Chapter 6

Rishido here, there is one time that me and Okaa-san had gone mountaineering and cave diving. It was fun to discover new places and explore the wilderness and caves, they are just amazing like all the rock formation that looks like chandelier and the creatures inside them.

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While we are on our way to the southern forest that have a dungeon which is our mission, I`ve been thinking that I can`t see other guides like Leyla just some blur from the spaces around people. But when I ask Leyla she just told me that it was the protection of the Fairy Queen.

The Fairy Queen gives them protection or skill that can make them enter an ethereally state that is making them invincible to naked eyes unless they let them or a people that is much powerful and able to manipulate mana to his/her vision to see them.

There are also enemies that can also use ethereal state and a bit difficult to deal with. She also said that most guide are pixies and fairies, I didn`t know the difference but I didn`t voice it out.

As we ashtray the road onwards with the forest we saw a ranch that is near the wall and had some guards and players. There are different kinds of animals and mounts there but their looks are not very similar to normal animals.

As we enter the forest I have small skirmish with the resident predator of the forest like wolf with fangs and claws made from steel, some armoured bear that is quite tough because of its hide that is made from alloyed materials.

They give a decent amount of xp but I can really tell because the game never provide xp gauge or numerical and even the plate it has no information about this thing.

As we venture more, I saw changes around the forest like some grass are identified by my scanners are brass weeds or stone cutter flower, and even some trees give a property of metal element.

Some tree that fully transformed are bearing iron fruits that is like an unrefined ingots. And it is only abundant near the dungeon that we are tracking into and it`s just a few more minutes.

Leyla told me that in every dungeon that corresponds an elements it can affects its surroundings but not as powerful as the corrupted dungeon because it can transform fauna and flora into monsters and can create damage when not subjugated.

As I saw the entrance of the dungeon it is like a cave with some metal like plants surrounding it and the creatures coming out from the dungeon are wolves of different type like wolf I met earlier but it was the lowest here.

Some wolves are at level 6 to 10 depending on their material, size, metallization rate and also battle prowess. And most of them are on packs but their health is a little low that range from 300 up to 500.

Still the problem is their pack size that have 6 members and their alpha is double their own size I bet that their leader will be as big as car or a bus.

We keep on surveillance as some of them left the entrance while some goes deeper. My mission is that killed at least 20 wolf type monster that has metalize parts.

I currently have 3 from my early encounter but doing 1 versus 6 is a suicide. So I will change my approached to assassination and abduction. But the thing is they are wolves after all so that is not going to work well.

Then we follow a pack of wolves going at the near water stream that`s gushing out from the higher lands that is going to the mountain range. As we stalked them and trying not to be detected by smell or radar if any of them have, we just keep following.

Leyla is just sitting on my shoulder as we follow the targets. As the wolf approached a small clearing, I start taking my ant spear and take stance and aims for the one that is behind them. I didn`t have sniping or throwing abilities but I just trust my guts to where to throw and gather force on my right shoulder and throws the spear.

As my spear flew to the target, I quickly take post and shoot another one aiming from any of the wolves that’s close together. I didn’t have time to choose because of the speed of that spear.

The second spear is just half on its flight as the first spear made contact to the wolf at the back of its head piercing downwards its throat. The other wolves become alert as one of them become motionless then another spear strike another wolf that is looking at my direction and snarling.

The wolf got hit on its flank and being push a few meters away then the remaining four take action and start running towards our direction. I equip my halberd and store my cloak because it`s useless in fights then I look at Leyla.

“Fly higher and support me from above and only shoot the one that is attacking from behind”

“Just don’t get torn apart from their attack”

“Also be alert because they can jump on trees. Wohw”

Before we finished our plan one just jump from my right side trying to bite my head off but I evaded and punch it`s side making it fly behind his team then they jump from different direction.

My system is beaming red as they attack but thanks to my upgrades it can predict time of impact so I can calculate their movement and switch position from evading, attacking and blocking.

The first is frontal assault and the two are on my both side but their time difference is just a seconds apart. Their attack is so coordinated but I have to live. I rammed myself to one in front and block its attack by the body of my halberd as the two wolf miss my sides taking another jump.

Thankfully Leyla is above us and fire a nature ball towards one of the jumping wolf pushing it to the other making them fall just behind me. As I quickly grabbed the neck of the other wolf then throw it to the fallen two.

I take defensive position as they got up gain but one wolf is entangled by vines that Leyla just fired. The other two didn`t mind it and rush to me by pincher attack. My system indicates that one from the right is higher from the other so I take the right one that jump high and pierces its stomach then slammed it towards the other.

Upon making contact the pierced one got it`s stomach being decimated showing a gruesome scene but I just suck it up and pull my halberd beheading the one that just got smash.

As I finish the two the other one starts to retreat but Leyla fire another ball making it stumbled. As I approached the wolf, it looks at me with hatred and rage as it tries to free itself from the vines. I feel something inside me that is being torn up but I just ignored it and continue.

“No hard feelings but it was my mission to eliminate your numbers.”

I said my prayer then execute it with a swift move of my halberd down its head bisecting it from its body. Most of my plating are stained in blood now as I looked at the battle scene again. Their bodies never become pixels and fade, they just stay there like it was a natural thing for animals that died.

“It was kind of scary but we did it, but I feel bad about this.”

As Leyla sulk towards me as I finished dismantling the last wolf. I feel a bit disgust about this but it was the law of nature that is taking circles. One will take life and one will live, I just need to think that i`m just controlling their number or I cannot proceed towards the end.

“Leyla, I was just natural for beast and other creature to die or be hunted but our responsibility is keep them from over populating and preserve the one that will be extinct.”

I pat her head then collect the other wolves’ remains. It is really a gruesome scene but I didn`t feel throwing up or anything. I just feel disgusted because everything feels so real inside this game.

As I finished my task of collecting their remains, we proceed back to the dungeon entrance and wait again for another group. On our way, I cleaned myself on the stream by swiping my body with tattered cloth that I used back then.

While cleaning I opened my notification to see any changes but only dismantle gain a level and some battle bonuses like Str, Agi and Dex. I did also have some durability reduction but it was minimal.

I said to Leyla that after this hunt we will end the day and goes back to the inn to rest for tomorrow that she quickly, maybe the last fight hit her hard after all it was just her first time experiencing that gruesome fight.

As we almost reach the dungeon entrance we are greeted by a group of 5 party with two melee, a mage, an archer and a druid fighting full frontal assault at the entrance. I don’t know it their just stupid or over confident. I didn’t see any priestess or even a church when we were in town.

One dwarf melee that have long beard and stout body pack with muscles and carrying an axe that is as tall as him while the other tank is a human swordsman hold a big shield and a mace. While the rear guards are a girl mage on red dress with matching hat… a pyromaniac a common one but full of power then a female elf archer a common choice for the race and last is a male druid that is also an elf that is in charge of making the tanks alive.

I also notice that all of them have a fairy or pixie or any guide that they have received. It was just blur to me but from the magic coming from the side of the archer and mage looks like they also trained to fight. Most magic shoots are earth, nature and mana balls.

“Leyla can you see their companions?”

I hide myself behind the trees and still looking at them. They can manage themselves because of the druid`s nature magic that envelopes them.

“Not really but I think they have three fairy, a pixie and a gnome.”

Owh… so three kinds maybe she got an acquaintance their but I have to watch them first to see what will happen. I didn’t want to be branded as stealer or something.

“Leyla we will help them if they got in a pinch so be ready”

“Really? And here I thought your heartless being that don’t have any concern about other.”

“Hmp… technically I don’t have a heart but core and i’m just helping them if needed.”

Then she just snort my reply and sit on a branch as we keep observing them. But the number of wolves will keep increasing as the time pass by and its now 30 wolves from my radar and most are coming from behind, might be the ones that is hunting is going back to their den to defend it and it`s moving fast.

“Leyla move your wings we are taking the reinforcement from behind but just do defence there are 23 of them so be careful and keep high ok.”

“Okay I got it you also take care of your tin head.”

I just ignore her retort and take position on the wolf possible path and take an ambush. Leyla keep distance from the ground but not near the trees or she might get pouch by one. I readied my halberd and slash some trees that is parallel to each other but stopping in half just to keep them standing.

Leyla keep asking but I just shut her by radiating my visor then proceed with my plan. After I finished my chomping task I find a place that I can throw spears, I plant a dozen of it for quick draw now is a waiting game.

They keep approaching quickly and I feel nervous from this fit i`m going to make while the group earlier is dealing with the additional wolves that came by from the northern part and they are on defence form because the mage got injured by a wolf that break their defence.

