ATTEMPT TO RE-ENGAGE SECURITY MEASURES HAS FAILED. CHECKING FOR OTHER SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM...CHECKING...CHECKING...
ASSIMILATION RATE: 2.6%
Torrent
As the Lesserwurm dug straight up, she was able to create an air pocket above the surface of the water, and once she had a handhold in the dry dirt the strength of the current flowing into her tunnel couldn't pull her back down. However, the earth would soon absorb the water and grow muddy, so she had to move quickly. As she emerged just on the bank of the pool, she felt the ground sink slightly underneath her. The sound of running water continued back in the direction she had come, and the water level of the pool began to lower slightly. Her tunnel hadn't been at a low enough elevation to drain the whole thing, and neither was her tunnel large enough to hold that much water in any case, but as the pool dropped a few inches the stream below her began to grow quieter.
However, something in the water began to stir.
Leaping straight up out of the hole she had dug to freedom, one of the carnivorous fish of the pool (the ones Oberon had seen) leaped up! Though it was only about the length of a human finger, its head was rather broad and its mouth, as Torrent soon witnessed, was round and full of snapping teeth as it launched itself at her--!
Asteria, Digbie, Oberon, Mother Rat
You used Magic Analysis III!
This is a monster. This monster is semi-magical in nature. Effectiveness reduced to 55%.
This is a Skeleblin, an Undead of the skeleton class created from the remains of a Goblin. It is infused with magic, but has no magical skills yet. These magics are negative and volatile in nature. It is under the effects of an environmental magic.
You used Magic Analaysis III!
This is a monster. This monster has developed unusual magical abilities! Effectiveness reduced to 50%.
This is a Dire Rat from your party. Since you have last seen her she has developed new skills granting her magic. This is very unusual for a Dire Rat, but her MP levels are normal. This one is unusual.
--Analysis Complete--
Skill Gain: Monster Analysis I!
Gain basic biological information about a monster by actively observing it.
While Asteria fought, Oberon analyzed both combatants. By the time Asteria had been hit, Oberon had finished and now cast a Shield spell to protect her against further attacks. Instead of continuing to fight against the rat, however, the skeleton turned on Digbie as soon as the goblin came out of the cave. As Oberon readied his next spell, the bony monster let out a death rattle and headed for the still-living goblin.
Oberon attacked from above, in the blind spot of a creature already distracted by something else. As his Mana Dart struck on target, just like the Sprite had assumed it quickly pierced the cranium like a broadhead arrow. The skeleton pitched forward, the projectile continuing through the faceplate and taking off a piece of the jaw before its force was spent, and it dissipated before it reached the ground. The skeleton collapsed, lifeless once more...though its remaining bones still felt oddly ominous, as if they had been soaked in something unpleasant.
Speaking of being soaked, however, Digbie and the two Dire Rats might soon hear the gurgle and bubble of a babbling brook. The tunnel Rain had created when she left suddenly began to sink in along its top, and in a few moments the loose dirt fell in to reveal a small stream of water forming along the trail. The little creek filled to its brim, then overflowed slightly. Mother Rat moved in alarm as a tiny trickle, cold and wet, touched her paw and startled her awake. She sniffed at the water suspiciously, then lapped some of it up...until, after a few moments, she recoiled sharply. The fur on the back of her neck bristled, and she moved away from both the stream and the dungeon core, going deeper down a side tunnel that had a slight upward slant.
Was this water coming all the way from the pool?
Mourningstar, Orchid, Ash, Reoth
Skill Gain: Muffle I!
This skill grants you the ability to be just a little bit better at being stealthy, with a focus on reducing the sound of your movements.
”Oi. Rattleskull is dead.” The goblins all jumped, but then they looked visibly relieved when they saw Orchid.
"Mini-boss! Youse alive!" yelled the third of her shieldbearers, hoisting his broken shield above his head triumphantly. But then he and the others quickly lost their enthusiasm as she explained their dire straits.
”It’s not safe in the cave anymore. The monsters have gathered together and they’re going to push the goblins out, or worse. But I know a way to survive outside of the cave. Make weapons, shelter, and food. And once we’re strong enough we could even take back this cave.”
"But dere's more Mobs outside!" protested the youngest of the trio, the torchbearer. "Is, is da ones in here really worse dan all dem?"
"If we climb da trees I tink we be safe from most o'da aminals!" spoke up the other shieldbearer. "But...Crispy and da uddas still out dere." He pointed in the direction Crispy had gone. "Him and four udda gobs. We needa wait for dem!"
"But we already cleared out all dis!" The third shieldbearer gestured around the area they had fought so hard to claim only a few hours ago. "Dey can get to da woods on dey own! I dun wanna stick around and fight dese weird Mobs no more!"
