Immediately after stepping through the portal I threw up. I was blinded by a white glow, and my head pounded. And then it was over. As if it never happened.
I steadied myself, clutching my throat, sweat pouring down my back.
Was going through the first time this bad? I couldn't remember. I took a sip of my water, scanning the scenery.
The sky inside the dungeon was a light purplish grey color, permanent dusk. I was in a clearing. Dry cracked dirt, plus the occasional the only things for several meters around the portal.
The trees past this were blackened, as if burnt, But they were many, and close together, hiding whatever lurked in them.
I moved through the trees, slowly. Even though there weren't any leaves, the trees still made it hard to see, so close together they almost made walls sometimes, coupled with the low lighting-It was almost like a maze.
Scratch that- it was a maze.
A quiet growl came from somewhere behind me. I turned to see a cat. Long, silky, grey fur and strange white eyes. A Dungeon cat.
A perfectly harmless, sometimes even friendly creature. I slowly backed up as not to startle it, and continued on my way.
Though they weren't often hostile, to someone who wasn't awakened it could easily kill me.
And with it being a speed type I had no chance against it if it decided to attack me. It was better to try my luck on a bigger but slower monster.
The creature followed me, not attacking, but not lowering its guard.
Suddenly, It hissed, fur standing on end, I froze, following it's gaze. It wasn't looking at me but at something in the trees ahead.
I strained my ears listening for something A clue to what it might be. Low levels only really housed one or two types of Netherlych, but sometimes they had other types of monsters-like horned rabbits.
A slow rumbling, that continued to get louder alerted me as to what it might be.
I took a defensive position, eyes on the ground. An E rank! My heart pounded, breath caught in my chest. The ground shook, disturbing the dirt to the side. I stepped away, glancing at the cat.
Something was off about it...It was beginning to change in appearance. Its eyes began to glow, seemingly smoking.
Snap, pop, crack.
Hideous sounds filled the air as It grew in size- nearly twice my own height- paws elongating to long claw-like fingers, and sprouting a whole other set of arms.
I nearly dropped my jaw. "What the fuck?!"
I had never seen such a thing! The dungeon cat had just become a whole other monster!
This horrifying monster, tall as fuck looked like a fluffy, giant, cat thing. That kinda threw me off a bit- the catlike appearance.
The noises of the E-rank Netherlych crawling out of the earth brought me back to the situation.
Out of the ground stretched long fingers, digging its way out. It had shorter, thin arms, and its claws were more like giant scoops than fingers. The body followed. The E rank was much smaller than the other, not much bigger than myself.
It pulled itself completely out of the ground, screeching a ghoulish scream. I covered my ears reflexively, wincing.
The monster leaped at me, dirt-covered claws grabbing at my face. I dodged, diving out of the way. Landing painfully in the dirt.
The creature was surprisingly slow.
I swung, punching it, the knife I gripped tightly in my hand leaving only a small scratch behind.
I yanked my bag off, swinging it at the creature, distracting it.
I lunged swinging my meager knife again, this time landing a deeper cut.
It howled.
Yes!
It lunged at me again, faster than it had before, fingers stroking through my hair. I shuddered and jerked back, repulsed. It tugged my hair as I pulled away.
I threw the bag again as hard as I could, following with a kick to the stomach as hard as I could possibly muster.
I managed to stun it, knocking the air out of it.
I jumped, grabbing the E rank by the neck and pushing as hard as I could, knocking us both to the ground. I crushed its throat with every muscle I had. My full weight pressed on its neck. It let out a weak screech, clawing at my arms.
I wasn't strong enough. It flailed, clawing and kicking and crying out. I nearly lost my grip, my nose beginning to bleed from a smack to the face, and my arms stinging with deep cuts.
To my surprise- and horror- the other monster intervened, stomping forcefully on the E ranks head, bird-like toes, sinking into dull grey flesh.
Blood sprayed on me and I closed my eyes, but unfortunately, my teeth had been exposed and I got blood in my mouth. I let go of it, falling back.
The monster continued to screech and struggle, kicking and clawing. However, the Other pressed its foot in, further, mushing its brains out like he was squishing a bug- until the E ranker finally stopped moving.
Stunned, I stared at the Thing.
What in the actual fuck just happened?!!?
It turned, seemingly staring back at me. Looking me over.
[+100xp]
[You aided in killing a monster much stronger than you!]
[Congratulations! You are now a player! Welcome to the game!]
[Stats are now being calculated]
[Skills are being awarded]
Screens flooded my vision.
[+300G]
(In game currency to use in 'Shop' available at level 15.)
[Level up!]
[+300G]
The Thing dug its foot out of the E rank, the awful squelching echoing. I cringed. It shook its foot, blood, and brain matter flying off in every which way. I ducked to avoid it.
It walked closer to me, and I took a tentative step backward.
It paused, sinking to my height.
It moved closer, its face only feet away from me.
Did it want something??
I felt compelled, reaching out to touch it slowly. My hand rested on its soft head and it purred, closing its eyes.
In all my years as a hunter, I had never experienced or heard of anything so insane.
Another message screen.
[Accept The Netherlich's Request?]
[Y\N]
Request? What does it want?
[Become the Netherlich's master? It admires you and your ability to stand up to something much stronger than you.]