After the fight, I wasted no time. I looted everything, leaving nothing behind—not even the meat cooking on their crude fire. "Damn, I feel like a bandit," I muttered, surveying the now-silent camp.
I considered setting up camp here for the night. Having cleared out the slimes earlier and with this being the only Hilichurl camp in the vicinity, it seemed safe. However, their tents were out of the question; the smell was disgusting. I glanced up; the sun was already beginning its descent.
"I better collect some firewood," I said, then paused. "Nevermind, there's plenty here."
I walked over to the tents and, without hesitation, destroyed them, tossing the tattered remains into the campfire. I pulled a tree stump closer, sat down, and smiled. "Now, let's check my rewards."
My level had increased to two, and I'd also earned a secondary class reward.
"System, give me the reward."
Yes, Host.
A series of screens materialized before me. The 'Lancer' option was gone, as I'd already chosen it. Now, only Mage, Archer, Swordsman, Berserker, Assassin, and Tank remained.
I quickly dismissed Berserker, Mage, and Tank; I still prioritized speed. Assassin was out too; I wasn't keen on sneaking around or using small weapons. That left Swordsman and Archer. I leaned towards Archer, wanting the ability to attack from a distance. Ranged threats were usually the first I wanted to neutralize in a fight, and being on the front lines made that difficult.
With that in mind, I clicked Archer.
Ding!A bow has been sent to your inventory.
I nodded and pulled the bow out. It looked decent enough. I then checked the skills associated with my new class:
Skill: Precise ShotIncreased accuracy to land a critical hit.
Skill: Charged ShotCharges your arrow with energy to do more damage.
"Not bad," I mused.
I decided I'd try it out in the morning. I got up from the stump and lay down on my makeshift bed. Staring up at the stars, I couldn't help but be amazed by their beauty. Slowly, my eyes closed, and I drifted off to sleep.
I awoke with the first light of dawn, the cool morning air a refreshing contrast to the warmth of my makeshift bed. My new bow lay beside me, a silent invitation. Today was for archery practice.
I headed back towards the clearing where I'd encountered the slimes yesterday. It wasn't long before I spotted a few of the shimmering, gelatinous blobs in the distance. Perfect.
Gripping the bow, I drew an arrow from my inventory. It felt lighter than my spear, a new kind of balance. I notched the arrow, aimed at the closest slime, and focused. "Let's try Precise Shot first," I muttered, taking a deep breath. My vision narrowed, and the slime seemed to stand out with a clearer outline. I released the arrow.
Thwip! The arrow flew true, striking the slime dead center. The slime shuddered, a ripple passing through its gelatinous form, but it remained stubbornly in place. It would definitely take more than one shot.
I quickly notched another arrow. This time, I decided to test Charged Shot. I pulled back on the string, feeling a subtle energy gather at the arrowhead, the bowstring growing tauter under the strain. The slime shimmered, unaware. I released.
WHUMP! The charged arrow hit with significantly more force. The slime wobbled violently, shrinking slightly, but still, it held together. Not quite enough.
I immediately followed up with another quick shot, then another, a rapid succession of arrows thudding into the resilient creature. Finally, with a final, desperate thwack, the slime dissolved into a puddle.
You have killed a slime! EXP +5
"Alright, this is good," I grinned. The Charged Shot definitely packed a punch, and Precise Shot would be invaluable for those tougher targets. Even if it took multiple hits, the ability to attack from a distance was invaluable. I spent the next hour alternating between the two skills, getting a feel for the bow. The slimes, slow and predictable, made for excellent target practice. With each successful shot, my confidence in my new ranged capabilities grew. This secondary class was definitely going to be a game-changer.
The sun climbed higher, casting dappled light through the trees as I continued my archery practice. My focus narrowed, the world outside the bowstring fading away. Thwip! Thwip! WHUMP! Arrows flew, a steady rhythm against the soft, squishy forms of the slimes. Each hit, whether a precise strike or a powerful charged shot, left the gelatinous creatures quivering, shrinking, slowly dissolving. It took three, sometimes four arrows to bring one down, but the satisfying chime of "You have killed a slime! EXP +5" was a constant motivator.
My fingers, initially clumsy, grew nimble, my aim sharper with each shot. The draw of the bowstring became fluid, releasing arrows with effortless precision. I moved with a newfound grace, sidestepping sluggish slime advances, always maintaining optimal distance.
Ding!Archer Combat Mastery has increased to Lv 2!
A surge of energy coursed through me. I kept shooting, pushing my limits. The slimes, seemingly endless in their appearance, became mere targets in my relentless pursuit of mastery. My breath came in steady drafts, my movements economical.
Ding!Archer Combat Mastery has increased to Lv 3!
My arm began to ache, but the thrill of progress pushed me onward. I experimented with quicker shots, aiming for rapid succession. The air hummed with the release of arrows.
