Daniel laughed. “Somewhat. We are going to see if we can get you a specific path that the Ghosthound had. He said it was probably one of the best he ever got.”

“Ok awesome. Two questions. First, what’s the path and how do I get it? Second, what, or who, is the Ghosthound?” Kai wondered this for some time now as he had heard it mentioned occasionally.

Daniel looked at him, his mouth open, eyebrows raised. “You don’t know? Of course. You’re new and you were unconscious at first. Well, the Ghosthound is a man. Ghosthound is his last name and he is kind of a symbol of what can be achieved around here. If you ever meet him you’ll understand better. Are you tired and need to go to sleep or could you continue for a bit?”

Kai bobbed his head. “I can train some. Want to get those last 5 points for my path.” His lips curled up at the edges and a smile formed. But you didn’t say how to get that path or anything about it.”

Daniel led them from the building and toward an open field where people sparred against each other. “The Path is called Pathless. The Ghosthound got it when he had no other paths available. By the time we learned about it, replicating that situation proved to be impossible for others. So with you we believe we can do that and as I said it was one of the best he ever got.” Daniel continued past the open field towards a field that held what looked like an obstacle course. “Do not allow your Physical Fitness to reach 10. So no exercises or the obstacle course. In fact, let’s get you the sprinting skill. Sprint to that tree and back as though your life depended on it.” Daniel turned away from him and gestured towards a man who was watching the various sparring matches.

Kai sprinted the best he could towards the tree and then back. When he got back he checked and still didn’t have the skill. “Sorry Daniel didn’t get the sprinting skill.”

“That’s ok. This is Ptolemy. He’s our head healer. And the young man running towards us with a sealed bucket is Jackson, he’s carrying a bucket of acid. You did tell Lance that you had the Acid Resistance skill correct?” Kai nodded his head. “Excellent,” Daniel continued, “Jackson will now chase you with the bucket of acid. If you are able to stay ahead of him then you will avoid being drenched in acid. If you do not we will raise that skill. You had best start running now.”

Kai started to laugh but noticed that neither Daniel nor this new guy Ptolemy were laughing. “Shit.” He took off at a sprint.

Congratulations! You have learned the active skill Sprinting Lvl. 1.

Congratulations! Sprinting is now Lvl. 2.

Congratulations! Sprinting is now Lvl. 3.

Congratulations! Acid Resistance is now Lvl. 3.

Warning! Some of the acid has entered your bloodstream, causing you to be poisoned.

Congratulations! You have learned the skill Poison Resistance Lvl. 1.

Congratulations! Acid Resistance is now Lvl. 4.

Congratulations! Poison Resistance is now Lvl. 2.

Congratulations! Poison Resistance is now Lvl. 3.

“It’s burning. Get it off! Get it off!” Kai screamed and slapped at his arms as he rolled on the ground. The man Ptolemy knelt next to him and waves of coolness poured into him. The young kid with the bucket of death knelt on his other side and poured a red liquid down his throat. Between the two efforts Kai began to calm down. “You are some sick crazy fuckers. I’m going to kill all of you.”

Daniel ran up and Kai pinned him with a death gaze. “Just tell me your health didn’t reach 1. That’d be bad.”

“I am going to kill you.” He really had started to feel better and thought he might be able to pull off choking all three men to death.

Daniel nodded. “Yes. I understand. Do you have enough points to complete your path? And did you health drop to 1? Check your notifications.”

