"Come on, Shina!" Yuni said bitterly with a hint of distress. "We have to go back to Dad right now."
"Chill your horses, Yu!" Shina pouted out of annoyance. "I am right behind you... for the third time!"
"And yet you are ten feet away..." Yuni sighed. "But all seriousness, we need to move fast."
"We aren't going anywhere yet!" Shina said emphatically but showed a sudden taste of displeasure. "We are still in the wings of the Raven Kingdom for a couple of days or even more!"
"Not for too long..." Yuni muttered wistfully.
The two Rangers were scouring the High Grove Forest, not far but a little west of Temir village, which settles southwest of the Raven Kingdom. Scouring for food and fruits to pillage for the upcoming long journey.
The forest is well-known for how thick and ambiguous it is, masking the travelers from the shadows of the night and the rays of sunlight. But the two Rangers have scoured the forest many times. At this point, they have mastered the forest and its direction.
"Just to keep your heads up; it would only take a few hours for the Hollowed ones to devour and ravish the lands under their own weight. All the while, we are drowning in buzz and ale," Yuni said stoically.
Unlike how carefree Shina is, Yuni harbors a cold and sober demeanor. She rarely smiles but only chuckles, being cautious of her surroundings. When she speaks, it's often in anticipation of perilous events. Shina knew Yuni has a knack for recognizing when the time called for it, especially at times when the world's fate hung in the balance by a force they knew too well they had no idea how to deal with. Therefore, she took silence.
"I heard the entire wall was demolished..." Shina said vexingly.
"And the entire Nordic, the Republic units alongside the twelve Knights of the Church," Yuni extended. "With no hint of a looming survivor."
"Now that!" Shina said shockingly. "I didn't know..."
"Even if you didn't know. Any moron with the right mind would take the hint to make an escape in such a dark time."
"First of all; that's offensive!" Shina was bothered. "Second; I get the concern. But why rush now? We are still a year apart from entering the Academy, and it's fair to assume that it would take at least more than a year for the Hollowed ones to reach our doorstep, especially with the precautions the Senate is about to make."
"The Hollowed ones may have taken their sweet time to develop their attacks, but that's what they are planning. Luring us into a trap. They could have taken the entire western lands in mere days, but they are planning to bait us... one by one, taking down the only figures that can stop this war. Only for them to join the ranks of the dead."
"That actually makes sense..." Shina rubbed her head.
"And do you really believe the Church will do anything for us?!" Yuni halted and said angrily. "Do you really want to put hope in people who knew too well of the upcoming threat and still chose to do nothing? Leaving the villagers and townsfolk of the western lands to death?"
"Ah..." Shina stuttered. "That... right..."
"It's only a matter of time before they come for us..." Yuni took a deep breath as she looked up through the thick branches that covered the skies. "Besides... Look around you, Shina..."
It was the early, march of Gaia; Earth of Tessia. A time when the elm and weeping willow would soar and grow vigorously like a fresh morning steeping on a hot yet calm tea. The trees would swish and swirl lightly while the sun gleamed brightly, and the birds chirped in merriment. But no longer.
The land is now rotting with disease and wind. A cold, lifeless sea of wind that nearly congealed the water, poisoned the trees into a barren wasteland. A husk of what it used to be.
Shina looked around the terrain as she finally grasped the horrible truth.
"The land is dying..." Yuni spoke wistfully. "There are no animals to hunt, no food to blend. No water to sip..."
"Even Nature is telling us to run..."
"Exactly..."
"I mean, hell, the smell is even bad!"
"Smell?" Yuni looks back in puzzlement. "What smell?"
"Come on! Can't you smell it? It's like decaying tissue!" Shina said back with a nauseous look.
"It's your hunter senses again..." Yuni sighed.
"Huh?" Shina looked dumbfounded while scrubbing their nose.
"Where?" Yuni asked.
"Where what? The smell?!"
"What else? The bright vivid green apple rose..." Yuni said sarcastically "Yes! Where is the disgusting smell coming from?"
"Don't tell me you are going after it?! It's not worth it!" Shina said with a repulsive look. "Besides, what are we going to harvest from a dead-"
"That's not why I am after...." Yuni cut her.
"Then.... what are you after?"
"A hunch is telling me we are in deep shit..."
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I really can't remember what happened that day... But one thing I can assure what transpired after, the change I went through. The repercussions after masking for nearly sixteen years or even more...
I was no longer a human.
Since that day, I woke up lying on the frigid snow field, only to be surrounded by a mountain of Hollowed corpses, decayed and limbs mutilated from hither here and hither there. While covered in the sanguine oozy stench of the fallen. Of those who once were the scarcely surviving race of the Vikings. Who I failed to save when I had the chance.
I believe my memory went completely blank since I started the conversation with my other half, my shadow.
But I do remember the state of my mind during then. Or at least how I felt; rage, anger, madness, hatred, despair, weakness... and strength.
I don’t exactly have an explanation for what exactly happened then, or why and how.... it just simply happened.