Ding!Archer Combat Mastery has increased to Lv 4!
Just as fatigue threatened to set in, a final, resonant ding echoed in my mind.
Ding!Your Mastery has increased to Lv 5!You have gained a new skill: Multi-Shot!
A triumphant grin spread across my face. Multi-Shot! The name alone promised efficiency. I could already envision firing a volley of arrows, a deadly rain upon my foes. The sun was now high in the sky, and though my muscles were tired, a deep satisfaction settled within me. My archery practice had been exceptionally fruitful.
Feeling confident with my new archery skills, I decided to venture further. My stamina was fully recovered, and the prospect of more experience was enticing. I hiked for a while, keeping an eye out for any signs of activity, until a faint wisp of smoke caught my attention in the distance. Another Hilichurl camp. Perfect.
I approached with far more caution this time, utilizing the dense foliage for cover. Peeking through a thick bush, I observed the camp. Just like the last one, it was a crude collection of wooden palisades, with several Hilichurl archers positioned on makeshift watchtowers and Hilichurl scouts patrolling the perimeter with clubs. The wind was in my favor, blowing away any sounds I might make.
This was my chance to truly test out Multi-Shot. I took a deep breath, notched an arrow, then another, and another, until three arrows rested on my bowstring. I focused on the archers first, aiming for the heads of the two on the closest watchtower. With a silent prayer, I released.
Thwip-thwip-thwip!
Three arrows streaked through the air. Two found their marks, striking the archers with lethal precision. They crumpled, falling from their perches with dull thuds. The third arrow embedded itself in the wooden tower.
You have killed a Hilichurl Archer! EXP +10You have killed a Hilichurl Archer! EXP +10
The immediate chaos was minimal. The remaining Hilichurls, initially confused by the sudden collapses, began to stir, their guttural barks growing louder as they realized something was amiss. I didn't waste a second. I drew my bow again, this time focusing on the patrolling scouts. I released a rapid series of single shots, prioritizing speed and accuracy.
Thwip! Thwip!
One scout grunted, an arrow sticking from its chest, before it stumbled and fell. Another cried out as an arrow found its mark in its leg, slowing its advance considerably.
You have killed a Hilichurl! EXP +10
My arrows were dwindling, and the remaining scouts were now charging, clubs raised. This was my cue. With a swift movement, I put my bow into my inventory, and drew my spear. The familiar weight in my hands was a comfort.
"Alright, you overgrown goblins," I muttered, planting my feet. "Let's finish this."
The two uninjured Hilichurls, along with the limping one, bore down on me. I immediately dashed forward, intercepting the lead attacker with a precise thrust, then dodged a clumsy club swing from the side. The battle had begun.
I wasted no time, immediately falling back on my familiar hit-and-run tactics. The Hilichurls, while faster and more organized than slimes, were still susceptible to my speed. I dashed in, a blur of motion, thrusting my spear into the chest of the closest uninjured Hilichurl.
WHUMP!
It grunted, staggering back. Before it could retaliate, I was already dashing away, creating distance. The limping Hilichurl tried to intercept me, but its injured leg made its movements predictable. I weaved past it, then spun, delivering a quick, sharp slash across its back.
The two uninjured Hilichurls, frustrated, started to coordinate their attacks, attempting to sandwich me. But my dash skill, now refined from countless hours of practice, kept me one step ahead. I feigned a move to the left, drawing one Hilichurl's club swing wide, then instantly dashed right, bringing my spear around in a sweeping arc that caught the second Hilichurl in the side.
You have killed a Hilichurl! EXP +10
One down. Now only two remained: the limping one and the remaining uninjured one. I focused on the limping Hilichurl first. It was slower, an easier target. I darted in, unleashed a quick Multi-Thrust into its already injured leg, then dashed away before it could even raise its club. It roared in pain, its limping turning into a desperate hobble.
Another dash, another thrust to the same spot. The creature finally collapsed.
You have killed a Hilichurl! EXP +10
Only one left. The last Hilichurl, enraged, charged me wildly, its club swinging in wide, predictable arcs. This was almost too easy now. I danced around its attacks, letting it exhaust itself, before dashing in for a final, decisive Multi-Thrust. My spear became a flurry of strikes, ending the fight swiftly.
You have killed a Hilichurl! EXP +10
Just as the last regular Hilichurl dissolved into faint motes of light, a guttural roar, far deeper and more resonant than anything I'd heard before, ripped through the air. The ground vibrated beneath my feet, and a chilling sense of dread washed over me.
From deeper within the makeshift camp, a truly colossal figure emerged. It was undoubtedly a Hilichurl, but easily twice the size of the Lawachurl I'd faced in the previous camp. Its grotesque mask was even more imposing, and its body rippled with raw, brute power. It wielded not an axe, but a monstrous, jagged club, thick as a tree trunk.
