1.06

Eric gathered up the knives that he had used. They were bloody so he cleaned them on the rat fur. That’s how he had seen it done on T.V after all. After the battle Eric was confident that he could probably take on quite a few rats at once. Logic dictated that he remained cautious. He didn’t know what to expect from within the apartments. He tentatively entered the 5th level. Stepping over the toppled door. He instantly realized that all doors had a hole at its base. Which was quite terrifying… Although, an optimistic idea, Eric had assumed that the rats had only taken one apartment over to use as their nest. Now how many rats would there be if they were in all the apartments. Hmmm, they probably wouldn’t have enough food though… Perhaps they just explored all the apartments but only have one nest? “Guess I’ll just have to find out”, he muttered while taking another tentative step towards the first apartment. He stepped up to kick it but stopped just before his foot connected. Aghast he stepped back away from the doors. He was stuck in an awkward situation. If he kicked the door there is the possibility that a swarm of rats could appear from any of the apartments. Now although Eric recently professed his superiority over the rats. He kind of preferred to be prepared for his fights. Knowing where the enemy will come from is usually a bonus. Eric smiled. He had an idea.   

Returning to the 6th floor he picked up a coffee table and a chair. He then walked back to the 5th floor and in the hallway between the apartments. He started the creation of a barricade. He quickly ran and got more furniture until it looked impassable unless there’s some kind of flying rat he hadn’t met yet. Pleased, Eric began kicking the first apartment. He still had to worry about the apartment on opposite his current one but he had placed a chair across the whole which should give him some time to respond.

The apartment appeared empty at first glance but Eric kept his guard up. The lounge was clear. Kitchen was clear. Guest bedroom was clear. Storage room is clear. He approached the master bedroom expecting the same. He almost laughed when he entered. Although, prior to the apocalypse said laugh would have been a scream. There was a large version of the large rats sleeping happily on the bed. Pretty much like any pet does when their owner is away. Eric hardened his heart. This funny. Ugly but cute. Monster. Is experience. He ended its nap with two stabs from his knives. Eric left the room heartbroken.

By the time Eric moved the chair and began kicking down the door to the next apartment he had completely forgotten about the sleeping rat. He was confident that he could clear the rats out if he remained cautious. The door fell. He searched the apartment. It was empty. Accessing the next apartment would be tricky. He had to move the barricade but… the rats had begun scratching on the opposite side. Eric pondered this development.

It was quickly resolved by Eric standing on a chair. From there he held a vantage point looking over the barricade. He could see 3 rats. 2 were attacking the barricade while one of the larger overgrown rats observed. Eric met the eyes of the rat. It stared at him in anger and hunger. Eric smiled a grim smile. With careful aim, he released two knives one after the other. Both struck the rat. Even before it collapsed, Eric had fired off another two knives towards its compatriots. They too were heavily wounded.

It took Eric a while to safely reconstruct the barricade so that it opens up another two apartments. This is because he remained cautious. While moving the components of the barricade he didn’t want to leave a gap that a sudden surge of rats could exploit. Eric began kicking in another apartment door.

The door fell with a loud crash and Eric armed with dual kitchen knives was beset by several rats. As soon as he realized that he was under attack Eric ran at the closest rat. As it lunged at him he gave it a kitchen knife in return. Withdrawing his knife from the dying rat he turned in time to dodge the jaws of the nearest rat. This one he ignored but the one behind it. He quickly rushed, stabbing before it had a chance to react. Eric once again turned to face the oncoming rats. They were now fighting smart. Some of the pack hunting instinct was coming into play not just their overriding hunger. The rats approached slowly, occasionally rushing in before backing off. There were three left and one was a larger rat. They each approached from different angles and it was hard for Eric to keep track of their feints. Annoyed, Eric didn’t really want to get chewed on by rats. It just didn’t seem healthy. He had no doubt that he could win but.. Eric once again began throwing knives. As soon as he released the knives in his hands he whipped out another two and before the rats could even comprehend what had happened. Eric was once again on the attack. The larger rat which was on the far right took a deep knife wound to the body and a graze on its face as the other knife just missed.

The two other rats jumped at Eric. One even got its teeth into his shoulder. Eliciting a pained cry. The rats got several swift thrusts into their guts for their trouble. Eric then proceeded to finish off the wounded.

The other apartment of the two he left unprotected by the barricade was empty. There was some unpleasant evidence of past rat occupation but it was currently empty. Eric proposed that one of the groups he had previously killed may have resided there. Pleased with his progress thus far and wanting to check his experience gains Eric retreated to his apartment. With his door locked, the fire exit door shut, seated on his favourite sofa spot and drinking a can of Coke. Eric allowed himself to relax.

