A door? I turned away from the screen, the dim root's light revealing the changes in the ever-present walls of earthen dirt, now adorned with these ominous doorways. They stood like silent sentinels, their frames merging seamlessly with the compacted soil.
The roots had shifted without notice, forming four identical doorways on each wall. As I considered the four exits, the darkness in the room seemed to seep into them, creating an eerie black haze that surrounded each one. I couldn't see the slightest indication of what lay on the other side.
"Does it matter which way I go? What can I expect?" I inquired, my voice echoing softly in the stillness.
…
I waited a bit longer, but there was no response. The weight of the decision bore down on me, and I was left with a sense of vulnerability in this cryptic environment. "Ah. I guess we can't chat anymore. Alright." A hint of frustration crept into my voice as I waited for a reply, but it still never came. I sighed, realizing that the guide's presence was no longer there to provide answers or comfort. Not that it was ever very comforting.
"Then… I'll go this way." I resolved, turning to face the wall at my left. I didn't approach the door right away, instead deciding to try out my first skill.
Well, that was the idea, but after another brief pause, I found myself unsure how to use it. It was an unfamiliar sensation, trying to activate a skill without tapping into my mana pathways. Of course I knew I couldn't, but I could still feel them there, so it was only natural that I tried. Repeatedly. Confusion gnawed at me as my attempts yielded no results.
"Alright. Third try. Just focus really hard on it." Directing myself to keep trying, I spoke the skill's name in my thoughts. Still nothing. "Hm… Then, maybe if I include my intent?" Some spells were really picky that way. With determination, I focused my thoughts and intent, trying to summon the skill through sheer mental effort.
Finally, there was a soft thunk as I watched something fall into the dirt at my feet. Taking a step back, I observed the fallen item before kneeling for a closer look. A weapon? It looked like a sword with too much curve. It did have a sheath and even a strap, so that was useful. Once I finished inspecting it, I reached out a bit more cautiously than necessary to take hold of the strange sword and tensed as a screen spawned the moment I grasped it.
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You have received a common Scimitar.
I suggest you practice, as your Physical will not be doing you many favors as it is.
"Ah. Well, how hard can it be, right?"
…
I waited, but still no response. Fine. Clearing my throat, I unsheathed the sword carefully and examined the blade in the dim light. I'd held a dagger before, but the sword was heavier. Not as heavy as I expected, though. I was vaguely aware of a timer that started upon the sword's appearance, and if I focused enough on it, it would appear as a prompt.
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4 Hours, 56 Minutes remaining.
Nodding, I kept the sword in hand and just carried the sheath in the other as I turned to face the chosen doorway once more. "It'll be fine."
Not at all convinced, I stepped through, shuddering as the dark wisps seemed to tug at my skin.
On the other side, light washed over me, revealing a new but familiar and equally confounding space. I held my best idea of a defensive position, gaze flicking about the new space. I felt a shudder down my spine as I noticed a crumpled form in the corner.
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Mission obtained.
What luck! You have discovered a slumbering Goblin.
Look at how precious it is. Now stab it!
All enemies must be defeated to proceed.
1 Goblin remaining.
I hesitated, barely taking a chance to read the prompt as my attention remained on the grotesque figure only feet away. It was snoring. I'd never heard such a grating noise.
I had experience with killing Goblins, but it had always been from afar… I was a Mage, after all. And while this creature was similar, it didn't look exactly as I remembered. Since when did Goblins have tails? I froze further as the monster's snoring hitched and it shifted. Its oversized nose was twitching.
Realizing I was running out of time, I panicked and threw myself towards it with the scimitar held out. The blade made contact, carving right through the Goblin's shoulder as a curdled scream filled the space at an intense volume that reverberated through my skull. Wincing from the sound, I only just managed to notice the claws heading my way from the side and threw myself back, releasing my hold on the sword in the process.
Idiot! Five minutes in and I was already making mistake after mistake! I could have done it so much better, I could have used Aces, I could have taken the time to aim for something important… I could have held onto my damn sword! Hidden talent for swordsmanship, my ass! The thought of being the unwitting protagonist of some cruel game gnawed at my resolve.
Backing away as much as I could, I ran out of time to berate myself as the Goblin was already to its feet and clearly pissed. Its injured arm hung limp and trembling, but the other was poised, claws gleaming with malevolence. Its thick lizard-like tail thunked angrily at the dirt ground behind it, hard enough to start spreading dust. It hissed and spat, grossly thick saliva splattering the ground. Its face held a fierce snarl with many, many sharpened teeth on display. I did not doubt that they would go right through some bones.
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"...Sorry?" I tried, then grimacing as it took that cue to barrel in my direction. Desperation clawed at me as I considered my limited options. I couldn't afford another blunder. With a rather unmanly squeal that hopefully no one lived to talk about, I threw myself out of its path.
