Down came the rain, heavy and wide.
Heavy. Relentless. Cold.
Rain lashed the treetops, churning soil into sludge, echoing with endless small cracks overhead. Down came the water, rushing over my cheeks, flattening strands across my brow, drenching the olive fabric till it stuck like a second layer.
Through the thick bushes I crept, every footfall measured, slow. A quiet rhythm carried me forward, one pause after another. Not a sound broke the air as my path wound deeper. Each motion planned before it began. Stillness held everything around me.
Footsteps vanished into nothing, thanks to Silent Stride - even under heavy rain. Not a splash broke the quiet. Silence held firm. Only the steady beat of falling water covered every move.
Flesh tight from that clash with the Phthirens, each step tugged at old injuries. Blood flow ceased, yet pain flared without warning - proof of narrow escape. Movement brought fresh stings, echoes of moments too near death.
But I'm alive.
Getting stronger is something I must do.
A short rest came first - about sixty minutes of stillness following the escape, long enough to steady my breathing plus slow the blood flow. Yet staying put wasn't allowed.
Running low on strength. Progress feels slow, like wading through thick mud. Each step forward takes more than it should.
Fear crept in after the Phthirens taught me what this place can do. Almost didn't survive Level 5. One step further - Level 10 - and it would've been over. That kind of danger doesn't warn you twice.
Falling apart isn't an option. Strength has to come through somehow.
Mud sucked at my boots as I moved ahead, eyes flicking across the trees, searching. Rain fell hard, blurring shapes, but I kept looking, step after wet step.
That is when they came into view.
Huddled under stone, five goblins shivered, hoping the rain would pass. The wind pushed wet air through cracks, making them press closer together. One peeked out, blinking at the gray sky above. Water dripped steadily behind them, pooling near their feet. They stayed still, waiting for the storm to lose its grip.
Bent close to the ground, I stayed hidden in the heavy brush, eyes fixed on their every move.
A pair among them wore ragged hides, gripping bent wooden bows. One shifted weight between feet, gaze darting toward thick vines swaying without wind. Arrows rested on strings, ready but not pulled back. The stillness bothered them - too quiet for midday.
One moment, shadows shifted near the ridge. Three figures stood there, not human. Goblins, built lean for slashing quick. Their weapons looked old, pitted with age, yet honed along the edge. Upward they stared, drawn by silence atop the slope. Waiting, maybe. Or just still.
For a second I just looked, thoughts moving fast behind my eyes.
There are five goblins - two stay back, throwing things. The others move in close, ready to fight. One group shoots from a distance. Meanwhile, three rush forward with weapons drawn.
This task? I am able to manage it.
First came the Archers - my main concern. Trouble waited if their arrows found me.
Start by removing them. Quickly.
Time passed while I studied how they moved, searching for a gap.
And then -
The goblins relaxed.
Still holding their weapons, the Archers let the tips dip a little. Muscle by muscle, the tightness left their shoulders. On lower ground, the Swordsmen quit watching the slope. Faces shifting, they faced the rock ledge again. Low sounds rolled between them, rough syllables in their own tongue.
Safe is what they believe they are.
Perfect.
My fingers closed around Reverblade, the metal cool and heavy like stone after rain. Heavy it felt, resting there, as if made of iron pulled straight from a mountain's gut.
Up I got, lifted my arm, sent the blade flying across the space.
Flying sideways, the blade twisted through downpour, rivers racing along its skin.
A shadow moved before the Goblin Archer knew anything.
Teleport.
A sudden presence broke the air - there I stood, face to face with the Archer. My fingers moved fast toward Reverblade, still stuck in bark near his shoulder. The moment froze, then cracked open.
A shiver ran through him as his gaze stretched wide
The blade came loose with a jerk, then sliced through air without pause.
SLASH.
A crack split the air as the Archer's head broke free, bouncing once before it dropped. Rainwater churned with green streaks where fluid splashed against the slick rock.
A shape twisted around, fingers scrambling through feathers
It never got a try from me.
Foot moved ahead, steel glinting - head fell loose from one clean cut.
SLASH.
Two down.
Falling came first for the others, then the swordsmen noticed. One by one they watched it happen, blades still in hand.
Out of nowhere came shrieks, sharp and wild, then both rushed forward, weapons lifted.
I didn't panic.
This time I hurled Reverblade past their back, sticking deep into the wet soil.
Footsteps screeched into silence, heads tilting at what came next.
Breath quick, they spun in every direction, eyes darting, hunting my shape in the blur of motion.
He vanished. Where could he be now?
Where is he?
Teleport.
A shadow took shape in the downpour - me, waiting, weapon drawn.
Not a single one noticed me standing close by.
The cold steel sat heavy in my hand as water streamed down its edge. Rain tapped a rhythm on the metal before it began to glow. Power moved through the weapon when I triggered Aqua Severance.
Floodwaters spun close to Reverblade without warning.
Water moved like it knew what I wanted. Droplets climbed the steel, spun tight, then fused into a cutting line longer than the sword itself.
Out came the water, shaped by the steel, sliding smooth down the metal's edge. Hardened now, it became part of the weapon - cold, sharp, one with the strike.
The weight pressed against me - thick, cutting, strong. It hung there like smoke but moved like a blade. Not loud, yet impossible to ignore. Every breath pulled more of it inside.
Water soaked through, tightened its grip. Sharp edges came next.
I swung.
WHOOSH.
A sharp hiss followed the arc of the blade, slicing not water but silence. It moved fast enough to leave echoes behind.
One after another, the trio of Goblin Swordsmen faced away, lined up like posts in a fence. Each one kept looking, unaware I was right behind them.
A single motion carried the edge cleanly across each throat at once.
Everything stayed still, just for a beat.
Then -
Blood pooled fast where necks once connected, one after another dropping - silent except for the slap of flesh on soil. The air stank before the third landed, already darkening at its edges.
Footsteps sank into wet earth just as their forms folded downward. A pale liquid seeped through cracks between soil and roots, glowing faint under broken clouds.
Breath caught in my chest, cold drops sliding over skin. Rain fell without pause, tracing paths through hair and along jawlines.
A single breath later - five goblins lay still. Less than sixty seconds had passed since they moved.
Notifications appeared.
A score appears after the last creature falls - five goblins gone, their levels between zero and one
Fate shifts. Gains grow larger now
Total Rewards 127 Torin Points 22 Lifeline Points
Fingers swiped the displays away while eyes swept across the space.
A shape shifted at the edge of sight.
A handful of goblins. Perhaps twelve in total. Spread out across the trees and thick vines - most were goblins, though some shapes moved differently, things I had never seen before.
More targets.
More experience.
Fingers clamped hard around Reverblade's hilt, teeth clenched tight.
"Gotta get stronger fast," I whispered, the sound almost lost beneath the downpour.
Off I went, vanishing into the trees, heading for the next cluster of people.
Strength keeps growing till it's enough.
Only when every threat here has lost its power over me.
Into the trees I went, watching each flicker of shade, each shift in the undergrowth.
Still coming down, the rain tapped on the canopy above, one drop after another without pause.
Almost an hour had passed since I started looking.
Where are they?
Targets started piling up on my list. Practice began filling the hours. Leveling felt like climbing stairs in the dark.
Yet the forest stretched wide, while creatures rarely showed when expected.
Patience.
On I moved, the quiet step swallowing every sound. Not a ripple broke through as my boot pressed down into wet stone.
There they were. At last, I saw them appear.
Another group of goblins.
Under thick trees, five stood close in a tiny open space, hoping to avoid the rain.
Level 0.
Perfect.
Bent close to the ground, I kept my eyes on them.
Okay. How about we switch things up a bit now.
Throwing my sword, then vanishing and reappearing behind them - that move never failed. Still, doing it every time made it obvious what came next. The pattern worked well, yet anyone watching could guess the sequence before I even moved.
Now might be a good moment to shake things loose.
