Chapter 6: Hunting Hour

After finding myself alone once more, I resumed my exploration of the Plains in search of a new hunting ground, ensuring my Mana and HP were fully replenished after taking about 30 minutes of rest.

Venturing towards the western reaches, I encountered an expansive field teeming with various monster species.

Cautiously approaching a small group of red slimes, I gripped my dagger firmly in my right hand. When I had closed the distance to approximately 20 meters, I activated Haste and swiftly lunged at the slimes, landing a somewhat feeble blow on one of them.

Underestimating the agility of these diminutive slimes, one of them launched itself at my face with remarkable speed, catching me off guard and causing a momentary loss of balance, resulting in a fall to the ground. (-6 HP)

Startled by the sudden attack, I swung my dagger frantically, grazing one of the slimes with its edge, but another one swiftly lunged at me once more. (-8 HP)

Haste had not yet worn off, granting me a momentary advantage. I swiftly regained my footing and put some distance between myself and the approaching slimes.

To disorient and separate them, I adopted a zig-zag running pattern, successfully confusing the creatures. With a focused mind, I targeted the previously injured slime and delivered a decisive blow, causing it to dissolve into a pool of slimy liquid upon its demise.

You've gained 7 experience points & 1 BC

As the remaining two slimes attempted a counter-attack, I swiftly manoeuvred behind one of them and drove my dagger deep into its body, instantly ending its life.

You've gained 7 experience points & 1 BC

However, the other slime retaliated by spewing a corrosive acid as I had gotten too close, and I felt a searing pain surge through my left leg. (-4 HP, -1 HP/second for 5 seconds)

In agonizing pain, I let out a howl and hurled my dagger at the approaching slime before hobbling – due to my injured leg – towards it. Summoning all my strength, I delivered a forceful kick with my right foot, simultaneously pulling out the dagger and sending the creature back a few meters.

The Haste effect had worn off.

Gasping heavily, I focused on calming myself, relying on my passive Sixth Sense to anticipate the slime's next move. With split-second timing, I managed to evade its attempt to spew another load of acid at me.

Finally, with determination, I brought the slime down by delivering a final stab through its body, causing it to dissolve just like its companions.

You've gained 7 experience points & 1 BC

I used the command "Battle Status" and a shorter status window displaying only the important information popped up.

Devilish Shadow

Lvl: 2

Hp: 19/42

Exp: 23/45

Mana: 9/24

Haste on cooldown, 28 minutes remain

-> Close

Recognizing the perilously low state of my HP, I resolved to locate a safe area where I could rest for a while. Another battle akin to the previous one might prove fatal, and I couldn't take that risk.

Heading northward for a few minutes, I stumbled upon a quaint little forest, offering a perfect sanctuary and cover.

Seating myself comfortably with my back against a sturdy tree, I engaged with the game interfaces and perused the world chat to pass the time.

The chat, for the most part, consisted of players seeking companions for grinding, newcomers seeking assistance, and some venting their frustration about the game's challenging difficulty that led to multiple deaths.

Determined to explore other features, I decided to check out the friend system.

It appeared that the primary functions here were to exchange messages with friends and view each other's characters and status.

Initially, I harboured some concerns about others being able to examine my status, but those worries were swiftly dispelled when I discovered a setting that allowed me to conceal specific details.

Now, other players could view the appearance of my character, but essential specifics like level and stats remained hidden from prying eyes.

After approximately 30 minutes had elapsed, I ventured out of the forest once again.

This time, I came across an area swarming with goblins, the same creatures I had previously fought alongside Aether. Cautiously, I selected solitary goblins without any other mobs nearby to ensure safe combat, knowing well that goblins posed a greater challenge compared to slimes.

Sprinting towards my first target, I swiftly drove my dagger into the back of the goblin's skull, piercing through its head and leaving behind a lifeless, bloodied corpse.

You've gained 9 experience points & 1 BC.

