Grigory

With the protection of whatever power I had achieved, quite a few days passed without major incident.

However, it's the minor incidents that are starting to accrue.

A tiny cut here, forgetting to wash one's hands there... my people are getting sick.

My previous life was a great mystic healer, but to my unlimited frustration, I cannot access that power from beyond the grave.

On top of that, there had been reports of the beasts declining in number, even more so than expected.

We have seen neither hide nor hair of any these Champions for days and I'm starting to become suspicious that more is at work here.

These things come together to paint a grisly picture if left unchecked, so I decided to venture out in order to put any threats to rest.

I tasked Atticus with keeping everything in order while I'm gone and set out.

It took me a while to reach beyond our usual scouting range, especially with how uncomfortable the utter silence made me feel.

I kept expecting something to jump out from the shadows and try to kill me... I almost would have preferred that outcome.

Instead, nothing was with me but my thoughts, the cliffs, and the occasional cactus.

After some number of hours, I was finally shaken out of my rumination by the sound of a shout.

It sounded matronly, and more than a little familiar.

I summoned my mask and sprinted in the direction I heard the sound.

What greeted me was far beyond what I could have anticipated.

A man who I didn't recognize was pushing Ursula's face into the dust.

The man was dressed in the skins of some horrific beast which had a multitude of eyes and fangs, but most worryingly, I saw a message appear before my eyes when I saw him.

[Johannes The Red Pulverizer, Nemesis First Stage]

Danger level: Moderate Threat

Upon my approach, he looked over at me. "Come to rescue the damsel in distress? I wouldn't bother, her personality isn't very good..." He leaned down next to her face, foot still placed firmly on the side of her head. "She's also not much of a looker."

I sighed. "I know her personality leaves something to be desired, but I'm not going to just let you hurt people for... whatever reason you could possibly have."

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

He straightened. "Oh? Well I'm going to tell you how this'll wor-"

Suddenly, he was interrupted by Ursula reaching out an arm in an attempt to grab her assailant.

While I certainly applaud her bravery for trying to attack Johannes despite her condition, the outcome did not come as a surprise.

Johannes stomped his foot down into the middle of her chest, forcing the air and a gout of blood out of her mouth.

Without missing a beat, Johannes turned back toward me. "As I was say-"

But I had no interest in hearing what sludge was about to burble out of his mouth.

By the time he processed my change in location, I was already in his face.

He ducked under my first swing and countered with a swift kick to my side.

However, he wasn't prepared for the toughness that my mask offered me, and took my following punch directly to the face.

He staggered backward and spat out a tooth. "So 'Moderate Threat' doesn't mean that you're on exactly equal terms... good to know." He changed his posture. "This should tip things in my favor, [Swiftness]!"

His movements suddenly became significantly faster, as if dosed with some sort of quick-acting drug.

I put up my guard, waiting to see how much his speed increase would affect the fight.

He stepped forward and unleashed a flurry of punches so ferocious that it actually pushed me backward, even despite bracing for it.

After a few seconds, his attacks became predictable and I grabbed his offhand with mine.

He tried desperately to shake me off of him, or to punch me loose, but it was all for naught.

"Speed is useless if your opponent knows what you're going to do with it." I then punctuated my sentence with a punch to the head.

He went limp, so I tossed him to the side.

Suddenly, as soon as I let go, he shot up to his feet and ran as fast as he could. "I'm gonna get Drake and make you sorry!"

I shook my head. "What a coward."

I then turned my attention to the most pressing issue.

I walked over and knelt next to the bleeding woman on the ground, who despite everything managed to stay conscious.

I took a cursory look at her wounds, but I knew for a fact that there was nothing I could do.

Even if I covered her wounds, she'd die of internal bleeding.

I slammed my fist into the ground in frustration.

If only I could call about the powers of my previous life! I could save her then!

I had trying to call upon these powers countless times, but it had never worked, even at my mother's deathbed.

I shook the unpleasant memories away and focused on the here and now.

Unsure of what to do, I put my hands over Ursula and tried to visualize her injuries closing.

I began to panic as nothing happened for longer and longer.

It was just like every other time.

I racked my brain for what could possibly be the missing piece, but nothing came to mind.

I forced my breathing to steady and closed my eyes.

I pushed all thoughts from my mind.

I became a vessel of the void, empty save for nothingness itself.

I reached out to the area around me, beckoning it to fill me with whatever energies it was willing to spare.

For a moment I became utterly one with the universe.

Inwardly, I humbly asked for the power to heal the afflicted and infirm.

Silence befell the entire area for a long moment before I heard a chime, not unlike a computer notification.

Confused, I opened my eyes, only to see a new message had appeared.

[Gained the Skill "Cure", when activated, any living creature you touch will have their injuries slowly heal until this Skill has been used for longer than thirty seconds or contact has been broken. This Skill cannot be used again until one hour has passed.]

Quickly, I laid my hands upon Ursula, who I could barely still feel the heartbeat of.

Nothing was happening, so I thought back to how Johannes used his ability.

I felt stupid doing it, but I spoke anyway. "[Cure]!"

The moment I did, I could feel energy transferring from my body through my hands into the waning soul beneath them.

After about ten seconds, Ursula sputtered and coughed.

I carefully rolled her onto her side so that she could expel whatever fluids were stuck in her airway while I healed her until the duration expired.

After all was said and done, I fixed my posture and sat up straight. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I was run over by a truck, but that's much better than a few minutes ago." Ursula replied weakly.

"Can you walk?"

"No." She coughed again, though far less forcefully this time. "You should just leave me here, I'm no good to anyone at this point."

I rolled my eyes and carefully lifted her.

Over the last number of days, I had found that my strength and speed had increased by quite a lot, so carrying this slightly overweight woman felt more like carrying a child.

Ursula's face was a mix of shock, embarrassment, and frustration at herself as I made my way back toward our encampment.

A miracle had finally happened.

The first of many.