System Message: The Coming Horde, Horde Incoming 139:17:48:23

Roughly a week had passed since the two gained the quest to defend from the horde. The duo traveled as far as their legs would take them during the day, resting at night under the protection of the tent's enchantment at night. During their travels the team fought a few monsters, working together as a solid team. Soon they were only a days travel from River's Edge, and Elizabeth was erecting the camp, while Stephen was in the woods gathering fire wood.

Stephen walked casually through the forested area, his axe swung over his shoulder. Gathering small branches for kindling, and chopping up fallen trees for firewood. He reflected on the past week, the Goblin camp, the battle with the Frogling King, Elizabeth. Everything that had transpired, he knew in his gut brought him closer to his wife Abigail and his son Luke.

With the thump, he planted his axe into a log, and sat on a stump. Opening his Status screen.

Player: Stephen Jacobs

Health Points (HP): 100

Magic Points (MP): 15

Character Level: 3

Job(s):

Barbarian (Level 2)

Glitched (Level 3)

Attributes:

Strength: 38

Dexterity: 24

Endurance: 40

Intelligence: 44

Wisdom: 34

Luck: 25

Skills:

Melee Proficiency (Level 4)

Brutal Strike (Level 2)

Glitch (Level 2)

Overcome (Level 2)

Adrenaline (Level 2)

Parse (Level 1)

Titles:

Glitched

King Slayer

Defier of Odds

As Stephen’s eyes wandered across his status screen, he took note of the increases in skills such as Brutal Strike, Overcome, and Adrenaline. These had improved during his journey with Elizabeth, pushed further after the battle with the Hob Goblin. He had driven himself so hard, pushing to his limits. He tried to recall the white-hot rage Elizabeth had mentioned, but the memory was foggy—all he could see was red. Elizabeth had explained that this was a side effect of his Barbarian job: the compulsion, a force that all people had, though most were raised to recognize and keep it in check so it wouldn’t become all-consuming.

With a thought, he dismissed the status screen from his vision. He sat for a moment, letting the silence of the forest wash over him. The rustling of leaves, the soft chittering of small creatures—it felt peaceful. Rising to his feet, he walked toward his axe, bending down to pick it up. As he did, the air shifted. Moments ago, the forest had been alive with activity, but now, a deathly stillness had fallen. The silence was suffocating.

Stephen’s eyes scanned the area, realizing how exposed he was. The clearing offered little cover, just a fallen log that wouldn’t provide much protection. Tightening his grip on his axe, he straightened up, bathed in the orange hues of the evening light that made the surrounding woods glow as if they were aflame.

Then, without warning, the bushes exploded as a massive black feline burst forth, claws extended and aimed straight at Stephen. Instinct took over, and Stephen twisted, bringing his axe up just in time to deflect the creature’s assault. The force pushed the cat back, but not before its claws scraped grooves into the haft of his weapon.

Stephen leaped back, creating some space between them. His eyes focused on the creature as a small window appeared over its head.

System Message: Shadow Lion - Level: 12

Level twelve. Stephen’s heart sank—this was going to be tough. He could call for Elizabeth, but there was no guarantee she would hear him, and even if she did, it might take her too long to reach him. He didn’t have time to dwell on it. The Shadow Lion lunged again, jolting him from his thoughts. He backpedaled quickly, swinging his axe in a wide arc to keep the beast at bay. The blade found its mark, leaving a deep gash along the lion's side. Blood sprayed, staining the foliage crimson. The creature hissed, flattening its ears against its skull.

The two clashed, their movements a blur of steel and claws. The Shadow Lion’s talons slashed through the air, raking across Stephen’s arms with searing precision. He grimaced, the pain sharp and immediate, but it didn’t overwhelm him like it had before. His instincts had sharpened. He was no longer that desperate man flailing in panic—he had learned to harness the storm raging inside him.

With a grunt, Stephen planted his foot and kicked the lion back, sending it skidding across the forest floor. The creature snarled, shaking off the blow as if it were a mere annoyance. But Stephen didn’t hesitate. He didn’t let the pain distract him or let fear cloud his judgment. He felt that familiar surge, the compulsion deep in his chest, urging him to charge, to throw himself into the fight with reckless abandon. But this time, he was ready for it.

