It was nearly pitch black when Jezabel next opened her eyes. The only light coming from the glowing ashes of her fire, casting deep shadows in her little shelter.. A scratching noise had her to slowly turning her head in the direction of where she buried the moss squirrel earlier that evening. Moving the small rocks and digging into the dirt was what looked to be a giant rat. At nearly half a meter at the shoulder when on all fours, it was a vision straight out of Jezabel's nightmares.
Slowly reaching out for her spear, Jezabel used Identify.
Giant Forest Rat Level 3 HP 12 Stamina 15 Mana 0 Attack Bite 4 - 6
Claws 3 - 6 Crit 5% Special Diseased Bite Diseased Bite When bitten, higher chance of bite becoming gangrenous. Giant forest rats are primarily scavengers, however, they have no problems attacking those they percieve as wealer than they are.
Having picked up her spear, Jezabel slowly got to her feet, being as quiet as she could. Circling around the rat she made her way behind it, incredibly happy that she thought to clear the area of leaves, sticks and stones. Once she was within reach, she stabbed forward with her spear as hard as she could, aiming for the area between the shoulder blades. The spear penetrated the back of the rat causing it to stiffen, then thrash about in pain, the spear ripped from Jezabel's hands.
Congratulations! You have learnt Sneak Attack!
Sneak Attack! 10dmg.
Stumbling from having the spear ripped away from her, Jezabel frantically looked around for another weapon. Spotting her orignal long stick across the fire from her she ran towards it. Having not even taken a step, she felt a burning sensation as the rat ripped through her back with it's claws.
You have taken 6dmg.
Your Hit Points are low.
"FUCK!" Jezabel screamed, partly in frustration over the boxes, mostly in pain. Reaching the stick before the rat could scratch her again, she grabbed it and turned as fast as she could, swinging the stick at what she hoped was the rat's head height. Apparently luck was with her, the stick made contact with the rat's head, making a sickening crunching sound, once again ripping Jezabel's weapon from her hands.
Successful attack! 4dmg.
Congratulations! You have killed Level 3 Giant Forest Rat! 36xp.
Breathing heavily, the exhausted woman fell to her knees and started giggling. It wasn't long until those giggles turned into hysterical laughter and finally sobs. Eventually, she fell asleep next to her kill.
The next time she woke up, the forest was getting brighter as the sun finally rose enough to penetrate the thick foliage. Looking around her camp, it took Jezabel a moment to remember what happened last night. Seeing the body of the giant forest rat was an unpleasant reminder. Slowly pushing herself up off the ground, Jezabel's back reminded her of the injuries she sustained last night. Once on her feet, she twisted one way then the other, wincing in pain as she felt the scabs reopen.
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"Going to have to clean those somehow," she said to herself, face pale and panting from the pain.
After digging up the moss squirrell, she grabbed her sharp rock and the rat and awkwardly carried them down to the stream. It took her twice, or maybe three times, as long to get to stream than it had the day before. Pain from the wounds on her back causing her to sweat and get light headed. She was barely able to keep her balance, and holding onto the squirrel and rat wasn't helping. Constantly forced to stop so she didn't fall down or to pick up the rat, squirrel or stone she dropped. The walk seemed to be an everlasting nightmare, and by the time she arrived at the stream all she wanted to do was lie down and go to sleep, where the pain couldn't get to her anymore.
Dropping her load on the ground, Jezabel walked into the stream and sat in the middle, the water reaching her neck. Nearly passing out as the cold water hit her wounds, she steadied herself with her hands and took several deep breaths. Once she thought that she wouldn't fall over, she scrubbed her hands clean as best she could before using them to clean out the scratches on her back, at least the ones she could reach. The process took nearly an hour, Jezabel having to take frequent breaks, her vision starting to narrow and dim as she nearly passed out from pain.
Congratulations! You have learnt the skill Healing.
Healing There is nothing magical at all in how you treat wounds, just a little knowledge and common sense. With this skill you are more likely to help rather than hinder when treating injuries or illness in yourself and others.
The box startled Jezabel badly enough that she fell onto her back in the water, water covering her head. Surfacing, she coughed and tired to catch her breath and fend off the pain the sudden movement caused in her back.
Congratulations! You have learnt the skill Pain Resistance.
Pain Resistance When you are hurt you don't curl up and cry. You grit your teeth and continue with what must be done.
Slowly, Jezabel made her way shakily out of the water. Reaching the shore, she finally relaxed a bit, collapsed next to a tree and promptly lost consciousness.
Pain was not something that Jezabel kept wanting to wake up to. It is a brutal mistress, lacking of sympathy, scorching thought from one's head. Slowly, Jezabel found the courage to sit, then stand, swearing like her life depended on it. Her movements slow and uncoordinated. Only once she was on her feet did she notice that the forest was getting dark.
"Fuck," she swore one more time. She looked over to where she had dropped the squirrel and rat and decided that she just didn't have the energy to deal with them. Taking the few step needed to get to the stream, she once again stepped in. Grabbing the basket she hauled it upright, screaming as her back protested, going instantly pale. She paused, panting, as she waited for the black spots to leave her vision, knees locked so she didn't fall. It was a few minutes before she could concentrate on more than the pain in her back.
Looking into the basket she saw three fish. With a bit of time, and quite a bit of time she was able to grab one and throw it onto the bank. She left it to suffocate as she knocked the baket back over, letting the other fish escape. Seeing the fish on the shore still moving, Jezabel made her way over to the rat and squirrel to retrieve her sharp rock. Rock in hand, she killed the fish and gutted it.
Congratulations! You have killed Level 2 River Bass! 12xp.
Ignoring the notification, Jezabel started to eat the fish raw. "Forgotten how good sushimi tastes," she murmered to herself before giggling, the irony of the statement not lost one her.
Finishing her meal, Jezabel threw the rest of the fish into the stream for the other fish to feast on. Taking one more look around at the darkening forest, she realised that she wasn't going to be able to get back to camp. Groaning she made her way back to the tree she colapsed under earlier before once again losing herself to the darkness of unconciousness.