Chương 49: Chapter Forty Eight

The two 'Sudden Steps' Bob used to quickly cross the street cost him an additional ten mana, but he considered it a price well worth paying. While there weren't any C-ranked crustaceans either in sight or within range of 'Treasure Sense', he didn't want to chance one in the far distance managing to spot him. The roadways were long and flat after all, and he had no idea what sort of Traits the wandering monsters might have picked up.

As he neared the high grasses, he set his eye on the tip of a building he could just see above them. What looked to be a decorative or possibly religious structure planted near the middle of the overgrown patch of seabed. Something whose purpose might had been akin to a shrine or hermitage, once upon a time. Before whatever apocalypse that had claimed this place occurred. Now, it would serve as a useful landmark. Helping to prevent him from straying too far off-course.

The stalks of grass luckily grew far enough apart for him to slip his body between them without much of an issue; each individual plant as thick as a leek and standing at least four feet tall. The smaller crabs weren't much of a concern either. Them being scattered sparsely throughout the area, with at least a few dozen feet separating each infantile monster. Giving him more than enough space to slink his way through unseen.

Still, it was slow going, with Bob barely managing to clear a few hundred feet over the course of the next two hours. Him occasionally being tempted to bring his newest treasure to bear. The sharpness of the blade calling to him even as the mimic part of his brain demanded that all sources of experience remain safely tucked away within his body.

He was in the middle of deciding whether or not it would soon be granted the title of 'world's most expensive machete', when 'Treasure Sense' screamed out a warning inside his mind. His latest step forward had uncovered something. Placed him within range of a massive 'blob' that could only be C-ranked. One around a hundred or so feet in front of him and to his right; deeper within the thick bed of grass.

And also, if it was anywhere near the size of the other C-ranks, one which should have been easily spotted during his trip down the manor's front steps. Feeling more than a little concerned about why it hadn't been, Bob pressed 'deeper' into the creature with his mind. A distressing notification quickly popping up in front of him. Burrowing Blade Mad-Crab (C) Level: 6 Threat Ranking: Extreme An almost greasy sensation seemed to flow across his mind as he examined the creature.

One he was more than a little familiar with, given how frequently he'd used his Class Skill to affirm the location of 'Stalker' variant crabs within the manor. This C-rank apparently had at least one level of Trait-based concealment. Not that it mattered overly much, considering it was also apparently under the goddamn ground. Bob remained frozen for a moment in frightful indecision, unsure of how he wanted to proceed.

Eventually, however – after the monster failed to have any reaction to his presence – he started slowly moving forward once again. His only allowance to the beast being a slight change in his path. One which would put him as far away from it as possible, while at the same time keeping it at the edge of Treasure Sense's range. This worked well enough for the next twenty to thirty feet, with Bob doing his best to silently and smoothly wind his way around each plant.

But, upon moving slightly closer to the C-rank than usual to avoid a lesser crab, he suddenly felt the monster react. Literally. As the sands beneath him slowly began to vibrate. He instantly halted all movement before activating 'Lifeless Disguise'. Inner eye watching as the 'blob' on his mental map moved around a foot or so towards him before suddenly stopping. Bob being less-than-surprised when he noticed the halt coincided with his own ability use.

It couldn't have seen him after all, so it must have been able to sense him some other way. Meaning the beast likely also had a Trait from the 'monster' version of the 'Detection' Path. One he was now apparently in range of. Bob mentally cursed himself for his carelessness as he tried to figure out what to next. Any movement would break the concealment 'Lifeless Disguise' provided him.

And given how slowly he was able to proceed through the tall grass, he wouldn't be able to get out of its range before it started moving again. His next thought was to use his newly-acquired teleportation ability, but could already 'feel' it would be impossible to 'swap' himself with any of the dense, living matter he was surrounded by. And appearing in the waters overhead sounded less than appealing, given how it'd gone for him last time.

He considered trying to distract it with one of his various Illusion Skills, but the monster being buried beneath the sands put-paid to those notions. The majority of his cantrips being auditory or visual in nature, and thus not likely to be very effective. Bob didn't let himself panic, however; this not exactly his first time being hunted by a massive genocidal crab. Him realizing quickly that just because his illusions wouldn't work well on the C-ranker, that didn't mean they wouldn't work on something else.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. Before making any attempts though, he would first have to make some changes. Now having access to six active Skill Slots, Bob found he had slightly more leeway than he did previously. Two of the slots were already filled up with his 'permanent Skills', of course. With another two being firmly occupied by 'Battlefield Meditation' and 'Mindful Evasion'.

These Skills being necessary to properly enact his standard battle strategy of 'don't be gruesomely murdered'. Still, that left him two openings. Both of which were currently occupied by Dimensional Skills.

'Displacement' having taken the new slot he'd gained upon hitting Species level fifteen. Bob felt a slight reluctance fill him as he tried to decide which he would replace. Both abilities were devastatingly powerful, and he'd really rather not be short either in an emergency. Eventually, however, he decided the only real option was to bench 'Displacement'. As potent as the Skill was, it had also chewed through the greater majority of his mana pool the last time he'd cast it.

