《Primal Path -a LitRPG Adventure》


 CH. 1

    Blood was everywhere, and Matt felt as if he had made an irreversible mistake¡ªone that would haunt him forever¡ªas pain surged through his body. With that pain came the memory of the day when everything changed, the day when the world lost its collective mind and every certainty was thrown out the window. In that moment, Matt believed it was the last time his mind would ever know peace; he wasn¡¯t even sure he would survive this error. So, he decided to let his thoughts drift into fantasy, pretending he was still whole and present.


    Matt was seated on a log beside his cabin, gazing out at the dense forest that enveloped him as he relaxed after another day of living freely in the wild. At least, that was his idea of freedom¡ªa full day¡¯s hike from the nearest person, with no road, trail, or any convenient means of reaching civilization. Many declared him crazy for spending every last penny on a 20-acre gold mining claim that lacked proper access and the permit to build a log cabin, but to Matt, it had been the best decision of his life. After all, he had managed to pack all the essential tools and even figured out how to construct the cabin so that it could shelter him through winter.


    That first year had shown Matt that no matter what challenge he faced, he could overcome it. It didn¡¯t matter that he only mined around 12 ounces of gold per year or that his only luxuries were a few electrical lights and a battery-powered radio kept charged by his waterwheel. To him, that was enough to live quite comfortably¡ªit allowed him to pay his taxes and leave him with a modest surplus for seasonings and essential items like toilet paper, an item he couldn¡¯t imagine doing without. In fact, he always asked the few intrepid souls who visited him to bring some when they made the arduous hike to his remote haven. In the end, only five people knew exactly where to find him: his older brother, his sister-in-law, their son¡ªwho was set to begin college after the coming summer¡ªand two local friends who stopped by now and then, since his father hadn¡¯t survived the last winter and his mother wasn¡¯t up to the challenge of such a journey.


    Speaking of summer, that was exactly the season, and if Matt hadn¡¯t miscounted his days, school would be letting out very soon. Even if his brother wasn¡¯t planning a visit this year, his nephew Tyler was eager to spend an entire month experiencing life completely off the grid. This meant that Matt needed to hike into town to meet him, requiring him to disable all his traps. Much of his morning was spent checking them, and to his delight he found that he had captured a few trout. This discovery meant he had time to preserve the fish before calling it a day¡ªa task that even prompted Bob to come by in search of his usual treat of fish guts.


    Bob was a bobcat that had wandered into Matt¡¯s cabin on a freezing night when he was just a kitten. That stubborn little bastard ignored all of Matt¡¯s attempts to shoo him away, instead choosing to curl up on a fur rug and drift off to sleep. Over the next few weeks, it became clear that Bob¡¯s mother wasn¡¯t coming for him, leaving the young feline to wonder what had happened to the life he once knew. But that had been eight long years ago, and now Matt couldn¡¯t imagine handling his day-to-day existence without the troublemaking creature around. After all, although Bob consumed as much meat as Matt did, over half of his diet consisted of rodents¡ªthose same pests that had once made storing food such a constant battle. Nowadays, Matt rarely found any signs that the rodents even knew his cabin existed, and his biggest annoyance was Bob¡¯s habitual disregard for his commands. Matt would shrug it off, figuring that defiant behavior was common among all cats; aside from the distant thought of owning a pet wolf, Bob was already well-sized for his liking.


    At least Bob left alone the harvest from the fruit trees Matt had planted. Even so, Matt still relied on trapping and hunting local wildlife for most of his food, as he¡¯d never been much of a gardener. Speaking of hunting, he anticipated a busy season with Tyler¡¯s visit¡ªonce again it was that time of year to stock up the cellar for winter. In fact, Matt looked forward to having Tyler help fill it up; between fishing, hunting, trapping, and harvesting from the fruit trees, they¡¯d be much busier than usual. More than anything, however, Matt was relieved at the prospect of Tyler¡¯s visit simply being over, as he rarely enjoyed small talk or figuring out what to say when with other people.


    That sentiment was exactly why Matt cherished his solitary life; he never mixed well with others. While he could tolerate his family¡ªwho took the time to appreciate his oddities unlike the rest of the world¡ªhe couldn¡¯t stand other people¡¯s endless BS and sheer idiocy. Nothing drove that point home more than his failed attempt to join the army, which he had assumed would be the ideal place to hone the skills needed for his self-reliant lifestyle. Although he had been a standout recruit in physical ability and became the best shot in his company during basic training, that was about the extent of his success. He quickly grew frustrated with the incompetence of those around him, and the drill sergeants proved no better.


    Ultimately, the six weeks he managed to endure before being told he wasn¡¯t Army material taught him one thing: he just couldn¡¯t stand being under someone else¡¯s thumb, especially when that authority consisted of power-tripping idiots hell-bent on tormenting new recruits. His breaking point came when, in front of the whole unit, he finally told a drill sergeant to fuck off and stared him down. By that point, Matt knew that none of the leaders would dare lay a finger on him unless he struck first¡ªand he wasn¡¯t about to act foolishly.


    Even so, watching the man who was supposed to instill the fear of God in new recruits look like he was genuinely terrified became the highlight of Matt¡¯s army experience. Everything reached a boiling point after he made it clear that he wasn¡¯t someone to be trifled with¡ªthe fools around him had tried to teach him a lesson. Matt ended up with a few minor scrapes, while four of the others were knocked out cold and six more suffered some form of broken bone, all because they blamed him for the company being relegated to red phase the morning before simply because he refused to risk his body during training.


    Another thing about Matt was that he knew his limits. When he felt his ankle twist during a group run, he wasn¡¯t about to keep going. He quietly slipped out of formation and sat down on the side of the road to assess the injury. Not even a second after he had started to remove his shoe, a drill sergeant stormed over, red-faced and shouting insults at him. This kind of outburst was nothing new; Matt was well aware that he wasn¡¯t popular among those recruits who mistakenly believed that swearing like a sailor made them tougher.


    Matt paid no mind to the drill sergeant¡¯s tirade. He calmly took off his shoe and discovered that the injury was bad enough to require a brace for a few days. Meanwhile, the drill sergeant continued to holler, his anger spilling over as he practically screamed at the empty sidewalk.


    The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    It didn¡¯t matter that Matt tried explaining his twisted ankle and his need to visit sick call for a brace; in the eyes of the military, a private disregarding a drill sergeant for even a fleeting 30 seconds warranted severe repercussions. Matt, however, was unmoved. He remained seated until the captain and first sergeant eventually intervened and had him picked up by the duty van. Four hours later, Matt showed up again¡ªnow sporting a brace and a light-duty profile for an entire week¡ªas the drill sergeants were forced to stand before everyone while they faced the consequences of their misconduct.


    What happened next saw Matt discharged from service for ¡°failure to adapt¡± after he pressed charges against the imbeciles who attacked him¡ªand later attempted to sue both him and the drill sergeants for their failure to intervene. This turn of events was particularly satisfying for him. Although the assault charges hadn¡¯t held in civil court, the UCMJ picked up the case, and it ultimately cost every drill sergeant in his platoon their rank.


    It was especially gratifying because everyone knew Matt had been deliberately singled out and that his injury was entirely real. This allowed him to secure a settlement of about $25,000 from the government, which was labeled as a disability pay out, in exchange for dropping further legal action¡ªa deal his lawyers practically forced his hand into. Even though after legal fees he netted only around $5,000, it still felt incredibly sweet to rub the outcome in the faces of all those inept fools.


    After all, when one man takes on a dozen and isn¡¯t typically seen as the aggressor, the odds are clearly stacked against him. Fortunately, a few of his platoon members had the guts to speak the truth and face the fallout. While others were content to be labeled ¡°profile rangers,¡± Matt was one of the few willing to call out the idiocy around him. Even though he hadn¡¯t been physically beaten, anyone can only tolerate so much verbal abuse before resentment starts to build.


    At this point, those relationships had become mere footnotes in his life¡ªmost of the relationships in his life didn¡¯t truly matter in his mind. It was hard to be an integral part of someone¡¯s life when you only spoke a handful of times each year. That thought preoccupied him now, as he braced himself to deal with two individuals he could not afford to anger: Cassie and Apricity¡ªa mother-daughter pair running a modest lodge that catered to affluent skiers during the winter season, where he made his spring and early fall supply runs.


