(POV - 3RD)

While (Y/N) knew slaying several Grimm by himself in a remote area with a forest filled with Grimm would garner some attention but his stunt with fighting off multiple sharks to successfully killing two Sea Feilong had earned him some rather consequential results.

Said results are simply more requests specifically passed onto him to eliminate more Grimm or to simply hunt and gather more materials and resources for the village but (Y/N) didn't really care much about it, it gave him some work and at the end of the day, he gets paid.

Who doesn't like getting paid?

His accomplishment at the elimination of two highly dangerous aquatic Grimm had earned him a hefty amount of money which suffice to say, he wouldn't have to worry about being penniless in the world of RWBY for months to come, so long as he spends his Lien well and wisely.

Speaking of spending something, the newest set of points he'd earned from levelling up four times in a row have been somewhat unevenly distributed though he figured the [Strength] wouldn't need any more investment for now, the same cannot be said for the rest.

Also the [Sword Hunter Badge] gave him an additional five points in [Intelligence], [Sense] and [Luck], it wouldn't hurt to invest some more into the first and last stats, that is if his current statistics and journey would lead him to gaining a power akin to the Shadow Monarch's, in other words; Sung Jin-Woo's shadow manipulation.

His ability of [Umbrakinesis] as of now remains rather tame in comparison to both the Shadow Monarchs so obtaining such power could be said as a pipe dream for him right now.

However, he'll make do with what he has right now, (Y/N) had already made the decision to split the twenty new points by four and add each one to [Endurance], [Intelligence], [Sense] and [Luck], the last one hopefully being the stat that could help him turn the tide of a battle.

Perhaps it'll end up as useful as one of the characters' own Semblance from RWBY though he assumed it would depend on how much points were invested into [Luck] since Clover's Semblance was inherently based on high levels of luck.

As for now, he is still three levels away from reaching the supposedly next threshold for his growth, since he had to "ascend" when he reached [Level - 20] so who's to say he wouldn't have to do it again when he reaches forty?

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[Name] - (Y/N) (L/N)

[Title] - Beast Hunter

[Race] - Human

[Level] - 37

[Health Points] - 3825/3825

[Mana Points] - 4550/4550

[Fatigue] - 0%

[Currency] - 99,900

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[Strength] - 52

[Endurance] - 35

[Agility] - 35

[Intelligence] - 34 (+5)

[Sense] - 45 (+5)

[Luck] - 34 (+5)

[Available Points] - 0

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[Player's Mind] (Passive) - MAX

[Player's Body] (Passive) - MAX

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Suffice to say, all that progress and event in one day was enough for (Y/N) to simply retreat back to his inn room to sleep the rest of the day away but unfortunately, even after eating lunch and dinner bought with his Lien, he was still too restless.

Which is why the Player soon found himself browsing through the [System] for a recap on his stats to [Inventory] to [Dungeon] to the items in the [Store] and an extension of it which is the [Item Roulette] that he basically assumed it to be what it sounds like.

Get some sort of ticket, spin the roulette and get something bad or good.

There was an option to purchase a "Standard" and "Premium" ticket, the former taking his [Store] currency while the latter is earned via completing certain missions and capable of gaining items that is unavailable in the [Store] or getting drops from slain enemies.

A single [Standard Ticket] costed about 2,500 in-store credits and there was obviously an option for one roll up to ten rolls but as of now, he isn't really desperate for anything from the roulette so he'd opted to purchase a single ticket and simply roll for whatever comes to him.

(Y/N) had also assumed the lighting would change depending on the type of items he had rolled from the roulette, the thought simply came from his prior experiences with gacha games and the fact that the item obtained from the spin was white in colour, meaning it isn't worth much.

Although he was expecting a low-ranked item, it was still disappointing to see his [Luck] having not much outcome on the [Item Roulette] though his newest equipment / armour wasn't too bad in terms of appearance, usage and effect. 

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[Item] - Hemlocks

[Rank] - D

[Type] - Gauntlets

[Effect] - Dust Augmentation

A pair of gauntlets that guards the skin of the wrists but its primary feature are the hidden blades that is located within the external case on the top, capable of extending into a whip with an offensive effect depending on the Dust infused into the item.

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"A literal pair of hidden blades from Assassin's Creed... speaking of Dust, I don't have any on hand so I'll need to buy some later..." (Y/N) commented, inspecting the item.