Something tingled in my skull. The Spider Sense turned on.
Right then, everything snapped into clarity. Not just sight - everything around me pulled closer. Their locations came through, how they shifted, what they meant to do.
A few steps off the path, one figure moved slow, nose low to the dirt, catching a scent hidden in the soil.
That's my opening.
A shadow among leaves, I crept past thick bushes toward the lone goblin. From behind a mossy log, my path turned wide, avoiding snapped twigs. The air hung still as I shifted closer, step by slow step. Not a sound broke the quiet while I closed in from the side.
Sound passed through without notice. Eyes looked past without pause. Presence vanished into empty air.
Beyond its back I stepped, the Reverblade lifted -
A sharp thrust pierced its spine without warning.
A shudder ran through the creature. Then silence took hold.
The body hit the ground when I pulled the knife out.
A creature falls. One goblin lies dead, level zero gone
Far off, the remaining four goblins caught the sound. They paused mid-step when it reached their ears.
Spinning around with sharp cries, they rushed forward straight at me.
I didn't run.
That time, I turned on Stonewall Guard instead.
Suddenly, a thick barrier of rock rose up right in front of me. It stood tall, cutting off the goblins mid-stride. Dust puffed into the air as chunks settled into place. The creatures stumbled back, startled by the sudden shift. Stone sealed the gap like a door slamming shut.
Bodies crashed against the rock, fingers scraping hard surfaces, voices rising with anger. The impact shook loose tiny fragments, echoes bouncing off jagged edges, tension hanging thick in the air.
Through the shadows I moved, quiet, out of sight. Around the barrier my path wound, unseen.
A sudden prickle ran down my neck. Their location showed just beyond. Movement registered through unseen threads.
Beside that, one pair sits up front. Following those, another set lines the opposite edge.
Behind them now, I shifted left to close the gap.
A second swing followed - sharp, heavy. The first had cracked the air just before.
SLASH. SLASH.
Two more down.
Some of the goblins ran wild near the wall before they saw me at last.
Faster than a shout, they ran ahead, blades lifted into the air.
Footsteps skidded as I flung Reverblade - wood cracked when it stuck in the trunk.
Teleport.
A shape formed near the trunk. The knife came into my hand. A sweeping motion cut through the air.
When the rain fell, its water curled close to the blade called Aqua Severance, stretching how far I could strike. It moved like a breath across steel, shaping distance without effort. Sharp light flickered along the edge where droplets raced. Each one pulled the limit just beyond what it was before.
A sudden rush of liquid cut deep into each goblin mid-stride.
Down they fell, their green blood seeping into the wet earth.
Four goblins lie dead. Their level was zero. You struck them down. The fight is over now
Breath left me in a long stream, while fingers brushed wetness off skin.
"Five down," I muttered. "Let's keep going."
Footsteps ahead, every muscle alive with electric fire.
It only took a moment before I found it.
A moment passed. Another group came into view.
A couple of goblins showed up. Still level zero. Another few joined them. Not stronger than before. Just more of the same.
They're everywhere tonight.
I grinned.
"Perfect."
Out of nowhere, a sharper approach felt right.
Out in the open I went, no attempt to hide.
Bold move - Reverblade flew straight into the middle of them.
Screams tore through the air as the goblins fled in every direction.
Teleport.
A shape stepped forward - mine - with a knife gripped tight. The air shifted around us.
Mid-spin, before anyone moved, the sword arced wide - water spiraling along its edge, fueled by Aqua Severance, stretching the cut farther than steel alone ever could.
A flash of liquid steel swept across, slicing every one of the five goblins apart mid-motion. The strike finished before echoes could form.
Falling limp, they collapsed one by one. Their bodies gave way without warning.
Five goblins lie dead. Their level was zero when you ended them
Middle of the wreckage, I stayed on my feet, air sharp in my lungs, water falling without stop.
A bunch of goblins - ten in total - showed up before the clock ticked past five minutes.
I'm getting faster.
A light blinked across the screen again and again. One after another filled my view.
Well done. Your progress hits level four now
A spark flared at Fortune's Edge. Extra prizes were added
[New abilities unlocked!]
[Stat points awarded!]
Not once did my eyes land on those people.
Fingers flicked sideways, shoving each screen aside like it was nothing.
Later on, I plan to look at those.
At this moment, progress matters most.
Back on my feet, I moved through the trees, eyes searching for anything that might be next.
Starting fresh takes time. Levels come after trying again and again.
There's no turning back at this point.
Footsteps filled the quiet, rain drizzling down without pause. Ten minutes passed like that.
That is when they came into view.
Another group of goblins.
Yet they stood apart.
Purpose filled their steps now. Coordination wove through their movements. Better care kept the weapons ready. A sharpness lived in their gaze.
A notification appeared.
Goblin Group Level One
My feet froze as I watched. Their shapes held my eyes without moving.
Level 1.
A little above nothing, yet still changes things. Barely off the mark, though it shifts the outcome.
Survival came easier to them. Longer stretches without falling. Taking lives shaped their rhythm. The weight of it stayed.
This task might prove tougher than expected.
One corner of my mouth began to rise. The rest followed like smoke curling upward.
"Interesting," I muttered. "Now I've finally found a worthy fight."
The steel bit into my palm, heavy like a promise I could not forget.
A sharp prickle ran up my spine the moment I sensed them - goblins, already on edge. Their eyes moved fast, scanning shadows like they knew someone was close.
This time, they won't stand still while danger sneaks up. Others didn't see it coming. Not them.
It made sense to think carefully.
Step by step, I turned on Silent Stride and shifted closer. Around they stood, unaware, while I edged sideways, staying low.
Scattered yet close, the goblins stood apart on purpose. Each one held space, eyes scanning different directions. One faced the ridge, another watched the trees. Gaps between them allowed room to react. Their stance wasn't tight - just alert, just ready. Nothing crowded, nothing careless.
Smart.
Still missing the mark though.
Footsteps sent Reverblade flying into the woods, stuck now in bark at the rim of open ground.
A sudden noise made one goblin turn its head fast.
Teleport.
A shape stepped out near the trunk, pulled the steel loose -
Right away, the Stonewall Guard sprang into motion.
Out of nowhere, a barrier of rock shot upward, splitting the goblins apart - two left on one side, the others stranded behind.
Fear cracked through their voices as they dashed along the uneven bricks.
Yet my feet had started before thought caught up.
Faster than a blink, I sent Reverblade flying once more, arriving beside the two who stood apart.
Aqua Severance.
Around the blade, water twisted, pushing farther out.
I swung -
A clash rang out as one goblin raised its blade, shaking my grip. The force traveled up through both arms.
Strong.
The water-blade sliced past its guard, biting deep into the shoulder. Back it staggered, unbalanced by the strike.
A sudden blur came from the left - another goblin charging hard. This one moved fast, teeth bared, arms outstretched. It aimed straight for my shoulder. The air shifted with its speed. Dust kicked up near its feet. I saw it before it struck.
Spider Sensor tingled -
Turning fast, I barely avoided the blow - then shoved the sword into its heart.
A Goblin lies dead at your feet - its level was just one
A wild swing came first - then the hurt goblin rushed forward once more.
A sudden dip beneath the blow brought me close, rising into its defenses before slicing sideways at its neck.
A Goblin falls at your feet - its life ends here. Level 1 fades into silence
Blast ripped through the rock at my back.
Ahead of the others, one goblin sprinted forward, then two more followed close behind. Their steps matched without warning. Each held a weapon high, ready to strike as they moved as one.
Beyond their back I sent Reverblade flying.
Teleport.
A shadow shifted behind them, yet they saw it coming
A sudden spin sent it whirling toward my face.
Beneath the swing I crouched, steel humming past my head, then cut upward toward its knees.
Off balance, it fell into my strike - a sharp push straight through its heart.
A creature named Goblin, level one, lies dead. Its life ended by your hand
One struck from above, while the other came in fast below at the exact same moment.
