Capítulo 18: [18]
Warily glancing from side to side, Dante exhaled through his nose before he charged at the mob closest to him. Drawing his arm back, forearm muscles tensed as he clutched the knife in his hand, the boy shoved it into the shadow's chest and watched the red glow in it's eyes quickly die out.
That was how he got rid of the first few. However, that didn't long for very long, and he knew something would happen eventually once all of the other shadows caught on to his strategy and adapted, which seemed to be accompanied by an increase in speed and ferociousness.
He was ready for it, though.
Dante's breath hung in the frosty air as he pivoted, scanning the dimly lit dungeon for the next wave of shadows. The metallic tang of blood mixed with the icy chill, creating an otherworldly scent that permeated the battleground. His heart pounded in sync with the haunting whispers that echoed throughout the freezing environment.
As the shadows closed in, Dante's instincts kicked in. His movements became a dance, a deadly ballet amid the frozen confines. A whirlwind of shadows encircled him, but his focus remained unbroken. The knife in his hand gleamed underneath the red sky, a stark contrast to the oppressive darkness that sought to consume him.
Ducking and weaving, Dante exploited the shadows' hesitation. His knife flashed, a glint of steel against the threatening shadows. Each strike was precise for the most part, finding its mark in the heart of his inky adversaries. Yet, he could feel the intensity building – the shadows were learning, adapting, and the game was far from over.
With a sudden surge of speed, the shadows lunged, closing the distance with alarming velocity. Dante's movements became a blur as he danced between them, even shocking himself a bit with how powerful his body actually seemed to be. The clash of steel and shadows reverberated through the dungeon, punctuated by the occasional hiss as the blade sliced through darkness.
A particularly formidable shadow leaped at him, its form elongating into a grotesque shape. Dante spun, narrowly avoiding the strike, and retaliated with a swift counter. The knife found its mark, extinguishing the crimson glow from the creature's eyes. Yet, more shadows pressed in, a relentless tide threatening to overwhelm him.
Dante's muscles eventually began screaming in protest, not used to this kind of physical exertion just yet, but his determination burned brighter. The dance intensified, shadows converging and dispersing like a macabre waltz. The snow-covered ground standing up to his shins bore witness to a symphony of clashes, a cacophony of battle that resonated through the dungeon's frigid depths.
In the midst of the chaos, Dante glimpsed a flicker of vulnerability within the shadows' seamless assault. Seizing the opportunity, he executed a daring maneuver, a calculated risk that sent ripples through the shadowy horde. The knife danced with newfound purpose, carving a path through the encroaching darkness.
But as the last shadow fell, a chilling silence descended. Dante, panting but triumphant, surveyed the aftermath of his fierce struggle, not realizing until a couple seconds later that he was bleeding from quite a few areas himself. It was just that the adrenaline rush had numbed him to the pain. The dungeon, once shrouded in malevolent shadows, now bore the obvious symptoms of a skirmish fought between two opposing forces. With a tired breath, Dante gradually let down his guard and glanced down at his knife, only now picking up on the fact that the blade's length was a third of what it had originally been.
Amidst the dissipating echoes of the skirmish, Dante's sharp eyes discerned a faint glimmer in the corner of the icy chamber. A chest, adorned with frost-kissed metal, stood untouched by the chaos that had unfolded. Intrigued, he approached cautiously, the cold air clinging to his sweat-drenched skin.
The chest seemed to beckon, an obvious reward for his tenacity. With a wary glance over his shoulder, Dante cautiously opened the lid, while a soft creak echoed in the quiet aftermath and a light from within practically blinded him.
Congratulations! You have been rewarded...
[2500 LP] - [Bushcraft] - [Wilderness Necklace]
As he surveyed his newfound loot, a sense of confusion washed over him. The dungeon's first wave had been completed, and Dante, still bathed in the glow of his recent triumph, knew that his journey was far from over. On the other hand, the boy had been expecting a weapon or something along those lines to aid him in his endeavors.
He focused on the skill for a moment, which brought up another screen.
[Bushcraft]
The skills needed to survive in the bush, and by extension in any natural environment.
Eyes widening, Dante couldn't help but hum in thought at the description of the ability. It definitely sounded useful, that was for sure, especially within the snowy environment he was stuck in for now.
Briefly contemplating his next move, as well as debating on whether he wanted to return to the village or go another round inside the dungeon, he eventually reached a conclusion as he watched the sky return to normal. It looked like a bit of time had passed, but it seemed to be a relatively miniscule amount.
Leaving the dungeon behind, Dante found himself amidst a brighter snowy forest once again, its silence broken only by the distant howls of the chilling wind. Drawing on the knowledge acquired from his newly-acquired skill, he sought the materials required to fashion a weapon for his upcoming hunt.
