Stanton had long since retired to his room, but TJ continued his work, mind feverish and manic. He'd hardly noticed the revitalization that came when he reached the next level of Savage. Instead, he continued to work, uncaring of his flesh rubbing raw as he continued to cut the horns into the same shape he'd already figured out. The bases of the other three horns were all cut into the same size to serve as knife handles while a finger was prepared for each handle. This time, however, since TJ didn't plan on keeping every one of the final products for himself, he carved each horn and finger and hole solely with the Wendigo Blade.
Shavings surrounded his seat, but still, TJ lost himself in the act of creation, and before he truly took notice of the time, he had three mostly completed knives in front of him. He stood up, intending to walk out and collect enough pine sap to seal the blades into their housing on the antler, but his stiff legs didn't pay him any mind and instead stumbled. TJ was able to easily catch himself on the table nearby, the materials all clattering with the sudden impact, but he couldn't quite believe that his legs were so entirely asleep. It was only in that moment that he realized that the fire had long since died down to smoldering embers and the candles whose light he'd been carving by were now down to little nubs.
"What time is it?" He muttered to himself as he rubbed his thighs with his hands.
1:32 AM
With the System's notification, TJ realized it must have been at least five solid hours of him sitting and carving the materials now spread out on the table he was leaning against. Even with his body strengthened and changed by the System, circulation could be difficult, and so long spent in the same position was uncomfortable. Even so, TJ took only one minute to allow his legs to stop tingling before going out to the nearest pine tree. He couldn't help but notice that as he walked out of the relatively warm house, the chill of the below freezing air didn't bother him, feeling like a cool breeze instead of immediately sending a shiver down his spine.
The nearest tree had no easily found pine sap, so TJ went to the next couple, gathering small tidbits where he could find it. There were some that he missed, but the walking cleared his mind so he enjoyed the cool air and the walk to loosen his muscles. Once he finished gathering the necessary materials, he made the decision not to finish everything he'd planned tonight. The aspirations he'd had of completing a new set of moccasins, a club with each horn, and something else with each finger were long out of the picture. Instead, he'd complete the three Blades, Appraise them and the club he'd made, and go to bed.
Now sure of his next course of action, TJ rolled his shoulders and stepped back to the table. He reached for the materials.
"The hell's wrong with you?"
Stanton's bleary voice nearly made TJ scream in surprise, Wind Manipulation created gusts exploding into being around him and making the old man close his eyes.
"Me? What's your problem? Nearly gave me a heart attack!"
"It's too damn late for this. Why were you banging around?"
"I… didn't realize my legs were asleep. Bumped into the table. Sorry."
Stanton didn't even grumble at TJ as he said as much, instead glaring at the younger man before stalking back to his room. TJ decided again to just finish what he was working on and be done for now. The bulk of the work was complete, and he merely needed to warm the sap and fill it into the hole before wrapping the prepared gut and calling it a night.
More aware of himself, TJ worked quickly and efficiently, and it wasn't long before the knives were all laid out in front of him, completed and beauti–no. They weren't at all beautiful. Maybe functional could be the best thing to call them, and that couldn't be guaranteed. Just as he was about to Appraise them, TJ received another System notification that startled him out of using his Skill.
Occupation: Savage has advanced to level 9.
Attribute points allocated: Strength +1, Agility +1, Endurance +2, Vitality +1, Toughness +2, Wisdom +1, Intelligence +1, Perception +2, Willpower +2, Fixation +1, Free Points +1. Additional Free Points available.
Occupation: Savage has advanced to level 10.
Attribute points allocated: Strength +1, Agility +1, Endurance +2, Vitality +1, Toughness +2, Wisdom +1, Intelligence +1, Perception +2, Willpower +2, Fixation +1, Free Points +1. Additional Free Points available.
Race: Human has advanced to level 9.
Attribute points allocated: Strength +1, Agility +1, Endurance +1, Vitality +2, Toughness +1, Wisdom +1, Intelligence +1, Perception +1, Willpower +1, Fixation +2. Additional Free Points currently available.
Level 10 Occupation Skill Selection available.
For the second time that day, TJ gained three levels in quick succession. He'd never considered that being a possibility before, and it was so unexpected that he couldn't quite wrap his mind around it. For the first time in what was only a couple of days, though it felt much longer, Savage was a higher level than Neophyte. After thinking for a moment, TJ decided to Appraise the items before looking at his new potential Skills. He started with the new knives.
Item: Wendigo Blade (Copper, (I)). An amateur's honest attempt at creating a sharp tool from the materials gathered from a wendigo slain by their hand. Using the extended claw of a wendigo, the Wendigo Blade is a serviceable knife, though the method of securing its tang was mediocre. The true value of this knife is instead found in its materials and specialized preparation. Based off of previous experience, the blade was adequately prepared by the creator. By using primarily the wendigo's own claws to construct the blade and prepare its materials, the creator refrained from shifting the purpose of the claw and horn from serving to transmit the Wendigo's natural frost. As such, the Wendigo Blade's wielder can channel MP through the blade to afflict those struck with the blade with a weakened version of the Frostbite Affliction.
