The group was running towards the exit, escorting bruised people, shouting, and yelling all the while.

“My legs hurt!” the girl cried, getting her bare feet wounded on the rocky floor of the tunnel. “Don’t stop yet, love! You are doing great! We are almost there!” Thomas said in a calming tone, running right behind her, giving her gentle pushes on her back, urging her to keep on going. “...Over there! Can you see it? That’s the light! We are almost there! Once we leave the tunnels we will be safe!” the warrior tried encouraging the bruised petite girl, she was still but a kid, around fourteen perhaps?

Every once in a while, Luka, who was running at the very end of the formation would turn around and throw a dagger behind himself, mostly towards narrow passages, trying to slow down a green wave running right behind them, buying themselves a few precious seconds. Little beasts were just behind him, because, thanks to seeing perfectly fine in the darkness they didn’t have to carefully measure their steps.

The rest of the group had already left the tunnel, he was the only one remaining, he had heard diabolic laughter just behind him, knowing that this small horde would soon catch up to him. But then, he reached the exit, and jumped, rolling very low to the ground. He did so, for he knew what was going to happen.

Thomas, who took position next to the cave exit preparing to deliver a quick strike at beasts that were about to storm through, swung his axe, missing Luka’s head by inches. He was called strongest not without a reason, before becoming an adventurer he was working as a lumberjack. Day after day he was cutting down trees twice or thrice as wide as him, hence, once he grabbed a real battleaxe, he started cutting down beasts with such ease, that the stories about him spread so quickly, that in no time he was asked to join Lion’s cadets squad.

Now, that force was used against goblins which tried flooding the clearing and didn't even manage to notice a shining piece of metal as it pierced through them. The weapon didn’t even remotely slow down after cutting through two goblins, stopping only once it hit the stone wall.

Thomas quickly withdrew his weapon and jumped back. Now he, Luka, and Greg were standing in a crest-moon-like formation around two meters away from the exit, ready to butcher every beast that was about to come out.

Goblin’s only advantages were their numbers, when forced to fight one by one, or in small groups, they proved to be little to no challenge.

Swing. Pierce. Slash. Thomas, Luka, Greg. In perfect union. When one was attacking, another was retreating his weapons and the last one was preparing for another attack. Fighting in open spaces was difficult. Fighting in dark tunnels - a suicide. But here? In a bottleneck? This was nothing but carnage.

Goblins were jumping by two or three out of the tunnels, not seeing the massacre right in the entrance due to sudden change in the brightness of the environment. They didn’t even manage to get their eyes accustomed to the light, not to mention being able to form a more organized group, before being mercilessly butchered down.

The naked trio of ex-prisoners were watching this scene trembling on the far side of the clearing, pushing their body as much as they could into the tree's shade as if it could provide them some safety from all the cruelty of this world. A good few minutes the three adventurers continued the massacre, till the weapons were almost slipping out from their grip because of all the blood and sweat. As the last goblin fell down, they waited prepared for another minute or two, before lowering their weapons, exhausted. First, they were running at full speed up, cladded in armors, then, they were swinging their weapons for their life. Their stamina was exhausted. Thomas inhaled and exhaled loudly a few times, wiping sweat off his forehead, before taking a few steps towards the nest.

“Where do you think that you are going?” Luka asked in a cold, angry, but also a sad tone. “What do you mean where? Alabaster is still there!” The gentle giant was more than just confused by this statement. “No. He is dead. He died so we could run away and save those people.” That wasn’t easy for him. “What do you mean?! That’s Alabaster that we are talking about! The one that literally humiliated US during HIS baptism! He took ten warriors alone, you think he won’t be able to take a few more goblins?!” “That’s exactly what I think. He is a duelist, great in one versus one matches! He was fighting in the dark, in the open field versus dozens of those fuckers at the same time!” “That’s simply not true!” “THEY RIPPED HIM INTO SHREDS!” Luka bursted out. “YOU PROMISED HIM THAT YOU WOULD GO BACK!” “I LIED SO HE COULD GIVE US FEW ADDITIONAL SECONDS!”

That last cry was nearly hysterical.

