The air was heavy and thick with silence. The flickering flames of the dying fire cast long, eerie shadows across the cave, illuminating the pale, motionless body of Rei. The goblin's rusted blade was still lodged deep in her chest, a cruel reminder of the brutality of this world. Haruto stood frozen, his heart pounding in his chest as the reality of what had just happened settled in.
He had failed her.
His mind raced, replaying the moment over and over. He had promised to protect her, to get them through this nightmare. But now Rei was gone, her eyes wide open, staring at nothing, her life stolen by a filthy goblin’s blade.
And then, rage took over.
The goblin, realizing it had been spotted, turned toward Haruto with a twisted grin, its beady yellow eyes gleaming in the dim light. It seemed almost proud of what it had done, its chest puffed out as if daring Haruto to make a move.
But Haruto’s body was already in motion.
Driven by instinct and fury, he launched himself forward, his knife in hand. The distance between them vanished in an instant, his feet carrying him toward the goblin faster than the creature could react. He could hear the blood rushing in his ears, the heat of his rage fueling every movement.
The goblin raised its blade, trying to defend itself, but Haruto was faster. His [Quick Strike] skill activated, and his knife slashed through the air with deadly precision. The first strike tore through the goblin’s exposed arm, a deep gash opening as dark blood sprayed onto the ground. The goblin shrieked in pain, staggering backward, but Haruto wasn’t finished.
In one fluid motion, Haruto stepped closer, driving his knife into the goblin’s side with all his strength. The blade sank deep into the creature’s flesh, and Haruto twisted it violently, ripping through muscle and bone. The goblin’s eyes widened in shock as it gasped for breath, its hands trembling as it tried to hold onto its weapon.
But Haruto wasn’t done.
With a quick motion, Haruto ripped the knife free and reached for Rei’s dagger, the very one he had taken from her body moments before. His fingers tightened around the hilt, and with a fierce, determined thrust, he drove the dagger into the goblin’s chest. The blade sank deep, piercing the goblin’s heart.
The goblin let out a choking, gurgling sound as blood spilled from its mouth. Its legs gave out, and it collapsed to its knees, its life slipping away. But Haruto, driven by the overwhelming need to finish it, delivered one final blow—his knife slashing across the goblin’s throat. The creature’s body twitched once before crumpling to the ground, motionless.
The cave fell silent again.
Haruto stood over the goblin’s lifeless body, panting heavily, his chest rising and falling with each breath. His hands trembled, still clutching both the knife and Rei’s dagger, now slick with blood. The fight had been short, but the intensity of it left his muscles aching, his heart pounding in his chest.
For a moment, he couldn’t move. The adrenaline coursing through his veins left him frozen, staring down at the goblin’s body as it began to dissolve into nothingness. The ashes of the creature swirled around his feet before disappearing completely, leaving only the bloodstains on the ground.
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But there was no satisfaction in the kill.
He turned to Rei’s body, her lifeless eyes staring blankly at the ceiling of the cave. The rage that had fueled him moments before drained away, replaced by a hollow emptiness. He had avenged her, but it didn’t matter. She was still gone, and nothing would bring her back.
Haruto knelt down beside her, his heart heavy with guilt. He reached out and gently closed her eyes, his hands trembling as he did so. It wasn’t enough. He had failed her, and now he was alone.
The notification pinged in the corner of his vision, but he barely registered it.
Level Up!
[Level: 2
HP: 150 / 150
MP: 80 / 80
Stamina: 120 / 120
Strength: 12
Dexterity: 14
Endurance: 13
Agility: 13
Intelligence: 9
Perception: 11
Luck: 7
New Skills Unlocked:
[Stealth - Passive]: Reduces noise and makes detection harder in low-visibility conditions.
[Quick Strike - Active]: A series of rapid strikes with small weapons, dealing increased damage when attacking from stealth].
---
Haruto closed the notification, standing slowly as the weight of everything pressed down on him. He couldn’t stay here. More goblins could be nearby, and if they found him, he would join Rei soon enough.
He looked around the cave and saw the bodies of the wolves still lying near the entrance. They could serve a purpose. With grim determination, Haruto grabbed one of the wolves by its hind legs and dragged it to the cave’s mouth. The goblins weren’t good at tracking, but the scent of blood and meat would distract them long enough for him to escape. He threw the carcass into the bushes a short distance away, hoping it would draw their attention.
Next, he stripped some of the old, filthy rags from the dead goblins. They stank of death and rot, but that was exactly what he needed. He smeared the rags and mud across his arms and legs, covering his scent. The smell was nauseating, but it was better than being found.
After securing his disguise, Haruto took one last look at Rei. His heart ached, but there was no time for mourning.
He slipped into the shadows of the night, his body moving silently through the trees. He stuck close to the riverbank, using the sound of the water to mask his movements. The night was alive with the sounds of distant creatures, but he kept his senses sharp, scanning the darkness for any sign of danger.
As he moved, his thoughts drifted back to the cave. He had killed the goblin, but the victory was hollow. Rei was dead, and there was nothing left for him to protect.
But there was something else. A cold, burning desire had ignited within him—he couldn’t afford to die now. If this was what Ascension had become, then he needed to survive. Not just for himself, but to figure out who or what was behind this nightmare.
After walking for what felt like hours, Haruto spotted a small outcropping of rocks by the river. It wasn’t much, but it would offer some shelter. He crouched down beneath the rocks, setting up a small fire to warm himself. The flames flickered weakly, barely enough to keep the chill away, but it was better than nothing.
Haruto sat by the fire, his eyes heavy with exhaustion. The night pressed in around him, but for now, he was safe. He had survived.
But as he closed his eyes, preparing to rest for a few short hours, something stirred in the darkness.
End of Chapter .