Chapter 58: Quill of Worm

Notifications rang in Safo’s mind. “You have killed… You have killed… Needle worm level… You gained … Exp.” In a frenzy mod, as he called it, he rampaged through the crawling foe. Smash here, crash there, rip apart, punch through the flesh, double jabs, a hammer kick… Well, the hammer kick didn’t work. His “weapon” was his gloves and only an attack with his hands was counted as an attack with a weapon. His kicks and pushes possess damage, but it was so low that it couldn’t even hurt worms.

The team was so carried away that they almost missed the spectacular appearance of the worm alpha.

Miloud announced his final warning for everybody to be cautious while facing any alpha. Same as the Mud Boss that Safo had defeated, alphas were on a different level of power than others of their species. And the Alpha Needle Worm wasn’t an exception.

By Miloud’s words, it was level 9 and had 65 HP with 20 damage. It could kill any member of Safo’s team in two or three hits or by two critical hits.

As the alpha slowly approached the smaller worms retreated. They couldn’t surround the player due to the heat from the sun, they could fight only under the shadow of the boulder or at night.

A giant, kitchen table height, and five-meter long worm crawled to the surface. It had no eyes, it didn’t need any. Any vibration on the ground or a sound wave could be caught by his highly developed senses. However, it had a maw, maw full of sharp teeth, it didn’t need to suck on enemies, alpha could munch them down.

On a short briefing time as well as on a long trip to the pit Miloud not once repeated the plan of ‘how to kill the Alpha Needle Worm’.

Step one: don’t move.

“Despite his gigantic appearance and size, an alpha worm can dash for a long distance, instantly ripping apart your limp if not half of your body.” Miloud used to repeat.

The plan was easy - Luna distracts the monster from above while the rest on the ground will inflict critical damage one by one.

Safo, Miloud, and BlackSly were at least ten meters from the worm, completely still. The sound of the released string shook the air, trembling bristles on the worm's body. Those were the thin short hair or else called seta. Using them the alpha worm sensed the direction in which the sound came. With contracting and expanding its wire-like muscles, the worm started to move towards the sound when an arrow descended, hiding itself fully inside the worm.

Step two: Wait for an arrow.

This time it was an arrow with an earth element, as soon as it penetrated the flesh of the worm, it bloated sending torn flesh pieces everywhere. A mini explosion shocked the alpha worm for a second which was the windows that the trio should use for their attacks.

After a powerful shot from Luna's bow most half of the worm's HP vanished in an instant.

[Alpha Needle Worm HP: 33.6/65]

Step three: Attack.

BlackSly used all his strength that was left after a battle with numerous needle worms before the alphas debut. Eight or so steps and he stood close enough to slash the target, which he did and stepped back in a flash. But it was too late.

BlackSly managed to cut an open wound on the side of the giant worm but was caught by its deadly skill. Alpha was able to shoot needles from any part of his body, it happened once in a while. By Miloud’s observation and experience it usually occurred when the worm received the first hit.

A meter-long yellow needle sprang with enormous force right into the chest of fleeing BlackSly.

[Alpha Needle Worm HP: 15.8/65]

At the same time, but a bit slower. Safo came running from a different direction and threw his mightiest punch, dealing a critical hit. He also began to flee just in case of any unpredicted attack towards him. He was a half foot in the grave already after many missed hits from the swarm of worms.

Three critical damages in a row and the almighty alpha was almost dead. In fact, if it wasn’t for his defense he would already be dead. Miloud knew the stats of his team members and calculated every single detail.

Luna, who was at level 9 had 1.9 Strength, making her damage 19. Adding extra x7 of elemental damage plus Agility points for critical damage due to waiting for the right time to strike with tightly stretched bowstring (Agility points = 1.9 + 0.3 from her armor set).

