Chapter 15: Hardcore Training 1

"Alrighty then, here we go!" Eva exclaimed, snapping her fingers with a mischievous grin. In a flash, a swirling vortex materialized before them, hungrily gobbling them up like a famished beast.

Emerging on the other side, Aurianna found herself gazing upon a peculiar realm. The sky above was shrouded in dark clouds, yet the terrain below remained visible, albeit in a mind-boggling manner. It was as if someone had jumbled together bits and pieces of cities, forests, mountains, and seas. Aurianna stood on an empty patch of land, but just a few meters away, a mysterious and somewhat foreboding forest loomed, its details hard to make out.

"Where in the world are we, Eva?" Aurianna inquired, casting a perplexed glance her companion's way. She had her fingers crossed for a straightforward answer this time, hoping to bypass the cryptic enigmas she had encountered earlier.

Eva met Aurianna's gaze with a serious expression and responded, "Welcome to the starting point of your training, my dear." She paused for emphasis. "This is the place where I've kept some extraordinary beings under observation for countless years. But now that my research is complete, they can provide quite the challenge and some experience if you decide to take them down."

Aurianna scratched her head, trying to wrap her mind around Eva's words, which seemed to hover in a cloud of confusion.

Eva let out a sigh, realizing the need to clarify things for her simple minded master, "First things first, you gotta check out your stats," she instructed. Aurianna's attention was drawn to a mysterious white panel that materialized before her out of thin air, displaying a confusing array of text and numbers. Squinting her eyes, she did her best to make sense of the information presented before her.

[ Aurianna ]

[ Age: 21 ] ( Physically younger due to time manipulation but retains the same age. )

[ Class: None ]

[ Race: Diamond ]

[ Level: 2 ]

[ Exp:10/300 ]

[ HP: 40/40 ]

[ Magic power: 100/100 ]

[ Stamina: 10/10 ]

[ STR: 3 ]

[ VIT: 3 ]

[ INT: 20 ]

[ Agility: 3 ]

[ Defense: 5 ]

[ Charm: 170 ]

[ Luck: 20 ]

[ Skill points: 80 ]

[ Quest points: 0 ]

[ Skills: Ice magic level 6, Healing magic level 20, Revival Level 1 ]

Aurianna's brows furrowed as she couldn't help but feel bothered as she confronted the plethora of information displayed on the perplexing screen. "What's all this Eva?!" she exclaimed, her frustration palpable. It seemed like her poor brain was working overtime to comprehend every single detail.

Eva, still managing to maintain her composure, couldn't hide her mild frustration and responded, "Alright, let's break it down and start with something simpler." She paused for a moment, attempting to find the right words. Her tone indicating a hint of impatience as she was annoyed by the fact that Aurianna was so clueless, "The 'class' refers to the type of job or role you can take on, like being a mage, sword master, berserker, blade dancer, gunner, and plenty more."

Aurianna's face scrunched up in a mixture of bewilderment and disbelief as she processed Eva's explanation. The terms "berserker" and the other classes left her utterly clueless. "Wait, what? Berserker? What in the world is a berserker? And the rest of them too?" she questioned, her confusion evident.

Eva raised an eyebrow, casting a skeptical gaze upon Aurianna. "Are you absolutely certain you were a Saintess in your past life?" she inquired, her doubt seeping into her tone, as she was unable to comprehend how Aurianna could be so unfamiliar with such basic concepts.

Aurianna shrugged, a hint of offense creeping into her response. "Yep, that's right. But honestly, no one bothered to explain all this class stuff to me, so I'm in the dark here," she explained, tilting her head with a mix of curiosity and mild irritation. The lack of clarity surrounding these fundamental aspects left her perplexed, and she couldn't fathom why these questions seemed so obvious to Eva.

"Let me explain. Well your former class was a Saintess, and you primarily fulfill the role of a healer," Eva explained, her tone calm and reassuring.

Aurianna's eyes widened with a newfound understanding. "Ah, so my job," she exclaimed, a spark of realization illuminating her features.

Eva nodded, confirming Aurianna's deduction. "That's right, and your former job class as a healer grants you additional skills and bonuses," she affirmed.

Eager to unravel the mysteries of the other information on the screen, Aurianna gestured towards the remaining unfamiliar elements. "I think I have some understanding on the class now, but what about the rest of these things?" she inquired, hoping for a clear explanation.

