I dropped to the ground, gushing blood from my right shoulder, and my vision started to fade. Is this really how I'm going to die? This wasn't meant to happen. I'm gonna die like this really, that's so pathetic.
Just when I was about to close my eyes, probably forever, something instinctual overcame me. Somehow, I got to my feet and hobbled over to the Alpha flame hound corpse. Just as I reached the corpse, I collapsed onto its giant body, cushioning my fall. Once again, I was fading, but I wasn't going to give up. Looking at the meat below me that oh so familiar hunger appeared within me once again. This was my only chance. My only chance to survive. Opening my jaw as wide as I could, I pushed my teeth into the flesh of the hound's stomach. Mustering all my strength, I began to bite down, drawing blood. As the crimson liquid flowed into my mouth, it was the most delicious thing that I have ever tasted. Fueled by my hunger and the taste of the blood, I finally tore the flesh of the hound and swallowed without chewing, as the blood and flesh travelled down my throat, energy started to build up in my stomach, providing me energy, giving me just enough to keep on eating.
After what felt like hours, I had fully devoured the corpse, leaving nothing except the hide and the bones. Feeling my body rapidly healing, I couldn't help but smile. I survived, I'm going to live. I broke into maniacal laughter.
[You have devoured an Alpha Flame Hound: STR +4, VIT +4, AGI +4.
Skill flame coverage level +2
New skill acquired: (Flame claws lvl 1)]
Looking at the notification in front of me I just became happier and happier. It feels like I could fight multiple Alpha flame hounds right now. It feels wonderful. Channelling the energy inside of me, which I assumed is mana, I activated my new skill (Flame Claws lvl 1). Activating the skill, dense flames around 5cm long formed at the tops of my fingers, becoming as sharp as a razor and extremely hot.
[Profile:
Name: Knox Wilder
Job: None
Talent: Devour (SSS)
HP: 32/90
MP: 12/20
STR: 20
VIT: 9
INT: 2
AGI:19
Skills: (Flame coat lvl 6) (Flame claws lvl 1)
[Skill: Flame Claws (lvl 1)
Description: The user's nails are covered in an extremely dense and hot flame.
Mana Consumption: 3MP/Minute]
Looking at the description it reminded me a lot of my first skill Flame Coat but it seems to be more specialised and concentrated geared more towards offence, unlike the Flame Coat skill which is an all-rounder.
Happy with my gains I picked myself up grabbed the coat and slowly made my way back inside the barrier to find Alvin still curled up in a ball with his eyes closed shut.
"To think I thought you had potential" I said as I walked past him not even bothering to look. Slowly I made my way home back to the lord's hut whether Alvin would follow I don't know and I don't care.
After half an hour of walking the hut finally came into view and so did Thorn. He was sitting at the fire once again, he was just sitting there staring at the fire in front of him.
Appearing behind Thorn I didn't bother to scare him or even talk I nearly dropped all the hides onto the ground then collapsed onto them asleep. I don't know what happened after that.
After I don't know how long my eyes began to flutter awake finding myself inside the hut on a pelt from the previous night. Standing up I let out a stretch before opening the door and walking outside. The sun had just begun to set and Thorn was still sitting at the fire but this time he was cooking up the corpse of a flame hound. Looking to the side I found Alvin sitting on the floor next to the door not blinking nearly staring into the distance, no emotion on his face, he was like that until he noticed that I had opened the door. He shot up and immediately bent down into a 90-degree bow.
"Sir I'm so sorry, please forgive me, please," Alvin said this tears running down his face falling onto the dirt floor beneath his feet.
Seeing this I simply walked past him saying two words "Prove it" I didn't say anything else instead I walked towards the pelts and started counting them up. There were 16 hides altogether including the Alpha one. Seeing this I opened the chat function and went to my private chat with the Lord of Knights. This time I had 14 hides for him if he was still buying hides.
[Lord of Lords: Are you still buying hides?]
Expecting to have to wait for a while I was surprised when I got a response almost immediately. This Lord of Knights obviously doesn't have a life.
[Lord of Lords: Are you still buying hides?
Lord of Knights: Yeah I still need them. Do you have more?
Lord of Lords: Yeah but before that I've got a question.
Lord of Knights: What is it?
Lord of Lords: Do you have iron?]
My intentions with this question were obvious. I want to upgrade my hut but to do that the only thing I need is iron.
[Lord of Knights: Yeah how much do you need?
Lord of Lords: 10
Lord of Knights: It will take a lot of hides for that, do you have enough?
Lord of Lords: How many do you want?
Lord of Knights: I'll give you ten iron for 12 hides.
Lord of Lords: Okay no problem I'll set up the trade.
Lord of Knights: Damn your a beast to be able to get 12 hides, you must have very strong subordinates.]
I quickly opened the shop function and just like last time I set up a private trade for 12 pelts. Within a couple of seconds both sides agreed and like last time the pelts dissolved into blue particles and in their place a large stack of iron appeared.