Spider Sensor screamed -
A sudden shift saved me from the blows. Water sliced through the air as I triggered Aqua Severance once more.
A ripple grew along the edge, then it stretched into reach. My arm carved through air, sweeping sideways across space.
A flash took both goblins down. One moment they stood, then nothing.
One moment they stood whole. Then came a sudden twist. Heads rolled free. Bodies dropped behind. Nothing moved after that.
A score flashes up - two goblins down, both level one. That fight ends quicker than it began
There I was, chest heaving, water slicing through my hair. Rain ran cold over my skin while breath came quick, uneven.
That was harder.
Progress shows more each day.
Red streaks slid off the steel as I moved forward once more.
Beyond what's here. There must be something beyond.
The rain stopped.
A hush snapped through the trees. Gone now, that steady beat on green rooftops. The sky had stopped humming its wet song.
Just... quiet.
Far past dusk when I finally stopped moving. Trees above shut tight like a lid, leaving the air thick and low. A few slivers of sky managed to slip through - just enough to paint faint marks on the soaked earth below.
Through the forest I crept, each step soundless because of Silent Stride. This skill worked nonstop these days - on its own, without me doing anything.
Just like the Spider Sensor. A quiet hum lived in the back of my mind, always on watch. It didn't shout - just stayed there, ready.
The jungle felt different at night.
Quieter. Heavier.
More dangerous.
On I went, eyes darting through dark patches, searching for a shift.
That is when my eyes caught sight of them.
Far off, what caught my eye looked like nothing more than a bunch of trees grouped together.
Yet suddenly, the forms shifted.
It hit me then - those things had a name.
Zombies.
Dozens of them.
Fifty paces on, a group of figures drifts across the open space, unsteady, lurching forward without purpose. Their steps drag, uneven, halting now and then. Some sway like trees in wind, others stumble over roots hidden beneath dirt. One pauses, head tilted up, as if listening to something far off. The air stays still around them, heavy with silence.
A notification appeared.
Zombie Group Detected with Varied Skill Levels
A sudden halt. Down I went, hidden by a broad trunk, eyes fixed on their every move.
Zombies.
Faster than a blink, my thoughts lined up every fact I'd ever learned.
Beyond sight, they move without eyes. Darkness does not stop them.
Nose and ears pick up what's out there. Sounds come first, then scents fill in gaps.
Bitten? Your Lifeline Points begin to slip away - steady, unyielding, minute by minute. Escape the match or face lasting consequences, one step at a time.
Bites started doing what they always should have - changing folks forever. That season shifted everything, real danger taking over. When respawn vanished, so did second chances. A single bite meant you were done, stuck like that, no fixing it.
Yet here in Season 1, that bite only took away Lifeline Points.
Deadly as ever. Danger hasn't faded one bit.
One by one, my eyes moved across the faces again. How many had shown up? I started tallying silently. The number needed to be exact.
Thirty zombies.
Mixed levels.
Fair warning - it won't go smoothly.
I looked at Reverblade first, after that my eyes moved upward toward the sky.
No rain.
This leaves out any chance of Aqua Severance.
Low words slipped out before I could stop them.
My greatest strength once lay in that skill. Now stripped of it, the battle ahead loomed tougher than before.
This I know how to manage.
Thinking clearly matters most right now.
Out of my chest came air, slow. My hands settled into place.
A shadow moved ahead, slow but steady. Each footfall was meant to be heard. A dry branch cracked under heavy tread. The forest paused at the sound.
CRACK.
A single noise pulled every undead face in its direction.
Forward they surged.
Out of nowhere, thirty zombies charged, legs churning, nothing slow about them now. Speed twisted their movements into something terrifying.
Shit.
Spinning away, I took off fast.
Not because I'm scared.
Out of strategy.
Space was necessary. Room to move mattered more. Being boxed in by them had to be avoided.
From behind came moans - deep, rough, not human at all. Thudding steps tore through the brush, more than a few closing in.
Something prickled under my skin - always aware of where they were. It warned me before they came near.
Footsteps pounding, I pushed on for about sixty seconds, guiding them farther into the trees, then stopped - there it was, exactly where I needed it.
A stretch of bare earth cuts through the woods. Surrounded by trunks to the left, right, and behind. Ahead, nothing but flat land unfolding. The air stands still between the roots and sky.
Perfect.
Turning fast, my hands clutched Reverblade hard.
Fog lifted as they stumbled forward, hollow stares fixed ahead, jaws slack. A low growl rose from one, then another, filling the quiet with raw noise. Movement came slow at first, shuffling steps breaking twigs under rotting boots. Sound built without warning - moans layered over hisses, rising like wind through broken glass. Shapes blurred in the gray light, bodies swaying off balance. Nothing stopped them once drawn close. Voices cracked apart mid-cry, yet never fully faded.
I counted quickly.
Some take more time - fifteen in total. That puts them at level zero.
Faster by a dozen. That's level one.
And three...
Staring hard, I spotted them first - those three slow ones trailing behind the rest.
Speed caught everyone off guard. Not normal at all. Every step they took - cleaner, tighter than before.
Level 2.
This will cause trouble down the line.
Later on, that's when I'd handle them.
First -
A heavy thud echoed as Reverblade landed among the Level 0 cluster.
Teleport.
A shape stepped into their circle, pulling the knife out while already turning. The motion carried it forward before they could react.
SLASH.
A clean cut took the first zombie's head right away.
My body turned fast. A slash opened a throat.
SLASH.
Then another.
SLASH.
Staggering forward, the Level 0 zombies moved like broken machines. Their arms reached out, awkward and jerky. Each lunge came a split second before my Spider Sense tingled. That warning gave me just enough time to shift sideways. Movement became natural, almost lazy.
Out of nowhere, I hurled Reverblade once more - suddenly standing somewhere else, slicing through a pair of zombies before they even turned. The blade found its mark mid-stumble.
SLASH. SLASH.
On I went - hurl, vanish into another place, hit hard, hurl again, blink across space, then smash forward once more.
Some of the slower zombies fell behind.
Fifteen lives ended before sixty seconds had passed.
Falling fast, the Level 1 zombies reached me first.
They moved fast.
Speed surprised me. Outpaced the Level 0 models without effort.
A shape came fast from the left -
Spider Sensor tingled -
A twist saved me from its jaws. My weapon found the mark, piercing deep into its torso.
A figure stepped forward from the shadows
A blade flew through the air, slicing into the undead just as it leapt. I vanished in an instant, reappearing clear of its reach.
SLASH.
Yet still they arrived.
Fan out they did, twelve strong, closing in with moves that matched each other step for step.
Stonewall Guard turned on by me.
Bursting upward, a barrier of rocks tore through the soil, cutting them apart mid-stride.
One after another fell, my attention fixed on those nearest. With a flick of Reverblade and quick jumps through space, each dropped where they stood.
SLASH. SLASH. SLASH.
Faster than shadows, the leftover six darted along the edge of the barrier.
Faster than they saw it coming, I sent Reverblade flying past their back. A blink through space put me where they could not look. From that hidden edge, my attack landed.
SLASH. SLASH. SLASH.
Every one of the dozen Level 1 zombies lay on the ground. Twelve had fallen - none still standing.
Breathing grew heavy by then. A sharp pain ran through both arms. Down came sweat, sliding along the skin of my forehead.
The trio of Level 2 zombies kept moving forward.
Fast as a storm breaking.
That first one came so fast I hardly noticed - suddenly it lunged, slashing toward my neck.
Spider Sensor screamed -
The air hissed as I dropped low - claws slicing empty space just above. That close, danger missed by a hair.
I swung Reverblade -
Yet it leapt aside, faster than anything living should move.
What the hell?!
A shape lunged at me from the left - second one, already too close. Speed turned its form into streaks of motion.
I threw Reverblade and teleported
This time, though, the third one saw it coming - already waiting where I landed, just as I started to form.
