Capatora and Attacking the Goblin Cave

In the hopes of succeeding in the attempt to raid a cave somewhere in the forest, I had to prepare.

Having gathered some dry sticks near the river for about an hour of work, I was satisfied with my pile.

Among these sticks were long enough to act as a spear or staff for me to use. So I had something to fight off the Goblins if things were to get risky.

After a while, I then proceeded to find any source of food for me to eat. Mainly I was looking for fruits up in the trees or berries in the bushes.

To recognize if they were either consumable or not, I had to ask AK from time to time.

"...Ah, looks like there's something there." After about two hours of looking around, I was finally able to find a piece of fruit that oddly looks like a mango. As I went near the tree, I could see that this particular fruit had an odd pattern on its reddish skin. A pattern of a couple of black dots that were the same size as my thumb print.

"..." looking at the tree, I was confident that I could easily climb it. But before I could proceed, I had to ask AK for any sort of information towards the fruit that I was aiming for.

"Can you tell me anything about this fruit?"

[THAT IS A FRUIT KNOWN AS THE JOLLY MANGO. A FRUIT KNOWN TO BE QUITE SWEET AND RARE TO FIND. IF YOU ARE TO EAT THIS FRUIT, BEWARE OF CONSUMING THE BLACK DOTS ON ITS SKIN AS IT CAUSES ONE OF TO HAVE AN UNCONTROLLABLE URGE TO LAUGH FOR HOURS ON END. OTHER THAN THAT, THE FRUIT IS CONSUMABLE.]

"...Wow, this is pretty wild." I said as I didn't hesitate to climb the tree.

With my agile body, I was able to climb the tree easily. When I finally reached out to grab the fruit, I noticed that in front of me, an animal was found simply standing on one of the branches.

"...is that a capybara?" the animal was similar to that of a capybara found back on my past life…but to see it on top of the tree, I could feel its calm gaze look from me and to the fruit that I was reaching towards to grab.

"Uhh…AK, what is that?"

[THAT IS AN ANIMAL KNOWN AS THE CAPATORA, AN ANIMAL SIMILAR TO THAT OF A CAPYBARA. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO IS THAT THIS ANIMAL IS KNOWN TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO APPEAR AND DISAPPEAR FROM ONE'S SIGHT ALMOST AT A QUICK GLANCE.]

As the book explained, I looked back to the Capatora and found that he was no longer on the tree branch. And suddenly, I felt like something was standing on top of my head.

"...Eh." the Capatora was simply sitting on top of me like it didn't care for anything else. And slowly it was climbing my arm to reach for the Jolly Mango.

"Oh no, its going for the mango." I said, so in response to its act of stealing something from me, I pulled away my arm before it could even reach the mango. But to my surprise, the Capatora was found hanging on the Jolly Mango with its still and calm face.

"...Whoa. AK, how is it possible for this Capatora to even appear like that?" I asked in question of the Capatora's ability.

[CAPATORA'S ARE KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN MADE FROM ONE OF THE GODS OF THIS WORLD. IT IS SIMPLY BY THEIR NATURE THAT THEY WOULD ESCAPE ANY SORT OF HARM THAT WOULD COME THEIR WAY BY SIMPLY DISAPPEARING LIKE A GHOST. AND BECAUSE OF THIS ABILITY, THEY ADAPTED TO THE NOTION THAT NOTHING WILL EVER TOUCH THEIR GODLY BODIES, SO IT CAME TO A FAULT THAT THEIR NATURE WILL BE AS CHILL AS THAT OF YOUR TYPICAL CAPYBARA.]

"..Hmm, it feels like a cheat skill."

[IT IS]

"So that would mean that this animal would only let me touch it if it want's me to…I guess I can't do anything about it." I said as I decided to choose another fruit aside from the one that the Capatora was holding on to.

With that said, I was able to pick around five pieces of Jolly Mangoes.

After Having to gather this much food for the day, I decided to go back to the place where I decided to use as a campsite. While walking there, I noticed that the Capatora was also following me back.

"..." I wasn't really bothered by its presence so I simply let it follow me by its own will.

Finally, after an hour of walking back, I rested for a bit by eating two of the fruits and watching the sight of the lake as it showed me all types of animals. I was quite far away from them so I had no worries of being attacked yet, and since I wasn't bringing any attention to myself, no animal bothered to come near me.

"...Hmm, hey AK, are Gods real in this world?" I asked the AK as I remembered that by his explanation towards the Capatora, it mentioned that Gods were responsible for its creation.

