Chapter 5

The plan to kill the strange monster I had found in the cave was the foremost thing in my mind for the time, I had been killing the gultin and eating them raw for the past two days. There had been a noticeable increase in my jumping height along with my ability to instinctively pick out the best handhold and areas to place my feet when climbing. They were not very hard to hunt, and while the big horns on their heads were dangerous I didn’t get close enough to get hit, the tactic I used to take them out was simple. Using small glyph traps similar to the earth fall traps I used so long ago on the other mountain, I would place them in points I knew the herds would travel. When they inevitably did the ground beneath their hooves would crumble and they would be sent tumbling down to me, automated hunting and delivery. A contented smile flitted onto my face as I reminisced.

I hadn’t spent my whole time hunting gultin though, I had carved the most complicated runes I could into the top of cave entrance. Several four rune glyphs could be seen in the dim glowing mushroom light, the beast hadn’t left the cave entrance so a reasonable assumption was the light had scared it off, maybe even hurting its eyes, being accustomed to the dark caves. This theory was further supported with how the creature had hidden in the darkest shadows of the cave, as if trying to hide from the light. The glyphs on the ceiling should break open holes big enough to let in light, if not I could just run away again.

Blood red light bathed the inside of the the cave entrance, once the runes flashed brighter I stepped away and went to rest. These complicated glyphs take a lot out of you, I made my way back outside, the moon was hanging high in the sky and the stars twinkled against the impossibly black backdrop. Going to the small alcove on the right path near the cave I tucked in and closed my eyes, as soon as sleep was about to reach me I heard a shuffling noise, like rocks being dragged. Peering out from my secluded spot I looked in the direction the sound was coming from, the cave. My heart locked in my chest as I saw the behemoth shuffle out, it as moving slowly as if try to sneak along. The strange thing was its dozen or so mouths were no where to be seen, instead there was just one.

Holding my breath and trying to wedge myself deeper in away from it, I peered out as its snake tongue flitted out periodically, it seemed to be testing the air. For what? I was soon answered as the monster abruptly turned towards me, its hulking scaled body shuffling directly towards my hiding spot. Its tongue flicked out more often, and it started to speed up, it was only fifteen feet away and I needed a plan. It was way beyond my ability to defeat it in a fair fight, and the only traps I had set up were in the cave. And those would probably only create holes big enough to let in light, which wouldn’t help at night.

I cursed, knowing that I wouldn’t stand a chance if the creature cornered me in my alcove. I crawled out on hands and knees, as soon as I was out I heard a chorus of hisses. Turning towards the snake like beast I noticed it had multiple mouth seeming to bubble up from under its skin, soon it had its signature dozen mouths, each one hissing at me. Its great heavy feet sending pebbles and loose rocks tumbling as it sped towards me, I reached deep inside and infused my legs with energy, I felt the signature buzzing as my body rocketed towards the creature. It reached out a massive clawed hand, letting my body drop I skidded across the rough stone ground and between its legs. Pushing myself up onto my feet I didn't stop to look behind me as I ran straight for the cave entrance.

My legs pumped in rhythm with my racing heart, the blood in my veins started moving faster, and heating up as I forced more energy to circulate through me. I shot forwards and corned the entrance like a draft horse, my legs skidding along the ground before coming to a shocking halt. I ran into the entrance, spinning around looking for the spot where I put my glyphs, I found it from the red glow clashing against the blue green glow of the mushrooms. I focused my will on the activation rune, the glyph flashed red again before a deep rumbling caused pebbles to dislodge from the ceiling. I heard a heavy crash behind me, knowing the creature had caught up I turned around and took out one of the enchanted swords, knowing a mundane knife wouldn’t stand a chance against its thick hide and scales.

I spun on the spot and leapt towards the downed beast, still scrambling to stand up after crashing into the wall. The blade slammed into the things side, I had aimed for the skull but with it struggling on the ground accuracy was a difficult concept. The blade pierced an inch deep before coming to a grinding halt, deep purple blood leaked out the side of the creature, hissing along the blade’s edge and pooling on the floor, carving a small hole. The creature let out a noise along the line of a hiss and howl, pain evident in the noise. It slapped its massive hand against the blade, a cracking noise rang out as my hand snapped, letting the blade fly deeper into the cave. Clutching my wounded hand the beast finally stood up, it leapt at me, hate filled eyes pinning me in place.

The creature flew straight towards me, a memory flashed through my mind, I remembered my first fight, a similar situation but I was on the other side. The old man had dodged my knife by dropping to the ground, taking a page out of his book the creature flew over me before crashing into the wall with a resound bang. The already weakened wall from my glyphs couldn’t hold up under this assault and crumbled, a deep grinding noise shook me to the bone as the ceiling started to cave in. I was too deep into the cave to make my way out before I was caved in, my only option was to go deeper in. Kicking up stone and mushrooms I bolted into the cave, my opponent however was not as lucky and the roof blanketed it.

