"Finally" I say looking back towards the forest.
I had just exited the forest and I was ready to begin my climb up the mountain. On my way out of the forest I managed to killed five more Snail Snakes which caused me to level up. Again I gained 5 free stat points which I distributed into speed again. This brought that stat up to:
[Speed] - 50
So far this trip has already paid off. With just two levels gained I already raised my speed stat by about 25%.
Is that math right? Oh well I don't know, sounds right. I was never really good at math anyway.
After I reached level 3 though I got a system notification which said:
- Notice -
- Single F- Rank monsters no longer award experience for the Host -
- The Host may only obtain experience from this level of monster if it is fought in hoards -
I can't even imagine fighting monsters in hoards right now. I'm too weak for that, but I guess this really is just another reason to get stronger.
While thinking that I decide to finally start moving up the mountain side. I notice along the way up, the mountain is absolutely devoid of life.
'I'll have to look down to see if anything in the forest sticks out'
The mountain is pretty tall after all. I may see something interesting in the forest from the top.
After a little bit of walking I come upon a steep wall.
'Hmm, looks like I'll have to climb.'
With that, I begin my ascent up the mountain. This is really nothing when it comes to my father's training. Now something like that is hellish. But with the ten extras stat points in speed my ascent is much faster than it would have been.
Finally though after a few minutes I come upon a ledge. Pulling myself up I am slightly surprised.
'It's a cave… ?'
I had thought I had finished climbing up to the ledge but when I checked I had only scaled about half of the cliff face.
Now I have two decisions. I can continue climbing the cliffside or I can explore this cave. I think I'll check this cave out for a bit.
I made this decision with two things in mind. One I have a real-time map in my System so there's no real way I can get lost. And two, I really feel like I'm going to find something cool in this cave. I mean it's out of the way and inaccessible to a lot of creatures so there's gotta be something cool about it right.
Entering the cave I illuminate my surrounding with my electricity magic. This is one of the basic spells that the lightning magic spell taught me. It's called electrolight. It does exactly as it sounds, it lights up your hand, which lights up your surroundings, with a current of electricity.
It's a spell that consumes no Essence because you're not expelling the magic out of your body.
With this light I note that the cave walls are quite slick.
'It hasn't rained in the past week so where'd this water come from?'
I continue on and it seems the cave has no branches like I expected. It's simply a straight path.
Eventually after ten minutes I reach the end of the long hallway, that's how I would describe it at least.
'What?'
It's a door, an iron door. I really didn't expect this at all. I came into this cave expecting to come upon a dragon's lair and steal its egg or someone. But all I get is a door. Not even a golden one, a simple iron door.
Well I guess I might as well open it. Wait why wont it budge.
I pull on the handle as hard as I possibly can and… Nothing happens.
'I wish I put those stat points into strength.'
Hold on. I've got that right. I think it's strong enough to get this door open.
The idea I had was a good one at the time, but when I later thought about it I regretted my decision.
*Boom*
I had blown myself up right next to the door. Suddenly as I reformed I could hear a rushing sound. I look behind the door and I realize why the doors were there. And why the cave walls were slick.
"They were friggin watergates!!!" I yell running from the mass of water behind me, thankful that I had put my free stat points into speed once again.
I look over my shoulder and notice the water gaining on me. I can just imagine it as an angry water elemental. An idea forms in my head so I decide to try it.
I explode some small areas on my legs and on my back to gain speed. This idea actually works and I begin to travel much faster than I was before.
Finally I see the light of the exit and I jump. With that jump I explode my feet to propel myself upwards and towards the cliffside above the cave. Grabbing the rocks I look below me.
The water explodes out of the cave and flows out for a whole five minutes. Below the water lands in what looked like a crater before but when I see it now it looks like a large pond.
So it seems the water was there originally and got moved into the mountain but who did it? Who would have the ability to move this much water up the mountain?
As I explore this mountain more and more I have more questions about it.
Why does everyone deny existence of the tower? Why is there no life at all on this mountain? Not even plants. And who built the watergate and moved all that water to there?
Suddenly
*Ping*
- Basic Skill [Mountain Climbing] has been gained. -
The notification brings me out of my thoughts and I decide to explore the cave more. The water is all gone so there should be no danger.
'Just what were they using that water for?' I think as I enter the cave.
End of chapter seventeen.