What a haul! I opened a bottle, took a sip, and was hit with an unexpectedly sweet flavor. The honeyed taste reminded me of a Sauternes I’d once splurged on during my first proper holiday, a week of overpriced wines that all but obliterated my wallet. I grinned, gazing out into the distant forest as memories of that time came flooding back. Good times.
Lucas touched my shoulder lightly. “Charlie, you look… kind of wrecked. You alright?” I gave him my brightest grin, but he just sighed. “I’m serious—you’ve got a problem with alcohol, don’t you?” He moved closer, pulling me into an unexpected hug. For some strange reason, butterflies started swarming in my stomach as soon as he touched me. Woah, the wine’s that strong?
“My dear mage, now is not the time for doom and gloom. Let’s celebrate our first spoils!” I offered him the bottle, but he pulled back, running a nervous hand through his hair.
“I’ll pass. We’ve been playing for over six hours. I need to log out for a bit,” he said apologetically. He froze for a good ten seconds after hitting the log out button, standing statue-like before his body faded. I shrugged, taking another sip.
<table style="background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 75, 122, 0.93); margin: 10px auto; width: 90%; border: none; border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 2px; padding: 0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; margin: 3px; padding: 5px; color: rgba(218, 213, 206, 1) !important; border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25) !important; background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)">[Attention! You had entered the intoxicated state 1]
[The pain toleration had increased by 20%]</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
“What? Drinking lowers pain? Amazing!” I raised my bottle in a toast to my hardworking friends at the QA department. “Cheers to you!” I shouted, downing the rest of the bottle.
<table style="background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 75, 122, 0.93); margin: 10px auto; width: 90%; border: none; border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 2px; padding: 0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; margin: 3px; padding: 5px; color: rgba(218, 213, 206, 1) !important; border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25) !important; background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)">[Attention! You had entered the intoxicated state 2]
[The pain toleration had increased by 40%]
[Intelligence decreased by 20%]
[Agility decreased by 10%]</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
The ground seemed to waver a bit as my sense of direction blurred. No way I could keep hunting one-hit-kill Goolems in this state. Better find something safer.
After a moment’s thought, I remembered a weird dungeon with Goolems nearby and set out in its direction—or so I thought. But as I stumbled along, I repeatedly snagged my heels on the same root, tripping again and again. An infinite loop of roots! My heels jammed between the same cursed roots at least five times before I finally wrenched them free.
Finding the dungeon quickly proved impossible. I walked for what felt like ages, hearing my footsteps echo as I wandered in circles, only to return to the Goolem hole. My old enemy, the root!
I plopped down on a familiar boulder, waiting for the world to stop spinning. I vaguely remembered an extra payment for finding this place, something near running water. A pond? A creek?
<table style="background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 75, 122, 0.93); margin: 10px auto; width: 90%; border: none; border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 2px; padding: 0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; margin: 3px; padding: 5px; color: rgba(218, 213, 206, 1) !important; border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25) !important; background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)">[Attention! You had entered the intoxicated state 1]</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
I wandered, a little more clear-headed, until I heard a stream and followed it until I found the… let’s say thirteenth most beautiful waterfall. Okay, I couldn’t check the ranking in a sightseeing guide, because Ricky probably didn’t know what Rimelion was, so he obviously hadn’t written it. Yet. I made a mental note to tell him at The Riker’s Luck if I ever got the chance.
To avoid reaching the “thirsty” state, I took a sip from the cool stream, splashing my face to wake myself up. The hunger modifier? Future John’s problem.
After the break at the waterfall, I glanced up the mountain. Thankfully, the north side was full of gray rough stones, so I nodded and started climbing up. My heels were helping me this time, and when I climbed near a resting place, I grew excited and tried to jump there. Guess what? The fall almost gave me a heart attack, and the rocky ground welcomed me in a warm embrace.
<table style="background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 75, 122, 0.93); margin: 10px auto; width: 90%; border: none; border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 2px; padding: 0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; margin: 3px; padding: 5px; color: rgba(218, 213, 206, 1) !important; border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25) !important; background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)">[You suffered fall damage 27]</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
“Ouchie.” I massaged my forehead and quickly cast a healing spell to rack up proficiency points. Maybe masochists really make the best healers.
The second climb went smoothly, and I reached the top with a surge of satisfaction. Gazing into the distance, I could just make out Main Village Number Four, faintly visible about eight miles away, according to the map. A few other villages dotted the landscape between us, but they were designed to be swallowed up by Irwen soon enough. Could I somehow get involved in that chaos?
I spent the next hour scouring the cliff, finally spotting a small crevice nestled between the roots of an old pine tree.
