Chapter 5 - New Sorrows, New Beginnings

I lurk in the shadows of a large warehouse, lying in wait behind a crate as I hear steps pass by, my body tense and perception alert. After the steps trod off, I perform [Hashashin’s Dodge] across the aisle, silently flickering among storage boxes, I quickly traverse through the warehouse, eventually spotting a group of scruffy men crowded around a table, their mumbles echoing throughout the warehouse. I focus my vision on a man with a rather unremarkable countenance, wearing dirtied clothes that used to be lavish, my target, Luen.

I skirt around the empty space, like an umbral specter I use the shadows as my cover, seeking an opportunity to strike. No such an opportunity arises, however a simple plan develops when I notice a man walking off, then returning a few minutes later, the latrine! Silently dashing in that direction, I station myself high up on a storage rack, somewhere along the pathway to the latrine, now I wait… Indeed, after quite a few hours of waiting I notice my target walking in my direction, being tailed by two guards. Clearly concerned with the assassinations that have been taking place recently, performed by yours truly, and Shadow. The guards look powerful, with scarred faces and equipped in full iron armour, a rarity for a hired guard in the middle of Vuta.

Warrior level 11

Warrior level ?

Warrior level 10

I can’t identify Luen’s level, but he shouldn’t be too much higher than his guards, I’m level 2 right now so he’s at least level 14. I would certainly lose in an upfront fight, the only way to succeed is to instantly assassinate Luen so I crouch as low as my body allows, my dagger positioned I prepare to jump, when Luen is in an ideal strike spot I leap downwards while activating [Hashashin’s dodge], flying through the air my dagger reaches for Luen’s neck, my approach is so silent that they don’t even notice me until I’m right up in their faces. Before they can react, my left dagger has already pierced Luen’s neck, instantly slicing through, a spout of blood erupts, mission accomplished!

Level up!

I continue forward, aiming for a second kill, however the guard’s sword flashes, easily parrying my second strike, still flying forward I continue on my way however the second guard managed to slice across my back, I retreat among the crates and tread through the warehouse as I make my way for the exit. I can hear men shouting and fumbling about, after I escape the warehouse, some patrols spot me and begin to pursue me, however combining my rather high agility and [Hashashin’s dodge] I far exceed their speed at the cost of my stamina, still it is enough to leave them in the dust.

Returning to my room, I briefly meditate to even out my irregular breathing. Another successful job, the past year has been a grind of assassination missions every couple of weeks or so. I have become skilled enough that Shadow stopped accompanying me on missions quite some time ago, I just completed my 28th mission, 3 failures and 25 succusses a rather good track record.

I remove my Hashashin’s outfit, slowly pulling up the top that is sticky with blood, I hate it, it’s the clothing of a murderer, but it’s suitable considering my nefarious acts this past year. I examine my body, a few scars claw around my body, some on my back, many on my limbs, and a large grotesque one on my shoulder, my first scar, furthermore my height has increased, about 5 foot now.

After my experience in mortal combat, I’ve come to realise that my fighting potential is incredibly high due to [Hashashin’s dodge] combined my high agility from [Hashashin’s cultivation], it allows me to defeat stronger opponents even with their higher stats. It puts into perspective how levels and classes do not necessarily mean a high combat ability. Although, people are all born with different starting potentials that determine how many stats a person can cultivate before reaching their inherent cap, and according to Shadow my starting potential is incredibly high based on the fact that I could cultivate so many stats without leveling.

Strength increased by 1!

Endurance increased by 1!

Dexterity increased by 3!

Agility increased by 4!

Perception increased by 4!

[Dagger Mastery] lvl 3 -> [Dagger Mastery] lvl 5

[Hashashin dodge] lvl 1 -> [Hashashin dodge] lvl 4

[Hashashin’s eyes] lvl 1 -> [Hashashin’s eyes] lvl 2

[Hashashin dodge] lvl 4 – Reduce mana signature by 99%, move in a direction at [base 150%]190% of agility, makes form less distinct

[Dagger Mastery] lvl 5– Improves proficiency with a dagger or knife and attacks are [base 1%]5% faster.

