It has been two months since I first acquired [Material Forge]. Since then, I’ve been taking the time to develop my use of it. I had requested myself to help with hunting food for my fellow kobolds and for some reason they were quick to allow me to. Though I could swear I could hear some of their whispers.

“Good, that’ll keep him further away from us...”

“Now we won’t have to deal with his excessive laughter~”

“How much do you want to bet for how long he’ll survive there? ~”

Basically, the overall stuff they whispered. But I didn’t pay them any mind, there was work to be done and it would be a waste to worry about the opinions of those who were going to be mine anyway. They provided me with a [Wooden Club] and a large sack made of [Giant Rat Fur] and had left me to go on my own.

With each venture delving into the caves, I hunted other monsters for food, starting off not too far from our dwelling and fighting smaller creatures. I had figured it would at least be important to learn to fight with just the club for now, after all it wouldn’t do me good if I were to be stuck with my one skill to use.

As time went on, I had become more used to basic combat, and I soon started to practice learning to fight with [Material Forge]. Each day, I delved deeper into the unknown and even started to hunt monsters closer to my size. The others seemed a bit surprised but not by much as I can tell, I can still hear their mocking whispers but as always, I had ignored them all.

Which led to today, I was off to another venture, and if you were wondering what my current stats were, well as you can see.

Vladimir

Race

Red Kobold

Attributes

[Health] F

[Spirit] E

[Strength] F

[Dexterity] E

Abilities

[Game Screen] (Rank G > F)

(Progression: 05%)

[Dimensional Box] (Rank F)

(Storage Size: 2/5) (Progression: 57.32%)

[Kobold Adaptability] (Rank E)

(Progression: 48.59%)

[Mining Mastery] (Rank D)

(Progression: 00.20%)

Skills

[Material Forge] (Rank G)

(Progression: 97.87%)

I sighed at my overall stats; it hasn’t changed at all since the five months I came to this world! I’m starting to worry if it’s even possible to increase my stats at all! For some reason, I can’t even see if there’s any progression going on like with my abilities and skills…

After taking a moment to let out my frustration to myself I started on to my latest venture. At the very least, I was able to make significant progress on my only skill. I was actually quite surprised considering the rest were progressing much slower in comparison, though when I think about it, I had put a lot of focus on [Material Forge] and it probably showed. I was curious how I’ll be able to improve that skill once it ranks up. Though I wonder if that applies to every rank up.

Though I quickly shrug at the thought, I won’t find out until it happens, so it was best I move on. For now, I need to focus cause today was the day I would go even deeper into the caves, I’m bound to find better resources.

With that I was off to see how far deep I could go and after some time, I had reached the furthest I had gone. After many trips it has gotten a lot easier to traverse around.

Though I couldn’t say the same afterwards! Compared to before, where it was mainly Giant Rats and Goblins, the place was filled with some strong monsters! At least compared to a kobold…

There were mainly Wolves that were grouped together, I could probably handle one maybe two but a whole group of them was not likely. At rare moments I would spot the occasional Orc prowling around, I doubted I could handle one unless it was seriously damaged.

Despite the dangers I had wanted to go deep here for a reason, from the whispers of the other kobolds it seems this large cavern was well known by adventurers. We were lucky our community was settled in the furthest parts of the cavern, otherwise we would have been hunted more often.

Apparently, a lot of tough monsters can be found not too far from the entrance so I can imagine many confident adventurers would have tried to conquer this place with mixed results. Many leaving behind some goods I could use. I still have some spare room in my [Dimensional Box] and a sack for some valuables but still, I shouldn’t get too ahead of myself.

Not long afterwards, I was starting to get exhausted. It was getting increasingly harder to move around because for some reason they were getting really aggressive. Just as well, I managed to get a few useful items.

I took a look at [Game Screen], during my previous skirmishes I had managed to rank up and had decided how to upgrade it. During all this time I had noticed since coming to this world that I didn’t have one of the most essential skills, appraisal skills. It would help in understanding various stuff in this new world and help avoid dangerous outcomes. So, with that I figured I could upgrade [Game Screen] to allow such ability. It was a good call as it indeed added the new feature, and I wasted no time using it.

Using the new feature, I pulled up [Game Screen] and inspected the items I gathered and then thought.

Inspect

[Silver Dagger] (Rank F)

A basic dagger with a silver blade. More effective against monster type creatures. It is said that the pure property of silver is what drives out the evil threats.

[Robe of the Night] (Rank E)

A furred black robe made from nocturnal creatures. Allows a better chance of lowering visibility in the shadows and small boost in [Strength].

[Mana Recovery Ring] (Rank E)

A small, enchanted metal ring. Slightly increases mana recovery rate.

All three of these items would be useful for me. While the [Wooden Club] is easier to use, the [Silver Dagger] would give me the edge I need to help finish some enemies off and the [Robe of the Night] would give me better opportunities to sneak past them or even sneak attack them, though I needed to use my skill to have it fit to my size. But the most useful of them all is the [Mana Recovery Ring]. With how much I rely on my [Material Forge] the extra mana recovery would provide me more time to use my skill.

With that in mind I decided to equip them all if only to better improve my survival, and I’m glad I did because I don’t think I would otherwise! Though I shouldn’t push my luck any further than I already have, it was time I should come back.

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Thinking that, it was just as difficult as delving in, if not more so! The other monsters were a lot more agitated than when I came in. Something was definitely going on here and I needed to get out of here before I found out!

Panic was setting in as it got more and more dangerous, I was even caught at one point by a stray wolf. I was lucky it was severely injured so I managed to fend it off rather quickly before it could harm me. Without much time I quickly put the corpse in my [Dimensional Box] and hurried off.

I started to sprint as I got near the entrance to the safer areas of the cavern. My kobold body was beginning to tingle, as if warning me that danger was looming very close to me. I began to be hopeful as the exit out of this danger zone was right in sight but as I neared the pathway, a loud crash could be heard as a looming large figure stood before me.

There was a long pause before I was able to process the sight before me and realized my predicament.

“…. crap…” was all I was able to say.

The figure before me moved as its eyes stared at me, giving me a good look at who I was facing.

Standing tall at an enormous size being almost six times as big as me, looking down at me I felt like a small bug in comparison. Its upper body was massive, covered in brown fur and large muscles with large hooves for feet. Within its massive hands it was carrying a large ax almost as huge as itself. I could tell easily that what I was staring at was a Minotaur!

There was no hope for me to survive fighting one, let alone winning! That’s what my kobold instincts were trying to tell me. And it was extremely hard to ignore it. I even found my own body trying to hide on its own, but I knew it would be pointless.

The damn Minotaur had almost blocked both the exits when it came crashing here! The only opening left was too small for me to fit properly and it’s not like it’s going to let me widen the hole! I had no choice but to fight!

I brandished my [Silver Dagger] and jumped back, and I noticed that it had sustained several injuries. It had many fresh scars, possibly from the other fights it was in. I felt a sense of relief at this observation and started to feel a bit more confident I could do this!!

Without a moment to lose, I began to hide in the cover of the shadows. Though the Minotaur catches me fleeing and chases after me, with axe in hand. With one swift move it brings its axe down, breaking apart the rocky terrain with ease. I managed to barely avoid as I entered the shadows, and making sure I wasn’t spotted I took a moment to breathe.

I analyzed the terrain, hoping to see if there was anything for me to take advantage of. There were many large stalagmites around, perfect for hiding spots. And the area we were in was rather round though I could see some rock formations poking out at the walls. Could be used for climbing to have a height advantage if need be. All that was left was the ceilings, there were a few large stalactites and they looked like they were ready to fall at any second, thanks to that last crash just now.

Finally, I used my [Game Screen] skill to inspect the Minotaur’s stats to get a better gauge of what I was dealing with.

Unnamed

Race

Minotaur

Attributes

[Health] B

[Spirit] G

[Strength] B

[Dexterity] F

Abilities

???

Skills

???

Unfortunately, it seems it would not provide me with many details, probably because I had just encountered it. At the very least it did tell me about its stats, hopefully it’s more than enough information for me to work with. Based on that, it’s safe to assume that I should avoid getting hit by it as much as I possibly can! Its [Health] and [Strength] far outclass my own and cues me that even with all those injuries it occurred, it is far from close to being brought down so it will be a battle of stamina. The only thing I have over him is a bit on [Dexterity] and a big step ahead on [Spirit], though I imagine that with those huge biceps going for it, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll need to use much mana if at all! It looked like it can just crush me with its bare hands!

With all that in mind, it seems my best strategy would be a hit and run tactic. I would need to focus on those scars he sustained for maximum damage if I had any hope of victory. But first things first, using [Material Forge] I created a needle like item using the [Rock] and took aim and threw it.

Lucky for me I seemed to have enough [Strength] and [Dexterity] to throw the [Rock Needle] at my destination. As it speeds through the air it flies right past the Minotaur, instead of going for the intended target, the stalagmite above it!

With a cracking sound, the needle hits its target. At first nothing else seemed to have happened, the noise just getting the Minotaur to stop for a second to search where it came from only to look up. At that moment more cracking sounds can be heard as the stalagmite begins to break until suddenly it drops! Gravity pulling it downwards and straight at the creature!

With barely a moment to react the Minotaur stretches out it’s arm in front of it and use it to block out the falling debris as best he could. Taking advantage of that momentary distraction, I sprinted hoping that my one rank higher in [Dexterity] would be enough for me to be fast enough before it could react as I prepare my dagger. With a swift swing of my blade, I slashed from below at its legs, one after the other at the same time the debris crashes on it from above.

The beast reacted in surprise, only expecting the falling rocks. It never occurred to it that there would be an attack towards its hooves. It winces in pain for only just a moment, but it was just enough! Using that momentary distraction, I quickly sprinted for the nearest stalactite cover before it could notice me, but not before leaving a quick surprise. Once in cover I managed to catch my breath, my whole body was shaking like mad. As if it was in retaliation for ignoring the danger it had warned me, though I didn’t have long to process it.

