Rikkon suddenly jumped back, leaving her bewildered. Her plan had failed, blowing away the possibility of finishing him off before he could execute a skill. What had made him react like that? Had he felt the sacred power of skill flowing through her hands?

She tested the waters, coming closer, but he maintained his distance with his sword held high, pointing it at her. The sight of the sharp blade made her tremble again, making her lose the focus of her skill.

Jean clenched her fists, cursing him. His caution only complicated things.

She grabbed the rock from her pocket and threw it away, aiming it at the wall behind Rikkom. As his visual senses were so impaired, perhaps he would turn away thinking that there was another enemy.

The stone flew, ending up right where it shouldn't have, in Rikkom's forehead. That made him furious and he began to scream like a madman. “JEAN!! HELP ME!!”

She couldn't believe she had missed at such close range. She thought of crouching down looking for another chance, but she didn't have the time. Rikkom charged forward with the shield. She narrowly escaped by jumping to the right; his lunge was so fast that he couldn't slow down before crashing into the wall.

Jean refused to let this opportunity go to waste. She used the momentum of the jump to leap against the wall and jump on him. She then grabbed him by the waist and aimed for his face.

Rikkom screamed as if possessed when she grasped his face and the sacred mana began to burn him. He tried to force her off him, but regardless of the powerful elbows, Jean resisted. Not even when he leaped backward to crush her against the jagged wall did she relent.

The impact broke several of her ribs, but she didn't loosen her grip for a moment. She endured each of his attacks while the wounds accumulated and blood came out of her mouth.

For an instant, she almost fainted. Maintaining healing and sacred touch exhausted her at an accelerated pace.

“JEAN! JEAN! END THIS!” he shouted, making her hair stand on end.

“It won't be long now, you damn bastard.”

His movements slowed, and his legs wobbled until he finally collapsed to the ground.

Jean healed her severe wounds with the little mana she had left. Sacred Touch consumed a lot of mana and she didn't have time to wait for it to regenerate. Even though Rikkom’s body was very badly burned, he still tried to stand up.

She crouched down to pick up the sword lying a few steps away, but as soon as she touched it, a brief memory of her first days in this world startled her.

She was in the temple, in front of the instructor who had taught her cleric class. He was furious at her request.

“Outrageous! We clerics never use such weapons!," the instructor shouted at her.

That old man wasn't around, and she didn't feel like a cleric as such, if she was supposed to feel any way. She didn't know how her previous self had felt about the class, but she wasn’t going to follow the stupid limitations imposed by some narrow-minded people. She was out of mana and he seemed about to rise at any moment.

“Jean... help... me!”

A couple of thrusts to the heart and Rikkon stopped moving. However, Jean did not stop there. She didn't know if it was to make sure he was dead or to overcome the fear that had previously afflicted her.

"[Enough! As long as you don't purify his soul, he will raise again in a while.]"

[Purify Soul— Level 1. Base skill of Cleric class.

It allows the souls of aspirants tormented by eternal death to be freed from pain.]

Exhausted, Jean laid her hands on Rikkom's lifeless body. A white light briefly illuminated his body. No soul rose to the heavens. Perhaps it was because of her lack of faith.

Until now she hadn’t thought about how she could use divine magic without believing in any deity. In theory, they were miracles. How did her mana transform into divine power?

Seeing Rikkom's relieved face, her doubts ceased to bother her. He was at peace, that was what mattered.

[You have defeated Undead Human. Level 18.]

[Experience bonus awarded for killing an aspirant corrupted by evil.]

[You have reached Level 13. +10 attribute points.]

[Healing Hands has increased up to level 2. Rank 2.]

[Sacred Touch has increased up to level 6.]

[Low-Light Vision has increased to level 7.]

It had been reasonably easy to defeat him despite the level difference, but not fast enough. “5 to Vitality and 5 to Intelligence. I need to focus a little on my offensive power.”

A noise in the winding cavern invited her to stand up, wielding Rikkom's sword and shield. If only she knew how to use them better, she would feel more confident with them.

Another undead was approaching at a brisk pace. A warrior similar to Rikkom, but with more mediocre equipment. His only weapon was a spear, and she didn't understand why, his pained expression was familiar. Too familiar.

»Undead Human«

Level: 12

Name: Ned

Marks: [Sacrificed]

Details: You are unaware of the evil that plagues him.

