The path to the Ballard Cliffs wasn't exactly good due to the fact that there weren't many reasons for anyone to go there after the appearance of the Ember Bellow Lizard.
There were a few useful materials found there which foragers used to gather in the past but that came to a stop because of the beast that had appeared. Since the materials could also be found in other places, the foragers simply stopped going there.
Still, the appearance of a strong beast near the town was a matter of concern and as such they put a bounty on it.
It was also the most dangerous bounty among all that were present in the time.
If it were any other player, it would basically be the same as a death sentence for them. But in the case of Arthur, it was a perfect target as he had an advantage because of his class.
"Other than the fact that the distance is shorter than Ocher Plains, the path is really bad which further delays the travel time." Arthur muttered as he navigated through the craggy path.
It had been about fifteen minutes since he had started and the trail had basically turned into a mix of rocky and mushy path. There were dead trees on the path as well, that made one go around them.
It was clear that this place had faced a flood of some kind in the past for it to look like this. Even the rocks that were covering the path all seemed to be eroded.
Of course, along with a bad path also came more danger in the form of mobs.
A few more minutes later, Arthur finally encountered the first foe.
"BEBEBEBEBEBE~" A strange trilling cry was heard, making Arthur immediately take a combat posture.
Standing on top of a rock was a beast.
It was four legged and the size of a wolf. It had green and brown patchy skin along with bumpy warts. On its back, there was a layer of short spikes that jutted outwards as well as a long tail that ended in a spike.
Its mouth though, was rather small and even looked a bit humanoid while its eyes were a milky white.
"So it's these shitty beasts… they don't even give loot…" Arthur muttered in distaste before using Dragon's insight.
>Dragon's Insight has been activated!<
~DING~
——
Target: Milen Grind Back Beast
Rank: Uncommon
Level: 13
Type: Beast/ Hybrid
Info: A beast that is rumored to have been created as a failed product by the great dark mage Milen. He made several of them a long time ago, letting them proliferate in various areas.
It does not feel pain easily and will hunt down a target until its death.
Due to the vile magics that were used to create them, they are rejected by the world and will disappear upon dying.
***
HP: 100%
MP: 100%
Stamina: 100%
***
<Physical Stats>
Strength: 15
Toughness: 10
Agility: 10
Dexterity: 10
Vitality: 8
<Non-Physical Stats>
Wisdom: 1
Intelligence: 1
Will: 1
——
<Skills>
1. Spike Roll
Info: The user rolls towards a foe, using its spiky back to attack.
Cooldown: None
Cost: 5% Stamina with every use.
2. Tail Prick
Info: The user stabs an enemy with its sharp tail spike. This can cause bleeding if struck in a vulnerable part.
Cooldown: 30 seconds
Cost: 8% Mana with every use.
——
Reading the information about the Beast, Arthur found some intriguing things.
'So these were made by Milen too? Just how many beasts did he even make… they're found in so many places.' Arthur knew the Dark Mage that was mentioned in the information window.
It was a famous dark mage from the past that was interested in creating a strong monster that could even compete against deities. In his attempt to make such a monster, he made tens of failed products. The more irritating problem though, was the fact that these beasts could breed and continue to spread.
This made them into utter pests and they were often killed at sight.
Though it also came with the advantage of having no monetary gain, since they simply left no corpse after dying. Their bodies would simply turn to dust upon death.
'The only thing they are good for is experience.' Arthur thought as he commanded Brambles to take a position at his side.
The Milen Grind Back Beast was a strength oriented beast and could be taken care of with ease, as long as one was either faster than it or had tough defenses. Arthur was covered on both aspects, allowing him to have full confidence.
"BEEEBEBEBE!" The Milen Grind Back Beast glared at Arthur with its milky white eyes for a moment before jumping and rolling towards him.
The spikes on the beast's back jutted outwards, striking against the rocky ground and shooting stones backward.
