Right as Kael took his first step forward, he felt the universe's soft voice whispering in his ear again.
[Trial 1: Survival.]
[Mission: Traverse the Garden of Abominations and make it to the city alive.]
[Trial Reward: Grass Blade.]
Upon hearing the word 'reward', Kael's face lit up with excitement. However, that initial wave of joy subsided after a few moments. Kael realized that the challenge was to make it through the grass field, that must mean that there is something hiding beneath the grass and within the forest down below.
Thinking about ways to approach the distant city, he soon realized that this would be his first challenge. Kael had never tried himself at rock climbing before, so climbing down the cliff was out of the question for now. Before he continued to think, Kael quickly summoned the [Scrapper's Hide]. The crude leather armor materialized itself out of thin air and appeared around his body over his own clothes, it was a bit uncomfortable for now but it had to work.
Continuing to scout a way forward, he looked around a bit, there was a way into a small cave in the ground. Walking closer to it, Kael saw that it lead downwards. If Kael knew one thing about the universe, it is that the first trial a person challenges is always fair and only pushes you so far. It normally doesn't lead to death as difficulty would ramp up over time.
Deciding there was no other way forward, he slowly took one step into the cave, then another. 'It's quite dark in here... if only I had a torch.'
Kael walked further into the dark cave, sometimes stumbling over small rocks but catching himself last second. Sometimes in the cave, he could hear bats flying away or water dripping.
'It really is as they say... when someone loses one sense, the other senses get heightened. The human body is really interesting.'
Walking in the seemingly endless darkness, Kael soon found a blue light shining across a corner. He cautiously walked closer towards the bright light and looked around the curve in the road. What he saw next was a empty cavern with a lake in the middle. Inside the water was something like an orb emanating that same blue light.
Kael summoned the [Scrap Iron Blade] and got closer to the small underground sea. Looking around, he heard a small rustle behind him. Four small green heads poked their heads up from their hiding spot. They snickered... as if laughing at him. As if making a fool out of him.
Kael never really cared for people making fun of him, not once did he feel any malice towards another being, but there was a certain thing about their laugh that did make him feel utter hatred towards these beings. Gripping his sword tighter, he inspected them closer.
'Pretty much the same armor as me.. their swords are already worn out and dull... there are cracks inside their armor too.'
He knew that these beasts probably had more experience wielding a weapon, however, he also knew that his equipment, while not really good, was still superior. He could probably take a few hits without bleeding too much but there were still four of them against just him. The same core principle of the world applied here just like outside: you can achieve everything with the right comrades.
'Don't think I'll go down without a fight though... because I won't. I will take at least one of you guys with me.'
Kael slowly moved his sword before himself, taking on a defensive position. He had never wielded a sword before, thus his technique was quite shabby. A second later, the first goblin charged at him and rammed its own sword against his. Kael actually managed to block the strike but the next one charged at his leg and cut into it, making him drop down for a second.
The wound was not deep at all and had barely penetrated his leather armor. This time, Kael got up and charged at one goblin, however the small bastards were too fast for him. It easily evaded his poor slash and jumped towards his stomach. Kael swiftly sidestepped and dismissed his own sword, he caught the light goblin hissing past him by the back of its tattered shirt and slammed it to the ground.
Pouncing on the beast, he summoned his sword again and plunged it through its heart, ending the goblin's life. The fight was not won just yet, he barely had time to roll out of the way of an arrow. If he didn't receive the buff from his brand, his reaction time wouldn't have been nearly enough. Getting up again, Kael held his sword before him, taking on the same defensive stance as before.
'Once I reach that city... I definitely have to take combat classes..'
He rushed towards an archer this time, this one was not nearly quick enough to react to his charge, Kael easily pierced its heart, killing it right then and there. Pulling his sword out, he suddenly felt a sharp pain at his neck. The other melee goblin slashed at him from behind, this time, the wound was a bit deeper than before but still not nearly enough to slow him down.
Kael barely dodged another arrow and clashed with the last close ranged goblin. He pushed it back, took one strong step forward and slashed downwards, the beast held its sword high to parry the strike, but the blade was far too bruised to hold. The goblin's sword shattered and Kael's attack split the goblin in half.
At that moment, the universe informed him of something.
[You have received a weapon: Dull Hunter's Knife.]
Amidst the battle, he was overjoyed upon receiving a new weapon, however that joy lasted for only a short time as another arrow whistled past him. The last goblin was far too weak to face him in a direct fight, a ranger could never challenge a melee fighter in close combat after all, so the goblin was killed shortly after.
The fight left Kael utterly bruised and battered, he was bleeding from his neck and leg and his entire body hurt too. He fell to the ground and took some deep breaths, gathering himself once more, this was the first time he took a sentient life after all. After regaining his composure, he closed his eyes and summoned his inventory.
[Inventory]:
Armor: [Scrapper's Hide]
Weapons: [Scrap Iron Blade] [Dull Hunter's Knife]
'So there is a new one... amazing.' Kael focused on the [Dull Hunter's Knife] if anything would show up. The letters changed once more.
[Dull Hunter's Knife]:
Weapon tier: [Depth 0]
Weapon abilities: [Double Edged]
[Double Edged]: This sword is extremely sharp when used against inanimate objects or corpses, when brought against skin it is extremely dull.
Item description: [Once upon a time, a young hunter moved through the Garden of Abominations, wanting to harvest a delicious meat from an animal in said forest. He was ambushed by a vile group of goblins who took this knife from his dead corpse. While the blade is not advantageous in combat, its true potential shines in butchery or harvesting crops.]
Opening his eyes again, Kael summoned the knife, it was a sleek knife out of iron. The tip was extremely dull as he put it against his fingers. When he moved it against the goblins, it easily cut through their bodies. Getting up again, he moved closer towards the sea, its bright blue water shining into his face. Deep inside, he saw a small blue sphere rotating inside.