With a strategy in mind.
On a windy mountainside, a cobaiu is casually strolling in search of prey when he see a man sitting in one of the stones, resting after a long trek. Finally spotting sustenance, the horse slowly blends itself to the snowy backdrop with its white skin and fur. Slowly sneaking away from the man's blindpot who continues to mind his business.
The cobaiu's movements are quiet and each steps didn't even make any sound and once the stallion reach its striking range...
It pounce with incredible speed.
"Now!"
With Mateo's scream. A yellow barrier appears between the two where the horse smash with great force. The impact is so strong that the cobaiu bounce back before falling down to the snow.
Disoriented, Mateo use the short window to attack the cobaiu. He wield his sword and run towards the horse which slowly regaining its footing.
But Mateo have no wish to give the chance as he plunge his sword to the horse's chest and...
The cobaiu spins and falls to the snow again, thus continuing its puzzled state. But it doesn't mean the horse doesn't want to have a fight as it tries to chomp Mateo's head.
Only for a barrier to appear and halt its attempt and the cobaiu's teeth munch a yellow magical wall. Mateo close his distance even further to continues his assault.
All of the hits landed on the cobaiu yet Mateo continues his attack. Raining down slashes and stabs on the horse who can only squirms agressively due to pain.
Until it stops moving once and for all. Seeing that the fight is over, Mateo finally stops and catch his breath while Sophia leaves her hiding spot and assess the outcome.
"Good job. But how it ends with me helping?" Sophia's question.
"Status."
Mateo look on his EXP bar and see that he still leveled up despite recieving Sophia's help.
"I'm level 42 now. It seems your work have no effects on reducing my EXP gain in some way."
"Huh? Do you think it's kinda weird Mateo? When we'll help you kill those goblins, you didn't get any EXP but I protect you from the horse and you leveled up."
"I think grasp the concept now. I have two ideas why this happened. First is the monster is just too strong compared to me that it still considered as a challenge despite the assist."
"Are the monster here really that powerful? You manage to cut them down easily?" Sophia ponders.
"Yeah that's true so it's least likely. Perhaps it's the second reason. The EXP only become invalid if the enemy recieves an overwhelming damage from my ally that makes it not worthy to me. Which means you defending me doesn't count as assist."
Mateo facepalmed.
"Goddamit. This should be already a given when your buffs and barriers doesn't even make the EXP I get nulled."
"Wait... Are you saying we just found a way to cheat your power?" Sophia's surprised realization.
"That seems like it. Damn, this system is really janky."
"Isn't that feel very... It just feel so wrong."
Mateo gives a hearty laugh.
"Revto said she based my powers on video games I played. It's not really a video game experience if the player didn't exploit some bugs."
"Huh?" Sophia just got confused.
"One thing is for sure. We can safely level up now. I just need your constant participation.
"Uhmm... O-Ok I guess?"
Thus the duo continues their leveling for days to come. Mateo facing even more powerful monsters head on while Sophia is in standby. Focused and prepared to cast her barrier in every close calls Mateo recieves while also planting wards to buff Mateo's combat prowess.
And the routine is proven to be a huge success with few minor hiccups like Sophia being spotted by more monsters forcing them to retreat or the terrain is disadvantages for them. But still, Mateo manages to defeat powerful monsters in the frigid mountains - cobaiu, haired eagles, brutal moose and more until reaching the top predators of the area.
------
Fisher Spider - A giant spider the size of a house located down in the canyons of Dragons Crown Alps. They're slim and not strong in direct combat but they survive by waiting high on the canyons and dropping a web to trap a unsuspecting prey below. With the food trapped on their sticky silk, the fisher spider drops down and injects a potent venom to paralize the prey. This method guaranteed them to even kill monsters far stronger than them.
Mateo and Sophia baits the spider to drop its web as he walk down on them. And their attempt is a success as a huge white web falls on the two.
Sophia cast her barrier totem and stops the silk from fully covering them while the spider rapels down quickly to inject its venom. The spider's movement is calculated and choreographed as the moment it dropped the web, the spider also starts falling few meters away from it to inject the poison as fast as posible before the target destroys the web, any wait would give the victim a chance to escape.
But the spider have no idea what awaits below and only see the situation upclose when its 8 eyes see the yellow barrier closing in fast.
Knowing that its hunt is a failure, the Fisher Spider climbs up but a barrier above blocks its exit and push the arachnid down even futher. Until its grip to the long thick string loss and its body falls down.
Collision.
The spider hits the barrier upside down, it squirms as it attempted to stand up and escape danger.
Inside the barrier, Mateo move on his combat stance as he wield his sword with focus.
"Sophia, deactivate the barrier."
"Yes."
