Chapter 30 (1/2)

Randidly didn’t gain anything for 4 hours aside from the profound satisfaction for finally getting to experience the perverse joy of forcing someone to go through the torment Shal had subjected him to. It was also nice to reassure himself that Donny wasn’t just a sack of shit, and also possessed some backbone, but really the profound joy from stepping into Shal’s brutal shoes was the true reward at the end of the day.

That, and of course some skill levels.

He had decided to put more effort into increasing the utility of his Root Manipulation skill, and had begun allocating stat points into control to increase its usefulness. This also seemed to have a very small effect on the mana expenditure using the roots, although once more Randidly was confused whether his control made him more efficient, or his higher control made the mana use more efficient.

He was quite pleased with the 2 skill levels he had earned in 4 hours on that front. Calculated Blow had risen to 4, and Randidly was beginning to sense the weak points of the imps and lizards that he fought. Not that he really needed them...

In addition, Empower had increased to level 6, and Randidly was swiftly learning that although the stamina cost was pretty debilitative in an extended fight, it was oppresively powerful. He planned to practice using it while performing spear forms, and spear footwork. If he could master it…

But Randidly knew that the real way to grow was not training here. And to that end, after dropping off a sobbing Donny onto Chubbs lap, Randidly headed due east, away from the town, towards what used to be a lake.

Now there was only sloping hills that gave way to a cracked plateau, noticeably devoid of people. Randidly suspected there must be an edge to the “safe zone”. He didn’t think the entire map was really a safe zone, just that many probably sprung up around people, giving them a chance at life.

But beyond that, in this wide area….

Randidly gained a point in Pathfinding and Mapmaking as he reached the edge of what the map was telling him was a place that was safe to be. Beyond that point, the map was tinged red.

Grinning, Randidly stepped over the line, and began to creep forward, falling into habits he had picked up in the dungeon. Spear out, Eyes of the Spear Phantom constantly activated, scanning the surrounding ground.

And it was a good thing that he was prepared, because when the enemy came, it came fast.

It was a bolt of fur and snarls, rushing at Randidly’s blindspot. He spun quickly, Mana shield activating instantly, but the creature smashed through the shield within a second.

Randidly’s eyes narrowed, his blood roaring in his ears. But all he felt was elation.

Yes… it was always like this, wasn’t it…

His spear shot forward, utilizing Heavy Blow and Phantom Thrust, the attack almost impossible to see with the naked eye, but the black bolt simply flowed around it, a flash of light on its claws the only signal that an attack was coming.

Entangling Roots activated, huge roots rushing upwards to grip the slippery thing. But it hopped to the side, its momentum almost completely maintained as it rushed forward.