“BBZZZZZ, BBZZZZZ, BBZZZZZ, BBZZZZZ”

My heavy eyelids slowly opened as the vibrating sounds continued unfazed by my annoyance. Firmly grabbing the phone I clicked with rapid abandum hoping to click the snooze. Seeming to have clicked the correct pop-up, the thrumming noises faded almost as if never there. Remembering the events of the previous day I bolted up taking in my surroundings. It appeared as if my family had already left the room as the lack of their presence was obvious. Slowly rising to my feet, my injured legs wobbling slightly, I looked myself over. Somehow the pain had lessened quite remarkably. The searing pain no longer present I walked to my room determined to find new clothes.

Finished washing up with cold water and a fresh change of clothes I went to search for my family. In a pair of thick joggers, a long sleeve shirt, and a hoodie on top all under a fresh khaki jacket, I passed the bottom door to the TV room where my family had gathered. Dreary looks with haggard eyes faced me clearly tired but not wanting to sleep.

“Hey, you slept like a baby. Thank god your snoring didn’t bring all the monsters here”

Dear old Dad decided to keep the tradition, and hit me with banter looking worse for wear. His arm firmly bandaged and held at 90 degrees strapped with a belt to his body. Looking over the gloomy faces I found an empty seat, not on the two soft inviting sofas but on the floor, due to the lack of space. I decided to go over my stats once more.

{Player status

Name: Raza

Age: 20

Nickname: Number 2

18:45:53

Class: -

Level: 2

Trait: Dimensional storage - E - 0% - +10%

Titles: First Player (U/E)

SP: 1

Ether Particles: 170 +20

Stats:[

Strength:14 +2

Stamina:13 +2

Agility:17 +2

Dexterity:12 +2

Endurance:15 +2

Wisdom:14 +2

Intelligence:17 +2]

Active skills: -

Passive skills:-

Click for further information}

Unfortunately my lv had not increased since the recent skirmish.

Turning my attention I looked over my family knowing what I had to do. Standing once more to gain attention.

“Hey, lets go and get you guys a status. I think the stats can help recover your arm old man, probably not your brain though you're to far gone for that”

My Dad smirked at me my obvious insult having no effect on him, however, my mother well let's just say she didn’t look too happy.

“Look. I know you both are tired. But! The system has been showing numbers for a while now. I think it has something to do with an event since the countdown appeared when the monsters came. I don’t know if it's good or bad, but we got to be prepared. So come on! Get your lazy asses up we can go scout as well”

Speaking with far too much enthusiasm, I gestured wildly to elevate their spirits before going to grab my boots. I brought both clubs down, packing my bag with a small amount of food and first aid should things get hairy.

Thankfully my older brother Jack, another connoisseur of fantasy novels hurriedly came forward excitement dripping from his face. Spending the next few hours going with Jack and Dad we were able to raise both their levels to lv2. Jack had 15,15 and 13 in Intelligence, wisdom, and dexterity respectively his other stats being below 10. Dad was well-rounded with most stats above tennothing too dramatic. Spending there 6 SP my Dad went all into stamina raising it to 17, and putting one into strength, hoping to fix the broken arm. Jack focused on raising his stats under 10 to be able to fight for longer. My lv raised to 3 and I kept the points for future use glad that my stats were already pretty good.

“Got to love titles, hahaha”

During the hunts, we mainly came across the red monsters which we referred to as imps. Their spikes were sharp but too small to use so we carried them for emergencies. It appeared that the imps came from an old warehouse which used to house building materials. Swapping my Dad for Jack we went to explore the area. The countdown on the stats menu only showed 5 hours remaining, thinking we had enough time we set off.

Observing the factory it appeared that the imps guarded the front door. Flakes of red flowing off the pikes as the breeze pushed through. Swinging to the back of the building and tearing a small opening in-between the bricks we walked through armed and ready. Fighting the imps proved simple there lack of both stealth and speed provided us with ample free experience, their numbers were a bit worrying though. \Pushing through the opening we stalked from pile to pile of material, assassinating the small creatures as we went. As we reached the opening of a large door our stomachs dropped almost as if a void opened. Bodies torn and in pieces hung from the roof, holes covering them top to toe. It was clear they were human. Looking at the movement below, four large monsters with an almost crimson red walked flanking both sides of the hung body. Each slightly over 6 foot, muscles bulging and twisting, it was clear these were not like their much smaller brethren. At the back sitting on a pedestal smeared with blood an imp sat. This one completely different from the bigger more robust imps with a belly pushing so far out one wondered how it walked. It sat there an air of authority as it barked in an unknown language to the four bigger imps cascaded them with what appeared as abuse.

Sitting back behind our vantage point we discussed how to proceed. Leaving was obviously the simpler option but the red portal flickering on top of the obese imps head made one wonder if it was the right decision. Thinking that we could weaken them before leaving we continuing our round of ambushes both going in different direction in search of prey.

Spending the next few hours picking of ones that strayed too far from the group I was thankful as the larger one approached. Waiting for the perfect moment seeing it outstretched leg pass before me I pushed the club with all my force snapping the leg into below the knee. The creature squealed falling to the floor, eyes darting in and out of the darkness I occupied trying to find its assailant. I quickly sprinted around the pile the larger spear in the hands of the creatures a threat to my safety, as I smashed its outstretch arm thrusting the spear in my earlier position. The noise of scuffling feet called out around me. The creatures attempt to call for help working. Hesitating no longer I brought the club down hard, its head exploding like watermelon, juice covering my already tainted jacket. Climbing onto the shelf above, I watched as many of its comrades gathered around the corpse prodding the darkness with their sticks to no avail. Seeing another of the larger creatures stalk over, I raised the club high, the vents and columns of wood obstructing the creatures view as I readied myself to take the second.

