Walking with renewed purpose, with all four of us gaining the Weaponsmith skill, it seemed to be the boost we needed. With sock rockets tucked into our waist bands for easy access, we ventured onward.

As the sun began to set, that optimism waned dramatically as we still hadn’t perceived any change in the terrain. Daz kindly alerted us that we had all developed a mild dehydration and hunger debuffs, too.

“That could be a good place to stop and rest,” I told them as I spied an outcropping that leaned over to one side. As we moved closer, I was happy with the decision. It wouldn’t be perfect, but it would provide us with a roof and a wall of sorts. “It’s going to be a cold, miserable night, but I know we’ll find something more promising tomorrow.”

“Thanks for the pep talk, but what if we don’t?” Mal asked.

“If we find nothing at all, then we’re fucked. But you already know that, so for god’s sake just try to stay positive will you. Or do you want me to fucking apologize again for dragging you all into this? Because if so, I’m sorry, if I knew this was going to happen, I would have just fought him and died alone, and you’d all still be safe.” I snapped.

Mal squared off with me, clearly angry. “I didn’t want you to apologize again. You don’t need to. I’d rather be here with you still alive than at home with you dead, when I could have helped. But if I want to complain, then I’ll fucking complain.” He was pointing his finger in my face now. Boris growled by his side.

“Fair enough.” I grinned. “But if I want to try to keep everyone’s morale up, then I damn well will.”

“Knock it of you two. Let’s do something useful and try to develop more skills while we camp!” Joel said tired, but enthusiastic.

“Like what?” Daz said.

“Fighting,” Mal, suggested. “Skills seem to give you knowledge, so we should fight each other with the sock rockets, and unarmed. We’ll just need to go easy on each other.”

“Well, it’s not like we’ve got a tent to set up or any wood to collect, so we may as well,” I agreed.

We paired off, to spar. I worked with Joel while Mal tried to fight Daz. Unfortunately, Boris was having none of it. Mal took him to the far side of the outcropping and tied his lead off to the rocks, but he started barking his head off as soon as we started again even though Mal and Daz were out of his view.

Still acutely aware of danger nearby, Mal had to give up and go sit with Boris round the other side of the outcropping for half an hour, while we trained.

New skill: Unarmed Combat level 6. Due to ingrained knowledge, you have achieved Level Six.

+6 damage to unarmed attack as a percentage of an individual’s base attack. (Damage is calculated from the following stats: strength, speed, and agility. Both race and class affect damage.)

+6 to perception in unarmed physical altercations.

“Level 6!” I cheered.

“Bastard,” Joel said. “I knew I shouldn’t have quit boxing when I did. I’m only level five.”

Daz remained quiet. I suspected his level was lower again.

“I’m going to take get Mal. Start training with the sock rockets.” I said heading off around the rock outcropping.

“Hey dude, we all got the unarmed skill. I’ll take Boris for a spell while you train.”

“Skill any good?” he asked as he handed over the lead.

“Yeah, It jumped to level six because of the experience I already had.”

“Cool,” he said walking off.

I sat on the sloping outcropping, our roof for the night, stroking the bad-tempered dog, who watched Mal until he disappeared, then continued to watch the exact spot he’d disappeared at. He was good as gold for the most part. He just didn’t like strangers, and he wouldn’t tolerate anyone fucking with Mal.

To Mal’s credit, he was the same with me. Despite his often grumpy disposition, he was a top man. If I was ever in trouble and he knew, I could guarantee he’d be the first one there to help.

Around twenty minutes later Joel appeared. “I’ll take B, now. We’ve all got a new skill using the sock rockets.” He said, taking the lead from me.

“What was it?”

“A blunt weapon skill.”

“Nice,” I said, walking back around.

As the other two came into sight, I pulled my weapon from my belt, swirling it around. “Alright bitches, show me what you got.”

“Don’t do that. It doesn’t take much power to hurt someone bad.” Mal said. With a sigh, he continued. “Just hit me on the arse a few times. Gently though, and that should give you the level one.”

I stopped spinning the sock rocket feeling a little disturbed. “That’s’ kinda kinky man. I’m not down with that sort of thing.”

“I’m trying to help you! You think I want to be spanked by a rock in a sock? No. I bloody don’t. But Joel damn near broke Daz’s arm when they started and the last thing, we need right now is injuries on top of everything else,” he said gesturing around to our surroundings. “If you don’t want the blunt weapon skill, that’s fine by me.”

“Shit,’’ I said reluctantly. “Bend over then.”

“Just do it you prick. I don’t need to bend over, my arse is still in the same place.”

I swung my sock lethargically at him a few times. The whole thing was supremely awkward. I think because we were all so tired and probably still in shock, we’d lost our sense of humor a little. I was grateful when the notification popped up.

New skill: Blunt Weapon: Level one:

+1 to damage when wielding a blunt weapon. (Stacks with base individual damage and weapon damage.)

+1 to Dexterity when wielding a blunt weapon.

“We should rest now, I’m shattered.” I fought a yawn as I spoke. “Hey what unarmed fighting skill did you get?”

Mal grinned at me. “Level nine,” he said before going to get Joel and Boris.

We were all settled in a row, under the shadow of the rock ten minutes later. With no food or drink, and little enthusiasm to speak. Sleep was the only option.

