As the Elf sets up the spell to restore limb function to himself with the sand, you oblige his distance requirement by pulling away his energy again (-5 MP +10 MP), managing to ignore or at least tolerate the pain in your arm. With his arm restored, the Elf grabs the spear with both hands and lunges forward with the spear, apparently off-balance as it misses. You step in to take advantage of the opportunity, and fast as a snake, the Elf pulls back the spear and drives it into your stomach, punching through the plate armor and stopping on the other side (11 Slashing Damage).
[Rage Counters (5+6)/10]
You immediately ENRAGE, and forget the plan of using auric powers in favor of POWERMURDERING THE TREEMOUNTER!
With a MIGHTY BELLOW, you grab for the TWOLEGS and tilt your head, ramming your MIGHTY HORN through his throat and shattering teeth on the way out of his mouth. Through some freak of nature, the Elf struggles to hold onto life, grabs hold of the sword, and rams it through downwards into your lungs, point digging for your heart as he twists. (14 Piercing Damage)
You violently shake your head back and forth, and something cracks as the agony inside you stops moving so much. You stagger at the dead weight and black out trying to get him off. Your last memory is the bloody sand rushing up to meet you.
You: ENRAGED Level 6 Minotaur, Near Death 2/44
***
Pain.
***
You wake up, feeling sore, disoriented, and rather like you have a broken rib. Beside you is a bag filled with the coin from your last victory.
"It's all there - less fees."
You turn your head to the side to stare at the Sun Elf.
"What is more important is that you've proven your dedication again. When you've purchased your right to acquire sponsors, you'll have our support, and you are always welcome in any temple. The Goddess has spoken."
The Elf repeats any, and stands up to leave. You open your mouth to ask a question, but find yourself short of breath, and the healer (or assistant, you're really not at all familiar with the uniforms returns to fuss over you.
***
After a few more days of treatment that turns the "about five hundred" into "exactly five hundred" and leaves you healthy but scarred, you consider what to do.
What are you going to apply the General Level to?
What are you going to do with the money?
A) Buy a weapon. I'm not going to rent low-quality gear or keep relying on the Steel Shortsword. It's too damn short!
B) Buy a better room!
C) Pay tithes to Liagora
D) Put money towards the Contract
E) Seek training in a level I have
F) Seek training in a level I don't have
G) Bank the gold
H) Buy supplies for battle
I) Buy post-battle healing at a discounted rate in advance
J) Something else