Chapter 99 - What Is That?!

So there I was, spiraling downwards to the ground.

("Uh oh.") [Solace]

There were two ways this could go. First, I could turn into a spirit and fly. Or I could just take the gravity and see if I can withstand it. Well, it kind of depends on the level of my |Gentleman's Favor|. Now can you guess which one I went with?

("I can take it.") [Solace]

I struck the ground with immense force, causing the ground beneath me to crack and somewhat cave inward. It probably didn't help that I stuck the superhero landing, but I felt fine.

"You have acquired |Experience|. |Gentleman's Favor| has gained a level." [Spirit Guide]

("Oof…") [Solace]

My legs felt a bit sore as I tried standing.

("...I should try that again sometime.") [Solace]

To be honest, that was very fun. I don't think I'd get that many opportunities to do it though.

("Alright. Back on track.") [Solace]

First things first, I had to get a grasp of my surroundings.

("Hm. This is different from all the other mines.") [Solace]

I say "mine", but it was different. My surroundings were large… how do I say this… It looked as if the ground had been dug out like an upside down pyramid. I think the word best describing it was… quarry?

("Is this place abandoned?") [Solace]

Other than the many rocks, dusty tools laying around, and somewhat comforting silence, I didn't see anyone.

"Hello?! Anyone here?!" [Solace]

I cupped my hands over my mouth as I yelled. I thought there were two ways this could go. One, nothing would happen. Two, people would come out. Sadly, I was wrong.

"Hm?" [Solace]

The ground beneath me began to shake.

("...Avalanche?") [Solace]

I saw it once in the movies where crying out like that could cause avalanches, though I was probably just being dumb. What actually happened was completely different.

"Warning: Directed hostility has been detected." [Spirit Guide]

("What? Where?") [Solace]

I saw an incredibly large pile of rocks burst open, revealing a human-like being composed of rocks standing there.

("A golem?!") [Solace]

That name came to me as soon as I saw it. It really did feel like I was living in a video game.

"|Analyze|!" [Solace]

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Name: N/A

Race: Stone Giant

Class: N/A

Gender: N/A

Age: 479

Level: 87

Health: 18749/18749

Mana: 200

Strength: 2424

Agility: 200

Intelligence: 20

Willpower: 10

Status: Stable

Skills: |Soul Consumption Lv. 4| |Harden Lv. 40| |Repair Lv. 35| |Stone Missle Lv. 12| |Shockwave Lv. 13| |Roll Lv. 8|

Unique Skill: |Beam Lv. 20|

Titles: |Sleeping Giant| |Heavy Hitter|

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Looking at those stats, I felt pretty screwed.

("This dude is literally over twice my level.") [Solace]

Don't get me wrong, this stone giant made me think of all that juicy |Experience|. I just didn't want to die.

("Spirit Guide. Is there a percentage chance you could tell me that I could win against this guy?") [Solace]

"Response: There is a 28.9 percent chance of victory." [Spirit Guide]

("...Not bad.") [Solace]

To be honest I didn't think the Spirit Guide had such a function.

("28.9 percent huh… I wonder if that includes injuries.") [Solace]

"Response: It is a 0.09% chance to be victorious unscathed." [Spirit Guide]

There it was. The voice of reasoning of how I would probably be beaten within an inch of my life.

("That isn't good.") [Solace]

I stared at the stone giant as it stared back at me. …Or was it? I couldn't tell since it didn't have eyes.

("Is it wary of me?") [Solace]

From what I could tell, this thing may not want to fight me. Since all I wanted was to go to Orinda Mine, I thought of just passing it by.

("Let's test it.") [Solace]

I slowly walked around it while scanning my surroundings. Luckily, the stone giant didn't respond.

("Man… You've gotta be kidding me.") [Solace]

After a walk around the area, I found a few signs leading to Orinda mine. Unfortunately, the stone giant was basically standing next to the opening that leads to there.

("Guess I… have to kill it?") [Solace]

I did think of talking to it, but that sounded like a terrible idea. Therefore, I equipped my Vermillion Eclipse and steeled myself.

"Let's do this." [Solace]

The moment I had that thought and stepped forward, the stone giant turned to me and opened up its rocky face.

("What is it doing?") [Solace]

My eyes widened as I saw a light appear from within its face, firing a white beam at me.

"WHAAA?!" [Solace]

I rolled to the side, barely avoiding the death beam that just melted the floor I previously stood at.

"That's unfair!" [Solace]