The World of Tactics

Chapter Eighteen IV: A Nightly Battle

"There are some monsters that have innate weapons that improve over time. Wolves are prime examples of such occurrences and this is the reason why some wolves may have longer claws that reach two or three inches long. This is why monsters with such innate weapons are much deadlier than those monsters that could wield such weapons as we humans do. If, for example, a wolf were to be able to fully reach the maximum potential (a normal wolf's innate weapon mastery can only reach a rank B at max innate weapon mastery). Then it would be able to surpass the innate weapons of the average direwolf.

Once a wolf with that terrifying innate weapon evolved into a direwolf, it could easily tear through even the toughest defense of all (could deal damage to those with a defense stat of twenty). Likewise, once such monsters are killed, their materials are worth quite the sum when sold. Their worth is also much more when turned into weapons. So, keep that in mind and always be aware of such details when harvesting for monster materials." Said by a veteran monster harvester to the new monster harvester fledglings.

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Even though Dork's Luck was quite terrible on the status screen, Dork somehow manages to roll and hit the growth rate of a stat four times in a roll. He somehow could tell how Dork managed to survive all those years before Dork was under his ownership. He refocused back on the battlefield because it was now the [Enemy's Turn][4].

The first to move was the first wolf, which was easily dispatched under Uzi's sharp claws. In the process of the bout, Uzi suffers three damage (Uzi, EXP +0). The fourth wolf attack came sharply after and Uzi was able to evade it in time. It was promising that Uzi was able to dodge the attack of the fourth wolf. In addition, Uzi also easily dispatched the fourth wolf with a good counterattack (Uzi, EXP +0). He felt that the experience of the four dead wolves that Uzi killed was going to waste since Uzi could no longer gain any experience. Too bad, he was not able to get a direwolf's soul core within the capital while he was still there. Even then, it would have been quite expensive (cost: 100g~200g) to buy because of its rarity on the market.

The next prime target was Goon because three hobgoblins were stacked on the adjacent squares behind the first and fourth wolf. So, the other wolves could no longer approach Uzi no more. Hence, the ninth wolf moved to attack Goon. To which, Goon easily fends off the ninth wolf while dealing thirteen damage back (Goon, EXP+1). The tenth wolf also gets the same treatment from Goon and suffers eleven damage (Goon, EXP+40, Level Up).

With Goon's level increasing by one, he allocates three of the points into Goon's speed stat. One more level and Goon can easily double attack within a single bout against a wolf. Goon had enough speed right now to double attack even against the other hobgoblins. Except for the leading hobgoblin.

He was ready for the eleventh wolf, the final wolf since there was no other way for the eleventh wolf to target Uzi or Goon. He knows that he can not relax his guard just because the opponent can not cause him any damage. He wants to get familiar with parrying and blocking. At least a basic understanding of a lived practice. This is why he readily raised his heavy block of shield and waited for the incoming twelfth wolf's strike.

Well, the outcome was that he failed horribly with the block and the lacking parry from his bronze lance. By the time he could react to the twelfth wolf's attack, it was already his turn to counter-attack. He sorrowfully clenched his hold on his heavy shield tighter and went in for the counter-attack, dealing eleven damage. He could not just parry or block, trainees were taught any blocking or parrying skills. The most that they learned was the most was physical exercise, followed by a bit of swimming lesson, basic weapon attacking skills, and nothing else.

He gave the eleventh wolf a b****y hole with his bronze lance (John Smith, EXP +0). He could not continue with a second counterattack because his speed stat had exceeded the twelfth wolf's speed stat. Too bad, his current level was a bit too high and he gained no experience points for this bout with the twelfth wolf. He did not have time to be disappointed because the leading hobgoblin was the immediately targeted Uzi adjacent to the edge of the battlefield.

The bone ax of the leading hobgoblin came at such an angle that it made it hard for Uzi to evade and a huge gash opened up at the back of Uzi. Not only that, a red negative eight number pops up from the top of Uzi's head. In return, Uzi only managed to do a pitiful amount of damage, which was only four damage with each counterattack. Due to the exact amount of speed difference, Uzi manages to retaliate the same amount of damage to the leading hobgoblin (Uzi, EXP+0).

