The silence in the small, blood-soaked clearing was heavy, broken only by the ragged, pained gasps of the downed Tribal Chieftain and the weak whimpers of the critically injured Direhorn Wolf. Kael remained hidden, his mind a whirlwind of calculations and conflicting emotions. Fear urged him to flee, but the opportunist, the survivor honed by his harsh rebirth, saw a chance.
Both the Level 7 Chieftain and the Level 6 Wolf were grievously wounded. They were dangerous, yes, but also vulnerable. This was a rare opportunity to eliminate two significant threats and potentially gain a massive amount of XP, not to mention any loot the Chieftain might possess. The dark thought from before – to use 'Aimed Shot' on the Chieftain – resurfaced, now less a desperate hypothetical and more a calculated risk.
His INT of 10 and WIS of 8, sharpened by 'Keen Mind', analyzed the scene. The Chieftain was clutching his gored thigh, his face pale beneath the grime and fury. His club lay just out of reach. The wolf was barely moving, its breaths shallow.
Kael made his decision. The Chieftain was the priority. He was intelligent, part of a group (even if the others were dead), and had shown interest in the ancient hollow. Leaving him alive, even badly wounded, was a risk Kael couldn't afford.
He slowly, carefully, raised his Crude Shortbow. His movements were minimized by his 'Stealth (Rank E)', and he remained deep within the shadows of the root alcove. He nocked a Sylphwing-fletched arrow, the magical feather seeming to hum faintly in his perception.
"Aimed Shot," he mentally commanded.
The faint targeting reticle appeared, wavering slightly as he fought to control his own adrenaline-fueled tremors. He focused on the Chieftain's exposed neck, a vulnerable point. The man was already weakened by blood loss and pain, his attention solely on his own agony. The stamina drain from 'Aimed Shot' began, a familiar pressure.
Kael held his breath, steadied his aim for that crucial moment, and released.
The Sylphwing-fletched arrow flew with a deadly whisper, crossing the short distance in an instant. It struck the Chieftain squarely in the side of the neck.
The man's eyes widened in shock and sudden, fresh agony. He let out a choked gurgle, his hands flying to the arrow protruding from his throat. He tried to rise, to shout, but only a bloody froth escaped his lips. He clawed at the arrow for a moment, then, with a final, shuddering convulsion, he collapsed, his eyes staring blankly at the oppressive canopy above.
[System Notification: You have successfully slain 1x Tribal Chieftain (Humanoid) (Level 7) using 'Aimed Shot' (Critical Hit - Vulnerable Target).]
[Massive XP Gained due to level difference and critical takedown!]
[XP Gained: 200 / 400 for Level 5.]
[Current XP: 200 / 400 for Level 5.]
[Congratulations! You have reached Level 5!]
[You have 5 unspent Attribute Points and 1 unspent Skill Point. Open Character Screen (Y/N)?]
[Skill 'Bow Proficiency (Rank E)' proficiency significantly increased. You have met the requirements for Rank D.]
[Skill 'Stealth (Rank E)' proficiency increased.]
[Title 'The Reborn' has gained a minor resonance with your decisive action against a higher-level sentient threat while remaining undetected. Adaptability slightly enhanced in high-stakes situations.]
Level 5! And 200 XP in one go! The notifications were a dizzying rush. His Bow Proficiency was ready for another upgrade. The note about his Title resonating was new and intriguing.
Kael didn't have time to celebrate or even open his character screen. The Direhorn Wolf, though grievously wounded, was still alive. It had heard the Chieftain's final gurgle and was trying to lift its head, its red eyes weakly scanning the area.
He couldn't leave it alive either. It was too dangerous, and its suffering was palpable.
Quickly, before the wolf could pinpoint his location or regain any strength, Kael nocked another arrow. He didn't have the stamina for another 'Aimed Shot' so soon. This would have to be a normal shot, relying on his improved base accuracy. He aimed for the wolf's exposed head, hoping for a quick, merciful end.
He drew and released. The arrow struck the wolf just behind its ear. It yelped once, a short, sharp sound, then went still.
[System Notification: You have successfully slain 1x Direhorn Wolf (Adult) (Level 6) (Critically Wounded).]
[XP Gained: 75 / 400 for Level 5.]
[Current XP: 275 / 400 for Level 5.]
[Skill 'Bow Proficiency (Rank E)' proficiency increased.]
Seventy-five more XP. The clearing fell into an almost absolute silence, broken only by Kael's own ragged breathing. He had done it. He had eliminated two high-level threats, seizing an opportunity born from chaos.
He remained hidden for several long minutes, his senses strained, listening for any other sounds, any sign of more tribesmen or another wolf. The forest remained quiet, save for the distant caw of a returning Shadow Crow – perhaps Corvus, cautiously investigating the sudden silence.
Slowly, carefully, Kael emerged from his hiding spot, his bow still ready. The scene before him was gruesome. The two dead spearmen, the mauled Chieftain, the slain Direhorn Wolf. The ground was soaked with blood.
He felt a strange mixture of triumph, revulsion, and a chilling pragmatism. This was what survival in this world demanded. He had taken lives, sentient life in the case of the Chieftain, to protect his own and to seize an advantage. There was no room for hesitation, no place for the morality of his old world, not if he wanted to live.
His immediate concern now was looting the bodies, particularly the Chieftain, before anything else was drawn to the scent of death. And then, he needed to understand what had happened to the first spearman inside that dark, ancient hollow.