With its claws following me, I barely managed to curve my body enough for them to swipe past, my heart pounding in my chest upon the close call. Stumbling a bit as I ended up in the opposite corner, I watched the creature carefully for its next move. I just needed a chance to get that sword back. It was almost comical with the way the Scimitar was sticking out the back of the Goblin's shoulder.
The Goblin took a moment to throw a fit after it missed me, stamping its clawed toes into the ground and screeching out sounds I never wanted to hear again. As it turned around, I hurriedly activated Aces. This time I felt something click into place within my very being. Something to think about later.
Bracing myself, I waited for the Goblin to charge once more, angling myself so that I remained towards its weaker side. With one more screech, the Goblin's claws whistled through the air as it sprang toward me once more, its tail whipping like a battering ram behind it. I managed to hold back my panic towards this now airborne menace, staying light on my feet as I awaited the best chance.
The moment the Goblin's claws started towards my face, I curved my body in the opposite direction, my hand outstretched towards the embedded blade. The handle met with my grasp much sooner than I'd anticipated as the Goblin's momentum delivered it forward. Its breath, foul and rancid, blew across my face as its snarling maw closed in.
The claws non-gently caressing my face at this point, I grasped the handle tightly and yanked to the side. I felt the sting on my cheek as I watched the goblin forced backward by the movement of the sword, sent sliding off of it and about halfway to the wall before it just kind of crumpled to the floor.
The creature wailed, trying and failing to get back to its feet while it clutched at the abused shoulder. The feeling I'd gained after Aces was slotted had now faded, confirming to me that it took effect.
I breathed out, using the skill once more just for good measure as I raised the bloodied blade. This time I figured out exactly where I wanted to stab before rushing over. The Goblin screeched louder and struggled harder, seeming unable to put any strength into its legs.
The noise was nauseating, but I could only try to block it out until the scimitar finally found purchase. I missed my original mark of its chest by a bit due to its struggling, managing to stab right through its throat instead. A guttural cry of agony erupted from the creature as blood sprayed in all directions, painting the earthen walls in a grotesque display.
The few seconds of sounds that followed were something I'd be hearing in nightmares to come. I stood stock still after that, even as the room finally fell to silence, just waiting for something to go wrong. Instead, I received a prompt.
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Mission complete! You have slain the Goblin!
Congratulations! It was a dismal display, but you got the job done.
You have received 5 Physical EXP!
You have received 2 Mental EXP!
You have received a small chest!
Blinking a few times at the screen, I slowly relaxed, pulling the scimitar from the corpse. As the dust settled and the adrenaline began to wane, a sense of accomplishment washed over me. I'd killed a Goblin with a sword. Me, a mage! Hah. Not so noodle-armed now, am I? Pushing the memory of past jeers to the side, I glanced around. "So then, where is the..?" Cut off by the sound of the thunk and a squelch, I grimaced, lowering my gaze. There was the chest, nestled against the Goblin's torn throat.
"Yeah, yeah, real funny." I huffed, trying to flick some of the gore off the scimitar before sheathing it. Knights always made the action look so easy, but it was not. Leaning down, I picked up the chest, looking at it curiously from multiple angles. I was vaguely aware of the vines forming more doors around me as I opened the chest. There were biscuit-looking things within, wrapped in individual baggies.
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You have received 1000 gold!
You have received two Instant Rations!
Tip: Instant Rations will keep your belly nice and full for a period of 24 Hours.
They taste like sawdust. Enjoy!
"... Fine. That's fine." Shaking my head, I stuffed both bags into the topmost left pocket of my pants. I really hoped there would be more variety of food.
Now that all the drama was out of the way, I could properly take in the new room. It was practically identical to the last one. Was that going to be a thing? Surely there was more to a labyrinth than… A bunch of little rooms. Maybe this was just the starter area.
Sighing, I took a look at the newly formed doors. Only one was missing the black smoke. The one he had come in through showed a clear view of the previous room.
"...Status."
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Name: Cytus
Age: 18
Species: Humanoid
Origin: D66001-97
Class: Gambler
Condition: Intact, light scratches
Fatigue: 6/35
Physical: Rank F [5/100 EXP]
Mental: Rank D [2/1000 EXP]
General Skills:
Luck of The Draw - This can be used once every five hours. Spawns a random item. Could be a weapon, consumable, or survival gear. If not a consumable, the spawned item will disappear once the five hours are up.
Active Skills:
Flip a Coin - Fifty-fifty chance of either buffing or de-buffing the target. Target can be either self or others. Consumes 3 fatigue.
Aces - The next attack will inflict double damage. Consumes 3 fatigue.
Heads Up - Enemies will be forced to attack one at a time for the following five minutes. Consumes 5 fatigue.
Passive Skills:
Are You Feeling Lucky - Luck is 5% more likely to weigh in the owner's favor.
Gold: 42,400
Okay, not bad. I can probably handle another threat or two if I make a bad choice here. Not ideal, but not too bad. Okay. Nodding to myself, I mumbled a childhood rhyme to pick out the next door. "...By the tusks... If it grumbles... Eeny, meeny, mighty, me. Straight ahead it is."