Exiting the little section I awoke from I walked down the cave hearing a clinking in the distance.
Maybe it's another person?
Walking towards the noise I soon saw a figure just like me. They had a Pickaxe and were mining the abundant amount of crystals around them. That must have been their magic item.
There sure were a lot of crystals around them. Some were in reach on the bottom and some were on the ceiling. In fact some were even a bit loose. I should warn them.
Still, being cautious in this strange place I decided against calling out to them. Despite my fears and the danger I sensed I knew I had to interact with them.
I was too confused and lost. Someone else would be a huge help. When I finally approached them they turned around and I soon regretted my decision.
The figure was not a human, but some sort of Ghoul or Zombie. I tried to run away, but I couldn't move.
Looking down I realized my leg was stabbed into the ground by the Dead Miner's Pickaxe.
Knowing I couldn't escape I fought back with my life on the line tearing into and bashing the monster with all I had.
Although I did damage it didn't seem to be able to feel pain and as it fell apart it took out its Pickaxe once more and suddenly everything was upside down.
I could see my body standing there. I was definitely young. Probably in my mid teens. I had some muscle, but not too much.
Most noticeably my head was missing. As the light left my eyes I couldn't even utter my last words.
As I read those words I was certainly much more grateful for my book.
"I take everything back, thank you for warning me."
I whispered fearfully.
I died. Well almost. I have to sneak past that Ghoul.
I continued reading the book, but it wouldn't write anything. Frustrated, I thought of just sprinting past and the book once again began to write.
"I see so I have to plan on actually doing something before it tells me the outcome."
I was happy to learn more about the book, but reading the future I was less than thrilled.
"Are you kidding me!? I still die!?"
I maintain a whisper but the rage is evident in my voice.
I was getting tired and hungry. The book seemed to sap some of my energy the more I read it.
Suddenly, I had an idea. I picked up a couple rocks nearby and started chucking them at the Ghoul.
Slowly its body started to fall apart, the weak muscle holding itself onto bone, succumbing more and more with each strike.
It seems it's able to sense when I'm up close however, without pain receptors and this weird frenzy with the crystals it's unbothered not even noticing its slowly dying…again.
I continue my onslaught until eventually one of my rocks blows its hand off. I would celebrate, but it finally notices the damage after not being able to swing as well.
It slowly turned around and I quickly hid beside cover, but I can hear it drop its Pickaxe and begin to move.
I took a small peek and saw it rushing towards me like a beast on all fours well threes.
The ground began to rumble. I kept throwing rocks to no avail as it continued its mad dash.
Soon it was mere meters away and about to strike.
I knew I couldn't outrun it. It was Undead. It didn't have the same limits to stamina as I did.
It leaped into the air ready to strike.
Despite the fear encompassing me I moved. In fact I didn't just move, I completely blasted through it.
I lowered myself and shoving a large rock in its mouth so it couldn't bite me I then headbutted it right in the stomach and pulled its legs forward knowing it down; I hit a blast double.
I regained a memory.
I didn't get any time to process it though as the crystals on the ceiling soon came crashing down.
I rushed off the Ghoul and speedily dodged being dog piled by the falling rocks.
I was out of breath, terrified, and overwhelmed. Despite all of that there was one thing on my mind.
"You tried to kill me."
I picked up its Pickaxe and like the minerals it was mining before I slammed it down piercing the Ghoul through the head.
It seemed to stop moving after that.
I gave it a couple more swings to make sure and finally rested easy knowing even if it came back to life it'd be trapped under the rubble.
Strangely as it died it had a smile on its face.
Best not to think about it. I sat down against some ore and finally took a breather.
This encounter was a warning. I couldn't be so carefree from now on.