31 Roar
Tibay is a magic ability that can be learned naturally, or be taught by a user. Similar to Heavy Metal, Tibay coats the user's body with a magic barrier, protecting the user from harm, but it can also make movements slower.
"Despite their similarities, Tibay has one weakness that Heavy Metal doesn't have," I said to Lyrica.
"Is that so? I'll just have to figure out what that weakness is, then." Lyrica replied.
She went and punched the Hobgoblin head-on, but due to the Tibay's barrier, the monster remained still and unharmed.
"It's tougher than Heavy Metal at 20dB."
She tried circling around the Hobgoblin, throwing left punches and kicks on each blind spot that she finds. Despite that, the creature remained unscathed. It didn't even move a muscle when Lyrica tried to punch the back of its head.
The Hobgoblin looks down at Lyrica, its grin arrogantly boasts about its impenetrable defense.
"Ah?"
However, at that same moment, Lyrica caught a glimpse of the barrier's glow flickering with her sharp eyes.
"I see, so that's how it works."
"Oh, you got it?" I asked.
"It's concentration."
I expected nothing less from Lyrica. Heavy Metal can only last for three minutes, but the effects don't falter as long as the music is playing. On the other hand, Tibay has limitless duration, it remains in effect so long as the user has mana. The only downside, however, is that using it requires total concentration.
"Now then, how am I going to make you lose your concentration?"
The Hobgoblin charges confidently, knowing that the girl cannot penetrate through its magic ability. But it's Lyrica, she already knows the barrier's weakness. I bet she already has an idea on how to make the Hobgoblin lose its concentration.
Lyrica avoids another club before throwing a couple of punches back at the monster's stomach.
At first glance, it looked as though the Hobgoblin's Tibay made Lyrica's punches seemed powerless. But upon closer look, I realized it was her that didn't put much strength to it.
"Tch..."
Lyrica backed away as she started panting all of a sudden. A distressed expression formed on her face. That's when I figured out Lyrica is trying to make herself look weak and exhausted.
Ga-ra-ra-ra-raa!
Following its strange laughter, the Hobgoblin smiled widely, exposing its crooked teeth. Without it knowing, this was all part of the plan Lyrica immediately came up with.
The Hobgoblin fell right into Lyrica's trap. All Lyrica needed to do is to make it seem like she has gone weak and tired after battling the small ones, and the foolish creature let its guard down. It dispelled Tibay, as easily as it was fooled by a simple facial expression.
Swing! Swoosh! Woop!
Ga-ra-ra-ra!!
Lyrica lured the Hobgoblin towards the riverside, acting as if she's barely dodging all of the monster's attacks. And while the Hobgoblin is cluelessly enjoying it, Lyrica speaks.
"This is as far as it goes."
As soon as Lyrica and the Hobgoblin reached a certain part of the riverside, the girl dodged another club by crouching down. Right after that, Lyrica grabbed a handful of gravel with both hands.
"Take this!"
She threw them straight at the monster's face.
The Hobgoblin smiled, thinking how useless the girl's last-ditch effort was. But, in the split second the Hobgoblin's eyes got fixated on the gravel falling in front of its vicious face, Lyrica vanished.
Its confident and triumphant expression that looked as though it already assumed its victory, transformed into confusion shortly after.
Lyrica did not run away in fear, nor did she use concealing magic to hide either. Well, she didn't have such an ability, to begin with. What Lyrica did is nothing but a simple eye trick, although it probably hurt her emotionally.
What made me spoke those words? Because Lyrica used the height difference to throw off the monster.
Lyrica's height, as I accidentally blurted out before, is 157 centimeters or roughly 5'2 feet, while the Hobgoblin is around 9 Feet.
The monster's point of view is high thanks to its inhuman height. And because of that, seeing what's right below the creature is impossible unless it tries to look down.
It didn't cross the Hobgoblin's mind that Lyrica would come and hide right below the creature. Who would attempt to do such a thing knowing you're powerless against the enemy in front of you? No one. Unless you can fight.
Lyrica clenched her left fist and throws an uppercut on the Hobgoblin's chin.
Gaifchk!!
"You stink!"
She hurled the monster with strong punches afterward, not letting it fall into concentration, and use Tibay once more.
[You Have Defeated A Hobgoblin!]
[You Received 1555 EXP!]
The fear of the unknown, the fear of making mistakes, and the fear of death. It's natural to feel all those things, especially if you find yourself in a situation where one or two mistakes could to losing your life. But, ever since I brought Lyrica into Alteria, she had gone through ordeals with a poker face and composed mind.
Perhaps the doability logic of the quests helps her be more confident, or maybe it's because she doesn't want to run away from responsibilities, such as completing a quest?
It's pointless asking these questions at this point. After all, she has yet to encounter the real threat standing in the way of achieving her desire.
[You Have Completed The Quest!]
Quest: One Versus Many!
Kill all the Goblins without receiving damage twice.
Damage(s) Received: 0 / 2
Goblins Killed: 25 / 25
[You Received The Following Rewards!]
- 14,500 EXP
- Stat Points: 5
[The Required EXP Has Been Met!]
[Level Up!]
Lv. 14 -> Lv. 15
[MP And dB Limit Have Increased!]
MP: 48 -> 50
dB: 28 -> 30
[You Have Acquired Stat Points!]
Available Stat Points: 20 -> 23
> Acquired EXP: 10,090
> Required EXP: 14,150
Lyrica let out a sigh as soon as she heard the quest completion. During that process, she also leveled up to Lv. 15. She now has 50 MP, a dB Limit of 30, and a total of 23 Statistics Points.
[You Have Unlocked A New Music!]
- Heavy Metal: Iron Maiden (Lv. 1)
- Hip Hop (Lv. 1)
- Fierock (Lv. 1)
"Three at the same time? Well, I ain't complaining."
"What impressive growth," I remarked. "Your mind must have been exhausted after all that."
"Yeah, but..." Lyrica looks up into the sky, measuring time by looking at the sun. "It's still early in the afternoon. Leaving the forest this early would be a waste."
With that being said, Lyrica decided to continue and hunt more monsters. She set her sights on the Goblin's nest, where the real alpha should be resting.
"I'll find it while farming more EXP on the way. But first, let me wash my hands."
Lyrica went beside the river to wash both her hands, not knowing what's about to happen.
Lyrica vigorously shakes her hands as drops of water sprinkled over the river. She then stood up before completely drying her hands using her blazers.
"Now then, let's see what these new abilities have to offer." Said Lyrica.
However, before she could even read the info of one of the new Music she unlocked...
Rrrrooooaaaarr!!
It was so loud, and even more terrifying than a Hobgoblin's.
"What was that?!"
I could see the shock on her face, but she's not the only one that got all shaken up. The birds fleeing, monsters howling and clamoring about, and the creepy sound of trees creaking all around Lyrica due to the unusual breeze. The entire forest is brought into a panic.
A cold sweat ran through Lyrica's cheek. "I don't like this."