    He was well aware that trading his gold at this lodge meant receiving slightly less value than he could possibly get elsewhere, but it was a fair price to pay to avoid the complications of venturing into town. His only worry was that Apricity had developed a romantic interest in Matt, and her mother Cassie was of no help in persuading her daughter to back off. Matt had no desire for entanglements; in his view, women were nothing more than frustrating distractions. Every brief relationship he''d tried ended in the same manner¡ªusually after no longer than a month, when he would walk away, frustrated by some minor annoyance or another. More often than not, simply being in the presence of someone was a challenge; aside from Bob, Matt had never found anyone whose company he could tolerate for more than a few hours. Fortunately, most teachers had learned to leave him quietly working in a corner during the initial hectic weeks of each school year.


    Yet despite all this, Apricity possessed one quality that set her apart from every other woman who had shown him any interest¡ªa genuine love for the isolation of nowhere. While most women would prefer an evening out for dinner and a show, Apricity was always eager for him to show her around his claim and introduce her to Bob. She stubbornly refused to make the journey on her own until he extended an invitation¡ªa fact for which he was secretly grateful, as he had no intention of inviting her anytime soon. Matt suspected that this was the only reason Cassie had refrained from running him off during the recent years, even as Apricity¡¯s interest grew more insistent. According to Cassie, the best way to ensure her daughter didn¡¯t pursue something she didn¡¯t like, was by never forbidding her from doing it in the first place.


    Matt could relate to that; his parents had always insisted that he couldn¡¯t live completely off the grid in the middle of nowhere, and that very insistence had fueled his determination to prove them wrong. It was also the reason he had flatly told Apricity that he wasn¡¯t interested in a woman who had been in elementary school when he finished high school. To him, nine years was nine years¡ªit didn¡¯t matter that she had since turned 25 and was well into adulthood. Still, he could only hope that she had found another target for her affections since he last saw her in the spring, though that seemed unlikely. After all, what made Matt even pause to consider this was the fact that she appeared to need just as much personal space as he did at times. Even so, spring always meant she was eager to unload about the latest series of wealthy assholes who believed it was a brilliant idea to try their luck with their host¡¯s daughter.


    Matt still remembered the time she cornered him to recount how men¡ªold enough to be her grandfather¡ªhad made passes at her. Although he didn¡¯t press the issue, it was obvious throughout the week he was there at the lodge that opportunities like that were all too common, and Apricity had to endure constant unsolicited comments. While her fiercely protective mother, Cassie, dismissed such remarks from the elderly, she had no qualms about complaining when it came to similar comments from men closer to Apricity¡¯s age. In fact, she would often grip her hands and complain about how her mom ensured that none of those men ever got Apricity alone, even if they were clearly attracted to her.


    This pattern defined the couple of days Matt spent at the lodge, as Cassie refused to help him unless he first dealt with Apricity¡¯s relentless venting. Apparently, because Cassie thought she knew him well enough to believe he would never entertain any sort of relationship. Thus, he had become an effortless target for her to let Apricity vent her frustrations too. Part of him had been tempted to retort sharply more than once, but the prospect of enduring several hours of Apricity¡¯s incessant complaints was a fair trade-off for Cassie¡¯s willingness to handle his gold and finances in town. Yes, that was the very cornerstone of his reason for dealing with Apricity¡ªif he ever burned that bridge, he¡¯d have to find someone else to manage all the tedious government paperwork that plagued him.


    It was while he was reflecting on all of this, just before calling it a day, that everything changed. The familiar sunset, usually a calming display of reds and oranges, suddenly erupted into a dazzling array of colors. A vibrant rainbow quickly swallowed the sky, as if the northern lights had ramped up their intensity and, in a surreal twist, had become the eastern, western, and southern lights all at once. Matt barely had time to register the spectacle before Bob growled and the world around him plunged into darkness, mysterious text appearing before his eyes.


    World connected to system...


    Dominate species found¡­


    Spiritual energy insufficient¡­


    Environment unsuited for progression¡­


    Calculated needed adjustments¡­


    Filtering world inhabitants by species¡­


    Filtering world inhabitants by mentality¡­


    Transferring all to specialized tutorials designed for maximum growth¡­


    Initiating terraforming, estimated time needed 31,557,600 seconds as counted by world.

 CH. 2

    Ch 2


    Matt didn¡¯t even have time to make heads or tails of the situation before he found himself standing on a platform enveloped by a sea of darkness. Where previously the text had appeared to float in the sky, a new message box materialized before him, encased in a semitransparent frame. Feeling as though he was trapped in a nightmare, Matt began to look around frantically. However, no matter what he did, the box stayed fixed right in the center of his vision. With a resigned sigh, he began to read the message.


    ¡°Notice: You have been placed in one of the loner tutorial sessions for your world. While it is evident that you prefer to work alone and enjoy a solitary life, and that doing so is indeed a strength that will serve you well in the future, it is also a weakness that must be overcome. Thus, beyond surviving the tutorial session and adapting to the environment of the multiverse, you will be expected to integrate with other participants and form a cooperative community.¡±


    Matt started to mutter to himself, trying to make sense of what was happening as the screen changed once more. This time, he saw his name displayed prominently at the top, followed by what seemed to be a collection of random words and numbers, each more perplexing than the last.


    Matthew Pierce.


    Level 1


    Strength: 10


    Dexterity: 6


    Durability: 6


    Stamina: 8


    Spirit: 7


    Mind: 4


    Species Human (H)


    Bloodline: (Not evaluated at this level)


    Path: None


    Titles: Integrated


    Skills: Auto translate


    Matt frowned as he tried to make sense of it all, only to have his thoughts abruptly interrupted by a deep, resonant male voice emerging from all around him.


    ¡°Greetings, loners, outcasts, hermits¡ªor whatever you choose to call yourselves to feel better about who you are. By now, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve read your notices, checked your stats, and are left wondering what they all signify. I¡¯m sorry, but frankly, I couldn¡¯t care less about your questions and have no intention of answering them. Instead, I have come to plant a seed of doubt in each of your hearts. It robs life of its excitement to see things laid out so simply, with you blindly following the system¡¯s guidance. Understand this: the system cares not for what you desire, nor does it heed my will, as it forces me to oversee those beginning this tutorial.


    ¡°So, if you must defy it, whether to aid or impede you, know that it is only through struggle¡ªoften a bloody, painful one¡ªthat you can hope to rise in this new reality. After all, the H next to your species doesn¡¯t stand for ¡®human¡¯; it represents the rung on the ladder of power you currently occupy. That¡¯s right. You will see labels like G, F, E, D, C, B attached to your species, each promising a more refined body and a significantly extended life span. But remember: in the multiverse, an F still stands for failure, and anything below that is nothing more than trash left to be discarded.


    ¡°At this moment, you are exactly that¡ªthe trash of the trash¡ªand the challenges ahead will be your best chance to at least secure a status of failure in the eyes of the multiverse. While cooperation among you might help barely achieve an F-grade, the system never demanded true unity. It only requires that you belong to some form of community, be it as small as four individuals or as large as 400. Yes, four is the absolute minimum accepted, though I would strongly advise against sticking with that number¡ªa single death in such a sparse group can plunge you into a precarious situation.


    ¡°Now, I have said enough. I ask that you at least put on a good show, for I am doomed to watch you until your world is deemed ready for your return¡ªif any of you can even recognize it by then. And one last thing: anyone who fails to reach G-grade won¡¯t even be able to withstand the increased gravity, for it is your entire galaxy that is being remade right now. Just let that sink in, as it encapsulates exactly what joining the multiverse will mean in these final, desperate seconds before you find yourselves struggling to survive.¡±


    Matt didn''t even have time to ponder that thought when his screen changed again, prompting him to choose a weapon.


    Choose your tool of combat.


    The Blade: Sharp, decisive, and final. Those who walk the path of the blade leave many dead in their wake, striving not to become a body left along another''s path.


    The Staff: Versatile, whether wielded by a healer, monk, or mage, the staff supports its user in their quest to walk their path.


    The Axe: Brutal yet effective. Wielders of the axe find themselves prepared for any situation, as they often battle fate with sheer raw power.


    The Hammer: A symbol of reluctance and conviction, with the power to forge ahead regardless of what the world throws at them.


    The Bow: Quiet and unseen. Skilled hunters, assassins, and marksmen populate these ranks, as do cowards too frightened to confront mortality head-on.


    The Wand: Power above all else. Only those who seek magic with destructive potential should pick up the wand.


    The Dagger: Hidden and silent. Need anything else be said about the path walked by most who choose the dagger?


