Elden Ring: Advent of the Game-Given (SI/Multiverse)

"It's not easy, not easy at all!" I screamed in panic; all my bravado was gone, like the wind.

Dodging the snapping maw of the creature as it tried to take a bite out of me, I quickly backpedaled, using {Slide-Step} to create some distance between us.

{SP: 130/140}

However, that only bought me a few seconds before the Boss was upon me, employing its powerful legs to jump at me.

I went into this fight expecting a somewhat easy win, which caused me to become careless. As a result, I'm now down an arm. Worse yet, it's my dominant arm.

{HP: 1013/1200}

Gah, why does my dumbass always make stupid mistakes?!

[I'm afraid the answer would only be detrimental to your concentration and self-esteem. As such, I will refrain from answering.]

It was a rhetorical question– motherfucker!

My connection with Rusty came to a momentary halt as I diverted my focus toward the Boss, ensuring I didn't end up on the receiving end of its crusty teeth.

Its body soared through the air, forcing me to roll underneath to avoid becoming trapped under its weight. A second later, I heard a thud and the sound of water splashing. 

Without hesitation, I turned and faced it, activating {Slide-Step} as I rammed a {Heavy Strike}-inforced knee right into its side just as its body was turning toward me.

{SP: 115/140}

{-15 HP}

Even after taking the brunt of my body weight, its body only shifted a little bit from the attack. Its head moved as it faced me, eyeing me with a mocking glint as if to say, 'All that, not even for a drop of blood?'

Seeing as the attack barely did anything, I quickly backed off, putting some distance between us.

The Boss didn't give chase this time. Instead, it slowly began to prowl towards me, taking slow, deliberate steps as it began moving toward the side in a circling motion.

Its beady eyes were laser-focused on me, and it chittered every few seconds, which sounded like a malicious laugh.

It took a moment to click, but I realized what it was trying to do.

It was attempting to put pressure on me, hoping I would start panicking and making mistakes that it could use to its advantage.

Slimy little rat. It's definitely a lot smarter, unlike its lesser kin.

Lemme take a look at its stats real quick…

{ – Observe – }

{Dungeon Boss: Greater Rodent}

{Level: 7}

{HP: 1185/1200}

{MP: 40/40}

{SP: 130/130}

…Although they are higher, they would still be manageable… under normal circumstances.

My arm hurts like hell right now, and since it hasn't fully healed, it's impacting my fighting prowess.

Proceeding further like this would increase my chances of getting chewed up.

Hmm… what to do?

…

Fuck it, we ball.

[Retreating instead for a surefire chance of victory would be wiser.]

You're right; it would be easier… but just because you're right doesn't mean you're correct.

[...Forget I said anything.]

Sorry, sorry, bad time for a joke.

[...]

But on a serious note, easier isn't always better. I may inevitably end up being injured in many battles in the future, and I won't always have the option to run away from the fight…

I trailed off, letting him come to the conclusion on his own.

[...So you'd rather build up experience from the start and get used to it.]

Exactly.

[If that is your choice, then I will not stop you. However, I will advise that you focus more on dodging until you recover some of your HP and SP.]

I'll try… but it looks like this bastard…

Finally, it looked like the rat got tired of waiting and pounced again, this time completely intent on ending my life.

…Won't be giving me the chance at all!

It began with a lunge, throwing its entire weight forward, trying to use its body as a battering ram. I hastily sidestepped the attempt, swiftly thrusting the dagger into the side of its furry body.

{-50 HP}

The horned blade penetrated part of the flesh before it left the body, courtesy of my pulling away as I dodged the sweeping tail of the rat, the clever thing trying to take my legs out from underneath me.

Seeing me put some distance between us, it chased with fervor, skittering towards me, leaping at me again, which I ducked under. 

Taking advantage of its lapse in judgment, I managed to get in a few stabs; though none penetrated too deeply, the hits were enough to elicit an annoyed and pained squeak.

{-30 HP}

{-40 HP}

{-20 HP}

Judging by the growls from its mouth, I could tell it was starting to get irritated.

Good, the more it gets annoyed, the more impulsive it'll become.

