To run or not to run, that is the question.

Whatever was coming his way was obscured by a curve in the tunnel. The same thought that had passed through Theonix's mind when the gremlin underlings were approaching assaulted him again. If he did run, he'd likely end up encountering other enemies. Putting distance between him and this larger monster might be a smarter move, though. At least, Theonix knew he could take on the gremlin underlings and win. As for this new threat, he wasn't quite so sure.

Theonix turned slightly, preparing to take off at a sprint, though his head remained glued in the direction of the footsteps. Having no idea of the creature's speed, waiting for it to come around the bend might not be such a good idea. Gremlins were fast—typically faster than Dwarves as far as running was concerned. If this monster saw him, there would likely be no choice other than to fight it.

As soon as Theonix saw the creature's shadow, he began walking back from whence he had come. I should have run. He silently cursed his own stupidity. Theonix would likely not be able to make it out of range of being seen before the creature rounded the corner. Another grave mistake in a long string of fuck-ups. Hopefully, Rygn was near enough that he'd hear Theonix if he had to shout for help. Then again, that would likely draw more gremlin underlings to him, too.

He picked up the pace, glancing back every once in a while. Thankfully, whatever lurked around the bend didn't seem to be in any hurry. In fact, it seemed to be slowing down. By some miracle, Theonix was able to make it around the next corner before the creature exposed itself. While he should have continued going, curiosity made him stop.

Theonix took a deep breath and blew it out steadily. Had he just encountered the boss monster? Shouldn't he know for sure so that he could inform his uncle?

Footsteps could no longer be heard. Perhaps the monster had turned around and gone back the way it had come.

Theonix's heart drummed against his chest as he thought about what to do. Silent minutes ticked by while he mulled over his decision. Follow or keep running. Though he didn't want to be seen as a coward, it was better to be a coward than to be dead.

If it is the boss, then I won't have to finish the quest to fill the combustion box to light the other path. We can come back here, fight the boss, and be done for the day. But I'll still need to find my uncle. I can't fight it alone.

There was no way to sufficiently plan without knowing what he was up against. More than likely, the monster had turned around and headed back down the mine. As long as it wasn't moving in his direction, maybe it would be safe to follow it long enough to see what the threat actually was.

Summoning his courage, Theonix peeked around the corner, and his heart lurched up into his throat as he came face to face with a set of brown eyes. There was no stifling the scream that tore through him. Thankfully, the hand that clasped over his mouth did that for him. But the effort was too forced—the pressure too great—and he ended up being pushed back onto his ass.

The serious expression on Rygn’s face cracked for half a second into a chuckle. Then he shook his head and reached down to pull his nephew from the floor. “If ey had been tha boss, ye’d be dead right now.”

Theonix pinched his eyes together. “You about scared me to death!”

“What in tha heck were ya doin’ sneakin’ around? Did ya clear yer side of the mine already?” He kept his voice low, indicating that Theonix should do the same.

“My fucking pickaxe broke.” Theonix couldn’t hide his frustration.

Rygn smirked. “That’s what ya get fer bein’ ill-prepared.” He tapped his nephew’s forehead hard enough to make Theonix wince. “But it don’t matter anyway. Ey found tha boss.”

“You did?” Theonix’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Yeah. She’s down that way.” Rygn thumbed back in the direction he had come from. “We lucked out. Tha mine is newly infested. That’s why we haven’t seen any larger gremlins.”

He gave his uncle a queer look. “I’m not following.”

“Tha boss is just a gremlin mother. Mind ya, she’s more powerful than her whelps an underlings, but nothing that ya can’t handle.”

The second Rygn finished speaking, a notification popped up.

Quest: Defeat the Boss of Ponoisle Mine

Rygnuhdruhr Madguard has ventured ahead and discovered that the boss of Ponoisle Mine is a Gremlin Mother. She will do whatever it takes to maintain her claim on the mine, so you best be prepared. Defeating her is the only way to rid Ponoisle Mine of the gremlins currently inhabiting it.

Difficulty: Hard

Success: Defeat the Gremlin Mother

Reward: 2 silver, 5 copper, 5 Potions of Minor Mana

Will you accept this quest: Yes or No?

This was the first Hard quest that Theonix had been offered, which made him a bit nervous, but there was no way he had come this far just to back out now. When he accepted, the notification went away.

“Speakin’ of which,” Rygn continued, “it looks like ya filled yer gremlin quota.”

Theonix nodded, and another notification popped up.

Congratulations! Quest: Rid Ponoisle Mine of Gremlins has been completed.

The onslaught of gremlin whelps and underlings proved to be a nuisance, but you've cleared your share. You have earned 1 gold and 200XP. You have also received the following items:

Potion of Minor Healing

Quantity: 3

Item Class: Common

Quality: Average

Uses: Heals 30 HP

Sell Price: 1 Silver, 1 Copper each

Dwarven Pants

Defense: +4

Type: Light Armor

Durability: 40/40

Item Class: Common

Quality: Average

Sell Price: 2 copper

TRING!

Congratulations! You are now Level 5! Your base stats have been boosted. You have earned 3 points to assign to your characteristics. Please note that adding points to some characteristics(Vitality, Intelligence, and Strength) will further boost your base stats. You may also advance any 1 skill of your choosing by 1 level.

Congratulations! You have learned the ability Armor Up.

