Looking around one I can't help but wonder why I'm still listed as a mini turtle. Sure, I'm not huge but I feel like I am fairly large compared to the average pet turtle back home. If this is still considered mini, Then I'm legitimately curious as to just how big I will get. As I'm contemplating that though I notice why the field mice were fighting so fiercely. Not far ahead, at least by my current size, are two level 3 field mice and a large number of pups. They are too low level to be of interest to me though. I do kind of feel bad but there is nothing that can be done now.

Either way it's time for me to get going. I quickly make my way back to the path. This time though, instead of turning to follow the path one way or the other, I simply walk across the path to the other side. I may soon regret this but for right now I feel confident enough to explore out away from the path. Mainly I'm hoping to find another group of field mice. Sure, I won't get nearly as many points as last time If the group layout is the same. The outnumbered bonus should still trigger though meaning that if my math is right, it should be enough for another level up.

Things rarely work out as planned though. Several hours later I have yet to encounter anything that doesn't immediately run away or have too low a level for me to even bother with. Soon I decide to turn and head in a direction I believe to be about halfway between the path and that city. At this rate I should reconnect to the path just as it leaves the forest. Originally, I was going to use this forest as a central focal point as I explored outward, but I just changed my mind and decided to use the city instead. Artificial structures are much easier to distinguish. So, by using the city as a reference point it should be much easier to know where I am at a glance.

I'm honestly kind of excited to see what lies in the other four directions. First things first though, I still need to make my way back to the path. Sometime during early evening, I find my way back to the path. I reconnected with it exactly where I thought I would and so I feel confident that I can make it back to the small pond before nightfall. This time I don't bother hiding as I doubt there is anything this close to the city that could threaten me.

Making it back to the pond I take a huge drink and then spend the rest of the day playing around with my water manipulation skill. Mainly I wanted to see if the amount of water I can control changed since a I got much bigger than I was when I originally got the skill. The good news is it has. It seems the amount of water I can control does at least in part depend on my size. The bad news though is that I still have almost no actual control over the water aside from a basic water rope and some extremely weak water whips.

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After a while I dig out a nice sleeping spot and settle in for the night. I no longer need to disguise myself as a rock but it's habit at this point. Waking up the next morning I'm greeted by a familiar if unwelcome sight.

Goblins or at least a goblin. I can't see the others but I'm not about to assume that this one is alone. That is until a read the stats.

Name Goblin Class Scout Level 7 Attack 14 Defense 8 Speed 23 Skills Silent movement level 2, Silent Strike level 1 Talent Stealth

Ok first off that pretty much proves that skills and talents aren't as random for everyone as they are for me. I'm kinda salty about that not gonna lie. The second thing is that goblins apparently have classes. Finally, there is no way of knowing if the attack stat factors in the stone dagger. If it does, I'd probably be able to take him if I could neutralize his speed. Those are two really big IF's though, and I'm still not a fan of gambling with my life. So, for now I decide to just wait quietly for the goblin to leave on its own.

He stayed there for a really long time just observing the city. Eventually though he did leave, and I departed in the opposite direction. I'd like to get at least one more level before attempting to fight one. Even then I wouldn't want to run into a goblin village. I assume they have villages based on the fact that they have classes.

I'm careful to stay a fair distance away from the city. I still don't want to become someone's pet and I'm a lot easier to notice now. heading northeast I soon spot the path that leads from the eastern gate of the city. As always there are far more people on this path than on the southern path that leads into the forest so I'm careful not to get too close. Looking ahead I see a grassy area similar to the one between the city and the forest. This one however is much larger and seems to just go on forever.

Eventually I notice the number of people on the road slowly decrease as the sun begins to set. It never stops completely but there are now times where a feel like I could cross unseen if I wanted to. I'm determined to follow this road and see why it's so popular though. Once the sun has fully set, I decide to rest for the night. Hopefully, tomorrow I will find out where this path leads.