'Damnn ittt!!' Alden cursed inwardly in front of a sudden threat. Moreover, the threat was an Elite-ranking monster.
'I need information about this monster, now!'
A blue tab immediately pops up in response.
=========
Monster name: Redcap.
Race classification: Evolved Goblin.
Next evolution path: None.
Habitat: Forest terrain; Cavern terrain; Monster's Stronghold; Blue -> Black Dungeon.
Ranking: Elite.
Noticeable trait:
- Is always seen wearing a red cap.
- This monster is extremely fast and sly. It often relies on the terrain to maximize its advantage in speed and dashed around, confusing the prey.
- Is capable of both short and long-range combat. Often seen using a pike as a weapon.
=========
Luckily, it was short enough for Alden to read it through, but unluckily, he didn't like what he just read at all.
'A speed-focused monster…' Alden lamented as he quickly dashed to the nearest tree.
He wanted to have vision, even for only a split second as the Repcap could always move unnoticed if he doesn't, the longer he stayed, the more disadvantageous it will be.
As expected, that thing was moving, jumping from branch to branch scarily quiet. This was also the reason why Alden didn't noticed its presence despite keeping his guard up earlier, it was only because of luck that he survived the ambush.
*PUCK PUCK
The Red Cap launched another 2 wooden stakes at the first glimpse of its prey, but Alden is already safely behind a tree trunk at that point. The force behind its projective is not that strong, but it is certainly enough to penetrate Alden's skin.
'What to do?' He thought, his mind racing to formulate a plan.
The Red Cap currently has a height advantage and as long as it does, this will always be a hunt rather than a fight. But Alden couldn't think of a way to overcome this challenge.
'What do you think, system?' Alden asked, moving his position again.
[The current information is lacking, you will need to gather more, Alden.]
'Tsk, truly unreliable aren't you.'
Although he complained, Alden understand the system request very much. He has yet to use his advantage correctly, the Red Cap's real status has yet to be seen.
Although they know it is an Elite monster, that is only the general range. Both Alden and the system need to see its specific specs in order to compare and formulate a good strategy. But there is a problem, he will need to face that maniac head-on for about 15 seconds in order to do so.
'I can't do that!' Alden complained as another 3 stakes are launched. 'Think of something else!'
[It is possible, Alden. If you use 'Liam's Shield' to block the stakes, the chance of success is 87%.]
'It is not 100%...' He was annoyed. But after a bit of hesitation, Alden follows through with the system's suggestion. After being a hunter for a while, he is not very satisfied with just hiding.
He reached out into the bracelet and take out a small light shield this time, it was one of the hundreds of weapons that Liam has gifted Alden on his birthday. There was nothing special about it, but at least it is still a very nice shield, perfect for this situation.
'Haaaaa… what a stupid way to go down.' He thought, preparing himself to confront the Red Cap.
*PUCK PUCK
After another round of stakes and having determined the approximate position of his opponent, Alden runs out with the shield.
Immediately afterward, another stake was launched, but he was already prepared.
*CLANK
The projectile clashed with the metal, deflected. But that was just the first one, as many follow suit, soon form a barrage of wooden stakes aiming at the lone Alden. The monster launching speed is terrifying.
'Kukuku!' The Red Cap laughed again, seeing its prey no longer intending to play hide and seek.
Its sinister laugh is suddenly a lot uglier, now that Alden has a proper look at the creature
An even shorter than regular, stocky goblin with dirty red eyes and long prominent teeth. Its skinny fingers are armed with sharp talons, while its hair is so oily that it is dripping. The Redcap wears only brown pants and a backpack, which seems like a dimension storage since he kept reaching into it for more wooden stakes. It looks dirty to the point of giving onlookers the urge of rubbing their eyes.
'Damn, how many stakes does this stupid goblin have!?' Alden cursed, feeling a huge pressure facing a barrage of projectiles with only a small shield. But strangely, he has yet to have a single wound on him.
After a seemingly endless amount of time, a status window finally pops up in front of the ugly creature.
===Status===
Race: Redcap. (Evolved Goblin.)
Status: Crazy, Happy.
Overall Rank: E
Strength: 15.63 (+1.5) / 100
Dexterity: 47.819 (+1.5) / 100
Stamina: 9.01 (+1.5) / 100
Intelligence: 48.092 (+1.5) / 100
Mana affinity: 37.63 / 100
Luck: 27.321 / 100
Active skills:
[Chaotic Tantrum - D]:
- Effect: x2 'Dexterity' for 5 seconds.