“You know the House’s protocol. In situations such as this, survivors have priority. We need to deliver them to the nearest settlement.” “You can’t be serious…” Thomas just shook his head. “I most certainly am. An adventurer’s… and KNIGHT’S duty is to serve people. Even with his life. During every mission, a life of an adventurer is treated as a second or even third category objective. First goal: save the people. Second: remove threats. Third: stay alive. Alabaster… He knew what he was doing when he agreed on that. Honor his sacrifice damn it! “...Fuck you, Luka.” a huge man spat under his commander's feet. “I know Lion’s credo. I also know that Lions do not leave one another in need.” “He is not in need! He is fucking dead!” “I go. Alone, if I have to.” “No, you will not.” “Is that so? What? Do you think YOU can stop me?” “With my authority as a registered party leader.” “Fuck you! Authority of party leaders among adventurers is a matter of common agreement - we all need to listen to you only to such an extent, that we deem it necessary!” “Among adventurers? Yes. Among Lions? No. What you would do will be treated as a violation of the chain of command and would get you kicked out of the cadets. You really want to lose your future for a dead man?!” “...Luka, you cunt! Don’t think that I will just let it go like that! I will tell everyone how you lied and sacrificed someone that was meant to be your brother in arm!” “I will tell them this myself. But, I don’t want to lose another one, to lose you too. This cave has only one entrance - this one. Goblins will have to leave via this tunnel, where we will be able to effortlessly butcher them. Eventually, they will need to scout areas around the cave or run out of food. They are gluttons, food that they have there stored won't last for long. They will either start eating themselves or be forced to leave. Either way, we win.” “...What about these people?” Greg finally asked and these were his first words since they left the tunnels. “They need to be escorted to farmland, that’s the nearest settlement around.” Luka continued. “So, will you kindly do it?” Tom asked, not even hiding his hostility. “And risk you charging inside since I’d be gone? No. I have been signed as your leader, thus, I am responsible for you…” “You did fucking great with Alabaster.” “Death on duty is normal! Death due to a leader's competence is not! For fuck sake! Thomas!... You will be the one escorting those people to Marc’s house.” “Anything, just so I don’t have to look at your disgusting, traitorous face, you scum!” the giant roared, picking his axe and taking coats from himself, Luka and Greg. “It’s all right, friends. You are safe now, here, you must be cold, cover yourself with these.” he smiled to the people, giving them simple traveling coats.

The prisoners, especially the girl, started crying and thanking in unison. After calming them a little, Thomas led them towards the farmland just a few hours away from the nest.

The beast was fast and strong, I learned that fairy quickly when it ran at me, shortening the distance between us - around twenty meters - in three quick leaps pouncing at the place I stood a second ago and smashing the rockfloor into dust.

After dodging, I quickly raised my blade and tried cutting into its chest, but, the beast-goblin raised its hand, stopping my weapon on its forearm. The sensation was similar to hitting a stone wall with all your might - vibration shook my body, disturbing my balance. Seeing this, the monster attacked with a fast punch.

It was as if a horse had charged right into me. My armor was deformed on the chest level as I was sent five meters back. The beast pounced up, raising its hands locked above its head, trying to smash me into pieces.

But, I didn’t feel any pain. I didn’t need to wince or groan to gather myself up, and so, I reacted almost immediately. As he jumped in the air I crouched up and rolled forward, making him land behind me, I quickly raised up and performed a blind half-pirogue slash - an attack which I performed with all my strength.

… and once again I was blocked by its forearm.

It was like steel! Impenetrable! Is it… is it actually something I won’t be able to wound? Think Aster, think!

No. If he was immune to my attacks, he would just openly pounce at me ignoring my weapon, if he defends, it means that he has at least one place vulnerable for damage.

The beast started sweeping its arms with wide yet quick strikes. Knowing how strong it was, I started jumping back. Just one strike was enough to send me to the ground. Suddenly, it changed its posture - hunched its back a little, bringing his arms closer and punched like a boxer. I have seen many tavern brawls in my life so I managed to react just in time, dropping to my knees, diving under the fist as big as my head, and slashing the monster's leg, slicing its tendon. The creature collapsed… on me. I tried escaping, but from my current position, it was nearly impossible. By performing a quick jump to the side I hope to avoid the strike, but it caught me by the leg and dragged back in.

Under the beast, pinned to the ground, I couldn’t avoid the damage. It landed on my chest, bending armor in an awful, nasty way. Another strike deformed my shoulder plate, another nearly sent my helm off my head.

Armor durability reduced: 72% ➝ 66% You have received [Blunt] type damage: [267/310] ➝ [231/310] Armor durability reduced: 66% ➝ 61% You have received [Blunt] type damage: [231/310] ➝ [195/310] Armor durability reduced: 61% ➝ 47% Warning - Armor durability dropped below 50% - the [armor]'s ability to reduce damage taken has been reduced You have received [Blunt] type damage: [231/310] ➝ [164/310]

After a moment I gave up on trying to escape its grasp, it was pointless, instead, I once again raised my sword and pushed it in its guts. Goblin-beast roared in pain, but instead of protecting itself, it delivered a couple more strikes, trying to kill me as fast as possible. I didn’t remain idle, continuing to enlarge the hole in the beast's guts, hoping to pierce through intestine, liver, or stomach. Any vital point that I could find, just to wound him as much as I could before the guys could come and back me up.

