Hunt

Three pillars rose from the ground ahead of me. The sound of paws hitting the ground froze just in front of it. The beast in question let out a feral growl and arched its back, ready to run.

{Grey Wolf Lv6}

{HP: 16/37}

I’ll admit, you’re pretty fast. That won’t work against me, not when I can stop you anytime.

As its front paws left the ground to jump, a collection of spears stretched from the ground beneath it and lifted the limp body into the air. Once dead, the stone spears retracted back into the ground and left its dead body limp on the forest floor.

{25 Exp gained}

He-he-he! So adjusting the size really does increase the timing of those spikes. I think I might have stumbled onto something huge here… Oh, I’m getting pretty close to the Duskmaws' domain.

The dense maze of trees stopped a while ago and left open patches between them, almost like the field where the villagers set up their homes. I never hunted monsters at night before, but the difference was immediate. A lot more predators were active at this time, so it made things a little easier, even with my loud approach.

“Skreeee!!”

I flinched at the sudden cry. A second later, I felt the strong beats of air slap against me as something large descended from the treeline.

“Skreeeeee!!”

Its wings and back were covered in a thin black fur, and small, bloodthirsty eyes peered through the darkness. A tail sharpened at the end, that wriggled in a controlled fashion. It was a monster straight out of hell on appearances alone.

What is that thing…?

{Noctourne Lv17}

{Condition: Enraged}

It kind of looks like the Razor Wings I fought in the cave where I woke up. Is this some kind of evolved monster of those? Well, either way, it’s more Exp for me. Pierce Stone!

A brownish-white magic circle formed under my feet as I brought my hands together and summoned a lump of dirt from the air. A reeled back and tossed it with a crushing force that shook the leaves as it passed.

The Noctourne brought its wings forward, and an immense pressure of wind followed its command. The dirt was blown apart by the sudden impact. With a few more beats of its wings, the Noctourne swooped down and made a blade of air towards me.

Crap! That cast time is way too quick–

Even after erecting a wall in front of me, the wind managed to break through and hit me back. Dirt trudged behind me as I fell back a good few feet. Whatever it hit me with, it was strong.

“Reeeekeeeeekeeeee!” It cried out.

The beast whisked through the air and disappeared into the cloak of darkness, nearly impossible to track.

Its dark coat makes it practically invisible at this time of night. What should I do?

I scanned around frantically, but apart from its cackling, it practically made no sound when flying. Suddenly, the heavy beats of air against its wings started up again, and I could feel a sudden pulse of mana in the air.

{Skill <Sense> has evolved into <Perception>}

There it is!

I followed the signal that blipped in my mind and aimed a ball of dirt in my palm. Using the sudden collection of mana, I launched it like a bullet. The beats of its wings erupted into a wave of air, and the dirt was blown apart. I wasn’t sure until just now, but that was definitely some sort of magic attack.

So you’re using mana to amp up your attacks, just like me. Well then, let’s see if you can dodge this.

Spears of earth shot up into the air, about as tall as the trees. One by one, the beast weaved through them. It was fast, much more than I could keep track of. After a terrifying display of speed, it paused in the air above the spears, confused.

{Hide Activated}

It’s not the best solution, but I thought I’d give your little tactic a try. First, I’ll hide my presence, then, using Earth manipulation, I’ll create ammo. Next…Piercing Stone!!

I managed to conceal the drill head with my skill, but as soon as it left my path, the Noctourne had its attention on me. Its body bent out of its way and narrowly avoided death, with only a graze to its shoulder.

It anticipated my attack! Does it have some kind of detection skill, too? No, it might have keener senses than me altogether!

A moment later, an immense wind surrounded me in the form of a small tornado. It wasn’t that strong, but the speed at which it formed was terrifying enough. I thrashed wildly, but phased through its tightening walls with little to no effect. It had me trapped.

It’s good at wind magic. At this rate, I’m playing right into its claws.

As that went on, I noticed my new Perception skill went off. The flow of mana was subtle, but definitely present around me. I took a moment to analyse it and copied the sensation to memory.

{You have gained the skill <Basic Wind Manipulation>}

Alright! I wonder if I can’t use this to my advantage?

I tried applying the skill to disperse the wind around me, but couldn’t manage it. I guess my ability wasn’t as strong as the Noctournes just yet. Not that it mattered, I had a skill I was confident in.

The dirt around me lifted into a dome and shielded me completely.

Its high-pitched shrieks resonated from outside the dome, probably about to attack. Perception activated again and I felt the presence of mana in the sky. This time, it had a more concentrated feeling to it. I had a feeling something big was on the way.

Then, just as I predicted, the dome was broken by a heavy crash of concentrated wind.

The moment it shattered, I threw my arm forward and a clump of dirt burst through the air. The Noctourne swooped down to avoid it and once it was close enough to the ground, a long spear rose to its body and pierced its wing. Two more followed after, then I finished it off with Piercing Stone.

{200 Exp gained}

{Level Up}

The defeated monster's corpse fell to the floor and silence fell over the forest for a while. The path to where I found the Duskmaw before was drawing closer. I predicted I’d be there any minute. Even after all that prep, I still had a twinge of anxiety.

I managed to pick up a trick or two and was currently Level 16. My stats shaped up to look pretty good.

{Myranite Golem Lv16}

Attack: 210

Agility: 20

Vitality: 300

Defence: 400

MP: 150

Two days had passed since I left the village and I finally reached the Duskmaws hunting grounds. There was an uncomfortable silence in the air, the sounds of birds had long since disappeared. I noticed an eerie presence of mana in the air, one I didn’t notice before.

I didn’t sense this before. Is it because of my new Perception skill? That must mean it has something it hasn’t shown me yet, for it to make use of mana.

A large Delwood tree, taller than any other in the forest, rested in the distance. Its roots sprawled across the floor in all directions and from it, small flowers bloomed. As I approached it, the flowers uncurled, their delicate bodies stretched to their fullest.

Beautiful white flowers, with vibrant purple centres, covered the area ahead in a scenic view. I admired it with awe. It was my first time seeing anything so amazing in person, something I always wished to see when lying in that hospital room.

{Dangerous Presence Detected}

My gaze was suddenly flooded with notifications from the system. My focus shifted past them and to the malicious gaze that flowed out from the distance.

Atop the roots of the great tree, the Duskmaw stood in wait. Even without the Perception skill, I could tell it wanted me dead. A true predator.

Even after all that levelling, I don’t think I blame the system for warning me…