*Welcome to floor 0 , let the tutorial Commence! Good luck, humans!*
Rhys had became accustomed to these messages by now but it still didn't stop the anxiety from taking over his body. However he quickly gained his composure after reading it and began to analyse the screen.
'If this is like it is in the novels , then I'm probably going to have take on those goblins again. '
Honestly he was scared at the thought of this , but his previous success give him some semblance of courage. He then began to think of ways to utilise his trash skill.
He quickly figured out its conditions , first to activate the skill you must , think sternly in your head about its activation . Next the skill could only store five books , that he had interacted with . Finally to aquire the books he simply must same the name , and it would materialise in the place he wanted it too.
" So as expected its trash , typical for my luck " he muttered under his breath grudgingly. Before realising the words had changed on the screen.
* To start the tutorial , you first must aquire your beginner package. This will help against the up and coming danger. To activate it say "Begginer package"*
Withought a second thought he did exactly that prompting a chest to materialise directly infront of him . Rhys expected to find a sword , or a bow but instead when he opened it he found a simple dagger , a pen , 4 books and a map
"Is the some kind of joke?I get that my skill stores books but why couldn't you g give me something useful? " He shouted up at the sky . Before regaining his composure and picking up the dagger , He then stored all 4 books into his skill and spread the map out on the ground infront of him.
It was old and tattered , withered by time. This didnt stop him from slowly beginning to identify each individual area of the map however.
From what he could make out each corner had its own structure own identity if you will. The top left housed an autumn forest named Lundr , below that it showed an icy wasteland called Isiga bra , to the right of Lundr was a burnt forset labelled eldhringr , diagonally form Lundr they layed a mass of clouds labeled, himinn. Finally in the centre centre of all four areas ; There was a giant tree labeled simply as Stiga.
'So I'm in Lundr , seems I do have some luck after all 'he thought pointing to his icon . He quickly and carefully put the map into his pocket , before another screen popped out of nowhere .
*Now that you have your beginner package. We can officially begin the tutorial ; Your goal is quite simple it is to survive and reach the centre of the floor in the time limit . Easy right! However in order to ascend to the first floor you must offer the guardian , something of value , it may be the mana stones of monsters or an item found on the floor . But he will have the final say !
Timer : 72 : 00 : 00*
Rhys began to analyse the message in front of him and came too two conclusions . One he wasn't the only participant . Two he would have to fight those b*stard goblins again or something much worse . Both sent shivers down his spine .
'Anyway first things first I need to find a place where I can set up camp'
He began to move through the enchanting woods slowly , being careful not to step on any of the roots sprouting from the ground . He was on constant high alert, he held his dagger awkwardly infront of him.
He must have walked for atleast 10 minutes before he saw them 3 goblins , eating what seemed to be a deer , where sat on the roots of a nearby tree .
He quickly hid behind a tree , and held his dagger to his side . His mind flashed back to the time Ruby sacrificed himself , and he felt a hatred he had never felt before begin to consume him , all he could think about was killing those goblins . So he began to formulate a plan.
He waited till after they had waited till they had finished eating ; Before using his skill to manifest a book in the bushes next to him .
This created a rustling sound alerting all goblins causing them to slowly approach the book next to Rhys. But just before all 3 had reached him , he used his skill again to manifest two more books in different directions .
This confused the goblins and in there confusion they decided to split up in order to check on the noise . When they where all split up Rhys again used his libary skill to trip the goblin which was heading towards him .
The goblin felt the book under his small feet and it fell to the floor in an instance. It tried to make sense of what had happened but before he could Rhys pounced on his back from the nearby tree . Letting out a flurry of stabs into the goblins neck killing it almost instantaneously.
But even when it had died he did not stop stabbing , he kept plunging his dagger into the monster . Each stab he thought of his lost freind causing him to lose his calm composure and cry uncontrollably. He would have stabbed that monster for eternity if it was up to him , but he was forced to stop as the monster faded to dust leaving behind a singular tiny red stone.
" Take that you f*ck " he muttered before wiping the tears from his eyes , strore the two books near him and pick up the red stone and placing it safely in his pockets.
'This must be the mana stone the screen was talking abou-'
Before could finish his thoughts, the other goblins lunged at him. It turns out in his madness he had forgotten about the other two. He msnaged to narrowly dodged one of them by rolling to the side . However the second once caught his right arm causing minor lacerations.
Rhys quickly got up and picked up the dagger , placing it in his left hand ; Before starting to sprint away from the goblins . However it did take long for the goblins to give chase. By then Rhys had only gained minor distance and it was obvious that they would catch up soon .
Soon the goblin got in striking distance and attempted to lunge at Rhys . It was at that moment he made a sharp turn to face the goblin infront of him , dagger held out towards the lunging goblins neck .
The goblins momentum from the lunge , was his undoing , as he skewered his neck on Rhys's blade . Killing the goblin quickly and causing blood to spurt onto Rhys's glasses . Thanks to this rhys could not see the impending doom he was facing ; As the last goblin in the trio charged at rhys pinning him down. He felt its claws dig into his arms and legs causing himto let out a loud scream.
The goblin smiled a sinister sas it hung over Rhys's face listening to his screams. But after 5 seconds his mouth widened , showing his razor sharp teeth . A horrified expression came over Rhys's face as he realised he was about to get eaten alive . He desperately tried to think of a way to break free and that's when it came to him.
As the goblin lunged his face at rhys's he used his skill to manifest a book between his face and the goblins. In response the goblin began to let out a muffled shriek as its teeth became lodged in the pages .
Quickly , Rhys headbutt the book sending the goblin backwards freeing his arms and with whatever little strength he could muster , he began to punch at the book attached to the goblins face hammering it into his skull. Until no sound could be heard from it .
After he was confident it was dead. He fell onto his back exhausted and afraid , he lay there hyperventilating for a minute before the adrenaline quickly faded, causing him to screech in agony until his voice became hoarse .
He didn't know whether or not it was the pain of all of his arms and legs being cut open , or if it was because of the immense loss of blood ; But whatever it was it caused Rhys's vision to start to fade to black.
As his vision faded he did not feel fear like he did last time . Instead Rhys only felt one thing and that was an overwhelming sense of triumph.