Ch 37 "A Shameless Display"
Necro's contemplative voice echoed in the shelter, "There's no sense in lingering here. It's time to embrace randomness and venture forth, seeking people, knowledge, or whatever crosses my path."
Faye's luminous presence chimed in with curiosity, "So, which direction will you choose?"
Necro's resolve was firm, his direction clear, "Northeast. I'll keep going until I reach the sea. If hunger gnaws at me, I'll designate save point 2 and continue exploring tomorrow."
Faye's inquiry held a touch of intrigue, "Why northeast?"
Necro's response was pragmatic, tinged with a hint of humor, "Because, my dear Faye, it's as good a direction as any. Besides, it's not in the dragon's direction, and that's reason enough."
As he set forth on his new path, the forest unfurled before him, his steps guided by the unseen whims of fate.
Running with a renewed sense of purpose, the minutes slipped by, and a sense of imminent danger rippled through him. Instinctively, he halted, his senses sharp and alert.
Faye's ethereal voice chimed in, "Did you sense something?"
Necro's retort held a touch of jest, "Well, either danger or a sudden craving for pancakes. But my gut says danger."
Venomspine Viper
A lurking danger amidst the foliage, the Venomspine Viper is a reptilian menace that thrives in the shadowy undergrowth.
Level: 5
Type: Reptile
Size: Medium
Health Points: 80
Attack Damage: 15-20 (Bite), 8-12 (Poison Spit)
Defense: 2
Speed: 12
Agility: 15
Special Abilities: Poison Spit (inflicts poison status), Agile Strikes (higher chance to hit)
Habitat: Forests, swamps
Behavior: Ambusher, striking from the shadows with poisonous attacks.
With an air of determination, Necro declared, "Hey, this one's all mine. No need for backup."
Faye's voice carried a note of caution, "Just remember to exercise caution, Necro."
Necro's response was lighthearted, "Don't worry, Faye. This viper will make a fine addition to my collection... as a belt!"
Bracing himself for the encounter, Necro faced off against the Venomspine Viper. His grip on his sword was firm, his stance focused, and his resolve unyielding.
As the battle unfolded, Necro relied on his swordsman skills: parry, precision strike, and sword dance. Each move was executed with calculated precision, a dance of blade that intertwined with the viper's strikes.
The viper wasn't one to back down either. It hissed and lunged, its venomous fangs bared in a menacing display. Necro's heart raced as he narrowly avoided the viper's venomous spits, his agile footwork saving him from the corrosive projectiles.
The struggle continued a dance of predator and prey in the heart of the forest. The clash of bone blade against scales echoed through the trees, punctuated by the viper's sinister hisses.
Necro's brow glistened with sweat, his breathing steady as he parried the viper's attacks and countered with precision strikes. Each move was a calculated gamble, a symphony of blade and skill.
The viper's venomous spit was a deadly reminder of the stakes. Necro's evasive maneuvers were executed with practiced finesse, a dance of survival that kept him just out of harm's way.
As the battle wore on, the forest seemed to hold its breath. The tension hung thick in the air, and with each passing moment, the struggle between man and serpent intensified.
Finally, with a decisive strike, Necro's sword found its mark. The venomous threat lay defeated, its once menacing form now lifeless on the forest floor.
System: "You learned Crippling Blow - Level 1: Aim for an opponent's limbs to deliver a debilitating strike, reducing their mobility or causing them to drop their weapon."
System: "swordsman job level 4"
Necro's chest heaved with exertion, a mix of adrenaline and triumph coursing through his veins. He looked towards the ethereal presence of Faye, a triumphant grin on his face.
"Faye, it seems I won this round," he declared, a sense of accomplishment evident in his tone.
Faye's voice carried a hint of pride, "Congratulations, Necro. You've proven your mettle."
With a deft hand, Necro dismantled the venomous viper, procuring a handful of useful components from the creature's remains. Among them were the fangs, which he gingerly touched to a minuscule droplet of the viper's toxic secretion.
System: "Poison resistance level 3."
Necro's lips curled into a wry grin as he murmured, "Well, at least my speed will come in handy. I'd rather not imagine the outcome if this viper had managed to sink its teeth into me."
