NOVEL NEXT Chapter 7: Gate Raid I
[Quest Details]
Clear a gate with a team consisting only of you and your tamed beasts.
Kill 10+ beasts within the dungeon.
Time Limit: None
Reward: Unknown
Punishment: Death
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Noah's confidence waned as he stepped into the darkness. He shivered, his eyes straining to see beyond the blackness.
"Hmm... I was pretty confident outside, but now that I'm in here, it's..." Noah's voice trailed off.
The System's monotone voice cut through the silence.
"Scary, Noah? Your behavior sometimes makes me rethink why my Creator gave you the System."
Noah's gaze darted around, his heart racing. The darkness stirred memories of his last raid, and he fought to suppress the fear.
Noah's eyes struggled to adjust to the darkness. The eerie silence made him feel like he was being watched.
"Shut up, System," Noah muttered, trying to hide his unease. "I'm just... cautious."
[Cautious?] The System echoed. [Your vital signs indicate fear.]
Noah's face twisted in annoyance. "Fear, cautious – same difference."
[Acknowledged.]
Noah grumbled, struggling to see through the darkness. "How am I supposed to clear this gate alone? I can barely handle one beast."
The System's monotone voice cut in. "Negative, Noah. You have a tamed beast."
Noah's annoyance flared. "What are you talking about? I don't see anything."
He paused, recalling a message. "Wait, didn't I tame a spider back in that other gate?"
Noah pondered, then asked the System, "Where is it?"
The System replied, "It is currently at rest in your Space skill. Do you wish to call it forth?"
Noah nodded hastily.
[Activating Space skill...]
A shimmering purple vortex materialized, swirling in front of Noah.
"It looks exactly like a gate!" Noah thought, awestruck.
As the vortex dissipated, a spider emerged. But to Noah's surprise, it was much smaller than the monstrous arachnid he had battled previously.
"This can't be right!" Noah exclaimed, his annoyance palpable. "The spider I fought wasn't this size! What's going on, System?"
'Noah, relax, the spider has simply adjusted its size to recover better. It can increase its size at will.' The System replied.
Noah felt a surge of embarrassment. "Oh..." he muttered, regretting his outburst.
The spider approached him, and Noah instinctively jumped back, memories of their last encounter flashing through his mind.
"Hey there..." Noah said awkwardly, waving at the spider.
"Does it have a name?" he asked the System.
'Negative,' the System responded. 'You have not assigned a name. Would you like to do so?'
Noah pondered, observing the spider's calm demeanor. "How about Charlotte?"
[Affirmative, Charlotte designated as spider's name.]
Charlotte, now named, seemed to sense Noah's gaze and scurried closer. Noah hesitated, then cautiously reached out his hand.
As Noah gently touched Charlotte's head, her body trembled with excitement and joy, clearly thrilled that her master had shown affection.
[System Alert: Charlotte's Bond Level Increased]
The System's voice cut through the warmth of the moment. "Enough sentimentalities, Noah. Remember, you have an ongoing quest. Completing it swiftly will yield better rewards."
Noah nodded, refocusing on his objective. With renewed determination, he ventured deeper into the darkness, Charlotte by his side.
As Noah ventured deeper, his eyes adjusted to the darkness. Suddenly, the silence shattered. [Ding! Hostile entities detected!] The System alerted.
Noah's grip on his daggers tightened, his gaze fixed on the approaching creatures. Short, green, and hideous, they emerged from the shadows – Goblins.
Clad in tattered rags, armed with crude clubs and rusty daggers, the Goblins charged toward Noah with menacing grunts.
Noah stood firm, ready to face the incoming horde.
[Goblin Tribe: 7 entities detected, Level 3]
The system's alert displayed vital information:
Disclosable Enitity Stats:
Health: 150-200
Attack: 20-30
Defense: 10-20
"Charlotte, incapacitate, don't kill," Noah ordered, eyes locked on the System's display.
He blocked the first goblin's strike, but the force sent shockwaves through his body. The goblin's crude club cracked against Noah's dagger, the impact resonating through his arm.
Noah countered with a swift kick, sending the goblin stumbling back. Charlotte seized the moment, wrapping her legs around the goblin's, immobilizing it.
[Charlotte's Bond Level Increased]
Charlotte seemed to urge him to finish it, her eyes gleaming in the darkness.
With a swift strike, Noah ended the goblin's struggle.
[Goblin Defeated: 100 EXP Gained]
Six remaining goblins closed in, their grunts growing fiercer.
The remaining six goblins hesitated, clutching their crude weapons uncertainly. One, seemingly tired of waiting, charged toward Noah.
Noah dodged the attack with ease, his reflexes were only on instinct but they were perfect, In a swift, deadly motion, he struck back, aiming for the goblin's neck.
His dagger sliced through the air, finding its mark with precision. The goblin's head rolled off its shoulders, its body crumpling to the ground.
[Goblin Defeated: 100 EXP Gained]
The remaining five goblins exchanged nervous glances, their hesitation growing.
"No retreat," Noah growled, advancing on the faltering horde. "Finish this."
Charlotte sensed his resolve, her eyes blazing with fury as she joined the fray.
The five remaining goblins stood frozen, unsure whether to flee or fight. Noah seized the moment, charging forward with Charlotte by his side.
The goblins scattered, attempting to surround Noah. But Charlotte's speed and agility proved too much. She darted between them, nipping at their heels, sending them stumbling.
Noah exploited the chaos, striking down two goblins with swift precision.
[Goblin Defeated: 100 EXP Gained]
[Goblin Defeated: 100 EXP Gained]
[Ding! Level up!]
The remaining three goblins turned tail, fleeing into the darkness.
"Pursue," Noah commanded, and Charlotte sprang after them.
The goblins, despite their speed, were no match for Charlotte's lightning-fast reflexes. With swift precision, she struck, entangling the legs of both goblins with slices that rendered them immobile. Noah seized the opportunity, delivering the final blows. His daggers flashed in the dim light, striking true and ending the goblins' struggles.
[Goblin Defeated: 100 EXP Gained]
[Goblin Defeated: 100 EXP Gained]
The cavern fell silent, the only sound the faint dripping of water and Noah's heavy breathing.
"Well done," Noah said, nodding at Charlotte. "Your speed was decisive."
Charlotte, thrilled by Noah's praise, shivered with excitement. She nuzzled her body against his, her eyes shining with affection.
[Charlotte Bond Level Increased: +10]
[Current Bond Level: 30]
Noah smiled, gently stroking Charlotte's back.
"Let's keep moving," Noah said, his stride matching Charlotte's as they delved deeper into the cavern.