Immediately after stepping through the portal, I vomited. I was blinded by a white glow and my head pounded.
I steadied myself, clutching my throat, sweat pouring down my back.
Was going through it 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 weed 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 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 so 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, and I froze, following its 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. My heart dropped.
I had been so wrong. That was no Dungeoncat.
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 their way out. It had shorter, thinner 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 netherlych 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, but leaving only a small scratch behind.
I yanked my bag off, swinging it at the creature, distracting it.
It howled. As the force of the backpack knocked it back.
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, followed by a kick to the stomach as hard as I could 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 talons, 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. Not that i could tell exactly what it was looking at, as its eyes were solid white.
[+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??
It stared into my eyes, and the world faded out behind the creature, my eyes unable to look away. 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.]