Chapter 11. Rats...

“Ahhhh…” I yawned as I woke up..

I take a look through my window and see that the sky is already getting brighter.

‘I guess it’s time to get up.’ I say as I am stretching my limbs.

‘Time really flies by. It feels like just yesterday I was a toddler and now I am already 5 years old.’

*zzzz*

‘Yeah I guess it’s no longer ‘my’ but ‘ours’ now. Damn me and my long tongue.’ I think while looking to the second bed in this room.

Roots to this problem goes even back to the festival. When I thoughtlessly told Hege that she is like a little sister which I never had. After that my parents started to think that it’s already time. And bam we are here, in the room which was once mine.

My parents named her Ingvil. Only few days ago she started to sleep in my.. our room. Since she is already about 1 year old.

I put my clothes on as quiet as I can and walk through the door.

As I am descending the stair with a yawn, I hear talking in the kitchen.

‘Looks like mom and dad is already up.’ So I go to greet them.

The moment I enter kitchen I say happily: “good morning.”

“Ah. Asger, good we have been talking about you.” Said my father with a smile on his face.

“And what about me?” I carefully try to inquire.

“We think that you are already quite strong and smart to take care of yourself.” Now said my mother while starting to cook two more eggs on a frying pan. Most likely for me.

“Yeah… But I feel like this isn’t the end.” I am starting to get really suspicious.

“Ha ha ha! Don’t worry boy. We just think that you can do some work on your own.” With a laugh told my dad.

“Oh. Great and what kind of work is it?” With an excited voice I asked looking at my parents.

“Well earlier today as I was cleaning outside I noticed Vilmund Geirson walking by. He lives quite further in the plain. Anyway we started talking and he mentioned that there is a huge rat problem around his farm. In other words I got you a job, to kill some rats.” While telling me this, my father looked at me with a face that said ‘make me proud ma boy’.

“OK! I got it to kill some rats, but with what?”

“Don’t worry I will give you a good dagger. Just after you kill a rat cut her tail. Vilmund will give you 1 copper coin for 3 tails of rat.” Says my dad as he was already walking towards our toy chest.

“Wow! A real dagger… But one more question how do I find his house?” This is a bit of a serious matter since I am not really good at finding places.

“Opps I think I got a bit too excited. Wait for a moment I will draw you a simple map.”

“And while that scatter brain is drawing, you should first eat.” Said my mother with a serious tone while looking at both of us as if at little children.

It took me few minutes to finish my omelet. By that time my father already stood holding a dagger and a sheet of paper, while my mother stood beside him with a bag.

“Asger, this might take a while so I put in some smoked meat with bread, canteen of water, dry towel and a fire striker.” Said mom while holding the bag.

I walked towards mom and picked it up. It was simple leather bag with one long strap to put over my shoulder.

After putting it on I turned toward my father. He gave me a dagger and belt with a scabbard where to put it.

‘Yeah… This is so awesome.’ I think as I am putting the belt on.

After that my dad gives me a map that he just draw.

‘What is this line? Ah… I really get the feeling, that I am so gonna get lost…’ While looking at the map I get a bit worried.

“So with everything ready I guess it’s time to go.” I say it already going towards the door. Because I am a bit impatient since this will be my first adventure.

“Yes. Good luck. Ah one last thing. Rat’s are pretty much the weakest being here in North, but if there is more than one don’t risk fighting them. Do you understand?” Asked in a bit worried voice my mother.

“Ok! Ok! If I see more than one I will run.” I try to calm her down.

“Then, have a good hunt.” Now with a serious face said my father.

And so my first journey has started.

While walking away I still hear my mothers words as they were going back inside the house.

“It seems like just yesterday he was playing with branches… Children grow up so fast…” Said my mother in a somewhat sad voice.

Not far from our house is a dirt road going from town towards deeper parts of the plain.

The moment I got on the road, I faced toward west, took a deep breath and started walking.

After I knew I was some distance from my home I looked around.

‘Nobody around…’

I grabbed the dagger from my side and thrust it forward.

“You damn rats I am coming for you!” I said in a serious voice.

‘Ah now I definitely feel like on the quest.’ With a huge smile on my face I continue my journey.

Since I didn’t have anything interesting going on for the past 10 minutes of walking…

Status WindowLevel54RaceNorthmenStrenght489Defence385Vitality96Inteligence119Stamina198Vigor173Agility127Presence14ResistanceWater0%Earth0%Ice7%Fire0%Lightning0%Darkness0%Nature0%Wind0%Poison0%Alcohol0%*Titles*

‘Numbers are going up pretty nicely. Except presence. I still don’t get what mother meant by saying about feeling the essence to raise it but whatever…’ I wondered, as I was walking

‘Well numbers look big but only now I am becoming stronger than normal human. So to be someone, who can shatter rocks with bare hands, will be mission impossible for years to come…’

Some time ago, when I still had 408 strength, I tried to lift up an anvil which weights about 70 kg. It was quite hard thing to do but I managed to get it of the ground. I remembered as my gym teacher once lifted up a barrel which weighted 70 kg to help in cafeteria or maybe just to show off. Anyway from that I came to the conclusion that around 400 points in strength is normal grown up mans strength.