Then an attack of BlackSly with his pocket knife which also was a Tier 3 weapon, with x10 damage. Critical damage from him was expected, considering his momentum. (Critical damage = Strength points + Agility points + Weapon damage. 1.9 + 1.9 + 19 = 22.8)

And finally, Safo’s assault was also a critical hit, but in reality, it didn’t make much of a difference even if it wasn't. (Critical damage: Strength 1.5 + Agility 0.5 + Weapon Damage 15 = 17)

Miloud didn’t forget about the worm's defense which was 5.

[Alpha Needle Worm HP: 3.8/65]

Step four: Finish.

Miloud as was planned stood at alphas face with his ax high above ready for the blow. With a warcry, he plunged the steel deep into the muscles of the dying creature and finished the quest by obtaining the loot from the Alpha Needle Worms.

[Alpha Needle Worm HP: 0/65]

“Mission accomplished.” Miloud grinned, equipping his favorite weapon. Tier 3 Quill of Worm. A yellow needle with black stripes.

“Whooo-hooo!” Safo yelled and sat on the rocky ground to get rest.

Luna was jumping on top of the boulder.

BlackSly sat on the rock smiling and observing young and energized people in front of him.

“So what can it do? We fought so hard for it.” Safo asked panting, he was drained of stamina.

“As you know all Tier 3 weapons have 2 attributes, it can be anything between extra stats, extra damage, or a weapon skill. This particular bad boy is no exception, it has x8 damage, not much I know. But it makes it up for me with its two weapon skills, which suit an assassin very well.

First WS, Hidden Needle, allows me to create, but not launch a needle from one certain body part that I choose. It will have the same damage as the regular weapon. Very convenient in close combat, if the enemy is behind me or thinks that caught me I can hit them with my hidden needle.”

He waited while everyone was nodding admiringly at the sneaky attack and its potential usage in the melee.

“The second Weapon skill, Larva, is the best for me. I can pinch an enemy, it will deal damage close to nothing but with an attack, I will place a larva inside the body which will eat the enemy alive if an enemy will move.” Seeing confused faces he made an example.

“For instance: I pinch one of you and run away. You will chase me and will start to lose your HP. The larva can inflict damage only for 5 seconds, x20 each second to be exact.” Miloud gave a moment for his audience to comprehend the amount of damage that his weapon skill could deal.

Their eyes opened in awe when they finished their math. He could kill an Alpha Needle Worm in two seconds with that weapon. It seemed over overpowered to them.

“Yes, it is a lot, that is why I like it. But it has a flaw, which is not popular knowledge though. The skill can be canceled by any other extra damage brought to the victim. That is why I used to work alone. If I use my skill and someone from my team will hit my target it will cancel my skill.”

“Still, it is a very cunning skill. Maybe you can just inform us in advance somehow before using your skill. Can you shout your skill name before the assault? Haha.” Safo laughed and regretted that they were not in the anime world.

“Anyway, thank you for assisting me with the quest, it was way faster and more fun with you. I gotta go so let's teleport back to the village.” Miloud Ennmar genuinely thanked everybody with a warm smile.

They all returned to the Cilla Village and parted their ways. Luna, Safo, and Miloud logged out, while BlackSly stayed to continue his dark and sad game life.

“It was so much fun, right. I think we will be rocketing up to the next cubes with ease.” Safo woke up from his slumber, he was still in his hospital room.

{“Yes, I had a good time with you guys. Miloud seems to be a nice guy, very smart. However, BlackSly was a bit sad. Do you know why?”}

“He has a complicated life, Luna. Let's call Kutch, we have a party to attend after all. Oh. I forgot to invite Miloud. I’ll text him.”

-----

Miloud woke up in a dark room, he received a text from Safo saying that there will be a celebration party in New Tenga and that he was invited.

“Hop on a ship and teleport here, we can keep on having fun.” Miloud read the message out loud and giggled.

“You are in a good mood today. Would you mind sharing what is so positive you are reading?” A stern woman's voice rang in the seemingly empty room.

“Good morning, mother. Do you remember I told you about a guy who will help me to find the secret behind the Cube?! I think I found a friend.” The grin never left his face.

“I’m so happy for you, my boy. Come, it is time to train. You didn’t forget your dream, did you?”