The other assumption was that I was saved by someone who left me behind. However, it's too hard to believe that since only a madman would go that far to save a hopeless child when he can stay safely inside a heavily defended bastion.
Then again, there was that one time when I was trapped in that cave and nearly eaten alive by that spider. Only to be saved by none other than who I assume is the Lady in the white coat. And the second time when both my mom and I were endangered by that Hollowed Leshin, again to be saved by her.
But never again. Only to find myself awake amid that storm, covered in a hollowed one's clot. All further hinting for a visible answer.
Me.
Still, I was skeptical. But such suspicions were discarded after encountering more hollowed ones on the way, where I instinctively slaughtered them all. Like a beast...
At that moment, I was certain... of my metamorphosis.
Drop yourself into a forest filled with dangerous kinds of beasts and animals that will strive to hunt you down. With so little support and no company to restrain your mentality. Whether you have the strength of a wrestler, or the mind of a genius, or serpentine skill. As long as you are alone in that forest, you are bound to lose yourself in an effortless game of survival. Both mentally and tangibly.
I recalled a tale I read back in the old world, 'The Heart of Darkness' by Joseph Conrad. A horrifying, painful, realistic image of how humanity is no different from beasts. When Mr. Krutz had completely lost his mind after spending countless months in a forest filled with treacherous heinous depictions seen in Africa and the evil practices of humans.
Although it's not the same ideal scenario in the story. But I felt much the same. The end of the world... the old ones... the hollowed ones... the massacre and the outcome of war. The wilderness and the world...
Because my soul was mad. Being alone in the wilderness, suffering all the nightmares thus far. It had looked within myself, and, by heavens, I tell you, I have gone mad and turned into an animal.
No human can survive that long in the wilderness without suffering psychologically. Only animals raised and thrived in such environments can endure the wasteland for some time. Hence, if I have survived that long. Then by that definition, I have already turned into a beast. And the symptoms have just surfaced finally after spending a long slumber.
This was also further evident by how I reacted to such a transformation.
Instead of covering myself in despair and deep trauma, I simply didn’t care. It went very much like the Habituation phenomenon. The stimulus no longer has any effect theoretically on me. Rather, only subjectively towards the world.
After suffering so much and losing so many and witnessing such horrifying truthful realism of our world. I simply stopped paying attention to anything. After all, nothing is true... not this world, nor the old one. Or the many worlds that exist.
Just like how I always have accepted the reality of existence functions. I have also come to accept the mess I was brought into. In short, simply succumbing to such an unavoidable fate.
This isn't the first time I felt such emptiness. In the old world, when I grew up and became a member of society, I always felt empty. The time after my mother died, I also felt extreme vacancy and suicidal tendencies doubled. When I failed to save the Viking, my madness reached its peak.
Finally, accepting all that is... and can be. Only this time. Rather than emptiness, my soul was filled with an unimaginative sensation of anger, rage, and vengeance. Not to the hollowed ones, specifically to the old ones. Beings who only exist to watch the little ants blindly living a false life as they feast and breathe. On an effortless attempt to have such a delightful life.
Even these thoughts aren't my own. They are just another theatrical play for these gods to pleasure themselves and toy. Every decision I made, every joy I witnessed, every pain I felt, every cry I tore, every lunacy I suffered. Everyone I knew was now gone... all wasted in the endless void of unknown existence.
Worse of all, none of it mattered. A meaningless experience for a futile end is a much worse fate than death.
Even though... even if everything is fake. I still felt enraged, repulsive, malice, and furious. Towards them.
I didn’t realize that until now. That rage was and still is the only thing that kept me alive all this while.
The madness I swallowed inside was, in fact, the enmity towards these beings of chaos and the void of the unknown. Who thrive on taking everything that glorifies the meaning of life.
I know for certain that such distaste will result in nothing. We are talking about entities that transcend beyond life and death. Something greater... and worse at the same time. Such effort to stop them is insignificant if the end is as clear as the sky.
However...... for some reason... I felt a sudden urge of animosity towards everything. It's not a rejection that is for certain, neither frenzy. It's more of... I wanted to kill everything...
I wanted to satisfy myself, captivated in an arena filled with these ceaseless numbers of Eldritch creatures from an unknown time and space... and slaughter them all.... every last one of them.
Was it out of hatred? Was it for vengeful lust? Was it for redemption? Was it for justice? I don’t know.... neither I care for... I just wanted to murder them all.
I couldn’t care less about anyone else anymore because I don’t have anyone else remaining in this world. I lost every emotion that spawned from love to hatred. Happiness to sadness. pleasure and torture. There is no comfort, they are just tools... to the old ones, to ourselves. Like it always had been.
Even if I pursue help from others (As if there is any use coming from anyone these days) I would eventually only bring more harm to them, and in return myself as well.
But then again.... who gives a shit? We are living in a dream, a fantasy of some unholy god. Our actions in such a dream are pointless just like the end.
