Chapter Twenty Three

As the juvenile mad-crab finally pulled itself into the room, its miniscule brain was mildly surprised by what it found in front of it.

It had begun journeying upwards after picking up traces of a fellow crab’s blood and guts drifting down through the local waters. Though it should be said, less in an attempt to seek vengeance for its murder, and more to make sure it got its fair share of whatever was left over.

It didn’t expect however, to find its brother’s entire carcass – though mildly demolished – scattered untouched throughout the room. Significantly sized pieces still drifting through the water overhead.

Completely unclaimed by any fellow scavengers.

It had just taken a few steps forward, claws reaching out towards a particularly delectable bit of its family tree, when what had seemed a serendipitous day suddenly took a turn for the worse.

The crab hadn’t even been aware there was an enemy nearby, its antenna not picking up any familiar scents, until its left side was utterly crushed by a massive impact. Three of its legs torn away and spinning off into the water.

It had no time to regain its senses before a second strike lashed down. Quickly followed by a third.

Before the fourth strike hit, the crab was already doomed. Pieces of itself drifting, destroyed, around it. It certainly put-paid to matters, though. Landing with a massive, dull ‘crack’ as its torso was caved in and its entrails scattered through the water.

At which point Bob stepped out of his not-really-a-hiding-place just to the side of the door. Not feeling terribly impressed with his former-enemy’s powers of observation.

But feeling quite happy indeed with the overall strength of his ‘prehensile limb’.

Ding!

You have destroyed a ‘LV: 3 Lesser Mad-Crab (F)’

(4) Experience gained for Class: ‘Treasure Hunter (B)’

Bob smiled at the experience gain. Realizing he now had fewer than ten left before he reached his next class level. Salivating mildly at the thought of all the delicious attribute points that would bring.

And there were still dozens of blips reporting ‘danger’ all around him. A significant portion of them lingering directly below.

In the pristine ruins sprawled beneath his feet.

There were also the occasional blobs of abyssal blackness scattered amongst them. What Bob feared may be examples of the ‘furniture sized’ crabs he’d seen during his glide down. But they seemed far rarer here than at the edges of his skills range; in the areas Bob assumed were outside the confines of the manor.

Which meant they could be avoided. At least until he gained enough levels that he was confident they could be outrun.

Something which, with his current top speed hovering around ‘amateur speed-walker’, he figured was still at least a few levels away. Likely from both his species and class.

Still, the plan seemed like it might just be doable. Though if so, only because of the insane utility of ‘Treasure Sense’.

Bob honestly felt himself grow more amazed the better his understanding of the ability became. It felt as if he had a strange sort of radar ‘pinging’ bloodthirsty crabs in a set diameter around him. A diameter which didn’t seem insignificant, given he felt almost certain he was picking up threats outside the manor proper.

And not just threats, he was quickly reminded. He could also feel flickering shards of sunshine glistening underneath his feet. Standing out far more noticeably now that the sensation of impending mortality had lessened slightly.

Treasure. A completely unknown quantity of it, but almost certainly enough to push him to species level five. Where, unless things had changed now that he’d evolved, he would obtain another Trait. This one likely rank ‘E’

A thought which had Bob genuinely shivering in anticipation.

But thoughts weren’t going to be what got him there.

With a shake, Bob pulled himself out of his daydreams and began making his way towards the staircase. A dedicated part of his mind focused on the ebb and flow of his skill as it detected enemies around him.

The rest stationed behind his eye as it carefully peeked around the doorway. Not willing to bet all of his chips on his new ability being infallible.

Luckily the tower stairway seemed just as empty as ‘Treasure Sense’ had promised it would be. Something which allowed Bob to start picking at the nearest signals, trying to grasp their location relative to his own as he slowly made his way down the steps.

Which, shockingly, was a far smoother process than he’d expected.

Bob could only assume that his gentle glide down, as opposed to the sliding tumble he’d half-prepared himself for, had something to do with his Unique Trait’s passive ability. His ‘feet’ seeming to cling to each ledge and sharp angle like a mountain goat.

With far more balance and poise than he’d had in his previous life, even. Though he credited at least some of that to his lower center of balance. He didn’t allow the – admittedly rather agreeable – oddity to distract him for long, however. Continuing to monitor both his Skill and his surroundings as he continued downwards.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

As he crept ever closer to where the tower met the greater portion of the manor, Bob kept expecting a giant pincer to erupt through one of the windows. That the crab who’d nearly torn him in half would still be there, waiting. Looking for round two.

Surprisingly enough though, these thoughts weren’t tinged with any of his prior fear or anxiety. But rather with a sense of anticipation and subdued rage.

Bob had spent every last moment of his existence in this world wallowing in fear. His mind torn between a desperate desire to survive and a near-suicidal dismay at the horror of his situation. For a while, it felt like it would never get better. That he would forever be dangling from the bottom link of the food chain.