The Greater Rodent didn't let up, once more trying to ram me into the wall. I sidestepped it, escaping by mere inches before retaliating with another stab, this time closer to its neck.

Squeak!

I could tell that one did some damage, thanks to the numbers popping up before me and its pained squeak as it lashed out without rhyme or rhythm.

{-88 HP}

However, the moment didn't last. I let my guard down, and like the crack of a whip, I was hit with the sweep of its tail. The appendage dug directly into my side, sending me rolling on the ground a few meters away.

Thwack!

Crack!

{-150 HP}

{HP: 899/1200}

Blood pooled out of my mouth as I struggled onto my feet. Moving my damaged arm, which had healed somewhat, I winced in pain as I briefly touched underneath my armpit.

Ugh, I definitely broke a rib or two.

I could feel slight tears build up in my eyes as I clenched my teeth, trying to stifle the pain that flared up as I tried moving.

There was nothing more I wanted to do than sit down and rest up, but my foe wouldn't give me the opportunity. Seeing me struggle, the Greater Rodent realized I couldn't move as I did before.

Seeing the opportunity, it wasted no time coming at me, this time taking a different approach. It ran off to the side and started running circles around me.

I felt some confusion course through my already muddled mind, but I knew I couldn't let myself be distracted. With a pained grunt, I studied myself and prepared for the final bout of this fight. 

{ – Observe – }

{Dungeon Boss: Greater Rodent}

{Level: 7}

{HP: 957/1200}

{MP: 40/40}

{SP: 130/130}

Perhaps sensing my resolve, the rat increased its speed, running with a more erratic pace. 

I knew it would be a matter of time before that momentum would be turned on me. So, I took the initiative for the first time since this battle started.

Waiting for the right moment, I tensed my entire body, gripping my dagger tightly. Just as it entered my field of vision, I moved.

With {Slide-Step} enhancing my speed, I moved a second ahead and intercepted it, turning its tactic on its head. Crashing right into it, I broke its sprint, the end of my dagger jamming into its furry neck, delivering a {Heavy Strike}-inforced stab.

{SP: 135/140}

{-150 HP}

It screamed in pain with the intensity of a Karen, trying to shake me off its body. All it did was worsen its wounds, red blood spurting out of the different places I'd stabbed it in.

At the same time, I could feel the grip on my dagger slowly loosening, something I knew I couldn't let happen.

Taking a page out of its book, I used the one part of my body that I kept forgetting I had.

With a focused thought, I willed my tail to move, the horned appendage swinging right into the Boss's face, breaking its concentration momentarily, giving me enough time to tightly grip its fur with my other hand and plant my feet into the ground.

"Heave… ho!"

Putting my entire weight onto its body, I activated {Slide-Step}.

{SP: 125/140}

At first, its body only moved a few centimeters, but before it slid to a stop, I activated the skill again, generating more momentum to keep it moving.

{SP: 115/140}

I kept activating the skill repeatedly, creating enough momentum to slam it into the wall, dazing it momentarily as its head hit it hard.

{SP: 45/140}

My body felt heavy like lead, and I was out of breath, but I couldn't stop there. Victory was within my grasp, and I wasn't about to let it get away.

Blood spurted out of its neck as I removed my dagger. Raising it high, I mustered my strength, activating {Heavy Strike} and slammed it down, aiming for its eyes. The dagger struck true, piercing through its eyeball, which popped like a balloon, before striking deep into its mushy brain.

{Critical Hit! | -957 HP}

{Dungeon Boss slain!}

{You have gained 15 EXP, 150 Credits, Greater Rodent Pelt (x1), Greater Rodent Meat (x1), and Greater Rodent Incisors (x4).}

Blood and viscera gushed out, painting my hand, while some of it got into my mouth. "Gah, fuck– goddamnit, that's disgusting!" I cried out, comically spitting on the ground.

It took a few moments, but once I was sure I couldn't taste anything weird, I took my dagger out from the disappearing corpse of the Dungeon Boss and sat down against the wall, hissing in pain along the way, courtesy of my broken ribs.

Even though the floor was grimy and filthy, I didn't have the energy to care since rest took priority over my desire to stay as clean as possible.

