Scorching Ascension - [Progression Litrpg Apocalypse]

Sticking near the wall of the cave, Ethan scouted cautiously, deeper into the blue-lit space. Keeping cover behind the moss-like bushes and the thick, tall mushroom-trees, he listened, eyes peeled for movement or nearby calls. He wanted to find something edible. He also didn't want to come face to face with something he couldn't deal with. While he did manage to beat the toad, it was way too soon to try and tangle with another of them this soon. His arm was still awfully tender, and he just wanted an easy meal.

At least, easier than that fight with the toad had been.

Crouching behind a particularly large bush, he took a moment to check on the main quest while he coated his arm with fire. He tried to keep it small and inconspicuous, but it provided some relief.

Main Quest: Gain access to the tutorial's exit within 6 days, 5 hours, and 21 minutes.

Reward: 1 tier-0 Lesser Arcanum.

He hadn't checked on it in a while. Ever since he'd taken that nap in the cave. Before he had to deal with the toad.

It's been around 6 hours since the last check. And 21 hours since this stuff started. Alright, not bad.

He felt like he'd progressed pretty well, all things considered. And thanks to the miracles of stats, he was still holding on pretty well for someone who should be dehydrated right about now.

Gotta find something soon, though.

Dismissing the menus, Ethan continued his advance deeper and deeper into the space. The underground forest was buzzing with life, as always, but the activity seemed mostly focused on the central part, which he wasn't keen on approaching just yet. As he navigated through the bushes and around moss-covered boulders, Ethan wondered about hidden quests.

Creating a spell probably counts for one. If that's possible. Upgrading a spell or trait as well, probably. Though I have no idea how I'd do any of those two. What else… Killing a tier-2 being for sure, considering I got something for a tier-1. But that's probably a death sentence right now.

Ethan heard movement and dropped into a crouch, grimacing from the whiff he got from himself. The bush rustled once more, then a large lizard broke out of the vegetation.

It paused for an instant to taste the air with its forked tongue before veering away from Ethan.

No vibrant colorations. Maybe edible?

[Water monitor - Level 21]

Its smooth and glossy deep blue scales reflected the glow of the mushroom trees. Its tail swayed as it continued trudging through the vegetation, and Ethan had a thought. A wild guess, one could say.

Maybe the water monitor knew where to find water.

Carefully, as stealthily as he could manage, Ethan followed the water monitor. For nearly five minutes, he crept behind it, keeping his distance from the lizard and making sure nothing was getting the drop on him in turn until finally, they came upon a clearing.

Nestled against the wall of the cavern was a pond that was streaming away toward the center of the forest.

A spring.

His throat felt really dry all of a sudden, and Ethan had to hold himself from sprinting toward the water because his guide, the lizard he'd been following, was not the only monster around.

[Water monitor - Level 21]

[Toad - Level 27]

[Water monitor - Level 28]

The air was tense around the pond. All three monsters were wary of each other, but they kept to themselves, with both water monitors sharing the pond while the toad settled further downstream—thankfully—and just used the water to rub its face and skin.

There was some sort of truce going on, and Ethan wondered if it would hold if he stepped out and got himself a spot to drink and wash up.

Worth a shot. And if it doesn't work out, I can just retreat than take them when they separate. Otherwise, I'll get a drink then break the truce.

Ethan was not above playing dirty. So with that in mind, he stepped into the clearing, and all three monsters immediately turned.

Easy. We're all friends here. For now.

Ethan moved slowly. He kept all three monsters in his vision, especially the toad. One of the monitors hissed, but none moved so he kept slowly walking. He crossed in front of the toad, who blinked at him and squeaked, but otherwise didn't attack. A few seconds later, Ethan was on his own side of the pond. All four of them continued eying each other, but the peace held.

Ethan grinned as he lowered himself to the water; when he finally looked down, his eyes widened.

The spring's on my side! I don't have to drink lizard water…

A few inches ahead, the water rippled outward as the spring gently pushed it up. Up to this point, Ethan had been willing to risk unclean water, but a spring made everything so much easier. He wanted to plunge his face into the water and drink, but he couldn't take that risk. Instead, he cupped his hands and brought the clear water to his dry lips.

He never stopped watching at his neighbors.

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The crisp, cold water went down his throat, and it might have the tastiest sip he'd ever experienced. Unfortunately, it was quickly marred by the hissing coming from the two monitor lizards, who bared their teeth at him.

Ethan summoned his claws and glared down at them. "Shut it."

That made them hiss louder, and they began swimming toward him. He turned to the toad, who stared dumbly at all three for a second before it turned and hopped away.

Smart toad.

The monitor lifted its head above water, and a glowing blue beam shot out. Ethan instantly ignited his claws and braced, only for the stream of blue light to hit the wall of flames and burst into—

Mist?

Ethan looked at the steam and tentatively smelled it for a second before he looked down at the lizards. "Was that water?"