    The Pitchfork: A tool to face reality. Even the peaceful must be ready to defend themselves from those who would steal their tranquility.


    The Fist: When all else fails, your own hands can be trusted. Brutal yet measured, the fist is a path walked by too many kinds to truly be classified like the others.


    As Matt examined these nine options, he felt overwhelmed as he tried to make a decision. He assumed that choosing the blade equated to wielding a sword, and he envisioned himself running around with one, battling foes. The thought reminded him of the time he visited a renaissance fair and witnessed two scrawny enthusiasts in full costume play-fighting with wooden swords. Had that been the extent of it, Matt might not have minded, but the cringe-worthy banter they exchanged had made him feel like he was on the verge of nausea.


    This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    The staff seemed like an acceptable choice at first¡ªjust like a trusty walking stick, it could be used in a variety of ways. It could provide better footing or help keep a safe distance from the few hostile animals he¡¯d encountered in the middle of nowhere. But something about it felt off; he wasn¡¯t anyone¡¯s pillar of support, and he certainly wasn¡¯t a healer or monk. Magic, in all its complexity, just wasn¡¯t for him.


    So he shifted his attention to the axe, a tool he knew well. He¡¯d used his axe for years, felling logs for his cabin and chopping firewood, its weight and balance second nature to him. Yet he couldn¡¯t help but feel that the axe he was considering wasn¡¯t the sturdy everyday tool he trusted¡ªit must be referring to the enormous, battle-worn weapons he¡¯d seen in movies, the kind wielded by legendary warriors. In his cabin, the ordinary axe might have been the natural choice, but once again, something didn¡¯t resonate with him, so he passed it by.


    The hammer struck a chord with his own reluctance to belong; it fit his mood, yet he lacked the passion to commit to any cause. Though there was a part of him that desired to prove the world wrong, his retreat to the mountains was more about escaping modern society than embracing a rugged, off-the-grid lifestyle. He couldn¡¯t bring himself to take the final steps toward living solely off the land if it meant sacrificing even the last vestige of modern convenience.


    When he considered the bow, he couldn¡¯t help but shake his head. He had never been adept with one. Sure, he could hit a target when it was easy, but no matter how many corrections he received on his stance, he always ended up with the string striking his arm. Even if the pain was minor, the memory of bruises lingered, and he couldn¡¯t justify learning a skill that might endanger his life.


    The wand was even more unappealing. Matt had no desire to become a wizard or attend some arcane magical school to uncover hidden worlds. And even the notion of learning to launch fireballs while under attack sounded like the worst possible idea. After all, what was the point of victory if it meant burning down the forest he called home? Destruction simply wasn¡¯t a path he was willing to take.


    For a moment, he even considered the dagger, knowing full well the utility of a well-used knife. But the system¡¯s expectations for its use made him pause¡ªhe refused to walk a path that might lead him to feel like a criminal. Despite his disdain for many of the land¡¯s laws, he understood that most existed because someone once lacked common sense. The remainder, he suspected, were just mechanisms for the corrupt to get their way. After all, if the government wanted to enforce things like taxes, it could do so effortlessly now that it already knew what most people owed them.


    With that thought, Matt moved over to the pitchfork, feeling a surge of nausea at the idea of becoming another lowly peasant enslaved by the whims of corrupt bastards eager for war. Even if he could secure a peaceful life and be prepared to defend it, he wasn¡¯t a farmer, and he had no intention of adopting such a mundane existence. The only remaining option was the first one he had considered. No matter how he thought about it, he didn¡¯t see himself as either a martial artist or a brawler. Sure, he knew how to throw a punch and possessed the physical strength to overwhelm most opponents, but the memory of the fight before he was booted out of the military was nothing more than a blurry recollection. Even if he had managed to stare down a drill sergeant after that bout, he had been terrified throughout the encounter. After all, if any of the fools he¡¯d been fighting had brandished a knife, things would have taken a much darker turn.


    This realization¡ªthat he disliked all the available options¡ªforced a frown onto Matt¡¯s face as he scrutinized the few choices he found even marginally acceptable. As he weighed them, he also mused over the variety of weapons being overlooked, like whips or spears, and wondered if they were hidden within one of the offered options or if the system had arbitrarily restricted him to just nine out of potentially hundreds. How did it choose which nine to display, and why limit him so drastically? His contemplation was abruptly interrupted by the deep, resonant voice once again.


    ¡°It seems that some of you have yet to pick a weapon, and the system is now forcing me to inform you that you have only two minutes left to do so before the option is removed. Know that not picking a weapon will severely reduce your chances of surviving what is about to come, though it won¡¯t bar you from pursuing any of the available paths. Just as choosing the wand today won¡¯t prevent you from picking up a sword in the future¡ªand vice versa.¡±


    Matt sighed upon hearing this. He was just about to select the axe and face whatever consequences it might bring, when he hesitated. The voice had mentioned that not picking a weapon wouldn¡¯t prevent him from walking any particular path; however, the voice had only indicated that a sword wielder could later learn magic, not that his current choice wouldn¡¯t potentially close off other paths. This thought solidified his resolve: he no longer cared if it cost him his life. He was determined to forge a path dictated by his own footsteps, not one curated by the system or influenced by others. Sure, he would need to find three others to team up with, but he already had three lone wolves in mind, and he could only hope the system would place him in the same tutorial as Tyler, Cassie, and Apricity. If not, he knew that things were certain to get a lot harder before they got any better.


    When his time ran out, there was no flash, no warning¡ªonly the screen he had been staring at suddenly going blank, fading away into darkness. Moments later, the surrounding void evaporated, and the pillar he had stood on crumbled into dusty earth beneath his feet. In its place he suddenly found himself in a clearing encircled by dense forest, joined by eleven others. This immediate change set him on high alert; he didn¡¯t recognize any of them, and he worried about what this might mean for his plans¡ªeven if the other three were in this tutorial somewhere. Surveying the group, Matt quickly judged that he was better off leaving sooner rather than later, as the crowd was split evenly between men and women.


    Although he respected Cassie and Apricity, Matt made it a point to avoid any women he didn¡¯t know. Experience had taught him that a fistfight with a man was far preferable to enduring a drawn-out dispute with a woman¡ªespecially since he had been the subject of more than one damaging rumor spread by former partners after dating gone wrong. Such scars had cemented his decision to steer clear of love altogether. Only as he turned to leave did one of these women speak up.


    ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡±


    She was tall, with flowing blond hair, a warm tan, and a physique that clearly indicated she worked out regularly. From a distance, one might have thought she graced the cover of a fitness magazine, yet Matt barely spared her¡ªor the massive axe clutched in her hand¡ªa glance as he continued walking.


    ¡°To find a quiet place where I can either prove my worth to myself or die,¡± he replied, the words rough and spontaneous.


    It was the best retort he could come up with on the spot, and he wasn¡¯t overly surprised when she scoffed and pressed on.


    ¡°Oh no you don¡¯t. We are supposed to work as a group, and you were placed here with the rest of us, so you are going to¡ª¡±


    ¡°Leave. I know what was said, but trust me, my staying here will only end in bloodshed. I don¡¯t operate well in groups unless everyone is willing to do exactly as I say, exactly how I want it done. And here''s a tip: if you see patches like these¡ªareas where no trees grow¡ªavoid lingering, for there is always a reason, and chances are it¡¯s deadly for humans as well.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t act as if a bit of advice is all you need to¡ª¡±


    ¡°Just let him leave. Besides, who appointed you leader?¡± interjected a man with pale skin and brown hair, his figure the stark opposite of her athletic form. He toyed with a wand in his hand. ¡°You may have the brawn, but I doubt that brain comes along with it. The voice said four was the minimum, and I don¡¯t think forcing anyone to work with you will end well.¡±


    Matt didn''t catch the rest of the argument as he slipped into the trees, feeling at home for a fleeting moment before realizing he had only the clothes on his back; even the knife he always carried was missing. Thankfully, he was wearing his sturdy boots, and his clothing was far more durable than the junk sold in stores. Over the years, he had honed the skill of tanning hides and crafting them into clothing, a pastime that kept him occupied when snow made any outdoor activity impossible.


