As we entered the next cave, I instinctively turned right while Etu went left. Neytiri, our healer, hung back, wary of how formidable this new monster seemed.
Suddenly, the Armored Lizard charged at us. Despite its size, it moved with surprising speed. Etu barely had time to prepare for the attack, while I managed to dodge just in time.
Etu stood his ground, using his makeshift shield to block the charging monster. The impact was so powerful that it shattered the shield, but Etu was quick to recover. He grabbed the horn on the monster’s head, using his newfound strength to bring the monster’s charge to a stop.
Meanwhile, I charged the monster from its side. I tackled the beast on its side causing it to slide and tumble away from Etu. But even with all my strength, Strike skill, and Augment skill active, I could only crack its thick armored scales.
On the other hand, Etu used his fire magic to blind the monster, allowing Neytiri to strike. She darted in and stabbed the monster’s eye, then retreated before it could retaliate. Etu followed up with a barrage of fire arrows, one of which found its way into the monster’s eye, burning it from the inside. Enraged, the monster shook Etu off and thrashed around, flames spewing from its damaged eye.
My heart pounded in my chest as I witnessed the Lizard’s rampage. It moved with the force and aggression of a raging bull, slamming its head into anything in its path and wildly thrashing its tail, its sharp tip threatening to shred anything within its reach. In a swift and calculated move, Etu rushed in from behind and caught the tail mid-swing, his muscles straining as he held the beast in place.
Despite taking a hard hit and sustaining injuries from the sharp scales, he managed to keep the monster subdued. Without hesitation, Neytiri activated her Healing skill, it wouldn’t do much for any bruised ribs but it at least healed the cuts Etu had suffered from the maneuver.
Taking advantage of the distraction, I sprinted towards the Lizard, my heart pounding with adrenaline. With Etu holding it down, I seized the opportunity and plunged my hand into the already damaged eye socket, aiming for the brain.
With all my strength, I squeezed and pulled on anything solid but was unable to reach the brain. Meanwhile, Etu continued to strain against the monster’s wild bucking. I retreated as the monster tried to bite me, jumped on its back, and began delivering hard kicks to the head. The creature went into a death sping like a crocodile would causing both Etu and I to retreat.
Not only did this monster have a better defense than the last it also had much more vitality. It was badly injured from the damage we had caused but not at death’s door just yet. Its eye was still smoldering and it seemed dazed, but my kicks had failed to cause any damage to any of the scales.
Etu no longer had his shield causing us to change our strategy. He moved back toward Neytiri and continued throwing volleys of fire magic at it. I on the other hand ran circles striking the joints on its legs making sure it kept its attention on me. I maneuvered it against a wall then Etu struck.
He tackled it into the wall dazing it once again and holding it in place. Meanwhile, Neytiri stabbed the other eye and I gripped its horn and slammed the head onto the ground several times. The underbelly was not as strong as the top scales causing the bottom jaw to be ruined from the impacts.
After several hits, it was too dazed to put up much of a fight. I lifted the head high and Neytiri drove both her knives into the throat finishing it.
“That was intense,” panted Etu, his voice filled with exhaustion and exhilaration.
I nodded in agreement, my breaths coming out in short gasps. “These things are even tougher than we thought.”
Neytiri’s question brought us back to the moment. “Do you think there will be more? This seems like another significant increase in rank.”
I shrugged, “Not sure, but we should drag the body back with us and see if we can use its parts to our advantage.”
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
We managed to drag the Lizard’s body to the tunnel. Taking a moment to rest and catch our breath. We then carefully removed the sharp tip from its tail. Meanwhile, we cut out strips of the soft underbelly and left them to dry.
The tail tip was a formidable weapon, almost a foot long and resembling a dagger. Its sharp edges and sturdy bone structure made it perfect for combat. We dubbed it the “Tail Dagger,” and Neytiri was quick to claim it as her own.
Using the jagged rocks around us, we sawed off a large section of the Lizard’s skull, tough scales and all, and cleaned out the unwanted parts. Then, with the dried strips of skin, we created straps for that making it a shield, and wrapped the handle of the dagger. Etu proudly sported his new “Skull Shield,” while Neytiri wielded her deadly “Tail Dagger.”
As we stood there, admiring our new weapons, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment. We had faced a formidable enemy and emerged victorious, stronger, and more equipped for whatever challenges lay ahead.
Etu bounced on his feet, brimming with excitement. “I can’t wait to use this new shield,” he exclaimed, a grin spreading across his face. “With this horn, those monsters will be a piece of cake!”
Neytiri nodded, her eyes gleaming with determination. “Same,” she added, brandishing her new dagger in the air. “We’ll have to get another one from the next wave, so I can dual wield.”