- Cost: 5 stamina, - 25% 'Intelligence' for 5 seconds.
- Cooldown: 1 hours.
Passive skills:
[Troublemaker - E]:
- Effect: Prone to causing trouble. Temporarily increase all normal attributes based on the magnitude of the trouble caused. (Current: +1.5)
- Evolvable.
[Continues Throw - F+]
- Effect: Maintaining a rapid speed while throwing.
[Mute Steps - D]:
- Effect: Reduce 90% of the sound made when moving.
Remark: A tricky Redcap, currently very happy playing with its prey. It is recommended to be very cautious while facing this opponent.
==========
Alden's mind races to comprehend the information.
First, the Redcap's stat is not of an Elite, it is actually an Advance beast. Although Alden understands why it's classified as so in the encyclopedia, experiencing himself its op [Mute Steps] along with [Countinues Throw]. Most people would die because of the initial ambush, while the remaining half of the survivors will die after that facing the Redcap's ridiculous stock of projectiles.
He has only survived thus far because of his luck.
'So, any suggestion?' Alden asked the system, sweats trickling down his forehead as pressure gradually built up. His hand has already started shaking.
[The opponent mentality is unstable, it is suggested that you should target it in an attempt to reduce the distance.]
Reducing the distance is an obvious goal. Since he can't outrun nor compare with its rate of fire, Alden will only have a chance of victory in close combat, but that too is very risky as his opponent is too fast and aggressive.
But Alden rather died trying than be overwhelmed one-sided and died a meaningless death like this.
'How?' A stake finally went past his shield, scratching Alden's cheek. 'Are you suggesting I insult it or something?'
[The 'Goblin's Language' is already fully analyzed. Do you wish to learn it?]
'What the hell? Are you being serious?' His eyes widen in disbelief, allowing another projectile to graze his skin.
[Yes, that is the optimal course of action. Do you wish to learn it?]
'No shot!'
Alden still remembered the first time he learn the native language by this method, he suffered a splitting headache all of a sudden. He would be presenting himself in a platter for the Redcap if they suddenly start learning now.
'Is there any other way?' He asked nervously. 'This is not the right time, can't you just transfer only a random goblin insult into my mind instead of the whole alphabet?'
[Understood, processing…]
Immediately after, a sentence of an unrecognizable language is directed into Alden's mind. Without any other delay, he follows the instruction and shouts it out desperately.
"KUACKUACK KAUCK!"
The atmosphere froze in an instant.
Alden's scream sounded more like he was choking on spit. But apparently, it was very effective as the overwhelming barrage stopped instantly.
'Phew' Alden breathed a sigh of relief, his head peeking out of the shield to observe the Redcap's reaction.
The ugly creature's smile has already diminished, replaced with a mighty frown. Its green skin gradually turned red and its eyebrows raised high, astounded.
'Ehrm, what did I just say to it?' He asked, very surprised about the Redcap's extreme change of expression. Whatever he just said, it has successfully pissed off the goblin, maybe a bit too successful.
[You called its whole race a **** *****, especially its mother.]
'... you are too much.' Alden's face paled. He was thinking of maybe giving an apology.
However, the Redcap has already been provoked.
It stops the meaningless throwing, no longer interested in playing with Alden and slowly pulls out a metal pike twice its size from the backpack. The bloodshot eyes indicate that an apology right now is only useless.
'...maybe dying by the stakes would have been a better choice.' Alden lamented as he quickly retrieve the moon dagger, feeling very intimidated by the huge pike.
It's the start of the second phase.
The Redcap moves so fast that it seems to just disappear from its spot, appearing right in front of Alden.
*SWOOSH
It swung the pike as Alden dodged. More specifically, he fell on his butt, luck has once again saved him.
But Alden has already used to it as he follows his instinct and rolls to the left, avoiding another slash down to where he was just at.
It was a very indescribable feeling, the only thing that Alden knows is this is also part of his luck.
Because his luck is ridiculously high, it's borderline clairvoyance. Just by simply following his instinct, Alden avoided most of the injury and found the optimal course of action faster than most people. It is pretty similar to the survival instinct of battlefield experts, but instead of relying on experience, Alden's action is the pure result of luck.
