Chapter 24: Hothead

Chapter 24: Hothead

The attack footstep markers lead on into a chamber where they split into dozens of options. The chamber was more den than lairthe creatures had grouped in one giant blob in the center, snoring away. By crude estimates there had to be at least six creatures there, possibly more. If he caught them by surprise, Dallion could kill at least half of them, six if he used his attack skill adequately... and thats what he did, charging forward without a moments thought.

HOTHEAD!

Charging head on into dangers could be called brave, but its not always a smart decision.

Dallion ignored the rectangle as he lunged, striking the blot with his short sword.

SNEAK ATTACK

Dealt damage increased by 50%

Opponents options to react are limited

The boy didnt stop following up with his attack sequence. Red rectangles piled one atop the other, each indicating a successful kill. Three creatures had gone before the blob began to budge. Two more perished after it did, thanks to the skills time-stop effects. Only then did green markers appear.

Lets see how well you do this time, Dallion followed the green footsteps to safety. The blob burst apart like a water balloon meeting a needle. Silhouette creatures scattered throughout the chamber, quickly becoming invisible in the darkness. Even so, Dallions other senses gave a rough estimate of where they were, along with his shield markers.

The water was crystal clean, just as he had predicted. There was no sign of the flow smelling much that had been there moments ago. Just to be sure, Dallion tasted a gulp. There was no trace of bitterness.

Washing off the blood, Dallion then wrapped the self-made bandage over the wound. The scar covered a large mark on his forearm, though didnt seem deep. As long as he wasnt too careless the pain was manageable. As for infection, he had to resot to organic methods to keep it from getting infected. Not a very dignified approach, and one that he wouldnt do had there been other people around.

I wonder if itll leave a scar once I get out of here? The boy mused. The only way to find out was to defeat the guardian and leave this realm.

Before leaving the chamber, Dallion sniffed the other cave passages. The air was clean, suggesting that if there were other creatures, they were hiding pretty deep. The only thing left to do now was go back outside and continue the trip to the peak.

Sunset had already begun by the time Dallion emerged from the cave. Warm orange light fell on the mountainside, contrasting with the dark blue cast by the shadows. All in all, it was a nice place, if one wasnt hunted by a pack of cracks.

Lying on the ground, Dallion closed his eyes. He didnt feel sleepy just yet, though a break felt good. His stomach gurgled, issuing its hourly complaint.

Later, the boy told his stomach. At least there was enough water. If things got particularly bad, Dallion was going to resort to drinking in the hopes that would trick his stomach into shutting up.

According to what he remembered from school, a person could survive for weeks without food. Of course, that was if not surrounded by a pack of blood-thirsty creatures. If his calculations were correct, there were twenty-two of them leftmore than twice as many as he had fought in the chamber. Most likely there were two or three dens inside the mountain. At nightfall they would emerge and try to shoo him off their mountain, or failing that attempt to devour him. Given that Dallion had climbed more than half-way up, he wasnt sure which of the two options was worse.

Once I get through this, Ill have a word with you, old man. Dallion clenched his fist, thinking about the village chief. Then well see whos arrogant and whos not.