[Hashashin’s eyes] lvl 1 – Discover inconsistencies easier, read some details of your opponent if they are not [base 5]6 levels higher than you, read level of opponent if they are not [base 10]11 levels higher than you, almost undetectable.

Race: Human

Class: NONE

Level: 3

Health: 42/70

Mana: 0/0

Stamina: 89/130

Strength: 12

Endurance: 13

Vitality: 7

Dexterity: 23

Agility: 27

Perception: 15

Charisma: 10

Intelligence: 25

Wisdom: 9

Magic: 0

Skills: [Hashashin Cultivation] [Dagger Mastery] lvl 5 [Hashashin dodge] lvl 4 [Hashashin’s eyes] lvl 1

Class Enhancements: NONE

The door smacks open, Mila stands by the door as she glances at my bloody back. She angrily huffs, “Fera! You said you would be more careful.”

Glaring at her I say, “Can you knock next time, I’m barely dressed!”

Ignoring me she ruffles through one of my drawers, grabbing out some gauze and ointment, she walks over to me demanding, “Sit on the bed please.”

Relenting I strut over, comfortably seating myself, she shifts over to me, I feel the coolness of the ointment, the pain sharp but tolerable, Mila softly says, “This is all taking a toll on you, you need to ease off a little, a child shouldn’t have to endure so much.”

I just grunt annoyingly, impatiently waiting for her to be done.

“There, done,” she remarks.

“Where’s Shadow?” I ask as I stretch my body.

“He is taking care of some business over at the east side, he should be back in a day or two,” Mila explains as she pats at her skirt, swinging up from the bed.

My eyebrow raises, “This is the first I’ve heard of this, wasn’t he sent there just two weeks ago?”

Mila nods, “There have been some issues lately, the Reds somehow brought in some high leveled adventurer.”

My ears perk up, curious I say, “An adventurer? I’ve yet to meet a proper adventurer.”

Mila shakes her head, “Nor do you want to meet one, I can tell what you’re thinking by that look on your face, and no, you will not fight him, adventurers are much too powerful, only Shadow has a chance, yet even then I’m not sure, I’ve heard some… unsettling things.”

I question her, “Unsettling things, like what?”

“That he’s from the Kingdom of the Reaches, west of here, those people there are a hardy people as they have to constantly defend against monster surges from the mountains, producing strong warriors, but then again why would a powerful warrior of the Reaches be over here in the eastern counties, it just doesn’t make sense, maybe we’re concerned over nothing.”

While nodding I feel a bout of nosiness and ask, “Hey Mila, what do you do exactly, like why are you here?”

“Here? In this very room, well isn’t that obvious, to tend to your back you doofus” she jokes teasingly.

Not in the mood for her games I say, “Ugh, you know what I mean”

Unrelenting she states, “Well I’m the maid obviously”

“Yeah I know! How’d you get the job?”

Her face flickers with an indescribable emotion as she shifts uncomfortably, “I’m Yusef’s daughter.”

Turning my head to her I yell in surprise, “What? Bullshit!”

Baffled she leans back slightly asking, “Huh? Why’s that?”

I smirk cheekily and state, “You’re much too pretty to be related to him”

She shyly chuckles, too timid to respond, evoking me to question her “If you’re his daughter why are you working as a mere maid?”

She sighs sadly as she glances down, “Because I’m a failure, I’m weak, and not cunning, he said, ‘all you are is a pretty face, just like your mother’. So, he gave me this mediocre job for a mediocre girl”

“That’s awful!” feeling bewildered I ask, “Why haven’t you left then?”

She shakes her head in disagreement, “And go where? You’ve come from the outside, you know what it’s like out there, I don’t resent him or anything because he’s given me more than I deserve.”

I huff, “You’re right, I shouldn’t presume.”

