Chapter 15: Seeing hope – Arianna

Arianna leaned against the wall beside Cassis, allowing herself a rare moment of stillness. The hum of the water barrier in the background reassured her that, for now, they were safe. She exhaled slowly and turned her attention inward, pulling up her status screen for the first time in what felt like forever.

Patron Status Screen

* Name: Sapphire

* Race: Deity

* Title: [Fallen Patron]

* Alignment: Chaotic

* Special Chaotic Trait: Inner scale of virtuous and evil deeds → Leans towards virtuous

Warning: As a Chaotic Deity, you must balance your actions carefully. Both intent and consequence will affect your CP. Should you become too virtuous or too evil, your CP will be reset.

* CP: 180

* Patron Shop: Discounts available

* Patron’s Avatar: Cassis Walker, Arianna Sloane

* Pseudo-Awakener Physique: Redirect to Pseudo Status Page

* FP: 180

* Fame: Unknown

* Followers: 7

Her gaze lingered on the follower count, curiosity stirring within her. Had it really grown? She selected the explanation.

Followers Explanation:

Mortals who believe in you and acknowledge you as a being of great power. They will follow your commands if they are not counter to their morals or survival.

Arianna silently counted in her head. Danielle, Marcus, Liam, Joseph, Benny, Elena… and Violet? That made seven.

A strange feeling settled in her chest—warm, unfamiliar. These people believed in her. Even though she was lying to them about so many things. Even though she was fumbling through this just like they were.

She received CP not just for handing out weapons but for what the system had phrased as saving a group of mortals from certain death. The wording sent a shiver down her spine. It was strange to think about—how something as simple as a transaction in the patron shop had become a lifeline for those around her.

Her gaze drifted to the FP stat, but no matter what she tried, she couldn’t expand it for more details. Another mystery for later.

Sighing, she moved on to her personal status.

Pseudo-Awakener Status Screen

* MS (Mana Saturation): 7%

* Race: Human?

* Rank: F

* Features: Awareness (Basic), Energy Perception (Basic), Stamina Capacity (Basic)

* Unique: None

* Level: 7

* Class: Cleric

* Skills: Heal (Basic), Bludgeon (Low)

* Ability:

* Elemental Affinity: Water

* Unique: None

* Spells: Water Barrier (Basic)

* Titles: [One From Another World], [Chaotic Priestess of Sapphire]

* Patron: Sapphire

Arianna blinked at the changes. She really had gotten stronger. Her Mana Saturation had more than doubled since she last checked, likely due to her necklace.

As she closed the screen, she couldn't help but muse over how strange the system was. When she was in the shop or choosing a class, time seemed to freeze entirely, yet now, as she simply reviewed her stats, life continued around her uninterrupted.

Her fingers absentmindedly played with her sapphire necklace. Just then, a sudden image flickered through her mind—a pattern, intricate and unfamiliar.

Her brows furrowed. What was that? Was it important?

She had no idea.

But now wasn’t the time to figure it out. Not when exhaustion weighed her down like lead.

With a quiet sigh, she let it go for now. If they survived this, she’d have plenty of time to unravel the mystery.

For now, she just needed to rest.

When Cassis called them back to battle, Arianna felt as if only five minutes had passed. The rest had been too brief, too fleeting.

Nadine, Elena, Marcus, and Joseph took their positions before the door, weapons gripped tightly. Liam stood just behind them, ready to switch in at a moment’s notice. Once everyone was prepared, Arianna took a steadying breath and reached out with her will.

Dissolving the Water Barrier was easier than she expected—like pulling a thread loose from fabric. As she drew the remaining mana back into herself, a strange sensation washed over her, as if reclaiming a piece of her own essence.

The moment the shimmering dome vanished, chaos erupted.

The fighters surged forward, weapons meeting flesh with brutal efficiency. Cassis stood beside her, watching intently, his hands gripping the poker he had taken up again in place of the sword. The fighters at the door needed proper weapons more than he did.

Arianna stole a glance at him. She knew this was difficult for him.

In the past future, he hadn’t been strong. He hadn’t been in any position to protect others. He had struggled just to survive. But now, here he was—the strongest fighter among them. And yet, despite his strength, all he could do in this moment was watch as his family and friends risked their lives.

The battle dragged on. Small injuries accumulated, fatigue setting in.

Then, at last, Elena’s voice rang out: “Switch!”

She handed her sword to Liam and stumbled back into the room, panting. “Level five,” she announced before grabbing one of the staffs Arianna had provided.

One after another, the others followed. Joseph called for a switch next, retreating to seize a bow. Nadine soon followed, taking up her own bow. Danielle stepped forward to replace her in the melee. Marcus was next, choosing a staff, and finally, Benny took his place in the front lines.

The last to reach level five was Liam. He hesitated for only a moment before selecting Warrior.

With that, their group was complete: four warriors, two mages, two rangers, and one cleric.

Cassis wasted no time in inviting the newly classed fighters into the party. Now, they could share experience, their progress accelerating.

