Chapter 3
"Hey, I have been here for almost 2 weeks now, but I never knew more about this tower, and this continent, don't you think?"
Spalsh Splash
Pitter-patter Pitter-patter
".... Hmmm..... I guess you are right"
She then looked behind her and continued
"How about after this, we talk about it?"
I then nodded in agreement.
Swoosh Swoosh
It's been 10 days since now after I got summoned into this world, a world with mysterious emerging tower popping out like weed in our yard. Today, after we have eaten our meal, which is thanks to the [Cook Book], I was able to make something different than to our usual dish, [Roasted Fish], and [Soup of Boiled Carrots, Cabbage, and Potatoes], and that is [Noodles], a simple dish that I always bought in a convience store.
To make the [Noodles Dough], I first harvested some Wheat, which we newly added in our crops, as for how we have that, Lucrane will be explaining that to me today as that is one of the reason I'm quite curious about. I then took its grain, took its shell out and clean it, before I start pounding the grain to make a flour-like consistency using a pestle. It took me an hour or so to make it. After I have made the flour, it's time for me to start making the dough. I first added some water to the dough and start mixing them. After the flour has now a feeling like a dough, I then started kneading the flour, stretching, pounding, and rolling it until I felt that the dough is done or finished, as it will produce a smooth texture. After everything has been finished, I then started stretching it by rolling the dough in the wooden cutting board and started cutting them at the length I wanted them to, and at the width I like them to.
After the [Noodles] was done, I then started cutting some freshly picked vegetables which are mostly just Cabbages, and potatoes - didn't add Carrots as I don't like them that much. I washed them first before I cut them into a tid bits of bite size pieces. And now as everything was prepared, I then started cooking.
I boiled first the chopped vegetables and let it get soften for easy munching. After almost half an hour of boiling them, I then added the noodles, added some salts, and voila! Our [Noodles with Veggies] is done! After I scoop the [Noodles], I then added some egg, and let the hot water boil the cracked egg, and our [Noodles with Veggies and Egg] is done. Lucrane gave me a thumbs up for the dish I just cooked.
After we have tended - watering - our crops, the two of us then went towards the tree trunk of the tree I chopped days ago, and made into a fine chair to be seated, and a table to dine in.
"Where should I start an-oh yes, the tower"
She then looked at me
"You do remember about the levels of the tower isn't?"
I then nodded
"It's divided by: [Blessed Rank], [Might of Greatness Rank], [Glorified Rank], [Excellent Rank], [Great Rank], [High Rank], [Middle Rank], [Beginner Rank], and [Novice Rank], where [Blessed Rank] is the top most level, and [Novice Rank] as the lowest"
"[Novice Rank] could reach until Lv 500 with 40 floors, [Beginner Rank] goes till Lv 1, 000 with 80 floors, and so on. And each rank of those tower has levels of monster they can accommodate, or summon. [Novice Rank] could only summon till Lv 500 monster, that's why we can summon a Lv 35 {Gray Wolf Alpha} after we have reached Lv 2. For the [Beginner Rank], the tower can summon until Lv 1, 000, while Lv 1, 500 for the [Middle Rank] towers, and Lv 2, 000 monsters could be summoned in the [High Rank] one. If your tower has reached any certain rank, they equally grows any different kind of crop, catches any category of fishes, livestock or the [Farm Monster] can be summon the same kind, lucky if you get something rare or unique, and most importantly, the tower will get more tedious and exhausting the more levels it reached, and rank it will step on"
She then added as she crossed her legs
"It's common knowledge but remember, that any monster from a [Novice Rank], can't summon any Lv 501 or above, as for the reason? The [Sage] and [Scholar of Great] hypothesize that it's the way of the tower to keep track, and place everything in order"
She then bend her body over and placed her head on her left arm that was resting on her right leg
"Towers were also divided into classes"
<><><>X{[XXXXXXXXXXX]}X<><><>
For now, I am still taking notes or trying to come up with different classes, so there will be no diagram of how many classes there were or which one is the hardest or rarest
<><><>X{[XXXXXXXXXXX]}X<><><>
"Like that [Dungeon Tower]?"
She then nodded
"Yes, a tower that mostly inhabit dungeon floors and nothing more, are what we refer as [Dungeon Tower]. Dungeon are the most common here before the towers came. Each dungeon floor has dungeon boss that oversee them, or what we can call them as [Dungeon Guardian], defeating those guardian will let you own that floor, and having those guardian, yours to take. For tower that has a layout the same as mazes, are what we call [Maze Tower]. They generate an endless maze in every floor. The lowest floor has the easiest one, but tricky to dwell, while the higher the floor goes, the harder the maze become. And each of those maze floor is being guarded by what you call [Specter of Wits]. These types of guardians can be raised and level up, they are either the former guardian that you defeated and tame, or they are those monster you have summoned or received, and given the title as a guardian to guard those floor"
"So what is the difference between the [Dungeon Guardian], and [Specter of Wits]? Of course except for their name and which class of the tower they are guarding"
She then strengthen her posture back, and crossed her arms while she exchange how she crossed her legs, before she responded to my question
"[Dungeon Guardian] and [Specter of Wits] can be differentiate on how they guard their floor, by either killing those invaders, or simply repelling those adventurers who took their chances to venture those floors. [Dunegon Guardian] are mostly defender type of monster, they have insane vitality, and stupidly high defense, while [Specter of Wits] are mostly master of deceptions and schemes, they don't fight head on, but rather confused and trick the attackers, by any means possible. In my own personal opinion and experience, I rather faced 3 [Dungeon Guardian] than a [Specter of Wits]"
She then continued
"Another type of tower is a [World Tower], they are the rarest and mostly the hardest one among the other class of tower, but sad to say....."
With a long pause she then gaze at me and stated
"I don't have much information of it, as this kind of tower is elusive and truly hard to spot on. And after that, that is mostly what I know"
"Mostly?"
"As you can see, I'm not a walking handbook or recorder of history, so of course I don't know anything that I don't. But yes, mostly as those what I have named out aren't just the classes of towers we have, but as I don't have any knowledge about the others, just those 3 alone are what I could name out. But after we reach floor 40 of our tower, we can at least know what are the other tower store for us"
"How about those guardians of theirs?"
She then looked at me, as if she was asking if I'm being serious
"How could I know about those guardians, if I don't even know what type of tower they are defending anyway? You never really stop to amaze me, you know that Vince?"
I then frown, and replied
"I was just basically asking, maybe you do know about them but not the tower, we don't know"
She then shrug and muttered
"Might be, but remember, not all [Tower Manager] publicly announced their tower, or who is guarding them, openly. Information is the sharpness tool anyone could find, so if they dare to announce their tower like a madman, then I will gladly take the first seat to raid those towers of theirs"
"Wait, raid? You can raid tower?"
She then look at me a bit surprised to my curious inquiry
"You don't know?"
"... Ummm hello? [Foreign Lost Soul] here, of course I would not know, duhhh"
She then grin and chuckled
"Except for the fact that any adventure can be invited to let them subjugate those monsters in a tower-"
"Wait subjugate?"
