While he is doing so, Gray is currently fixated on his SKILL section of his UI, recapping a particular information regarding the unique feature of the Arcanist cla.s.s.

"

Gray now sees that the Hunger can be measured by a status bar located in the same category.

Hunger: 78 / 100

Note: The info about the stages of Hunger can now be found instead in the MECHANISM category of your Codex.

Eyeing the contents, Gray find the absolute need to discover even more of this vital knowledge as it should prove crucial for his survival and condition in integrating himself into this fantasy world.

Opening the Codex, Gray scanned for its contents as he followed the instructions dictated by the info.

Indeed, Gray was able to find what he was looking for in the MECHANISM category of the Codex. It is the collection of information where the contents of gameplay mechanics is displayed inside.

He was able to learn that the state of Magic Hunger is divided into 4 stages, each with its perks and debilitating effects.

Stage 1 (100 to 70): The Arcanist is currently well-satiated. As such, you have perfect control over your faculties and may function well as an ordinary denizen of the society. The flow of Arcane energy inside your body is stable in this state, granting 10% more effectiveness from any spell that you cast.

Stage 2 (70 to 45): The Arcanist starts to feel less of himself as he makes his way into the path of Arcane madness. You begin to feel the adverse effects of the Hunger with a subtle change of physical appearance. Your skin turns slightly pale in the process with the colour of your hair withering a bit, akin to rapid ageing. The people around might feel anxious about your presence, but nothing too detrimental for now as you still retain a significant degree of control within your body. In this stage, your spells are more potent but unstable, gaining 20% more effectiveness at 25% more Mana cost. You also suffer a -10 to Speech due to your menacing appearance.

Stage 3 (45 – 10): The Arcane energy within begins to tear the Arcanist himself apart. Dedicating yourself to nothing but the l.u.s.t for the Mana essence of every living being in your vicinity, you are an offensive force of vile magical nature, born out of failure to sustain yourself. Your appearance starts to turn dreadful, skin becoming paler with veins protruding everywhere like you are a walking pile of disease. The natural colour of your hair is all but gone, completely unpigmented and deprive of youth. People around you might start to turn afraid and hostile, as such, it would be best to be at hiding and immediately rectify your condition by feeding before it's too late. In addition to the effects gain relating to spells from Stage 2, your magic is so unstable that even casting spells enters you into a world of unimaginable pain. When casting a spell, you lose Health based on a quarter of its mana cost. Being even more horrifying looking than before, you gain a penalty of -20 to Speech.

Stage 4 (10 – 0): The Arcanist has finally reached to the point where all sense of moral reasoning is officially lost, transforming oneself into an abominable ent.i.ty whose cravings for the Mana Essence of every living being is of no equal. Your physical appearance takes shape into a terrifying demonic figure, whose only purpose is the extinguishment of life all around you. The only way to cure such affliction is the mercy of death.

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'c.r.a.p.' Gray thought with a nervous sweat upon reading Stage 4's sinister narrative. 'I better make sure to feed often and maintain Stage 1 at all times.'

Fortunately, Gray chose Sustenance over Annihilation, thus granting him the Discipline's exclusive skill of

, decreasing his hunger rate by 15%.

Additionally, him feeding the Were-Rabbit 3 days ago has sated his appet.i.te significantly, thus allowing him to stay satisfied despite not feeding for that period.

So, overall, Gray is still safe and won't be coming at Stage 2 anytime soon for as long as he can find some creatures for him to drain of their Mana Essence.

While he was lost on his thoughts, sounds of metal clas.h.i.+ng with one another was heard from the vicinity as the Elf snaps himself out.

With Gray's curiosity piqued, he decided to locate where the source of the noise is.

Finding himself in a cliff nearby, Gray witness a skirmish going on down slightly below as he eavesdrops the scene between a single Warrior and 4 armed humans with their various respective weapons.

Eyeing at the Warrior, Gray's eyes widen with surprise as he saw the beastly figure on the battlefield.

For the very first time of his existence here in Silverhart, a Cat-folk is witnessed with his own two eyes.

Cat-Folk Warrior

Level 14

Health: 1501 / 1975

Stamina: 670 / 893

Mana: 320 / 320

'So that's a Cat-folk.' Gray marvelled with awe at the humanoid catlike creature. 'It's freaking similar to the Khajiit of the Elder Scrolls franchise.'

Gray decided that he should not act rashly at the moment and continues to observe the ongoing battle at hand, to size them up a bit.

Eyeing at the Cat-folk even further, Gray took notice of his splendid white fur with tiger-like stripes all over the body parts that he can discern, most notably the tail.

He also observes how tall and muscular the Cat-folk is, clad in a set of Steel Armor. Despite steel being its primary material, a good portion of leather make the right amount of its appearance. The boots and gauntlets have steel pieces that faces the front while the main article, the steel cuira.s.s is on his chest. A broad belt made up of steel covers his hips and has plates on the skirt, guarding the thighs.

"Kah!! You cowardly buffoons!!" Gray heard the Cat-folk in his tiger-like voice, yelling his resentment towards the humans as the Warrior firmly grips his Steel Greatsword with two hands. "Such is the nature of wretched bandits. Ganging up on a single man, all for the sake of petty gold coins."

Bandit

Lvl 12

Health: 697 /1109

Stamina: 564 / 700

Mana: 207 / 207

"You sure are loud for someone who is going to die today." One of the bandits spoke arrogantly. "After we are done with you Cat, we will make good use of your fur and turn it into a rag for us to p.i.s.s on, hahaha!!!"

Gray crossed his arms, contemplating if he should a.s.sist the Cat-folk against these brigands.

[You have witnessed a Cat-Folk Warrior in deep trouble against 4 Bandits below at where you currently stand. Will you lend your aid or leave him to whatever fate that the G.o.ds have in store for him?]

- Help the Cat-Folk Warrior in defeating the Bandits.

- None

- 1500 XP

'Of course, I'll help him.' Gray thought with determination as he clicked YES and readied his Mage Staff. 'I'm not that of an a.s.shole to forsake someone in need.'

[+5 GOOD]

'Besides…' Gray cackles mischievously as he eyed the Bandits with a Hungry look, grinning in antic.i.p.ation. 'The XP reward sure is nice, and I truly wonder what the Mana Essence of Humans and the other races tastes like. This is a perfect opportunity for me to fill up my Hunger, hehehe.'

[+2 CHAOS]

Ignoring the last notification, the Elf prepares his