    This thought made him miss Bob, as the old bastard had been a great source of comfort. Matt could only hope that whatever the system was doing to Earth, Bob would be fine. If he wasn''t, there was always the option of making the system the target of his revenge, using the impossible goal to conquer all. At least, that''s what he would say if he were a character in some book, but this was his reality. So, he would observe a moment of silence, pour one out for him, and then move on, just as he did when he discovered his dad had passed four months after the funeral. It was simply part of the reality of living the way he did. People died, and the world kept turning as he continued to live away from it all. Eventually, it would be his turn to die, and the world might only find out months later, if ever.

 CH. 3

    Ch 3


    Alone and free to act as he pleased, Matt didn¡¯t waste time creating distance from the others; instead, he focused on scanning his surroundings and formulating a quick plan. He knew that without a weapon he was vulnerable, so he had to craft one immediately. As he looked around, he spotted several rocks about the size of his head that appeared likely to shatter upon impact. Without hesitation, he picked them up and began striking them together as hard as he could. The violent impacts splintered the stones into several sharp-edged shards¡ªprimitive cutting tools that promised to do far more damage than his bare fists.


    Unfortunately, the noise he generated proved to be a grave miscalculation. No sooner had he pocketed the fourth shard meeting his requirements than his first threat materialized. Emerging from the shadows was a creature barely three feet tall with dull gray skin, which charged at him while shrieking at the top of its lungs as if that were a winning tactic. Yet what immediately drew Matt¡¯s attention was the massive club clutched in the creature¡¯s hand¡ªa club so large it seemed almost out of proportion with its diminutive wielder. In a split-second decision, Matt flung one of the larger rock pieces straight at the creature¡¯s face. Like a seasoned batter, the monster swung its club and inadvertently sent the rock hurtling back in his direction; only Matt¡¯s instinctive movement allowed him to narrowly avoid a disastrous collision. The tree behind him wasn¡¯t as lucky¡ªa gaping hollow, just large enough to fit a head, had formed where the rock struck it.


    Had Matt paused to witness the aftermath of his throw, he might have hesitated before closing the distance with the creature, even as he gripped one of his newly fashioned blades. Although the impact had been impressive, the laws of physics were unforgiving, and the tiny monster couldn¡¯t control its momentum after swinging its club with such force. The creature tumbled through the air, spinning three times¡ªa disorienting sight that reminded Matt of a certain devil that spun wildly in the cartoons of his childhood. But there was no time for reflection; survival demanded that he trust his instincts and act immediately. So, when he finally felt the hot rush of blood on his hands as he embedded the stone in the monster¡¯s back, he experienced a momentary shock, his senses numbed as he watched the creature struggle for its last breaths. It was only after the creature had lain still for several seconds that Matt¡¯s attention turned to the transparent screen, that has reappeared displaying new text.


    Monster killed: Level 3 goblin berserker.


    Base experience multiplied by three.


    Awarding 90 experience.


    Current experience to next level 90/1000.


    Kill more things and gain more power if you wish to pursue a path of bloodshed.


    Matt wished he had someone to answer the myriad questions raised by the information on the screen¡ªthe existence of goblins, the mechanics of the multiplier, and even the cryptic message at the end. Yet one word kept echoing in his mind: Path. It had appeared on his status screen along with his initial numbers, and it was also mentioned in several of the descriptions of the weapons. Whatever it meant, Matt felt it was key to understanding this new reality; however, he had no time to dwell on it as he knew he needed to move quickly.


    In the brief 20 seconds since the goblin¡¯s arrival, Matt was convinced more were on their way, though he wasn¡¯t sure from which direction. Acting on instinct, he quickly scrambled up a nearby tree just as the first of three additional goblins appeared. Each goblin emerged from a different direction, making Matt feel that he would have been cornered had he tried to outrun the first. Observing their coordinated interactions, it was evident that they were accustomed to working together; they seemed to be bickering over something that had just transpired. Had Matt not left the deceased goblin lying on its back, he was sure they would have immediately discovered the stone buried three inches into its body. Yet, strangely, they hesitated to touch anything and instead began arguing as his auto-translate skill kicked in.


    "You stay and we get tracker."


    "I ain''t staying alone¡ªif I do, I''ll be the next one dead."


    "We all go then, but you tell tracker why animals eat body when we get back."


    One argument followed the next, making Matt roll his eyes silently. His irritation only grew until the tan woman from earlier charged in, flanked by five other women who attempted to catch the goblins by surprise. If they had managed to close the distance to within five feet, their ambush might have succeeded, but the goblins¡¯ snickering made it clear that this had been their objective all along. The axe in the tan woman''s hand struck a club, sending it flying into the trees near Matt¡¯s hiding spot. An arrow was deflected, and the other four women froze as the tan woman was knocked over when a club jabbed into her gut. With a heavy sigh, Matt began to make his escape, only to suddenly freeze as the goblins began to speak.


    "Seems we found some breeders to use."


    He didn¡¯t know why, but the thought of leaving anyone to such a fate was worse than if he expected them to die. Perhaps it was because death marked the end of all suffering, whereas he understood that an endless existence of misery awaited those left behind. Even if they eventually escaped, the trauma would linger with them for the rest of their lives. He saw Apricity''s face as she spoke about the few times she feared it might happen to her, her eyes darkened by the haunting memories.


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    Cursing under his breath, Matt moved from one tree to another as stealthily as he could. Ahead, six women struggled desperately to escape, having found themselves surrounded by three goblins. Matt puzzled over why they were faring so poorly when he had dispatched his adversaries in mere seconds. It became apparent that their movements were clumsy, as they lost their weapons one after another. Despite the semblance of skill, likely gained from wielding their chosen weapons, their efforts were awkward. It reminded him of inexperienced fools who had never been in a real fight, attempting to gang up on him. To these women, the goblins were simply too formidable.


    With this realization, Matt positioned himself above the nearest of the taunting goblins, drawing another of his stone blades before dropping silently from the tree. The goblin, only three feet tall, was an easy target. Matt landed in a crouch, driving his blade into the creature just below the neck. He didn¡¯t pause to confirm its death, immediately charging toward the goblin on the left. As he approached, he pulled out his second-to-last stone blade. Just then, a rock hurled by the tan-skinned woman struck the goblin in the head, creating the opening Matt needed to plunge his stone weapon into its chest. The last goblin, sensing danger, turned to flee, but Matt swiftly charged forward. Dodging the goblin''s frantic, spinning swing, he closed in and killed it as well, ensuring the women were safe once more.


    Blood spattered across his clothes as he panted, while the six women regarded him with a mix of complex emotions. He shared those same conflicted feelings, knowing he¡¯d only earned 39 experience points from the fight after noticing that the system had divided the spoils evenly among all present. To him, it was an absolute farce. Although he recognized that the six women deserved a share, he firmly believed he had done most of the work in actually dispatching them. The very least the system could do was grant him a bonus for coming to their rescue. Lost in these thoughts, Matt barely registered the voice of the tan woman as she finally spoke.


    ¡°Thanks for that.¡±


    ¡°Whatever,¡± Matt replied with a shake of his head, knowing she wasn¡¯t the one in charge of the experience allocation. ¡°I take it you all ended up splitting with the other guys.¡±


    ¡°Ugh, don¡¯t talk about those idiots.¡±


    ¡°I take it a few of them couldn¡¯t stop themselves from thinking they¡¯d be heroes just because they were surrounded by a group of women¡ª¡±


    ¡°I thought I said don¡¯t talk about those idiots.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, but splitting things by sex makes it obvious that most of those guys are probably trash. Not that I¡¯m saying any of you are much better. Really, what were you thinking, charging in when you could have let an arrow test the waters first?¡±


    ¡°You know she only has 20 arrows and has to recover them after each fight.¡±


    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t. Are they at least indestructible?¡±


    ¡°No clue. But whatever¡¯s happening, it feels like hard mode.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s life¡ªnothing but hard mode if you weren¡¯t born into wealth.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    ¡°No one looks like you and acts as if they¡¯re a natural leader unless they¡¯re wealthier than everyone they know and accustomed to having servants around.¡±


    ¡°Oh, and what would you know about such things?¡±


    ¡°Nothing. It was just a guess that you just confirmed. I only know someone who deals with your type all the time, and since that person is one of the only two people I speak with more than once a year, I figured you fit the bill.¡±


    ¡°What kind of life do you lead if you only talk to two people on a daily basis?¡±


    ¡°I go months without seeing anyone. I live alone in a place with no roads¡ªonly your own two feet can get you there. I hike out twice a year at most, and someone only comes in to check on me about six times a year. Now, learn how to fight, because I won¡¯t be there next time.¡±


    Matt had just turned and was about to leave when another woman called out, "Wait, please let me come with you¡ªI promise I''ll follow your directions as best as I can."


