After the level-up, something felt off. The vague feeling of how much EXP I needed for the next level was off. It was as if it wasn't going towards a level-up but something else. I would just have to wait and hope it was my chance to evolve.
I shook my head gently and pushed the thoughts of power away. I pulled out my weasel meat and chowed down, not caring to spend the time to cook it. I then went about searching the room for more loot, humming softly to myself a nameless tune. I almost jumped for joy when I found the chest tucked away in a corner of the room.
My tail flicked as I threw back the lid and looked inside. Five more copper coins, an odd gem, and a piece of paper. I reached up and gently rubbed my chin before hopping into the chest and, picking up the paper, and looking it over.
It was a crude map of the labyrinth. While it was helpful here, it wasn't much use outside. It took a few minutes for me to find where I was on the map, then a few more for me to find a path to the exit. There were a few paths I could take, but only two that didn't have me fight Oberon, who I was guessing was at the center of the labyrinth. One would be a long winding path that avoided other rooms. The other and more exciting path would have me go through two more rooms. With any luck, the other hounds or the riders would be in those two rooms.
I went to put the map into my inventory along with the coins. I then picked up the gem and turned it around in my hand. It was a deep black like obsidian and had been shaped and polished into a marble about an inch in diameter.
Analyze
The Essence of Night.
Used in the crafting of weapons and armor.
I gently tried to bite into the gem, only for my teeth to bounce off without even scratching it. Huffing at the damned object, I tossed it into my inventory, only for it to refuse. Irritated, I took a look to see what was wrong with my inventory.
Inventory:
Flame touched feathers 20
Weasel pelt 1
Health potion [Low-grade] 1 Heals 50 points per vial.
Boar hide
Boar meat 50 lbs
Salt
Giant Horned Rabbit pelt 2
Rabbit meat 140lbs
Goblin's Greatsword 1
Map 1
Currency; Cc [copper coins]: 23
Well, that would explain it. It turned out my coins had their own spot in my Inventory, but with the map, I had hit my limit of ten items. Looking down at my snakeskin sash, I had an idea. I pulled the map out along with a Giant Horned Rabbit pelt.
I used my claws to cut three strips long enough to wrap around my body from the pelt. Next, I folded the rest of the pelt over, forming a bag with a flap to act as a lid. I punched holes down both sides of the bag where the pelt overlapped. I used most of one strip to sew the bags' sides together, having just enough left to loop through a slit I put in the flap and the front of the bag. A knot at the ends of the strip to stop it from easily slipping out.
To secure it to my back, I cut four slits in the back, slipping the last two strips through them. I then tied the ends of the straps to their ends, making loops for me to slide both my fore and hind limbs into. I put the map into my makeshift fur-lined backpack and put the gem into my inventory before, I put on my backpack and moved around. It didn't seem to slow me down much, and with the bright white fur on the inside of the bag, it shouldn't ruin my stealth.
A notification blinked calmly. I used Analyze on my backpack and then opened my notification.
Crude Leather backpack. A backpack made by a novice leather worker with little to no tools or knowledge of the craft. Despite this or because of the quality of the raw material, it was a success.
Congratulations, you have learned the Skill: Basic Leather Crafting. EXP has been awarded for learning a skill without a trainer.
With that done, I turned my attention to the only thing that grabbed my attention: the sword. I pulled it out and looked it over. The sword was thirty inches long in total. The blade was narrower at the hilt. It widened as it curved towards the tip. The sword was heavier than it should be as the blade didn't have a noticeable distal taper. It was a heavy blade meant for hacking and slashing. I gripped the handle, surprised that it fit comfortably.
I gave the blade a few swings, my smile quickly turning to a frown as it was clear that my body was too light. Each swing of the blade dragged me along with it. I should have guessed as much. The blade weighed as much as I did. It would be difficult to get used to, but hopefully, I'd figure it out soon enough.
I stuffed the blade back into my inventory to use later. With nothing left to do in the room, I sat back on my hind legs and delved into my meditation skills. I closed my eyes and let my mind drift away into nothingness.
Blue, red, and green motes drifted in the empty space. I watched as the motes drifted down and joined their corresponding pools. Time ticked away as my body and mind claimed my thoughts, becoming less scattered as all but the red pool was filled.
