Episode 5: Giant RatThe goblins returned empty-handed.
"Keeeeeek!"
The Big Goblin flew into a rage.
It began beating the Small Goblin mercilessly.
I worried it might actually kill the smaller creature.
"Kiiiiik..."
Fortunately, the Small Goblin survived.
Once its anger subsided, the Big Goblin stopped the beating.
The Small Goblin collected the broken rat trap and placed a new one in the same spot.
I could place it elsewhere now, but...
I'd obtained all worthwhile traits from this area. After dealing with the Giant Rat, I planned to immediately begin hunting goblins.
"Keeeeeek."
The goblins disappeared. I retracted my Core.
This hunger is driving me insane... I need to eat something.
Starvation madness threatened to consume me. At this rate, I'd truly perish from hunger.
I struck the ground, summoning the fastest available prey.
Shashashashak.
The skittering sound approached. Cockroaches.
Not just one - at least two of them.
The cockroach population had exploded since I'd been eliminating their primary predator - the rats.
I snatched both approaching cockroaches.
Their bodies crunched as nutrients flowed through my tentacles.
[Insect Shell×2]
[Insect Shell×2]
[Tenacious Vitality×1]
I acquired two Insect Shells and one Tenacious Vitality.
Dismissing the notifications, I noted cockroach traits remained useless.
Wait... Didn't I have nine Tenacious Vitality before?
Checking confirmed nine in stock.
Tenacious Vitality served no purpose.
Equipping it would merely make me harder to kill - pointless when I couldn't die unless my Core was destroyed.
Maybe enhance it?
Since it was expendable, I enhanced Tenacious Vitality on a whim.
[Acquired Two Hearts]
"Huh? What's this?"
Instead of Tenacious Vitality+, something entirely different appeared.
The name alone gave no clue to its effect. I equipped Two Hearts.
[Obtained Trait: Two Lives]
[Two Lives: Gain an additional Core]
My vision split into two perspectives.
A second Core had manifested.
I unequipped it immediately, the double vision causing dizziness.
After the vertigo subsided, I re-equipped Two Hearts.
A thumb-sized black sphere materialized at my center.
Isn't this too conspicuous?
The Core felt dangerously large - practically advertising my weak point.
...Wait a moment...
A new strategy emerged. I could weaponize this obvious weakness.
Imagine an enemy's shock when their "killed" prey suddenly revives.
That moment of confusion could become their fatal mistake.
"This feels reassuring."
An insurance policy. No matter what happened, I'd get a second chance.
"Alright. Let's hunt that Giant Rat tonight."
With this overpowered ability, there was no reason to delay.
I stockpiled energy by hunting more cockroaches.
* * * * *
Aches permeated its body, skull threatening to split.
The Giant Rat returned to its nest, smashing against walls in frustration.
Humiliation burned - defeated by something far smaller.
It hadn't been a fair fight.
The creature had overwhelmed it completely.
Only the enemy's sudden retreat had spared its life.
Though unclear why it fled, the Giant Rat now knew its enemy's hideout.
An ambush with its underlings would finish this.
Squeak!
The Giant Rat summoned its minions. None answered.
Squeak-squeak!
It called again, threateningly. Still nothing.
Belated realization struck.
The once-teeming colony filling these caverns was gone.
That creature had devoured them all.
Unaware, the Giant Rat had sacrificed its last subordinate as bait.
Drunk on sudden power, it noticed its empire's collapse too late.
Skreeeeeech!
The Giant Rat's shriek echoed through empty tunnels. Complacency had destroyed everything.
Regret came too late.
Its digested followers wouldn't return.
Squeak.
The Giant Rat regained composure. Empires could be rebuilt.
New kin would eventually migrate here.
The true problem was that creature.
The being that had overwhelmed it - even after receiving power from the God.
Its existence guaranteed repeated disasters.
Yet the Giant Rat couldn't win as things stood.
Instinct warned of certain defeat in direct confrontation.
Those same instincts had brought it this far - they couldn't be wrong.
The solution came after agonized deliberation.
The Giant Rat journeyed to the source.
The origin of its growth. The wellspring of power. There, it would claim new strength.
It reached the cavern's end - a massive burrow entrance.
The Giant Rat squeezed inside, the tunnel expanding to accommodate its bulk.
At the burrow's terminus lay a ring.
A human-finger-sized band with engraved magic circles along its rim.
An ancient Artifact, its magic circuits worn from repeated gnawing.
The Giant Rat had gained power by consuming the Artifact.
It gnawed desperately. Last time brought power - surely this would too.
Its belief proved correct.
Flash!
The Artifact glowed.
Power flooded the Giant Rat once more.
Mana. Gnawing the ring granted mana.
The rat didn't understand mana's nature.
But with this, victory seemed possible.
Instinct confirmed the improved odds.
The Giant Rat trusted its instinct.
It had never been betrayed before.
It rested for the final battle.
Victory was assured.
* * * * *
Morning arrived with goblin wails interrupting my rest.
Who'd have thought goblin cries would become my alarm clock?
The goblins first checked their trap.
Empty again.
"Keeeeeeee!"
The Big Goblin's rage was understandable after another failure.
At least it didn't take it out on the Small Goblin this time.
The goblins soon left.
They returned later, footsteps heavy with frustration. All traps empty.
Looks like the well's run dry.
I'd hunted too thoroughly in this small Dungeon. Daily hunts were unsustainable.
The goblins vanished into darkness.
I emerged immediately to locate the Giant Rat.
Squeak.
No search needed - it revealed itself.
Remarkable fighting spirit. No wonder it pursued me despite our last beating.
Skitter.
The Giant Rat moved leisurely, as if beckoning me to follow.
Taunt? Or trap?
I hesitated briefly before following.
The Dungeon's rat population was nearly exterminated.
Killing the Giant Rat would complete their extinction.
Their greatest threat - overwhelming numbers - was already neutralized.
Any trap it set would be rudimentary at best.
Maybe some dug pits - easily avoidable.
Plus I have Two Lives now.
Two Cores meant resurrection upon death.
And I wonder what traits I'll gain from consuming it.
This unique specimen might offer unusual traits. I needed maximum strength before hunting goblins.
Skitter-skitter.
The Giant Rat entered a crevice in the cavern wall.
The opening was five times my size.
I passed through into a vast chamber.
Signs of rat habitation littered the area.
The Giant Rat proceeded to the chamber's far end, disappearing into another crevice.
Just in case, I equipped Two Hearts.
A second Core materialized.
Other slots held Sturdy Insect Shell and Agile Body++.
Reassuring.
I followed the Giant Rat.
The tunnel gradually widened, eventually matching the previous chamber's size.
I blocked the entrance.
Its only escape route severed.
Why lure me here?
The Giant Rat's intentions remained unclear.
Our power difference was obvious. Though temporary, a mere rat couldn't have noticed.
As I tried discerning its plan...
Where did it go?
The Giant Rat had vanished from sight.
Rotating my Core, I spotted it stealthily approaching from behind.
A ring adorned its tail.
Flash!
The ring emitted blinding light as crimson flames erupted.
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