May 23, 1256 of the Second Era
The gruk creature had lived his entire life underground. Hating half-human adventurers because, generations ago, they had contributed to their exile. That hatred also applied to female adventurers, but in a different way. The gruks lusted after them, but not just sexually, but in a more perverse and sick way.
Moments before, the second gruk in line had arrived after hearing Emhe's scream. He was dying to see a woman. Very occasionally, and without apparent explanation, they spotted half-human adventurers in the depths. That they were apparently human was unusual. Even more so that they were females.
The young gruk had never been to the surface before, so being in the presence of a woman was something very special. He never believed that the first female he would ever see would be there, so many meters underground. Nor would he ever believe that the most beautiful female he had ever seen in his life would be the first, and the last.
He didn't even move when Emhe jumped towards him. He didn't even care. Perhaps he thought that his congener, the first in line, would block the attack with the shield he had taken from an adventurer months ago. However, the idiot was as captivated as he was. Nothing stopped the impact that shattered his skull. It was so unexpected, that he just fell to the ground. The last thing that went through his head was an endless succession of tortures towards a beautiful redhead and the blade of a spear.
"Bleep! Executed [Charge Attack] to an enemy's head. Critical Hit (DPMx4). Instant Kill!
You have eliminated [Gruk] (Level 2)! You have gained 50 experience points and 20 essence points."
"Bleep! You are suffering [Stress II]!
Danger! Low Energy!
Energy 105843/130000
Stamina 304/(337)
[Berserk] has an excessive Stamina Consumption!
If your Energy drops below 80%, you will feel nauseous and dizzy!
If your Stamina drops to 0, you'll be momentarily breathless and strengthless!"
Within seconds, chaos erupted. Immersed in a sea of violence, Emhe began to kill everything behind the first gruk. With only a shield, the gruk couldn't attack her head-on. Even less, if she pressed him with her beautiful body. Add to that the fact that the gruk couldn't stop drooling as he imagined her naked; and the result was a piece of meat holding up a shield.
Exuding nervousness in every word, Erum's voice echoed in her mind. "What the hell are you doing, child? They're going to kill you! Back off! You're only level 1!”
Instead, Athest's voice whispered mockingly. "Leave the child alone! Let her enjoy her last moments among the living!" The third voice said nothing. He simply did what everyone else did. He watched expectantly as the young redhead continued her bloodbath with only one thought in mind. Get out of there alive.
Shocked and blinded, the third gruk in line tried to wipe the blood that was pouring from the back of his congener's neck off his face. However, he was unable to do so in time, causing the spear to come out of the back of his neck as well.
"Bleep! Executed [Stab] to an enemy's head. Critical Hit (DPMx3). Instant Kill!
You have eliminated [Gruk] (Level 1)! You have gained 25 experience points and 10 essence points."
Emhe had been learning on the go since her arrival in this reality, but in the last few minutes, certain knowledge had been unveiled to her. Knowledge that was previously hidden. It was as if she already had it, but didn't know it was there. It was as if a door had opened slightly, bringing a faint light into a pitch black room.
However, her confusion had nothing to do with that. "How can I wield this spear so easily without losing my balance? I've only read the skills and killed 5 creatures already! Doesn't make sense! Is it that easy?"
Erum scolded her dismissively. "Suicidal brat! You would understand if you had bothered to read the description of the spear! It's obvious that [Berserk] is melting the little brain cells you already had!"
Emhe could barely understand what she was saying, fighting was all that her state was capable of handling. "That shield is going to be mine!" Inexplicably, the gruk was more interested in fondling the girl's beautiful body, than in defending his own. Having her so close was too provocative.
After taking a step back, she managed to push him away by kicking the shield with her blood-soaked foot. The gruk ended up falling on top of his two dead congeners, albeit without dropping his precious shield.
Despite being so mentally exhausted, Emhe didn't blindly dent the lethal tip of the spear against the metal of the rusted shield. She aimed directly at the legs of the creature, which, screaming in pain, moved the shield to protect his wounds, leaving his head completely exposed. A second later, he paid for that mistake with his life.
