Echo Of Infinity: 100× exp

The Echo of Infinity: Chapter 9 - Calculated Risk

Pinned down behind the rock outcrop, arrows thudding around them, the situation was dire. The initial shock of the Shaman's death had worn off, replaced by goblin fury. Hobgoblins, axes glinting, formed a tightening semi-circle.

"We need an opening!" Elara yelled over the din, parrying a wild swing from a Hobgoblin that got too close. "Finn, suppressive fire towards the channel! Kael, stay down!"

Finn loosed arrows rapidly, forcing the Goblins blocking their escape route to duck, but it wouldn't hold them for long. Kael watched, his mind racing faster than ever. His graze throbbed, a useful reminder for his act, but the real danger was annihilation.

He saw it then – a potential path. Not back up the channel they came down, but a risky scramble up the main ravine slope nearby. It was steep, exposed, but led away from the bulk of the enemy forces currently focused on their position. The main problem was crossing the ten yards of open, fire-lit ground between their cover and the slope's base, currently swarming with Goblins.

He had the speed. He had the tools. He just needed a believable excuse. *Adrenaline? Panic? A hidden trick?*

"Guildswoman!" Kael shouted, trying to sound panicked but determined. "There! That slope! We could climb it!"

Elara glanced at it, then back at the Goblins. "Too exposed! We'd be cut down crossing the open ground!"

"Maybe... maybe I can distract them?" Kael offered, injecting desperation into his voice. "My... my [Basic Combatant] class... sometimes, when I'm scared... I get a burst of... something! Like with the wolves!" He was laying the groundwork for his lie, referencing his previous flimsy excuse.

Elara gave him a sharp, assessing look. She was out of options. "What kind of burst?"

"Fast!" Kael improvised, thinking of [Swift Blade]. "And... maybe a little spark?" He thought of [Mana Bolt]. He had to blend his real abilities into something that sounded like a low-level, uncontrolled panic response.

Before Elara could fully process this, Kael acted. Decision made, risk accepted.

*‘[Swift Blade] - [Flowing Strikes]! [Mana Weaver] - [Mana Bolt]! Full DEX focus!’*

He burst from behind the rock.

To Elara and Finn, it must have looked like sheer, panicked terror translating into uncanny speed. Kael didn't run *at* the Goblins, but *through* them. His movements were a blur, far exceeding anything a Level 2 [Basic Combatant] should achieve. He used [Flowing Strikes] not to kill, but to weave and dodge, using the pommel of his sheathed sword (drawing it would be too suspicious) to knock Goblins off balance, creating chaos.

Simultaneously, he channeled a tiny, unfocused [Mana Bolt], letting it crackle visibly around his hand – not aimed, just a 'spark' as he'd claimed. It was enough to make the superstitious Goblins flinch and hesitate.

He wasn't fighting them; he was a chaotic element disrupting their formation for a precious few seconds.

"NOW!" Kael screamed, already halfway across the open ground towards the slope.

Elara didn't hesitate. "Finn, GO!"

She shoved Finn towards the slope, then turned, sword flashing, cutting down two Goblins that tried to intercept them. Finn scrambled after Kael. The Wood Sprite clung tightly to Elara's pauldron.

Kael reached the base of the slope, his Tier 1 agility making the initial scramble easy, though he deliberately fumbled slightly for appearances. Finn was right behind him. Elara followed, covering their retreat with expert swordsmanship, forcing the Hobgoblins to keep their distance.

Arrows pursued them up the slope. One struck Finn in the calf; he cried out but kept climbing. Another grazed Elara's arm. Kael felt another searing pain as an arrow ripped through the side of his leather tunic, drawing blood from his ribs – another believable injury. *‘Accumulator: Update fake status. HP: 55/100. Status: Bleeding (Moderate).’*

They reached a small ledge halfway up, momentarily out of the main line of fire from the ravine floor. Below, the Goblins and Hobgoblins milled in confusion, hesitant to pursue up the difficult terrain immediately.

"Keep moving!" Elara urged, breathing heavily. She spared Kael a look, sharp and intense, searching his eyes. The speed, the 'spark'... it was too much to be mere luck or a simple Tier 0 panic skill. But there was no time for questions now.

They continued their climb, Elara taking the lead now, using her [Scout] skills to find the best path. Kael deliberately lagged, making his movements look strained from his 'injuries' and 'exertion', while Finn limped heavily, supported by Elara.

Finally, they crested the ravine ridge, collapsing behind thick bushes, hidden from the camp below. They could hear angry shouts and commands echoing up, but no immediate pursuit seemed forthcoming. They were out. Bruised, bleeding, but alive.

Kael checked his real status. The intense combat and skill usage had yielded enormous gains thanks to the Accumulator.

```
[Weave Notification: Combat Experience Gained. +~350 EXP allocated...] (Distributed normally)
[Accumulator Notification: Base EXP Gain +~350. Multiplier x100 Applied. +35,000 EXP allocated!]

[ Swift Blade leveled up to 13! ]
[ Shadow Scout leveled up to 12! ]
[ Mana Weaver leveled up to 10! ]
[ Skill Level Up: Flowing Strikes Lv. 3! ]
[ Skill Level Up: Mana Bolt Lv. 4! ]
[ Skill Level Up: Detect Presence Lv. 3! ]
... (several other skills leveled)
```

His power surged, a stark contrast to the wounded, trembling facade he presented. He quickly used a tiny thread of [Minor Heal] on himself, just enough to slow the bleeding from his ribs without making it obvious, wincing as if the pain was severe.

Elara was assessing Finn's leg wound, applying a field dressing with practiced efficiency. The Wood Sprite chirped worriedly nearby. Once Finn was stabilized, Elara turned her full attention to Kael.

Her expression was unreadable. Gratitude warred with deep suspicion. "Kael," she said, her voice low and serious. "We need to talk about what just happened. That 'burst'... was more than Tier 0 panic."

The calculated risk had saved them, but the consequences were catching up. His cover was blown, at least partially. He was at a point of no return.

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Publishment Date:4/4/2025