As the dust cleared, Horus smiled. The berserker was on its knees, the grey skin around the dagger Horus had thrown was blackened and rotten. It hadn't stabbed deeply, because the Berserker's almost steel-like skin, but it was enough.
It limped and screamed in confusion. Everything in its radius was paralysed by the shout skill. The captain's body trembled with red energy, but he seemed to have resisted it quite well.
"What is it?!" the captain yelled to Horus, who was still hidden behind his meat shield. "How can I kill this thing?!"
He gave the man an exasperated look that said, 'Just shut up and play your role.'
The berserker brandished its whip. Still limping, but able to fight. The captain raised his swords, cursing slowly. "Damnation…" his two blades began to glow with amber light, distorting the air.
The monster's arm reared back and the whip cracked loud enough to stun, before swinging towards the stunned Captain. The whip was intercepted by the glowing blades, but instead of wrapping around them, it was frozen in air.
Horus blinked wildly at the strange scene. Both the whip and berserker were frozen—no, they were vibrating, so subtly it might have been ignored.
The Captain had a binding sword skill!
Horus didn't question how its effect was so strong, he dropped his shield, picked up his silver dagger and shot forward, crossing the careful distance he had kept from the berserker this whole time.
After sheathing his sword, he climbed up its body to the neck. Piercing the berserker's skin at this point was near impossible. So he would aim from the softest thing he could find.
The captain's vibration skill, tried to invade his body, but in his hand was his silver dagger that was imbued with Master-tier [Magic resistance], a gift from his father. So he shrugged off the thrumming paralysis.
And so he got to the top of the berserker without much trouble and raised its veil, looking into its tortured purple eyes. They pleaded for respite to whatever torment it.
"Rest well," Horus wished before plunging his short sword into its right eye.
It sank through with some resistance, but Horus felt it when he hit the brain as it grew harder to push.
Then the captain's skill ended, the berserker bucked and threw him off. The world blurred, wind rushed past his ears, but Horus was able to roll to safety.
He got to his feet and drew his main sword, glaring at two heretics that were now staring at him. But before he could do anything Penitents surged in front of him.
"Let us handle this," one of them said.
"Good job!"
Horus received their praise with a blank expression and turned back to the berserker. It had fallen to its knees and still, while the captain tried stabbing at its skull.
"No, you oaf! You're my kill!"
But its [Endurance] skill was too strong, all the man's swords left were tiny scratches. Then he raised his reddened eyes to find Horus, his thin face contorted into a mask of rage. "You!"
[You have killed a Adept tier enemy. You have gained two Skill shards. You have gained 25 Credits.]
[You have reaped one life.]
[Physicality] > 13 > 14 (Common)
[New skill gained : Tactics]
[Tactics] > 0 > 1
Horus raised his sword, ready to kill the captain and take his place. As well as his skill levels. But before either of them could make a move, a horn sounded.
All the berserkers were dead and the remaining heretics were retreating. A cheer rose among the men, raising a glorious wind. Some people tried to chase after the enemy, but their captains yelled at them to return.
Horus' captain gave him one one murderous look before running off to stop his men. Horus stared for a moment, then he frantically started searching for his silver dagger.
He found it in the mud just before another man picked it. He chased the man off with a cold glare and returned the dagger to his Bag of Holding with a relieved breath. It was far too expensive and useful to be lost.
I got the [Tactics] skill, but I didn't get to kill the other Berserker…
Some men surrounded Horus while he wallowed, prompting him to grip his sword, but they only came with congratulations and pats on the back.
"You might have done enough to absolve your crimes at this point!"
"How did you even keep up there?! Captain Sever and the Heretic were too fast?"
Horus exchanged pleasantries smoothly, but he made sure no one got behind him to his Bag of Holding and forced his best smile. Once they left he coldly accessed the battlefield.
[Would you like to view your skill rewards?]
He dismissed it with a thought. He would wait till he was alone and in his tent. Speaking of his tent, had it been burnt away by the explosion? There was another tent in his bag, but it would stand out in camp, and drawing unwanted attention was a bad idea.
Except in battle though. He needed to prove himself here and meet with the commander. Then he would get a boon that could help with his quest. At least that's what he read in his textbooks.
Formation school taught that exemplary deeds for people in command could get you a boon. Something like information or a platoon. Or it could get you a dagger in the back. He had read about experiences like that too, and Captain Sever looked very willing to do so.
He offered a silent prayer to the system. If it could do one thing for him let it be helpful. He was already grateful for the Mythical-tier skill.
Someone behind him called his attention, their footsteps were calm and confident. He turned with his hand on his sword. The system read the person's status for him.
[Title: Lieutenant Carrison]
[Rarity: Elite]
[Description: A carefree woman that was absolved of her crimes years ago but remained with the Penitents]
The Lieutenant was a lithe woman with black hair in a pixie cut and a scar over her nose, wearing a white cloak over her glowing blue armor.
Her voice was deep, leaving no room for disagreement. "The Commander will meet you in camp."