She then glared at me with a feiry eyes, and spoke
"For the love of God, ask one question only, you look like a child that just got born"
'To be precise, I am'
But let us not say that, and just shut my mouth for now
"To explain your inquiry, after we have reached the [Beginner Rank] in our tower, we can invite some people to live and settle down inside the tower. They can build houses, create farmlands, and even make their own decisions, as they have free will on their own, but as they do so, all those chores they do will turn into exp, and will be given to us, the tower's owner, while those who tended or did those work will not, except for killing monsters. Subjugating monsters will be the most important thing that you needed to know when gathering much more experience, and also for those people, especially adventurers. For the experience they share, this is how it is-"
~+×\[EXPERIENCE GAIN FROM KILLING A MONSTERS]/×+~
Lv 1 - Lv 500 monsters or the [Novice Rank] summoned monsters - - - - > 50 exp (for each monster killed) - - - - > 70 exp (for the alpha of the monster or the leader)
Lv 501 - Lv 1, 000 monsters or the [Beginner Rank] summoned monsters - - - - > 70 exp (for each monster killed) - - - - > 90 exp (for the alpha of the monster or the leader)
Lv 1, 001 - Lv 1, 500 monsters or the [Middle Rank] summoned monsters - - - - > 90 exp -(for each monster killed) - - - - > 110 exp (for the alpha of the monster or the leader)
And so on...
(Basically, they have 20 Exp level gap)
~+×\[÷X××××××××××××××××××××××X÷]/×+~
"And as for defeating a guardian-"
~+×\[EXPERIENCE GAIN FROM KILLING A GUARDIAN]/×+~
Lv 500 guardian or the [Novice Rank] guardian (only one) - - - - > 90 exp
Lv 1, 000 guardian or the [Beginner Rank] guardian (only one) - - - - > 110 exp
Lv 1, 500 guardian or the [Middle Rank] guardian (only one) - - - - > 130 exp
And so on...
~+×\[÷X××××××××××××××××××××××X÷]/×+~
"Wait, that much!?"
She then nodded
"So that is why we, the [Tower Manager], just let those adventures subjugate any monster inside the tower as much as they want, though there are some restrictions, or something the like to not suppress the monster too much. And with those laid before them, we can take advantage to their work, though they still can get the same experience as us"
She then faced as she point her index finger up, and spoke
"By also adding some treasure or some unique rewards in each floor, might be weapon, ores, artifacts, or rare herbs could help attract more adventurers to climb unto that floor, and explore the vastness of those floors. So it's the job of the [Tower Manager] to fully manage those floors that could allure some people to settle in, and adventurer to venture about"
She faced back upfront and continued
"As for the raid-"
Her expression then became grim with full of regret, and distant sadness
"It's basically when another [Tower Manager] attacks somebody else tower-"
And looked at me
"And destroy everything that tower has, until the very specs"
She then faced back and muttered
"It's up to the raider to what to do with the tower they have raided, will they use it, or should they destroy it. And as for the settler in that tower, they either become the winner's slave, or another addition for the heads they have cut"
As I look at her, I could feel she was talking as if she once partaken such event, or one of those who experienced such situation.
"Raiders could add the tower they raided to expand their power and wealth. And if they did decided to destroy those towers, it will take another decades for another one to emerge, so raiding has basically the new hope or something the likes for some, both hoping to regain back the old world, or hoping to become the wealthiest person in this world, some are both, and other are neither"
She then addded
"We refer the two as [Assalta la Torre] and [Subjuguer la Tour]"
<><><>X{[XXXXXXXXXXX]}X<><><>
Italian translation for Assualt the tower and French translation for Subjugate the tower
<><><>X{[XXXXXXXXXXX]}X<><><>
Fully understanding much about the tower from its rank and level, to its classes and monster that it could summon, until to raiding another tower, and subjugation inside the tower, I then asked what curious me about
"So how-no, where did that Wheat came from? I know I didn't fully venture the first floor yet but, I think there is no plain field there that could grow such plant, or to be precise, there is nothing there that could grow such plant like a wild herb"
"Oh that? I got that from the outside, I just brought it in to be labeled by the tower as its own. Basically, I made the tower accept that plant as it is, and made the tower recognized it, and added to one of the plant that the tower could grow"
"... I, I don't quite follow"
I said in confusion
"If there is something that the tower doesn't have, we, the [Tower Manager], could just collect or gather those said materials that the tower doesn't have, and by planting it here, the tower will then recognize it as if it has grown here, and will add that to the materials that it could produce, we call that [Kyōsei Ukeire], and also, any materials that weren't planted nor was placed inside the tower wouldn't get recognized, or labeled for the tower to produce. To be much easier to understand this, it's like how we can know what we are eating because we have eaten it, whereas just listening to the other speaking about it, we can't fully know what it is. It much of how you felt or truly fully examined the object, would we understood what it is, that is how the tower able to accept those materials that we installed, or placed inside the tower from the outside"
<><><>X{[XXXXXXXXXXX]}X<><><>
Japanese translation for forced acceptance
<><><>X{[XXXXXXXXXXX]}X<><><>
"By using that method, we can let the tower produce the materials or goods that it usually don't grow. It's a simple trick but quite effective, especially if you need to develop your tower more"
She then looked at me and stated
"And that is one of the reason, why I brought that bracelet from Henry's stall"
I then stared at her for a bit of time, before fully realizing what she meant
"You want to go outside the tower?"
Baffled and puzzled, I then questioned her which she responded with a nod
"The tower doesn't have any [Iron Ore] and other minerals, we also needed new [Farm Monster] beside the Chicken, and additionally, we also needed new materials to be sold when that {Goblin Merchant Trader} comes back, so yes, we will be venturing the outside"
She then stretched her right arm towards me and flicked my forehead, and smiled
"But before that, we need to make sure you can defend yourself, when we explore the outside world of our tower"
Brushing the forehead she just flicked, I then asked
"How about the tower then?"
"The tower?"
She asked, bewildered
"About the [Assalta la Torre] thingy, aren't you worried about that?"
Realizing what I meant, she then utter as she respond to my question
"You don't need to worry about that, [Novice Rank] tower aren't in any of the [Tower Manager] sight, so we are good"
She then gazed outside and added
"We are also quite inside the [Forbidden Dim Forest], which are mostly unknown and unexplored by many, so we are good even if we left this place here unguarded"
She then looked back at me and continued
"We don't need to worry about the task here also, as those experiences could be compensated when we venture outside, remember, subjugation of monsters bring more experience than those minor labor we do. No monster could also get in here, as this tower is being protected by an invisible shield that would repel those bugs out"
As she said that, I was then deeply went into thought. For 10 days here in this tower, only the task of piling of fire woods, and tending each of the crops brought us over a good amount of experience - 490 exp for piling some fire woods, and 210 for tending the crops - followed by cutting some trees as the third among it - 49 exp - but other than that, it doesn't mostly bring enough experience for the exhausting job we have taken. But how about subjugating monsters then? Killing 1 monster gives 50 exp, and if we kill 10, we have the same experience gain when we pile some woods, and with Lucrane beside me, killing additional 5 or 10 won't be impossible, which will brought us a total of 1, 000 exp, the same amount of exp we can gain in 6 days of tending our crops - 1, 000+ exp - but then
"... The problem here, will be me"
Lucrane alone could easily venture much further down the road away from our tower, I could even say that she could effortlessly finish the task of collecting new materials for our tower in a jipsy, but if I tag along with her? I could be a hindrance to her, a deadweight. I don't know much about her, but seeing that she's Lv 30, and pretty much has a good battle experience - just a hunch base on her training - then I could say for sure that she has loaded of arsenal of skills with her, but for me, a Lv 11 human with only 1 skill, can I even be able to assist her, when the {Slimes} here in this world could get at least 2 or 3 times much stronger than I am?
