Day ~16~Continued~

The first thing Steve did after returning to the chieftain's chamber was a complete failure. To his dismay, Rea was stuffing the fluffy top layer of his bed(recently mended from a certain fire) into her enchanted pack. Any and all attempts to persuade her into dropping the comfy futon-like bedding were met with obstinance. With that little order of business out of the way he handed over two leather canteens, a few containers of dried fruits and berries, as well his old falchion.

Rea has obtained [Weapon-Curved Sword] Iron Falchion.

Rea has obtained [Storage] Rabbit Skin Canteen x2.

When Rea tried to give back the sword he explained that it was for her to use as a tool, Steve was aware of her affinity for the spear. Nodding in understanding Rea graciously accepted the supplies and went back to her preparations. A sense of foreboding overcame Steve at that moment but, Steve being Steve, he chose to ignore it and leave Rea to her own devices. This would be the last day in a long time that the lizardman got to have a hot bath...

Rea has obtained Fire Spirit Stone x32!

When Rea first tried on her cured leather bindings she found no real issue with them, relatively snug. However, upon seeing her reflection, there was a major issue. Looking like a queen, not the royal or flamboyant kind, really wasn't her style. After spreading out her materials, and partaking in Steve's personal stock of materials, Rea made a plan and got to work.

Using the snake skins she'd gathered up until this point, as well as some odd thread like steely stuff named [Demon Spider Thread], Rea began to make an undershirt. She wasn't particularly fond of black, but wearing lighter colors was out of the question now if she intended to hide her own scales. So, just as she was about half way done, Rea actually discovered something very, very important about her new race. Abilities [Job-Craftsman], and [Job-Leatherworker] had been learned. Rea paused for a few moments to contemplate the meaning behind learning something monsters cannot, under normal circumstances, learn. After deciding to re-read the swordsmen book again later, Rea went back to work.

~Name your creation.

Rea has obtained [Protection-Armor] Super-effective Snakeskin Undershirt.

After reprimanding herself for making another annoying name, thanks to [Psychometry] Rea realized that the shirt had an effect, [Night - Minor Stealth Bonus]. Happy with the bonus, Rea decided to try on her creation... it really didn't fit.

One hour, six attempts, and two headaches later....

~Name your creation.

Ability [Minor Alteration Mastery] Learned.

[Job-Leatherworker] Level 5!

Ability [Leatherwork Goods +] Learned.

Rea has obtained [Protection-Armor] Black Snakeskin Undershirt.

Happy with the results becoming, [Night - Minor Stealth Bonus], and [Minor Armor Bonus], Rea tried the shirt on once again. It actually fit pretty well this time, black snakeskin with silvery threads lined the whole of it. Form fitting, and most importantly covering her entire neck and back. As much as she found turtle neck designs uncomfortable, Rea would suck it up for the sake of hiding her race from others. She had opted to make it sleeveless in an attempt to leave enough snakeskin over for shorts... the scales did continue all the way down after all.

Half an hour later...

~Name your creation.

Rea has obtained [Protection-Leggings] Too Short Shorts.

Snickering, and feeling a bit vexed, Rea had managed to create a pair of very short shorts that barely met the lining of her shirt. It had the same effects, but exposing her secret every time she bends over... yeah this wasn't gonna work. Using her mortal enemy's... I mean the squirrel's fluffy, surprisingly tough skin, Rea created an improvised pair of slip on shoes. Not feeling that there was much more she could do at this point with what she had, Rea proceeded to stuff some of Steve's more useful materials and tools into her enchanted pack. That done, she re-equipped the cured leather bindings over her shirt.

Feeling that she had quite a bit of time until sundown, Rea decided to mess around with her mythril tipped ashwood spear a bit. Now that she was just over five feet tall, the relatively long slightly well polished and highly offensive spear had become useable. Getting used to the increase of weight didn't take long, within the hour Rea was happily bouncing back and forth across the chamber vanquishing imaginary flying squir... practicing her form. After accidentally removing a leg from Steve's bed, and hastily propping it back up, Rea decided she'd had enough. Surprisingly she had gotten, [Job-Spearman] Level 1, out of her antics.

