Chapter 32: Trench Warfare

[00:10:00]

There were only ten more minutes to go so I prepared for the worst, A showdown!

I prepared myself to face off against the unknown beast… Knowing I had to stall…

A being not of this world had almost succeeded in killing me, but I wasn't about to take it!

My elemental armor had taken most of the corrosion for me, but it had broken through making me unable to use it again because of the cooldown.

Slamming spikes up into the air, the unknown beast had to dodge.

During which I broke my defensive dome as I switched to the offense.

Unaware of the timer I taunted the beast.

Giving in to the taunting display the beast stood his ground, howling in response.

It was low-pitched, almost mocking even… It became clear the beast had a plan,

A plan that I didn't like in the slightest… The beast shrugged and stuck its scythe-like legs into the crystalized ground. Crystalized glass could be seen all over as it scattered the goo from its body. The scales on its back opened up as its multitude of eyes opened wide.

The low pitch turning ear scattering high as it pushed Itself to the ground.

Succumbed by peer pressure, the crystalized surface shattered in an instant as slimy eggs shot out of its back. I knew if I wanted to have the slightest chance of success…

I had to attack the beast at his weakest moment. A moment where his focus was redirected elsewhere… That moment was now! But I was dumbfounded… I just couldn't believe what transpired before my eyes… The eggs were steaming with a temperature so intense that it altered the crystallized surface. Within moments, the slimy eggs began to shake…

They shook so vividly it had only been a matter of moments before they broke through the shell. Revealing a small army of beasts in front of me… The slightest chance of survival that had presented itself had now faded away completely… The only thing left on my mind was my survival as I knew there wasn't much time left. Without hesitation and a firm belief in my confidence,

it became clear what had to be done…

Quickly I tried my best to alter the area surrounding us, this time not making a small dome…

But instead preparing for war! I used my remaining energy to manipulate the ground in between me and its army of small critters. In a way they looked like a crossbreed between a scorpion, praying mantis, and even a spider, but with properties of what I could only describe as reptilians, such as the scales, slithering tongue, and tails.

Digging up the ground, trenches were made. Spikes covering the edges allowed for strategic and tactical response to the beasts. I had to hold out till the end… till that timer struck zero.

The beast babies had fully recovered from their hatching. Eager as they were they started to approach the first of three trench lines I had dug to ensure my survival. Inside the trenches, I had a little surprise waiting for those unaware of my military knowledge.

Needless to say, it was a knowledge that applied mostly to the warfare of my previous life, but in a way, it could still prove useful. The beasts started to shoot their volleys one after the other, almost making it feel like a battle between kingdoms. The bigger beast stayed back as support to the smaller ones. The smaller ones started their charge towards their end goal.

Me… As they approached the first of the three trenches a little surprise was waiting for them. Unaware of their jumping capabilities I tried building walls around so they had to venture through them. Quickly the smaller ones jumped over the walls, descending the slopes created by my terrain manipulation. What awaited them were sharpened spikes as I knew the young ones should still have soft shells around their bodies.

After a moment's notice, it appeared I was correct, seeing as how the one that charged ahead of the others got pierced by the hidden layer of spikes deep within the trench.

Making the most out of the opportunity I barraged the offspring with Stone Edges until it collapsed onto the surface. Hoping for the small window of improvement I heard the words I had been aiming for this entire time;

[Enough experience has been accumulated the player "Geo Birchwood" gains a level, advancing from Lv. 2 to LV. 3. Additional Attribute Points have been rewarded…

Additional Skill Points have been rewarded.]

The young quickly adapted to the situation, learning how to break the wall allowing them to venture further without much worry. Had I not thought this through well enough?

Somewhere my calculations must have gone wrong… But there was no time for doubt as they started to reach my final line of defense… The final trench line.

Having healed completely I knew there had to be another opportunity. A window of vulnerability for the beasts. When the other young jumped to reach the edges,

that when I saw their weak spots. Although heavily armored, their bellies had soft tissue…

Not letting this realization and window of opportunity slip me by I threw a multitude of Stone edges at the beasts, impaling them as they were thrown to the ground.

The leader… their mother… Was furious! Unable to deal with the death of her young she stormed at the last line of defense in a blind rage. I knew how the beast must have felt all too well, but there was no time for remorse… It was either the beast or me who would be walking out alive. I knew I was back where I started, but there was a major difference…

I had regained my strength. With little time on the clock, it was now or never…

No time for overbearing pride, remorse, or anything that could potentially hold me back.

At the end of the trench, the beast looked at me with its eight otherworldly eyes.

It was out for blood, more than ever before. Readying itself to jump I prepared for impact.

Then suddenly I could hear the countdown of the timer.

The beast launched straight at me as the timer had come to an end.

[Punishment ending in 3… 2… 1…]

[00:00:00]

[The player has survived the punishment, shifting back to reality…]

When suddenly I was back at the room facing the trials of the ancients,

I couldn't believe it… It felt all so real… yet being back at the trials, everything seemed so surreal… Not knowing what was the true reality anymore I started to doubt my existence.

But there was one thing I was certain off… I was still alive! I had survived!

Knowing what the system had thrown at me I couldn't help but laugh.

Still feeling confused by it all I yelled; "Status" hoping to find the answers that I needed.

[LV. 3

HP: 250/250

MP: 90/90

Stamina: 150/150

Experience; 10%

Name: Geo Birchwood

Title: Hunter of the Night

Race: Human

Class: Berserker

STR: 12

DEX: 15

VIT: 25

INT: 10

WIS: 09

LUK: 25

CHA: 20

Unspent Attribute Points; 5]

I couldn't believe my eyes… but what I saw was undeniable proof that everything wasn't just a dream… Everything had happened… "So… everything happening before, had been all along?!"

[Due to the survival of certain benchmarks the player has successfully finished his "punishment" and is now rewarded with a permanent +1 bonus to all main stats and a title; Survivor of Catastrophe. Would you like to see what said title implies?] [YES/NO]

"Yes, why not? I can finally breathe again. Better take the time while finding out more about the rewards."

[Survivor of Catastrophe; A title rewarded for those overcoming their punishment and surviving against those, not of this world. Increases base stats by +3]

Quickly I checked my status once more, knowing the title must have improved my attributes even further.

[LV. 3

HP: 250/290

MP: 90/200

Stamina: 150/190

Experience; 85%

Name: Geo Birchwood

Title: Survivor of Catastrophe

Race: Human

Class: Berserker

STR: 12 (+4)

DEX: 15 (+4)

VIT: 25 (+4)

INT: 10 (+4)

WIS: 09 (+4)

LUK: 25

CHA: 20

Unspent Attribute Points; 5]

It was truly the new title that had been acquired, instantly I felt stronger.

Thinking back the little ones were quite easy to deal with from a distance…

But looking at what kind of damage the leader did to my dome and trenches I must praise myself lucky it had not gotten a hold of me…

Having survived this "punishment" as the system liked to call it,

I felt like a better man, a stronger man even! There was nothing that could stop me from completing the last of the trials. I was ready for it all, raring to go I walked down the pathway guiding me to my final destination. The Final Trial! Once I arrived at my destination the room looked oddly familiar when finally the system reacted to me entering the room I knew there was no turning back. I had to finish all of this or I wouldn't be Geo Birchwood!