    She was small, and when Matt looked into her eyes he could see that terror gripped her; it appeared as though she was struggling to hide behind her unruly brown bangs. He remembered how, moments earlier, she had frantically waved her staff around as if her life depended on it. Just when he was about to deny her request, he recalled what had been written about the staff.


    "What path are you planning to walk?" he asked.


    "Um, I don¡¯t really know," she replied hesitantly. "I chose the staff because I felt that supporting someone would be easier than being the one to fight."


    "Why don¡¯t you want to fight?" Matt pressed.


    "Um, I¡¯m not fierce. I know myself well enough to admit that when conflict arises, I just run. That¡¯s why I¡¯ve always been a loner¡ªI¡¯ve run from everyone the moment they showed even a hint of anger."


    "So now you plan to run from these other five, hoping that I¡¯ll never get angry with you?" he challenged.


    "Um, well¡ª" she began, her voice trailing off.


    "Let me make one thing clear before you respond," Matt interjected. "I¡¯m not interested in any drama. If you follow me, I¡¯m equally likely to ignore you as I am to help you survive. I have deep authority issues, and to me, my ideas are always the best until proven otherwise."


    Matt could see her trembling, her wide eyes fixed on him. He even noticed one of the other four women, who had remained silent until now, clearly on the verge of speaking when he raised his hand to silence her. Though none of the five women outside the tan-haired blond were unattractive, in Matt¡¯s eyes they paled in comparison. It was obvious that none of them were regulars at the gym; and unlike the blond, none of them had their nails done¡ªa detail that made them more appealing to him, as the blond exuded nothing but high-maintenance vibes. However, this aesthetic preference mattered little as the short brunet finally spoke.


    "I¡¯m fine with all of that¡ªif you promise that you won¡¯t ignore my need to survive or leave me alone to face the dangers here," she said softly.


    "Fix yourself, or the next person who comes along to save your life will take full advantage of you," Matt retorted. "One day, I¡¯ll allow all six of you to stick with me for an entire day while you get a handle on things. If nothing else, you all need to swing your weapons around a few times, considering I was only fighting with some broken rocks and still did better than you."


    Already regretting his harsh words, Matt listened as the tan woman spoke, urgency lacing her tone.


    "How did you even manage to move like that? Is it something about picking the fist option from earlier?" she inquired.


    "I¡¯m not here to answer yours¡ªor anyone else¡¯s¡ªquestions," he snapped. "What you saw was simply me silencing my doubts and letting my instincts drive my movements. Just so you know, I was fine with letting you all die, but not with what it looked like the goblins intended to do to you. Now, get your weapons and follow me."

 CH. 4

    Ch 4


    A minute later, with a final reminder to stay quiet, Matt moved cautiously through the woods, his head constantly swiveling as he searched for a clearing that could serve as a base of operations for the six women. Unfortunately, the task proved more challenging than he had hoped. Though every tree, rock, and patch of ground was real, the forest felt strangely artificial¡ªas if the elements had been randomly copied and pasted into place. After three long hours of walking, he finally came upon a small hill. It was rocky and lacked towering trees, but there were plenty of smaller ones still, adding a certain rugged charm to the spot.


    Considering the group¡¯s shared arsenal¡ªtwo swords, two staffs, a bow, and an axe¡ªMatt figured they could at least build and maintain a modest half-wall. Still, he couldn¡¯t shake the thought that spears might have been far more useful, especially since the plan relied on them working together and the tight formation of a spear wall was a tactic with proven effectiveness. With that thought set aside, he approached the tan-skinned woman and began speaking.


    "I hope your axe is good for chopping down trees," he said.


    She replied confidently, "I don¡¯t see why it wouldn¡¯t be."


    Matt offered a small smile before outlining his plan to the group. The tan-blond struggled to hack her way through the smaller trees while the pair armed with swords teamed up with those wielding staffs to scout for the best building spot on the hill. Finally, he turned to the woman with the bow and gave her a detailed instruction.


    "Choose an arrow you haven¡¯t fired yet and pick a tree as your target. Stand ten feet away from it, then continuously fire and retrieve the arrow until the arrow finally breaks. Be sure to mark your spot accurately¡ªthis test is designed to determine how many shots an arrow can sustain before it fails, so we need precise data on their durability to plan our defenses accordingly."


    She hesitated, asking, "Won¡¯t the results vary depending on which tree I choose?"


    "Most likely," he admitted. "But unless you try for head shots¡ªwhich I don¡¯t recommend¡ªtrees should be the toughest targets when hit with full force. And if you¡¯d rather use two arrows instead, feel free to test your accuracy on a rock next."


    She then pressed further, "And what happens if I discover there¡¯s no way to kill enough monsters before my arrows run out?"


    At the woman¡¯s question, Matt looked at her and saw someone hidden behind a mask of indifference, acting as if nothing ever troubled her. He suspected that mask was her tool for surviving isolation, even though he had never really cared to notice such subtleties before. Now, however, he found himself questioning why he felt repulsed by the emotional defenses each woman in the group displayed. Had Apricity shielded herself in the same way? If so, he hadn¡¯t noticed¡ªand, for some reason, that made him want to speak with her. Still, he pushed those thoughts aside as he prepared to respond to the woman before him.


    ¡°Either find another way to fight or craft new arrows,¡± he declared. ¡°The goblins I killed had crude weapons and makeshift clothing. If I had to bet, we¡¯ll all be stuck here until Earth is ready for our return. Even though the countdown is in seconds, it totals over 30 million seconds¡ªwhich is roughly a year. I expect that the weak are meant to perish; our true goal here is simply survival, and for most of us, working together isn¡¯t yet necessary.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean by ¡®most of us¡¯?¡± asked the woman with the bow.


    ¡°You, the two carrying staffs, and several others who aren¡¯t equipped to handle every situation will eventually need support,¡± Matt replied. ¡°Later on, I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll need a healer or some sort of craftsman¡ªsomeone to craft armor or repair weapons. That¡¯s really why I¡¯m even willing to delay our next move; I feel I should be seeking out a sturdy tree to turn into my base.¡±


    He paused for a moment, his eyes scanning the rugged landscape before continuing. ¡°Anyway, I bet if we locate the goblin village, we¡¯ll find tools that we can repurpose. With those, some of us can eventually create better equipment. At that point, villages might become the norm, with one group exploring, another guarding, one crafting, and yet another securing food¡ªthough I¡¯m merely spitballing based on the idea that four was the minimum number needed to succeed.¡±


    ¡°Then was it wrong to split up like our group did?¡± another asked hesitantly.


    ¡°Not for me,¡± he responded calmly and slightly arrogantly. ¡°For the six of you, however, it might have been better to stick with the others. I suspect that, despite whatever each of the five may have thought, few would know what to do if free access were offered. But honestly, only a fool would worry about such things before this ends¡ªwe have no inkling of what awaits us once this tutorial is over, or what stands between us and that unknown future.¡±


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    ¡°Some might say that is all the more reason to enjoy¡ª¡±


    ¡°If you finish that statement, I¡¯ll leave,¡± Matt snapped. ¡°This isn¡¯t a romance novel or a tale of heroic deeds where truth and justice triumph in the end. This is a deadly survival game that will force us all to the brink¡ªand beyond¡ªas the danger escalates with each passing day. Now, get to testing your arrows.¡±


    With that, Matt turned to check on the others, silently questioning why he had even bothered to voice his inner thoughts. He knew that despite spending most of his time alone, he enjoyed putting his thoughts into words as a way to sort them out, and he reassured himself that this was exactly what he was doing. Still, he felt that he should have been more open with the woman, especially as she began giving him a look that seemed to pin her hope for survival on him. Surely, she was simply frightened, and he was acting as if he were in control to comfort her. She was grabbing at straws to find a way forward, much like the woman with the staff had done before, which blinded them to the fact that he was just as lost as they were.


    Though he moved forward with an air of outward confidence, his mind was in a whirl of panic. He sensed the lingering danger of everything that had happened since he encountered the first goblin and realized he hadn¡¯t yet had the time to process it all. Instead, he was driven purely by instinct when he caught movement from the corner of his eye¡ªa boar charging straight toward him.