"Brambles!" Arthur asked the beetle to block the attack while he himself moved around.
"KI!" Brambles met the Milen Grind Back Beast head on, slamming into it with its long horn.
~CLANG~CLANG~CLANG~
The spikes ground against the hard horn of the Dragon Horn Beetle, small sparks flying from the contact.
Not wanting to give the beast any change, Arthur directly used his strongest offensive skill.
"SKEWER!" Arthur thrust the Key Spear straight through the Milen Grind Back Beast's side.
[-50% HP]
[Critical Hit]
>Milen Grind Back Beast has been inflicted with bleed!<
Arthur's skill struck sure, cutting into the dark flesh of the beast. Murky black blood started to spill, and a foul smell could be felt. Wrinkling his nose, Arthur pulled back Dietrich, ripping the beast's flesh even more.
[-20% HP]
[-1% HP] [Bleed]
"BEEBE!" The Milen Grind Back Beast let out a cry of fury rather than that of pain.
This was also why the beast could be dangerous for players as it didn't react like the others. Most beasts and even NPCs would flinch from pain or even get stunned. But a few beasts like the Milen Grind Back Beast did not. This meant that they could solider through a player's attacks and tear into them.
The players could get overwhelmed by this and die even if they were stronger than the beast.
What was important was to know how to react to the beast.
~CLANG~
The Milen Grind Back Beast used its second skill, striking Arthur with its tail. Just like how Arthur had stabbed it, the beast wished to do the same. Unfortunately for it, Arthur managed to deflect it using the back of his new gauntlets.
>Durability of Iron Plated Leather Gauntlets has fallen to 96%<
'The Durability fell by 4%?' Arthur noticed that while the skill had been blocked, it still damaged his equipment.
It showed just how dangerous the skill could be if it had not been blocked. Leather armor would have probably been pierced right away.
[-1% HP] [Bleed]
[-1% HP] [Bleed]
[-1% HP] [Bleed]
The beast continued to bleed though, and was looking at Arthur, missing out on the fact that there were two enemies it was actually facing.
~THUD~
Brambles didn't hold back and directly used its Horn Lift.
The Milen Grind Back Beast was helplessly tossed into the air, while Arthur chased after it.
And when it was about to land on the ground again, Arthur stabbed it with Dietrich.
[-26% HP]
[Fatal Hit]
The spear went through the beast's belly, splattering blood all over Arthur.
>Player Arzhur has killed the Milen Grind Back Beast<
>Player Arzhur has obtained 5% experience<
>Dragon Horn Beetle has obtained 12% experience<
"Dammit…" Arthur cursed, feeling the foul blood on his face.
Even though the helmet had blocked most of it, a little bit had still slipped in through the openings.
Thankfully though, the discomfort was only momentary. As a few seconds after the death notification appeared, the corpse of the Milen Grind Back Beast started to turn into dust.
This also included the blood that had splattered onto Arthur.
"At least it saves me the effort of cleaning." Arthur let out a sigh. "Though the experience is decent." He added.
With the beast dead and dusted, Arthur continued onwards. Though he knew that, this wouldn't be the last of them.
And sure enough, two minutes was all it took for another Milen Grind Back Beast to appear.
"Same as before, Brambles." Arthur said before striking with Rapid Thrust.
The beast had attacked from a closer spot this time, thus allowing Arthur to attack it right away.
The man, beetle and failed experiment clashed for a couple of minutes, resulting in the death of the experiment.
>Player Arzhur has killed the Milen Grind Back Beast<
>Player Arzhur has obtained 5% experience<
>Dragon Horn Beetle has obtained 12% experience<
Arthur and Brambles encountered several more Milen Grind Back Beasts on their way, steadily reaping experience until finally, both of them leveled up which was at the right time.
>Player Arzhur has leveled up!<
>Player Arzhur has obtained 10 free stat points<
>Dragon Horn Beetle has leveled up!<
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