Bleeding Angel

Chapter 8

I scoffed down at the corpse before spitting at it. Wiping my dagger clean on the grass, I plugged my nose. The smell is like rotten bananas and rust. As I was done cleaning the dagger, I looked around to find the sheath.

The velvet sheath was at the side, cozied in a patch of grass. My body was aching, I could barely move from my spot. The burning still lingers, but now, the worst pain I feel is the soreness in my muscles.

Just as I was about to move to pick up the sheath, the cuff on my wrist beeped, startling me. "Subject has eliminated two D Class Creatures. Reward from 'Aces on High' will be administered."

"Reward?" I murmured, a bit curious and confused.

Before I could fully process it, the cuff spoke again. "Activating AA serum."

"Wait, what?!" I exclaimed, feeling the familiar prick on my wrist. The serum coursed through my veins, burning like liquid fire. I thought I got used to it, but, it seems like I'm not.

I grit my teeth, fighting through the pain as I fell to my knees. However, after a small while, the pain began to subside. It felt weird at this point, but oddly calming.

“Status update,” the cuff interrupted my thoughts, “Effect gained: Stat increase: Strength +2, Agility +2, Stamina +2, Charm +2.”

In response, as if on instinct, I flexed my fingers, feeling a noticeable difference. Even after all that... It feels weird that I don't need to catch my breath.

"I wonder...", I mumbled before running over to the stealth. I quickly pick it up as I turn to run to the backpack.

"Huh!...", I took a sharp breath, "I would've sworn after fighting a huge bah- ... mutt ... and after running like that, I would've been exhausted."

I took a deep breath, picking up the backpack while placing the sheathed dagger in the side pocket. I also grab the compass. For a moment, I tilted and rotated around the compass checking it. Though my fear was right, the glass of the compass was cracked, fortunately, it still works.

Shaking my head, I point the compass before heading southeast. As I resumed walking, I held up my arm, looking at the cuff.

“Aces on High, huh...,” I whispered, seeing the notification on the screen, "What does that mean?"

Then suddenly, a thought hit me,  "If this says it can make me stronger...", I stopped walking, even before leaving the clearing.

"Maybe.... Maybe I should take a look at this before... Moving forward...", I said, turning around.

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. Sitting down on a nearby rock, I raised my arm and tapped the screen on the cuff. I exited all of the notifications before entering the home screen. Then, I noticed a new icon. It has a pixel art-style trophy with a diamond in the middle. The icon was labeled "Achievements and Rewards."

Tapping on it, a list of achievements appeared. Most were grayed out, but the one I had just completed was highlighted:

Achievement Unlocked: D Class Hunter
Reward: Stat Increase

I selected it, and more details appeared:

Congratulations! By eliminating two D Class Creatures, you have earned a reward from the Aces on High. Your stats have been increased by 2 points each (except mana).

I stared at the screen, processing the information.  So... If I complete these achievements, do I get rewards? This sounds so much more like a game.  I don't know if I like it... And who or what is "Aces on High"

I closed the menu and scrolled down to see the rest of the achievements. All of these are the ones greyed out.

Next Achievements: