Chapter 4: An Unstoppable Force Meets a Movable Object

Chapter 4: An Unstoppable Force Meets a Movable Object

Bushes tore at Edwins arms as he sprinted through the underbrush. Behind him, he could hear his pursuer crashing through the fallen log he had vaulted over just moments before. He winced as the bear just charged through a tree, and the noise as it splintered resounded through the forest. He was running as fast as he could, and that meant he couldnt be too close to the riverbank, or hed risk falling in, or tripping on some of the loose rocks lining it, or something similarly catastrophic. Yes, the proper response to encountering a bear was supposed to be making yourself look big and scary and avoid provoking it, but he was pretty sure that didnt apply to bears the size of a car that were already mad at you.

He wasnt sure if he should count himself lucky or unlucky that none of the rocks he had thrown which missed the tree hadnt hit the bear. On the plus side, he had eaten enough of the fruit that he had energy to run. On the down side, he would have gotten more of a head start from the massive predator and wouldnt have to deal with the cramp in his side from running before the fruit was fully digested. Give and take, really.

Another tree fell and Edwin flinched at the sound, just long enough to miss a thin twig at head height, and he winced as it whipped him painfully. That would probably draw blood, but he didnt have time to stop and check.

On the bright side, it was doing wonders for his skills. From the moment he took off running, he had been praying his Walking boost also applied to running and that his Athletics would help out there as well. He seemed to be right, at least.

Level Up! Walking

Level Up! Athletics



They were leveling once every couple of minutes, and with each level he could maybe feel a bit more sure-footed, each step that much easier. Then again, it might be adrenaline and the placebo effect. Not like he had any way to really check.

Edwin dodged a fallen log, bringing him closer to the riverbank. For this stretch of the river, it was fairly muddy, which proved to be his downfall as a slightly exposed root caught his foot, making him stumble just enough for his other foot to get stuck in the mud, sending him sprawling.

With the literal jaws of death bearing down upon him, Edwin turned to face the beast and threw a ball of mud as best as he could at the bears snarling mouth. He was hoping to blind it, and was half successful, most of the mud splattering on its snout. Enough did bounce off or hit true to cover its eyes with the almost clay-like dirt, though, and a fair amount went into the beasts open mouth and covered its nostrils to make it pause as Edwin got to his feet and took off again.

Level Up! Throwing Weapons

The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

On an impulse, he picked up another handful of mud in the hopes he could repeat the stunt. It took up a hand, but he could probably make do with only one for the time being, especially if he started sticking closer to the riverbank. Though that would have to wait, as there was no way hed be able to run through this mud. Hopefully he could make his way back to the riverbank in time. From up ahead, he could hear the roar of the waterfall growing steadily louder.

Level Up! Walking

Level Up! Athletics



He was almost there, a half-formed plan in mind as his only vague hope for survival. Then all other thoughts were once again chased out of his mind as he heard the bear resuming its pursuit, slowly closing the gap between them. Risking a momentary glance backwards, Edwin could swear he could feel anger in its unblinded, glowing orange eye.

A twinge on his mana sense was all the warning he got, and he dropped to the ground into a slide as a nigh-invisible spiderweb was strung up right where his head would have passed through had he not reacted.



Increased effectiveness of creations per level

Congratulations! For slaying a foe far stronger than you, you have unlocked the Titan Slayer Path!

Congratulations! For slaying a Mature Giant Stonehide Bear, you have unlocked the Stonehide Vanquisher Path!

Congratulations! For using your surroundings as a trap for your enemies, you have unlocked the Trapper Path!

You have unlocked the Improvisation skill!

Accept Skill? Y/N

Level Up! Athletics

Level Up! Flexibility

Congratulations! For reaching level 12 in Athletics, you have unlocked the Athlete Path!

Level Up! Athletics

Level Up! Visualization

Level Up! Walking

Level Up! Athletics

Level Up! Flexibility

Level Up! Walking

Level Up! Seeing

Level Up! Throwing Weapons

I should get up. And I am not falling asleep this time. Its like noon. But I think laying here sounds nice for right now.

Very nice.