Since I was still in my gear, I grabbed my BGH, made sure it and the Avenger were loaded. I quickly thumb loaded an extra mag for the pistol, and put it in the under armor right hand pocket, while the Apartment opened.

Something was different, my gut told me shit was about to hit the fan.

[ A subscriber has paid to expand the Daily Random Encounter.

Anomalous levels of Threat.

In Danger there is Reward.

All Exp / Essence gain has increase for the duration of the Encounter.

If the Guided Survives, they get half the cost of the Expansion. ]

[ A subscriber has donated 1MC and 100 credits.

The Beast Below: (A red middle finger emoji) Enjoy my gift! (Laughing Red Demon Emoji) ]

[ A subscriber has paid to delay Random Encounter.

Guided has gained a 10 minute reprieve. ]

Son of a Bitch! That asshole just fucked me good. There was no way this was going to be anything less than catastrophic.

My mind started racing, trying to calculate my next steps.

These folks have been nothing but kind to me, and this is how I repaid them? No. I stowed it. I had to get them out. I hoped they listen.

I cursed and knew I had no time experiment and there was no time to skimp on creds. Maybe a way to salvage this.

I opened up Purchase Options. There were Advanced Tier I goods now, I didn't know what happened to my basic tier I potion, so I bought two Advanced Potions, at 100 creds each, put them into the left hand pocket of the under armor.

As I strode towards the entrance to the base, where I felt the danger, I purchased integration for my under armor, chest, boots, vambraces, and katanas, for 800 creds altogether. Everything glowed for a moment.

Down 1000 creds just like that.

[ MSSS Under Armor Set Rating: Tier I

Shirt and Pants

Protection moderate

Effect: Shed Magic I ]

[ MSPC Extended Vest Set Rating: Tier I

Boots and Vambraces

Protection High

Effect: Shed Projectiles I ]

[ Unnamed Katana x2 Rating: Tier I

Type: Katana

Damage: High to Critical

Effect: Perfect Cut I ]

Nine minutes and counting.

It was getting close to sunset.

Harold and Tina rolled up in a Golf Cart. I looked at him.

[ Harold Turin

Tier 0 integrating to Tier I (30%)

Threat: Minimal ]

[ Tina Long

Tier 0 integrating to Tier I (30%)

Threat: Low ]

I had held off doing this. I should have scanned them as soon as I got GIPs. Too Late now.

"Harold, evacuate the base. Get everyone out, now. What's coming is bad, I can feel it." I pointed to to north, opposite to the entrance. "That way as fast as you can, leave everything and go. Hope, whatever it is, is just after me." I was sure of it, but I needed to avoid whatever collateral I could. Just because they slew me, wouldn't mean they'd leave.

He looked startled, "N-not that I don't believe you, but what about you."

Tina looked furious.

"Delaying tactic, then I'll try to lead it or them away from town. No clue how much time I can buy you." I pulled the BGH off my shoulder, trigger finger resting on the side of the receiver. Tapping.

"What about after, " Tina demanded. She was turning red.

Eight minutes and counting.

"If I make it, I leave, find some deep wilderness, because they'll keep coming and now I know it. There's no being around people, not until I get strong enough to protect them, or figure out how to stop this." I sighed. Should've done this to begin with.

Harold was nodding again. He threw me some keys. "Those go to the van over there." He pointed to it, and started radioing everyone, to clear out.

I'm so glad he got it.

"For everyone's safety, don't track me down. I won't really be trying to hide, so ya'll know where to avoid." I tried to smile, wasn't a success.

"Who going to protect you?" Tina seemed to be about to cry, or try to knife me. I didn't get it, we've barely met. Maybe my Charisma stat?

Aargh! I don't have time for this. Had to get ready.

"Maybe Awesomeman or Captain Starpants herself could save me. Outside of that level of power, I'd not risk it."

They were both baffled by that one. I shook my head.

"They'd be Purple." The expression on my face, sold it.

They flinched. I still don't get why they trusted me. I had thought Harold was Mick Rage, at first, and Ol' Glass Eye would've never taken me at my word.

Seven minutes and counting.

"Go on now. Someday, I'll try to catch up." Finger tapped on the receiver.

They took off. I watched them and some of the personnel flee to the north. At least someone had thought to turn off the sirens.

Be safe, my almost friends.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

Six minutes and counting.

No time for this. I pushed on.

The Warehouses that made up the base were surrounded by a 9 foot corrugated metal fence, just barely taller than me. The Southern gate was also metal and rolled sideways to open. I cracked it a bit.

A gravel road ran parallel to the fence line then rail road tracks a little beyond that. Just between the two were a couple of glowing swirling portals, one a greyish purple and the other an angry blackish red. Maybe separated by thirty feet.

Closed the gate and flipped the locking latch. A bit of a plan coalesced in my noggin.

Five minutes remaining.

Took a big risk. Pure Hope in action. At a cost of 2 to 1 I converted my all my Stat exp into Racial exp. With 500 Racial exp I purchased a level.

[ Guide has leveled up their Race.

You have unlocked Trait Mage Sight I

You have unlocked Trait Rage to Strength I ]

I felt stronger but that was what I was hoping for. I deflated. Well shit, there went nothing.

Four minutes remaining.

[ Synergies have been unlocked.

Synergies have been detected.

The Traits Perfect Balance I, At Home in the Realms I, Nature Sense I, Mana Sense I and Mage Sight I, have been combined.

You have gained trait Elven Born II. ]

Pain. Felt like my insides got scooped out and run through a blender before being poured back into my veins. At high pressure.

Fuck that stings.

Three Minutes remain.

[ Synergies have been detected.

The Traits Unbreakable I, Be Heard I, Flame Kissed I, Storm Touched I and Rage to Strength I, have been combined.

You have gained trait Giantkin II. ]

Bloody pig fucking Hell that hurt. It'd better be worth it.

Two minutes remain.

I quickly bought the rank up for Firearms, and snatched up the skill Bladed Weapons.

Well, that's it. That's all I can do.

What the hell was that? Mental Buggery?

Of course it wasn't. Shut the hell up, inner wuss. I had shit to do.

Letting the BGH hang from it's strap, I pulled a couple of the cars that were left over, one with each hand. Placed them in front of the gate. It might not matter, or it could make all the difference in the world.

One minute remaining.

I pulled two more over. I tossed one on the first two cars making a little pyramid. I pushed the other over on it's side the top of the car towards the gate, and scooted it up against the other cars. I scrambled on top of the right most car's hood, it creaks and groans but it holds, my probably six hundred pound ass, with the armor. Now, I could shoot over the fence, while still getting some concealment. Because corrugated metal panels sure as hell weren't cover.

Just because I was so hungry, I bought a bag of Advanced Tier I Minotaur Beef Jerky and Advanced Tier I Super Soda, for another 50 creds.

Ohm nom nom! Glug, Glug! AWWWWHHHH! So Good. That hit the spot. Not the best last meal, but it'd have to do.

Times Up.

The Portals spat out their respective forces.

[ Mimirian Hoard Collector x9

Tier I

Threat: moderate ]

[ Mimirian Hoard Jarl

Tier I +

Threat: High ]

These came out of the Purple Portal.

Helmeted Power Armor. Check. Carbines that had glowing bits. Check. Plasma melee weapons. Check. Weirdly colored Furs draped over their shoulders. Check. Around 6'5" to 6'8". Check.

Cock Sucking, Motherfucking, Space Vikings.

Shit.

Four of them immediately shifted toward the things coming out of the other portal. They each took a knee, ignited some kind of energy shield on their left arms while aiming their carbines.

The other five cautiously aimed their weapons in every other direction, doing visual sweeps.

The Jarl on the other just glanced around like he was really, really bored. He leaned on a Plasma Bladed Spear. I noticed a big rifle on his back. He stood about a head taller than the rest. So about 7'4".

Heh. Shorty.

Out of the Red Portal.

[ Dark Horde Goblin Scout x 10

Tier I

Threat: Low to Moderate ]

[ Dark Horde Goblin Warriors x 10

Tier I

Threat: Low to Moderate ]

[ Dark Horde Hobgoblin Lord

Tier I +

Threat: High ]

There was a poisonous green cast to their skin.

However, after that they bared little resemblance to the fodder of table top RPGs or Isekai Anime. Around 6'6" with an obvious foulness to the set of otherwise well proportioned features, with thick black locks of hair. Their armor and weapons were well crafted, if a bit on the side of a Death Metal Album cover. Dare I say it, they looked like evil Elves.

The Scouts were decked out in leather with short bows and long daggers. The Warriors were rocking a spear and round shield setup, short curved swords for backup.

The Lord was wearing dark plate armor and hefting a cruel looking flanged mace. His visible features were harsher than his brethren, still nothing deformed or grotesque. An aura of malevolence was what sold the evil.

Five Warriors raised shields and lowered spears toward the Mimirians, Four Scouts slightly behind and to either side, Arrows ready to fly. The rest swept the area, ready for trouble. The Lord looked like he wanted to charge.

It hit me.

These were not the modern interpretation of Goblins, these were the Goblins of Old Myths.

Goblins with the Blood of the Fae.

Cousins.

I felt it then. The connection, it was venomous, a thing of old deep hatreds. Betrayals that had never been answered. I wanted them dead.

Even the Giant's blood coursing through me, sought their destruction, gut churning rage echoing through my mind.

KILL!

I clenched my teeth, and reminded myself. Opportunity exists in this confusion, but only if a calm mind is maintained.

Then they did something, I would have never expected.

They spoke to each other.

I couldn't understand a damned word of Mimirian. Sounded like someone threw High Church Latin, Old Norse and Swahili in a bag and jumbled it up. Funny, but bad funny.

Goblin on the other hand, I understood.

It was beautiful but twisted, lilting but harsh, musical but discordant. I couldn't have told you what any particular word meant, but I still knew the total meaning.

The exchange went like this.

The Jarl rattled something off in Mimirian. Like Hey, fuck you, this is our raid. I'd total just guessed.

The Lord responded, "La Ra - We've come to capture the Guided to take him before the Master of the Horde. Leave and we shall let you and yours pass unmolested - Fa So." So Arrogant.

The Jarl return statement sounded angry. Heh, dickwad wasn't happy with that.

The Lord responded, "Ti Ma - No there is no glory for you here. Last Warning, Mortal Fools - Ko Su." Yup, they were going to fight. good.

Me, I had barely peeked up over the fence, sighting down the BGH at the Jarl, who, frankly, I felt was the scariest motherfucker present.

"Come on work. I call essence on this one." I whispered. I'd pray if I'd not known what was listening.

Then I felt the drain of mana, and squeezed the trigger. Even with my sped up brain and excellent eyes the only reason I caught sight of the bullet was a field seemed to slow it down. Thankfully, it punched through. Purple blood and grey matter sprayed everywhere. One Shot indeed.

I dropped down off the car, ducked down as low as possible. Plasma bolts sprayed out, they made a crackling noise but were slower than expected.

As I cycled the next round, A Goblin scout leapt the fence, Arrow ready. A easy motion of my finger and black ichor exploded out his back.

Cocked the lever, as the Hobgoblin Lord barreled through the fence. I snapped a shot and blew through his right shoulder. The arm flopped about uselessly held on by just a scrap of skin. The Mace smacked the ground.

Growling in pain and hate he rushed me trying to claw me with his left hand, which sported some long wicked sharp black nails, I danced like mad. So Angry.

Asshole scored me across the face just below my eyeline on my right, as I managed to smash his face with the butt of the stock. He reeled back.

I cycled the last round, and Dickface recovered trying to jab me in the throat. He found my barrel just under his chin. He knew what it meant.

"Ah Va - Lightkin mercy! Gi Ye" He exclaimed. Pussy.

"No, I call essence." His red eyes widened as I Squeezed.

Black. Ichor. Everywhere.

What a delightful chorus to a song.

That's when a plasma bolt clipped me high in the left thigh, dropped me to the ground.

"You misbegotten back birth!"

Surprisingly the armor stopped the round but not the bizarre amount of force. Letting go of the BGH as I rose to my feet, drawing the Avenger as my eyes scanned my armor. A small part on the thigh was slagged.

Motion out of the corner of my vision.

I snapped the pistol up as two Scouts launched arrows at me from the rupture in the wall. Two quick shots, two less Goblins.

An arrow stuck through my upper left arm, the other arrow had bounced off my armor just over my upper heart. Whew.

I left the arrow were it was for now.

Stepping up on the left most cars trunk, and took a quick peak.

Five Hoard collectors left. Four knelt around the fifth standing member, shields up, firing in steady bursts. Yup, right badasses.

The Goblins had little trouble dodging the slow bolts, which is the only reason any were left.

The last three Scout juked back and forth and arched arrows overhead trying to get them over the Mimirian shields. The last two Warriors, were crouched behind their own shields. Huh, those shields could bounce the plasma bolts.

Regret for all that lost Exp. Nope, pushed it down. Probably, for the best.

I popped up fired three shots at the Mimirians, fell back dashed toward the breach, while ejecting the mag. I crouched by the edge of the breach, while pulling out the mag in my right pocket, slammed it in, chambered the first round. Peaked the corner.

The two Goblin Warriors had taken advantage of my attack and fell on the Collectors, two Mimirians were down. The Scouts had stopped to take pot shots.

I snuck two shots, dropping two of the Goblins. An arrow thudded into the ground by my foot.

I dived into a forward roll and took quick aim while returning to standing position and scored the last Scout. His hastily released arrow tore my left cheek open and shredded that ear. He crumbled.

Only two Mimirians remained. Plasma axes blazing. They had chopped the Goblin Warriors to pieces.

I locked sight on them. Holstered the Avenger, and drew my blades.

"Let's get this over with Jackasses."

I charged. They counter charged. There may have been yelling.

I got to the first with a blistering over head chop from my right sword. His shield was in postion but the blade didn't care. Slice Through his shield, his helm, his head, stopped right between his collarbones. Stuck.

My side kick hurtled the now corpse at the last fucker. He shouldered the body aside as my stride carried me into his reach. I executed a downward thrust of my left blade, tearing his heart. The blade stuck. His axe struck the ground, right before his knees.

I stepped away watching him. Yeah, he wasn't going anywhere.

Walked over to the body of the Jarl and confiscated his Spear. It ignited from a button in the middle of the shaft. The tip of the Blade was even with my Eyeline. Too bright. Amazing though.

I tromped back and swept the blade across. The last Mimirian head rolled off, smooth as butter.

The Portals Shrank and vanished.

Because I wasn't a moron, I made sure to stick every body with my new spear, and afterwards just spent a moment enjoying the sunset.

Wasn't it great to be alive.