Chapter 11: The Struggle for Strength
Chapter 11: The Struggle for Strength
The Blade Mantis stood within the grass fields while eating the remains of the frog.
[BLADE MANTIS] LV.19
HP: 92/92
MP: 75/75
SP: 100/100
Attack: 280
Magic: 98
Defense: 10
Speed: 30
Critical Rate: 60%
Magic Defense: 10
Practicing hard every day, constantly studying the art of drawing blades, it even went as far as sacrificing one of its arms and turning it into a scabbard. It's rumored that once it trains to the highest level, its slash can easily cut through steel.
***
Yuno's eyes widened. The creature had weak health and defense capabilities but possessed terrifying attack strength. That wind blade, it was deadly.
The mantis raised its head when it detected the presence of the intruders.
The piglet had already taken a defensive posture with her body in a rigid position. Yuno swallowed. "Don't be rash," he warned.
The tension was suffocating. The mantis settled into a strike position.
Then,
A gigantic dark shape appeared above them.
The falling rock destroyed the mantis instantly when it hit.
The object, which appeared to be a boulder, moved.
The "rock" suddenly stirred, its rough surface shifting as it absorbed the mantis whole.
Two eyes began to glow from the surface.
---
[BOULDER MUSHROOM] LV.26
HP: 1088/1088
MP: 180/180
SP: 100/100
Attack: 350
Magic: 30
Defense: 200
Speed: 5
Critical Rate: 100%
Magic Defense: 150
One of the common evolution types for mushroom monsters. After absorbing too much stone essence, its body gradually turned into a boulder. Because of its body composition, Boulder Mushrooms become extremely heavy but at the same time gain very high defensive power. Its movement is slow, so it often mimics a stone to quietly wait for prey to appear.
***
Yuno stiffened.
The creature exceeded their understanding by a wide margin.
They needed to leave, now.
The piglet displayed identical thoughts about this situation. The piglet quickly turned to run away while supporting Yuno on her back.
The Boulder Mushroom pulled back its body without pursuing them.
They ran forever until they reached a serene clearing where they stopped.
The place was calm. Yuno stood on the hilltop where he could witness the endless panorama of the world extending in front of him while a large tree created shade.
He paused to observe the place for the very first time.
This world, it was beautiful.
He was interrupted by the system's voice, which cut through his thoughts.
The system functions with natural laws and ecosystems that resemble the ones in your former world.
Yuno exhaled. "Then that means…"
He was nothing in this world, which operated according to its own natural order. A single mushroom at the bottom of the food chain.
The piglet's existence had saved him from death many times.
His grip tightened.
He refused to stay weak.
"System, give me another mission. I need to get stronger."
[Understood. The system needs you to choose between Easy, Medium, and Hard levels.]
Yuno didn't hesitate. "Fortune favors the bold. I'll take Hard."
[The mission requires the defeat of one of the Four Heavenly Generals located within the Tempest Grassland.]
Yuno froze.
"...Huh?"
The system delivered the mission information in a composed manner.
His mushroom body trembled.
"...I take it back. Give me an easy mission."
[System Notification]
📜 New Missions Received!
---
🔸 [E-Rank Mission]
Collect Ores x20
📌 Reward: 100 Experience Points
---
🔸 [E-Rank Mission]
Catch Fishes x15
📌 Reward: 80 Experience Points
---
🔸 [E-Rank Mission]
Collect Fruits x30
📌 Reward: 70 Experience Points
🎁 Special Reward: Inventory Box
---
📌 All missions must be completed within the allotted time.
📌 Failure to complete may result in penalties.
🔔 Good luck, Player!
Now that sounded reasonable.
Yuno started his journey to gather the herbs with a feeling of certainty. Within minutes, he gathered six.
Then, right before his eyes,
The piglet ate them all.
Yuno's vision turned red.
This… this little glutton!
"This won't slide," he muttered.
He attacked.
He attempted to strike, but his efforts were fruitless.
His small limbs made weak contact with the piglet's skin. His attempt to strike the creature felt like hitting a cotton pillow.
The piglet rotated her head while looking at him. Her tail wiggled excitedly.
She thought he was playing.
The piglet reacted to his attack by tossing him into the air.
For the next few hours, Yuno suffered as the pig happily "played" with him.
The team finished their additional tasks after the piglet ate all their mission objectives and they gathered 30 fruits. The Inventory Box reward from this mission came at a steep price for Yuno.
His exhausted state stopped him from progressing past Level 9.
The piglet satisfied itself with eating all its mission objectives before falling asleep in a contented state.
Yuno rested next to her in complete defeat.
"...This world is cruel."
The night was calm, with a cool breeze gently swaying the tall grass around them. Yuno, feeling the exhaustion from the day's events, finally had a moment to breathe. Piggy had already curled up, snoring peacefully after a long day of hunting. However, rather than resting, Yuno saw this as an opportunity.
"I should take this chance to complete another mission while she's asleep," Yuno thought, his determination flaring. Opening the system menu, he requested a new mission. The system quickly responded, presenting him with a task:
---
🔹 [E-Rank Mission]
Absorb All Collected Items
📌 Reward: 200 Experience Points
📌 Items Required:
• 🍎 Fruits (0/30)
• 🐟 Fish (0/15)
• 🪨 Ores (0/20)
🎁 Special Reward: Exclusive Ability x1
---
An exclusive ability? That instantly caught his attention. His excitement grew as he imagined what kind of ability it could be. If it could help him become stronger, it was worth any effort.
"This should be simple. I just need to absorb everything I collected today," Yuno mumbled. Carefully, he accessed his inventory and started pulling out the items one by one.
The moment he did, Piggy's ears twitched, and her nose wriggled as if catching a delicious scent. Her eyes snapped open, her tail wagging furiously as she stared at the items Yuno had placed in front of him.