Chương 16: Chapter 14

Deeds. Right, I forgot. Upgrading and testing his Skill had occupied him entirely. So much he almost forgot about his Deeds.

"Claim Deeds!" Hakon called out. At first, nothing happened. He stood in silence for several seconds, waiting for a message or a change to occur, but nothing came. Until the mist returned. It surged toward him from all directions, gathered before Hakon, and coalesced into… something. Two things. One shape resembled a large, gnarly pole. Possibly a branch or root. One end was wider than the other, but the dense mist concealed as if uncertain whether Hakon would like it or not.

The second shape was much easier to depict. It appeared to be a small figurine. It was the size of Hakon's fist and radiated power that seeped through the mist, dispersing it prematurely. Small spiraling symbols and crude shapes resembling Acidic Beetles were still etched on the weathered wood unraveling before his eyes as the mist faded. Hakon gasped, his eyes growing wide as he took in the beauty of the hand-sized object resting on the ground before him.

He kneeled down, throat tight as he inspected the sacred object that had just manifested. The grains followed the carvings of symbols and creatures like frozen smoke. Faint cracks that ran along its edges fell into his sight, like the weathered wood had survived countless fires and storms. The curse of time. Bits of bone and bead fragments tied into shallow grooves while fine lines of silvery metal traces its surface, joining the colorful carvings, elevating them.

And all guided to the center, circling an image that felt familiar, yet not.

"A Totem." He breathed out heavily. It was not supposed to be possible, yet it was. Hakon reached for the Totem, hands trembling. His fingers coiled tenderly around the Totem, half-expecting the Ancestors to fool him. To make fun of him. Yet, they did not. [Totem has been detected and examined. Acidic Beetle Runeskin has been discovered.] [Do you wish to bind Acidic Beetle Runeskin?] His first instinct was to scream 'Yes'. Alas, the Ancestors did not allow such a thing. [Warrior's soul is not ready. Reach the 1st Ascension to bind your first Runeskin.] The Totem did contain a Runeskin! Hakon swallowed hard. It was an unexpected gain for a Lesser Deed. But considering its condition, it may not be as useful as he thought. His initial excitement diminished greatly as he inspected the Totem from up close. Nature's wrath and the curse of time had worn the Totem out.

"The Totem is small, and so is the Runeskin." He mused, fingers tracing the silvery metal and symbols that circled around the image of the Acidic Beetle's spit. Or whatever the yellowish mass was supposed to show. The image was small and not as detailed as the Runeskins of his father and the stronger Barbarians he'd seen fight.

"A Minor Runeskin, at most. Probably Lesser." Now that Hakon's excitement was replaced by reverence for the Ancestors' gift, but mostly curiosity and deep thoughts, he appraised the Totem from another perspective. It was made of wood. Wood that contained no Lifeblood. Mana, He corrected himself before using [Mana Sense].

"It has some mana. Not a lot though." The etchings were also not as beautiful. Hakon had seen a few Totems before. How could he not have with a chieftain as father? One way or another, it was not rare for Totems to be the size of a hand. Many powerful Totems were larger, but some of the mightiest Totems were even smaller, their etchings of terrifying detail. This Totem had none of that. It was small, damaged, and didn't look all that impressive.

"A Lesser Runeskin." He grimaced and froze as another message popped up. [Skill [Inspection] has been learned.] A laugh filled the vicinity.

"I knew it!" Hakon hollered, "That is the path you have chosen for me, have you not, Ancestors?!" Studying the corpses had been more than worth it! Curious, he used the new Skill on the totem. [Acidic Beetle Totem Runeskin – Acid Shot(Lesser)] While better than nothing, it was not his first choice. Many would beg to differ, but a Runeskin's image carried clues to the powers it grafted on to the body. A glob of beetle spit did not hold a promise of gargantuan power.

"Is Acid Shot as potent as the beetle's spit in the Fracture or as weak as the ones from outside?" He wondered, unable to hide his curiosity. Alas, curiosity would not feed him. Even if the Runeskin was as potent as the Fracture's beetle, it would only be a little useful. Runeskins were permanent, and while legends say Runeskins could be improved, not even the chieftain managed to upgrade his Runeskins. It was only a legend, after all. Did you know this text is from a different site?

Read the official version to support the creator. Hakon hadn't expected the Ancestors to reward him with a Totem, so he should not be disappointed. But how could he not? He was rewarded with a Totem and couldn't use it. Not if he planned to bind a better Runeskin for his 1st Ascension. The tribes were not allowed to help young warriors acquire their first Runeskins. Fair trades were acceptable as long as they were acknowledged, but even that was frowned upon in many tribes.

Taskur was strict but the chieftain acknowledged that the Ancestors would sometimes fool young warriors with Runeskins that were of little use. Or maybe it was just that the warriors could not comprehend the Ancestors' will. That they did not want to follow the guidance the Ancestors offered. Regardless, Acid Shot was not something Hakon desired. Although it would surely help him in the Battle of Generation. He was likely to be the only one with a Runeskin if he bound Acid Shot for his 1st Ascension.

Putting the Totem safely away in his makeshift bag, Hakon turned to the other reward. He already had his suspicions when it coalesced before him, but now that the mist dispersed, he was certain. A weapon. Or… monster part. Depending on how one looked at it, it could be both. The gnarly pole didn't look much different than he'd expected. It was a little thinner maybe. And it was unexpected to see a two-meter-long pole made out of a mishmash of a dozen or more exoskeletons.