Sophia pulls out the barrier totem and let the shield disappear. The spider alongside the dome of web under it collapse due to the weight of the monster which what Mateo wanted and waited. He breaths and...
Mateo unleashed a flurry of slashes above, chopping the web alongside the spider's limbs as it falls down. The two then leaves the area under the former gigantic 8 legged freak and let it drop to the ground.
Mateo watch the spider squirms its legless body for few seconds before ending its missery by slashing its head clean.
"Status."
Mateo views his status windows and see that the spider kill gives him 1 levels. Making Mateo Level 57.
"Huh... Looks like the EXP gain is starting to become more difficult now. That kill only gives me 1 level." Mateo's comment as he swipe out the status window away.
"Do you think you already reached your peak in this place?" Sophia's question.
"Not yet. I'm still leveling. If not, I'm still getting huge amount of EXP for each kill so staying here longer might be more beneficial."
"So we didn't need to leave and change place?"
"We only have 4 days left anyway. I think, once we done here, I can finally join you guys."
"I see... That's great actually, I kinda starting to miss them." Sophia gives a warm smile.
"Same here. I wonder if they also using the time to improve."
As the duo is starting to leave in search for another monster.
CRASH!
A large object falls from behind, causing a cloud of dust and snow.
"What?!" -Sophia.
On the dust and snow cloud reveals what caused the disturbance, at first it's a silhoutte but dread sets in Mateo and Sophia when the monster shows its menacing form.
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An Ice Wyvern.
"Run..."
"W-w-what?" -Sophia's stuttering word.
"RUUUUUUUUN!!!" Mateo's loud scream.
With the wyvern's roar, the two proceeds to run to the best of their ability. The wyvern gives chase as it crawl between the gap on the canyon.
"WHY A WYVERN IS CHASING US?!" Sophia's scared question.
"I DON'T KNOW!"
"MAYBE BECAUSE YOU KILLED A LOT OF ITS FOOD!"
"IS THAT REALLY A GOOD REASON TO SPECIFICALLY TARGET US?!"
"MAYBEEEE!!!"
The two continues to run as the wyvern rush behind them like an avalanche. Smashing on the rocky walls.
"M-MATEO! DO SOMETHING! I CAN'T RUN FOREVER!"
"I'M TRYING!"
Mateo observes the surroundings in search of a way to escape their predicament. Scraping everything in his mind until he remembers something.
"LET'S USE THE SPIDERS!"
"THOSE DISGUSTING SPIDERS?! HOW?!"
"FOLLOW ME!"
As the two runs. Mateo is looking up in search for a fisher spider until it spotted a nest above on their left.
"TO THE LEFT!"
The two shifts their position and the wyvern follows, still closing in with brutal ferocity until...
A fisher spider's web drops above the wyvern followed by the spider itself injecting its venom to the pseudo-dragon.
Yet the wyvern destroys the web and kill the spider with a single swing of its arm, smashing it to the rock wall before continuing its chase to Mateo and Sophia.
"IT STILL NOT ENOUGH POISON?!" Sophia's disbelief.
"OF COURSE! IT'S A WYVERN! WE NEED MORE!"
Mateo gives a glance behind and see the the wrathful appearance of the wyvern.
"PERHAPS IT'S REALLY MAD AT ME FOR BEING A COMPETITION ON ITS DOMAIN!"
"THAT'S THE ONLY EXPLANATION HERE!" Sophia shouts back.
Mateo looks up again and search for another Fisher Spider but it takes them 100 meters before finding the next one waiting for its prey.
"ON THE RIGHT!"
Mateo and Sophia baited the wyvern to the spot under the spider and the process starts again. The spider traps the wyvern and inject a huge amount of venom on its system.
As expected, the wyvern kills the spider with ease by grabbing it with its claws and smashing it to the ground like the an insignificant insect, then continues its chase towards Mateo and and Sophia.
As the pursuit continues, Mateo notices significant change - the Wyvern is starting to get slower. The venom is finally taking effect.
"IT'S WORKING! JUST ONE MORE!"
"HUFF! HUFF! I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN STILL CONTINUE RUNNING MATEO!"
"YOU CAN DO IT SOPHIA!"
Mateo continued to give few glances on the beast running towards them until he see its mouth open, and frost starts to form on its gaping maw.
"OH SHIT! IT'S GOING TO FIRE AN ICE BREATH!"
"W-WHAT?!"
The wyvern stops and unleash a full powered ice breath that engulfs the narrow canyon. Freezing everything on its path.
Sophia gives a sharp stop and pull out a barrier totem which she planted hard to the soil. She also cast an additional wall barrier on the outside as extra measure. Strong blizzard and sharp pieces of ice crashes on the barrier as the ice breath continues.
CRACK!