Kai Jameson

Class: ---

Level: N/A

Health(/R per hour): 15/43 (22)

Mana(/R per hour): 19.5 (8)

Stam(/R per min): 25 (12)

Vitality: 5

Endurance: 4

Strength: 4

Agility: 5

Perception: 4

Reaction: 4

Resistance: 4

Willpower: 4

Intelligence: 4

Wisdom: 2

Control: 2

Focus: 2

Path Points: 6

Paths: Newbie 7/7, Protector 5/10

Skills: Gun Mastery Lvl. 3, Physical Fitness Lvl. 3, Sword Mastery Lvl. 2, Acid Resistance Lvl. 4, Running Lvl. 7, Sprinting Lvl. 3, Poison Resistance Lvl. 3

Ptolemy saw that he had stabilized and the acid and poison had been cleansed from his system. The health potion would finish restoring him to full health. “Is that all you needed me for Daniel was to torture this poor boy?” Daniel nodded at him. The man stood with a sigh. “Good luck son. Try not to let Daniel kill you.” He turned and walked away.

“I’m at 15 health and it seems to be rising. And yes I have enough PP you bastard. If you do anything like that to me again I’ll fucking murder you.” Kai pushed the boy Jackson away from him. “And you, never come near me again either.”

Daniel frowned. “I understand Kai. Sometimes the methods are crude but they are rather effective. That’s the last time I will use such extremes without getting your approval first. I would like to continue to work with you. I believe the ends in this case justified the means. Please complete the path and inform me of the rewards if you would.”

Kai looked at the man with disdain and shock. “You think you can just apologize? Fuck you. I’m not going to tell you what happens. I’ll find someone else to help me.”

“Wait. I forget what it was like at the beginning.” Daniel deflated a bit and walked towards the tree line. “Jackson thank you for your help. You may go.” After he dismissed the boy Daniel sat beneath the tree Kai had sprinted towards before. “Kai please join me.”

A moment of hesitation but Kai ended up sitting next to this man he didn’t really have a lot of options open to him. He wanted to grow strong enough to stand and survive on his own. These people had a huge head start on him and he needed to catch up as fast as possible. This man everyone said could help and guide him.

“Thank you Kai. I apologize. While not common that is one method to gain various skill levels particularly resistances. We have found it’s better to raise resistances in a controlled environment with a healer present than to be forced into a situation that raises those resistances in the field while you’re fighting a monster than can kill you in a moment of hesitation. It has been so long since this system came that I had forgotten how hard those first weeks were. I believe that I can help guide you to certain paths that will make you strong. I am not certain where we will end up but I can guarantee you that you will find no better guide than myself. Though Mrs. Hamilton will be excellent at suggesting other training methods to enhance your skills. Please finish your Protector path as I hope you will be the first to achieve the Pathless Path since Randidly.”

Kai nodded and was amazed.

Congratulations! You have earned +3 to Health.

Congratulations! You have earned +3 to Stamina.

Congratulations! You have earned +2 to Health and Stamina Regeneration.

Congratulations! You have earned +1 to P. Def Stat(s).

Congratulations! You have earned +1 to P. Stats.

Congratulations! You have completed the Protector Path! +1 P. Def point per level. You have learned the skill Interpose Lvl 1.

“Looks like mostly a repeat until the last point. So 3 more health, 3 more stamina, 2 more health and stamina regen, and a physical defense stat point to distribute. The last point gave me plus one in every physical stat. The completion reward says I will get a Physical Defense point per level. And a new skill.” Kai’s face lit up with his smile. “It’s called Interpose.” He shared the status screen with Daniel after he told him how.

Interpose: By your power, move at a speed beyond your capacity to throw yourself in the way of an oncoming blow. Effect of speed boost increases with Skill Level.

“Thank you. Please check your available Paths screen.”

Kai went to his Paths screen and checked it.

Continue using paths to explore this world! Remember, there will always be a path open to you. Please select one of the paths below for your continued journey!

???: 0/5

???: 0/5

“There are three question marks followed by 0/5. I guess I just pick one and put my point into it? Is there a particular one of the two I should pick?” Kai focused on Daniel’s face.

“Well, not sure if it matters, but the Ghosthound selected the second option.” He shrugged.

Kai’s eye twitched; if he had suffered acid he had better get what they were going after. He selected the second option and put a point into it.

You have selected the Pathless I Path.