[Fossorial Ekimmu | Lvl 7 | Field Boss]
[A distant relative of Wyrms, the Fossorial Ekimmu is a rare monster known for its remarkable camouflaging abilities. It spends most of the year hibernating underground, emerging just before winter to feed.
The Fossorial Ekimmu possesses leech-like jaws and a mouth appendage capable of penetrating skulls to consume brains, which it considers a delicacy. It also extracts fluid from the spinal column and joints, providing the essential nutrients it needs to survive the winter.]
With a scathing expression, Daisuke dismissed the Adventurers’ Monster Guide Handbook that was now updated with the description of the Field Boss.
No wonder it’s never been killed in the twelve years that the game’s been online; it spends most of its time underground.
Popping an Etherberry into his mouth, he proceeded to inspect one particular drop he had received.
[Crystalized Poison Sac]
[Upon being slain, the Fossorial Ekimmu’s poison sac hardens into a crystal deposit that attracts mana like a magnet. The absorbed mana is then infused with the crystal’s poisonous essence, becoming toxic. Simply being in close proximity to this crystal can result in poisoning.
Can be crafted into specialized equipment or traded with merchants.]
The fact that the Goddess of Harmony isn’t going off like a siren must mean the inventory pretty much keeps the poison contained. As for the new One-Hit Kill title, it’s incredibly OP—and being a growth-type skill, it has plenty of potential to evolve into a real game-changer!
[One-Hit Kill]
[Rank: Epic
Lvl: 1
Proficiency: 0%
Through keen observation, sharp analysis, and precise technique, you have begun to master the art of identifying and exploiting enemy weaknesses. This prestigious title is awarded for the ability to vanquish foes with a single, decisive strike.
Title Effect:
▪︎ Grants a 25% chance to instantly defeat an enemy at least 6 levels below your own.
▪︎ There’s an 8% chance of inflicting 200% extra damage on enemies that are at least 5 levels above your own.]
Daisuke’s excitement visibly dimmed as he dismissed the holographic window and turned his gaze toward a familiar tree on the outskirts of his hometown. It was the very tree under which the wagon had been parked, its bed housing the rusty cell that had served a prison until they were delivered to Percival’s manor.
Although the entire ordeal had been horrendous, Daisuke was grateful for inheriting alchemy and the Eye of Verity from Cedric’s legacy. Of course, he would have been even more grateful if he actually knew how to use alchemy.
Dusthaven hadn’t changed in the time Daisuke had been away. The rolling greensward on the outskirts still kept its distance from the village, as if the settlement was under a perpetual curse. Instead, sand and dunes encircled its borders, giving it a resemblance to the desert city of Nephthara.
Ignoring the ancient walls eroded by the relentless wind, Daisuke circumnavigated the village and entered through the west gate. Atop a lonely hill stood his mother’s tombstone, abandoned and forlorn. His heart sank at the sight, rekindling waves of bottled-up sorrow and a reckless urge for vengeance.
To curb his emotions, Daisuke kept himself busy. With a solemn expression, he knelt by the grave and began clearing away the bed of dried leaves, twigs, and weeds that encroached upon the sacred ground. Zephyr assisted, using a perfectly controlled Emberstorm to light the incense sticks Daisuke placed by the tombstone. Then the pup huddled close with a whimper, clearly sensing the waves of grief rolling off his friend’s slumped form.
“Thanks, buddy.”
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Daisuke allowed a smile and tenderly stroked the canine’s head. Then he retrieved a bouquet of flowers and a pair of rice balls and rested them down beside the tombstone. As he regarded the food he was offering as tribute, he couldn’t help but compare his ability to depart with such a precious commodity compared to just a few months ago.
If only I’d gained this power sooner, he thought for what felt like the thousandth time, his gaze locked on his open palm. Our lives could’ve been so much easier. But… would it have been enough to take down the bastard I saw fleeing the house that night?
***
The unimpressive space that encompassed the kitchen and bathroom; the large standing mirror and stained old bathtub; the screen that separated his mother’s room—nothing, unfortunately, was the same as he remembered.
Daisuke’s expression was unreadable as he slowly shuffled through the crude dwelling, his eyes passing over several families who had now taken up residence in the small space he had once called home.
Hidden atop his head beneath his hood, Zephyr whimpered worrisomely as his friend tightly clasped his chest. Daisuke knew he wasn’t in a position to complain—this was the slums; it was survival of the fittest and he had long up and abandoned this place. It wasn’t surprising that it was now occupied by others looking for a secure place to escape the rain and the bitter cold.
