With the noises alerting Jay that more slimes were spawning around him, he decisively ran away. “Better to live to fight another day than die while surrounded,” he thought.
With so many slimes spawning he couldn't use the same trick he used to defeat the first. Dodging one slow slime was easy enough for Jay, even in his currently unfit state, but dodging ten at the same time was beyond his abilities. Jay desperately searched for anything that would allow him to defeat the slimes without getting hurt or covered in acidic goo again. His pants were tattered enough as is without more holes being burned in them.
Frantically running down the beach while looking over his shoulder at all ten of the slimes chasing him, he headed towards the only directionally limited space he knew of, the path that was bordered by jungle too dense even for the slimes to get through easily. Looking back at the slimes, they seemed to be too dumb to do more than follow in a straight line anyways. His concerns seemed unnecessary.
“At the very least, the path isn't wide enough for more than one to come at me at a time. Now I just need a damn weapon, from my experience with the last slime, I don’t think just my bare hands will do much against a ball of snot.”
Hey Nancy, wanna give the rock-throwing another attempt? Hahaha!
Embarrassed but without any other ideas, Jay stopped to search the jungle path for rocks or sticks he could possibly use. He had plenty of time until the slimes caught up, they were just as slow as the first one he fought. How they continued to doggedly follow without sight of him, due to the thick foliage, he did not know.
A little ahead of him, he saw a 3in thick fallen branch tangled in the undergrowth of the jungle. Stepping up to the protruding branch, he grasped on with both hands to try and pull it from the grasp of the undergrowth. Struggling, he pulled as hard as he could but it would not budge.
Put your back into it Nancy! Release the branch from the stone and you shall rule all of England!
Unfortunately, even with Kay’s...encouragement, the branch would just not move. Thinking fast, Kay remembered the sharp key tucked away in his pants and started to cut at the undergrowth. While the key just wasn’t big enough to be useful as a weapon against slimes, it made short work of the vines holding the branch. The sucking noises of the slimes movement were getting closer, Jay frantically continued to saw through the clinging vines. With one final cut and a quick tug, the now visibly 1.5m branch came free. Just in time for Jay to whirl around and face the oncoming slimes as the system window once again pops open at the most inconvenient of times.
----------------------------------------
ITEM:
[Stick]
(Common)
A common stick like you can find anywhere.
* Use: Various.
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Closing the window and tucking the key back into his waistband, Jay prepared to face the slimes that were coming up the path. With how narrow the path was, Jay could no longer dodge to the side to avoid the lunging slimes. He would either have to attempt to block the slime with his new club or jump backward far enough for him to dodge that way. He didn’t like his chances of blocking a gelatinous blob with a stick, so he decided to give dodging backward a few practice attempts before engaging the slimes. Satisfied with his dodging distance Jay went to meet the slimes, swinging his stick along the way.
A lengthy line of slimes appeared on the path, all steadily making their way towards him single file just like he planned. The first slime came into range and lunged as predicted. Jay quickly dodged backward avoiding the first lunge attack, he wound up an overhand swing with as much might as he could muster and brought the stick down upon the slime.
SPLAT!
The impact smashed the slime into the ground, bursting its membrane and allowing its internal goop to leak out into a growing pool. Ignoring the mess, Jay stepped back and waited for the next slime to advance, planning on using the same moves to continue destroying the rest. He would have to continue to retreat to avoid stepping in the acidic remains.
----------------------------------------
You have defeated [Primordial Ooze], Level 1
Due to the lack of Mana Cores, residual Mana is automatically absorbed by…
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“Would you shut up!” Jay angrily screamed while quickly closing the System window fed up with its constant interruptions.
As the next slime moved forward over the pool of goop it absorbed the remains as if it were a sponge soaking up water. It absorbed every last drop and grew in size.
“What the hell!” Jay said as he created more distance to give himself some time, dumbfounded by what he witnessed, he decided to investigate further. Opening the system to see if he could view past windows, Jay brought up the previous ooze alert.
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Monster:
[Primordial Ooze], Level 1
Racial Trait: Absorbs matter to grow.
