Chapter 5- Squirrel Boss Down
The cold brisk wind blew, the snow drifting to the right down through the field. Lee and Sara stood on one side of the field. Lee's hand held the butter knife blade at his waist side, his hand hovering over it.
Sara's had their hand hovering near the bag of rocks. They had a plan set up, one using their newly earned skills. They breathed softly, preparing for the war that was beginning to rage. Across the field was the squirrels, and they were ready for a fight.
15 squirrels to be exact, their leader, the same one from the first encounter. He had a scar over one eye, from Saras kick, along with a barbaric helmet on his head. He walked back and forth chirping, little paws flying around like he was giving some big speech.
"Reminds me of Brave Heart," Lee said.
"Never watched it," Sara responded. Lee lifted his head up in shock, staring at them. "Really?" Sara waved his question and shook their head, it wasn't time for movie trivia. The first quest was about to begin.
The squirrel pointed his finger, the name had changed over his head, 'Squirrel Boss- Klause The Barbarian.' The color of his name was red, they had an idea this meant it wasn't gonna be an easy battle but they were prepared.
Lee took a deep breath and drew his sword. Sara had three stones appear in their hand, they made contact with the squirrel boss who narrowed their eyes at them. 'SQUEAK!' It screamed at the top of its vocal chords.
Without hesitation the squirrels began charging at full running speed towards them. Lee looked back at Sara who gave him an approving nod. He pushed, the skilled activating Fast Dash. His speed, even for a split second, increased sending him like a burst of energy straight into the horde of squirrels. The squirrels were stunned, at least the handful that was near him.
Turning he slashed his blade, the blade successfully cutting a few of the squirrels sending them crashing down on the ground with a thud. They weren't friendly, or cute squirrels thankfully. These were vicious rapid looking beasts, they had sharp claws, vicious teeth, and red demonic eyes.
The only normal looking squirrel was the boss one, which would make his fight more unsettling. Just as the first three squirrels slammed into the ground, two lept towards Lee's back. Stones slammed into their bodies sending them bouncing and skidding across the snowing battlefield.
Sara tossed a stone, keeping their guard up, while watching Lee's back of course.
"Left, right, Jump, Jump, roll!" Sara was shouting, they were dodging the squirrels that had gotten close to them. Two were right on them, while Lee was keeping the rest of them at bay. Thankfully, his strength and con being increased let him get hit quite a bit more.
Lee had two squirrels with teeth plunged into his arm, he used his sword to deflect a few of the other squirrels launching at him. They hit their limit on back up to be called in, he could tell by the repeat shout the boss would do to call in squirrels, and none came. It was like he was stuck in a loop, a code with no end feature until his time to fight.
Gripping the sword he fast dashed to the left, the stunned squirrels immediately being sliced down by his blade. Their health was weak, but hitting them was one of the hardest things too do. Sara's eyes locked in on one of the squirrels coming after them, the stone left their hand striking the squirrel and sending it out of the battle. Spinning Sara's foot slammed down into it also sending it into a KO.
**Skill Unlocked: Leg swipe
"Guess that will be handing if they get close to me again." Sara said with a slight exhaust to them.
Lee and Sara's stamina was running low, they had sliced up quite a few squirrels at this point but the battle was growing weary. Sara threw two more stones hitting the squirrels on Lee's arm, they dropped but hadn't been hit yet meaning they were still in the fight.
Lee turned to run towards Sara, but saw two squirrels leap at him. He was surrounded, Sara was reaching back for stones but wouldnt make it. Lee gripped the butter knife sword, and with a mighty war cry spun.
*Skill Unlocked Whirl-Wind.
Lee felt the energy radiating off of his blade, wind picked up from the swing sending his momentum in a full 360 slash. The squirrels surrounding him exploded, thankfully it wasn't blood but almost like particles of a video game.
Sara had taken note of this fact though, why didn't they bleed, was it real or only in their heads?
Breathing heavily, Lee turned towards the boss squirrel. The boss squirrel began glowing, his blue eyes turning red like he was possessed. 'SQUEAK!' It shouted with a heavy blood curdling cry.
For some unknown reason, Lee felt fear. His feet were planted in the dirt, when a message from the interface suddenly popped up.
**Fear: Due to having loss to this boss once. You fear the Squirrel Barbarian.
Lee was about to have a raging fit over the interface, to be catergorized as fear from the squirrel sent a rage inside of him that matched the rage of the squirrel. His foot finally released from the dirt, having the ability to move it again, when the head of the squirrel slammed into his stomach.The horn piercing his rib cage.
"Lee!" Sara shouted, two stones slamming into the barbarian's body causing him to bounce backwards and slide. Lee held his rib cage cursing up a storm, "I'm sick of being hurt by squirrels!" Grabbing his butter knife sword he took off running, slashing, fast dashing, whirl-wind attacking. Lee wasn't holding anything back.
The squirrel wasn't either, Lee and him traded blows. Bleed effects being added onto both of them with each hit received. "Keep it up Lee!" Sara shouted loudly, every so often a few stones would slam into the squirrel giving Lee enough time to slash once or twice to deal even more damage.