The warriors—Cassis, Danielle, Liam, and Benny—formed a solid wall at the front, holding the line against the relentless onslaught. Behind them, Joseph and Nadine let arrows fly, their skills Precision Hit and Critical Hit felling monsters with ruthless efficiency. The quivers, thankfully, replenished themselves through mana, ensuring they never truly ran out of ammunition.

The mages, Marcus and Elena, unleashed volleys of Magic Missile against their foes, further thinning the enemy ranks.

For the first time, they weren’t just surviving. They were winning.

Arianna watched as the monsters fell one after another, their numbers dwindling. She should have felt relieved. Instead, frustration clawed at her.

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She couldn’t attack.

She couldn’t stand on the front lines.

All she could do was wait for someone to get injured.

It made her feel useless.

Still, the tide of battle was shifting in their favour. They pushed the monsters back, regaining ground. But just as their momentum built, the mages’ spells sputtered out. Their mana was depleted. One by one, they fell back into meditation.

Then, the rangers ran out of arrows. Though their quivers refilled, the process took time—time they didn’t have. They, too, knelt in meditation to speed the process.

Without their support, the warriors bore the full brunt of the battle. The monsters, sensing the shift, surged forward, pressing them back step by step.

Arianna clenched her fists, helpless to do anything but watch.

Yet, through the dim light, she caught a glimpse beyond the threshold. The shadows shifted, thinning. The endless tide of creatures was no longer endless.

The flood was slowing.

It would soon come to an end.

The battle wore on, fatigue creeping into every movement. The fighters were slowing, their reactions dulled by exhaustion.

Then it happened.

Danielle miscalculated a step. A monster's claws raked across her upper leg, leaving a deep, jagged wound. She cried out, her leg giving way beneath her as she collapsed onto the blood-soaked floor.

Cassis reacted instantly, stepping in front of her and driving his weapon into the attacking creature before it could strike again.

Arianna was already moving. She dropped to her knees beside Danielle, pressing a glowing hand against the wound. Divine warmth flooded the injury, sealing the torn flesh in seconds. Danielle stared at her leg, shock still evident in her wide eyes.

Arianna knew she needed a moment to recover. Without hesitation, she stepped forward and took Danielle’s place in the front line.

Gripping her baseball bat tightly, she swung at the nearest monster, activating Bludgeon. The impact sent the creature staggering back, and she fought side by side with Cassis, her heart pounding with adrenaline.

Then, at last, relief came.

From behind them, arrows whistled through the air. The rangers had regained their ammunition, and one by one, their shots found their marks. Moments later, the mages rejoined the fray, unleashing waves of Magic Missile. The monsters' numbers had dwindled, and now, with renewed strength, they fought with everything they had.

Hope surged through them.

Arianna could see it now—there weren’t many left. The end was near.

And then, with one final strike, Liam drove his sword through the last monster at the door.

The group stood there, breathless, their bodies trembling from exertion. It didn’t feel real. They had survived. They had endured the monster flood.

Then a new sound reached them. Jessica’s wails filled the air, but beneath her cries, there was something else.

A sickening, wet tearing sound. The sound of something feeding.

Cassis turned his head sharply, listening. “It’s outside,” he murmured.

Their eyes met. No one spoke, but they all understood. This wasn’t over. They left the room, leaving behind the children.

Arianna cast a quick glance at them. Without hesitation, she raised her hand, summoning another Water Barrier around the room where they were hidden. Just in case. A small notification flickered in her vision—

[+20 CP (for healing a mortal)]

[+30 CP (for killing three sentient beings)]

[+50 CP (for protecting dependents)]

But there was no time to dwell on it.

Steeling themselves, they stepped forward, pushing past the wreckage of what had once been their home.

The living room was unrecognizable. Blood coated the floor and walls, pooling around the broken remains of monster corpses. The front door was gone, reduced to splinters. And beyond it—

A massive figure loomed in the moonlight.

It stood easily two meters tall, hunched over a pile of corpses, feasting. Its thick green skin gleamed with sweat and fresh blood. It was bipedal, vaguely goblin-like, yet far more human in proportion. Dark, twisted horns jutted from its skull, curving upward like a crown of bone.

Cassis exhaled, his voice grim. “A hobgoblin.”

He didn’t look afraid. Not exactly. But there was a new tension in his stance, a wariness in his gaze.

Arianna swallowed hard. Privately, she sent him a message through the private party chat. “What is it?”

His response came almost immediately. “A hobgoblin. E-rank. It must have evolved from a goblin.”

She could feel his hesitation before he continued.

“Goblins and their evolutions aren’t the strongest monsters, but they’re smart. They’re one of the few creatures that use weapons and tools, even at F-rank. This will be tricky.”

A pause. Then—

“They’re known for targeting the weakest team members first.”

His eyes flicked to her, filled with quiet warning.

“They go after the healers.”

Arianna’s breath caught in her throat.

Cassis tightened his grip on his weapon. His voice, though calm, was edged with something fierce.

