Chapter 229: In the Morning

    In the morning, Kim woke up feeling like she hadn''t slept at all. She speculated briefly as to what the reason could be, but in the end gave up and turned away from Elin slightly, hoping she wouldn''t disturb her lover.

    "Stats," Kim whispered, wondering how much longer she''d need to remain in bed before she''d get her stamina fully replenished.

    HP 255/270

    Stamina 117/137

    Level 18

    EXP 109352/171000

    Str 36

    Dex 20

    Vit 37

    Con 30

    Int 15

    Wis 10

    Agi 30

    Endurance 37

    Physical Resistance 15%

    Magical Resistance 5%

    Skills: Sёar?h the N?velFire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Weapon Proficiency

    Bastard Sword X Maxed

    Short Sword X Maxed

    Weapon Specialization

    Bastard Sword

    Shield Proficiency

    Large Shield VIII 298/450

    Armor Proficiency

    Plate Armor IV 448/450

    Leather Armor VI 215/550

    Metal/stone/wood Expertise

    Unarmed Combat X Maxed

    Iron Skin

    Stamina Armor

    Leadership

    Inspire

    Abilities:

    Shield Bash X – 4 stamina Maxed

    Charge X – 3 stamina/10 feet Maxed

    Reversal Cut X – 7 stamina Maxed

    Reversal Slash X – 14 stamina Maxed

    Reversal Strike IV – 23 stamina 232/400

    Iai Cut X - 10 stamina Maxed

    Iai Slash IX – 20 stamina 723/800

    Combat Dance X – 8 stamina Maxed

    Dodging Strike – 2 stamina/dodge

    Energy Slash – 2 stamina/slash

    Magic Cut VIII – 7 stamina 547/600

    Weapon Throw V – 15/300

    Kim felt like what she saw in front of her had to be a joke. Not only did this say that she was nearly full with her stamina, but nothing else had really changed. She hardly felt like what her stats reflected. All she could interpret these facts was that it was just one of those times when she felt more tired than she actually was.

    She hadn''t done anything with Elin the night before after they''d did what they could to get those under that enchantment to get out from the control of the enchanter, which had turned out to be Aquis.

    Kim wasn''t sure if she shouldn''t have expected herself to wake up like this, but since it was early enough, and Elin hadn''t woken up yet, she had no reason to let Elin go. She was perfectly happy to enjoy this moment, despite how tired she still felt.

    Idly, as she ran her hands gently over Elin''s body, she wondered if fatigue was what she was feeling right then and if that was separate overall from her stamina. She couldn''t be sure if that was the case, but it would at least explain how she felt like she did without having low stamina.

    She idly started to wonder if she''d be able to convince Elin to have another romp before they got up for breakfast. Elin typically wasn''t as open to that before she had something to eat, but occasionally she was willing to do that.

    At least when Kim was interested in that. Which only was every so often. As she usually had been preoccupied in the morning with other matters when she woke up.

    Still, as she held Elin against her, she felt Elin start to stir. Her lover''s movements merely making her hope even more that Elin would be interested in another romp before breakfast.

    While she wasn''t that interested specifically in another romp, she wouldn''t object to it. Besides, she had a feeling that their time together like this might be entering a time where they wouldn''t get much chance to enjoy things like that.

    +++

    Jonas felt like he was awake before he''d become aware of it. Essentially having started to get up without even thinking, without having become cognizant that he wasn''t still asleep.

    Either that or he''d started to sleepwalk, even though he wasn''t aware if he''d done that in the past or not. As from his understanding, sleepwalking was something that people didn''t just do with either no history of it or some change in their lives or something.

    It wasn''t like he was an expert on the subject, but it was what came across his mind when he was already dealing with the morning routine he''d established for himself since coming to this world. He didn''t put much stock in having that happen, but it was at least a thought that floated through his mind.

    When he was almost done, he suddenly had a thought about checking his stats. He wasn''t sure if anything had really changed, other than his HP, MP, and stamina. Though he couldn''t be sure that nothing had changed either.

    "Stats," Jonas said, almost to himself.

    Hp 158/162

    Mp 18/55

    Stamina 60/67

    Level 18

    EXP 28961/171000

    Str 26

    Dex 32

    Con 25

    Int 21

    Wis 21

    Cha 12

    Agi 16

    Vit 26

    Endurance 26

    Physical Resistance 10%

    Magical Resistance 10%

    Skills:

    Appraisal VII 75/350

    Disabling/Enabling devices IX 289/900

    Keen Eyes X Maxed

    Keen Ears X 1Maxed

    Unnatural Reflexes X Maxed

    Stealth X Maxed

    Shadow Sight

    Magic Sense VIII 405/400

    Shadow Regenerate

    Manipulate Shadows – 2 MP

    Elemental Attribute Application – 4 MP to activate and 1 MP for each minute of use

    Increased Damage

    Abilities:

    Shadow Merge X – 4 MP initial, 1 MP each minute Maxed

    Crippling Strike X – 6 stamina Maxed

    Boomerang Blade X – 2 stamina, 1 MP Maxed

    Whirlwind Blade X – 7 stamina Maxed

    Jonas didn''t take long before he closed the window on his stats. There wasn''t anything that he hadn''t expected. There had been more of a change on his XP than he had expected, but it wasn''t like it was an amount that was that significant. Not like he''d gained another level and could add to his attributes or even had learned another skill or any of that.

