James stared at the town floating in the air. It towered over the forest in defiance of the laws of physics. Its buildings and lawns had no foundations underneath them that he could see. Flames cascaded over the surroundings and shot out smoke, but to his surprise they weren't touching the buildings or ground of Bricklelake. Instead, the flames appeared to be burning something just outside of the town’s borders. He focused on the flames and within moments a shape revealed itself, blanketing the town. It was a tarp made of shimmering green light that had spread out across the sky over the town, protecting it from the flames.

[Mission: Defend Bricklelake.]

[Survivors: 123.]

[Invaders left: 322/325.]

The words had appeared clear in his vision the moment he laid eyes on the town. He took a step back and caution crossed his heart. There was no way for him to reach the town now, but that didn't mean he would stay outside in the open for whatever was out there to hunt him down. If he was correct in his understanding, there were over three hundred hostile creatures in the forest nearby and if any of them were like the one he had killed then he couldn't afford to be swarmed by more than one at a time. Not while he wasn't prepared. No. He needed more supplies and time to think. His vehicle was safer.

Bang.

There was a flash of light in the sky and James covered his eyes protectively and ducked down to safety. Then he realised it was just a bright light. Somebody had fired a flare gun at the town. Or something. James saw it come from the other side of the hole that occupied the ridge where the town had previously been located. The flair left behind a simmering flame that burnt into the green tarp-like material covering Bricklelake. James crouched, allowing the bushes to cover most of his body as he focused on the patch of woods the flare had come from. He could see movement there. It was too far to see the figures clearly, and the smoke covered the little he could see, but another bang resounded as a second flare lit up and flew into the sky.

Whatever was attacking the town was doing so from below the ground. To James’s surprise there was a crackle of gunfire that spread out across the ridge. It had come from the town in response to the flares being fired. A smile curled on the tips of James's lips. Everyone was packing heat in this part of the country, but the town wasn't the only landmark. There were farms spread out across the entire back area of the land and small clusters of houses built together and hidden within the woods.

Any one of them could have people in them. And supplies. The road might have been blocked off from the town, but it still led to the other houses of the people that lived deeper within the woods. James was willing to bet that some of them had guns. Potentially all of them.

The grass and dirt crunched underneath his lone shoe as he made his way back to the tree blockade and his vehicle. He had his eyes glued on the town and its attackers. He shot a single glance back at his vehicle and did a double take as he spotted movement next to it. He froze behind a tree and shifted himself out of sight, only peeking out to see what was happening. The sound of confused grunting entered his ears, and something came out of the back of his truck. It was red, short, and wielding a club. Another Khul.

James’s adrenaline surged at the sight. The little creature looked scrawny, but he knew that they packed a bigger punch than it seemed. He gripped his iron pipe tightly and made his way towards the vehicle, slipping off his other shoe so that his socks could wade quietly over the forest floor. The creature hadn't noticed him yet, but he knew it would only be a matter of time before it got closer. It was searching every inch of his vehicle for something, but he wasn’t sure what. Then it sniffed the air, and he knew. It was looking for him.

The Khul turned toward the tree he was hiding behind and took a hesitant step forward. Then another. He'd parked right outside of the trees, almost hitting thee. Now the truck’s position was in his favour as the tree cover let him get closer to the vehicle without it noticing. It paused before turning back to the truck and breaking its front window, sniffing the air inside the vehicle and grunting. James winced. Driving on a barely legal dirt road was tough but driving while sitting on glass was tougher.

James lifted the iron pipe over his shoulders as the Khul stuck its head through the window and searched the inside of his vehicle. He could see trickles of blood coming out of its sides as it squeezed its body through the glass that was left. It hadn't even bothered to break it properly. He crept up behind it, his socks gliding over the grass, and his iron pipe raised. Then the Khul pushed itself out of the vehicle window and turned to face him, sniffing the air.

It looked uglier than its dead friend, except it wasn't missing an eye. The Khul's hand shot out towards James, and he stepped to the side, already wary of an incoming attack. Its fist flew by his side, missing him. The strength behind the punch not matched by its speed. As it paused, he struck it in the face with his pipe.

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The creature let out a yelp of pain and grasped at its nose, blood dripping onto the ground. James grinned. These things were slower than he was. The first time he'd gotten hit it had been a surprise attack. This time wouldn't be the same.

Before the creature could recover, he bashed it over the head again, feeling the metal rebound in his hands at the force of the hit. The metal smashed into its motley hair and he heard something crack inside it. When he pulled away there was a dent in the creature’s head, and it gazed at him with anger-filled eyes. The Khul let out a yell and smashed his fists towards him without restraint. The lack of coordination only made it easier for James to dodge. He sidestepped the Khul's swipe again and it went flying forward, its momentum pushing it into a freefall and dust flying into the air as its face smashed into the ground.