Her vision suddenly became blurry, so she expelled the evil from her body. However, evil wasn’t the cause. A strong dizziness plunged her back into a trance to the past.

Jean was standing in front of the huge bulletin board from the Adventurer's Guild, looking at the contract sheets written in beautiful, perfect calligraphy.

Ned slowly approached from the right, facing the same problem while behind her the rest of her group rested in the large tavern-like leisure area. "Any luck?"

Jean sighed. Killing evil creatures that raided farmers, beasts that killed livestock and endless similar errands, all poorly paid. However, she couldn't do anything, the novice area of the guild bulletin board was the only part she could access.

"Are you okay?," Ned asked as he gave her a little nudge with his elbow. He was always around trying to cheer her up.

"Yeah! I just miss my family. I wish I could see my mom and sister again!"

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

"And your father?,” he asked a little anxiously.

"My father... died... some time ago."

"Sorry! I-I didn't mean to...! I..."

Jean smiled uncomfortably. “Relax, Ned! I know you didn't mean to hurt me.”

Ned was still worried about his screw-up, so Jean diverted the conversation. "Do you think it’s true what Gabriel said?”

Ned snorted as if Gabriel's name gave him hives. "I've also heard it from other adventurers, so I guess it's true... All the people from Earth will come, or have ended up on this world. Who knows if our families are living now, lived in the past or will live here in the future..."

Ned picked up one of the contracts. "Right now all I can do is keep completing missions to make my name known far and wide. There's no way a rookie like me can pay the fee needed to find my family."

“Yeah, I assume it would take a fortune!”

Ned puffed out his chest as he looked at the guild statues. “Eventually I want them to erect a statue of me.”

“A statue like those of the heroes who fought in the Great War?” Ned nodded with a broad smile. “I didn't know you had such a... lofty goal!” Jean was actually surprised by such self-centered aspirations, but she didn't mean to belittle her friend's dreams.

Jean's face was a poem, so Ned eventually realized his mistake. “Oh! No, no! It's not because of the statue! The reason is something else!” He blushed while she waited expectantly. “I know the possibility of my family passing through here in the future is very remote...” The boy's voice trembled a little. “ … but I would like them to see with pride how thanks to them, I became an inspiration. How I lived giving my best, just as they taught me.”

Jean's eyes sparkled as her heart swelled. She felt the same way, though she would never have thought of doing that. That idea seemed colossally big to her, but it was perfect. She had always wanted to be like her father.

He was only a fireman, but he had always been an inspiration to her. A brave man who faced danger every day of his life, never letting fear get the better of him as he saved lives in extreme conditions.

Jean smiled while nodding effusively. Tears welled up, but she somehow managed not to cry. “Let's do it!”

Ned stepped closer to her and tried to caress her cheek, but in the end he chickened out and put his hand on her shoulder.

Gabriel entered through the guild door at that precise moment. He couldn't help but let out a chuckle at the sight of them. “I don't think this is the right place, guys!” Jean averted her gaze. “Hey! Come on! There's nothing to be ashamed of!”

Both stepped away from each other in embarrassment, but Gabriel reached over and pulled them together, grabbing them by the shoulder. “I have good news for these two intrepid adventurers! My group is going to lead an expedition to Nimireth's dungeon. Will you join us?”

Ned looked at him dumbfounded. “That's a high level dungeon, we'd die instantly! Thanks for the offer, but no way am I going in there!”

“Calm down! We'll go to an easy area with enemies between level 10 and 20. An area where I used to train when I was a rookie like you.”

"Besides, my whole group will be there, Annie included. We'll take care of the monsters and you'll level up with the residual experience. I myself have been helped in my beginnings. It's the way to continue the cycle... What do you say?”

Ned looked away. "It's a very generous offer but... I'm level 10 and Jean is only level 2. We'd be a liability!"

"You have potential. A little help and it won't be long before you'll be leading an expedition of your own.” Gabriel raised his voice cockily. "Come on! You have nothing to worry about! I will protect you! I won't let anything touch a hair on your heads...!”

Jean looked at Ned expectantly; he didn't want to make her sad again, so... “We'll talk to Rikkom first. He is the leader after all.”

Jean glanced at the table where her group was laughing with beers in hand. Seven novice adventurers trying to survive in a world too big for them. Tomm, a paladin with a big shield and heart. Elena, aka Erihs, an exceptional archer and inseparable companion. Ariana, aka Ary, a mage obsessed with ice, perfectionist and independent. Amog, a huge but friendly barbarian. Dianna, aka Dih, a monk as loyal as she was tough. Riki, aka Rikkom, a skilled warrior and efficient leader.