Eva let out a slight sigh of annoyance, muttering softly to herself. Collecting her thoughts, she took a deep breath and began her explanation.

"Race indicates the type of being you are, similar to how in your world, there are demons, humans, elves, dwarfs, and various others," she elaborated, pointing out the diversity of races in this realm.

"HP represents your health points, indicating how much damage you can sustain before reaching zero. As long as your HP doesn't drop below zero, you can keep on fighting," Eva clarified, highlighting the importance of maintaining one's health.

"Level indicates your overall strength and proficiency in various skills. The higher your level, the better your basic stats and abilities become," she continued, emphasizing the significance of leveling up.

Eva went on to explain the abbreviations on the screen. "STR stands for strength, measuring your physical power and capabilities. VIT represents vitality, reflecting your life energy and resilience," she outlined, giving Aurianna an understanding of these attributes.

"INT stands for intelligence, indicating your comprehension and proficiency in utilizing skills and manipulating elements," Eva explained, before adding a teasing remark. "With an intelligence score of 20, it seems you're quite the...umm...intellectual. Not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed though. Despite the average human intelligence being 10, you still manage to fall on the 'dumb' side of things."

Aurianna's eye twitched slightly at the insult, but she decided to let Eva continue with the explanations.

"Magic power indicates the amount of magical energy you have available to cast spells," Eva clarified. "Agility measures your speed and swiftness in actions. Defense plays a crucial role in reducing physical and magical damage from enemies."

Eva then moved on to the next attribute. "Charm reflects your attractiveness and charisma, and how it can influence those around you. It seems your high charm level garnered quite the attention from others, which might explain why everyone was so obsessed with you. People with lower charm levels may struggle to make a positive impression, while those with high charm often have the power to sway others and have a certain degree of control over them," she explained, acknowledging Aurianna's impact on those around her.

As she mentioned the luck stat, Eva couldn't help but chuckle. "Luck, well, that determines how lucky or unlucky you are. It seems your luck stat wasn't particularly high," she remarked, teasing Aurianna in a lighthearted manner.

'Just let her finish.' Aurianna thought to herself while clenched her fists, trying her best to maintain her composure. She silently urged herself to remain patient, despite her growing irritation. She wanted to hear the complete explanation without any more interruptions.

Eva proceeded to explain the purpose of skill points. "Skill points are valuable resources that you can use to unlock and acquire new skills for yourself. For example, you can invest them in learning more advanced healing spells or enhancing your magical abilities. It's important not to waste your skill points, as they are essential for unlocking valuable skills."

She then mentioned the significance of quest points. "Quest points, on the other hand, are earned when you complete quests. You can use these points to purchase various items and services from the Diamond market, such as skills, weapons, knowledge, food, treasures, and even beasts," Eva explained.

However, before Eva could continue, Aurianna couldn't resist interjecting, her voice slightly strained. "Wait, hold on a moment, Eva," she interrupted, wanting to address an important point.

"What's the Diamond market?" Aurianna inquired, seeking clarification.

"The Diamond market is a marketplace that becomes accessible once you reach level 28. It offers a range of items and commodities that were previously mentioned. Consider it akin to a conventional market, but with additional features and offerings that can appear out of thin air," Eva explained, placing her finger over her lips to signal Aurianna to allow her to continue.

"Skills refer to the abilities and techniques you possess, or the method by which you unleash your special powers. In your case, it pertains to your proficiency in ice crystal magic," Eva elaborated, bringing her spiel to a halt, seemingly satisfied with her massive information dump.

Despite Eva's tendency to punctuate her explanations with occasional jests, Aurianna couldn't help but be impressed. "Wow, your knowledge is truly commendable," Aurianna complimented Eva.

Eva couldn't resist a smug smirk as she rubbed her nose. "Hmph, don't you worry. Give it, about 50,000 years, and you'll catch up to my level of knowledge," she quipped, oozing confidence.

"Why would it take me 50,000 years?!" Aurianna exclaimed in shock, struggling to fathom why it would require such an eternity to gain a little knowledge.

Eva let out a hearty laugh, her amusement evident. "Well, with that Intelligence level of yours, sweetheart, absorbing my vast knowledge in just a few years would be an unrealistic expectation. So keep dreaming!" she playfully taunted.

