The sun hitting Skylar's face roused her from her slumber. She stretched, refreshed, and slid out from her overhang. Her eyes fixed on the path that had intrigued her the night before. I need to get stronger, Skylar thought, her fist tightening. I won't be afraid again. She strode down the path, the cliff walls narrowing as she descended.
At the bottom, she peered into the darkness of a cave carved into the mountainface.
[Unique Instance]
Burrow of the Abyssal Asp
Recommended Level: 25-30, Group of 3
Legends tell of Shadewind, the Abyssal Asp. One of the three Kings of the Forest of the Dead, Shadewind sired thousands. He rules over the Burrow, buried deep within the mountain.
Skylar stilled. "This will probably get me killed," she thought, a feral grin growing on her face as she strode forward. But maybe it won't. And when I get back, those wolves are mincemeat.
As she crossed the cave's threshold, she summoned her short sword and karambit, dual-wielding them for the first time. I want to see what happens when that EXP hits 100, she thought, determined to use her short sword for kills in the cave. She knelt, creeping forward as the tunnel led deeper down. Emerging into the first cavern, she saw varying branches of tunnels surrounding an open space. In the center, curled in on itself, was a snake—but no garden snake. At least 10 feet long, its purple scales shimmered in the dusky cave. As Skylar stood, the snake's eyes snapped open, creasing menacingly as its tongue flitted through the air.
Analyze.
Cobra of the Depths
Level 18
Solo hunters, the Cobras are offspring of the Abyssal Asp. Each utilizes brutalizing poison that can kill in minutes, along with their abnormally strong grasp. Few escape the attention of their deadly gaze.
"Same level as that leader wolf—but it's alone this time. Let's see what we can do." With that, Skylar dashed towards the snake, reversing her grip on the karambit. The Cobra hissed in response, launching itself at her, its jaws impossibly wide, revealing razor-sharp fangs dripping black ichor. Skylar activated Overdrive, pushing to her left just before reaching the Cobra's awaiting jaws. Slashing out with her karambit, she ran the dagger across the snake's side, carving a gash down its length. She spun as the Cobra hissed, turning its head towards her and slowly slithering around, trying to get to her back.
I do decent damage—good, Skylar thought, eyeing the cut she had made, watching blood seep into the sandy floor. Let's finish this. She threw the karambit at the charging Cobra, smiling as it hit a fang with an audible crack. Skylar watched the fang fall, piercing the inside of the Cobra's mouth. It hissed again in surprise and fear, desperately shaking its head in an attempt to dislodge the fang. But it was too late. Its movements slowed until its thrashing finally ended.
Level Up!
Level Up!
Level Up!
You are now Level 13.
Class Arsenal
Level 13
Health 230/230
Mana 0/0
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
Dexterity 53
Strength 35
Speed 31
Mind 38
Trench Knife
Spartan Sword 15/100
Cyclone Knife
Push Knife 5/100
Tactical Kama
Axe Essence
Karambit 5/100
Let's keep moving.
The Cobras of the Depths had never known fear. They had been challenged before, sure—but mainly by other creatures of the Forest. They were more powerful than most, and those that weren't stayed away due to fear of retribution from the Abyssal Asp. But over the next 12 hours, they learned what being afraid truly meant. They heard angered and agonized hisses from their brethren ring out, only to be cut short. They slithered into their holes, eyes wide as a dark-haired incarnation of death swept through the first five floors.
Skylar pushed her hair out of her eyes, dark blood staining her fingers from pulling her short sword out of the latest Cobra's slitted eye. She reviewed her status, pleased with her progress.
Skylar Newsome
Class Arsenal
Level 17
Health 270/270
Mana 0/0
Dexterity 65
Strength 43
Speed 35
Mind 46
Trench Knife
Spartan Sword 45/100
Cyclone Knife
Push Knife 5/100
Tactical Kama
Axe Essence
Karambit 5/100
There weren't that many snakes on each level, but they weren't much of a challenge either way. What's going on with this 'S-Rank' forest? Skylar thought, eyes narrowing as she spotted something out of place. "A door, here?" she remarked, brandishing her short sword as she approached. She analyzed it, breathing a sigh of relief at the response.
Halfway Point (Safe Room)
The halfway point safe room is a 6 hour reprieve from the dangers of the Instance. Once time is up, it will disappear. Use it wisely.
Skylar pushed the door open, revealing a spartan room with a bed, a basin of water on a table, and a small desk. As she closed the door behind her, a thump on the desk drew her attention. A book had appeared—one that wasn't there before. She strode over, picking it up and reading the cover.
Journal of the Otherworlder
"Were you like me?" Skylar asked, pulling out the chair to read. "I can spare an hour to read what you have to say." She opened the book to the first page, settling in.
If you're anything like me, you're probably screwed. So I'll tell you what I know about this world before you go.
The Same Day, in The Demon Kingdom
In a palace not dissimilar to the one Skylar had been tossed from, a young man rubbed his green eyes and pushed his golden hair from his face. The war was going... poorly, to put it mildly, as all his generals and strategists had been telling him. They needed something to change the chessboard—a new knight. "Or maybe a king," he murmured, once again reviewing how he had gotten to this point. Was he up for the task? Or was the self-doubt and judgment what made him worthy, as his love told him every night before bed? He wasn't sure. But he knew he had to push forward, for the sake of all the people in the city below.
At that moment, his office door blew open, and his Chief Advisor ran in, tripping over her papers. "Maxine? What's going on? What's the hurry?" the king remarked, moving to help her up.
"Artie! It's happened!" Maxine exclaimed, pushing her red hair from her face, revealing her half-demon features.
"You know it's Arthur in the castle, Max," the King said, unable to keep a smirk off his face at the antics of his longtime friend.
"Whatever! Who cares? It's happened! Noxis has summoned another Hero!"
"That sounds like a problem, Max—he'll just take their power, and we won't be able to overcome that," Arthur said, leaning back against his desk. "We'll have to recall the forward strike—"
"Just listen, Artie! Our spy told us there was no power transfer! The summons had no magic!"
"What?" Arthur exclaimed, a smile lighting his lips for what felt like the first time in months. "He did what he usually does with the summons after?" he asked, and Maxine nodded vigorously.
Arthur stood, walking around his desk and grabbing his blade. "Let's go see if we can find that Hero."