Cutting down my side came its claws.
Fire ripped across my body. It hit without warning.
My breath caught sharp, feet slipping away, hand pressed hard against the cut.
They're too fast.
Everything moves too fast for me.
Around me, the trio of undead closed in - each step matched the others without a single misstep.
A shiver ran down his spine, alerts piling up fast, dangers crowding in from every side.
Fine. A different move makes sense now.
Foot stomped down, sending Reverblade skidding across the dirt right between our boots.
Teleport.
A shape dropped into view, settling onto a bough that sagged near the ground.
A growl rose from their throats as eyes lifted toward the sky.
Again I hurled Reverblade, its tip slicing soil just past their backs.
Teleport.
Beneath its guard, I rose fast, sliding the knife into the base of its head.
It dropped.
Spinning were the other two -
A switch flipped inside me when I turned on Stonewall Guard.
Built of rough blocks, a barrier rose up right there. It stood firm, cutting across the space where we faced each other.
Flinging Reverblade across the barrier, I blinked through space to land beyond it.
A figure stood still, a single undead presence lingering nearby.
It lunged -
Out of the way I moved, so it slammed into the wall instead, then came a cut at its throat.
SLASH.
Two down.
One left.
A blur at the edge of sight - that last Level 2 cleared the barrier before I could fully react.
Down I went when it hit hard out of nowhere.
Foot met earth fast - suddenly I was flat, breath gone before it could leave.
Teeth clicked close to my neck -
Up went Reverblade, forced deep into its open mouth.
Flailing wildly, it scratched my arms while I kept my grip tight.
That is when the knife turned.
Falling loose, the zombie stopped moving.
Off I pushed it, breath ragged, soaked in muck and red. Bloodied hands trembled under gray light. Mud clung thick to my clothes. The weight of what just happened pressed hard.
It's over.
They're all dead.
Frozen in place, I stayed on my back, air rushing in and out, eyes fixed on the shadowed leaves above.
A shiver ran down my spine. Thirty of them, shambling closer. My throat felt raw saying it out loud - thirty damn undead
Flinching from the ache in my ribs, I pushed my body upright.
"I'm getting stronger," I said quietly. "But this world... it's not getting any easier."
A notification appeared.
[You have killed 30 Zombies.]
Something shifted at Fortune's Edge. The payout just got larger
A flick of my thumb tossed it aside, never touching the words.
Another screen appeared.
Well done. Reaching level six was no small thing
I blinked.
Level 6?
Two steps up in a single leap - was it real?
The alert vanished with a tap.
Another screen appeared.
Is leaving the game what you want?
For a second, I just looked. Then stopped.
That is when my finger tapped the [No] button.
Not yet.
Power is what I'm after. Levels keep piling up. Running out of room at the top.
I'm not done.
Up I got, sliding Reverblade into its place, then stepped forward once more.
"Zombies," I muttered. "Blind. Hunt by smell and sound. Deadly if they bite you."
Blood streaked the ground where I'd left them. My breath caught as the scene pulled my eyes shut.
"But not unbeatable."
Footsteps pressed forward, vanishing past thick vines and shadowed trees.
Always wanting something extra. That feeling never stops. Need keeps growing beyond what's there.
The Long Night
Footsteps dragged on, each one sparking pain through tired limbs. Wounds pulsed, sharp and steady, as motion refused to stop.
Fog lifted slowly through the trees just after the downpour ended. Night pressed close - tight and heavy - in ways only untouched forests get when skies seal shut. Branches wove a roof above, swallowing any glow trying to slip through, so all that remained were layers of deeper black piling up underfoot.
A sound here and there broke the stillness - twigs snapping beneath something unseen. Owls called far off, while crickets filled gaps between silences. Movement stirred low in the bushes, soft but certain. Creatures without names made their presence known through tiny disruptions. Night air held its breath just long enough for each noise to matter.
Each noise sent a jolt through my body.
Something dark there seemed dangerous. A shape moved - felt wrong.
Frayed nerves, a tired body - pushing forward because something deeper refused to quit.
Through the shadows I went, each step softened by Silent Stride. The wet ground gave way beneath me - no rustle, no crack, nothing to betray my presence. Even the forest floor held its breath. A shape without weight, slipping where light refused to go.
A low buzz crept into the back of my mind - just a whisper, really - but enough to say something wasn't right. That prickle behind the eyes? It never lied.
For a moment, everything stood still.
Yet my gut said no.
Nothing here feels safe. The vines shift when I'm not looking.
Something had clearly gone wrong inside me. Each breath felt heavy, like pulling weight through mud. Shaking came with even small motions, as if my body forgot how to hold itself together. Waves of hurt rolled out from cuts and bruises, steady and uninvited. Deep down, nothing worked the way it should.
Rest is what I must have now.
But how?
Few paths led there inside OmniWars. Yet each one worked differently than the last.
Resting at Respawn Town helped your body heal over time. The place stayed quiet, so nothing would jump out while you caught your breath. Monsters kept their distance here, leaving space to get stronger again.
A second step shows itself - track down someone skilled in mending bodies. Look for one who knows how to close cuts, bring back strength, make injured flesh whole again.
Healing pills or potions could fix damage right away. These items cost a lot. Not many people had them around. Sometimes luck played a role in finding one.
Alone - that's how I started. Teammates? None around. Not even a healer nearby to patch things up. Too distant now from Respawn Town to turn back; hours of travel stood between me and safety, each step risking death.
My healing pills? Used them already.
Earlier, a couple of basic healing items came my way as rewards. The system handed them out just for finishing small jobs. After the Phthiren struck, I took one - then the second right after. Each brought back twenty percent of my life force, nothing more. Things started feeling slightly better once they kicked in.
Right now my health sits around fifty.
Half dead.
Falling short. Yet still a reason to go on.
Staying alert matters most right now.
Very, very careful.
Footsteps quiet on stone, I pushed forward into black air, gaze darting between dark shapes while fingers stayed locked near Reverblade's grip.
Weight pressed into my palms like it never had before. Perhaps the fault lay not in steel - but in bone.
That is when my eyes caught it.
Movement in the darkness ahead.
A shiver ran down my spine, soft yet sharp, stopping me mid-step.
Bent close to the ground, my eyes strained against the dark, slowly sorting shapes from shadows.
Then came a break in the sky, thin but clear, letting one pale thread of moon glow slip past the leaves above.
A zombie.
A shape moves without purpose among the tall trunks. Its steps are uneven, almost twitching. Isolated, it drags through shadows where light barely reaches.
A shape moved, slow and aimless, two dozen paces off. Its arms dangled, empty, like ropes tied to nothing. Nowhere did it seem to go.
A shape formed before my eyes, words lit like embers in the black.
Zombie - Level 0
Level 0.
Found everywhere at the start of OmniWars. These creatures barely put up a fight.
Yet risk remained for those who moved without care.
Better to stay clear. Hurt right now. Not feeling strong. Maybe take another path instead
Yet I paused. Something held me back.
No.
Experience is what I'm after.
Kills add up. Small steps move things forward.
Facing down the Phthirens was bad enough - no way I'm backing off now because of some weak zombie.
From the sheath came Reverblade, inch by slow inch, my fingers tight on the hilt. A wrong move meant noise. Silence mattered more than speed.
A shape moved without purpose through the dark. Not seeing me, it dragged itself forward, breath broken and uneven. The noise came slow - like bones shaking inside a tin can. Silence between each moan made the air feel heavier.
Footfalls light, I moved ahead without noise, Silent Stride hiding each step on the soft earth beneath. The jungle gave nothing away as I drew near.
Fifteen feet.
Ten feet.
Five feet.
Now the shape came into view through the weak glow. Through gaps in the flesh, bone showed where the rot had eaten through. A sickly film covered its eyes, yet they twitched toward movement. Jagged pieces of tooth lined the gap of its slack jaw.
A single hit, sharp and clear.
A bullet finds its mark. Just once is enough.