Refocusing her attention she pulled out [Book] "First Volume (of two) of “The Path of a Swordsman". For the most part Rea found this 20,000 word book boring, she had paid careful attention and achieved the desired effect of gaining [Job-Swordsman]. As it turns out she couldn't just read the book to get it. After following some instructions, learning about some beginner techniques, and glossing over things like become a swordsman we get [Improved Slashing Power]. Using the falchion Rea stood and repeated some of what she'd read, it was only then that she gained, [Job-Swordsman] Level 1.

What she had found interesting about the book wasn't that it had guided her to gaining the Job, but the Job system information. The book had been rather vague because it wasn't meant to explain such things in depth, but it had made mention of a few [Hero] class jobs that swordsmen can strive towards becoming. Rea wasn't very interested in becoming one until she'd read that some hero class jobs come with an effect that increases the human's lifespan. When Rea examined herself and realized that she no longer had a general level. [Job Levels] were present instead, Rea came to the conclusion that she had crossed the threshold as a rare variant and would no longer [Rank Up] as a monster. In order to increase her very likely human lifespan... Rea understood instinctively that she would need to become a hero.

With that in mind Rea resolved herself to blend in with a human or a human-like society, gaining information should be her first priority. Taking stock of her inventory Rea sighed, a small pile of gold and gems but no frickin' clue what their respective monetary values were. As the empty vials, left over from her healing potions, started rolling away Rea picked one up and peered into it. The words Steve spoke about her blood clearly came to mind. Moments later Rea had made a small cut on her left arm with the falchion and began to drain blood into one.

Rea has obtained [Medicine] Elixir of Restorative Anti-toxins.

With both Steve and her [Psychometry] telling Rea that this was an elixir she gave in, "I'm a frickin delicacy, great."

Holding onto the fact that elixir would be incredibly useful, for monetary and healing purposes, Rea continued to fill the other vials. Feeling a bit lightheaded by the time she finished her endeavor Rea snacked on some of the dried fruits. It was then that she noticed something annoying about the elixir, it wouldn't have any effect on ophidians... Steve returned while Rea was fastening a bandage made from Saul's linen drapes around her arm.

"The sun has fallen, put this on and hide yourself as you leave." Rea gratefully accepted a large fur cloak as Steve began to speak again, "Don't do anything unusual as you walk by the sentries... Goodbye, odd one." Noticing Steve's sad, crestfallen eyes Rea held a hand up to his scaly cheek, "I had hoped you would grow to become a good mate," he muttered.

*SLAP*

With her business here concluded, Rea left the safety of her home in this new world under the cover of night. There was no problem getting out, and though unfortunate, Rea was excited to be on her own. Taking one last glance back she noticed a lizardman with the same unusual pulsing glow she'd been picking up on coming from herself. Noticing that he was a shaman convinced Rea that the glow had to be his capacity for mana, for casting spells. Rea decided at that point that it may be wise for her to learn magic at some point in the future seeing as her pulse was about a hundred times larger than his. Rea thought back to the two loyal lizardlings... she slightly regretted having to abandon them. Maybe one day she'd return, maybe [Chieftain's Exiled Daughter] would come in handy. She wasn't very happy being reminded that she just got kicked out, but the ability couldn't be deleted...

As soon as she escaped, Rea used a path that she'd gone on many times while hunting rabbits. She already had a place in mind to stay the night. Luckily the night sky was clear, with no rain and some vibrant moonlight she easily found her destination. Just outside of her new pants... just outside of tree moccasin territory, hidden below an ancient pine tree Rea took out her fluffy bedding and dropped it atop a previous season's fallen needles. The comforting warm breeze of a pleasant spring night, in relatively safe territory wasn't a bad way to start her journey.

