20- Forest Woes

The three of them stood still while listening to Bannon, he was explaining making a brief review of the general plan for this expedition, within a safe spot within the forest. They were right under one of the forest’s mysterious “safe gates”, big wooden structures that somehow resembled gates. Big structures that seemed to be made out of two gnarly and twisted wooden pillars with an inclined ceiling on top of it.

The visage was more like a mockery of an invitation to come into the forest, or at least most people felt that way when seeing such an odd “natural” structure. It was a confirmed mysterious occurrence within several parts of the forest dungeon. Widely used by adventurers and travelers due to the abnormal absence of predators around such structures, regardless of how questionable was the use of non-man-made buildings. They took this opportunity right in front them, right on what was considered an entrance to the forest dungeon.  They were conversing right beside the remains of a campfire, which was most likely used by a group of adventurers that came before them.

Rather than discussing the whole plan, Bannon was going over the little details pertaining battle strategies with their current numbers and skills. Feugan stared intently at the rough draws Bannon was making, nodding in either agreement or acknowledgement every now and then, as Bannon continued drawing shapes with a stick on the ground. Explaining basic “by-the-book” strategies to use when confronting different kind of enemies. Positions and how to handle very specific situations they could face given the circumstances and their current objectives. Bannon would explain, make a pause and then look at Mimiru and Feugan in a cursory glance looking for questions or a doubtful look on their faces, once he felt there was no discernible doubt or any of them made an inquiry, he proceeded to the next possible scenario. Nothing too complex, truly. It is said that the simplest strategies were more oft than not successful enough for a group of amateurs, and Bannon was taking that to hearth, going along with the most likely scenarios. The need for such simplicity was even more important given that there was a language barrier in between them. Even with Mimiru’s “translation” for Feugan, it was best to establish and understanding their combat roles beforehand.

Which was great because Mimiru was practically out of the picture by now. A myriad of thoughts assaulting and distracting her. “How come I had never gotten such a warning from food before?”, “Just how expensive can those red dragon curry meat buns be in the open market?”, “What did those -plus strength/vitality- mean?”, “how could that affect me?”, “Would she loose the benefits if she ate something else during the day?”, “Am I the only one freaking out right now?” and many more questions kept her unable to focus on Bannon’s explanations.

***

Not too long after separating themselves from the main path, following a trail left by monsters, they have reached an open space occupied by one of the targets of their expedition. Green Slimes.

They stopped upon realizing the thread in front of them, looking at each other in acknowledgment of the fight that was about to take place, readying their weapons (and claws).

Their tactic was simple in itself, at the very least it was easy to explain. Yet the key to success laid heavily on their proper coordination. Green slimes were well known to defend themselves by shooting a viscous highly acidic fluid. A direct hit on your body would result on a mild inconvenience and maybe a rash, it was much bothersome on leather armor if left unattended for a few days. But it was best known for the really severe reactions it has on the eyes, resulting in an immediate severe irritation, tears and cries for help. The slimes themselves were not much of a threat, if one was to encounter a single one. The real danger laid on facing too many of them at the same time, which would make avoiding their attacks far too difficult of a task, increasing the chances of such an attack finding its way onto an adventurer’s eyes. Which would in turn, make what should have been a simple fight against an easy prey, to be much than they had bargained for.

The easiest way to handle the problem was in itself quite simple. all they had to do was to split around the cluster of slimes and divide their attention on more manageable numbers.

*Through your continuous efforts you have acquired a new proficiency* Dagger novice skill, acquired

“Not. The. Time!” Mimiru berated to no one in particular, trying her best to maintain focus on the battle taking place. Quickly closing the magic blue information window without losing control of the flow of the battle she was faced with. Grateful that she decided to practice the usage of the magical menus in her spare time, closing the message with ease and no ill repercussions.

“One slime.” She mumbled after dispatching one of the slimes she was facing. Sidestepping so the other 2 targets would be one in front of each other, making use of them as cover, making sure the 2 of them were unable to attack her at the same time.