A sudden stillness before motion. I lifted Reverblade into position, adjusting step by step. Patience shaped each breath. The opening arrived without warning
The zombie turned.
Staring at me, its eyes lifeless. Then still, fixed on my face.
Shit.
A sudden lunge came fast - arms wide, hands raking empty space - as the guttural moan twisted up into a raw, choking scream.
Without thinking, I moved. My body just did what it needed.
Far beyond its reach, I sent Reverblade flying toward the thick bark of a tree waiting behind the beast.
A flash of silver cut the night as the blade turned. Moonbeams caught its edge, sliding along the metal.
Teleport.
The twist hit. A fold in what I knew. My gut dropped with it
A shape formed near the trunk, just past the undead creature.
Forward it kept surging, fingers stretching toward the spot I just left, pulled by its own weight. A breath before, that place held me.
Freed from the wood, I shoved Reverblade ahead using two hands. My entire body pressed into the motion.
A sudden thrust sent the steel deep into the zombie's head, ending in a soggy crackle.
A burst shot out of its head, sending splinters and decay flying through air.
A sudden stillness took hold of the creature, its gaze dimming fast. Gone now, even that faint flicker behind its stare.
The knife turned inside it before I yanked it out, then down it went - face hitting soil like a sack dropped from height.
Dead.
Frozen for good now.
For a second I just stayed still, air rushing in and out, chest heaving after that sudden jolt of energy lit everything up inside.
One down.
Something popped up on screen. I closed it before checking what it said.
Focused on nothing but the moment, rewards felt distant.
Walking was the only thing that helped.
Footsteps sank into damp earth as I moved ahead, swiping leaves across Reverblade to clear the zombie gore.
Far off, the dark felt heavier, crowding near without warning. Deeper shadows took shape where light once reached. From somewhere beyond sight, nighttime noises grew sharper than before.
Each time leaves shook, my shoulders tightened. That sound - small as it was - pulled every muscle tight.
A whisper from far off had fingers moving toward steel.
When will morning light arrive?
Maybe a few hours. Likely more than that. Could be several.
Warmth trickled down my skin, a slow leak that wouldn't stop. The damp seeped into fabric, heavy against my body. Each breath pulled in the sharp sting of iron, tangled with rotting leaves and moss. Underfoot, the ground drank what spilled.
Shelter is what I'm looking for now. A place where I can stop awhile.
But where?
On I went, legs shaking from tiredness, eyes sometimes fuzzing out around the corners.
Stay upright. No matter what happens, stay conscious.
You pass out in this place, your life ends right there.
A strange buzz crept up his spine. The tiny device on his wrist twitched without warning.
Stronger this time.
Breath held tight, I dropped down, eyes searching through black.
There.
Another zombie.
This time it stayed still, just a stone's throw off, tucked behind two thick trees, facing the opposite way.
Zombie - Level 0
Another one.
Could they be moving through here on purpose? Maybe they're simply drifting without direction.
It didn't matter.
Before I could move, it might have seen me. That thing had to go - down it went.
Careful steps carried me wide, shifting position bit by bit. A sharper view waited just there - pace held tight, each motion measured long before it came.
Footsteps stayed soft thanks to Silent Stride. Yet snapping branches, wind in the leaves, breath too loud - they reached the zombie's ears anyway.
Breath moved slow, careful, just enough to stay unseen.
A little farther off, about ten feet. That distance sat between them.
A shape stood frozen, not a single muscle moving. Its skull leaned sideways, wrong somehow, as if something had snapped beneath the skin.
Perfect.
Above the creature, I aimed the throw at a low branch - Reverblade spun through air. That moment, everything hung on the arc of the blade.
A heavy sound came as the knife drove into the timber.
Teleport.
A shape took form on the limb, low and still, weight held steady. Eyes dropped to the creature underfoot, slow-moving, pale. The air hung without sound.
A noise reached it. Slowly, its skull pivoted, eyes scanning, hunting where the echo came from
I jumped.
Down it came, Reverblade held tight with two hands, pointed at the top of its head.
Falling took care of itself.
A heavy thud cracked as the blade punched into the skull, driven by gravity and sheer pressure from above. The fall carried me down hard, making the hit worse than intended.
A sharp crack split the air as the sword bit into the zombie's head, slicing past shattered bone and pulped matter till steel jutted from beneath its chin.
A heavy thud shook the earth as the beast fell, its body giving way under my weight. Down I went, crashing into the dirt with a roll that stole some of the force.
A sharp ache ripped into my hurt shoulder, making me grab it tight, breath caught in surprise.
Stupid. Ouch, that stings.
My legs shook as I rose, yanking Reverblade out of the broken head of the dead thing.
From the edge of the steel, thick red fluid ran, so deep it looked like tar under the pale glow above.
Two down.
Before more beasts showed up, drawn by the sound, I was already gone.
The jungle seemed endless.
Darkness stretched in every direction - tall trees, shifting shadows, nothing familiar. Not a single mark stood out. Nowhere to go.
Walking in Circles?
Could this path be wrong?
That came out of nowhere.
Step after step, I moved ahead without stopping. Forward motion stayed constant, refusal built into each move. Giving up never entered the picture, persistence did the work instead.
This is where my part ends.
Step forward. Stay alive.
Thirst clawed at me, tongue sticking to the roof of my mouth. How long since a single sip? Cracked skin on my lips split when I moved them.
Survival comes before anything else. Handle that part now. Other concerns can wait their turn.
A shiver ran down his neck, soft yet impossible to ignore.
Not again.
Something made me pause, eyes moving across the blackness, hunting for where the threat came from.
That is when my eyes caught sight of it.
A figure, more near than the rest - about ten feet off - lurching straight my way.
Could it have felt my presence? Or caught the scent of blood?
Zombie – Stage zero begins here
A low creak rolled out, uneven and deep, then it moved faster, stumbling forward like something unsteady finding its stride. It wasn't smooth, more like a shaky start catching momentum.
Shit.
Running short on moments to plan. Still, choices must be made fast.
Faster than thought, I pulled Reverblade free and rushed forward to face it.
A shadow leapt forward, fingers like knives aimed at my eyes -
Out of reach beneath its limbs, I twisted aside. A cut opened along its torso.
SLASH.
A gash tore open when the blade bit hard into its gut. Out came decayed guts, yet still it kept moving. The thing never stopped.
Strike high. Aim true. The skull stops everything cold.
Out of nowhere it came, rushing at me quicker than I thought possible, those sharp claws slashing through the air straight for my chest
Backward I fell, just out of reach - the swipe missed by inches, wind rushing where my head had been moments before.
A sharp tug at my foot sent me sprawling - down I went, spine hitting the ground with a thud.
A shape crashed onto me fast, falling out of nowhere. Heavy. Crushing my chest. Fingers already stretching toward my neck.
No!
A split second too late, I shoved Reverblade forward - its sharp edge now digging into the creature's chest, stopping it cold.
A few inches away, its face hovered - rotted, awful, eyes clouded like old glass, teeth cracked and uneven. The stench of rot rolled off its breath, thick with the smell of something long dead.
Out of nowhere, it lunged - mouth snapping shut, then wide again, hunger flashing in its eyes. The metal kept it back, but not by much. Every jerk forward met resistance, yet it didn't stop pushing. Sharp teeth clicked against the barrier, desperate, relentless.
Shaking ran through my arms as I fought to keep it at bay.
Looks can be misleading when it comes to strength.
My strength is gone. Hurt deeper than I can say.
Move it. MOVE IT!
Out of nowhere, a scream tore loose as I drove my body up hard, hurling the creature off balance. Then came silence.
Off it tumbled as I pushed myself up, breath coming fast.
Up again rose the zombie, moving without pause, never halting
Foot pivoting, I drove Reverblade through the air, heavy with momentum.
SLASH.
A flash of steel met the creature's throat, slicing past decayed muscle and bone without slowing. That moment ended it.