A Brute Hilichurl, my mind instantly supplied. This wasn't just a bigger Hilichurl; this was an apex predator, radiating a palpable aura of sheer, overwhelming strength. My previous two fights felt like warm-ups in comparison.
It let out another booming roar, a challenge that vibrated in my very bones, and immediately stomped forward, the earth shaking with each thunderous step. Its massive club was raised high, ready to smash.
This was going to be a real fight.
The Brute Hilichurl was a terrifying sight. It lumbered towards me, each step shaking the ground, its massive club held high. I knew instinctively that a direct hit from that thing would be devastating. This wouldn't be a simple hit-and-run; this would be a dance on the razor's edge.
It swung first, a wide, sweeping arc of its club that tore through the air with a sickening whoosh. I dashed sideways, the wind of the blow whipping past my face. The club impacted the ground where I'd stood moments before, carving a deep gouge in the earth. The sheer force of it sent splinters flying.
I immediately retaliated, dashing in close and unleashing a Multi-Thrust aimed at its leg. My spear struck repeatedly against its tough hide, but it was like hitting a brick wall. The Brute grunted, barely flinching, and swung its club back in a terrifying reverse arc. I barely managed to dash backward, my heart hammering against my ribs.
My "no damage" streak was shattered moments later. I misjudged a dodge, and the edge of its club grazed my side. A searing pain flared, and I stumbled, a sharp gasp escaping my lips. It wasn't a direct hit, but it was enough to leave a throbbing bruise. I quickly regained my footing, forcing myself to push through the pain.
The fight became a brutal test of endurance. I was constantly on the move, dashing, weaving, and rolling, trying to bait its slow, powerful swings. Each time it missed, I exploited the opening, darting in to land a quick thrust or a burst of Multi-Thrust on its legs or exposed back. My hits were weak, almost insignificant against its enormous HP bar, but they were constant. The Brute, for all its power, was slow to turn, giving me precious seconds to reposition.
My stamina drained at an alarming rate. Each dash burned, my lungs screamed for air, and my muscles ached with an intensity I hadn't felt before. One wrong move, one moment of hesitation, and this fight would be over. The Brute, roaring in frustration, slammed its club down, creating small shockwaves that forced me to leap back, nearly tripping.
Another swing, slower this time, but I was already breathing heavily. I dodged, but its backhand caught my shoulder, sending a jolt of agony through my arm. I bit back a cry, forcing myself to keep moving. I quickly pulled out my bow, notched an arrow, and aimed for its masked face. I activated Precise Shot, hoping for a critical hit. The arrow flew, striking the mask with a sharp thwack. It caused a visible crack, but no more. The Brute roared louder, enraged, and charged. I quickly switched back to my spear, recognizing the bow was too slow to be a primary weapon in this close-quarters brawl.
As exhaustion threatened to overwhelm me, I noticed something. A faint shimmer, almost imperceptible, where my earlier Multi-Thrusts had repeatedly struck its back. It was a weak spot, slowly wearing down. This was my chance.
I gritted my teeth, gathered every last ounce of my dwindling stamina, and waited for its next massive swing. It brought its club down in a devastating overhead chop. I dashed directly beneath its arm, rolling just as the club pulverized the ground. I came up behind it, and without hesitation, unleashed a desperate, full Multi-Thrust directly into that shimmering spot on its spine.
My spear hammered into it repeatedly, every strike fueled by desperation. The Brute roared, a sound of agony this time, and began to spin wildly, its club a deadly blur. I quickly dashed back, narrowly avoiding being crushed.
It stumbled, a deep gash now visible on its back. It wasn't down yet, but it was visibly reeling. It turned, its single eye-slit glowing with fury, but its movements were slower, less coordinated. It raised its club for one final, desperate blow.
This was it. I plunged forward, putting every last bit of my remaining strength into a single, decisive thrust. My spear sank deep into the wound on its back. The Brute Hilichurl shuddered, a rattling gurgle escaping its grotesque mask. Its massive club fell from its grasp with a heavy clang, and then, with a thunderous crash that shook the entire camp, it toppled to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
You have killed a Brute Hilichurl! EXP +75Quest Complete: Investigate the Hilichurl CampRewards: 75 EXP, Wooden Club Blueprint gained!Level Up! You are now Level 4!
I stood panting, my spear still clutched in my trembling hands. My body screamed in protest. My side throbbed from the earlier blow, a dull ache that promised a nasty bruise. My left shoulder burned from the impact. My arms ached, and my legs felt like jelly. I leaned heavily on my spear, my vision swimming for a moment. But I was alive. And I had won.
"Holy... shit," I gasped, a shaky laugh escaping my lips. That was, without a doubt, the hardest fight I'd ever experienced. This world was full of surprises, and each victory, however hard-won, pushed me further.