    Stretching, he left the tent, wondering what might have changed since the events of the previous night.

    What greeted him was a camp that was in disarray. Some of the people were looking like they weren''t sure what to do, some looked like thy were doing their best to pretend nothing had really happened, some were going through the motions, while some looked like they were starting to expect something to happen any second if they weren''t alert all the time. Which told Jonas that they were probably going to need to go through a meeting with the top officer''s of Kim''s army.

    No matter what they did, Jonas knew this wouldn''t be good to continue for more than that morning. It was possible that it''d get dealt with quick enough, but he still had his doubts. With the lack of training that they''d clearly done, Jonas was certain that they were more likely to fall apart if nothing was done for them than they were to pull themselves together on their own.

    However, that was a problem to be dealt with after he''d gotten something to eat. He wasn''t going to try to deal with the problem without having something to weigh his stomach down, after all.

    +++

    Elin almost felt like she had shifted to another dream as she woke up. She loved the feel of Kim''s body against hers, especially with how warm it was. She could feel the cool air outside the blankets and she was happy to have Kim as something to help keep that cool temperature away.

    She enjoyed the feel of Kim''s hands roam over her body, as she kept her eyes closed and just rested against Kim.

    "You know we''re going to have to get up sooner or later," Kim said softly to Elin.

    "Maybe," Elin mumbled against Kim''s shoulder. "Lets just stay like this."

    Elin smiled as she felt more than heard Kim chuckle. "Well, I''ll just have to let them know you''re not hungry and they don''t need to bring you anything to eat."

    Elin felt her eyes snap open, alarmed. "Wh-what!?" she squeaked.

    "You''re just too easy sometimes."

    It took Elin a moment to realize that Kim had merely been teasing her. That she hadn''t planned on doing that regardless of what Elin had said in response.

    "You''re mean this morning," Elin merely complained.

    "Would you like to try to sweeten my mood this morning?" Kim asked rather suggestively.

    "But what about breakfast?"

    "It can wait if you can."

    Elin thought about it for a moment before pushing Kim away. She liked the idea of enjoying Kim''s body more, but the idea of food was more of a draw for her. Even thinking about it now made her feel more alert and less worried about leaving the warmth Kim''s body provided.

    "I can''t wait," Elin said, pulling away from Kim.

    Elin didn''t hear a response, nor did she really expect one. She was happy with the idea of getting something to eat. Especially with how empty her stomach was currently.

    Yet, to her great disappointment, as she left the tent after quickly getting dressed, with a little help from Kim, she saw that in most areas no one had started cooking anything.

    Granted, the sun hadn''t yet started coming up above the horizon, showing just how early it still was. However, Elin still felt like she''d been somehow robbed from the lack of food being prepared.

    Sighing, she wished that she could have known this before hand, so she could have accepted Kim''s offer of another round of pleasure. While she probably could have gotten Kim to agree to that even now, Elin was still more interested in getting some food started so she could get something to eat that much sooner.

    She looked around, hoping that someone had already gotten a fire started, and was pleasantly surprised to find that Jonas had already started one, after looking around for only a couple of minutes. She wasn''t sure where the materials to start a fire were, since she usually didn''t have to worry about that herself.

    "Have you started making something to eat?" Elin asked, hoping that he had.

    "Not really," Jonas replied pleasantly. "Give me a few minutes and I''m sure I''ll be able to get what we need for some breakfast stew."

    Elin felt her heart sink. She''d forgotten about the stew. She wasn''t sure what she had been hoping for to have to eat, but stew certainly wasn''t it.

    Sighing, she turned to look at the fire as she settled herself on the ground in front of it. Without cooking anything to distract her, she wasn''t sure what she could do at this point.

    She wasn''t sure what it was that made her think of checking her stats at that time. Maybe it was the fact she was just bored or maybe she heard something that made her think of it, but she was at least happy for have something she could do to occupy her mind.

    Even if it was only for a moment.

    "Stats," Elin said, not caring if anyone from Kim''s army heard her.

