Chapter 8 - Time to Fight!

Jamaal looked around, waiting for any sign of these monsters to appear.

[Ding! Reminder! Please check the rewards of the achievement you received previously.]

The boy shook his head,

"Set up a reminder for later, right now is not a good time. Remind me after the fight." Jamaal responded, the silence of the grass plains around him starting to make him a little tense.

[Complying...] The System responded.

It was then when he felt a slight tremor within the Earth, slowly but surely becoming more shakier and louder.

With this sign, Jamaal readied himself once more, watching the ground for any signs of near-surface activity.

"Boom!" The sound of the ground exploding spread through the plains, a brown scaly worm breaking out. Its mouth split into four sides with sharp teeth all around, it charged at Jamaal.

"Eeeh!" It let out a screech as it opened its mouth wide to consume Jamaal who had by now prepared for the charging bug. He knew he couldn't outrun it, so the teen decided another tactic: To cut down the Worm's head, he couldn't cut his body, the Worm could regenerate it, and pretty fast if you considered how magical beasts were in this world.

He waited and waited, then at the right moment rolled to the side and slashed down at the Worm's body as quickly as possible.

"This was pretty easy," He smiled inwardly, though that quickly disappeared after finding out that his sword didn't even leave a dent.

"What the hell..." He thought, surprise filling him as he was suddenly hit by the tail of the Worm, sending him flying.

"Damn. Damn! I forgot to look at the datasheet. I'm an idiot, why would someone make a plan without having sufficient knowledge about the target?" Jamaal nearly hit himself, realising the consequences mid-flight.

"System! Load up the datasheet for the Giant Earthworms I'm fighting." He said aloud, stuttering as he tried to save himself from much damage when the crash did happen.

[Species Data Sheet:

Species Name: Giant Earthworm

Species-level: 3

Species Diet: The Earthworms will feast on Minerals and meat if there are no minerals in the vicinity.

Species Unique Traits: Can eat rocks, Its teeth can function as a drill to dig into the ground. Echo-location.

Species Possible Classes: N/A

Typical Health: 60

Species Stats:

Strength: 20

Agility: 9

Endurance: 10

Intelligence: 4

Species Detail: The Giant Earthworm species is a species which mainly lives underground. It's mostly passive unless one trespass the Worm's territory. It has brown scales covering its entire body, a four petal-mouth with razor-sharp teeth and feelers which are used to sense vibrations deep within the Earth. This species is not nomadic, it has a home and also has allies in nearby mountains to aid it when things go wrong as well as the ability to summon golems.]

"I.. Se-"

"Bang!" The boy slammed into the ground, dust flaring up as he coughed.

[-20 Health]

[160/180]

"Goddamnit... Why does this have to be like this." He grabbed his battered up sword and slowly walked to the Worm.

"System. Add 2 points strength, 2 points agility and one intelligence. And open up my achievement reward."

[Complying...]

[You will be receiving a reward in 3, 2, 1, 0.]

[Congratulations! You have received the skill: 'fireball!' Enjoy you, weak homeless hobo!]

Jamaal paused, an urge to punch this System silently growing.

"You should learn to have a time and place for this type of humour." He sighed, glancing at the fireball's datasheet.

[Skill: Fireball

Skill Grade: F

Mana Consumption: 2 - 20. 2 mana being one fireball and 20 mana being ten fireballs.

Damage: 5 per Fireball.

Details: This flaming ball of pure mana set on fire is incredibly powerful to use. At least for beginners, This skill is the first of many, it will help your foundations in regards to the arts of fire and help you burn your rage and fuel your might with it. Just don't burn yourself!]

Jamaal glanced at it and summoned one up, the heat causing sweat to drizzle down his back.

"That's... Hot." He murmured, a small grin surfacing as he summoned another one, controlling it to hover around him. After getting used to controlling the spell, he sent them towards the Worm who was nearby. It couldn't sense the boy's vibrations so unfortunately for it, it was utterly confused where he was. It paused, turning towards Jamaal's direction and charging towards him.

"Too late."

"EEHhhhh!" The Worm screeched as the two fireballs crashed into either side of the Worm, scales melting away as it's exposed flesh burst into flames. It immediately dove down into the Earth, the Flames quickly diminishing into nothingness.

"A pity." Jamaal sighed, glancing at his small amount of mana.

[Mana: 10/10]

"Both things are pitiful." He then remembered something suddenly.

"Hey, System... Didn't you say you spawned in two worms?" He quickly asked, instantly feeling vibrations come from his north and south sides.

"Speak of the devil," He sighed, getting ready for the incoming fight.

Jamaal brought up his sword and summoned another fireball, planning to shove it into the creature's mouth so it could be more damaged.

"Eeeh!" The one ahead of the boy surfaced, making its signature sound before opening its mouth to gobble up the teen.

"Nope." Jamaal yawned, enjoying the show as he immediately made a fireball go into a worm's mouth and causing it to explode.

The Worm instantly screeched once more, its eyes turning red as suddenly, rocks flew up and combined into two rock golems, their body was quite simple with there being no facial features nor any features at that upon their bodies. They were only in a roughly humanoid shape and seemed to electrify with magical energy. They took a couple of steps forward and turned towards Jamaal, emotionless, and faceless.

Jamaal meanwhile looked onwards, quite surprised.

"Damn..." He mumbled, raising a brow.

"So it won't be as easy as it seems huh," He sighed, preparing for another long battle as he put his sword to his side and watched the four creatures around him.