I could do anything. I could be anything, a murderer, a Saviour, a lunatic, a scientist, a hero, a villain. And still, the end would be the same.
Nihilistic Hedonism. The pursuit of pleasure towards seeking one desire disregarding one's mortality, ethics, and meaning.
Milwak told me that to find a reason for being in such a world by filling those desires with everything I went through.
Well, Milwak.... thank you for that lesson. Because now, I finally realized what I lacked all this time. What I truly wanted.
The curse that I was gifted with shall finally serve its purpose.... the curse I damned everyone around me will devour who I hunt after... The curse that marked who I am shall wreak havoc upon those who cursed me from day one.
Looking back to the past and now, I always had this twisted personality. But I never knew until now. Seeing it more clearly, I finally know what my goal is in this universe.
Revenge!
Even though...... part of me wishes I could just wipe out all these nightmares from my memories... part of me wants to return to the old peaceful times.... to my world.... to my old friends.... to my mother... I will carry these memories.... until the day I finally die....and turn into a demon... and then lose myself completely.
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“I finally can notice the smell...” Yuni spoke quietly.
“For me, it's getting much stronger than before. “Shina coughed out of disgust. “Man... and here I thought our excavation on Manhunt swamp year ago was obnoxious!”
“Can you at least be quiet?!”
“Relax, there is no one around! I don't hear anything except us...”
Shina is a huntress, gifted by the Wood-elves blessing the forest since her birth. Therefore, it's in her nature to be connected with the forest and its surroundings. Thought she wasn't a mage of the Wildwood like the priest at the Temple of Saila or the gifted Night Elves. She still possesses a certain dimension of their power as a human. She harnessed their unmatched speed and their unpredictable senses over the environment. It was only in public spaces and cities that her senses would dissipate, which made her more motivated to adventure and the wilderness.
“Here! By that tall bush,” Shina pointed.
The closer the two relatives approached the bushes, the stronger the smell grew, the more loathsome it became to the point covering their nose was not enough to lid the smell.
But as soon as they glimpsed the source of the smell, their faces were met with unuttered horror.
What looked like a human beheaded corpse was leaning against a tree in situ. Covered in black ooze with only a few suggestive signs of coagulated blood rooted around. But not as extensive as the black ooze which cloaked the corpse entirely.
But what made it more horrifying than any other abandoned corpse was the method it was gutted. Not only was its head gone, but where there was once an intact abdomen covered by skin and tissue, is now a mere gaping hole with its organs, from lungs, heart, and gut, all gone. As if the chest was ripped open by some force or animal and gnawed, mangled in the most heinous, sadistic way. Leaving no room for the victim to be recalled or remembered. A husk of the unfolding nightmare that is about to unleash.
Shina and Yuni stood there, gasping and covering their mouth in horror and revulsion.
“What the fu-”
“Quiet!” Yuni quickly covered Shina's mouth in the hope not to provoke whatever was out there.
Yuni and Shina are both competent hunters and adventurers, even as a beginner in their age. They both fought dangerous monsters and bandits in their lifetime. And Fought courageously against the might of the forest on many occasions.
But not this time, this time they were dealing with an enemy they had no idea was. Or at least, what form it is.
“What.... what kind of monster does this?!” Shina asked while muffling under her hands.
“I don't know....” Yuni answered in distress. For she has always been the type to remain vigilant and composed. But not this time.
Yuni leaned closer to the body and began to study it.
“YUNI” Shina whispered loudly. “COME BACK!”
“Don't worry. I won't get too close....”
Yuni began to inspect the corpse and study the methodology behind its demise.
Such wounds are the subject of the juridical study of forensic medicine. The High Lord Acadamy of magic and skills teaches such subjects to adventures to mainly deal with the examination and assessment of individuals who have been (or are suspected to have been) injured or killed by external influence such as trauma or intoxication, but also of individuals who are suspected of having injured another person. In this case, a monster.
Such wounds are caused by a ravenous beast of the forest but one such as this can be influenced by a yearning beast. The closest approximate is a werewolf.
But the black ooze is a suggestive otherwise.
“Are you done?!” Shina said in dread. “I feel like whatever did this is still here!”
“Is there someone?!” Yuni asked panickily.
“I hear footsteps, but faintly!”
“Right.... let's run and warn the soldiers.... let's hope for the republic to make a dame move by now!” Yuni said angrily as the two relatives hurried.
“What- what are you talking about?!”
“The Hollowed ones are coming Shina! They are already here...”
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The world does not fear the Hollowed ones as much as one would expect, simply because they are just undead creatures that can be swayed and sliced in a second. While this is true to some extent. This is rather ill-advised.
Sometimes, when the Hollowed ones made a home of their presence. Even hiding from them in the dark won't be as fruitful as many shall do.
When darkness folds over the sky, your only hope is to remain hidden in the Night. Where no light must shine, nor bright. In your sanctuary that you call home. Soon, will attract the horror of the true Hollowed ones.
