Chapter 160 Cutting It Close
Done with the harvesting, Arthur decided to leave.
He looked up at the sky and saw that the sun was still at its peak.
'Should I continue onwards?' Arthur wondered looking towards the depths of the forest.
This was exactly opposite to the direction of the Ballard Cliffs and would result in him going further from him. Though this was also where the nearest city was present.
"Hmm, I shouldn't risk it. My Armor is also damaged." Arthur muttered to himself while glancing at the equipment screen.
Almost all of Arthur's armor pieces were at 50% durability or less. The few attacks from the Ember Bellow Lizard were enough to reduce it that far. And while it should be more than enough to last him to return to Roran Town, it was not worth the risk.
'Plus by the time I get to the city, it would be too late to return.' Arthur thought, having made up his mind.
"Let's go Brambles, we'll head back," Arthur said making the beast chitter in response.
The two were now faster, having leveled up several times in a row, and managed to reach the Ballard Cliffs earlier than before. The added weight of items didn't matter either, with the increase in strength and agility that Arthur had gotten.
Soon enough, they were standing at the Ballard Cliffs again.
"Go on ahead, Brambles." Arthur didn't need the beetle to hold the rope anymore as he had already tied it firmly on both sides.
"Krrr~" Brambles flew ahead and waited on the other side while Arthur held onto the rope.
He wrapped his legs around the rope, hanging horizontally from it, ensuring that the rope was steady.
'No issues so far…' Seeing that it was stable, Arthur started to make his way to the other side.
Of course, the durability of the rope also started to fall, but Arthur kept his eyes trained on it.
[Durability: 51/100]
Just crossing the first three meters cost Arthur two points in durability. A frown appeared on his face, but he didn't panic. Instead, he sped up, trying to get to the other side as soon as possible.
[Durability: 50/100]
.
.
.
[Durability: 47/100]
.
.
.
[Durability: 26/100]
And when he was halfway there, the durability of the rope was already halved compared to before.
"This'll be cutting too close," Arthur muttered taking a deep breath.
[Durability: 23/100]
.
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[Durability: 19/100]
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[Durability: 12/100]
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.
[Durability: 1/100]
And when Arthur was just one meter from the cliff side the durability reached the minimum.
~SNAP~
"FUCK!" The rope couldn't bear it anymore and snapped. "AHH!"
~THUD~
Thankfully Arthur managed to push himself enough that he managed to catch onto the ledge. He quickly pulled himself up and lay on the ground.
"That… was… close…" Arthur took a breath of relief. 'I'll bring a proper rope next time.' He took note.
He caught his breath in a minute and got up, while the Beetle waited for him.
"I'm fine now. We can continue." The two ran ahead at full speed, wanting to get to the town as soon as possible.
Of course, things weren't going to be according to how Arthur wished them to be.
Just few minutes later, three beasts stood in his path.
"BEEBEBEBBE!" The Milen Grind Back beasts growled at Arthur, baring their teeth.
"Guess I'll be using you all to level up!" Arthur said charging towards the one on the left.
At the same time, he commanded Brambles to attack the one on the right and block the middle one.
The three beasts spent no time in waiting and directly used their skills, rolling towards Arthur and Brambles.
~CLANG~
Dietrich clashed against the Milen Grind Bail Beast, preventing it from getting closer. Arthur thrust the spear straight towards the spiky back, using power to overcome its defenses.
~CRACK~
And sure enough, it was enough to break off a couple of spines, dealing damage to the beast.
[-21% HP]
The Milen Grind Back beast sensed the spine breaking and changed its direction, deflecting Arthur's spear.
"Not so fast!" Arthur immediately used two skills in a row. "Spear Coating! Rapid Thrust!"
A blue glow covered Dietrich while a chilly air emanated from it.
The speed of Arthur's strikes was faster than the Milen Grind Back Beast allowing him to hit its vulnerable parts.
[-20% HP]
[-3% HP] [Frost Damage]
[-31% HP]
[Critical Hit!]
With the combination of two skills, not only was the beast slowed, but it also sustained greater damage.
[-3% HP] [Frost Damage]
[-20% HP]
[-3% HP] [Frost Damage]
[Fatal hit!]
>Player Arzhur has killed a Milen Grind Back Beast!<
>Player Arzhur has obtained 2% Experience!<
While Arthur killed this one, Brambles was also battling the other two with ease.
Its armored carapace prevented it from getting damaged while its tough horn could injure the Milen Grind Back beasts.
"Horn Lift!" Arthur commanded at that moment.
~THUD~
~WHOOSH~
Brambles tossed one of the Milen Grind Back beasts towards Arthur, while he propped up Dietrich.
~SPLAT~
Arthur accurately judged the area where the Milen Grind Back would fall and let the beast impale itself upon the Key Spear.
[-81% HP]
[Critical Hit!]
[Fatal hit!]
>Player Arzhur has killed a Milen Grind Back Beast!<
>Player Arzhur has obtained 1% Experience!<
>Dragon Horn Beetle has obtained 9% Experience!<
The experience gained from the Milen Grind Back beasts had reduced due to Arthur and Brambles leveling up. It put Arthur really at the edge of the next level, and he hoped that it would be just enough to reach it.
"The last one should be enough." Arthur muttered before he rushed towards the last beast.
Since the corpses of Milen Grind Back beasts disappeared on their own, it saved Arthur time as he didn't need to spend effort in pulling it out.
"Skewer!" Arthur directly used his skill, piercing through the body of the beast.
[-72% HP]
[Critical Hit!]
[Fatal hit!]
>Player Arzhur has killed a Milen Grind Back Beast!<
>Player Arzhur has obtained 1% Experience!<
>Dragon Horn Beetle has obtained 9% Experience!<
>Player Arzhur has leveled up!<
>Player Arzhur has obtained 10 free stat points!<