“Low stance… firm grip… look for openings…” Mimiru performed well practiced motions, drilled into her head in the guildmaster’s training camp. Although she had never actually engaged into any sort of life threatening combat before, the guildmaster made sure all the participants to his camp came out with an unsettling amount of weapon handling experience. Today, her dagger felt lighter on her hands than usual, her movements went much more fluid than what she is used to. Reflecting on this, recalling how the guildmaster had taught her to visualize herself in combat situations and imagine the possible responses and actions she could take, she was handling her dagger far more skillfully than she had done before. She would see herself in her own mind performing a series of actions through combat, but once she tried the same movements on a practice dummy, her body would feel sluggish and she would react slower than how she pictured herself doing it. She always had issues with her own movements when practicing on her spare time.

But not today.

Her movements were short and sharp. A precise thrust of her dagger here, her shield back up between her and the slime she had just attacked, a swift sidestep to avoid an attack by the third slime followed by a well-timed counterattack.

“Two slimes...”

Through your continuous efforts your skills have increased Dagger Skill +0.5

“Oh, the curry bun had indicated something about -physical skill- increase, right?” She thinks to herself, closing the glowing blue menu in a swift motion, with a quick glance she confirms her share of slimes was reduced to a single one without others closing by, a little more at ease now that she confirmed this. One single slime which in turn tries to tackle her with all its gelatinous mass behind an all-out attack, just to be timely blocked with the buckler strapped on her left arm, and then immediately stabbed right into its core. The green slime now turning into a limp mass of green gelatinous goo.

“Three.”

She gave a quick cursory glance around, confirming her share of slimes has been dealt with. After making sure there were no more slimes closing by to her, or any other unexpected threats around them, she then checked on her companions. That was when she saw it, another slime, to her surprise it was trapped under Feugan’s claw. Even with no face, no discernible features to it, no language or even an intelligible message given to her with her monster talk skill, she knew the gelatinous blob was in a fit of rage, furiously squirming under the dragon’s claws.

“What are you doing Feugan? We are supposed to collect a sample from their body, not capture one, we have no means to carry it back-”

“{You got better during combat}”

“Hehe! so nice of you to notice! It’s nothing but the result of practice-”

“{Use your crossbow on this one}”

“I… I was hoping you weren’t going to say that…”

“{They are more plant than animals, better this little blob now, than something more dangerous without real practice}”

“It still feels kinda bad…” She grimaced, the entirety of the offer seemed to make things too easy to her. Even though she knew Feugan was right, slimes were no more than an accumulation of magic and moisture with an appetite, it still seemed unfair somehow.

Now alone, without the rest of its cluster, immobilized by Feugan (and mostly unable to retaliate due to being under the dragon’s claws), the blob seemed too pitiful.

“Mimiru, Just do as Feugan says, you do need to practice using that crossbow against a living target, need to get used to the feeling of it”

“{Can you understand me or not?! Which is it?!!}” Retorted the irritated Dragon while looking at Bannon, which was now scooping up samples from the green slime gooey remains of what had been his share of the fight. Putting big gelatinous chunks inside special flasks, which were a common part of the basic adventurer kit.

“I cannot communicate with you like Mimiru, Feugan. I just figured you wanted her to get some hands-on experience! All my years of experience gives me all this insight, but there is no need to praise me Feugan! No need to look at me with such unbridled admiration!”

“{Is he like this all the time? Is this why you avoid him so much?}”

“-It- is usually worse with women…”

“Yeah! Women cannot stop looking at me while full of admiration and awe! Hahah!”

Mimiru ignored the pointless monologue that started taking place. Bringing out a piece of cloth from her bag. She started cleaning the goo off of her dagger, then proceeding to inspect the edge of it. After confirming the good shape of her weapon, she sheathed the dagger back and then reached back for the crossbow she had strapped to her backpack, bringing it forward already in a ready-to-shoot stance. All in a swift motion she had almost down to heart by now. Looking at the angry slime with uncertainty clearly showing in her face.

She aimed the crossbow at the slime, holding it firmly as to avoid misfiring and hitting Feugan. Even though the crossbow wasnt loaded or even not cocked, the cheap bolts she had would most likely just bounce off his scales if she were to miss. But in her mind she had stablished she would rather not test this out. Sighing in full knowledge that it was for the best to just go for it, Mimiru began preparing the crossbow to put it in use.

Cocked.

Loaded.

Holding it properly.

Her tance was right.

Aim. Exhale slowly and then with a firm grip, squeeze the trigger.

...

Through your continuous efforts you have acquired a new proficiency. Marksman novice skill, acquired. Through your continuous efforts your skills have increased. Diligent worker +1.0! Diligent worker has reached level 2!