I haven't forgotten the experience on my first night stakeout. When these.... things began to appear out of nowhere; the mutated human spiders, the squid gore, scamper, the savage ones. Creatures that were much worse than the ones I was acquainted with first.
Their forms, their stench, its Eldrich in origin, unexplained, indescribable, and worst of all; unstoppable.
As if it was the source of all misery that plagued these lands.
You have nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, and nowhere to dream hope.
The world shall be closed by the towering vines and trees.
You are all doomed.
The Hollowed ones are coming!
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It's been a couple of months since the Battle on the High Walls of Gumtar, which ended with the Republic defeated by the Hollowed Ones.
If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
The bastion suffered major damage as the Republic soldiers retreated back to the states, hoping Salamander's forces would defend the lands that separated the south from the walls. And the Kingdom of Arclight from the north. However, the Hollowed Ones once again suddenly withdrew back to what was assumed to be the Hollowed Kingdom to the northwest, as their numbers dwindled and sank to the sea.
This unexplained irrational strategy wouldn't be the first time, nor would it be the last. The Hollowed Ones always invade regional lands slowly and progressively, entering a dormant state where they spend a couple of years in slumber. Then repeating the same cycle once again, breaching lands they haven't tarnished yet.
After which, the Hollowed Ones would leave their main infantry units (think of them as ranks) remaining in the invaded lands as they roamed around aimlessly, spreading their roots and empire over the desecrated lands, searching for any life to feast on. The generals, like the Black Knight and the Leshen, were never to be seen again, as they weren't even there to lead the attack.
Perhaps this was also one of their strategies, to keep the Republic in the dark from recognizing the main commander's identity and skills. A dirty strategy yet very efficient if played right.
Finally, the Republic designated the western lands as no longer sustainable for living, given the Hollowed Ones managed to execute over a thousand residents from different cultures for the second time. Creating a wide mass in diplomacy between the many alliance kingdoms.
I managed to know all of this because, again, this isn't the first time.
This was somehow a strategic maneuver planned by the Republic. They intentionally let the people of the western lands die to seize control over the population rate and tax evasion. But more importantly, seizing control over the Nords. With Milwak's death, the Nords are left ever so helpless, under the mercy of the Republic. And with the recent rebellion, I caused, the room for negotiation or peace is left little.
In short, we were simply bait for the fish to catch. And I was in the middle of it all.
I spent my time surviving in the wilderness governed by the Hollowed Ones alone and watched as the world unfolded into chaos from a distance.
After that day, I went back to the western lands to avoid the battlefront at the bastion and at the same time, evade the Republic in case they caught me. The last thing I want is to get involved in another state affair, like going to jail or becoming a slave. Especially since I was also involved in killing a high-ranking paladin of the church on that day.
As for how I survived all this time... I am still yet in disbelief of myself.
Over the last months, my body went through a drastic change. Not only strength-wise but also physiologically.
Firstly, my need for feasting or any edibles has decreased significantly, to the point where I no longer need nourishment on a daily basis. I could go a whole week or even a month without eating anything and still manage to survive normally.
I couldn’t understand why or how my body made its own metabolism and source of energy to feed, disregarding the human essentials minerals and medicine to take in order to stay alive and function well.
But that didn’t change the fact that I must keep myself hydrated from time to time. Perhaps water is the only thing I need more than food. Especially since I was moving around a lot around the lands; my thirst persisted like any human would.
I would occasionally eat little from time to time, such as grapefruits, squirrel, and boar meat. This was more of mental satisfaction rather than physical. However, at this point, I was too drifting to be called human, as I no longer feel one. However, with the Hollowed Ones plaguing the lands, there was barely anything to eat.
Finally, my need for sleep and rest diminished. I no longer required dormancy like I used to before. During those last months, I managed to travel around the land without sleeping a wink.
My body's response to sleep was basically a rejection. If I tried to force myself to sleep but seemingly always failed to. And if by mere luck I would fall asleep, I would wake up regardless due to the nightmares.
They consist of past memories. Of the old world and the new one. Of the good times and the dismal ones that carved a wound both in mind and soul. Whatever they may be, they both hurt me a lot.
Seeing these memories brought about a lot of guilt and despair, falling deeper into a pit of abysmal, unable to fight back or even focus properly. Feeling more suicidal... However, I figured I'd use such melancholy songs as a rage meter. Instead of fawning by, I would feel even more enraged and furious than before. Then use such indignation on battlefields to fight more efficiently.
It's not always the case though.... over obsession can lead to such disastrous incidents that are bound to lead me to my doom. And not to mention won't shake off the guilt. To be exact, you won't avoid falling down the pit.
Therefore, I decided to stay awake so I could never experience them. It worked for most of the time, I guess. But I would occasionally rest from time to time when I feel like it... which is never.
As for how I managed to fight back the Hollowed Ones; I simply obeyed the law of nature and adapted. After the same battle had ended and retracted my steps back. I went and pillaged what remained of the high walls. Finding swords and gears, potions. Anything that would aid me during the journey.
