*crunch* *crunch*
Snare traps work in part because they are under pressure, and when something steps on a trigger it releases that pressure, wrapping around the target and lifting it off the ground. As an example: tying a rope to a sapling, where the sapling will straighten up when the trap is sprung. The stronger the resistance, the faster the target is lifted off the ground. In order to replicate this, each of my roots are already taut and ready to catch prey, all they need is for something to step inside to activate.
'What?' I question as I wake, a full 360 view around my form showing nothing special in sight, save for one root looping over my "head".
Recognition of what occurred slips through the fugue and by the time I realize I've caught something it's already been slammed into my waiting mouth- the perfect arch from where it was to where it went landed it right inside a tube filled with razor sharp teeth.
*crunch* *crunch*
If I had eyelids they would go wide as I realize I'm chewing on something and search my surroundings again, fear setting in that it might be something humanoid – the panic causing me to swallow it.
'Oh god.'
'Oh- no, no, wait, it was small. It had to be small or I couldn't have eaten it. Not that actually means it isn't intelligent…'
Apprehensively I let the notifications open, reading through with a little relief.
Your attack against a [Common Rabbit] was a success!
Target [Common Rabbit] has been restrained!
Piercing damage has decreased its health by two points! [08/10]
Mana Flesh has empowered your attack and inflicted additional damage of [Two] points [06/10]
[Advantageous Attack] has increased the effectiveness of your attack and dealt an additional [Two] Damage! [04/10]
BloodSucker has drained an additional [One] point of health! [03/10]
Piercing damage has decreased its health by two points! [01/10]
Notice: [Common Rabbit] is affected by the condition [Shock] and is unresponsive.
Piercing damage has inflicted excessive damage of two points, decreasing its health to zero. [00/10]
Congratulations-You have defeated an opponent!
You have gained [Zero] Victory Points!
'It was just a rabbit.' I think with a sigh of relief and take a moment to calm down.
'... I can't believe a rabbit is stronger than I was when I got here. it's kind of disturbing how many things are stronger than I was.
'Mimics are classic dungeon monsters, always dangerous and feared in stories– yet here I am, starting with a measly four points of health. Not that I'm any safer now: two rabbits beat me on health. Or maybe three with Infused Offense and damage reduction?'
'No- it's not the least bit embarrassing to think "I'm only as strong as three bunny rabbits."'
With a mental sigh I check my surroundings and return to the Fire Urchin form before walking further into the woods. The valley has gotten wider the farther in I go and I decide to head towards the cliff like wall: if I'm going to bait a trap I need some way to ensure nothing too large is drawn in, and the fairly open spaces I've been in won't do.
As my attention flows over the surroundings my mind begins to wonder when I recall why I took a break and check my health, slightly stumbling when I see it's at [16/18]. 'I was at what, seven when I got the tree, so I've been here four or five days?!'
That Death Aura was no joke; I could feel the life being sucked out of me. I'm glad to mostly be healed, but that's a lot of wasted time doing nothing.
It takes a couple of hours to reach the wall and a few more to find a suitable place: something BIG dug a 30 foot tall hole in the side wall and there are tons of large chunks of rocks piled around it. The hole itself looks to have collapsed in at some point, so no worries of getting attacked by whatever dug it.
I find a couple of relatively solid "caves" amongst the piles of stone and get set up: I put the extremely chewed rabbit in the back of one where larger creatures can't reach and position myself under cover of another; this will keep me out of reach of most large creatures while allowing me to fill the ground with traps.
I forego the snare traps this time due to being undercover and fill the space in front of the bait with backward facing spears: the idea being when pulled the spears will be forced to rise at an angle to penetrate a target, and by keeping the base flexible it should drag the target with it.
'Dang: why didn't I include some poison for that?' I berate myself, relenting to have to remember that in a future revision.
With everything ready I Disgorge a Copper Fish and use a small root to toss it out into the open– and wait.
—
'And wait, and wait.' I mentally complain after hours of –painfully– sitting entirely motionless with nothing in sight.
OK, so not ENTIRELY motionless. After a while I decided to play with Earth magic to dig underground, so it looks like nothing's happening, and that's the important part!
'I bet every person in this world has some of these crystals!' I think as I play around. I've only used magic to fight till now, so it's nice to get a moment to enjoy myself.
The magic is slow and limited, so I've been filling the area just under the surface with hollow spots around my spikes by compacting the dirt down; it's effectively turned each spike into a mini pit trap!
Eventually the novelty wears off and just as I start to zone out movement catches my attention: a rabbit.
'No, a few rabbits?' I realize as seven enter my field of view. The small group moves cautiously, keeping aware of their surroundings. 'What on earth are they doing?'
I can't help but wonder if I might have accidentally set up near their Warren, but as I watch them move around they are ever increasingly getting closer and closer. 'Are they… following the smell of fish?'