    Without a single moment to think, Matt instinctively shifted his stance. In the next heartbeat, a sharp pain shot through him as his hands closed around the boar¡¯s tusks. He twisted his body decisively, causing the boar to topple over and slide, dragging him along in its fall. He had managed to survive the charge by redirecting most of the boar¡¯s momentum and even trapping it on its side. Still, he was out of options: his instincts warned him that releasing either tusk would mean defeat, yet keeping his grip would prevent him from finishing the fight. It was just then that an arrow pierced the boar¡¯s belly, prompting it to squeal loudly. As Matt turned his head, he saw the bow-wielding woman release another arrow, which joined the first, while the tan-blond woman came running into view.


    With a single powerful swing of her axe, the boar fell lifelessly, and in addition to the modest reward of 30 experience points, an awkward silence fell over the three of them. Matt could feel that both women wanted him to acknowledge that he had needed their help, but he couldn¡¯t bring himself to do so. Not that he doubted the role they had played¡ªindeed, they had arrived so swiftly that he couldn¡¯t help but wonder what his instincts would have led him to do had he been alone. And yet, he grudgingly recognized that their aid had been vital. With that thought lingering in his mind, he finally broke the silence after a few long seconds.


    ¡°Thanks for the assist; that fight would have been far tougher on my own,¡± Matt admitted with a wry smile. Though his comment was a clear cop-out, none of the women bothered to call him out, their attention soon distracted by the arrival of their four other companions. The group¡¯s expressions shifted to one of wary disbelief as they took in the massive, 200-pound boar lying dead¡ªa testament to the raw power of nature. Unwilling to let fear seep into their hard-won survival instincts, Matt pressed on.


    ¡°I wonder, does anyone have some barbeque sauce? I wouldn¡¯t mind a few pounds of salt either,¡± he continued, his tone light even in the midst of chaos.


    One of the women, gripping a sword tightly, looked at him with raised eyebrows. ¡°What?¡± she asked incredulously. ¡°You actually plan on eating that?¡±


    Matt grinned. ¡°What other options do we have? Sure, there are plenty of edible plants around if we could just figure out which ones, but protein is king.¡±


    ¡°Won¡¯t raw meat give us diseases?¡± another interjected, her concern evident.


    ¡°Not if we cook it properly,¡± Matt replied confidently. ¡°Now, has anyone here ever worked with wild game before?¡±


    As he spoke, he couldn¡¯t help but chuckle quietly at the puzzled looks on most of their faces. Reaching into his pocket, he produced one of his roughly sharpened stones and launched into a detailed lecture on preparing the meat. At one point, he had to explain his preference for these precision-cut stones over the far sharper, yet unwieldy, swords that many carried. Although a sword might have made certain tasks easier, its awkwardness in close quarters made it less practical for his needs. Demonstrating further, he showed them how to create their own stone cutting tools, though he refrained from producing more to avoid drawing unwanted attention with noise.


    Ultimately, no substantial shelter was built; all they had were four trees arranged in a rough square, forming a makeshift wall, and the roasting boar. The boar, while it spared them from hunger that night, was a far cry from gourmet¡ªit lacked any real seasoning and was rather bland in taste. Nonetheless, by the time Matt called it a night, he was satisfied that the six women had grasped the very basics of survival. Yet, their improvised weapons showed signs of wear; the arrows, for example, proved far from indestructible when one snapped after striking a tree merely seven times. Likewise, the tan woman¡¯s axe had noticeably dulled after chopping through just a couple of trees.


    Observing these shortcomings, Matt felt a certain kinship with his band of survivors. He realized that although they had been given rudimentary weapons and a single, magically granted ability tailored to that weapon, such abilities often proved more hindrance than help. They were rigid and inflexible, while his own instincts allowed him the freedom to move as needed. Still, he conceded that any passive skills that bolstered his speed or strength might be worth considering. Pushing those thoughts aside, he took the first watch of the night before finally settling down to sleep, the embers of the dying fire flickering softly against the dark wilderness.

 CH. 5

    Ch 5


    Matt awoke from the strangest dream¡ªa vision of being transported to an eerie forest¡ªonly to realize with a jolt that it wasn¡¯t a dream at all. Just inches from his face loomed the timid staff wielder¡¯s face, a sight that sent his fight-or-flight instincts into overdrive. He began to worry that he had already lingered too long in this precarious situation. Before he could react further, the tan, blond woman carrying an axe¡ªthe one who had taken the last watch¡ªspoke up.


    "So, what is on the docket for today?" she asked casually.


    "Lessons on personal space," Matt replied, his tone edged with sarcasm and anxiety.


    "Emily just felt safer near you. You can¡¯t really blame her for wanting to sleep soundly," she teased.


    "I can, as she didn¡¯t even ask and¡ª" Matt started, his frustration rising.


    "You would have refused anyway, which would have only made you angrier than you already are. So tell me, are you gay or something? Because the only way you look at any of us is with annoyance and frustration¡ªeven when we helped kill the boar."


    "I don''t know if I''m anything when it comes to sexual preferences," he muttered, "beyond feeling that it''s just not worth the trouble."


    "Got it, so you''re a virgin then?"


    "What are you going to tease me about now?"


    "I take it back¡ªyou¡¯ve dabbled once or twice, but only to claim you did," she said with a smirk.


    "Not true. I''ve never gotten that far with anyone. I always seemed to put other things first when I actually tried dating. And now, if you don¡¯t mind, I¡¯m really not in the mood to talk."


    "I do mind," she insisted. "Look, the six of us would have been dead or worse if you hadn¡¯t stepped in yesterday. I know you only agreed to work with us for a day, but I need to know if a longer-term arrangement could be negotiated."


    "Ask me that when we¡¯re eating tonight," he replied, his tone darkening. "Also, check with the others first, because I''m not planning to be a pleasant companion if agree to something that binds me to your group long term."


    "Anything in particular that I should warn them about?" she prodded.


    "Yeah, I do what I think is best without worrying about others'' opinions. That often means I have no respect for privacy and no shame in breaking social norms. Before all this, I lived about half a day''s hike away from anyone, and I only made that journey two or three times a year."


    "Got an extreme example of what that could mean for us?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.


    "Sure. If I instructed all of you to strip naked, cut off all your hair, and cover your bodies in mud, I would expect you to do so. It might very well be the first step in concealing your existence from some unseen danger out there."


    "Odds of that happening?" one of them questioned.


    "100%¡ªat least for you, if I end up staying past today," he replied sharply.


    "What!?" came the shocked response.


    "You''re trying to get me to stay," he explained, "so either give up, or accept that you''ll be subjected to everything I know."


    "Fuck, you¡¯re not kidding about being hard to live with," she grumbled.


    "Exactly," he said dryly. "So just forget about it."


    "Fine," she finally conceded, "if the others agree, I''ll humiliate myself for the greater good of us all."


    "What?"


    "Look, I¡¯ve spent my life expecting others to do exactly as I say simply because they work for my family. I never had friends¡ªand I never wanted them¡ªsince I could always order a maid to entertain me in any way I pleased. You lived alone, but I was surrounded by people who would obey every command as long as it didn¡¯t cross any boundaries. Had you claimed you¡¯d make us all strip for your entertainment, that would have been a line crossed. In my view, hiding from something and surviving is worth any level of humiliation one might demand. Just don¡¯t expect me to do it when you¡¯re not around¡ªand if it must happen, it¡¯s best to wait a few days."


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    "Alright, are we done talking now?" asked Matt, annoyance creeping into his tone.


    "For now,¡± she nodded ¡°But I expect everyone to have something to say before the day ends."


    "Joy,¡± grumbled Matt. ¡°Try to get them to help once I¡¯ve taught you all a few things¡ªlike how to make cordage."


    "Cordage?"


    "Yes; rope, twine, or any material used to tie things together."


    "Oh, you can actually make that?" she asked in surprise.


    "Yes, although it can be pretty time-consuming. However, among the skills that are both easy to learn and extremely useful in a survival situation, cordage-making is up there. In fact, I believe I could teach all of you how to do it in just one day."


    "Is that all you plan to teach us?"


    At that question, Matt felt his social patience evaporating. He took a deep breath, trying to recall how he¡¯d managed similar situations back in high school, and said, "No, I already gave you some lessons yesterday. Now, let me think about some other topics before I get too annoyed and my thoughts get jumbled."


