Continue? Chapter 3.3 : Underground Facility
Back on the Surface.
"Quin, I really don't think we can take any Tanker Wolves."
Trayfi seems very reluctant on attempting to fight the Tanker Wolves for their Crystals.
"Why? You're strong, and so is everybody else. And then there's me, who is... different..." Quin asks.
"I... have fought a Tanker Wolf once before. Just one. And it was... extremely difficult."
'Difficult? Level 81 and she had difficulty? Wait, if it was before...'
"But aren't you stronger now than you were before? You should be able to take one down easier than the first time, right?"
"...I guess. It was nearly 2 Years ago when it occured, so perhaps I gained some strength."
"Then let's go... first thing's first."
Quin takes some Meat from one of the Baskets that were filled with Ice to keep it fresh.
"Let's eat. We're gonna need the energy."
"Yay! Meat!" Sayu was overjoyed, not just for the Food, but also because she was no longer in the Lab.
"Honey~. Master, hurry~." Mel was already ahead of them, having a Jar filled with Nectar.
'Jeez. Sure are active all of a sudden.'
"Trayfi, please make a Fire. Remi, find some safe Herbs and Vegetables nearby, please."
"Yes sir!" Remi dashed in the Forest.
"I'll go get some Fire Wood." Trayfi searches the Edge of the Forest.
"And finally..."
{Nectar to Honey}
"Honey~!" Mel quickly began eating.
"And now we wait for Trayfi and Remi."
. . .
Half an Hour went by, and they finished their meals. Mel had an extra helping of Honey.
"Now that we have full bellies, let's head out." Quin extinguished the Fire using {Soak I}.
"Quin, what Level are you?" Trayfi asked.
"14. It's not that high, but I haven't fought much at all."
"...I think you should stay back when we fight the Tanker Wolves."
'...I guess even I would be concerned.'
"I get what you mean. How about this, let's look for some other Monsters on our way there, and I'll raise my Level. I'll check my [Status] before we fight the Tanker Wolf, so it should be fine."
Trayfi still seemed against it, but nodded her head.
"Alright. I'll check my Status for now. Can you help Remi and Sayu clean up for now? Maybe try to find something to distract yourself for now."
Nodding again, she walks towards the 2 who were cleaning.
Mel was sunbathing on a small patch of Flowers.
'I guess that's my queue.'
[Skill Shop] [Points : 90]
[Level 5 Skills]v
[Level 10 Skills]v
[Locked]
'Level 10 Skills are probably much better than the Level 5 Skills.'
[Level 10 Skills]
{Sword Skill I} {20 Points}
{Greatsword Skill I} {20 Points}
{Rapier Skill I} {20 Points}
{Dagger Skill I} {20 Points}
{Schimitar Skill I} {20 Points}
{Dual Blades Skill I} {20 Points}
{Axe Skill I} {20 Points}
{Battleaxe Skill I} {20 Points}
{Dual Axe Skill I} {20 Points}
{Hammer Skill I} {20 Points}
{Dual Hammer Skill I} {20 Points}
{Bow Skill I} {20 Points}
{Crossbow Skill I} {20 Points}
{Knife Skill I} {20 Points}
{Needle Skill I} {20 Points}
{Gauntlet Skill I} {20 Points}
{Unarmed Skill I} {20 Points}
{Staff Skill I} {20 Points}
{Magic Skill I} {20 Points}
{Mana Skill I} {20 Points}
{Spirit Skill I} {20 Points}
'Combat Related Skills? And quite a few of them. Not just Weapons, but also Unarmed and Magic Skills. I can use both, so I think I'll choose these 3.'
[Purchasing...]
[Complete]
[Acquiring Skills]
{Dagger Skill I}
{Knife Skill I}
{Magic Skill I}
[Acquired]
A sudden rush of knowledge impacted him immediately.
'I... feel no different. For now, let's try...'
In an Instant, a Icicle roughly the size of his arm formed in the air.
"Master!? You did it! And... very well too." Remi was intrigued.
"I tried using a different method, and this was the result. I'd rather not get too into detail though."
"Okay~. However, your development is going a bit TOO smoothly. I won't question it, but I'll still try to figure out why."
"That's fine by me. Now, shall we hunt ourselves some Wolves?"
"Quin, there's one more thing you should know." Trayfi said.
"Something important?"
"Very. The Tanker Wolves are not like your average Monster. The Armor on their bodies, it's almost like it's... alive."
"Alive? How would the Armor be alive?"
"It... it moves by itself, defending the Body at all cost. It took me forever to make it stop."
"How did you make it stop?"
"I threw rocks to stop them from closing together."
'That's a bit straight forward, is it not?'
"Then, why don't we use the same method? Except this time..."
Placing his hand at a nearby Tree, Quin swiftly froze the Base.
"Why don't we put Ice in between?"
"Ice? But it's not strong enough to stop the Armor from clamping."
"Freeze the Armor together, then attack a different spot. If the Armor can't move, then it can't defend."
"That's... quite an idea. It might work."
"Then let's get to it."
. . .
'It hasn't even been 10 Minutes.'
Ahead of them were 3 Bears, 2 of which were extremely large, and the other about the same size as a Bear from Earth.
Furthermore, they had 8 Legs.
'A Spider Bear? I don't see where Silk would come from, and they don't seem to be making any Webs either.'
[Appraising...]