*SWOOSH
He avoided another strike, still rolling on the ground like a mad man. This was probably the final straw for the confused Redcap as it shriek loudly and gave up, disappearing once again.
Only now did Alden have a chance to regain his posture, swiftly standing up.
The poor boy's legs shake continuously.
'HOLY F*CK!' His face completely white, while his clothes are already soaked in nervous sweats. 'How did I survive that!?'
Because Alden's action is completely random, the lucky person is also left confused after their previous face-off, but he has no time to think deeply as he observes the situation.
His opponent has not run off, but only switched strategy. The Redcap is currently dashing between the surrounding tree, leaving only after-images to confuse Alden, obviously aiming for his blindspot. It was a pretty good plan, fully utilizing its speed advantage. Unlucky for it, Alden has long given up on trying to catch up.
He realizes from their previous clash that he has hope of even following his opponent's movement, so any trick he has is rendered useless. Yet, he survived. So Alden decided to play an unexpected move.
He closed his eyes.
By no means was this arrogant, Alden simply doesn't have any other option. He closed his eyes to focus himself entirely on following his instinct.
'Just one stike, Alden.' He thought, clearing his mind. 'One strike is enough.'
He himself knows the worst weakness of a focused stats. They might be masters in their own field, but in any other aspect, people like him and the Redcap are totally useless. For this monster, its weakness is no doubt its health.
Based on the status Alden has witnessed, the Redcap possessed the worst stamina of all the monsters inside the forest, so one of Alden's full-power strikes will at the very least stun the beast, allowing for an easy follow-up kill.
'Focus. Do your thing, luck!'
Without sight, Alden's sense of hearing and touch is at its best, he could hear the swooshing sound of the Redcap moving in all directions, as well as his sweaty palm.
Finally, the Redcap decided to go in for a kill. Alden's instinct warned him, as the boy silently move a couple steps back.
*Swoosh
The pike misses its mark, making the furious beast even more enraged.
*Swoosh
A miss.
*Swoosh
And another one.
*Swoos– CLANK
But the fourth strike did the job.
"Arghh!" Alden screamed as his whole body flung back, hitting a nearby tree. The speed indeed packs quite a punch.
But Alden was quickly back on his feet, surprising even himself. Despite being hit by what seemed to be a very sharp pike, Alden only receive the force of the impact, but no cuts. This was also the same for when he was blocking the fury barrage of wooden stakes.
'It seems that Jenny didn't lie.' A thought briefly cross Alden's mind, subconsciously touching his Beast King's cloak.
But there is no time to be thankful, as the battle is still in full swing.
*SWOOSH
"Damn you!" Alden quickly rolls to the side, dodging a hit. The pike was stuck tight into the tree trunk after that hit, but the Redcap seems unfazed as it unhesitatingly abandons the weapon, pulling out yet another stake.
Only now did they truly enter close combat.
The problem is Alden's frail body has long reached its limit, he got no strength left for another prolonged fight.
'Focus.' He once again clears his mind. 'Is do or die.'
Now that his opponent has abandoned the long pike, Alden was suddenly the party with more range. This was his shot.
*SWAT SWAT
The Redcap was surprisingly proficient with using a stake close rang, moving it like a dagger, but his battle prowess is no longer at its peak.
"Now!" Alden suddenly shouted, his instinct telling him to go for the kill as he swiftly move the dagger into position.
"KHAC!"
"ARGH!"
They both scream, but the winner is apparent.
The moon dagger is stabbed deeply into the Redcap's neck, its eyes widen in shock and anger. But it lasted only a moment more until the fierce eyes lost their focus, and the monster's body went limp.
"What a vicious opponent…" Alden sighs, looking at his right hand pierced by the wooden stakes at the last moment. It was pierced right through, the stake is literally stuck inside his hand.
Maybe it was because of the leftover adrenaline or because he is simply too tired, Alden didn't really feel the pain, he only sense some tingling in his hand, but he knew it is best not to prolong his stay any further.
He quietly sucks both the Redcap's corpse along with the moon stuck in its neck into the bracelet, then lifelessly heads to the portal. Alden doesn't know how to treat his hand, but he knows better than to pull it out right now, so he just left it hanging in there.
[You have gained 2.8 attribute points, distributed randomly into the 'Dexterity' stat.]
Alden has no strength left to rejoice, the boy just wants some sleep.
***