Drake left the oppressive atmosphere of the Corrupted Grove behind, the faint hum of the [Weathered Alvari Artifact] safely tucked away in his inventory alongside its newly recovered shard fragment. He felt a distinct sense of accomplishment. He was Level 5, equipped with his first piece of Rare gear – the [Worn Alvari Bracer] – complementing the Normal quality helm and jerkin he'd scavenged. More importantly, his relentless grind against the corrupted creatures had forced tangible improvements in his execution, permanently locked by [Eidetic Execution].
<< Current Stats (Notable): Level 5 | Basic Slash SCR: 86% | Defend SCR: 85% >>
"Slash 86, Defend 85. Okay, now we're talking. That's over 100% potential effect on both [Slash: 50+(262)=102%, Defend: 50+(252)=100%]. Should make dealing with standard mobs much smoother. Time to see what else this tutorial zone has."
His map showed several areas he'd previously avoided. The 'Hobgoblin Hills' to the north were marked with Level 5-6 indicators. With his current capabilities, it felt like the right place to test himself further and continue honing his skills. The path to perfection was paved with progressively harder challenges.
He set off north from the grove's vicinity, moving through the relatively peaceful sections of the Verdant Threshold that connected the different points of interest. The journey itself became practice. He encountered packs of Level 5 Dire Wolves, noticeably faster and more coordinated than the boars near Veridian Rise.
A wolf lunged, jaws snapping. Drake reacted smoothly, activating [Defend]. His body executed the 85% SCR block automatically, the timing crisp, the stance solid. CLANG! << Skill Success! SCR 85%! Damage Blocked: 45! >> << Damage Taken: 5! HP: 140/145 >> "Much better! Only 5 damage taken from a Lvl 5 mob's power attack. 85% block feels reliable."
He countered immediately with [Basic Slash]. The 86% SCR execution felt fluid, powerful, tracing the phantom guide almost perfectly. << Skill Success! SCR 86%! Damage Dealt: 24! >> Another wolf attempted to flank him. Drake sidestepped while launching another slash, then used [Defend] again as the flanking wolf snapped. Block, slash, reposition. His movements were becoming more fluid, his high, locked SCRs allowing him to react effectively without the jarring failures or weak hits that plagued his earlier efforts. He dispatched the pair of wolves efficiently, taking minimal damage.
<< Defeated Dire Wolf! EXP +75 >> << Defeated Dire Wolf! EXP +75 >>
He continued north, engaging every wolf pack he saw. While his current SCRs were effective, Drake didn't let complacency set in. With every single swing, every single block, he focused, trying to push the execution just a little further, reach a little closer to that feeling of absolute perfection he'd glimpsed when training with the incense. He analyzed each blocked hit with [Perfect Recall] – could the angle have been better? The timing infinitesimally earlier? After one particularly well-timed block against a lunging wolf's bite:
<< Skill Success! SCR 87%! Damage Blocked: 48! >> << [Peak Performance Replication] updated: [Defend] SCR 87%! >>
"Eighty-seven Defend! Locked." A small, incremental gain, but permanent. A few fights later, focusing on the precise arc of his slash:
<< Skill Success! SCR 88%! Damage Dealt: 26! (Critical!) >> << [Peak Performance Replication] updated: [Basic Slash] SCR 88%! >>
"And 88% Slash! Good progress." Each percentage point required significant focus and repetition against these slightly more challenging Lvl 5 mobs, but the immediate feedback and permanent locking via his talent made the grind feel rewarding.
The terrain gradually became rockier, the trees thinning out, replaced by sparse shrubs and large boulders. He spotted crude wooden barricades and watchtowers ahead – Hobgoblin Hills. He slowed his pace, scanning the area. Groups of Hobgoblin Strikers (Level 6) were visible, their green skin and brutish features distinct even from a distance. They wielded heavy clubs and seemed more heavily armored than the wolves.
"Level 6 mobs. Okay, new patterns to learn. Let's pull one carefully."
He found a lone Hobgoblin patrolling near a large rock and initiated combat with a well-aimed stone throw. The Hobgoblin roared, charging clumsily but powerfully, swinging its club in a wide, overhead arc. Drake stood his ground, activating [Defend]. << Skill Success! SCR 87%! Damage Blocked: 50! >> << Damage Taken: 25! HP: 120/145 >> "Hits hard, even through an 87 block. Gotta watch that."
He responded with [Basic Slash]. << Skill Success! SCR 88%! Damage Dealt: 28! >> The Hobgoblin grunted but kept coming. Its attack pattern was simple – mostly heavy single swings – but punishing if a block was mistimed or an attack poorly positioned. Drake focused, using his reliable high-80s SCRs to trade blows effectively. Block, slash, reposition, slash, block... His consistency prevented disaster, allowing him to whittle down the Hobgoblin's considerable health pool steadily. After a solid minute of exchanging blows, the Hobgoblin finally fell.
<< Defeated Hobgoblin Striker! EXP +100 >>
He tackled a group of two next, finding it more challenging due to needing to manage positioning and blocking attacks from multiple directions, but his improved [Defend] held strong. He continued grinding through the Hobgoblin camps scattered across the hills. The EXP flowed steadily, noticeably faster than fighting lower-level mobs, validating his decision to push into this harder area.
During one fight against a trio of Hobgoblins, focusing on weaving between them while maintaining his basic attack chain, one of them collapsed and dropped a distinct burlap sack icon.
"Another drop? Seriously? From a Hobgoblin?" He quickly finished off the remaining two and eagerly checked the loot.
<< Item Acquired: [Well-Used Longsword] (Normal)! >> << Item Acquired: Copper Coins x21 >> << Item Acquired: [Torn Hobgoblin Hide] x2 >> (Basic crafting material)
He immediately brought up the sword's stats.
[Well-Used Longsword]
Quality: Normal
Type: One-Handed Sword
Damage: 15-22 Durability: 80/80
Requirements: Level 6
Stats: +1 Strength
"Normal quality, same as the last one basically. Damage is a tiny bit higher than the starter sword, +1 Str is okay... Requires Level 6 though." He sighed internally. While grateful for any drop in LoA's stingy economy, he'd hoped for something better. Still, an upgrade was an upgrade. He tucked it away, needing one more level.
He continued his methodical clearing of the Hobgoblin Hills. His SCRs remained locked in the high 80s – pushing past that towards the critical 90% threshold felt like hitting a temporary wall, requiring even more focus than he could consistently muster while handling multiple Level 6 mobs. But the consistent EXP gain was undeniable. After clearing another large camp, the familiar chime echoed.
Ding! LEVEL UP! You are now Level 6! << Base Attributes Increased! HP/MP/Stamina Increased! +2 Attribute Points Available! >>
Drake immediately assigned the points, feeling a tangible increase in his overall power, and he immediately equipped the [Well-Used Longsword]. Testing it on the next Hobgoblin, the combination of his Level 6 stats, the slightly higher weapon damage, and his locked 88% [Basic Slash] SCR resulted in noticeably more potent hits.
"Level 6. Solid SCRs in the high 80s. Decent starter gear plus the Rare bracer. Finally feeling capable." He scanned the remaining hills. He had conquered this challenge, improved himself significantly, and was ready for whatever the Verdant Threshold threw at him next. The Gnarled Briar Patch to the east, or perhaps... it was time to consider the final challenge of the tutorial zone?