Aurianna, feeling a tinge of frustration, playfully stuck out her tongue at Eva in a pouty manner.

"So, Eva, what level are you currently?" Aurianna asked with a curious glint in her eyes, eager to know how Eva measured up in terms of experience and strength.

"If you want to know my level, acquire the All-Seeing Eye skill, and you'll find out," Eva responded in a self-assured tone, observing Aurianna's grumbling expression.

"But I really want to know! You said I'm your master, so I deserve to know," Aurianna whined, flopping onto the ground in a childish manner.

"Enough with the childish antics. Look ahead of you," Eva retorted, pointing towards a specific direction.

Ceasing her whining, Aurianna pondered to herself, 'That was odd. I acted like a petulant child, rolling on the ground and whining without a second thought. Could my mind be regressing to a more juvenile state as well?'

Setting aside her theories for the time being, Aurianna followed Eva's gesture and directed her gaze to the indicated location.

From a distance, Aurianna observed a multitude of monstrous creatures traversing an unfamiliar land, ruthlessly engaged in savage battles. The sight sent a shiver down her spine.

"As part of your training, you'll be required to confront the rare monsters I've gathered thus far," Eva stated, stretching nonchalantly.

"What? Why do I have to fight?" Aurianna shrugged, plopping down on the ground and adopting an indifferent demeanor.

"Don't you desire to become stronger?" Eva questioned, her face displaying an impassive expression.

"Eva, are you pulling my leg? This training regimen is beyond anything I could have imagined. Isn't it too demanding for someone of my tender age?" Aurianna expressed her incredulity, her voice laced with concern.

"If you can't handle such feeble monsters, then you don't deserve the title of a Diamond!" Eva exclaimed, gripping Aurianna's soft cheeks between her fingers.

"And spare me those puppy dog eyes. They won't work on me, considering my charm level surpasses yours!" Eva declared, trying to ward off Aurianna's attempts at manipulation.

"Damn, I got caught. I thought it would actually work," Aurianna muttered under her breath, realizing her scheme had failed from the start.

"You're currently at the bottom of the Diamond Rankings! So, this is for your own good," Eva shouted, emphasizing the importance of the situation.

"Now there are rankings too?! Ugh, my head is spinning," Aurianna complained, squirming on the ground while clutching her head.

"What if I die? I've just been reborn," Aurianna sighed, voicing her concern about the risks involved.

"There's nothing to worry about. I can revive you no matter how many times you perish in this realm," Eva reassured her, projecting an air of confidence. But Aurianna couldn't help but frown at her words in displeasure.

"This is your quest," Eva stated, waving her hand and conjuring a screen before Aurianna, displaying the details.

[ Main Quest ]

[ Defeat 50 Goiglers ]

[ Reward: 250,000 quest points ]

[ Failure: ??? ]

[ Complete the quest before you can leave the training grounds ]

"What in the world are Goiglers?" Aurianna questioned, turning to face Eva. How was she expected to fight something she knew nothing about?

"You'll find out once you lay eyes on them," Eva replied, turning away without providing any further explanation.

"Do your best, Aurianna," Eva encouraged before vanishing into thin air, leaving Aurianna standing there in her transformed light pink battle suit, which had replaced her former nightgown.

"Eva, wait!!" Aurianna called out, but her words fell on empty space as Eva had already disappeared. Now, Aurianna found herself alone in this peculiar and unfamiliar land.

"Did she forget that I'm not a natural-born fighter? I don't even have a darn weapon. How does she expect me to take down a Goigler?" Aurianna muttered in frustration, feeling unequipped for the task ahead.

"I'm scared," she admitted softly, fear gripped her as she took hesitant steps as she began to venture forward, exploring the mysterious surroundings.

"Damn, this place is incredibly gloomy. There's nothing remotely cute around here," Aurianna grumbled, rubbing her hands together in an attempt to warm herself. Despite the absence of visible snow or hail, the air carried a chilling coldness.

After walking for a while, she found herself standing at the edge of a colossal forest she had noticed earlier. Curiosity got the better of her, compelling her to step inside and explore. As she glanced around, she couldn't help but notice that the trees in this forest were far from ordinary, their colors ranging from black to purple, with only a few retaining a hint of green.