This time, both shot at him, and he allowed one to hit his forearm. There was a lot of power behind the jet of water, and it sent him skidding back a few feet. But it was still water and well, he had a pretty high Toughness at this point. Plus, with the new defensive effect of Child of Flames, he could even stave the worst of it from his injured hand.

Ethan grinned wider and put his right hand in front of his business area. "Alright. I need to shower, so keep them coming. But not the face. After that, I'm cooking one of you."

***

Ethan merrily chewed on his piece of roasted monitor tail. He'd taken his pants off and was sitting at the edge of the pond, letting his feet dangle into the crystal clear water. Right next to him, the fire he'd made with a few mushroom stems he'd carved with his claws crackled, while a second skewered piece of tail roasted on top of the fire.

"Wish I had some salt and pepper," he said as he lifted his feet and looked at them, then glanced sideways at the clothes he'd washed and laid on top of a couple of bushes. "And I need magic-resistant clothes. Very soon."

His t-shirt had already fallen apart. It hadn't been able to handle the increasingly powerful flames. The shoulder parts were already gone, while the sides were full of burnt holes and so when he got hit a few times with the monitor's water sprays, they just tore away.

His pants were doing a bit better, but they still had a few holes from the lizardlings, and they had been incredibly dirty from all the fighting. The shoes were fine. They were mostly dirty… but they might not last long, either. But at least they were clean now. He'd used his ruined t-shirt to wipe them up.

"There are more than six days left. How am I supposed to cover myself?"

He really doubted there'd be stores around. But maybe after the main quest's done? Something resistant to magic would be nice. Were magic clothes even a thing? Or do people need to just carry spare clothes on them at all times?

Ethan took a bite and chewed. The meat was a bit gamey, which he loved. The fat made it just melt in his mouth. Glancing back at his drying pants, he guessed he would have to figure things out as he went. Hopefully a solution for clothing would present itself eventually. For now, he pulled his notifications and quickly recapped the fight.

That's 16 fragments and one level. I'm giving it to Spirit.

With that done, Ethan chucked the sharpened skewers into the fire and picked the next piece of skinned tail. It was well seared, with the fat glistening and rolling down as he picked it up. He blew on it a couple of times then bit into it, which was only possible because of the fire resistance.

It was still hot though, and he had to huff a few times to try and cool down the bite he'd gotten.

"So good," he said after swallowing the piece.

As he was about to bite once more, there was a rustle of branches to his left, then a figure stepped out. When Ethan saw what it was, he took another bite of his still smoking piece of roasted tail and huffed to cool it off.

[Lizardling- Level 17]

"Human thing," the lizardling spat, then it clicked and two more lizardlings showed up. Both were under level 20.

Ethan continued chewing, casually sitting in underwear with his bare feet tensed against the muddy soil. Read to spring to action. "Hey."

"You will come with us. Or we will do the same to you," another said, pointing with its dagger at the dead monitors.

Ethan bit once more into the meat, which seemed to annoy the lizardlings. "And then you'll feast on my flesh?"

The lizardling in the lead clacked its jaw, raising a hand to stop the others from advancing. "Enough words. You will come with us. Alive or dead," it said, slitted eyes narrowed.

Ethan eyed the three lizardlings and chewed. They could lead him to another warband. Or maybe even a larger camp. It wasn't as if he couldn't escape or kill them if needed. He could just follow them for a bit. Find their camp and go from there. And who knows. Maybe it could help him find a lead about the main quests.

After all, he'd just had a pretty hefty meal. Luther often said walks were important after a big meal.

"Alright."

Ethan got up, and all three raised their weapons, then lowered them in confusion as he put on his still wet pants and socks, then laced his shoes. When he was done, he put his hands on his hips and smiled. "Lead the way."

"We give the orders," spat out the spear-wielder.

Ethan raised both arms. "Ooh. Alright. You got me."

As they led him along the cave wall, Ethan stayed hyper-vigilant of the spear carrier behind him. The leader stayed ahead, while a third scouted to the right, ready to warn in case something approached from the central area.

Ethan assumed they wanted to put him in a cage like they'd done with Liz's group. He kept his movements measured and controlled. He was ready to react fast, at the drop of hat. But as the seconds turned to minutes with nothing happening, he assumed they really intended on taking him alive so he relaxed a tiny bit.

Time went by, with Ethan being slowly escorted deeper in the underground biome. He was pretty sure they passed into another neighboring cave after a while. The walls had closed in around them for a moment before they widened, as if they'd gone through a mini-tunnel, after which they dove into the woods once more. Around fifteen minutes later, they arrived at another camouflaged entrance, and Ethan's smile widened.

The cave entrance was larger. The camouflage was better, but most importantly, there were two lizardlings guarding the entrance—both above level 20—and Ethan was pretty sure he was looking at fortifications as well.

This might be the largest camp yet.

"Move, human thing," said the lizardlings behind him before poking him in the back.

Ethan slowly turned to face his captor, smile still on his lips. The lizardling looked up at him as he loomed over it. It tightened its grip on the spear, eyes narrowing, but before it could react, he slapped the spear aside and kicked it in the nards.