The black exoskeletons of the Giant Ants he'd slaughtered earlier. It had a good grip and was suitably heavy for a mighty weapon. Because that was what it was – mighty. And terrifying. The pole's upper end was also a mixture of Giant Ant parts. But it was no spear – there was no pointed end made of its mandibles like he first thought. No, the upper end was massive, one side flat like a hammer head the size of a thick-headed Barbarian's skull, and the other was the blade of a greataxe made from mandibles.

No matter how he looked at it. This weapon had been made with Giant Ant corpses for one purpose. To crush and cleave through more ants and beetles. To tear them apart and cause carnage across the Fracture.

"A hammer of war and a greataxe in one." Hakon mused, feeling like a child who received his first weapon. His new Skill activated as he studied his new toy. [Maulaxe Crusher – Refined] [Proficiency earned. Skill [Inspection Lv. 1] improved to [Inspection Lv. 2] That wasn't much information. However, as he continued to use [Inspection] on Crusher, Hakon learned more about the weapon. He triggered [Mana Sense] when he felt something and recognized small strands of mana moving through the weapon. Taking one step further, Hakon used [Mana Sense] and [Inspection] together. The combination worked surprisingly well, and while none of his Skills improved, he learned a lot about his Maulaxe. One being that his new weapon had tunnels – pathways – just like he did. Even better, his connection to the pathways was intimate. The weapon's pathways were not part of his body but when he grasped Crusher tightly and circulated mana through the pathways in his hands it was almost like they were. Like he could push further and infuse his mana into the weapon. He tried to follow through and do just that. Unfortunately, he failed. The mana within him followed his will and pushed to the outermost edge of his fingertips, yet it didn't travel further than his pathways reached." Do I have to stretch my pathways further? Maybe I can move them." A picture full of pain formed in his mind. It was grotesque, but if it worked it would be worth it. And if it didn't work– Hakon shook his head. He acquired [Mana Sense] to help not only with [Circulation] but also guide him further. To learn how to put mana into his weapons. Maybe acquiring Crusher and its pathways would make that easier. Even if it did not, Crusher was useful. Obtaining the maulaxe changed his plans. It changed everything. Hefting the heavy weapon, Hakon stopped training his Skills at the Fracture's outskirts. The new plans forming in his head pulled him right back to its center. To the Fracture vortex and hundreds of monsters that were only waiting to get a taste of his new weapon." Should I leave?" He tilted his head as the Fracture vortex came into view. Temporarily leaving the Fracture to squash the ants and beetles on the island would be worthwhile. It help his plan greatly." No. The best rewards are granted from the greatest challenges." Hakon clutched Crusher tighter and approached the crowded vicinity, searching for prey. The entire field around the Fracture was crowded with monsters. Giant Ants and Acidic Beetles herded around the violet vortex. There are more monsters than before. He scrunched his eyes at the dozens of monster groups. They were huddled together and would come rushing at him the moment he exposed himself. Eliminating a few groups in silence was possible, but he'd have to leave Crusher behind. The weapon was too long to be hidden and too heavy for swift maneuvers. A head-on charge could work. The Ancestors would drink the blood he spilled and feast on the death his carnage would cause. He'd be generously rewarded. Several Skills would improve greatly if he fought all the monsters head-on. Maybe, their deaths would be a feat worthy enough to undergo his 1st Ascension. Level 10 was not far." It won't be enough." Hakon shook his head, attention snapping to the Major Deeds. [Major Deed – Defeat Colossal Terror(0/1)] [Major Deed – Restore the Balance(63/500)] For every Giant Ant and Acidic Beetle he killed, the number of the second Major Deed increased by one. Predators like the wolf packs and eagles slain in the Fracture did not count, on the other hand." The crawlers need to be killed." He muttered, gripping Crusher even tighter. Killing 500 ants and beetles would be difficult. The number was high. So high, it took him a moment to comprehend what it truly meant." I would have to complete the Lesser Deeds ten times over to complete the Major Deed." He tilted his head, going through the numbers in his head once more. Numbers were difficult. Complex even. But they spoke nothing but the truth. Three nights did not offer much leeway if he wanted to complete both Major Deeds. Pushing the fifth and final Saga Trial for the moment, Hakon focused on the Major Deeds. He knew how to solve them, or had a fair guess regarding the Colossal Terror, and the answer crawled before him. There was no reason not to strike. Except… if he was afraid." Afraid?!" He snarled. The thought alone made him angry. He was not afraid! Fear was something for the weak. In the past, he felt fear. That was a ghost of the past. He was no longer the same man he used to be. The Rite awakened him, and the Fracture forged him. They showed him who he was always supposed to be. Pressing his feet deep into the ground, Hakon charged ahead. [Dash] carried him to the first group, and [Circulation] pumped him full of power as Crusher's bladed side sweeped through the air, effortlessly splitting five Giant Ants in two. The sight of death and blood stirred something within Hakon. A thunderous roar tore through his very being and he let it all out, challenging the very Fracture's very existence for a battle of life and death. And it listened. As if it was alive, the Fracture answered in kind. Mist poured out of the ground and thin air. It surged everywhere and coalesced into Giant Ants and Acidic Beetles. A moment later, a defiant screech rang out from all across the Crawling Expanse. Hakon grimaced. He knew where the screech was coming from. He even knew what made that sound. The Colossal Terror It was coming for him. So were hundreds of monsters that formed from thin air. From Miasma." For the Ancestors." He growled, instincts taking over as he stormed at the monstrous army waiting for him.