I instantly become alert. Quickly diving into the bush that is in front of my den, I peek through the leaves, being carful not to make a sound. Emerging from the forest, a large grey lizard walks out. It's at least twice the size of me. It walks past the small hill, where I've currently built my home, walking towards the group of bushes on the other side of the stream.
It's barely three meters away from me. I can see its sagging, wrinkled skin, and each of its short black claws. Its tail, almost as long as its body, is being dragged across the floor, almost as if its too heavy to actually lift.
Inside its mouth the seems to be some kind of stone. Why would it be carrying a stone?
Trying to get a better look I shift to the side slightly. A slight rustle of leave can be heard. I instantly panic, retreating further into the bush, not daring to continue looking.
I hear the sound of a stone hitting the floor. It must have heard me.
I freeze. I try to listen to see if I can hear it moving, but all I can hear is the sound of my heart banging against my chest.
I need to see what it's doing. It might be coming towards me right now without me even knowing. If It comes too close I won't even have a chance to run!
Slowly, being extra careful this time to not move a single leaf, I peek back outside of the bush, just to see a pair of golden eyes looking straight at me. I catch a glimpse of long forked tongue hanging out of it'd mouth and its saliva dripping down its chin.
I try jumping backwards, to get out of the bush and run away, just to fall over instead. I crash through several branches, before trying to get back on to my feet. Finding it more difficult than I should, I take a quick glance at my feet, only to discover the tips of my paws have been turned to stone!
No way! This has to be the petrify skill! You see this skill all the time in web novels and anime. That means this lizard is probably called a basilisk. This is so unfair! All it's got to do is look at you, and it's practically already won! It looked at me for barley a second, and my toes are already stone. How are you meant to beat something that you can't even look at?
It makes sense why I didn't find any beasts here all day, they properly all avoided this place because of this lizard. No one wants to face an enemy that can turn you to stone just by looking at you.Im guessing it just went out hunting earlier, which is why It wasn't around. In fact, I'm willing to bet that the stone it was holding it its mouth earlier was its prey that it was bringing back.
What am I going to do now? I can hear it coming closer. It doesn't sound like it can move too fast, but who needs to move fast when you can stop your prey from running by just looking at them.
I could use my shadow magic to cover its eyes, but I have to be able to see the shadow to control it, and if I can see its shadow, then the lizard is properly going to be able to see me. I don't think I have much of a choice. if I do nothing, I'm just going to die anyways.
I just need to hope that I'm still able to move by the time I've blinded it. I only have 20 MP left, from practicing earlier, so that only 20 seconds worth of magic. I have to find a ay to kill it in them 20 seconds.
Coming up with a plan, I prepare myself to attack. I step out of the bush and instantly activate my shadow magic, at this point it's not even a meter away from me. I grasp its shadow, and will it to cover its face. the whole process take no more than two seconds. In these two seconds I have already lost the use of both the front and back paws on the right hand side of my body.
The lizards starts thrashing its head around wildly, trying to shake off the shadows covering its face, as I fall to the ground. Making sure I keep my magic activated I manage to get back up. I desperately wobble my way around the lizard, getting out of its line of sight.
I manage to get to the side of the lizard just as it gets to the 20 second mark. Strangely, my magic doesn't run out. I don't know why but nows not the time to be wondering about such things.
I use bite, clamping down on the back of its neck as hard as I can.the lizard, still thrashing about, trying to shake off my magic, roars loudly in pain and starts shaking its head more violently. refusing to let go, my body is flung into the air. Being flung left and right repeatedly, my body is riddled in pain.
Still refusing to let go I start using scratch on anywhere I can reach.
One times.
Two times.
Three times.
Four times.
[ding!]
[scratch has level up to level 2]
I don't even notice the system notification, my vision becoming blurry as I fell my HP dropping, but still I carry on going.
Six times.
Seven times.
The lizards movements, start slowing down. Only after the ninth time I used scratch does the lizard finally stop moving and falls to the ground, with me laying on top of it.
[ding!]
[you have killed a petrifying lizard and gained 170 xp]
[ding!]
[level up! you are now level 3!]
A soothing warmth spreads around my body, healing all my wounds. A strange energy fills my entire being, making me feel refreshed.
Ahh I can't believe I survived that. Next time I feel like a place should be dangerous I'm going to avoid it. This lizards was loads stronger than them moss rats! I should really be dead right now!
I should have really trusted my gut.