I quickly glanced at the health bar of the last mob. Notably, its condition was significantly weakened.
Apparently, it was simply lucky enough to avoid death in this ruthless battle between its fellow creatures.
In a fierce confrontation where every moment could be decisive, such luck is rare.
It was revealed that he was weakened, and he was simply lucky enough not to die in this ruthless battle between his fellow creatures.
At that moment, I made a decision to act. Jumping up and dodging the sharp thorns of the Pink Predator, I accurately aimed my Self-Made Dagger.
It pierced the blue core in the monster's bud like a projectile. In an instant, the petals burst out of its body like fireworks, filling the air with vibrant colors.
"No, I don't need another group of Pink Predators!"
I said with obvious annoyance, cutting the bright petals that appeared in the air.
[ Attention, data processing is in progress.]
This message appeared on the screen, but I didn't feel the usual sense of satisfaction.
The system notification that I had gained experience never came. I looked around the ground, and my eyes caught sight of the remains of the Pink Predators.
[ Pink Thorns]
Type: Material
Rarity: Common - can be used in crafting
Sharp and durable thorns collected from the bodies of mutated carnivorous plants.
Despite their poisonous sheen, they retain their unusual strength even after being separated from the monster's body.
Blacksmiths value them for their ability to imbue weapons and armor with additional properties.
"Even after death, the plant still craves blood."
[ Attention: Applicable to craftsmanship ]
•Weapon Forging
Adding Pink Spikes when creating blades or spears has the effect:
+2 to basic damage.
10% chance to inflict Bleeding (2 HP/sec damage for 5 sec).
•Armor Crafting
Inserting spikes into shoulder pads or gloves:
+1 to defense.
5% chance to inflict damage to the attacker in close combat (stabbing response).
•Accessories
Thorns can be used to make a Thornbush Amulet:
Reduces damage taken from plant monsters by 10%.
Wears a decorative appearance – a necklace with scarlet needles.
[ To create, you must find an artisan or blacksmith in the starting city]
As I read all this information, I felt a sudden discomfort in my head. The information was extensive and sometimes difficult to comprehend.
In essence, the game system was saying that the only thing I really needed was to find an NPC who could help me improve my armor. However, there was no sign of a nearby city on the horizon. This caused me some concern.
Finding a landmark would be crucial for my next steps.
[Attention: You have access to a compass and a map]
A green system message popped up in front of my eyes, bringing me good news. Now, the process of finding a city and an artisan had become more simplified and straightforward.
It was not only a relief, but also a significant step towards achieving my goals.
— And where is the nearest city?
I opened the map, and to my surprise, I discovered that I still had to walk two and a half kilometers to reach the nearest settlement.
This distance didn't seem too far, but in a situation where every minute mattered, it could feel like an eternity.
I knew that time was a valuable resource, and the sooner I reached the city, the sooner I could find the necessary artisan to work with the materials.
So these materials would be useful for forging? As I picked them up, a thing called a dispensary appeared in front of me.
To be more precise, it was a pocket dimension where I could drop materials and retrieve them from the pocket dimension whenever I needed them.
[Attention, data processing is complete]
— What does this mean?
[After fighting monsters, under certain conditions, you can automatically acquire skills compatible with your stats and status]
[ Skill • Spiked Strike • (Active ) Lvl. 1 – received. ]
Effect : a blow with force, while a swarm of small thorns appears, causing additional bleeding damage (3 HP/sec. For 5 seconds).
Rarity: Average.
[ Skill • Petal Fragrance • (Passive/Active) Lv. 1 – obtained.]
Effect: Releases a cloud of sweet-smelling scent. Enemies nearby lose -5% defense for 3 sec.
Use: Suitable for scouts or assassins.
Rarity: Low.
— I am grateful for the new skills. But what about the new level?
But the system, as always, remained silent. I understood that I needed to move on, that stagnation was not my way.
The new skills that appeared required attention, and I decided to use them on my way to the city.
