Chapter 133 - Monklins (2)

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You have received 30% Exp by killing 7 <Lvl 10> Monklins.

Current Werewolf Level: 14

Current Werewolf skill points: 28

Current Exp: 21%

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"I got less exp than last time. Looks like continuously killing the same creature gives lesser exp." Ashton mumbled absent-mindedly before quickly checking his stats.

Everything was going better than he had expected. It had been four hours since he began slaughtering the monklins and the results were promising. His werewolf genes were already on level 14 while the vampire and zombie genes were at 13 and 11 respectively. 

However, Ashton was a bit disappointed. He had wanted to reach level 15 and get his werewolf class during this quest itself. But judging by how little exp he was being awarded now, he didn't think it would be possible for him to reach level 15.

He just killed seven monklins and all he got was 21% exp. Soon killing one monklin would give him one or even less than one exp. Also, after seeing how he had slaughtered the monklins, they were a bit hesitant to attack him. But not everything was gloomy in the forest. 

Ashton had earned a lot of things by battling and killing these many monklins. Namely a new skill and a title, both of which were quite good. 

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[Monklin Slayer]: A common title earned after slaying a total of 50 monklins within 24 hours. 

Title effect:

>> Boosts <agility> by 1 point per three Monklins killed.

>> Damage against all types of monklins is increased by 20%

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Thanks to the title effect, Ashton's agility was now raised to 35 points, putting him on par with the agility of the monklins. The difference wasn't huge but Ashton could already feel his body was a bit lighter and easier to move around.  The skill he obtained due to [Skill Absorption] also improved his agility. 

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[Stride]: This skill allows the user to temporarily increase their agility by 20% for 1 minute. After 1 minute had passed, the increased agility will slowly decay (2% per second) back to normal. The duration of the skill can be improved by levelling up the skill.

Grade:  Low (level 1)

Cooldown: 10 Minutes

Cost: 50 mana/use

Can be used: 10 times a day

Condition to upgrade the skill:

Use the skill and kill a high levelled target before the skill goes into cooldown.

Caution: Since the user cannot manipulate mana, using this skill isn't possible. Please reach level 15 to unlock <mana veins> within your body. 

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While obtaining a class was important for Ashton, he also wanted to unlock mana so that he could have access to better skills. Skills that might turn out to be crucial in future.

As for the battle, he was trying to get used to the [Aggravate] skill. But it was getting a bit out of hand. He didn't know why, but whenever he activated the skill, bloodlust took over his mind and all he could think about was killing his enemies. 

Frankly, just using the skill was a bit scary because he had to keep all of his focus not to lose his mind. Even though he was there to kill the monklins in the first place, it would have been problematic for him to use the skill around his comrades as in his blind lust for blood, he might end up injuring them as well.

"Sooner or later, I have to take control over this skill. But it should be enough for now, no good will come from overexerting myself." Ashton decided to take a breather right there while being surrounded by headless monklin corpses.

His [Perception] had been honed to the limit as he had been using it relentlessly as he had to be on a lookout for potential trouble and also, to identify if someone other than the night creatures were coming towards him. 

"Should I look for Seven and Virgil or should I try to find the breeding ground?" 

Since the Monklins were no longer coming after him, he had two choices. Either he could start searching for the hidden breeding ground of the Monklins or he could look for his teammates.

It had been hours since he had seen anyone other than monklins and although he didn't care whether they lived or die, it would be a hassle if someone were to die. 

"I'm sure they can take care of themselves. Looking for the breeding grounds takes priority for now." Ashton wiped the dirt off of his armour and pushed his perception to the limit. 

That was the only way for him to find something that had remained hidden to the naked eye for decades now. However, before he could make much progress, there was a loud explosion on the north side of the forest followed by a huge cloud of smoke. 

"The hell was that?" Ashton immediately raced in the direction of the explosion, ignoring the task of finding the hidden breeding ground. 

***

Meanwhile at the northside of the forest...

A bloodied Virgil stood in front of Renee and Fae who was desperately trying to heal the hammer-wielding man. However, her low-grade healing spell did not seem to be working and there was no time for Virgil to drink an HP potion either. 

Renee had taken out her secondary weapon, a rusty dagger as her bow had been shattered into pieces. However, it had been a long time since she had used a dagger in the first place. Virgil was their only hope of survival, but now he himself was on the verge of dying. 

"This is bullshit!" Renee cursed at her weakness, "There was no information about this beast in the quest request!"

Suddenly it dawned upon them why this repetitive quest had a higher reward than ever before. It was because one of the monklins had evolved. The 8 foot tall, grey-furred beast in front of them was the king of monklins, an elite who was at a level... 20 night creature. It had to be that strong at the very least considering how it singlehandedly overwhelmed three level 15 adventurers. 

"Go... I'll hold it off... for as long as I can..." Virgil weakly mumbled.

Virgil was barely able to hold on to his hammer, which was also drenched in his blood. His words might have been brave, but considering the state he was in, it would be a miracle if he could even buy them a second to escape. 

"If we die, we die together, remember?" Renee replied with a faint smile as tears rolled down her cheeks, "Fae, don't care about conserving mana. Just sue what you have to heal this brutish moron."

"Renee, NO!" Fae yelled at her but it was too late, Renne had already charged at the elite monklin with her dagger. 

Within moments she was within the creature's reach and it lashed out, intending to kill her by smashing her into the ground. However, the moment the creature raised its hands over his head, he found a couple of arrows dug deep within them.

"Starting a party without me eh?" Ashton breathlessly spoke while brandishing his crossbow, "Too bad I'm right on time to poop all over it.. Oi, miss archer, back up a bit will ya? I wouldn't want to hit you or something with my bad aim."