[ You have entered the domain of the Hex Weaver. ]

"I wonder what a Hex Weaver is," Aurianna pondered aloud, her curiosity piqued. Suddenly, as she took a step forward, her movement came to an abrupt halt.

"Why can't I move?" Aurianna mumbled, crouching down to inspect her left leg, which had become ensnared in a sticky white substance. She tugged and pulled, attempting to free herself, unaware of the subtle vibrations her struggles sent through the surrounding sticky traps.

In the depths of the darkness, pairs of green eyes slowly flickered open, slowly but gradually inching closer to Aurianna, who remained oblivious to the impending danger as she continued her struggle.

After several minutes of determined effort, Aurianna managed to liberate her leg, letting out a relieved sigh.Yet, an unsettling feeling lingered in the air, tingling her senses.

"I have this strange feeling that someone is watching me," Aurianna nervously mumbled, her senses on high alert. Swiftly, she rose to her feet, scanning her surroundings. Initially, all seemed calm and still, but then her eyes locked with a pair of lurking green eyes concealed within the shadows.

Sensing imminent danger, Aurianna's fight-or-flight response kicked in, propelling her into a desperate dash to escape the forest's grasp. However, as she desperately searched for the point of entry, she discovered that the desolate land she had entered from was nowhere to be seen. "Where did I enter this forest from?" Aurianna muttered in confusion as she frantically scanned her surroundings in hopes of a way out. Instead, an endless expanse of forest stretched before her.

With no other option, Aurianna pressed onward, hoping for the best. The sound of footsteps trailing behind her resonated in her ears as she stumbled over the protruding roots that littered the forest floor.

"There's no end to this forest!" Aurianna yelled in frustration, her voice echoing through the dense trees. She swiftly got to her feet, brushing off the dust that clung to her clothes.

Suddenly, an enormous spider, nearly the size of Aurianna herself, leaped out from a tree, emitting a piercing screech that sent shivers down her spine. Without a moment's hesitation, she turned and fled, the adrenaline coursing through her. Her fear propelling her forward.

The colossal spider, with its dark green hue and size comparable to Aurianna's own, was not alone. Hundreds of Larger spiders, even more menacing in size, descended from the treetops, their multitude of glowing eyes fixated on their prey. Aurianna's heart pounded in her chest as she sprinted, desperately trying to outrun the eight-legged creatures.

Aurianna raced onward, her legs carrying her deeper into the forest. With each passing moment, she encountered more and more intricate webs, hindering her progress. Unfortunately, her youthful and comparatively shorter legs prevented her from outrunning the eight-legged predators. It was only a matter of time before one of the spiders closed in on her. With a swift leap, one of the spiders pounced on her, pinning her to the ground.

Summoning every ounce of strength within her, Aurianna kicked with all her might, managing to dislodge the spider from her body. Scrambling to her feet, she continued running, her heart pounding in her ears. But her luck quickly turned against her as the spider unleashed a vile substance, spitting it in her direction.

"Arrgghh!!" Aurianna's anguished scream filled the air as the corrosive black liquid made contact with her hand, causing her flesh to sizzle and melt away. Overwhelmed by the excruciating pain, she came to a halt, her breath ragged. Tears streamed down her face as she sought refuge, she could no longer ignore her injuries. Seeking for a place to hide, she spotted a tree with a sizable hollow and rushed towards it, seeking shelter within its protective trunk. Tears streamed down her face as she cradled her injured hand, taking solace in the temporary respite from the relentless pursuit.

Inside the hollow of the tree trunk, Aurianna huddled, her breath ragged and her heart pounding with fear. The pain in her hand was unbearable, and the stench of burnt flesh filled the confined space. She tried to steady her trembling body, wiping away her tears with her uninjured hand.

"Making any noise will surely give away my position," Aurianna thought anxiously, observing the bone exposed through her melting flesh.

From inside the tree trunk, Aurianna could hear faint tapping sounds. Curiosity getting the better of her, she cautiously peered through the hole and was met with a chilling sight: hundred of spiders, their green eyes fixated on the wood, drooling with anticipation.

Fear coursed through Aurianna's trembling form as she realized, "They have spotted me!"