When he equipped the pair of gauntlets, he noted how it doesn't disappear into nothing as the items did on Sung Jin-Woo's body but he'd assumed it's because the armour also function as a weapon, namely from the utilisation of Dust and the hidden blades.

While it was surprising to receive a new item, (Y/N) was more interested in the next function of the [System], that being the [Dungeon] option which he had also assumed it to serve the sole purpose of providing him targets to farm EXPs off from should Grimm become redundant.

And so far, the only dungeon that was available was [Bloodborne] though it would make sense since it is the only "dungeon" he ever had access to after killing the Cleric Beast and if that's the case then the next boss to face off against would be... Father Gascoigne.

Should he level up three times in there, he wasn't certain if he will be asked to take on another boss to complete the "ascension" quest or if he will be ferried off to another dungeon to do so.

Without wasting a moment, (Y/N) accessed the dungeon before the space in front of him distorted into what appears to be a digitalised black hole with lights streaming on the outskirts, basically what the "Gates" in Solo Leveling looked like.

Even though it was interesting how certain traits of his [System] aligned with that of the manhwa, he didn't think much of it as long as it got him what he needed.

After equipping the [Hunter's Garbs] and Saw Spear, (Y/N) stepped into the gate and felt the bizarre sensation of his body stepping through what felt like bubbles and water that warped his vision and the rest of his senses, replacing the green smell of nature with a scent of blood.

[You are entering the Bloodborne Dungeon]

With the putrid scent of rotting blood and bodies growing stronger by the seconds, (Y/N) reopened his eyes to himself back in the familiar moonlit street of Yharnam, specifically the same place where he slew the Cleric Beast.

Thankfully, he didn't step straight into the enemies which he allowed himself to stretch his arms and legs for the upcoming slaughter of frenzied beasts and hunters, some which he could see in the distance as it prompted him to cast [Shadow Aura].

He'd figured he wouldn't need to exert himself too much in this place, at least not after he has levelled up three times to check where the "ascension" mission would appear once more.

(Y/N) readied the trick weapon in his hand before walking towards the outskirts of the bridge where he caught sight of the enemies that were seen dwelling there; large Carrion Crows to a single Brick Troll and soon enough, Scourge Beasts.

The first few targets were relatively easy to slay thanks to his [Strength] that made ripping the Saw Spear through the bodies all the more smoother, though he wasn't expecting much  when he hadn't levelled up a single time but he shouldn't expect anything from just a few enemies.

Which is why he decided to do what could be a stupid decision and head straight for the location of one madden Father Gascoigne, he had debated meeting up with the little girl who many players would know her to be one of the two daughters of the former hunter.

Unfortunately being Bloodborne and of similar themes to the iconic Dark Souls, good endings such as reuniting the girls with their missing parents never ends well which result in both girls' eventual deaths no matter what you do.

Most players just opts to not interact with them for the simple sake of sparing them from death but in doing so, one would not know what will happen to the girls as the night progresses.

(Y/N) wasn't any different, although killing that damn pig was cathartic, it doesn't help with the fact that he wished for once in all his playthroughs of video games, that Bloodborne would offer the players an option to escort the girls to safety.

Sadly, life doesn't work that way and (Y/N) didn't know how he would react if he failed to protect not one but two girls especially when he has the ability to do so, another option would be to forcefully take both girls to a safe haven though using force on children left a bad taste in him.

Perhaps killing that boar in the sewers would be a good place to start but he wasn't certain whether it will respawn after a period of time, still it didn't deter (Y/N) from heading straight down to the rancid cesspit of grim and blood.

His boots touched the murky waters with a loud splash which he gave a silent thanks to whoever made his outfit waterproof as evident when liquid thankfully didn't seep into his boots, he had been to beaches too many times to forget about the wet sensation of wet shoes.

The entire walk was quiet as (Y/N) fiddled with the Saw Spear in his hand, double and triple checking on his grip before he heard a faint shape in the distant accompanied with equally faint noises, loud enough to echo off the stone walls of the sewers.

(Y/N) narrowed his eyes as he held his free hand up before casting [Shadow Orb] and letting it simmer with more [MP] gathering into the attack, making it grow up to a rough size of a barrel which took up to 250 points of Mana.

Was it enough? Was it not? He didn't know but he will in a moment when he hurls it straight at the Maneater Boar's face... though regrettably not its ass-

He snapped himself out of that thought quickly before he got too distracted and without wasting another second, (Y/N) ran a few steps forward and then swung his hand forward and throwing the [Shadow Orb] right into the beast's face as it noticed him.

