Chapter 48: Persistence

[!!!]

[Persistence stat has been opened.]

'...'

'...No way...! A new stat!!!'

I quickly opened up the Information Window for the stat and skimmed through. No matter how excited I felt at the moment, I still understood the precarious situation I was in.

That doesn't mean I should just leave it alone~ though...

[Persistence]

[You never give up, even in the face of a difficult task. You won't get tired easily. The possessions weight limit has increased. The feeling of satiation will last for a long time.

*The higher the number, the higher the effect.

*Stat points can't be distributed to this stat.

*Every time 10 points are gained in this stat, the 'Indomitable' stat will increase by 1 point.

**You do not own the 'Indomitable' stat. The effect is invalidated.]

...

'So it increases my weight limit, basically. Honestly, its helpful for someone that's constantly carrying so much gear such as myself. A definite necessity.

But what is that 'Indomitable' stat? I might have to do some research irl later.

But I digress.'

I could already hear another group coming towards my direction. Before they could spot me I began my move. I chose to take a round-about in their direction, blocking their view of me with the tall grass and trees.

The group came into view. It was made up of 4 normal Hobgoblins, as well as an Inductee, making it a group of five. It seemed that they still hadn't caught sight of me, as they kept move forward, almost as if they were chasing my afterimage.

I crawled up a tree and established my perch. I took out a variety of weapons and waited for my chance. As they continued moving forward, they passed by the tree I was established. Then, my onslaught began.

Activating my 'Daunting Throw' skill, which increased my throwing strength by 12%, I launched spear, sword, battle axe, mace... whatever I found first in my inventory, I launched.

Of course, not everything could make the distance. After all, maces aren't very aerodynamic. But what matters is the initial attack. My spear was thrown straight and true, completely piercing the head of the Hobgoblin at the back of the group. Of course, hearing the assassination of their brother, the Group quickly turned around and began to roar.

In the confusion my sword and axe were able to hit another hobgoblin one after the other, effectively ending its life.

Unfortunately, my mace fell short, and they finally noticed my direction. Knowing their first move would obviously be a roar, I jumped off the tree and ran towards the group, pulling out my spear while they wasted their time.

As I closed the distance I picked up the mace that was left in the ground useless. I swung it in my hands a couple of times to build momentum. I still had a couple of seconds left in my Throwing Buff, so the effect showed true. With its launch, the mace flew right through another Hobgoblin.

Roars and yells sounded in front of me. The inductee and its partner were charging me, eyes red in anger, foaming at the mouth.

'Hooo~h.' I steadied myself and came to a halt, letting the prey come to their predator.

"GURAAAHH!" The normal Hobgoblin jumped and slashed at my head. Taking a sidestep to avoid the attack, I also rolled, dodging the sneak attack from the Inductee.

*Ting!* *Ting!*

I stabbed my spear forward, but the attacks were blocked by the shield it was holding.

*Plack!*

But with it guarding its upper body, it was not able react quick enough to my sweeping attack from below. Striking its legs, the body of the monster completely flipped and dropped.

"*sigh* I am finally calming down again."

Thankfully, I had not run into any truly precarious situation since the initial horde. Even with the subsequent attacks by the Hobgoblins, I was able to respond appropriately and quickly, reacting as soon as possible.

Now, the situation did not seem as horrible as before.

*Fwoosh!*

'Even then, that does not mean that I am excused to let my attention lax with my surroundings.'

Ducking under another attack from the standard Hobgoblin, I unleashed a barrage of attacks upon its body.

'These beasts cannot even suffice as warm-up to me anymore.'

It was not only now that I was realizing that the basic Hobgoblin dealt me no challenge. Ever since the I took out the one that snuck behind me to attack, I was aware that the fear that I felt from before may have been unwarranted.

Even the Inductees, which almost led me to death, are not enough to hinder me.

'Just look at them now.'

I turned my body to face the Inductee still on the ground yelling with its broken legs.

As I walked towards the Inductee, the ashes of the previous Hobgoblin finally disappeared. The eyes of the the Inductee were no longer red now. But I could still feel emotion from them. Its intelligence.

I shake my head.

'Its just a game,' I tell myself while I slash its head off of its neck.

"Onto the next one."

I could already hear the next group. The footsteps this time were much heavier.

All that mean though, is more work to be done.

I quickly pick up all the weapons I dropped, as well as the fallen weapons of the Hobgoblins. I could still provide some use for them.

[Your Persistence stat has increased by 1.]

"Hmph...nice."

The battle of attrition was not over just yet.