^°^°^°^°^°^°[צXXXXXXXXXXXX¦×]°^°^°^°^°^°^
I'll be changing the POV in the later chapter to let you all see what Lucrane has except for her three bust!
^°^°^°^°^°^°[צXXXXXXXXXXXX¦×]°^°^°^°^°^°^
Wank!
"Ahh!"
I then turn my head to my side, as I placed my right hand towards at the back of my left shoulder, as out of a sudden, Lucrane just slap my back
"You thinking negatively, silly. I only stated that we are going to venture outside, but never said when right?"
With a long pause, I then nodded in agreement
"See? Then just relax, you are such a worrywart. We still have time, so we take every chances and develop yourself into a capable young man, that would protect her lively princess~"
And smiled at me as she said that, which I felt a bit embarrassed about, but still delighted which made me grin. Silence then came before a sudden realization came in. I then muttered fully grasping the reason, and all the thought she already laid down which I didn't notice, or was to insensitive to notice
"So that's why you brought that [Shōnin no Omamori].... But-"
I then looked at her, quite puzzled
"Although that artifact does have quite a set of skills, except for [Keen Appraisal], and [Power Boost], we can mostly used its [Area Detection], [Guard], and [Keen Eyesight] with the help of the turret, so why?"
"We can't use any of the tower's features when we are outside of it, I was only able to teleport you back because I am here inside to calibrate or decide, when and where will you get teleported back, but if the two of us left the tower, then the two of us can't fully access the tower anymore, which is the reason why I brought that artifact"
Flick
"Gets?"
She spoke as if telling me that she wasn't the head of this tower for nothing, and her last statement was just a playful remark as she grin at me
"Just to add, what are those skills that artifact have anyway?"
"Oh yes, I didn't tell you about it, I forgot. [Shōnin no Omamori] skills are as followed-"
×<{X×[Shōnin no Omamori] SET OF SKILLS DESCRIPTION]×X}>×
<>[Guard]
<> Protection from danger and loss, this skill shall protect the wearer from any physical might. [Enhancement: 0/ 40]
<><> it can defend the user from any physical damage as it can block 10% of the initial attack.
<> [Keen Eyesight]
<> Further the view the curious we could be, hence the lord give gift to those who bare this amulet, with sight that could see further than one could ever be. [Enhancement: 0/ 30]
<><> It can give the wearer 15 meters of clear vision.
<> [Power Boost]
<> Power speak as it was the law, and strength fulfill its duty by bringing destruction and wrath. [Enhancement: 0/ 70]
<><> It can give the wearer additional 10% boost of their initial power. [Duration: 7 seconds]
<> [Area Detection]
<> Surveillance is the key for survival. [Enhancement: 0/ 40]
<><> It can let you feel the presence of any hostile enemy for 8 meters radius. [Flaw: Can't detect any enemy that is much higher level than the wearer]
<> [Keen Appraisal]
<> Thief are mischievous and cunning, not by skill, but my experience and knowledge. [Enhancement: 0/ 70] [Passive skill: activates when you focus your sight on something you wanted to know]
<><> You can easily determine the worth of what you see. [Green - Normal: Brown - Common: Blue - Rare: Red - Special: Gold - Unique]
×<{X×[----=X××××××××××××××××X=----]×X}>×
"...."
I was really left speechless to how worth it the bracelet we brought for 10, 000 silver coins was
"And that is not all, my dearest [Sub Manager]"
She then grins as she crossed her legs and added
"The bracelet that we brought was a [Rare Class] artifact in a 4th Tier"
"Wait, [Rare Class]?"
She then nodded
"Like tower, items from artifact to weapons has classes, and those are as followed-"
×<{X×[ITEM CLASSES]×X}>×
(classes of this item speaks of how rare they could be)
Specially Super Rare - - > [SSR]
Specially Rare - - > [SR]
Ultra Rare - - > [UR]
Unique - - > [UN]
Special - - > [S]
Rare - - > [R]
Common - - > [C]
Normal - - > [N]
×<{X×[ITEM TIER LIST]×X}>×
(tier of the item donates of how often they could get a [Special Enhancement], and [Gear Boost])
<> [Special Enhancement]
<> If ones can't fully distinguish your worth, then be a salmon than a gold fish.
<><> An enhancement that let you unlock new set of skills or items ability.
<> [Gear Boost]
<> By the mightiest blacksmith hand, his work carve for Gods, not mortal.
<><> It can boost your item's skill quality by which tier they are. [0 - by 0.05%: I - by 5%: II - by 10%: II - by 25%: III - by 35%: IV - by 45%: V - by 55%: VI - by 65%: VII - by 75%: VIII - by 85%]. [Flaw: its class could affect the quality of the boost: [N] - (minus) 10%: [C] - 15%: [R] - 20%: [S] - 25%: [UN] - 30%: [UR] - 35%: [SR] - 40%: [SSR] - 45%]
Tier 8 - - > VIII
Tier 7 - - > VII
Tier 6 - - > VI
Tier 5 - - > V
Tier 4 - - > IV
Tier 3 - - > III
Tier 2 - - > II
Tier 1 - - > I
Tier 0 - - > 0
×<{X×[----=X××××××××××××××××X=----]×X}>×
"You can go to the [Tower Status Screen], and check its [Inventory]. The two of us can access the inventory, so why not check it?"
As she said that, I then went out and opened the [Tower Status Screen], by waving my hand from the right to the left
[Tower Status Screen]
[Name: Havre de sécurité]
[Owner: Lucrane [Tower Manager], Vince [Sub Manager]
[Lv 2 - Novice Rank]
[Content]<
[Inventory]<
[Finance]<
[Your tower is still growing, please don't slack off]
As I opened the [Tower status Screen], I then went down and noticed that I didn't yet did look at it, so while going through the the tower's status, I then clicked its [Content] and [Inventory]
[Content:] > (clicked)
[Summoned: Wolf Pack] [Summoned: Goblin Pack] [Wheat] [Potato] [Cabbage] [Carrot] [Tree (small)] [Tree (medium)] [Acrina] [Sunflower] [Fish] [Farm Monster: Chicken] [Stone Hut]
[Inventory:] > (clicked)
[Bondage x 40]< [Healing Potion (small) x 5]< [Barn]< [Windmill]< [Magic Scroll x 3]< [Food Processor and Guide x 2]< [Iron Spear x 2]< [Iron Sword x 2]< [Iron Armor x 2]< [Iron Boots x 4]< [Iron Gauntlet x 4]< [Iron Helm x 2]< [Shōnin no Omamori]< [Wooden Sword x 2]< [Stone Shovel]<
I then narrowed my vision and went to the [Inventory], and looked for the bracelet artifact we brought
'So it's called [Food Processor and Guide] not [Cook Book] ha, that's new'
[Name: Shōnin no Omamori] > (clicked)
[Item: Artifact - Bracelet]
[Class: Rare [R]
[Tier: IV]
[Skills:]
{Flaw: upon usage, the user will have its experience gain be divided [Duration: 3 days upon usage]}
<>[Guard]
<> Protection from danger and loss, this skill shall protect the wearer from any physical might. [Enhancement: 0/ 40]
<><> it can defend the user from any physical damage as it can block 10% of the initial attack.
<> [Keen Eyesight]
<> Further the view the curious we could be, hence the lord give gift to those who bare this amulet with sight that could see further than one could ever be. [Enhancement: 0/ 30]
<><> It can give the wearer 15 meters of clear vision.
