[Minotaur: Level 4.]

[HP: 30/40.]

Somehow, Ace had managed to stun the Minotaur successfully using the same tactic he had been using since the very first time it worked.

Now the Minotaur's HP had dropped to an appreciable figure.

"Is he really a criminal?" I wondered.

Most criminals I had seen were unable to use their heads when faced with any kind of problem. They took great pride in handling things using their fists rather than their brains, and preferred to act without any plan in mind.

But Ace was different. It was clear he aimed to keep stunning the Minotaur until its level reaches a certain figure before he strikes the Minotaur.

Even while the Minotaur was stunned, he didn't rush straight to it to avoid any abrupt counterattack from the Minotaur.

Instead, he chooses to run towards a tree at a new location where the already enraged Minotaur will smash its head on with great force, which will in turn stun the Minotaur once again.

"But why is he depending on such a strategy?" I couldn't help but try to understand his reason for doing this.

He saved me, so the least I could do is to help him out as well, but I can't just jump in without any specific plan in mind.

"That's it." I finally understood part of the reason he was being extra cautious of the Minotaur.

The dagger he held in his hand looked a lot like the ones the kobolds used, and those blades were rusted, meaning they had little durability before it were destroyed.

Since I had noticed this, I could now formulate my next phase of action.

I summoned my status panel.

(Jasmine)

[Status]

[Level: 1]

[HP: 4/10]

[EXP: 320/500]

[Hunger: 90%]

[STR: 1]

[AGI: 1]

[VIT: 1]

[STA: 1]

[DEX: 1]

[PRE: 1]

[CP: 0 points.]

[SP: 0 points]

[Weapons]

[Potions]

[Skills and Recipes]

[Inventory: Bronze sword (1/1). Skill book (3/20). Wolf fang (1/1). Ingot bronze (5/20). Wolf claws (1/1).]

[Number of gold coins: 250 gold coins.]

[Number Of Kills: 0.]

[Bounty: 0 gold coins.]

[Acquired skill: First Aid skill (LVL 1/10). Crafting skill (LVL 1/10). Culinary skill (LVL 1/10).]

Since the survival game started yesterday, I have gained a lot of experience battling against kobolds and wolves.

Stolen novel; please report.

I also purchased several crafting recipes I could use.

All the crafting recipes were cheap and at the same price as well, which was 50 gold coins for a single recipe.

I scrolled through the numerous recipes I had purchased to find the one I needed.

[Ding! Crafting recipe! Bronze Sword recipe: Ingot bronze (x2); Wolf claws (x1); Wolf fang (x1).]

"Oh good! I still have all the required items,"

All three items were removed from my inventory and joined to craft a bronze sword.

The sword materializes and I grabbed it and used it to assist myself in standing up.

The deep claw mark on my thigh had blood drizzling down moderately, and the stinging pain makes it difficult for me to walk freely.

My HP was pretty low already, and I needed to give myself medical care as fast as possible before it gets too late.

Slowly but steadily, I tried to walk towards Ace and hand the bronze sword to him.

Unlike all other weapons that weren't crafted, the bronze sword had a higher durability of 7% which makes it far better than the rusted dagger of the kobolds.

"This should be enough to stop the Minotaur,"

____

(Ace POV).

-1

-1

The Minotaur was stunned once again.

[Minotaur: Level 4.]

[HP: 28/40.]

It keeps having a shorter period of getting stunned. It feels like my plan isn't going to keep working for too long.

Then I'll need to come up with a new plan to take out the Minotaur.

Initially, I planned to make the Minotaur chase after me into the forest before subtly finding my way back here to get the keys while the Minotaur keeps looking for me in the forest.

But I didn't expect the Minotaur to run on all four limbs, which sped it up than I had anticipated, enabling me to choose a different tactic.

Which was to exhaust its stamina and HP.

And now it seems this plan will have to be abandoned very soon.

"I have to come up with a new plan quickly before Jasmine's body disintegrates into pixels," I muttered to myself.

"Ace!"

I unexpectedly turned to my rear at the call of my name.

'What! She wasn't dead?'

'How is Jasmine still alive?'

'Will I have to abandon my current plan?'

Jasmine seemed to be holding a bronze-colored sword. I wonder where she managed to get a sword like that.

"Use this,"

Jasmine tossed me the sword. I bent down to grab the sword but was shocked by the 7% durability of the weapon.

'This is the first weapon I'll be using with such high durability,'

It also happens to inflict a higher amount of damage as well.

I couldn't wait to test it out.

"Ace!! Look out!!" Jasmine yelled, and then it occurred to me that I had momentarily forgotten about the Minotaur whose stunning period had stopped around five seconds ago.

I impulsively turned to my rear to see the Minotaur rampaging its way toward me.

"Oh, sh*t!" The Minotaur was too close for me to react, and it bashed its curved horns straight into me.

*Boom!*

-2

"Argh!!" I screamed in pain and unwittingly dropped my bronze sword in the process.

[Ding!! Broken. (-2) damage has been inflicted on your HP. You have a broken knee. Get a healing potion before it is too late.]

But the Minotaur didn't stop there, it turned back towards me, not minding that Jasmine was also not too far away from it.

This was its first time it had finally hit me, of course, It wasn't going to miss the chance to cause more misery into me.

__________

The total number of players currently in the game: 78,800.

Number of deceased players: 52

The total number of deceased players: 1,200.

___

Author's note: I wonder what Jasmine would do if she finds out Ace never intended to save her in the first place. Thanks, @kelvin_A and @Gabriella for the gifts and massive golden tickets respectively.