I hope they can hold on so I can help them. Then my system give me warning about the wolves then I began throwing spears to the trees I cut. Almost all of them are just a hit away before to fall, the wolves break their ranks and take a frontal and pincher assault, 7 on sides and 6 frontal but before they can proceed I throw my spears on the marked trees as one by one they keep falling from a tree to the next one like a domino.

That event startled the wolves that approaching us some got stuck and some died because they can`t evade the tree like dominoes. My prediction was right and it hit them big and now ten of them are left behind but the rest are still running and taken a detour to my location.

“Leyla let`s go to the group earlier I don’t think I can last if I take them head on.”

Leyla just nodded and fly towards them as I follow but the wolves are faster than us. A pincher attack came to warning that`s just 3 second counter I can take evasive manoeuvre so I take them with my arms. As the wolf made contact and damaged my arms, I quickly slammed them on a tree near by letting my arms and then rush to the group.

“You there we need to retreat now or were all going die.”

The druid looks at me as he finish healing their tank. But i`m still behind the trees so he can`t see me clearly.

“What are you saying we are winning here and only two are left so don’t try to steal it.”

Tsk common gamers but can’t blame them, most are gamers with nothing to do but hunt, conquer and destroy. Then Leyla came to his face as she slapped him hard but didn`t really take damaged.

“Shut up, he is trying to save your sorry lives because of your stupidity and this is what we will received. If we didn’t taken care of the wolves from the south you’re all dead right now.”

My system sends a warning about the druid so I made my move before everything get out of hand and throw one dagger to him but just passing his face.

“Hurt her and your team will go down with all the wolf that is going back from the south. You got an archer so let her check if it’s true.”

Then I grabbed another two and throw it to the wolves that`s nearest to us. We need to really retreat right now or we are all done. I saw the tanks and mage finished the last wolf and talk to the archer who just nodded then the druid turn to me.

“Your right but we can defeat them I you just cooperate with us.”

Tsk are they stupid their mage almost die from their last fight and from her looks she can’t even last another fight and more now that almost a dozen are coming. Other wolf that is trapped by trees are now moving so it won’t end well to us.

“You`re over confidence will put you to your end. Leyla there is no use on persuading them on retreating, let`s go”

“But they can fight them off so help them.”

“we can’t win to them there are three alpha that still in good condition and a dozen of under wolf if you can fight those then go but I will not throw my life just to hunt and die meaninglessly.”

Then I walked towards the small clearing where I have my first encounter. They are still discussing but they have no more time or they will die. Then the dwarf walked away from them as the mage flows, they have decided and split apart but the three run behind them.

“If you got stamina then start running now they are just on our tails now.”

Damn those wolf they are just too fast than the normal ones. Better revaluate my enemies just to keep the upper hand. The team starts running as they saw shadows lurking from the forest, the druid and draft assist the weakened mage while the shielder and archer are at their back.

“Just keep running I will assist you, and talk to your guides to help you. Leyla you know what to do.”

Leyla just nodded to me and fly higher while i`m still no very visible to them because i’m behind them as keep the wolves at bay by throwing daggers to the nearest ones.

After us passing the stream and head to the clearing they taken a break and thankfully the wolves did not persist on chasing us. But i`m still weary of why they didn’t chase us here.

“Guys don`t let your guard down, I feel unease about this”

This feeling is like something is dangerous for us to be hear. But my sensor can`t pick up any signal nor traces of beast roaming around the area.

“What are you talking about the wolves are not following us”

Is this druid dumb or he is just think that the aggro of the wolf just faded.

“Yeah, Blake was right the wolves are gone so we are okay now.”

This elves are getting in my cables now they are dumb or something. They just play and don`t listen or read about this game. It is based on reality that has almost perfect so why would they think it is not another world.

“You don`t really know how nature works are you”

I`m still feel unease but the sensors are still okay and my zone aren’t detecting anything hostile or creature. The mage still recovering from mana exhaustion but the dwarf and the shielder are taking my advice and weary on their surroundings.

“What are you saying Raiser?”

“What i`m saying is that why would a big pack of wolves suddenly stop chasing its targets just become of their number got decrease. That mean there are more powerful beast that wolves can’t attack freely and we are near that.”

“What unease feeling I get is coming from you who are still behind the shadows and it is suspicious for us to received help from the one that is hiding.”