It's hard to tell if a rabbit is sniffing the air since their noses are always twitching, but each time one stops it raises its nose and turns its head in a similar fashion. Something else draws my attention in the process, and I realize it's a common feature: each one has a knot under their fur, slightly above and between their eyes centered on their head. 'Wait, they're cone shaped; is it a horn?' Considering they all have it I doubt it's a birth defect.
After a few minutes of cautious movement they reach the fish and I watch in perplexed curiosity as they surround it, blocking my view. After watching the group intently the "Identify" Skill draws my attention, a new window opening in response:
Horned Rabbit: A rabbit with a small horn.
'I kind of want to smack someone in the head.' I think in annoyance before realizing: It is different. Before it was just giving a small description, but now it's got their official name. 'Not that I wouldn't learn that after eating it anyways, but that does confirm it's different from the rabbit I caught earlier.'
The group begins to separate and it takes a moment to realize the fish is gone. 'They are herbivores, aren't they? I'm pretty sure rabbits don't eat meat.'
I've heard of cases where prey species will eat their young, but there's usually extenuating circumstances. As my thoughts return to the crushed rabbit from earlier I begin to wonder if I have created such a circumstance, but refocusing on the rabbits I dismiss the idea as they don't seem concerned while cleaning their fur and resting.
Only because I am watching them intently do I realize the wind changes based on their fur, and with it their attitude as every single one turns and stands at attention, facing the dead rabbit. As one they let out a piercing screech and I get a good look at their front teeth: the usual flat tipped incisors curving to a point in the center, surrounded by short sharp fangs.
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Together the group begins to run forward and unknowingly land upon my traps. In the split second the dirt begins to shift beneath ones feet it's leapt into the air, two feet high and three feet back.
It's fellow rabbits freeze in place, their already peculiar behavior continues as they watch their surroundings and investigate the hole. Thankfully my spike tips are at the bottom and they, without getting in the hole, can't reach them. After some squeaking noises between them they all face the covered carcass and begin sprinting. Each time the ground begins to shift under one it springs back, the rest of its group continuing forward without it.
'They're making a run for it.' I realize after the fourth failed trap. While their jumps may make it impossible to catch in the traps, I decide it could also be a fatal flaw and focus on all my roots currently in front of the rabbits.
As the second from the front leaps back to avoid a pitfall and its push arches it backwards through the air I jerk a spike two feet to its side, the earth pushing the spike at an upwards angle as it's exhumed from the ground.
With a piercing scream the rabbit is impaled through its hip and knocked off course, landing hard on its tailbone. I immediately twist the tip of the root into a hook and draw the root back down its tunnel, dropping my focus on it as another rabbit leaps into the air.
I repeat the process, adjusting my timing better and pierce the second through the side of its gut before focusing on the next a moment later.
With another leap I fire off a nearby root, intent on piercing this one's chest, when I notice too late a different rabbit leaps from behind it, a sharp pain shooting through my body as its teeth dig into the flesh of my root.
I manage to catch one more before the remaining four get past my traps and begin inspecting the dead rabbit.
Your attack against a [Horned Rabbit] was a success!
Target [Horned Rabbit #1] has been pierced!
[Horned Rabbit #1]'s health has decreased by [Seven] points! [08/15]
(2 piercing, +2 Mana Flesh, +2 Advantageous Attack, +1 BloodSucker)
Target [Horned Rabbit #2] has been dealt Critical Damage!
[Horned Rabbit #2]'s health has decreased by [Five] points! [09/14]
( 2 piercing, +2 Mana Flesh, +1 BloodSucker)
Note: [Horned Rabbit #2] will be affected by the condition [Blood Loss] for [One] point per second!
Your attack against [Horned Rabbit #3] failed to hit!
Warning: You have been attacked by [Horned Rabbit #4].
Piercing damage has decreased your health by [Zero] points! [16/18]
(2 piercing, negated by Damage Resistance)
Target [Horned Rabbit #5] has been restrained!
[Horned Rabbit #5]'s health has decreased by [Five] points! [11/16]
( 2 Force, +2 Mana Flesh, +1 BloodSucker)
I watch the group darting their head around and it takes me a minute to realize: they're trying to sniff me out, and after being in my mouth the crushed rabbit is rite full of my scent. Unlike before where the wind had to shift for them to smell the dead rabbit, they're now downwind and I can tell they're looking at the holes my roots came from.
'Should I just pull my roots down and hide? Could they sniff out my body?' I need to see if I can pick up my own scent later: I'd like to think I just smell like a tree right now, but I'm not willing to stake my life on it.
Checking back on the caught rabbits I find the first is in the trap and being crushed by root, the seconds guts were spilled and will likely die from blood loss, and the third managed to get a few bites in before it got pulled into the pit- neck first.
[Horned Rabbit #1]'s health has decreased by [Five] points! [03/15]
( 2 Force, +2 Mana Flesh, +1 BloodSucker)
[Horned Rabbit #2]'s health, affected by [Blood Loss], has decreased by [Six] points over [Six] seconds! [03/14]
Warning: You have been attacked by [Horned Rabbit #5] [Three] times!
