Book 1: Chapter 24: Dusk and death II.


    A hunched, humanoid form with a too-skinny torso and bulky chest loomed from the darkness. It took one look at me, turned and scampered into the darkness as I charged. I refused to let it


    escape. Another roar burst from my throat as I called <strong>Cloven Crash</strong>, and it froze mid-bound.


    A sweep of my ymore rent it in half, and a bellow of triumph served to chase more of these beasts back into the woods.


    These were not crude, vaguely intelligent monsters. The tools they carried were of decent make. I glimpsed a shortbow upon the ground as I stepped over the dying corpse. Felt arrows mere heartbeatster as silent shafts whistled from the trees. Shrugged them off as they barely pricked my hide and kept forward momentum.


    I could see them all around as the pack streamed from the trees. Illuminated by the harsh moonlight, they loped forward on far-too-long forelegs, weapons clutched as they ran. I charged into the densest patch of them, and they sprang away.


    More and more poured from the trees. I backhanded a leaping creature, felt its bones break beneath my hand. Flung its corpse aside and moved on. Howls mixed through the night, only drowned out by the bellows of fury I unleashed.


    This was notbat. This was ughter. And I was king.


    It felt <em>good</em>. Too good. I charged after fleeing monsters, moving at speeds that should not be possible for a form thisrge.


    One of thenky creatures twisted in mid-air to escape my de. It was torn asunder as the steel chased its movements.


    Horses galloped past me, neighing in fright, creatures hot on their tails. A round sweep of the ymore missed one and gashed another open with just a nick. The de hummed, every drop of blood a piece of kindling on the fires of hunger.


    Out here in the darkness, furthest from the light, <em>I </em>was the true monster.


    My eyes could see them running, tearing through the yard. A swarm of locusts, seeking to devour while fleeing my wrath.


    Arrows dotted my hide, I found. I could not care less. Still, with a roar, I called <strong>Blood for Blood.</strong> A feeling of my wounds <em>stretching</em> outwards shed through me for a second, then was gone. I could darkened forms crumpling among the trees as every wound I took was repaid in kind.


    Dirt was ripped free beneath my hooves I stomped across the fields, moving towards wherever the pack was densest. They circled the herd of cows, arrows flying past their dancing forms. Trampled, broken formsy across the earth, a reminder of those that got too close. Firebombs flew and fraily tried to set damp grass alight. I thanked whatever god took amusement from this for the recent rains and charged in to kill.


    One, two, three died beneath my de, and the rest scattered, off to find softer targets. A loud bang rang through the night, and my eyes were torn toward the crops. In the bright moonlight, I could make out a long,nky form as it copsed backward, its head obliterated.


    They had found the bomb nts, and received hospitality in kind.


    More explosions set off as other creatures bounded near, and a firebomb lobbed at the nt sent shrapnel in every direction. Explosive force cut a swathe through leaping bodies. Blood and bones alike were torn free, and the stink of blood permeated the air now.


    Undetered by the losses in their ranks, the cackling horde continued. Frightened neighs of pain torn through the air as they pulled down a horse. My roars of fury as I approached did little to deter their malice. There was a sick feeling in my stomach as I watched blood run from the cuts across the animals neck.


    <strong>Cloven Crash </strong>called over and over froze entire groups, and my greatsword returned them to the dirt.


    I left anger now, hot and heavy, Burning through my heart and filling my veins like boiling poison.


    I ughtered, and they rent senseless destruction upon me and mine.


    A saw an arm cocked back, a firebomb clutched in hand and aimed at the house. The arm swung, the faltered as the beasts head was split open. Ish grunted and pushed the corpse aside, a swift kicked sending the projectile away. The orcs armor was stained with blood, and my axe was little cleaned, in her hands.


    Stonemongers. She snarled. Fuckin murderous vermind, scum an-


    <strong>Your pet has leveled up.</strong>


    The notification cut off whatever she was about to say. But before I could think on it further, I cackling horde rolled across the field. I roared and charged towards them, only for them to veer and flow away, leaping towards the trees.


    They were broke. Running. Routed.


    I was not content to let them flee. More roars locked limbs in ce as I stormed after them, by de rending the apart.


    Until they were vanished into the trees, gone.


    Dim fires burned everywhere, I realized. I stood, panting, and took stock of the damages.


    The pasture fences were broken. Posts were alight. I could see a dead horse from here. Cows resembled pincushions from a distance. And everywhere. <em>So</em> many bodies. Stonemongers, Ish had called them. They were scattered across the fields, in the pasture, in the crops. Draped over Artyoms ruined house.


    <em>Everywhere</em>.


    I could see some by the fields, still writhing as biter podstched on and devoured it live. With a snort, I stomped over and ended its misery.


    Youll eat well tomorrow. I tiredly promised the nts. The adrenaline rush was gone now and soon woulde the crash. But first, the damage.


    My eyes turned to the woods, and the heart within my chest nearly stopped.


    Gol, my brave, foolish pet, staggered from the trees. I couldnt tell where the blood ended and crimson carapace began. Scraps of flesh hung from hides hide, and arrows filled every gap in his armor. He reeked of death and blood.


    I found myself at his side, in horror as I looked at his wounds.


    There dazed, empty look in his eyes frightened me in ways the swarm hadnt.


    Ish! I roared, and the orc girl came running. Not fast enough. She took one look at Gol, turned and dashed for the house. Hands that trembled gently held my beasts head as I physically grabbed and held thergest wound closed.


    There was so much blood.


    I cared little for my own wounds.


    The big,zy, gluttonous mass of bear and badger-thing in front of mey barely panting. My eyes couldnt leave the multitude of cuts,cerations, and the insane amount of arrows that stuck out of it.


    You could have just stayedzy, gods above. I whispered. Hid somewhere. Kept your nose to yourself.


    He whined in return, a pitiful little sound of hurt and tiredness.


    Dont. I rumbled gruffly. Stay still.


    I had one hand one his head, the other holding a massive gash closed. Lifted the former as Ish dashed up, a trail ripped in her wake. Thess forced a sh into my hand and ripped the top off another.


    Largest wounds first. She barked as I stared at the metal dumbly. What was I going to do with some water?


    It took me a second to remember healing potions existed. Seconds too long. My hand still holding the bleeding gash closed, I shoved the contained into my mouth. Teeth ripped through the entire top and I dumped the thing onto Gols wounds.


    Ration it. Ish snapped. Its all I have here at the farm. Iplied, instead dabbing it over his body. Gol growled in pain as Ish pried out arrows and dumped fluid into the gaps.


    Should wash out the wounds first. The orc girl growled. No time. Get as many wounds closed as you can.


    We tried our best, I think. Spread out the precious fluid, prioritized the biggest wounds.


    In the end, it was enough. Barely.


    Goly, panting, groaning in pain as every breath reknit the flesh and muscle of his body. He was in agony, but he was alive. I knelt back on my heels, relieved.


    I was exhausted. Covered in wounds. Bleeding. My farm was damaged. Buildings were destroyed, and shit was on fire. My crops had been torn through by packs of monsters. But I was alive. Those I cared about still lived.


    And that was enough.


    <strong>Farmer Level Six reached. Sleep to apply. </strong><strong>Farmer Level Seven reached. Sleep to apply. </strong>


    Gods Above, I had every intention ofplying with thatmand.