    "How am I being annoying?¡± she pressed. ¡°If anything¡ª"


    "People just annoy me. That¡¯s why I avoid them, and why I don¡¯t plan on staying with all of you even if I agree to help out more. Now, keep your thoughts to yourself. I¡¯m going to take a walk through the woods and mull over a few things. While I¡¯m gone, start working with the others to strip the bark from the trees you¡¯ve cut down¡ªit¡¯ll be what you use to make cordage. And while you¡¯re at it, see if you can locate a good source of water nearby, because I don¡¯t think we¡¯ll last much longer without it."


    With that, Matt rose and began to walk away from the group of six women. He scanned the area for landmarks before slipping into the woods, marking trees as he went. Almost immediately, he felt a mix of relief and tension¡ªrelief at the solitude, and a creeping sense of paranoia that someone was watching him. The solace came from not having the burden of constant company, while the unease stemmed from the knowledge that whatever entity had spoken to them at the beginning of this scenario clearly possessed the means to monitor them all. Matt was convinced that some surveillance was continually tracking everyone in this barren expanse, always ready to alert those in charge if anything went wrong.


    It was this worry that had Matt¡¯s anxiety running on overdrive as he tried to decipher the true purpose of their predicament. It was clear that the threat wasn¡¯t limited to mere mindless monsters¡ªthe goblins were just the start¡ªbut he also had a nagging feeling that there were too few monsters at once. Still, he remained uncertain about exactly how few there were, as he had no idea how many levels it would take for his species to reach G or F rank. One thing was apparent, though: stopping there was not an option. Instead, Matt was determined to soar at least to E rank before being returned to Earth, even if that meant others might perish along the way. Not that he intended to kill them directly; rather, he would simply hoard experience, thereby hindering their path to F rank.


    This line of thought brought him back to a fundamental dilemma: how should he manage this scenario, and how much help was he willing to extend to others? Could he even afford to work with anyone? If he bumped into Apricity, Cassie, or Tyler, he would certainly lend a hand, but he wouldn¡¯t extend that assistance to the entire group trapped wherever they were¡ªMatt already knew what that could lead to. Should he discover that they were allied with another faction, he wouldn¡¯t hesitate to leave them behind and concentrate on his own journey. In his mind, it made far more sense to remain self-focused, a mode of operation he was all too accustomed to and ready to embrace once more.


    Yet, there was one compelling reason to support the group of women: crafting. Although Matt was confident in his ability to create anything he needed, the process was painstakingly time-consuming. If the six women committed themselves to establishing and defending a base, they¡¯d have ample opportunity to craft essential items far faster than he could. Much like his arrangement with Cassie back on Earth, Matt planned to negotiate that they process whatever valuable resources he delivered into items beneficial to him. It was a straightforward concept in his head, yet he recognized that it would demand more than just a day of instruction in making cordage and other basic tools. He would need to help them grow stronger, for without that progression, it was only a matter of time before a monster¡ªor another human¡ªwould seize everything they had painstakingly built.


    Matt understood that the possibility of others joining their group was also high, which would almost certainly result in the six of them being absorbed by another group. If that happened, it would mean that instead of the tan blonde, who seemed to have become their leader, Matt would have to contend with a new unknown leader. This was the last thing he wanted; even though he found the tan blonde annoying, she was still less bothersome than having to start from scratch with someone else. That was, of course, assuming they could even continue to live as crafters in whatever reality they found themselves in.


    With this in mind, Matt strengthened his resolve to work with the women, provided they were willing to work with him, and try to establish a situation that he found bearable. He began to make his way back to the group of six women, only to find himself suddenly surrounded. Not by monsters in the traditional sense, but by simple rats, each the size of a football. Thankfully, he counted only ten of them, but he could see more approaching as he weighed the options of fighting or fleeing. The thought of how the six women would react to him returning while being chased by oversized rats made Matt quickly decide to fight.


    As he gripped his stone-cutting tools, he found himself wishing for a weapon with a bit more reach. Nevertheless, as he let his mind go blank and his body settled into a loose stance, he refrained from cursing whatever fate had sent the rats after him. After all, there were certainly much worse things to contend with, and at least the rats didn''t appear to be diseased and could provide a decent meal. Not that Matt expected any of the women to be thrilled about that prospect, but he chuckled as he thought of it as yet another valuable lesson he could teach them.

 CH. 6

    Ch 6


    Matt kicked the first rat that charged him, sending it crashing into another that seemed to be hesitating, weighing its options. That single blow only spurred more rats into action; within a matter of seconds, their numbers had swelled to around fifteen by the time he paused. Still, he flowed seamlessly into another kick, his body moving purely on instinct, never pausing to wonder why a particular move felt so right. He kicked, jumped, spun, and even used a nearby tree to change direction several times. Yet, for every rat he sent tumbling back, another would soon land and charge anew. Although he clutched two rocks in his hands¡ªtools he knew could kill¡ªtheir use was overridden by an inner warning that urged him not to resort to them.


    As the frantic battle unfolded, Matt felt himself slipping into a rhythmic, almost trance-like pattern, even as minor fatigue began to set in¡ªa fatigue reminiscent of a short, intense sprint where every breath grows heavier. The brief pauses between kicks allowed him to control his breathing, yet the constant threat of death in the event of a misstep pushed him further than he would normally have dared. His memory flashed to the fight during basic training, a recollection that filled him with dread at the thought of sustaining an injury now while he was fighting for his life in the wild.


    Just as he steadied his thoughts, an attack came from above: a rat leaped out of a tree in a surprise assault. Startled, he caught it squarely in the belly with one of his cutting stones. However, this initial victory was quickly countered by the sudden surge of four more rats, their bodies emerging from the branches with alarming speed. Matt''s reflexes served him well¡ªhe landed clean hits on two of the intruders and narrowly dodged a bite when another clung momentarily to his shoulder. In a desperate, violent spin, he managed to fling the rat off his shoulder, preventing it from ever reaching his neck.


    The brief moment of respite was nothing but an illusion. The rats that had been struck by his cutting tools lay immobile, but there had been no time for celebration as the remaining rats closed in. What followed was a chaotic flurry of kicks and desperate dodges; despite his best efforts, several scratches marred his skin while he narrowly avoided multiple bites. Even though Matt was convinced that the rats were not diseased, the prospect of a bite with no immediate access to medical care filled him with a pressing sense of danger. Once more, he longed for a weapon with some reach, a tool that could keep his enemies at bay. In a final burst of energy, he leaped out just in time to break free of the encirclement, spotting an open path leading back toward the direction of where the women were camped.


    With the pathway clear, he took off without hesitation, driven by the stark realization that he was merely one mistake away from being completely overwhelmed. As he ran, he couldn''t help but berate himself for feeling the need to depend on others. Despite knowing that his reliance was justified under the circumstances, it still set a troubling precedent. His plans to strike out on his own¡ªeven if it meant occasionally checking in for help¡ªnow felt complicated by the undeniable dependence he had been forced to display in the heat of the situation as his survival hung in the balance.


    All these thoughts and more raced through Matt¡¯s mind as he sprinted with a pack of rats scurrying hot on his heels, yet one thought stood out above the rest: how he wished he knew where the goblins were headquartered. He imagined that luring a swarm of rats toward them could incite a chaotic melee that might kill many of the creatures. Still, he pushed this idea aside amid the burning fire in his lungs and the constant need to avoid falling, all while carefully maneuvering through the forest. He kept a sharp eye on the familiar landmarks that would guide him back to the women. Fortunately, he had wandered scarcely a mile, having only sought a brief respite to clear his head, and it took merely eight minutes before he burst into the camp, panting for breath.


    The first thing he noticed was that, despite his absence lasting almost an hour, not everyone was awake yet. The second observation was that the tan-blonde and the three others who were alert had already managed to strip half of a tree¡¯s bark while he had been away. There was no time to worry about making cordage now; he had to summon the little breath he had left to call out a warning.


    ¡°To arms¡ª¡±


    His attempt was feeble, barely audible even to himself. Had it not been for the cacophony of his heavy breathing and the frantic sound of his footsteps, the others might have remained unaware. Luckily, the tan-blonde immediately responded with a much louder, clear call to arms:


    ¡°We are under attack!¡±


    It turned out that the staff wielder, Emily, who had slept near him, and one of the sword wielders were still asleep. This meant that only the bow-woman and the axe-wielding tan-blonde could provide immediate assistance, while the other two scrambled to rouse and shield their fallen comrades. Nevertheless, the situation was not as dire as before. Matt spun around to face the swarm of rats¡ªwhich had somehow swelled into a crowd of over fifty large, ferocious creatures. With a deep, steadying breath, he braced himself and met each charging rat with a swift, powerful kick that sent many flying into their fellow attackers. However, as the rats scattered and diverged to pursue new targets, he had to be cautious, ensuring that his strikes did not inadvertently send rats toward his allies.


