The forest became Kael's personal training ground, a vast arena for accelerated growth. With the Rune of Ephemeral Knowledge active, every action that yielded experience was doubly potent. The 24-hour timer was a relentless master, pushing him to his limits.
Corvus, seeming to understand the urgency, was an invaluable scout. Within the first hour, he led Kael to a pair of territorial Razorback Boars (Level 12), their tusks long and wickedly sharp. Normally, Kael might have been more cautious engaging two at once, but the promise of doubled XP was a powerful motivator.
He stalked them using 'Shadow Meld', the forest floor a familiar tapestry beneath his 'Silent Step'. He chose his moment, activating 'Aimed Shot' and targeting the closer boar's eye with a Sylphwing-fletched 'Improved Arrow'.
[System Notification: You have successfully hunted 1x Razorback Boar (Level 12) using 'Aimed Shot' (Critical Hit!). XP Gained: 240 (120 base x2).]
[Skill 'Bow Proficiency (Rank D)' proficiency increased.]
The boar dropped instantly. Its companion, startled and enraged, charged. Kael didn't have time for another 'Aimed Shot'. He dodged, his AGI of 22 allowing him to sidestep the furious rush, and drew his Direhorn Axe. He activated 'Power Strike', his STR of 22 channeling into the blow as he brought the heavy horn axe down on the boar's exposed flank.
The impact was brutal. The boar squealed, stumbled, and Kael pressed his advantage, his axe a blur of motion.
[System Notification: You have successfully hunted 1x Razorback Boar (Level 12) using 'Power Strike' (Critical Hit!). XP Gained: 250 (125 base x2).]
[Skill 'Axe Proficiency (Rank E)' proficiency increased.]
Nearly 500 XP in a matter of minutes. Kael felt a surge of exhilaration, quickly followed by the familiar ache of exertion. He didn't rest long, just enough to catch his breath and offer Corvus a share of the fresh meat before moving on, leaving the butchering for later if time permitted.
The next few hours were a whirlwind of activity. He tracked and killed another Cave Bear (Level 15), this time with even greater efficiency, each 'Aimed Shot' striking true. The 350 base XP became a staggering 700. His XP bar for Level 19 was filling rapidly.
[System Notification: You have successfully hunted 1x Cave Bear (Adult) (Level 15) using 'Aimed Shot' (Critical Hit x2). XP Gained: 700 (350 base x2).]
[Congratulations! You have reached Level 20!]
[You have 5 unspent Attribute Points and 1 unspent Skill Point. Open Character Screen (Y/N)?]
Level 20! He paused only briefly to allocate his points, pushing his STR, AGI, and CON each up by one, and his INT and WIS up by one, saving one attribute point. He upgraded his 'Axe Proficiency' to Rank D with his skill point, unlocking 'Improved Power Strike'. The world felt even sharper, his body thrumming with newfound power.
(New Base Stats: STR 23, AGI 23, CON 23, INT 24, WIS 21, CHA 5. 1 Attribute point remaining.)
As midday approached, the initial rush of adrenaline began to give way to a deeper, more focused intensity. The rune's effect was not just about XP; it enhanced his learning rate, his perception, his very connection to the System. Skills he used repeatedly seemed to gain proficiency faster than usual.
He took a calculated break from hunting to begin the arduous process of tanning the Heavy Deer Hide from the adult buck he'd killed previously. It was a multi-stage, physically demanding task, but his 'Advanced Crafting (Rank B)' skill, combined with his increased STR and the rune's XP boost, made it more manageable. Each completed stage of scraping, soaking, and working the hide yielded a satisfying chunk of doubled XP.
[System Notification: Successfully completed 'Initial Scraping and De-hairing' of Heavy Deer Hide. 'Advanced Crafting (Rank B)' proficiency increased. XP Gained: 100 (50 base x2).]
The mental fatigue the System had warned about began to set in. Processing so much information, pushing his skills and attributes to their limits, was draining. But Kael gritted his teeth, the 24-hour timer a constant spur. He chewed on smoked jerky, drank water, and pushed onward.
He hunted another pair of Razorback Boars, then a pack of three smaller Forest Wolves (Level 8-10), using a combination of stealth, archery, and brutal axe work. Each kill brought him closer to his next level.
Corvus was an invaluable partner, scouting tirelessly, warning him of ambushes, and even helping to drive prey towards him. Kael made sure the crow was well-rewarded.
As evening approached, with about eight hours left on the rune's timer, Kael was caked in sweat, grime, and the blood of his kills. His muscles ached, and a dull throb pulsed behind his eyes, but his spirit blazed. He had just finished another stage of tanning the great hide, and the XP notification pushed him over another threshold.
[System Notification: Successfully completed 'Brain Tanning Application' on Heavy Deer Hide. 'Advanced Crafting (Rank B)' proficiency significantly increased. XP Gained: 150 (75 base x2).]
[Congratulations! You have reached Level 21!]
[You have 5 unspent Attribute Points and 1 unspent Skill Point. Open Character Screen (Y/N)?]
Two levels in less than sixteen hours. The power of the rune was truly astounding. He was exhausted, but the night was still young, and the clock was still ticking.