20 – PICKING UP SPEED

【Spring Forest Grove – Rank: Usual】

Time Limit: 5:00

Rewards: Random

›Armor Piece, Accessory or Weapon ( – of Spring)

›Spell Tome

› – Potion

›Random Material (Forest Biome)

Objective: Exterminate 15 Spring Kobolds

The Trail I had stepped into was a clear copy and paste of the Trail with the same name I had cleared once before. It was a rather small Trail in size. A simple path twisting through a thick forest, with Spring Kobolds lying in wait behind the trees and bushes.

I began strolling down the path to draw the monsters out. Though my bait was as obvious as it gets, the kobolds seemed to not realize. Two of them jumped at me from both sides, and another four emerged from the shrubbery at the back.

I have already gotten familiar enough with combat, for weaklings like these not to pose me any threat. I'm not just getting arrogant, I swear...

Blood spilled through the air as I cleaved through the helpless green fiends. I mostly stuck to horizontal cleaves against Spring Kobolds, as with a good strike, I could dispose of multiple monsters at once. Mundane melee massacres like this really make me wish I had the ability to cast area of effect spells, but you know how things are with me and my abysmal mana pool. Just a few well-placed strikes and the kobold squad laid dead on the beaten path and their bloodied corpses began to fade away. I seem to be getting more and more used to it.

Time Limit: 3:37

›Exterminate 8/15

There were still 7 left. If my memory serves me right, they would ambush me not further than fifty meters from here. I resumed my journey into the depths of the forest.

⌈*Watch out, master! The remaining forces are right up ahead!*⌋

As I received the warning from Lime, contrary to what a more careful person might've thought to be the best course of action, I picked up the pace and dashed right through the unexpecting monsters. I took three of them down by dragging my blade across the masses before any of them could even react. And before the first three kobolds fell down on the ground, I finished the remaining four that surrounded me with two wide strikes.

Time Limit: 2:53

This is getting pretty boring, isn't it? I guess I'm getting used to slaughtering monsters... My time has improved by over a minute.

【Spring Forest Grove – Status: Clear】

›Reach: 1/1

›Rewards:

›【Blade of Spring – Rank: Usual – Rarity: B】

›Shard of Knowledge:

›【Agricultural Knowledge: Slash and Burn】

I completely disregarded the shard for cultivation through controlled forest fires, as I had something way more interesting in my hands now!

【Blade of Spring – Class: Blade – Rank: Usual – Rarity: B – Effect: Leech Minor】

【Leech Minor: Attacks will Drain the target's Vitality.】

And a B-Rarity too! Would you look at that!?

What I now held in my hands, was an ornamental blade, similar in length to my current sword, but completely different in design. Contrary to the sleek, elegant and straight black blade, the Blade of Spring I now held in my hands had a wider blade made of a peculiar brownish metal and had a single edge which sharply curved twice.

The single edge seems to be the deciding factor as to whether the weapon in question is a 'Sword' or a 'Blade'. That's pretty fucking stupid... What's the system going to do when a rapier shows up, huh?

Similar to the vines that my other ' – of Spring' gear featured, the Blade of Spring too, had its own share of greenery coiling around the blade. 

To think I'd find a weapon with a life-steal ability so damn soon! It doesn't quite fit into my sheath, because of the paddle-like fantasy design it sports, but despite that, it's quite light and easy to swing around. 

⌈Oi, Lime! Catch!⌋

I threw my old blade at Lime like I usually did when finding a pair of new boots or receiving a Shard of Knowledge.

I quickly realized what I had done as my sword flew through the air...

⌈*Master! You idiot! Are you trying to kill me? Why are you throwing swords at me!? Have you gotten tired of me already? What have I done wrong...*⌋

Lime oozed to a pool of sad goo after barely dodging the flying blade.

Though she hadn't exactly done anything wrong, I saw my opportunity and I took it. Such are exchanges between Lime and I. I wonder why I feel so comfortable with her...

⌈Try not to be a damn degenerate next time!⌋

⌈*No can do!*⌋

Okay, let's try this approach...

⌈Sorry about that... You're constantly proving yourself useful. There's no way I'd get rid of you. Anyhow, I'm liking this new sword I got. Wanna go and test it out?⌋

I reassured as I patted the head of the now deflated blob.

After hearing those words, Lime regained her round shape in an instant and began bouncing around happily.