“Let me know how the horn works out for you,” I chimed in, a hint of interest in my voice. “I might have a use for some if I can get my hands on them.” I turned to the Lizard carcass and furrowed my brow. “Do you think we should try eating some of this monster meat? It’s been a whole day and night since we arrived and have no clue how much longer we will be here. Etu,” I turned to him, “Think you could use your fire to cook it somehow?”
Etu’s stomach grumbled at the mention of food. “Yeah, we should definitely give it a shot,” he agreed, rubbing his hands together.
Neytiri’s eyes scanned the surroundings, taking in every detail. “Plus, the water in the main cave is likely cleared by now,” she pointed out, a note of excitement in her voice. “We should finally have a clean water source.” She looked at me and Etu, a determined glint in her eyes. “I say we try it.”
***
As we settled back into the main cave, Etu began practicing his fire skills. He carefully controlled the fireballs he cast keeping them in place as long as possible. It took him several hours of practice to finally hold them in place long enough to cook the meat. Neytiri and I also practiced our skills and rested while we waited.
After burning some bones clean, we gathered around, using them to hold the meat. The smell of roasting meat filled the air, enticing our growling stomachs. The crackling of the flames and the sizzling of the meat were the only sounds in the cave.
We feasted on the lizard meat, our hunger finally satiated. Luckily, the water was also clear enough that drinking it shouldn’t cause any issues. Exhausted from our battles, we rested, knowing that we would need our strength for the next battle to come.
***
We cautiously approached the Armored Lizard cave, our hearts pounding with excitement and fear. Before venturing inside, we decided to explore the other two caves once more. The Killer Hutia cave was quiet, and the once-dark depths now seemed to have disappeared. The previously blocked entrance to the third cave was now open, beckoning us to enter.
With trembling hands, we stepped up to the cave entrance but didn’t cross the threshold, our eyes scanning the dimly lit tunnel. Neytiri and Etu, both skilled gamers, warned that most games have a boss room that becomes unescapable once entered, leaving players with no choice but to fight or die. So once it was clear it wasn’t an exit we were careful to scope the cave from outside the entrance.
An eight-foot-tall monster emerged from the shadows, its massive frame filling the cave. It was a vicious-looking creature, resembling a reptilian humanoid adorned with a Hutia fur loin-cloth and a Lizard leather belt. Its sharp claws and teeth glistened in the faint light, and it needed no weapons to strike fear into our hearts. The name above its head sent shivers down our spines - Lizardman - Komodo Variant.
We quickly retreated to the main tunnel, our hearts racing with terror. “That thing is terrifying!” I exclaimed, pacing back and forth in a futile attempt to calm my nerves.
“I nearly pissed myself!” agreed Etu, his voice shaking with fear.
“We’ll need to become stronger before facing that monster. Otherwise, we may not stand a chance,” Neytiri whispered, her words barely audible.
“Let’s go back to the Armored Lizard cave,” I suggested, my voice filled with determination. “Perhaps we’ll encounter a few more waves and have a chance to gear up more before facing that beast.”
As we returned to the cave, two Armored Lizards awaited our arrival. I sighed and shook my head, knowing that the new weapons would be put to the ultimate test. “Let’s hope these work out great against these bastards,” I said, my voice filled with doubt. “Otherwise, we may not even get a chance to challenge the boss.”
Etu and Neytiri grunted in agreement, their faces tense with determination. With a deep breath, we prepared to face the dangers that awaited us in the Armored Lizard cave.
***
The second fight with the Armored Lizards began just like the last one. The two of them charged towards us with ferocious speed.
Etu stood ready to face their attack. As the first Lizard lunged towards him, he effortlessly raised his new shield, blocking its deadly jaws from reaching him but sliding back from the force. With a swift movement, he lifted the Lizard using his shield and drove his sharp shield horn into its vulnerable throat, piercing up to its brain. The limp creature fell to the ground.
Meanwhile, I evaded the other charging lizard by jumping to the side. I caught its horn as it sped past me to use for leverage. I swung in kneeing it on the bottom jaw using its own momentum to power the strike. The Lizard was dazed as it fell over on its side. Neytiri charged toward the dazed monster and plunged her new dagger deep into its soft neck. The sturdy blade sliced through flesh and bone, reaching the brain in an instant.
We all grinned widely, relieved that this fight was easier than the last.
Neytiri smiled, her satisfaction evident as she cleaned her bloody dagger with a piece of cloth. “These weapons are incredible,” she exclaimed.
“Damn right, they are,” I chimed in, admiring their weapons. “Quick, Etu, you take one and we’ll drag the other. We need to move before the next wave arrives.”