“But the problem is a standard average strength of humans in this world…” I say it out loud while thinking.

“Ah who cares! And this walking is taking forever I better start running.”

And so I started running at my comfortable speed, in which I wouldn’t tire a lot.

As time went on I sometimes passed one or two houses scattered alongside the road. This really put me at ease, since if I got lost, I could always ask for directions. Especially at this time. Even though spring is coming, ground is still covered in thin layer of snow.

I was running for nearly an hour until I suddenly stopped.

‘That’s it. I am officially in the middle of nowhere. I am definitely no longer on the road since a forest is starting ahead… I probably should go back the same way I came and try to find road again…’

‘This is the reason why I hate countryside. No God damn road signs.’ I started to shout in my head as I was looking around.

*Scratch*

‘Wut?’ I suddenly squatted down as low as I could and with eagle eyes started to scan direction from where the sound came.

‘Shit just got real. Need to be extra careful. Who knows what kind of demon will show.’ I was so concentrated that sweat started to show on my forehead.

‘Wait isn’t that a rat?’ It had grey fur and really long tail. Also it was eating something while holding with it’s front pawns.

‘You got to be kidding me… I am supposed to hunt them? It is friggin bigger that a fucking cat.’ Sorry for the language but at the moment I am a bit in a panic mode.

'Interesting thing I didn't see any cats here. There were some dogs in town who looked more like horses than…’

I started to shake my head.

‘No no no. Stay focused Asger! We came to kill some rats that means we gonna kill some rats!’ Part of me was dedicated to the cause.

‘But damn this thing no longer can be called a rat.’ Well only one part of me, while all the rest whined.

After long debates I finally drew out my dagger and gripped it firmly. ‘It doesn’t matter even if it’s Splinter himself! I am gonna do it.’

I got up a bit and started as silently as I could walk towards it.

Suddenly the rat finished eating and walked deeper into the woods.

‘Did it notice me??? No, I don’t think so. Maybe I should try following it?’ This is my first time doing something like that, so I really don’t know how to act properly.

In the end I decided to follow it. Since I was afraid to scare it away, I kept a big distance between us to the point I hardly seen it. But this wasn’t a big problem with snow I could track it easily.

‘…’ I am getting annoyed while watching this rat.

‘It’s really starting to get on my nerves. I have been following it for about an hour and we hardly moved 500 meters from where we started… It’s eating nonstop…’ I complained in my head while still keeping an eye on this rat.

Again after finishing its meal rat started to move.

‘This is the last time! You hear me? The last!!!! Next time you stop I am definitely jumping on you.’

Once more I waited until distance between us got quite big. And once more I started to follow it.

‘Oh! Finally!’ I got excited. Since after following for already 5 minutes I still couldn’t see this glutton.

I am trying to be careful not to make any sounds, so my movement speed is really slow. Even thought I have been tailing this creature for another 15 – 20 minutes, in reality I moved maybe 300 – 400 meters.

The trail is going through some kind of clearing.

‘Looks like somebody lived here.’ I think as I see old foundation of the house made from stone.

As I keep going further to the northwest I find a small river, maximum 2 meters wide. It is still completely frozen.

‘Hm. Looks like this fella is going along side it.’ I am really getting in to the role of a hunter now.

As I am following rats footprints in the snow, I notice others looking the same as my rats. ‘This is it! I am getting close.’

As the number of tracks keep increasing they start to intersect between each other. Until finally whole ground is covered in them.

I lift my eyes to look ahead and what I am seeing is a wall of ice. ‘I guess when summer comes this thing becomes a waterfall.’ While looking to a about 4 meters tall wall of ice, I comment in my head.

‘No time to be amazed!’

I concentrate back on tracks again.

‘It looks like they are going behind a waterfall?’ Since all the footprints lead to a small hole on the side of that waterfall.

‘Most likely there is a cave. But this hole is too small for me… More over inside should be really dark, so I will be at disadvantage…’ I just stood there and wondered what to do.

“Hmm…” I let out a sound while looking around.

Suddenly a brilliant idea comes to me and I turn back to the frozen waterfall. ‘This might just work!’

With a grin on my face I stand once more in front of that ice. Only this time in my hands is a rock bigger than my head.

“He he… DIIINNG!!! DOONNGG!! Is anybody home?” I shout while throwing it with all of my strength towards the frozen waterfall.

*Bang*

*Crash*

With loud sounds almost half of that wall of ice broke and shattered on the ground.

“This should definitely get their attention.” The moment I finished saying this I heard numerous sounds coming from inside the cave.

*Squeak*

*Squeak*

“Um sorry mother. I think, I just didn’t listen to your advice.” I say it out loud while drawing my dagger.

With my weapon in hand I anxiously waited for rats to show themselves.

The first one climbing over all that ice was a bit confused looking around. The moment it noticed me it stopped moving and only looked for a few seconds.