On the way to the goal, I encountered a group of Pink Predators. Their level was only the first, but that didn't detract from their threat.
I activated the [Spiked Strike] skill, which was a new addition to my arsenal. At that moment, small, floating spikes appeared on my wrist, swirling like a whirlwind towards my Self-made Dagger.
I felt the energy emanating from the spikes filling me with confidence.
Small, sparkling spikes suddenly appeared on my wrist, swirling like a whirlwind towards the dagger in my hand.
I unleashed this unusual skill on two nearby monsters. The spikes instantly pierced their flesh, causing the Pink Predators to gain the [Bleeding] effect.
Soaked in pain and exhaustion, both of them crumbled instantly, disappearing without a trace.
"Of course they crumbled quickly, they were only level 1! Is there a difference if I punch without a dagger?"
Without delaying my response, I activated the same skill, but this time I didn't use a weapon. I swiftly turned around and delivered a powerful punch directly to the monster's vulnerable core.
With an unimaginable force, the creature flew a good hundred meters, hitting the rocky surface. It simply dissipated before it could even comprehend what had happened.
I had never been interested in learning about boxing before, but it seems that I have an innate talent for fighting monsters without weapons, using only my hands.
Unexpectedly, I was so excited about this idea that I started smiling foolishly, completely forgetting about the situation around me.
—So if my weapons break, I can fight with my bare hands in this game using my acquired skills.
This was an incredible discovery that gave me confidence and inspiration.
Another interesting discovery was my unique skill [Petal Fragrance].
When I activated it, a cloud appeared around me, resembling swirls of pollen, as if it were encircling me with a hoop, dancing lightly.
Unwittingly, the enemies nearby began to inhale it, and an amazing effect occurred: they lost touch with reality for a few seconds, sinking into a trance-like state.
During these few seconds, I could quickly strike and deprive them of their blue core by breaking it.
Taking a serious approach to the task at hand, I immersed myself in studying the available skills and strategies.
After careful consideration and determination, I proceeded with caution, carefully considering and weighing each step.
I tried to use all the techniques and skills I had just acquired, honing my skills as I progressed.
As I delved deeper into the game, I began experimenting with different combinations of movements, testing the limits of my in-game avatar.
I paid close attention to how my character responded to each action, feeling the rhythm and flow of the gameplay.
With each passing moment, the game took on a new dimension, no longer just a series of challenges, but a world where survival instincts were on full display.
"Although it's not a real world."
I thought it was just a figment of someone's imagination - a digital realm where the rules are different, but the stakes seem surprisingly real.
When I looked at the clock in the interface, I was surprised to see that several hours had passed. The sun began to set, flooding the virtual landscape with warm light.
My eyes widened in amazement when I realized how much time had passed unnoticed.
—Three hours?
I exclaimed in amazement. I've never played games for this long before, I thought I was just getting started!
Surprise crept into my voice. And yet the distance to the nearest town remained ridiculous, more than two hundred metres.
I could already feel the imaginary safety where these mobs wouldn't try to attack me and the warmth of the city's virtual walls.
But the ground beneath my feet suddenly shook. Something cracked with a dull thud, and a huge root emerged from the soil, covered in sharp thorns, like a predator patiently waiting for its prey.
Before I could even understand what happened, a thorn pierced my chest. Feeling a slight discomfort, I fell to the ground and disappeared into the pixels.
The next thing I saw [ Save Point]. She returned to the point where she started the game a few hours ago.
—Another three kilometers on foot? Are you kidding me?!
Anger spilled from my lips. My chest was filled with frustration, and my fingers clenched into fists.
Three hours of my life were wiped out with a single misstep.
Suddenly, an icon with a ringing phone appeared next to me:
*Ding-dong*
A notification flashed in the right corner of the screen. It was a call from my brother. The name "Katzu" appeared in bright letters.
—Katzu?..was it possible like that?...
I muttered, not believing my eyes.