‘huff huff huff huff huff’
R monolog
Shit shit shit what did I get myself into and how the hell did I come across with a mini-boss. F*&^ing bad luck.
R was running his lungs out, with a big furry monster chasing him from behind. He was exploring the outer tunnel alone by himself for his personal training. But things goes a bit awry after he travels deeper into the tunnels.
Let’s return back to the beginning before he was being chased,
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
‘so lets do this then’
Prepping himself up, he then enters the den of monsters. Alone by himself, he was much more free in term of not being hold back. five minutes after walking in the cave he then met his first enemy, a typical common monster of the cave, a Mokala Banga, lets call them Moka for a shorter term. Its resemble a monkey but twice in size, geared with ragged clothing and a various assortment of old weapons. The distinct feature of this monster was it was wearing an ancient wooden mask. Each Moka would have a different pattern of its mask. Seeing R, it then ran and prepared to attack him.
‘finally, I was tired of waiting’
Drawing his bow, he target the weak point of Moka, an arrow flew by and strike the center of its chest. A critical hit sign came up reducing its life by 50%. The moka then release a growl indicating it has enter its erratic mood. This where it gets fun, the moka jumps around the ground and the wall of the tunnels with weird movements.
As R take a step back away, it then take it chance and jump to R wielding its old dagger unleashing a slash to R’s throat. He stands still until the last moment before the blade of the dagger reaches his neck, he avoids it by dropping his body down, evading the fatal attack. Again the moka release a flurry of more slash while jumping around in different directions. Out of what it seems to be pure luck he avoided another of its attack he then demonstrate it how easily he avoided the attacks.
The attack were all close call evasion, you may thinks it’s a miracle or he has pure talent but the things is he already memorizes deep within his mind the pattern of movements and attack of the moka. The first three days of his party grinding was the part where he observes the monsters keenly.
Sweats were running down from his forehead, it seems the constant evasion that he performs took a lot of concentration for him to execute it. After five minutes of death defying evasion, the edge of its dagger struck a little bit of his forearm.
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You have lost -1050HP
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‘haha, almost three quarter of my health, better start moving then’
Injured by the moka, he then ready his counter attack, the moka released a horizontal slash and R drop down his body again with the bow in a drawing position. Aiming for its critical point, again he push his concentration to the max. With the moka airborne after R manage to avoid the attack he release the arrow point blank at the center of its chest.
Another critical emerges and its health was now 25%. With its body push upward due to the force of the arrow, it was still in mid-air. As his body was lying on the ground, R draws his bow and releases another one targeting the same spot. Its health was now down to 5%. A little bit more and its death will sure to come. He gets up and smacks the moka body down to the ground using his bow, leaving no time for the moka to retaliate. With its body to the ground, he ends it with an arrow to its chest killing it in one go.
Loots drop down from its dead body along with R’s body. He was heavily panting for his breath and sweats drips all over his face. It was like he had done an one hour workout. While catching his breath he opens up the menu window and observes the time. He curses as he notice the time
‘f*&k only 5 minutes huh~’
He had taken notice the time before he start the attack and the fight only last up to 5 minutes until he could not concentrate much longer.
‘huff huff I need to increase the duration’
While catching his breath he rest his body until his health was full to prepared for another one on one confrontation. After a 10 minute break, he then continue his training. He draws his bow first, preparing himself in a battle stance.
Out of the corner of darkness of the cave, a spear was hurl toward R at a blinding speed. Luckily for R the spear only grazed his cheek, but even then a quarter of his health drop down. For a level 29 character fighting against a level 40 monster was beyond the capabilities of R. but he equalize the chain of difference with his fast and accurate critical attacks.
Graze by the attack he took cover by using the wall of the cave, the attack was made at a 3 ways junction of tunnels. Keeping his eye out for the unseen enemy, another spear was thrown out from the pitch black area in front of him. This time the spear was far from its target. It seem the enemy wasn’t able to see R, with both of them blind of their target, R take his chance and release an arrow hoping to hit the invisible enemy.
With the intent of flushing it out into the open, the arrow seems to be a miss and again a spear was flung to R location.
