250 The Hunt for Poochie (1/2)

Based on the firsthand testimony of numerous player parties, the news spread like wildfire throughout Bailey Town and the Goblin Mountains, about a ”secret event” which only took place at night, up in those mountains.

According to them, they were first drawn to the area by an unusual noise, where they all reported witnessing the same incredible scene: a tiny mouse-like creature, barely Level 10, doing battle through the forests of the Goblin Mountains with Tier 2 Goblin Warriors and Shamans—and despite facing multiple opponents each time, it was always a one-sided massacre.

It was the first time the players had ever seen monsters fighting amongst themselves. At first they had thought that it was somebody's summoned creature, but this particular creature had the most intriguing name, written all in red:

Poochie!

Upon finding that this unique little monster was bearing such an unusual name, those players who happened across it became excited beyond measure! Immediately they began to wonder if this might perhaps be some kind of event in H&G followed naturally by the thought that maybe, if they killed this monster, there would be all sorts of surprise rewards!

Without hesitation, these players would then rush in for the kill.

Of course, Poochie was not a prey to be so easily poached.

Quicker than any monster they'd ever encountered, the moment any player tried to approach it, it would skip away and disappear amongst the trees, never to be seen again. As a result, the players who encountered Poochie were left with nothing but bitter disappointment, thinking that they'd encountered some rare and special event, but let it slip right through their fingers!

Throughout the night, more and more players ran into Poochie, and the legend continued to grow.

In the beginning, hardly anyone paid much attention. But as an ever-growing number of players continued to exaggerate their accounts of Poochie's abilities, it gave birth to a new version of the ”secret event” of Poochie.

Poochie, it was said, might be some special, highly intelligent kind of monster, which hunted Goblin Warriors and Shamans across the Goblin Mountains in order to gain levels. With each new level that it acquired, there would even more rewards for the one that managed to slay it! Provided, of course, that they could handle the increased challenge!

As the rumors were echoed in countless different voices, the event continued to sound more believable, more realistic… Eventually, the story was such that it was able to persuade even the most skeptical of players!

Seeking this mythical fortune, many players made their way towards the Goblin Mountains. Some even formed specialized hunting teams to take down this epic quarry, while cunning Bandits plotted together to sneak up on Poochie using their Stealth, and then knock it unconscious with their saps, taking down this unique monster with a single stroke, and thereby earning themselves the coveted ”event rewards”.

***

Meanwhile, Poochie—the source of all these untoward rumors—having been discovered yet again by other players, was in the sixth different mine now, receiving a stern admonishment from Qin Ruo.

”You idiot, who asked you to make such a show of yourself? Have you been seeking out an audience on purpose?”

Qin Ruo watched with bemusement as the little thing perched upon his shoulder held its tiny paws to its hips, giving him a look of utmost innocence, shaking its head in fervent denial of his accusations.

'You little… you still won't own up?'

Having spent several hours with it, Qin Ruo had become well-acquainted with its tricks and patterns. When the levels had been going by quickly, the little fellow had been a model worker, darting through the woods slaughtering monsters by the dozen.

However, ever since Level 13, it seemed to have grown very tired of the sight of Goblin Warriors and Shamans, and began to slack off bit-by-bit. Occasionally, when Qin Ruo eased off on it for just a moment, the little thing would suddenly declare break time for itself, returning to their cave and hopping up onto his shoulder with a squeak, shirking its work with all the audacity in the world.

That was the reason why this was not the first time it had received a scolding from its master.

Perhaps the little rascal had become too full of itself. Not only did these lectures have no effect upon its behavior, it would also watch him with hurt eyes and a forlorn expression, making him look like the villain mistreating a hapless little angel. It was almost too much for Qin Ruo.

At first, Qin Ruo had yet to figure out what was really going on. He'd thought that it'd really just wanted to take a break, so he'd allowed it a few minutes' rest, before sending it out once more to keep hunting monsters for XP.

After several rounds of this, Qin Ruo finally noticed the real problem. The little fellow's speed and skill with its attacks had increased to the point that a single Shadow Strike, followed by two basic attacks, was all it took to kill off a Goblin Warrior as soon as it appeared.

Poochie went through this routine without hesitation or remorse, and then went back to searching for more prey… but there was no longer any enthusiasm or passion for the job.

Qin Ruo thought the most amusing thing about the whole affair was how quickly it had managed to get bored of Tier 2 enemies.