<> [Power Boost]
<> Power speak as it was the law, and strength fulfill its duty by bringing destruction and wrath. [Enhancement: 0/ 70]
<><> It can give the wearer additional 10% boost of their initial power. [Duration: 7 seconds]
<> [Area Detection]
<> Surveillance is the key for survival. [Enhancement: 0/ 40]
<><> It can let you feel the presence of any hostile enemy for 8 meters radius. [Flaw: Can't detect any enemy that is much higher level than the wearer within 7 meters]
<> [Keen Appraisal]
<> Thief are mischievous and cunning not by skill, but my experience and knowledge. [Enhancement: 0/ 70]
<><> You can easily determine the worth of what you see. [Green: Normal - Brown: Common - Blue: Rare - Red: Special - Gold: Unique] [Passive skill: activates when you focus your sight on something you wanted to know]
[Can be enhanced further, do you want to?]<
[Can be boost further, do you want to?]<
I then stared at the artifact's status. My vision then went down below it, and was curious about the notification below it that tells that I could enhance it further, and about how can I boost the artifact further, curious, I then clicked it
[Can be enhanced further, do you want to?] > (clicked)
[Yes]< [No]<
[Can be boost further, do you want to?] > (clicked)
[Yes]< [No]<
I then pressed both 'Yes' and
[Insufficient amount of [Condense Gemstone of Enhancement]. Failed to enhance]
[Condense Gemstone of Enhancement needed - 25]
[Condense Gemstone of Enhancement: 0/ 25]
[Insufficient amount of [Condense Machinery Ore]. Failed to boost]
[Condense Machinery Ore needed - 15]
[Condense Machinery Ore: 0/ 15]
But then I was denied, as for a reason I didn't have the necessary materials for the said process. Curious, I then turn my head towards Lucrane and asked her
"What is a [Condense Machinery Ore], and [Condense Gemstone of Enhancement]?"
"Befor I explain that to you, I'll explain what is a [Machinery Ore], and [Gemstone of Enhancement] first and foremost"
I then nodded
"[Machinery Ore] has a shape of a metal gear inside an orb, though we call it as an ore, it basically isn't, it much more prefer to call it as a [Monster Drop Item] than an ore itself"
'So monster's do drop item ha, how fantasy like'
"The orb is coated in a see through light, pure, and hazy blue paint, while the gear was painted in a luster shade of gold. [Machinery Ore] is an item you needed to acquire, if you are trying to improve your items quality, whereas a [Condense Machinery Ore] has much more lighter color and quality. It has a pure, clear white orb, and a pale light of gold gear. Its quality of boosting your item's quality is multiplied by 3. Basically it's purest form, or the final stage of the orb"
She then crossed her legs and continued
"As for the [Gemstone of Enhancement], its a small gemstone, just a 3 inches and a half long, coated in a dark but bright red. It has an effect that enhance your item, and gain additional set of skills. A gemstone that purely activating your item hidden potential. The [Condense Gemstone of Enhancement] has a pale light of bight red, and could not just peeve what your item hidden potential be, but also enhancing those said potential by 15%"
She then added
"Both the [Machinery Ore], and [Gemstone of Enhancement] can be bought in a [Mass Market], but on a astronomical amount that what we earn here couldn't even brought a single one of them, but maybe if we did save up for 2 months, then we could have at least brought one, or maybe even two"
"Then how about the condense one then?"
She then stared at me and sigh
"If those are being sold in the market, then it's mostly in an auction place with a bet of atleast 500 gold coins as minimum"
Widely shocked and stunned I then asked
"5-500!? 500 gold coins!?!"
"Minimum, yes"
She then stared at the distance as she placed her chin on her right arm palm, that was resting on her left leg, and muttered
"Those said condense quality version of those materials are quite something rare, it could even said that it could be compared to a [UR] or [SR] class of item. If you wanted to be more specific, you just need to atleast defeat a [High Rank] guardian amounted to 50, not 50 times but-"
She then looked at me as she continued
"But 50 of them, that's how rare those quality condensed enhancer are"
I was completely speechless as I stared at her, and process what she just told me about, to get at least one of those, I need to defeat at least a total of 50 Lv 2, 000 summoned guardian
"... And with 25 needed materials to ascend the artifact we have in hand, I at least needed to defeat....."
1, 250 summoned guardians with a strength of a Lv 2, 000, a feat that not just impossible for me to do, but also a gateway to afterlife
I was truly impressed how expensive those condensed material were, and also by how important and truly precious these materials were, but if that was enough to make me lose my mind, then think about how much quality the bracelet will become if we can enhance it not just once, not twice, but four-fold
"That is not the only reason why I am interested in that bracelet you see"
I then snap out from my thought, and turn my vision back at Lucrane and listened
"[Keen Appraisal] is high tier [Appraisal] skill"
As she said that, I then look back at the [Status Screen] of [Shōnin no Omamori], and gaze at its skill, [Keen Appraisal]
"[Keen Appraisal] can't only let you see any items worth, but also monster"
She then allowed me to share vision of [Tower Status Screen] for both of us to see - as listening to where she is pointing without seeing it is too much of a hassle - and pointed at the word 'Blue' and 'Red' in the description below the skill, and muttered
"If we can at least find a [Rare] [R] and [Special] [S] monster, then boosting our tower's power wouldn't be a problem anymore"
Realizing what she meant, I then utter
"Guardian"
"Bingo. If we can at least find a Blue colored monster to be our guardian, then, defending our base would be easy"
Her eyes then lit like a burning flame, smoldering with intense heat. I then gaze back at the [Status Screen] and thought
'We truly did hit a jackpot'
I thoughtly stated, and felt like Henry just lost something greater than what he just gain. It might be 7 gold coins worth, but what this artifact might give us in the near future-no, today, will be much more worthwhile than spending even twice the amount we brought this artifact be.
Flick
A sudden flicked again at my forehead woke me up, and saw the bit frowning Lucrane at my side before she stood up, and smiled as she muttered
"I also did it for a simple reason, by the way"
As she said that, I was a bit intrigued so I asked
"For what?"
As she turn to my side while her body was facing the front of her direction, and for the first time, for the almost 2 weeks here in this world, in this tower, that I just realized that she has such a beautiful smile that could temp any man in its wake
She then flicked something on me and hit my forehead, and playfully stated as she turned
Flick
Tonk
"If you are capable enough to block that stone, I'll answer"
And giggles like a child that just received its candy. Rubbing my forehead, I then sigh and smiled as I followed her
"Better get prepared then"
"If you can~"
....
Clank Clank Clank
"You are too stiff! I'm telling you be flexible!"
Clang
"Haahh..... Hah..... I'm trying!!"
"Then do better!"
Clank
"Arghh!"
I groan as the attack she just delivered didn't only pack with punch, but also it hinder my defense useless and ineffective, which resulted on me taking a step back as I stagger
"Don't lose focus!"
Wak!
"Gahhh!"
I exclaimed at this time, her wooden sword just hit me on my head, with swift and powerful strike, causing me to rotate and stumble down the ground
Thud
Groaning in pain as I rolled the ground, I then griply hold the wooden sword hilt in my left, as I placed my right hand on the place where the strike just did a clean K. O on me. I then could hear her footstep coming towards me. I then opened my eyes and gaze above me, and saw her crunching down, and gently Wak her wooden sword on my head and muttered
"Better get ready my ass"
And uttered such embarrassing word with a teasing remark as she grin and looked at me, causing me to hid my face down the ground I was laying
After we have done our initial tasked today and finish taking our lunch, we then continued practicing my battle training. After we have tended the crops, I then went and started piling some of the chop trees into a fire wood for almost 3 hours, ending me up with a 135 total amount of piled fire woods. And while I was it, Lucrane was fishing at the river just a few kilometers away from where I was chopping and piling some fire woods, and was able to caught at least 64 fish for at least 5 hours of fishing. So with those done, added with the crops we have tended, we end up with 1, 135 exp, and divided among us, we have each a total of 568 exp.