‘damn it why the hell the enemy wouldn’t show up’
Grunted the bow wielding man as facing off against a range enemy was even a pain in the ass for him.
‘calm down and think carefully, who the fuck is messing with me’
Drawing his bow again, in his mind images of monster that inhabit the cave was flashing through his mind. Trying to identify the unknown enemy he then remember that they have fought against a spear wielding miniature size gorilla. Its height wasn’t that remarkable compare to a normal gorilla it was only 1 meter in height, its appearance was overwhelming with sense of cuteness except for its huge forearms. The size of its forearm even beat the undisputed popeye the sailor man huge forearm.
With its forearm that act as a weapon it also boost the power of its throwing mechanism proving it was a force to be reckon with. its name was Minigo and the spawn rate of this species was really low that’s why R have difficult time to distinguish this enemy. Even before he only fought against this monster only twice. So this time he was up against another obstacle.
‘huh~ just my luck, a freaking Minigo why can’t I fought against a common monster like Moka just now’
Knowing what he was fighting against, he release an arrow estimating the height of the enemy. he wasn’t expecting a critical hit but only want the enemy to be seen. Cry of pain echoes through the close tunnels of the cave, Minigo emerge from the darkness of the cave with an arrow embedded in its shoulder.
R smirk knowing it was time for his training, drawing his bow he release it to the suppose weak point. Not much does he know about the miniature ape, but he make do with what he has in his head. release arrow by arrow to the incoming Minigo, he targeted the spots where he thought was the weak points. The arrows were only nipping its health in a small amount, as the Minigo was getting closer, he release an arrow to the last point, its armpit.
It was hard to target but he remember a distinct movement that minigo always do after coming close to its opponent. He was certain of this because when it reaches the 1 meter point it will always raise its arm pounding its chest.
He waits until it then occur, Minigo raise its arm and R release his arrow. He release two arrows continuously targeting both armpit for maximum damage. It then appeared, the critical sign. Expecting a major drop in its health, only 35% was shaved off. For a miniature gorilla it really does have a high vitality. Nevertheless now he knows that he can win against this opponent.
‘time to start!’
He draws his bow and waits for the moment to attack. At close encounter, Minigo change its pattern of attack by using its huge forearm. Swinging those hairy gigantic forearms it was easy for R to avoid it, but as always he avoids it at the last minute.
He attacks its armpit numerous times until its health drop to 25%. He doesn’t like to take any chance against this strong monster. so he fought it within the safe limit of his capability. He then begin his evading game.
One by one the large swing of Minigo was avoided at the last second. He continue this stunt until he reach his limit, the limit was when the attack connected to his body. the knuckle of the Minigo hit a bit at R’s flank. A huge knockback sending his body flying 1 meter into the distance, large heap of his health was gone and now only 15% was left.
‘shit!’
Sweats was clouding his vision, as he wipe it off using the motion when drawing the bow, it was efficient and practical. He begin his offense;
‘time to die little man’
After more death defying evasion and multiple arrows embedded at its armpit, the Minigo then die as it health was depleted to zero.
Again R body drop to the ground laying himself with his breath heavily panting for air. His arm was heavy to even open up the menu window.
‘damn it I need to check the time huff huff’
His arm slowly goes to the corner of his eye pressing the menu button, a grin surface on his face.
‘Increase by 30 second not bad but a long way to go’
This process continue along repeating itself again and again after encountering his opponent until the sun sets and the moon rise upon the curtain of night. Unbeknownst to him due to his time spent only in the enclosure of the cave, he lost track of day and night and also the whereabout of his location. Laying for the last time he rest his body and mind preparing to go back to the entrance of the cave.
Waiting for his health to return back to its original self, he carelessly let his guard down. After 10 minutes of resting, a weird sound was coming from above his body. the sound of exhaling was heard as loud as it can be. R was feeling weird hearing this sound, it was getting closer as each exhalation was getting louder.
While his eyes was closed, an ominous feeling hover in his heart. He was getting a bad vibe about this sound. Praying that above him wasn’t fatal to the like of him, he open his eyes slowly.