⌈*Yes! Let's go! Ehehe~, master's great today...*⌋

⌈What was that?⌋

⌈*Nothing! Let's get going!*⌋

【Tranquil Woodlands – Rank: Usual】

Time Limit: 3:00

Rewards: Random

›Armor Piece, Accessory or Weapon ( – of Spring)

›Spell Tome

› – Potion

›Random Material (Forest Biome)

Objective: Subjugate 5 Evergreen Hogs

When I felt my feet planted on the ground once more, an expansive field surrounded by a thick, nigh impenetrable line of trees opened before my eyes. Between the trunks across the thick forests dashed multiple dark figures. Though I couldn't catch more than a fleeting glimpse, I'm fairly sure they were Evergreen Hogs, as those are what I'm currently after...

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

 I don't have the slightest of clues as to how do I 'Subjugate' an Evergreen Hog. In fact, I haven't even seen the damn monsters before! I have a faint recollection of Seth mentioning them when we went to the tailor, but that's about it.

I assumed a defensive stance and began to make my way towards the treeline. It didn't take more than a few steps until a dark hulking mass of meat came rushing towards me. I had no methods of stopping the hog and I couldn't stop it in its tracks by killing it either, so I resorted to nimbly stepping to the side to avoid the charge...

But for naught. The reflexes of the hog were as quick as mine, and it steered its crash course right towards me. The monster crashed right into me with the force of a thousand suns and blew me back nearly two meters.

While I gasped for air having gotten the wind knocked out of me, four more hogs emerged from the shrubbery surrounding me. I finally took a good look at what I was facing. Dark, nearly black boars with spiky hair on their backs, bulging leg muscles, and vibrant green eyes. They stood nearly a meter tall... I'm actually kind of surprised that I didn't just outright fucking die when one of them charged me.

【Evergreen Hog – Affinity: Nature – Rank: Usual – Rarity: B】

An equal match for my new blade, huh? They had no weapons for me to dispose of, and I had naught to feed and tame them with, so I guess I'm just going to have to beat them into submission the old fashioned way... I hope I don't fail because I accidentally kill them. 

Time Limit: 2:02

Three hogs to my right, and two to my left. The leftmost hog was still regaining its composure from the impact with me. I feel like paying back for that one.

The hogs were beautifully lined up, and as such, I was able to circle around and have one monster act as an obstruction for another. I'm glad these lower rank monsters don't exactly have intelligence worth boasting about.

My brand new Blade of Spring swung about for the first time since its materialization. As it met with the hard hide of the evergreen hog, I quickly came to realize how great of a purchase my Darksteel Blade really was...

Whereas the black blade would've sliced deep into the flesh of the hog, the Blade of Spring barely even cut through the skin.

The hog let out a frightening warcry and began to rampage around, with its friends soon following suit.

⌈This ain't good... Lime! Can you throw me my old sword!? Quickly!⌋

⌈*Uuuuuh... Master...*⌋

⌈Hurry up! I'm about to get smacked around again! This new sword isn't worth a damn compared to that one!⌋

⌈*About the old sword...*⌋

⌈What are you doing, you dumb blob!? Throw me the sword already, can't you see I'm in a damn pickle here!?⌋

⌈*I, uh... forgot to store it. It's on the ground near the entrance of the last trail...*⌋

Oh... I'm fucked, aren't I? Big time, at that.

An angered hog charged me full throttle and knocked me back once more. This time, however, I expected said assault, and thus found myself able to properly brace for the impact, lessening the distance I flew backward.

Without giving the angered hog any time to regain its composure, I returned the offense by striking it on the head. The blade gruesomely vibrated as the steel came into contact with the thick skull of the hog. Though not much damage was visibly detectable, the 【Effect: Leech Minor】of the Blade of Spring most certainly kicked in, indicating that I had dealt a great blow.

The pain I felt in my arms as a result of blocking the charge began to melt away as the monster standing before me slowly knelt down.

›Subjugate 1/5

Alright! So I just have to give them a good smack on the head! Maybe I'm lucky to have picked this sword after all. It gives me a great bit of reassurance in a fight against monsters whose attacks I'm unable to dodge. Or perhaps I could indeed evade the monsters if I timed my sidestep properly like those Spaniards do when bullfighting. 

I could hear numerous footsteps approaching me from behind at an alarming rate. I turned around to face the oncoming hog horde.