The same fate befell the first of the gruks who came to his aid. His idea was to pounce on her after dodging the corpses of his congeners. However, too much blood and a sudden slip caused him to fall flat on his face long before reaching the pile of corpses. A deadly critical impact to his head when he tried to get up on all fours was his end. He didn't even know he was dead. He only felt a strong sting.
"Bleep! Executed [Stab] to an enemy's head. Critical Hit (DPM x 3). Instant Kill!
You have eliminated 2 [Gruk] (Level 1)! You have gained 50 experience points and 20 essence points."
Emhe picked up the shield as the [See Beyond] pop-up panel appeared. However, this was a panel she was unable to read due to her Intelligence debuff.
"Shit! I can't concentrate in this state!"
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[Round wooden shield covered with bronze sheeting]
Low quality item. Rusty and deteriorated.
Diameter: 0.65 meters
Weight: 6,2 Kg
Maximum Blockable Damage: ??? (Knowledge of this weapon is needed)
Maximum Blunt Damage: ??? (Knowledge of this weapon is needed)
Skills: You haven't discovered any skills with this weapon yet.
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The instant she realized that she would have to fight with a 6 kg shield in her left hand and a 5 kg spear in her right, she knew she was screwed.
Without raising her voice too much, and somewhat embarrassed. "I need another deal!”
Sarcastically, Erum mocked the situation of the previously enraged redhead. "Oh! The suicidal brat now wants a deal!" Turning more aggressive than expected due to her wounded pride. "Well, now I'm not interested in making any deals with you!"
Athest simply apologized. "I imagine you want by all means to keep fighting with that insignificant skill of yours, but Erum is the only one who can provide you with Energy, Stamina and healing. I only have items for you, and I don't think you need any more weight, am I wrong?"
Bold and breathless. "And what about you, Dark God? What do you want for a skill that allows me to absorb Energy from all these corpses?" However, the one she expected didn't answer.
Making a great effort to be polite, Erum immediately added. "Healing, life drainage and food are some of my gifts, but you would need years of training and attributes you don't possess! Besides, what would you offer me? I just want that spear!"
“Bleep! You are suffering [Stress III]!
You are now suffering [Confusion II]!”
*[Confusion II]. Debuff. When you possess only 30% of your Intelligence.
Can provoke obstinacy, irrationality, misunderstanding and mild stuttering.
-70% efficiency when learning skills, concepts and techniques.
Furious, Emhe dropped the shield. "I-if you're not going to help me, D-DON'T TALK TO ME AGAIN!"
Very sure of herself, Erum added. "I'm afraid you're in no position to demand anything, least of all our help! We are the ones who…"
Emhe screamed at the top of her lungs. "S-SHUT UP! Y-YOU'RE BORING ME! I-IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HELP ME, I DON'T EVEN WANT TO HEAR YOU! Y-YOU DON'T LET ME CONCENTRATE!"
“Bleep! Danger! Low Energy!
[Berserk] has an excessive Stamina Consumption!
Energy 105750/130000
Stamina 236/(337)”
Completely out of her mind, Emhe shouted uncontrollably. "S-SHUT UP, YOU TOO! I-I KNOW I CAN'T CONTINUE LIKE THIS, B-BUT I'M NOT GIVING UP!"
Again, with both hands on the spear, she launched a savage attack on the two gruks that dared to approach. After dodging the corpses of their congeners, the only thing they managed to do was to feed the pile of corpses that began to form in the middle of the narrow tunnel.
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"Bleep! Prolonged use of [Rapid Assault] executed! Critical hits to the head and neck of two enemies (DPMx3). Instant Kills! Killed 2 [Gruk] (Level 2). You have gained 100 experience points and 40 essence points."
Emhe was panting heavily. She understood that the situation was not going well. "Shit! I'm so tired! I need to catch my breath! Those fucking Gods have drained my Energy!"
Slowly, the redhead picked up the shield by the two leather straps inside, and trudged backwards carrying it to the corner. She tried to disguise her exhaustion as best she could, but the gruks were quick to notice. Realizing that they alone couldn't defeat her, they rushed out to call for help. The others temporarily withdrew, providing her a little respite.
"Bleep! [Berserk] has been deactivated!
You are still suffering [Stress III]!
You have countered [Confusion II]!”
