MTL NOVEL Chapter 18: chapter 18 two monsters died
Kaelith knew he had to be strategic in facing the Level 2 Rock Monsters guarding the cave entrance. Their tough, rocky exteriors and high defenses made them formidable foes. With the urgency of his task weighing on him, he quickly scanned his inventory for anything that could give him an edge.
He didn't have any Skill Stones on him at the moment, but he did have a few normal stones—simple, throwable items he had found during his travels. Kaelith had no other choice but to make use of them.
Taking a deep breath, Kaelith grabbed a stone and aimed carefully at one of the Level 2 Rock Monsters, knowing that even a small distraction could provide a window of opportunity.
With a swift motion, he hurled the stone toward the creature, aiming for a small crack in its rocky hide. The stone struck the monster with a dull thud, and while it didn't do significant damage, it caused the Level 2 Rock Monster to momentarily shift its attention toward him.
The stone had done its job: it had gotten the creature's attention and had slightly disrupted its guard.
The Level 2 Rock Monster, now focusing on Kaelith, growled as it started moving towards him. Kaelith could see that the monster was ready to fight, but he was already calculating his next move. The stone had done little damage, but it had forced the monster to act. Now he could plan a more targeted assault with his archery skills.
Rock Monster Level 2 Stats:
Health: 1,200/1,200
Attack Power: 150
Defense: 300
Speed: 50
Elemental Affinity: Earth
Special Abilities:
Stone Crush: Crushes enemies with a massive stone fist, causing 250 damage and stunning them for 1 second.
Rock Wall: Summons a protective wall of rocks, reducing incoming damage by 50% for 5 seconds.
Earthquake (Passive): Causes tremors in the ground every 10 seconds, reducing the movement speed of nearby enemies by 10% for 3 seconds.
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The rock monster advanced toward Kaelith, its heavy steps shaking the ground beneath him. The normal stone hadn't had much of an effect, but it had given Kaelith an opening to use his more potent abilities.
Kaelith knew he needed to act quickly. Focus Shot would be his next move to capitalize on the momentary opening, and with his enhanced agility stats, he was confident he'd be able to dodge the monster's incoming attacks.
He tightened his grip on his bow and prepared for the next phase of the battle.
Kaelith stood face-to-face with the Level 2 Rock Monster, the sheer size and power of the creature intimidating. Its rocky, armored body gleamed in the dim light of the cave, and its massive fists cracked the ground as it roared in fury. Kaelith, however, wasn't intimidated. His mind raced as he assessed the situation. He had to outsmart this creature; raw strength wouldn't win this battle. The cave was filled with jagged stalagmites and precarious rocks, perfect for turning the environment into his weapon. As the monster charged, its enormous fists swinging wildly, Kaelith leaped out of the way with practiced grace, his Agility allowing him to narrowly avoid the crushing blow. The shockwave from the monster's attack caused rocks to scatter, but Kaelith didn't flinch. His mind was already calculating his next move.
He quickly darted behind a towering stalagmite, using its cover to hide from the monster's unrelenting swings. The monster, enraged by Kaelith's evasion, charged blindly, colliding with the stalagmite. The force of the impact sent a shock through the creature, stunning it for just a moment. Kaelith saw his chance. He activated Focus Shot, taking advantage of the monster's temporary vulnerability. His shot was precise, hitting the exposed joint under its arm where the stone armor was weakest. The arrow lodged deeply into the monster's body, causing it to stagger back.
Kaelith, using the stalagmite for cover, quickly moved to the side, keeping his distance from the now-angry creature. The monster, disoriented by the arrow, attempted to retaliate, swinging its massive fists in Kaelith's direction. But Kaelith was already gone, using his speed to weave around the cave's natural terrain. The uneven floor provided him with numerous opportunities to stay out of the monster's grasp. As the creature lunged again, Kaelith dashed up a narrow rock slope, gaining some height and leaping off, using his enhanced agility to land on a ledge above the monster. From this elevated position, he could see the creature more clearly, and he knew it was vulnerable. With a quick flick of his wrist, Kaelith unleashed Rapid Fire, his arrows raining down on the monster's lower legs. The arrows struck with precision, causing the monster to stumble with every hit. The repeated impacts slowed its movements, giving Kaelith more time to plan his next attack.
The Rapid Fire didn't do much in terms of damage, but it was enough to slow the monster, making it harder for the creature to fight back. Each hit caused the monster's legs to buckle slightly, and its movements became sluggish. Kaelith took advantage of the monster's slower pace, darting around to the other side of the cave, luring the creature into another trap. He knew the monster's size and strength were its advantages, but its sluggishness made it vulnerable to a skilled archer like him. Kaelith quickly dashed toward a pile of loose rocks and grabbed a jagged piece, then threw it at the monster. The rock hit the creature's head, momentarily stunning it. This was the opening Kaelith needed. He activated his Focus Shot once again, this time aiming directly for the crack between the monster's rocky skull and its armored shell. The shot was perfectly timed, and the arrow pierced the monster's weak spot. There was a resounding crack as the monster's body crumpled to the ground, lifeless.