I felt like I would never get off at first. Then I was out like a light.

Barking and shrieking woke me up what felt like minutes later. Judging by how dark it was now, I’d been asleep for some time. Mal was already on his feet. I was next up followed by Joel. Daz seemed to be asleep still.

From the edge of the outcropping, I could see the orange glow of firelight beyond. Mal was trying to pull Boris back under the outcropping and quieten him.

Nudging Daz with my foot until he woke up. He looked up at me blearily.

“Ah shit. I thought it was all a dream.”

“No, it’s real, and there’s something coming. Sorry dude, looks like we’re fighting again.”

“My unarmed skill was only two,” he said shamefacedly.

“We’re using weapons, we’ll soon get your level up Daz, I promise.” I said leaning down to offer him my hand. He grabbed it and I hauled him up. Then we both pulled out our sock rockets.

“Guys. we should move on top of the slope. Get some high ground. We’re trapped under here.” Joel said.

“What if they got archers?” Mal said. “We’d be sitting targets.”

“Do we even know how many of them there are? Or who they are?”

“Can’t tell,” Mal replied. Boris heard them coming. We might have been able to hide, but he started barking to warn me,” he said almost apologetically.

“I’m not complaining. Better than having our throats slit in our sleep,” I answered

“We got any ideas on tactics?” Joel asked.

“I shrugged and shook my head. “If they’re bad, kill them. If they’re good, beg for help.”

“I meant formations.” Joel said nervously.

“We’re four men wielding rocks in socks against an unknown enemy. If anyone knows a formation for that, please let me know,” I half joked, before adding. “Maybe keep out of each other’s way?”

“Keep an eye out for each other too and keep your backs to the rocks?” Mal offered.

“That’ll do,” Joel said.

Of course, when the five demon ninjas or lesser demons as their identifiers showed to named, ranging from level 16 to level 19, came around the corner of our shelter, holding fireballs in their hands. As soon as they laid eyes on us, they unleashed their wicked volley and our shitty plan disintegrated into chaos.

A fireball smashed me in the chest, almost immediately, sending me flying backwards in a torrent of pain and burning agony. As soon as I landed, I rolled onto my front to put the flames out. As I got back to my feet, the area was still smoldering, and I had to pat at it with my hands to finally extinguish the flames. There was a big, blackened hole in my hoodie now. The white Nike tick was gone, as was my chest hair. The pain was only bearable because my friends were in trouble. Otherwise, I’d have been whimpering on the ground till someone came and helped me. This shit was real and terrifying. Daz was closest to me, the back of his head on fire and being attacked by a Demon Ninja.

I moved fast, smashing my sock rocket right in the creature’s face. He was hurt and a health bar appeared on his name tag. I’d managed to remove a tenth with my blow, but the nimble little bastard had turned to face me now.

“Clive! We’ve been looking for you,” It said conversationally before darting forward insanely fast. That’s when I saw the knife. It was insanely ornate, all ebony and glowing red in color. It just screamed I’m a demon’s weapon, now die.

I tried to angle my body, and raise my arm to deflect the incoming blow. On the balance of things, it worked as the dagger penetrated deep into the flesh on my left forearm, rather than into my chest.

Howling in pain and anger, I surged forward trying to knock the demon back. The fucker was so focused on stabbing me that he couldn’t get out of the way and we both went down to the ground with him under me. I managed to pin his arms with my own. Despite the pain I was in, I still had the wherewithal to use the only weapon I had available, and head butted him as hard as I could. The pain, fear, and frustration, lending me strength as I brought my forehead down into his wrapped up face again and again. I felt grim satisfaction as I heard the bones under his mask, crack. Twice more and he stopped moving completely.

I sat back panting heavily, head and clothes covered in the black gore of his blood. It stunk like rotten eggs, but I’d won. The larger fight, however, still wasn’t over. I didn’t know how I was going to carry on, but I forced myself to get back up. Halfway to my feet, I was struck with a double footed kick to my head. Falling away from the demon I’d killed, dazed and confused, I was granted a small reprieve as Daz smashed the newcomer with his sock rocket. The demon went down, but managed to roll away easily from Daz’s follow up strike. To face off against him. I growled at it, determined not to let it hurt my friend and grabbed my own sock rocket from the floor where it had fallen earlier. I scrabbled over alongside Daz to stand by his side and face the demon together.

It looked ready to bounce, when it’s slitted eyes flicked down to the knife jutting from my arm. Letting out an awful screech, it began backing off quickly.

I looked around, my eye catching Mal and Boris first. They were still up and fighting another of the demons together another lay a few feet away dead. Joel was under the outcropping still barely surviving against his own enemy.

When the demons heard the screech, they stopped fighting and retreated back to one Daz and I had just fought, warily watching for signs of us attacking.

We just stood panting and glaring at them, even Boris didn’t seem keen on continuing the fight and he was always game. He looked just as banged up as the rest of them. I wondered what was going to happen next, when one of the demons spoke.

“The deed is done, Clive. You will soon come and give us the recipe.” While he spoke, another of the demons whipped out a portal ring from his robes. None of us were in any shape to stop them and most likely couldn’t, in any case. They all jumped through and just like that it was over.