It was time to go.

I brushed some of the dirt off myself as I started making my way around the edge of the pond. The battle with the elite essence leech could not have gone better from my point of view. I was alive, not maimed and could still move around while my health moved slowly but steadily upwards.

Still, if I had not known my way around a fight that could of turned out very different. Reflecting on how close I came to my ultimate demise I gave a satisfied sigh. I guess all those survival and self defense courses paid off. The proof was in the pudding. I am still alive. Is that enough though?

Although, my father had long passed from this life I am sure he would still probably shake his head in disappointment. After all, I got taken by surprise.

I could picture the look of disgust on his face. The smug perfectionist bastard, even now I could not get him out of my head. If time had not caught up to him though, I would be the first to bet he would still be kicking my ass with his training. Training that, in hindsight does not seem so stupid at this very moment. His shitty parenting aside, there is no doubt I may very well be putting a great deal of the studies he had a hand in teach me into practical use.

Reaching the path of destruction that marked my trail into the pond I immediately start to ascend. Luckily for me with my recently elevated attributes the climb is not a problem at all. It takes a moment after reaching the top, but I manage to find the trail I had left when running from the draco rat.

I set about following it back to where I had started. I was sure to be careful to keep my wits about me. I had already been surprised once and I still recalled how I had hardly been able to see the rat that had chased me. I wondered if it was a natural ability or some type of skill that let the one I had seen before remain so hard to detect.

Sensing that I was near my destination I slowed my pace down. Crouching slightly I moved slowly forward from tree to tree in the sparesly wooded area while straining my ears and eyes looking for any sign of life. There!

It was a hole in the side of a small mound; I figured it must be some type of burrow. Continuing to scan the area I located several more barrow looking mounds with fairly large openings. I waited and sure enough after a short time I noticed the barest amount of movement at a opening.

Even looking at the rat directly it was difficult to make out, but once I located it a familiar blue box sprang into view.

Draco Rat

Level 5

Ha! I hoped this was the one that had chased me before. I glanced around and did not see any other movement so I slowly left my cover and moved towards my prey. The rat looked completely feral and was the size of a doberman so I hastily made a plan of attack with two stages, first stage being to deal as much damage as I could and the second stage was to quietly and quickly make my withdrawal.

As I approached however something made the monster freeze. Without any other indication that it knew I was there its nose twitched and it hissed.

Two more draco rats scambled from the opening.

Draco Rat

Level 7 Draco Rat

Level 9

I moved with extreme slowness towards the nearest cover. Watching as the two additional rats sniffed the air with whiskers quivering. I seethed at myself inwardly. This was not how I wanted this going down. I know no plan survives contact with the enemy but come on! I had not even made contact yet! I really should have remembered rats can live in packs.

No time for regret now, I see the glowing red eyes of the rats lock onto me right as I slowly move towards cover. Their hissing is freaking me out, but I feel like I can take them. My slow progress back here ensured that my health had a chance to rise back to max since I set off from the pond and I know I have a distinct level advantage.

Taking my club I dash forward meeting highest level rat which happened to be the lead rat straight on. I spring forward and slam the club down on the rats head before it can react.

The monsters head explodes, while the other two rats freeze. Ignoring the notifcations boxes I crouch before springing towards the second highest level rat swinging the club this time into its side. The rat gains air as it slams into a tree and lays there twitching for a moment before ceasing even that.

Inside I am shocked.

I had already realized before that my strength had been doubled but holy hell this was broken. I grinned as the last draco rat, the one that had presumably chased me down from before started to slowly back away from me.

“This is kind of karma don’t you think?” my voice hoarse from the lack of any recent use. I watch the rat dragon wannabe as I continue. “This time you are my prey and this time the way I live is not going to be running away.”

I had taken no damage from the monsters since the beginning this three on one fight. Actually calling it a fight was kind of a stretch as it was pretty much nothing short of a one sided massacre.

Refocusing all my attention on the last monster I spring forward and tackle it off its feet while using the opportunity to utilize my upgraded talent to absorb the life from the weak lizard rodent hybrid. It dies within about 30 seconds and the life fades from its glowing red eyes.

I now know what I can do.

It’s time to hunt.