^°^°^°^°^°^°[צXTHE EXP THEY GAIN TODAYX¦×]°^°^°^°^°^°^
7 exp - - - > 1 piled fire wood (135) for 3 hours (Vince) - - - > 1 day (7 x 135) = 945 exp
5 exp - - - > 10 fishes (64) for 5 hours (Lucrane) - - - > 1 day (5 x 6) = 30 exp
5 exp - - - > 1 lane of crop (8) for 4 hours - - - > 1 day (5 x 8) x 4) = 160 exp
Total amount of exp gain: 1,135
(1, 135 ÷ 2 = 568 exp each)
^°^°^°^°^°^°[צXXXXXXXXXXXX¦×]°^°^°^°^°^°^
And with that exp added, I was able to lessen the gap for me to level up and reach Lv 12
[Status Screen]
[Name: Vince Stubborn] [Sub Manager]
[Status: Tired, Exhausted, Happy, Excited]
[Level: 11]
[Exp: 2, 809/ 3, 100]
[You are quite in a pinch, it's advisable to take your training more seriously]
^°^°^°^°^°^°[צXXXXXXXXXXXX¦×]°^°^°^°^°^°^
And as for the continuous training I did, I was also able to accommodate a bit to my skill [Sword Slash] before it could reach another level
^°^°^°^°^°^°[צXXXXXXXXXXXX¦×]°^°^°^°^°^°^
[Skills]
<>[Sword Slash]
<> A sword skill where you can cut your enemy with one sweep. Slashing their neck and body apart in one swing. [Mastery: 67/100]
^°^°^°^°^°^°[צXXXXXXXXXXXX¦×]°^°^°^°^°^°^
The [Mastery] written at the side of my skills, indicates about how much did I able to unleash a perfect stance of that said skill - a slight mistake of stance, or power of your grip, wouldn't be added in the [Mastery]. And if they reach a complete 100, Lucrane told me that it would make my skill much more powerful than before, so that is why in this training we are doing, I only repetitively unleash a continuous barrage of [Sword Slash]. I did a lot or often made some mistakes in the way, especially when you are exhausted and daze.
Mastery bonus points are we call those additional bonuses, when you strike using a skill, and they divided by 3:
^°^°^°^°^°^°[צXXXXXXXXXXXX¦×]°^°^°^°^°^°^
Mastery +1 - - - > able to use your skill perfectly
Mastery +2 - - - > able to use your skill with flawless motion, or able to combo with your skill, and kill an enemy in flawless motion - - - > Clean Strike
Mastery +3 - - - > able to unleash a masterful strike against an enemy, or made a masterful combo with your other skill - - - > Perfect Strike!
With the exception of Mastery +1, any mastery points will be distributed to the skill used.
^°^°^°^°^°^°[צXXXXXXXXXXXX¦×]°^°^°^°^°^°^
Huff Huff Huff huff
I then simply laid down to the ground, and heavily breath my exhausted self, while feeling all her painful and merciless assault, as if she has a grudge on me or something. She then sat beside me, and gaze at me as she stated
"Good job, you did a great work this time around. Though you are quite still lacking in offensive stance, and always in a turtle shell defense, though defense is the best offense, but offense is the best defense also, so trying to counter your enemy is a must. But don't be so hasty, just make a quick, precise, and flawless strike when you counter"
She then wak my forehead this time and added
"But overall, you did great in this training, so keep up the good work~"
Panting as I listened to her as I laid down, with my tired body, I then smiled at her as I response. She then stood up and walked as she muttered
"Take a rest for a bit, I'll take care our dinner today"
"Fuck"
And cursed silently as I regretted, and once again knew how weak I am, as today will be the last. But before I shall slept deep in slumber, I am about to eat her cooking and die with regret
.....
Sniff Sniff Sniff
As I walked towards our hut, after I have washed myself up after I have tended the crops, and chopped and piled another set of fire woods, which ended me gaining another good amount of exp to level myself up
^°^°^°^°^°^°[צXTHE EXP THEY GAIN TODAYX¦×]°^°^°^°^°^°^
7 exp - - - > 1 piled fire wood (103) for 3 hours (Vince) - - - > 1 day (7 x 103) = 721 exp
5 exp - - - > 1 lane of crop (8) for 4 hours - - - > 1 day (5 x 8) x 1) = 40 exp
Total amount of exp gain: 761
(761 ÷ 2 = 381 exp each)
^°^°^°^°^°^°[צXXXXXXXXXXXX¦×]°^°^°^°^°^°^
[Status Screen]
[Name: Vince Stubborn] [Sub Manager]
[Status: Hungry, Refresh, Tired]
[Level: 12]
[Exp: 90/ 3, 500]
[You are hungry, it's advisable to eat properly on time]
^°^°^°^°^°^°[צXXXXXXXXXXXX¦×]°^°^°^°^°^°^
A sudden blissful aroma was then picked up by my nose, alluring me with its pleasant surprise. I was vexed and completely taken as I directly followed such distinctive whiff. And as I followed its sweet scent, what openly showed itself was Lucrane, who just finished taking care of our meal, and already placed all our plates and spoon on the table. As our eyes meet, she then smiled and spoke
"Welcome back"
Which delighted me in some manner, in a way I never thought I could feel once more, as I responded
"I'm back"
And thus another day is coming to an end, folding its tale to another amazing tale.
"Don't just stand there, or the food will gone cold. Let us eat"
I then smiled as I entered our hut, and took another day in this world with pleasant upbringing, and harmonious tone of playful melody
...
<><>×[{3 DAYS SKIP}]×<><>
Swisshhh
As the wind blows its breeze, tightly in my grasp, I hold my wooden sword with my hands, gripping its hilt and holding my form
Swoooshhh
Another breezy wind touched my skin, gentle with its touch, only its whisper could be heard in this silence
Swoooshhh
"Fooooo~"
Taking a deep breath, I then bend down - 30 degrees - hold my sword with my right, I then slid my left foot forward, and stared at my front, towards Lucrane who was standing before me, nonchalantly standing and staring at me. She didn't put any guard stance, or any form to defend herself, as she only stood there like a statue, and with her gaze that could peirce through even the hardest metal, and could even freeze any flowing river, causing her aura to be tremendously suffocating.
Swiishhhhhhh
I then moved my left hand forward, kneeling a bit lower. I then took a final breath to relax my anxious nerves, before I sprint myself like a cheetah, dashing forward with haste towards the gazelle it sighted. Cutting the distance between her and me in a second, I then twist my body to the right, and with such momentum, I then swung my sword with great force, aiming at her neck to be strike. Swiftly, she then block my assault with her wooden sword that was placed at her right, with an expression that lacks expectations.
Clang
I then slid my right foot to my top right after my first assault was block, and hurriedly rotated myself to my left and did a follow up. I then this time, hold my sword's hilt with both of my hands, and swung it diagonally, aiming at her abdomen till her neck.