Before the engorged pig even realise what happened, (Y/N) held back a disgusted twitch of his face as he saw his attack cleanly shave off the flesh and bone of its target in a matter of seconds, reducing the oversized boar to an oversized carcass with no face.

Like a puppet with its strings cut, the body fell into the water which twitched every few to several seconds as blood dyed the area around it red with even more stronger stench.

(Y/N) powered through the smell of blood and waste, exhaling as he pulled his mask up higher before exiting the sewers, heading back up into the streets of Central Yharnam where more targets remain waiting for him.

Father Gascoigne can wait although it's not going to be an easy task but no one ever said killing hordes of deranged blood-drunk monsters was easy in the first place.

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To say Magnolia Village was abuzz with gossip and almost endless idle talks would be an understatement, the dwindling numbers of Grimm in the surrounding forest had been taken care of but it wasn't as significant as one would expect from any huntsman or adventurer.

However, the deaths of the two Sea Feilong that were terrorising the nearby waters of the village was another matter, especially when the one behind the slaying of the aquatic Grimm had been  one individual unaffiliated with any of the four kingdoms or its prestigious academies that foster and teaches the next generation of huntsmen and huntresses.

Usually, the entire settlement was peaceful and quiet enough to warrant enough boredom to accumulate up into gossips and possibly rumours which is why Lincoln found himself rather relaxed today, having no tasks requiring him to scout out any potential Grimm or other dangers in the forest which is also quite uncommon.

So it would be right to say that he finds himself growing bored by the minutes, Clarene was still working at the guild as well as the old man who was continuously filling out paperwork that involved the details and their fisherman's testimony on the Sea Feilongs' deaths and the one who managed to perform the deed.

Speaking of (Y/N), Lincoln didn't exactly know what to make of him, at first glance and from Clarene's own recounts of his arrival to Magnolia Village, he looked like you average wanderer or adventurer or even huntsman-in-training but without too much confidence that borderlines on arrogance as he had seen in many other visitors to their settlement.

(Y/N) was more reserved to the point he could see the calculative gleam that shone from his eyes every now and then but only occasionally, the young man was just as quiet as he was reserved though from their first meeting days ago, he seems to have become even more quiet.

Of course, Lincoln hadn't forgotten about the bloody sacks that (Y/N) lugged into the guild building with droplets staining the floor due to the amount of decapitated heads inside, courtesy of the latter hunting down the bandits that made themselves at home in the forest.

Lincoln's nose scrunched up in disgust as he remembered why (Y/N) looked even more quiet, with a expression of guilt that was so slight and withheld that it could only be discerned with experienced eyes such as his own.

Of course, he holds no remorse for the deaths of the bandits, especially to the ones that murdered an innocent father and daughter, the latter which was... assaulted to near death and thus forcing (Y/N) to put her out of her misery.

The scout had to admit, even he wasn't certain if he could actually take a blade and kill a willing victim of a horrendous crime but (Y/N) did and it... appear to have affected him deeper than he thought as evident of the latter's reclusiveness in the next days.

Regardless, (Y/N) still managed to get every other commissions done without too much of a hitch with or without his Semblance which Lincoln was all too curious about on its capabilities that mostly appears to be manipulating darkness.

That certainly doesn't sound too ominous, it was almost ironic when it was used to efficiently dispatch any Grimm that came too close to the village, darkness against darkness kind of conflict isn't something that would be seen every day.

He then looked around the village, noting everything appeared to be peaceful thanks to the lack of Grimm or even bandits or any unruly individuals near the place, dare he say that it was mostly thanks to the lone mercenary that came to their home by chance?

Speaking of which, Lincoln couldn't help but wonder where he is off to now.

===================================

(Y/N) quickly ducked down a swing of a long metallic staff as the end of it completely tore a stone statue apart like nothing, the former immediately throwing forward a [Shadow Orb] as he did repetitively from minutes earlier since this fight started.

An inhumane growl that turned guttural caused him to frown behind his now bloodied mask and outfit as he quickly paced around his newest target after levelling up twice from hunting down literally every single creatures that dwelled in Central Yharnam.

Now his current target was growling like a feral hound with no finesse in his attacks, his axe tainted with blood from his own hunt from earlier and none with (Y/N)'s own.

Father Gascoigne, the renowned veteran hunters and one that was amongst the best, now no different from the very beasts he swore to cull on the bloody streets, as the script from the game goes and like now, he is changing slowly but steadily.