“I already spoke to him. And seeing Jean's expression, you're the only one left to agree!”

Everyone raised their beers when they noticed Gabriel. This was their chance to become stronger. They would finally achieve their dreams.

A terrible pain brought her back to the present. Her blurred vision faded until she could clearly see Ned grabbing the spear he plunged into her abdomen. Her body struggled to react as he thrust the spear in several more times. They both screamed, but only he spoke.

“JEAN, KILL ME!!”

It wasn’t until the fifth attack that Jean managed to raise her new shield, blocking a tremendously fast flurry of attacks. She retreated to gain enough time to heal while guilt and frustration hampered her steps.

Reality slapped her hard after passing through the narrowing. Ned and Rikkom were members of her group and were now both undead. Ned's dreams were over because of her. What would have happened if she hadn't pressured him to come with them? Would they both be alive?

Jean hid in a dark nook to the right when she noticed his proximity. His feet passed before her eyes, but Jean couldn’t bring herself to attack. Not even when he looked directly in her direction and then turned away to continue looking for her. His eyesight was clearly impaired if he couldn't see her.

“What can I do to save him? ... ... ... Damn it! Say something!”

The whispers eventually spoke, but not with what she expected to hear.

“[He doesn't need to suffer anymore. Free his soul!]”

“No, no, no!! There has to be a way!”

“JEEEAANN, KIIILL MEEE, PLEASE!”

Jean remembered nothing of what she had experienced with him, but she knew that somehow he had been important to her. A loyal friend whom she had dragged to a cruel fate.

She gripped the hilt of the sword tightly, calming her indecision. Even though her hands were shaking from the weight of what she was about to do.

She approached him slowly from behind while he searched near the rocks where she had fallen. A slash to the back of his neck made him fall limp to the ground. No further attacks were necessary.

Ned gasped out his last words. “Forgive me... Jean. It was... my fault. I shouldn't... leave you alone.”

Jean fell to his knees, bursting into tears. “I'm sorry, Ned! It was my fault! I hope you can forgive me!”

She cried for a long time, taking too long to do what with Rikkom was so simple.

Jean wiped away her tears. “I really can't do anything for him?”

“[If you don't purify him, he will rise again. Becoming undead is irreversible.]”

The boy's body lit up to shut down for good. Silence reigned again, or so she thought until new distant splashes alerted her. The map showed nothing, she would need to take a closer look. But first, she conjured Hunger for Evil on Ned. It was heartbreaking to watch a good person turn to mere dust, but his death wouldn't be in vain.

[You have acquired +2 Dexterity, +1 Strength,+1 Endurance.]

[You have learned Rapid Assault — Level 1.

Allows you to execute a rapid succession of attacks by duplicating your attack speed.]

Jean took his spear and sneaked closer to the narrow passage. Two enemies appeared on the map, but after a quick glance, she saw 4 undead. None of their names matched the one in the vision, giving her some peace of mind.

They were slowly approaching in her direction, surely attracted by all the noise. That played in her favor.

She crossed to the other side and assimilated Rikkom's corpse as well. It was close enough to go back and forth without being caught.

[You have acquired +1 Dexterity, +4 Strength,+1 Endurance.]

[You have learned Bash— Level 1.

Allows you to execute a sudden and violent strike with the purpose of destabilizing your opponent. During execution, you gain 200% stability but it reduces the damage done by 75%.

[You have learned Deep Thrust — Level 1.

Allows you to execute an attack that slightly extends the range of your weapon. It also increases your attack speed and damage by 50%.]

[Hunger for Evil has increased to level 5.]

[Pupil of Evil has increased up to level 6.]

[Low-Light Vision has increased to level 8.]

When she returned from the other side, she didn't worry about being noisy, she even tapped the ground several times with the handle of the spear. There, she could take on one at a time without worrying about being outnumbered.

She once again felt the corruption spreading, but this time it was much faster. Possibly due to direct contact with the undead. Reserve mana to placate it was the wisest course of action for now.

[Evil Coexistence has increased to level 5.]

She had the firm conviction to get out of there and find Gabriel. Even if she had to defeat the entire dungeon to avenge her friends' deaths.