A faint glow from within confirmed my suspicion, but unfortunately, the opening was only wide enough for my hand. “No problem—clever solutions, John.” I wedged my staff into the crevice, slowly prying it open bit by bit. I leaned in, pressing harder, feeling the wood strain under my weight.
With a loud crack, the staff snapped, sending a few small rocks tumbling inside—and, before I could catch myself, I stumbled forward and fell in right after them.
<table style="background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 75, 122, 0.93); margin: 10px auto; width: 90%; border: none; border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 2px; padding: 0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; margin: 3px; padding: 5px; color: rgba(218, 213, 206, 1) !important; border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25) !important; background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)">[You suffered fall damage 17]
[You found ‘Goolem factory dungeon,’ stage 3]</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Yes! I jumped up, fist-pumping in quiet celebration, though I squinted as my eyes adjusted to the dim light. The air was stale and warm, weighing heavily on me. I found myself in a small side room, barely furnished with a broken table and two half-functional chairs.
Good job, devs—what an entrance, right? I laughed to myself, knowing full well that the AI would eventually patch exploits like this. But for now, I’d gladly skip the tedious stages of the Scorching Dungeon. Maybe there’s a way to slip into Lisa’s group for this run?
Moving carefully, I reminded myself that stealth was crucial. One small Goolem was manageable if I pushed myself, but anything more would be a death sentence—and a brutal twenty-four-hour wait to respawn. As I crept into the hallway, the floorboards beneath me creaked, their old wooden beams groaning with each step.
<table style="background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 75, 122, 0.93); margin: 10px auto; width: 90%; border: none; border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 2px; padding: 0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; margin: 3px; padding: 5px; color: rgba(218, 213, 206, 1) !important; border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25) !important; background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)">[Goolem Lv.5]
Type: 1-common | HP: 100/100</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
For a moment, I considered digging another hole, but thought better of it. I couldn’t guarantee these Goolems wouldn’t climb—only the wild ones had been patched. Holding my breath, I attempted to sneak around, careful to make as little noise as possible. If only I were a Thief. At least they get some leeway. But nooo, Priests weren’t exactly known for their stealth.
As I made my way down the hallway, a pebble crunched underfoot and skittered across the floor, echoing far too loudly in the quiet hall. My stomach dropped as the sound seemed to go on forever, rousing a Goolem. No!
The stone creature whipped around and charged toward the noise. Not about to let it catch me, I bolted, sprinting into the nearest room and throwing myself inside—an empty one, thank gods. Just in time, too, as I heard the Goolem’s stone body scraping against the doorframe.
I gulped, feeling my heart hammering wildly.Trouble in a noob dungeon, John, you’re pathetic.
After searching around for a while, I stumbled into a bonus room, where the faint pitter-patter of tiny Goolems scurrying about filled the air. My eyes locked onto my prize: a chest tucked away in the corner, half-hidden behind a pile of boulders. Thankfully, I wasn’t in any real danger—the little Goolems ignored me entirely, bouncing around aimlessly.
<table style="background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 75, 122, 0.93); margin: 10px auto; width: 90%; border: none; border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 2px; padding: 0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; margin: 3px; padding: 5px; color: rgba(218, 213, 206, 1) !important; border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25) !important; background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)">[Little Goolem Lv.1]
Type: 1-common | HP: 10/10</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
As I began digging through the rubble, I quickly realized I’d made a major miscalculation. Even the smaller stones proved a challenge for my weak, low-level body. Sweat trickled down my forehead as I heaved the rocks aside, needing to stop and catch my breath more than once. This wouldn’t be a problem if I were a warrior.
Was I here to clear a dungeon or work as a miner? I muttered to myself, resuming my makeshift excavation with a resigned sigh.
<table style="background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 75, 122, 0.93); margin: 10px auto; width: 90%; border: none; border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 2px; padding: 0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; margin: 3px; padding: 5px; color: rgba(218, 213, 206, 1) !important; border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25) !important; background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)">[You found a secret treasure chest!]
