I'm still stuck and still surrounded, my situation isn't going to improve! Urgh, I can't keep thinking for much longer! My time is running out!
The ants are still dealing lots of damage to me as I flail around, trying to shake them off, but the more I shake off, the more that climb on! I have a fourth of my stamina left, and I still have no idea what to do!
I take quick peeks at my status and skill menu while fending off the large amounts of ants crawling over me.
[Level Up: Cycotus has leveled up LV5 >> OVERLV1.]
[Acquired: You have gained 3 Skill Points.]
[Level Up: Tail Swipe has leveled up LV1 >> LV2.]
What?
What is OVERLV?
Mabye I went past my max level because I've been fighting nonstop since I was able to evolve?
Nevermind, I still have other things to deal with right now! I go back to fighting and looking at my stats. Then I come across something interesting.
Air Propulsion?
[Air Propulsion: Allows the user to create a small burst of force at a specified location at the cost of MP. MP Usage: Small.]
This might help, I'll take it!
[Confirmation: Acquire Air Propulsion LV1 for 1 Skill Point?]
Yes!
[Acquired: Air Propulsion LV1 gained.]
Okay, let's try it out!
Uh, what?
How difficult is this to use?!
I still haven't gotten the basis of magic down, so of course the first time is gonna be difficult. But this?!
Imagine trying to make a clay pot with a very specific shape. Then imagine that clay pot spinning in every direction at once. That's how tough this magic is! It takes a huge toll on my willpower just to slow it down enough to finish one part of it! My mental powers felt immediately drained and I cancelled the creation of the spell. But that was a bad idea as well as a good idea...
Magic, when not completed properly, apparently when abruptly stopping the concentration creates a burst of force, releasing all the mana in all directions. Bad news, if I had cancelled it inside my body, I'd be ripped to shreds. Good news, I had moved it inside the body of the general ant in order to push out my fangs.
When I had cancelled the spell, I felt the effect almost immediately. The mana got chaotic and erupted, pushing not just my fangs out but also completely shattering the general's exoskeleton and splattering its guts everywhere. Gross, but I'm free! And unbelievably exhausted and hurt.. At least I can move, but I can't fight them now! What now?!
Stolen story; please report.
The ants seemed to back off now that they had lost their advantage, but I wasn't going to take any chances fighting them. I continued to look fearless when in reality I was incredibly nervous. Please don't stay and fight, please don't stay and fight...
Oh, great. They charged at me again. Why does it never go my way?! Ugh, what do I do?
I have enough mana for another Air Propulsion, but my capacity is so miniscule I'll feel like sleeping for 5 days afterwards. I might have to, though.... Argh!!! Too many tough decisions! I ready up another Air Propulsion and start working on the shape, but it's still really demanding, but at least a bit easier now that I know what I have to deal with. I don't plan on releasing it early for a burst like before, I'm going to use this spell to get away!
The ants seem to sense the mana being pulled together and flinch, not wanting to get blown up like their general. I guess they think the spell has that effect every time? Ah, well. I'm nearly halfway through when I see a few ants still rushing to me. I prepare to attack them but realize I can't move while making the spell or it'll blow up! This is bad. I can stand a few attacking me, but once they realize I can't attack while making this spell, they're all gonna pile on me! Whatever, endure it!
The ants realize I can't attack and all charge in. In a second, I'm surrounded by piles of sharp, gnashing mandibles. This still hurts bad, but I can't do anything about it right now!
[Acquired: Pain Resistance LV1 has been gained.]
I've had to endure this much for that long and only NOW get it?! Gains are gains, I guess.. I'm still mad though! How long does it take to increase these things? A few are easier to level up than others but still! I do not want to endure much more of this.. Focus! You have a spell to be making!
I try to push out the pain and stress and focus on keeping the spell in shape. It had gone unstable from my rambling, so I had doubled my work. Thanks a lot, me! I was starting to faint, but I had to block it out! I can't live if I die! Basic philosophy! Almost.. done...
There! I finished the spell! I still have no idea what it does, but here goes! I coiled up into a cone shape and activated the spell in the crevice under me. Immediately, I felt myself lifting off the ground. This is so hard to control! I felt like I was going to crash into the floor right after, so I surrounded my body with the spell and expended energy where I didn't want to go, creating a small amount of force that righted myself in the air. There were still some ants latched onto me, but I'd deal with them when I land! Right now, I have to focus on getting away!
I had gotten a little better with controlling it and put most of the force behind me with a little under to keep me in the air. I started soaring at the cost of a bit of MP, but it was a lot considering my insignificant capacity. I'd decided to go to a crevice on the roof just to make sure they wouldn't get up. I hope these ants are too big to climb the walls! My spell was running out of MP to use and me out of willpower. I put all the force on going up, I needed to get up there! Hell, mabye I could do something there to make myself stronger..
I get up on the ledge and instantly cancel the spell. I'm exhausted.. Need to take care of the ants stuck on me though! I finish them all before they can release any signals. Good, now I can relax for once... I still ache all over from those bites. how hurt am I? Appraisal.
...2 HP? I'm that low?! Hell.. I almost died fighting ANTS. I'm so weak...
Eh. I deserve a break. Let's relax here and eat the ants, I'm starving after that.
Blech. These ants taste like puke. I still have to eat them though..
Let's check our status.
[Status appraised.
Snake (Cycotus) OVERLV1
Name: (unnamed)
HP: 3/20
MP: 0/2 (Base Crystal)
STA: 2/20
Stat Chart < STR:7 FOR:6 (Developing) INT: 60 DEX: 10 >
Enhance Points: 5
Skill Points: 1
Enhancements: Eyes <2>
Skills: {Knowledge LV1} {Appraisal LV1} {Mental Haste LV1} {Raging Bite LV1} {Fang LV4} {Constriction LV1} {Detection LV1} {Grip LV1} {Tail Swipe LV1} {Air Propulsion LV1} {Pain Resistance LV1} {Hunger Resistance LV2}
Appraisal end.]
Okay.. I'm looking okay except for my stats. I just came from a battle, after all..
I'm exhausted.. mabye I should get.. some.. sleep....