Chapter 2: Fighting a Blue One
Gazing at the massive lizard that had emerged in the distance, a shiver coursed down Finn's spine. Despite being one of the weakest adversaries in the game, it still presented a significant threat to an inexperienced combatant like him.
Finn wondered why it was here, oblivious to the fact that he wasn't the least bit scared. If he had realized this, he would have found it rather peculiar.
He needed to make a hasty escape before it discovered his presence. With this thought in mind, Finn began to move slowly in the opposite direction, heading towards a pipe located a short distance away from the tall grass he currently occupied.
Regrettably, his endeavor to execute a stealthy escape was foiled when, scarcely two feet from his starting point, he unwittingly stepped on a brittle twig, resulting in a resounding and unmistakable snap. Instantly, this noise drew the full attention of the sizable lizard toward his location.
'Shit,' that was the only thought racing through Finn's mind as the menacing blue lizard rapidly closed the gap between them. Instinctively, he shifted the shield in front of himself, just in time to intercept the oncoming reptile. The collision not only prevented the creature from devouring him but also sent it hurtling through the air.
Unable to alter his course mid-air or decelerate his velocity, he collided forcefully with a vine-draped wall in close proximity. This collision abruptly terminated his forward motion, yet it also left him momentarily disoriented, as his head bore the brunt of the impact.
[ailments gained: stunned(3s), disoriented(2s)]
Ignoring the blurry screen that had suddenly appeared in his peripheral vision, he attempted to shift his position. However, due to the lingering effects of his current status ailments, he found himself immobilized, left with no choice but to passively observe the world around him for the time being.
[ailments: stunned(2s), disoriented(1s)]
At this point, the lizard had fully recovered from its collision with Finn's shield and now appeared visibly enraged as it swiftly advanced in his direction, moving at double the previous speed.
[ailments: stunned(1s)]
At that moment, Finn's vision cleared, but regrettably, this newfound clarity merely allowed him to discern the lizard's gaping mouth, swiftly closing in on him. It loomed ominously, ready to engulf him, even as his stunned state persisted. Nevertheless, he remained resolute, unwilling to embrace his impending demise..
[The passive skill "Indomitable" has been triggered, swiftly dispelling the debilitating ailment of stun (1s), in response to a perilous, life-threatening situation.]
With a sudden surge of determination coursing through him, Finn reclaimed control of his body. Promptly, he activated his Bone Shield, his movements swift and resolute. He channeled 20 mana into it, compelling the shield to expand into a formidable, towering barrier, dwarfing its previous size as it materialized it right inside the blue lizard's gaping maw.
*RIP*
He watched in horror as his shield expanded inside the lizard's gaping mouth, forcefully prying apart its upper and lower jaws to such an extent that it violently ripped off the top jaw. What terrified him even more was the realization that the lizard remained alive.
Unfortunately for the lizard, Finn's horror swiftly transmuted into seething rage. With a determined focus, he summoned yet another shield, expending 5 precious mana points. With this newfound defense in hand, he launched a relentless assault on the already battered head of the lizard, which continued to writhe in agony.
[10 exp gained]
Upon hearing the notification, Finn abruptly ceased his relentless assault on the lizard's head. He took a deep breath, attempting to process what had just occurred, and arrived at a singular conclusion:
"Lucky" he chirped with a frown, gently wiping the green blood from his face. His gaze remained fixed upon the lifeless lizard at his feet.
*Grumble*
Suddenly, his stomach rumbled as he fixed his gaze upon the lifeless corpse. It was as if an irresistible urge coursed through him, compelling him to consume it. Despite his initial resistance, the impulse grew even stronger, driving him to kneel beside the creature's inanimate form. He could not help but devour its organs, which oozed with green blood. His concern was solely to fill his belly, whether the flesh was cooked or raw mattered not; he cared not for the state of the meal.
*5 minutes later*
"Why did I do that?" Finn asked himself, his gaze fixated on his hands, which were now stained with green blood and adorned with small fragments of flesh cascading through his fingers.
*Grumble*
Once again, Fins' belly rumbled, though this time it emitted a much weaker growl, as he still grappled with hunger. Most of the lizard's body had been consumed, leaving only the skin and bones untouched.
'Maybe I can find some fruit?' Finn thought optimistically as he stood up, not caring about the blood. He scanned his environment but didn't see anything nearby. Deciding to explore a bit further, he spotted some Dark blue fruits hanging from vines that resembled blue fruits from the game. However, they were too far up for him to reach.
Staring at the tempting fruit, Finn contemplated a method to reach them. It didn't take him long to devise a plan: he decided to hurl his shield at the fruit, aiming to knock them down.
[MP: 27/50]
Seeing that his MP was down to half, Finn decided against summoning a shield unless it was an emergency. Instead, he chose to return to the area where he had defeated the blue lizard and retrieve the first shield he had made.
After obtaining the shield, he swiftly dispatched the three fruits suspended from the vines. However, as he prepared to indulge in their succulent offerings, a sudden thought abruptly gripped his mind.
A creeping fear gripped him, whispering, "What if this fruit conceals poison?" Reluctant to embark on another lizard hunt, he made the decision to cautiously sink his teeth into the succulent flesh. Little did he anticipate the surprising turn of events that awaited him.
The fruit's taste resembled the water found in a school bathroom's toilet, utterly repulsive. This perplexed Finn, causing him to spit out the fruit, all while a system notification asserted its presence.
[A weakness has been identified: the host exhibits a carnivorous dietary restriction, limiting their consumption exclusively to meat-based sustenance.]
'Damn it'
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone