Killing Spree

Finished with my stat changes I went over my skill point allocation. Should I save my skill points or just upgrade my normal skills? If I can upgrade Harden my offense and defense will receive a slight boost, although temporary.

"Hmm." I pondered about it for a while. if I fight a monster again, which I plan to, spending my points now is the wisest decision.

I made up my mind and put all of my skill point on Tough Meat. So far all the monsters I faced dealt physical damage. If I can lessen the damage they deal even further then clearing this Zone will become easier.

I drank a health potion which miraculously healed my broken hand and bruises. My stamina is almost depleted and my Mana is completely empty. I need to be battle ready before pushing forward so I waited for them to regenerate.

It took almost an hour before my Mana and stamina fully recovered. If I counted accurately, it takes almost six minutes to regenerate 1 point in stamina and Mana. In battles where the outcome can be concluded within a few minutes, this kind of regeneration rate can't help at all. With this speed of recovery I need to use every bit of Mana and stamina wisely.

Holding the Iron rod , I proceeded on my next destination, home.

I exited the forest without any problem. I didn't encounter any enemy, and sadly, no human encounter either. Walking across the rocky road my house is finally within my view.

*twish*

"What?" I blurted out as an attack hit me.

I was startled by the sudden assault and immediately took cover behind a tree. Luckily the attack didn't directly hit me and only brushed my shoulder.

*twack*

Another attack was let go which hit the tree that I am hiding. Taking a look at it an arrow is deeply embedded in the tree.

"An Archer" I easily guessed the assailant.

The attack seems to be coming from the side where a hill is located. Looking towards it I see three human shaped figures. They are advancing towards my location.

I've been discovered. Worst of all I am greatly outnumbered.

First I need to secure the skill parchment I am currently holding. It will just distract me if I hold on to it while fighting. Using Hidden, I secretly slip out of the tree and dashed towards my house. I also peeked at the Goblins which was advancing towards my direction. With their distance and speed they will arrive soon. I need to move faster.

The skill run out as I stepped inside of the house. I hurriedly hid the skill parchment under my bed and rushed out after that. I brought the Iron rod and potion with me in case I will have a need for them. I pocketed the small bottle of potion praying that it wont get crushed while I'm fighting. It won't break right? I'm not sure if I'm willing to find that out.

As I went out I saw the three goblins approaching my previous location. I covertly dashed towards them to clearly see the situation.

They carefully approached the tree where I previously hid. I used Hidden a while ago and they had no idea that I am long gone. Exactly as I planned?

With the bow bent and an arrow notched the Archer is ready for any sudden movements. It's two companions split and went on both sides of the tree. Unfortunately for them they found nothing.

Confusion painted their faces as they try to find a hint on my whereabouts. They started searching but they were to close to each other. I couldn't find a chance to ambush anyone of them. Taking all of them at once is plain suicide so I kept on tailing them.

Eventually, the Archer saw and advanced towards my house.

"Crap" I cursed. 'Please don't destroy my house. And please don't look under my bed.'

When the three of them neared my house the Archer spoke some words. It pointed at my house, or specifically the window then positioned itself in front of it as if guarding it. While it's two companions entered my house.

'This is it.' A chance presented itself to me. I quietly closed the distance between me and the Archer. I need to lessen our gap as much as possible before activating Hidden because of the skills short duration.

Reaching a distance of eight meters I activated Hidden. I am quite nervous as this is my first open area ambush. If the monster can somehow see me then I am unknowingly walking towards death. I quickened my steps as I thought of eeri situations.

*crunch*

*twack*

Two sounds rung consecutively. Me crushing the fallen dried leaves beneath my feet and the arrow that the Goblin unleashed. Luckily it aimed at the general direction of the sound and widely missed me. But damn that reaction speed.

I could not move from my spot as the Goblin is still looking at my direction. It was searching for the source of the sound.

'Look away dammit, look away.' I mentally screamed as I looked at Hidden's remaining duration. Four seconds and there's still a four meter gap between us.

A noise came inside the house forcing the Archer to look back at the window. With Hidden's three second duration I instantly dashed towards it. Two meters and the monster reacted fast. It unleashed another arrow; though with blind aim. The arrow narrowedly missed me and I successfully closed our distance.

The monster is already in the act of pulling another arrow.

"No you don't." I used Harden on my right hand and aimed for it's neck.

"Kack."

The monsters eyes bulged as it's neck suffered a mighty blow. It's defensive barrier almost none existent. It let go of the arrow in it's hand as my attack raised it up in the air. Mid way falling I unleashed another attack. A right hook into the body smashing it forcefully

on the ground.

A death notification didn't appear so I added another attack and kick it's head while it is still down.

At last the most awaited notification popped out.

[You killed a Level 3 Goblin Archer!]

[Bonus experience gained from Solo kill!]

[+700 experience points!]

[You leveled up!]

As if the Goblins inside the house heard the commotion outside, a series of loud and hurried footsteps resounded within the bamboo house.

I activated Hidden to get away from the area. The monsters corpse had already disintegrated which is rather convenient.

Two goblins rushed out of the house.

"@$#&+?." The Goblin Soldier shouted as it searched the area for it's missing companion. The two searched the area while staying close together. Minutes passed before they concluded their search as if coming to a conclusion. I didn't find a chance to attack the whole moment which is really frustrating.

The two seems to be discussing something. After that they started walking back to back with the soldier walking in front of the scout. Their direction is towards the hill where they came from.

I was alarmed by their action. Are they baiting me out? or do they genuinely want to regroup with their party? Either way I can't let them go too far. If their number increases even more my chances will fall flat down to zero.

I hastily added all the extra skill and stat points I recently acquired. I put four points in physical defense and increased the level of my Tough Meat skill.

After activating Hidden I rushed towards the scout. If I can eliminate it fast the fight will become one versus one.

The two of them looked at my general direction at the same time as they heard the sound of crunching leaves. After a second of finding nothing the scouts eyes suddenly turned green.

'Did it just activated a detection skill?' I was alarmed but I still continued my assault.

After activating it's ocular skill the scout suddenly panicked as if its skill could not locate me. It glanced side to side in a hurry as it warned it's companion of its failed attempt.

'To late for you now.' I activated Harden on my right leg. Using the momentum from my run I performed a swinging kick, aiming at it's head. Why always the head? It's logical isn't it?

The scout was thrown away. It's head caved in as I landed a direct hit. A notification popped out immediately after.

[You killed a Level 2 Goblin Scout!]

[Bonus experience gained from Solo kill!]

[+600 experience points]

What? Did I just one shot that scout?

I had no time to think or celebrate as I saw the soldiers fist coming at me. I crossed my arms and took the attack head on.

*bang*

I was thrown for quite a distance but the attack didn't hurt me that much. If it's damage is just this much then this will be easy.

The monster stood still while watching it's companions corpse vanish. With veins bulging all over it's body, it screamed at me.

"$&#@+." It swiped it's hands in the air, then as if a hole was there it's hands vanished. A void like ripple is somewhat visible at the tip of it's still visible hands.

*swish*

Out of nowhere, when it pulled it's arms out of the void, a massive woden bat with iron spikes came out with it.

"Shit."