Only a blank expression was seen on his face, above him was the eye of a predator exhaling its large lung capacity to his face. the dust surrounding his face flew into the air with the might of the beast breath.
Shivers run down his spine, his body itself was shaking due to the aura it was emitting. An aura of a predator searching for its prey.
R’s monolog
Damn it just my luck, by the look of this thing is a freaking beast, I can’t even see its health bar. It must be more than 20 of my level. Huh~
He was hoping for the beast to leave him be but to his despair it start to be curious toward R. with its huge paw it nudge the body of the frail archer. Only a nudge of it paw cause R’s health to deplete half of it.
R’s monolog
What the f#@k, just a pat and half of it is gone. I need to get out of this situation.
Before another paw swing toward him, he was racking his brain trying to find ways of getting out. His skills currently wasn’t meant for any purpose of halting his opponent’s movement. Right now the only thing that he could do was initiating a surprise attack hoping to stun the furry beast for a few second.
Seeing the beast its height was as tall as the ceiling of tunnel, thick brownish fur covered the body of the beast. Without the cover of the fur, thick muscle was bulging under it. Its appearance was similar akin to a bear but quite different, a pair of horns was protruding on top of its head. its eye was menacing with yellowish in color. But the most distinct feature about this beast was the large turtle shell that cover its back.
The shell itself seems to be difficult to get through, but that was not the case right now. Determined to make his move. He tighten his grip on the bow’s handle and prepare himself to draw. His eye was set to a certain point on the bear. For being a lower level, he could not even see the name of the beast that was literally above him.
He steel his heart to prepare for the worst. Within a second he releases an arrow hitting it below the jaw of the predator. The bear like beast was frozen to its spot hinting it maybe stun, taking his chance he stood up and ran toward the entrance of the cave.
Glancing to his back the beast was already on his tail, roaring itself to R. it wasn’t even 1 second but it was already breaking through the ground of the tunnel chasing his prey. R was skeptical at first seeing the face of the beast but it seems like it was grinning in ecstasy. Many thoughts were running through R’s mind but one thing was certain the beast let him run, for the purpose of chasing its prey.
R’s monolog
Damn it how come even the monsters have their own wicked personality.
R ran and ran, ignoring the monster that he pass by, aggroing them by him merely passing through. All of the monster that was chasing him was then also quickly make haste as they were running for their lives. One by one the monster that was chasing him was being preyed by the one beast that was chasing R.
He took a peek toward the monster that running side by side with him, an expression of fear was embedded in their faces. Hard to believe but it was astounding how the game creator program the very essence of the A.I to express these different emotion and variables. Along with fear a sense of excitement was starting to bud within his heart. Truly a sense of realism.
As his fellow runners drop one by one gnaw by the very predator that was chasing him, he was thankful it wasn’t him that has been prey on. Each time he reaches a tunnel junction, he would perform an acrobatic leap shooting. Using the wall of the edge of the tunnel as a platform, he bounces off to his intended direction while shooting in mid-air while not dropping his velocity. A stunt that he has experience in doing through his undisclosed past. But to no avail, little does it do to the thick fur of the beast
Maintaining his speed, he was ascertain that the beast was far from his reach. But to his unlucky fate, he saw the beast was smirking toward him hinting R’s death was near.
R’s monolog
F*$k this bear, I wish I could kill it with one shot but no matter the entrance is just in front, hopefully it would not chase me after getting out of the cave.
As his inner monologue ends, an intense heat can be felt from the back of his body. thinking it was a bad sign to turn his head, he abandoned his curiosity and steadfast on running toward the entrance. From the back the mouth of the beast was gradually becoming brighter, a red light was manifesting itself and as its color brighten so does the temperature of the light.
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Depicting like an intelligent being, it seems to know that the cave entrance was near and its prey was about to escape from the sharp fangs of it mouth.
‘I see it!!’
Exclaimed R with a nervous voice, he haven’t died yet in this game but he surely wouldn’t want to experience it. there was only 10 meters left before R could get out, sweats were dripping from his face not only because of the adrenaline of the chase but also because of hot temperature that was coming from his back.
