Chapter 41 - Promotion Test 2_2

The corpse of Giant Rat lies on the floor of underground waterways. Red blood flowing.

It's a pretty horrible sight.

...This is the first time I've killed a living thing that bleeds. This is different from killing Peshrooms. I can say that I never hurt animals before. Monsters are not included. Therefore, after I killed Giant Rat, I thought, I will... feeling shocked, regretful, or guilty.

But strangely enough, I didn't feel anything. I don't even bother by it.

I wonder, does this happen because I still think of this world as a game? Do I still think that this Monster is a soulless 3D model?

"... I don't understand and I don't know."

I don't want to think too hard about it. That's why I'm started to move my body. I pulled out my dagger and used it to cut off Giant Rat's tail.

I need five Giant Rat's tails as evidence to complete the Hunting Quest. Magic Stone became the second thing I needed because it could be sold.

Ellis says the only thing that was precious from a Giant Rat was their Magic Stone. The other part of its body is worthless.

Cutting off the Giant Rat's tail was easy. Whereas to pick up its Magic Stone, I had to open the monster's chest manually to get it.

Once again, I can say that it was strange.

In my old world, I was scared when I saw a chicken being slaughtered. I felt uncomfortable when I saw the chicken's body being processed. The blood that flowing and the flesh that bring chopped made my stomach feel squeezed tightly made my head dizzy, and in the end… it will make a rainbow came out from my mouth.

But now, when I - with both of my hands - split this Giant Rat's chest with a dagger, I felt nothing.

I did it quietly, there is no fear or disgust.

The thing that happened made me think, am I cold-blooded?

Again, the questions I don't know the answer keep growing in my heart. And It makes me feel so weird. Therefore, I hope someone comes and gives me answers to those questions.

I don't want to get confused and getting lost.

Leaving giant rat's corpse, I'm back to explore this underground waterway.

Eating the rat? I even didn't want to dream about it. As for its Magic Stone… I will wait for the right time. I need the Magic Stone to be any evidence for my Quest.

Then, I remembered something. In Ark Fantasy Online, this place has a Hidden Area. The place is in the deepest part of these waterways. There is a special event relating to that place. And unfortunately, I can't remember more clearly about the Special Event.

Maybe, I will remember about the special event if I visit the Hidden Area. But… I will say no to go there.

I am not strong enough to fight the Flood Dragon. Strongest guardian that protecting that place.

So, I'll explore that Hidden Area in the future. That's if the Hidden Area has not been found by anyone else.

Time passes. and...

"Zsraa!"

A monster roar loudly then tried to bite me. This monster is not a Giant Rat, it's Lizator. A one-meter-long White Alligator.

Lizator is a dangerous jester.

The monster is dangerous because it has long jaws containing rows of sharp teeth. Those teeth can rip off someone's leg easily and it can be a hook that drags someone to the bottom of the river.

It is a jester because it launches a surprise attack by jumping out from the water. Weak prey on the riverbank will surely be wretched after receiving that surprise attack.

Now, back to Lizator.

The monster is quite agile because it can skate on the floor using its stomach. It can move like a snake but it can only move straight. And yes, this monster is not a penguin!

Skating on the floor once more, Lizator trying to bite my leg with its swosh attack!

Zwash!

I tried to counterattack Lizator from the side after I dodge its attack, just like when I fighting the Giant Rat. Unfortunately, it didn't work. The thrust I launch always misses its target, Lizator movement was too fast.

Zwash!

"[Fast Swing]"

Ugh! It doesn't work. The thrust of my spear is too slow and the monster dodges the attack again. If this is the case, there's only one thing I have to do to defeat it.

Zwash!

Lizator skated again. And I, who was on its track, decided not to shy away. I'm going to face its attack directly with my spearhead pointed to its mouth. This is the only strategy that can beat the monster.

Lizator's getting closer.

I stood still, concentrated, prepare my spear, and waited for the right moment to launch my attack. Then, when I felt this was the time, I moved my body.

"[Impale]"

Wuss and bam!

My attack stabbed the left side of Lizator's head!

And it's a regret that my attacks couldn't stop Lizator. I'm the weak one, can't keep my footing. Therefore, I was thrown to the left while my spear was stuck in the monster's head.

While lying on the floor, I saw the lizator hit a pillar head first.

Bam!

Lizator convulsed after its head cracked. The monster no longer moved a few minutes later.

"I think I managed to beat my first Lizator," I said after standing up.

This victory is not pure. But still, I beat a Lizator. This is an achievement worthy of celebrating... or maybe not. I killed a low-level mob. Things like this didn't deserve a celebration.

I approached Lizator's body to retrieve my Bleed Fair, the Magic Stone, and its tail. As for its skin, I can't do anything to it. I can't skin the monster well.

Seconds later, I resumed my hunt.

Then, the time passes and the afternoon arrived.

I managed to hunt down seven Giant Rats and six Lizators. I hunted more than I should have because accidentally, I met a few of those on the way home. And of course, I killed them, I want their Exp.

Thanks to today's hunt...

< Level Up - 3 to 4 >

My level's up.

"[Stat open]"

『General Information』

[Name: Eclaite | Gender: Female | Age: 19]

[Race: Beastkin - One Tail Fox | Level: 4/10]

[Job: Slave, F-Rank Adventurer, Courtesan]

『Basic Statistics』

[HP: 18/30 | MP: 41/43 | SP: 24/56]

[STR: 19 + 6 | AGI: 16 - 2 | Luck : 3]

[END: 19 + 12 | DEX: 9 | ]

『Skill』

[Heart of Monster][Natural Mana Circulation]

[Divine Beast Blood][Upgrade Hearing]

[Upgrade Smelling][Poison Resistance - 3]

[Pain Resistance - 4][Paralyze Resistance -2]

[Physical Attack Resistance - 1]

[SP Regeneration Up - 2][Spear Mastery - 1]

[Courtesan - 5][Cooking - 3][Dance - 2]

[Charm - 3]

I'm getting stronger than I was before.

I want to hunt much longer in this place to increased my Level. But unfortunately, there's something important I have to do. I have to tell Ellis that my Hunting Quest was completed.

I want to be an E-Rank Adventurer sooner.

With that purpose, I walk to the exit of these underground waterways. I traced the hallway for few minutes until...

"Roarrr…"

A strange, scary roar stopped my steps. My body flinched and I got goosebumps because of it.

The voice was near!

I look back and instantly, I saw a big, black, humanoid silhouette with two pairs of eyes look at me! A row of white, sharp teeth was seen when he makes a big crescent smile! Every inch of my body say that the silhouette was dangerous and deathly!

"Roarr…"

The roar calls my consciousness back. I turn back to the exit as fast as possible when that big, scary something ran after me!

I felt a little tremor when that scary something takes a step!

"No! No! I don't want to die! Run faster Eclaite! Faster!"

I run with everything I have. And luckily, a few minutes later, I saw the light and the exit! The steps of that scary something also grows slower!

I survive as a reach the exit! When I look back, I saw the eyes of that scary something fixed at me when it stood still. Didn't have a bit of courage to stay any longer, I run from that place.

My destination was Adventurer's Guild!