Chapter 5

  [Level up]

  [Each of your attributes have increased by 1. Your focus attributes have increased by 2]

  [You gain 1 free attribute point]

  [Strength 11]

  [Dexterity 11]

  [Agility 11]

  [Constitution 11]

  [Intelligence 17]

  [Wisdom 17]

  [Faith 17]

  “Faith,” Ben said.

  He immediately allocated his free attribute point to faith.

  [Faith 19]

  Ben studied his status window, a little thrown off. His class skills were disproportionately focused on mental stats and faith. Normally, classes started with ten in all stats, with a bonus to one attribute depending on the class. Mages began with higher intelligence, tanks with higher constitution, and so on.

  Ben’s starting stats were higher in intelligence, wisdom, and faith. All three were his focus attributes, which meant they grew twice as fast and began at a higher base. This offset the typical weak start that summoners faced. His summons scaled with his stats, so higher numbers meant stronger allies.

  Before he could celebrate, one of his cherubs was struck by an arrow. It lost half its health instantly.

  Ben noticed three lizardman scouts approaching. One carried a spear, one wielded a sword and shield, and one nocked a bow.

  The cherubs charged forward to engage, while Ben fell back into the tree line. He didn’t want to draw attention to himself. Earlier, he had stepped into the open for a better shot, but now safety came first.

  His cherubs were level two, having leveled with him. They were nimble but poorly equipped and would not survive long against three higher-level foes.

  The lizardman archer released another arrow, missing narrowly. The cherubs dodged nimbly, but they could not strike. Every time they approached with their blades, a lizardman met them with a counterattack.

  They raised their small shields to block blows, but even a successful block delivered some damage from the force. They were fast, but not strong, and they would not last long against three opponents of higher level.

  Ben had to even the odds, and he moved quickly. He watched the fight closely as he sprinted to the tree line. The battle was progressing, and the cherubs were being pushed back.

  He found a tree close enough to the fight to give him a decent shot. Ben could shoot from farther away, but he wanted to hit a weak point. Using his training bow and limited, low-quality arrows, every shot had to count.

  Ben drew an arrow, straightened his posture, and slowed his breathing. He lined up the Lizardman archer and waited for the perfect moment. Then he released. The arrow flew and struck true.

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  In Eternity, hitting weak points could greatly enhance damage. Striking specific body parts could cripple opponents. Health was a measure of resilience, but skillful targeting mattered. A level one NPC could wound a level fifty giant with a precise shot if it bypassed reflexes.

  Ben aimed for the lizardman’s neck. Unlike a giant, it had no tough skin. The arrow pierced easily, and the lizardman’s eyes widened in shock before it collapsed.

  The remaining two lizardmen were focused on the cherubs and did not notice their fallen comrade. The cherubs seized the opportunity. With no covering fire, they were able to face their opponents one on one.

  The two lizardmen fell almost simultaneously. The cherubs performed aerial somersaults followed by precise strikes to the throat, mirroring each other perfectly.

  As the battle ended, Ben spotted another pack of lizardmen running along the other side of the lake. Arrows flew toward the cherubs, but they dodged with practiced ease. One cherub was still at half health. Ben decided against using his inefficient healing spell, even though the new pack was large.

  Lizardmen were known for traveling in packs. Even at level three, their individual strength was low, but in numbers they were dangerous. Ben counted on this. Their strength lay in quantity, not quality. They were perfect early-game farming targets and often dropped weapons better than the training gear players began with.

  Ben checked his class screen for other summon options. He raised his hand, emitting the familiar white light. Two pillars of energy shone, and two tiny cherubs appeared, each armed with a bow.

  [Level 2 Cherub Archer]

  The cherub archers rose into the sky, staying near the tree line, and began raining arrows down on the approaching lizardmen. The lizardman archers tried to fire back, but their shots were clumsy and ineffective. The cherubs twisted and dodged through the air, using trees for cover.

  The lizardmen were at a disadvantage. They ran along the pond’s edge, far from the trees, fully exposed. Several fell quickly. A few hesitated, unsure how to respond, but there was no time to form a coherent plan. Ben sent the cherub warriors forward. They did not attack directly. Their job was to distract the lizardmen, drawing attention while the archers continued their deadly barrage from above.

  Ben joined the fight, releasing arrows as fast as he could. He wanted to see how his speed compared to the cherubs. They were faster. He suspected this, but now he confirmed it. Their dexterity and agility were higher than his. They were born bow specialists.

  By the time the cherub warriors engaged, five lizardmen remained from the original pack. They swatted at the cherubs and missed every shot. The battle was clearly won. Ben checked the cherub archers’ stats and saw the difference confirmed.

  After the fight, Ben looted the previous corpses. He collected copper pieces, minor enhancement stones, and monster parts like claws, hearts, and feet. The parts were mostly useful for crafting and alchemy, but he kept them in his inventory for later.

  The lizardmen also dropped the weapons they had used and a set of shabby leather armor. Though poor quality, the armor was better than Ben’s current clothes. He equipped it mentally, now wearing a leather vest, pants, boots, helmet, and belt. He also gathered low-grade weapons that were better than the starter weapons he had begun with.

  This was why Ben had not bothered visiting training NPCs for starter gear. The lizardmen drops were equal or slightly better. He now had a shield, sword, spear, and bow.

  Ben did not plan to rely on these weapons long-term. Eventually, he would switch to mostly spells. For now, conserving mana to resummon his cherubs was more efficient than using any spell. Using mundane weapons allowed him to speed up early-game farming.

  After looting, the cherubs finished off the remaining pack. Ben’s body glowed with golden light.

  [Congratulations. You have leveled up. You are now level 3]

  Ben grinned with excitement. Leveling up was addictive. In most areas of life, he was unmotivated and prone to quitting, always putting in minimal effort. Videogames were the exception. The problem was often reaching the end. Once he became too strong, nothing could challenge him, and he quit before finishing.

  Ben would not face that problem in Eternity. He could not become too strong. The threats ahead required every ounce of power he could gather.