6 A Smoother Sail Than Expected

Night came after all.

After sunset, the air in the forest became thicker.

Many of the monsters here were nocturnal as they came alive throughout the forest after nightfall.

Undoubtedly, the forest would be much more dangerous at night than during the day.

Fortunately, Xi En found a shelter, which met his requirements, after sunset.

It was a cave located below a cliff.

"I can spend the night there, right?"

Xi En, who was hiding behind the bushes next to the cave, did not look too delighted because…

"That guy doesn't seem like it's going to let me in."

Upon further scrutiny, there was a monster sprawled in front of the cave. It was a sturdy hound which looked like a leopard with spots on its body. It had dark fur with a flickering flame on its back.

The hound seemed to be asleep as it lay before the cave with its eyes closed. Its back was rising and falling as it breathed gently. However, each time it breathed, flames spouted from its mouth, nose, and even its closed eyes. It was frightening as it looked like a hellhound which guarded the entrance of the underworld.

Xi En felt despair creeping in.

"I'm mentally prepared but…"

This was a place he was looking for with the aid of the "Perception of Enemy" skill. It was to be expected that he found a monster here. However, Xi En felt nervous looking at the ferocious creature.

Although the "Perception of Enemy" indicated that the hound was weaker than the bird which he encountered during the day, the situation was quite different now.

Xi En was not being ambushed. In fact, he had to ambush the monster instead. It was the only way he could have the cave to himself and make it his shelter.

"Hu-Huff..."

Xi En slowed his breathing.

"It's okay. I've the Sacred Sword. I can do this."

Xi En's grip on the sword tightened as he psyched himself up.

"This thing is weaker than the bird earlier and I killed that bird in a matter of seconds. There's no reason I can't kill this dog too."

Xi En reminded himself.

At any rate, he was not planning to fight the dog head on.

In theory, with the protection of the Sacred Sword and the damage reduction capability of the "Physical Resistance" and "Magic Resistance" which were at their maximum levels, Xi En should be able to win even if he took the hound head on since it was weaker than the bird.

But… please forgive Xi En. He was, after all, an alternate universe man who had not quite battled before. It would be too much to ask of him to launch a frontal assault against a ferocious monster.

Besides, why should he confront the enemy so rashly if he could win without any risk?

Xi En softened his breathing and footsteps as much as he could. Under the camouflage of the bushes, he furtively made his way over to the cave.

'Skill acquired, "Stealth". Do you want to pick it up?'

The message popped up in Xi En's mind. He paused for a while before quickly checking it out.

"Stealth"

- Permanent skill

- Removes scent, sounds of breathing and footsteps, and even presence according to skill level in the stealth state. Skill can be applied to other nearby individuals if skill level suffices.

The skill appeared just in time.

Initially, Xi En was worried that he would be exposed since his current opponent was a dog. Thus, he was extremely cautious as he was susceptible due to his scent. However, when "Stealth" appeared, his worries were gone.

He picked up the skill without hesitation and upgraded it to its maximum.

With the max level of "Stealth" enhanced by the Sacred Sword, its effect would be phenomenal. Even before Xi En realized it, he was already by the hound's side.

The sleeping hound was defenseless right before Xi En. He acted instantly.

"Slash!"

As the Sacred Sword came down, the sharp dazzling blade cut through the hound.

"Awoo!"

The hound howled in pain. It jumped up from its sleep. Its red eyes were open as if they were burning. In the next instant, blazing flames erupted from its body.

Xi En who was right next to the hound was completely swallowed by the flames. Despite that, "Magic Resistance" worked and the Sacred Sword's protection was triggered. Xi En was unscathed although he was engulfed in flames. However, he barely felt the heat.

Sometime later, the fire vanished.

The hound that was slashed by the Sacred Sword collapsed on the charred ground. The flames on its body were extinguished while the earth under it was gradually dyed in red. The weeds around the area were scorched black.

'Skill acquired, "Ambush". Do you want to pick it up?'

Xi En who had succeeded in killing the hound received a new skill.

"Ambush"

- Permanent skill

- Increases probability of instakill in an attack launched under stealth

- Increases probability of exploiting enemy's weakness under stealth

In particular, it was a practical skill. Xi En upgraded it to the maximum level as his heart pulsated at an unbelievable rate.

"Thank god for these skills. It was a smoother sail than I expected."

Xi En removed the sword from the dead hound before stepping away from it subconsciously. He was growing used to it now that he had killed a monster twice. Nevertheless, the stench of the blood triggered some mental trauma within him such that he dared not venture closer.

"But I can't leave the carcass here. The blood might invite visits from other monsters."

After some consideration, Xi En staved off his discomfort and covered the blood with some soil. He then entered the cave, dragging the hound's carcass.

The cave reeked of beasts and was filled with bones and rancid flesh. They were probably the hound's victims.

"Can't blame you for sleeping outside. It stinks in here."

Xi En wanted to cry.