I gathered up my tools and returned to the sobbing and groaning goblins. They were completely crippled, and their limbs flopped out unnaturally from their shattered joints. I sat down near the one closest to me, the one I had speared all the way through while it ran away, and laid out my tools. I had to level up my skills. If I didn’t get stronger, and if I didn’t do it quickly, I would end up just like these goblins. It felt distasteful to extend their suffering, but I couldn’t let that stand in my way.

The goblin was face down, screaming something in their guttural language of growls and mumbling. I placed my left hand upon the goblin’s back, and the beast cried out in fear and tried to scramble with its useless arms and legs. I braced myself and then tore the spear out of it. The beast shuddered and then lay still, likely passed out. Blood gushed from the wound, and I used a towel to wipe away as much of it as I could and then apply pressure. Normally this would be the part where I used the alcohol, but I wasn’t about to waste such a precious resource on a goblin. I had to use far too much every time I had to treat myself.

I took my time and carefully sewed the wound shut with a suture. This was also a finite resource; however, the old woman’s room, the vacant room, and the unfortunate couple’s room all had full medkits with a dozen suture packs inside. I could only hope that each of the other rooms was equally well equipped, but wherever everyone went, I imagine that a medkit would be high on their list of things to grab. These kits were complete overkill for an apartment medkit. The kits were packed with all kinds of pads, wraps, and ointments, and the suture packs were so tiny that I suppose there wasn’t a reason not to put twelve in, even if it was absurdly excessive.

Skill Improved: First Aid First Aid has reached level 3

I smiled. This was exactly what I needed. If I got hurt, I had to be able to patch myself up. The higher my skill, the better my chances of survival. One percent per level wasn’t much, but it meant that my first aid was three percent more effective than it was before, and then the fact I was getting real practice would help me do a better job before the bonus as well. I was already fumbling with the string less than before, and each stitch felt faster.

I was using suture string, but I wasn’t concerned about the needle being sterile for use on goblins. I could use the same needle and thread on multiple wounds until the thread ran out. I glanced at the goblins and pictured the three feet of string on the little spool. One pack would be enough for all three wounds. I rolled my current patient over and reminded myself that this goblin’s entry and exit wound should count as two wounds. This practice could save my life. This wasn’t the time to hoard my supplies.

I stitched up the exit wound but didn’t get another message. I moved onto the next goblin and sewed up its shoulder. This one was still conscious and stared at me in utter horror as I worked.

Skill Improved: First Aid First Aid has reached level 4

‘There it is.’ I realized that, like every game, higher levels took longer to obtain. I was used to that. I spent most of my time grinding skills in Bellum Aeternam. I couldn’t make money streaming me grinding skills for days on end, but it allowed me to hold my own in massive siege battles or PVP tournaments that did earn me money. A player’s ability only went so far when you had weaker skills and lower stats.

I moved on to the third goblin, and the bastard bit me. Its dozens of needle-like teeth tore into my left arm, leaving wide arcs of punctures on both the top and the bottom. I struck out hard with my fist, and the beast went limp.

The punctures were small, but there were so many that they allowed blood to pour out of my arm like a strainer. I grabbed the alcohol and poured it over the bite marks, grimacing in pain as the liquid burned through each and every puncture.

Skill Improved: Pain Tolerance Pain Tolerance has reached level 3

As soon as I was satisfied that I had purged any of the disgusting bacteria that thrived in that monster's mouth, I grabbed large gauze pads and pressed down awkwardly while I fumbled with a wrap. Trying to hold gauze pads in place and wrap them simultaneously with one hand was a daunting challenge, but I managed to bind it tightly over the puncture wounds.

Skill Improved: First Aid First Aid has reached level 5

It still hurt like hell, but the instant the skill increase chimed, it was worth it. I grabbed one of the towels I had brought and stuffed the goblin’s ugly mouth with it. I sewed up its side and then leaned up against the hallway wall to have a debate with myself that I had been mulling over ever since I beat this batch of monsters.

I was torn on whether or not to stab them and make more wounds to treat. On the one hand, it would allow me to further increase my first aid skill and possibly my short blades skill as well. On the other hand, that would be torture, plain and simple. At least with what I had done so far, I felt I was in the right. Yes, shattering their elbows and knees was brutal, but the bastards were cunning and wicked. It was the only way to incapacitate them safely, or at least almost safely, I reminded myself as I glanced at my bandaged arm. I didn’t have rope or zip ties. My arm was proof of what they would do if left unrestrained while I worked on them.

As for the first aid, I figured it wasn’t torture if I would willingly do it to myself even if it was pointless for them. I sighed in frustration at myself. I wished I didn’t care. I wished I could torture and grind endlessly as if it was a game, but as things stood, I wasn’t there yet. I knew where my line was. ‘Fight, incapacitate wounded, treat them, and then…’ I stabbed each of their hearts in turn.

Skill Improved: Short Blades Short Blades has reached level 2 Skill Improved: Critical Strike Critical Strike has reached level 4

I stuffed each one into a large black garbage bag and carried them down to the other end of the hall. I was going to have to clean the scene of the battle, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to drip blood over my freshly steam cleaned carpets. I dragged them out onto the stairwell landing outside my room and tore open the bags. I gave a loud whistle but got no response, so I shrugged and tossed the goblins over the side. As I turned to leave, I heard the echoes of shuffling, and a delighted moan before the sound of crunching bones reached my ears.

I wandered back to my bed to get started on my hibernation early. I was very, very tired. I hoped I wouldn’t be passed out for too long after that bite.