    HP 53/56

    MP 13/82

    Level 18

    XP 6594/171000

    Stamina 18/23

    Str 15

    Int 42

    Dex 15

    Con 15

    Wis 42

    Mag 41

    Agi 15

    Cha 19

    Physical Resistance 5%

    Magical Resistance 30%

    Skills:

    Wound Identification VI 201/250

    Wound Treatment, non-magical VIII 342/350

    Combat Medic III 178/200

    Holy Boost

    Enhanced Mastery

    Improved Resistance

    Improved MP Consumption

    White Magic Spells:

    Life Attribute – Minor Heal X 4mp Maxed

    Life Attribute – Moderate Heal X 7mp Maxed

    Lif Attribute – Heal VIII 12mp 299/550

    Life Attribute – Treat IV 3mp 24/250

    Holy Attribute – Sacred Shot X 4mp Maxed

    Holy Attribute – Sacred Flash X 7mp Maxed

    Holy Attribute – Sacred Burst IX 12mp 785/850

    Life Attribute – Assess 2mp

    Life Attribute – Regenerate 12mp

    Life Attribute – Restore Drain 7mp

    Life Attribute – Restore Life – 50mp

    Green Magic Spells:

    Life Attribute – Stat enhancement III 2mp 78/200

    Force Attribute – Physical Resistance enhancement IV 2mp 211/250

    Force Attribute – Minor Protection IV 2mp 194/250

    Holy Attribute - Sacred Flame X – 7mp Maxed

    Holy Attribute – Sacred Flare VII – 12mp 490/600

    Elin sighed at what little had changed since she''d last seen it. Even though she knew there would be much change, it still felt like she''d somehow been robbed second time that morning.

    +++

    Elmo couldn''t help but feel a little surprised. He''d started to walk around after having woken up when he heard Elin say, "Stats."

    He hadn''t expected to hear her to be so loud when checking her stats, but it wasn''t like it really mattered. He didn''t see how it would really affect anything anyway. If nothing else, it might even enhance how those in Kim''s army looked at her.

    He wasn''t sure how it would, just that it was possible. Especially since he''d long given up trying to figure out how things worked with others in the world.

    However, as he thought about it, checking his own stats wouldn''t be that bad of an idea. If nothing else, it would give him an idea of what might have changed from what happened the night before.

    "Stats," Elmo said quietly, hoping no one would overhear him.

    HP 39/56

    MP 8/59

    Level 18

    XP 13029/171000

    Stamina 20/28

    Str 15

    Dex 14

    Mag 35

    Con 15

    Int 32

    Wis 32

    Cha 14

    Agi 12

    Physical Resistance 0%

    Magical Resistance 25%

    Skills:

    Magic Identification

    Fire Boost

    Earth Boost

    Magical Surge

    Enhance Mastery

    Silent Casting

    MP Charge – 2 Stamina

    Black Magic Spells:

    Fire Attribute – Scorch X – 3 MP Maxed

    Fire Attribute – Scald X – 7 MP Maxed

    Fire Attribute – Burn IV – 12 MP 27/440

    Earth Attribute – Rock Spray X – 4 MP Maxed

    Earth Attribute – Rock Burst X – 9 MP Maxed

    Earth Attribute – Rock Blast VII – 15 MP 187/700

    Water Attribute – Water Shot X – 3 MP Maxed

    Water Attribute – Water Burst X – 7 MP Maxed

    Water Attribute – Water Cannon – 13 MP 17/00

    Wind Attribute – Wind Shield X – 4 MP initial, 1mp each minute Maxed

    Unaligned Attribute – Magic Burst X – 5 MP Maxed

    Unaligned Attribute – Magic Missile X – 10 MP Maxed

    Unaligned Attribute – Magic Collision IX – 17 MP 981/1800

    Unaligned Attribute – Absorb X – 4 MP Maxed

    Fire Attribute – Brimstone Fire X – 8 MP Maxed

    Fire Attribute – Brimstone Flash X – 14 MP Maxed

    Fire Attribute – Brimstone Flare XIII – 20 MP 572/900

    Ice Attribute – Frozen Missile X – 6 MP Maxed

    Ice Attribute – Frozen Shrapnel IX – 13 MP 982/1800

    Dark Attribute – Dark Impact – 12 MP

    Green Magic Spells:

    Unaligned Attribute – Identify X – 2 MP Maxed

    Unaligned Attribute – View Stats X – 2 MP Maxed

    Force Attribute – Remove enhancement 4mp 0/100

    Unaligned Attribute – Sleep – 10 MP

    Earth Attribute – Open Earth – 10 MP

    Unaligned Attribute – Terror – 5 MP

    While Elmo hadn''t really expected anything, he was surprised at what his HP currently was. He couldn''t say what had happened that would have affected it, but it wasn''t like there was anything he could do about that now.

    All he could do was either wait for it to restore itself on its own or see if Elin would use some of her magic to heal him. Not that he really cared enough for either option.

    Still, he couldn''t help but wonder what had caused him to lose so much HP like that.