I let my meditation lapse once my Mana and Stamina were full. I spent the time waiting for my health to tick back up to full practicing with my new sword, finding out what worked best for me. Once I was back in fighting condition, I headed off down the hallway, following the path I mapped out. Each time I came to an intersection, I pulled my map out, double-checking I was heading the right way.
It took me a little over ten minutes before I was at the entrance to the first room I picked out. Peaking into it, I could see the normal setup of trees and bushes scattered throughout. Two riders were in the middle of the room. A goblin would occasionally go take his mount around the room, disappearing from my sight before meeting back up at the center of the room with its partner to trade a few words and wild gestures before smacking the other goblin. After this display, the goblin that had stayed behind would huff before going on patrol.
I took my backpack off and then waited until one of the guards was out on patrol. I dashed into the room and hid behind a bush. I scanned the room and found my target. The rider was close, but I still had time. I moved to a tree with a limb that hung over the road and climbed up into its branches, hidden by the leaves.
I waited until the rider passed under me before pulling my greatsword out and jumping down at the goblin. The air gripped and tore at me as I fell blade first. I pulled my arms and legs in, spinning myself around to give my swing a bit of extra help. The curved blade bit deep into the goblin rider at a bad angle, getting deflected off to the left, cleaving the Goblin's left arm off completely before getting further deflected by its armor away from the mount's back and into the horned rabbit's side leaving a painful but rather shallow gash before slamming into the ground. Blood and dirt flew up into the air as the rider and mount howled in pain.
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I winced at the damage I probably just did to the blade. Not having time to worry about it, I brought the blade up at an angle as I used Charge to reposition. The blade cut through the mount's neck as it dragged me forward. I kept the blade moving to let it fall behind me and throw me up into the air. I let go of the handle as the blade fell, using it to throw myself right at the rider's face. My teeth and claws flashed, digging into and ripping out the soft flesh of its throat.
I panted heavily at the end of the short fight. I took a quick peek at my stamina and winced as it was half full. It looked like fighting with a sword heavier than you were was an excellent way to drain stamina quickly. I smacked both corpses, looting them before I grabbed my sword and shoved it into my inventory.
A scream brought my attention to the other rider as they came around a bend and spotted me. It kicked the sides of its mount hard as it lowered its lance, lining up the tip with my head. I pumped my mana into my claws to get better traction before dropping to all fours. I darted forward to put the tree at my back and spun to face the rider.
I held still, waiting for the right moment as my body angled to the right. The rabbit tilted its head down, pointing its horn at my chest as it seemed to glow slightly. My Danger Sense screamed at the sight of the glow. Not wanting to see what happened next, I used Charge to throw myself out of harm's way. I quickly spun around to find the rabbit's horn and the Goblin's lance stuck in the tree.
Wanting to save Stamina, I rushed forward before pulling my inventory open, skipping to the last box, and I pulled out my greatsword. I brought the blade down onto the trapped rabbit's neck using my full strength. The blade cut into then threw the mount's neck, causing its body to collapse, falling away from me and pinning its rider's leg under its bulk. I lifted my blade onto my shoulder before walking around the rabbit's body and looking down at the goblin.
I looked down at the hateful thing as it cursed and spat insults at me before I brought my blade down, smashing the sword it threw up to guard down into its chest. I heard what sounded like twigs snapping in half. The goblin, still barely alive thanks to its armor, scrambled and clawed at the ground, trying to get free as I brought my blade up, took a step back, and brought it down again, this time right on its head. Blood splattered my face, and I fought to keep my food down at the sight.
Hands shaking, I looted the rider and his mount before collapsing against the tree I used as a trap. I sat there shaking as I came down from the adrenaline high. A blue dot flashed at the corner of my vision, dragging me out of my thoughts. It's time for my gains and then the loot.
Congratulations, Ranger has Leveled up. +1 to Agility.
Congratulations, you have learned the Skill Basic Greatsword. EXP has been awarded for learning a skill without a trainer.
Congratulations, you have defeated a level 3 Giant Leporem Corniger. Increased EXP has been awarded for defeating a higher-tiered opponent.
Congratulations, you have defeated a level 1 Goblin Rider. Increased EXP has been awarded for defeating a higher-tiered opponent.
Congratulations, you have defeated a level 3 Giant Leporem Corniger. Increased EXP has been awarded for defeating a higher-tiered opponent.
Congratulations, you have defeated a level 2 Goblin Rider. Increased EXP has been awarded for defeating a higher-tiered opponent.
