The morning sun cast long shadows across the clearing as I stood, my stomach rumbling a low growl of protest. "I should eat first," I muttered, my hunger undeniable. My gaze fell upon the nearby forest, and I broke into a run, utilizing the dash skill I was still getting accustomed to. A few stumbles didn't deter me; I pushed through, reaching the forest's edge. An abundance of fruits greeted my eyes, and I eagerly grabbed and began to eat. "Woah, this one's kind of spicy," I remarked after biting into a red fruit. "Oh, and this one's sour, this one's really sweet…"
A Few Hours Later
Whoosh! Slash!
My spear thrust forward in a blur, then I dashed backward, executing a wide, sweeping slash. Sweat beaded on my forehead, but a grin touched my lips. "Whew, today's been quite fruitful," I mumbled, checking my status screen. My Lancer Combat Mastery had reached Lv 3. "If I keep going like this, I'll hit Lv 5 today!"
A soft ding echoed in my mind, and a translucent screen popped up.
Quest: Kill 10 Slimes Rewards: 100 EXP
"Where do I find the slimes?" I asked aloud.
Host, they can be found near water or an open clearing.
I nodded. "Okay, let's head off." I turned back toward the clearing where I'd woken up, continuously using dash. The skill was incredibly useful, though it drained my stamina quickly. After a short run, I spotted a shimmering, gelatinous mass in the distance—a group of slimes.
"Yes!" I muttered, a mix of excitement and caution stirring within me. Before rushing in, I scanned the area. Seeing only the slimes, I nodded and dashed forward. My spear shot out in a precise thrust, impacting the slime in the center. To my surprise, it was sent flying but remained stubbornly alive.
My eyes widened. "How is it still alive?!" I exclaimed, disbelief in my voice.
Host, your mastery and power are not nearly enough to kill it in one shot. And remember, Host, you are only Level 1.
"Shit," I muttered, the reality of my low level sinking in. I'd definitely underestimated these monsters. I immediately dashed towards the next closest slime, performing another thrust with the same result. A slime was getting too close, so I swung my spear in a wide arc, hitting it and sending it skittering back. Good thing there were only three slimes here.
I dashed forward again, slashing at them, then dashed back to maintain distance. A few tense moments later, a series of notifications chimed.
You have killed a slime! EXP +5 You have killed a slime! EXP +5 You have killed a slime! EXP +5
"Whew, finally done," I breathed, wiping sweat from my brow. It was a good thing I'd been practicing my dashes, or I would've been hit. My Lancer Combat Mastery also increased to Lv 4. Still seven more to kill. As I pondered my next move, I noticed another group of slimes at the corner of my eye.
"Huh? Where'd they come from?" I questioned, but pushed the thought aside. I dashed toward them, then froze. I quickly ducked behind a nearby bush, peeking out cautiously.
"Woah, that slime is bigger than the others," I muttered, my gaze fixed on the colossal blob. Could I beat it with my current strength? It was worth a try since slimes seemed slow. If things went south, I could always run.
A new ding sounded.
Quest: Defeat a Large Slime Reward: 50 EXP
"Hmm, the EXP isn't bad," I mused. "Alright, let's do this."
I stood up, gripping my spear, and dashed toward the group. For some reason, they were all clustered together, making them perfect targets for a wide attack. The moment I got into range, I unleashed a sweeping arc that sent all of them flying back. I dashed in again, thrusting my spear multiple times into the smaller slimes.
You have killed a slime! EXP +5 You have killed a slime! EXP +5 You have killed a slime! EXP +5 You have killed a slime! EXP +5 Your Mastery has increased to Lv 5! You have gained a new skill: Multi-Thrust!
As soon as I heard the name of the new skill, I immediately knew what it was. With only the large slime remaining, I activated my new skill. My spear became a blur of motion, multiple thrusts landing in quick succession against the massive creature.
You have killed a Large Slime! EXP +15
I breathed heavily, a relieved laugh escaping my lips. "Holy shit, I should've named myself 'No Damage'!" I joked. The slimes weren't strong; my hit-and-run tactics ensured they never touched me.
I looked at my active quest. "Alright, let's finish this." The remaining slimes for the quest were just a formality now. My confidence surged. I spent the next hour or so systematically clearing out any stray slimes I found, each "EXP +5" notification a satisfying confirmation of my progress. Finally, a new screen popped up.
Quest Complete: Kill 10 Slimes Rewards: 100 EXP Level Up! You are now Level 2!
