I stir awake, sore from the cave floor, I can hardly stand up. I'm cold. Like really cold. I take the bat fur I used at a pillow and wrapped it around my head like a scarf. It's a little better but not much.

“Ok time to get moving. Today's the last day before I get sent off to the battlefield! Maybe that can answer some of my questions. Like why is this happening to earth and not some other world?”

I know it isn't the right thing to say but why us? Out of the million other worlds why did it happen to be us for the 13th invasion? Worrying about it ain't solving a thing. Let's get on with this cave.

I pull my phone out of my pocket to check the time. The time is…………….. Shit, it's dead. Damnit! I kinda needed that! Well fuck, too late to turn back now.

I reluctantly continued on, dreading what could happen.

My worst thoughts were made real when I came to a fork in the path. Or should I say small, naked gnome like things bearing pitchforks.

They came up to my knee, had small, beady, yellow eyes and a temper. The only reason I found out that last part is because when they saw me they rushed straight at me. Pitchforks aimed at me, small, bare feet running with all their might, junk that is slightly bigger than mine swinging around…….. Fuck I wish I could forget about that.

There was only 3 of them. If there was anymore I would have been fucked.

“[Spirit's Protection]”

I activate [Spirit's Protection]. As soon as it activated I could feel a presence. The space in front of me wavered slightly, like looking above a hot fire. The three gnomes struck at the same time, they were all in sync, you could tell they trained together. When they struck the spirit a blue flash illuminated the cave. All five of us were stunned but Nessie was the first to recover. She leapt of my shoulder and on to the closest gnome head. She scratched it and bit it. The gnome screamed in pain, it tried to throw her off but she jumped down and clamped her teeth down on it's nose. The other two were shocked. I took my knife, and before he could react, I slit its throat. It fell to the ground gasping for air but couldn't get any. I took a glance at Nessie. The thing finally had her in its hands trying to bring her to its mouth. I took my foot and kicked it's head. I stumbled backwards but it still didn't let go. In fact, it grasped tighter. I felt a peculiar feeling in my chest. As if a part of it was being torn out. Desperate, I throw my knife. It worked before so why wouldn't it work now? The knife goes flying through the air and…………… completely misses. I don't even know where the knife went…………

Knifeless I charge forward, bring my foot up and kick it in the chest. It finally let's go of Nessie and falls on the ground. I walk over to finish the job. As I raise my foot up to stomp its head in, the third gnome stabs me in the back with a pitchfork. My vision gets blurry. All I can see now is red. The cave is red, my hands are red, the gnomes are red……..

GNOMES!

I grab the pitchfork sticking out if my back and throw it away to somewhere. The gnome tries to run away but I grab it's neck and hold it in the air. I put my other hand on the back of its head and bring it swiftly down as I bring my knee up, smashing it's skull in. The other gnome just stood there motionless, too scared to move. I took a step towards him and he tightened all up. He looked so fearful. I took another step and……………….. he shit himself. The bitch actually shit himself…………..

I picked up a pitchfork that was close by, walked over to him and ended his misery by skewering him in the throat. Fuck he stinks.

The [Berserk] faded soon after the battle was over. My back was drenched in blood where the pitchfork got me. I layed down on my stomach and told Nessie to use [Solar Flare] like last time. It cauterized the wound but, unlike last time I don't have a home where I can get it treated. I was worried about it becoming infected so I took the bat fur that was around my head and stuck it to the spots on my back. It wasn't large enough to wrap all the way around me so I took the belt I was wearing and tightened it up.

I picked up Nessie and put her on my shoulder. She was badly hurt but I think she'll make it. I wanted, no needed, to get away from that stench so I pressed on.

With the pitchfork in hand, I began thinking about where they got these from. They probably raided a home or homes. Despicable, I'll make them pay. Since they were smart enough to work as a group then they're probably smart enough to make a village. I'll show them what it's like to have their home raided and their people killed………

[Merciless leveled up to level 2! Persuasion, intimidation and sympathy have a 10% less effect on you. Mental fortitude increases by a moderate amount.]

[Mental fortitude increases to 12! Illusions have a 15% less chance of working on you]

[Nessie has leveled up to level 4! Health, Mana and Stamina have increased by 5 each!]

A white light enveloped Nessie, as per usual. Once it faded I saw that Nessie's horns grew to about an inch. They were pointing at an angle towards the front. Her claws also grew longer and sharper too.

“Nice improvements. Hmmm.” I examined Nessie. She seemed to have gotten stronger too. Her injuries were cured too. I'm happy.

I continued on. I thought of the knife I lost. I could have looked for it but it wasn't all that great anyway. It was just a normal kitchen knife. It doesn't feel right holding this pitchfork though. It's the only thing I got so I guess I'll use it.

The farther down I went the brighter the mushrooms got. They were bigger and brighter and honestly I felt like they were watching me. I went to a wall and picked a few off. They kept their glow for about 10 minutes before they went dark.

So far I know at least two kinds of enemies here. Bats and gnomes. It would be terrible if the gnomes learned how to ride the bats…………. I got a bad feeling about this. I really hope that doesn't happen. I've almost died numerous times just from the small fry, if a really big guy comes I'd hate to see what would happen…………...

Spoiler: Spoiler

Bishop Riley

STATUS

Hp 110/110

Mp 55/55

Sp 80/80

STATS

Mental Fortitude: 12 Added Effect: Charms have a 15% less chance of working

Endurance: 10

SKILLS

[Berserk lvl 1 50/100: When a life-threatening injury is inflicted upon the user, the user will recover 10% of max Hp and Stamina and will gain and attack boost for the duration of the battle. Stackable. Increases health stat and strength stat by a small amount.]

[Merciless lvl 2 23/200: Mercy is for the weak. Allows user to keep a clear mind and not be affected as much by mental attacks. Persuasion, intimidation and sympathy have a 10% less effect on you. Increases the mental fortitude stat by a large amount.]

[Skinning lvl 2. 17/200: You can now clean what you kill, a skill every hunter needs. Increases dexterity by a small amount]

[Spirit’s protection lvl 1 21/100: Respect the dead and the dead will respect you. Grants the user a spirit's shield for a Max of 3 attacks before breaking. Cost: 50 MP Duration: One minute. Increases spirit purity stat and endurance stat by a small amount]

Nessie (lvl 3)

STATUS

Hp 85/85

Mp 85/85

Sp 125/125

Exp 0/10

Condition: normal

STATS

Endurance: 10

SKILLS

[Patience lvl 1 11/100: The longer the battle goes on, the better you become. Temporarily increases highest stat by 1% for every 20 seconds that goes by in a battle. Increases endurance by a lot.]

[Bask lvl 3 200/400. Sunlight is a lizard's best friend. Speed and energy increased by 20% in sunlight. Collects even more solar energy. Speed stat and energy stat increases by a little.]

[Solar Flare lvl 1 80/100: Shoots a small concentration of solar energy out of the body. Attack power: weak Range: 10ft Consumes 15 mp Can cause burns. Increases energy stat and sunlight affinity by a small amount]