Piercing damage has decreased your health by [Zero] points! [16/18]
(Each 2 piercing, each negated by Damage Resistance)
[Horned Rabbit #5]'s health has decreased by [Five] points! [04/16]
( 2 Force, +2 Mana Flesh, +1 BloodSucker)
'I felt the bites, but they didn't hurt that bad. Can they do anything to me? The +2 Damage Resistance is enough to stop their attacks, and that's not even counting Mana Flesh.'
As I debate my next action time ticks on, bringing the end of Horned Rabbits #1, #2, and #5. The remaining four continue checking out the pits, dropping in some as I withdraw the root. 'For something that seemed bloodthirsty when they smelled the dead rabbit, they seem awfully calm now.'
'But they are tenacious, I'll give'em that.' I think as I watch the wind gently blow against their fur. Their leaps and teamwork are keeping them out of danger, but as my available pit traps decrease so too does their distance from my body.
'Running away isn't an option: I may be able to move on the roots, but like a squid on land I won't be able to go fast. I've got enough roots to attack en masse, but I'll have to coordinate them better to attack all at once. Honestly though, I'm just curious what they think they can do. I mean, shouldn't they have realized they can't hurt me? So what's the point? I'm no animal expert, but even if they're predators they –'
'... Ooh I fucked up.'
Dread begins to sink in: I don't know what they can do, or think they can do, but it's absolutely stupid to underestimate someone, and that's exactly what I did.
With a group of PREDATORS.
The ground begins to rupture as I unearth all my roots but I'm already too late- the rabbits sense my activity launch themselves forward, their speed increasing as quick as their hops were, but this time their movement is constant and direct.
'Shit, they do know where I am!' I twist my roots and attempt to grab them, only succeeding in knocking one off course. The remaining three get close and leap into the air, slamming their feet hard into my body from different sides.
Warning: You have been attacked by [Horned Rabbits #3,#4,#6]!
Force damage has decreased your health by [Zero] points! [16/18]
(3 Force, two negated by Damage Resistance, one negated by Mana Flesh)
Force damage has decreased your health by [One] point! [15/18]
(3 Force, two negated by Damage Resistance)
Force damage has decreased your health by [One] point! [14/18]
(3 Force, two negated by Damage Resistance)
The one knocked aside rolls with the hit, quickly recovering and leaping at my form as its brethren falls back from their kicks. As I reach to grab it with roots it sinks its teeth into my flesh, it's sharp incisors piercing an eye as its teeth wedge around a section of bark and pulls back, ripping the bark like skin of flesh from my body.
Your attack against a [Horned Rabbit #7] was a success!
[Horned Rabbit #7]'s health has decreased by [Five] points! [10/15]
( 2 Force, +2 Mana Flesh, +1 BloodSucker)
Warning: You have been attacked by [Horned Rabbit #7]!
Its Piercing Attack was a Critical Success, bypassing your Damage Resistance and decreasing your health by [One] point! [13/18]
(3 piercing, two negated by Mana Flesh)
Force damage has bypassed your Damage Resistance and decreased your health by [Three] points! [10/18]
WARNING: A section of your Stonebark Flesh has been severed, negating your Damage Resistance in the area!
Your attack against a [Horned Rabbit #7] was a success!
[Horned Rabbit #7]'s health has decreased by [Five] points! [05/15]
( 2 Force, +2 Mana Flesh, +1 BloodSucker)
As I crush #7 the remaining three practically dance around my attacks, snapping at the roots attacking their brethren and using the one being crushed as extra defense while attempting to free it.
After a minute of frustration I only succeed in bashing two of them once each and as I whip several roots toward the third, one of the others catch my attention as it dashes forward, slamming its forehead into the barkless spot.
Some of your attacks were a success!
[Horned Rabbit #4]'s health has decreased by [Five] points! [10/15]
( 2 Force, +2 Mana Flesh, +1 BloodSucker)
[Horned Rabbit #3]'s health has decreased by [Five] points! [11/16]
( 2 Force, +2 Mana Flesh, +1 BloodSucker)
–
Warning: You have been attacked by [Horned Rabbit #6]!
Its Attack was a Critical Success, bypassing your Damage Resistance due to targeted area and decreasing your health by [One] point! [09/18]
(3 piercing, two negated by Mana Flesh)
–
Your continued attack against a [Horned Rabbit #7] was a success!
[Horned Rabbit #7]'s health has decreased by [Five] points, bringing its health to zero! [00/15]
( 2 Force, +2 Mana Flesh, +1 BloodSucker)
Releasing the dead rabbit I focus on one of the remaining three, their intent to delay until their dash ability is available now as clear as my foolishness in trying to fight them all at once.
I flail a few roots around two, no real intent behind the act but to distract them as I focus on the one who just attacked me, twisting my roots in an arch towards it from all directions, it's leap doing little to protect it as three roots wrap around its body and pull.
Once I properly have one trapped I repeat the attack, the remaining two soon caught by many roots. Over the next minute all three are crushed and once the notifications confirm their death– the world is filled with the sounds of celebration.