With the Level 2 Rock Monster now dead, Kaelith exhaled a relieved breath. He had used every tactic he could think of: evasion, manipulation of the terrain, precise shots, and even throwing rocks to create distractions. The cave, with its jagged walls and uneven surfaces, had provided him the perfect environment to outwit the creature. He stood victorious, but he knew this was only the beginning. The Spiritual Flower was still deeper within the cave, and there would be more dangers ahead. But for now, Kaelith had proven himself, his mind sharpening with every battle. His experience and skills had grown, and his confidence had soared.
As he checked his EXP, Kaelith saw he had gained 1,000 points for defeating the monster. The loot dropped by the creature was modest but valuable, including the Rock Monster's Core and a Monster's Shard, both useful for alchemy and crafting. He added the items to his inventory, then quickly glanced at his stats. His Level was still 1, but the 10 EXP put him well on his way to level 2. He knew that if he kept up this pace, he would reach his next milestone soon. But for now, he couldn't afford to relax. His mission was far from over.
With his stats and abilities still on his mind, Kaelith adjusted his approach for the next challenge. His Focus Shot and Rapid Fire were invaluable in this cave environment, but he needed to be cautious. Each monster he faced would be tougher, and he knew there was a lot more to discover deeper within the cave. He had learned a lot from this encounter—about his skills, his surroundings, and his own growth as a warrior. As he moved further into the cave, Kaelith couldn't help but feel a sense of determination. He wasn't just fighting for the Spiritual Flower; he was fighting to prove that he was capable of much more.
Kaelith ventured deeper into the cave, his mind focused and his senses alert. The encounter with the first Rock Monster had sharpened his awareness of the terrain. The dimly lit environment, with its jagged rock formations and narrow pathways, now felt like an ally in his battle. His heart raced as he spotted the second Level 2 Rock Monster, blocking the path deeper into the cave. This one was even larger, its stony hide gleaming in the low light, and its movements more deliberate. Kaelith could feel the weight of the battle ahead. He was no longer just fighting for the Spiritual Flower; each monster was another step toward proving his growing power.
Kaelith took a deep breath and surveyed the surroundings. He was standing at the edge of a narrow ledge, just above a small ravine filled with sharp rocks. He knew the Rock Monster would charge, just like the first one, and he had to make sure the environment worked in his favor.
As the monster's massive form shifted toward him, Kaelith reacted quickly. His eyes locked onto the monster's Weak Points: the joints around its shoulders and knees, where the stone seemed more brittle. He dodged to the side as the creature launched itself at him, its boulder-like fists swinging through the air. Using his Agility, Kaelith darted back, leaping off the ledge and landing behind a large outcrop of rock, just out of the creature's reach.
Kaelith took advantage of the monster's momentary confusion. He activated Focus Shot with pinpoint precision, aiming for the exposed joint at the creature's knee. The arrow flew, embedding deep into the stone, but it wasn't enough to bring it down. The monster howled in pain, its expression contorting with rage as it turned to face Kaelith.
Before it could charge again, Kaelith used the environment to his advantage. He reached for a loose rock, throwing it to the other side of the ravine. The loud clatter distracted the Rock Monster, causing it to turn its attention away for just a moment. Kaelith didn't waste the opportunity. He dashed forward, getting within range, and unleashed Rapid Fire, sending a barrage of arrows into the monster's exposed back. Each arrow struck with precision, wearing it down. The monster staggered, its movements slowing.
Kaelith didn't give it a chance to recover. He leaped forward, rolling under the monster's swinging arm. With a swift motion, he took another Focus Shot, this time aiming directly for the monster's head. The arrow struck true, piercing through the rocky surface and cracking it open. The creature roared, its life force fading as it collapsed to the ground in a heap of stone and dust.
With the second Rock Monster defeated, Kaelith stood over its fallen body, panting heavily. He had used every skill at his disposal: his Agility to avoid the brute force of the monster, his Focus Shot for precision, and Rapid Fire to wear it down. The battle had been intense, but Kaelith knew he had grown from the encounter.
He checked his EXP, which now read 10 EXP from the second kill, bringing his total to 20 EXP. Not a large amount, but each kill meant he was moving closer to his next level. Kaelith looted the monster, collecting another Rock Monster's Core and some valuable crafting materials. He tucked the items into his inventory and took a moment to rest, knowing there was still more to come. His path to the Spiritual Flower was far from clear, but with each victory, he was one step closer to completing the challenge.