A chunk of it broke free, whirling upward before hitting dirt far off. The top just tore loose.
The weight gave way, a quiet settling into place. Stillness arrived after the long fight.
Breath heavy, I stayed rooted. Blood - zombie and mine - soaked through clothes. Shaking, tired deep in the bones, the rush still humming under skin.
Three down.
That's three zombies.
I'm still alive.
There he stood, Reverblade in hand. From its edge came a slow drip of thick, black blood. Gore clung along the steel like wet ash.
Fingers trembling hard, just keeping grip felt nearly impossible.
Sleep pulls me under. Quiet takes hold.
I need to find somewhere safe.
This won't last another week. Maybe even less.
That was when my eyes caught it.
A cave.
Buried deep in shadow, a tiny shape hides behind tangled trunks. Twisted roots curl around it like fingers. Little light reaches that spot. You might miss it completely if you walk past too fast.
And inside -
Fire.
Out of nowhere, a soft orange gleam pulsed inside, making restless shadows leap across the stone. Light spread, slow and low, like it had been waiting there - warmth where cold ruled just moments before.
Down I went, close to the ground, fingers tightening on Reverblade's handle without thinking.
Someone's inside.
Or something.
Closer I crept, every step slow, hurt but making no sound at all. A wide tree swallowed me whole just beside the opening.
The silence of my Spider Sensor stood out. What lay within did not show danger right away.
Faint echoes came through the opening of the rock. Then silence returned, broken only by a rustle deep inside.
Rough sounds crackle through the air. Sharp stops jab at silence instead of flowing. A low hum drags behind each syllable like gravel under tires.
Goblin language.
That sound stood out. I knew it from OmniWars. Nothing else came close.
Words slipped through my grasp, each one hard to catch, since I barely knew their tongue.
It seemed clear enough - talk of land, claims staked. The cave belonged to them, that much came through.
This place underground is where they set up camp now.
When darkness came, goblins usually huddled in their towns - clusters of rough shelters grouped tight, meant for protection. These spots had makeshift walls, lookouts watching through shadows. Safety in numbers was the idea, even if everything felt shaky.
This time, something felt off about them.
This place probably became theirs not long ago.
Far from the central village, they built a small shelter of their own.
Which means...
From behind the trunk, my eyes moved across the ground near where the cave opened up.
Flickering within, a modest fire sent ripples of glow dancing across the walls. Light twisted and curled, chased by dark shapes that moved without sound.
Something shifted within - shapes of several people faint against the light.
How many?
Five? Six?
Fighting that many isn't possible right now, given how I'm feeling.
But still...
A chance like this might turn up now.
If I play it right.
When patience pays off. Sometimes timing matters most.
Beneath the branches I stayed, eyes fixed ahead, still as the trunk beside me. Patience shaped each breath while silence stretched around. Every movement saved mattered when hours passed like minutes.
Pain pulsed through my injuries. A dull ache hammered inside my skull. Sometimes the world blurred at the edges.
Focused I remained, though distractions came knocking.
Hold on. Give it time
Suddenly -
"SCREEEEEEEE!"
Out of nowhere, a goblin shrieked, sharp and trembling, drenched in raw fear, bouncing between trees at my back.
Spinning fast, fear shot through me, hand gripping Reverblade before it was fully out.
What the -
Something felt off, though the Spider Sensor stayed silent.
What stopped it from turning on?
Then I remembered.
When actual threats appear, that's when the Spider Sensor activates. It stays quiet if nothing serious is happening around me.
Something going on behind me hasn't turned my way just now.
Facing the noise now, my eyes strained against the blackness.
There it was, right in front of me.
Fear made its legs jerk wild, tripping over roots. This one ran like something sharp chased it. Smaller than most, perhaps left behind by the group ahead. Branches whipped at its arms as it crashed forward. A scream ripped from its throat, raw and uncontrolled.
A pair of zombies moved in fast. One lunged from the left, then another closed in behind. The air turned thick with their groans.
Built on shaky motion, they closed in fast - fingers decayed, clutching the goblin tight, dragging it low.
A sudden move came from one, teeth sinking into the goblin's shoulder.
A shrill cry tore from the goblin, spiking into something raw. Pain twisted through it, tangled tight with fear.
Fists swung hard as it fought back, yet the zombies pressed on without pause.
Something burst into motion just past my back.
Bursting from the dark mouth of the cavern came five goblins, scrambling forward fast. Their arms lifted heavy at once - jagged blades forged from broken bits of old machinery leading the way. Nailed planks swung like hammers in tight fists. Behind them poked long poles tipped sharp, cobbled together from whatever was found nearby.
Out of nowhere, loud cries broke through the air - harsh, throaty words spilling fast. Fear twisted into fury, shaping every shout that followed.
It was a matter of getting their friend out safely.
Pressed tight to the bark, I stayed still under dim light, air barely moving in and out. Stillness held me like the quiet just before a storm.
Interesting.
A blur of small figures rushed ahead, steel catching the pale light overhead. Not far behind came the shambling dead, slow but relentless in step.
Fists clenched, they closed in - each strike sharp, relentless. One zombie stumbled, then both fell under the weight of swinging arms and stomping feet.
Fighting hard, the zombies scratched, snapped teeth - still too few against so many.
A thud echoed as a goblin swung its weapon straight into the zombie's head. The blow landed hard, cracking bone beneath damp skin.
A blade drove into the undead thing, pushed hard from behind.
The harm had already taken place.
Falling hard, the goblin twisted in pain, one hand gripping its hurt shoulder. Then came the bite - sharp, sudden - and it dropped like stone.
Chaos erupted as goblins yelled over the moans of stumbling zombies. Metal smashed against metal while crimson splashed across cracked stone floors. Screams cut through the air just before another wave crashed into view.
And I realized -
Here goes nothing.
They're completely distracted.
Staring hard at the zombies.
Far from their thoughts, me being here slips under the radar completely.
Faster than a blink, thoughts spun through my head - each move mapped before I moved. Where one step ended, the next already began.
Injured now. Health is low. Facing them directly isn't possible.
Yet being clever changes things.
If I let the mess take over….
Surprise is on my side when I move. They won't see it coming.
Flying through the air, Reverblade landed right where the clash was hottest.
A blur cut the sky - steel finding dirt between snapping claws and snarling teeth. The fight froze, weapons halfway raised, eyes wide at the hilt trembling in the soil. Neither side had seen it coming, too busy tearing into one another. Silence cracked open where noise once raged.
Teleport.
The world twisted -
A shape formed where the noise was loudest - knees bent, fingers closing around Reverblade's grip.
A moment passed before anyone moved. The silence hung heavy, broken only by distant echoes. Then someone blinked, shifting their weight slightly. Eyes darted around, unsure what came next.
Looking only at what scared them right now, they missed everything else.
A sudden swing came fast - no pause, nothing said before it happened.
SLASH.
A sharp twist of my blade sliced through the closest zombie's neck - its head flew free, and down it dropped, arms still reaching. Mid-leap, the corpse crumpled like wet paper, momentum broken by sudden decapitation.
Out of balance, I turned hard, driving the blade once more.
SLASH.
A crack split the air as the second zombie dropped, brain matter spilling through the gash I carved.
Frozen in place, they stared my way, faces pale with surprise
Fear broke loose in sharp cries when understanding struck them.
Yet my feet had started before I thought.
Faster than their eyes followed, I hurled Reverblade toward the thick base of a tree. A flicker - and I was already elsewhere.
A shadow shifted into place just past them. The knife came out fast, already slick with blood. One creature fell without seeing what hit it.
SLASH.
A sharp cry died fast when steel met neck. That scream stopped short as I slashed its windpipe.
A thick spray of dark green blood burst out as it fell, hands gripping its throat.
Footsteps heavy, I turned fast - blade cutting through a goblin's spine even as weariness pulled at every muscle.
SLASH.