He advanced, his breath controlled, heart steady, his grip on the axes firm and unwavering. The waning sunlight glinted off the polished blades, casting streaks of orange light as he swung with precision. He didn’t just aim for the beast—he calculated every move, his body responding as if it had memorized the rhythm of battle. One strike to the right, another to the left. Brutal Strike activated with both blows, sending a shockwave of power through his arms and into the creature’s body. His axes bit deep, carving into flesh, and the Shadow Lion’s blood spattered across the ground in vivid crimson arcs.

Before, he would have mindlessly triggered his skills, burning through his mana until exhaustion set in. But now, thanks to Elizabeth’s guidance, he was in control. His mind wasn’t consumed by the rage—he harnessed it. The wild fury that had once blinded him now flowed through him like a weapon he wielded at will. Every movement was deliberate, every strike calculated.

The lion retaliated with a furious swipe, its claws aimed at his chest. Stephen twisted just in time, feeling the rush of air as the claws missed him by a hair’s breadth. His reflexes had grown sharper—he wasn’t just reacting; he was anticipating. He could see the lion’s movements before they happened, as if the world had slowed around him, offering him a brief glimpse of what was to come.

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With a roar, the lion lunged again, its massive paws pounding against the earth. Stephen’s focus narrowed, his pulse quickening, but his mind remained calm. He sidestepped the creature’s next attack and followed up with a swift strike to its hind leg, severing muscle and tendon. The lion howled, staggering, its movements slowing as blood poured from its wounds. But it wasn’t done—not yet.

The beast leapt again, desperate and enraged, but Stephen was ready. He ducked under its outstretched claws and swung upward, his axe catching the lion under its ribs. The power of Brutal Strike surged through him once more, and this time, the blade cleaved deep, nearly splitting the creature in two. He felt the bone give way beneath his weapon’s edge, heard the sickening crack of ribs shattering as the lion’s momentum was halted.

Still, it fought back, its claws catching Stephen’s shoulder as it thrashed in its death throes. He gritted his teeth, pain radiating through his body, but he didn’t retreat. Instead, he pressed forward, using the force of his own pain to fuel his strikes. His breathing was controlled, methodical, even as his muscles screamed in protest. His mind, however, was focused like a blade—sharp, unyielding.

This fight was different. He was different. The chaos that once controlled him was now his ally, the instinctual rage tempered by discipline. There was no wasted movement, no reckless charges—just the fluidity of a warrior who had learned to merge fury with skill.

The Shadow Lion, now weakened and drenched in its own blood, made one final desperate attempt to escape. Its body flickered, beginning to blend into the shadows around it. Stephen’s eyes narrowed. He knew the trick. He wouldn’t let it slip away again.

With a growl of his own, he surged forward, refusing to give the creature even a moment’s reprieve. He swung his axe in a brutal arc, cutting through the shimmering haze of the lion’s fading form. The blow connected with devastating force, lifting the beast off the ground. As it hung in the air for a brief, frozen second, Stephen’s second axe came crashing down, slicing through the lion’s neck in a clean, decisive strike.

The sickening squelch of flesh and bone parting filled the clearing, followed by the dull thump of the creature’s head hitting the forest floor. Its body crumpled a heartbeat later, twitching before finally going still. Silence fell over the forest, the sounds of birds and insects eerily absent as if the world was holding its breath.

Stephen exhaled slowly, his chest rising and falling with the effort of battle. The forest, sensing the end of the threat, seemed to awaken once more. The rustling of leaves, the distant calls of animals—it all rushed back in a flood of life. Extending his hand over the fallen Shadow Lion, Stephen watched as its remains dissolved into a cloud of purple smoke, leaving behind only the spoils of battle.

System Message: Obtained Shadow Lion Pelt

System Message: Obtained Shadow Lion Claws

He stood there for a moment, staring down at the remains, blood still trickling from his wounds. But the pain seemed distant, dulled by the rush of victory. This fight hadn’t been easy, but it was different from the first time. His body, his mind—it had all adapted. He was stronger now, more resilient. He could feel it in the way he moved, in the way the pain gnawed at him but never consumed him.