Just as Rea was about to plot her lazy bum down and catch some z's, an unfamiliar noise caught her attention. Used to stalking the animals in these woods she hadn't been stalked before. The unmistakable noise of crackling pine needles couldn't be ignored, as she turned Rea could see more than three animals with her [Psychometry]. Grey wolves, of all things, wolves in the night. As soon as she turned, with spear in hand, the lead wolf pounced. Without much effort, more of an accident than anything else, she had impaled the first one as it lunged.

The darkness under her tree really wasn't helping here. Without giving it any second thought, Rea dashed away from the cover of her tree and into the moonlight. Bitter reality kicked her in the non-existent coconuts, three adult wolves and nearly a dozen pups revealed themselves. Realizing that she was in some real trouble here Rea decided to give them a reason for backing off. *HISSSSSS!* Baring her fangs for the first time Rea took a step forward and accidentally spit venom at the nearest adult wolf. To her honest surprise, the thing just up and died, quick and by the looks of it painfully. As the pups backed away, both remaining adult wolves circled and attacked. Quickly dodging backwards at an almost inhuman angle, Rea hit the ground as they nearly collided mid-lunge. With her back crashing painfully into the hard earth, scraping against dead needles, Rea took the opportunity to [Impale] another wolf. At that moment the final adult wolf was on top of her, barely keeping it from tearing out her throat with [Choke] Rea was in a near panic. His vicious teeth found purchase in her left forearm, as Rea cried out in pain she felt her own fangs against her tongue. Toppling the wolf over Rea mounted it, the poor wolf's claws could barely scratch her new armor, it couldn't push her off. In the following moment Rea forced her left forearm towards the ground pinning the wolf's head down and sank her fangs, full purchase, into its throat. Rea would never forget the sensation of sinking her teeth into something and feeling the life drain out of it.

Her adrenaline was still pumping full frenzy as Rea looked up, all but a single pup had fled. Now painfully biting her leg was a Level 7 [Grey Wolf Pup]. Not wanting to kill a child, in any form, Rea picked it up by the scruff and hissed again before dropping him on the ground. The poor thing whimpered off without a second thought. Looking down at her injured arm, and realizing that she was loosing a lot of blood, Rea tightly re-wrapped the used linen bandage above it. Knowing that wouldn't be enough she began to gather fallen branches. With her current equipment treatment was gonna be rough. After ignoring the fact that there was a strange flap in her throat and she had just been using it to hiss, a plan only took moments to form in her mind. Rea started by gathering together the branches and mixing in some pine needles as kindling, she then dug a full dirt circle around the pile of wood. Hoping that the wind wouldn't pick up and start a forest fire, she then lit the pile ablaze using her flintstones.

As the fire began to burn Rea dumped out a can of dried fruit and walked to the nearest tree. Pine tree sap had been a natural antiseptic in her world, she could only hope that the same would hold true here. After a single thrust of her spear she dropped it and pulled out the falchion. With a few successful pin-point swings using what little strength she could muster, sap began to ooze out. After gathering a decent amount she returned to the fire. Biting down on a piece of wood and mustering her courage Rea thrust her injured forearm into the flames. As the world exploded in pain her jaws clamped down hard enough to shatter the wood. For nearly a minute Rea silently cried out in agony as she held her hand into the fire. When Rea was sure the wounds wouldn't reopen she took back her injured arm and kicked dirt onto the fire until it fizzled. Tree sap could barely be felt as she poured it over the burns, satisfied and nearly delirious Rea took out some fresh linen and loosely wrapped the wound. After crawling back to hidden bedding and chugging down one of the canteens Rea lost consciousness. She wasn't looking forward to tomorrow morning's fever and soreness.

Day ~17~

Rea woke up around midday, as she expected sore and slightly feverish. Thankfully not as feverish as she had thought, the sap seemed to have worked. Making a mental note to fill a can with pine sap and learn more about her toxic abilities, Rea set about her day. Banishing any thoughts she had about scurrying back to the lizard cave from her mind she looked over the levels and abilities she had ignored last night. Upon reaching level three spearman Rea had acquired [Improved Piercing Power Lv.1]. Assuming that it had happened when she tore into the wolf with her fangs, [Vicious Bite] had also been learned. That was an ability she would try to avoid using. Three other abilities were formed last night, [Minor Fire resistance], [Minor Endurance], and [Job-Survivalist].