Goal updated: Defeated 4 of 5 Riders.
The only additions to my inventory were two more pelts and seven more copper coins. I leaned back against the tree, recovering my stamina. Once I caught my breath, I got back up on my feet and headed back to the entrance.
I put back on my pack, wiggling slightly to get it to rest right. I headed back into the room, searching through it for anything of interest. I found a small pond I drank out of before cleaning myself off.
I had one last room to go before I could get back to the real world. I was happy with how I was doing, but every time I thought about fighting Oberon, all I could think about was how he would definitely have magic and how I was definitely not equipped to fight a mage.
I would have liked to stay and complete more of the objectives, but I had a nagging feeling that the Huntsmen would at least have bows, and the hounds would probably be scattered throughout each of the rooms with them.
'Well, that's how I would have done it.'
I took the map out and looked it over once more. With any luck, the last rider would be in the next room. I stuffed the map back into my backpack before heading through the exit on the east wall.
I carefully made my way through the hall, ears on a swivel. For some reason, my Danger Sense was at a constantly low buzz in my mind. Taking a cue from horror movies, I darted a glance up at the ceiling. The tree branches were shadowed. All I could see were the bottom branches. Next, I turned around, checking the hallway behind me. Empty.
I had to trust that my new ability would warn me before I got attacked by whatever was setting up an ambush for me. I moved a bit faster down the hallway, the low buzz in my head getting stronger as I was coming up to a T intersection.
I slipped my backpack off and set it against the wall before inching forward. I hugged the wall that split off, pressing my tail against it. I leaned over and peeked around the corner. A set of eight black soulless eyes stared back at me.
I jumped back from the hall as a leg shot out towards me and slammed into the wall, breaking through it. Flames built in my mouth as I scurried back. The spider rushed forward, going up the wall before heading right at me. I dodged back as one leg, and then another came shooting out at me.
Fire roared forward, washing over the spider and its webs before it pushed off the wall, leaping over my head and landing behind me. I jumped forward and spun around as I reached into my inventory and pulled out my greatsword, using it to bat away any strikes that came towards me as I turned to face the spider.
Before I could move forward, the spider lashed out with one of its two front legs. I followed a gentle tugging on my body and knocked a front leg to the side, leaving a shallow slice in it before using Charge. It was a bit awkward using the skill on two feet, but I managed not to fall flat on my face while closing the distance. I swung the heavy blade down as the spider moved back and to its left. The blade came down on its front right leg, which was still extended to strike me. The leg thumped to the ground. Ichor followed the limb.
The spider hissed in pain as it swung its remaining front leg into my side as I was still recovering from the swing. I slammed into the wall, bouncing off of it, and stumbled to regain my bearings. I still had my sword tightly gripped in one of my hands.
I rushed back in, keeping the blade low before planting my right hind leg down firmly. I followed the strange pull of my basic greatsword skill and twisted my hips and shoulders with the momentum from my short dash, swinging the greatsword from my left hip up and across my chest to my right shoulder.
The blade hacked into and smashed through the leg the spider raised to defend. I used the pull of the swing to bring my back leg forward, planting it down hard. I twisted my wrist as I controlled the blade, bringing it down to my right side. I twisted my hips and shoulders as the hilt was at my right hip, swinging the blade in a mirror of my last cut. My blade caught the spider as it backed away, taking off its left fang and one of its eyes that survived being burned.
I felt my basic greatsword skill was still guiding me. It was a gentle tugging on my mind, warning me not to let the blade stop moving. I took two quick steps forward, bringing my sword up above my head before bringing it down in a powerful chop as I stomped down with my last step. The blade smashed through the spider's charbroiled head as the spider got in one last hit, slamming its body into me, pinning me under its dying bulk.
I wrestled with the spider's weight, wincing as it felt like something was grinding together. I eventually was able to send my sword, that had ended up trapped between myself and the dead spider, back to my inventory. I looted the spider, the motes of light pulled together before solidifying into a bundle of silk thread. I picked it up, carried it back to my backpack, and tossed it inside before I looked at my notifications.
Congratulations, Charge has leveled up. +1 to Strength.
Congratulations, you have defeated a level 3 Gigas Venator Aranea. EXP has been awarded.
Goal updated: Huntsmen defeated 1 of 5
Health: 60/100 Stamina: 38/100 Mana: 150/170