Jack's first priority was to assess his injuries. With a grimace, he reached up to his shoulder, his fingers probing the torn armor and the raw flesh beneath. Blood seeped from the wound, and he grimaced at the sight. His side was similarly wounded, the armor there also stained with blood. He needed to find a way to tend to his injuries before they became life-threatening.
The cavern was still and silent, except for the occasional water drip echoing through the vast emptiness. Jack’s eyes scanned the surroundings, looking for any sign of movement or his missing companions. The chaotic retreat had separated them, and now, as the dust settled, he was alone.
“Lyla! Goldeyes! Monsoon! Cael!” he called out, his voice echoing through the cavern. The words seemed to disappear into the darkness, swallowed by the cavern’s oppressive silence. There was no response, only the eerie stillness of the cave. He tried calling out to his Companions mind but got no response. Goldeyes must be out of range.
Jack’s heart pounded in his chest as he fought to keep panic at bay. He couldn’t afford to lose hope. He needed to find his companions, or at least a way out of the labyrinthine cavern.
He started to move cautiously through the winding passageways, his steps slow and deliberate as he navigated the treacherous terrain. The cavern’s layout seemed to shift and change around him, the walls and passages distorting in the dim light. Jack used his Night Vision Skill sparingly, conserving his energy as much as possible while he sought out a safe place to regroup.
Every shadow seemed to hold a potential threat, and every sound set his nerves on edge. The silence was unnerving, amplifying every creak and groan of the cavern's shifting walls. Jack's thoughts raced as he tried to recall any landmarks or passages he might have noticed during the battle. The layout of the cavern was becoming increasingly unfamiliar, and he struggled to maintain a sense of direction.
After what felt like hours of navigating the labyrinthine corridors, Jack stumbled upon a small, open chamber. The space was relatively clear of the twisting, narrowing passageways, and it seemed to offer a brief respite from the oppressive darkness. He collapsed against the wall, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he took a moment to catch his breath.
The chamber was eerily quiet, save for the faint sound of dripping water and the occasional distant echo of something moving through the cavern. Jack’s thoughts turned to his companions once more. He had to find them. He couldn’t afford to lose anyone else.
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm despite the fear gnawing at his insides. He pulled out one of the last of Caels healing potions from his pouch, wincing as he lifted the bottle to his lips. The liquid was cool and soothing as it worked to mend the wounds, but it wasn’t a cure-all. His injuries were severe, and he would need more than just the potion to fully recover. He cursed himself for not carrying more on him. Before he had gotten separated, he had thought it made sense to have the alchemist carry most of the potions. Now he was regretting that notion.
As the potion took effect, Jack’s breathing eased slightly, and he felt the pain in his shoulder and side subside to a more manageable level. He took another moment to rest, using the time to think and plan his next move. The cavern was vast and treacherous, and every moment of rest was precious.
Jack took a moment to review his current status.
[Name: Jack
Race: Direborn
Exp: 40600/50000
Level: 14
Class: Warrior
Profession: Wargear Crafter
Path: N/A
Strength: 43
Agility: 41(+1)
Dexterity: 22
Wisdom: 7(+15)
Intelligence: 12(+15)
Charisma: 2
Constitution: 20(+5)
Endurance: 18(+10)
Free Points: 0
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Health pool: 107/250(107/280)
Mana pool: 120/120(270/270)
Stamina: 180/180(280/280)
Attunements: Water, Fire
Skills: Identify (Level 9), Awareness (Level 1), Skinning (Level 7), Woodcarving (Level 1), Weapon Crafting (Level 1), Alchemy (Level 2), Tracking (Level 5), Water Magic (Level 7), Swimming (Level 3), Leatherworking (Level 3), Armor Crafting (Level 2), Spear Mastery (Level 8), Night Vision (Level 5), Light Armor (Level 7), Mana Channeling (Level 2), Mana Overcharge (Level 2), Fire Magic (Level 4),
Class Skills: Berserk, Piercing Flurry
Profession Skills: Bone Recipe , Mix and Match
Spells: Fluid Grace, Ice Dagger, Conjure Water, Aqua Barrier, Underwater Breathing, Ember Dart, Flame Gout
Titles: Favored of the Alpha, Elemental Savant
Resistances: Water (17%), (Light (3%)), Fire (14%),
Abilities: Savage Roar, One with the Elements, Empathic Shielding, Mental Link]
The progress he had made so far was encouraging and Jack was eager for his next level. He was almost there, a few more kills should be enough to get it. His current Health pool was less encouraging although it was nice to see that his mana had refilled. Jack’s attention was suddenly drawn to a low, rumbling noise emanating from the far end of the chamber. The sound grew louder, more rhythmic, as if something large and heavy was moving through the cavern. He tensed, his senses on high alert as he gripped his spear tightly, preparing for whatever might be coming.
