Part Four

I finally had a goal I could work for, killing that Minotaur cub. It was going to be an uphill climb, but since I didn’t seem to need to eat or drink, I could fight for longer periods of time. In preparation for my attack I was going to need to gather more equipment and train to get stronger. I figured that the best way to accomplish both at the same time, was to fight monsters.

Which is exactly why I’m fighting for my life, again! It’s starting to feel like this place really wants to kill me!

It started when I ran into two of the maggots fighting each other. They may have been fighting before, but the second I showed up, they ganged up on me. Adding to this was the beetle that kept charging at me relentlessly. Stupid, stupid, stupid! Why does this keep happening?

Whining wasn’t going to fix anything. Bringing the old iron pipe up to bear, I triggered Skanda, and when the beetle got close enough I swung as hard as I could at it.

*Crack……Splat*

Is that an home run or a strike? I’m not completely sure. Either way, the beetle had been firmly lodged in one of the maggots’ heads. I threw what was left of the pipe at the other, while drawing my knife. The maggot blocked the pipe with an acid glob, but allowed me to get close and stab it.

*Geeeeeeh*

With a quick flourish of my knife, I finished off the maggot, and turned to the other. The beetle had stabbed it through the head, killing it immediately upon impact. The maggot must have oozed acid on the beetle, because it was half melted. That’s not something I wanted to see today.

Every time I let my guard down, I ended up in a life or death fight. If I wanted to survive this place, I was going to have to make proper preparations. First up, would be making a safe place to sleep. Up to now, I had been resting anywhere I could, but this wouldn’t be feasible for the kind of grinding I needed to do. If I was too worried about being ambushed, I wouldn’t be able to get proper sleep. That would lead to a decrease in my cognition and physical abilities.

The problem was easily solvable though, all I had to do was make a barricade with the debris from the room. Only problem was, I couldn’t make a proper bed to sleep in. Hm, maybe I can improvise? No? Okay, then.

*Geeeh geeeeeh*

*Splat splat splat*

*Screeeeech*

*Splat splat splat splat splat*

I spent the next two days alternating between hunting monsters and resting in my fort. Thanks to my relentless grinding, I’d made it to E Rank, and acquired many drops. Most were just the same F rank armors that I’d gotten before, but I’d gotten a few gems out of it.

Acidic Throwing Axe

Rank: E

Effect: Adds an acid effect to wounds

Description: An axe imbued with an acidic substance. Causes wounds to continually burn.

Beetle Helmet

Rank: E

Effect: Slight increase in Endurance, Increase in Speed

Description: Helmet made from Scavenger Beetle shells. Strong against bladed attacks, but weak to crushing attacks.

Magic Bag

Rank: E

Effect: Stores items in a subspace

Description: A bag enchanted with subspace magic. Can store up to ten cubic meters of space. Items must fit in the mouth of the bag to be stored.

Out of everything I’d gotten, these three were the best, especially the magic bag. I wasn’t sure how much space it held exactly, but since I had multiple changes of armor, it helped to have extra storage. In addition to the rare drops, I’d gotten three changes of armor, along with two more knives and a mace. I was keeping the extras in the bag with one or two backup weapons on my belt, just in case they broke during combat.

“Okay, I’m ready"

It had taken some time, but I’d finally returned to where the minotaur cub was. If I was going to escape this maze, I had to kill it. Still, this would be the toughest fight yet. As an E Rank, the minotaur doubtlessly had more physical strength and vitality than me. I’d have to use my equipment to bridge the gap.

I’d replaced my pants and armor, as the old ones were both grimey and starting to come apart. I still had the scaleskin gloves though. They were made of a soft blue leather-like material, and had fish scales sewn into the back. They looked pretty cool, and the scales were acid resistant to. Meanwhile, the beetle helmet looked like a bicycle helmet, just a dark green with a pair of mandibles coming off. Honestly, I’m kind of glad I’m alone here, I look kind of ridiculous in this getup.

My plan of attack was simple, I’d start out with one knife and the acidic axe. I was going to throw the knife, distracting the minotaur, then using Skanda, I’d slide in close and hack at its leg with the axe. The only hiccup was that I had no idea just how strong it was. If I misjudged its swing, that axe would tear me apart.

Ugh, am I really ready for this? I could grind for another day or two, get some more practice in. No, if I back out now, I’ll never try, and I’ll be stuck here for the rest of my miserably short life. Something told me, staying in one place too long would be disastrous.

“All right, here goes everything.”

I charged around the corner, intent on a do or die charge. When the minotaur came into view, I whipped my knife at it’s head. This was a move I’d practiced the last couple days so I was fairly sure it’d hit.

“Mra? MRAAAAAAAGH"

Shit! It worked better than I thought possible, the minotaur had been completely taken by surprise. My knife lodged itself firmly into its left eye. However, that left the mino enraged, and it promptly charged me. I didn’t have time to throw another knife, so I threw my axe, which was quickly batted away. But that gave me time to slide under it and gain some distance.

