Chương 7: Aria's Tragedy I
~~~(POV: Justin Xander)~~~
~~~(Location: Unknown, Unknown, Aeternitatem Genesis)~~~
~~~(Day, Date, Time: Friday, April 12th, 12:24 PM PST)~~~
~~~(Age: 19 Years)~~~
The sun is high in the sky and shining down on the road. Behind me are the main gates of the town. I wish I knew its name or any more information about my location. For now, I'll have to accept I'm in the dark regarding that.
Warm rays of light bring comfort to the daunting weights I feel. Just ahead, the forest is starting. Who knows what I'll find in there, I'm betting it's more than just goblins.
Most of the time, goblins are around the weakest creatures you can fight. Slimes and a variety of wolves hang low on the totem pole with them. But I've mistakenly held AG to the same standards I have for other games.
I shouldn't be expecting a fight with anything other than strong monsters. All I know for sure is the forest ahead holds a mine, which is the home of a dungeon that's full of goblins.
"Dungeon crawling alone..."
I've done it before, and I'll do it again. What I'm really thinking about is the consequences if I fail and die. Forcing me to respawn at the city behind me. Losing a level and getting humiliated at the same time.
A small sigh leaves my lips as I reach the shade the forest provides from the sunlight. It won't take long now. At some point, I'll come across a dirt path that diverts from the road I'm on. I'm supposed to take it and follow it until I reach the mine.
I'm not an idiot most of the time...
The chances are good the guards who sent me here know there are more than just goblins in the area. Why else would they need a whole squad of guards to make it to the dungeon?
They could just be cautious, but the way Sir Rehan was acting about the situation is still in my head. I don't think he wants to stop me from clearing the dungeon; what he wants is to humble me. And any player that comes knocking.
Instead of humiliating me himself, this entire quest could be about just that. Going alone wasn't something he anticipated me doing, though.
My thoughts about my current goals end as I approach the dirt path that breaks into the forest. I stand on the road and overlook the general direction the dirt path leads. Can't make out much, but it gets dark.
"This is a high-risk, high-reward gamble. But I want those fucking rewards. No way am I letting this opportunity slip through my fingers. Who knows if this is a common thing that happens in quests."
Bonus steps or something similar to that could be few and far between, and the quest I'm on has it. I'm not letting this chance go.
The dirt path narrows, and the terrain develops annoying holes and rocks. After a few minutes of just walking, I stop in my tracks and just listen. You know what I'm hearing?
Nothing. Zilch. Nada.
One moment, the sounds of forest bugs and birds could be heard. Now, it's dead out here. My instincts take over, and I dive for some bushes. Crawling around near the base. The thorns above me are just high enough not to scratch me.
Moving around on my belly as quietly as possible is proving difficult. But I'm managing. After a minute or so, I reach the end of the bushes I'm under. I pull the leaves apart and look outside; I don't see anything at first. But it's still dead silent.
So I wait, and I wait a couple more minutes.
*THUMP*
It pays off.
What I see is a large dark cat with a mohawk running down its back jump out of a tree and into the grass below. Its eyes glow yellow, and it's looking around. Sniffing at the air. There is no wind, so I'm hoping it can't smell me.
But who the fuck knows if it has some sort of skill that makes it easier to find weak prey. Yes, I'm talking about myself. I'm squishy, and that's not changing any time soon.
Now I see why a guard squad was coming out here. Just by looking at that thing, you can tell it's a lethal predator.
After a second of sniffing the air, it turns around and walks in a direction leading away from the dirt path. My heart rate and breathing are steady, but I'm sweating slightly. Not to mention the rise in adrenaline at seeing that massive feline.
I've got a feeling more dangerous things lurk in these woods, so staying off the direct path is probably a good idea.
I'll follow the path from a distance until I reach Aria's Mine. Keeping low and in cover is my best option, and if I'm forced to fight anything. The odds are good I'm dying. A calming breath enters my lungs, and I start crawling like a slug.
Making the ground my lover.
It takes around 50 minutes at this slow rate, but I eventually make it to the entrance. The amount of time that has passed tells me the guard squad is likely preparing to leave the city. I want to get this done before they get here.
I stand up and race to the entrance. Right before I cross the threshold, multiple screens pop up. All of them telling me different things.
[A Quest Has Been Updated!]
[Enter the dungeon (Aria's Tragedy): Y/N?]
[Warning: You're under-leveled for this dungeon. Enemies will have 10% more health and stamina. You'll gain 20% more EXP toward player levels and skills for killing enemies. The rewards for clearing the dungeon will multiply by a factor of 2x.]
As I read the last window, the saliva from my mouth drips through the floating screen. With rewards this good, that only means one thing.
I'm in for a wild ride.
My hand instantly shoots to Yes, and the barrier stopping me from entering the dungeon comes down. The second I step through, it comes back up behind me.
As I turn to look down the dark tunnel leading into the mines, several white and green eyes stare back at me.
"Really starting right off the bat, huh?!"
I can't help the nervousness and excitement from building in my voice. I pull out my one-handed short sword and take a breath.
"REEEEE!!!"
"AHAHAHAHA!!!"
"FWWWAAAA!!"
Goblins rush me out of the dark, and all the experience I've built over the years instantly kicks in.
Like second nature.
[+10 EXP toward One-Handed Slash]
[+10 EXP toward Thrust]
[...]
...
...
Blood and guts surround me... The walls are covered, and the dirt ground is soaked... The deeper I get in the dungeon, the tougher the goblins become.
Ahead of me are two armored goblins who are guarding a very large makeshift door. I can only assume that's the boss's room. No inspect-type skill means I can't tell for sure. As I walk out of the darkness and into the light of the torches.
Blood drips from my sword and off my body onto the ground. My eyes lock with the two armored goblins. Knowing they're the strongest ones I've fought so far means they'll be tough.
I have around half health and half stamina left. It should be enough.
It's not a second later before I leap forward with my damaged blade. The two ugly little things doing the same. Snarling and growling like animals as they do.
One of them with an axe uses an attack with an overhead downward slash. I easily step to my left, and the axe blade sinks into the dirt. Using this chance, I use [Thrust] and shove the tip of the blade through the goblin's neck.
Blood spurts everywhere, and I'm forced to let my blade go.
[+10 EXP toward player level]
[+10 EXP toward Thrust]
"GRRAAAAHHH!!!"
The last goblin isn't happy I've killed his friend. However, with my short sword stuck in the previous goblin's throat. I'm forced to improvise. I roll away from another attack and pick up the fallen goblin's axe.
[You've equipped (Shoddy One-Handed Axe)]
Ignoring the system message, I dodge another attack. The goblin overextends, allowing me to sweep the bladed end of the axe into his belly.
His guts spill out, and he holds his stomach to try and keep them in. Eventually, the little piece of shit falls to his knees and lands on his face. Letting out his last breath.
My eyes turn to the makeshift door, and it's far larger than I am. Meaning that whoever sits behind that door, they're huge. I'm a little above half health, and a little below half on stamina. My mana hasn't changed since I lack any of the skills to use it.
I've come this far, and I'm not doubting myself now. Based on the fights so far, it's definitely a challenge, but not as hard as I thought it'd be. I've taken hits here and there, but nothing fatal.
Time to focus, I press my hand against the big makeshift door. It slowly creaks open, and what I'm met with turns my stomach.
If I could vomit in the game, I would.
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