"I can't die like this. I won't die like this. If I die, I'll take one of those bloody monsters with me!!" Aurianna exclaimed, determination blazing in her eyes. With swift courage, she leaped out of the tree trunk and darted towards one of the smaller spiders.

The spider screeched in pain as Aurianna tightly grasped its leg and sank her teeth into its flesh, breaking through the skin. As the venom coursed into her stomach, a warm sensation enveloped her entire body. Her heart pounded fiercely as blood surged through her veins. Despite coughing up blood and bleeding from her eyes, she pressed on undeterred.

Seizing a nearby stick, she ****** it forcefully into the spider's rear, causing it to screech in agony.

Aurianna coughed up more blood as a larger spider delivered a forceful kick, sending her sprawling, while another sank its fangs deep into her abdomen. Despite the excruciating pain, Aurianna maintained a defiant smile as the spider poised to consume her, defiantly raising her hand.

"Icicle!!" Aurianna's cry pierced the air as a long, pointed shard of ice impaled the monstrous spider, bringing about its demise.

[ You've vanquished a level 3 Hex spider ]

[ You've earned 25 experience points ]

[ Sub Quest: Kill Hex Spiders ]

[ | Reward: Hex Spider skill, 2-4 quest points per spider | ]

Although a notification appeared, Aurianna's mind was consumed by the searing agony coursing through her torn abdomen, where her insides spilled out.

The remaining creatures grew infuriated, their legs pounding against the trees while emitting shrill cries. With a collective determination in their eyes, they lunged towards Aurianna, spewing webs from their mouths.

Forcing herself to ignore the pain, Aurianna forcefully pulled the spider's leg from her stomach, narrowly evading some of the incoming webs. As she rose to her feet to confront the other spiders, two more assailants swiftly attacked. One delivered a powerful blow to her side, while the other rammed its head against hers. Overwhelmed by the wave of dizziness that washed over her, she succumbed to unconsciousness.

When Aurianna regained consciousness, a nightmarish scene unfolded before her. She found herself surrounded by a swarm of small spiders, their multitude crawling ceaselessly in every direction. Even larger spiders, once fearful, now approached her without hesitation. "Oh, shit!" Within seconds, her movements were constrained by the sticky embrace of spider webs, while the spiders closed in, their ravenous appetites unleashed.

Aurianna struggled desperately, attempting to break free, but her efforts proved futile as the spiders sank their fangs into her, biting and tearing at her flesh. They devoured her relentlessly, peeling away layers of skin as her screams reverberated through the air. The monstrous creatures feasted upon her until nothing remained, her existence consumed by the darkness of the forest.

[ You were devoured by a Hex Spider. ]

Aurianna groaned as she struggled to open her eyes, her body aching all over. Her vision was blurry as she fought to regain consciousness. As her senses gradually returned, she found herself sitting behind a tree. Slowly, she rose to her feet and took in her surroundings. The spiders that had attacked her before still lingered nearby, their menacing presence a constant reminder of the danger she faced. Peering out from behind the tree, she noticed that her physical form was no longer present at the former place, only the remnants of the brutal encounter staining the ground.

"How am I still alive?" Aurianna wondered, her mind racing with questions. "Could it be the revival skill I possess? How did I even acquire such an ability? Or perhaps this is what Eva meant by saying she could revive me anytimeI must admit, I'm quite fortunate."

Fury burned within Aurianna as she clenched her teeth, "Those monsters won't get away with this. I swear, I'm going to make them pay," she vowed, her voice filled with resolve.

"I Iearned ice magic in my past life, but it wasn't really an element that suited me. The light element rather suited me. But I'll have to make use of this now." She focused her energy, conjuring five sharp icicles in her hand. The chilling power surged through her as she prepared to retaliate.

"Now then," Aurianna whispered with an evil grin, her eyes glinting with vengeful intent. "If I recall correctly, a spider's weakness lies within its butthole. It's time for some well-deserved payback."

Without hesitation and with swift precision, Aurianna launched the icy projectiles straight into the exposed rear ends of the spiders, piercing their vulnerable spots deeply. The air resonated with agonized screeches as five of the spiders met their demise, collapsing lifelessly. The remaining spiders turned their attention towards Aurianna who was hiding behind the tree, their hunger-fueled rage propelling them forward.