----------------------------------------
“What the hell, it changed!” Jay exclaimed puzzled. “This said nothing about these slimes absorbing each other, that trait wasn’t there before! I knew this thing was broken.”
The System is a part of you, how is it supposed to know things that you don’t? Now that you’ve witnessed the trait, the System will update accordingly. Learn more about the world around you if you don’t want to be surprised again.
“Yeah, I’ll get right on that,” said Jay exasperated. “I thought you said you would help me with this stuff, so far you’ve only been an annoying pain in the ass with your nonsense.”
You haven’t asked me nicely, besides, don’t you think you have more pressing matters to deal with, they’re getting closer.
“This isn’t over. Once I deal with them, you and I are going to have a long chat about what I deem necessary information.”
Squaring up to face the next slime and resigned to the fact that there was nothing he could do about the slimes absorbing each other on this narrow path he chose, Jay once again dodge the lunge and bashed the slime to death.
He continued to defeat the slimes in this way, with each slime growing larger by absorbing the remains of the fallen in their path. The system notifications continued to pop up and notify him of each kill, annoying him further.
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ITEM UPGRADE!
Your [Ornate Key] has been fully...
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“These fucking popups are going to be the death of me! I don’t need to know every time I kill a monster!” Said Jay, not realizing the last notification was not for his kills.
Stop being an idiot! Those are important…
“Shut the hell up! I told you we would talk about it when I was done!”
Living up to your semi-competent designation, aren't you?
Only one slime remained, which was good as the branch he was using as a club was starting to crack from repeated impacts with the ground. The last slime started to move forward and absorb the previous remains. When it had finally finished with the absorption, the slime started to bubble and expand. It grew to an impressive size, larger than Jay himself, filling the path completely.
Oh, my, God Nancy, look at her butt.
“Oh boy, I’m in trouble…” Jay said, backing away in fear and actually reading the pop that appeared when the slime grew.
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Boss Monster:
[Hulking Primordial Ooze], Level 3
Racial Trait: Absorbs matter to grow.
----------------------------------------
“Yep, that's a problem.” Jay sighed turning around to bolt down the path, hoping for a clearing. Jay realized there was no possible way he could defeat this creature confined as he was in this narrow path. It was just too big for him to dodge the way he did for the smaller slimes. The crack in his club didn't bode well for his chances either.
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
The bubbling in the slime ceased and it moved towards Jay at a much faster pace than the smaller versions. Surprising Jay, even more, was when he heard a plop on a nearby tree next to his head.
“Holy shit! This thing is spitting at me!”
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Boss Monster:
[Hulking Primordial Ooze], Level 3
Racial Trait: Absorbs matter to grow.
** Boss Ability: Caustic Spit **
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Serpentine, SERPENTINE!
Jay’s speed still outstripped the hulking slime, allowing him to open up the distance between them. Jay saw sunlight breaking through the canopy ahead of him, counting his blessings that there was a clearing ahead where he could make his stand. Unfortunately, his luck had run out. Breaking through the treeline into the clearing Jay thought he was home free, but a chance shot from the slime caught him in the ankle. The caustic slime ball catching his ankle caused him to stumble. Down he went face planting into the ground.
Groaning, Jay quickly flipped over and grabbed fallen leaves and mud from the ground, trying to wipe off as much of the burning goop as he could. He had to hurry, the slime was not that far behind him. Slowly getting to his feet and cautiously testing his weight on his injured foot. While the injury was painful, it didn't affect his movement too badly. Backing up further into the clearing to give himself more room, Jay faced the slime bearing down on him.
The slime continued to shoot spitballs at him, resulting in Jay jumping around as if doing some strange dance.
Everybody cut footloose.
Jay closed the distance to the slime, planted his feet, and swung at the slime with every ounce of force he possessed. His club hit the membrane of the slime and snapped in half.
“Uh oh…this is bad. Did that even hurt it?”
Think you just made it angrier.
The slime started to shake and wiggle, before Jay knew it, a tentacle like appendage shot out of its membrane and tried to stab him.
