Chapter 4: Attack on (Temporary) Base!
...I'm still sleep deprived.
At this rate, it's only a matter of time before I'm attacked while sleeping.
Thinking that I need to find a new base soon, I went out hunting again this morning.
I've had a few close calls, but I've gotten to the point where I can take down a Horn Rabbit smoothly.
I realized again that it was good to have acquired the [Experience Point Acquisition Value Correction (Double)] and [Skill Value Acquisition Value Correction (Double)].
My level is going up interestingly fast.
I attached the horns of the defeated Horn Rabbit to the tip of my spear.
They are more durable than stones, so the efficiency of monster hunting has increased considerably.
I also acquired the fire attribute skill [Fire Bow].
By allocating skill values, it is also possible to acquire high-level skills if you save them up.
There is also a light attribute skill called [Light Sphere] that can be used as a substitute for a light source.
The wind attribute skill [Wind Sphere] can also be acquired, which can knock down nuts from tall trees.
In this world, most low-level magic seems to be [something Sphere], but is it assumed that it's necessary to throw them?
I don't have any use for it now, but I'll also acquire the water attribute skill [Water Sphere].
I realized something about magic skills again.
The magic in this world of Exis is "Instant Cast Magic."
Just imagining the image of the magic is enough to activate it.
It's an advantage that you don't have to recite long chants.
In battle, the chanting time can be fatal.
It's good to know this in advance, so you don't embarrass yourself by shouting the name of the magic out loud during battle without realizing it.
As I walked through the forest, I discovered three goblins. Due to being downwind, it seemed that they hadn't noticed me yet. The goblins had gathered and were discussing something. I carefully moved to a position where I could hear them and hid myself.
Using telepathy, I listened in on their conversation and heard that there was a spot near the river where they always lit a fire, and sometimes the smell of delicious meat could be detected. They suggested attacking that spot tonight with the three of them.
From the content of their conversation, it was undoubtedly about me!
They were going to attack me tonight just as I was settling down in a good spot! I had no choice but to run away. Luckily, I had almost no belongings, so I needed to act fast.
After confirming that the goblins had gone far away, I returned to my base while keeping an eye on my surroundings.
On my way back, I suddenly thought, "If it's just three goblins, I could defeat them if I set a trap!" In terms of strength, each goblin was about three times stronger than a horn rabbit.
It might be reckless, but as long as I could consider running away if I couldn't defeat them, I should be okay.
I decided to deal with the goblins by "setting traps and securing a retreat route."
As soon as I returned to my base, I began to prepare the traps. First, I obtained the Mining skill "Excavation" using the remaining skill points, dug several holes, and set up spears. I then covered them with branches and fallen leaves to create traps.
Next, I dug several holes around the side of the bed where I slept until they were about three meters deep, creating a moat-like structure.
I covered it with branches, fallen leaves, and dirt to make it appear as if nothing had been dug. I left a marker that only I could recognize.
If the goblins fell into the trap, I could defeat them one by one using "Fireball."
For the retreat route, I used "Excavation" to dig a staircase-like structure at the top of the hole where I slept. I also created a refuge along the way.
It wasn't perfect, but I thought I could deal with at least two out of three goblins.
When the work was finished, the sun was already setting.
As usual, I prepared to grill the Horn Rabbit meat. I couldn't contain my nervousness, as this was going to be my first battle against multiple monsters. The sun had completely set, and the darkness had engulfed everything. Only the bonfire's flames acted as a beacon, attracting the Goblins.
The wait felt excruciatingly long. Suddenly, I thought to myself, "What if there is no attack?" But then I heard a "snap" sound from a distant twig that I had rigged. The sound was followed by several other snaps, confirming the presence of a few Goblins.
After the sounds ceased, the Goblins appeared before me! There were eight of them instead of the expected three, and I sensed the danger.
The Goblins seemed to assess the situation, so I initiated the first attack by casting four consecutive Fireballs. Three Goblins were hit, but only one was killed instantly.
As the attack triggered the battle, the Goblins rushed towards me. I wanted to conserve my MP as much as possible, so I decided to retaliate by throwing my spear. Since the Goblins were tightly packed, it was impossible to avoid the spear's attack.
Finally, I managed to kill one of them. I thought Goblins had high intelligence, based on my past life's memory, but was I mistaken? Suddenly, the Goblins split into two groups, each wielding a club or an axe.
While admiring the axe, I tried to keep calm and assess the situation. There were six Goblins in total, with three uninjured and three injured. They seemed to be wary of me and did not attack.
A standoff continued for about three minutes until I noticed that some Goblins were peeking at the Horn Rabbit meat. To break this stalemate, I grabbed the meat and threw it high up into the air, diverting the Goblins' attention.
During that brief moment, I threw my spear at the Goblins. The first throw hit one of them, but the second was deflected, causing my spear to land on the ground, where the Goblins used it as their weapon.
I hadn't expected that outcome. As I slowly backed away, the Goblins closed in on me, only three steps away.
While making sure not to be noticed, I lowered myself further down and one goblin fell into a pit trap and got skewered.
"Alright, just five more to go!"
Seems like they knew there were traps among the fallen leaves, as one tried to jump over it, but I threw a spear at that moment.
It hit its mark, and the goblin fell onto the leaves and got skewered.
Although they were divided into two groups, they didn't attack separately.
...Could it be that they were waiting for the leader's orders?
Then who was the leader?
The one at the back who was unscathed?
To confirm, I threw the spear towards the goblin that seemed like the leader.
Clearly, another goblin made an evasive maneuver to shield the leader from the spear attack.
No doubt about it, that guy was the leader!
It's a common tactic to attack the commander, but what should I do...
I have three spears left.
It would be safer to prioritize reducing their numbers rather than attacking the leader first.
"Ooooh!"
I shouted and flipped backwards, running towards the sleeping area.
The goblins chased after me but fell into a pit trap and were struggling to climb out from underneath.
Confirming that four of them had fallen, I shot ten [Fireballs] from above. They should have all died from that.
It worked out nicely that all four of them fell.
As soon as the battle was over, exhaustion hit me all at once.
For now, I'll climb up to the shelter and rest.
I heard a sound from behind me, like something was moving.
When I turned around, a goblin was trying to crawl out of the pit.
Why?! There's no way the goblin's height could reach it!
I kept my distance since there was a risk of a counterattack.
Looking into the pit, I saw three bodies piled up.
Moreover, the [Fireballs] were only about half as effective since it managed to avoid them.
Originally, it was a trap designed for three goblins, so it wasn't made that big.
Plus, I underestimated the goblins' intelligence.
The tables had turned...
It was definitely an unfavorable situation.
The thought of just retreating and leaving the meat behind crossed my mind.