《The Mad One》(2) 22: Suspicions
Advertisement
Despite being spent and gory, all the men and women still rushed over to the new supplies. This was the first time Stanis was seeing all the supplies intact since he had been away both previous times. Within an instant, he could tell that there was more than enough equipment and food for everyone here, but that wasn't the reason why they had rushed here. Instead, it was to see if there were any rarities that they could obtain before the others could.
Despite his desire to do so, Juan had no way of controlling this situation. Instead, it quickly became a one-for-all as men and women ravaged through the pristine supplies, searching for valuables. However, this craze died as fast as it had been born, since a quick run through showed that there was in fact nothing special within the supplies. After this, the situation became a lot more orderly.
Stanis had the darkness superimposing over his arms, and partially visible darkness over the rest of his body. If one focused their eyes, they would quickly realise that underneath the darkness, Stanis's clothes were all tattered and ripped. So it was Stanis's lucky chance as he eagerly hopped from one area to another, picking up armour after armour.
He replaced all of his clothes, from top to bottom, from underwear to armour. He had not only taken a leather cuirass like he had last time, but also various other bits such as leather gloves, and a thick set of trousers. He chose not to get any shoes as he was now comfortable without them.
After scavenging his essentials, Stanis then began searching for luxuries. He soon found one very such item as he saw a box with chocolate bars in, hidden away from the others. He stole himself a few bars, which he then snacked on as he watched the others go about their business.
Other than the essentials and a few luxuries such as chocolates and cigarettes, Stanis noted that the only other notable thing were these small, glass bottles with red liquid in. One of the people there soon linked the liquid with the HP pots found inside games. What followed was a person downing the whole bottle in front of everyone. He had a gaping flesh wound across his arm, one deep enough that you could see the bone.
Advertisement
Within seconds of drinking the Health potion, jaws fell as people saw muscle tissue grow over the bones. The effect ended two minutes later, by which the gaping wound had turned into light cut… Completely won over, the distribution of the health pots soon commenced. It ended with everyone getting two pots.
Seeing as everyone was already gathered around the supplies, Juan decided to hold the meeting then and there.
"What happened today should not have, and will no longer happen. But in order to do that, we need more information about the very enemies that we are fighting. The questions I have are:
How did the enemies manage to counter our formation, considering the fact that not a single one of them had left with their lives last time?
Is it possible to kill all these monsters off, and reclaim Earth?"
Juan ended with two deep questions, neither of which got a response. Seeing the lack of contribution, Juan decided to start up the discussion.
"Stanis, did you see what shot that ball of fire at you? I think that may hold the key to how the enemies knew how we would act."
Soon all pairs of eyes turned to the young man shrouded in darkness, sitting on a crate. In the past, Stanis would have been unnerved by this amount of attention, but that was no longer the case after courting death countless times.
His voice was slow and filled with power, although the effect was somewhat limited due to his young age.
"It was a Goblin, but not a midget. It was at least my height and slim. Not at all to be underestimated, I think you all saw the power of the fire-bolt it sent flying my way. I'm also certain that it had been there since the start of the battle."
He barely said anything, but what he did say gave a lot of insight into the question.
Egor, the Russian man jumped into the discussion,
"Well if it is strong enough to shoot out a blasted attack like that, I reckon it's also quite an intelligent monster. Considering that it was there from the beginning, I think we can also presume that it was there during the last battle. If that's true, that would explain how those monsters managed to break the strategy"
Advertisement
The discussion continued onwards as more people spoke up. It was during this time that Juan picked up a scroll that was beneath all the supplies. He opened it up, to which a notification suddenly popped in front of everyone.
Missions have been unlocked. Check your missions' tab.
Stanis sat there in half surprise-half confusion as he saw everyone around him suddenly stare into the air in front of them. They were reading through the mission they had from the Hu, which Stanis had already unlocked and seen before.
Eventually, Juan broke the silence: "Well I think we can all put one and one together. The mission asks to create a village, to which we have to first kill a tier-one monster. I'm almost certain that the Goblin that’s been watching us is that very tier-one monster."
After a bit of thought, Juan then walked into the centre of the rough circle.
"Guys, we can no longer be the hunted. We are Humans, we were once the apex predators. Now we turtle ourselves here like sitting ducks, and the Goblins clearly thrive due to that. We now have a mission to murder that son of a bitch, I think we need to now organise a full-scale attack on the Goblin's Camp.
I think we have all noticed how the Goblins have only gotten stronger over time, and something tells me they won't just stop now. We have to use this chance now to take the head of their leader and gain ourselves some loot while at that.
Let's commence the raid tomorrow. I know that everyone is tired from today's fight, but please, know that if we succeed that the goblins will be no more and we will not have to tolerate their attacks anymore. I hope all of you have a good night's rest today, for tomorrow is war!."
His speech was met with a bit of enthusiasm as some clapped, while others just kept lying there. Some were already so exhausted that they were sleeping on the spot, and were beyond delighted as they realised the meeting was over.
Now finished with the meeting, Stanis walked over to Jayesh, who he talked to for a length of time. Afterwards, he said his farewells, before trekking towards his cave by the sea. He could have just slept in the Camp like the others did, especially now considering that he had become one of the bigger men within the Camp. However, he still felt more comfortable in his little cave.
The sky was bright orange, with a sunset soon due as he arrived at his cave. He was about to take off his equipment as he walked in, when he saw plumes of smoke coming from his cave. Now on edge, Stanis tensed his body as he leaned across the entrance, only to be met with another puff of smoke to his face. Inside stood Anatoly, casually smoking a cigarette…
Surprised and now a bit more relaxed, Stanis was confused why the top dog within the Camp was by his door. Anatoly barely seemed to acknowledge his existence as he remained standing in his cave, before walking out and stubbing out the butt. He then smiled a menacing grin at Stanis, causing Stanis to shiver more than relax.
