Oh, I am toast. Burnt toast. I'm about to be so toast that if someone came along and smelled me, they'd think they were having a stroke. A profound sense of dread washes over me as my gaze flickers over the seething horde outside the shield. I'll admit it, I didn't think this far ahead. It turns out that when you're scurrying through a monster-infested tunnel on a desperate retrieval mission for someone you're pretty sure is about to lop off your head, you tend to put some important things on the back burner. Things like, "What's the endgame here?” I can't blame myself too much, though; this was the only option I had.
My original, perfectly solid plan was this: give Mr. Knight the sword and get out of the way—genius, I know. I had hoped he would rush out to battle, cutting down swaths of leeches and eventually the Monarch, while I used the chaos to make my grand escape. Cowardly? Maybe. But, unfortunately for everyone involved, my sense of justice is overridden by my sense of self preservation.
Still, it isn't like that matters now. My plan was ruined the moment he stepped in. This shimmering bubble of light that keeps the horde back is nothing more than a guilded cage. I'm safe, but trapped, and I'm pretty sure Mr. Knight expects me to pull my weight fairly soon. He hasn't said a word—and it's not like I'd understand him anyway—but his glances are clear. His grip on his sword and his resolute posture speak for him. He's forcing me into this, demanding I risk my life. It may be the most logical course of action now, but for a knight, he's a remarkably presumptuous brute.
Fine. Fine, you win, Mr. Knight. There's no point in complaining about it now. My cowardice has failed me, and so my only option left is to face this nightmare head-on. I have to focus on getting out of here alive, which means using every tool I have.
I open my Status, quickly skimming the information, and hold up a finger to the knight to stall him. I can't see his face through the mask of his helmet, but I can feel the bewilderment radiating off him. Then the impatience starts. Like an annoyed parent waiting for a brat, he stares at me and actually begins tapping his armored boot on the ground. I'm stunned. What am I, a petulant toddler? Just a second, sheesh! If you're going to drag me out there and get me killed, the least you can do is let me prepare! I let out an audible huff of irritation at his monumental lack of chill as I scroll through the menu.
[Status:]
[Name:] Aria Drake
[Level: 3; Tier 1]
[Species:] Drakeling (Kentri)
[Stats:]
? Health: 43/50
? Mana: 0
? Might: 20
? Toughness: 24
? Cunning: 25
? Will: 21
[Skill Points:] 1
[Biomass:] 7
[Skills:]
? Bite, Level 2; Rank 1
? Digging, Level 2; Rank 1
? Echolocation, Level 3; Rank 1
? Hearing, Level 4; Rank 1
? Rake, Level 2; Rank 1
? Tail Manipulation, Level 1; Rank 1
[Mutations:]
? Claws; +2
? Ears; +1
? Scales; +1
? Tail; +1
? Teeth; +1
? Venom Gland; +0
I stare slightly stunned at my status. Although I've not had a skill level up since I last checked, my Biomass as risen by leaps and bounds. Seven! Such wealth, such opulence! I knew grabbing those leeches on the way was a good idea. My HP is still below full, which is a shame, but here's hoping it keeps on ticking with my digestion. Now, on to the good stuff.
With a wealth of Biomass to spend, I felt giddy—a feeling I was instantly forced to curb. As much as I'd like to sit down and pick apart my choices to find the optimal mutations, I'm running on borrowed time. I can already see the barrier beginning to lose stability. Like spiderwebs, cracks are spreading along the shining dome as the leeches batter the shield, throwing their disgusting bodies against it and trying to gnaw their way through. I stare despondently at the frantic, crumbling scene before slamming the door on hesitation. I have to prioritize my immediate survival. So... these ones.
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[Would you like to purchase Scales; +3 and Tail; +2? This will cost seven Biomass.]
These mutations offer the largest immediate boost to my defense and offense that I can afford. Hopefully, upgrading my Scales to +3 will mitigate as much damage as possible. And if that insufferable knight forces me to go up against a grown leech, I'm banking on my new tail upgrade being able to punch clean through their armor.