I managed to find unused gear. Assassin attire to be exact.
A light leather with hints of mail underneath. Equipped with armored shoulder plates and shin protectors. Along with a few weapons and daggers to protect myself.
At that time, just a moment before making the decision to display such an outfit. A moment of doubt strung within me and I asked myself;
(Is this something I want to do? To become a Killer?)
I know for a fact I am a twisted being. But I never reckoned one day I would become such a Slayer or a legit Adventure. And would kill in order to survive.
I have always considered myself a logical man. Never use force as a means of demonstrating authority or power, only out of necessity or when the time calls for it. However, this world is different from the past. This one... I am not even human to begin with. This one I had newfound strength.
My whole identity has changed yet I still feel the past tangling me down with unbreakable chains, preventing me from making any choice without raising uncertainty and fear.
In spite of such reluctance. Part of me wants to do it. To become a Killer. To create an everlasting slaughterhouse and bathe in the ocean of blood. To become... a demon.....
Thus, I cast my doubts away and wore this armor. As a reminder of my newfound persona. While relinquishing my old weak self into the pit. Succumbing to my ignorant desire, blindly following whatever my fate would take me to. With the armor wrapped by, armed with a newfangled blade and Winfrey's old dagger. I marched ahead not as a Knight. But someone who is cursed is fated to fight and die until his last breath finally snuffs out.
Rivaling the past and future is a fruitless effort. The present is what matters, and what I want now is to hunt down every beast, demon, and monster lurking in the shadows day and night. But I am hoping one day. I would come face to face with one of the many children of the old ones. And murder their dreams as I give a piece of their own medicine.
After that, I went into the wilderness like an adventurer. Fighting my way through the many forests, hills, and abandoned villages.
I would occasionally settle in a nearby house and hide in there. Closing all the windows and the door with planks of wood by hammering against their borders. In addition, further blocking the terrain using heavy furniture as some sort of cumbersome weight. All that in order to protect myself from the danger of the Night.
I attached the elemental dragon crystal to my blades by carving a diamond-shaped socket and restraining the crystal with a robe with good tightness. Since I learned throughout the years. The crystal responds to nearby danger, kind of like a Radar you can say. Watching my surroundings and alerting me when needed but illuminating brightly.
And Thanks to Milwak's training. I was able to fight all forms of monsters and creatures. But as I expected, the hollowed ones are nothing in comparison.
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I just reached Bazon village, located southwest of the Gutmar bastion, behind a mountain pass, close to the entrance of Hingrane passage.
I found out about this village using a map that I looted from the High Walls of Gutmar Fort. Unfortunately, the map only covered the western lands (except for the hollowed lands) and didn't provide detailed information about the villages. Nevertheless, after inspecting the village from a high cliff outside the outskirts of town, I managed to draft its layout in my mind.
I decided to leave the western lands due to the danger, especially at night. To survive, I needed to grow stronger, and the best option for now was to head to the Republic City and figure out my way from there.
However, reaching the Republic City presented limited options. My first option was to climb the mountain pass north of the dreadful forest, Dread Keeps. This region, belonging to the Kingdom of Arclight, was heavily guarded, making it impractical. The same applied to the High Walls of Gutmar Fort, with the Republic on the march and the Hollowed Ones still present.
The nature of the dreadful forest was available, but its mystical nature, rumored to possess a cosmic aura that could confuse and trap travelers, made it too risky for now.
The only viable option left was to tread the Hingrane Passage, a pathway belonging to the Salamanders. Although it was safe to assume the landscape would be filled with soldiers, I figured it was worth exploring my options until I found my exit.
The village had two entrances, eastern and western. I was currently positioned to the west, and from the looks of it, the western entrance seemed abandoned, filled with Hollowed Ones, with its gates wide open and crumbled.
Although going through the village was one of the options, I chose to explore the suburb in the hope of finding valuable items such as gold, jewelry, and especially potions, as I was running out. Additionally, I aimed to sharpen my fighting skills. It had been some time since I had slain some Hollowed along the way, and it would serve as a good refresher.
Without delay, I headed toward the village's main gates.
As I neared them, the distasteful decaying stench of the undead grew stronger, accompanied by their sorrowful moans. My primal senses had doubled their efficiency since before. For example, my vision fields could now see even further when narrowed, similar to eagles. Using the soul gaze allowed me to see ambiguous footsteps, a recent enhancement. My hearing senses now overheard greater distances on higher frequencies, despite emphatic background noises. The same applied to the sense of smell; any powerful smells stimulated my olfactory nerves more quickly and specifically.
Finally, my intuition senses expanded further, with hair follicles around my body exhibiting a higher nerve response to the environment.
Combined, these features made me no different from an animal. Spider-like senses, a strong scent of the surrounding world, double vision efficiency, and an enhanced vestibular function. Whatever deal I made with the so-called shadow had transformed me, barely fit to be called human.
(Not that it matters after all...)
