The realization that the paths led nowhere but back to the boss door had left a bitter, ashen taste in the group's mouths. The initial despair had morphed into a kind of grim fatalism, then, spurred by the pragmatic push from Renji and Junichi, into a new resolve. They couldn't flee; they had to fight. And to fight, they had to prepare.
“So... we hunt?”Kenta asked, breaking the tense silence that had settled after their return to the cursed clearing. He held the rusty short sword, his expression determined despite the weapon's poor quality. His level 2 and Warrior css gave him a foundation to build on, an anchor in the chaos.
“It’s the only logical option.”Junichi confirmed.“The door recommends level 5. We need to reach that level, at minimum. That means finding these... things, like the monkey, and fighting them. But this time, we choose the time and pce, as much as possible.”
“We use what we found.”Goro added, adjusting the cracked wooden shield on his arm.“It doesn’t look like much, but it’s better than nothing. Haru, those daggers?”
Haru nodded, his hands resting on the hilts of the tarnished weapons at his belt.
The strategy was simple, brutal: survive, kill, level up. They left the clearing again, but their mindset was different. They were no longer prey seeking escape, but novice hunters tracking deadly game in a nightmarish forest.
They retraced their steps, methodically exploring the areas where they had previously avoided confrontation. The formation remained the same: Kenta and Goro at point, Junichi and Haru on the fnks, the others in the center. Renji stayed in the middle, observing not only the surroundings but also the group members, assessing their reactions, their nascent strengths and weaknesses.
The first Spectral Monkey they tracked was spotted by Haru, whose natural stealth seemed even more heightened. He gave a silent signal, indicating the creature perched on a high branch, chuckling softly in the shadows.
“Let’s go.”Kenta murmured.“Get ready. Attack when it strikes.”
They approached cautiously. The monkey spotted them and leaped to the ground, its flickering form rushing towards them. This time, there was no surprise. Goro stood in front, shield raised. The monkey tried to get around him, but Kenta was there, his rusty sword ready.
The fight was still chaotic, but less desperate. They knew the tactic. Goro blocked an attack with his shield, the wood cracking under the chilling impact. Kenta and Haru struck the moment the monkey's form became tangible. The rusty sword left a surprising gash, while Haru's daggers sank in briefly.
The equipment helps, even if it's bad.Renji noted.And coordination is improving. Slowly.
Kenta, feeling more confident but also a bit frustrated by the monkey's elusive nature, decided to test his skill.“Offensive Stance!”He muttered, concentrating. He felt a tension in his muscles, a kind of raw heat, but the effect didn't seem to manifest clearly. Was it residual fear? A ck of understanding of how to activate it voluntarily? Or simply inexperience? He nearly stumbled, distracted by his failed attempt, and had to backpedal sharply to avoid a spectral cw aimed at his leg.“Damn it!”He swore under his breath, abandoning the idea for now and refocusing on the fight.
The battle continued. Junichi gave brief orders, Aiko pointed out the monkey's movements. Misaki stayed back, hands clenched, ready to intervene if someone was seriously hurt, although she still didn't know how to effectively treat these wounds. Daichi remained withdrawn, but his eyes followed the action with less paralyzing terror. Yuki observed, still enigmatic.
Finally, after several exchanges where they managed to hit the monkey during its attacks, a combined strike from Kenta and Goro finished the creature, which dissipated with a whimper.
XP Gained: +25
The familiar notification imposed itself on the minds of those who had participated. This time, no immediate level-up followed for the main fighters. They needed more XP.
They continued, tracking another monkey. The process repeated. Cautious approach, coordinated combat, applying the tactic. Goro tanked, Kenta and Haru struck at the opportune moments. Renji observed, analyzing patterns, potential weaknesses, and the environment.
After defeating this third monkey (the second since they decided to hunt), the light pulsed on Goro's hand.