?Gah, enough stalling! You have other important things to do before the battle, Aria. I mentally slammed the confirmation button with unnecessary force. I barely registered the familiar, fizzy sensation enveloping my body, already focused on my next urgent choice: what skill do I choose?!
I really wanted to choose either Stealth or Metabolism as my next skill, but neither would be helpful in this situation, so I’ll set them aside for now. Wait for me, my sweets. If I get out of here alive, you're the first on my list, honest. Feeling disappointed that my plans have been interrupted once again, I instead focus on two other skills that offer more immediate benefits: Dash and Scale Defense. Out of all my available purchaseables, I believe these two offer the biggest boost to my survival. Pulling up their descriptions, I think hard on the pros and cons of each ability with the little time I have left.
? Dash, Level 1; Rank 1
Allows the user to increase their speed over short distances at the cost of increased stamina drain.
Ah, Dash. It was one of the first skill options I was presented with upon arriving in this world, and it's a tantalizing promise of speed. With it, I'd be able to zip across the battlefield, hitting hard while avoiding getting hit back. I'm fairly certain this is the exact skill the Sabertooth Stoat used against me, and I'm itching to get that utility for myself. The reason I lean toward this over something like Dodge is the extra oomph: Dash offers momentum that might even increase the piercing damage from my stinger or claws.
?Wait, speaking of that damn stoat... the core! I almost forgot.
?I quickly extract the small, dull gem from where I’d tucked it in my curled tail, and immediately find a nice spot to dig a shallow hole. Mr. Knight watches, thoroughly confused by my sudden, bizarre decision to start burrowing, but I pay him no mind. I'm on a time crunch, after all. After a few scoops of dirt, I carefully plopped the core in, covered it back up, and tamped the soil down, safeguarding my first core. I'll come back for this after the battle, it's a special souvenir, after all. Maybe I can get some string or rope and get it on a pendant? Bah, I'll think on it later.
?Anyway, back to skills.
? Scale Defense, Level 1; Rank 1
Improves the user's ability to utilize their scales to deflect blows and resist damage.
This one, Scale Defense, is another skill I really want. If I can deflect a blow or redirect it better by making it skip off my scales, I'd take much less damage, or maybe no damage at all. I can't help but feel it'll be highly valuable to my build going forward. But is is going to help me more than Dash would in this situation? That possible extra damage is juicy... I tap my finger on my chin, weighing the options. It takes a few moments before I come to a decision.
Fine, I'll compromise with you, Puzzle. I'll take Dash now, and if I can rack up a decent kill count during the skirmish, the level-up should grant me the point needed for Scale Defense. It’s a high-risk, high-reward strategy: prioritize offense and pray I don't get drained before the next tier of defense is unlocked. I just have to force myself to survive long enough to purchase it.
Wait, did I just turn this nightmare into a survival game? That... actually sounds fun. Get enough kills, unlock the next upgrade. Now that I think about it, my whole life is a morbid loop like that now. A low, rumbling chuckle echos inside the barrier as the realization hits me. Know what? Let's lean into it. If this is a game, I'm going to get the high score.
[Would you like to purchase Dash? This will cost one Skill Point.]
Yes I would, you wizened old voice, you. The second I confirm the purchase, I'm sucker-punched in the brain! I drop to the ground, clutching my head in agony as my brain folds became even more "foldy." Damn headache! I knew it was coming, and I still couldn't brace myself against the pain. The knight watched on in stunned, probably disturbed, silence as I scrabbled at the ground. I managed to give the confused human a pained, trembling thumbs-up, and thankfully, the agony quickly subsided, leaving me with a shiny new skill. Picking myself up, I give a little cough, dust myself off, and offer a polite nod toward the monstrous swarm, confirming my readiness. I really need to see a monster doctor or something, because I'm tired of these mini-grenades detonating in my skull every time I upgrade.
?Mr. Knight watches me for a moment and then gives a curt nod in response, pivoting sharply to face the incoming tide, his heavy armored self settling into a low, braced stance. I immediately follow suit, sinking into my own predatory crouch, ready to activate my skill the moment the bubble drops. The leeches register the shift—their screeching escalating to a frantic, hysterical pitch as they throw their weight into a final, desperate attempt to breach the shimmering surface.
