Russell was still at zero level, so he did not go up the walls during the alarm. But he nevertheless came here and watched what was happening near the gate, like many other villagers, acting as a reserve.

Like many around, he saw a bear running out, saw the reaction of the crowd on the walls, in particular, Raf's cry for retreat. And the people around began to retreat. Some ran home, most of them rushed to the opposite side of the village, as Raf had said. If the villagers saw a naughty small kids around, they grabbed them and ran away with them.

Russell saw Jack running away from the gate, obviously situation was not good so he began to run away as well. However, almost immediately he heard a shout "Brother!" nearby, the voice seemed familiar to him. Turning as he ran, he saw Anna standing in Jack's way. He also saw Jack literally knock Anna out of his way without slowing down. Russell was so surprised that he stopped. It was difficult for him to believe in what he saw. But he quickly came to his senses, now was not the time to fill his head with unnecessary thoughts.

He did not hesitate to rush towards little Anna, even if she was not his sister, but they have been training in the place for a long time and got along well. He had no doubts about rushing to her aid, even if screams of horror were heard around and there was complete chaos, even if he was not so scared in life, he would never leave her. He grabbed the sobbing Anna and laid her on his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, after which he immediately rushed to run away from the gate. Behind him he heard the terrible screams of thousands of dying people. These unnatural screams made him breathless and almost stumbled. But Russell ran on without looking back.

---

Soon I finally came to my senses, I was already far from the gate, closer to the opposite wall. I was breathing heavily and was still in shock from the experience, examining my hands and body. Only after some time I was able to calm down a little and realize what had happened. First of all, I looked at the status.

The summoned Balor casts Fear.

Attempting to avoid the effect of a spell with a will is a failure. (Will 3, versus difficulty class 16)

Since I reached the first level, at times I have received reports of gaining experience, like killing a bandit. Also, I could use a label on some things to define their properties through the system. It was the first time I saw the message about how the spell was used on me.

That's all, just this message, but it explained everything. Apparently I started to flee later then i should have and was struck by a spell. After that, everything was like a fog, I felt only horror and soon ran without looking back, overcoming all obstacles on the way. Only now I finally came to my senses, it seemed to me that all this was just a terrible dream.

Looking around, I looked at the running fellow villagers. Some fled with their entire families, and even with their belongings. Everyone moved in the opposite direction from the main gate. Looking towards the main gate, I saw flashes of fire and smoke that rose over the village. Of course, it was impossible to discern the details from here, but it is clear that nothing good is happening there. At the very least, it was obvious that Balor continued to advance unhurriedly, his tracks were not visible nearby, only screams were heard in the distance.

First of all it was worth returning home for Mary and Anna. Realizing exactly where I am, I moved towards the house. We lived not far from here, closer to the wall opposite from the main gate.

When I almost made it home, I saw only the back of Russell running away. Mary hugged and calmed Anna, looking around. When she saw me she started yelling.

- Jack! How dare you leave your sister ?! - she let go of Anna and rushed to me, intending to hit my face with her crown slap.

Right now I had no desire to start arguments and explain anything, who knows when Balor will be around. I dodged the blow and punched Mary in the face heartily. Obviously, she did not expect this, so she fell to the floor and touched her face with incomprehension, after which she examined the blood on her hand. Anna began to cry even harder and rushed to her mother.

- It was a spell of fear, in any case we can chat later, take your daughter and let's go.

It was rather cruel of me to hit Mary, but in this case I thought it would be better than explaining something to a crazy woman. Although I understood that she was worried about me as her son, I did not feel the same for her. Hopefully after this incident, she realizes that the chick flew out of the nest or something. It is a pity that Anna had to observe this, but on the other hand, perhaps she will not rely so much on her brother in the future, which is also not bad.

I liked Anna, maybe I did not perceive her as a real sister, but nevertheless, in my own way, I became attached to her. On the other hand, I had no special feelings for Mary. It's a pity of course that her son Jack died, but I did not feel guilty about this, it was not my choice and I did not kill Jack. I wasn't going to be responsible for the fact that lightning struck that guy or whatever happened to him. But it would be silly to explain all the details and apologize now.

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- Faster! There is a five-meter demon that kills everything in its path, you need to run now!

Mary finally grabbed Anna and ran towards the wall. I grabbed some change of clothes and some food. There was nothing particularly valuable in our house, so I soon ran after them.

The villagers still flocked in the same direction, for the most part. Soon we ran to an emergency exit or something. Part of the wall was torn down and people left the village, the local priest and the head of the village continued to rush the people. People, in turn, did not force themselves to persuade, for the most part. Many of them have lost their relatives and rushed around in search of them.

