Before Ethan could ponder any further on the lack of rewards for his kills, two more iron tooth rats charged at him.
"Damn it," he swore in frustration, his voice tinged with the weight of the impending confrontation.
Reacting instinctively, Ethan closed the gap, meeting their advance head-on. He unleashed a powerful kick, sending one rat skittering across the ground, and with the same fluid motion, he spun and sliced his sword through the air, bisecting the second attacker mid-leap.
The familiar flicker of the system notification appeared, announcing another kill, yet still devoid of any promised reward.
Seizing the moment, Ethan evaded a lunging rat, which aimed to sink its teeth into his leg. As it missed and let out a frustrated squeak, Ethan capitalized on its vulnerable position, swiftly decapitating it with a precise stroke of his blade.
A brief respite allowed Ethan to scan his surroundings. The initial group of about thirty iron tooth rats had now swelled in number; it seemed more were joining the fray by the second.
"Damn rats," he muttered, a note of exasperation in his voice as he witnessed the tide of iron tooth rat flooding toward him.
Recognizing the tactical disadvantage of being surrounded, Ethan wisely began to retreat, distancing himself from the encroaching horde.
"This is going to be one hell of a long day," he mumbled, eyeing the cave's entrance and the ever-increasing swarm of iron-tooth rats.
After retreating to a safer distance, Ethan found himself in an expansive area dotted with red rocks of various sizes—a terrain that could work to his advantage against the sightless rats.
The number of pursuers had grown to around a hundred, yet a deep smile curled on Ethan's lips as he felt a familiar rush of adrenaline surge through him.
The overwhelming odds would have daunted a lesser man, but Ethan's adventurous spirit soared at the prospect of battle.
His previous life had been marked by a penchant for risk and combat, often landing him in peril, especially after his run-in with the formidable War God Faction that ultimately led to his demise.
He spent the last few years of his previous life evading their relentless pursuit so it's been a while since he'd experienced a truly exhilarating fight, and now he couldn't help but feel a tinge of excitement at the sight of the onrushing iron tooth rats.
His smile shows his eagerness for the battle ahead.
The rocky terrain he had chosen gave him a distinct edge over the blind rats.
Accustomed to darkness and relying solely on their ability to sense movement through vibrations, the rats were at a significant disadvantage in the rocky expanse.
As they relied on sensing vibrations to navigate, the immobile rocks would offer no clues to his whereabouts, allowing Ethan to use the environment to his advantage.
The iron tooth rats, blind from birth, would struggle to pinpoint his position amidst the stillness of the stones, giving Ethan the upper hand as he readied himself for the oncoming onslaught.
With a strategic mind and his sword at the ready, he steeled himself for the imminent clash, prepared to turn the terrain's features to his favor in the battle against the relentless tide of iron tooth rats.
The iron tooth rat unable to sense the motionless rocks continued to collide with the inert obstacles in their frenzied pursuit.
Ethan's smile broadened at the sight; he had anticipated this outcome after carefully assessing his surroundings. This spot was the optimal place to engage the iron tooth rats, chosen not only for its advantageous terrain but also for two other key reasons.
Firstly, the space near the nest entrance was rather confined, cluttered with towering rocks that left little room to maneuver. Fighting there would place Ethan at a severe disadvantage, as he would have no room to retreat and could easily be overwhelmed by the beasts. It was critical to avoid such a predicament.
Secondly, traps posed a significant threat. Iron tooth rats were adept at burrowing tunnels and could create pitfalls with only a thin layer of earth concealing them.
These traps served dual purposes: ensnaring enemies by causing them to fall and become vulnerable, and facilitating surprise attacks as rats burst forth from the ground. Ethan was well aware of these tactics, having encountered iron tooth rats on numerous occasions. He had no intention of engaging them on such dangerous ground.
Having surveyed the area earlier, Ethan had identified the best location to take advantage of the iron tooth rats' weaknesses. Now, as he watched the creatures struggle amongst the rocks, he allowed himself a moment of satisfaction before gripping his sword tightly in both hands and launching into the fray.
The sword in his possession was designed for a fighter who valued agility. It was lightweight, exerting minimal impact on the wielder's speed, yet it was also robust—a suitable weapon for combat. Unhindered by his blade, Ethan's movements were swift, almost superhuman, as he charged into the mob of disoriented iron-tooth rats.
His onslaught was swift and brutal. Rat after rat fell, severed, kicked, and punched away by Ethan's deft maneuvers. He twisted and weaved with remarkable agility, his sword a deadly extension of his will, each swing taking down another iron tooth rat.
Despite the ferocity of his assault, the number of iron tooth rats seemed unending. Instead of diminishing, their ranks appeared to swell. Within minutes, Ethan felt his initial advantage slipping away as he found himself nearly encircled by an army of nearly 200 iron-tooth rats.
Evasion became increasingly difficult as the barrage of attacks from the rats intensified.
"Damn it!" Ethan spat as one of the creatures scored the first hit, its horn scratching his leg. His leather battle gear did not protect the sharp protrusion, which tore through his clothing and left a shallow cut on his flesh. It was a minor wound, but Ethan recognized that sustaining any injury so early in the battle was an ominous sign.
Nevertheless, the setback did little to dampen his resolve. If anything, Ethan fought with even greater ferocity.