As the battle with the three remaining fishmen intensified, Asher quickly assessed the situation. He knew he needed to gain control of the fight to efficiently dispatch his foes. With a strategic mind, he called out to his guardian, instructing it to use its provoke skill [https://i.imgur.com/Jh70ESi.png [https://i.imgur.com/Jh70ESi.png]].
The guardian, understanding Asher's command, unleashed its provoke ability. It let out a challenging shout, carrying a magical compulsion, an irresistible call to battle that targeted the fishmen directly.
The effect was immediate. The fishmen, their attention now forcefully drawn to the guardian, redirected their assault. They charged towards the guardian, their tridents aimed with lethal intent.
With the fishmen now preoccupied with the guardian, Asher tactically retreated into a nearby large rock. He understood his role in this battle; as a support, his presence on the front line was not only unnecessary but potentially detrimental. His strengths lay in strategy and support, not direct confrontation.
Asher watched from his concealed position, confident in his guardian's resilience. He knew that the guardian was more than capable of handling the attacks from these common-ranked enemies. Its robust defense meant that these assaults were unlikely to pose a serious threat.
The guardian, standing firm, blocked as many of the fishmen's attacks, its provocation not just a mere distraction but a tactical ploy to control the flow of battle.
https://i.imgur.com/Z8AybXL.png [https://i.imgur.com/Z8AybXL.png]
https://i.imgur.com/XXSmW7f.png [https://i.imgur.com/XXSmW7f.png]
https://i.imgur.com/Z8AybXL.png [https://i.imgur.com/Z8AybXL.png]
The guardian's ability to mitigate damage was impressively efficient. As its health decreased, the effect of Death Carapace kicked in, enhancing its defensive capabilities in a direct response to the damage sustained. This level of resilience was a crucial factor in its ability to withstand the barrage from the fishmen.
Congratulations! Goblin's Rejuvenator has leveled up!
Lv: 2->3
Regen: 2.5% -> 3%
Status Aliments duration reduction: 12% -> 14%
Asher couldn't help but smile at the timely upgrade. "Perfect timing," he said, glancing at his guardian. "This will make you tankier"
The guardian was equipped with the Goblin's Regenerator effect, a potent passive skill that steadily replenished its health pool. This continuous regeneration of health, combined with the increased defense from Death Carapace, made the guardian a formidable tank, capable of sustaining itself through prolonged engagements.
The increase in regeneration rate from 2.5% to 3% meant that the guardian's ability to recover health during combat was now enhanced. Even a seemingly small increment like this could have a significant impact in prolonged battles.
Asher, observing from his concealed position, recognized that he did not need to expend his own mana to heal the guardian under these circumstances. The threat posed by the fishmen, though not insignificant, was well within the guardian's capacity to handle. This allowed Asher to conserve his mana for more critical situations that might arise.
"Every bit of extra regen and resistance makes a difference." Asher mused.
As Asher watched the battle unfold, he kept a keen eye on his cooldown timer. The moment it hit zero, signaling that his 'Agony' skill was ready for use again, he stepped out from his hiding spot, ready to turn the tides once more.
"Time to end this." Asher muttered to himself. With a swift gesture, he unleashed 'Agony' again, channeling the dark necromantic energy toward the three remaining fishmen.
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The tendrils of dark energy swirled and struck the fishmen, who immediately slowed, their movements becoming sluggish and their attacks less coordinated. The curse's debilitating effect was as effective as the first time, sapping their strength and speed.
With the fishmen impaired, Asher called out to his guardian, "Now's our chance! Finish them!"
The guardian, responding to Asher's command, surged forward. It engaged the fishmen with powerful strikes, capitalizing on their weakened state. Each blow from the guardian was precise and forceful, quickly overwhelming the fishmen.
The ambush, which had initially posed a significant threat, was swiftly turning into a rout. The fishmen, unable to match the guardian's strength and hampered by 'Agony,' were easily taken down.
