“So, you two were watching the city, while you were simultaneously listening to me?”

Unknown shook her head in disappointment. “Sure, yeah, but that’s not the important part. I was expecting us to have some free time right about now, since it shouldn’t be dangerous for the citizens right now. But for some fucking reason, the castle’s knights aren’t doing anything. Right now, it’s just the city guards.”

Thomas thought for a moment. “That’s weird. I definitely saw many of them moving while we were nearby. They must’ve known at least something about what’s happening.”

Her voice quickly grew heated as even her movements became visibly angry. “Fuck. I swear to the Ones Above, I’ll slaughter those useless fucks. They should be thankful no non-combatants died yet, otherwise I would level the entire castle to the ground.”

Having seen what even Theresa was capable of doing somewhat casually, he believed that she meant those words literally, since she was supposed to be even stronger. “You kept tabs on something like that? Just how good are your eyes?”

Breaking her out of the anger-induced swear storm she was descending into, she responded more calmly this time. “Oh. Nothing like that. It’s more like… Seeing Karma, or something like that. It’s a borrowed skill. It’s helpful when judging someone, but I tend to use it for things like this more.”

She really likes to say like. She specified no non-combatants died, which is good, but…

“Which means, people are dying anyway, and that’s bad for us. Because of the ritual.”

Despite her currently wearing her helmet, she seemed very expressive regardless, both in voice and movements. Her frustration dripped out with every word. “Yes, yes it is bad. I think it would be great if it was the spoiled fucks in the castle dying, since then I could just sweep out the cultists. Bah.”

“Hey now, deep breaths,” he tried to soothe her, and surprisingly she listened. “Alright now, one step at a time. What are our next plans? Do we start looking for the big guys?”

Breathing out, she answered him. “Yeah, so we agreed to meet up with Theresa in a bit. She is trying to prepare something to make things easier for when I go there. For now though…”

A howl resounded throughout the night during her pause, soon joined by a few others. Maybe it was just his feeling, but it sounded like they were approaching.

“That. Since you’re so strong, you can take on one of them, right?”

She may be wearing a helmet, but he could feel the smug grin spread across her face.

“Responsibility is supposed to come with power, so why is it that I am getting great power as I hold more responsibility?” Tom sighed.

—

“Alright, remember. Use Break only once, and do that through the spear. It’ll break, but that’s fine, I’ll get you a new weapon after. Don’t hold Endure for even half as long as you think you can take it. Witness will be useless for now, it’ll just give you a headache.”

She was summarizing what she had told him in the past few minutes. It was all some manner of “Don’t get hit,” “If you get hit, at least minimize damage,” and the best of all, “Kill the enemy before they kill you.”

At least the supernatural combat lecture was useful. Now that the mana is flowing like this, I feel like I can skip warmups.

She had explained to him to force the flow to follow his blood flow, which turned out to be much easier than grasping it like before. Then, the smoldering mana empowered his body even further, although actively consuming it.

Phew, alright. Starting out with a mind-controlled beast. I think I can do it. I don’t think I’ve ever killed, but this should be doable. Just need to stab it right. I won’t need to kill a human yet, but I should get ready for it. I can’t avoid that for too long. Better to get it over with. Phew, it’s alright, I can do it.

Continuing in his overthinking, he paid little attention to his surroundings. This lasted until he heard a yelp, which forced him back to his senses.

Looking up, there was an airborne wolf, flying roughly in his direction, though considering it’s flipping through the air, it was most likely against its will.

Wait, I didn’t even notice her leaving!

Alone on the road, alongside a wolf currently skidding across the ground meters away from him, he entered something resembling a fighting stance, putting his body behind spear and shield.

Current body status:

Head: 70% (Good)

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

Torso: 70% (Good)

Left arm: 70% (Good)

Right arm: 70% (Good)

Left leg: 70% (Good)

Right leg: 70% (Good)

Vital organs: 100% (Unharmed)

The User’s health is unharmed, but your body is not in a perfect state otherwise. Prolonged rest is advised.

The User’s heart rate is indicative of panic, remember to keep calm.