The wall barrier starts to break until it finally gives up and got destroyed with a crash. Sophia wildfly flinch and almost fall, thankfully Mateo support her.
"Thanks... It's so strong."
The ice breath continues and the two's only lifeline is the barrier totem which also starting to crack.
"Shit shit shit..."
Mateo wish that the barrier holds longer, Sophia prays harder. Both of their wish got granted after the ice breath finally stops. They look around and see that path is completely covered with ice to their amazement.
Only for their daze to got interrupted after hearing a loud roar. It's still not over.
"Run!" Mateo's scream.
Sophia and Mateo run using with the quick rest they got. The wyvern also follows but now considerebly slow yet still have the stamina to spare.
"Just one more spider please!"
They run more distance. 30 meters, 50 meters, 100 meters, 200 meters. No fisher spider spotted and their legs starting to feel weak, it's also the same for the wyvern who starting to succumb in the high dose of venom on its body.
Until finally, Mateo spotted a fisher spider nesting on a web hanging in the middle of the canyon high above them.
The two waste no time and run under the spider. The wyvern do the same while the spider cast its web and rapels down. The wyvern got covered by the sticky web followed by the spider landing directly above him and injecting more venom.
Unlike before. The Wyvern is now too weak to fight back as despite its attempt to destroy the web, the venom already taken huge toll on its body that the web now overwhelmes its huge frame.
Sophia and Mateo watch as the spider continues to ensnare the wyvern with more silk. The two catches their breath which making a thick fog on each deep exhales due to the frigid temperature.
"S-Sophia..."
"Y-yes Mateo?"
"Cast all of your totems."
Sophia's eyes widen but she quickly understand what Mateo wants to do. So she pulls out all of her supporting totem and plant it to the ground. Mateo meanwhile pulls out his sword and walk towards the paralyzed and poisoned wyvern and the spider continuing to cover the beast with web.
The wyvern gives a fierce stare to Mateo, Mateo gives a sad and guilty gaze in return.
"I know this is a very humiliating method to fight you. And I wish I can kill you in more honorable way. I'm sorry and thank you for becoming my growth."
Mateo wipes his palm on his sword. As it travels, electricity appears on the blade. Sparking agressively and makes an arc the moment Mateo swings his sword.
"Let me end you with my new skill."
Mateo run towards the Wyvern and climbs on its body. The spider notices the intruder and fights back to protect its loot only for Mateo to easily dodge its attacks and eliminate the spider with ease.
Following this, Mateo starts attacking the wyvern who can't fight back anymore. Each slash and stabs causing and electric shock and sparks of blue bolt splashing everywhere. The wyvern can only give pained growls and howls as it recieves the relentless electrified assault.
A flurry of wild electricity appears around Mateo as each slash landed in great speed.
Mateo tries to flip to wyvern but its huge body didn't even bulge. Instead, Mateo just continues his attack. An one sided beatdown.
The entire routine lasted for 7 minutes until the wyvern finally takes its last breath. Mateo stops his Electric Edge which drains his mana for every second its active. He goes down and look on the wyvern who now sleeping eternally on the frozen canyon.
Mateo sits down and breaths deeply as he just exert unreasonably amount of force. Sophia rushes on his aid.
"Are you ok Mateo?!"
"Y-yeah..."
Seeing that its over, Sophia sits besides Mateo and joins him on the exhaustion.
"Thanks the goddess we managed to survive that."
"Haha... I can't also believe it. That wyern is out of our league yet we manage to defeat that and win. Everyone is gonna be livid once they find out about this."
"True! Wait, did you even get EXP on this Mateo? We get help on the spiders anyway."
"Ah... That's a good question. Status."
The windows appeared in front of Mateo. He quickly looks on his levels and his eyes widen.
"Huh? You look surprised Mateo."
"That wyvern just given me 13 levels. I'm level 70 now."
"What?! That many?! NO WAY?!"
"Yes. It's a powerful monster afterall."
"A-Amazing..."
"Not only that, I can now dual wield. Hmmm... I'm still don't know what makes it different if I just dual wield so early."
Mateo hears rumbling sounds above, when he looks. He saw a horde of fisher spider crawling out of their nests and climbing down... Towards the dead wyvern.
"Eekkk! they look more disgusting in hordes!"
"They want this wyvern that much? Food must be really scarce."
"S-should we really fight them?"
"Nah. We just give them the wyvern. We don't have the tools nor manpower to disect this in the first place."
Mateo pulls his phone on his BoS and give it to Sophia.
"But we should take photos first as trophies and evidence once we told the gang about this." Mateo gives a smirk. Sophia smiles in response.
The two alternates on posing in front of the dead wyvern and taking pictures then finally leaves the scene as the fisher spiders engulfs the giant wyvern.