The short man was right but I don’t have to show them what i`m, they can be wolves under sheep’s skins. And besides they are just causing me trouble now.

“Is that the way you say thank you from the one that saves your life you fat short beard.”

Leyla don’t know how to hold her emotions and don’t have patience, she`s too expressive on her opinion towards others but easily scared.

“And you fairy guide is the very first guide I saw that is talking back to us. Your work is just follow us because you’re depending on us.”

The dwarf is about to hit her with the blunt side off the axe but I can move faster as I fling a dagger just passing his face. This will be the second time happening this and it`s getting in my cables really hard.

“another bad thing you say or do to her and my mark will not miss it`s second shoot.”

They are startled again but the druid and the dwarf might be sweating bullets right now while the shielder didn`t say so much just observing and hold his partner.

“take it easy guys we are safe now and that`s all that matter right now.”

“Your voice is not natural for any races or it was just your voice. And i`m still weary of you who`s still behind the shadows and hiding.”

The mage is right but meh like I care that much now.

“I don’t have reasons to show my face to earn your trust and I don’t need people who think that taking lives are just an ordinary activity.”

“Oh so your one of the gamers that talk to npc like they are alive. I’ve seen many on the western villages and they look stupid. Why would you even waste time talking nice to them?”

This bastard druid is making my engine heat up. I`ll put your name on my ban list if I gain some influence on other places. I lift my halberd and shoulder it and check my arms for some repairs.

“Leyla get ready and fly above me again”

“And now what you’re going to PK us. You know that there are penalties doing such deeds.”

If i’m going to kill them they will be all dead by now. But wolves my kill them quickly and be more alert and that will make them move in much larger groups.

“Then go on your own i`m out of here now.”

I should have detect it earlier but it`s submerged underground but my sensor can find any monsters too deep and that worm is a big one but it looks like a sandworm but it got steel face and it`s level 20. This is more shit that the wolves.

“What are you s-“

“Blake!!! Behind us”

The shielder shouted as he block the beak like mouth and twisting it’s whole body like drilling the shield, he won’t last long it he keeps taking it head on.

“WH-what the hell is that”

This druid is officially dumb for me now is not the time for that, I should help them or I will die with them and I bet this worm will follow us everywhere.

“Break your showdown shield boy or you`ll die!!!”

I shouted as I throw a spear to pierce it head but as my spear made contact it just dented it`s surface. We are so fucked up with this. This thing is harder than steel and even its body is just taking scratch from our attack and even magic can’t hit this thing hard. And it had 2 thousand hp and our attacks just shave it by only 200.

“We can`t fight that off we need to run.”

The archer is right but how can we run if there are wolves on the hunt for us, this is really bad for us going here.

“Just evade and run, we will pull this off.”

Then after the shielder evade another dive from the worm behind him we start running towards the trail that we know. If we ashtray from the road we might be lost from this dangerous forest.

From time to time the worm comes out and dives randomly towards us but that aiming is too precise. And when it accidentally hit a tree after it aims for the mage, the tree just broke down quickly and it`s endanger us more.

As I keep running and evading it, I saw it`s mannerism of opening its mouth after it came out the ground then closed it in mid-air before diving at us. Then time of the opening is just seconds but i’m thinking of the risk to me but I will take a chance for this.

I run a bit near to them but still not showing up and I have a cloak with me. I detect movement near the mage who`s slower than most of them and if she can’t evade it she will die for sure.

I position myself just behind her and wait for that curial moment and it did but i’m expecting this. The worm is now aiming for me but before it dive down to me I jump mid-air towards it and throw my halberd inside it`s throat. Then I have a glimpse of it, it was full of teeth and surprisingly flesh so I gain high hope for this fit but the things is it still diving down to me and i`m blocking it`s attack with my arms that will break in five more seconds.

Thankfully the mage, her companion and Leyla shoot magic towards its head and I diverted its direction once the magic hit its head. But my arms are heavily damage specially the left arm that is in front of the cross block.

As the worm dive is start twitching and made eerie sounds but from the looks of it my halberd embedded on its innards. As it keeps moving on the ground so thus the vitality of the worm decrease rapidly. I found the suspected location of my halberd and stomp on it and the worm twitches more and tried to fight back by its tail.

The others help me defeat it and in few more minutes it stop moving and a notification came to my view.

