Nilbog walked through the forest difficulty, ignoring the soreness and bruises growing on his body. He kept his eyes peeled, avoiding monsters and other parties.

Even for Nilbog’s inexperienced eye, their tracks were easy to find. Broken leaves and branches paved the way, and when there weren’t any leaves littering the floor the footprints were clearly seen.

It was a disadvantage for the ones in the lead, as their tracks would be easily followed, but only if the other team had ranged attacks and was capable of sneaking towards absently minded opponents. In addition, compared to those that would stalk the edges and would only have to worry about a few directions, those at the lead would end up being surrounded on all sides. But if that was the case, why lead at all?

Orbs Nilbog’s noted. While searching for his teammates, he had found two white orbs, one for recovering 10% MAX HP and Life Force, while the other for 10% MAX STM and Overall STM, hidden behind a tree. Most of these supplies would be found first by the leading team. Extra points, buffs, and maybe even weapons and artifacts.

He used them both--their effectiveness would be reduced by half once he entered combat. His HP went up to 108/130, Life Force 117/120, and Overall STM to 380.

It debated debating on whether to use the STM orb, considering it only helped his Overall STM.

The soreness in his legs made the decision for him. Just because his Overall STM was not near 0 did not mean his body would not have reduced performance. The closer he got to depletion, the harder it would be to move, even if he did have STM in his bar.

Looking up, Nilbog estimated that the center was thirty minutes away. The force field was just a five-minute walk behind him. He was probably one of the last people lagging behind. He saw glanced at a few people through the trees, but as they were a far distance off neither parties interfered from each other. Time was too precious to spend chasing.

He felt like he should hurry up. The Pianist has proven to be a stubborn, if not vengeful lady, and was probably on her way towards him.

But the moment he would finish the Mission, she will be there, waiting for him. She had a uniform on. The things she could do...

Nilbog shook his head. He couldn't do anything about that. For now, he simply had to survive and excel.

He sighted two battles occurring as he chased his group, off towards the sides. They were far, but even from a distance, he could see how the battles were proceedings. One of the group had an archer, while the other had some sort of mage.

The archer’s group did extremely well. They were able to pick off their enemies from afar, and they probably started every fight with an advantage. They had no need to charge into the enemy.

The mages group, on the other hand, seemed to have trouble against a group of insectoids. They were roughly as tall as humans, but had long and thin limbs with sharp reapers for arms. Quick and agile, they climbed the trees and dropped from above.

The mage wasn’t powerful. Kinetic specialization, probably, as where his wand moved and tossed a gust of wind and leaves blew into the Ash Goblins, providing distractions and annoyance. Rarely did he use Thermal Energy.

Nilbog placed his bet on the mage’s group. While the archer was useful, he would soon run out of arrows. That group probably wanted to farm the edges and ignore the central, more difficult and variable battles.

The mage’s group, on the other hand, had potential. The mage could simply be reserving his mana, leaving his more powerful spells for emergencies.

Slightly below average, Nilbog estimated his party to be. 663 was their best member with great party buffs, followed by 664 with his superb battle sense. 666, though the highest combat level, hurt his team more than he helped. In addition, they had one diseased rogue that vanished on them.

Seventh Sense activated. Nilbog’s body stopped abruptly. He kept his daggers close to his chest, throwing a quick glance behind him. Nothing was there. He took a step back, keeping his ears at attention.

There were leaves everywhere. Any movement would have been heard. There were trees at all sides, leaving their cover to be the only possible ambush point.

He took a few steps backward, letting his feet lead. He spotted nothing.

He took another step and then felt the world’s weight fall on him. Seventh Sense was a subtle skill, but here it was deadly obvious. Something was there. He gulped, taking another step forward.

“Playing a game of warm and hot, are we?” Nilbog said out loud. Maybe, you know, it will just go away now that he knew it was there?

Guess not, Nilbog thought after the pressure did not abide.

He was about to make a run for it in some random direction when his eye caught something, up in the trees. He stared at a particular tree’s balk, and was not entirely too surprised to have the bulk open its eyes, looked at Nilbog, and then slowly begin to reach for a different tree to attach itself to.

Level 39 Sloth Ent

The thing was less monster and more like four branches attached to a rock, looking like a starfish.

On its four limbs grew more branches, allowing it to both blends in with the rest of the trees or act like one.

His head snapped backward, but there was nothing.

Then he jumped. He didn’t know in what direction, but in the next moment, he felt his face hit dirt while the ground under him shook. As this was becoming a relatively routine, Nilbog’s senses returned to him much quicker.

It a different Sloth Ent, same level. It hovered above him, its limbs stretched across several trees. One limb was poking through the ground, right where Nilbog had been moments ago. This limb was a bit thinner, only a few feet wide, but had stretched at least double the thing’s own height.

Slowly, the sharp trunk detached itself from the ground and retracted. It grew thicker as it returned to the Ent.

Nilbog watched it as it did this, and did not realize he should run until the next time it thrust its limb towards him like a spear.

He rolled across the ground. He sprung up, and as he turned he stabbed the trunk with both of his daggers with all of his strength and momentum.

No penetration!

You have dealt 1 Damage!

Minor penetration!

You have dealt a whole 2 damage!

A couple hundred of those and the thing might notice you!

Contrary to what the notification had said, the thing did indeed notice him. The smaller branches attached to limb whipped at his skin, leaving throbbing bruises around. Nilbog sprung back, thankful for the layers of clothes he had on. He lost 4 HP from that.

Trading damage did not seem like a great idea. In fact, fighting did not seem like a sane idea. As the Ent began to retract its limb, Nilbog turned face and began to step away from the beast.

He got a whole three steps before realizing he had to fight it. Not because it could chase him but because he needs to defeat it. Both for his self-confidence and growth.

If he can’t beat a level 39 monster, then it was doubtable he would be able to do anything later on.

Like the Rogue said, if it’s inevitable that he’ll die soon, he might as well die now and save the struggle. He had the Red Orb, and while dying was still absolutely the worst thing that can happen, it did allow him to take a few risks. It drove the fear away, slightly.

He turned around, facing the Ent as its limbs fully retracted.

What was the way? There had to be one. The Games always rewarded cleverness and punished overconfidence. What was the trick?