The first battle against an extraterrestrial beast was underwhelming to say the least and the hot blooded teenagers didn't even try to hide their displeasure.
"The hell was that. Where was the promised blood pumping experience, the life and death situations, the close shaves, the injuries and cool scars." whined Mateo, the most thrill seeking among them all.
"I know right. I mean what is with this low exp, 0.25xp, are you kidding me." followed up Carmen, the expression on her face showing that she was ready to throw hands, like her personal mantra, 'VIOLENCE SOLVES EVERYTHING' suggested.
Ayleen just kept mum, shyly staring at Leone who had a pensive look on his face. Breaking out of his thoughtful state and brought forth his theories after a round of questioning the shocked looking parents and the composed Wilson.
"I think each beast killed gives only 1xp and since we were 4 who contributed to its death we each got .25xp. That said, I think we should start killing in pairs, otherwise there is no way we are reaching the 10xp mark to increase our levels."
The suggestion was well received since its basis sounded firm and logical, hence the next beast to be found would be given to the Wilson- Angel group. A few hours and 20 beasts later, humanity's first dungeon exploration team found themselves in a spacious cavern with trees present, the first flora seen in the dungeon. The average exp being 2, with confidence level and general morale at high levels.
Up ahead, they were met with many packs of the usual slime dogs, as they had decided to call them along with new variants. These new variations were twice as big as their predecessors, with the usual black fur and green slime which covered their whole body except their paws. With ghastly purple eyes and foam around the mouth, these new variants looked meaner, hungrier and deadlier, and worse, they had their sights set on the bipedals who just entered their home uninvited.
No one knows who said the word, "run", all that mattered was that it need not be said again as everyone followed the command immediately. The biggest of the purple-eyed slime dogs obviously the alpha howled, catching the rest of the pack's attention and together they gave chase to their next meal, which were desperately trying to escape their sealed fate.
The meals in question were busily running for their lives but still keeping to their formation of, ladies in front, gents at the rear. Hearing the sounds of the approaching beasts, Mateo shot a boulder with a grenade sticking out towards them. Ayleen slashed at the grenade, causing it to detonate and blow up the boulder, sending pieces of rock flying into the pack of dogs, injuring a few in the process.
Using the dust and flying debris as cover, those that had run ahead open fire, unleashing a hail of bullets over Ayleen and Mateo who crawled on their belly to reach the rest. Reaching them, they threw another grenade-filled boulder towards the pack while the rest ran. This process of kiting proved to be effective and hence kept going on, that is until the alpha had enough and got angry, releasing a different but equally loud howl from usual.
Right before their eyes, the humans watched as the slime increased on the dogs' body. They watched as the slime turned a darker shade of green and became more compact, almost solid if not for its faint jiggle with every step taken. It was at this moment that they knew that they were dead, a notion proven further by the death of Leone's summon which was barely able to survive the first hit it received at the paws of a beefed up non alpha, purple-eyed slime dog.
Sensing imminent death, Leone asked for the beasts to be distracted while he used his second item purchased during his second calling. From the corner of his eye, Mateo saw Leone prick his thumb with a claw harvested from one of their earlier kills. He then dropped some blood into the white potion which didn't change colour. Putting the potion to his lips Leone gulped down all its contents and began to release a faint pressure which was increasing with each passing moment.
Just as both the pressure and his anticipation were about reaching the peak, Mateo was attacked by a claw swipe from a normal rank 1 slime dog who had capitalised on his moment of distraction, making him pay for his careless behaviour on the battlefield. His leather padded light armour softened the blow but the tinge of red on it indicated that he was still injured even if it was only a little cut.
As if reacting to his bleeding, Mateo's ring vibrated with a humming sound causing him to rub it instinctively. Instantaneously, 5 semi liquid bipedal beasts appeared. With a dark and smelly composition, these clawed, fanged and horned beasts showed that they were made of blood, the zombie blood absorbed by the ring earlier in the year. Without being given a command, these beasts as big as the alpha slime dog, which was a rank 3 being, ganged up on the unfortunate slime dog who had hurt their master. Making quick work of it, they then moved to its brethren, absorbing the blood of the slain and accruing exp for their master who was sitting against the tunnel wall, gobsmacked.
The blood beasts' rampage gave everyone more breathing room allowing them to focus more on racking up experience points than watching each other's backs. The alpha who had laid down to enjoy the show got up. Its intention, to destroy the abominable beasts and end the hunt. With one hit it destroyed a blood beast, reducing it back to blood which then got absorbed by the 4 remaining ones. Before it could destroy the rest, a new player joined the battlefield and threw the alpha off balance with a right hook.
The remaining 4 beasts worked together with the new arrival, serving as distractions while others whittled down the alpha's strength. This went on for a while until the alpha collapsed with a loud thud, breathing it's last breath and bringing an end to the high stakes match. The rest of the slime dogs were easily killed and their blood absorbed by the lone blood beast left standing.