As bittersweet memories of both his virtual and biological parents flickered in his mind like the pages of a flick book, Daisuke couldn’t help but think that it was probably for the best that the hut had seen a significant transformation. He wasn’t sure if his heart could endure the strain that familiarity would have evoked.
“Rawrwu,” Zephyr murmured sympathetically.
Daisuke heaved a wan smile as he tousled the canine’s head. “I’m okay,” he whispered, more to himself than the pup.
Reluctantly leaving the hut behind, Daisuke discreetly navigated the dreary slums until he made his way to a familiar hideout that was constructed of wood, hay, and a collection of trash.
His heart fluttered as he contemplated how to confront the kids who had inadvertently sentenced him to a grim fate. Schooling his face into a cool, indifferent mask, he approached the structure that poorly resembled a dwelling and pulled the curtain aside.
But the space was empty.
The fireplace looked like it hadn’t been used in weeks, but Daisuke decided to remain positive. They’re probably just out on another score—
“Big Brother?” exclaimed a young boy who was a part of the dumping-garbage-from-atop-the-roof-as-a-distraction brigade. “Big Brother Haxks—is that really you? It is you! You’re okay! We were so—”
Daisuke swiftly clamped his hand over the child’s mouth before he could say another word. The boy's eyes widened, but he quickly nodded in understanding as his hero brought an index finger to his lips, signaling for silence.
The boy breathed when Daisuke slowly removed his hand. “Everyone’s been worried sick,” he whispered, still managing to make the statement dramatic despite it being a whisper. “Where were you?”
“It’s a long story,” Daisuke simply said, “and one for another time. More importantly, where’s the gang?”
The boy pursed his lips at the question, his demeanor becoming visibly uncomfortable as he averted his gaze. “Haven’t you heard? Not long after you disappeared, the others were taken away by slave traders.”
As if the confession had rekindled his sense of caution, the child looked around warily while stepping back. “I’m really happy to see you, Big Brother,” he admitted, his voice heavy with defeat. “But you should run away while you can, or you’ll end up as a slave like the others.”
Daisuke’s cool mask slowly crumbled as he watched the boy retreat. As if he’d lost his sense of equilibrium, he staggered backward, sliding down against the trunk of a tree. Paranoia and hopelessness churned together, forming a toxic brew within his heart, suffocating any trace of composure.
Despite the betrayal, Daisuke couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for the children. Deep down, he understood they were just trying to satisfy their growling stomach. In their shoes, any other group of starving orphans might have done the same.
But no matter how deep his sympathy ran, he had no idea where the children could have been taken in the vast, unforgiving world around him. As his frustration spiraled, festering like a gaping wound, he couldn’t help but contemplate his promise to protect April and the others. But was it even possible? He was just one person.
In addition to feeling lost, Daisuke felt as though the weight of the entire world rested squarely on his shoulders. Now that he had taken revenge on those who had wronged him and Zephyr, the seething hatred that once fueled him had mostly given way to an overwhelming sense of loneliness. The one person whose death still haunted him—his mother—remained a mystery. He had no idea who had been responsible for her pain, leaving him with no clear target for his remaining anger.
What the hell am I supposed to do? He uttered inwardly, clasping his head within both hands.
Now that most of his drive for vengeance had dissipated, he now lacked a sense of purpose.
Suddenly, there was the soft sound of footsteps. Daisuke looked up from his slumped position to find himself face-to-face with a pair of impressive breasts, barely contained by a frilly garment. They were just inches away from his face, and his eyes widened in surprise, his cheeks flushing red.
“…I had a feeling it was you,” murmured the familiar woman with a bittersweet smile as she straightened her bend. This simple motion, of course, did interesting things to breasts.
Daisuke frowned. “How did you—”
“There are only a few people brave enough to get this close to the hideout of the notorious Slum Sprites, especially while the slave traders are still on the prowl.”
Daisuke raised one eyebrow in question. “Slum Sprites?”
The Perfectly-Endowed Woman who had once played the part of a damsel in distress rested a hand on one hitched hip with a smile. “That’s the name the shopkeepers came up with for you and the others.”
Daisuke lowered his head, the shadows from his hood obscuring his downcast eyes. “Seems pointless if they were going to hire slave traders to haul us all away in the end.”
There was a moment of silence before Daisuke felt himself being pulled into the woman’s warm bosom. He looked up to meet her empathetic, half-lidded gaze, her arms gently coiling around him in a comforting embrace.
“Everything isn’t as hopeless as it seems,” she whispered. “Follow me, I have something to show you.”