The two reach the safe camp and finish the day with an hearty meal and fun recollecting of what just transpired.
.
.
.
The next day is spent by Mateo hunting few monsters only to met by a small amount of EXP gain. He finally reach the peak of the Dragons Crown Alps and continued hunts can't bring him quick levels anymore. Thus the two just use their remaining 3 days as a way to relax and train.
The last day comes and the safe camp is now empty as Mateo and Sophia cleans it to the fullest. Their gears and clothing are also now packed and ready as they prepared to embark for their return journey back to Nattunia.
"Are you ready Sophia?"
"Yes Mateo."
The two give one last gaze on the beautiful yet dangerous scenery of Dragons Crown Alps as a farewell. Then starts walking away.
"It's finally over. We can finally do quest as a team again." Sophia's happy words.
"True."
As the two continues their steps. They notices a group of 10 men on the side of the road. All of them seems resting after a long journey.
"Hello misters." Mateo's greeting.
"Ayo."
Mateo notices the men having a focused gazed on unaware Sophia. Their eyes are sticky and disgusting. He also notices a what looks like two boxes covered by a huge thick blanket.
"You seems bringing a huge cargo there."
"Y-yeah."
"What is it?"
"It's none of your business young man. Costumer's confidentiality is a must." The man gives a smile.
"That's true... Well then, I hope you got a safe journey." Mateo's polite farewell and Sophia gives a nod. The men respond in kind.
As Mateo and Sophia is in far distance, the men starts to give whispers to each other.
"Shoot the man." The leader's whisper.
"Yes sir."
One of the man pulls a bow and arrow and starts to aim and focus on Mateo.
"Sophia... Barrier."
The archer shots his arrow and flies towards Mateo's head. But it got stopped by a a barrier protecting him. The group of men are surprised yet quickly armed themselves.
"I knew it. I'm so fucking tired of the people likes you." Mateo's words full of spite.
"What are they Mateo?"
"Slavers."
"You looking confident showing your back asshole. But you can't win against 10 of us." The slaver leader's taunt.
Mateo face the slavers and wield his sword. And wipes his blade with his palm.
"Sophia, just cast a barrier around yourself."
"You can handle them alone?"
"Yes, they're just small fries."
"WHO YOU CALLING SMALL FRIES?! Lets go and kill him then vent more anger towards that woman!"
The slavers rush bravely towards Mateo who remained calm and collected.
.
.
.
The dead slavers are scattered and dismembered on the snow as Sophia and Mateo now in front of the covered boxes. They can hear faint sounds inside which make them more convinced that they did the right call.
The two removes the covers and they see whats inside. On one cage is a group of 3 young Light and Moon elves cowering in fear. They wearing thick clothing but they clearly abused on some way.
On the other box is what surprised Mateo and Sophia.
"I can't believe it." Sophia's disbelief.
Inside the other cage are 4 Beastfolk, a humanoid race with animalistic features which unlike any animal known to man. Their expressions are full of fury and ready to attack at any moment.
"They must smuggling them towards the kingdoms on East and North." Mateo's cold words.
"This is terrible." Sophia frowns on the sight.
Mateo destroys the locks of the cages and letting the elves and beatsfolks free. The elves rush out and hug mateo tightly and crying.
"You're safe now. Don't worry." Sophia smiles as she reach her hand on the beastfolks who still showing hostility. The beastfolks hisses angrily and one of them tries to attack Sophia's hand. Thankfully, she backs out quickly before the beastfolk's claw reach her.
"O-ow!" Sophia frowns as she falls on her butt.
"Sophia!"
The beastfolks then exits the cages and they try to attack Sophia first. But they saw the dead slavers from the distance. This calm them down a little but there's still distrust lingering on them as the group of beastfolk runs away on the snow with incredible speed.
"W-what is that?" Sophia's sad question.
"They're beastfolk. They have distrust on humans so I understand their reaction." Mateo's answer as he pat the head of the elves.
"What we should do about them?"
"We can't do anything Sophia. They might just return to their home on far North and they're good survivalist. I hope they can come back safely.
"I-If you say so..." Yet Sophia is still unsure.
Mateo then stares on the elves who clearly suffered from the hands of the slavers. He gritted his teeth out of anger.
"This scene brings me very painful memories."
Sophia watch as Mateo comforts the crying elves while his expression shows someone who clearly reliving a terrible past. She stand up and joins her friend by assissting and healing the elves.
"Lets go back to Nattunia and bring them back to their home." Sophia gives a warm smile towards Mateo.
After a short rest. Sophia and Mateo alongside the 3 elves continues their journey for days until they finally leave the frozen moutains and now in a warmer and better route back to Nattunia.