A warm sensation spread through my body as my stats seemingly solidified, a subtle but noticeable increase in my overall feeling of power. "Awesome!" I muttered, pumping a fist. Now that the quest was done, I had a choice. Should I keep hunting more slimes for easy EXP, or venture further?
My gaze drifted towards a faint wisp of smoke curling above the treeline in the distance. Curiosity, or perhaps a growing sense of adventurer's spirit, tugged at me. "Might as well explore a bit," I decided, heading in the direction of the smoke.
I continued to use dash, conserving my stamina more efficiently now that I was getting the hang of it. The forest gradually thinned, giving way to more open terrain, dotted with sparse bushes and jagged rocks. The smoke grew thicker, and soon, I heard faint, guttural shouts. I slowed my pace, moving more cautiously.
Hilichurl Camp Encounter
Peeking over a large boulder, my eyes widened. Before me was a makeshift camp, rough wooden palisades forming a crude perimeter. Several strange, hunched figures moved within, their bodies covered in rudimentary animal hides, their faces obscured by grotesque masks. They wielded crude clubs and bows.
Hilichurals.
My mind raced. These weren't slow, gelatinous slimes. They were organized, armed, and looked far more dangerous. A new quest notification immediately popped up, almost as if the system knew my thoughts.
Quest: Investigate the Hilichurl Camp Rewards: 75 EXP, Secondary class
"A camp, huh?" I whispered to myself, pulling back behind the boulder. This was a whole new level of challenge. I needed a plan. I observed them, counting. There were at least five within sight, two armed with bows, three with clubs. They moved with a surprising agility for their hulking frames. This wasn't going to be a simple hit-and-run like with the slimes. I needed to be smart.
I hunkered down, trying to discern their patrol patterns, if any. One with a club seemed to be walking a circuit around the camp's perimeter, while the archers remained near a crude campfire in the center. I waited for the club-wielding Hilichurl to pass my hiding spot, intending to follow it and get a better look at the camp's defenses.
However, as I shifted slightly to get a clearer view, a loose pebble dislodged from beneath my foot, rolling down the rock with a tiny but audible clink. My breath hitched. The patrolling Hilichurl's head snapped in my direction, its masked face tilting. It let out a sharp, guttural bark, pointing directly at my hiding spot.
"Shit!" I hissed, scrambling to my feet. There was no time for stealth now. The archers immediately notched arrows, and the other club-wielding Hilichurals began to lumber towards me, their shouts growing louder.
There was no escaping it. I had to fight.
My spear felt heavy in my hand, but I gripped it tighter. I immediately targeted the closest archer, hoping to eliminate their ranged threat first. I used dash, closing the distance in an instant, and lunged with a thrust. The arrow already released, whizzed past my ear as my spear found its mark.
You have killed a Hilichurl Archer! EXP +10
But before I could savor the victory, a heavy club swung at my side. I barely managed to dash backward, the wind of the blow rustling my hair. The other archer was already nocking another arrow. The two club-wielding Hilichurals were closing in.
This was different from slimes. They were faster, smarter, and hit harder. I had to be constantly on the move. I dodged another incoming club, then used Multi-Thrust on the Hilichurl closest to me, a flurry of rapid strikes. It roared in pain, staggering back.
I couldn't engage them all at once. I needed to pick them off, one by one, using my speed to my advantage. I feigned a move right, then dashed left, weaving between the two club-wielders. Another thrust found the remaining archer's chest.
You have killed a Hilichurl Archer! EXP +10
That was two down. Now only the club-wielders remained. I continued my dance of death, striking with thrust and Multi-Thrust, then dashing away before they could retaliate. My stamina was holding, but I could feel the exertion. One of the club-wielders stumbled, its attacks becoming more sluggish after a well-placed Multi-Thrust.
You have killed a Hilichurl! EXP +10
Just as I thought I was gaining control, a new, deeper roar echoed from deeper within the camp. The ground vibrated slightly with heavy thuds. My head snapped towards the source of the sound, my heart sinking.
From behind the crude palisades, a massive figure emerged. It was a Hilichurl alright, but easily twice the size of the others, its mask even more fearsome, and it wielded not a crude club, but a massive, jagged axe. Its hide was tougher, scarred, and it moved with an intimidating, slow confidence that screamed raw power.
A Lawachurl, my mind supplied, an instinctual understanding filling me.
