“...On the topic of Monsters, comes the question, where do they originate from? The reality of this answer varies by Zone and Realm, but for Earth, it came in five such forms. Materialization, Evolution, Reproduction, Dens, and Dungeons.... Dens, formerly known as Monster Dens, are produced from dense pockets of Essence which are generally formed in every 1.2 Hector (1 Mile) square area of land. Dens, unlike their Dungean counterparts, are open world constructs which allow a ‘home’ of sorts for the Monsters who are formed from it. Similar to Dungeons, Dens can evolve and advance, the same as any Settlement. The difference being, that Dens require expansion through outer energy. Conquest and capture of energy sources, materials, fuel, food, and more, is required for a Den and its inhabitants to survive.”

Ruha the Wise, Master Seer of Eden, “History of Eden”

Outside the [Goblin Monster Den] stood a group of eighteen men, women, and children. In the dying light of the Sun, they loomed a haggard group. Bloodied. Battered. Tired. Yet, there was an electricity among them. A vengeance which cloaked their forms as much as the blood that covered them. `

In their midst, among the front fighters of the group, kneeled Jax. At his side, sat Duke. The duo were the center of attention. Eyes, yearning and scared, looked to Jax. He felt them. The burden they carried. They were too much.

“Are we ready?”

From his left, Jax heard the hearty voice of Mitch. Sole survivor of his entire family, the man was immense and deadly. A bear of a man with hair covering every part of his exposed body, save for his head. In the four short hours of vicious fighting that had occured, he had become a pillar of support for the group through his vicious nature. He was one of the first Jax had helped saved after the woman, Linda, was rescued. One of the first, among a total of twenty-seven others who were rescued from a total of forty-three Goblin Scouts and one Goblin Archer.

[Mitch Douglass, LVL 1 Newbie]

Yet Jax knew the man was not asking the people around them. He was asking him. Waiting for him to stand. To lead the group as he had done thus far. Into the [Goblin Monster Den]. But Jax was not ready. Head down, he stared at his hands. Green ichor coated them now. Seemingly burned into his skin from the ceaseless use of [Mana Bolt]s.

He was not ready. The thought irritated Jax to no end. Because it was true. It hadn’t even been a day, yet here they were. Standing outside a spawn of sorts for monsters. Monsters that he had killed. Monsters that had killed eight of their number already even through overwhelming numbers and ambushes. He was not ready. No one was.

Still he rose. Heart in his throat. Unable to swallow, Jax turned to the one pillar of support he had. The stream of messages from The System and the resulting change in him. Standing before the maw of the [Goblin Monster Den], Jax closed his eyes and looked inward. To his damnation and salvation.

Congratulations! You have unlocked the Achievement [Hunter]! You have slain ten enemies! You have earned: +2 Distributable Attributes

Congratulations! You have pushed the boundaries of your limits and grown stronger. You have earned: +1 Fortitude

Congratulations! You have unlocked the Achievement [Apprentice Arcane Mastery]! You have slain twenty-five enemies through the use of Arcane Skills! Mystic and alive, the Essence of power flows through you. Like a tool, you grasp it with steady hands for your will to be done. Yet be wary young Apprentice. To command the Arcane is to command the ocean. A feat in frutality...You have earned the choice of one Skill: [Lock], [Guide], [Trail].

Congratulations! You have unlocked the Achievement [Saint]! You have rescued ten people in danger! Beyond duty, you struggle for the salvation of your people. You transcend yourself and transcend duty in the name of destiny. You have earned: +2 Distributable Attributes

Congratulations! You have pushed the boundaries of your limits and grown stronger. You have earned: +1 Strength

Congratulations! You have unlocked the Achievement [Apprentice Leadership]! You command and lead a group of ten or more people! To lead is to shoulder the burdens of those beneath you. Many may walk this path, but few ever reach the end. For the road is far, and paved with crowns of ruination and the blood of good intention. You have earned: +1 Charisma

Congratulations! You have unlocked the Achievement [Intermediate Trapper]! You have entrapped and dispatched twenty-five enemies. Your mind is sharp and eyes clear. Now you see the path for which you stride. One where power beyond self is but a crutch to impede upon the true conquest of prey versus predator. You have earned: +2 Intelligence

Congratulations! You have unlocked the Achievement [Apprentice Devastator]! You have dealt over 1000 points of damage to foes! You have earned: +1 Distributable Attribute

Congratulations! You have pushed the boundaries of your limits and grown stronger. You have earned: +1 Tenacity

Congratulations! You have reached Level Two! You have earned: +1 to all Attributes. Health, Stamina, and Mana are refilled by 50% of base total

Name: Jaxson Stratford

Age: 24

Race: Human

Class: N/A

Level: 2 (4.71%)

Health (/regen per hour): 208 / 208 (104)

Stamina (/regen per min): 198 / 211 (1.06)

Mana (/regen per min): 264 / 272 (1.36)

