Once the goblin was safely nestled in his earthy sleeping quarters and the stone-based alarm system had been meticulously checked, I turned to assess the waning day. The descent of the sun in the sky indicated the dwindling daylight hours that remained.
Safe Zone Stone>
< Duration 4 days, 12 hours, 56 min >
Tired but satisfied, I reclined against a tree trunk, watching as the last traces of daylight retreated beyond the horizon, leaving behind a canopy of stars in the deepening twilight. The stars, a silent testament to the day's happenings, stared down at me with what I fancied was a touch of approval.
I reflected on the events of the day. From my encounter with the goblin horde to the victory and the unexpected capture of my goblin prisoner, Bah. I couldn't deny that there was a sense of accomplishment. It wasn't about the mere physical survival; it was the realization that I was capable of much more than I had ever imagined.
Feeling a sense of pride wash over me, I relished in the notion of having made my own luck. I'd managed to turn a dire situation to my advantage through quick thinking, determination, and an instinctive will to survive. It wasn't just about surviving; it was about thriving too.
Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately depending on perspective, for me to continue to thrive, it was clear that I would have to stretch my boundaries. Each day would demand of me to step out of the familiarity of my comfort zone, to confront and slay the wild beasts that inhabited this strange world.
Upon opening my status screen, I was immediately met with various prompts.
For killing:
(2) Monster: Goblin [Level:7]
(1) Monster: Goblin [Level:8]
(3) Monster: Goblin [Level:9]
(1) Monster: Goblin [Level:13]
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
42 Essence
24 Essence
81 Essence
39 Essence
As I tallied up the essence I had gained from defeating the seven goblins, the total amount came to 186. However, I couldn't help but feel that the individual goblins didn't yield much experience. Each goblin only granted 3 essence per level, which seemed relatively low compared to the substantial rewards I had received previous, such as completing achievements, gaining titles, defeating the Boss Beast and selling its core. Even the tutorial had provided more generous rewards.
Curiosity piqued; I turned my attention to the pelts of the defeated boar. Although I briefly considered keeping one as a memento or for potential future use, my lack of craftsmanship skills and proper storage would likely lead to their deterioration over time. Selling them seemed like the more practical option, and the reason for which I had left in the first place, I needed more essence.
Item
Quality
Quantity
Essence
Total
[Boss] Beast Pelt
Uncommon
2
60
120
After selling both pelts and plus the essence obtained from the defeated goblins, my new total essence count stood at 333.
Name:
Nathan Brown
Level:
4 (0/800)
Path:
None
Aspect:
None
Essence
333
---
As I settled down for the night, my mind shifted towards planning for the imminent challenges. Tomorrow held the promise of action, and I was determined to make the most of it before my time in the safe zone expired. Reflecting on the current state of my essence reserves, I realized they fell short of my expectations. Acquiring essence had proven to be more challenging than anticipated, especially after exhausting the readily available sources such as titles and other low-hanging fruits. It became clear that I would need to explore new avenues and overcome greater obstacles to accumulate the essence I sought.
The significance of "Enhanced Focus" in my survival remained at the forefront of my thoughts. This skill had provided a vital advantage, sharpening my awareness, perception, and mental acuity. It had allowed me to perceive details, anticipate threats, and navigate complex situations with greater effectiveness and awareness. The value of "Detect Danger," currently at level 5, also remained evident as it provided me with a good level of situational awareness.
To enhance my capabilities further, my plan revolved around accumulating enough essence to level up and allocate additional points to Arcana. By increasing my Arcana skill, I aimed to bolster my energy reserves, enabling me to sustain the use of my skills for longer durations. Additionally, I aspired to acquire new skills to broaden my repertoire. With two slots remaining, one of them would be dedicated to spear mastery, granting me proficiency in wielding the spear as a formidable weapon. The other slot would likely be invested in an energy management skill, allowing me to optimize and extend the usage of my abilities. Though these aspirations were currently hindered by the limited essence available, I remained determined to overcome the challenges and emerge stronger and more versatile in my journey.