The air thickens with grief, heavy and suffocating as I stand among the remnants of our shattered group. Rovel and Elyse's absence hangs like a specter, casting long shadows over our collective resolve. I feel the weight of their loss pressing down on me, a reminder that every decision now carries consequences far graver than I'd ever anticipated.
"Regroup!" I shout, fighting against the despair clawing at my throat. "We need to focus on surviving!"
A few nod, but others stare blankly into the abyss where hope once flickered. Tam's eyes dart between me and the dark corners of the chamber, while Mira's expression reflects an unsettling blend of fear and anger.
"Why did we let ourselves get cornered?" she snaps, frustration spilling over. "We should've stuck together! We can't keep losing people!"
Her words hit hard; each accusation feels like a dagger aimed straight at my heart. I can't afford to let this divide us further—fear is contagious, and I need to stem the tide before it washes away what little cohesion we have left.
"Look," I say, trying to keep my voice steady despite the tremors running through me. "What happened is done. We can't change it, but we can honor their sacrifice by living through this nightmare."
"But how?" someone pipes up from the back, uncertainty lacing their tone. "What if it happens again?"
I take a deep breath, summoning every ounce of resolve within me. "We stick together—like a team! No more wandering off or acting recklessly. We need a plan."
Mira crosses her arms defiantly but glances at Tam as if searching for support in his wide-eyed gaze.
"I'm not saying it'll be easy," I continue, pushing through their doubt. "But if we don't unite our strengths, then we're already lost."
Silence hangs in the air like a suspended breath—a moment of hesitation before something shifts in the atmosphere.
"I… I want to survive," Tam admits quietly, his voice shaky yet resolute.
"We all do," I reply, locking eyes with him. "And that's why we need each other more than ever."
Mira exhales sharply, though she doesn't drop her guard completely; I can see her weighing my words carefully as uncertainty flits across her features.
"And how do we fight that thing?" she asks finally, gesturing toward the dark shadows lingering just beyond our light.
* * *
"Alright, team," I say, my voice rising above the heavy atmosphere. "We need to analyze that goblin warlord's behavior and stats to figure out how to take it down effectively."
The group huddles closer, tension etched on their faces. Tam nods eagerly, while Mira's expression is a mix of skepticism and curiosity.
Tam's eyes widen, reflecting a mix of hope and fear. Mira, arms crossed, raises an eyebrow.
"It's not just about strength," I continue, gesturing toward the flickering stats above the creature's head. "This thing has high intelligence. Look at its numbers."
I point at the shimmering display:
STR: 40 (E)
AGI: 30 (E)
VIT: 25 (E)
INT: 10 (F)
LCK: 2 (G)
TOTAL: 107 (E)
"It's predictable," I explain, pacing as I think out loud. "We'll use distractions and teamwork instead of brute force. The goal is to outsmart it."
"Great," Mira mutters, skepticism dripping from her tone. "And how exactly do we distract a monster that big?"
"Simple." I shoot her a grin. "We bait it into attacking while one of us flanks from behind. It won't see me coming."
Tam nods eagerly, catching on. "So we keep its attention while you strike!"
"Exactly! Use what you have—noise, movement—anything to throw it off its game."
The group exchanges glances; fear lingers but so does determination.
"We can do this!" I declare, ready to turn this narrative into our victory tale.
"Together."
* * *
I glance down at the sword resting in my grip—Dawn's Edge. The blade shimmers with an otherworldly glow, almost as if it hums with potential, waiting for me to unleash its power.
I take a moment to admire its craftsmanship: sleek lines, a perfectly balanced hilt, and a shimmering edge that promises to slice through not just flesh but the very fabric of our struggles.
As I tighten my grip, something unexpected happens. My bracelet brushes against the hilt, sending a jolt through me like an electric current. A notification flashes before my eyes:
Sword Stats Activated!
Dawn's Edge: STR +5, AGI +3, VIT+10 when wielded by someone with high intelligence.
The rush of energy surges through me, a confirmation of what I hoped for—a weapon that not only amplifies my abilities but recognizes the unique synergy between intellect and strength.
"Now we're cooking," I murmur to myself as the adrenaline thrums in my veins. The creature before us roars again; its anger swells like dark clouds ready to burst.
"Let's show this monster what we've got!" I shout, gripping Dawn's Edge tighter, ready to carve out our path in this brutal narrative. It's time to rewrite our fate together.
"Alright, everyone!" I call out, drawing their attention back to me. "Check this out."
The group gathers around, eyes widening as I raise the sword high above my head. "This is Dawn's Edge. It's not just any sword; it has unique abilities that we can use in our upcoming battle."
"Unique abilities?" Mira raises an eyebrow, skepticism etched across her features. "Like what? Can it turn goblins into glitter?"
"Close!" I smirk. "It gives me a STR +5, AGI +3, VIT+10, +10 vitality means I can afford one hit from the warlord and barely survive."
A murmur of astonishment ripples through the group as they take in the implications.
"You mean we could actually fight it?" Tam's eyes gleam with excitement, his earlier fear giving way to hope.
I nod enthusiastically, sensing their intrigue deepening. "Picture this: We distract the warlord while I sneak in from behind and deliver a devastating blow with Dawn's Edge. The combination of strategy and performance could not only take down the beast but also trigger multiple stat boosts for all of us."
"What do you need from us?" Tam asks eagerly, determination flickering in his gaze.
"Keep it busy," I say confidently. "Draw its attention away from me while I flank it for a surprise attack."
"I'm in," he replies without hesitation.
* * *
I stand at the forefront, heart pounding in sync with the goblin warlord's guttural growl. Its bulk looms menacingly, muscles rippling beneath its matted skin. The air thickens with tension, and I feel every heartbeat echoing in my ears like a countdown to chaos.
"Stick to the plan!" I call out, voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through my veins. "Tam, keep it distracted! Rovel, you and Elyse provide support!"
As I gauge their reactions, I catch Tam's wide-eyed look of uncertainty. He nods but his gaze flickers back to me, searching for reassurance. I force a grin that feels like it could shatter under pressure but remains intact for the moment.
The warlord's attention snaps toward Tam as he moves—an instinctual predator locking onto its prey. With a primal roar, it lunges forward, teeth bared and dagger poised to strike.
"Now!" I shout, adrenaline igniting every nerve in my body.
Tam dodges to the side just in time as Rovel hurls a rock at the creature's head, barely making contact but causing enough distraction for me to slip into position behind it.
"Come on," I mutter under my breath as I grip Dawn's Edge tightly—its weight feels perfect in my hand.
With calculated precision, I dart around the beast while it snarls at Tam. The plan unfolds smoothly; this is what I envisioned when formulating our strategy. The sword hums in anticipation as I draw closer—this is not just a weapon; it's a means to turn the tide of our fate.
"Focus on me!" I yell again, channeling every ounce of bravado into my voice as I step forward boldly.
The warlord swings its massive arm toward Tam; he barely dodges out of reach again, but it gives me just enough time. In one fluid motion, I raise Dawn's Edge high above my head and launch myself forward with everything I've got. "Here goes nothing!"
With a surge of energy from both the weapon and my resolve combined, I swing down hard at its exposed flank—the blade meets flesh with a satisfying crunch.
The warlord howls in pain; its focus shifts from Tam as it pivots toward me.
I stagger backward, sword still gripped tight, as the warlord's massive form turns with surprising speed. Its eyes—bloodshot and furious—lock onto mine with murderous intent. Time slows to a crawl as my brain frantically calculates odds of survival that don't look particularly promising.
"Kiriti, watch out!" Tam screams, his voice cracking with panic.
The warlord's claws slice through the air where my head was a split-second earlier. I feel the rush of displaced air against my cheek as I duck and roll, my body moving on pure instinct rather than any actual combat skill.
"Keep it busy!" I yell back, scrambling to regain my footing. "Don't let it corner me!"
Dawn's Edge pulses in my grip, almost like it's feeding off the chaos. The weapon feels lighter now, more responsive, as if it's decided I'm worthy of its full potential. Or maybe it just enjoys the taste of goblin blood. Either way, I'm not complaining.
The warlord charges again, each footfall shaking the chamber floor. I pivot to the side, but I'm a half-second too slow. Its shoulder clips mine, sending me spinning into the wall with bone-jarring force.
Pain explodes across my back, but Dawn's Edge stays firmly in my grasp. Thank the stats for that VIT boost—without it, I'd be a smear on the dungeon wall.
I stagger back, leaning against the wall as pain radiates through my spine. The warlord turns, its eyes burning with fury, but I refuse to let fear take root.
"Keep it busy!" I shout, my voice cutting through the chaos as I gather my strength. Tam and Mira scramble to flank it, throwing rocks and debris in a desperate attempt to draw its attention.
The goblin warlord snarls, shifting focus from Tam's frantic movements to me as I grip Dawn's Edge tighter. It lunges forward again, muscles rippling like a freight train bearing down on its target.
"Now!" I yell, adrenaline surging as I rush forward once more.
In one fluid motion, I sidestep its swing and deliver a powerful strike across its flank. The blade slices through flesh with a satisfying crunch—warm blood splatters across my face like a twisted badge of honor.
But it doesn't stop there. The creature roars in pain and anger; it pivots sharply to face me once more, claws bared and fangs gnashing like a wild beast cornered.
"Back off!" I shout as I prepare for another strike.
Tam throws another rock, catching the warlord square in the jaw, momentarily stunning it just long enough for me to move in for another attack. With newfound resolve coursing through me like fire, I swing Dawn's Edge again—this time aiming for its exposed neck.
The sword meets resistance but bites deep into flesh, drawing another howl of pain from the creature. It staggers back, fury mingling with fear—a primal instinct to retreat against something it can't comprehend.
As it falters, I take a step back to reassess. My heart races not just from adrenaline but also from something deeper—a sense of purpose that feels foreign yet exhilarating.
"Now! Push forward!" I bark at Tam and Mira. "While it's disoriented!"
They charge alongside me—Tam with his makeshift weapon and Mira with her dagger raised high like she's about to deliver the finishing blow. Together we push against this nightmare monster that had once seemed insurmountable.
I feel invincible as we surround it—three souls determined not just to survive but thrive against overwhelming odds.
But then something shifts—the warlord lunges forward again, claws extended like scythes ready to reap our lives.
"Get down!" I scream instinctively as I dive into action without thinking twice about my own safety.
In that split second of chaos—the world seems to freeze around us; my heart races faster than any plot twist ever could as time stretches infinitely before me—I'm diving toward Tam just as he scrambles backward.
The goblin strikes hard—but misses—its claws grazing my arm instead; pain ignites like fire—but adrenaline fuels my determination.
With a fierce roar echoing in my ears—I push myself off the ground, using every ounce of strength left within me—and charge right back at the warlord one last time!
Dawn's Edge gleams menacingly as I raise it high above my head—my resolve sharpens into focus—and just as the beast prepares to retaliate—
This is it.
Time bends around us—the battle teetering on the edge of triumph or defeat—and in that moment—I bring down the sword with all my might!
One final strike!
And suddenly? Everything goes quiet.
System notifications ping through my mind:
E-Rank Goblin Warlord (Kill) – +1 VIT!
MC Moment Triggered: "Successful Training Grounds Completion"
First ever MC to acheive this feat. Congratulations! –
+10 to ALL stat points