I'm still not back to full health but as long as I'm careful I think it'll be alright to try and earn a few more experience points. One good thing about being forced to stop and heal is that I'm much more familiar with my immediate surroundings. It also gave me plenty of time to think. It occurred to me while I was thinking that I haven't seen any other turtles. As I recall there weren't even other eggshells around to indicate that I was just the last to hatch. This indicates that whatever or whoever changed me into a turtle specifically placed me here. I have no idea why they would go through the trouble of placing me here as opposed to with my own kind, but it does seem to reinforce the idea that I need to get stronger as soon as possible. I doubt that any being powerful enough to place my consciousness into this body would do so for no reason.
As I start to make my way back to the path, I do my best to push those thoughts out of my mind. I can't afford to be distracted now. Once I make it back to the path, I start to automatically turn back towards the city. Instead, though I make a conscious choice to head the other direction. I'm a lot more careful now about not staying out in the open. Besides I was able to survive in this forest at half the size I am now. It surprisingly takes a few hours before I find something small enough for me to consider approaching. Whatever it is it looks like a tiny blue human with wings. Bringing up its stats though I decide to stay well clear.
Name Forest Pixy Level ? Attack ? Defense ? Speed ? Skills ? Talents ?
Something tells me a fight with this thing would be bad for my health. Especially since I'm still recovering. Luckily, I manage to get away without being seen, or I'm just to low level for it to even bother noticing. That last one is probably more accurate. Ok, lesson learned don't be fooled by size. There was a chance it was one of the good pixies but it's a chance I'm not willing to bet my life on. Not until I get more information about this world anyway.
Less than an hour later I run across a familiar enemy. Bringing up the stats this time leaves me a little disappointed.
Name Nano Chameleon Level 3 Attack 8 Defense 6 Speed 6
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
I was hoping it would be a few levels higher. Although looking closer at the stats I'm kind of glad it's not. At this point I'll take what I can get even if it is just a few experience. I doubt I could handle a level 5 Nano Chameleon though. Even now I'm just barely able to match it in terms of speed after pouring all of my extra attribute points into speed. Fortunately, while we both have defenses that are higher than the others attack my defense is significantly higher. This means that when we clash, he is met with an impenetrable defense that is my shell. While I do think he could get through my shell eventually I don't intend to give him that chance.
The fight takes far longer than I feel like it should have but I do eventually emerge victorious and am greeted by an increasingly familiar blue screen.
Defeated Nano Chameleon Received Experience 2
Quickly dismissing the notification, I continued on my way. As I headed deeper into the forest afternoon was slowly giving way to evening. I was determined to find at least one more opponent before resting for the night. Slowly making my way through the tall grass at the edge of the road I kept an eye out not just for potential opponents but for potential ambushes as well. A short time later I come to a fork in the path. I chose the left path because that's the side I was on anyway. This turned out to be a good choice because not long after I came across a dew drop slime. Unlike the ones near the city though this one had some heft to it. It would seem I am not the only one who grows with levels. Although this is the only example of it, I have encountered besides myself. Looking at the stats I can already tell this is going to be a long battle.
Name Dew Drop Slime Level 5 Attack 6 Defense 8 Speed 6 Talent Strong Resistance to physical attack
Their Talent combined with the fact that their defense is already higher than my attack briefly makes me wonder if this fight is worth it. Only briefly though as the dew drop slime attacks me the moment it sees me. "Ok, I guess we're doing this!" This dew drop slime does seem to be smarter than the others as I can feel it intentionally trying to cover my head. At least it fills intentional to me. It may just be that big, but it definitely feels intentional. Fortunately, I discovered that I seem to be able to hold my breath for a really long time. Also fortunate for me is that a larger opponent means more places to attack at once. Even with that though the fight lasts well into the night. By the end of it I'm ready for a nap but none the less victorious.
Defeated Dew Drop Slime Received Experience 6
I might have to hunt for more of them. I'm not against a boring fight if it nets me a significant amount of experience. For now, though I have already made up my mind to head back towards the city starting tomorrow morning. I still have a debt to repay. I doubt they even considered I might be sentient much less Sapient. Which makes them healing me that much more of an act of pure kindness. Now though I dig out a sleeping spot and decide to get some rest.