Mana Cost: 5

Cool Down: 5 minutes

Increases your overall armor by +10 for 5 minutes.

Ohhh, this ability would be super useful.

Time to check out his character sheet to see where improvement was needed.

Name: Theonix Madguard

Race: Dwarf

Class: Battle Mage

Level: 5, 17% of the way to next level

Health: 125 / 150

Mana: 52 / 150

Stamina: 105 / 190

Vitality: 11

Intelligence: 11

Strength: 15

Agility: 11

Dexterity: 11

Charisma: 10

Luck: 10

Skills: Analyze Lvl 3; 53% of the way to next level

Two-Handed Weapons Lvl 5; 28% of the way to next level

Gathering Lvl 1; 40% of the way to next level

Battle Magic Lvl 2; 40% of the way to next level

Mining Lvl 3; 33% of the way to next level

Languages: Dwarvish

Looking at his skills first this time, Theonix decided to save the leveling ability for later. Everything was too far along for him to want to waste it.

The battle with the gremlin underling that had almost cost Theonix his life made him immediately throw a point into Vitality. If he was about to face a boss, then perhaps it would be better to toss two points that way, but he had a lot of healing items, so he didn’t think it was particularly necessary. What he lacked was Mana, but using a point to increase his Intelligence wouldn’t increase what Mana he had left, so it didn’t feel worth it. Not entirely sure of what he needed most right now, Theonix decided to increase his Agility, and then for the hell of it, throw a point into Luck. He didn't know if he was unlucky or just stupid, but not much had gone right for him since the day had begun.

After Theonix closed his character sheet, Rygn walked up to him. “Ey suppose ya might need ta do a bit a restockin’.”

Immediately, the bartering screen popped up.

Dried Gremlin Meat

Quantity: 14

Uses: Food. Restores 30 Health over 30 Seconds.

Buy Price: 4 copper

Mine Water

Quantity: 8

Uses: Drink. Restores 90 Stamina over 90 Seconds

Buy Price: 2 Copper

Potion of Minor Stamina

Quantity: 3

Item Class: Common

Quality: Average

Uses: Restores 30 Stamina.

Buy Price: 1 Silver, 2 Copper each

Potion of Minor Healing

Quantity: 3

Item Class: Common

Quality: Average

Uses: Heals 30 HP

Sell Price: 1 Silver, 1 Copper each

Potion of Minor Mana

Quantity: 6

Item Class: Common

Quality: Average

Uses: Restores 30 Mana.

Buy Price: 1 Silver, 4 Copper each

Coin Pouch

Inventory Slots: 1

Item Class: Common

Quality: Average

Buy Price: 2 Copper

Basic Pickaxe

Attack: +1-2

Type: Two-Handed

Durability: 30/30

Item Class: Common

Quality: Average

Uses: Mining, Weapon

Buy Price: 189 Gold, 9 Copper

Gremlin-skin Pants

Defense: +6

Type: Light Armor

Durability: 40/40

Item Class: Common

Quality: Average

Buy Price: 4 copper

Rusted Pitchfork

Attack: +2-4

Type: Two-Handed Weapon

Durability: 35/35

Item Class: Common

Quality: Average

Buy Price: 9 silver, 2 copper

Theonix was surprised to see a few new items added to the list. Finally, mana potions! There had to be some in this gods-forsaken mine. The other two things of interest were the Gremlin-skin Pants and the Rusted Pitchfork. After having just earned a pair of pants from completing the gremlin killing quest, albeit inferior, Theonix was torn about purchasing the better ones. Why couldn't his uncle have found a shirt or some other useful piece of armor that Theonix didn't have yet? The luck of the draw, he supposed. Still, it was unfortunate.

The fact that a Rusted Pitchfork was stronger than his Worn Battle Hammer was almost laughable. A pitchfork? Really? His eyes did not deceive him, though.

Screw it. I have the coin. Besides, this is going to be a boss fight. Not just these weak gremlins that I've been beating so far.

Sucking back his apprehension, Theonix once more cleaned Rygn out of supplies, leaving only the Coin Pouch, Basic Pickaxe, and Dried Gremlin Meat behind. He could have purchased the Basic Pickaxe and finished up the You Know the Drill quest, but what was the point of lighting the rest of the mine when he already knew where the boss monster was. Once they defeated her, they could go home. Besides, completing the quest wouldn't level him up again anyway unless he came across more gremlin underlings to slay along the line. And that would just drain him of potions.

Theonix sold his Worn Battle Hammer, Dwarven Pants, and Dried Gremlin Meat to his uncle. He thought about selling the rest of his coal as well but decided to keep it for future use. Once he was done, he equipped his new items. After slinging the heavy hammer around for so long, the Rusted Pitchfork seemed unnaturally light. Hopefully, his unfamiliarity with it wouldn't prove to be a hindrance in battle.

"Ya should probably fully heal up before we go inta this battle," Rygn reminded him.

Taking his uncle's advice, Theonix drank a Mine Water and three Potions of Minor Mana. The blue liquid inside the small vials was thick and syrupy, tasting of blueberries. He felt no different after drinking them, but a quick look at his status bars let him know that the concoction had done its job.

"I'm ready," Theonix told his uncle when he was done making preparations.

The two men faced the depths of the mine and proceeded onward toward the boss.