Up it went, shrieking, then down - crashing headfirst.
One of them stepped forward, then another followed close behind. Their eyes locked on mine, full of anger, yet shaking hands gave away the terror underneath. Blades gleamed under the dim light as they shifted uneasily in place.
Forward they surged, their plan clear - use sheer force to bury me in motion. Not a word passed between them, just footsteps pounding like drums.
Not this time.
Stonewall Guard turned on just now. That move changed everything without warning.
A sudden rush climbed up from my core, drawing energy out of the ground below. It moved fast, like roots cracking stone.
A sudden crack split the earth, then up surged a heavy stone barrier - eight feet high, unbroken - cutting through our group like a blade. It stood firm, silent, separating us before anyone could react.
Two goblins were on my side.
A single figure lay pinned beneath the second. The weight pressed down without warning. Stillness followed the fall. Breath came slow under pressure. Nothing moved except dust in the air.
Out of nowhere, the pair beside me stopped short, caught off guard by the abrupt wall blocking their path.
They never got a chance to catch their breath.
Flying through the air like a thrown sack, Reverblade cleared the wall just as I blinked across, already on solid ground while their minds still caught up.
A single goblin stood here, turned away, facing the stone. It didn't move, caught mid-thought, puzzled by the sudden silence behind it.
Faster than a breath, the blade slid deep into its back.
Breath caught. Its body locked up. Down it fell.
Over the wall they went, those two, voices sharp with rage.
The blade came loose in my hand just as they landed. I moved forward before they could steady themselves.
SLASH.
A sudden jerk of the creature's skull, then steel biting hard through its throat.
SLASH.
A hunk of rusted steel rose to stop it - Reverblade sliced clean through, biting deep into the goblin's ribs before silence took over.
Blood streamed down as it staggered back, then dropped. The injury bled heavily while it collapsed behind itself.
Silence.
Blood ran down the edge of my sword. Heavy breaths pulled through my lungs. The wreckage surrounded me on all sides. My heartbeat thundered behind my ribs.
One moment there were six goblins. Then two zombies appeared instead.
All dead.
Footsteps crunched through the mess - corpses sprawled in every direction, soaked into cracked earth. Blood seeped slow, tangled with rotting bits from what used to be people.
I did it.
I actually -
Down went my legs, propping on bark, breath jagged. Trees held me while air fought its way back.
Way too far. This crossed the line.
Fuel levels are nearly gone.
Shaking took my fingers first. Around the corners of my eyes, things softened like old film.
Sleep pulls me under now.
I need -
ROOOOOAAAARRR!
A hush broke into chaos - volume climbing until the atmosphere trembled, jolting through marrow, setting every tooth on edge.
Deep. Guttural. Furious.
Fear hit hard, sharp as a winter wind. Every tired thought dropped away.
Footsteps heavy, I faced the mouth of the cave. Cold rushed through my veins. Breath held tight, silence pressed in.
No.
Please, no.
Out of the dark cave came a huge shape, drifting toward the glow of flames.
Standing there, it filled the space - seven feet at least, possibly even eight. Thick muscles ran along its arms and back, shaped by raw force instead of grace. Skin like cracked moss-covered rock clung tight to bone and sinew. Hard to believe something so massive could move at all.
Built like old oak branches, its arms bulged with tight muscle. Those huge hands, tipped in claws, looked strong enough to pop a head open without effort.
Built like stone columns, its legs pounded the ground with every move. Deep marks followed wherever it walked.
And its face...
Lopsided jaws jut forward, packed with jagged yellow fangs. Its stare pins you - tiny eyes flickering with cold cunning. Nose smashed tight against face, barely there. Skin carved up by old wounds, each slash a story of fights lived through. Raw power hums under battered bone and gristle.
This creature once fought battles. It carried scars like stories on its skin.
A killer.
A small stone rests between its fingers
A heavy spear made of rock. Not polished. Dangerous though. My arm matched the width of its handle. Sharp edges lined the weapon's tip. Rugged. Effective.
Out of nowhere, a message flashed across my sight. Red words throbbed like they meant something urgent.
[Hobgoblin - Level 9]
Level 9.
I'm Level 6.
A gap shows up in three layers.
A silence crashed through my head, fear like ice shutting everything down. Then nothing.
This battle feels too heavy to carry alone.
Fighting through Level 5 Phthirens left me hanging by a thread.
This one ranks at level nine.
Falling apart piece by piece, that's where I stand right now.
A stare from the Hobgoblin froze me - his gaze sweeping across the bodies, goblin and zombie alike, sprawled lifeless. Blood soaked my clothes. I stood there, motionless, at the center of it. His attention didn't waver.
A snarl ripped across its face, sharp with fury.
ROOOOOAAAARRR!
This time the noise hit harder, setting off a sharp whine in my ears, pressure building behind my eyes. Loudness came crashing down like before, only deeper, dragging a ache through my skull.
It moved forward fast after that.
A thunderous rhythm pounded beneath it, this massive creature surging forward in leaps that devoured space. Ten-foot gaps vanished under its charge, each footfall cracking the earth like broken stone. High above, the spear lifted, sharp point catching what little light remained.
Without thinking, I moved. My body just responded before my mind could catch up.
Out came Reverblade, hurled sideways toward a trunk standing three dozen paces off.
Teleport.
The world twisted -
Breath caught tight, I stood by the trunk - pulse racing like something chased me there.
A split second earlier, that spot held me - now it cracked under the Hobgoblin's spear, hitting like a quake from below.
A burst of force punched a hole into the ground, flinging soil outward in jagged arcs. Debris shot sideways, kicked up by the blast's sudden breath.
Holy shit.
One wrong step, then splat - me on the ground like jam.
A sharp twist - and the weapon came loose. It pivots, facing my direction. Tiny eyes lock on, fast.
No hesitation.
It charged again.
Footsteps echoed as I hurled Reverblade sideways, then vanished into thin air.
A sudden sweep of the spear cut through the air. That weapon moved fast, left to right. The creature held tight, muscles flexing. Wind whistled past the blade's edge. Its stance widened just before impact. Sharp metal missed by inches. Dust rose where it struck nothing
A sharp whistle cut past the space my head had occupied moments before. Just hearing it made fear rise fast.
With the creature rushing by, I brought Reverblade down on its open flank
A sharp clink rang out as my weapon hit the creature's tough skin. That strike hardly left a mark.
A faint red mark showed up across its surface, yet stayed without change.
What?
The edge scraped, just slipping through.
A shiver ran through the air, but the Hobgoblin didn't react. Out of nowhere, it pivoted my way - too quick for its bulk - and whipped the spear sideways like a heavy bat.
A sudden dip saved me - the blade just barely missed, slicing air where my skull had been moments before.
Hard on the outside. Protection comes from thick hide.
It doesn't take damage from regular hits.
A sudden jab came toward me - sharp metal aimed right at my heart
Down I went, twisting away, scraping along the dirt as old cuts split again, fire shooting through me.
A sharp thud cracked through the air as the spear slammed into the trunk, right where my shoulder had just pressed. Wood splintered, swallowing the metal tip like it was hungry.
Up I jumped, then dashed off as it yanked the blade loose.
Thinking is something I have to do.
A crack must exist somewhere.
Eyes? Throat? Joints?
Beyond that spot I sent Reverblade flying, then shifted through space. He saw it coming, the Hobgoblin did.
Something spun first, then swung - fought them once, maybe. Motion came early, sharp, like memory kicking in.
A sudden jolt hit my side as the long pole slammed hard into my chest.
Out of nowhere, breath ripped free from my chest.
A sharp pain burst through my chest, sudden and bright. It hit hard, filling every part of me.
Blasted off I went, limbs flopping like loose ropes, then cracked hard against bark.
Fog filled my eyes first, darkness followed after that moment. Shapes slowly returned, edges sharpening out of nothing.
I couldn't breathe.
My ribs -
Bent. One of them bent for sure.
Maybe more.