"You have another allegiance, don't you?"
Stanis felt a shock travel through his body as his eyes squinted and the grip over his spear grew. The only way Anatoly would know about allegiances was if he himself had another one. After all, the system only unlocked it for him after aligning himself with the Zelaro.
Anatoly was fully unarmed, but Stanis wasn't foolish enough to underestimate him. A tiger was still a tiger, even if you took away its claws. Stanis took a step back while holding eye-contact. Anatoly seemed in no hurry at all to stop him as he continued casually standing there, his ominous grin growing wider.
Stanis then heard light-footsteps haunting his behind, to which he turned around. Behind him stood Orena, dry blood pasted across her face in a war-paint fashion, and a sinister spear spinning within her hands. He could also hear another set of footsteps in the distance, one that was slowly but surely getting closer.
No wonder Anatoly had come unarmed. Stanis rotated his head back to Anatoly, who shrugged his shoulders before repeating his question.
"You have another allegiance, don't you?"…
Advertisement
- In Serial7 Chapters
The Oak; or, Between What Was and What Will Be
Two thousand years ago, a young woman is given a task by a goddess, known to her people as the Divine. The task is simple, to travel, see, and learn. The Divine bestows upon the woman gifts and a new name, Wander, so she never forgets her task. Bearing these gifts and her new name, she is sent off to see. In 2015, Patrick Oak is plagued by visions of a man on fire. Setting off to find this man will permanently change Patrick's life in ways he could never have known and set him into conflict with an ancient evil. Patrick, a mage with a rare connection to nature, must gather together a band of diverse mages to prevent this evil from undoing the work of the Divine and Wander, all the while keeping magic hidden from the world at large.
8 63 - In Serial7 Chapters
GameWorld: Earth's Apocalypse
Be careful what you wish for. The old saying holds true for many people, but none more so than Jaxson Stratford. An avid video game player and reader of post-apocalypse novels, Jax always wished for the chance to attain power and abilities like the heroes of the stories he read about. Then, he received his wish in the form of The System’s arrival. However the truth of reality in this new System dominated world, is something far worse than he could ever imagine. This story is similiar to many others on the site, but the 'System' is something I've thought about for some time. That being said, it is still being fleshed out, so don't expect the story to be amazing, but rather an entertaining read.
8 222 - In Serial14 Chapters
Operation Abaddon
A rip in the fabric between this dimension and one of horrors releases dark entities and forces into our world. Alan Preston commands a small band of specially chosen mercenaries in an attempt to contain them and search for a means of closing the rift at the same time as he and his wife Anne must face their own demons from their past.
8 326 - In Serial10 Chapters
Delvers
Welcome to Draitall. The land of adventure and dungeons. Of heroic and epic tales and journeys. The world of delvers. Or at least that's how it gets sold by the select few who are able to obtain such glory. What to expect: Our MC Andaris is a determined fellow. Determined to overcome hardship and determined to make his dreams come true as a delver. But this is a cruel, unforgiving and dark world. While there will be plenty of borderline cliche heroics from our MC and friends, bear in mind that this is still a crappy and f***ed up world. If you do not apprecieate the characters you've grown attatched to being eaten by the denizens of the dungeons or the equally malevoulant mankind above, then i suggest perhaps continue scrolling down the list of novels and give this a pass. There is an innate leveling system in a sense and a handful of innate skills that can be obtained, but beyond that there is not much to do with any form of game features. Certainly no bluescreens for this one.
8 78 - In Serial69 Chapters
End Boss
I am Varon of the Ravan family. The successor to one of the 5 great families that support the empire. I am a duke. And I am this story’s end boss. But I am also Ragnarok the great evil dragon, the Serpent king. I held power, title, glory and wealth and a easy life but I have given it up to be with her. My beloved. The red witch. The one who’s hated by all but me. She’s whose condemned by god. But today I will free her from her cage. I have prepared for every possible hindrance. I can’t afford to lose. My crimes are long. I will break her lock. I’ve lead and started wars from the shadows. I have imprisoned the souls of many and now my legions burn this empire. I have thrown this world into chaos. I am ready today the hero dies. So to break her free I shall slay the god that holds her. Even if the world dies in the process. I will get here back. For I am the evil dragon and she my evil goddess. And I will have her back. I hear her call. I miss her voice that just yesterday I could hear. The one called hero will not slay me for I know. I know I am this story’s end boss. How do I know this I am this story’s end. Because I am also a man from earth. And the ending to this story. I shall change it. See long dead is the man from earth. Long dead is the argonaut noble human. Long dead is the powerful dragon. Now there's only me Varon. A lonely man named Varon. But today I will be with her again. I am the end boss. But this time I shall slay the hero. I am Varon. At first I was simply Varon then Ragnarok memory’s came. Then the whispers that haunted me became her voice. Then the memory’s from earth came and with them so did a chance. A chance to be with her. A chance for victory. A chance for the end boss to win. It is time. Let’s begin the story. Can I best the other bosses?Can I defeat the coming hero? Am I allowed a happy ending after all that I have done? (Don’t remember where the cover photo came from but I think its from a manga.)
8 404 - In Serial8 Chapters
Spiritual Taoist
Is the fate of man really scheduled from the beginning? Even deep in despair I am looking for the meaning of my existence, and I have not stopped for a moment.
8 76