The creature leaned down, grasping the spear of its brethren before hearing a whistle and tumbling forward. It tried moving its body but it was meant with no response. Darkness crept from the sides of its vision. It tried to scream, trying to force the darkness to stop but was rewarded with silence. Silence and death.

“Hello, darkness my old friend. I’ve come to talk to you again”

Miming the words to the song best for this occasion I lunged to grab both spears, darting past the bewildered spectators my assassination giving a bigger boon than expected. I rushed towards my earlier vantage point a slight wave from Jack signaling it was clear.

“That was nuts bro. What would you have done had it noticed you? I get you want to take out the first one but isn’t two stretching it?”

Jack spoke with a smirk clearly impressed by my feat.

“No risk no reward right. Plus the darkness meant it couldn’t see me and if it did I could just climb up through the rafter overhead. I thought it through brother, I aint gonna risk my life, you know that”

“Besides before we thought about escaping after weakening them. This time we might have a shot. They lost two of there big guns”

I stated flatly eyes hungry for more.

“Hmmm. It's not a bad idea ya know, it's hella risky though. We don’t know what the fat one can do. But this place me be a dungeon and dungeons always have rewards right”

We smirked at each other, our eyes nodding in response, and begun to move closer to the last two larger imps.

Enraged by the death of many of its subordinates, the two larger beings corpses clearly angering the pudgy monster. It barked and the troops gathered began to spread. Avoiding the groups containing the larger imps we slaughtered the smaller groups. Blood, limbs, and cries laid in our rampage. The Boss monster angered further shouted recalling all the troops to gather around it. Making our decision I charged forward, Jack hurtling the small spike from behind to cover my blind spots as I darted in out of cover taking as many down as possible. The spear kindly lent by the larger imps proving true, striking with fatal precision. The club could be used with overwhelming strength to deliver deadly blows, however, the spear worked almost like a needle pushing gnarly wholes through whatever came forward. The smaller imps tried launching the pikes, the smaller arms restraining them from building power leaving them helplessly disarmed. The larger imps refused to push forward seeing the hale of projectiles Jack continued to launch in their direction. If this continued we could easily win, witling down their forces. But of course, nothing goes as expected.

A large ball of heat hurtled across the room smashing a barricade behind into smithereens. The barricades we had set up beforehand being blown apart by this new power. It was clearly a fireball as it was hot and a ball. The fat imp repeatedly cast, hurtling one after another in my direction, heat raising around me. The change of pace motivated the more brave of the imps as they began their charge recklessly forward. Seeing a clear disadvantage, the small glob of fat possessing a skill no less, we both turned and ran spending time to cover for each other as we pushed aside the debris in our path. The rain of fire proved both beneficial and dangerous as it smashed allies clearly not differentiating friend from foe.

Maneuvering between the barricades, I was pleased as the rain of fire ceased pressing us, it may have had a distance limit. The more stupid smaller imps continued to run forward brandishing their sticks threateningly ignoring the larger ones' attempt to hold them back. It was easy picks from here.

Finishing off all the smaller imps, pools of blood coagulating throughout the rough terrain. We cautiously made our way back. Leading the charge I brandished the spear firmly, the whites of my knuckle clear through the escapades of red. Burned body parts littered the floor, scorch marks zigzagged relentlessly through the walls. Looking over the remains of a barricade, one of the remaining imps twitched hung to a wall. Shrapnel piercing its body, moats of blood rained to the floor forming a grizzly dark pool beneath it. Only one of the suckers remained with the obese variant.

Siting unmoved on the seat, beads of seat pouring from every pore the Boss monster heaved for air. It seemed the continuous barrage had taken a clear toil. Not wanting to waste the opportunity I hurtled one of the two spears towards the creature. My increased strength paying dividends as it pierced its rough skin causing a frill shriek. The larger creature caught my movement and began furiously approaching. Its speed was similar to the ghouls with only one difference. It was stronger, much stronger. It swung its spear towards me, the blunt pole ripping the air. With no were to move I stepped into the blow meeting its powerful swing. Releasing a pained whelp as the pressure forced me to my knees, It was clear the early kills were due to luck, easily killing the unexpected through assassination methods. Unable to compete with its strength, I grit my teeth dumping all points into strength, allowing me to rise level to this creature. We swung going back and forth hoping to exploit a week spot, injuries piled on both of us and blood relentlessly flowed out of the wounds. Out of patience, the Boss imp launched more fireball towards me the anger evident in its expression. Attempting to move, the opponent before me thrust true landing a deep gash on my shoulder causing me to release my spear. Jack threw the smaller spear unceasingly to distract the large imp, one landing cleanly in its eye causing it to miss the death blow aimed at me. Pushing forward I grabbed two of the smaller spears nearest me driving them up and into the sides of its skull. The eyes opened wide glaring with resentment as the life vanished just as quickly. Blood furiously pumping I ran towards the Boss using my opponent's spear to push aside the debris. Thankfully the obese Boss monster possessed no agility launching ball after ball but not attempting to move or rather unable as it remained skewered to the spot. Plunging the spear into its skull I dropped weakly to the floor.