He could barely make out details with his Night Vision, but it was all he had since he had lost his lantern in the fight with the Spewers. As Jack scanned the area, he noticed a narrow, dark passage on the opposite side of the chamber. The rumbling seemed to be coming from that direction.
With cautious steps, Jack made his way toward the passage. The walls of the tunnel were lined with a thick, pulsating web-like substance that seemed to shimmer in the faint light. The air was heavy with a musty, pungent odor, and Jack could feel a subtle tremor in the ground beneath his feet.
Just as he was about to step into the passage, a sudden, blaring notification echoed in his mind, startling him:
Nest Detected:
You have entered a Nest, a specialized mini-dungeon within the larger dungeon. This area is inhabited solely by a single type of monster. Defeat the Boss Monster within this Nest to claim rewards and possibly uncover further secrets.
Nest Details:
* Monster Type: Shadowspinner Jackals
* Boss Monster: Shadowspinner Vixen Matriarch
* Objective: Eliminate the Jackals to complete the Nest
* Bonus Objective: Eliminate the Boss Monster to obtain extra rewards
* Rewards: Variable dependent on performance
Warning: The Nest environment may be hostile and challenging. Proceed with caution.
Jack’s heart pounded as he read the notification. A mini dungeon within the larger dungeon, complete with a specific monster type and a Boss Monster to defeat. This explained the peculiar atmosphere and the heightened sense of danger.
He glanced around the chamber, his mind racing. The Boss Monster would no doubt be a formidable opponent, and the Nest itself promised a concentrated and dangerous challenge. He needed to be at his best to confront it.
And right now, he was not at his best. He glanced at the notification he had received after the battle with the bugs.
[You have suffered Status Effect Bleeding]
[You will lose 1 health every second until this Status Effect is lifted]
He tried taking another of the potions he had been saving for an emergency. However while it did make his health tick up the Bleeding Status Effect just made it go right down again. He needed something to staunch the wound in his side before he bled out. Searching through his pouch he found only one item that might serve. Darius’s robe.
Grimacing, Jack drew out the elfs garment. The fabric was a dark, necrotic silk, still somewhat tattered from its previous owner's battles, but it was the best makeshift bandage he had. He tore the robe into strips, working quickly despite the pain. As he wrapped the fabric around his side, he used a portion to apply pressure to the wound, trying to stem the flow of blood. The robe's necrotic nature made it a somewhat unsettling choice, but it was better than bleeding out. There was a kind of grim irony to the idea that robes attuned to death would be what saved his life.
His efforts were rewarded when, a few minutes later, the Status effect lifted, his health stabilizing at 71 points. Not ideal but better than actively bleeding out. Now he just needed a way to recover his health. He only had a few healing potions left and didn’t want to use them unless he absolutely had to. Besides, if he depended solely on potions for healing he would only be able to last for couple of fights before being left with no way to heal himself.
As he tried think of a way he could recover his health in the short amount of time he had before these Jackals found him a thought struck him. He checked and confirmed that his last 4 levels had given him 20 Class Points giving him 25 in total. Next he pulled up the Warrior Class skills list. He was looking for one skill in particular.
[Lifeleech
Requirements: Edged or Piercing Weapon
CP Cost: 20
Type: Active
Cooldown: 60 seconds
Stamina Cost: 60 Stamina
Effect: Absorbs health from the target and transfers it to the wielder
Duration: 60 seconds
Description: Infusing a weapon with life-draining energy, you strike your opponent with a devastating blow that siphons their very life force. Each successful hit drains a portion of the target's health, converting it into vitality for yourself. This act of necromantic theft not only replenishes your own health but also weakens the target, reducing their combat effectiveness.]
Jack’s fingers trembled slightly as he reviewed the skill description. Lifeleech seemed like a perfect fit for his current situation, offering a way to regain health by draining it from his enemies. With a decisive nod, he allocated his Class Points to acquire the skill.