Clank
And just like my first strike, my second was effortlessly blocked again, as she deflected my strike with her wooden sword, but I didn't given up just yet as I did another follow up and rotated myself to the left, as I used my right foot as an archor for easy maneuver. I then this time aimed at her chest, and put some of my strength into this follow up, and swiftly swung my sword.
Clang
Tsk!
I then clicked my tongue and leap back, before I propell myself again and dashed to her left. As my 3 consecutive attacks weren't even able to change her stance, or land a hit, I then changed my tactic. From striking her with swift and deadly blow of chained assault, this time, I tried going for keen observation and find her weak spot, and strike there.
As I rushed towards her left, I then halted a bit of a distance and dashed back to her. I then throw 4 almost fist size objects at her
Swoooshh
Pop-Pang!
And all 4 of them that I have thrown then exploded at her quick slash, and shattered into a fine dust of smoke, creating a blockage on her vision
"!?"
The object I have thrown were just flour that I wrapped on a dead leave, and after she swung her sword to block those objects by slashing them, the flour then exploded into dust, and created a screen for me to attack without her fully knowing what action would I take, where should I strike, and what strike should I make, with those laid down, I then dashed to her right, gripped my wooden sword with both of my hands, and rotate to my right and swung my sword with tremendous speed and power
'[Sword Slash]!'
I silently mutter, as I activated my only one skill, and slashed it to her abdomen till her left shoulder, as I swung my sword diagonally
'!?! What the!?'
"Nice try"
Slam!
"But that is still a child's play to me"
And just like that, the match has ended on me losing as my head was buried on the ground, buried!
When I tried to do a surprise attack on her by using those flour to block her vision, out of a sudden, she suddenly grab my head with her right, and block my sword before it could even slashed up, and slam my head with great force and buried my head in the ground.
I then turn my body to the right as I raised my body up, and laid my back to the ground, and gaze at the woman upfront, who was crunching down as she looked at me. She then sweep my forehead with her gentle touch and spoke
"I'll give your creativity, and quick wit a 60 mark"
I then frown as I heard that
"Just 60?"
"For a reason that you are so reckless. It's okay to be on the offensive side than being defensive, but continously striking your enemy, fully knowing the difference between your level is either courageous, or stupidity"
I then closed my eyes and muttered
"Then, did I pass this time"
She then went on thought as she made this cute and teasing expression, as if she was thinking
".... Well, barely"
I then frowned and stared at her as I asked
"Barely? Just barely!? With all those moves I just did, I only get a barely passed remark? The hell"
Tonk!
She then used her index finger upper finger joint, and knock my head
"What do you mean 'those moves'? You call those, 'moves'? Heck, even a Lv 8 {Goblin} can do better than you, dumbass"
She then chuckled and snorted. I was a bit irritated to her words, but I wasn't angry about it. She then added
"You might have improved a lot than the first time we started training, and I am not sugarcoating my words, neither this is some flattery. You have become quite reflexive, and now you are using that useless-"
Tonk
"Brain of yours for good, which is a splendid progress in your end, but what you just did when you attacked me still needed to be polished a bit more"
Quite puzzled, I then asked
"Why? I just did what you thought me about"
She then raised her eyebrow as she looked at me and answered
"I never thought you to make a big, wide opening like a doofus when attacking"
"Opening?"
As I said that, she then stand up and went to my left. I then got myself up after I have rested a bit, and watched her. She then went on a stance as she halted a bit further on me
"As a novice, your mistake is a common feat, but I hope it wouldn't end as typical manner"
She then moved her body to the first strike I did
"You made such a clumsy, and obvious mistake of widening your body open, and defenseless showcasing it"
She then tapped her both of her legs and added
"Try to lessen the gap between your feet, by a few centimeters as much as possible. Make sure it's enough for you to move, and won't hinder your action. Just enough for your feet to move in and out, either side, or up and down. So that when you rotate yourself after failing your first attempt-"
She then turn herself to the left, and bend a bit to the side as she swung her sword
"You still has more room to strengthen and power your attack, to empower your enemy"
She then looked at me while her body halted on an attack position, facing back - with her left foot forward, and right foot a bit bended - and stated
"You can easily push your enemy back, using the strength from your right foot as your pillar. You can easily power up to unleash a much powerful swing, and with a shorter gap than before in your feet, you can easily maneuver your movements much more better, and could do another counter"
After she continued her stance and swung her sword to the left from the right, she then slid her left foot a bit below the left, brought her sword down after the swing, and moved her left foot forward and swung her sword once again, diagonally from below. After that form, she then looked at me and stood as she placed her sword on her right shoulder, and rested her left hand on her left waist
"And not necessarily do another rotation for a counter"
Gah!
Just like a giant arrow just pierced at me, it hurts, but can you blame me? I just watched that from anime where they do a spiny move like a spinner, and twirl like a watching machine, just to slay some nude giant, and simply copied them, so yeah, blame that anime for this!
She then went towards me, as I just watched her coming at me with a bit pouting, as I rested my head to my left hand and seated like a some street thug, and asked
"So what do you suggest for me to do then?"
Tak
And gently wak my head and replied
"Improve"
"..... Thanks for the helpful advice, really appreciated"
I said in a sarcastic tone, which she just giggled about
"Your sarcasm is a compliment, so you are very much welcome"
She then walked pass me and added
"But practicing against only me won't do you any good, so how about we change our approach?"
I then turn my body to my back and inquire
"How?"
She then halted and looked at me, and muttered
"How about a visit in the first floor?"
".... What?"
I puzzingly, and quite surprisingly, questioned
×>} |EXP GAIN FOR THE TWO IN THE PASS THREE(3) DAYS| {<×
(24 (hours) - 7 (hours of sleep) - 1 (hour of meal: breakfast, lunch, and dinner) - 7 (hours of practice in the afternoon (3 to 11)
7 exp - - - > 1 tree for 3 hours (Vince) - - - > 3 days (7 x 3) x 3) = 63 exp
7 exp - - - > 1 tree for 1 hour (Lucrane) - - - - > 2 days (7 x 9) x 2) = 126 exp
5 exp - - - > 10 fishes for 1 hour (15) (Lucrane) - - - > 1 day (15 x 9) ÷ 10) x 5) = 68 exp
5 exp - - - > 1 lane of crop (8) for 4 hours - - - > 3 days (5 x 8) x 3) x 4) = 480 exp
7 exp - - - > 1 piled fire wood (55) for 1 hour (Vince) - - - > 3 days (1 day each only) (7 x 55) x 3) = 1,155 exp
7 exp - - - > 1 piled fire wood (84) for 1 hour (Lucrane) - - - > 3 days (1 day each only) (7 x 84) x 3) = 1, 764 exp
Total = 3, 656 exp for 3 days
(3, 656 ÷ 2 = 1, 828 exp each)
Balance: 90 Exp (from the last level up)
×>} |XXXXXXXXXXX| {<×
...
"... We really are doing this?"
I asked, a bit anxious, and I won't be lying, a bit scared. She then nodded and tap my right shoulder
"Don't worry, those {Goblin Hobbit} are the weakest here in this tower"
I then looked at her and frowned as I asked, as the last time she said the word 'weakest' was from a {Slime} who has a level of 25 - maximum - and 15 - minimum.
"Weakest?"