She was in no condition to chase them. Her foot was still bleeding and her Energy was inexorably approaching 80%. Shield equipped, she crouched behind it. However, the shield was too small to hide her entire body, so she hid the remaining part behind the wall, right in the corner.
She tried to take cover behind the shield, however the shield was too small to hide her entire body, so she had to hide the remaining part behind the wall, right in the corner.
Panting non-stop, she tried to relax. "Surely they've gone to call someone more powerful! I have to save my strength! I have to think of something or I'm screwed!"
"Bleep! [Mentalized] has been activated!"
Erum spoke confidently and a bit arrogant. "So... are you already more relaxed? Are you willing to make a deal now?" Emhe kept silent, she was in no position to be demanding considering that her foot was bleeding. "Good! I will take that as a yes! I'll take all those corpses, and in return, I'll heal your foot..." Showing unprecedented generosity. "...Plus, I'll give you a hint so you can survive a while longer!"
The corpses were a good obstacle, but stopping the bleeding gave her a better chance of survival. Emhe nodded. "Deal!"
"Bleep! An unknown spell that affects you is being cast from another plane!"
Frightened, Emhe watched as black, almost ethereal claws emerged from the ground. Each one almost as big as a person. In a bloody display of hunger, they pounced over the corpses, liquefying them into a disgusting red mass of flesh, blood and bone. Finally, as if the stone floor was absorbent, everything disappeared with astonishing speed. Not even Emhe's blood remained.
The male voice of the being known as Athest spoke, though it was not directed at her. "Erum! Was there any reason to enjoy it like this? Did you long for it so badly?" Erum didn't deign to reply, the answer was obvious.
Indifferent, Emhe ignored the conversation, she was tremendously pleased to feel her foot completely healed.
"Bleep! [Vermin Bite] has been removed! The wound points have completely disappeared. You are no longer bleeding. You have lost about 1,92% of your blood. The incipient infection is gone!"
Like a whisper, Emhe began to clearly hear a word in her mind. It was the word written in plaster on the wall next to the torch. "That's the clue? I can’t believe it!"
Rising with difficulty, she approached the metal stand on which the torch had rested. Leaning the spear against the wall, she touched the torch holder. Realizing that there was some kind of mechanism, she grabbed it firmly. Placing her fingers inside the hole to apply more force, she tugged on the torch holder. "It moves a little. Of course, the torch was to be used as a lever!"
“Bleep! You have countered [Stress III] and [Stress II], but you are still suffering [Stress I]!”
Looking at the spear, she realized that it was impossible to insert it there. "The ceiling is not high enough and the hole is too small!"
Dropping the shield, she eagerly tugged with both hands. With some effort, the torch holder moved and a noise was heard at the end of the tunnel, right where she had initially appeared. The steady sound was similar to a very faint electrical buzz. Re-equipped, she made her way to the source of the noise.
"I can't see anything from here! What's supposed to have changed?" Startled after hearing the sound of multiple footsteps again. "Damn it! Those bastards are back too soon!" Not getting what she wanted, she turned around, feeling something alarming. "Shit! There are a lot more footsteps this time!"
"Bleep! [Mentalized] has been deactivated!”
Emhe headed towards the change of direction again. She intended to catch them by surprise there. Still tired, she picked up four stones on the way back.
Just as she reached the corner, she placed her shield and spear on the ground and prepared to throw the stones at them. “Maybe that way they won't move so fast!”
Hearing them relatively close, she threw three stones with all her might, but just as he threw the third one, an arrow passed so suddenly, and so close to her face, that she froze. "Gods! They have brought archers!"
“Bleep! You are suffering [Stress II]!”
Quickly ducking out of sight, she grabbed the shield as the gruks furiously cursed her for throwing the stones. Out of sight of her enemies, she threw her last stone at the bottom of the tunnel she had appeared in. Right where the buzzing could be heard.
"The noise will make them think I've gone that way and they won't be expecting me just around the corner. When they get close, I'll focus on the archers!"
However, something unexpected happened. Short but intense, a flash of light illuminated the entire depths of the cavern.
Completely perplexed, Emhe tried to ignore it, preparing to attack. "What the hell was that? Was it really a stone or did the stone interact with something?"
Their footsteps could already be heard just two meters from the change of direction. Flustered, Emhe raised the spear and aimed where she assumed their heads would poke out. The first gruk to arrive was greeted with the last scare of his life, a loud scream from Emhe and the deadly edge of the spear.