He knows, R knows that before he could reach the entrance his life would flew by burn by the anomaly that was coming from behind him. Then he thought of an idea, there was a way for him to survive this ordeal but it depend on how much luck does he has.
All this while his high agility was sole reason that he had survived, it seems the speed of the beast was no less the same as him.
Opening up his inventory window, he took out one arrow along with a rope like material that he got from the cave monster’s drop. He do not know if this could work but he tries it. Making a knot to the end of the arrow shaft, he makes sure it was tight enough and does not come loose.
The attempt was successful as a new window opens up after he finishes.
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You have successfully created a Makeshift arrow rope x1
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His idea was a success, R grins as the game sticks to its motto of a sense of realism. Adapting to new things, the game itself hold unlimited future possibilities. Creating something without a skill was an achievement he had never expected.
Keeping his calm he draws his bow with the arrow rope. Entwining the end of the rope to his right hand, he was prepared to do the impossible. Targeting the ceiling of the entrance of the cave, he then begin his plan.
Releasing the arrow it stuck to the ceiling, before he could make sure it was safely embedded into the ceiling. The beast takes notice and release the intense heat from his mouth. A torrent of bright red flames cut through the air toward its intended target, R.
With no time to lose, R tugs the rope and dash as fast as he can and leaps into the air. Using the rope as a swing, he travel through the air and exited out of the cave. Angling his body to the side, he manipulates his body to land to the side of the entrance hoping to not be burn by the flamethrower of the beast that travels far after it exit from the entrance of the cave.
Lucky as he maybe, the flames burns a bit of the edge of his beginner’s cloth. The flames quickly deplete his health point until it drops to 10 point. Dropping his bottom to the ground a loud thud can be heard.
‘ouch!’
A sigh of relief came from his mouth, he was lucky to be able to survive from the attack of a mini boss. Normally a party of player consisting of 4 to 6 player are needed to defeat a mini-boss. For a solo player to go against the mini-boss prove to be fatal moreover with his lower level it was like a death sentence.
Resting his body against the earthen wall, he was now able to relax himself but….
‘GRRROOOAARR’
Surprised by the loud roar he turns his head to his left side. From the bright smile face turns to pale sadden face in mere second after witnessing the unexpected. The beast was outside the cave, roaring upward to the night sky.
He thought that the beast would be confined by the area limited of the cave but it wasn’t as he has not expected. Defying the rules of gaming, it was free from restriction. The beast set its sight on R, with its saliva dripping down to the ground; it was time for it to feast on its prey.
R on the other hand kneel to the ground and open his arms wide welcoming the beast, welcoming his first death in the game. He has no more regret the game itself was a new reality, it was due to him underestimating the game that lead him to this point.
Closing his eye he waits for the final strike from the beast.
‘uhm am I dead yet?’
He wait and wait but the killing blow hasn’t arrived yet. Bewildered by the sudden anti-climatic progression, he slowly open one of his eyelids. Squinting his eye, he peeks at what was happening.
‘ouh I be damned’
A woman clad in metal armor or more precisely only the gauntlet and boots. It was none other than Ailani. A portion of her armor has changed, exuding a shine of metal brilliance. The silverish gauntlets that reach up to her elbow and also the metal boots that went up to her knee gave her a new look.
The centerpiece has also changed but still maintain the concept of ‘skimpy’ not metal but brand new leather skimpy clothing that only cover her chest in a minimal kind of way exposing a lot of flesh. Still no idea what kind of fashion these islander have.
In front of R, Ailani was holding her ground against the beast. Gritting her teeth, a new round metal shield was used to block the attacks of the beast. On her right hand, was like a falchion like blade with its hilt made with silver material. These new armor must have up her defense a little bit compare to her old cloth style armor.
From the back of the beast, a shadow skip past his eye numerous times, it was none other than Kasumi. Her fast movement was hard to keep an eye on. Compare to R his agility was much higher than her but her passive skill along with her active skill boost her speed tremendously exhibited by her sheer speed. She then arrived in front of R.