(Y/N) wasn't so sure if he could finish the madden hunter off in one go but if this boss fight is anything similar to that like the Cleric Beast's then he'll be better off taking it carefully, he wasn't looking forward to getting a rusty axe embedded into his body.

His [Shadow Orb] struck true to its target but clearly it didn't do much other than tear off some skin with no lasting damage but (Y/N) was throwing them as quickly as he can rather than stand in one place and charge it up and risk getting hit or shot at by the hunter.

With another snarl that had no discernible words, Gascoigne lunged forward with another swing that the Player avoided, leaving the axe to gouge a large part of the ground out before the former abruptly raised his arm with the pistol held in it.

Having no time to actively dodge the shot, (Y/N) received a fistful of bullets that tore into his chest like a punch, without [Shadow Aura] active then he would have been more severely wounded but it still hurts like hell as evident from his small strings of curses.

"Fucking..! Son of a-" (Y/N) gasped out, rubbing his chest to ease the stinging pain before quickly ducking under another shot and then rolling behind a gravestone.

Unfortunately, his brief respite away from another hail of bullets was cut short as he spotted the head of the axe swinging down towards him, prompting him to instantly raise his Saw Spear upwards to meet the weapon with sparks dancing out from the clash.

(Y/N) then grabbed one end of his trick weapon, ignoring the stinging pain of the serrated edge digging into his fingers before he hooked his Saw Spear into Gascoigne's axe and then pulled the entire thing forward- with the axe's owner still latching on.

The madden hunter fell forward in a messy heap before clambering back up only to see the extended tip of (Y/N)'s Saw Spear charge towards his chest, immediately impaling the former into one of the trees in the graveyard which splintered the surface of the trunk.

Although Father Gascoigne now finds himself stuck between the tree and (Y/N)'s weapon, the blood that leaked out from his wound only appeared to stimulate the former's bloodlust as he hacked and shot his weapons, forcing the latter to avoid each one.

Yet despite his disadvantageous position, Gascoigne only laughed as he was seemingly unaffected by the pain, only letting it serve his beastly adrenaline.

"Oh... what is that smell..? The sweet blood, it sings to me... it's enough... to make a man sick." The feral hunter chuckled out deliriously.

Before (Y/N) knew it, a guttural howl that tore out from the mad father's throat reverberated so intensely that the Player was effortlessly hurled back several feet as he heard the tearing of clothes and flesh and bones.

(Y/N) looked up only to see the clawed hand of a beast soaring towards his face-

A burst of pain and his vision momentarily went white to black as he felt the talons dig and rip into his face, breaking through [Shadow Aura] as Gascoigne continued swinging before the momentum smashed (Y/N) straight through a tombstone.

(Y/N) rolled on the ground, clutching tightly onto his bleeding face that was gradually soaking his glove with warm blood that dripped onto the ground endlessly but before he could even get a proper bearing of himself, he felt another set of claws tearing into his chest.

The strength behind the attack was like before, it tore his flesh apart as he felt himself getting flung through the air once more as he forced his eye that was shut tight by the blood and pain to open once more, noting he still thankfully retained both his vision which used to see his stats.

[Health Points] - 2682/4025

[Mana Points] - 3895/4750

So far, the enemies that allowed him to level up twice had already caused the [System] to refill his [HP] and [MP] back to maximum, a feature which he is quite grateful about but right now, all the damage dealt was by Father Gascoigne himself.

The fact that his name is dark red and the strength of his attack really shows how dangerous he is even with the fact I managed to level up further than I did last time I visited this dungeon.

However, even with the mad hunter dealing that much damage to him in a short span of time, he too was dealing equally large amount of damage back thanks to his [Strength] and the buff from the [Beast Hunter] title.

Thus (Y/N) ignored the blood streaming down his face even though the cuts on his face is starting to throb furiously from either infection or the loss of so much blood, he quickly leapt to the side as the hunter-turned beast rampaged after him with swings after swings of its claws.

It was relentless in its assault and since (Y/N) doesn't have the music box to temporarily distract Gascoigne from his state, he could only brute force his way through this fight which the former began by casting another [Shadow Aura] and then activating [Dash].

(Y/N) closed in the distance between him and the beastial hunter, slashing his Saw Spear down at his target again and again before extending the weapon for a stab but Gascoigne, despite his appearance right now still seems to possess some degree of consciousness as the latter immediately lunged backward, avoiding (Y/N)'s attack.

