Chapter 30 (2/2)

But this time Randidly was ready. As the creature made its leap to the side, Randidly attacked again, throwing everything he had at the monster. Phantom Onslaught. Haste, Empower. A dozen stabs ripped forward towards the ever so slightly off balance creature, and although it was slippery, several long gashes were left on the creature's body, slowing it.

Although Entangling Roots made roots and grasped with them, they slowly stiffened after the spell was cast, until the mana supporting them disappeared. But as he wounded the creature, Randidly activated Root Manipulation, causing the roots from the previous spell to grow forward and slam down on top of the creature.

Somehow, Randidly had again underestimated its speed, as it slashed at his throat before the roots could arrive, aiming for the kill. Only a Empowered Spear Phantom’s Footwork enabled Randidly to dodge, and even then, a long gash was left in his shoulder, his health dropping a good 30%.

The roots smashed against the creature, and it seemed to sway, concentrated on speed rather than strength, and it was able to twist so it was facing forward to slash at these new foes. The creature hissed in pain as its movements caused blood to pump out of the long scratches Randidly had left on its torso, and that was all the change Randidly needed.

While its head was turned, only half a meter from this speedy death machine, Randidly raised his hand and activated Arcane Orb at close range.

He could feel his finger break from the force of the explosion, but when the smoke cleared, it had apparently also been enough to shatter the spine of the thing, finally killing it.

Randidly had around 60% of his health remaining, but 20% and 5% of mana and stamina. And when the second two ran out, the first would be swiftly devoured by another weird creature like this. He swiftly picked up the body, which only seemed to weigh around 80 lbs, and the small necklace it had dropped while dying, and returned to an area not marked red.

Licking his lips, Randidly couldn’t suppress the strange emotions running through him. The thrill of a fight when his life was on the line. The fear of death. The responsibility he had towards the strange Newbie Town he had created.

The need to find Ace and Sydney, and the slowly growing anxiety as no easy way to do so presented itself.

He sat down to meditate, setting aside the body for now. Although the battle was short, it was incredibly fruitful. Not only did he sharpen the little bit of an edge he had lost since coming here, he had gained a skill level in Physical Fitness, Iron Skin, Entangling Roots, Mana Shield, Dodge, Phantom Thrust, Spear Phantom’s Footwork, Root Manipulation, Arcane Orb, Phantom Onslaught, and Empower.

All in all, that was 11 PP in 23 or so seconds. Randidly’s face split into a grin, but then he grimaced. Although this was good improvement, the problem was the risks associated with it. He wanted to continue to go out and farm in this zone, but…

If he encountered a second one at the same time….

But then he remembered one of the last pieces of advice Shal had given him, right before they had made their final, successful attack on the boss.

“A spear can only go forward, and thus a spearman must hold tight to the shaft and support it, or he will lose it and become just a man. Shortly afterward, he will undoubtedly die.”

Chuckling to himself, Randidly looked out towards the cracked plateau, with its strange cat creatures, with excited eyes.