With unexpectedly-practiced hands, Dante gathered sturdy branches, the snow-laden landscape offering ample resources. He worked meticulously, sculpting a bow from the supple wood, the cold air sharpening his focus.
Next, he foraged for materials to craft arrows – slender twigs became shafts, while each arrowhead was meticulously shaped from a sharp rock. The natural durability of the stone promised a formidable piercing strike.
Eventually, he was finished. With that, however, came a bone-deep exhaustion as he dragged his way back to the village, the bow and few arrows he had handcrafted stored within his inventory as all he could practically think about was falling asleep.
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His eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the soft glow filtering through the makeshift window. A sense of tranquility settled over him, and for a fleeting moment, all seemed right with the world. However, as his gaze wandered, he noticed the absence of Asirpa from her bed, a void in the familiar surroundings.
Panic tugged at his consciousness, and Dante hastily rose, the weariness forgotten in an instant. He scoured the confines of their small dwelling, calling out for Asirpa, but his voice echoed unanswered. Fueled by concern, he stumbled outside, the crisp morning air cutting through his fatigue.
And there she was – Asirpa, a silhouette against the pale dawn, her dark hair catching the first rays of sunlight. In the solitude of their village, she stood with an archer's poise, bow drawn, eyes fixated on a distant target. Her movements were a seamless flow of practiced grace, arrows finding their mark with uncanny precision.
Dante watched in silent admiration, his initial worry giving way to a smile crawling onto his face. He couldn't help but marvel at her skill. In the quiet village, Dante stood, a spectator to Asirpa's early morning target practice.
As Asirpa continued her archery practice, a sense of awareness tingled at the edges of her senses. With a swift turn, she spotted Dante standing off to the side, his gaze fixed upon her. The morning light painted his features in a gentle glow, and a smile played on his lips as their eyes met.
Closing the distance with a casual stride, Dante greeted her, "Morning, Asirpa. You're quite the archer, you know." He said, both a sarcastic and complimenting tone held within his voice.
Asirpa's eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief, "Hmph, it's nothing special. Just something I learned growing up in the wilderness."
The two exchanged a bit of small talk, a comfortable atmosphere settling between them. As the conversation lingered in the crisp morning air, Dante's hand discreetly slipped behind him when he was reminded of something from the day before, as he retrieved the necklace he had obtained from within the dungeon.
With a warm smile, he extended the delicate masterpiece towards Asirpa, who clearly hadn't been expecting it. "I thought this might suit you. I noticed you focusing on the jewelry at a stall in the village, so I got this for you. Don't bother asking me where it came from, I'm not sure you would believe me even if I told you."
Asirpa's sharp gaze softened, her hand instinctively reaching for the necklace. The intricately carved bear claw and polished stones gleamed in the morning light. She was taken aback, unaccustomed to such gestures of kindness. For a moment, the emotionally-invulnerable mask she wore on a near-constant basis cracked, revealing a vulnerability that Dante had never seen before.
Speechless, Asirpa accepted the necklace, her fingers tracing the delicate details. A subtle warmth enveloped her, transcending the cold of the snowy village. In that simple exchange, Dante literally witnessed a change within her character.
+10 Affection with Asirpa!
Affection: 15 | Obedience: 0
He glanced down at the necklace as she held it in her hands, unable to stop himself from admiring it's design.
It was a delicate masterpiece crafted with precision and adorned with elements that reflected her connection to the wild. The centerpiece was a small, intricately carved bear claw, symbolizing strength and resilience. Woven into the leather cord were tiny, polished stones in earthy tones, reminiscent of the rugged landscapes she had traversed in the past. A subtle touch of turquoise added a pop of color too, mirroring the serene skies above their snowy surroundings.
Dante, observing Asirpa's silent contemplation of the necklace, gently took the delicate masterpiece from her hands. With a tender smile, he moved behind her, his fingers expertly securing the necklace around her neck. The bear claw pendant rested against her collarbone, a symbol of the wild spirit they both shared.
As the necklace settled into place, Dante couldn't help but marvel at how it complemented Asirpa's essence. The polished stones glinted in harmony with her dark hair, and the turquoise accentuated the mischievous gleam in her eyes.
"There you go," Dante said softly, his hands lingering for a moment before he stepped back.
Asirpa touched the pendant, a quiet gratitude in her gaze. It was a rare gesture, a piece of the wilderness crafted into a gift. The weight of its symbolism resonated between them.
Without a word, Dante extended his arms, inviting her into a hug. Asirpa, usually composed, hesitated for a moment before leaning into the embrace. The warmth of the hug enveloped them, transcending the chilly air of the snowy village.
Dante smiled down at her as he gently patted her head. The gesture was tender, a silent promise of friendship and understanding. Asirpa, overcome by the unexpected warmth of the moment, felt a soft emotion welling within her. In that embrace, amidst the snow-covered landscape, the bond between them solidified into a comforting refuge from the trials of the wilderness.