After reaching the main village entrance, I quickly noticed a small horde of deformed and ordinary-looking Hollowed Ones roaming around the main street beside the shattered houses on the sidewalk.
As soon as I entered, the Hollowed Ones took notice of my presence and focused their attention on me.
Normally, I would deal with this by either sneaking through the village or running. However, this time it wasn't the old me. The cowardly and powerless persona that used to govern me had died, and the beast within had been released to its true habitat.
I unsheathed my long sword in my right hand and the dagger in the other. Crossing the blades around my neck, I braced myself for yet another battle, taking a heavy breath and saying with certainty,
"Let's go, Umbra!"
----------------------------------------
As I was about to charge ahead, I took a quick glance at the layout of the hollowed one's forces.
Ahead of me were two typical undead hollows alongside a slasher between the two.
Slashers are adaptable in speed and with their long-sharped bone blades protruding from their hands, can pierce easily armor and flesh. Giving them versatility in close combat.
However, they are easily killed especially with sharp-type weapons, given how their bones are contorted. And their skins are feeble, giving barely resistance. Therefore, cutting down their limbs is the key to victory.
The other two hollowed have human-like anatomy with less body-part deformity. The only astounding feature they possess is how elongated they become than a normal human. Thus, they are less dangerous comparison to the slasher but tanker and can resist more damage.
As I got close to their position, the three hollows marched towards me with the slasher taking the front line, accelerating ahead of the other two hollows.
Just a moment before it jumped, I sided just underneath the hollow, and served his legs off, as the monster fell down.
I quickly then rolled ahead, just in the break moment avoiding the other two hollows' ganks. Then as I restored my pace back, I followed with a spin attack from behind, carving injury around their pelvic area.
As the two hollows fell on their knees, I hastily jumped over them to finish off the slasher who was crawling towards me using his two blades as an approach. Then swiftly turned back again, directing my attention at the two fallen hollowed as I followed two quick slashes, cutting both their extended hands. Finally, finishing them off with the dagger right to their heads.
The hollowed ones are known to sustain major injuries. But even with such injuries they can survive regardless. However, they at some point tend to die after couples' potent attacks. So, luck played a role here.
“.....!” I sensed a sync movement just behind me. in addition, the crystal flickered.
Just in the Neak of the moment, I crouched and did a spin while following with a large spinning attack as i struck against the assaulted Slasher right between his slender legs. Followed with a kick to his back while mid-falling.
Guided by once again the crystal, I did a quick back-step, dodging the incoming smoker tongue attack from the rooftop.
I pulled from my pocket a small crossbow and fired it at the smoker who resided on top a roof of a half-broken building. The smoker started to scream in agony with the fire arrows I just unlashed at.
(Wished I didn’t have to use the fire arrows, I have very little reserve for these!)
I managed to get my hands on the short crossbow (Almost pocket-sized.) when I also pillaged the high walls. It's primally suited for hunting purposes, never fitted for killing. However, it comes in handy against airborne monsters which I find difficult to deal with.
Another hollowed charged towards me, this time another typical undead wielding an axe.
Variation types of hollowed there are. I couldn't exact a reason why won't all hollowed just pick up any sword and fight like the one I am facing now. I assumed it had to with what remains of their brain function. Or could spiritually cause.
The Hollowed swung his axe carelessly towards me. Although his movements felt much like a human swing. I quickly blocked his attack with Zornhau, followed with reorienting my blade right towards his neck.
In such a case, such a strategy won't work. Because there isn't a major blood vessel around his neck that supports his brain flow.
Therefore, I followed with a cut through his head and finished him with another two slashes.
A raucous scream echoed through the village and beyond. I sense the beast's aura closing by as it leaped its way towards me.
It was the hunter.
I quickly turned around while Bending half my body down, avoiding Hunter’s attack, firing the crossbow back at him, igniting him in flames.
The Crystal gleamed once more, I turned back and instinctively chained the blade and dagger together by the grip, blocking the incoming Hollowed Knight-wielding greatsword. strained his blade against mine as his black blood spelled down against my back and head, as if showered by rain.
With great strength, I redirected both our deflect away, followed by a strong head bump to his. Finally, with a firebomb, i took from my pocket and threw it back at him.
The beast began to burn and agonize as I made one final blow, finishing him for good.
I retracted my pace as I wiped the ooze out of my face and sleeves. Noticing the remaining horde.
They emerged from the shattered houses, woken up from their deep slumber by the sudden uproar I brought about. They took a second to detect my presence. Then shouted a mighty roar that shook off the crows hanging the trees and crumpling building as they charged towards my position.
Without delay, I took my stance that involved holding my right sword backhanded with the blade facing out while the dagger remained the same. Then waited for the right opportunity to strike.
“Now!” I said quietly as I felt a radiating aura coalesce around me. Then quickly lunged ahead with a split-second spinning attack that cleaved the all undead into two halves. With black sluggish ooze splintered across the floor and the walls of wrecked buildings as if they were cleaved to blood pools by a meat cleaver.