An awkward quiet passes between us for a moment, shattering the silence I say, “You know when I first met you I thought you were really strong, like I thought the maid getup was just a disguise, and you were really some highly trained hidden piece, turns out you were really just a maid”

She chuckles “Not just a maid, the best maid in all of Vuta”

Laughing along we quiet down and relax for another moment, I then admit “For some reason, on that first day you gave me a weird feeling”

She looks up to me, surprised but then comes to a realisation she perks up, “I’m surprised you were able to detect my analyse skill when you were that young.”

Intrigued I lean forward, saying, “You have an analyse skill? I thought they were quite rare, did you learn it from Yusef?”

Shrugging, she explains, “In a way, it’s a bloodline skill, so I was born with it, as was father”

My eyes widen, “A bloodline!? Those exist, I’d imagine your ability must be quite rare.”

“A bloodline analyse is always better than a learned skill, however, analyse is actually the most common bloodline, there are some parts of the empire where almost everyone is born with the skill.”

“Uh huh,” I quietly reply I then loudly yawn inciting Mila to chuckle at me.

“Well good night, it looks like you could use the sleep,” she says as she walks for the door.

“Yeah, good night Mila,” I reply, feeling sleepy I get ready to turn in for the night, forced to sleep on my stomach due to my injured back, ugh annoying.

Waking up, my back still aching, I slowly slide off my bed and walk out my room, spotting Shadow silently shifting across the hallway, “Ah good, you are awake, we have some things to discuss.”

Nodding I follow him, reaching the end of the hallway and entering the meeting room, naturally Yusef and Synthia seated in their usual spots, along with Helgen the leader of the Wolves with his perpetual frown, a few of his subordinates, I also notice Mila standing on the outskirts of the room and I see a few of Yusef’s closer subordinates that seem much more skilled than the men I see here in the west side, clearly these are the men that have been most closely participating in the gang war. Yusef loudly proclaims, “Good, everyone’s here, I will not waste anyone’s time, Shadow you may begin.”

Shadow nods, blandly saying, “I spied on the new adventurer, from my observation I can confirm he is from the Reaches. I also used my analyse skill on him but he was too high leveled for me to get any statistical information, however what was concerning was that I could not see his level, that can only mean he is at least level 25, so he has at the very least undergone his first class evolution.”

The whole room gasps, looks of shock and fear draw onto the faces of most present, a loud roar echoes, Helgen shouting, “What the fuck is a Reaches death warrior doing in Farok?”

Yells and hollers echo through the room, Yusef just stoically waits for everyone to quiet down. Once the room settles, his voices booms throughout the room, “We will be engaging in what I hope is a conclusive battle in the next month, we will have our most skilled men fighting their stronger warriors, I will be fighting the leader of the Reds, Helgen, you’ll fight the Dragons’ boss, and finally for the adventurer, Shadow, Synthia and Fera will engage him.”

Murmurs of agreement echo in the room, nodding, Yusef then goes onto a whole explanation on our plan, everyone’s roles and such, all of which I ignore because I could honestly care less, I’m just excited to finally meet a true adventurer, when I was still in the orphanage, they were always talking about them as being heroes who fight against monsters for the sake of humanity, let’s see if reality matches with the stories.

The meeting concludes, and everyone begins shuffling outside, as I raise myself from my seat, Yusef call out to me, “Stay Fera.”

I shrug indifferently, sitting myself back down, once most of the others have vacated the room Yusef leans back in his chair, relaxedly saying, “We have one last mission for you before the big battle, Head guardsman Jacob who is currently residing in the central guardhouse must be eliminated before the battle. It’s highly likely that he’s been paid off by the Blues, so this card could bite us in the ass if we don’t remove this issue, even if he isn’t paid off, sowing unrest among the guards at this moment in time is only beneficial, remember, failure is not an option! That is all.”

Bowing slightly, I leave the room, well, back out onto the field, no rest for the wicked.

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It’s been two weeks, night descends so I set off towards my target, quickly arriving at the inner district, the wealthiest and centremost part of the city. This is the first time I've been here, so I wasn't sure what to expect, there wasn’t much difference compared to the merchant district to be honest, except for mansions being more prevalent. Eventually I arrive at a standout area, a large complex with drab wooden buildings and an empty field, this must be the central guardhouse. A large fort stands erected in the middle of the other buildings, the largest structure I have seen yet, it looks out of place as it was clearly here well before the city was established. That would be where I’ll find the head guardsman I imagine, so I set off looking to infiltrate the fort. However, that’s easier said than done, naturally the home base of the guards would be the most heavily guarded.

I find an unguarded point of entry, a very high up embrasure, most people would struggle to even reach up there not to mention pass through the small opening. Neither of those issues concern me, with my lithe frame and dexterous hands I easily scale the wall then slowly slither through the gap like a snake. I pop out of the opening, finding myself in an eerie hallway, the stone walls are cold to the touch, a subtle dampness lingering on every surface, the moonlight pierces through small cracks, colouring the interior a spooky blue. I slowly traverse through the hallway, checking any rooms I pass for potential loot. Many guards are stationed around the building however the inside appears to be mostly unpatrolled allowing me free reign of movement.

Eventually I enter a room that is trying to be luxurious, however the sombre atmosphere with the grey stones breaks that attempt. This room may be Jacob’s office, searching around I notice a few important parchments about guard composition, armoury budget and blah blah blah... OOooo, what’s this? It’s a letter that seems to be addressed to Jacob, eloquent cursive writing that is difficult to discern is scribbled on the lavish letter.

Dear Head guardsman Jacob,

I am writing on behalf of lord Verick McKenly, it is imperative that you apprehend a Yusef Grayson and Helgen, lest they cause more trouble of things. A bonus will be rewarded should you also capture that child Hashashin who we believe is hired by Grayson. your payment should have been deposited through the standard method.

Regards,

Senechal Ufen Torik

This is incredibly important, nobles are involved in our matters, what does this mean? Should I pocket the letter or leave it be? Caught by indecision I decide to leave it, what could we even do with that letter? Incriminate a noble? If there’s one thing I’ve learnt while coming to this world, it’s to not fuck with nobles. Finished looking through the desk I turn my attention to a bookshelf, there are more books here than books I’ve seen up to this point in this world, usually I’ll find a single book on a boring subject like theology, if I’m lucky I’ll find a small pile of books. Books are clearly a rarity, reserved for the wealthy, nobles and thieves, like me! These books look archaic so they’re clearly an inheritance of sorts for the head guardsman. I take my time looking for anything interesting, I grab a few history books that resonant with me, then I come across a particular ancient book that heavily piques my interest, ‘Pre-fundamentals of Magic, A Sense for Magic’, ok so pre-fundamentals are apparently a thing, well I’m definitely snagging this one. Putting my books in my discreet black knapsack which I use exclusively for stealing. Ok now time to do my mission, what entailed was a many hours manhunt as I search for Jacob, slowly opening a door, I instantly notice that this is someone’s room, my body readies as I prepare for the unexpected. On the bed I spot a figure, my [Hashashin’s eyes] passively picks up a minute movement inciting me to dash at the sleeping figure while activating [Hashashin’s dodge], the body flickers, disappearing from sight, reappearing standing up, dressed in nightwear, a rapier seemed to have appeared from nowhere as he is now armed. I tilt my body mid-air activating [Hashashin’s dodge] again, swerving me at his new position, he easily parries me, and is faster than even me, allowing him to counterattack, three clangs echo in quick succession before we break away, a small drop of blood emerges from a light scratch on my face, he’s more skilled. We both eye each other wearily, our combat styles are similar however he clearly has superior combat experience and weapon arts, I’ll have to rely heavily on [Hashasin’s dodge], using this opportunity I try to better gauge his strength.

Warrior level ?