?Showtime.
?The thought barely registers before the bubble detonates. It vanishes not with a pop, but a violent wave of brilliant light and concussive force that sends the entire frontline of the swarm tumbling, momentarily clearing our immediate space, and killing some of the smaller specimens outright.
?The knight and I let out simultaneous roars of fury and leapt into the fray, both engaging our movement skills. To my shock, he was a blur, flickering before appearing right in front of a fully grown leech. He bisected it clean before his blade became a dizzying, deadly threshing machine against the monsters nearby. Hot damn! I have got to figure out what skill he's using, because that was badass!
Not to be outdone, but not nearly as fast as Mr. Knight, I still kick off with a surprising burst of speed that forces my ears back against my head as I charge at the closest leech. Woah! My legs blur as I run faster than I ever have before, and I have to admit, it's nice to feel this light on my feet! Fueled by adrenaline—or its monster equivalent—I race toward my prey.
My target lies squirming in the dirt between two others, still trying to right itself after the barrier's blast. It doesn't get the chance. As I speed past, my jaws snap shut on the monster's head. Its chitinous skin crunches and crumples under the force of my bite as I snatch it clean off the ground. The thing writhes wildly in my teeth, its tail whipping me across the face, but I bite down harder, perforating it's central nervous system and instantly dispatching my first victim.
[You have defeated a Level 2 Mana Leech! You have gained experience.]
Nice! One point for me, on to the next. Not wanting to lose momentum, I loop back around with another burst of Dash, my claws scrabbling in the dirt as I turn. The dead leech, still clenched in my jaws, becomes a gruesome flail as I race by another leech. I slam the corpse sideways into the head of its closest companion just as it began to rear up, bludgeoning the creature and sending it sprawling to the ground in a stunned heap.
?In that exact moment of distraction, my newly minted tail whips around, acting like a separate, living limb. The prehensile appendage grabs hold of the third monster, instantly wrapping around it and squeezing. The leech's maw gnashes desperately at the air, trying to latch on, but locked in my vice grip, it has no choice but to give in.
[You have defeated a Level 1 Mana Leech! You have gained experience.]
[Tail Manipulation; Rank 1 has reached level 2.]
Another point for me! Hooyah, baby, Mama's on a roll! This new skill of mine is already paying dividends. Not to mention, it's nice to see my other skills leveling up. Now, no time to eat, let's keep the momentum going! I give my tail a sharp snap, flinging the dead leech away like a useless rag as I search for my next mark.
Unfortunately for me, the remaining leeches have already begun regrouping. They right themselves and rapidly congregate with their cohorts, making disgusting sounds as they do. Packs of up to seven now move together, splitting their attention between the Knight's escalating battle and my isolated position, most groups led by a bulky, grown leech.
The knight will be fine; he has his plate armor and now his sword, but I'm at a significant disadvantage against groups... Still, I can't back down now. I have to fight like my life depends on it, because it does. Before the Monarch steps in to fight the knight, we need to clear out most of these leeches.
Alright, Puzzle, let's look for something we can kill. I scour the tunnel, eyes darting between packs before I finally clap my eyes on what I'm looking for. Ah ha! There you are.
Isolated on the outskirts of the growing horde is a small group of four just beginning to form up. They look disoriented, milling about when the other groups are already moving to engage the knight or me. Led by a visibly battered grown leech, this group looks the weakest out of the available groups. Normally, I wouldn't dare try my luck against a group like this, but my new skill has made me a bit more secure in my abilities. If I can use the speed to my advantage, I can stay ahead of the already injured larger leech while I take out its allies first. Then, I can decide whether or not to go in for the kill on the big guy. It's foolproof! Oh, who am I kidding, I'll probably bugger it up somehow. Anyways, Dash!
[Dash; Rank 1 has reached Level 2.]
Hell yeah, even more skill ups! My legs blur once more, the burst of speed leaving the advancing leeches choking on dust. Haha! Take that, you leathery little weirdos! My heart soars as I speed through the tunnel, my eyes locked on my next targets.
This is going to be fun.