Yes, it had been quite some time since they left, they should have secured the prisoners, butchered the goblins at the cave entrance, and were on their way here. I just needed to play a little more, get a little more time! I don’t mind taking damage, I just need to keep my hp from falling below 1!

Punch for stab. Punch for stab.

Armor durability reduced: 47% ➝ 43% You have received [Blunt] type damage: [164/310] ➝ [121/310] Armor durability reduced: 43% ➝ 36% You have received [Blunt] type damage: [121/310] ➝ [96/310]

Eventually, the monster noticed that I have “accepted” death and was trying to take him with me. Only then it pounced off me holding its still bleeding wound. I tried getting up, which proved to be difficult.

Warning!: Your [Left arm] suffered critical damage and is now [Broken] You lost control over your [Left arm]

[DEX] reduced by 20% Warning!: Your [Right leg] suffered critical damage and is now [Broken] You Lost control over your [Right leg]

[DEX] reduced by 20%

As I was clumsily rising up to meet my opponent, the beast flanked me and kicked from the side as I was still kneeling, supporting myself with my sword. The blow sent me rolling eight meters down the cave, where I was hitting more rocks and bumps on my way. Before I managed to even get myself up, it again pounced at me, grabbed me by my leg, and sent me flying.

Luka, now would be a good moment for you to show up.

I took some more beating.

But they should be around any second now… I wonder how you would react to having your backs pierced with daggers, you fat, unnatural fuck!

They will come just about...now?

I took a look at my hp bar

You have received [Blunt] type damage: [96/310] ➝ [63/310]

Why weren’t they coming? Luka, this is not funny...I can die here, you know. I was doing my best, holding my ground as long as I could… If… If I knew you would be this late, I would fight a bit differently, you know? I wouldn’t dumbly receive damage to wear the enemy down for you… I would… I would have…

The monster was approaching me from the other side of the cave as it had just sent my flying moments ago. From this perspective, I could perfectly see the entrance to the cave, but it was still empty. I activated my life sense and tried to see how far in the tunnel they are… but, from the tunnel, I didn’t sense even a single silver of life. Not even a single heartbeat.

Only then, I realized.

They had left me.

Luka told me… he told me “Don’t you fucking dare to die on us. We will lead those people outside and come back to aid you!”... That's what he said. Right?

I gave up. My damaged body. Collapsed, unwilling to fight. What for? Nothing I would do will change the outcome. The monster is about to kill me. Again. So why should I bother? Once again I was about to die because of humans.

First, I was backstabbed by a man that wanted my very beloved, sworn to me - oathed to me!

Then by the man, I treated like my brother, as he betrayed me at the moment when I was about to taste my vengeance - what for? For possible gains, he was about to accept gold from the hand that butchered the only person that ever cared for him!

And now… by friends, I had trusted.

WHY!? GODS WHY!? All I was doing was trying to act the right way! I was ALWAYS honest! Always doing things against myself for common good! For the wellbeing of settlement! I have been putting myself through so much pain! SO MUCH TORMENT!

I JUST WANTED TO KEEP ON DOING THE RIGHT THINGS! SO WHY!? WHY!?

… I just wanted to see her again. One more time. Her melancholic eyes under the waves of raven-black hair.

Her pale skin, her carefree smile…

I saw his face. Michael. Embracing my love, looking at me with arrogance and pity.

My cold soul once again was ignited with flames of hatred.

No. It is not done yet! I am not finished! I am not done until I can dance on the corpses of my tormentors! Till my list isn’t completely cleared I. AM. NOT. DONE!

I raised my hand in the only direction I could, noticing a body of one of the goblins that I killed earlier, I noticed an essence flying over it, slowly perishing in the air. I feasted on it, greedily, quickly, trying to seize as much as I could get.

You have gathered [Goblin - Nest Warrior]'s essence + [38 exp] [470/500] → [508/500] Name: Asteruse Race: Skeleton Soldier [Lower Undead] [Self-aware Variant] Level: 2 [0/750] Attributes: STR: 30 (+3)

VIT: 33 (+2)

END:∞

RFX: 24 (+2)

DEX: 29 (+3)

INT: 20 (+1)

WIS: 14 (+1)

SPI: 4

I sensed as the essence which I previously gathered within my body was being gradually used, being imbued into my body. Every crack and hole in my bones was being filled, revitalized if you could use this word speaking about the dead matter. My arm and leg which were dangling - broken and shattered were popping back in place. Denser and stronger than before.

Beast started running towards me, thinking I am still unable to fight, in the end, he was trashing my body all over the cave non-stop.

Seeing it charge I waited till the very last moment, till I was sure that his balance would be shaken if he tried reacting, then, I rolled to the side, got up quickly, avoided its strike, and dove my blade into its core. Again. Close to my previous wound.