Aurianna swiftly abandoned her position and maneuvered through the swarm of spiders, determination etched across her face. With twenty icicles floating in hand, she braced herself for a swift and decisive end to this confrontation. "Only 42 spiders left. I'll finish them off as quickly as possible," she muttered, her voice filled with resolute purpose.

Taking advantage of her smaller size, Aurianna managed to skillfully position herself behind several imposing hex spiders that towered over her. Seizing the opportune moment, she ruthlessly ****** her icy weapons into their vulnerable butt regions, exploiting their weaknesses ruthlessly without hesitation.

Caught up in the heat of battle, Aurianna failed to notice the maniacal grin that had crept onto her face. She pressed on, relentlessly slaughtering the spiders with a relentless frenzy. Despite enduring countless slashes and venomous attacks that could have proven fatal, she found her revived near the spot of her death each time, ready to resume her killing spree.

"Despite my lack of combat skills, my senses are sharpening, and my reflexes are growing faster," Aurianna remarked, her voice tinged with both exhaustion and exhilaration. "What's more these spiders are growing more predictable," Demonstrating her newfound proficiency, she skillfully aimed an icicle at a spider's eye, before swiftly darting behind it to administer a fatal blow to its butt hole. Green liquid spilled out as the creature collapsed lifelessly on the ground.

Overwhelmed by the intensity of her exertions, Aurianna sank to the ground, clutching her head as her trembling body struggled to regain composure. The strain of the relentless battle weighed heavily upon her, but she refused to succumb to exhaustion.

Ding!

[ You've earned 2,100 experience points for eliminating 42 level 4 Hex Weavers. ]

[ Congratulations! You have ascended 2 levels. ]

[ As a bonus for defeating monsters without possessing a class, you've acquired 70 skill points. ]

[ You've gained Hex Spider skill {Mind Shatter}. If skill is activated, target has visions of death causing loss of focus. ]

[ Congrats on killing a monster on your own. ]

"What's that?" Aurianna wondered, her gaze fixed on the intriguing display hovering above her. With a mixture of curiosity and anticipation, she reached out her hand, tentatively attempting to touch the smooth glass-like screen.

"What the hell is this?"Aurianna pondered, a sense of bewilderment filling her. Rising to her feet, she settled into a relaxed butterfly position, ready to delve further into the unfolding situation.

Suddenly, a new screen materialized before her, capturing her attention. With curiosity piqued, she read the displayed words intently.

[ Nice to meet you, Aurianna. I am the system overseeing the management of all second-generation Diamonds. ] a distorted voice resonated, reaching Aurianna's ears.

[ Congratulations on your accomplishment of mastering independent combat. ] the voice continued.

Aurianna's brows furrowed as she contemplated the next revelation. [ Seems like you're having some difficulty with your magic. Are you willing to invest your skill points to acquire a new skill? ] the screen inquired.

"System? It looks more like the stone tablets and cubes used to check a person's stats. Strangely I can also see it without my Saintess class. But the tablet never spoke. What is this, certainly unusual screen?" Aurianna wondered as she brushed her hand past the white screen, which suddenly felt like air.

"I really need to ask Eva about this Diamond thing," Aurianna muttered, as she was more interested in knowing what Diamonds are than "leveling up" or whatever.

"I can't just stand here! I better hide," Aurianna muttered before entering the tree trunk from before. Strangely, it was broad and comfy.

"Hmm, but a skill… Don't I have to learn skills?" Aurianna asked as she looked at the screen.

[ Yes, you do, but this is a little cheat. ]

"Ah, let's take a closer look at these skills then," Aurianna spoke with a sense of anticipation, prompting the screen to transition into a new display.

[{Combat Skill categories}]

[|Staffs, Guns, Knuckles, Swords, Feet, Eyes, Crystal balls, Arrows, Beads, Spears, Shields, Lotus, Whips, Daggers, Paint Brushes, Axes|]

[You can select one of these categories to get a weapon and a type of combat skill to use.]

A list of combat skill categories materialized, each with its own distinct weapon and combat skill associated with it. Aurianna's eyes scanned the options before her, deep in thought.

"Hmm, choices, choices," she mused, tapping her chin as she weighed the possibilities. This was an opportunity to shape her combat style, and she wanted to make a well-informed decision that resonated with her instincts and preferences.

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