This time, they assaulted me with numbers instead of rage. My theory about bullfight dodges was quickly put to test, as I had nearly no time to react.

I started my ballet of 'smack or be smacked' with a nimble step to my right just as the leading hog was about to hit me. As I suspected, though they were able to change direction if given time to react, they couldn't predict a last-second dodge. The two monsters following the lead, however, changed their course right toward me.

This time, for reasons unbeknownst, I dodged between the two by twisting my body sideways. The two hogs had ample space between them as not to crash into each other, and I suppose I instinctively took advantage of that. I feel like I'm beginning to get used to the flow of battle. I might be getting a little bit ballsy, but I want to try and strike the last one as I dodge.

The fourth and final hog approached at an alarming speed, but that speed didn't reach heights I wasn't already used to. At the last second, I evaded the speeding mass of muscle with a small turning leap to the left, and brought down my blade diagonally, smacking the sharp edge against its thick skull as it helplessly ran past me.

›Subjugate 2/5

Time Limit: 0:32 

I really need to pick up the pace... No more dancing around.

The clock was ticking, so I had no time to wait for the hogs to charge at me once more, so I took the initiative and jumped at them.

The hogs were now wary of getting their heads smacked, so I decided to utilize my signature sidestep-to-stab technique. Patent pending... I doubt the Blade of Spring will kill them in a single hit.

I ran towards one of the hogs, and at the last second evaded to it's right, and struck my blade right into its ribcage. The wound wasn't deep, but it was enough to calm the hog down.

›Subjugate 3/5

I pulled my sword out of the wound as blood dripped down on to the ground. Only two more...

Seeing as my 'signature technique' worked wonderfully, I swiftly disposed of the two remaining hogs with ease. Or at the very least with sufficient efficiency.

The last two beasts began their charge simultaneously, this time closing the gap between them, making me unable to squeeze between. As the approaching mass had significantly widened, my nimble sidesteps weren't exactly as effective as before. My previously graceful dodges were now but desperate attempts of barely evading the hulking beasts with my breath still intact.

Leaping to my left a moment earlier, to dodge the approaching monsters, I slightly steered their course. As I stabbed the fourth hog on its side, it stumbled down and kept rolling on the ground, hitting the other hog and bringing it down with it. 

All five had lost their will to fight.

›Subjugate 5/5

Time Limit: 0:11 

【Tranquil Woodlands – Status: Clear】

›Subjugate: 5/5

›Rewards:

›【Sash of Spring – Rank: Usual – Rarity: D】

›Shard of Knowledge:

›【Agricultural Knowledge: Crop Rotation】

⌈Phew! Barely made it. Waaait a second...⌋

⌈*What is it, master?*⌋

⌈...⌋

I fell on my knees, broken down and depressed.

⌈*Don't worry! I still remember where your old sword is, y'know!? I'm sure no monster has picked it up yet!*⌋

⌈No... It's not that, it's this.⌋

I uttered on the verge of tears, holding a bright white shard in my hand.

⌈How am I going to flaunt my otherworldy superiority now!?!⌋

⌈*Master... Are you alright in the head? That's just a Shard of Knowledge, y'know?*⌋

⌈But it's not just any Shard of Knowledge, no. It's the knowledge for crop rotation, goddammit! I was supposed to introduce it, not some damn shard!⌋

⌈*Uh oh... We should really go and look for your old blade. I think you lost your sanity along with it...*⌋

...

⌈Ah! There it is! Oh, how I missed you...⌋

⌈*Master! I know you’re happy to finally reunite with your old sword, but I felt a strong magical current not too far away from us. It may be a higher Rank Trail, y’know!?*⌋

⌈A Regular-Rank? Really!?! Let’s go! I’ve been itching for a challenge after clearing so many Usual-Ranks.⌋

Even if I did almost get my ass handed to me a couple of minutes ago...

After almost half an hour of running, we found our way to the foot of a massive tree. Even its roots were thicker than the trunks of the surrounding trees and extended their reach far beyond their height too. Compared to the evergreen that towered in front of me, the deciduous trees that painted the forest in the colors of spring, stood but at the fourth of its height.

At the bottom of the thick trunk, was an entrance that radiated more vibrantly than any I had seen before.

【Underneath the Evergreen – Rank: Regular – Objective: Exterminate】

I’m sorry Violet, your scares were for naught… I’m way too excited to pass up on an opportunity like this.