"{Goblin Hobbit} are the lesser version of {Goblins}, and only reached till Lv 10 as maximum, and Lv 7 as minimum, which is lower compared to you, who is Lv 12 already"
I then questioned her words as I disagree
"Level won't help in a battle of skills, and you know that"
She then stared at me and spoke
"Of course I know, but we are here to gain experience, not to subjugate them. If you can at least kill one or two of them, then that is good, but if not? Then at least let you know which part you lack, and need to improve"
I then stared back at the front, and closely observe those {Goblin Hobbit} upfront.
After she muttered that we need to change our training regime, I didn't expect her to really let me fight against some monsters, after she suggested to go up the first floor, frankly. After we got up the first floor, we then headed towards the deep forest, just a bit further from where the {Wolves} are at, and spotted some small {Goblin}, which she called {Goblin Hobbit}
'Hobbit? That some nostalgic movie not going to lie
{Goblin Hobbit} is quite smaller to the {Goblins} I saw when we came here at the top floor, and of course with Henry, the {Goblin Merchant Trader}, a rare type of {Goblin}. This {Goblin} is still green, with pointy ears and nose. Their teeth is sharp and uneven, with long, sharp claws on both feet and hands. But what differentiate them to the {Goblins} is they are shorter, and if I stand beside them, they could only reach just above my knee, or maybe just below my waist.
I then checked their status using the tower
..
<> [Goblin Hobbit]
[Name: None]
[Level: 8]
[Exp: 250/ 1, 700]
[Vitality: 2, 600]
[Skills]
<> [Short Strike]
<> Unlike many others, height isn't gifted for everyone so a strike to compensate their flaw was given. [Mastery - Lv 2: 7/ 20]
<> [Short Dash]
<> A dash is a dash, no matter how short it is. [Mastery - Lv 4: 15/ 80]
<> It let the user dashed 3 meters forward.
<> [Quick Reflexes]
{Passive Skill: Upon activation, it could last for 20 seconds, with 7 seconds CD}
<> Though short they are, they are still nimble and swift, how cunning. [Mastery - Lv 11: 15/ 165]
<> Combine with [Short Dash] and [Short Strike], additional 3% of fatal strike with occur in every strike. [Duration: 2 seconds]
<><> If [Perfect Strike] was achieved, enemy will receive [Bleeding] for 3 seconds
[Race: Goblin]
'.....'
I was really holding back my laughter as I read those skill descriptions, and was trying not to think that God seems to be biased to short people, and truly quite savage to them also. I then looked at their leader, the alpha of the group
..
<> [Goblin Hobbit Alpha]
[Name: None]
[Level: 10]
[Exp: 600/ 2, 300]
[Vitality: 3, 000]
[Skills]
<> [Short Strike]
<> Unlike many others, height isn't gifted for everyone so a strike to compensate their flaw was given. [Mastery - Lv 7: 35/ 70]
<> [Short Dash]
<> A dash is a dash, no matter how short it is. [Mastery - Lv 10: 59/ 200]
<> It let the user dashed 3 (+1) meters forward.
<><> If successfully invaded an enemy strike, for 3 seconds, the user will have additional boost in their speed for 2%
<><><> If successfully landed a hit when the skill was activated, [Quick Boost] will be activated
<><><> [Quick Boost] add 2% of the user's strength for 1 second only
<> [Quick Reflexes]
{Passive Skill: Upon activation, it could last for 20 seconds, with 7 seconds CD}
<> Though short they are, they are still nimble and swift, how cunning. [Mastery - Lv 14: 80/ 210]
<> When [Quick Reflexes] is used, 3% of the user's speed will increase for 3 seconds
<><> Combine with [Short Dash] and [Short Strike], additional 3% of fatal strike with occur in every strike. [Duration: 2 seconds]
<><> If [Perfect Strike] was achieved, enemy will receive [Bleeding] for 6 seconds
[Race: Goblin]
And quite frankly speaking, a bit annoyed on how much skill this fucker has on them, than on me who is a Lv 12.
The {Goblin Hobbit Alpha} has a wider sword like a mini greatword on its left, and a small wooden shield upfront. It also has two cuff bracelet on both on his wrist, and quite dark green than the other {Goblin Hobbit}, and just a bit taller than them.
I then took a deep breath and steel my heart, and made my mind
'Let's go!'
"Okay I'm out"
Boink!
I then turn to my right and yelled at her in whisper
"What was that for!?"
She then touched my right hand, and with a stoic and serious look, she muttered
"Don't worry, if anything happens, I'll come"
I then stared at her a for a bit of time before I give up, and scratched my head and responded
"Okay, okay, I got it"
Fooooo~
And stared at the enemy upfront as I took a deep breath. As she saw me already made up my mind, and this time I really did made my mind, she then slowly back and went behind me
[{<><><><>|×××××××××××××××××××|<><><><>}]
It's normal to get scared, especially when facing something unknown to you. Facing a monster head on isn't a simple leisure like some games we played, so it is normal to get petrified against them, or even run away with your tail between your legs.
[{<><><><>|×××××××××××××××××××|<><><><>}]
After I have steeled my heart, I then slowly - a bit anxious - moved forward as I bend down to not get spotted, I then keep myself vigilant and remembered all the things Lucrane told me about.
1. Be prepared
2. Always focus upfront, while keeping a guarded watch to your very surroundings
3. Always hold your sword below and not above, to easily deal a swift strike and a consecutive assault
4. Keep yourself calm, and relaxed. Try to take a deep breath from now and then
5. Always know which enemy should be striken first, and which should be dealt later on
6. Don't die. If you find the situation grim, run
After remembering those words, I then slowly closed the distance between me and them. After I got quite close to them, I could now clearly hear and see them
Kraaa
Nraaaa
Kraaa
Graaa
3 {Goblin Hobbits} was just a bit distance from where I was, was holding a tattered iron sword. 3 other {Goblin Hobbits} were stationed above my left, and another 4 {Goblin Hobbits} were at my top right, and their alpha was at the center, commanding the 4 {Goblin Hobbits} that was at my top right
Haah Hah Haa
Breathing heavily as I stared I them, I tried to settle my thumping heart
Graaa!
Nraa
Kraaa
Foooo~
I then took another deep breath, took a stone that was laying on the ground - just a bit distance from where I was - and raised my right hand that was holding the stone, and then...
'Fuck!'
And back down.
Haah hah haah
'Come on, Come on! Just throw the damn stone already!'
I yelled to myself, as my heart thumps loudly on my chest, beating in haste as fear linger its presence and embrace me with its wrapped
Pant Pant Pant
"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!"
I cursed in whisper. I'm scared, I'm really scared, that is not a lie, why? Yes I did experience for almost 5 days of hellish training to get teleported on that dim forest just to lessen my fear when facing an enemy, but that is that, and this is this. I did able to pass that training after I was able to move my body and run away, but this time? This time I need to fight them head on. Fighting and running is two different things, and running away is my greatest asset
Griply holding the stone of my hand, I then gritted my teeth and swung the stone to my left hand wrist, towards the joints
Pak!
Grrrr
Trying to not make any noise, I then slap my wrist again with the stone in hand
Pak
Kahhh
"What if you get scared? That is easy, just wak yourself up and you are good to go! Just replace fear with pain, that would do the trick"
Is what she said, so with that said, I then decided to hit my wrist with a stone just to erased the fear that keeps engulfing me, and what came after? Just painful swelling on my wrist as I hit it quite harder than I thought.
'It hurts, goddammit!'
