I do make it back to the woods. Later than I would have liked but then I never expect a fight to last that long. Though considering how often they last way longer than expected lately maybe I should start expecting it. Just like the last time I was here there are a lot of animals that are way to high level for me to even consider. Unlike last time however I also see several potential opponents. At the very least I don't need to be afraid of everything now, just almost everything.
Wanting to get in at least one more fight before I need to rest for the night, I waste no time in beginning my search for a suitable target. Before I can locate one though I am suddenly blindside by something very aggressive and relatively large. I admit it took me a second to get over the shock of being completely blindsided. Once I did though I turned to look at the attacker who was charging me once again and its stats appeared.
Name Field Mouse Level 5 Attack 14 Defense 7 Speed 8
As soon as I do though I wish I hadn't because I am clearly outclassed. I have no idea how I'm getting out of this one. Sure, my shell can hold up for a while, but if I can't find a way to injure my opponent, I'm just postponing the inevitable. The main problem is speed but even if I can land a blow, I need to find some soft tissue to even have a chance at causing any injury. The field mouse meanwhile seems determined to chew his way through my shell. After several failed attempts to land a blow, I start trying to calm myself ad think of a plan. It would be nice if there was an open source of water around so I could use my water manipulation skill but there isn't. Instead, I decide to rely on biology. The field mouse is a mammal and based on what I've observed some rules of nature still apply even here in this world. Meaning he should tire soon and slow down. I hope.
I'm not exactly just standing by though. Along with my many attempts to land a blow, which is now just aimed at tiring him out. I also try faking him out with an attempt to bite only to launch my claws towards him when he is focused on avoiding my beak. Surprisingly, this actually works. Unfortunately, this only results in a scratch along his belly that doesn't even break the skin. "I didn't come this far to be killed by a simple field mouse" I shout in frustration to nobody in particular. Not that anyone can hear me or even understand me if they did seeing as it was entirely in my head. At any rate now that I can at least land a blow I start to focus on that. Of course, I still launch several single attacks to keep my opponent guessing. I've still yet to find a way to break the skin but my hope is that if I keep attacking the same area eventually it will just break through. Hopefully before he chews through my shell.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Just as I think that my claw suddenly sinks deeper than it had previously and just like that there is a huge gash in the field mouse's stomach. Just like that the fight is over though I won't be fighting again any time soon. Surprisingly it takes a few minutes for him to actually die although he has lost a significant amount of speed. Eventually though I do get the notification.
Defeated Field Mouse Received Experience 6
After such a fight I decide to check my own stats. What I see doesn't exactly feel me with joy.
Name Thomas Race Micro Turtle Size 6cm Level 2 Experience 15/30 Health 43/160 Attack 5 Defense 14 Speed 6 Skills Regeneration Level 1 (passive) 0/10 Water manipulation Level 1 (active) 0/10 Traits Stone Shell
That fight brought me way closer to death than I realized. On top of that my shell which is my main defense is almost completely useless right now. It would be nice if those girls would come by and give me another free heal but this isn't a fairytale. I shouldn't just rely on stuff like that. Unfortunately, this means I'm back to being afraid of everything. Well not really afraid. More like extra cautious. After all it don't really matter how good your shield is if it's damaged to the point of barely being useable. I calculate that with my current regen skill it will take about 5 days to fully recover. That's assuming I don't get into any fights between now and then.
The first thing to do is find a place to hide because I for sure don't want to have to fight again for at least a day or two. Also, because that fight lasted so long it's now well into the night. Before that though I make a quick meal out of the field mouse. He caused my injuries it's only right he repays me somehow. Besides this is likely to be the only meal I get for at least a few days. After that I make a bee line for the tall grass, though it doesn't seem as tall as I remember. I am aware that I'm probably not the only thing hiding in the tall grass but it's still better than being out in the open. Once I think I'm far enough in I dig out a sleeping spot and climb in for some much-needed rest. For the next few days, I don't move at all except once or twice a day when I get up and do a quick lap around the area. Not that I want to patrol the area I'm just afraid of what might happen if I go days without moving at all.
Finally, after three days I'm feeling confident enough to start searching for weaker opponents. Though I am a lot more mindful of possibly being blindsided again.