'What! Are those rats really a higher level than I am?'
I hadn't leveled up by killing just the one and wasn't sure how many I needed, but for now the problem at hand was how to catch the last three in front of me. The rats watched my movements carefully, smelling around looking for a way out. While I stood in this choke point they couldn't escape, but if I advanced to attack them they could run along the sides. However, I had discovered my greatest ability as a skeleton soldier, unlimited stamina. I had been walking around for hours and realized that I didn't feel thirsty, hungry or tired. So, in situations like the current Mexican standoff, I had an absolute advantage over any living creature.
Several hours later, the grave rats' physical strength was waning. Perhaps it was because they were originally hungry, and along with the ongoing tense situation, their body's energy was quickly drained. I, on the other hand, was always in optimal condition. I didn't need to move, didn't tire and didn't even need to use the bathroom.
A few hours more and the grave rats' stamina had finally hit rock bottom. They bared their teeth, poised for their final outburst of strength. It seemed they had decided to try for a last hurrah rather than dying of exhaustion. But, over the last few hours I had been moving my body ever so slightly to one side, purposely creating this opportunity for them. I worried that in a life and death situation they would rush at me in panic, but if they saw an opening I could better control the situation.
'Finally the moment I had been waiting for.'
Squeak! Squeak!
The biggest of the three lurched forward and the other two followed closely behind. I was delighted to see that they took the bait and all aimed for the small gap I had created.
'Got you!'
I simply stabbed forward in an underhand movement, the dagger skimming above the floor almost as if I were brooming. The rats were running too quickly in single file and all three skewered themselves on my dagger.
A message appeared before my eyes.
[+11 experience points]
[+22 experience points]
[+44 experience points]
[Level increased 1 ➢ 4]
[Acquired ｟Title: Rat Trapper｠]
'Huh…? The experience? Is it different because I killed three at the same time?'
The first time I hunted a rat I only gained 11 experience points, but when I killed three I gained 77, that's more than twice as much as what I expected!
'Is it because catching them at the same time gives more experience? Check status!'
!!!
Name: N/A
Gender: N/A
Status: Normal
Type: Skeleton/ Undead
Class: Soldier
Rank: F
Level: 4/5
HP: 15/15
MP: 1/1
Attack: 3
Defense: 1
Agility: 2
Intelligence: 1
* Unique Skills
[Resurrection Lv 1] [Night Vision Lv 1] [Falling resistance Lv1]
* Titles
[Rat Trapper]
!!!
I wanted to continue to catch more rats to gain experience, but it seemed none would approach because they could smell the stench of blood. I cleaned my dagger on a dead rat's fur and took the moss with me, searching for another dead end cave to repeat the process.
This time I waited for a much longer period of time, but still no rats approached. When even the moss I had carried over was beginning to dry, a huge creature, unlike any previous grave rats, appeared.
'What! It looks like a big boar, but… what did it eat to get so big?'