It was clear that the Basic Pickaxe had appeared in Rygn's inventory for a reason. Theonix had been meant to buy it, and he had fucked up. Why did he keep messing up?

Time wasn't on his side. Important decisions had to be made, and he felt that the mine needed to be cleared as quickly as possible. Could he have really spared the time to pick up more sticks for torches or mine more coal when he was with his uncle instead of having to deal with this now? It felt like this entire excursion was filled with unexpected lessons.

What else of his was about to break? Theonix quickly brought up everything in his inventory that he knew had durability.

Moss Gauntlets

Defense: +5

Type: Light Armor

Durability: 12/18

Item Class: Common

Quality: Average

Sell Price: 2 copper

Worn Battle Hammer

Attack: +1-2

Type: Two-Handed Weapon

Durability: 23/25

Item Class: Common

Quality: Average

Sell Price: 4 copper

It seemed that the durability of his equipment was decreasing at a relatively slow rate. That made him question why his Starter Pickaxe had broken so quickly.

Pondering the mysteries of the durability system wouldn't solve the problem though. Without a way to mine coal, he couldn't fill his combustion box which meant he couldn't travel down the right path and finish clearing out the gremlins. However, some of the gremlins did drop coal, and if he waited long enough, there would undoubtedly be a few traveling down the mine toward the entrance. All he needed to do was wait for them.

Alternatively, he could go after his uncle and buy the Basic Pickaxe from him, though that would cause some level of shame—an admittance that he'd screwed up yet again and couldn't solve his problems on his own. It was the quickest way to finish this, but if there was one thing Theonix had learned, it was that the quickest way wasn't always the best. No, he had gotten himself into this mess, and he needed to get himself out of it.

With a sigh, he stood at the entrance to the right fork listening and waiting. Thankfully, it wasn't long before he heard the patter of small feet approaching. The two gremlin underlings that appeared from the darkness Analyzed as blue and purple.

Theonix took a deep breath, moving toward the stronger of the two. As soon as it was within reach, he summoned the Mana within him and held his hand out. An almost imperceivable vibration floated through the air, striking the creature in the chest and inflicting Stun.

The time it took to use the ability was all that the weaker gremlin underling needed to reach him. Theonix grabbed his hammer and swung it at the creature, but the monster ducked, sliding under his defenses to deliver a blow to his thigh.

Level 3 Gremlin Underling delivers 15 damage.

"Shit." Theonix jumped back. The other gremlin had already shaken off the Stun.

Now standing side by side, it seemed that the gremlin underlings were grinning at him, knowing they had the upper hand. They kept their eyes on their prey, bobbing back and forth as they looked for an opening to attack. Theonix was now completely on the defense, waiting, knowing that as soon as he countered one gremlin, the other would swoop in to land a hit.

Let's try this again, he thought to himself, doing his best to hold his weapon up with one hand while he made a fist with the other, then slammed it toward the ground. Again, he targeted the stronger of the two gremlin underlings, activating his Bash ability this time. The creature immediately dropped, and the other took advantage of Theonix's off-balance stance to try to attack, but when it saw his hammer falling(admittedly more from the weight of it than anything else), it thought better and retreated.

Theonix quickly gripped his Worn Battle Hammer with both hands again, then lunged forward to slam it on top of the weaker gremlin underling's head. It jumped back a second too late, the hammer clipping its brow and knocking it to the ground. As it desperately tried to scramble to its feet, Theonix smashed the face of his hammer down onto it again, this time landing a square hit and vanquishing his foe.

Defeated Level 3 Gremlin Underling. 48XP rewarded.

Quest Update: Rid Ponoisle Mines of Gremlins – 9 of 12 Gremlins slain.

The effects of Bash had worn off of the stronger gremlin, and it was in the process of trying to stand. Theonix took a shorter swing at it, just wanting to knock it to the ground again. It rolled out of the way, its claws digging into the dirt so that it landed on all fours, then immediately righted itself. The monster hissed at its attacker, then lunged forward. Surprised by the gremlin underling's speed, Theonix was unable to dodge. With surprising power, it latched onto his waist. Sharp claws slashed at his armor again and again, sending blood and shreds of fabric flying into the air.

