Chapter 8: High-Risk, High-Return!

Arata concentrated on the carcass of the Terror Rabbit, watching as it slowly vanished into nothing, just as the system had explained.

With nightfall approaching, Arata moved swiftly through the forest, his eyes scanning every nook and cranny for a suitable hiding spot.

Additionally, he instructed the system to analyze the area for potential hiding places, realizing that he might have overlooked some location in his haste.

After a moment, night descended upon the forest, barely in time, Arata spotted a large tree with a gap in its root trunk. It was a perfect hiding spot, thanks to his slimy body's ability to fit into tight spaces.

Before entering the tree, Arata carefully observed it for any signs of other creatures. Satisfied that it was safe, he slipped inside, finding enough space to maneuver slightly.

It wasn't spacious, but it would suffice for now. This would be Arata's refuge for the night, shielded from the dangers lurking in the darkness outside.

"I'm not sure how safe it is to venture out at night, so I think it's smarter to play it safe. Maybe later, when I'm feeling more capable or have some better abilities, I'll consider exploring after dark."

Prior to settling in for rest, Arata decided to start another simulation. But first, he directed the system to open his status.

✤ ────⚌+++:-: ۞ :-:+++⚌──── ✤

[ Status ]

Name: Arata

Race: Slime

Grade: F -

Simulation Ticket: 1

[ Ability ]

— Water Blast F -

— Scavenge F -

[ Inventory ]

— 1 Terror Rabbit's Carcass

[ Mission ]

Task 1: Defeat 5 Grade F - Monsters ( Completed )

Task 2: Explore the Area

Status: In Progress ( 86.5% )

Reward: 1 Simulation Ticket

✤ ────⚌+++:-: ۞ :-:+++⚌──── ✤

Arata's gaze quickly fell upon the holographic image of the inventory section.

"Ah, there it is, the body of the Terror Rabbit." he remarked, observing both the icon image and the quantity number displayed beside it.

Scrolling through, he noticed he was almost done with the second task. While he felt a bit disappointed for not finishing it today, he remained positive. He believed he could accomplish it tomorrow.

"Alright, that's all sorted."

"System, let's dive into the simulation." he declared with enthusiasm.

[ 1 Simulation Ticket has been consumed. ]

[ The monster simulation begins. ]

As the simulation commenced, darkness once again enveloped his vision, transporting him back to the familiar dimly lit space. He found himself facing the same large screen as before.

[ A random race of monsters has been generated. ]

Make your selection from the following:

A. Leafcutter Ant

B. Cicada

"Leafcutter Ant or Cicada... Hmm."

"Leafcutter Ants are hard workers and good at teamwork. They can cut through plants and build intricate colonies underground. Moreover, they're known for their resilience and adaptability."

"If I pick the Leafcutter Ant, there's a good chance that my avatar won't be alone. They normally live in colonies, providing the avatar with allies to rely on, thus enhancing its survivability."

"On the other hand, Cicadas are social creatures too. They thrive in large groups and communicate through buzzing sounds. Additionally, their talent for blending into surroundings makes them masters of camouflage."

Arata's decision was not made lightly. His fascination with insects back on Earth had equipped him with knowledge about their behaviors and characteristics.

Considering the options carefully, Arata weighed the benefits of each choice. While both creatures had their good points, one seemed more promising to him for the simulation.

[ Race confirmed. Selected Race: Cicada. ]

Now, choose 2 traits for the Cicada from the following:

A. Forgetful

B. Courageous

C. Observant

D. Sadistic

E. Impulsive

"A. Forgetful. This trait might prevent my avatar from dwelling on past mistakes too much. It could be a blessing in disguise, but it also entails the risk of forgetting important details or strategies."

"B. Courageous. Having a brave avatar is desirable, no doubt. Courage could prove invaluable when confronting formidable challenges."

"Although let's not ignore that courage could also lead my avatar to charge headfirst into danger without thinking twice. I mean, bravery is great and all, but not if it results in unnecessary risks or heroic yet ultimately futile actions, right?"

"C. Observant." Arata nodded approvingly.

"This one's a must-have trait. Being observant means my avatar will be sharp, always noticing things others might miss. It's pure advantages all around."

"Having discerning eyesight and heightened awareness can help spot danger before it strikes, find hidden treasures, or uncover secret paths. I can't think of any scenario where being observant would be a bad thing."

"Now, for D. Sadistic. This one's a bit... odd for a cicada, but hear me out. Sure, it's not exactly in line with their typical behavior, yet maybe that's the twist my avatar needs to survive in this simulation."

"Being sadistic could give my avatar an unexpected advantage. It might make it more ruthless and unpredictable in battle, catching opponents off guard and increasing its chances of survival. And let's face it, in a world filled with monsters, a little bit of cruelty might be necessary for self-preservation."

"Despite that, I can't shake the feeling that there could be some serious downsides to this trait. It's a gamble, unquestionably. Nevertheless, in a game like this, you've got to roll the dice and take a chance."

"Okay, last one. E. Impulsive. Impulsiveness is like a more reckless version of courage. It's a recipe for disaster, like charging into battle without any plan. So, yeah, hard pass for me."

"Observant is already a solid choice. I can only pick one more addition. Courage or sadistic..."

Arata assessed the strengths and weaknesses associated with each trait, contemplating their potential influence on his avatar's actions during the simulation. With his thoughts organized, he reached a conclusion. 

[ Traits confirmed. Selected Traits: Observant and Sadistic. ]

Arata chuckled to himself, shaking his body in disbelief.

"I must be crazy or something."

"In the first simulation, I picked a risky trait that ended up getting my avatar killed. And now, here I am, choosing another one again. You'd think I'd learn my lesson by now!"

With a shrug and a smirk, Arata prepared himself for another round of unpredictable adventures in the simulation, fully aware of the potential consequences of his daring choices.

"Well hey, no guts, no glory, you know?"

Choose 1 ability for the Cicada from the following:

A. Bio Sonar

— The cicada emits sonar pulses that bounce off nearby creatures, allowing it to detect their presence and location even through obstacles or dense vegetation.

B. Sonic Disturbance

— The cicada emits a high-frequency sound wave that disorients and confuses nearby creatures, making them more vulnerable to attacks.

C. Rapid Dash

— The cicada dashes forward with incredible speed, covering short distances in the blink of an eye, making it difficult for predators to catch.

"These abilities are all pretty good."

"If only I could have them all. That would make things a lot easier."

"But then again, where's the fun in making things too easy?"

[ Ability confirmed. Selected Ability: Sonic Disturbance. ]

"This ability offers both offense and defense. It confuses opponents, making them easier to attack, while also serving as a strategic advantage in escaping danger."

Deep down, one of the factors that really influences Arata's decision is how well it pairs with his Water Blast ability.

"If this ability were to come my way as a reward, it'd be a dream come true." he thought, imagining the powerful combination it would create in the real world.