James rushed towards it while it was incapacitated, bringing the pipe up to the air and slashing down at the Khul's head. Before he could land the final blow, its hand shot out from the ground and gripped James’s ankle. He felt strength far beyond his own pull forward, tripping him over and causing him to fall on his back. There was a glint of metal in the air and a clang as something hit his pipe.

It was a spear.

James gaped at the weapon in surprise. One moment he had been standing in the air and in the next a spear had taken his place. He felt the grip on his ankle loosen as the creature on the ground gave in to its injuries. James shot up, turning toward the trees where the spear had come from. Within the shadows he could see another Khul staring at him, seething with anger. It curled its fists and let out a roar as it met his gaze. It charged through the trees toward him, the branches between them smashed to pieces in its fury.

James knelt down and picked up the spear with his free hand. In moments the enemy was upon him, red fists outstretched and flying at him. He felt one of the punches connect with his stomach and he raised the spear in response, the weapon heavier than he'd thought it would be. He felt its tip press against flesh and lunged it forward, ignoring his pain as the metal dug deep. Then suddenly there was no resistance. The Khul drew back, punching out one last time and missing.

James grunted in pain. The damage from the gut punch was reaching him. He stepped back and raised his arms, expecting it to follow up. But it didn't. Instead, he heard the sound of fleeing feet as the creature ran back into the trees. He could see it holding its face as it ran, letting out crackled grunts and mewling yelps. his opponent had run headfirst into the outward spear, and he had cut it in the cheek. He took a step forward to follow it and his legs buckled underneath him. Whatever these things were, they hit like trucks.

[You have been hit by a (Khul spearman).]

[Health 73/100.]

The tip of the spear was dripping with blood and the iron pipe had a dent in it where it had smacked into the first Khul’s head. He looked at both weapons and threw the pipe into his vehicle through the broken window. The spear was heavier, but it was also more useful. It had cut through the Khul’s scabby skin like butter.

James stepped back toward the Khul on the ground. It was drooling, not making a sound. He'd hit it hard in the head, but he could tell from the lack of words floating in front of him that it wasn't dead. With a quick check over his back to make sure that there weren't any other creatures waiting to ambush him, he raised the spear and stabbed it through the head. He grimaced as he realised it was a lot harder to take the weapon out of the creature's head than he'd thought it would be. Two tugs and it flew out accompanied by skull shards. There was a glimmer of light and James frowned. Something else had come out of the creature's head.

It was a crystal.

The crystal was light blue in colour and smaller than his pinky nail. Before he could investigate it further, he was stopped by a flood of messages appearing in front of his eyes.

[You have slain Raplenay, a level 3 Khul scout.]

[Congratulations! You have leveled up.]

[You are now level 3.]

[You have gained free stat points. Access your status screen to distribute your stat points.]

[Updated: Fend off the invaders 321/325.]

[You have picked up a lesser spirit crystal (water). Would you like to consume the object?]

James shook his head and dismissed the messages. There had to be a way to stop them appearing. If they came at a bad time, then he could be killed due to the sudden blinding words. With a final glance over his shoulder, he picked up the crystal and put it into his coat, making his way to the vehicle and pursing his lips. If the woods were filled with creatures, then he'd be better off not making any noise, but if they could smell him then he'd need the protection of the vehicle. In the end practicality won out. He could use the truck to drive further into the forest and see if there were people or houses.

He brushed the glass out of the way with the edge of his coat. The window had shattered into squares that made the broken glass safer to touch. He chewed on half a ration bar and the spear sat on his lap. He didn't know when he'd need to use it and if he encountered anything else he wanted to know that it was nearby.

With a final glance back he reversed until the road opened wide enough to change the vehicle’s direction. The road was built bigger than it needed to be, and he breathed a sigh of relief that the people around here were used to transporting large vehicles filled with farm animals.

A humanoid shape caught his eye as he drove through the road. A single flash of mottled red that stood out against the foliage. It was the Khul he'd injured. He could see its hand against its cheek, blood dripping over its fingers. He was moving too fast for it to catch him, and he saw it move back as he slowed down. It was scared of him. Cautious. It didn't even try to throw anything at him. Their eyes met and he saw a calm acceptance in its gaze. Then he passed the trees and his truck moved down the road, the moment passing. He saw movement in his rear-view mirror and saw that the Khul had moved onto the open road behind his truck, just close enough to the trees to run to safety if he got out or reversed. Its arms crossed and it stood immobile as dust billowed against its body.

It stared at him until he was out of sight.