[Appraisal Complete]
[Trucker Bear]
[Rank : C]
{With their many Legs, both their Mobility and Fighting capabilities are high. Sharp Claws, Strong Jaw, Tough Hide.}
'Trucker Bears. I don't think this'll be as easy as the Wolves from before.'
"I'm gonna test something out. Stay here."
"Be careful. They're not that easy to defeat." Trayfi says.
"They are delicious though. Try not to rip them to shreds, okay?" Remi asks.
"I'll try."
Moving from one bush to another, Quin slowly makes his way closer and closer to the Smaller Bear.
'...I have an uneasy feeling about this one. Let's use a different method.'
Holding the Red Blade at his side, he gets ready to swing.
'Let's hope this works.'
Hurling himself forward, he activates his Skill.
{Dagger Skill I}
A slight Humming could be heard, and the Red Blade began to lightly glow.
With the advantage on his side, he charges in with his Knife at high speeds.
With one fluent motion, the Blade extended, and with it, the Force of the Skill ran along it, causing a glowing trail.
The Extended Blade made contact with the Bear...
Immediately cutting through the Skin and Skull.
'That's... quite a gruesome way to go. I feel kinda bad now. Sorry.'
[Acquiring Exp...]
[Calculating...]
[Level 14 -> Level 20]
[60 Skill Points Added]
[30 Stat Points Added]
'The other 2 might notice soon. Should probably call the othe-'
Before he could finish his thought, his eyes connected with those of a Beast...
A Beast filled with Rage.
"Not good. Guys!"
Looking over, the 3rd, Largest Bear seemed to have already found them.
'Damn it. This is a problem... for me.'
Looking back at the 2nd Bear, it was already hovering over the 1st Bear's Corpse.
'They stopped. Are they... angry?'
Answering his question, a Grey Aura began to surround the Bear, slowly growing more fierce with each passing second.
'What is that? That does not look fun. Gotta deal with it quickly.'
{Knife Skill I}
. . .
Nothing happened.
'What the Hell? Why won't it... I had my suspicions, but we'll think about that later.'
Using Ice Magic, Quin freezes the Ground below him, and began using {Soak I} on the Bear.
'I can freeze it easier if I coat it in Water... but what now?'
[Complete]
[Choose a Skill]
{Overeating}
{Tank I}
{Claw I}
{Sharp I}
{Strong Smell II}
{Fulfilling}
'Tank. Definitely Tank.'
[Acquiring...]
Keeping his focus on the Bear, he began to use more Ice Magic, freezing the parts that were soaked.
It didn't do much.
The Ice already began to crumble.
'Think. Think!'
Recalling his options, only one seemed reasonable.
"Mel! Use your Dark Magic!"
Immediately following the order, Mel began chanting a few words.
After a few seconds, she finished.
A Wave of Black Mist hit the areas in front of her, away from everyone else.
To their luck, the Mist only managed to hit the Bears and Quin, putting the Bears in a confused state.
'It's now or never...'
Taking the Dagger in his hands, he swings at full might.
{Sharp I}
{Dagger Skill I}
*Clang*
'Hm?'
The Brown Colored Bear was now a Dark Silver.
'What the? What kind of Bear is this?'
The Bear began swinging randomly, destroying Trees and Boulders surrounding it.
'Woah! That was close. But what the hell kinda Bear turns into Metal!? And... The Blade of this Knife hasn't dulled even a little... How are the others doing?'
Looking over, they were having the same problem.
'What should I do? ...Skill Upgrades?'
[Skills] [90 Points]
{Dagger Skill I} {20 Points}
{Sharp I} {10 Points}
'90 isn't much to work with. Damn it...'
{Dagger Skill I} -> {Dagger Skill III}
[90 -> 45 Points]
{Sharp I} -> {Sharp IV}
[45 -> 0 Points]
'There's that... and then there's THAT.'
The Bear has not stopped flailing, nor does it seem to be tiring out.
'Metal... Ice should work.'
Once again, he freezes the floor below the Bear.
It took a moment, but after a few steps, it finally slipped.
A loud noise was heard, along with the scraping of Metal against Rock.
'Hope this works.'
Due to it's Thick Neck, he aims for the Arm rather than the Head.
. . .
A Clean Cut.
Although there was a lot of resistance, the Knife managed to cut through.
'...Only in a Fantasy World would I ever think of cutting Metal with the same Knife I used to cook food.'
Due to the excruciating pain, the Bear began flailing even harder than before.
This time...
Earth Magic was involved.
The Ground began to crack. Boulders were being formed.
Small Rocks and Pebbles were forming from the dust in the air, and flying in all directions.
'...Phase 2 Mini-Boss. Let's go.'
Trying to get closer, multiple Fist Sized Rocks went past him.
'Those do not seem fun.'
Through the Rapid Firing, Quin was nearly there.
'Just a bit mo-'
*Crack*
. . .
. . .
. . .
[Would you like to acquire the Skill {Earth Magic I} and continue?]
Without a doubt, that hurt me a lot more mentally than physically. But, Earth Magic seems fun.
[Acquiring...]
[Continuing...]
. . .
"Well, that could've gone worst."
Getting up, Quin immediately cast Earth Magic, creating a Wall in front of him.
"At least I'm no longer defenceless. Can I move this?"
To his surprise, he could.
Moving the Wall closer and closer, he finally made it close enough.
'What should I do now? I need to calm this guy down, or else their thrashing is gonna be the end of me.'
. . .