Artificial Fantasy

Chapter 105: A Lesson In Humble

Just when I think I've conquered my overconfidence, the second part of this [Hidden Quest] proves me wrong once again.

From that last battle against <Veritates>, I thought I knew what to expect in the next one. My opponent uses some high-level skills while limiting mine to one or two [Masteries] based on the theme, they try hitting me physically and mentally to throw off my focus, and I have to find some way to conquer them while finding the weakness of their strategy and defenses. With that one battle alone, I thought I knew everything from here.

Turns out I was too soon to judge and now, I'm running for my life, trying to outrun the arrows Acutus fired all around me.

"Dammit! This is downright cheating!" I scream while still running for my virtual life. "I know you're only testing me, but this is overkill! Try to test me more humanely!"

[If I do that, it wouldn't much be a test, would it?]

Damn, this archer is a sadist! Forget surviving! How can I escape while retaining my remaining sanity over this OP mob?! Even if I locate them with my [Eagle Eye] and [Sensitive Hearing], they will somehow revive and fire more arrows in the quadruple amount of hiding spots I could think of! What's worse is that I can't find any blind spot to hide and catch my breath. Even if I have my [Stealth] skill without the handicap, it will still drain my [SP] by hiding from Acutus for a long period of time. I need to rest and recollect my thoughts from all of this. I'm not going to be beaten by a hunter with a blabbermouth and I'm not going to die in a humiliating death again!

Think, Wind! What can I use from my limited skill set to avoid Acutus's onslaught? Again, my [Stealth] skill is disabled and there's nothing in my [Archery] to obscure their vision so I can escape. Magic is out of the question, too. And so does my [Physical Enhancement]. And my crafting [Masteries] are useless in battle, obviously.

Hang on... Crafting is useless, but what about items? First things first, I try mentally opening a window I need right now while dodging another arrow from my right. My UI is disabled for the battle so I can't see our stats. But when it comes to my [Inventory]...

[NOTICE]

[You are only allowed to use these items during the battle. Other items such as potions and food are disabled unless stated otherwise:

[Smoke Bombs] (Limited to 3)

[Paralysis Darts] (Limited to 3)

[Skunk Bomb] (Limited to 5)]

I knew it. My UI is disabled except for two. One is a [Withdraw] button in case I need to retreat to restrategize and probably repeat the battle (which I doubt I can use thanks to that first loss from Veritates) and the [Inventory] screen. While there are a few limitations like my [Masteries] and skills, I'm glad they're showing a bit of mercy when it comes to my safety. But I doubt they'll admit that right to my face. Since [Skunk Bomb] will release a pungent odor that I might not survive one sniff from for half an hour, I decided to go with the classic [Smoke Bomb].

[Smoke Bomb]

[A simple harmless bomb that emits a thick smoke. Perfect for escapes. Any enemy in the targeted area will have their [Accuracy] halved by 50%. The affected area will remain for 2 minutes.

Quality: 10]

I will be down to 2 if I use it. But I doubt that I have any other choice for this matter.