The Minotaur shakes his head off from the debris, the look on its face shows how pissed it was getting. Despite my best efforts, it still managed to trace my hidden location and sprinted right at me, about to crash right towards the rock formation. Sensing the danger mere inches away my kobold instincts took control, and my body quickly ran from my hiding spot, wanting to get clear away as possible. It was like I was fighting my own body at the same time as the Minotaur! I was getting fed up with this and I had enough of it!

“If I can’t even conquer my own body, then I have no hope of conquering this world!!”

I refused to give up, not when I had just started! I forced my body to stop with all my might and turned to face the towering enemy before me who was clearly still enraged. I pointed my dagger in front of it and made my declaration!

“By the end of this fight, you will submit before me!!!”

The Minotaur didn’t slow down as it went full stampede straight towards me, but still I refused to move an inch and instead I managed to sprint right towards it, weapon at the ready!!

Once I was within striking distance it pulled its ax up in the air, ready to strike me down before I had any hope of my blade reaching close to its hide. As it swings down its axe down ready take me down, at that moment I couldn’t help but to give a small smile.

Before the weapon could touch me, the Minotaur suddenly lost its balance. The land beneath one of its hooves had collapsed, making it lose its footing. It had fallen for the trap I had set.

Before I had taken cover, I managed to use my [Material Forge] to reshape a spot in the ground into something less stable that was ready to collapse at any moment and stored the excess [Rock] into my [Dimensional Box] to hide any evidence of tampering. I didn’t dare waste this moment as it tumbled, I jumped and stabbed my blade with all my might at the nearest open wound, the left side of his stomach!!

The Minotaur winced in pained, I had managed to do some major damage! Not willing to stop now I pulled out my [Wooden Club] as it completely loses its balance and falls face first onto the ground, letting go of its axe. I then immediately hopped on its back and began to recklessly swing both weapons at the various scars close to me, its body wincing with each strike, it wouldn’t be long before I could finish this. But as the adrenaline was rushing to my head, my thoughts being clouded over my onslaught, I failed to realize the looming shadow that was quickly shrouding over me.

Before I knew it, my body was suddenly sent flying straight to a wall. A wave of agony dominated my entire body, it was the most pain I had ever experienced since coming to this world! I landed hard on the ground, my entire body shaking from the experience. This Minotaur was tough, a lot tougher than I gave it credit for. I didn’t have much time to think about it though because it was already getting back up weapon in hand, I could tell from how it was moving that it was done with this fight and was ready to finish this!

Without much time I tried my best to get up, but it was proving extremely difficult! I was barely able to get up, there was no way I could even take a step right now. I had to think of something quick while that Minotaur was charging right at me!! But at the last moment I had an idea and quickly acted on it before I could start to doubt it.

I activated my [Material Forge] skill on the ground below me, putting in a burst of mana into it to increase the size of reshaping and the ground before me quickly changed into a higher platform. The sudden transformation of the ground had the added effect of pushing me high up in the air, saving me just in time before the Minotaur’s blade could reach my head!

I managed to just barely grab onto the nearest rock formation on the wall, my body dangling limply. I had dropped the [Silver Dagger] after that last hit, and I was barely keeping a grip on the [Wooden Club] on my free claw. I could barely keep myself conscious let alone keep myself hanging for even a few seconds. I needed to end this now or it’s over!

I decided to risk it all and let go as gravity started to force me down, right towards the angry beast! All the same, the Minotaur was ready, weapon at hand and ready to strike when I came within striking distance. With my own weapon at hand, I put all my energy to ready my own stance in the air, ready to strike down as I fall towards danger. With both weapons ready to clash, I knew my [Wooden Club] wouldn’t withstand the metal ax, but I had one more trick up my sleeve!

I pulled out all my crushed [Rock] from my [Dimensional Box] all at once and at the same time activated my [Material Forge] to the max, putting as much of the rest of my mana I had left on it to reshape my club to a massive giant rock hammer! The sudden added weight plus my own falling speed added extra force to my swing as our weapons clashed.

The added force was proving to even give the Minotaur a struggle to keep its grip on its weapon with its scars also adding to the struggle, but it still charged through with its attack in full force! My improvised hammer was starting to chip and crack, it was going to break if I didn’t do something now, but I could feel all my mana was spent. I ignored it though; I just needed a bit more mana so I had to push my body to squeeze as much mana out of me as I could.

My vision was starting to blur, I was about to pass out at any second now, though I can just barely see the cracks on my hammer repairing itself and slams down at the beast! The Minotaur was hit full force in the head by the hammer as it began to fall back and crash to the ground!

The hammer couldn’t take it anymore as it broke apart the second it landed a hit. Everything falls silent as the dust settles, and the Minotaur was down on the ground. I was standing on top of it, weapon pointed at it in full triumph, my foe was defeated by my hands at last!!

“Now. You. Are. Mine!!!” I declared with all my might, but before I could celebrate my victory any further my consciousness started to slip. And as I started to faint, I can vaguely see the [Game Screen] appear with a notification asking for a yes or no input. Without thinking I instinctively selected yes as everything goes black.

…

Minotaur has now joined you as a loyal Henchman