The reversed-grip technique allowed me to take the blades cut in a "circle" around me, and give me the ability to utilize spinning and other rotating attacks, allowing me to maintain incredible speed and agility while fighting. A playstyle taught by none other than Milwak...
After I restored my memento back, I observed the space surrounding me. Only to find the area completely clean with my back turned against the pile of hollowed corpses, all cut in half, tossed down the ground like the casualties of war they are.
Normally, such a strategy in the real world complex is impossible to make and ridiculous to believe. However, in this world case, isn't different. Because of the mana energy that flows around us and within. Like it's essential. Therefore, I was able to perform such fictional moves.
Whatever your battle skills may be. Be it based on magic and casting, or skillful like Sword arts and whatlike. It's not only limited by your performance, confidence. But also, your imagination and how much you can go beyond the limit. At least how this world works....
I took a heavy sigh after sheathing my blades back. Making sure the coast is clear, allows me to take the opportunity to loot whatever tool there may be.
I don’t know how exactly I managed to reach thus far. How much skillful I became in such a short period, not to mention alone all a while.
Thanks of course to Milwak training and my general knowledge of wildness. But it's primally my new-found demon power that kept me alive until now. What saved me from death? And what found me a reason. Through selling my soul......
What's more, how much.... easy...... killing became. It's now like a habit, like brushing your teeth first thing in the morning. Or hobby might fit to say. A way of life you can't possibly live without.
I was no longer hesitant, scared, or defeated. But opposite. Fearless, confident, alive. And bloodthirsty.
When I look back to my past self, I had strength of my own. Besides intelligence wise. Like that one time when I fought the smoker face-to-face to protect Mom. That was perhaps the only time I ever used a portion of my strength.
The only time I was alive. And I never acknowledged it until now. After losing everything.
Perhaps I could have prevented such misfortunes.... if I was only stronger...
Still, as I speak and breathe. Regert continued to follow, further hollowing down the abyss I was trapped in. Barling clipping through the cliffs and edges.
I shook off the doubt and continued on my path.
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The town was divided into two parts, separated by the village square grounds. Unfortunately, the road was blocked off with stacked piles of house-shattered rubbles and wooden logs. Constructed perhaps for slowing down the hollowed back the village was first attacked.
Nevertheless, I had to find another way around it. Which was the village outskirts where the orchard grounds used to sprout vigorously. Only to rot with onyx and toxin.
One distinctive feature I noticed as I walked through the farms and fought the roaming undead. How the trees around had changed drastically from their natural form.
The trees were mostly conical and pyramidal, which no longer grew leaves and had lost all sense of their usual colors, like the green stalks and the clout of lumber. It's too hard to even call it a tree by now.
It was like.... alive...
The tree was shifting front and back, without the force of wind to guide thee. The branches swung so carelessly like a pendulum. Most of its colors are dominated by black ooze and weirdly, blood. With fungi growing on different ends.
I instinctively cut one of the fungi and took a sample, hiding in one of my empty vials. There were some theories that crossed my mind as I inspected the corrupted tree.
I fought my way through the village remains until I heard an excruciating nauseating sound coming from one of the shattered buildings. With the crystal blooming once again.
“Another boomer?” I spoke quietly as I approached closer the sound until it was evident.
The Boomer has undergone extreme external and internal mutations by some adverse reactions to the infection. The most notable observation of the Boomer is their extremely bloated belly, most likely caused by their if not all of their gastrointestinal system being hijacked by the Infection to overproduce bile in massive amounts. The sheer tension on their skin and organs has resulted in a breakdown of the epidermal and dermal layers, causing the skin to become thin and fragile. In some places, the skin has even ruptured, exposing some of the bile-filled internal organs. This enormous buildup of internal pressure makes the Boomer quite vulnerable to any outside agitation, as even the slightest gunshot wound or melee shove will result in the Boomer violently exploding, sending blood and bile everywhere, hence the name, and the extremely low health.
All in all, the threat himself alone was almost to nothing. The real danger comes when it explodes close to. And what results after the explosion.
As soon the hollowed one took notice of me, I pulled my crossbow and fired one bullet straight at the beast, as he erupted into fragmented tissues and black ooze. With only his legs remaining. Following the liberty of hollowed Centipedes, crawling around as they search for any life form to form.
Normally, such insects would be extremely dangerous to deal with. Especially since they can infect, however, this is an exception to demons since the parasites are demons, to begin with. Therefore, I am safe and unaffected and undetected by them. In addition, they don’t survive that long if they don’t find a host to feed on.
That said, there is something abnormal about the Centipedes. Their physical features don’t look any remarks of a normal Centipede. Aside from their blackish color, they look more... Twisted and ethereal... like they don’t belong here. This was evident by their thousand humanoid-like eyes revealed on their sockets.
It's like.... they were... Eldrich......
