The last days before growth ran out and I had a day before I got to pick next, I spent the time using boost and trying to squeeze another point or two for constitution. I had the coin and wanted to get just a little bit more. I wanted to be on the same level as Rashid so I used boost again and again. It took four attempts to get to twenty-two, and seven to get to twenty-three. After that, I realized I didn't need potions to recover anymore, but natural recovery would still take too long.
I could buy twenty potions and get another point or two but was it worth it? I considered my coin, but in the end, my life was worth more. I dished out the coin, and Martin was really confused.
"What in the world do you need more potions for, Jerry?" Martin asked. "You bought twenty yesterday?"
"It's for stockpiling."
"I'm not going to run out," Martin said. "They're the most common so I have a lot stockpiled myself."
"I have my reasons."
"You are… ok though?" He asked.
"Hmm, oh yes, I'm fine," I replied. "Trust me, this isn't for what you probably think."
"I think you're doing some crazy constitution training," he said. "Why else would you need this much healing? I'm just wondering what it is."
I opened my mouth and then closed it. He was absolutely right. I assured him I was fine once more, then headed back to my room, got all the way up twenty-four, and had to go back to buy five more. I finally got to twenty-five and decided that was plenty for now. I was only on the first floor. I tested it out, and I was extremely confident in my ability to survive or more accurately thrive on the first floor. And I knew I could not let anyone find out. Who knew how long Rashid had trained to get to twenty-three, and I had surpassed him in less than a week?
My luck should have been at a hundred. Damn, but it felt good. I felt safer in general and was ready for the next attribute.
I wanted to test my new constitution so I headed into the dungeon. With my enhanced constitution, I guessed I could use three boosts and the drop wouldn't put me down. It would hurt, but I'd still be up. I should have tested it out in my room, but I wasn't really worried. I wasn't overconfident, but I knew I could handle myself.
When I came across three goblins, I activated boost once, easily cutting them down, then waited for it to run out. The drop hurt, but I only grunted. It felt like a bad stomach ache and some minor pains in other parts, but that was it. I didn't even move save for glancing down.
Next was a rat, then a mole until I finally found more goblins. This time it was a larger group and I activated Boost two times, finished them off, then waited. I leaned forward this time a bit, but once again, I didn't drop. I let out a groan, but it passed in less than five minutes. Last was three times that I wanted to test on the boss.
I collected a ton of lesser loot as I went, moving from ring to ring. The boss was in the innermost ring and respawned after being beaten. As I got closer there were larger and larger groups of goblins, most wielding crude weapons. It took over two hours, and I ended up with a few scratches and red spots, but finally, I made it to the door. It was made out of mud bricks and crumbled when I touched it revealing darkness.
I took a deep breath, then headed in.
I was in a large dirt room. The walls weren't symmetrical. Everything was crooked, save for the floor, but even that had bumps and small holes. At the far wall opposite me was the hobgoblin. He looked like a goblin, but taller, with a stockier build, and his skin was a darker brown. He had on filthy leather armor decorated with some bones that looked too small to be humans. So, they were goblin bones. In his right hand was a simple straight sword, and in his left was a round shield covered in filth and small jagged bones.
But what had me a bit worried was the fact he wasn't alone. There were four other goblins in the room, one of which actually had a bow while the others had rocks in hand. They would pepper me while I engaged with the hob. I would need to end him quickly or begin with them.
The hobgoblin barked something and rushed forward while the others begin hurling their object at me. I activate boost three times, and rushed forward, only I ducked his first swing, ran past him, and straight to the archer who was still knocking his second arrow when my sword cleaved his head off. I ran to the next goblin, and the next while the hob shouted and chased me. I was faster though, so I was able to get all four.
The boss looked pissed, and I watched as mud flowed up from the ground and coated the edge of his blade, turning almost black. He grinned and charged. I needed to be careful as he has a shield and a bash from that would hurt, and maybe stun me depending on his strength. I clashed blades with him and was surprised at his strength. He was almost as strong as me with three times boost.
I sidestepped a strike, then took a few steps back as he pushed his shield forward. I felt my timer reach the last five seconds and cursed as I used boost again.
"Fuck it."
I used it to its max, then rushed him. It was harder than I expected, mainly due to his shield and that he wasn't stupid. He knew how to use both together, and kept me away long enough that I seriously started to worry. However, he was outmatched in every possible attribute, and once I realized my panic was making me act stupid, I quenched it and smiled. Time to end this. I pulled my dagger out and threw it which caused him to raise his shield, but I was already running. I slid and took a leg from him. I gripped the dirt to stop myself, and turned, getting to my feet, and striking him down from behind.
Seconds later, my boost ran out. I managed to stay upright on shaky knees for a few seconds, but then dropped to a knee. I fumbled for a potion and quickly swallowed its contents. As the pain faded, I looked at the boss's corpse and grinned.
"I win. First boss down."