A deep darkness swallowed me as the moonlight was cut off, a terrible screech echoed out from the monster as it was buried. A sigh left my lips when the noise cut out, relief washed over me, right up until the moment when I heard more stone grinding. Infusing my eyes to see what was happening as the noise didn’t sound as dangerous as the cave in, I saw the rocks that buried the creature shifting and groaning. “God dammit.”

Knowing that anything that could survive a cave in was something that was beyond my current ability, I turned right around and ran as fast as my legs could carry me. Curses left my mouth in a nonstop stream as I went deeper and deeper into the cave.

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Boyle had finally made his way into Valinwoode, he had attempted to go to the Count’s house but found that he was not receiving anyone unless they brought information about his missing son. Apparently he had gone missing during a routine dall’in hunt that his son had gone on to alleviate his boredom. Boyle knew he wouldn’t be allowed in even if the Count wasn’t busy looking for his heir, but he had to try anyway. His next stop was the local Adventurer’s Guild, he made his way to the town center, south from the Count’s manor. Crossing through snaking streets, and slipping through crowds he made his way there. As a major trade hub for the country, the market area was alive with people. A huge hive of potential customers milled about, or for the less savor individual, potential targets.

There were hundreds of people, some in rich garb of various gaudy styles and colors, indicating their allegiance, or the less fortunate clothed in home-spun tunics. They all walked among each other, from stall to stall, or from storefront to storefront. Many people had brought in and set up temporary stalls, selling things from weapons and trinkets, to fresh baked good and alchemical ingredients. Past the stalls were the more permanent storefronts and various guilds, many professional stores had more rare ingredients and gear, most displayed in the store front to entice customers. Alongside these stores were the various guild halls, from the Thief’s Guild, to the Mage’s Guilds they were arrayed around the town center. Boyle made his way towards one specific guild, the Adventurer’s Guild, it had a warm from, made from evenly cut wooden planks, and warm colored logs propped around the double door entrance.

On the three story building, above the door, was a skull from some unidentifiable creature, right next to a sign with the guild’s insignia, a sword pointing towards the skull, signifying the buildings purpose. Boyle strode up to the door and pushed them open, they swung open easily revealing the interior bustling with various types of people. The inside was as warm as the outside, the wood was a light brown color and the various tables and chairs were only a few shades darker, mage stones hung from chandelier-like contraptions bathing the inside with an orange glow. To the left was a bar with various armored individuals asleep at it, whereas to the right was the quest board, a wide section of the wall marked off to hold quest papers pinned to the wall. Each quest had the title of it with the requirements for completion, under it was the reward and the required rank.

Rank was based off of various things, level of purity when it came to your mana or energy, combat skill, experience and various other variables. There were many magical ways to test your rank, but most adventurer’s opted to go the mundane route and take the rankup tests. Boyle made his way over to the bar, reaching into a pocket in his tunic and taking out a coin pouch. He hadn’t much left, but he was willing to offer it all for a subjugation mission to take out that monster, he hadn’t slept since the incident without nightmare of its enormous mouth hanging over him, the remains of his group trapped between it teeth, blood and drool dripping of its chin. He shivered just thinking about the dreams, he reached the bar and sat on a free stool next to an unusually muscular elf woman. Sighing he waited for the barkeep to come over, the barkeep in this building was also the guild leader. Making it convenient to get a hot meal and copious amounts of booze, while also giving a quest request.

He had waited only a short time before a gruff man had walked over to him, the man’s face was scarred and his arms, which were bare not covered by his shirt, were criss crossed in old wounds. The man’s eyes were like clouds in a storm, a dark grey that seemed to look through you, not at you. His mouth was turned down in a perpetual frown, while his left leg seemed crippled as he walked with a limp.

“Drink?” he asked bluntly.

“Yes please, cheapest you have.”

The man walked away without another word, grabbing a bottle low on the shelf behind him he brought it to the man, and set the whole bottle on the table.

“One silver.”

Boyle reached into the bag and handed him the coin.

“I also have a quest that needs undertaking, at least rank B, maybe higher.”

The man’s eyebrow rose up, his first show of emotion since the start of the conversation.

“What is it?” he asked with his characteristic lack of words.

“Some monster killed my friends, I barely escaped as it was feeding.” he shivered as he recalled the fight “It looked like a man, but its mouth had teeth like knives, and it was so fast.. I couldn’t…” he trailed off.

“More information.”

Boyle took a deep swig of liquid courage before coughing and continuing, “Its arms and legs glowed red, and it slit the throats of my comrades in their sleep… I was only spared because I was awake when it attacked. I tried to warn her…”

“It slit their throats?” said the man using the longest sentence yet.

“It used a knife, it carved her stomach open, she was high rank C, she could have passed the B test… and it carved her open like a fish.” he closed his eyes and took another long drink.

“Sound like it was a man, talk to constable.”

“Please! That was no man, it was a monster.” he begged “Look I have money, it had two enchanted swords on it, that’s gotta be worth something!”

He poured the contents of his pouch onto the bar, revealing 13 gold, 7 silver, and 12 copper.

“That’s all I have, please! I can’t sleep knowing it’s out there!”