Even though the result was equal in damage, that was far from the truth because Uzi's current health points are currently sitting at seven points. As long as the next hobgoblin was able to deal the same amount of damage as the leading hobgoblin or were a point weaker in damage, then Uzi would be gone for good. Then that means that Dork would be open for an attack within the next turn and it would be ugly. Just this thought made him sweat and he was nearly able to surpass the numbing pain.

He crosses his finger as the next hobgoblin of the two takes the square adjacent to him and Uzi. He had wanted to calculate the strength along with the total might of the weapon, but time was not on his side. He could only blame himself for such a low-level mistake by considering that the direwolves and the wolves were much more of a threat than the hobgoblins and goblins. Both sides of the two were equally dangerous and watched on as the first hobgoblin of the two initiated the bout with Uzi.

The first hobgoblin came strong and he only felt that the night's chill was warmer. It was only when he had confirmed that Uzi only had six damage did he breathe slightly better than before. Uzi was standing strong with just one health point. Uzi counterattacks right after. Each of Uzi's attacks manages to deal seven damage to the first hobgoblin. In total, Uzi easily deals fourteen damage to the first hobgoblin (Uzi, EXP+0). First came the chill, now, came the reward. Uzi manages to get something out of this situation and the message that flowed above Uzi's head was:

[Innate Mastery Rank Up!]

[Innate Mastery: D -> C]

[Innate weapon grows and becomes stronger...][Wolf Claws becomes Wolf Claws (Strong)!][Wolf Jaws becomes Wolf Fangs!]

[Uzi gains the skill: [Innate Sharpness]]

The feeling that he got at the moment was quite contradicting. One, he was happy that Uzi's innate weapon mastery had increased by one rank. However, the other one was that they were still not out of this sticky situation yet. Uzi was still a bit fragile and he would rather have Uzi's innate weapon mastery increase when Uzi had already evolved first. Well, since the worst had already passed. There was nothing that he could do to change. He only hopes that some of the goblins will at least dodge one of Uzi's claw counterattacks.

The last remaining hobgoblin could only stand behind the first two hobgoblins. The rest of the goblins also follow suit and stick behind as well. Thus, the enemy's turn ends. He was always relieved to see that it was [Player's Turn][5] again. The stress from seeing Uzi left with one health point is too intensive.

The first thing that he did was make sure that Uzi used the other remaining herb batch and gobbled them up. This is to ensure that Uzi completely heals up and withstands the attacks of the remaining goblins after dealing with the hobgoblins. He felt better knowing that he gave two full herb batches to Uzi. It has been put into use now and solved his current dilemma. His head turns and he begins searching for an answer to his current situation. In addition, what is the best course of action at the moment?

He knows that Uzi could easily fend off the leading hobgoblin and kill off the first hobgoblin. This would mean that the second hobgoblin would likely kill Uzi afterward. That is if he ignores the fact that he did not attack the first hobgoblin and defeated it. Otherwise, he could command Dork to finish the job. But, he knew something else that was better. The plan goes like this. He would command Dork first to attack the eleventh wolf and he would target the first hobgoblin.

If everything goes according to plan, Uzi should be able to tank the leading hobgoblin and the second hobgoblin. Goon could easily finish off one of the wolves that are adjacent. Because of that, this would mean that some goblins would be shifted over to target Goon. By the time it turned six, he and Dork could easily get rid of the leading hobgoblin along with the second hobgoblin. This will ensure that Uzi survives and the formation will not collapse.

With such planning in mind, he had to enact it and ensure that nothing would go wrong. He was still a bit worried that the first hobgoblin would still be able to dodge one of his strikes. He knows that one of his attacks will not be able to completely kill off the first hobgoblin. Even if things do not go as planned, he still needs to make sure that Dork will still be able to eliminate the first hobgoblin.