This wasn't just a bigger Hilichurl. This was a boss. My remaining two regular Hilichurl opponents seemed to cower slightly at its appearance, though they continued their attacks. The temperature in the air seemed to drop. This was going to be a real fight.
The Lawachurl let out another booming roar, a challenge that vibrated in my chest. It immediately stomped forward, the earth shaking with each step, and swung its massive axe in a slow, wide arc. I dashed sideways, the wind from the blade whipping past my face. The sheer force of the blow ripped a shallow trench in the ground where I had just been standing.
The two remaining smaller Hilichurls, emboldened by their leader's presence, pressed their attack. I was forced to split my attention, dodging a club swing from one, then performing a thrust on the other.
You have killed a Hilichurl! EXP +10
One more regular Hilichurl down. But the Lawachurl was relentless. It lunged, axe raised high, a devastating overhead chop. I dashed directly beneath its arm, rolling as the axe slammed down, sending debris flying. I came up on its side, and without thinking, unleashed a full Multi-Thrust directly into its thick hide.
The impact was solid, but instead of the satisfying thud of a kill, there was a dull thwack. The Lawachurl grunted, barely flinching. My eyes widened. My attacks were barely scratching it!
It retaliated with a brutal backhand swing of its axe, forcing me to dash away frantically, my lungs burning. My "no damage" streak was in serious jeopardy. The last regular Hilichurl, seeing its opportunity, tried to flank me. I had to make a choice.
I decided to eliminate the small threat first. A quick dash and a decisive thrust dispatched the final regular Hilichurl.
You have killed a Hilichurl! EXP +10 Lancer Combat Mastery has increased to Lv 6!
The notification barely registered. All my focus was on the hulking Lawachurl. It roared again, visibly annoyed now, and charged. Its movements were slow, but each attack carried immense power. I had to exploit that slowness.
The fight became a brutal dance. I would bait an attack, dash out of the way, and then try to land a quick thrust or a short burst of Multi-Thrust on its legs or back. The Lawachurl would pivot slowly, its axe carving huge gouges in the ground, each miss a terrifying reminder of its power. My stamina was draining rapidly from the constant dashing.
One particularly wide swing left it momentarily off-balance. This was my chance. I used dash, putting everything I had into it, to get behind its massive frame. I then unleashed a desperate Multi-Thrust aimed at what looked like a weak spot on its exposed spine.
My spear hammered into it repeatedly. The Lawachurl roared, a sound of pain this time, and began to spin wildly, its axe a deadly whirlwind. I quickly dashed back, narrowly avoiding being pulverised.
It stumbled, a deep gash now visible on its back. But it wasn't down. It turned, its single eye-slit glowing with fury. It slammed its axe into the ground, and a wave of raw energy erupted outwards, forcing me to leap back, stumbling slightly.
This was a war of attrition. My hits were weak, but constant. Its hits were devastating, but slow. I had to keep moving, keep poking, and hope it eventually fell. My entire body screamed in protest, my muscles burning, my breath ragged. One wrong move, and it was over.
Just as exhaustion threatened to overwhelm me, the Lawachurl roared again, but this time, the sound was weaker, tinged with desperation. It raised its axe for another slow, crushing blow. I gritted my teeth, gathered the last vestiges of my stamina, and dashed under its guard. This time, I didn't pull back. I drove my spear forward with a final, desperate thrust, aiming for the wound on its back.
The spear sank deep. The Lawachurl shuddered, a rattling gurgle escaping its masked face. It swayed, its massive axe falling from its grip with a heavy clang, and then, with a thunderous crash, it toppled to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
You have killed a Lawachurl! EXP +50 Quest Complete: Investigate the Hilichurl Camp Rewards: 75 EXP, Wooden Axe Blueprint gained! Level Up! You are now Level 3!
I stood panting, my spear still clutched in my trembling hands. My vision swam for a moment, and I leaned heavily on my spear to steady myself. My left arm throbbed, a dull ache that grew into a sharp sting. I looked down to see a shallow but bleeding cut running along my forearm where a stray splinter from the Lawachurl's axe had grazed me during one of my close dodges. My side also felt bruised from where a smaller Hilichurl's club had glanced off my ribs, though I'd been too focused to notice it before.
"Well... that was brutal," I gasped, a mixture of triumph and pain in my voice. The camp was silent now, save for my ragged breathing and the crackle of the dying campfire. My body ached, but I was alive. And I had a new skill, a new level, and even a secondary class. This world was proving far more dangerous and rewarding than simple slimes.
Comment if you want more.