“Bleep! [Berserk] has been activated!
[Berserk] has an excessive Stamina consumption!
Energy 105685/130000
Stamina 261/(337)
You are now suffering [Confusion I]!”
"Fuck! I know! Shut up!"
This time she didn't activate [Rapid Assault]. Her best option was to use [Stab] while blocking their direct attacks. Protecting herself as best she could, she attacked as best as her state of madness allowed. This time, she wasn't fighting degenerate creatures focused on her beautiful body. This time, they wanted her dead.
Gradually, the redhead began to lose ground, slowly stopping her offensive and focusing desperately on defense. Her only relief was knowing that the first archer had died among the first and that the second couldn't shoot. His congeners were pushing him to get closer and kill her in close combat.
“Bleep! You are suffering [Stress III]!
Danger! Low Energy!
Energy 105510/130000
Stamina 101/(337)
You are now suffering [Confusion II]!”
"S-SHIT! M-MOTHERFUCKERS! I W-WON'T BE DEFEATED!"
"Bleep! You are hopelessly approaching [Weakness II]!
You are almost suffering its effects!"
*[Weakness II]: Condition. You only have 80% of your Energy:
-20% to Power. You feel a lot more weak and tired.
-10% to Dexterity. You feel clumsy.
+18% to Intelligence. Your mind sharpens.
If the decrease has occurred in combat, you may lose consciousness.
Realizing that she would die there, Emhe pushed her limits in one last burst. Using [Rapid Assault] with just one hand, she advanced towards them. "I W-WON'T BACK DOWN, YOU B-BASTARDS!"
"Bleep! [Tense] has been activated!
Danger! Low Stamina!
[Tense] and [Berserk] have an excessive Stamina Consumption!
Energy 105441/130000
Stamina 52/(337)
You are now suffering [Confusion III]!"
*[Confusion III]: Debuff. When you possess only 10% of your Intelligence:
Can provoke obstinacy, irrationality, misunderstanding, stuttering and aggressiveness.
Unable to learn new skills, concepts and techniques.
In such a state, she attacked anything that moved in front of her. There was no distinction. If there had been an ally among them, she would have inadvertently killed him. She understood nothing but survival at all costs. Kill was her only thought. Kill without thinking of the terrible exhaustion. Kill despite the lack of air. Kill.
“Bleep! [Berserk] and [Tense] have been deactivated!
Danger! Low Stamina!
Energy 105366/130000
Stamina 0/(337)
You have countered [Confusion III]!”
After reaching her limit, her body almost collapsed, but not before accomplishing something grotesque. Raising a pile of corpses almost half a meter high that hindered the passage of beings that barely reached 1.4 meters. Panting, she tried to hold her weapons and her stance, though she didn't know for how long. The only thing she could do was watch as the gruks tried to climb it. "This cannot be the end! I refuse!”
“I REFUSE!"
"Bleep! An unknown spell that affects you is being cast from another plane!"
As if the devil himself had heard her, the gigantic black claws re-emerged. Intangible, they appeared from the ground dragging the corpses with them in a bloody feast. This time, however, Emhe was not the only one who witnessed it. The fear in the faces of the gruks was palpable. Many recoiled, thinking that she had provoked it with her desperate scream. Even more so when they saw a mist of blood seep into Emhe's body repairing it.
"Bleep! You feel slightly rested! You possess the [Rested] effect!"
*[Rested] Condition. State by which the last attribute improvements achieved by a living being are instantly updated.
"Bleep! Continuous effort has pushed you beyond your current limits!
Thum, Thump! Your Power attribute has increased by 1.
Thum, Thump! Your Dexterity attribute has increased by 1.
Thum, Thump! Your Willpower attribute has increased by 1."
“Bleep! Your Stamina has been replenished!
Energy 105361/130000
Stamina 336/(340)”
Emhe grinned from ear to ear. "I will never give up!"
"Bleep! [Tense] and [Berserk] have been activated!
You are now suffering [Confusion III]!”
Emhe shouted angrily as she charged towards them. "I-I WILL N-NEVER GIVE UP! N-NEVER, YOU F-FUCKING SCUM!"