As the arachnid came at them [VRYX] changed his tune, “No time to run. We fight!”
The last statement was said like a battle cry. Then the hobgoblin froze in terror. The other two had already been shaking in fear since the giant scorpion had appeared. It was three metres long and its stinger reached almost as high. The plates of chitin covering its body had a sandy colouring. Only the claws differed in that they were a dark brown.
With the ‘smart chief-to-be’ unable to move, Lucien decided to take charge. He was surprised as the orders were shouted at those around him. He’d never really been a person of leadership before. Then again, he’d never really been given the opportunity either.
“[VRYX], [DRAR], keep its claws occupied! [TILDA] try to shoot upwards through its mouth, aim for its brain!”
Even as the words left his mouth he was already moving, trying to run around behind the monster. The plan was to pin down the stinger with the rock in his hand. He’d have to jump, but even then, it would be a tough call. Racing past the monsters left side, the stinger struck towards him. Apparently, he’d been deemed the largest threat. Maybe because he was the biggest?
Sensing the attack was easy enough. To his hearing it felt like slow motion. The trouble was that his body also felt like it was in slow motion. His amazing skill let his mind know to get out of the way, but letting his body also know that was proving troublesome.
With monumental effort Lucien edged the rock he was holding in front of his chest, right where the point of the stinger struck. He watched as the scorpion’s main weapon bent at the same time as his wrist and shoulder cracked. That didn’t sound good. The creature screeched in agony and rage. Obviously, it was unhappy with its currently predicament. What it thought would be some easy meals had turned into a fight to the death.
There was no time to assess his injuries and the adrenaline pumping through his veins was keeping him focused. Picking the rock up with his uninjured right hand from where he had dropped it, he started running again. With his focus on overdrive, Lucien spotted a foot tall boulder on the right side of the tunnel. At the same time as he glanced at the boulder, the monster was pushed back towards it by its foes from the front. He grinned. Perfect.
Continuing to rush, he stepped up onto the large rock, turned around and jumped, bashing the rock into the bulb holding the bent stinger. More loud screeching ensued. The monster tried to lift its tail but Lucien swung his unresponsive arm over the top and proceed to smash the joint holding its main weapon. After a few swings the bulb broke away from its body. The rock he had wasn’t very strong, it already had cracks running through it from the short use. Even as the fight continued at the front of the [DESERT SCORPION], pain made its way through Lucien’s arm, slowly increasing to the point of excruciating.
Knowing the fight was far from over, Lucien tried his best to ignore it, and jumped onto the arachnid’s back. Clinging to the plates of the creature’s body he observed that its claws were being successfully kept at bay. Unfortunately, [TILDA] wasn’t having as much luck. Her bolts zeroed in with perfect aim, but the creature knew to defend its weak spot. Dragging himself forward with rock still in hand and his other arm hanging behind him, Lucien made his way to the front of the monster. Trusting the others to continue keeping its claws occupied, Lucien took the pointy end of his blood-spattered rock and jammed it upwards through the scorpion’s jaws as hard as he could. The monster screeched one the final time, before falling down dead. The rock then cracked into pieces, useless for any future fights.
*DING*
Monster – Desert Scorpion – [LEVEL 14] has been slain.
You have gained a vast amount of [EXPERIENCE] for your level
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
*DING*
[LEVEL UP] You have reached Level 1.
[LEVEL UP] You have reached Level 2.
[LEVEL UP] You have reached Level 3.
[LEVEL UP] You have reached Level 4.
[LEVEL UP] You have reached Level 5.
10 Attribute points have been distributed according to the natural inclinations of your race.
You have 5 Skill points and 10 Attribute points to distribute manually.
An influx of energy instantly rushed through him and his entire body glowed light green for a moment. There was a popping sound as his arm snapped back into place. It was painful, but everything felt a heck of a lot better afterwards.
Levels? Points? What, was this a game? If he tried to bring up a status screen would-. Hang on a minute. A screen had appeared in front of him.
[STATUS]
KIND: [HUMANOID]
RACE: [HUMAN]
SEX: [MALE]
AGE: 24
NAME: [LUCIEN WILLIAM SOLSTICE]
[LEVEL 5]
STR – 8
VIT – 4
AGI – 3
DEX – 11
CON – 8
INT – 25
WIS – 9
CHA – 8
PER – 32
Spare Points: 10
Looking over his base stats he realised that both his [PERCEPTION] and [INTELLIGENCE] were insane. He guessed that the baseline for every human was ten, which meant most of his physical attributes had been woefully low. He knew exactly where the automatically assigned points had gone. He’d felt it with that rush of power. Both [STRENGTH] and [CONSTITUTION] had increased. That meant the only physical stat he’d had above five was [DEXTERITY], which made sense when you thought about it. Being unable to see involved a fair bit of tripping or falling over. To accommodate this, he had learned how to fall in a smart manner, which involved being quite dexterous. An above average amount apparently.
If he was going to survive this environment he’d need to start with at least average physical attributes. His [DEXTERITY] was fine for now and any future levels would automatically increase his [STRENGTH] and [CONSTITUTION]. As he increased both [VITALITY] and [AGILITY] by five, another green glow washed over his body. And just like that, the rest of the pain in his wrist and shoulder was gone. He had been able to sense that nothing was broken. Just a sprained wrist and dislocated shoulder. Ailments which thankfully his rise in [CONSTITUTION], and then [VITALITY] had quickly healed up.
Finished with his screen, he mentally dismissed it and turned his attention to the goblins who were staring at him in awe and fear.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“How did you know names? How did you know names command?” [VRYX] asked, his voice heavy with suspicion.
“I know your names because I overheard you talking earlier. And what do you mean names command? Wait… Using your names forces you to obey any command? How does that even work?”
Lucien looked at them in bafflement. They looked back with stunned expressions.
“So you not know names command?” [DRAR] asked.
“You just have very big hearing?” [TILDA] added.
Lucien nodded in response.
“So why does using your name mean you have to obey?”
[VRYX] gathered himself together and seemed to come to a decision.
“You are strong and smart. Will you lead us? And form a party with us? If you agree, [VRYX] will answer.”
Lucien rubbed his chin in thought. He could just command the hobgoblin to tell him, but that would make him a real jackass. Besides, forming a party to level up didn’t seem like a bad move.
“Alright, I’ll form a party with you. Now will you tell me-.
*DING*
Select from the following.
Note: A party can only contain up to five members.
Do you wish to form a party with:
* [VRYX]
* [DRAR]
* [TILDA]
[Y/N]
He selected all three and confirmed.
*DING*
You have sent a party request to three entities.
Pending…
*DING*
The following entities have accepted your party request:
* [VRYX]
* [DRAR]
* [TILDA]
[EXPERIENCE] will now be divided among your party.
The entity that lands the killing blow will earn a larger share of [EXPERINCE].
As [PARTY LEADER] you will automatically earn a larger share of [EXPERINCE].
Wow. Sounded good to him.
“Now about your names?”