Thought as much, I drop my knapsack to the floor, then perform [Hashashin’s dodge] multiple times zigzagging around the room in an attempt to throw him off, his eyes follows my movement closely, I strike and he once again easily deflects my attack, counterattacking once again with quick thrusts, my body twists abnormally snaking around the thrusts, I get close enough so that his rapier loses it’s effectiveness and I perform my counter counterattack, a fast swipe which was aiming for his neck only manages to deeply cut into his shoulder as he tilts his body back. He activates a skill that drastically increases his attack speed, getting in light stabs as I focus on preventing fatal wounds, I fall back using [Hashashin’s dodge] but he activates another skill that allows him to dash along with me, continuing his relentless attacks I fall on the back foot.

Health: 51/70

Stamina: 60/130

Beginning to feel anxious due to my rapidly draining stamina, my thoughts accelerate as I try to find a way out of this predicament. My eyes flash, there’s a way out, I use [Hashashin’s dodge] multiple times consecutively to build momentum, I bounce around the room as Jacob continues his pursuit but begins to lose track of me, suddenly I switch direction, cutting my massive momentum greatly but allowing me to catch Jacob off guard, not having time to tilt his rapier upwards to parry me he can only keep his blade extended forward aimed at my heart so as to prevent my approach, I perform a mini [Hashashin’s dodge] that knocks me sidewards slightly, the rapier then impales me through the chest barely nipping my heart, but my dagger continues uninterrupted, it touches his neck, what? It didn’t pass through! He tries to withdraw the blade from me, but I kick forward to keep us close, we fumble to the ground, taking advantage of his undefended self I perform a flurry of attacks until I finally break through his shell, slicing through his throat, blood spitting out and squirting onto my face, how bloody high was this guy’s endurance? I thought he was agility and dexterity based.

Health: 14/70

Stamina: 8/130

This is a very dangerous situation, I’m too weak to even escape from any enemies should I be found, there could be something useful in here. I search around and don’t find anything of note but a small chest, there’s a lock… Hmmmm, he would want to keep it on himself at all times, but he obviously wouldn’t sleep with it, where would make sense? His guard armour? I look through it, but I don’t even find pockets, wait, the boots, indeed hidden in a small compartment was a key, high intelligence stat for the win! I could be a detective. Unlocking the chest I hit the motherlode, potions, a lot, at least 10, potions are traded in gold, how on earth does he have so many? Usually only adventurers can afford so many, I suppose his position does allow him to get his hands on some, quelling my mulling I finally decide to expel the sword sticking out of my chest, painfully dragging it out I then take a health potion from the chest, pouring some of it on my wound and I drink the rest, I then drink a stamina potion without reservations, there’s also a skill parchment at the bottom and a few gold coins, yoink! My health and stamina begin to regenerate at a greatly increased speed, allowing me to regain some movement. Oddly enough our combat didn’t alert anyone, I suppose this area is rather isolated, and it now makes sense why he didn’t shout for help, because no one would hear him. This makes my getaway easy and without complication, I then return to the headquarters.

Potions certainly increase your regeneration, and will speed up healing, however the wound is still there regardless, unless your vitality is insane you will need to be properly tended to and get rest to fully recover, which is what I’m doing right now as I lay in bed. I need to be fully healed for the final battle so we can increase our chances of winning over our rival gangs. Mila is currently sitting next to me chatting away to the point that I just mentally blocked her, she can get so talkative when she gets going. Shadow walks into the room and Mila instantly shuts up, I greet him nodding my head slightly, “Shadow.”

He nods back, “Fera.”

“What brings you here? I thought you were busy preparing.”

As he walks toward me, he says, “Just to tell you that your information on the nobles does not change our current plan,”

Bewildered, I ask, “Why not? There’s clearly something at play here, it could be extremely dangerous going out there with a noble paying attention to us.”

Sighing while nodding Shadow explains, “You are very much correct, however where you see death and destruction, Yusef sees opportunity, his ambition got him this far, but it may very well be his undoing.”

Well Bullocks, not much I can do then, I’m confident I can get out of any situation so I will at least not die, I just hate having to follow ambitious fools, causing me to ask, “I still don’t understand why we can’t just leave, we don’t need to work for him anymore, I can tell he’s weaker than even me, he’d be nothing compared to you.”