Attributes

Vitality: 16

Fortitude: 17

Resiliency: 17

Strength: 17

Agility: 18

Intelligence: 33

Wisdom: 17

Perception: 17

Control: 18

Charisma: 18

Tenacity: 19

Skills

[Mana Bolt] Rank 2, [Bond] Rank 1, [Ambidextrous] Rank 1, [Guide] Rank 1

Jax looked it over. He felt the power hum in his bones. Every distributable attribute, pooled into Intelligence as a means to truly combat what lay ahead. To specialize is to live. The ‘Jack of all’ approach is the means to mediocrity. Already he could feel it. The boost to his thinking, processing, and understanding. The seemingly electric feeling on the tips of his finger tips. He was alive with power. Yet...

Fists clenched, he wondered if it would be enough. There was more to strength and power than just Attributes. He had no offensive Skill other than [Mana Bolt]. The Skills he did had were pitifully ranked. All four Skills were judged as Common among the lowest rank. He had no potions for Mana or Stamina. No bandages or HP Pots to restore himself. No equipment to give him bonuses for Attributes or increase his damage. He was but a man, going against monsters.

“Jaxson,” from his side, Mitch’s smokers voice caught his attention. He smelled the man before he heard him. “Are you ready? You need to lead us, young Jaxson.”

Hands shaking, Jax’s head shook in agreement. He failed to speak, for fear of the uncertainty and anxiety in his voice being heard. So he rose. A head taller than the crowd, he rose. Shoulders straight. Head forward. Chest up. As a leader should be seen. Or at least that is what he told himself as his hand continued to shake out of control in his cargo pants pocket. Turning to address the crowd, he saw in them what so captured him. The fear in their eyes that he shared.

“Remember,” the words came like dust from his empty mouth. He cleared his throat and spoke again. “Remember who you fight for. Fight for your loved ones.”

“Fight for vengeance...” The hunger for battle came beneath Mitch’s breath.

“Fight for the Lord, for he watches us now.” A third voice, louder than Mitch’s

“Fight to live.... Fight to live...” The chant from a fourth.

“Fight your loved ones. O-okay? Fight for them.” Jax couldn’t stop the anxiety from showing in his voice. He couldn’t stop the fear from building on his face. Who was he to fight for? What loved ones did he have? What God would deliver such chaos? What vengeance or life was needed when he could run?

Then his hand gripped the doll. Torn and ragged. Blood splattered and muddied. It remained attached at his belt. The doll belonging to some small child. An unknown child captured and no doubt within the Den. Helpless. Scared. He could almost picture her in his mind. The tears that stained her eyes as she huddled with the rest of the people inside. At the mercy of monsters. As he envisioned it, something primal in him grew. Something that yearned to release as it clawed at his throat to be roared. For her....he would fight. For everyone helpless....he would fight.

Congratulations! You have pushed the boundaries of your limits and grown stronger. You have earned: +1 Tenacity

“Together now.”

And with those words, Jax stepped forward. The head of a motley crew of normal people thrust into an extraordinary circumstance. He had dreamt of this moment for years. To command and lead people as his character in games did. Now he had it. What he wouldn’t give to go back to another time.

Congratulations! You have entered the [Goblin Monster Den]! Home to a budding tribe of young It’kali Goblins, the Den is host to opportunities for those strong enough to grasp them. Status and Skill experience within the Den is increased by 10%. Complete eradication of a Den’s inhabitants will result in a distribution of additional Experience based on individual merit. Destruction of a Den and its inhabitants will result in a special reward.

He expected the message as soon as he saw it. Increased reward for increased risk. The bonuses though.... The hint at additional rewards... Nothing came without a cost. But the only way was forward.

Standing within the maw of the Den’s cave-like entrance, Jax moved forward. Around him, forming the first line of attack were the melee fighters. Men and women equipped with stolen swords, axes, and shields from the Goblin Scouts they killed. Boosted by confidence of fresh kills and the power of their Skills, [Frenzy] and [Heavy Strike]. Behind him, the rest of the group moved in pace. Most carrying whatever weapon they could as they stayed focused and ready to cast a [Mana Bolt] or [Regrowth]. They all stood ready to strike.

Instead of a foe though, the group was met without challenge. The once steady flow of Goblins had dwindled throughout the day until the sun fully declined and the Goblins failed to emerge from their Den. Yet no guard, or wondering Goblin Scouts greeted them. Instead, they found themselves in a new world

Tribal drawings and runes were carved into the stone walls that jutted from the earth. Light, in the form of pale green crystals in the ceiling and floor of the Den, weaved a path that they followed. Toward the earth it sloped downward in a narrow and curving lightway. A dazzling and lovely path to hell. One the motley group walked. Steps shaky. Bodies jumping at every sound. Hands clenched tight on weapons.