[GOD'S ARE REAL.]

"If that is the case, what makes it different from the world that used to live in. Are they simply watching us from the heavens or are they actually contributing to the life of this world?"

[GODS ACT BY THEIR WILL...BY THEIR WISHES.]

"That's a pretty vauge explanation. If that is the case, what makes this world different from the one that I used to live on. Seeing as how Gods act by their will."

[ASTRA IS A WORLD BRIMMING WITH FANTASY, IN OTHER WORDS, MAGIC. GIFTED BY THE GODS, THE WORLD WAS ABLE TO FLOURISH TO WHAT IT IS TODAY…WHERE HUMANS AND MONSTERS WERE ABLE TO COEXIST WITH ONE ANOTHER.]

"Magic?"

[MAGIC IS GIFTED IS A VARIANT, A CONCEPT THAT ENCOMPASSES VARIOUS MYSTICAL PRACTICES, SUPERNATURAL ABILITIES, AND PHENOMENA BEYOND THE REALM OF SCIENTIFIC EXPLANATION. IT IS OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE MANIPULATION OF SUPERNATURAL FORCES OR ENERGIES TO BRING ABOUT DESIRED EFFECTS OR OUTCOMES. MAGIC CAN INVOLVE SPELLCASTING, RITUALS, DIVINATION, SPIRITUAL COMMUNICATION, AND THE HARNESSING OF METAPHYSICAL POWERS. IN DIFFERENT CULTURAL AND FICTIONAL CONTEXTS, MAGIC CAN TAKE ON DIVERSE FORMS, RANGING FROM ELEMENTAL MANIPULATION AND ILLUSION CASTING TO HEALING, TELEPORTATION, AND SHAPE-SHIFTING. IT IS A SUBJECT OF FASCINATION, FOLKLORE, AND IMAGINATIVE EXPLORATION IN MANY TRADITIONS, MYTHOLOGIES, AND WORKS OF FICTION.]

"Hmm, if that is the case, then is it possible for me to practice magic?"

[ IN THIS WORLD, THE PEOPLE WHO ARE CAPABLE OF PRACTICING MAGIC ARE LIMITED. WITH THE CURRENT BODY THAT YOU HOLD, YOU HAVE THE CAPACITY TO PRACTICE MAGIC AT CERTAIN ELEMENTS. SIMPLY PUT, SOME MAGIC PRACTICES ARE NOT FIT FOR EVERY EXISTING BEING. ]

"So magic isn't suited for everybody…hmm, I see."

"So what king of Magic can I use?"

[ANALYZING…ANALYSIS COMPLETE…YOU HAVE THE CAPACITY TO PRACTICE CRAFTSMANSHIP…THE ABILITY TO TRAIN UNDER THE SHADOW ELEMENT…AND THE MOST HIGHEST FORM OF COMPATIBILITY IS…THE ABILITY TO CULTIVATE."

"Craftsmanship?" I wondered what it was that brought Craftsmanship to my talents.

[CRAFTSMANSHIP IS A GIFT TO PERCEIVE AN IDEA OF A TOOL, IT IS A BLEND OF SKILL, ARTISTRY, AND DEDICATION, RESULTING IN THE CREATION OF OBJECTS THAT NOT ONLY SERVE A PRACTICAL PURPOSE BUT ALSO INSPIRE AWE AND ADMIRATION FOR THE MASTERY AND BEAUTY INHERENT IN THE WORK.]

"So this skill will help me with the prospects like carpentry?"

[ANYTHING THAT TOGGLES WITH THE HUMAN INGENUITY.]

"And what about this Shadow Element?"

[A MAGICAL SKILL THAT FOCUSES ON THE ELEMENTS OF BEING A SKILLFUL ASSASSIN OR DARK ROGUE. THIS SKILL WAS ONLY IMPLEMENTED BECAUSE OF YOUR PAST NATURE AS A THIEF.]

"How will this help me in the prospects of Farming?

[IT DOESN'T HAVE TO…YOU ARE ALREADY FIT ENOUGH TO BECOME A FARMER…YET YOU ALSO HAVE THE PROMISES OF CONTROLLING THE DARK ELEMENTAL NATURE. DO NOT DISMISS THIS AS SIMPLY BEING A SKILL…BUT IT IS YOUR TALENT.]

"Okay…I understand, but about this last skill, Cultivation?"

[MAINLY UNDER THE PROSPECTS OF AGRICULTURE.]