Next, I confronted another goblin, this time from the front, refining my movements for scenarios where I lacked the element of surprise.

Swiftly, I jumped behind the goblin, thrusting my dagger into its tendons, then nimbly circling to the front, impaling its grotesque green eye.

As blood spattered from the punctured eyeball, the goblin emitted agonizing howls.

Despite attempting to slash me with its sword, the goblin's impaired vision led to a miserable failure, allowing me to deliver a final, lethal stab through its heart.

You've gained 9 experience points & 1 BC.

Maintaining this efficient approach, I continued my grinding for the next two hours, doing short rests in between, and during this time, I accumulated the following rewards after eliminating an additional 22 goblins:

198 experience points & 22 BC, along with a Rusty Iron Dagger (Atk+5, Agility +1).

Notably, I managed to level up twice during this process, and some of my skills also advanced in rank.

Devilish Shadow

Lvl: 4

Exp: 96/135

Stat points: 2

Skills:

Active

Haste E- -> E (25% speed increase, 17 mana cost, 50-second duration)

Immo Strike E -> E+ (damage increased by 10%, success rate slightly increased)

Passive

Dagger Mastery E- -> E+ (dmg with daggers +15%, accuracy +15%)

Sixth Sense F -> E- (Improved prediction abilities)

Today's objective was reaching Level 5 which required hunting down approximately 5 more goblins.

Within my vicinity, only two groups of 3 goblins each remained.

I equipped the Rusty Iron Dagger I had obtained in my previous hunt in my left hand, while my other dagger remained in my right hand.

I then acquired the passive skill Dual Wielding (Rank F), enabling me to proficiently wield the same weapon type in both hands and I allocated both my stat points into strength.

Approaching the first group of goblins with caution, I activated Haste and dashed behind the first goblin, positioning my back against its own, and thrust both daggers deeply into its spine.

Swiftly withdrawing the blades, I turn around and thrust them into its head, delivering a swift and clean kill.

You've gained 9 experience points & 1 BC.

The exhilaration of wielding two daggers went through me, and I quickly surged towards the other two opponents, evading their simultaneous strikes with a nimble slide.

A calculated slash against each goblin's legs hindered their movements, I haven't realized that I had unconsciously started smiling with a thrill of excitement.

If another player were to see me in this state, who knows how they'd perceive me—perhaps as a psychopath through their eyes?

With both goblins now significantly slowed, I wasted no time in ending their suffering.

Dashing behind them one after the other, I delivered fatal stabs through their hearts and skulls.

You've gained 18 experience points & 2 BC.

As a result of successfully hunting 30 goblins in a row, I earned the title "Goblin Slayer," bestowing a 20% damage increase against goblin species.

Empowered by this title, I dispatched the second group of goblins without difficulty.

You've gained 27 experience points & 3 BC, along with another Rusty Iron Dagger.

*Level up, obtained 1 stat point*

This time, I decided to allocate the acquired stat point to agility.

Satisfied with today's fruitful hunt, I logged off for the day after hastening back to Vendall.

I settled into the Inn, paying 5 BC to rest in a comfortable bed for the night.

Devilish Shadow

Titles:

Happy Helper

Hard Worker, Overcomer of Hardships

Goblin Slayer

Lv. 5

Hp 42/42

Stat Overview:

Strength: 11 Atk=32

Vitality: 7 Hp=42

Endurance: 7 Def=23

Agility: 13+2 Spd=30

Intelligence: 6 Mana=24

Stamina: 28

Stat points: 0

Skills:

Active:

Haste(E)

Immo Strike(E+)

Passive:

Dagger Mastery (E+)

Sixth Sense (E-)

Dual Wielding (F)

Exp: 15/200

Equipment:

2x Rusty Iron Dagger (Atk+10, Agi+2)

Adventurers Jacket (Def+1)

Adventurers Cap(Def+1)

Accessories:

—

BC: 56