Suddenly it started running towards me. ‘So you think, you have a chance?’

When it was right in front of me I stepped on it with my right leg, using all my weight. While still holding it with my foot I stabbed the rat with a dagger.

‘The feeling of cutting through flesh is disgusting. Somehow this isn’t a pleasant and exciting adventure as I thought it would be…’ With a sour expression on my face I pulled out my dagger from the dead rat.

As I lifted my eyes up because of not being able to look down any more. I noticed tens and tens of eyes looking at me with anger.

*Cough*

“I – I was wrong! Maybe we should talk? Ha ha…”

*Squeak*

*Squeak*

And the horde of rats started running towards me.

“I definitely have bitten more than I can chew!” Shouted as I was gripping my dagger tightly.

All that mass of rats was running towards me with 2 leading the parade.

I shifted my body a bit to the left. And with my right leg I kicked one of the leaders like a ball, away from the others.

As it was still flying in the air, I already started running after it. The rat flew for a few meters and hit the rocks, but it was still a live. So before it could even stand up I already thrust my dagger in it’s body.

‘I can’t stop, got to keep moving.’ Without even waiting a second I am starting to run again.

I take a look backwards and see that 2 rats are about 1 meter closer than others.

‘A chance!’ So I stop and face them. As rats are getting closer to me, they opened their mouths and showed their sharp teeth’s.

But once more using my right foot I pressed one of them to the ground and stabbed the other while avoiding it’s mouth.

Even thought I am moving as fast as I can, I couldn’t give finishing blow to the one under my foot. Before I could manage that I had to jump backwards since few faster rats already tried to bite at the arm that held the dagger.

Only by pure luck I didn’t lose my balance and fall on the ground.

‘This was a really close call.’

I am now running in circles, sometimes jumping on bigger rocks or going between the trees. And every time I am hoping that 1 or 2 stragglers will appear from this huge mass of grey fur.

‘I see 3 targets.’ I think to myself when seeing that 3 rats lagged behind the horde by few meters.

So I lead them all around huge boulder. After running about 200 degrees around it I suddenly jumped on the rock and climbed to the top.

I noticed where the stragglers were and jumped. With all my weight I landed on one of them. And felt as bones are breaking under my foots.

Now it was time for my old tactic.

I pressed second rat to the ground with my right foot and went for the third.

In a blink of an eye I stabbed them both to death. But I got careless as I didn’t notice the fourth one.

It charged at me and sank it’s sharp teeth’s in my left leg.

“Arghhh!!!” I shouted while already thrusting my hand with dagger towards the bastard.

I stabbed it once but bastard still held strong. So I pulled out and stabbed again. Only now it’s jaw muscles released me.

But I had no time to worry about my wound, since the horde was already coming back at me.

‘Damn with this leg I can’t move as good as before.’ Sweat is already dripping down through my face.

‘Need to change tactics.’ While avoiding the mass of rats I am looking for solution.

I ran another circle and now I am coming back towards the bolder again.

‘Right! I should try it this way!’

I keep on running towards the rock. The moment I am in front of it, I jump on it again, But this time I stop at the top.

*Hahh*

*Hahh*

I breath heavily while looking around.

It took rats few seconds until they started to climb the bolder.

‘Since they are coming from every side I need to watch my surroundings.’

Even thought all rats are trying to climb but only few are showing good progress. Especially three of them. Two from in front of me and one from behind.

Because their mobility is heavily reduced I only need to avoid their heads. First I kill those two then the one behind me.

But not even having time to get my breath back I turn around and kick with my leg. Since five more of them climbed up.

Four of them lost their grip and is rolling down as for the last one, I finish it with my dagger.

In this manner I fight in this little fort of mine for nearly an hour until the last rats falls victim to my sharp weapon.

*Hahh*

*Hahh*

I sit on the boulder breathing heavily with my clothes drenched in blood and sweat.

“After I killed the first one…

*Hahh*

…I don’t think I would have continued…

*Hahh*

…this job. But I guess such things as morals disappear in the middle…

*Hahh*

… of life or death situation.” I say that while looking at the pile of rat corpses on the ground.

‘Damn mother will never let me go outside again.’ I think that as I am looking at my wounded and scratched legs, and arms.

Suddenly a screen appears in front of me.

NotificationYou have gained a new Title

“New Title?”

Status WindowLevel56RaceNorthmenStrenght491Defence388Vitality109Inteligence119Stamina233Vigor174Agility128Presence20ResistanceWater0%Earth0%Ice7%Fire0%Lightning0%Darkness0%Nature0%Wind0%Poison0%Alcohol0%*Titles*

“I can already see some changes.”

*Titles*Blessed; The last one standing

The last one standingEven if your enemies are coming at you in hordes, in the end through sheer willpower you stand tall.

+10 vitality; +30 stamina; +5 presence.

“Yes! With this I got 11 vitality. Ha ha ha! Screw the strongest in the world… I will be the oldest in the world. Hell yeah!”

== End of chapter 10 ==

I wanted to write few more parts but it’s already evening and I am tired so… I will put them in a next chapter.