[You found Basic Mace]
[You found Goolem scroll x5]</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table style="background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 75, 122, 0.93); margin: 10px auto; border: none; border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 2px; padding: 5px 15px">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; margin: 3px; padding: 5px; color: rgba(218, 213, 206, 1) !important; border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25) !important; background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)">
<table style="margin: auto">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th style="text-align: center; padding-bottom: 5px" colspan="2"><strong style="color: rgba(30, 255, 0, 1)">[Basic Mace]</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; margin: 3px; padding: 5px; color: rgba(218, 213, 206, 1) !important; border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25) !important; background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)">Quality: </td>
<td style="text-align: center; margin: 3px; padding: 5px; color: rgba(218, 213, 206, 1) !important; border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25) !important; background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)">2-uncommon</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; margin: 3px; padding: 5px; color: rgba(218, 213, 206, 1) !important; border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25) !important; background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)">ATK:</td>
<td style="text-align: center; margin: 3px; padding: 5px; color: rgba(218, 213, 206, 1) !important; border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25) !important; background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)">6-8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; margin: 3px; padding: 5px; color: rgba(218, 213, 206, 1) !important; border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25) !important; background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)">Restriction:</td>
<td style="text-align: center; margin: 3px; padding: 5px; color: rgba(218, 213, 206, 1) !important; border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25) !important; background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)">Level 5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; margin: 3px; padding: 5px; color: rgba(218, 213, 206, 1) !important; border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25) !important; background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)">Effects:</td>
<td style="text-align: center; margin: 3px; padding: 5px; color: rgba(218, 213, 206, 1) !important; border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25) !important; background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)">bonus damage to Goolems 2-3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; margin: 3px; padding: 5px; color: rgba(218, 213, 206, 1) !important; border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25) !important; background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)" colspan="2"><em style="color: rgba(204, 221, 255, 1) !important">Basic Mace sturdy enough to hit a Goolem.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table style="background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 75, 122, 0.93); margin: 10px auto; border: none; border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 2px; padding: 5px 15px">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; margin: 3px; padding: 5px; color: rgba(218, 213, 206, 1) !important; border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25) !important; background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)">
<table style="margin: auto">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th style="text-align: center; padding-bottom: 5px" colspan="2"><strong style="color: rgba(255, 117, 186, 1)">[Goolem scroll]</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; margin: 3px; padding: 5px; color: rgba(218, 213, 206, 1) !important; border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25) !important; background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)">Quality: </td>
<td style="text-align: center; margin: 3px; padding: 5px; color: rgba(218, 213, 206, 1) !important; border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25) !important; background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)">4-exceptional</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; margin: 3px; padding: 5px; color: rgba(218, 213, 206, 1) !important; border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25) !important; background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)" colspan="2"><em style="color: rgba(204, 221, 255, 1) !important"> Grants temporarily (10 minutes) Goolem disguise. The Goolems won’t attack unless provoked.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Yes! The system had already identified the items—the perk of chest loot over monster drops. Sweet. But my excitement dimmed when I saw there was no staff. Instead, I had a mace, which would deal measly one damage since I didn’t meet the level requirements. Well, better than nothing.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
With a newfound, if slightly shaky, confidence, I strode back to the hallway, gripping the mace tightly and aiming it at the Goolem. “Come at me, you little rock! You’re nothing but a pebble in my eyes!”
My taunt did the trick. The Goolem shot toward me, closing the distance in an instant and slamming into my abdomen. Ouch! The pain hit like a sledgehammer, and I let out a scream, as if a sadistic dentist had jabbed my entire core. Even through the agony, I pulled out the scroll, fumbling as I activated it, though I couldn’t hold back the scream ripping from my throat.
<table style="background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 75, 122, 0.93); margin: 10px auto; width: 90%; border: none; border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 2px; padding: 0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; margin: 3px; padding: 5px; color: rgba(218, 213, 206, 1) !important; border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25) !important; background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)">[You lost 6 HP.]
[You have used the Goolem scroll, you are now disguised.]
[You lost 1 HP.]</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Activating the scroll mid-fight threw the Goolem’s AI for a loop. After each hit, it seemed to forget its purpose, freezing in place for a solid five seconds—like Lucas without his precious energy drink—before swinging again. The best part? Each bash only dealt a single point of damage. This exploit was an old classic, but if it worked, why not use it? Even if it still hurts.
Goolem bashed at me with a glee.
Damn! Hurts like a hangover.
With this trick, the Goolem kept chipping away at me for 1 HP, which I could out-heal... mostly. I retaliated with my own mighty 1-damage swings from the mace. Out-heal might’ve been an optimistic term; I succeeded with my healing spell maybe once every three attempts.
Stupid magic system. Tougher than figuring out barroom puzzles.
Gritting my teeth, I reached for my trusty wine mid-fight, downing it to dull the pain. As the intoxication level hit 2, the aches dulled to something like walking barefoot on broken whiskey bottles.
In the end, the Goolem rewarded me with a measly 8 XP—a far cry from the glorious 300 XP, but at least I was stacking proficiency points with each heal. Except for the relentless pain. Wait. Am I becoming a masochist?