Something which had required him to linger quite a bit longer in the manor than he would have liked. Not willing to exit the building without at least a half-full mana-bar. A mana-bar which, after three uses of 'Sudden Step', was now looking far more anemic than he'd prefer. And was about to become smaller still, as after wincing through yet another Skill Swap, Bob targeted the furthest lesser mad-crab that was still within his range.

One a good way behind and to the right of him; just outside of the C-rank's area of detection. Ding! Distant Temptation (E) Has Leveled up! 11 – 12 Bob was pleasantly surprised by the Skill increase, but far more focused on the events unfolding through 'Treasure Sense'. Watching eagerly as the F-ranked monster slowly began pursuing his illusion in the direction of its far-larger cousin. Non-existent heart stilling as it crossed the invisible demarcation line surrounding the creature.

And then becoming elated when the sands below him once more began to shake. The lesser mad-crab seemed to recognize this sensation as the warning it was. The tiny monster immediately ceasing its attempts to catch whatever Bob's Skill was showing it and beginning to scramble backwards out of the greater crustacean's range. Unfortunately for the unlucky arthropod, not quite quickly enough.

Even as he celebrated the C-rank moving away from him, Bob couldn't help the horror he felt while 'watching' the monster stalk towards its victim. The only sign of its passage being the gentle rumble of the sand under his many feet. None of the tall grasses even seeming to sway as the 'blob' passed beneath their location. Once he felt certain that he was outside its detection range, Bob immediately began to move. Using his tongue to press the grass out of the way in an attempt to hasten his passage.

Feeling slightly uncomfortable as both crabs dipped outside his own range of detection. Especially when, moments later, the monstrous ' clack' of a giant claw snapping closed echoed through the surrounding waters. Though Bob winced at the sound, he didn't allow it to stop him making forward progress. His new method was causing a great deal more commotion as he moved through the vegetation, but speed seemed preferrable to stealth, given the situation. Or at least he'd thought it was.

Until he realized that the sands below him had yet to cease their shaking. Bob struggled to increase his pace even as he questioned what was going on. Hoping that the beast was simply heading back to a more comfortable spot to enjoy its meal. The alternative being more than a little concerning. Especially given the area lacked any more conveniently located crablings. Unfortunately, it was only another fifty or so feet before the 'blob' once more entered the range of 'Treasure Sense'.

Bob immediately collapsing once more to the ground upon activating 'Lifeless Disguise' Unlike last time though, the C-rank monster didn't stop when he did. Bob quailed as he tried to decide what course of action to take; the creature still on a b-line towards his present location. He couldn't outpace it in the reeds, given it was moving at a ridiculous clip even when you didn't consider its method for doing so. And he was drawing a blank on any other methods of distraction.

In the end, he was forced to simply ready himself for a fight. Keeping 'Lifeless Disguise' active even as he prepared to slip into 'Battlefield Meditation' and began summoning the mana to cast 'Shattered Space'. Mind's eye glued to the horrifying mass as it barreled ever closer to him. Only to be thrown slightly off-balance when it suddenly pulled up about ten or so feet short. After a few more seconds passed without the crab taking any action, Bob slowly allowed the mana he'd been gathering to sputter out.

For a moment feeling hopeful that this might mark the end of his and the monster's relationship. Then a giant claw burst through the ground less than a dozen feet away from him. The sight and sensation of the chitinous limb ripping through the water almost made him break 'Lifeless Disguise'. Bob only holding on to the ability through sheer will and perseverance. Something he very much doubted would have been possible before his massive increase in the associated attribute.

Unfortunately, it didn't seem like his concealment would keep him safe for much longer. As only seconds after the pincher had been pulled back beneath the earth, it once again shot out. Only this time another few feet closer to Bob's position. Before he could even consider attempting to target the claw with his sole offensive ability, it once again submerged. He considered simply casting 'Shattered Space' directly into the ground beneath him, but it was difficult trying to parse the monster's exact location.

Its concealment Trait and power-level causing it to exist as a vague, black mass under the earth. And with – at maximum – three shots available to him, Bob didn't want to risk wasting one. Powerful though Dimensional Skills might be, even with his Class Skill discount, they remained near-prohibitively expensive. He was casting about for other options when he noticed something appear at the far edges of his detection range; near where the building he'd been using as a landmark was located.

A blob of roughly high E to Low D-rank strength suddenly creeping just within his 'vision'. Possibly attracted by the noise of the crab's violent actions. Whatever had drawn it over though, Bob found he really didn't care. Instead, quickly spamming out another illusion towards it. Hoping the monster would be fast enough to get here before the C-rank got much closer. And being shocked when he discovered that definitely wouldn't be an issue.

Bob was forced to expend more mana as the second monster nearly shot after the image he'd provided. Extra control required as he struggled to keep it one step ahead of the lunging creature's form. He ignored the claw bursting through the earth uncomfortably close to him as his target first approached, and then blew past the subterranean crab's detection zone. Bob not thinking twice before he sent it directly towards their location in hopes of a distraction.

Realizing moments later that he really, really, should have. As the pitch-black form of a massive octopus appeared in the waters above him.