Stats Updated:HP: 120 -> 140 (+20)MP: 40 -> 45 (+5)STR: 11 -> 12 (+1)AGI: 6 -> 7 (+1)END: 13 -> 16 (+3)INT: 4 -> 5 (+1)SPR: 6 -> 7 (+1)Level Up! Level 2 Reached!Css Unlocked: PadinSkill Acquired: Defensive StanceDefensive Stance: Temporarily increases own physical defense at the cost of movement speed.
“Padin...”Goro looked at his hand, then his shield, a fierce determination on his face.“Padin css, skill ‘Defensive Stance’. Increases my defense but slows me down.”He punched his shield.“Suits me. I can protect.”He seemed more solid, more grounded.
Success, however small, was a powerful motivator. They continued, their efficiency increasing slightly with each fight. They were learning to anticipate the monkey's movements, to better coordinate their strikes during the brief window of vulnerability.
The fourth monkey fell, and it was Haru who felt his mark pulse.
Stats Updated:HP: 90 -> 102 (+12)MP: 60 -> 65 (+5)STR: 7 -> 8 (+1)AGI: 13 -> 16 (+3)END: 8 -> 9 (+1)INT: 7 -> 8 (+1)SPR: 7 -> 8 (+1)Level Up! Level 2 Reached!Css Unlocked: ThiefSkill Acquired: Keen PerceptionKeen Perception: Passively increases ability to notice hidden details or subtle movements in the immediate environment.
“Thief...”Haru murmured, almost to himself, but loud enough for the others to hear.“Thief css. Skill ‘Keen Perception’. I... see details better, I think.”His eyes seemed to sparkle for a moment. He nodded, and his gaze became even more scrutinizing, scanning the shadows with new intensity.
The fifth monkey was their quickest fight yet. The synergy between Goro, Kenta, and Haru was starting to show. And it was Renji who received the notification.
Stats Updated:HP: 95 -> 107 (+12)MP: 55 -> 60 (+5)STR: 8 -> 10 (+2)AGI: 12 -> 15 (+3)END: 9 -> 10 (+1)INT: 9 -> 10 (+1)SPR: 7 -> 8 (+1)Level Up! Level 2 Reached!Css Unlocked: AssassinSkill Acquired: Minor StealthMinor Stealth: Allows for quieter movement and makes one harder to detect in shadows or outside direct line of sight. Light MP consumption.
Renji felt the notification. He took a second to coolly analyze the information before speaking, his voice calm as usual.“Level 2 reached. Assassin css. Skill: Minor Stealth.”He inwardly noted the increase in his Agility, a new lightness in his movements, but kept his strategic thoughts to himself.
The sixth monkey fell after a fight where Misaki, encouraged by Goro, tried to distract the creature by shouting, buying precious seconds. The level-up notification appeared for her.
Stats Updated:HP: 85 -> 95 (+10)MP: 70 -> 80 (+10)FOR: 5 -> 6 (+1)AGI: 7 -> 8 (+1)END: 7 -> 8 (+1)INT: 10 -> 12 (+2)SPR: 9 -> 11 (+2)Level Up! Level 2 Reached!Css Unlocked: ShamanSkill Acquired: Spiritual SoothingSpiritual Soothing: Attempts to slightly calm an allied target, temporarily reducing the effects of fear or stress (slight temporary SPR bonus). Consumes MP.
Misaki stared at the notification with wide eyes, a mixture of fear and a strange kind of relief.“Oh! I... Shaman css. And the skill is ‘Spiritual Soothing’...”She mentally reread the description.“It says it can... calm people? Reduce fear? I... maybe I can help?”Her voice was hesitant, but the idea of being able to contribute in a way other than being a burden seemed to give her some strength. She looked at Daichi, who still seemed on the verge of a breakdown. Maybe...
The group now had five members at level 2: Kenta the Warrior, Goro the Padin, Haru the Thief, Renji the Assassin, and Misaki the Shaman. Each had a basic skill, a nascent specialization. They were still far from level 5, but they were no longer completely helpless. The hunt continued, more methodical, more determined, each victory bringing them a little closer to the inevitable confrontation with the floor's guardian.