With that troubling thought, I made the most of my situation. Running around the hallway like a madwoman, I took on Goolems left and right, embracing each hit, each crack of stone against my knees and abdomen—all for those sweet XP and proficiency points. When the scroll timer ticked down, I activated another one, ready to keep the cycle going.
With a triumphant grin, I smashed the last Goolem’s head, watching as it cracked and rolled across the stone floor. My excitement waned quickly, though, as I looked at the empty ground. Not a single item drop. All that work, and no loot? And the XP gain wasn’t exactly inspiring either.
<table style="background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 75, 122, 0.93); margin: 10px auto; width: 90%; border: none; border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 2px; padding: 0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; margin: 3px; padding: 5px; color: rgba(218, 213, 206, 1) !important; border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25) !important; background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)">[XP to the next level: 272/450]</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
With only three scrolls left and the timer still ticking down, I took a deep breath and stepped into the boss’s room. The cavern opened up before me, vast and shadowed, the air thick and stale. At its center stood the boss: a massive, motionless Goolem, looming taller than me and radiating an ominous presence. The developers had given it a bright, angry red hue—because he’s angry, of course. How original.
<table style="background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 75, 122, 0.93); margin: 10px auto; width: 90%; border: none; border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 2px; padding: 0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; margin: 3px; padding: 5px; color: rgba(218, 213, 206, 1) !important; border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25) !important; background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)">[Angry Goolem Lv.7]
Type: 4-exceptional Dungeon Boss | HP: 1000/1000</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
I braced myself, heart pounding in my chest, feeling a weight settle over me. This battle is make or break of this run… I stopped walking. Wait, no, this is not a test run, this is… Live server. I took a step back. Is it worth to risk it?
Yes.
With a battle cry, I charged toward the hulking Goolem, my weapon raised, ready to take on the ridiculous monster as a warrior.
Since I could only manage one smash per second, I launched into a relentless rhythm, hammering away without pause. The boss’s skills—[Rage], [Berserk], and a few other dramatic-sounding moves—were laughably ineffective. They couldn’t touch me; each hit only chipped away a single point of damage. Hurts though. Meanwhile, the Boss still stood there like a fool, taking a five-second breather after every hit.
Hello! It’s me, The Exploiter, the glorious tanker! I laughed internally as I battered him; the timer ticking down on yet another scroll.
That was a bit of an oversight on my part. Sure, my healing was technically keeping me alive, but I was forced to attack even during casting. If only I had the skill [Simultaneous Spell-Casting]—or, let’s be real here, if I’d just gotten better at casting by now.
I had to focus harder than I ever did back in my warrior days. It was like solving a differential equation while downing whiskey. My old warrior instincts helped, but without the agility stat to back it up, I could only dodge half the time. At best. So, I stuck to the basics: positioning myself between two massive boulders and timing each dodge to avoid his angry smashes. Yes, his attack was [Angry smash].
When my stamina hit rock bottom, my attack speed dropped by half, and I squeezed out my last bit of mana. The Boss was down to his final sliver of HP when my last scroll expired.
Yeah, yeah, John miscalculated again. Stop laughing Lucy! With no more room for missteps, I downed my trusty wine, feeling the heat rush. Fueled by the sweet intoxication, I attacked with fury, dodging his swinging fists but miscalculating his footwork.
Pain exploded as his massive foot collided with me.
<table style="background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 75, 122, 0.93); margin: 10px auto; width: 90%; border: none; border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 2px; padding: 0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; margin: 3px; padding: 5px; color: rgba(218, 213, 206, 1) !important; border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25) !important; background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)">[You lost 19 HP. Warning! You have only 3/30 HP.]</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Princess, how could you be so confident, you moron! Jumping between his legs, I turned around and smashed his head with mace and destroyed his angry nose.
<table style="background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 75, 122, 0.93); margin: 10px auto; width: 90%; border: none; border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 2px; padding: 0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; margin: 3px; padding: 5px; color: rgba(218, 213, 206, 1) !important; border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25) !important; background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)">[Angry Goolem has been defeated. +140XP. XP to the next level: 412/450]
[You found an unknown staff.]
[You found a strange book x2. Angry Goolem pool: 48/50]</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
“I still got it, bastards!” I shouted and happily collected my spoils.
<table style="background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 75, 122, 0.93); margin: 10px auto; width: 90%; border: none; border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 2px; padding: 0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; margin: 3px; padding: 5px; color: rgba(218, 213, 206, 1) !important; border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25) !important; background-image: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)">[The God of Ice Blood is calling a young heroine.]</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>