As Jake walked down the stairs of the cellar, wood creaking under his feet, he felt the air around him come to chill, the cold biting into his skin like that of insects. Eventually arriving at the bottom of the stairs, he was met with a corpse. With numerous wounds covering its body, blood pooled underneath it, reaching his soles.

However, once he stepped closer, crimson rippling underneath his feet, he noticed something. None of the wounds seemed similar to claw or bite marks. Instead, it seemed more like wounds that would come from knives and clubs. The cuts were decent, each one aimed to maim or kill. However, from the spear in its hands and the tip being caked in blood, they went out fighting.

‘They're intelligent this time around,’ he thought, eyes landing onto the stump of a leg. At the very least, they have skill in butchery, given how the cut was rather clean.

Turning his gaze towards the stray trail of blood, it led towards what seemed to be a sewer entrance. Taking the spear out of the body's hands, he silently walked over to the large sewer grate. Taking off his shield, he put it and the spear aside before wrapping his fingers around the rusted iron bars. Letting out a small grunt, he yanked the grate out from its spot, leaving small cracks in the stone around it.

Now, he can go in.

Throwing the grate to the side, he grabbed his equipment before strapping his shield back onto his arm. Once he was sure that it was secure, he kicked the spear up into his hand, wrapping his fingers around the smooth wood. It was like kicking up a pipe, if a little bit heavier.

Upon entering the sewer tunnel, he noticed that it was rather clean. There was some wear and tear; the occasional crack in the masonry, the rare root peeking between the cobblestone. However, there was very little filth and smelled somewhat like seasalt, rather than ammonia. Reaching the end of the tunnel, he was met with a grate, similar to the one he moved to enter. Taking a few steps back, he closed his eyes before letting out a small breath.

Advance.

Dashing forward, he slammed his shoulder into the grate, launching it into the ground. Hopping out of the tunnel, he was met with what seemed like an underground canal rather than a sewer. With the water barely coming up to his shins, it was clear that it was in disuse for decades.

Hearing the sudden sound of squeaking and chittering, he turned his head to see a group of Skaava soldiers a few feet away, seemingly speaking to each other. They must've come to investigate.

Advance and Purge.

Bolting towards the group of Skaava, he thrusted the spear into the throat of the nearest, causing the others to scream in surprise. Twisting his body, he ripped the spear out of the gurgling beast, cutting through the others before any other noise could be made. As the water around him turned a deep crimson, he quickly got to work. Cutting through meat and bone, extracting the Cores. Everything was done with speed and efficiency.

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Putting the last Core into his bag, he slung it over his back before ripping the spear out and walking down the canal. As he continued down the path, the sound of his footsteps echoing through the stone, he heard the sound of chattering teeth and steel on stone.

Advance.

Bolting towards the sounds, he arrived in front of a small band of Skaava warriors.

Focus.

As the world slowed to a crawl, he made notes of his opponents.

At least a dozen in total.

All are melee, with few having any proper armor.

Leader seems to be at the very back.

Purge.

Twisting his body, Jake threw the spear towards the captain, piercing through the creature. As screams of confusion echoed through the stone, he equipped his handaxe before quickly getting to work. With each swing, the axeblade dug into flesh, painting the world a deep, invasive crimson.

Ripping the ax out of the last Skaava’s skull, he quickly got to work, hacking up the bodies as one would do with pigs.

Remove the head.

Slice open the abdomen.

Crack and remove the rib cage.

Extract the Magos Core.

Repeat.

Taking the last Core out of the Skaava, he put it in his bag before he slung it over his shoulder. Putting away the handaxe, he yanked the spear out of the corpse before continuing his walk.

As he continued down the path, he felt a sudden chill permeate the area. The small sound of ice cracking under his feet, the faint smell of snow.

He's close.

As he followed the smell of snow and death, he came across another warband of Skaava. However, he noticed something…different about them. All but one of them seemed to have a slight stumble, as if they were puppets.

‘Necromancy,’ he thought, reaffirming his grip on the spear. Shifting his body, he let out a slow, heavy breath.

Advance and Purge.

Bolting forward, he cut through the undead, each strike aimed to disable. If he tried to kill, they’d get right back up. Best to disable them and then cut off their source.

Twisting his body, he threw the spear towards what he concluded was the Necromancer, flying through the air like a bullet. Pulling out his sword, he quickly followed after it. As the spear flew towards the Necromancer, it suddenly stopped in the air, as if it dug into wood.

Now.

Ducking under the spear, he stabbed the blade into its stomach, causing it to lose focus. Grabbing the spear out of the air, he then jammed it into the throat of the Skaava.

Taking the weapons out of the Necromancer, he put them away before he started to get to work. As he went through the process, he thought about the presence following him.

Humanoid.

Seems to be non-hostile.

Was most likely attracted by the blood.

Putting the last Core in his bag, he took a subtle glance behind him before going on his way.

Whatever it was, he could deal with it.