1 Venomspine Viper core
Venomous Fangs: These fangs are the deadliest part of the viper, containing potent venom that can be extracted and used for various purposes, including crafting poison-tipped weapons and potions.
Scale Skin: The viper's scales are tough and durable. They can be collected and utilized for crafting armor and protective gear with poison-resistance properties.
Poison Gland: The viper's specialized gland stores its venom. Alchemists and potion-makers can use it to create potent poisons or antidotes.
Viper Eyes: The serpent's eyes are prized for their mesmerizing quality and are often used in the creation of magical trinkets or spell components.
Continuing his journey northeast, Necro's footsteps carried him deeper into the heart of the forest until an unexpected sight emerged from the trees—a rustic cabin nestled within the woods. An amused thought crossed his mind, "A cabin in the woods, eh? Sounds like the start of a horror movie."
Faye's voice rang out with a touch of caution, "Before you proceed, heed my warning: Should you encounter anything within that cabin, resist the urge to store it in your inventory. Doing so would unlock the 'thief' job, and remember, thieves don't fare well in the eyes of others."
Necro's acknowledgment came swiftly, "Understood, I'll refrain from storing anything suspicious. Best not to attract any unwanted attention."
Inclining towards caution, Necro decided against entering the cabin, opting instead to knock on its door in hopes of receiving a response. As his knock echoed through the silence, met with no answer, he cautiously pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Faye's questioning voice accompanied his actions, "What are you doing?"
Necro's voice held a touch of reassurance, "Just taking a quick look."
Inside, the cabin held modest furnishings—a small bed, a table adorned with a crystal ball, a diminutive cabinet, and a compact cupboard. Adjacent to the table, another cabinet caught his attention, crowned by a black round stone. A sense of curiosity led him to touch the stone, but it remained inert, unresponsive even when infused with mana. A fleeting thought about identifying the stone crossed his mind before he shrugged it off, thinking, "Never mind."
The other cabinet held smoked meat, drawing a content remark from Necro, "Mmm, that smells nice." His exploration of the cupboard revealed three sets of leather clothes, prompting him to surmise, "Looks like a small person resides here."
Within the cupboard, he stumbled upon a book. Upon touching it, the system presented him with a prompt, "Would you like to copy the content?" Without hesitation, he agreed. As he gazed at the system interface, the book's contents came to life—a compendium of basic magic across various elements and a map of the surrounding area. The dark forest he currently stood in was marked on the map, along with a notable dot signifying the cabinet's location, and another marking the Granitepeak dwarf fortress to the southwest.
Grinning in triumph, he thought, "Great, finally some sign of civilization." Carefully replacing the book, he observed the crystal ball on the table. Attempting to activate it with mana yielded no results, prompting him to mutter, "Another enigma for me to ponder."
Suddenly, a deep voice sliced through the air, demanding, "Who's in there?"
Necro's reply was hesitant, "Oh, hello. I'm just a traveler passing through. My apologies for intruding into your abode."
A measured pause followed, and the voice inquired, "And what might your name be?"
Drawing upon a fictional identity, Necro replied, "I'm Albert. I've lost my way. Could you perhaps direct me to the nearest dwarf fortress?"
With skepticism coloring his thoughts, Necro listened as the voice provided directions, "Certainly, the closest one would be Black Fortress, located three days' journey to the northeast."
Necro's gratitude was palpable in his response, "Thank you for your assistance. Farewell."
As the conversation concluded, he couldn't shake a sense of unease, suspecting the voice might not be entirely trustworthy. He hurriedly made his exit.
He opens the door and closes it, taking one last look inside. He thinks, 'This could be a comfortable base for me to explore this forest.' As his pants suddenly fall down, he turns to quickly fix them. When he looks up, a girl with green hair is glaring at him.
In an attempt to remedy the situation, Necro stammered, "I-I apologize, I'll make a belt tomorrow to prevent this from happening again. It was not my intention—"
However, before he could finish, the girl's voice roared, "HOW DARE YOU EXPOSE YOURSELF TO ME, YOU PERVERT!!!!!!"
Taken aback, Necro managed to utter, "What the fudge?"