It was a very long name, in my defence.
I decided to do intermediate, after going back and forth for a few moments. The Halbert the Kobold carried was intimidating me.
“Intermediate. I want to Fight Level 8 Kobolds, but only one at a time.”
I began walking down the streets, looking for the kobold and trying to think of a strategy. Distance was key. The halberd gave it too much reach, and one hit from that blade would do serious damage.
A kobold appeared in front of me. Before I could even consider a stealth approach, it had already seen me.
It locked eyes with me and started moving forward — not a mad dash or a frenzied run, just a brisk, deliberate march in my direction.
I waited for it to come closer before unleashing a Mana Slash. It dodged the attack partially and immediately increased its speed.
The spell still did some damage — a gash opened along its upper arm — but it didn’t slow it down. Its focus never left me.
Illusionary Double should break that focus, I thought. The plan was to use Fleetstep to flank it and follow with more attacks.
It worked — but not completely. The kobold’s attention shifted to the illusion, only for a heartbeat. I had seconds at most.
I fired two more Mana Slashes, and both connected.
My aim was true, yet it still didn’t stop. It changed direction with frightening speed and used the length of the halberd in a wide, powerful swing at my head.
I felt the air move across my face as the blade passed inches from me. Any closer and my face wouldn’t have been as intact as it usually was.
I fell back again, knowing it was driving me into a corner, but flanking it was almost impossible. It moved quickly and decisively.
I turned and avoided another swing. What I needed was more speed, more agility. I triggered Arc Lash, and for the first time something truly slowed it.
Creating distance at last, I slipped farther away and finally managed to reset the fight.
It was already wounded so I pushed my advantage, using Sapping Bolt. The Kobold was down but not dead.
I did not make the mistake to move closer and decided to finish it off with a final Mana Slash.
“Can I pause the simulation for bit?”
I needed a moment to go over the fight. I had defeated the kobold, but it could have gone wrong very quickly.
Illusionary Double hadn’t worked as well as I’d expected. The distraction window was too short, and it refocused on me almost immediately.
Long-range spells were the answer. Arc Lash had been the most effective — it weakened the kobold enough for Fleetstep to keep a safe distance, and then I could finish it off with Mana Slash.
I reset the illusion and tried again. The new approach worked much better. I killed the kobold faster, but I still reminded myself that one mistake would mean death.
Satisfied with my progress, I left my apartment to hunt for another kobold. I needed food for the next day, but I wasn’t going after a level seven or eight. I’d take whatever kobold crossed my path — as long as it wasn’t surrounded by too many others.
I took the stairs down and wished I had someone who could teach me how to use my spells properly. I was sure there was a more effective way to fight with them, but for now I was just winging it.
If not for sheer dumb luck and the Simulation Crystal, I’d already be dead.
I walked aimlessly, not really having a plan for the day. By the third or fourth block, I was starting to get irritated with myself—and with the fact that I still hadn’t found a single kobold.
Get it together.
I shook my head and straightened up. Feeling sorry for myself wasn’t going to help. I needed food, experience, and practice, and standing around sulking wasn’t going to get me any of that.
Time to move.
By sheer coincidence, I found a Level 8 Kobold just around the corner. I used the sequence I practiced and nailed it.
I also got two Epic Knowledge Shards. I pondered what I would be able to ask with an Epic Shard. I needed to collect more. That would mean killing more Kobolds and I needed to do the quest first before I go to the next Level…
I decided to call Claire that evening and let her know that I decided to do the quest the following day.
It was early afternoon and I decided to just go home and chill… After the quest I was going to push it more. Get to Level 9 and… whatever came after that.
A little later my Comm Crystal buzzed.
“Jason… How are you?”
“Good man. I just wanted to give you a heads up. I met that neighbour of Sofia. He is a piece of work.”
“That bad?”
“He is full of himself. He likes to look down on others and as I saw it, he will always look out for number one.”
I sighed, “We will just have deal with him when the time comes.”
“I agree. I am glad we are on the same page.”
We spoke for a while before greeting. I called Claire next. We spoke for a while after I told her about my plans for the next day.
Shower, Food and Sleep.
I had a quest to finish the next day.
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first Royal Road chapter of each pair. The second one won’t have pictures. If you want to see all the art together (or earlier), it’s on Patreon with the combined chapters!