FOR DEFEATING MONSTER IN UNCONVENTIONAL STYLE OF KILLING IT YOU GAIN REWARD+5 ALL STATSFOR DEFEATING MONSTER THAT IS MORE THAN TRIPLE OF YOUR LEVEL YOU GAIN REWARD +10 ALL STATSFOR FINDING A WAY TO KILL THE MONSTER QUICKLY OTHER THAN HITTING IT`S OTHER SKIN+10 INT, +10 WISFOR DISPLAYING A FIT AND SURVIVE THEN DANGER YOU ARE GAIN A UNIQUE TRAIT BY THE GODSBRAVERY (CLOCKWORK)YOU LEVELLED UP X5

I read it again and it is true… Leyla, the mage and its companion is looking gleefully. While the other approached us and begun thanking me for helping and saving them. The druid who is Blake, feel ashamed on how he acted earlier because they meet other players that harassed them. I just nodded to them and collect the price of my performance.

“Your arms are badly hurt because of blocking the attack I can do first air and healing then let the apothecaries check your arm later if you have broken bones.”

They might notice but I have to continue this. Besides it`s size of more than 20 meters it is made out of tough metal that is compose of steel alloy that compose of bits different metals but it will not be separated even if I melt it because of my lower proficiency of skills.

Kasha who is the archer approaches me and keeps looking at me and worried. While the other just let it pass because I do say so. I tried to lift the have thing on my shoulder because it won’t fit on the item box but it was in vain.

“Mind lifting this thing with me? it will fetch a good price because it`s big and sturdy.”

Then two guys approached me and take the other and end of the worm and carry it on their shoulder while the girls stood up and tried to lift the heavy thing but it was just a few inches off the floor and drop it.

“This thing is so heavy and it won’t move”

“If we leave it here others might take it or the monster so better drag it than leave it alone.”

I just sigh and saw one of the trees that I chop down and an idea came to me. I cut down logs than is just the right size for the body then collect them and I instruct the group who is still following me but they are not questioning my looks because Leyla is taking care of my human relation department, thank you very much.

I rolled one log and starts to pull the worm then the others starts to help me while I pull the worm they keep putting logs so I can pull it smoothly even if the road is kind a bumpy and luckily we didn’t encounter wolf or bear or that would be a problem and I notice that my mana energy has decrease by 200 but my energy is decreasing a bit quickly.

As we arrived at the edge of the forest we saw newbies here and there but most of the eyes are on us and staring at our luggage. We keep going back until we reach the gates, the guards just ask for our plates then after identification we walk southwest until we saw the guild building buzzling with people.

Most players and residents are murmuring and talking about how we defeat this or we are a strong team, i`m not in their team you know. The girls are exhausted from helping use guys but they can keep up and even Blake is down on the floor when we arrived at the guild building.

Leyla and other guides called an attendant-san and guide him towards us to apprise this worm. Except for levels we receive it fetch a good price but they refuse to have a share because they just help me carry it, well they are right about that because from just helping someone and get paid by at least 10 gold is a big deal here which is 100 silver per gold piece.

I rate they as nice guys because of it but I refuse their refusal and the argument is invalid because what I want is the head part of this worm which is just 5 gold but I say I’ll just have the head part and the rest are for them. The whole body and tail are not that really special in a way but the drill mouth got my tinkering twitch keep bugging me.

The crowd grew more and then an unexpected happened, Leyla pulled a trick and remove my cloak by pulling the sting that keep it intact and the other guides help her take my cloak. Then a roar of surprise and disbelief emerge from the crowd and cause commotion. Many murmured on why would I pick this race while others are amaze on how do I look like but guy I look normal robot on real life.

I glared at Leyla who just gave me a peace sign and flew towards the other guides and boasting about her being my guide and all the stuff we gone and learned. I just let them be and claim my loot by dismantling the worm and sell some wolf meat that haven’t metalize and it`s metal part but my mission proof is still lacking by 11 so I just continue it and it`s already dark so I returned to the inn which I gain some strange looks but I just shrugged off and take a rest in my room but block my door and windows first.

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A/N

so we are getting somewhere and i`m taking some time lapse to speed up the progress because come on guys its hard to do everyday life you know..

also i might take a break because im making the book cover and right now it was just pencil and dont expect something really good though.

see you next time or maybe chat and msg.