Code Collector

Chapter 9: In Three Days Time

The night came, and Allen's quest to find the thread for his cloak has started. He chose the three items because it was the first thing he could think of that provides a Synergy.

A Synergy is a boost in stats for the Hunters using the items they crafted with the use of the raw materials from the Otherworlds. Each raw material contains one or more Emblems, and when there are three types of that Emblem in an item, a Synergy is formed.

His current clothing couldn't provide him a Synergy because it had the same material in it. He used sheep wool to craft the fleece and the same type of wool for his thread. The wool had only one Emblem, so it did not react.

His current plan on crafting a cloak has three materials, which means it will provide him three of the same Emblem. The wool had Beast and Grass Emblem, the spider web had Insect and Grass Emblems, while the twine had Grass Emblem. The three Grass Emblems would interact and would give him boost.

To do this, he must go to the Skill Altar and register his clothing as part of his set. The altar will read it, scan the Emblem, and activate the right Synergy. Realizing that he will go back to the camp sooner or later, Allen grunted.

The crafting method provided the Hunters artificial weapons. The weapons would have synergies but aren't as effective in hunting as Codes. That was why weapon-type Codes were still preferred even when the crafting method was available.

After a while of walking, Allen reached the area where the spiders would build their nests. These beasts were very territorial and fierce that they don't behave like their smaller counterparts in Earth.

Each female spider would occupy an area where it'll build its nest. The nest was a large spider web that the males would go to. When all the males have gathered, the female would select one as its groom and they would eat all the others. This was called the Blood Wedding, which was common for the type of beasts with these kinds of mating patterns.

Allen had never seen a Blood Wedding before, so he was excited. This time of the year is usually the time for the females to go in heat for the males to come in and start the Blood Wedding. He didn't have to witness the bloodshed, but it will be a waste of time for him.

In the back of his head, this was an opportunity for him. If there are a lot of spiders, he can hunt them all so he could gain EXP and maybe earn another Code. His daily quest was still pending, so he must act fast.

Before Allen could decide, the sound of the spiders echoed around the forest. He hid behind a bush where he was near enough when he starts his hunt, but far enough so the spiders wouldn't notice him.

He watched as the nine males that were about the size of a basketball approach the female. The female spider was a large beast that was four times the size of the males. It was in the middle of its web, creating its sounds that seemed to signal the males to come closer.

The boy had decided. He will watch the Blood Wedding. It was a dream of him to see such a spectacle and he will see it. The female started to make its cackling sounds and a male approached her. This must be the groom he chose.

Just when the spider couple start to massacre the other males, Allen's body twitched.

'Instinct Enhancement Level 2 activated.'

His body moved on its own, tightly gripping his hammer as he swiftly smashed the spiders like a whack-a-mole.

'Copper Spider (F) killed. +10 EXP'

'Copper Spider Code gained.'

'Copper Spider (M) killed. +10 EXP'

Allen couldn't help but form a grin on his lips as the notifications rang in his ear like wedding bells. He watched the bloody scene, the green spider blood splattered across him, the ground, and the web.

'Daily Collection quest finished. 1 Skill Point is awarded.'

He couldn't help but feel guilty for some reason. The female spider was looking forward for mating, but he stopped the only chance it could do it.

[ Silk Weave ]

Type: Skill

Grade: Basic

Effect/s: The user can generate up to 5 meters (scales with level) of silk per day.

Although mortified of where the silk would come out, Allen was still contented after seeing the Code. He didn't necessarily have to use it, but he can sell it when he goes back to Earth.

He collected the spider web with a stick, rolling the silk on the tip like an actual thread. It didn't take long for Allen to be finished. He took the end of the stick and held it in his hand, "Store."

He was surprised that both the stick and the spider web glowed. It was sucked into his palm and a notification rang not long after.

'Copper Silk stored.'

'Beerbum Tree stick stored.'

With a pout, Allen removed the stick from his Inventory. He didn't have any use for the stick nor does he plan on using it. "Out Beerbum Tree stick."

The tree appeared in front of Allen which he ignored. He looked for any tree that could provide him a twine. The tree can be a variation of a banana tree on Earth. Since Haven was a lush forest full of both tropical and rainforest trees, it wouldn't surprise him if he find a banana tree.

After a few hours of looking for a tree in the dark, Allen decided to give up. It was too dim for him to see anything, and it felt like he was walking in circles.

The boy spun and followed his trail back into camp. When he got there, the fire had died. It would only mean that he wandered for too long in the forest that his flame run out of wood to burn.

For Allen who was the slave of his group, it was easy to start a fire. He practically made all the fire of his group when they decide to camp overnight. This was a skill set that he excels, which made his group kept him for. They didn't have to do any household tasks like cooking and making fire because of Allen.

The boy was still trying to wrap his mind around the question of why his group left him. He made sure to be of use in other aspects considering he was practically useless in the hunts.

With a sigh, Allen rekindled his flame and sat beside it. Once he finish crafting his cloak, he must register it in the Skill Altar as part of his stats for it to read the Emblems and activate the Synergy.

This thought didn't entertain him, not one bit. The Hunters there would question his identity considering he wasn't the Allen Vermillion they all saw. He was now taller, more muscled, and had a more handsome face.

The biggest change was perhaps his throat and his voice. No one would believe him if he said that he was simply cured in the wilderness. There wasn't anything in the forests to do such a thing.

"Three days," Allen said. "I'll return to Earth in three days time."