He Who Fights with Monsters, #1
He Who Fights with Monsters
by Shirtaloon
Contents
73. A Grim Sword to Live By
Overview
Jason confronts a colossal Rat Gorger feeding on ratlings, deduces its strengthening mechanic, and neutralizes it by severing its prehensile tail and layering afflictions. He completes the contract’s hidden objective, earning coins, a rat essence, and an Awakening Stone of Wrath. Frank confirms street-level concern and directs Jason toward an exit.
Summary
Following screams in the tunnels, Jason discovers a massive, humanoid Rat Gorger draining a ratling with its prehensile tail. He notes the creature grows stronger by consuming ratlings and recognizes it as a hidden objective blocking contract completion.
When the tail lashes him, Jason cuts it with Night Fang, inflicting venom. He creates faint lights to enable shadow jumps, repeatedly teleporting to the tail’s base to stack afflictions and finally sever it. With the tail gone, the primary threat is neutralized.
Jason casts Inexorable Doom and kites the hulking monster while its bleeding and necrosis worsen. As Jason’s leeches arrive, the Rat Gorger succumbs in agony, completing both the hidden objective and the overall rat contract. Jason receives coins and a Rat Essence.
Harvesting the corpse yields additional coins and an Awakening Stone of Wrath. Tempted but cautious, he pockets the stone rather than using it immediately.
As Jason prepares to leave, Frank calls down through a drain, drawn by the earlier monstrous sounds. After Jason confirms the threat is dead, Frank offers to guide him to the nearest exit, and Jason accepts.
Who Appears
- Jason AsanoProtagonist; defeats the Rat Gorger by severing its tail, layering afflictions, and completing the rat contract.
- Rat GorgerGiant rat-like boss that strengthens by consuming ratlings; loses its tail and dies under Jason’s afflictions.
- FrankStreet contact who checks on the noise above the tunnels and guides Jason toward an exit.
- ColinJason’s leech familiar; reabsorbed after contributing to the Rat Gorger’s demise.