บท 54: Perseverance is Key
Just as I arrived at my shelter, I could see something leaking from the grid above my head. To describe it, it is sticky, not like water. And his color is red, same as blood. That is supposed to be blessed by the goddess? Is she the goddess of Massacre and Slaughter as a part-time?
(No, you can't do that job partially, you mainly specialize in one direction, like Krieg and his hybrid.)
So you are an expert in what domain? Getting crushed by a young beautiful goddess? Getting easily infiltrated by warmonger gods?
(No.)
Just no? Nothing else? Not going to say something else? You know it is suspect, I mean I am your Hero so I guess I have the right to know that thing. Not answering? Seriously, just say it, I won't judge. Well, since he is not really enjoyed by the sight of me knowing his secret, let's focus on the blood liquid. I can see inside some weird, brown particles. And periodically, those particles release a gas, that's what Oslo warned me about. Better not breathe it. The good thing is, I am slightly less exposed to it than I thought. First, there is a grid right next to me and my little room where I am currently staying is not filled with gas. I know there are other rooms like that, so I hope the ratman didn't find one of them.
Crunch
Oh, that was the bones of a rat. They didn't destroy the skeletons of my victims. Maybe they just didn't check, now that I watch my feet, I can see the body was covered with garbage. They probably missed it.
(Playtime is over; they are descending into hell to fight the demon reigning over it.)
You mean they are going in the sewers to kill me?
(Yes.)
God of the Theater? God of the Tragedy? No? Too bad. But that news is worse. They are expecting me to be weak and easily kill me. But while I didn't feel a single thing, I am short on mana. If they really are coming here, I will have to fight with my claws. I can't waste my spells on just basic guards. Ok, let's remember all the actions movies I have ever watched. How do I fight efficiently against opponents a lot taller than me? And wore armors, have shields, swords, spears.
Clink, Clonk, CLONK.
The grid fell right in front of me.
"GO! LET'S HUNT THIS MONSTER! FOR THE KINGDOM! FOR ARIA!"
Great, some fanatics, and they will arrive right in front of me. I can see the first lamentably fail to land up, and nearly drown inside the river of garbage. Of course, I quickly help him by inserting my two claws inside his neck. The second and the third soldier are better but still unstable. My passive causes them to fear me and not properly react. I bash the shield away and target once again the neck of the guard. But the third has his back against the wall, and he is ready. More and more soldiers are falling. I can't kill them when they are in such number.
If only I had some help. Like a useful skeleton. I really need to know if he really improved. Because if I invoke it once again, I will have to survive 6 hours without my mana pool full. Right now, I will probably need at least 4 hours to reach that point. And each spell cast slows that progression.
Right in front of me, I see another troop. They are 5 but I can't have a front clash. I notice that the humans are highly reluctant to touch the dirty water, they walk exclusively on the stones. That means only 2 to 3 men can walk side by side. So while they noticed me, I go in a corridor where they can't directly see me. Here, I hold my breath and dive inside the river. Now I need you, Oslo, to warn me when the first row has passed and I am in the back of the second row. Their boots have a weakness, a small area where the leggings and the boots are not covering it. I can't be sure to kill my prey but make him lose his feet or even his foot is possible.
(Ok, they are just at the corner, and they are stopping to run. They are really careful, they slowly show their heads, and really verify that you are not present. They are now discussing whether or not they should follow you. Apparently they think that since you ran away, it is safer to follow you. Ok, now they are walking near you. Get ready. 3,2,2,2,2,1.9)
What the hell? What is 1.9?
(Well they are right above you, but they are discussing again. One of them is saying that it could be a trap. You are a ratman and none of them really knows what it means. But they are cowards so they will try to stay alive. And following a monster like you is perturbing for them. When they ran to chase you, it was in the heat of the beginning of the operation. Now they are questioning that very operation.)
Ok, I get it, they won't move. Just tell me if I can attack one of them. Because I am nearly out of breath. They are too slow.
(Yes, right when you leave the water, on your left.)
Finally, what I wanted to hear. I jump out of the water and use all my strength to cut the legs of that poor soldier. Without the protection of his armor, his flesh is easily torn apart. His screams can be heard very far away. His companions, hearing those noises, quickly organized themselves, and flee as a group. Leaving behind only me and the screaming guard. I silence him, not wanting to hear any sounds that leaves his mouth.
(There is at least seven groups coming toward you, take the left, right, right, forward, right.)
Thanks to Oslo, I evade once again my pursuers. But the net is closing on me. I need to find somewhere where I can stay hidden. My small shelter was a good place, but anyone passing near it will immediately search such a place. It is too obvious. With my discretion and lack of light, I can stay unnoticed. I don't see anyone with torches. Even if the light coming from the sun is enough right now to see, there is still some corridors darker than the others. I need to find one of those. Oslo?
(Yeah, what will you do if one day I disappear? Follow my instructions and you will find what you hope for.)
And as expected, a cold, dark and creepy corridor. Now I just need to stay here and I will be safe.
(Ok leave, the assassin is too close. Sorry about that, I only noticed that moments ago.)
Never mind, just tell me where to find another one like that. And, no forget my previous sentence. If he is near, and by miracle he finds this, he will be able to track me again. So I need to run away. Make me avoid every patrol and put some distance between my fellow ratman and me.
(Like you ask. For four hours, no rest.)
During four hours, I keep avoiding patrols and walk away from the assassin. He managed to find my footsteps because Oslo warned me he was behind me. But the good news is, I have the power to create another skeleton. One that is improved compared to before. I really spend too much time trying to upgrade that spell but I really need an army of mine against the ratmen. My plague and acid will do no damage, and they are legion. I saw that even the Tomb Kings failed to really defend against them. The Hero of Aria failed to survive the assault of their assassins.
So I am really betting on that spell. I don't know the cooldown to create another one. Maybe it is even worse than that, just one spell every evolution. And I would have waste a chance with [Nightfall]. No, let's think positively. Now, positively, work better [Raise Undead].
I see in front of me forming another skeleton. But while the previous invocation formed a weak, feeble and small skeleton, this one is a lot thicker. His bones at least. Taller even, taller than me at least. Even his fingers are sturdier. He can probably take a hit from me. He still has no weapons and armor, but who cares. I have an army of guards to supply me those. I ask him to punch the wall with half his strength and he didn't break his hand. Well, I don't know what is half of his strength. I ask him to punch me with the same strength. And OUCH!
"-21 HP"
That hurts. Damn. He is really capable of doing something. He hasn't reach the same level of the skeletons I first saw at the undead cave. But he is near the roaming ones, near the Necropolis. That's very good. Now, I need to give him an armor, a shield, a sword. And more victims to kill.
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