Holding my pained left wrist, I then gaze upfront and took another deep breath. My fear still lingers beside me, but its presence quite diminish. I then once again steeled my heart and raised my right arm once again, and this time
Swoosh
And this time, I was able to throw the stone in my hand, aiming at the top right where the {Goblin Hobbit Alpha}, and 4 {Goblin Hobbits} were
Tak! Tok Tok Tok
The stone then resound as it fall and bounced a few times before it rolled.
Graa?
Krra?
Nraa?
Graa!
The {Goblin Hobbit Alpha} then pointed and ordered his men to go to the direction where the noise came, which the 4 then followed through. And with him unguarded
Hooooo~
I took a deeper breath as I stared at the prize I was aiming for, gripping the sword I have in hand
"[Quick Feet]"
[Mastery +1]
I then dashed forward, passing the 3 upfront and quickly run across them. With a hasty movements, I didn't waste any time as I quickly went over and closed the distance between me and their alpha, who didn't yet noticed my presence. As if times slowed down as the wind brush their breeze unto me, and as I was just a meter away from the {Golbin Hobbit Alpha}, I then step my right foot forward and swung my sword with both my hands, aiming to cleanly finish this battle in one, swift strike
"[Sword Slash]!"
[Mastery +1]
And as I mutter my skill, a quick, and precise slash then came, cutting the {Goblin Hobbit Alpha's} head in one clean strike, beheading him as he stood and pointing towards my right. I then slid my right foot as a brake and twist myself to the left and dashed towards the 4 {Goblin Hobbits} who weren't facing me, and yet to noticed me or their boss. I then swung my sword as quickly and unnoticeable as much as possible
"[Sword Slash]!"
[Mastery +1]
And slashed the {Goblin Hobbit} who was behind the others, cutting it into two, diagonally. I then twisted my body to the right and slashed the 2nd {Goblin Hobbit} at its neck
{<><><><>|×××××××××××××××××××|<><><><>}
His bending when he slashed them so he cut the short goblin in their neck
{<><><><>|×××××××××××××××××××|<><><><>}
[Mastery +1]
I then rotated myself again to the left and slashed the 3rd {Golbin Hobbit}
[Mastery +1]
Graaa?
And before the 4th {Goblin Hobbit} who was leading them could fully react to the situation, I then dashed to it and swung my sword as I bended down, with my right foot forward and swung my iron sword diagonally from below and cut it into 2
"[Sword Slash]!"
[Mastery +1]
And without wasting any more time
Fooo~
I then took a deep breath before I dashed myself once again and propeller forward, rushing to the last 3 {Goblin Hobbit} to my right
"[Quick Feet]"
[Mastery +1]
Kraaa?
Nraaa!!
One by one, the 3 then noticed something amiss and spotted me rushing towards them. Each of them then run towards me and raised each of their weapon out. The 2 of them upfront then then dashed forward - [Short Dash] - and before they could swing their swords
"[Sword Slash]!"
And cut the 2 in one quick, and strong swing of my iron sword as I used my right foot that I moved forward to receive my left foot strength, and carried to my swing, causing the two {Goblin Hobbits} to be cut in 2 at their abdomen
Kraaa!
Nraaa!
[Perfect Strike! Mastery +3]
And before I could put my sword down and follow another attack
"Gahh!"
Kraa!
The 3rd {Goblin Hobbit} then quickly used [Quick Reflexes], and combine it with its [Short Dash] and [Short Strike], which wounded me on my right abdomen, I then swung my sword to cut that annoying shorty but as it was quick and nimble - also thanks to its height - it was able to avoid my full strike and only receive a shallow cut
[Clean Strike! You have been hit by the {Goblin Hobbit}]
[Bleeding] has been activated. You have received [Bleeding]
[For 3 seconds you will be losing at lot of blood. It's advisable to finish the battle and treat the wound]
The hit of that fucker wasn't shallow as it totally cut and opened the wound to let me see a bit of my side's flesh.
Kraaa!
Nraa!!
Kraa!
It's other friend then noticed my presence and tried to join the fray as they dash towards me - 3 {Goblin Hobbits} - Holding to my wounded side I then stuggery dashed forward as I gritted my teeth
'Dammit! It hurts'
"[Quick Feet]"
As I able to close the distance between me and them, I then bend a bit down, stretched my right arm and twist my body to the left and swung my sword with great force, and momentum
[The [Bleeding] has stopped]
"[Sword Slash]"
Tsk!
But the second time I attempted a double kill, I was only able to cut the one from its chest to it shoulder then a shallow slit on the 2nd one on the neck. But thanks to that slash, I was able to make it step back which I then took that as an opportunity and push my left foot forward, grip my iron word's hilt with both of my arms - after I took away my left hand from holing my wound - and slashed the {Goblin Hobbit}
"[Sword Slash]!"
[Mastery +1]
And-
"Kuhhh!"
The last remaining one took that opportunity also to slash me on my left side, and this time, much deeper than the first
[Perfect strike! You have been hit by the {Goblin Hobbit}]
[Bleeding] has been activated. You have received [Bleeding]
[For 4 seconds you will be losing at lot of blood. It's advisable to finish the battle and treat the wound]
Haah hah
I then looked back and dashed to that monster.
"[Quick Feet]"
I then raised my sword up and swung it down
Schwing!
"Gahh"
[Clean strike! You have been hit by the {Goblin Hobbit}]
[Bleeding] has been activated. You have received [Bleeding]
[Additional 4 seconds has been added]
[For 5 seconds you will be losing at lot of blood. It's advisable to finish the battle and treat the wound]
And before I could brought the sword down, the {Goblin Hobbit} then nimbly attacked me as I accidentally widen myself openly which is a grave mistake on my end, and caused me another wound on my right. I then leap back and organize my thought
'Calm down, Calm down'
And tried calming my rapid beating heart. I then took a deep breath and relaxing my nerves, taking advantage of that shorty's short movements, I took my time trying to calm myself, and waited.
Feeling the touches of the wind
Fueeee~
I took a silent breath
Kraaa!
And silently calm myself
[The [Bleeding] has stopped]
And dashed forward
"[Quick Feet]"
[Mastery +1]
I then used the same attack I did against Lucrane, but this time, with my feet not widely separated, and swung my blade to the left
Kraa!
The nimble {Goblin} then quickly invaded as it bend down and went to my right, and before I could fully swing my sword, I then used my right foot as an anchor whole my left foot carry my weight as I twisted myself to right, and swung my iron sword with a swift, and powerful strike
Kraa!?
"[Sword Slash]!"
Slash!
And cut the {Goblin Hobbit's} head into 2
[Clean strike! Mastery +2]
Thud
As the monster fell down, I then slump myself, exhausted and completely tired as my body was still shaken and truly stunned
"Kuhhh!"
Barfff
Cough Cough
I then vomited to my pants as my nuisance just reached it limit. I then huffingly leaned my head to the swords hilt - after I peirced the sword to the ground and hold it as my support.
Rustle Rustle
I then looked at my left, exhausted and truly drained, and with my heavy eyelids I then saw Lucrane dashing towards me. She then hurriedly went to my side, and discern the surrounding area before she kneel down, and hugged me
"You did great"
[{<><><><>|×××××××××××××××××××|<><><><>}]
Grrrrrrr!
Growll!
And just a distance from them, a line beast stalked and observe
Scrench
With its sharp claw digging the rock's top, it growl as it showed its sharp fang
Growll
And left as it went and hid into the darkness
[{<><><><>|×××××××××××××××××××|<><><><>}]
Skill can be muttered loudly, silently, or in thought. In which way that suit the person of, and how they much aware on how those said skill could turn the table on them, and on the enemy