Down to hell they traveled. No Goblin in sight. Around corners they moved. Walls painted crimson murals of a foreign civilization’s history and historical battles. Down they traveled. The beat of their hearts the only sound. Then another came. A second beating. A deep and heavy rhythm of drumming that rumbled beneath the ground.

“What the hell?”

“Anyone else hear that shit?”

“It’s the Devil! It’s the Devil. Satan is here and we go to his arms like lambs to the slaughter. Flee! We need to -”

“Shut it Pastor Wallace.” Mitch commanded. His threat silenced all. “We continue down. Til we find this Devil, or the devil spawn Goblins. Then we kill them all.”

His voice fell as he marched forward. At his side, four others, hunched with the weight of vengeance, followed after him. Jaxson, stuck between the departing group and the remainder, felt the weight of eyes on his back. The yearning. The answer to the question on what they should do. He didn’t have an answer though. Only a path.

“Remember why you fight. Why you have come this far already.”

With those words, Jaxson marched forward as well. Unable to face the eyes of the group. Better to face an unknown enemy than the known concerns those around him. So he moved. At first alone. Then the padding of feet behind him rang out. In ones and twos. Before the group all moved in unison. He knew they would. Pack mentality is one hell of a drug.

So down the earth they moved. The ceiling above them fully aglow. The walls around them swam in fresh blood. The ground beneath them roared and shook. Soon, the twist and turns of the cavern ended. Mystical glowing crystals replaced with fires atop tiki poles carved in Goblin faces and foreign runes. The narrow pathway expanded wider. Toward an opening of light a hundred feet down. Where light pulsed in tune with the thundering reign of drums and chants.

Around Jaxson, the group stumbled and paused. Mitch and his gang of four rushed forward. From his spot, Jaxson’s brain went dead. Then the animal part of it lit up.

“W-Wait! Wait!”

They didn’t listen. The plea fell on deaf ears as hurried feet darted toward the circular opening at the end of the path. Cursing underneath his breath, Jax had no choice. He chased after them. As he ran, so too did the remaining group. Lambs turned lions under the lead of Jaxson and the five attackers. False bravado fueled by adrenaline and the euphoric drive from The System that lingered in the veins of all the attackers. The near tangible taste of power that came with the death of another. How easily man could kill when all they desired could be fulfilled. How easily savagery descended on the civilized.

Like a pack of hounds, Jaxson and his motley crew raced toward the hole. Feet pounding faster than the rapid drumming. Toward the pagan light. Taller than a man an four times as wide, the hole was the entrance to another world. One that swallowed whole the five berserkers. Then Jaxson and his pack.

Before them, opened up Hell.

A deep sloping hill cut through open air to meet with the ground. Easily three football fields long long and wide, the expanse of earth was alit with pyres of flame and fire. Smoke, dark and deathly, clung with the domed ceiling of the area like a foreboding cloud. Beneath the clouds, humans and Goblins alike milled about. Makeshift wooden pens contained tens and tens of humans. Easily over two hundred men, women, and children huddled together under the watchful eyes of Goblin Warriors, Archers, and Thieves. Cattle ready for the slaughter. The rest of the Goblins, an equally large number of Goblin Scouts per Humans, nestled asleep in small coves and holes in the walls.

Yet that was not what captured Jaxson’s attention.

Instead, on an outcropping of rock that jutted tall in the middle of the expanse, stood three beings. A Goblin Warrior, taller and bigger than its kin with armour of bones covering its bodies and dual spears in hand, stood at attention. It was guarding a second Goblin that was draped in a robe of mismatching material. Tall, even as it stood hunched and crooked, the cloaked Goblin prostrated itself in worship before the third being. A writhing mass of flame given form.

[Goblin Warrior, LVL 8]

[Goblin Shaman, LVL 7]

[Fire Elemental, 44%]

The horror though was not in the figures or their levels. It was of the Humans before them. One by one, a line of Humans were lead up to the outcropping of rock that jutted like a knife from the earth. One by one, they were lead before the Goblin Shaman. Til they were killed. Their life snuffed out by the hands of the Goblin Warrior. Their blood drained by a slice across the neck. Then, as they succumbed to death, the Goblin Shaman’s hands weaved and hollowed words rang out. Particles of light, green and blue, materialized and arose from the human who laid dying on the ground. Like fireflies, the particles of light moved and flowed in conjunction with the movements of the Goblin Shaman’s hands. As the Shaman’s hands rose, so too did the particles. Rising toward the being of fire that greedily consumed them all.

“Oh my god!”

“It is Satan. As I witness it, Satan arises from fire to flesh!”

“It’s a ritual. A sacrifice...” The words left Jaxson’s mouth before he even realized it. “It’s....it’s like a summoning. Summoning a creature. Just....just like in a video game.”

It was all Jaxson could say. Then hell met the heathens. With a roar, Mitch and his four warrior went berserk. With a scream of battle, they charged. Down the sloping hill. Toward the caged humans. Toward the Goblin horde.