YM778.TV Chapter 9: Exploration [ 2 ]
Next, I go through my exercise routine and some combat training with the daggers and mace. I don\'t level up, but I feel good about my fitness and I think I\'m ready for a fight. However, before that, I decide to have breakfast, so I light a fire and cook some wolf steak with mushrooms again.
After eating and doing the dishes, I grab my dagger and some bones, carving out a set of lock picks, or at least what I think they should be. I\'ve never actually tried to pick a lock in my past life, so this will definitely be a matter of trial and error.
Before leaving, I check the wolf pelt and find it ready to use, but after seeing the holes I put in it while fighting the wolf, it doesn\'t look like I can do much with it. Finally, I decide to make a vest and, if I have enough left over, maybe a belt pouch. So I sit down and start cutting and sewing.
⟨⟨-DING-⟩⟩⟩
√ Item created:
- Terrible wolf vest.
- Defense +2
- Durability 20/20
⟨⟨-DING-⟩⟩⟩
- Congratulations, the Leatherworking skill has advanced to level 2!
√ Leatherworking
√ Level 2
- Agility +2.
- You can craft rudimentary items from leather.
A doublet instead of a vest? Well, whatever, the +2 to defense is more than I expected. I put on my new doublet and find that it fits well and is quite comfortable. I\'m about to leave when an idea occurs to me: I take a half-burnt piece of wood from the campfire and, using the scorched end, start drawing a map of what I\'ve explored so far on the wall.
⟨⟨-DING-⟩⟩.
- Congratulations, you\'ve acquired the Cartography crafting skill!
√ Cartography
√ Level 1
- Intelligence +1
- You can draw rudimentary maps.
Looking at the rudimentary map, I realize that, once I finish yesterday\'s passage, I will only have two left to explore. So, feeling motivated and refreshed, I set out to finish the passageway. I head straight for the main passage. I intend to finish off the goblins before attempting to open the locked door. I keep moving cautiously, but don\'t activate stealth until I\'m just outside the goblin room.
MP: 85/100
I observe the goblins before making a move. Four of them only have daggers, but the fifth has a spear and a round wooden shield next to him, so that\'s the one I want to kill first. Unfortunately, he\'s at the opposite end of the room, so I have to move slowly around the room using the shadows cast by the fire.
It takes me a while, but I\'m finally behind the spear-wielding goblin, ready to attack. I start with a surprise attack, plunging my dagger deep into his back.
MP: 80/100
⟨⟨-DING-⟩⟩.
- Congratulations, the Sneak Attack skill has advanced to level 3!
√ Sneak Attack
√ Level 3
- MP cost 5
- Attack from stealth inflicts 15% more damage.
I drop the dagger on the goblin and pull the mace from my belt as I throw the dagger in my left hand at the goblin to my left.
MP: 75/100
⟨⟨-DING-⟩⟩⟩
- Congratulations, the Dagger Throw skill has advanced to level 3!
√ Dagger Throwing
√ Level 3
- MP cost 5
- You can throw a dagger with speed and accuracy. Hit +3, Damage +6.
- Objective: Kill goblins 4/20
Two down, three to go! Now that the element of surprise is gone and I only have the mace, I engage the three remaining goblins. As they get up and draw their daggers, I move to the right and hit one in the head with the mace.
CRUNCH
- Objective: Kill goblins 5/20
The two remaining goblins rush towards me. I swing the mace at the arm of the nearest goblin and dodge the second one\'s thrust.
Crack
⟨⟨-DING-⟩⟩⟩
- Congratulations, you have acquired the combat skill Dodge!
√ Dodge
√ Level 1
- Defense +1
- Your agility allows you to evade attacks.
When the goblin that missed stumbles, I kick him hard in the stomach and throw him against the wall. Then I swing the mace again and smash the head of the goblin who clutches his broken arm, screaming.
CRUNCH
- Objective: Kill goblins 6/20
A couple of steps towards the goblin stunned by the impact against the wall and one more blow with the mace is enough to end it all.
CRUSH
- Objective: Kill goblins 7/20
⟨⟨-DING-⟩⟩⟩
- Congratulations, Blunt Combat has progressed to level 2!
√ Blunt Combat
√ Level 2
- Strength +2
- You cause 10% extra damage with blunt weapons.
\'Whew, that was easier than expected, I didn\'t even take damage!\'
This confirms it, even without class or level I can become strong. And I will become strong, finding a way out of this pit.
I look at the ceiling and shout, "And one day I\'ll come back, I\'ll make you pay for throwing me out like trash!"
Castle Throne Room.
Dammer\'s point of view.
The king is sitting on his throne, pondering the next stages of his plan, when he feels a shiver run down his spine. He looks around him and, although he is surrounded by his royal guard, a sense of danger invades him. His gaze, filled with uncertainty, is fixed on the well leading to the pit.
King Raden says, "Guard, call the historian!"
The Royal Guard replies, "At once, Your Majesty!"
The guard runs off and, a few minutes later, returns, taking me with him. I limp in, leaning on my cane, moving as fast as I can.
"You summoned me, Your Majesty?"
King Raden says, "I want to know everything the records say about the well."
"Ah, yes, I see. I admit that after the recent events, I too was curious and checked the archives, Your Majesty. The well, actually, was already here before..."
"The castle was built."
King Raden asks, "How can that be? The castle is the oldest building in the kingdom, isn\'t it?"
"That\'s right, your majesty. The archives contain a report on the construction of the castle. When they were digging the foundations, they discovered the entrance to what we now call the moat."
King Raden says, "Are you saying that the pit already existed and was buried here before the foundation of the kingdom, five hundred years ago?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, are you familiar with the legends of the ancient ruins? Specifically, about how they were created by an empire that ruled the continent and fell just over a thousand years ago."
King Raden replies, "Of course I\'ve heard the legends: an all-powerful magical empire destroyed by its own greed."
"Correct, Your Majesty. The reports mention the Empire of Allothal and state that the well was the basement of a structure of that empire. When they found it, they explored it, and the records even contain a map."
King Raden says, "A map? Well, is there another way out of the well?"
"According to the report, there is a way down into something they call a \'sewer.\' I am unfamiliar with the term and have been unable to find its meaning. However, the report also states that everyone who was sent to explore the culvert, including several powerful warriors, never returned."
King Raden, satisfied, says, "They never came back? Good! So, the beast may survive in the pit, but its only hope of getting out is certain death. ha ha ha, that\'s perfect!"
I miss the old queen; she would have paid attention to the fact that greed destroyed the old empire. By ignoring history, you are doomed to repeat it.
King Raden concludes, "That will be all, Dammer."
I bow and leave, leaving the king to return to his musings about conquering the continent....