With everything that happened the past few days, I'm almost happy to forget my worries and sink into the tedious but predictable rhythm of digging. Mind you, I still don't enjoy it; My claws getting gunked up with dirt isn't exactly what I would call a fun time, after all. But I will admit the relatively peaceful process in this hellish place is a nice change of pace, despite its drawbacks, and it gives me plenty of time to think about what needs to happen moving forward.
First and foremost, I need to find a way back to the main den. As lovely as the hill is, with its beautiful views of the giant light crystal on the ceiling and the ravenous hordes of slobbering monsters, staying here for more than a few days wouldn't be in my best interest. Not only do I not know what exactly lives in this area–there could be a massive monster the size of the trees waiting in ambush for all I know–the location is too central to monster activity, making the risk my den is discovered much higher.
There's the argument that the higher vantage point and overall elevation would offer more protection in the short term, which isn't wrong. Still, if monsters keep swarming, eventually, one will find us up here. If that happens, it's lights out for me and Eminence, simple as. If I'm going to deal with the threat of discovery, I would prefer it to be in an area where not many monsters have set up shop.
Of course, all of this is easier said than done, and I'm getting ahead of myself by several steps. No, Aria, you need to focus; one thing at a time. Don't let your overactive mind distract you. Shelter comes first, then you can worry about the details.
My claws scrape against the dirt as the outline of my new outpost slowly comes to fruition. And by slow, do I mean slow. After digging for around fifteen minutes or so, I find myself in a gently curving tunnel only five or so feet deep, which is...strange. My Dig skill is pretty high, letting me dig much deeper than this with relative ease. What's going on?
Glancing around at the soil walls surrounding me, I notice something odd: It's rocky. About a foot into the ground, the texture of the dirt suddenly shifts from the packed, pillowy softness one would expect from normal dirt and becomes rough and filled with tiny rocks. I guess I hadn't noticed, being so engrossed in my thoughts. Still, the texture reminds me of something I can't quite put my finger on.
Let's see, lots of tiny rocks packed close together. Different consistency of dirt and...is that sand? Weird. What would sand be doing here? We aren't close to the ocean or a lake, right? Come to think of it, I don't think I've seen any water since I was reborn. Would there be an ocean underground? There are trees, so I suppose it's possible...
Abruptly, I'm pulled from my wandering thoughts by a massive explosion that shakes the floor so hard I'm forced to the ground, my legs sprawling out behind me. What in the hell was that?! Dirt and sand trickle down from the ceiling as more explosions rock the tunnel, and I struggle to get my feet under me. I need to get out of here; the tunnel isn't secure.
Fear blooms in my chest as I crawl out of the unfinished den, but my pace is horrifyingly slow. Constant detonations knock me side to side, and it takes almost all I have to dodge the falling debris that threatens to squish me like a bug. Thanks to my ears, I can feel, or rather hear, when a large rock is going to dislodge itself, which helps me avoid serious injury.
It's a bizarre experience to be able to pinpoint exactly where something is going to land based on the sound it makes when it falls. Human ears obviously take in sound waves and have good surround sound, but it can be hard to track something down accurately. Thankfully, I don't need to worry about that. My ears swivel and bend better than a cat's, capturing any sound they can with dizzying precision; coupled with the Vibration Sensitivity mutation, my ears are superhuman in their function.
Unfortunately, they aren't perfect. I roll to my right after a massive explosion shakes me like a British nanny, dislodging a sharp rock that thuds into the ground, barely missing me. Whew, that was close! I could have-OH, CRAP! Lost in shock, I'm slow to react as a boulder plummets toward my head. In a last-ditch effort, I fling myself forward with all my strength, and it's almost enough.
The boulder slams into my left back leg with a sickening crunch, barely missing the base of my tail. Pain explodes in my leg and digs into my mind, but I don't have time to worry; escape comes first. But still, holy hell, that hurts! I twist around to try and leverage the boulder off my leg, horrified to see that I can't reach it with my arms. Thankfully, the boulder isn't as big as I thought it was, but I can't use my uninjured leg to push it off either because of the way it landed. Damnit! What do I do? Think Aria, think!
My mind races as I reach for a solution, my eyes searching for anything nearby to increase my reach, but to no avail. Desperation creeps into my chest. Am I really going to have to cut off my leg to get out of here? My heart races as I begin to slip into a panic attack.
[Mistress! Your tail! Use your tail!] Eminence's voice breaks into my terrified thoughts like a battering ram and the forceful intrusion takes me aback. Use what? My tail? Right, my tail! I have a tail! Oh, thank you, you beautiful little centipede!
My tail lashes out and wraps around the boulder. My scales scrape against the rock as I flex the thick appendage and try to push it off my leg, but it's no use; I can't get a proper grip! A full minute goes by as I undergo the most stressful and intense workout of my life, my tail pushing this way and that in a desperate attempt to free myself as terrifying explosions shake the tunnel. I'm close to getting it a few times, but my tail slips at the last second, and I'm back to square one.
What if I can't get out in time before the tunnel collapses? Will I suffocate or just be crushed to death? What about Emii? I don't think she can survive without me; she's too small to hunt for herself. Am I going to die for real this time? On and on, I ramble in my mind, my fear and anxiety threatening to kill me before a voice suddenly interrupts me.
[Tail Manipulation has reached Level 5! Upgrade available!]
[Tail Manipulation > Advanced Tail Manipulation.]
[Advanced Tail Manipulation; Level 1:] Significantly improves the user's speed, strength, and precision when using the tail for attacks, grasping, and manipulating objects. Further levels in the skill will provide more substantial improvements.
[Do you wish to upgrade Tail Manipulation to Advanced Tail Manipulation? This will cost 1 Skill point.]
Whaaaaattttt?! Advanced Tail Manipulation? Oh, thank you, System! This is exactly what I needed! I'm so sorry for all the bad things I said about you. Buy it!
A soothing trickle of water erupts in my mind as the purchase rolls over my brain, and the skill begins working almost immediately. My tail grips the side of the boulder with renewed vigor. My scales scrape and slide across the smooth surface, but my will is indomitable, and with a tremendous heave of strength, I slide the rock off my leg with a thud. In one swift movement, I lurch back to my feet and dash out of the tunnel.
My leg is in too much pain to put any weight on, so I use my tail for support as I run, or I should say hop, out of danger. I can't tell the full extent of my injury down here; I'll need to get a good look once I'm outside. Son of a bitch, that hurts! Why did It have to land on my leg? Breaking my foot would have been more than enough, you know!
As I emerge from the tunnel, my tail already cramping, the smell of burning assaults my nose, and as my eyes adjust, it doesn't take long to see why. The trees are on fire. In fact, everything is on fire.
What in the absolute hell is happening?