A Ruin in the Forest

I swung my axe at the dummy, which strangely never seem to get cut by my axe's sharpness. One, two, and another, the dummy is done for. Even if I don't put much effort on my strikes, the dummy falls down, and I have to get it up again. I should be done with my quest, after having one of these falls down and I should get that buff already. But there is something else in mind right now.

Rooting my foot to the ground, steadied and tightened my grip, and exerting all force I can muster, I swung my axe down and hit the dummy in it's shoulders. Now, it would have been cut down if it weren't for the mechanics of this dummy's indestructibility. However, that is not the matter at hand.

Resetting the dummy by fixing it up, I prepared for another strike.

"[Cleave]—!!" this time with an execution of my newly acquired skill. While this is something I can do already, I feel my body getting lighter and moving on its own, then my arm guided to one felling strike.

It's much easier, however...it feels rather unpleasant. As if I'm suddenly being dragged along. However, it may just be my first time.

There is more to this practice too honestly. While this quest does give me a buff after completion...

~~

One Stat Point in Skill gained.

~~

The Instructor was right about this being exercise. I gained a point on my Skill stat during this whole practice.

Aside from main stats, there are substats; stats that you can't increase by just levelling up, but is affected by practice and repetition. Easier put, it simply goes up the more you do something related to it. Walking, fighting, or even just thinking can increases those stats. There are a lot of stats in the list; Agility, Skill, Sneaking, Perception, Wits and many more, and right now I'm focusing more on my Skill. Which effectively would make me better at handling my axe and shield.

Speaking of Instructor however, it has been a while since I first saw him come out of that shed. I do see him having a stroll, drunk and all but I never was able to catch him again during my late afternoon practice. Perhaps he really does only help when someone is new, a level requirement perhaps? But only for level 1.

In addition, I did get a new commission request. Something about investigating a ruin at North Bundlewood. I am expecting it to be already picked clean, but there might be enemies there with loot so I took the opportunity to take it.

As much as I want to explore right now and discover new dungeons, I knew it would be hard at my state right now. I intend to play this solo as well, to keep all the loot for myself. But I know it would be nigh impossible.

"Alright...", I muttered to myself, satisfied with my inventory. I did buy a few potions, however it costed quite a penny. More so than iron equipment actually. In addition, I haven't sold the iron chunks I found on the goblin's camp either. I did use it for materials to refine my iron axe and shield to a better quality, which I assumed the blacksmith slapped on the iron chunk and made it denser somehow. That is considering how these items got heavier, but manageable at my strength.

I exited the town and made my way to the forest once again. My map, while it hasn't updated itself yet, is rather helpful with navigating where Bundlewood is. Letting me know where it would be with its name written on he map. To head there, I need to get inside the forest and so I did.

The long walk wasn't wearing me down, and traversing the forest with its roots and branches on the way is no longer challenging. Sunshine glimpses through the leaves, brightening the view. I continued on, and I hear steps. It was rather noticeable with the leaves rustling. Then the steps got quieter and quieter till it dimmed down to nothing.

I readied myself, taking out my axe and preparing for an ambush before continuing on. I turn my senses around myself, focusing more on my hearing than finding my way. As long as I can move forward that would be enough.

Suddenly I hear something is released, instinctively I raised my shield and guarded my head. Fast enough, I feel impact on my shield, before bouncing off. Looking down, I see that it is an arrow. Immediately a ran towards a tree as cover, guarding my head with my shield.

"Ack—!!" I feel my leg being pierced on by an arrow, and I limped towards a tree. I really should get leg guards. The tree is not wide enough, those goblins know I am here. But if I can get to where they are, then I should make it harder for them to shoot me.

I charged towards the direction where the arrow was flying from, keeping my guard up and scanning the area as I do so.

There it is, two goblins wielding bows atop a branch, and three goblin warriors on the ground, armed with a shield and a sword. Have I gone deep enough for better goblins? But they're only three.

Rushing, I pushed the three goblins aside with my shield and threw them away. However, it wasn't much of a direct impact from my shield when they had their guard up. Getting thrown away however, they needed to stand up after getting knocked to the ground. That's enough time for me, to jump and struck hard to the tree the two goblins are on, using it to stick myself to its body before gaining foothold on the bark, then making a leap to reach and branch and cutting the branch with a strong severing attack from my axe. Falling to the ground, I landed on the ground with my foot, before absorbing the impact I lower my legs with my hand to support myself, distributing it to the rest of my body. It's quite an imperfect landing, but better than taking all of the force with my legs.

Standing up, I see the branch has fallen down with the two goblin archers lying across for me to pick off. And that I did with a cleave from my axe. Something glinting from my side, in response I tightened my guard and parried the attack, throwing off the goblin warrior. Another one came, and before it could even reach me I struck a punch with my shield and knocked it out, and I swung my axe as it keeled. I rushed to the one I parried and finished the job, striking it while it was down. Then I hear a rustle again. Turning towards that direction, I see the goblin warrior running. Intending not to let it's companions know, I picked up a stone and threw it with all my might.

Now I wasn't much of a thrower myself, but I was able to hit it's shoulder with enough force to stumble it's dash. I was already chasing at this point, and I reached the goblin in no time, executing it.

Is that a random ambush?

I thought to myself while picking up the loot that I got. I did get gold coins, however it isn't much. Around five gold coins on their pockets, and a goblin ear. The goblin warriors did give a fang instead of an ear, I am assuming it might be more valuable.

Looking back into the map to check the direction once again, I found myself around south. It seems that goblin wasn't running randomly. Continuing, I see the trees getting closer and closer to each other, but their bodies much thinner than those earlier. A new area...this must be Bundlewood. Now if this is the edge of the area, then the ruins must be close.

As I move on, I see the trees opened up and reveal an open field. Trees cleared away, then from a distance, I see a glimpse of a broken stone structure. That must be the ruins I need to investigate. Moving on, I walked uphill to see that the ruins is being camped on by goblins.

Goblins again? This forest must be teeming with them.

Without anymore thoughts, I cleared the camp easily given that there were only goblin warriors. It was easy to push and throw them aside, before landing a blow. Checking on their coffers, I found food and some gold coins. There is a few equipment as well, but mine is better right now so I opted to take it for selling. Iron daggers, shield and a sword. I am actually more amazed they choose a sword more than daggers given their size.

I investigated the ruins more, as per requested. But found nothing else aside from broken foundations and crumbling walls.

"Hmm—??" I feel that step just now sounded different. I stepped onto the stone floor, hearing it with a crisp footstep. Stepping another part of the floor however, I found myself hearing something else. Something weaker, but aside from that accompanied with a dim sound of wood shuffling. I look closely to where my foot was in. It doesn't look that different compared to stone. Should I destroy it?

I thought to myself, however I did find it already having cracks. Thinking that might be the opening, I clutched it with my fingers and dragged it. It is heavy, and seems stuck, however all I need is a greater force to pull it out, and that I did exert. Slowly, I was able to rise it, and with that I was able to grip onto the edge more, and exert more force. Dirt and powdered stone start to fall over, revealing the stone plate. And upon taking out that stone plate reveals another secret, a wooden hatch.

Opening the hatch, the strong damp smell of stone comes over. Staring down, the light revealed a ladder down and the ground below. Taking this as an opportunity, I stepped down. Thinking it would have something for me.