“Don’t heal unless absolutely necessary.”

Arianna swallowed hard, fear coiling in her chest like a tightening vice. She knew Cassis was right—healing would make her a target. But she also knew she would have no choice. They could all feel it.

The hobgoblin’s presence loomed over them like a gathering storm, its sheer strength suffocating. This was nothing like the mindless creatures they had fought before. And they? They were exhausted, their bodies bruised and aching from the relentless battles of the night.

Cassis, ever the leader, took command. His voice was steady, but even he couldn’t mask the tension in it.

"We go for a surprise attack. It hasn’t noticed us yet."

The group listened intently, their breaths uneven but determined.

"Dad, Elena—on my signal, hit it with Magic Missile. Joseph, Nadine—Critical Hit and Precision Hit. Mom, Liam, Benny, and I will take over once it locks onto us. We hold the frontline and try to surround it. You all stay in the doorway for cover. Arianna, stand by for healing.”

No one hesitated.

Arianna glanced around. Fear flickered in their eyes, but no one spoke of it. They knew—if this monster leveled up further, they wouldn’t survive. Jessica’s cries still echoed from inside, a beacon in the darkness. The night was far from over. It would come for them, once it had finished eating.

They had to end this now.

Cassis didn’t allow them time to dwell on their fear. “Go!”

The first volley struck.

Elena and Marcus’s Magic Missiles shot through the night, followed by Joseph and Nadine’s arrows. The projectiles struck true, but at first, the hobgoblin merely twitched in irritation, as though shooing away insects.

Then, it growled.

More attacks rained down, and its irritation twisted into fury. With a guttural snarl, it abandoned its meal and turned toward them, its crimson gaze locking onto its assailants.

That was their cue.

Cassis, Liam, Benny, and Danielle surged forward, weapons gleaming in the dim light. Their blades cut and pierced, muscles straining with every swing.

Stab. Slash.

The results were meager—shallow cuts, scratches barely worth notice.

Cassis’s blade ignited. Fire Blade. The strike landed, searing through flesh. The hobgoblin roared, its first true injury tearing an enraged snarl from its lips.

It retaliated with terrifying speed. Cassis barely evaded the claws that sliced through the air, but Benny wasn’t as lucky. The monster’s talons tore across his shoulder, ripping through muscle with merciless ease. Blood poured freely. He staggered, pain clouding his expression, and in that moment of weakness the hobgoblin struck.

Its arm swung with bone-shattering force, hitting Benny like a wrecking ball. He flew backward. Arianna barely had time to react before he slammed into a tree with a sickening crack. His body crumpled, motionless.

She didn’t think—she ran. Dropping to her knees beside him, she scanned his wounds with frantic eyes. Blood streaked his face, a gash on his forehead leaking into his hair. Worse—blood from his mouth. Internal injuries. He wouldn’t last.

Arianna hesitated for only a second before pressing her hands against him. Warm, golden light flared to life beneath her fingertips.

And then—She felt it. A weight. A shift in the air. Something watching her. Dread crawled down her spine, cold and unforgiving. Slowly, she lifted her head. The hobgoblin was staring directly at her.

Cassis saw it too. His voice cracked through the chaos. “Run!”

Panic shot through her veins. She turned, willing her body to move—Too slow. The monster was faster. A blur of motion—Cassis was on the ground, fresh claw marks dripping crimson down his arm. And then—

Pain. Agonizing, suffocating pain. Arianna gasped as a massive hand clamped around her throat, yanking her from the ground as though she weighed nothing. Her feet dangled.

The hobgoblin’s grip tightened. She struggled letting go of her baseball bat, her fingers clawing at its massive hand, desperate for air. She tried to pry its fingers apart. For a moment, she managed to loosen its hold—

Then it squeezed again. Harder. Her vision blurred. She looked at its face. It was smiling. It enjoyed this.

Arrows and spells kept striking its body, but they barely fazed it. It wasn’t done playing with her yet. It would squeeze until she was on the brink of unconsciousness, then let go—just enough for a few breaths.

Darkness crept at the edges of her vision.

Danielle and Liam rushed forward, stabbing and slashing at it. Their strikes landed, but the hobgoblin barely noticed. With a single swipe, it knocked them away like insects.

They landed hard. Groaned. Forced themselves up. They charged again. The monster kicked them aside without effort.

Arianna’s vision swam. Then—pain unlike anything she had ever known.

A sharp, burning agony that ripped through her stomach.

The hobgoblin’s free hand had punched through her.

Arianna choked. Her body convulsed as fresh waves of pain radiated from the wound. Blood soaked her clothes, dripping down her legs.

She tried to scream. No sound came out.

The monster tilted its head, intrigued. Fascinated.

It shifted its weight, readying for another strike—this time, to finish her.

Then—Flames. A torrent of fire engulfed its head. The hobgoblin shrieked, its grip loosening. Arianna fell.

She hit the ground in a broken heap, pain consuming every inch of her being. The world blurred, her vision fading in and out. Pain. So much pain.