One by one, they fell, until the last of them lay defeated on the sandy shore.
You have killed 3x 'Fishmen'. You have earned 60 EXP! (355/800)
Congratulations! Shield Charge has leveled up!
Lv: 2->3
Movement speed increased: 11% -> 12%
Base Damage: 55-60 -> 65-70
Congratulations! Shield Throw has leveled up!
Lv: 2->3
Base Damage: 15-20 -> 20-25
Asher sighed, a mix of relief and satisfaction in his breath. "Well done," he said, nodding at his guardian. "That could've gone much worse."
The failed ambush was a clear reminder of the dangers that lurked on the island. Asher knew that caution and strategy would be essential as he continued his exploration.
With the immediate threat neutralized, Asher and his guardian proceeded further inland. While venturing deeper into the island, the terrain shifted from sandy shores to a more rugged, dense landscape. The island, while small, had a surprising diversity of environments. The foliage thickened as they moved inland, creating a canopy that dappled the ground with shadows.
Despite Asher's careful search, they encountered no other fishmen. The absence of adversaries was peculiar, given their initial aggressive presence. Asher kept his guard up, knowing all too well that a lack of enemies on the surface often hinted at something more ominous lurking beneath.
Finally, they reached the heart of the island. There, nestled among the dense trees and underbrush, lay a large cave entrance. It loomed like a gaping maw, dark and foreboding. The cave's presence on such a small island was out of place, and its size suggested it was more than just a natural formation.
Asher paused at the entrance, surveying it cautiously. "This has to be it." he said quietly. "The remaining fishmen must be inside." The setup was all too familiar – a hidden stronghold, possibly housing not just enemies but also clues relevant to his quest.
He turned to his guardian, "We need to be prepared for anything in there. Lead the way" The guardian following his master's command, its stance ready and protective.
With a deep breath, Asher stepped into the cave, the cool, musty air of the interior enveloping him. The interior of the cave was distinctly aquatic in nature, a clear reflection of its inhabitants. The walls were damp, with moisture seeping through the porous stone, creating a slick, wet surface that glistened in the dim light. Puddles of water collected in small basins on the uneven floor, and the air was heavy with the scent of the sea that permeated the cave.
However, what truly caught Asher's attention was the unexpected source of illumination within the cave. The darkness he had anticipated was offset by a soft, radiant glow emanating from the walls and ceiling. Embedded within the rock were clusters of shiny blue ores, emitting a luminescent light that bathed the cave in a surreal, underwater-like ambiance. These bright ores, scattered but plentiful in the cave, provided enough light to navigate without the need for torches. The way they lit the cave created a serene atmosphere that contrasted sharply with the potential danger lurking within.
His eyes quickly adjusted to the dim light, and he proceeded with careful steps. The guardian followed suit, its heavy presence a constant reassurance.
The cave stretched deeper than Asher had anticipated, its walls narrowing as they progressed. The sound of their footsteps echoed softly, the only noise in the otherwise silent expanse. Asher knew that this quietude could be shattered at any moment by the emergence of their foes.
Unexpectedly, The straightforward passage he had been following came to an abrupt halt, giving way to a spiraling path that descended into the depths of the cave. The sight of the descending spiral was both intriguing and daunting, suggesting that the heart of the cave—and potentially the key to completing his side quest—lay below.
The spiral path wound down around a central column of stone, like a giant helix carved into the earth. The walls of the descent were adorned with the same luminous blue ores, their glow intensifying as the path delved deeper, almost as if guiding their journey downward.
Asher peered over the edge, trying to gauge the depth of the spiral. It seemed to extend far below, disappearing into the shadows despite the ethereal light from the walls. The air grew cooler as the path descended, and the sound of distant, echoing drips of water suggested the presence of underground pools.
"Looks like we're going deeper." Asher said, his voice resolute yet cautious. He knew that descending into the unknown posed risks, but it was a necessary step that has to be taken.