With that out of the way she mustered her strength and crawled to the first wolf she had killed. In her weakened state Rea was too tired to make another fire. After only a moment of indecision she tore into the wolf voraciously. Ignoring what she must look like right now, Rea tossed aside some entrails and looked down at her pack. Hobbling back to the bedding she laid against a part of the tree's massive roots and took out another canteen. Draining the last of her water Rea once again, lost consciousness.

Later that night Rea awoke to the sounds of something tearing into the wolf corpses. Still not feeling well and absolutely terrified she didn't move an inch, not even to look. For nearly half an hour Rea laid still as something devoured the wolves. When that something made some strange noises, followed by the loud bellowing of wind and wings, Rea let out a sigh of relief. Whatever it was had flown off.

With her nerves shaken she couldn't get back to sleep. In an effort to take some of the pain off her mind, Rea pulled out the book on advanced sorcery and began to read. She obviously couldn't understand most of it, but something interesting had caught her attention. Mages, or rather any people with the capability to use mana, could bond together. They called this forming a line, or with more than two people forming a hive. The bond required mutual trust or massive amounts of mana to form, and it was often used as a teaching tool. Many parents would use it to awaken their children's ability to control and manipulate mana. What adventurers used this for more often than not was combining the mana pool of two mages to cast devastating high ranking spells that would be impossible to use otherwise. The skill to bond with someone was learned by the mage when they first succeeded in doing it, and usually required a large amount of experience to pull off. In recent years it would seem that the skill had been deemed too difficult to learn, and is rarely, if ever used. Now referred to as an ancient method that is no longer practiced you would be hard pressed to find someone who knows how to use mana bonding. Rea had decided to keep an eye out for any young mages she may be able to befriend.

Day ~18~

Rea let out an audible sigh as she looked down at her now burnt, mauled, and cut arm. Still sore but now more than able to move, Rea immediately got up this morning. Feeling how important today would be for her continued survival Rea had a few goals for the day. First she needed water, the thirst was killing her and hydration is very important. After retrieving her gear and trekking backwards a little towards the lizardmen cave Rea cut south, her goal was the stream that branched off from their water source. Rea had opted to leave behind the now bloody bedding, she'd never feel safe or comfortable on that again. In very little time she had made it to her goal, after filling up canteens, drinking her fill, and diving in headfirst to cleanse her body of the bloody stench, Rea turned back north. In less than an hour she was crossing near the area where she had nearly died.

The second order of business and fourth had something to do with each other. Food and gear, in the fashion of two birds one stone, Rea stalked and hunted nearly a dozen tree moccasins within the next two hours. After setting up a makeshift fire and prepping the meat, she made her way to a nearby tree. Third order, using the falchion to hack away at it she opened up a vein of sap and began to gather more of the antiseptic substance. Rea was assuming that unless she properly stored it her psychometry wasn't gonna tell her anything about it.

Now chowing down on snake Rea quickly made her way back to a relatively safe area of the woods. With that done she stitched together a pair of sleeves using the same method as before.

~Name your creation.

Rea has obtained [Protection-Arm] Long Black Snakeskin Sleeve.

~Name your creation.

Rea has obtained [Protection-Arm] Black Snakeskin Sleeve.

Not in the mood to joke around, Rea gave them a practical name and moved on after putting the long sleeve on her left arm. The fifth and final thing she wanted to do before losing the last of her daylight was simple. Find a safer place to spend the night. Not really sure where to go other than the cave Rea simply climbed up another pine tree and sat on a decent sized branch. There wasn't enough daylight left for her to go searching deeper into the woods, and after her near death experience she wasn't willing to chance going near the lizardmen. An Elixir, like her, could be very useful. Rea spent the entire night staring at the ground on full alert, without sleep. The reality of surviving in this world, of making it to someplace safe, suddenly seemed far more daunting.

Ability [Awareness Lv. 1] learned.

Ability [Insomnia] learned.

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