“Quiet, you’re causing a scene.” his cold tone silenced Boyle immediately “Wait, you said he had two enchanted swords, that can’t be a coincidence…” he trailed off.

“What about them?”

“The Count’s son, his bodyguards both had an enchanted blade. They were in near that area, hunting a dall’in.” the guild leader paused, his brow creasing. “I’m sure the Count would offer a sizable sum to hunt this creature, if what you say is true.”

Relief was evident on his face, “Yes! Yes it’s true, we need to go to him right now.” his words had started to slur.

“Rest for now boyo, you can have a room on the house. Go.”

Too tired and relieved to argue Boyle stumbled up the stairs towards the room after collecting his money, his mind set on a good night’s sleep.

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My breath was heavy in my ears as I ran deeper into the cave, I had gone left when I reached the bone room but after that the twisting paths had robbed me of all direction, I didn’t know where I had gone but I couldn’t hear the pounding noise of the monster’s heaving feet. My legs felt like lead and my mind was a formless soup, I could feel my heart attempting to pound its way out of my chest like a disgruntled prisoner. I had long ago run out of energy from my core, back to my usual speed I kicked up cloud as I ran, I had seen many creatures I couldn’t name, but none had chased me, probably because of the potential apex predator after me. Just because I couldn’t hear it, didn’t mean it wasn’t still following me, this thought kept me running even past the point where I was only running on fumes.

I couldn’t hide from the creature, its sense of smell was better than a razorwolf’s, I needed to fight it as I couldn’t out last it in a battle of endurance either. A straight fight was definitely not happening as I didn’t have a chance even before my hand was broken, I needed to set a trap, I sighed, it was becoming annoying that I had to use traps in every fight. While I did love the feeling of a well laid trap being sprung, it couldn’t compare to the feeling of a blade singing right past you, or tearing into someone’s chest and ripping out their heart as they tried their best to kill you. Coming to a halt I checked my surroundings looking for a good spot, I was in a pathway that looked the same as all the rest, a curving path made of rough stone with barely anything in the way of plants. The only thing breaking up the monotony of the stone were stalactites hanging from the ceiling, an idea sprung to mind. The sword had managed to pierce the scale and hide, if just barely. If I could get something with a sharpness rune, like what was on the sword, and have it fall on the creature with a thousand pounds of force, it could be enough.

I decided on a relatively large stalactite on the roof, I put a rune for earth on the base of it along with a separate rune and a will activation one, making aglyph capable of separating it from the roof. I only managed to reach it using the last energy from my newly acquired center, along with the leg strength from eating the gultins to make small foot holds up the wall to allow me to latch on next to the stalactite. After carving the glyph for earth seperate, my mana levels were dangerously low, I only had enough mana to carve the sharpness rune onto the top of the stalactite.

I climbed down and found a comfortable spot to rest until the thing got here, I didn’t rest for long until I heard the pounding of its feet. I attempted to push myself up but mistakenly used my broken hand, causing me to grit my teeth and let a hiss of pain out. When I finally stood up the noise was much closer, the ground under me vibrated with each step. Pulled out my last remaining sword, knowing my non enchanted knife wouldn’t be up to the job. I help it in my left hand, and dropped into a ready stance. Even though I had the knowledge in my mind, my stance was still awkward because I was a novice. The creature turned the corner into my corridor and skid along the ground, before breaking free of momentum’s hold and charging at me.

The creature’s clawed feet dug furrows in the stone ground, a testament to its strength. The creature was in worse condition than when I had last seen it, its front was scratched up but from what I could see, its back was in much worse condition. It looked as though sections of its scaled hide had been torn away, leaving exposed flesh and blood open to the air. The creature bellowed in rage and charged at me, I tried to lead it towards my trap but I was too far to the side, I lept to side at the last second to dodge it, landing awkwardly on my broken hand. More jolts of white hot pain coursed up my arm, leaving me stunned. Before I could get back to my feet I heard the creature coming towards me, it wasn’t charging as before, but carefully stalking.

This frightened me more than the mad charge, as it looked like the creature was learning. It knew I was smaller and more nimble than it, and when looking at my defenseless form it took its time coming to me. It came closer and closer, its mouths curved up in mocking grins, until it was directly underneath my trap. With a snapping noise all one thousand pounds of stone crashed down on the creatures exposed back, the flesh sagged under the weight before snapping and letting in the stalactite to wreak havoc on its insides. The stone sunk deeper in, piercing through organs until it came out the front of it body with a sound like paper tearing. It chest tore open revealing the behemoth of stone, the stone spear slowly slid forward tearing the wound even wider before falling to the ground with a clatter.

The creature stumbled forward, eye uncomprehending to the wound in its chest, it took two steps before falling flat on its face with a muffled bang, never to rise again. I closed my eyes and laid back down, exhaustion flooding my mind like a dam broken. I listened to the sound of wind whistling through the tunnel and of the creature’s blood hissing and spitting on the ground. I felt the cool stone under me and the dull throb of my broken hand. I smelt coppery blood and viscera, and tasted it in the air. I felt all these things until I sunk deep into the endless sea of unconsciousness .