Blood filled my mouth as I dropped fast down the bark, breath gone.
A flash lit up - sharp, red. Urgency pulsed through the screen.
[WARNING: SERIOUS HEALTH RISK] [HEALTH LEVEL: 15 OUT OF 100]
I'm dying.
A single extra strike and it would be over. Closing in slow, the Hobgoblin moved with quiet confidence, knowing the fight had already ended.
The creature lifted the spear above its head, fingers tight on the wooden pole, ready to strike straight into my heart.
Move.
MOVE!
Out of options, I hurled Reverblade without care for accuracy - pure survival pushed my arm. Escape mattered more than precision.
Teleport.
Falling onto my knees, I appeared ten feet off, spitting up red. Blood came out when I coughed.
Breathing? Each time, a sharp pain dug into my ribs.
This is too much to carry on with.
I can't win.
Out of nowhere, it shifted my way, head canted a touch - like something about me caught its attention.
Finished, it realized I had reached the end.
Ending me came down to a choice. That choice took time.
A shrill cry ripped through the room - the Spider Sensor blaring like never earlier. It wasn't a beep. Not a pulse. A raw, piercing shriek that split the quiet without warning.
Danger. Immediate. Lethal.
Staring beyond the Hobgoblin, I felt my eyes grow wide.
A shape stood where the goblin had been bitten. It wore the same torn clothes. Yet nothing else matched what it once was.
A sickly green tint spread across its skin, marked by dark patches that sagged and decayed. Blank, pale eyes stared forward - cloudy, dull, without thought. It twitched as it moved, awkward and stiff, pulled by unseen forces gone wrong.
A notification appeared.
[Gloomlin - Level 1]
Gloomlin.
This is how it goes down if a goblin gets bitten by a zombie.
Flesh twists under the virus's grip.
Breath heavy, thoughts still sprinting through the ache. Even worn down, my head wouldn't stop working out what danger came next. Not stopping mattered more than resting.
Not unique, these Gloomlins. Yet they carry sickness wherever they go. Spreading it by striking nearby creatures. Turning others into shambling horrors - more unrest follows. Chaos grows without warning.
Monsters can't stand the sight of these things - pure instinct drives their dislike.
Fear spreads fast because of them.
A low moan came from the Gloomlin, a rough noise that scraped through the silence. Its hollow stare shifted slowly. The closest person still breathing felt those lifeless eyes lock on.
The Hobgoblin.
A shadow shifted, catching the giant beast's eye. It swiveled its head toward the shape - something that used to be like itself.
Fangs bared, the Gloomlin sprang forward, reaching with stiff limbs. Its mouth clicked shut mid-leap, fingers twitching ahead.
A deep growl ripped from the Hobgoblin's throat as its huge arm lashed out, hurling the tiny figure through the air like a ragdoll.
Faster than expected, the Gloomlin rose without pause - driven by something deeper - and lunged forward once more.
A shot at something new. That moment could shift everything.
Perhaps this is the one moment I get.
On impulse, I chose fast. A moment passed. My mind settled one way.
Far off into the trees I sent Reverblade flying, no target picked, only space mattered.
Teleport.
Beside the steel I appeared, took hold, then moved fast.
I didn't stop.
Footsteps stayed behind me.
A sound ripped through the air, coming from behind - Hobgoblin shouting loud. From up ahead, a low moan rose, Gloomlin near, drawing in fast.
A shadow shifts - there it stands, the Gloomlin, planted firm between myself and the Hobgoblin. Stillness hangs heavy after that sudden move.
The creature will strike the Hobgoblin right away. That move is unavoidable.
Whatever moves near them gets hit by Gloomlins first.
This gives me a little more room to breathe.
Breathing fire, I pushed forward - each stride cracked my shattered ribs, pain surging anew with every movement. Step after step, the hurt sharpened, deepening like cold iron twisting beneath skin.
The edges of my sight began fading. Stay conscious.
Just keep moving.
Just -
After that, loud growls reached my ears again.
Different roars.
Not just one voice. Something beyond human. A creature with many sounds. Not alive like us.
Footsteps slammed into stillness, pulse hammering through my ribs like a drumroll. Cold fear poured down my spine without warning.
What now?
Who knows what might still happen -
Beneath the thick bark, I crouched low, eyes darting forward. My fingers shook around Reverblade's grip, refusing to steady. A breath held tight as movement flickered past.
My gut sank without warning.
Phthirens.
Some stood together. Others moved apart. A few stayed quiet. One stepped forward. Most kept still. Not everyone agreed.
Six in total.
Not merely any Phthirens at all.
A limp dragged one forward, three legs doing the work - the front right gone, leaving a wound that seeped green fluid.
That's the very one I sliced before.
It survived.
A shape lay broken, one arm gone, a wing torn off, bloodied yet dragging itself forward. Though battered beyond belief, it kept crawling, breath ragged, eyes fixed ahead. Movement came hard, every inch a struggle, but the hunt hadn't ended. Life clung on, thin and fierce, refusing to let go.
One moved differently. Three stayed flawless, shells shining cold under the moon, sliding forward like hunters who knew they could wait. The last dragged a leg, slow, uneven
One was golden.
A flash of metallic shine ran across its outer shell, catching the sun like liquid gold. Brighter than any nearby gaze, its eyes burned with a sharpness that felt beyond nature.
What made this one stand apart? Not much looked new on the surface.
Taken at the top. A winner, no matter the name. Could be called anything.
This creature stands out, though it lives among wonders. Yet its difference catches the eye first.
Beside the fallen lay three Canopy Brutes, huge forms stilled. These beasts once matched Phthirens blow for blow. People gathered close, silent near the wreckage of such strength.
Yet none of them moved a single muscle.
Bones cracked through skin on those huge frames, coats soaked in clotted red, legs twisted wrong. One by one, each shape lay broken, silence heavy where breath once moved. Twisted joints stuck out like splintered wood, life drained into dirt below.
They killed them.
Three Canopy Brutes ended up dead. That was real. Not a story, just what happened.
Working together.
Hunting in groups happens if they're after something.
A hush fell as the golden Phthiren tore into meat, ripping pieces from a fallen Brute's body, jaws working slow. Feeding under low light, its eyes flicked up once, then back down. Flesh hung in strips between sharp teeth. The air thickened with iron-scent. Each bite deliberate, unhurried. Silence returned after swallowing.
Out there, they kept watch while shadows stretched beyond sight.
Breath caught tight, back pressed hard into bark, I went still. Shape of me blending with rough trunk, hoping to fade. Every muscle locked, silence heavy in ears. Not moving a single inch, just there, part hidden by wood.
Stay out of my sight.
Wait. Give me a moment
Then -
A healthy Phthiren shifted its gaze sideways.
Something with many tiny lenses looked through the trees. Then it stopped right on me.
SCREEEEEEE!
A sudden shriek tore through the air, sharp enough to slice silence. The noise bounced off trees, racing deeper into the green.
One by one, each of the six Phthirens shifted my way, their bright eyes locking on in the dark.
A shiver ran through the creature's body as it lifted its head, dark fluid tracing lines down sharp mouthparts.
SCREEEEE! SCREEEEE! SCREEEEE!
Sound tore from their throats together, sharp enough to hurt the ears.
No.
No, no, no -
Spinning away, I sprinted off.
My skin burned with protest. Each shattered piece of bone ached sharply. Wounds throbbed without pause. The pain refused silence.
Still, I moved forward without stopping.
"God!" I shouted into the darkness, my voice cracking with desperation and rage. "Why do you always do this to me?! I barely escape one danger, and you trap me in another!"
Not far back, the Phthirens ran after, shrieking loud enough to shake the trees, ripping vines and leaves apart with every step they took.
Six of them.
All hunting me.
My eyes stayed forward.
I just ran.
Into the darkness.
Whatever followed, that was it.
Frozen ground beneath me. This cold won't let go.
But not yet.
Not yet.