The creature surprised by my sudden miraculous heal-up was dumbfounded, not being able to properly react for the next few seconds, he attacked, indeed, but without properly aiming his blow, allowing me to once again dodge and cut him two more times, then pirouette, avoiding yet another attack, and my blade pierced his leg, forcing him to completely fall down on the ground. Now, it was him crawling on the ground and under me. It was him desperately trying to move as far from me as possible.

And I - I didn’t play “with my food”. I didn’t waste precious moments trying to torment him before finishing him. Instead, I raised my blade and dropped it down, piercing its spine.

So, I am not only healing up a little each time I feast or let myself be basked in the darkness of the night, but also when I level up? Even more, I healed completely. With all my damages being undone… That made me wonder - what would happen if my limb was completely cut from my body? Would I grow a new one? Or would I need to find something to be used as a replacement beforehand?

As I was wondering this, I was attacked from the side by a fireball. Flames danced on my body and armor for a few short moments before vanishing, not having anything to sustain their existence.

It hurt. It physically hurt me. Not only holy magic, but fire magic as well was able to cause physical pain to me.

You have received [Fire] type damage: [330/330] → [292/330] Cleansing Fire made you [Flinch]

Ah, I am learning so much right now. What else can I learn from you I wonder? - I asked myself, shifting my gaze towards the shaman - the goblin that attacked with that last spell. It was wounded, still lying on the ground surrounded by eight or nine survivors. All of them were looking at me with dread.

Good.

Good. Fear me. Despire before me! Feel my pain! Suffer, as I have suffered! Feel the same terror I did when I laid broken on the ground, seeing my doom charging at me! LET ME SAVOR YOUR LAMENTS! IT MAKES YOUR LIFE SWEETER!

I started walking at them, quickly, proudly, with a sword by my side.

Goblins were yelling, screaming something, and the shaman was shooting fireball after fireball, but because of fear his hand was shaking, and most of his projectiles missed me.

Few of the remaining beasts tried stopping me, but I carved through them effortlessly. They were no longer a swarm. They were no longer attacking me with everything they got. Their attacks were filled with despair and resignation, their balance is shaken, their grips over their weapon weak.

Strike deflected with my shield, cut, step aside, slash, strike parried, responded with piercing.

Goblins were falling down like flies, till I was eventually standing above the old magic caster. It looked at me one last time.

Fear was gone, as he accepted his fate. Only exhaustion and tiredness remained. And anger. Wrath. He spat on me and started saying something, in this weird, impossible to understand speech.

I didn’t let him finish, I didn’t let him part with this world on his terms, saying his last words.

I slashed quickly, separating his head from his neck.

And then, I started feasting on all the death, fear, wrath, and despair that this cave was filled with.

You have gathered [Gul’na’re]'s essence + [500 exp] You have gathered [Gorru - The survivor]'s essence + [89 exp] You have gathered [Goblin - Nest Warrior]'s essence + [33 exp] You have gathered [Goblin - Nest Warrior]'s essence + [31 exp] ... [0/750] → [750/750] Name: Asteruse Race: Skeleton Soldier [Lower Undead] [Self-aware Variant] Level: 3 [0/1000] Attributes: STR: 32 (+2)

VIT: 36 (+3)

END:∞

RFX: 27 (+3)

DEX: 31 (+2)

INT: 21 (+1)

WIS: 15 (+1)

SPI: 4 You have gathered [Goblin - Nest Warrior]'s essence + [42 exp] You have gathered [Goblin - Nest Hunter]'s essence + [39 exp] You have gathered [Goblin - Nest Warrior]'s essence + [31 exp] ... [0/1000] → [1000/1000] Name: Asteruse Race: Skeleton Soldier [Lower Undead] [Self-aware Variant] Level: 4 [0/1250] Attributes: STR: 35 (+3)

VIT: 38 (+2)

END:∞

RFX: 29 (+2)

DEX: 34 (+3)

INT: 22 (+1)

WIS: 16 (+1)

SPI: 4 You have gathered [Goblin - Nest Warrior]'s essence + [31 exp] ... [0/1250] → [189/1250] Skill proficiency increased Skills:

[Sword Usage - Apprentice level 15 ➝ Journeyman level 3]

[Shield Usage - Apprentice level 13 ➝ Journeyman level 1]

[Bow Usage - Apprentice level 1]

[Nature Magic - Novice level 1]

[Mana Sense - Low - Passive]

[Life Sense - Low - Passive]

[Combat Maneuver/Team tactic - Novice level 4]

[Heavy Armor Usage - Novice level 6 ➝ 9]

[Hand-to-hand Combat - Novice level 4]

[Stealth - Novice level 9]

[Mind Magic Resistance - Low level 8]

[Dark Arts - Curse Words - Novice Level 4]

[Dark Arts - Necromancy - Novice Level 3]

[Tracking - Novice Level 2]