The monsters were getting closer by the moment; if it were possible (which it probably was), they seemed to be traveling at 5 meters per second. I decided not to be nice, just grabbed Impeto and Lumi and dragged them off the "bridge" as fast as I could.
But it still wasn't as fast as I'd like. From the left, after the stream, I could already see some shadow wolves approaching quickly, and on the right, the 'gigis' were already much closer, enough for me to distinguish some of their different hues.
Having already tired myself out with the slimes, I had no intention of a second round now.
If it were just two or three wolves, or goblins, I might even risk it, but with several coming at once?
No, thanks.
Carrying them like sacks of potatoes, as they kept trying to wriggle free and go back to pecking and licking the remains of the slimes and their magic stones, I carried them up the hill.
I only made it a block before the pain in my legs forced me to stop, but not wanting to stay in the middle of the street, I literally jumped into one of the houses, throwing Lumi and Impeto inside without ceremony.
"Urgh."
[-1 HP]
[-1 HP]
'Ugh, why?!. Oh! Yeah, that's why.'
[Condition: Moderate acid burn (-1 HP every 7 seconds), mild poisoning (-1 HP every 15 seconds)]
I quickly pulled another rat from the item box and sank my teeth into it as fast as I could. I didn't even care about the taste, considering how desperate I was when I saw how much HP I had left.
[Name: Fernando Martins
Level: 5
Race: Dhampir (half-vampire)
Job: Fighter Lv. 4
SP: 15 (-6)
AP: 8
HP: 3/50
MP: 27/35]
I literally forgot about that detail when I heard the monsters coming, and only now did I realize how serious my condition was. Thankfully, sucking blood regenerates 5 HP per second, which is enough to counteract the effects of the slimes' acid.
While I was recovering my HP, I could also see how bad my legs, hit by the slimes' jets, were.
In a word, bad.
But not as bad as they could be, considering they were hit by "moderate" acid.
Who would have thought that the thick robes I wore to protect myself from Lumi's light attacks and the attacks of unknown monsters would be useful against the slimes?. Well, not exactly useful, but they did help mitigate the damage.
My pants were ruined, with huge holes that barely held them together. At my thighs, the pants were only held together by a few finger-thick patches that were still smoking a little.
Obviously, various parts of my skin weren't unharmed either, but thanks to my "vampire healing factor," I should be better soon, especially if I had blood.
Speaking of which...
Looking to the side, I could see them both shaking their heads as if coming out of a trance. Lumi kept putting his paws on his snout, while Impeto seemed to be trying to cover his beak with his wings.
"What's wrong with you two?"
"Krroo-kkrroo-kkkoooo." (A strange but delicious smell seemed to be calling to me, and I put it out. What happened after I used my flames?)
"Awwwww."
Lumi seemed to agree. Impressive that I'm almost understanding Impeto's meaning after just one day. Good job.
"You guys can't remember? Nothing at all?"
"Krrookkooo.... Krroo." (A little... Did I eat some of that creature?)
"I saw you pecking at some of the puddle of goo a lot, but I thought you were trying to get the magic stone. But... Yeah, I think maybe you were drinking from the puddle, and you, Lumi, I'm sure of that."
"Awwwmmmm~(T-T)"
'Hmm, if none of them actually remember doing it, could it be that when Impeto burned them, they released some kind of pheromone?. But why release a pheromone to be devoured, when you're practically dead?'
The answer came with the sound of screams from the hills below. Standing up a little, I peered out the window in the direction we'd come from, even with the view partially blocked by overgrown trees, and some rubble.
Even from here, I could see they weren't normal. Goblins stabbed wolves and other goblins alike, zombies scratched and bit at everything around them with more speed and ferocity than I'd ever seen (even though I hadn't seen much of it anyway), wolves used their abilities without any hesitation, adding to the chaos of the scene.
Amidst all this, some didn't attack but rummaged through the ground. Some zombies with greater dexterity would pick up the pieces of magic stones and put them in their mouths (actually they would put their whole hand in their mouths, it was disgusting). Then they would look for one of the slime puddles and stick their heads in there, just like the goblins and wolves.
When someone tried to take out the other, a fight would break out that quickly escalated until everyone ended up dead, making way for others, who would then start the same cycle again.
'A mutual self-destruction mechanism? When a slime dies, it releases some kind of scent that attracts other monsters and causes a frenzy, ensuring that whoever killed it also ends up the same way?'
Well, it wouldn't be impossible. I've seen stories about some monsters doing this. In games too, it's common to have at least one monster that explodes or something like that when you kill it. This must follow the same principle.
'Well, it doesn't seem like a very good mechanism. We can still get by without much pro- No, wait a minute!'
If it were just Impeto or Lumi, they'd probably still be down there, eating the magic stones and licking up the slimes' remains (puddles of goo). Soon, the monsters would be upon them in force, and it would be game over.
Or even if I had stayed there to collect every magic stone and collect the goo they left behind. Things would be ugly too.
'Forget what I said before. It's a scary mechanism that serves to show that being a sore loser isn't limited to humans. Not that ending up dead wasn't a good justification.'
Anyway, with so many monsters so close, I don't think it's a good idea to leave now, and I'm also far from 100%.
"Hey, Impeto, do you mind giving me some blood?"
He looked at me a little apprehensively but nodded and came closer.
Without ceremony, I bit his neck and took four sips. It was only supposed to be three, but I couldn't resist. Plus, it was also compensation for my shoulder, which he'd dug his claws into.
"Wow, wow, some good blood."
I quickly used sober healing to close his wound, and shortly after, a flurry of notifications appeared in front of me.
[Unique skill activated.]
[Resistance gained: Acid Resistance 0.]
[Resistance gained: Poison Resistance 0.]
[Resisted Lesser Charm.]
[Skill: Acid Resistance 0–>1]
[Skill: Poison Resistance 0–>1]
[Gained 5% experience for gaining resistance.]
[Gained 5% experience for gaining resistance.]
[Gained 3% experience for resisting abnormal status.]
[Level-up]
[Name: Fernando Martins
Level: 6
Race: Dhampir (half-vampire)
Job: Fighter Lv. 4
SP: 14
AP: 10
HP: 29/65
MP: 32/50
Condition: little acid burn (-1 HP every 30 seconds).
Str: 9
Def: 8
Agi: 10 (+1)
Int: 8 (+3)
Mag: 5 (+2)
Res: 8
• Unique Ability: Resistance
• Skills: Antisocial 1, Unarmed Combat 3, Item Box 0, Hide 1, Silent 1, Read 1, Clean 1, Herbalist 0, Dark Magic 2, Laziness 1, Swordsmanship 2, Archery 2, Stable Step 2, Thrown Weapon Proficiency 0, Acid Resistance 1, Poison Resistance 1.
.....]
Was that due to the resistances I gained, or was I already going to level up anyway after the slime fight?
It's still a good result. It would have been better if my work had also increased, but I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. If it helps me survive, all the better.
Speaking of survival, I'd better check how many rats I still have.
Ugh, it's strange and repulsive just thinking about it in that way. They have been life savers so far so better to think of them as potions. Fleshy, furry potions, some of which were already starting to smell of putrefaction. Uuuuuuggggghhhhh.
Well since we're in a house, it wouldn't hurt to check if they had some clothes scattered around here that I could use as "cloth armor" right?.
What does it cost, besides a little time?.