Echo Of Infinity: 100× exp

The Echo of Infinity: Chapter 15 - Mirewood Trials

The Mirewood Swamp lived up to its unpleasant reputation. The air was thick with humidity and the drone of insects. Twisted cypress trees rose from murky water, draped in moss that seemed to watch them. The ground varied unpredictably between sucking mud, shallow pools hiding unseen depths, and treacherous patches of seemingly solid earth that threatened to give way.

Grak navigated with unerring confidence, his [Swamp Guide] class clearly invaluable. He pointed out quicksand pits and toxic fungi with terse grunts. Silky moved ahead, sometimes visible, sometimes vanishing completely into the gloomy surroundings, her [Assassin] and [Acrobat] skills allowing her to traverse the difficult terrain with silent grace. Kael followed Grak, keeping his senses alert with [Detect Presence] and [Enhanced Hearing].

His fabricated status projected Lv. 11 [Shadow Scout], so his occasional warnings about distant movement or hidden pools were accepted as baseline competence for the class, albeit surprisingly consistent for a 'newbie'.

"Sharp ears, kid," Grak grunted approvingly after Kael pointed out a ripple that turned out to be a submerged Giant Constrictor Snake (Tier 1), which Grak dispatched with a single, brutal swing of his greataxe. (+40 Base EXP, +4000 Accumulated EXP).

Their first major encounter came near midday. Silky signaled from ahead – a cluster of Giant Bloodleeches (Tier 1) clinging to the underside of low-hanging branches, waiting to drop on unsuspecting prey. They were bloated, pulsating things, easily five feet long.

"Nasty critters," Grak spat. "Drain you dry fast. Silky, can you pick off the big one? Kid, watch the flanks. I'll handle the rest."

Silky nocked an arrow – she apparently carried a shortbow for ranged takedowns – and fired. Her aim was true; the arrow pierced the largest leech, which exploded in a shower of foul gore. The others detached, slithering rapidly towards them through the mud.

Grak roared, activating his [Berserker] rage. His muscles bulged, eyes gained a reddish tint, and he charged forward, axe swinging in wide, devastating arcs. Leeches burst under the onslaught.

Kael drew his sword, positioning himself as ordered. Two leeches, ignored by the rampaging Grak, changed direction, homing in on Kael's 'weaker' signature. He met the first one, easily sidestepping its lunge and severing its head with a clean strike faster than his Lv. 11 fabricated status should allow. He immediately 'stumbled', making the kill look slightly lucky.

The second leech lunged. Kael parried its bite, then used a basic [Swift Blade] thrust.

```
[Weave Notification: Giant Bloodleech Defeated. +35 EXP allocated...]
[Accumulator Notification: Base EXP Gain +35. Multiplier x100 Applied. +3500 EXP allocated!]
```

Grak finished off the last leech, his rage subsiding, leaving him breathing heavily. He glanced at the two leeches Kael had dispatched. "Huh. Not bad, kid. Faster'n you look."

Kael just shrugged, cleaning his blade, heart pounding slightly. That was close. He needed to be more careful controlling his speed.

They continued their patrol, mapping the area as per the quest scroll. Silky disarmed several crude pit traps, likely set by Lizardfolk. Late afternoon, as they navigated a particularly dense section of mangrove tunnels, Kael's [Detect Presence] flared strongly.

"Hold up," he whispered urgently. "Multiple hostiles ahead. Clustered. Feels... reptilian."

Grak hefted his axe. Silky drew her daggers, melting into the shadows beside the mangrove roots.

"Lizardfolk patrol?" Grak muttered. "How many, kid?"

Kael focused. "Maybe... six? Seven? And one signature feels stronger... different."

"Scout ahead, Silky," Grak ordered. The Felid nodded and vanished.

Kael strained his senses. He could hear faint hissing whispers, the scrape of scales on bark. Silky returned moments later, appearing soundlessly beside Grak.

"Lizardfolk war party," she reported, her voice a low hiss. "Six warriors, standard Tier 1. Led by a Scaleshaper – bigger, using some kind of earth magic. Tier 1, maybe high level."

A Scaleshaper. Lizardfolk shamans who could manipulate earth and stone. More dangerous than simple warriors.

Grak considered their options. Their mission was patrol and report, not engage war parties. "Too many for a straight fight," he decided. "We pull back, observe, report their position and strength."

But as they began to retreat silently, a sharp hiss echoed from behind them. Another Lizardfolk scout, hidden perfectly, had circled around. It raised a crude horn to its lips.

"Ambush!" Silky hissed, lunging towards the scout with her daggers flashing.

Too late. The horn blared, a grating sound that cut through the swamp's drone. Hisses answered from ahead. Their escape route was cut off, and the main war party was alerted. They were caught between the scout Silky engaged and the approaching Scaleshaper group.

"No choice then," Grak roared, hefting his axe. "Fight! Kid, watch Silky's back! I'll meet the Scaleshaper!"

Combat erupted in the confined space of the mangrove tunnel.


Publishment date: 8/4/2025