Chapter 20 Midnight Foxes [2]

As i walked casually into the entrance of the cave, i activated a skill. ... [Skill {Appraisal (Level 1)} has been activated] [{Appraisal (Level 1)} is being used] ... A while ago, the {Inspect} skill maxed out at level 3 then eventually evolved into a whole new different skill entirely. Though i said different, the principles with the new {Appraisal} skill were similar, only better. Instantly, a variety of information and tabs appeared before my eyes, concerning the environment. With this, all preparations are done. I thought inwardly and took my first step into the den. And immediately, I felt a wave of bloodlust and danger wash over me like a flood in a storm. Various presences announced themselves to my spread awareness, each exuding a considerable amount of powerful pressure. My smile grew strained, but I held wider regardless. The cave was dark, but my {Appraisal} skill easily cut through the shadowy gloom as various shapes and sizes of outlines appeared before me. 'I was wondering what type of Monsters it'll be. ' I zoomed in on some of them and a few tabs appeared. ... [Name: Midnight Foxes Type: Beasts Affinity: Shadows Level: 11(+2) Rank: D Strength: 12(+1) Speed: 13(+1) Agility: 15(+1) Defense: 10(+1) .. >SUMMARY< Midnight Foxes are Beasts type creatures which possess high affinity towards darkness and shadows. They experience a boost in power and twice the level increase when within their 'domian' and have considerable coordination with members of the same specie...] ... Too many pluses... One difference between the {Appraisal} skill and the {Inspect} skill was the degree of details and information provided. With the {Inspect} skill, it was kind of like getting the bare minimum necessary details about what I cast the skill on, and this degree increased with each level. On the other hand, the {Appraisal} skill, like its corresponding name, almost literally appraised into detail. And this was currently only an example of what it could do at only Level one too. As handy as the {Appraisal} skill maybe, it still doesn't change the fact that I may be royally fucked. The flaming arrow streaked across the distance and penetrated into the dark cave. But as soon as it did... 'Just as I thought.' All of the radiance from the vanished instantly, into oblivion. At the same time, Meta and I shared the same thought. [The light was devoured.] Quite literally. "Haa..." I sighed and lowered my bow. It seems that, to penetrate such thick darkness, a simple single torch wouldn't even suffice. 'Midnight Foxes...are terrifying.' I chuckled internally. The current situation was only as a result of a group of them living together. Wasn't this some degree of terra forming the environment then? It just made me imagine what would happen if an even larger number of these monsters occupied an even larger region or area like an entire forest... The scene of a gloom covered forest, wheerd even the outside radiance of the sun failed to penetrate flashed through my mind briefly... Well, that didn't mean all hope is gone and I have no choice but to turn away. 'Meta, analysis.' [To spread away the darkness, light of equal magnitude or higher is required. A small tongue of flame like that one will simply be devoured and erased in less than a second.] 'And what about a concentrated effort of light? Or something?' I was thinking of something along the lines of a short burst of bright light like a stun grenade. Those things were rather bright but only shone for short moments and instances, yet their effects lasted longer after the radiance was gone. [That may work, but only to a lesser degree. It would require a continuous release of light of the same degree to fend of the darkness, but only temporarily.] Except I'd definitely go blind if I used a stun grenade like that over and over... Well a stun grenade is only used as reference in this context, it's not like I actually had a few with me. Those things are really dangerous, you know... "I see." I nodded in understanding Now I've at least got a better understanding of my opponents. It was also for this reason I was confident I could take them. "If that's the case, the there's no reason for me to be discouraged or go back." I turned back to my backpack I think I already had what I need for a situation like this. It was true that I had no prior information to the type of monster occupying the cave as a Den, but after the small unexpected situation that happened to me a few years ago after breaking through to Mortal Rank, I've become more meticulous in planning each of my hunting trips. I stared at the objects I pulled from my bag in my hands and smiled. 'Meta, how well do you think flares will work?' [Not much. Compared to a simple tongue of fire like before, flares can provide you only a couple of seconds worth of light in a darkness like the one of the cave. I estimate, no more than five seconds for each stick. Give or take.] The closest thing I had to a stun grenade was flares. *** Late update. The chapter I had ready was suddenly wiped, and I didn't notice until it was too late, so I had to rewrite the entire thing! Well, one more chapter incoming soon...