Shadow emptily stares at me then states, “We are not having this conversation again Fera, I am leaving it at.”

I get up slightly and push, “But like, everything you’ve done for him more than repays your debt to, so what if he saved your life once.”

“A life’s debt can never be repaid, even with saving another life.”

I pout, “Gosh, you know that’s just shitty rubbish the Hashasins taught you to more easily induct you.”

He nods his head, “Maybe so, but that ‘shitty rubbish’ is what I believe in.”

Throwing my arms up in defeat I just ignore him, annoying! A few weeks pass, I get fed another health potion to ensure I’m in tip top shape, today is the day of the attack. I honestly don’t feel all that nervous, I must be desensitised or just ridiculously confident in myself, probably the latter if I’m being honest. During the past few weeks I read the new skill parchment I gained, this one has an explanation on what it does, unlike Shadow’s parchments with their unnecessary vagueness, it is that fast thrust attack that he performed on me, reflecting back on that fight, I realise his skill was absolutely deadly, my combat technique was actually a direct counter to his fast thrusts because my daggers could more easily adjust to move around to deflect his fast attacks, along with [Hashashin’s dodge] that could get me out of range quite easily, against a slower sword wielder, his skill would absolutely decimate them. Anyway, I’m not going to bother learning the skill as it doesn’t mesh well with my weapons.

I’m staring out the window and there is a mass of people grouped up in front of the headquarters, the amount of people here is immense, far more than I expected, at least 200 all fully armed, simply having a massive crowd of people like this is probably illegal, although I’m sure the guards have already been bought off. Shadow and I are not going to be part of the main group, the plan is to have Synthia engage with the adventurer, and then while he’s occupied Shadow and I will both strike concurrently, attempted to end the battle swiftly, if not, at least deal major damage. The crowd begins moving, Shadow leads me to the designated spot, and as assassins do best, we wait. Indeed, sometime later the two groups meet, Yusef and who I assume is the leader of the Blues meet in the middle, a confrontation of the ages! Supposedly, none of this means anything to me, if anything I feel… bored. Suddenly Yusef sneak attacks the leader of the Blues, how very Yusef, clearly, I wasn’t sided with the good guys, a massive armed fight breaks out. Where’s the adventurer though? I can see Synthia still in reserve, maybe he’ll come later, not too much longer later, he arrives. With his arrival, everyone noticed, how could you not, he’s a boar of a man, at 2 meters tall, and wearing literal barbarian clothing with only a loincloth his bulging muscles on full display, flexing as he takes long steps into the battlefield, the people naturally repelled by the unprecedented power he radiates. Synthia readies herself then suddenly jumps into the fray, the ‘monster’ merely lightly punched out, slamming Synthia 10s of meters away, only stopped by a wall. Holy shit! This guy is fucking powerful, I can feel his strength from here. Still, we wait, searching for an opportunity, if there is one to find, Synthia stumbles from the rubble, her state in ruin, she tries to raise her blade again, but the adventurer suddenly dashes, slamming her a second time, she flies through the hole in the wall she made just a moment earlier, I hear Shadow robotically say, “I’m going in, stay here.”

A shimmer, then he’s gone, I see Shadow suddenly reappear behind the adventurer, the adventurer’s waist moves forward like he’s performing a bow, Shadow’s attack passes over but he tries to redirect, however, the adventurer expertly shifts his weight, performing a roundhouse kick from his bowed position, his attack slamming Shadow in the chest, I swear I could hear a crack from here. Without thinking any further I leap out to grab the rag dolled body of Shadow, when I’m about to reach him, I see the adventurer drifting himself to a stop in front of me, clearly he just leaped to get in front of me. I continue with my momentum, intending to take advantage of his still slowing momentum and lack of balance, however it is all for naught when he tumbles forward, easily escaping my strike.