The three began to bicker among themselves, occaisonally glancing back at Orchid as if waiting for her to chime in...
Jason, Ed, Danny, Asura, Momma Slime, Crispy's Party
You used Monster Analysis! Effectiveness at 100%, but this is a brand new monster to you!
Amorphous Slime - Slimes that have a preference for shape shifting sometimes develop a weakened membrane. Their defensive abilities stop increasing so quickly compared to normal slime types, but their shapeshifting and movement skills rise more quickly. These slimes avoid water, as it has a much stronger diluting effect on them. This one is unusual.
--Analysis Complete--
Skill Rank Up: Monster Analysis I > Monster Analysis II!
Gain more information about Monsters. Other analysis skills will further boost the information this skill provides, such as a creature’s capability with magic or its equipment.
You used a Source Crystal!
This is Crispy. He is an adult male Goblin with a Flame-Touched variance. He is Level 7 and roughly 4 years old. Goblins stand between three and three-and-a-half feet tall on average, and while their physical strength isn't to be underestimated, they are much like human children. However, their natural cunning and viciousness is far more vile, and while they can use tools they have a limited intelligence. They tend to form savage tribes with little in common save for the constant drive to survive, and a lack of emotional control that causes them to do whatever they feel necessary to satisfy any primal craving they happen to feel at any given moment. They aren't typically capable of long-term planning and have difficulty with abstract concepts. Crispy is longer lived and more accomplished than most Goblins. He possesses the following skills: Fireball II, Poison Resistance I, Crafting III, Intimidate I, Magic Resistance I, Fire Resistance IV, Use Light Equipment. Crispy is developing the following skills: Blunt Resistance I, Slash Resistance I, Pierce Resistance I, Slash I, Keen Ear I, Magic Analysis I, Monster Analysis I, Faster I. Crispy has the following items equipped: Cane-weave Hat (Average Quality), Vine Belt (Good Quality), Straw Sandals (Average Quality), Torch (Bad Quality), Stone Knife (Well-Made Quality). These items provide him with slight boosts to his defenses, his speed, and his close range offensive ability with slashing damage.
The Source Crystal needs to recharge. 1 Mana Crystal consumed from Inventory.
"Good! Glad we all come to unnerstandin'!" Crispy said quickly as the others accepted his offer. He began slapping his minions and pointing, quickly starting them off back towards their own territory, but lingering just a bit himself. "Remembah! Tomorrow! Just one guy!" And with that parting shot, he was off after his cronies--with a fairly quick step.
If Ed and Danny were truly being observant, they might notice Crispy purse his lips and blow out a long breath. Then as soon as he caught up with the others he took the lead from them, and made them increase their speed until the goblins were practically sprinting away.
While the others had been talking, Momma Slime had done as Asura suggested and begun to slowly envelop Rattleskull's corpse. She started with one of his large feet...and as hair and flesh began to sizzle in her gut, so too did the Straw Sandle he was wearing. It was digested rather quickly in comparison, being made of old plant fiber. Mourningstar and Asteria had already taken his Vine Belt and Woven Cane Headband, but the monster still had a few objects left on his person...although probably not for very long, considering how quickly Momma Slime seemed to be taking her meal...
As Jason began the journey back to his cave and came across the Brawny team's corpses, he began a new chant with the intent of giving some form of rite to these departed souls. In functionality he simply wanted to destroy the corpses to prevent them from rising again...but now, just as he had seen before, something different happened. Again those two rings appeared, each rotating in a different direction...but now they had some sorts of symbols inside them! If Jason had a good memory, he might remember these symbols from the White Void, the moment the Demon King had granted the reincarnators their choices for new life. These same symbols had been on the "screens" of each monster he had been shown, detailing what they were and what they could do. He remembered back then, those symbols had changed, melting before his eyes until he could read them in the same language he read back home. The same language he read his System Messages in. But now, these symbols were unreadable to him.
Nonetheless it was clear they had some obvious effect. When his Rock Spire rose from the ground, despite being the lesser ranked version of the spell it was much larger than before, and differently shaped--broader, and flatter. It extended up into the air, and then basically just fell over flat--in the process covering up the majority of the goblins' bodies after crushing their skulls. The manner in which it did this lacked speed and force--it would not have been suitable as an attack. The looser soil that had been disturbed as a result of the spell had formed a small little pile around the edge of the now-fallen spire. For all intents and purposes, it was no different than a hastily made grave for the three.
Somehow, the changed air of the dungeon seemed a little brighter. At least until Jason turned away and headed back towards his cave.
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