I would’ve run, but they’d given me a scar, and you don’t come back from a fight with scars unless you won fully and truly.

Right then, battered, bloodied, and barely holding to Maladrain’s shoulders, I was on the precipice of losing. Losing wasn’t an option, though. If a legendary class were to kill me, I’d have been satisfied losing -that’d be no less than an honor. However, what dared to challenge me was mere [cobold]s, and I had more self-respect than to die to a creature that’s less than...uhh...twenty levels above me!

Well, I could say all that, but I didn’t know how I could possibly win.

They had expert trackers, more numbers, traps everywhere, better stats, and I was half-dead, with my only ally in my endeavor being a concussed scout with a broken leg. I thought we could run with the help of Maladrain’s [scout] abilities, but even if that was possible, I didn’t want to retreat.

Once Maladrain got me to a secluded area, I was already underway with my schemes, taking it step by step.

The first thing to consider: the [cobold]s would be expecting a well-coordinated ambush this time, which may cause them to move slower, on alert, but it also meant that I couldn’t just throw myself at them and instantly kill their leader. Plus, my limbs couldn’t produce enough energy to do that at that point. Anethstetics don’t magically fix all my problems.

I pounded my fists on Maladrain’s shoulders, which reflexively made him stop. I slid off him, into the mud, and onto my but, my legs giving out. It was embarrassing, but at least I was ready to crawl if need be.

I looked up then showed the adventurer my menu. It was a last-ditch effort -I could maybe have used my knife to write in the mud, but I didn’t have much time to do that. I pointed to Maladrain once I opened my menu. People usually keep their menus a secret from others, but I needed to see his, or we were dead.

“Weren’t you level 4 or something when we met?” he asked, staring at my menu.

I nodded.

“Actually, why are you showing me your menu?”

I point to him.

“I don’t get it?”

I point to him with more force, simply repeating the action in frustration.

“Oohhh, you need to see my menu.” His menu popped up next to my own.

Maladrain has revealed his menu to you.

Juiviv/Maladrain: Age: 23

Lawful Good

Patron: Kukaltl

Class: [scout]

Race: [human]

Level: 17

Exp: 32

Base Stats: Str: 16 Dex: 20 Con: 15 Wis: 11 Int: 16 Cha: 14

Stat growths: Str: 70% Dex: 75% Con: 40% Wis: 20% Int: 45% Cha: 25%

Inherent skills: [fast learner] [adaptable] [Kukaltl’s sight]

Trained skills: [scribing tier 2] [monster hunter tier 3] [poison resistance tier 2] [swordsmanship tier 4] [brave] [fast steps] [balanced footwork] [two-story-work][scout’s eye] [trap detection tier 3] [dungeon delver] [cook’s book] [seasoner]

Inactive trained skills: [painting tier 1] [devoted partner]

Magics: [truesight tier 1]

[adaptable]: this creature’s human body adapts to the environment much quicker than usual and to a greater extent.

[kukatl’s sight]: this creature can use [truesight tier 1].

[brave]: when against opponents of a higher level, this creature has 10% more strength.

[fast steps]: three times a day, this creature may move at twice its normal speed for 3s.

[balanced footwork]: this creature does not trip unwillingly and has resistance to being moved.

[two-story-work]: when on high ground, this creature can jump twice as far.

[scout’s eye]: greatly increases [perception] towards [stealthed] targets.

[dungeon delver]: this creature has greatly increased [perception] when indoors.

[truesight]: gives him the ability to see heat signatures for an hour each day.

My thoughts:

[scout’s eye] helps us stay safe.

[brave] will activate against the [master trapper].

[balanced footwork] is a miracle, and probably going to be saving us on numerous occasions because he’s going to walking with a broken leg. Not that I’ll be able to tell when it activates. The flood trap must have overpowered it, so it has limits.

[dungeon delver] I know how we can use that.

After reviewing the relevant information as quickly as I could, I pointed at Maladrain’s satchel. “You need this?” He lowered it down so I could shuffle through it, and I quickly pulled out the pen and paper I had seen when I looked through it earlier.

Writing faster than I ever have, I wrote down my plan and handed it to Maladrain. I was nervous about what I’d come up with, but seeing [dungeon delver] made my concerns go away:

{I need you to use [truesight], then we need to run up the mountain, find the [cobolt]’s tracks and follow them to their lair, then we need to find and use whatever they may have in their hoard. I also need you to carry me, even with your broken leg, up there. It is going to be difficult, but they have a [master trapper], and we need to take desperate measures. Look out for traps. There’s probably four to six deadly [cobold]s chasing us a few minutes behind.

P.S. My name is Saya, not Sayer.}

He read it quickly, then nodded and picked me up again and began carrying me upstream.

You have gained [print communication tier 3]!

You gained 1 Exp!

While we climb up the mountain in search of the [cobolt]’s lair, I may as well explain my decision. Right then, the two of us had little to no way to win a fight. We were slower, lower-leveled, probably outnumbered, working without knowing who we were fighting and being chased. The thing is that, while being chased is very deadly, being chased where you want to be chased can make a hopeless situation hopeful. A lair is defendable and filled with equipment. Crossbows, swords, daggers, clubs, health potions, anything we may need could be found there. A proper club would’ve been nice for me, too, since I couldn’t easily penetrate the [cobolt]’s [natural armor]. As things were, we either ran away or got to their lair.

I didn’t know anything about [cobold] lairs, but if I had to guess, it would an expansion of a [dragon]’s lair. [dragon]s summon [cobolt]’s to defend their lair, but when a [dragon] dies, sometimes [cobold]s remain and continue to live in that [dragon]’s lair. After living in this valley for ten years unimpeded, it wouldn’t be a stretch to see some good loot in it. More hopefully...

Heeeeealllthhh poootionnnss. I had never drunk one, but even if it tasted like my own piss, it would be the most delicious thing ever at that point...I briefly wondered if they would have a poisoned potion and kept it in mind.

Maladrain limped but limped quickly, clearly moving as fast as he could. “So, kid...How’s your day been?”

I didn’t know how to nor could respond to that question.

“Because it really looks like your day has turned really bad.”

I nodded. You don’t say?

“So, why aren’t we just running? I don’t remember what exactly is going on, but I’m pretty sure, Saya, that we could run.” I said nothing but moved my head so he could see my face. “You’re getting a look on your face that’s calling me a coward. Is now really the best time to get vengeful?”

It isn’t vengeance. It’s my word that’s on the line. It’s my pride!

“You look insulted.” He laughed weakly. “Ok, kid. You save my life, and I owe you a little somethin’. Even if this hurts like hell, and I’m not sure if I’m gonna live. I swear on my adventurer’s signature, I’ll fight by your side here, in this...” He looked around for a moment, trying to remember where he was. “Valley of [cobold]s”

Good little doggie.

“Now, your face is somehow insulting me. Champ’, what’re ya thinkin’ in that head of yours?”