It was immediately apparent that the bulk of the item's categorization as a Copper tiered item came from its materials, and TJ was suddenly grateful that he'd managed not to ruin these or the first Blade he'd made. The differences in the new Blades' description were few but distinctive. The new ones mentioned his experience, and instead of being "perfectly" prepared, the new ones were merely "adequate". Then, of course, the end of the item's description mentioned the difference in effect between the two "versions". He'd like to test the Frostbite, but TJ couldn't imagine choosing the item over his body, Skills, or even the other Blade. The knives had no sheathes, so he just set them aside and looked at the weapon he'd made for Connor.
Item: Wendigo War Pick (Dirt, (0)). An amateur's honest attempt at creating a war pick from the materials gathered from a wendigo slain by their hand. Using the ulna and carved horn of a wendigo, the Wendigo War Pick is a perfect example of what Primitive Craftsmanship is capable of. By taking materials, processing them to the bare minimum necessary to maintain longevity, and then creating a weapon that will function as an instrument of blunt force, a weapon for an untrained Participant was created. Though the horns of a wendigo are largely ornamental, they are extremely tough and are well suited to serving as the head of a weapon such as this.
TJ couldn't help but feel a little offended by the System's blase regard of his hard work. He'd put real effort into this, and now, his effort was pushed aside as childish? Then, with a calming breath, TJ recognized he was just too damned tired. The System wasn't making personal attacks on him, and there was no reason to be so pissy about something so stupid. He made a good weapon, though he was a little disappointed it was classified as Dirt tier. It did remind him that the most valuable parts of the wendigo were its claws, and he needed to figure out what he was going to use the rest for.
Moving on from the Wendigo Par Pick, there was the much more interesting Skill Selection for level 10. Though TJ realized his mind was slowing down from the exhaustion, he refused to sit on this like he was already sitting on 4 Free Points he was unsure of what to do with. The first two Skills were familiar, though both had changed.
Introductory Divine Primitive Craftsmanship (Copper (I)): This Skill would replace the existing Occupation Skill: Primitive Craftsmanship. You have exhibited the ability to create tools, equipment, and process materials, even of a higher tier of Divinity than you, more effectively. This Skill will increase the base 30% bonus to all crafting abilities and Skills when crafting without pre-Integration technology to 100%, as well as bless you with a greater instinctual understanding of how to process raw materials into a more easily used state.
The Skill had been enticing when he'd first seen it, and now, TJ was almost tempted not to look at the rest of the Skills offered. He had already seen the power of a Copper tiered Skill, and had since decided to base most of his fighting around it. Another Skill at that level would be immensely impactful, he knew. Beyond that, remembering that it would compound and work with any additional Skills he got that focused on crafting was another point in its favor. Even so, TJ did move on to the next, familiar Skill.
Equipment Fabrication (Copper (I)): You have found various uses for the items and materials that surround you, and have surpassed your tier of Divinity in creating Copper (I) tiered equipment. This Skill will give specific guidance on how to craft materials into equipment that grants attributes and other possible boons. This Skill's potency scales with the Participant's Wisdom and Intelligence.
Again, the Skill had been upgraded by his achievement in creating a Copper tiered item. TJ hadn't thought about it at the time, but he'd certainly been extremely lucky in creating the Wendigo Blade on his first try. Being elevated by luck and the quality of the materials was nothing to forget either. Additionally, this would finally give him a Skill that explicitly benefitted from his Wisdom attribute. All things considered, he wasn't sure if he wanted Divine Primitive Craftsmanship or Equipment Fabrication at this point, but there remained three more new Skills to check out first, the next of which was a sort of a spiritual successor to those that came before.
Prehistoric Huntsman: Since the Integration, you have not spent a day without hunting the monsters that plague your Tutorial. This Skill will grant a 30% bonus to tracking and ambush attacks. In addition, any attacks made with an item or weapon made without any pre-Integration tools or materials will benefit from minor additional damage scaling with the Participant's Wisdom.
Interestingly enough, Prehistoric Huntsman seemed to have taken the place of Hunter Gatherer from before. Instead of focusing on finding anything useful as well as tracking, Prehistoric Huntsman was very nearly a combat Skill. TJ wasn't much of an ambusher, but taking this Skill might convince him to do so. That said, the Skill didn't draw him in the way the first two did, even if it was a good choice. He moved to the next, seeing that Orienteering had been wholly left behind.
Stealth (Dirt (0)): Since the Integration, you have hunted and followed your enemies. To limited success, you have attempted to maintain secrecy and distance from your prey. This Skill will allow you to better hide from those around you. This Skill's potency scales with the Participant's Agility, Wisdom, and Perception.
If he were an ambusher, then this Skill would certainly be useful, but his Divine Transformation was not made to be sneaky, but a fuck-you massive snake. He dismissed it out of hand and moved to the last option.
Primeval Champion (Copper (I)): You have proven yourself to be an exemplar of those who have acclimated well to the world post-Integration. The people around you see you as an example to follow and their protector champion in this new world. This Skill grants an aura to the holder, and the aura boosts the attributes of those around the holder of the Skill by 5%. In addition, the Skill grants the holder the simple weapons fighting proficiency. WARNING: This Skill choice will unalterably change the path of the Savage Occupation.
Oooh. Another good Skill that drew his attention. TJ sighed and went to his room to think about it while in his comfortable bed. So many good options, but what exactly did that warning at the end of Primeval Champion mean…? His mind, without him realizing it, calmed, and before he could make the decision, TJ fell asleep.