“Mraaa mraaaaa mraa"

Most likely due to losing its eye it ran into a wall headfirst. I used this time to retrieve my axe and draw another knife, and as the mino turned around, its one good eye met mine. I could see a torrent of emotions whirling there, anger, fear, hatred, and pain. Sorry big guy, its either you or me, and I’d rather it be you.

Our eyes stayed locked, neither of us making a single move. Time seemed to slow, as the both of us waited for the other to lower their focus. Finally, whether it was the pain from its eye, or it had just become impatient, it charged at me. I immediately kicked the ground, intent on ending it here. Since it lost one eye its depth perception should be off. This is my chance!

As the the distance closed, I triggered Skanda, slipping into a baseball slide. As I did that, the minotaur swung its axe with near herculean strength. I saw in slow motion, as the axe slipped by my face taking a few hairs as it went by. Thankfully, I had cleared it, and as I passed it, my axe slashed into its Achilles tendon.

“GRAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaagh"

As I disengaged Skanda, I scrambled to my feet flinging my second knife at the back of its neck. Even if it seems overkill, always make that extra effort. If there’s one thing TV has taught me, it’s that an enemy you thought was dead will always get back up.

With the additional wounds, the minotaur sank to its knees. I really wanted to finish it off, but it still had its axe in hand. I just couldn’t risk it. I readied my last knife, prepared for the beast to come at me again.

“Mraaaaaaaaaa"

It shakily moved to its feet, turning to face me. However, I could see it in its eye, it was finished. It had almost no strength left, and it wounds were sapping its life-force from it. At this rate, I wouldn’t have to do anything else, it would bleed to death soon enough. As if accepting that fate, the minotaur closed its eye, letting out a trembling cry. Then, opening it once more, it held its great axe up, preparing for one last clash.

Sensing its resolve, I steeled myself for one final clash. With both a crippled leg, and a severe wound in its neck, the minotaur could bring out neither its ferocious charge, nor its monstrous arm strength. As such, I easily dodged its swing, and with accuracy, stabed my knife into its throat. I then immediately kicked off of its torso making distance between us. As the minotaur grabbed its throat, trying to staunch the flow of blood, its eye was surprisingly clear.

The beast crumpled to its knees, before falling forward, its eyes holding no life. Haaa that was rough, no it was beyond rough. I feel like a bag of jelly that's been shaken too hard. What was with that thing? It was only a cub, what am I supposed to do if I meet a full grown minotaur?

As I ruminated on future enemies, the Mino's body began to glow. Starting at the edges, its body began to dissolve. I’m so tired of this, but what the hell!? Even the axe is dissolving, is that considered part of the monster? It was then that an oh so helpful voice sounded off for me..

::Individual has met requirements to unlock Title: Way of the Warrior. The Normal Skill: Analyze has been strengthened to display Warrior-Type monsters.::

Gaaaah, I swear the system’s doing this on purpose. Don’t just say something so suddenly, you’re so tactless! By the time I was done yelling at the system, the minotaur's corpse had dissolved completely, leaving behind an ornate chest. Oh oh, this is that thing, right? Where after a difficult battle, you get rewarded with loot? I-I-It’s not going to try and bite me, like in that one famously difficult game series, is it?

Since Survival Instinct wasn’t warning me about the chest, I decided to open it. Inside I found a battle axe reminiscent of the one the minotaur used, along with what appeared to be a bracelet of some kind.

I wanted to go check it in further detail, but I could barely stay awake. With the adrenaline from the fight leaving my system, I was going to need some rest. Conveniently, the area around the stairs was free from monsters. I didn’t know if they just didn’t come near here, or if it was because of the minotaur, but I’d take the time to rest before going to the second layer.

Good morning, horrific and terrifying denizens of the maze. I hope you slept well, because I sure did! Mmn, I wasn’t exactly a morning person, but I sure was hyper today. Probably because I had so many new toys. Heheheheh, let’s get Analyzing!

Way of the Warrior – A Title awarded to those who have engaged in a one-on-one duel with a Warrior-Type monster. Grants an increase to all abilities. Grants the holder the Warrior-Archetype. Warriors can challenge each other to duels to the death, with the loser becoming equipment for the winner.

Warrior-Type – Monsters that traditionally seek greater strength. Most are demi-human type and use conventional weaponry. Will prioritize targets that have greater strength.

Momentum Axe

Rank: D

Effect: Increase in Strength, Momentum enchantment

Description: A battle axe imbued with an momentum enchantment. As the axe is swung its destructive power grows, however as the weapon grows in size as well, care is required when wielding

Upgrade Requirement: Momentum Jewel

Warrior's Bracelet

Rank: D

Restriction: Can only be used by Warriors

Effect: Bonus to all Abilities

Description: A bracelet imbued with a charm for Warriors, that traditionally protects them from harm

Upgrade Requirement: Engage in ten duels with other Warriors. ( 0/10 )

Wahoo! I hit the jackpot! Both the title, and the bracelet are excellent gains for me. While I may not be able to use the axe, such a good weapon will doubtless come in handy. It finally seemed that things were going my way.