In a strange world as a Doppelganger

Chapter 17 - Moral Dilemma

I slept for nearly two days straight, just waking up to eat or stretch my limbs that have gone stiff. There seems to be goblins keeping an eye on the clearing at all times, it's slightly worrisome. They do leave small snacks for me though, squirrels, berries, fruits, nuts, mice and similar. It's been very appreciated during this time of recuperation. Oddly enough I feel even more invigorated and headstrong right now, I want to grow stronger and acquire more skills. Two days doesn't seem like enough though to really return me to optimal health. I'll do some work around the clearing, I am unable to sleep as much now that I have had some really long rest. Looking around the clearing I spot my practice tree and head toward it. 

After spending some time with the sword and striking at the tree I do actually get a prompt, though it did take half an hour or so.

Proficiency [Sword] attained level 1

It didn't say skill, so it must differ in some way. Proficiency is pretty self-explanatory. Similar to whenever I do gain a level in something, my swings are faster and more accurate than before. I wouldn't call myself a master swordsman but there is a nice improvement, I can't help but smile to myself. This is probably going to go to my head unless I am careful. It's not even noon yet, do I keep going? I go to the hole and retrieve a knife and start the process over again. It takes about another half an hour before suddenly-

Skill [Strike] attained level 3

If I remember correctly, the [Strike] skill reached level two the first time it got a prompt. That must means that I do have some skills already, that have started at level one. I need to figure out what those are somehow. I am not too worried, my guts tell me that everything will be revealed in time. When I start hitting the tree again I notice that the cuts go slightly deeper, must be the effect of [Strike] leveling up. A few hits later there is yet another prompt. 

Proficiency [Knife] attained level 1

Repetition truly is key. What else can I do that's easy to just keep doing for a prolonged time? It's nearly noon now and I am just sitting by the tree, thinking of what I could do to gain levels in all sorts of things. It's hard to know what kind of things can level up until they actually do. I want to try out these new skills as well, maybe I should go into the woods and find a target to try them out on. To the river I go!

Oh yikes. There has been quite a change around here. The frogs are nowhere near as spread out as they where, but instead they are very concentrated on smaller patches of the riverbank. Walking up and down the river, at a proper distance to not draw attention, it takes nearly an hour to find a small group of them. There are four level one's taking turns running with baskets of fish into the wood, the tree remaining frogs are constantly looking around and jumping at the smallest thing. If I am going to attack them it should be when the fourth frog goes to deliver the fish to wherever they live. Three on one is still probably too dangerous when I am not rested fully. 

Back at the clearing, I take a moment to think about my conflict with the frogs. They did attack me first, but I have not been hesitant at all to attack them either. Should I try a friendly approach to clear this up somehow. My mind feels split between wanting to grow stronger and wanting to be nice in general. I don't think I am a bad person. This conflict inside is causing me to grow frustrated. I want to gain levels and grow strong enough to not be afraid, but I also want to explore and learn. 

The next morning I put on my belt, my sword and my knife and make my way towards the river. I look around for a smaller group again and when I do find them I reveal myself. Simply walking out of the trees and sitting down in the sand, mud and rocks on the other side from the frogs. There is a very visible panic among them, one of them bounds down along the riverbank, one runs into the woods and the two that are left ready their weapons and keep their eyes locked on me. They where all level one, I think they know to not attack me without greater numbers or levels. A minute or so goes by and one of the frogs starts looking confused. I just it there and look at them and the scenery, trying to seem non-hostile. The frog who jumped down the river comes back after another minute or two, followed by three more frogs. At the lead there is another level two boggard, armed with a jagged stone axe. They start conversing in their croaking way while I just sit there and observe. My demeanor seem to have the wanted effect as no one has charged at me yet. The level two frog walks a few paces into the river, about one third through it. It holds its axe in one hand and the other behind it in a protective manner. Croaking sounds come from the boggard, I think it's trying to communicate with me. I try to look as confused as possible and shrug my shoulders. The level one frogs all flinch when I move and the level two almost seems to grin at their exaggerated fear. It maintains eye contact but croaks something back to its fellow frogs. They look at each other and one of them step forward. It steps into the water and stands next to the level two, who is lowering the ax. 

"What you are?" the level one asks me, and I understand it.