‘hey! Why are you kneeling around come help us beat the Shell97 Kuma’
‘ah yes maam!’
A perplexed look raise to Kasumi face after hearing R’s odd reply. Getting up from his kneeling position, R stand tall and tighten his grip on his bow.
‘haha, I guess my time isn’t there yet. Come KUMA!!!’
‘for someone who has only 10 health point you sure has a big mouth’
‘lend me a health potion would you’
‘sheesh this one is a family recipe so you better pay it accordingly got it’
Kasumi grab a health vial from her small pouch located at her waist. She then throws it R, the vial was as small as test tube with only few liquids in it.
‘eh, is that all?’
‘just drink it and you will know it’
Gulping down the whole vial, his health immediately became full. He notices that the vial was name as Secret Shiroe Clan Health potion (1). It was a different kind of feeling compare to the usual store bought health potion, the (1) indicate it as level one the lowest and compare with the normal health potion its capability was far out beat it to the dust. The normal one could only recover up to 100, but this one instantly recover R 1000+ health point in a mere one drink. This Shiroe clan is a mystery that needs to be unravel, that thought linger on R’s mind and also the intention of taking advantages of it. Without knowing it his face was grinning wide.
‘yaaa! What are you grinning about go shoot some arrows!!’
‘uumm guys could you help me a bit, im think im gonna die’
Said Ailani with a depressed voice, it seems she was at her limit taking all those attack from Kuma.
Taking notice of Ailani healt, Kasumi ran to her while giving her another health vial. The incoming attack from Kuma was block by both dagger of Kasumi. But her weightless body was easily thrown to the side by the might of the Kuma’s paw. Flying straight to the earthen wall she maneuver herself while in the air, and take ahold of the wall as a platform and leap into the sky above the Kuma.
She was ready to unleash a skill as both her daggers were starting glow, the Kuma react to the sudden feeling and raise its head to the sky targeting the immobile Kasumi in midair. Kuma’s mouth was getting brighter hinting it was ready to unleash another flamethrower.
Noticing the bright red coming from its mouth, R quickly draw and release an arrow directed at Kuma’s gaping mouth. Not one but two arrows flying through the wind hitting the jaw of the beast.
Both arrows manage to hit the jaw and cause Kuma head to sway a bit, the bright red glows dies down as it then change its target to the one interrupting its fight. Locking on to R, shivers go down his spine as its menancing gaze was staring deeply to R.
Unfazed by the gaze, he stares back at the beast. In reality he was shivering not because he was afraid but because of excitement. It’s been a while since he felt this.
With no time to waste, he draw and shoot he draw and shoot and again he draw and shoot. In a blink of an eye, he releases three arrows with blinding speed.
All three of the arrows strike the knee joint of the beast rendering it unable to move for awhile. At the same, Kasumi initiate her skill. it was a setup made for Kasumi.
‘Ninpo: flurry of the sixth tail’
Her eyes were gleaming with the instinct to kill. Dropping down from the air, a continuous 6 slashes connected to the body of Kuma. Blood spurt out into the surrounding; Kuma releases a groan of pain as the attack clearly damage it.
With a sense of rage, it swing its huge paw all around with the intention of hitting the nimble kunoichi. Even as fast as she can one of it hits Kasumi but like a Kunoichi would do she block it and again swept of by the force of it hurling her into the air.
Meanwhile the six wound that was fresh made was gushing with blood, it seems the skill have the effect of bleeding after the success of it landing to Kuma.
Ailani on the other hand charge ahead after gulping the vial recovering a portion of her health back to the safe zone.
Kuma ran toward R, as Ailani try to intercept brandishing her sword and shield. But only one swipe push her away , blitzing to R. Ailani not hamper by the attack, ran back toward the beast activating a skill.
‘Battle Intent!!!’
A surge of aura release from Ailani, Kuma stop on its track and change its sight on to Ailani. Her skill Battle Intent, provoke Kuma to change its target while at the same time boost Ailani defense up to 10% but only up against the provoke monster.