[AGRICULTURE, IN THE CONTEXT OF FARMING, CULTIVATION REFERS TO THE PRACTICE OF PREPARING AND TENDING TO THE SOIL, PLANTING AND GROWING CROPS, AND MANAGING THEIR GROWTH THROUGH TECHNIQUES SUCH AS WATERING, FERTILIZING, AND WEED CONTROL. IT INVOLVES THE DELIBERATE EFFORT TO FOSTER THE GROWTH AND PRODUCTIVITY OF PLANTS.]

"So my compatibility with Cultivation only leads towards farming?"

[YES]

"Hmm, I guess that skill is just what I need then." I said as I smiled at the possible skills I might attain towards the future.

Having talked with AK, I began to walk towards the location of the Cave. Located about East of this forest, I brought with me a long stick for defense and the three remaining Jolly Mangoes that I might just need in case of emergencies. While walking, for some reason the Capatora was walking along side me like it was a companion…but either way, I didn't mind a familiar face along my way to the cave.

Finally, after about two hours of walking, we finally made it to the cave and the sun was setting. So by the time I would finish here, it would be night.

As I cautiously approached the mouth of the cave, the Capatora decided to simply stand by and watch as I raid the cave. My heart pounding with a mix of excitement and trepidation. This was my chance to use my skill as a thief, infiltrating the lair of the weak goblins and emerging victorious. I knew I had to be swift and silent, relying on my agility and cunningness to eliminate any potential threats.

Finding a concealed spot amidst the rocky formations, I assessed my targets. Twelve goblins, their grotesque features illuminated by the flickering glow of a feeble fire, were within striking distance. I had to rely on my agility and precision to overcome their sheer numbers.

Pulling out the two slender sticks, I carefully examined them, searching for the ideal weight and balance. My fingers found their grip, and I knew they would have to serve as my deadly weapons. The odds were against me, but I had no intention of backing down.

Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves, I slinked closer to the goblin encampment. My heart raced with anticipation as I prepared to strike. Timing was crucial. I had to choose my targets wisely and strike swiftly, capitalizing on the element of surprise.

With a sudden surge of adrenaline, I leaped from the shadows, the first stick whipping through the air. It found its mark, striking a goblin square in the temple. Before the others could react, I lunged forward, wielding my second stick with calculated ferocity.

Swinging the stick in a wide arc, I struck another goblin across the jaw, sending him crashing to the ground. The chaotic frenzy erupted as the remaining goblins scrambled to their feet, their crude weapons drawn. But I was already on the move, deftly dodging their clumsy attacks.

Using my speed and agility to my advantage, I darted between the goblins, delivering swift and precise blows with my sticks. The sticks became extensions of my arms, striking vulnerable spots on my adversaries' bodies—neck, temples, ribs—incapacitating them one by one.

The goblins were bewildered, unable to comprehend the source of their torment. Their feeble attempts at retaliation were met with calculated counterattacks. I flowed from one opponent to the next, striking with deadly accuracy.

As the battle raged on, the remaining goblins grew increasingly terrified. Their morale shattered, they attempted to flee, but I pursued them relentlessly. Each swing of my sticks brought them closer to their demise, until only silence remained in the wake of my triumph.

With twelve goblins lying motionless around me, the cave fell into an eerie stillness. The air was thick with the scent of victory mixed with a tinge of blood. I had defied the odds, emerging triumphant armed with nothing but sticks and determination.

In the aftermath of the skirmish, I took a moment to catch my breath, the realization of my accomplishment sinking in. I was not just a thief; I was a survivor, a warrior who had turned the odds in my favor. This cave, once filled with weak goblins, now stood as a testament to my resourcefulness and skill.

And with that said, I proceeded to find the stash of items that the Goblins were collecting.

The cave itself wasn't so big on the inside, so finding the stash of any weapon or item was easy to find.

"...Ah, there it is." I said as I found the stash under a flat piece of boulder. It covered the items and by lifting it up, I revealed all the treasures.

"...Whoa." to my surprise, I found a lot of weapons. There were two axes, three daggers, one rusty sword, a leather bag that was filled with crystals, a wooden plate, three human skulls and five solid square iron bars.

This is a great find.

Knowing that it was already night time, I decided to stay in this cave until morning. So with that I gathered all of the corpses of the Goblins into one pile and stayed in their cave for the entire night.

Tomorrow would be the day that I would actually start my plans to build my home. With that said, the Capatora who was able to witness by actions today, still decided to stay by my side.