The blows were left and right, one after the other for both of them. Panting Lee had blood drilling down his arms. His peasant clothing stained, his winter cloak barely hanging onto him. Turning his head, blood spat out, the squirrel stood on their hind legs. Its chest rising and falling as he turned, spitting blood out just like Lee.
The squirrel charged at Lee, and in return, Lee charged at the squirrel. Sara watched, almost excited except for the reminder they were fighting a squirrel. It was like something out of a fantasy book, and that was all Sara could think off.
Lee quickly dashed, while swinging his blade. The squirrel leapt forward slashing his claw at Lee. Lee's blade missed, 'Did….I just miss?' he thought, his eyes staring at the claw aiming to slice through his eye.
SMACK
A nice smooth stone slammed into the squirrel sending it skidding across the snowy field. Lee fell to his knees, grabbing the ground under him with a heavy sigh of relief. He almost died by the squirrel, again! He was more disappointed in himself, but he was thankful that he had Sara.
Standing up Sara's hand touched Lee's shoulder. "You good there?" Lee gave a nod in return, he was fine just ego was slightly damaged from it. Taking a deep breath of relief he turned his head towards the weakly panting boss.
Slowly as they began approaching it, the interface interrupted them.
*Squirrel boss defeated
*15/15 squirrels slain
*75xp + 50 xp for boxx
*Rewards granted
*Level Up!
*Level Up!
*Level Up!
They both glanced at each other. To say the battle was hard was an understatement, but was it worth three levels hard? It almost felt like there was a glitch in the system. Possibly the inability to differentiate that there were two players instead of one. Like a glitch. Atleast, that was Lee's theory.
Regardless, they didn't have any real information on the system yet. 6 new skill points, a completed quest, and two rewards that were for them. Neither one of them really had the energy to complain.
Turning they dropped into the snow, Lee resting the wounds on his body, they healed quickly thankfully. As long as the battle was over, wounds healed semi-quick, however as long as they were in danger the wounds stayed.
Taking a deep breath, Sara sat next to Lee and tried catching their breath. "I think the last time I was this exhausted the twins took up baseball and made me run and get the balls for them," Sara said laughing.
Lee began laughing in return. "I remember that, Aiden smacked the ball so hard it slammed into Alison's face," He laughed hysterically. It was moments like this where they could reflect on their old life. It took 12 years for them to be comfortable talking about their old life, they mostly hoped their families grew old as well.
"Are you putting anything in stats yet?" Sara asked, falling back into the snow with a huff.
"No, not yet. Gonna wait till I rest, see the rewards," Lee responded, turning his head and looking at them.
"It feels like a new game plus for real life."
"Ha, yeah it really does. Or a cheat. We can level up, they can't."
"I like the new game plus," Sara said, smiling softly before sitting up. "Time to check the rewards!"
Sara opened up the inventory, Lee slowly lifting up and doing the same.
**Chipped Nut-Shard Amulet
*Accessory
*+1 Dexterity
*Adds slightly accuracy boos for throws
*Description: "A shard of an ancient nut word proudly by the fallen squirrel barbarian. Smells faintly of acorns and vengeance."
"Dibs!" Sara immediately said equipping it. Around their neck was a beautiful acorn made from steel that glistened.
**Rusted Blade Fang
**Weapon Modifier
**Adds +1 bleed chance to melee attacks
**Description: "A jagged tooth once lodged in a metal helm. Still sharp. Still angry."
"Dibs!" Lee shouted, snagging the fang. Opening up the swords characteristics in the interface, he glanced through until he found a way to equip items. Lifting it up he pushed it to the hilt of the sword. Slowly it began glowing until it latched on. The pommel now had a fang coming out of the bottom, while two more came from the quillons( the arms/extensions of the guard.)
Swinging it around and practicing stabbing someone with the pommel he smirked, "Finally, my butter knife has some class!" Lee said with a hmph. Turning he sheathed it and looked over at Sara, holding his hand out he helped them up too their feet.
"Alright, so we got this over with. Whats next?" Lee asked Sara who glanced over and shrugged. "The hell do I know, we got one quest done. Check the quest tab." They argued some, rolling their eyes at each other and crossing their arms they both immediately went to the quest tab.
**Quest system.
New Tab UNlocked: Class Path Preview (level 5 required)
Progress to class access:½
"Oh great, so we are about to ascend into our classes," Lee said sarcastically.
"Yeah, but look at this system," Sara interrupted, going to the class preview.
**Vanguard
Frontline defender who leads teh charge. High durability, crowd control, and protections skills.
*Stats: Hidden
*Archanist
A master of raw magic and elemental control. High burst damage, wide range spells.
Stats *Hidden*
*Shadowblade
An assassin who strikes from the dark. Uses speed, stealth, and critical hits.
*Stats* Hidden
**7 hidden paths Reach level 10 too access**
Lee and Sara glanced at each other. "Bro, that Vanguard class sounds sexy." Lee said, breaking the silence. Sara began laughing, "Hell yeah!" Lee began giggling along with Sara.
"Let's get moving on! I wanna learn more skills!" Lee shouted and began slugging through the snow. Sara clapped and shouting eagerly.