Chapter 10: Forest of Valor (2)
[Beginning the trial — Forest of Valor.]
[Trial: Survive against the waves of monsters until the timer runs out. Gain points by defeating monsters. Additional points will be awarded upon completion of hidden tasks.
*Points breakdown*
-Grunt Golems: 20 points each
-Fire Slimes: 25 points each
-Land Gremlins: 30 points each
-Sky Serpents: 30 points each
-Frostbears: 35 points each
-Ice Bully(boss): 100 points
Obtain a minimum score of 500 to pass the trial.]
Once the system screen displaying this disappeared from my front, a timer appeared in the corner.
[06:00:00]
[05:59:59]
[05:59:58]
I was feeling nervous, I wouldn't lie.
In the novels I read, in the movies I watched, the protagonists were always able to adapt immediately and become fearless.
But me? I was just a normal adult with crippling misfortune.
I would be lying if I said I didn't fear myself dying here.
Shaking my head and taking a deep breath, I put all these emotions and things to the back of my mind. Now was not the time to think about such stuff.
I first needed a weapon. Two cards were definitely not enough to defeat waves of monsters. And I'm quite sure that I wouldn't be able to deploy the attack at the right time.
I took my first steps into the forest and moved while taking cover.
From the names of the monsters, I got a hint of their habitats and kept a watch on the trees and bushes so as to not accidentally encounter any gremlins or snakes.
Two minutes into the trial, I finally saw a monster.
"Hngh. Hngh. Hngh."
It was a set of rocks piled together, grunting and moving. This was probably the Grunt Golem.
I had a feeling I could take it down simply by kicking it, but let's not be hasty.
I quietly moved away and found a nice stick along the way. It was thick enough to not break in one hit and also somewhat flexible.
Moving further, I found a flat rock.
Perfect!
I could use it as a shield.
"Hnggggg…"
…or so I thought.
I dropped the rock which I hadn't even picked up due to how heavy it was and quietly left the area, pretending I didn't just do what I did.
I hope nobody was watching…
Moving further, I heard the sound of running water and made my way towards it.
There was a river in this place and it was quite wide while also having a decent shore. The flow of water was steady and I could see fishes leaping up and down.
Wait. Fishes?
I backed away slowly.
*Crunch* *Crunch*
Stepping on a twig, I generated a loud sound, alerting every monster in the vicinity.
Shit…
My hands were trembling thinking about the monsters and I clutched the stick tightly, making my way towards a tree to take cover.
*Rustle* *Rustle*
Something moved in the bushes.
I held my breath and backed myself against a tree.
The rustling sound continued for a few more seconds and stopped when a small, wiry creature with moss-green skin and glowing yellow eyes appeared out of it.
This thing had sharp claws and jagged teeth which gleamed in the dim light, hinting at its predatory nature.
It jumped around, agile and elusive, and moved with the stealth of a shadow.
I was somewhat relieved after watching it because the unknown was more fearsome. And also it was due to this creature being small in general.
Sure it looked scary, but its size was similar to a normal-sized house cat standing on two legs.
I watched it for a bit and this monster, the Land Gremlin, sneaked towards a giant protruding rock.
It made some strange sound and summoned three Land Gremlins.
Together, the four looked around, then hid themselves under the rock, in its shadows, waiting for someone to pass by.
I was amazed by their intelligence and if I hadn't seen them, I would've definitely been attacked.
Okay. I can do this. I can take those four out.
I thought and looked at my sturdy stick.
Along with the stick, I prepared to activate my Quick Strike card and slowly moved in a roundabout way towards the Land Gremlins.
I reached behind the rock they were in as quietly as possible and moved towards the side.
I stopped when I was at a proper angle—hidden from the Gremlins and also in a striking distance.
I channeled the Essence into my Quick Strike card and yelled in my mind:
Quick Strike!
The sturdy stick in my hand moved like an extension of my will. When it touched the Gremlins first I felt a soft sensation followed by a rigid and firm feeling.
"Kkkkkreeeeeeaahhh!"
Four ear piercingly loud screeches sounded from the rock and made my heartbeat quicken. I didn't let go of the stick and pressed further downwards.
I then immediately took it out and hit the same spot again.
"Kkkkkreeeeeeaahhh!"
"Kkkreeaahhh!"
"Kkrraaa…eaahhh… ahhh…"
Holy fuck!
Holy fucking shit!
I screamed internally and ran away from the sight when I noticed four bloodied, disfigured Gremlins with thick dark blood oozing out from their bodies moving out of the rock. Their bones were protruding from their small bodies and they were letting out helpless screeches.
I had never seen such a grotesque sight in my life.
My legs moved without even me having to think and I ran towards the place I was previously hiding at.
From the distance, I hid behind a bush, near a tree and gasped profusely while watching the four disfigured Land Gremlins wander around limply, crying in pain and screeching for help just like a beaten up human.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
Why is this like this…
Why is this so real…
Why doesn't this feel like a game where I hunt monsters!?
How are these monsters showing such human emotions!
I had really mixed feelings about this.
+
[Ding!]
[Land Gremlin killed.]
Points: +30
Essence: +1
XP: +5
Total Points: 30
Total Essence: 3
(Tip: Monsters may drop loot upon death.)
[Ding!]
[Title obtained — Wavering Novice!]
[+5% agility when facing new or unfamiliar enemies.]
[Ding!]
[Trait obtained — Reluctant Slayer!]
[+5% damage to enemies when Health is below 50%.]
(New tabs are available on general stats panel.)
+
One of the Land Gremlins stopped screeching. It died and I immediately got a notification.
I did not pay much attention to the rest of the information as my entire focus was on the slow dying Gremlins. If only I had hit them harder would they've died a quicker and less painless death.
It sucked. It really sucked to watch those things struggle, cry, and claw the ground in pain, as if it would help them get better.
Real life is not a novel or movie. I do not know how protagonists could be cold and watch monsters die mercilessly when they let out such emotional struggles.
Shit… I had a lot to learn and a long way to go…
Me being emotional right now would only get me killed.
I should remember that those Gremlins would've attacked me had I not attacked them. I would be the one on the ground, struggling like them, had I not made a move.
Sigh…
I understand now.
I understand why protagonists turn cold.
I really had a lot to learn…
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone