Pick Me Up!

Chapter 24: Weakly Dungeon (3) Part 1

The majestic deer bounded forward with explosive speed.

I twisted my waist just in the nick of time to evade its charge. The deers antlers struck the tree, tearing it apart completely. The forest echoed with a thunderous crash as the tree began to tilt.

Well, trying to stop it would be futile.

The deer shook its head, dislodging the shattered fragments of wood, and lunged at me once more.

It felt as if a massive 1.5-ton truck was accelerating at full throttle. Rolling on the ground, I narrowly avoided its path and managed to grasp its leg.

Yet, the wound inflicted was superficial. The deers thick hide and muscular frame offered substantial protection.

I rose to my feet, bracing myself for what would be its third charge.

Lets give it a try.

Halting its relentless advance seemed impossible. Evading it completely was out of the question. Any failed attempt would result in my body being torn asunder. In that case

I positioned myself against the sturdy trunk of an arim tree.

With a cloud of dust billowing behind it, the deer raced forward. Every impact of its hooves caused the ground to sink, leaving deep imprintsa testament to its astonishing leaping power.

Just as its twisted antlers threatened to rend my body, I swiftly sidestepped.

Thump!

The antlers of the Forest Queen impaled the tree trunk. Even plunging a sword into such a thick tree was far from guaranteed, yet the deer accomplished it effortlessly.

As the deer violently shook its head from side to side, splintered fragments danced through the air. The tree, too, was on the verge of collapse. Seizing the opportunity, I swiftly moved away.

The immobilized deer kicked its hind leg, and although I blocked it with my shield, the impact reverberated through me like a resounding blow of a sledgehammer.

Damn, its relentless.

Sensation faded from my left arm.

Gripping my right hand firmly around the hilt of the iron sword, I launched myself toward the deers hindquarters. Once again, it struck out with its hind leg. I contorted my upper body, narrowly evading it. My collarbone narrowly escaped shattering into pieces.

I thrust my sword into the deers haunch, encountering a formidable resistance akin to piercing through layers of sturdy fabric. Though the blade didnt penetrate fully, I persevered, twisting it forcefully.

Enraged, the deer shattered the right side of the arim tree, turning its body to swing its antlers.

I had no intention of confronting those lethal antlers head-on. With my entire body lowered, almost as if prostrating myself, I braced for what came next.

Whoosh!

A powerful gust of wind brushed against my ear.

I swiftly rose to my feet, readjusting the grip on the shield in my left hand. The sword blade remained embedded in the deers haunch.

Completing another rotation with its antlers, the deer seemed poised to turn once more.

Stepping inward, I struck the deers cheek with my shield as it spun, then forcefully dislodged the sword hilt firmly embedded in its haunch.

Kii!

A fresh cry resounded through the air.

Excellent, the sword remained intact. I immediately relinquished the shield, tightening my grip around the sword hilt. Though tightly wedged between the deers leather hide and muscles, I managed to extract the blade.

I reinserted the blade into the same wound.

This time, deeper.

Whoosh!

I swiftly retreated, creating a substantial distance. The deers antlers tore through my garments, leaving them in tatters.

Once again, I charged forward, wielding the sword hilt. Crimson blood sprayed forth, marking a newly inflicted wound. The severed tissues allowed blood-stained sword to tumble from the expanding gash. I snatched it from the air and quickly distanced myself from the thrashing deer.

Agonized, the deer thrashed about, leaping in all directions, its antlers swinging wildly. Branches and rocks ensnared within its antlers shattered into fragments.

I stepped back a few paces to behold the spectacle before me.

And just as it presented an opening

I dashed forward and drove the sword into its temple. With the blade piercing through the skull, no monstrous entity could survive such a strike. The Forest Queens eyes lost their luster, and her body slumped to the ground.

Phew.

I wiped the sweat off my forehead and gave my left arm a single rotation. It was a bit stiff, but I could still move it. Thankfully, it didnt seem dislocated.

I wiped the blood off the sword, retrieved my shield, and surveyed the fallen queens remains.

Looking at her now, it was hard to believe she was once a deer. She resembled more of a mythical creature, perhaps even a bull. Only one leg remained intact.

Now, what should I do next?

My priority was to find the elemental stone.

But where could it be?

I had expected the corpse to vanish, leaving behind an item. However, my anticipation proved futile. Just as I pondered whether to call Jenna, the deer dropped something from its mouth.

It was a sleek, green bead.

[Inferior Windstone]

[Grade D-]

[An elemental stone infused with the essence of the forest. Used for crafting various items and empowering certain heroes.]

Bingo.

I had found the elemental stone.

Next, I needed to locate valuable components from the Forest Queen.

Her blood and scales.

Both were crucial ingredients for crafting superior items.

However, I lacked the necessary tools to extract them. I attempted to push a blade against the antlers, but it barely left a scratch. They seemed tougher than steel. Bringing a saw wouldnt do the trick either.

I guess Ill have to take some blood.

After making several incisions with the blade, I finally managed to sever the carotid artery.

I pressed the back of the shield beneath the bleeding neck. With no means of taking it with me, I had no other choice. The blood began to collect on the shield.

I crouched down, observing the blood as it flowed from the neck.

Watching it silently became exasperating.

I rose to my feet, firmly gripping the sword. My focus now shifted to the deers antlers.

Initially, I had contemplated discarding them, but my thoughts had changed. There was no telling when I would have another chance to obtain them.

I relaxed my body, honing my concentration. With both hands clutching the sword hilt, I prepared for a decisive strike.

I swung the sword down with force.

Clang!

Unbelievable.

Sparks erupted from the point of impact between the sword and antlers.

Beyond mere disbelief, I was left dumbfounded. It felt as if I were cutting through steel. It wasnt merely shattering the tree like brittle timber.

Ultimately, there remained only one option.

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