yellow gem and a book.

“What’s this?”

“Ting! Borina Club Ape Core obtained.

Name: Borina Club Ape Core

Type: Gem

Description: Key to Borina Cave Level 2.”

“Ting! Book of Spells I obtained.

Name: Book of Spells I

Type: Book

Description: A book that contains basic theories and applications of magic using the 4 basic elements.”

“Ting! Appraisal skill leveled up.”

After sorting the materials and some meat from the monster, Reborn rested. He made a Force Shield cast on his broken arm. “It would be so helpful if I had a healing skill now.” He muttered.

“There you are! I have been looking for you!” Reborn was startled to stand. He looked around to find who spoke but there was no one.

“Who is there?” He asked.

“Come here, boy! Follow the flowers!” the voice said. Suddenly, flowers bloomed in the cave and on the stone door. Reborn hesitated, he should wait for the other two to come back. Besides, the Grand Scholar must be with them then.

“What are you waiting for? I don’t have much time!” the voice urged him. “Tsk!”

Vines suddenly sprouted from the plants that crawled on the stone door. They wrapped Reborn and pulled him over towards the stone door.

“Hey! Stop!”

A vine took out the ape’s core and inserted it on a hidden slot on the stone door. Then, the door opened. The vines carried Reborn towards the second level of the dungeon.