Unfortunately for Gascoigne or what's left of him, (Y/N) wasn't about to let the wound on his cheek go unpaid, he used [Dash] again before reeling back the Saw Spear that was still extended and then proceeded to activate [Chain Strikes].

(Y/N)'s arm instantaneously shot forward into a blur, automatically piercing into Gascoigne's body repeatedly in vital areas that spill out rotting blood like fountains, earning him a screech of pain from the beast who swung at him in retaliation.

The Player leaned back from the attack aimed to cut out his throat before grabbing onto the beast's arm that just passed by his neck, gripping tightly to the point he could clench deeper down into the bones to break it.

Gascoigne howled in pain again but (Y/N) didn't stop as he shot his head forward with his jaws gaping wide open, his intent clear with the drooling fangs within as the former dismissed the Saw Spear back into his [Inventory] and then grabbed the beast with his free hand.

(Y/N) kept one hand tightly gripped on Gascoigne's arm while his other latched onto his neck and in a fluid motion, the Player flipped the beast over his shoulder and right into another gravestone, breaking the stone apart from the force of the attack.

Before Gascoigne could get back up, (Y/N) took out his original case of weapons which was gifted to him by "God" and which he had also decided to name it as "Lotus Armaments" from the [Inventory] and then grabbed a single sword to extend it into a spear.

(Y/N) impaled the sword-turned spear in his hand straight through Gascoigne's abdomen, the blade effortlessly ripping through the beast's flesh and into the ground below, immobilising his target as the former took out another sword.

Without any words, (Y/N) finally stabbed the blade into Gascoigne's head, cutting off the howls of pain and movements as the madden hunter, husband and father of two was finally put down.

[You Leveled Up!]

(Y/N) panted as he saw the notification before feeling the sense of pain and fatigue slowly disappear as the [System] worked its magic on him while Gascoigne's body dissipated into dust which the former then glanced at his current stats.

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[Name] - (Y/N) (L/N)

[Title] - Beast Hunter

[Race] - Human

[Level] - 40

[Health Points] - 4125/4125

[Mana Points] - 4850/4850

[Fatigue] - 0%

[Currency] - 99,900

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[Strength] - 52

[Endurance] - 35

[Agility] - 35

[Intelligence] - 34 (+5)

[Sense] - 45 (+5)

[Luck] - 34 (+5)

[Available Points] - 5

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[Player's Mind] (Passive) - MAX

[Player's Body] (Passive) - MAX

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(Y/N) wordlessly invested his five new points into [Strength], it shouldn't hurt to get physically stronger and besides, he'll be levelling up even more in the future and from the new dungeon which the notification have showed him.

[You have unlocked Ascension Quest II]

He wasn't certain where he'll end up at but he only wish it would be something different from eldritch horrors and bloody machinations that happens in the shadows.

Obviously, the main quest hasn't changed from its original goal but he still couldn't help but question its words, if he is to find an anomaly disrupting this world's canonical timeline, doesn't that imply he himself is already changing the canon?

What's the logic in that?

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[Main Quest]

Accumulate and grow stronger as you make your journey through this world, as you do so, discover and eliminate any anomalies lingering across the lands that may pose a risk to the stability of the world's canonical timeline.

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[Second Ascension Quest]

You have reached your second limit to growing stronger, overcome this quest to break through the threshold holding you back, upon completion and the [Store] will unlock new items based on your level as well as new [Class].

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While he would seek more clarification on whatever the "anomalies" are, (Y/N) had better things to do, said thing being shown right in the new holographic box in front of him.

[Would you like to start the quest?]

[Accept / Refuse]

(Y/N) wordlessly accepted the quest before a new "gate" materialised right in front of him which he quickly stepped through, letting the loss of gravity take him anywhere but falling down.

It wasn't long before he felt solid ground once again as he took in his newest location with a baffled face, clearly not recognising the place despite scanning his surrounding repeatedly.

He had to admit, being thrown into another city with similarly gothic style building but more modernised is quite a sight to see though he couldn't help and lament where on earth is he at.

(Y/N) walked forward only to spot the many bodies strewn across the street, humans and... mechanical? The former took a closer look only to see joints clearly marking the metallic bodies that were carved and decorated to resemble humanoids.

"A robot?" He questioned, picking one metal limb up and then shaking it around only to think otherwise as he glanced at the robot's face.

"No... looks more like a... puppet?" He noted unsurely before tossing the limb away and then looking at the huge sign that hung up from the buildings.

"Welcome... to the City of Krat??" 

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