The interface popped up in the corner of his eye, but he paid it little mind. He had already seen its contents earlier, though it was higher now thanks to Endure indirectly increasing his status, since it reinforced the mana defending his body.

‘Or something like that.’, she said. She really is terrible at explaining things.

The wolf stood up, mostly unharmed, but clearly disoriented. It would be the perfect time for a sneak attack, but only if he could approach it without notice.

He slowly circled inwards, towards its back. He managed a few steps, before the wolf sniffed the air, and quickly spun towards him.

I told them I needed a bath!

They stared at each other for a second, then the wolf charged. Jumping at him, he ducked to the right, stabbing towards where it was moving.

He couldn’t dodge quickly enough, but the paw that scratched at him only hit his shield. Meanwhile, the spear didn’t move exactly as he wanted, but it still drew blood from the beast's side. Despite its simple look, it truly fulfilled its purpose, its sharpness piercing the hide.

Unbothered by the wound, it landed behind him, already staring at him by the time he stood back up. He shook his left arm a bit, the shield scratched, but otherwise unhurt.

They both moved in a circle, slowly coming closer to each other.

Taking the initiative this time, he stabbed forward just as he saw its muscles tense. It lunged at him, though it tried to swerve around the spear to his unguarded side.

It didn’t work perfectly, but each side took a hit. The wolf now had another wound across its other side as it ran across the spear’s edge. On the other hand, it still managed to complete an attack, slamming part of its weight into his back as it ran past, scratching across his leg with its own hind leg. It had pushed itself forward against him mid-air.

Health status update:

Torso: 65% (Good)

Left leg: 40% (Damaged)

Fuck, I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing. How bad is a normal wolf scratch supposed to be?

Thankfully, he could put the pain aside, pivoting around his hurt leg for another strike, using momentum from the slam he just took.

The beast was a step too far, but instead of dodging, it went for a bite itself. This meant he was now the one in danger, not in a position to move the spear for a vital.

Jumping upwards to bite his head while mid-air, there was a severe lack of options of things he could do with his normal strength. Not in a position to be picky, he activated his skill. Endure!

A chilling feeling ran across his body, his mana locking itself into place. Following it, so did the rest of his body. He could feel the blood in his body rapidly slowing, his heart grinding to a stop. His lungs felt like he was drowning.

Darkness enveloped his sight as the beast’s maw closed around his head, but no pain followed.

The beast felt its teeth and jaw shatter, the force of the jump flipping it vertically around the human. It slipped off his head, slamming into the ground back first.

His entire body very quickly growing numb, he released the sinister skill, adrenaline and blood flooding his veins again. Barely stopping himself from collapsing, he put the butt of the spear down for support. The sound of blood rushing filled his head.

They weren’t lying when they said it’s dangerous for living beings. Holy shit, I held it for two seconds and I still felt like I was dying.

Attempting to wipe the slobber off his face with his sleeve, he looked at the new pop-up.

Health status update:

Head: 68% (Good)

Vital organs: 65% (Damaged)

Alright, yeah, that would’ve really killed me quickly. I should avoid using this skill.

Wincing at the update, he looked back at the wolf.

It still struggled on the ground, but the damage to the head was obvious, its tongue lolling out of the broken jaw, blood pouring out.

“Nevermind, I think I’ll take the organ damage over this.”

The wolf stared at him, no emotion showing in its eyes. He leaned closer, staring at its expression. Then, he placed his left hand on its head, aiming the spear in the other.

“I’m sorry, I’ll end the pain now.”

As he placed the spearhead against its forehead, he prepared to use his other skill. The wolf stared back, forgiveness in its eyes.

“Break,” he whispered to the wolf.

Mana rushed into his spear from everywhere. The air trembled, then the spear shattered, and the wolf’s head fell.

No new wounds had appeared on it, but the result was obvious.

He let go of the breath he didn’t realize he was holding.

A bigger interface popped up.

Congratulations to the User for killing the Evil(Neutral) Beast!

Experience has been awarded.

Current experience until next level: 36607 / .

Congratulations for your first kill! Though the journey is rough, may you keep your judgment as you grow.

Death is an inevitability, coming sooner for some. May their dreams be monumental.