3 To the Fortress

Climbing down was way easier than the other way which took me only less than 2 minutes. As planned, I head to the fortress following the spots I indicated in the map I created while I was on top of the tree so I won't get lost then I would be able to reach my destination. It was already 8:32 on the time screen making it a good time to start a walk; not too hot like noon and not too cold like the nights. I made an estimate time I would be able to reach the fortress and the best guess I was able to make was at sundown. It would be probably bad if I won't make it during that time because I might get lost knowingly that I am new to the place. I can get easily confused with directions especially to places I am not really used to so I decided to make haste.

On my way, I saw some monsters but I declined to face them because I thought it would kill my time. On second thought, it made me realize I need to get stronger so I can face stronger monsters without too much worry. All of the monsters I can spot on the way are a low level which is a good chance for practice not just how strong I am but also how good I am in fighting. I spotted a level 4 boar and it seems that it didn't notice my presence. I sneaked on the bushes that are behind the boar which is just 3 meters away. It is the closest I can get before I can be spotted because there are no other good places near it. With deep breath, holding the staff on my right hand, I give the boar a stab on the back and it bursted into bubbles with some gold coins falling on the ground. That was an easy shot I thought and just as I am picking the loot, I was hit on my back with something heavy. I was thrown fairly far but it didn't hurt that much. I looked back to see what hit me from my back and a rampaging giant warthog is coming my way. Before it would hit me, this time I was able to dodge its attack. I was in the air looking for a tree to land and got one. I checked my HP gauge and I lost more than a hundred points but it looks like it was a scratch on the other hand. I had more than 2000+ HP and my passive regeneration rate is 40hp/sec so I don't have to worry about casting my healing buff. The agitated monster below tries to find me around never knowing I am above scanning its level. It says "Giant Warthog" Level 15 and on other hand, I am still level 10. With my unbelievable stats, the monster's probably not a huge threat however safe it may seem, it is still dangerous to assume victory taking my experience on battles in consideration. It would be better to take precaution and try to make sneak attacks from behind. Patiently waiting for the monster to offer its back, I simulated a mock battle in my mind. Once I can get a clean hit, I will strike its back then jump on a high place and prepare for another sneak attack. Momentarily the monster is moving slowly to the planned position and then in a second I moved. A downward slash on its back was the plan but the monster was able to detect my presence and moved making my attack a minor damage. Still it was a successful hit on my side and I was able to reduce ¼ of its hit points. I jumped on another tree about two second after I land an attack and there watching the angered monster. The monster is trashing all over the place and knocked the tree where I am in. As I am falling towards the monster, I used my momentum to increase the strength in my attack. Drawing my ice staff behind my ear, "one- two" and stab on its head impairing the enemy, making it lost its balance and fell on the ground. That attack wiped almost of its hit points showing a red hit point's gauge on top of it giving a signal that the monster is weak and vulnerable. Without any hesitation, I delivered the final blow on its head making the monster burst. This time there was 30 gold coins and a 2 kg of meat.

The experience wasn't that bad. In fact, I was able to experience a real fight for the first time. I wasn't a fighter in the real world because my physique isn't that accommodating for huge stress. That fight taught me another thing aside from the fighting experience. Always be wary of your own surroundings especially on a hostile territory. With precaution, I ventured further following my map towards the fortress. As I was trailing from one tree to another, I heard a disturbing sound below and discovered two plant-like monsters. They were like Venus flytrap however they have eyes and long vines that act as their hands. This time, I want to try the superiority of my healing skills so I planned to cast it and fight the monsters before its effect would be gone. I know it is reckless but I want to try something that is something on the stake. With the ten seconds buff effect, I simulated how I am going to act against the two monsters. Unconsciously I whispered the healing buff and to my surprise, the skill activated which on the other hand startled the two monsters below. I leaped in the air approaching one of the monsters and I was able to land a critical hit reducing its HP to half while the other monster attacked me using its vine. I was taken with 100 hit points but my health regained in an instant. I struck the vine that was entangled with my foot and it snapped damaging the monster ¼ of its hit points. Having no time to be lax, I kept striking both monsters like I'm holding a rapier. The first monster took me two strikes while the other monster took me another three strikes. I was lucky for having high DEX, my critical rate is insanely high and it is like I am always in critical mode. It is really funny how I use my staff, instead of using a real weapon for piercing or cutting, I like how I battle using a low level weapon and yet I can give a good hit against monsters.

I reached the river which is the last checkpoint in the map I created before I would be able to see the main road leading to the fortress. The river is not deep however it can pose a threat if it would be approached without caution. Monsters might appear rendering any adventurers in the water less mobile. I scanned the area for bridges or any rocks I can use to cross the river but there are no signs of luck. I had no choice but to cross it by foot while watching for any monster that may appear somewhere. While I was on the middle of the river, I sensed something that moved in the water but there was none on my sight. I took another step and this time I felt like I stepped on something elastic and jelly. Just a second later, I lost my balance and fell on the river startled from the octopus-like monster with sharp razors on each end of the tentacles. I activated immediately my staff and defended myself from the approaching monster. Just as I opened my eyes the monster is gone. It is good the monster was too weak that it died with just one hit. I didn't notice but probably that was another critical hit from me.