《Hero or Fool》Chapter 5: The Dangers that Lurk Below
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Just as you would expect from a cave it is dark and the air is highly humid. I light my torch to illuminate my surroundings. I notice that the walls like pretty untouched. The most likely scenario would be that the wolves drive people away from this place. Someone could probably make a pretty penny from mining this cave— I can see bits of ores sticking out from the cave walls. In hopes of finding worthy prey, I journey deeper into the cave.
After some time of searching, I realize something very important I have no idea how to get back to the entrance. I shake my head. Whatever, these things tend to work themselves out and I have enough supplies in my day to last for a couple days. I continue to walk down the twisting hallways in this maze of a cave.
Finally, I spot my elusive target, I feel a chill run down my spine as glace at its body, it is much bigger than I imagined. It notices my torch and charges right at me. I ready myself for battle by setting down my torch and unsheathing my sword. To slow the momentum of the wolves I cast bind monster, gold chains rose from the ground, completely halting the wolf's charge.
Now's my chance!
I leap at the wolf, but the wolf manages to break the chain just in time to avoid a fatal blow. However, the wolf was not completely unharmed from this encounter, I was able to glace one of its eyes. It should no longer be able to see out it, the odds are shifting in my favour.
Before I could register anything, the wolf howled making my legs weaken a bit. The wolf's howl was so loud I also almost lost my balance from the shockwaves it generated. Arrogance is not going to win me this battle. I need to calm down and plan out my next attack.
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The wolf lunges at me baring its sharp fangs at me. I use a roundhouse kick to send the wolf's body into the cave wall. While the wolf is still recovering from the impact, I throw one of my knifes straight at it, I was aiming for its last functional, but I miss my intended target quite significantly, only managing to grace its side, angering it further.
This fight is harder than I thought it would be. I wish I could just fire of my spirit sword to end the fight instantly but, Istill don't understand how it works and I lack the ability to control it. I use bind monster in an attempt to create an opening. The wolf sees it coming and jumps away from my chains, unfortunately for the wolf I expected this and stood exactly where it is about to land. In the air, the wolf is defenceless. Taking advantage of this, I swing my sword directly at its neck. Its head comes off and rolls to the floor. I stand to look at its lifeless drenched in sweat proud of my achievement in slight uneasiness. For the first time in many years, I feel true joy.
Overcome by the joy I start to jump around a bit, but my celebration is cut short by a sudden noise that is unmistakably footsteps. Another challenger approaches, it is a wolf it is much smaller than the last one. It charges at me much faster than the first wolf. Using my fast reaction, I manage to block it with my sword just in time and push it back. I underestimated it at first because of its size, but it seems that it more than makes up for it with its killer speed.
It goes for another bite, I proceed to block with my sword again. After I push it off I go for a counterattack, but the wolf speed far surpasses mine and it is able to avoid the blade with ease. This wolf may be fast but it has a weakness— its blows are light. I can block its attacks infinitely, I continue to block attack after attack, darn this starting to turn into a stalemate.
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Then I realize the mistake with not thinking. My stamina may run out first. I need to do something soon. Panicked, I come up with a plan. It is risky, but I believe it gives me the strongest chance to win.
The wolf lunges at me with the intention of either killing me or severely injuring me and instead of blocking I let its fang sink into my shoulder wincing at the intense pain. I throw down my sword and then wrap my arms around the wolf's body. I cast bind monster and since the chains only affect monsters, they pass right through my body and pin down the wolf. It struggles, but it is no us. It lacks the power needed to break even my weak chains. I pick up my sword to put an end to this battle as I did to his 'friend' I took his head off.
Now it's time to collect my loot from the two wolves. First off I absorb the cores and rise to level 11. I then proceed to skin the animals and collect their fangs. I thought I was mentally prepared to skin an animal, but it is a whole lot grosser in person. I felt like throwing up. Luckily, my wound is not that deep so I can still move around freely. Perhaps, I should rest soon from travelling and fight I am tired.
Using wood from my bag and stone and flint from the cave, I create a make-shift campfire. After the fire gets warm enough I begin to roast the remains of the wolfs I killed over the fire, and hopefully, the meat is not poisonous or anything like that. I mean how lame would it be for a hero to be done in by bad meat. Eventually, the meat is fully cooked and I 'wolf' it down with some water I packed. Haha... I'm horrible.
Examining the area, I figure that I should be safe to rest here for a bit and since the wolves are so loud and I could hear one coming from like a mile away. My vision slowly fades as I begin to sleep, suddenly, in front of me lies a familiar white house, in a completely white land.
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