So far, there really weren't any problems for the Warrior, Stugrd. The Skunk's movements have been in the form of a headbutt and other similar close combat. For him, the Greatsword was as effective as the main defensive weapon, Shield.
The wider side of the weapon was playing a nice part to withstand the attack. As fluent as he was, this weapon has become a part of his body.
Then, what made him scream out loud? It was simple. He has given Ar's quite high appeal. He explained the part of him that attracted him and was the priority on his invitation. It was so unexpected for him that what he had explained to Korka was proven inaccurate now.
At least, that was what he thought on his mind reflexively.
He ran while watching the Skunk's trails and movements. It was not that easy for him to open the inventory and took potions to refill his HP. There was great worry that came when he was trying to do that.
For some reason, the Skunk has some degree of intelligence. Its movements weren't as thoughtless as the other monsters he faced in this game. Basically, the Skunk's moves were faster and more agile than him. This kind of attack that able covered the gap left from each movement was what made players had to look for information and learn the monster's pattern.
For a game that was considered 'Hardcore'. The difficulty of the monster was flipped. The hardest boss you would face was never the biggest in size. A Big Boss level monster would have moves that cover a wide area and high damage. Of course with the horror that came from its monstrous form, it could also harm people mentally. However, for those who are used to it, that gap given from each monstrous boss attack was its biggest weakness.
For the Skunk, like what Korka said, it was true that the Crowd Control skill it had
was the biggest threat, but coupled with its agility and speed, that's what made Stugrd not dare to take many risky decisions.
"If Korka is near me, I'm sure he will nag about you endlessly!" Stugrd shouted at Ar who was playing with the 'stones' he picked up. Their positions were not far away and almost met.
"Yeah, since you said that 'it's manageable'," Ar replied with a shrug. "Just lure 'him' here."
Nonchalantly, he said that without a budge and continued with his craft.
Once the two arrived at his 'playground', he immediately flipped a switch. He stepped back and grabbed the Crossbow he put on the ground earlier.
Stugrd passed him and immediately brought out potions to restore his HP. On the other hand, Ar with his crossbow was ready with the work.
He shot, but the Skunk easily avoided it with a simple movement.
"What now? Any plan?" Stugrd asked him while readying on his stance once again. That shot gave him a gap to restored himself on his track.
The one Ar did was intentional. The Skunk was now on Ar's original position before he left. There was a lot of scattered stones around.
But, for Stugrd it was quite a tight scene to sighted. Ar had only a step back from his original position. And thus, the Skunk was now right in front of him.
Stugrd immediately rushed out a skill that could affect the Skunk's pace.
"Battle Howl!"
It was a Warrior Class skill in the form of a loud roar that could stop monsters for a split second. Unfortunately, it did not work like what it was intended.
The Skunk heading towards Ar didn't stop at all. Fortunately, the other effects of the Battle Howl skill still affected the Skunk. There was a shabby orange aura surrounding him and that was at least helpful. The attacks that would be launched would be reduced even if they weren't that significant.
What Stugrd did would be sufficient to help Ar, but what 'the Inventor' was planning to do was not really need that assistance.
In Ar's perspective after they decided to face this rare monster, he rushed away while seeing what he could do with his new skill. Energy (Core) Manipulation should be used for more than just making stone ammunition. That was what he had on his mind.
The blue-black array of energy on his hand moved wildly as he ran. What he visualized in his mind was one of the non-combat skills from the previous game. Trap.
One of the things that became a priority in conquering high-level dungeons other than 'supply'.
'Trap' got a place of its own in this game through a Class which has full specialization in it, called Trickster. And it became something that prompted him to do this. He was quite sure that the various 'traps' have also been optimized and implemented in this game.
Limited time made him think of the simplest approach he could. 'Stone Infused Bolt', he didn't want to get away from this skill as a base.
And now, he has got the perfect moment. The trap was already widespread, and the target was already above it.
"It must work!"
He had full hopes for this impromptu 'trap'.
The Skunk with the aura of the shabby orange that covered it was already ready to make an attack with its leaping stages. Instantly, the rock fragments that had been scattered on his feet also started moving.
One by one starting from the hind legs, wrapped in stones moved by the array of blue-black energy. It caused the Skunk to lost balance and fall right in front of Ar.
The gap caused by this sudden 'trap' was enormous and profitable for both Adventurers. Stugrd who rushed over, and Ar who rejoiced at his own successful attempt, directed their weapons towards the moveless Skunk.
Unfortunately, what was shown from the chance of the free hit actually made a bigger gap that was detrimental to them.
"Watch out!"
Korka ran towards them and shouted a warning. It seemed that Korka didn't know the party chat feature yet and that was why he notified them while running over.
Swoosh!
Dark brown gas enveloped them in an instant. Status notifications immediately told them what was exactly going on.
[Immobilized.]
It made the three creatures that had been fighting actively since earlier lying side by side.
"Damn. This is so uncool."
"You bet."
To added fuel to the fire, the Skunk was standing back on its feet. The trap Ar's made earlier had no power value to restrained its movement that long.
"Okay, our last hope is that 'Scientist'."
"Well, he will be killed faster than an ant once he enters the aggro area."
The two men could only grumble and accepted fate. It was fortunate for them that they still able to talk and released it.
And not long after they were ready to receive the penalty from the [System], they didn't know whether to be angry or happy.
In their sight, the Skunk walked slowly toward them. Being the size of the Wolves of Begie Village, they had to try enough to look up to see it.
What triggered the dilemma, occurred after the Skunk's feet were right in front of Ar's head. Right at that instant, the Skunk turned around and left them.
Korka who was cautiously heading towards them was very surprised. Although fortunately, he was near a large stone and was soon able to hide.
"Shit! I am pretty sure 'he' left with a smirk." Ar left a complaint.
Stugrd left a giggle as soon as he heard that. All he could see from his angle was that the Skunk went into the place it originally aimed.
"It's a cave."
"Where? 'He' goes there? How big is it?"
Ar couldn't see it from his angle. Even before this situation happened to them, he also missed the cave Stugrd mentioned.
"I think I saw it wrong. Rather than a cave, it looked more like a crack. The gap was tiny and smaller than the Skunk's size. Oh well, but it's managed to slips through." Stugrd answered while observing the Skunk's movement.
"Then, there should be some treasure or-" Before Ar could finish his deduction, an event interrupted him.
The ground tremored and the center of it was the cave Stugrd's mentioned.
BLAR!
The wall that was mentioned as a 'cave' was broken wide. Among the shattered pieces of rocks, there was another thing that was also thrown along.
"WHOA! DAMN YOU ROTTEN SKUNK!"
A loud curse came from a figure that came out from the cave. The figure had fur covered its whole body and standing on its two feet.
While lying helplessly on the ground, Stugrd observed thoroughly. Anything could happen including danger such as a boss or more monsters. But fortunately, the figure made him leave a sigh of relief. The figure was a man familiar to him.
"I guess we are lucky."
"What happens? I can't see."