I was still a bit tired the following morning.

  I felt a bit lost as to what to do. I did plan to use the simulation to learn to fight a level 7 Kobold but… after my day in the dungeon, I decided to face the Kobold directly.

  It may have been foolish of me, but I did face a Kobold Level 1 before I even had a class and before the simulation. I just managed to find a way to survive.

  I decided not to tell Claire about my decision. She would just worry too much.

  After eating my wonderful System given breakfast, I left my apartment. I stared at the Sentinel Eye, and it just stared right back.

  That would never get any less creepy.

  I avoided the Kobolds and walked towards the far edge of my area. I may be able to see another one of my neighbours but mostly I just wanted to walk a bit.

  A lot of Kobolds showed up on my Mini Map, but the only Level 7 Kobolds were walking in groups of two or three. I was very confident that I would be able to handle one, but two would be pushing it and three would be suicide.

  I almost reached the barrier when I saw a lone Level 7 Kobold. I hesitated for a brief second, knowing that this was the only moment I had to change my mind. Once I engaged with the Kobold, there was no going back.

  I could run away…

  Decision made I sneaked closer. I may have been crazy, but I was not stupid. Only an idiot would rush in blind.

  I took a deep breath. In the dungeon I faced and defeated much scarier monsters. I went over the description of this type of Kobold and looked at their attacks and weaknesses.

  I moved to a point behind it, not too close but close enough so that my attacks would be effective. As the Kobold is mage type, it would do well if I attack it at closer range an keep it from using its magic.

  I began with Mana Slashes, targeting first the arm holding its staff, and then its body. It was completely off balance, and I gave it no time to collect itself and prepare an attack.

  I pushed my advantage, following up with Arch Lash.

  The Kobold fell over and stayed down.

  The relative ease of killing the Kobold did not ease my mind. I knew that if it had gotten even one clean hit on me, I would have been in serious trouble.

  I caught it off guard. If this Kobold ambushed me, I did not believe my Mana Shield would be able to protect me fully, that is if I get to cast it in time.

  Damn.

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  I looted the Kobold and got Legendary Food and Water Packages. Nice. I also got an Epic Health Packages.

  I opened it and looked at the bottle in my hand.

  The vial was long and narrow, tapering to a soft point, its glass glowing faintly from within. Blue and violet light drifted inside it in slow, liquid currents, like a tiny, contained starfield. Small sparks shimmered and vanished, giving the impression that whatever was inside wasn’t quite a liquid — or quite still.

  The cap was warm gold, etched with delicate patterns, with a single blue gem set into the top. It pulsed softly in time with the light below.

  It felt warm in my hand.

  Next, I skimmed the description.

  It healed everything — not just cuts and bruises, but poisons, diseases, shattered bones, internal damage. Even things like nerve damage and blood loss.

  It couldn’t fix death, curses, or anything that messed with your soul or reality itself — which honestly felt fair — and I could only use one a day without consequences.

  Still…

  A full reset for my body.

  Nice …

  I also got a spell + Token.

  Fighting a Level 7 was not something I was going to do again, not that day anyway. I needed to improve my defence.

  I would not also be able to avoid getting hit by the Kobold’s attacks and if hit, not to be fried.

  Maybe level up my Mana Shield or get Area-of-effect Spells…

  I continued walking and thinking about how to fight the Level. I did not keep an eye on my Mini Map for a second and walked right into a solitary Level Kobold. It was not looking at me, so I hoped to back off slowly before it saw me.

  My luck did not hold and it turned towards me, eyes fixed on me. It was beginning to line up an attack.

  I had a split second to decide. Fight or Flight?

  It made the choice for me, and I was looking at a stream of fire roaring directly at me. I had no choice anymore but to fight.

  I activated Mana Shield. The flames hit me and I could feel the impact. The spell protected from most of the heat but enough went through that I knew I was hurt badly. I activated Mana Slash and quickly cast all three in rapid succession.

  My aim was perfect, and I knew it was hurt but so was I. More roaring fire came my way and I activated Fleetstep. I succeeded but only partially to get out of the way. My whole side was scorched.

  I needed to kill it and fast.

  Lightning screamed from my staff, ripping into the Kobold then out and arcing back into it. I watched it slump down.

  Hopefully dead.

  I kept my eyes on it and retrieved the epic healing potion. I got and used it the same day. The shimmering fluid tasted like vanilla and a spice I could not identify. Warmth spread out from my centre, and I felt… better.

  I felt my body healing, and a faint wave of euphoria made me smile.

  I looted the Kobold and got a few things. A rare healing package and a few other things. The System did not give me another epic one.

  Bummer.

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  first Royal Road chapter of each pair. The second one won’t have pictures. If you want to see all the art together (or earlier), it’s on Patreon with the combined chapters!