+5 Affection with Asirpa!
Affection: 20 | Obedience: 0
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Dante and Asirpa exited the village walls, the crunching of snow beneath their boots marking the beginning of their journey. The air was crisp, and the vast snowy forest lay ahead, a realm of untamed beauty and potential dangers. Asirpa, ever watchful, led the way with a silent confidence, and Dante followed suit.
They ventured into the heart of the forest, the towering pines casting long shadows as they ascended towards the nearby mountains. Dante, determined to prove himself to Asirpa, scanned the surroundings with a newfound sense of purpose. The silence of the wilderness was broken only by the occasional rustle of snow-laden branches.
After a few hours, Dante's keen senses detected the tracks of a Springer, a dangerous creature known for its speed and ferocity. Asirpa nodded approvingly, a silent acknowledgment of his growing skill in tracking. There was a moment, however, where she wondered how he had obtained that knowledge in the first place. She didn't remember teaching him that.
Nevertheless, they followed the trail, the tension building with each step.
The forest canopy gave way to a snowy clearing, and there it was – a Springer, a large and formidable lizard that had adapted to the cold climate, but had scaly blue skin with five black plates on its head, extending down its back to the tail. Asirpa signaled for Dante to take the lead as she moved back.
With the bow he had crafted himself, he drew an arrow.
Its amber eyes glinted with predatory focus as it eventually turned towards Dante, and once it realized what it was actually looking at, quickly prepared to charge him. Asirpa, standing at a distance, observed the encounter with a watchful gaze, ready to intervene if needed.
The Springer rushed towards him with a thunderous roar. Asirpa remained at a distance, poised to jump in at the last second if anything were to suddenly go wrong. Dante's heart raced as the creature closed in, but he stood his ground.
With a swift and practiced motion, Dante released the arrow. It sailed through the air, finding its mark with unerring accuracy. The Springer stumbled, a pained howl escaping its jaws. Dante, undeterred, drew another arrow, each shot a testament to the skill he had drawn from Asirpa's own.
As the final arrow pierced the creature's heart, the Springer fell to the snowy ground. Dante, panting from the adrenaline but triumphant, turned to his only spectator. She stood there, a mix of surprise and admiration in her eyes.
She approached him, a rare smile gracing her lips. "Congratulations, Dante. You just took down your first danger beast."
Dante grinned, a sense of accomplishment coursing through him. "Well, I did have a good teacher," he said, nodding towards Asirpa.
+5 Affection with Asirpa!
Affection: 25 | Obedience: 0
"I still can't believe you made your own bow and arrows from scratch," Asirpa idly remarked as she stepped towards the fallen Springer, her voice tinged with genuine shock.
In that snowy clearing, amidst the silent pines and fallen snow, Dante and Asirpa shared a moment of triumph. The untamed wilderness had witnessed the birth of a new hunter, and as they continued their journey, the snowy expanse held the promise of more adventures and challenges yet to come.
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The night settled over the snow-covered village, casting a soothing tranquility. Exhaustion weighed heavy on Dante and Asirpa, their eventful day leaving them weary yet strangely attuned to each other's presence.
In the quiet moments that followed, Dante's eyes fluttered open as he felt a subtle movement beside him. To his surprise, Asirpa had silently made her way to his bed, seeking a shared refuge from the day's fatigue. The narrow confines of the bed forced their bodies to press together, an unintentional closeness that heightened the intimacy of the moment.
Asirpa's cheeks tinged with a delicate blush, mirroring the unspoken connection between them. The fatigue and the warmth of the bed created an atmosphere of vulnerability, and in that shared vulnerability, Dante's desire for intimacy found a voice.
As their eyes locked, drawn towards each other in the dim light, Dante seized the fleeting moment. With a gentle touch, he pressed his lips to hers, a soft, lingering kiss that spoke of unspoken emotions and the quiet understanding that had blossomed between them. The exhaustion melted into a shared warmth, and the snowy night enveloped them in a cocoon of quiet intimacy, weaving their stories together in the tapestry of the winter wilderness.
All of it seemed to occur within the blink of an eye, it felt like.
Dante's lips met Asirpa's in a gentle, lingering kiss. In that unexpected moment of intimacy, Asirpa's eyes widened in shock, her initial response a mix of surprise and embarrassment. The warmth of the kiss, coupled with their shared exhaustion, created a charged atmosphere between them.
The snowy night held its breath as their connection deepened, leaving the village wrapped in a quiet tension. Asirpa, caught off guard, grappled with her emotions, a subtle blush deepening on her cheeks. The unspoken exchange lingered in the air, leaving the night pregnant with the weight of their shared vulnerability and uncharted emotions.
+2 Obedience with Asirpa!
Affection: 25 | Obedience: 2
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