Even though they aren't dangerous to me. I am still lusted by a deep hatred sensation and satisfactory seeking to smash these out-world bugs.
I impulsively crushed the centipedes with my leg, one after another. With a vengeful attentive stare as I saw its black ooze blood piled up against the ground.
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“Do you hear anything?” Yuni whispered.
“No... doesn't seem like it...” Shina replied back.
As the two rangers made their run away from the corpse and the unknown steps. They finally began to take a deep breath and walk slowly as they examined their surroundings.
“Alright.... let's get on ahead quickly before anythi-”
“Hold on!” Shina spoke shockingly as she directed her attention away.
“What? What are you looking at-” Yuni looked back in the same direction only to find a dog corpse caught in a bear trap. Dead and lifeless.
The size of the trap was double the size the dog who was still young. Caught in his chest region. The dog must have died not long ago for the blood was still pooling.
Shina grew depressed and angry as she clutched her teeth.
“This dog... I know who it belongs to-”
“The Barleydane....” Yuni answered. “Their house is not far away from here...”
“Yeah!” Shina said fiercely. “This is a man-made trap! We must check on-”
“No Shina!” Yuni held her arm with a string grip.
“What?!” Shina replied back. “What the fuck Yuni! We can't just leave their family! They have two kids!”
“We don't how long this dog has been dead! For all we know, they could be dead as we speak!”
“And if they are not!”
“And then what?! March there by yourself against who you are assuming a bunch of lowlife bandits!? What if they outnumber you?! What if its not even Bandits and rather something worse like-”
“If it's the Hollowed ones we would all be dead by now! You said it yourself before.” Shina pulled her arm away from Yuni out of rage.
“Doesn't mean to throw yourself like that Shina!” Yuni finally snapped back.
“I am not going to give up on the family to die alone! It's either I save them or die trying!”
“Shina! Please reason with yourself!”
“Fuck off Yuni! If you don't care, then you can go back and call the guards until I clean this mess alone!” Shina dropped her wares and ran towards the Barleydane house direction. “
“Shina wait!” Yuni screamed unintentionally. “Son of bitch! This idiot!”
Yuni grunted and eventually dropped her bags as she went to follow her cousin.
“God Damit! God Damit!”
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Finally reaching the village square. It was dominated mainly by shop camps with few spaces between each. Although most are now tattered due to the effects of war. Most of the supplies are tossed around randomly through the square grounds with either rotten foods or ruined materials.
In the center was the largest windmill, still functioning barely with fissures and cracks strewn about.
The coast was surprisingly clear, most of the square was filled with dead hollowed corpses. All mutilated and ravaged.
What's more troubling is how recent all of this is. The hollowed one's corpses are after all human and can undergo degeneration after a certain period of spontaneity. But the black ooze still spilled, therefore this must be a recent cause for all.
I would choose this opportunity to explore and loot anything of use. However, I needed to make sure I was safe first.
As I walked around the tented square. I could hear crunching sounds as it groaned in pain with difficulty and rage. I preceded carefully until I reached the windmill base entrance, where I stumbled against a man-eating against a hollowed corpse. To be precise, what remains of human flesh?
It was bending down on his limbs like an animal, face away. It was hard to see clearly his features only from his back. But there were obvious signs whoever I am dealing with, isn't sane. At the least isn't a human.
Feeling threatened, I unsheathed my blade and approached slowly the man-eating beast's location. Hoping to catch him by surprise. However, at one step, the beast took notice of my presence as he stopped eating and paused silently. Presumably sniffing.
The beast then tilted his head slowly as he stared intensely towards me. He looked agitated, disturbed.... or eager to see me.
“Hollowed all over the shops......” The Man-beast said quietly. Then tilted his head back. ‘We will be one of them.... sooner or later......”
Disturbed and baffled by his speech. I figured he wasn’t looking for any peaceful negotiation. I switch my stance to a more defensive position. Preparing for worse.
The man-beast then extended his hand to what looked like a blacksmith hammer as he stood up his feet.
He was wearing the usual villager attire, only it was completely tattered and ripped with slashes, revealing his wounded skin with different shapes. For such injuries, this would leave quite a pain on any individual. However, the man-beast didn’t mind them. In fact, looked completely unaffected by them.
As he turned around, I could see more clearly his face now. His hair looked absolutely a mess. Long untidy ashen hair with bangs covering half his eyes and a portion of his face, only for his mouth to reveal. Surrounded by a large thick and dirty Bandholz beard style. And quite hairy...
I assume from his looks to be at least over the fifties. He looked muscular, with his back, arms and legs buffed up like a jacked-up man on workouts and steroids. He is quite tall, at least seven feet tall. However, what distinctive him the most was his hands. Mismatched Fingers. If I am not mistaken is his nail beds. They looked like claws...
The man-beast took a heavy breath which sounded more feral and starving. He opened his eyes, revealing animistic yellowish Wolven-like eyes as he started to approach me while holding the hammer in his right hand.
At this point, I knew what I was dealing with.
A Werewolf!