Now, I just gotta wait for my body to heal…

{Congratulations! You have gained enough EXP. Would you like to level up?}

{Yes/No}

…Or I could just do that instead.

Choosing the left option, A sudden warmth encompassed my body as I felt my fatigue go away, along with any lingering pain. The process lasted a few seconds, and once it was done, it felt as if the wounds and exhaustion were never there in the first place.

At the same time, my body felt sturdier and lighter, as if a weight had been taken off my back.

Man, that's such a helpful feature. I wonder if it's possible to use it during battle?

Shelving the thought for some pondering over for later, I pulled up my status sheet, letting my eyes roam over my updated attributes.

{ – Status – }

{Name: Morgott}

{Race: Omen/Demigod}

{Level: 3 (27.5%) | EXP: 55/200}

{Title: None}

{Class: Warrior}

{Credits: 1900}

{HP: 1600/1600 | HP Regen: 0.16 per second} 

{MP: 300/300 | MP Regen: 0.30 per second}

{SP: 180/180 | SP Regen: 0.18 per second}

{VIG: 8 (16)}

{MND: 15 (30)}

{END: 9 (18)}

{STR: 7 (14)}

{DEX: 8 (16)}

{INT: 25}

{FAI: 26}

{LUC: 17}

{Stat Points: 4}

One more level up, and I'll finally have at least one attribute higher than an average man's. 

However, it's nothing to celebrate about, since I haven't even gotten past the starting line yet. There are many things in this world that could kill me without much effort, not to mention the powerhouses I'd get curb-stomped by if they so much as breathed in my general direction.

Perhaps once I reached the level of a Demigod, I could think about relaxing a little bit.

Speaking of relaxing, what better way to relax than to try and meditate?

The last time I tried, I couldn't focus properly due to my environment, but nothing could distract me and break my focus right now.

Plus, thanks to the "Rejuvenation" granted by the level-up, I no longer feel tired, so I might as well use the time I have right now.

Moving in place, I shifted my legs and crossed them, making something resembling the lotus pose. With my back resting against the wall, I took a deep breath, held it briefly, and released.

I felt my body slightly loosen before I repeated the process: taking a deep breath, holding, and releasing.

Doing the same thing repeatedly, I fell into a lull as I tried to concentrate and keep away any unnecessary thoughts.

I didn't know how long I'd have to sit in place, but I hoped it wouldn't be for too long—sitting in one place while trying to prevent intrusive thoughts from invading felt like too much of a slog.

But I also knew that if I didn't try, I'd get nowhere at all. I might fail on the first few attempts, but I'd get there eventually–and the first step to achieving that is to get started with the process.

After all, he who wants to climb the ladder must start at the bottom.

Man, I love Haikyuu.

['Haikyuu'? What is that?]

Rusty's voice projected in my head, breaking my focus as I jumped a little. It took me a second to realize that my thoughts had accidentally leaked through.

Oh well, it's no biggie. It's not like I was thinking anything weird.

It's a sports anime about volleyball.

[Can… you tell me more about it?]

Sure, I can tell you, but later. Is that alright with you?

[That is… fine.]

There was a slight pause in his speech as he accepted. I suppose he's really curious about it.

Man, his curiosity got me thinking hard about the anime now, making me chuckle nostalgically. 

I remember always sitting at the edge of my seat with clenched cheeks and bated breath at the climax of every vital match, eager to know if the crows would triumph over their opponents through the edge of their teeth.

Sometimes, I'd get so immersed in the anime that I'd start creating an entire self-insert story, with myself at the center. I'd think about how I'd approach different events and characters, the bonds I'd build, and the victories I'd bask in.

Sometimes, I even jokingly wished to be sent into the anime.

Well… I got my wish, but not in the way I had expected. I got sent to another world, but instead of a modern, relatively peaceful world, it's one where everything can and will kill me.

Come to think of it–I never did get to finish the anime since the rest of the matches after the Dumpster Battle didn't get animated while I was alive.

…

Shit, now I can't stop thinking about other stuff that I never got around to doing, the words left unsaid, and the people I left behind…

How would they be feeling right now? Are they sad? Do they miss me?

…

I wonder how Ma is doing right now?

…

Man, I miss home.