I shift my momentum, trying to go in for a second strike, he expertly grabs my blade with his bare hands. Yanking my blade from my hands, he chucks it off and slaps me across the face, knocking me to the floor. I raise myself, seeing him stand over me, looking down on me like some stray cat, I go in for a second strike, but he counterattacks way faster than me, before he can hit me though, Shadow appears beside me, stabbing into his hand and stopping its approach, nice! Moreover, I can see Synthia running over, mostly recovered from a health potion, we can do this! The adventurer’s eyes literally flare with fire, as he rubs his stabbed hand, he scowls, “You guys are stronger than I expected, I’ll admit it, but that fucking hurt!”

Suddenly he bolted at Shadow, illusory fists begin forming in front of him, when combining his own fists it creates an unpredictable combo of attacks, Shadow cannot even react as he gets constantly bombarded by punches in the gut and face. Synthia and I both attack together, I aim low while she aims high, I dash with absurd speed, slashing towards his ankle tendons, a personal favourite weak point. Before my attack can connect, with insane body coordination, he raises his leg and stamps on my back at the perfect moment while also pushing out his left palm towards Synthia, activating a skill that creates an enlarged version of his palm to block Synthia’s attack, while simultaneously pushing Shadow far back with his free right palm, three different moves on three different opponents, and besting all of us still. His power… is overwhelming, every one of his physical stats would be higher than mine, I always thought that what I do is incredible, performing insane physical feats and killing enemies’ leagues above my own, however this, this surpasses me in every technical aspect, a complete outclass. My will to fight begins to fade, what’s the point if the end result is still the same, we just have to escape, even though it’ll be difficult, if Shadow and I leave while he’s occupied with Synthia we may survive. He jumps off my body towards Synthia, I shakily rise, and limp over to Shadow who is down on his knees clutching his stomach as he tries to recover. I croak, “We need to leave.”

I try to help him to his feat, and then drag him away from this fucking mess, however he doesn’t budge, “Come on, what’re you doing, let’s get the fuck outta here, it’s all gone to shit!”

He looks at my battered face, blandly saying, “You go, I’ll find you after this fight.”

He fades into a black mist, a few seconds later he appears low, striking at the adventurer’s ankle, the adventurer, even while engaged with Synthia easily leans sideways, punching Shadow’s forearm with so much force that his entire arm seems to shatter, but that attack was a feint, Shadow’s left arm is already beside his shattered right arm, striking the adventurer’s wrist, cutting halfway through but suddenly stopping due to their high endurance. The adventurer yells angrily, “Ughhhh, you cunt!”

He empowers his body with a skill, that explodes outward pushing both Synthia and Shadow back. While Shadow flies, I jump up to try grab him, however the adventurer was faster, arriving by Shadow and grabbing him by the neck like some plaything, using his palm skill to easily repel me. I watch in absolute fucking horror when the adventurer grabs Shadow’s skull with his massive hands and begins to squeeze, Shadow’s body physically wreathing and eyes darting around as he struggles under the pain of having his skull crushed, a soundless explosion occurs where Shadow’s head was supposed to be, brain matter flicking out like jelly, and eyes flying from the sockets along with pieces of crushed bone. My fingers bloodily dig into the ground, I scream so loudly, that even the fight stops for a moment to wonder why a child is crying here. My sadness transforms into sorrow and builds itself deeper and deeper until it becomes unprecedented fury. I’ll kill him! I’ll fucking burn him! I’ll slaughter him!! Bolting from the floor I use [Hashashin’s dodge] to accelerate my speed, reaching the adventurer I aim… I instantly get smacked to the floor, I rise again bur he already stands about me and smacks me to the floor again, how did he already get over here? I try to rise, but he grabs me by the arm and lifts me up, I attempt to stab his eyes with my dagger, but he grabs it like last time a throws it away, no weapons, I grab onto his arm that’s holding me up, pulling myself up, trying to bite it. “Goodness me, kids these days.”

He then grabs my free arm, and crushes it under the strength of his hand, it’s now useless. I dangle as he holds on to my right arm, flailing around like a mad woman, not being able to use my body I use my voice instead, “YOU FUCKER!!!! I’ll kill you!! I’ll destroy your everything!! I’ll kill everyone you ever loved, I’ll… GAhhm, mggghh.”

