บท 7: Chapter 7
Ace and I got accustomed to life with each other in the cave. For two weeks, we made some bone weapons for me. We only had enough to make a sword and dual daggers, but it's just fine. I was able to gain three levels to my craftsmanship, which is obviously very good. After that, I ordered Ace to hunt down as many bats as he could as I practiced my fire manipulation skills. As me and Ace both grew closer, we gained additional powers.
"You have a status window?" I asked Ace. "I didn't know non-humans have them…"
"We beasts only have status windows when we've become more powerful than an average human that is level 10," he explained. "Although, for some monsters, it's a higher level than that."
"I'm barely at level 10! You're amazing, Ace!"
Ace had checked his status window because of the sudden burst of power he got a few hours earlier. It turns out that me and Ace have met requirements that would be fit for a 'perfect success' when forming a contract. I didn't even know we could get that buff later on!
"I'm as confused as you are," he says. "But it is not a matter we'll worry about."
Ace earned an additional 15% damage for his claw and bite attacks, with a 5% increase in speed. It's quite the buff! He also received a skill, 'Elemental Fang,' where he can add a type of magic to reinforce his fangs and have more effects against enemies.
Meanwhile, I got a new skill, a replacement for shapeshift, and a 15% attack increase for swords and daggers. The new skill is called 'Pyro Enforce,' a skill where I can apply fire to anything. Transformation replaced shapeshift. I was rather confused on why there's a separate skill for applying fire to items, but it's still a somewhat useful skill.
I took it upon myself to hunt for more dangerous animals as Ace handles protecting the base. I need to level up my skills and my weapon proficiencies. Ace said that he'll do his best, but also warns me of the dangers of wandering off too far. I just nodded my head and went off with a stack of bat meat, fire orbs, stones, and of course, my daggers and sword.
I'm not stupid. I know my ways around locations, and I can remember where I went. I've played a lot of Minecraft, so I think it helped me in recognizing where I am. I place sharp stones in some places to indicate that I've been there, to ensure that future me won't be regretting my words in having a good sense of direction.
I know how elaborate this cave system is. Since Ace keeps on mentioning that it's a labyrinth, I assume that this entire cave is long and complex, and that you'll get lost easily. But, with my perception skill and my connection with Ace, I'm sure everything will turn out fine.
"Shit! DAMN IT-" I stumble on my feet as I quickly get up to run away, but my legs get stuck together with incredibly sticky webs. I cut it apart with my bone dagger, but the large spider spits out its web and attaches it to my dagger, throwing it away. I curse to myself as I see my weapon go out of my reach seven feet away. I look back to see the terrifying, large, brown spider. I've always hated bugs, so of course, I immediately started crying when I noticed the large spider above my head.
It all started when I found a large tree in the middle of a dry area, grass barely growing in between rocks and the tree itself was very old. It was hollow inside, and I was sure there was nothing in there because all I saw was hay on the ground inside. I let my guard down once I stepped in there, and there were three large, white silk sacs. And that was when I heard a low, aggressive purr from above me…
"Ugh, I can't believe this is happening!" I yell to myself. That ginormous spider is as giant as Ace! My tears easily went away and I was determined to go back to base, but this spider is so well-versed in fighting…! "Wait, I have fire!"
I summon a flame in my hand and bring it to the webs around my ankles, but the spider hisses at me. The flame goes out as I flinch from the sudden roar.
"If this is what I think it is… then I'll leave you alone!" I yell at the spider, my voice shaky. The large brown spider looks at me weirdly. The spider is very obviously a mother of these silk eggs, and she just wants to protect them from me. That's why she shrieked when I summoned my flame. But I'd rather be alive than get eaten…!
"I'll leave you alone, but I'll still escape!" I apply fire to the webs and see it disintegrate into nothing. Good, no sparks left. I quickly get up and sprint out of the hollow tree, grabbing my dagger and sending it to my inventory. I hear the spider hiss as I leave, but it doesn't chase after me.
I arrive at a place I vaguely remember, but that's not the point. I breathe heavily as I lay my hand on the cool and damp wall. I seriously need to work on my stamina….
"I thought I was going to die!" I look back, still cautious that it was going to come after me.
"Master," Ace's voice startles me and I jump. "Apologies. But I told you to not wander far."
"I didn't," I groan. "I just found a large spider that wanted to kill me since she thought I was going to harm her eggs. I didn't, so I just ran away. And now I'm tired…"
"A spider?" Ace tilts his head. Now I'm even more confused than him.
"Um, are they not native here?"
"It's not that. They're usually on the opposite side of us Dire Wolves," Ace explains. "They don't have the strongest nose, but they can definitely tell when they're going through the territory of a Dire Wolf. So It's strange that a spider is so close to us, even if it is a mile away."
"I ran a mile?"
"Let's go to a different topic."
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