The Nightmare system

Inside the tavern he found the old woman quickly, she was talking to the now sobbing red haired girl.

As he approached the old woman's eyes widened as she froze.

"Hello Hilda... You owe me a explanation and more." Stated Drake causing the old woman to sputter.

"D-Drake, what is the meaning of this. You killed those boys-" she tried to seem admonishing and in control but failed.

"Self defense, though you didn't expect me to be able to. Sending Adventurers to come punish me when you believed I was still defenseless. Is there any wonder to my reasoning? To my displeasure?" Asked Drake his words causing Hilda to look at his sword nervously as she feared repercussion.

"It must be a misunderstanding.. I only asked them to find you." Spoke Hilda trying to push the blame.

"You lying witch, you told us to rough him up and send him your way." Growled the red haired girl glaring as fire consumed her fists.

Hilda looked as if she swallowed a lemon.

By now people had started paying attention and were curious to the outcome.

"A witch?.... I want it... That skill... Your magic..." Stated Drake causing Hilda to gape at him but before she could speak a noxious cloud erupted from his mouth tinging her skin with rot causing the red haired girl's eyes to widen at the familiar skill.

Drake grinned as he watched the orb get sucked towards him but it stopped and started going towards Edge Fiend causing him to growl and grab it but the sword seemed unwilling to give up on it. However while he bickered with the sword the orb was taken by one of the small jagged blades causing his eyes to widen while Edge Fiend rattled angrily and the other throwing blade to hit the floor as it was too slow.

"You sneaky thing stealing from me..." Glared Drake as the jagged blade took on a red tinge and a small eye opened on it looking around wildly before locking eyes with him.

"What the fuck is that!" Screeched the red haired girl as she quickly stumbled back as the little jagged blade locked it's eye on her.

"Don't look away when I'm addressing you!" Roared Drake as he held up Edge Fiend threateningly intent on smashing the little knife.

The sword seemed to rattle as it liked this plan.

The small jagged blade looked up with it's one eye with a pleading gaze causing Drake to relent.

"Do not steal from me again." Ground out Drake as he put Edge Fiend back.

The red haired girl was now the target of the lad's gaze causing her to back away further.

"Drake you don't have to do anything, I won't bother you again. Please..." Pleaded the girl filling Drake with that feeling he was beginning to grow accustomed to.

He contemplated the thought of killing her and acquiring another skill but decided against it for the time being as he began to look over the other patrons hungrily.

The girl saw this and couldn't help but shiver at that devilish look.

'He isn't even looking at them like they're people' the thought causes her legs to give out as she watched his back.

The lad exiting the tavern amidst silence.

Returning to his abode he inspected the little jagged blade with the eye.

[Watcher: formed from shards this sneaky blade has gained a watchful eye and a peculiar skill. It will defend the master who gave it life with a never blinking gaze(weapons consumed: 1, Souls devoured:1)]

'Souls? The orbs I imagine' came the thought as it was the only explanation.

He then turned his gaze to the second throwing knife.

[Shattered Edge: formed from shards it is left with a feeling of being incomplete causing it to hunger for evolution like it's brother. This weapon will not hesitate to complete itself.(Weapons consumed:1)]

"So that is why you wanted it..." Stated Drake looking at Edge Fiend.

The blade rattled in response, though it seemed the lad understood it.

"Perhaps later, at the moment we should focus on bolstering my body. I can feel that I am stronger but not nearly enough." Explained Drake causing the weapons to rattle together.

Finally having finished his inspection he laid down causing Watcher to hover around in the shadows it's eye scanning the room wildly as he slept.

------

The next morning when he awoke he began his routine and finally got a glimpse of himself. The drunkenness from his acquisition of power has faded allowing for clear thought.

Smiling to himself he noticed in the mirror Edge Fiend was making use of Watcher and Shattered Edge to float.

"That's just lazy..." Remarked Drake watching as the two small blades seemed as if they had been bullied into the situation.

Edge Fiend rattled at the statement seeming to want to argue.

Chuckling he grabbed the sword and fixed it to his waist allowing the two small blades to stick to their perch on his chest.

Stepping out of his home he could see the fearful gaze and winced slightly.

'Doubt I can explain myself but it's better than being jeered at by these common skill bearers.' thought Drake as he had truly been the only person without something he could call a skill.

Farmers had non-combat skills but still they would be useful in a support role, in fact he had spent so much time in jealousy he had thought up a combative use for most of the mundane skills the civilians possessed.

As he walked to the tavern he received nods of recognition from the Adventurers and Guilders he passed as it seemed word of his newfound skill had spread. It filled him with pride to be recognized even if it was the byproduct of his temporary power crave.

Shaking his head he arrived at the tavern and entered, it was quiet when he walked in as everyone's eyes trained on him.

He merely went to a table and waited.

"What are you doing here." Came the question filled with venom.

"I came to eat." Answered Drake simply.

"Yeah well you can find another place to get your meal, I won't be serving the boy who murdered my mother." Spat a woman glaring at the lad.

"Is that right.... Then you won't be serving anyone." Answered Drake as fire erupted in his left hand, the threat clear.

Taking a step back the woman stared in fear.

"W-what are you trying to do" demanded the woman.

"To make a point, I'm not someone you can treat poorly regardless of circumstance." Answered Drake.

From behind a heavy hand was placed on his left shoulder where a hard squeeze was given. The power behind it enough to injure a normal limb.

"I believe she said you won't be served." Intervened a young man with similar features to her, a smirk playing on his features until Drake stood up and began squeezing the hand on his shoulder as well with greater pressure causing the man to try and pull away.

"Now I don't believe this has anything to do with you, so why are you butting in.* Asked Drake releasing the appendage.

The Watcher locked it's eye on the man and began to float dangerously around him.

"Wait! I'll take your order just please not him too... " Begged the woman.

"Hildy, don't cave in to this brat." Stated the man holding his broken hand.

"You idiot, look at yourself. You're not as strong as you think." Cried Hildy as she looked at the crushed hand.

"That is all I asked." Stated Drake as he waited until his food was brought.

The man clutched his injured hand and scowled as he went back to his table. His eyes boring holes into the lads back.

'I should return to the goblin forest after this, I have a feeling there is more to be gained there..' came the thought as a simple porridge was placed before him.

Eating quickly and placing a few coins on the table he left.