He grabs me by the throat, constricting my airway, then he squeezes lightly, releasing his hand I only produce low grunts, I can’t speak anymore. “You’re lucky I don’t kill kids, otherwise you’d be dead 100 times over, a mere babe dares have so much spunk in front of me, it’s impressive really.”

Not being about to attack with my body, or scream, or do anything, my eyes fill with tears, what went wrong? Why does Shadow have to leave me too. I want to die, I want to die, just let it end, he thinks he is giving me a mercy by keeping me alive, but what’s the point if there’s nothing to return to… The adventurer throws me to the floor saying, “Fuck you cry a lot, now, I’ve got a job to finish.”

I just lay scrambled on the floor, I want to die, I want to… Die…

I wake up, my body feels frozen, I dart my eyes and see Mila next to me looking an equal part concerned and hopeless. My throat still hurts so I barely croak, “What happened?”

She begins weeping, “I don’t, I don’t know, I don’t know where Father is, or anyone, Tom brought you back, and he, he said we have to leave, then just ran off, but, but, I don’t know what’s going onnn…”

Shit! I don’t even have the fucking time to grieve, does this entitled bitch know what I just went though as she as the gall to cry at me while I lay limp in a bed! Fuck fuck FUCK! I can’t handle this! I yell “Potions, give me some damn potions!”

She cowers slightly, and stutters, “s, sorry, they’re gone, Father took them all for the fight. Where, where’s Father, oh god, where’s Father.”

I cannot deal with shit right now Mila! I try shouting again but my throat catches, coughing I quietly croak again, “My room, in a knapsack, bring it!”

She timidly nods, without her usual confidence now that her daddy is gone, pah.

The scene of Shadow’s horrific death suddenly appears in my head, I cry out, “AAAhhhhhhhhhh.”

I can’t do this, can’t do this, I wanna end it all!!!!! I feel myself get wobbled back and forth, breaking me from trance, I see Mila’s puffy staring at me with clear panic, my breathing is rapid, I must’ve been hyperventilating, I slow my breathing down by entering a brief meditation, after a few minutes of rest I feel better then request, “Potion,”

Mila digs around in my knapsack, “Uhhh which one?”

I snap at her, “Are you stupid!? The health one obviously!”

She shivers, grabbing a health potion she assists me in drinking it, I feel the flow of life clear my parched through and rejuvenate my body. It feels amazing being reinvigorated like this, I blissfully demand, “Another.”

She obliges, and I feel its life enter me, trembling in excitement I raise from my bloody sheets, grabbing yet another potion without thinking, after downing it I can literally see my shattered arm slowly repair, this should be good enough for now. I slowly rise from my bed, saying to Mila while I collect my things, “We have to leave Vuta!”

I hear her whimper, turning to her, she’s paled, “What, what about the others?”

I blankly stare at her, I was being an asshole, god what the hell am I doing, I am really not myself right now. Breathing in deeply I walk over to Mila and bring her into an embrace, comforting her I whisper, “Shhhhhh, everything’s going to be ok, we lost the turf war, I don’t know who survived, but we have to leave Vuta regardless, this place isn’t safe anymore.”

She falls into sobbing, not needing me to directly tell her the obvious, that everyone’s dead.

We leave the former headquarters, both of us wearing cloaks and some comfortable travelling clothes. It’s total mayhem on the streets, I don’t know how our gang war escalated into this, but some of these men are clearly not from this city, is it the noble? We eventually arrive at the city gates, as we try to leave a guard shouts, “Stop! No leaving the city at this time."

I discreetly pass him 5 silvers, an exorbitant amount for a bribe, but it’s too dangerous to half ass anything right now, he nods and we continue on our way. Stepping out past the gates I feel oddly liberated, my first time leaving the city in this life, I feel the wind whip onto my face as I look out to appreciate the green vista. Farming pastures litter the landscape, a dirt road continues to the horizon, my mind seems to lock away the sufferings of yesterday as I look to a future full of potential.