Chapter 23: What Lies Beyond

I was about a third of the way across the trench, moving carefully, but quickly when a glint of metal caught my attention.

Turning my head to the side, I studied the nearby gnome corpse that was the source. It was not one of the bodies I had thrown in, but one of the trench’s own victims. It was not the first corpse I had run across either, but it was the only one to make me pause. Rather, it was the shortsword by the body’s side that did.

The gnome’s body did not lay far of my course, and detouring to grab the sword would likely not cause me to lose much time. And besides, I needed a second sword. It was worth the risk.

Changing path abruptly, I swiftly made my way to the body and retrieved the sword and its sheathe.

You have acquired a basic steel shortsword. This item increases the damage you deal by: 10%.

The sword was identical to the one I had bought from the weapons merchant. The gnome had probably bought the blade from him, too. The dead candidate carried nothing else of value that I could see, and his armor would have taken too much time to remove. Abandoning the body, I returned continued onwards through the trench.

I reached the far end of the trench with only a minute to spare on my torch’s light. Hurriedly, I scanned the wall before me. I had been right, I saw. There were small outcroppings of rock and clumps of dirt that could serve as handholds.

I set down the torch. I would need both hands for the climb, and there was no way I could carry it up with me. Nor did I have a means of relighting it once it died. Better to leave it here and use its last light to manage the climb.

I rubbed my hands together. Right, here goes. Then I set to climbing.

~~~

The climb was easier than I expected, and I scurried up the trench wall in less than thirty seconds. Pulling myself over the edge, I rolled onto my back and took a moment to enjoy my accomplishment.

I had made it. Crossing the trapped trench had been something of a feat in itself, and as a new Game alert opened in my mind, I realized the Adjudicator seemed to think so too.

Congratulations, Michael! You have successfully overcome another of the dungeon’s traps and have gained experience.

You have reached level 6!

You have 1 attribute point available.

I smiled at the message. At least the Game had offered me some compensation for my maimed hand and lost potion.

Sitting up into a cross-legged stance, I took in my surroundings. The torch’s light had died and the area had been plunged into darkness once more. I could make out very little of my surroundings other than I was still in a tunnel.

Before moving on, I considered my new attribute point, and briefly debated how to expend it. I was certain that I would face combat somewhere ahead, and for that Dexterity would serve me best, but I was also concerned about the lack of lighting in the tunnel. If the darkness continued unabated, then Perception would be better.

If I can’t see, I cannot fight, I thought, reaching a decision. Even though, none of my skills were governed by Perception, it was still the better choice given where I was at present and I willed the Game to advance it.

Your Perception has increased to rank 4.

Once more my senses grew sharper. The darkness was pushed back and I could make out more of my surroundings. I was in a tunnel, I realized, and one that was curving sharply to the right. Rising to my feet, I dropped into a crouch and padded down the tunnel to whatever awaited me.

You and your familiar are hidden.

~~~

Rounding the tunnel bend, the first thing I saw was light—light from the red-orange flames of a campfire.

I almost fell back in surprise.

My first thought was that I had been mistaken, and that some other party had found a way around the trapped trench as well, but as I observed the two figures sitting beside the blazing fire, I realized they were not candidates.

They were goblins.

That realization, too, nearly caused me to flee. Surely the pair had spotted my torch when I had crossed the trench? But then I recalled that I hadn’t seen their campfire from the trench either.

The tunnel bend must have hidden us from each other.

I was doubly grateful now that I hadn’t screamed in the trench. The pair would have heard me for sure. Secure in the knowledge I was hidden, I studied the goblins afresh.

The two creatures were camped at least fifty yards down the tunnel, and judging by their size, they were of the warrior caste. Both were dressed in armor of sorts, but from this distance, I couldn’t make out the details.

I wondered at the campfire. Nothing was cooking on it, so why did the goblins need it? Did goblins have as much trouble seeing in the dark as humans? I could only assume so. I debated moving forward to observe the two more closely, but then decided the wiser course would be to retreat and consult with Gnat first.

Slipping back to the trench’s edge, I listened intently for a heartbeat before turning to my familiar. “Gnat, those were goblin warriors, right?”

“Correct, Michael.”

“Can you tell their levels?” I asked.

Gnat shook his head. “No, to determine a foe’s level, you will need the analyze ability.” He paused. “But goblin warriors are rank one creatures.”

I pursed my lips. “That means those two are each level ten?”

“At least,” Gnat confirmed.

Hmm, I thought, rubbing my chin. The pair were too high-levelled for me to tackle head on. “How well do goblins see in the dark?” I asked.

“Their night vision is poor,” Gnat said.

“That’s what I thought,” I murmured, an idea forming. I turned back to my familiar. “Thanks for the information, Gnat.”

He bobbed his head. “That’s what I’m here for.”

“You have my gratitude anyway,” I said with a smile. Slipping back into the shadows, I tiptoed back to the two goblins.

~~~

I advanced as close to the goblins as I dared, right up to the edge of the light from their campfire. Neither creature gave any indication that they knew I was nearby.

From this close, I could make out every detail of the pair. The goblins were dressed in hide armor, roughly-hewn and primitively stitched together. A bow rested at each creature’s side and a pair of bare daggers were shoved in their belts.

They’re archers then, I guessed.

Both goblins stared fixedly into the fire. Not once did either glance away. While I couldn’t claim to be able to read goblin expressions, both archers appeared morose. One of the goblins, who I took to be the younger from his lack of wrinkles, bore an intricate tattoo of a raven on his face. Some sort of tribal symbol? I wondered.

Peering beyond the goblins, I saw that the tunnel continued onwards. Given the goblins’ seeming disinterest in their surroundings, I didn’t doubt I could sneak passed them, but doing that would leave two powerful foes at my back, and I wasn’t ready to do that yet.

Moving carefully, I retreated a few yards and positioned myself against one of the tunnel walls. From here, I could more comfortably observe my targets. Settling down, I readied myself to watch and wait.

The time was not yet ready to act, but it would be soon.