Chapter 17: Personal Shrine Trial

Chapter 17: Personal Shrine Trial

Increasing ones awakening status, as it turned out, had a considerable number of advantages. Apart from the improvements and the new skill Dallion had gained, he found that he could use his powers twice per day. Quite the welcome surprise, since it avoided him to explain what he had done that night. It also allowed him to improve things he wanted in secret.

The attack skill turned out to be exactly the way Dallion imagined it would beinstead of green markers, he was presented with a series of red ones, suggesting where and how he would attack. More curious, the slightly heightened perception had caused weak spots and vulnerabilities to become visible on his enemy. Targeting one had resulted in instant defeat of the first guardian Dallion had faced. Only on the next, and final day before the trial, did he consciously try to avoid taking advantage of his skills in order to get some degree in training.

The whole experience had made the boy much more aware of how weak he actually was. Gloria, with her high perception and attack, would probably turn him into swiss cheese, then start playing whack-a-mole with his inner organs afterwards. Guard skills and reflexes were a good counter, but at his low stamina, they were a limited resource.

An encounter with a cooking pot guardian had left Dallion drained to the extreme. Granted, he had received much praise and thanks from his entire family, and could rest assured the food quality would increase even more, but it didnt help change the fact he could barely crawl to his bed.

Another obvious change was that mending had become far easier and efficient. Labyrinth flaws had now become, for the most part, apparent, allowing the boy to fix several in one pass. In under two days he had managed to achieve more than he had in the previous five, not to mention he had returned to a few pesky items to complete the missing three percent that kept bugging him. If this were a game platform, he would have received a number of achievements by now. Secretly, he was still hoping he would. After all, actions in the awakened realm had provided him bonuses before.

Three hours before the day of his new trial, Dallion snuck out of his house once more. Being level two was nice, but if he managed to reach level three it would be better.

It wasnt difficult to find the shrine cave. Gloria had done a good job getting him there along a series of landmarks. Looking back, she had probably done so deliberately, knowing Dallion would sneak in again. Beneath her somewhat arrogant, and undeniably pretty, exterior she was actually quite nice. A pity she had explained so little about the shrines.

As Dallion put his hand on the altar, he closed his eyes, wishing that hed be offered the forging skills once more. When he opened them, he was back in the plain of the shrine.

You are in a small Awakening shrine.

Complete the trial to improve your destiny!Visitt novelbin(.)co/m for the latest updates

Dallion loved to swim, but never was particularly good at it. Even when hed gone to the pool as a teen, he always made sure to gravitate towards the shallow end.

Im here! Dallion shouted, still on the beach. He had no intention of stepping in. Im ready.

The guardians reaction was immediate. A fountain of water emerged from the endless sea. Dallion braced himself, buckler and short sword at the ready.

Hey! a cheerful voice said.

SHRINE GUARDIAN

Species: SLIME

Class: WATER

Statistics: UNKNOWN

Skills:

Squirt Water shield Bounce

Weak Spots: NONE