Ding!

Victory!

You have slain: (x6) Overgrown Rat level 2

Experience Received: (x6) 30

 Loot Received:

 (x6) Overgrown Rat Corpse

Ding!

Victory!

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

You have slain: (x4) Overgrown Rat level 3

Experience Received: (x4) 40

 Loot Received:

 (x4)Overgrown Rat Corpse

Ding!

Congratulations!

You have reached level 5!

You now have 5 unallocated status points available.

 Ding!

Victory!

You have slain: (x4) Large Overgrown Rat level 3

Experience Received: (x4) 50

 Loot Received:

 (x4) Large Overgrown Rat Corpse

Eric could only smirk. It had been annoying how slow it took to level up in this new world. Now, the rats seemed to be asking to be slaughtered. It had taken less than half a day to go from level 4 to 5. The problem he now had was indecision. While before he was just trying to get all his stats up to 10, he had now reached the point where he had to start choosing a pathway. He could increase agility to become nimbler which would be the thief/assassin route in most games. Increase strength and vitality to become more tankish. Increase dexterity which would boost throwing or firing skills, as well as crafting if he ever chose to pick something up. Intelligence and Wisdom were quite frustrating though. He was keen to pick up some magic in the future but he didn’t know when that could take place. It was definitely not a smart move to bank on the fact he might learn magic after an indeterminate time. Eric sighed. It was probably too early to decide anyway. No matter which path he chose he didn’t truly have the gear or skills to have one. In the end, he decided to increase charm to 5 and wisdom to 10 because he felt bad leaving them how they were. And was curious to see whether he became more ‘wise’ or ‘charming’. He then used the remaining point to increase strength to 13. He needed a greater kicking door down capacity.

 Name: Eric Scot

 Age: 27

 Race: Human

 Class:

 Level: 5

 Faction: Unaffiliated

 Distributable Status Points: 0

 Hitpoints: 100/100

 Stamina: 125/125

 Health Regeneration: 1/s

 Stamina Regeneration: 5.25/s

 Vitality: 10

 Mana: 100/100

 Strength: 13

 Mana Regeneration: 0.5/s

 Agility: 12

 Intelligence:10

 Dexterity: 11

 Wisdom: 10

 Luck: 5

 Charm: 5

Waking up the next morning Eric decided to forego his trip to the roof in exchange for rat experience. Armed with the same gear as yesterday he started his trip down the stairs. As soon as entered the 5th floor he realized that his makeshift barrier had been breached. Retreating he went up to the 6th floor for more furniture. With the barrier remade making it possible for him to access 2/4 remaining doors he decided to do a quick search of the previous apartments to make sure there are no enemies behind him. There weren’t. Disgustingly the bodies of the rats he had killed were gone. He didn’t notice the missing bodies on the stairway but it was pretty obvious now. Eric cringed at the thought of his possible fate. It convinced him that he needed to remain cautious. Just one more mistake and… He cringed once again.

Both the apartments were disconcertingly empty when he searched them. There were some nasty traces of rat occupation but no rats… He hoped they weren’t all grouping up. It’s a defense mechanism of most pack animals but he didn’t really think rats were that clever… I guess growing their size also has the effect of making them smarter. That’s something to note for the future…

He moved the barricade. Starting to feel a measure of trepidation. This was going to be a tough fight. He feared what may be waiting for him. Eric sighed heavily. No backing out now. He smashed his foot against an apartment door. After a couple of kicks the door fell, he was starting to get the knack of it now. It only took about 20 doors…

He entered cautious and a little bit panicky. He took a sip from a hip flask. It was a bit awkward lifting it while watching every direction at once. While holding a rather large kitchen knife. But of course Eric’s awesomeness knew no bounds. The liquid courage took a few steps to take effect. He could feel the warmth slowly calming him down. He needed to be focused for the next fight. Nodding to himself, Eric sighted movement at the back of the apartment. He followed. He didnt have to go far he caught up with about 5 rats in the lounge. They were cowering behind a collapsed coffee table. Whenever he tried to approach they would leap away. He was tempted to throw a knife but the rats were bounding all over the place and he didn’t think he could hit them. He looked on frustrated. This behavior was certainly… un-rat-ish.

After a few minutes of near misses while swinging his knife. He took a step back to have a quick breather. That was when he heard it. A distinctive scratching on stone. He glanced behind him. His eyes widened in horror.