With a grunt, he hefted one of his axes onto his shoulder, the weight feeling familiar, almost comforting. He gathered the rest of the supplies into his inventory, casting one last glance at the shadowy clearing before turning and making his way back to the camp. The forest, once again alive with the soft sounds of nature, seemed almost peaceful as he walked through it—like a battlefield that had returned to quiet after the storm.

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Elizabeth looked up towards the tree line after finishing setting up the tent, a look of concern forming as Stephen lumbered into view, bleeding. She soon relaxed when she saw him wave and smile. Trudging towards her, he arrived at the camp and flicked the axe off his shoulder, sinking it into the ground.

"Is everything alright?" she asked tentatively, her eyes drifting down to the gashes on his arms. She took a step forward, reaching out to heal him.

"This? Barely feel it," Stephen laughed as Elizabeth placed her hand on his arm. A soft healing light radiated from her palm, and the wounds slowly closed. He looked down at his freshly healed arm. "Thank you. A Shadow Lion tried to ambush me."

Elizabeth looked up into his eyes and simply nodded. "Most likely driven from its territory because of the Horde." She patted him on the shoulder. "Good as new." She smiled and walked back toward the camp. Stephen followed behind her, emptying his inventory of the materials he had gathered for the fire.

Kneeling beside the firepit, he began to build up the fire. Soon, they had a steady flame going, and Stephen was roasting some fish that Elizabeth had caught while he was gathering wood.

"So, we should reach the town of River's Edge tomorrow," Elizabeth said, breaking the silence. She smiled as she sat down next to Stephen, grabbing one of the roasted fish. "It’s going to be so nice to eat a meal we didn’t have to catch and cook ourselves." She pinched off some of the fish meat.

"I'm just hoping I can get some information about Abigail," Stephen replied, glancing over at his companion. He took a big bite of his fish, then leaned back on the ground, staring up at the stars.

"And assist with the Horde, correct?" Elizabeth looked down at him, raising an eyebrow. "We have to make sure the people are protected," she added.

"I know. It's the only way I can ensure Abigail and Luke are safe," Stephen responded, his tone leaving no room for further questions.

As the night progressed, they continued discussing their plans for dealing with the Horde. Eventually, their conversation faded, and they both turned in for the night.

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Elizabeth and Stephen worked as a team, packing up the tent the next morning. They continued their journey downstream, and after a few hours, they saw columns of smoke rising into the air. Elizabeth, elated at the sight, pointed them out to Stephen.

"There it is! River's Edge! We’ve almost made it!" she exclaimed, her excitement bubbling over as she took off running like a child heading to an amusement park. This sudden burst of energy caught Stephen off guard, and he hurried after her.

As they rounded a bend in the stream, the sight before them was nothing short of idyllic. River's Edge nestled comfortably against the bank of the river, a picturesque town that seemed to have sprung from the earth itself. Neatly arranged stone cottages dotted the landscape, their walls sturdy and roofs made from straw-like thatch that Stephen had only ever seen in survival games. The golden thatch glowed in the afternoon sunlight, casting a warm, inviting hue over the town. Dirt roads snaked through the countryside, weaving a patchwork of pathways between the homes and surrounding fields, where farmers worked steadily.

The air was thick with the smell of wood smoke from the chimneys, where columns of smoke rose lazily toward the sky from several houses and larger buildings. Stephen could hear the distant sounds of life—the lively chatter of the townspeople, the clatter of carts, and the occasional bark of a dog. Men and women walked the dirt roads, some carrying boxes and crates, others laughing and conversing as they went about their day.

As they drew closer, the heart of the town came into view—a large, imposing structure that towered over the rest. It was grander than the surrounding buildings, with walls made of well-cut stone that glistened in the sunlight. At the top of the building, a massive crest dominated the front: a silver lion reared up on its hind legs, set against a diagonally divided background of white and blue. The crest was emblazoned on a large shield, wreathed in thorny roses, giving the building an air of both nobility and protection.

The closer they got, the louder the sounds of the bustling town grew, filling the air with life and activity. Stephen couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief—after so long in the wilderness, this felt like a return to something familiar, something safe.

"We made it!" Elizabeth said with a beaming smile on her lips. "Welcome to River's Edge!"