Salt Mine & Salt Snakes- XII
Despite the overwhelming odds, Saad maintained his composure. His [Healing] passive skill gradually restored his health, and he had a stock of potions to rely on if things turned dire.
The battle against the three salt snakes raged on, the salt mines echoing with the clash of skills and the hissing of venomous foes. Saad's determination burned brighter than ever, but the outcome of this relentless struggle remained uncertain.
As he focused his attacks on the other two snakes, the other two snakes relentlessly pursued him. Their agility was astounding, and their intelligence allowed them to adapt to his tactics. Saad knew that he couldn't afford to underestimate them.
With a resolute spirit, Saad executed another [Whip Snap], creating a powerful sonic boom that dealt devastating damage to one of the salt snakes. The creature recoiled, momentarily disoriented, but its resilience was astonishing.
The snake retaliated with a venomous embrace, paralyzing Saad for a staggering 45 seconds. He could do nothing but watch in helpless horror as the venom coursed through his veins, sapping his vitality. Each passing second felt like an eternity as the relentless assault of the salt snakes continued.
As the paralyzing effect began to wear off, Saad knew that his situation had become dire. He had fought valiantly, but the odds were insurmountable. The snakes, now even more enraged, closed in for the final strike.
In a last, desperate effort, Saad unleashed his [Soulrend] skill. The ancient power of the soulinfused whip tore through the fabric of reality, rending the essence of one of the snakes. The dark energies inflicted devastating damage, and the snake's life force became tainted by the dark essence.
But it was too late. The remaining two salt snakes struck with lethal precision, delivering a barrage of venomous strikes and tail lashes. Saad's health dwindled rapidly, and his vision grew dim.
In the end, despite his unwavering determination and formidable skills, Saad was overwhelmed by the sheer power of the salt snakes. His life in the third run came to a tragic end, and darkness consumed his consciousness.
The salt mines, once echoing with the sounds of battle, fell into an eerie silence.
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Saad's eyes fluttered open, and he found himself once again in the shallow water near the respawn point. The soothing sound of water droplets filled his ears as he slowly sat up, his gaze drifting to the quest window that materialized before him.
[Quest: Whip Mastery Challenge - Part I]
Description: To prove your worthiness as a Whip Master, you must collect the essence of 20 Salt Snakes. Delve deeper into the salt mines, where they are known to dwell, and retrieve their essence.
Quest Details -
Essence of Salt Snake: 13/20
Difficulty: Hard
Rewards:
Whip Mastery Skill Upgrade
+500 EXP
As he stared at the quest details, a mix of frustration and determination welled up within him. He had managed to take down two of the salt snakes before his defeat, bringing his total essence count to 13 out of the required 20. The hurdle wasn't as insurmountable as it initially seemed. If only he had been more careful and strategized better during that ill-fated encounter with the three snakes, he might have triumphed.
Regret gnawed at him as he realized that he hadn't fully utilized his passive and active skills, failing to consider his abilities in the heat of battle. Maybe, if he had stood his ground and fought strategically instead of panicking, victory could have been within reach. But dwelling on "what ifs" was futile now.
He glanced around the salt mine, his mind filled with conflicting emotions. There were numerous quests to complete, and he was at a crossroads. Should he continue his quest or reconsider his approach? The uncertainty weighed on him.
With a heavy sigh and a sense of determination burning in his heart, Saad made his choice. Thirty days without access to the class change tower was a long time to wait, and he couldn't afford to waste any more opportunities for advancement. The importance of arcane points, stamina, and agility had become abundantly clear to him during his previous attempt. He needed to master the whip and become more formidable.
Saad steeled himself and reentered the salt mines. This was it—the final attempt. If he failed this time, he would walk away from this quest, no matter how tantalizing the rewards might be. He had set his mind on the goal.
As he cautiously made his way back to the pit where the salt snakes were known to spawn, he felt a sense of unease. The black snake that had struck him down in his previous run was conspicuously absent, which offered a small but reassuring glimmer of hope. Saad took cover behind a large rock, keeping a watchful eye on the area.
Before long, the salt critters began to spawn, and Saad silently observed their status windows.
[Salt Critter]
Level: 7
HP: 90/90
Attributes:
Strength: 24
Agility: 6
Vitality: 32
Intelligence: 7
[Salt Critter]
Level: 8
HP: 110/110
Attributes:
Strength: 26
Agility: 7
Vitality: 35
Intelligence: 7
[Salt Critter]
Level: 9
HP: 130/130
Attributes:
Strength: 28
Agility: 8
Vitality: 37
Intelligence: 8
Comparing their statuses to his own reminded Saad just how far he had fallen.
Character Window - ID: 1221
==============================
Name: Kael Emberflame
Age: 15
Race: Human
Main Class: Whip Master (In Progress)
Main Weapon: Basic Whip
Level: 1 (0/50)
HP: 30/30
Wealth: 0
Attributes:
----------------
Stamina: 7
Strength: 7
Agility: 7
Intelligence: 7
Charm: 7
Dexterity: 7
Vitality: 7
Arcane Points: 7
Status point: 0
Skill points: 0
He was back at square one, the epitome of an inexperienced beginner. But he couldn't let this deter him. This time, he was determined to be more cautious, to use his skills effectively, and to overcome the challenges that lay ahead. The essence of the salt snakes was within his reach, and he couldn't afford to let it slip away again.
Saad decided to employ the same tactic that had served him well earlier. He lured the salt critters toward the safe room, hoping to grind for experience points while keeping himself relatively safe. His agility was inferior to that of the salt critters, making the dash to the safe room a close call each time, but he managed to reach it and commence his deadly dance once more.
Inside the safety of the room, he swung his whip with precision, felling one salt critter after another. The routine was repetitive, but it was the surest way for him to gain the much-needed experience. His heart raced with every strike, his body moving in practiced rhythm.
However, as Saad continued to eliminate the critters, something unusual caught his eye. Amidst the sea of lesser foes, a white salt snake slithered menacingly toward him. Its large mouth opened wide as it approached, slamming into the invisible wall of the safe room with a resounding thud.
Saad's heart pounded loudly in his chest as he watched the snake's relentless assault on the barrier that separated them. The creature's fury was palpable, its attacks against the invisible wall seeming powerful enough to bring the entire cave crashing down upon them.
Summoning every ounce of courage, Saad waited for the right moment. When the snake lunged once more, he unleashed his whip with all his might, striking the serpent. Yet, even with his newfound determination, his power alone wasn't sufficient to overcome the formidable foe. His powerful skills were locked and using his skills would mean to halt the attack.
The battle raged on, the snake growing increasingly enraged with each passing moment. Its relentless assaults upon the invisible barrier sent shockwaves through the cave, and it felt as though the very earth would tremble beneath them. But Saad persisted, wielding his whip with a combination of fear and determination.
Finally, after a protracted and grueling battle that seemed to stretch into eternity, Saad emerged victorious. The white salt snake lay defeated, its once-ferocious countenance now lifeless. Saad's body trembled with a mixture of exhaustion, relief, and a newfound fear of these creatures. Dealing with the snake had been nothing short of horrifying, and it had tested his mettle to its limits.