Level 4 Gremlin Underling delivers 20 damage.

Not good. Not good at all. Pain assaulted him, and his Health was already more than halfway depleted.

Trying to escape the gremlin underling, Theonix took a few steps back, but the monster had a relentless grip with its legs. It continued to maul his chest, hissing all the while.

Level 4 Gremlin Underling delivers 20 damage.

In a panic, Theonix tripped over his own feet, falling on his back with the monster on top of him. It took them both a moment to recover, the gremlin underling straightening itself and pulling its long arms back to continue its assault.

Theonix dropped his hammer and activated Pummel, punching the creature in its face. The gremlin underling toppled over which gave Theonix the chance to roll away. His flesh seared as dirt clung to his chest. Large droplets of blood fell to the ground when he pushed himself up onto all fours, feeling like it was taking his insides with it.

A quick glance to both sides showed that his Worn Battle Hammer and the gremlin underling were an equal distance away. The only problem was that the gremlin underling was already getting up. There was no way he'd be able to reach his hammer before it attacked again, and with only 42 Health points left, one fatal move could cost him his life.

Making a decision purely based on instinct, Theonix forced himself toward the gremlin underling, shouldering it back over onto its side. As soon as the monster was down again, he reached for its arms. The creature's long appendages flailed at him, managing to scratch his skin and causing him to readjust his grip further down toward its wrists.

Level 4 Gremlin Underling delivers 7 damage.

Not far enough. As soon as the gremlin underling had enough room to move, it swung its head up, sinking its teeth deep into his forearm.

Level 4 Gremlin Underling delivers 20 damage.

"Gah!" A bellow of pain erupted from Theonix's throat.

One more bite or swipe of the gremlin underling's sharp claws and he'd be dead.

Desperation made him lose all rationality. Using the arm that wasn't currently being chewed on, Theonix moved his grip up from the creature's wrist to its bicep. Then he headbutted the tenacious thing. Its teeth sunk deeper, delivering 5 more damage and taking off a large chunk of flesh.

This is it. It's him or me. That was the only thought in Theonix's mind as he headbutted the creature over and over again with everything he had. It grunted when its mouth tore away from him, spitting a clump of Theonix's own arm into his face. 5 more Health lost from the injuries that he was causing himself from using his thick skull as a weapon, but eventually, the gremlin underling stopped moving, its smaller frame unable to handle the impact.

Defeated Level 4 Gremlin Underling. 64XP rewarded.

Quest Update: Rid Ponoisle Mines of Gremlins – 10 of 12 Gremlins slain.

Nothing mattered except for the blinking red bar in the corner of Theonix's peripheral vision that was almost completely depleted. He felt like he might pass out at any moment, the blood loss finally getting to him. If he did that, he would undoubtedly die when the next round of gremlin underlings came.

Mustering up what little strength he had left, Theonix dug into his bag for whatever healing items he could grab. He quickly downed a Potion of Minor Healing, then shoved a piece of Dried Gremlin Meat into his maw. A strange sour flavor assaulted his tastebuds as he ground his teeth into it. Chewing was taking way too much effort, so he followed the Dried Gremlin Meat up with another Potion of Minor Healing.

Theonix laid there as his wounds began to heal, his muscles and skin tingling as he felt the potions going to work. The pain started to subside, little by little mending from unbearable to uncomfortable. Still, he continued to lay there, not wanting to get up. That fight had taken everything out of him both physically and emotionally. His near death was too surreal.

I underestimated my foes again. I fucked up again.

The pitter patter of feet caused Theonix to fly into a sitting position. Fear the likes of which he hadn't experienced since this whole ordeal had begun filled him. He wasn't sure if he was ready to face more gremlin underlings. Not when he was still so shaken from his last encounter.

As quickly as possible, he looted both of the bodies, closing the item notifications as soon as they appeared. Then he jogged down the path that his uncle had taken.