We walked past the wall and moved farther from the village, there were many people, perhaps more than a thousand. Fortunately, Balor was not too close yet, otherwise, it is likely that many would have been trampled to death. The wave of people continued to leave the village, reaching the river, they turned and went parallel to the river, upstream. The screams of people were still heard from the village. A good part of the village was already on fire. Gradually, we moved further and further. Eventually fear let go most of people so they calmed down, on the other hand, sobs were heard more and more often.

Scouts were sent out regularly, watching the village in case Balor went in pursuit. However, judging by their reports, Balor continued to frolic in the village, destroying everything around and did not go beyond its borders. So after a couple of hours of walking, the residents stopped near the river, in a relatively small clearing. In a couple of hours evening is approaching. Fortunately, the weather was relatively warm, it was summer outside.

People were positioned around. Someone in the clearing, others by the trees. Most were clustered together by one or several families at once. Such a camp in the open air. I saw some of my followers. I noticed Russell, who was approaching us, apparently he had already endeared his family. Mary and Anna were sitting under a tree, and I sat next to them. Anna hardly looked in my direction, and if she did, there was nothing good in her gaze.

Approaching, Russell pounced on me and punched me in the face. I sat quietly on the ground, and did not expect a blow at all. He hit me really hard, I fell to the ground and covered my injured nose from which blood was dripping. The blow was surprisingly strong.

- How could you leave your sister ?! Russell shouted to me.

Coming to my senses, I replied - Okay, since all three of you here I will explain myself once again. The village was attacked by Balor, a demon wielding magic. Not only me, but many other people fell under the spell of fear and did not control themselves. They were unable to control themselves at all and were just running around randomly. I'm sure there are many survivors who can confirm my words. That was a horrible accident.

- Are you saying that you didn’t deliberately throw Anna aside and ran away?

- Of course not, even now I don't really remember what happened after I became a victim of the spell, I'm sure others will say more or less the same thing. In any case, whatever you think for yourself, I am not to blame for this. Maybe I'm not a saint, but I'm not that horrible of a person to treat Anna in such a way while I would never do that if I was actually myself back then.

Russell started to look doubtful. But Anna still did not believe me at all.

- You hit mom! Do you want to say this also a spell?

I laughed. - No baby, that was not a spell. We beat each other in sparring every day, what's the big deal? We was in danger back then so I had to calm down Mary somehow, at the same time I finally avenged all the beatings she gave me in the past.

- She is not Mary but your mother! Why do you keep calling her by her name?

At this point Mary also perked up and looked at me attentively, expecting an answer.

- "Cough" Well, it was just such a habit. She beat me so often that there is nothing strange in the fact that I got offended and started calling her Mary. Let's take you for example Anna, I have let you down only once in a whole year and pushed away, but that was not even my fault, and yet you already look at me as I am some kind of a demon and you do not even want to hear any excuses. You can call me Jack from now on! - I made an offended face.

- I only beat you for a reason ... - Mary said uncertainly.

- Maybe so, I also hit you for a good reason, I was trying to save your life actually. It would be foolish to get offended at me for the saving blow right? Or is it still a little offensive? - I quipped.

Russell went to the priest and asked around for details of the spell incident. Returned soon.

- He told Anna the truth, there were many similar cases. The people on whom the spell worked fled in all directions and came to their senses only later. Even in their status it was written that they fell under the spell. It's not Jack's fault. - Looking at me, he said - Sorry, Jack, I shouldn't have hit you.

- It is okay Russell, you can hit me a couple more times. You saved my sister and now I owe you. Although I must admit it was quite painful, did you raise the level?

- Yes ... I was afraid for my family and we had to run away, so I didn't wanted wait any longer. I am now a Paladin.

- Paladin? Are you saying that you are kind of a lawful good guy? Ha ha ha. That's great Russell, congratulations.

Russell was confused. Anna, on the other hand, looked with admiration at him now. After all, Russell really saved her life. Mary and Anna thanked Russell once again, he even blushed. He turned out to be a really reliable guy.

---

Balor continued to systematically destroy everything around. If he saw any of the remaining residents, he tore them apart. He threw fireballs at houses and cut with a sword, everything around him blazed in flames.

Approaching the next house, he saw a young girl on the road. She moved in his direction and shot at him with a bow. The arrow hit one of the hooves and flew powerlessly. Balor changed direction and slowly moved towards her. The girl managed to make another shot, after which she took out a dagger and ran to the attack with a cry.

Balor swung his sword and was about to kill another insect, but then he noticed that white stripes began to separate from his body. He turned towards the magician who summoned him and snorted once again, after which he completely disappeared.

The girl struck only in the air. Soon she fell to her knees and started crying.