“What!” Jay screamed, stepping backwards and falling over onto his back. The ground beneath him was not as soft as he was expecting, his fall actually made a thunking noise as if he had fallen on a wooden floor. The unexpected sound did not match the dirt and grass that it looked like he had fallen upon. The key he had been storing in his waistband had slipped out and bounced off into the grass beside him. Staring up at the slime perched over him, Jay thought he was about to die.
The slime started to shake and wiggle again, preparing the finishing blow. Jay frantically tried to roll out of the way but was not fast enough. The tentacle had skewered his arm. Screaming bloody murder, Jay continued his roll, ripping the tentacle from his arm in doing soon.
With no other weapons at hand, Jay grabbed the key he had rolled over. Blood oozed from his arm, leaving a trail marking his path. In a last-ditch attempt to do some damage to the slime before it killed him, he threw the key as hard as he could. As if by some miracle, the key flew straight and the sharpened tip pierced the slime’s membrane and continued out the other side. While the entrance wound was as small as a keyhole, the exit was many times larger.
Now that’s what I’m talking about! Nice throw Nan… I mean Slugger.
The acidic interior of the slime oozed from both holes causing it to deflate.
----------------------------------------
You have defeated [Hulking Primordial Ooze], Level 3
Due to the lack of Mana Cores, residual Mana is automatically absorbed by [Ornate Key].
Would you like to loot the [Hulking Primordial Ooze], Level 3
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“Just do it already...”
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You have looted [Hulking Primordial Ooze], Level 3
* 4 Mana Fragments received.
* Mana Core of Absorption received.
----------------------------------------
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Quest Alert!
Quest Complete: [System Initialization Part III]
Congratulations, you have been fully integrated into the System. You now have full access to all the System has to offer including but not limited to: Settings, Quest Log, Bestiary, Social Panel, and the World Map.
* Objective: Kill all the monsters 10/10.
* Bonus Objective: Make the Boss appear and defeat it 1/1.
* Reward: Full System integration.
* Bonus Reward: T-shirt.
* Bonus Reward: Title: I survived the Apocalypse and all I got was this lousy T-shirt.
----------------------------------------
With a flash of light and the popping noise Jay has begun to associate with spawning, the rewards and loot appeared before him.
----------------------------------------
ITEM:
[Mana Core of Absorption]
(Uncommon)
Absorb the Mana Core to unlock the powers of Absorption.
* Use: Takes up one Mana Core slot or can be used in a variety of crafts.
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
ITEM:
[I Survived T-Shirt]
(Common)
A basic t-shirt.
* Use: Obvious.
----------------------------------------
“Okay, now where is the title listed and what does it do? Character Screen.”
----------------------------------------
CHARACTER SHEET
* Name: Jay
* Race: ???
* Level: 0
* Active Titles: I survived… (1/4)
Attributes
* [Body] (Core Locked): 0
* [Mind] (Core Locked): 0
* [Spirit] (Core Locked): 0
Unlocked Titles: I survived...
Racial Traits (???)
* ??? (Locked)
* ??? (Locked)
* ??? (Locked)
* ??? (Locked)
Mana Cores (0/4)
No Core [No Attribute] (0/4)
No Core [No Attribute] (0/4)
No Core [No Attribute] (0/4)
No Core [No Attribute] (0/4)
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
TITLE:
[I survived the Apocalypse and all I got was this lousy t-shirt]
Active Use: Replaces the t-shirt when torn or tattered.
----------------------------------------
“I don’t know what I was expecting with a title like that, but it really is spot on.” Jay sighed, putting on the t-shirt. Upon pulling the shirt down to his waist, Jay’s hand brushed against something hard in his waistband. Looking down saw that it was the key that he had thrown away.
“Holy shit!” Jay yelled, taking a step backwards. His foot that he was expecting to impact with solid ground suddenly pierced through the acid weakened boards he had landed on earlier. Windmilling his arms, the last thing he saw before he plunged through the widened hole was the System Window for his key that he ignored earlier.
----------------------------------------
ITEM:
[Ornate Key]
(Soulbound)
3/1000 Charge
A large, ornate key with a sharpened point.
* Use: Unlocks things.
* Use: Will always return to its owner.
I am the Keymaster... Are you the Gatekeeper?
----------------------------------------
Down the rabbit hole we go!