Kuma attack Ailani with its humongous paw, Ailani grit her teeth and defend to her last breath. R takes this chance and rapidly release arrow and arrows targeting its joint. Its attack was steadily decreasing in its speed with all the arrows locking its joint little by little.
Kasumi on the other hand continuously deliver slash by slash while jumping around in her ninja like speed.
‘come on guys, there only 30 second left before it change its intended target’
Kasumi let out a grunt,
‘Ninpo: flurry of the sixth tail’
Again her shinobi techniques lands on Kuma’s body severely depleting its health, while R arrows drive deep into its joint as the continuous arrow spree hit it mark.
Bit by bit its health drop until it reaches the 1%. None of them knows as both NPC weren’t able to see the gaming side while R was 20 level below it. but they press on, as Ailani Battle Instinct dies down. Her defense drop with her health clearly in the red zone.
One big swipe and she would be gone. Fatigue after taking all those hit from Kuma, she could only stand and watch as it swing its huge paw.
R rush to her, while again drawing his bow attacking the beast as much as he can. He then shout to Kasumi;
‘Kasumi!!! save Ailani!!’
Kasumi was alert to R’s command, and with her speed she forward dash to Ailani. In her mind, her instinct was telling her she could not make it.
The scene slow down like those in the movie where the dramatic scene unfold, Kuma’s paw move slowly inch by inch until it was only 1cm of reaching Ailani’s face. But then!!
Two arrows simultaneously struck Kuma’s side of the head, knocking it back a bit stunning it only by a mere 0.25 second. But it was enough, for R to dash in front of her and intercepts the incoming attack. attempting to block the attack was suicide for the fragile archer but he has an alternative.
Unleashing his dagger, he redirected the course of the attack to a safer distance. But for a mere archer with mediocre strength, it was a feat that seems to be impossible. R’s dagger fluidly guides the paw of Kuma causing it to miss only an inch from scratching Ailani face.
The slow motion ends with the paw strike to the ground and Ailani saved by Kasumi after the split moment she caught up and carry her to safety.
But R was now in danger as he faces his imminent doom in front of the menacing Kuma. Without knowing its Kuma life was only 1 percent, R has a face off with the lone beast.
Kuma aggressively attack R, he dodge it as fast as he could pushing his concentration to the limits. He has never fought one and thus the way he dodge was crude. Right now he was only evading all the attacks based on the angle and movement of Kuma.
But it wasn’t enough, bits by bits his health was dropping, each time he dodge a little nick land on his body. some of those blow that he cant evade was parry by the dagger that he wield. For one thing the durability of the dagger was rapidly decreasing. It was only a beginner level weapon and the furious onslaught of Kuma make R push on to his edge barring all his skills to win against it.
Putting Ailani at a safer distance, Kasumi then join in the battle while leaping through the air ready to the deliver the last and final skill.
R was trying his best to keep himself alive while dodging all those deadly one hit paw strike.
‘Keep it busy for 2 second!’
‘im trying here’
Kuma was too keen on R as he do not notice the airborne Kasumi that was charging her dagger with a glow of purple hue.
Noticing it at the last minute, Kuma turn his head to Kasumi and try to attack with a premature flamethrower, a weak torrent of flame came out of its mouth targeting Kasumi.
Kasumi not able to charge it fully, release the skill much earlier
‘Ninpo: flurry of the sixth tail!’
Raining down on Kuma was 6 vertical slash but 2 slash has miss its target due to Kuma interruption. At the same time, R take this opportunity and lodge arrows to its expose bleeding wound made by Kasumi earlier with his bare hands. Arrows and arrows he push it deep into the wound of the battle-harden bear.
Kuma wrings in pain dropping its body to the ground while still maintain eye contact with R. if there were able to see its health it was only 0.1% left. But by the looks of it Kuma was already at death’s door. Its body was full with injury with still blood seeping out.
It could only moves its head, raising it trying to be at the same eye level as R.
R was gasping for air, but he still maintain the long eye contact with Kuma. Seeing it unable to move, R knows that it was time. Drawing his bow slowly, he look at the beast eyes and said one thing before releasing the arrow point blank to its head.
‘sayonara’