It was the moment of truth and he readily attacked the first hobgoblin. The first stab of his bronze lance successfully landed on the first hobgoblin. Then he waits for the retaliation of the first hobgoblin. A small dull sound came from the contact of the bone ax against his metal armor. He even felt a slight pain coming from his left shoulder, but other than that. He received no damage. Even if he receives a point or two damage. He would not mind that.

This was going to be his second attack during this bout and his muscles began to tense. Before he shot his second stab, he breathed in a relaxed breath which helped him relieve a bit of tension. Right after he felt that it was the right timing, he did not hesitate to stab with all of his might. He could not afford to miss this strike. He narrows his eyes when his bronze lance gets closer and closer. It happened within seconds and the miserable attempt of the first hobgoblin to dodge his bronze lance was fruitless (John Smith, EXP +60). It was only when he saw the experience did he relax his guard. He could breathe much easier now.

Before ending his turn, he did not forget to make sure that Dork targets the eleventh wolf. This will open up this gap so that it is easier for the goblins to shift over to Goon. Once he was done commanding Dork, he moved on to Goon. He made Goon attack the wolf that was adjacent to him. This would open a small gap for the few closer goblins to attack Goon. This will grind down the number of goblins. By the time it was the enemy's next turn, the remaining goblins were no threat to Uzi, or Goon, nor to him, and Dork.

The tenth wolf was the unlucky wolf that was situated adjacent between him and Goon. Goon never shows any mercy and easily dispatches the tenth wolf with Goon's hard fist on the head (EXP +60), This concludes their turn and it finally was [Neutral's Turn]. The enemy's turn was quite long because of their surprising numbers. Otherwise, this battle would not have taken longer than this. After all, his previous battles did not take as long as this. He reckons that in the future, a massive battlefield will take a longer time than this. He had to brace himself when the time came.

[Neutral's Turn][5]. Dork did not fail the mission that he gave and Dork easily roasted the eleventh wolf with a fireball spell (Dork, EXP +15). It was within his expectation that the amount of experience that Dork could gain from a level-thirteen wolf was not much, but fifteen points of experience are quite the amount for Dork. Once their setup was ready, it was time for the enemy to enact their part. [Enemy's Turn][5].

The last remaining wolf was the first to start and sadly lost its life trying to attack Goon (Goon, EXP +2). Its death was barely worth two experiences to Goon and it was not even worth anything at all. The wolf's sacrifice, in his opinion, was not worth it at all. Likewise, he did not even know why his summons was so attractive, to begin with. Or even why the monsters were hell-bent on killing the two of his summons. He could not help but become more curious, as even this remaining last wolf would even try when it definitely can not deal any damage to Goon. For now, he could only let this thought flow until he could get the chance to enact it.

The leading hobgoblin attacks Uzi again. This time the result has the same outcome but is slightly different from before. The leading hobgoblin landed a successful attack on Uzi, while Uzi could only counterattack once. The second counterattack by Uzi missed the mark, but he was already happy with the result. Uzi suffers eight damage while dealing back eight damages back (Uzi, EXP+0). He could only applaud Uzi's increase in innate weapon mastery along with the skill that Uzi received because of it. Those two together are the reason why Uzi could deal four damage.

A single rank-up could change the outcome of something small and this small difference matters the most. The last remaining second hobgoblin charges at Uzi the moment after. This time, he was glad that the first hobgoblin was the first to move because the damage that Uzi received this time was exactly seven points of damage. Nothing more and nothing less could be said about this outcome. In return, though, Uzi manages to counterattack twice with ease. Each counterattack deals ten damage. As a result, Uzi manages to inflict twenty damage (Uzi, EXP +0).

He felt a bit better knowing that even though Uzi might not gain any experience, Uzi could still gain some innate weapon mastery, which is a plus already. Likewise, he wonders just how strong Uzi's innate weapon will become once it reaches full mastery or at least ranks A or something. Since the two hobgoblins completely block off any goblin traffic. The first goblin could only try to shift over to Goon, who has two adjacent square gap openings for attack.