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    The battle raged on as Matt focused solely on not becoming a burden, striving tirelessly to keep the majority of the rats at bay. In his frenzied state, he failed to notice that half of the women were swinging their weapons like frightened children, and he barely registered that the tan-blonde was the only one managing to hold her own in close combat. For Matt, the world narrowed to the ten feet surrounding him, and he stayed in constant motion until, after what felt like an eternity, he finally observed that no more rats were moving about. Only then did he allow himself a moment to scan the area, just as a new notification came in.


    Monster killed: Level 4 pack rats.


    Base experience multiplied by four.


    Awarding 57 experience.


    Current experience to next level 216/1000.


    Kick more things and gain more power if you wish to pursue a path of kicking.


    Matt wasn¡¯t sure how he felt about possibly opening the door to more constant kicking, but just as he had dismissed all the other options presented to him, he disregarded that one as well. Instead, he surveyed the group of women around him and smiled. Although more than one was glaring at him in annoyance, none appeared harmed as the tan blonde locked eyes with him and stomped over with determined steps.


    Matt seriously considered bolting, fully aware that what was about to unfold would be incredibly irritating; yet he knew that running would likely land him in yet another messy situation like the one he had just escaped. So, he stood his ground until she was right in front of him, ready to speak.


    ¡°What exactly is your explanation for thinking that herding a swarm of rats back here was a good idea?¡± she demanded sharply.


    ¡°It was more like my only option,¡± he replied. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but kicking them wasn¡¯t working¡ªtheir numbers kept growing, so I was forced to choose the only logical course available to me. If I¡¯d known where the goblins were, I would¡¯ve led the rats there and let them clash, but armed only with these sharpened stones, I was clearly outmatched.¡±


    ¡°Then I take it you don¡¯t need persuading to stay, and you won¡¯t be forcing me to cut my hair and get muddy as payment?¡± she retorted with a raised eyebrow.


    ¡°Let¡¯s not overdo our expectations. For now, I need your group just as much as you need someone with basic skills, but that will change. Eventually, once I¡¯ve taught you all that¡¯s useful, I¡¯ll just be that temperamental guy who stirs up trouble for everyone.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s pretty much all of us, if you hadn¡¯t noticed,¡± interjected Emily as she wandered over from the others. ¡°Eleanor is the only one among us who feels comfortable chatting with random strangers¡ªeven if she does come off a bit too authoritative.¡±


    ¡°I take it you¡¯re Eleanor then?¡± Matt commented as he glanced toward the tan blonde. ¡°Emily and Eleanor¡ªtwo ¡®E¡¯ names out of six women. What are the odds?¡±


    ¡°Yes, that is my name. Should I also introduce the rest of the group?¡± she asked with faux courtesy.


    ¡°No, I¡¯d rather not know both names just yet¡ªthough I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll learn the rest in due time. Now, before I get frustrated again, let¡¯s figure out if I¡¯m staying, for how long, and exactly what my role will be while I¡¯m here.¡±


    "You''re staying," declared Eleanor firmly. "At least until we recruit one more, because your last outing confirmed my suspicions. Every time you venture off on your own, you end up getting attacked. The voice said that four is the minimum, so until you can leave with a group of four, all seven of us must stick together."


    "What about the boar?" challenged Matt. "I wasn¡¯t exactly alone then."


    "That single attack occurred only after you were more than 100 feet away from the group, and I believe it was because we were a bit spread out," Eleanor countered. "Even those goblins that nearly killed us were there for you¡ªwe just happened upon them."


    "If that''s true, wouldn''t it make sense for him to dash into the forest and lure enemies our way?" Emily asked thoughtfully. "That way, we could gain experience more easily."


    "Where did you get that idea from?" Matt inquired. "And why am I the one who gets to scout?"


    "Books and games¡ªmostly books, since I read a lot," explained Eleanor. "And as for why you, well, you''re probably the fastest among us."


    "All of them are fantasy, I take it," Eleanor observed with a slight smile. "Still, it has its logic, and it¡¯s a role that would make you indispensable once everyone has seen what you can do."


    "So what happens when I lure in a group of humans?" Matt asked, his tone darkening.


    "What?" Eleanor replied, raising an eyebrow.


    "He''s worried about the conflict that will follow," Emily stated. "I think we¡¯d rather have it happen sooner than later, as it would mean we¡¯re starting on equal ground¡ªand¡ª"


    "No," Matt interrupted. "If I am risking my life by luring enemies for you all to fight, we¡¯re not hoping for equal ground. We¡¯re aiming to be superior. This whole place is supposed to be filled with loners and society¡¯s rejects, right? I don¡¯t plan on sharing power with an idiot and making my goals even harder to achieve."


    "And just what do you want to do?" pressed Eleanor.


    "I don''t want to have to manage more people than necessary. Look, I know I¡¯ll eventually need to connect with a larger group, and that might as well be yours. But if that''s going to happen, you need to get them all to agree to level up rapidly for a while."


    "What''s ''a while''?" Eleanor asked, intrigued.


    "Until we figure out what it takes for us to reach ''G'' or ''F'' in our species¡ªwhatever it takes," Matt explained with a grim smile.


    "Do you really think we can evolve into something like elves when we rank up?" Emily asked hopefully. "It would be nice if being thrown into this chaos granted us some perks."


    "You''ve definitely been reading too many fantasy books," Eleanor commented wryly. "Even so, why couldn¡¯t it be possible?"


    "That doesn¡¯t matter right now," stated Matt decisively. "Our focus must be on survival. I¡¯ll begin teaching everyone how to make cordage, and you two can handle getting the others on board with leveling up."


    "Could I at least get your name before I start discussing things with the others?" Eleanor asked.


    "Matt," he replied simply.


    In that moment, as he spoke his name aloud, Matt felt a subtle shift¡ªa faint but to his mind a tangible link forming between him and the six women, binding them together in this precarious quest for survival.

 CH. 7

    Ch 7


    An hour had passed since Matt began teaching them how to make cordage, and overall, the six women were making good progress. Although it would take days for them to produce enough cordage for items like snare traps and climbing kits, they had at least mastered the basic technique and just needed more practice. However, they had already managed to create enough cordage to make a bow drill for starting fires¡ªa task Matt decided to focus on next. While he wasn¡¯t entirely sure whether having a fire was a boon or a liability, he acknowledged that it would serve as a crucial morale booster. The bow drill was also a much more reliable method than banging rocks on metal like they had done the night before. Especially as it wasn¡¯t good for any of their weapons to be used in such a manner and should be avoided whenever possible.


    During the lesson, Eleanor had taken the time to speak with each of the other women individually, so Matt wasn¡¯t fully aware of every detail that had been discussed. Nevertheless, as he finished crafting the bow for the bow drill set and was about to explain the importance of finding a good fireboard and spindle, Eleanor addressed the group as a whole.


    "After talking with everyone, I believe we all agree that splitting from the others yesterday might have been a bit too hasty. However, there¡¯s little we can do about it right now, as searching for them would be an exercise in futility. I¡¯m convinced that there are other groups out there¡ªwhen that mysterious voice spoke, it sounded like there were at least hundreds of us here, though I suspect millions would be more accurate. We have no idea how vast this area is or what else it holds, so it¡¯s safe to assume that everyone is pretty spread out.


    "Our priority now must be what we can control: building up our camp and progressing as quickly as possible. Matt will take the lead for the next few days or weeks, though he has made it clear that he does not wish to lead us long term. Therefore, I will serve as acting leader until we can choose a permanent one, especially once Matt has helped us reach a point where our judgment is as solid as his, given our circumstances. Now, Matt, could you outline in general terms the skills you believe we should all focus on developing until then?"


    Matt exhaled deeply as he stood and regarded the group once more, taking in each of their unique shapes and sizes. He noted the slight build of Emily, who couldn¡¯t have weighed more than 115 pounds, and contrasted it with the tall and muscular Eleanor, who weighed at least 160 pounds¡ªa testament to her strength and capability. Most of the others fell somewhere between these two, though their fitness levels leaned closer to Emily¡¯s than Eleanor¡¯s, except for the woman with the staff, who, to put it mildly, was entirely out of shape.


    Thankfully all of the women had at least been wearing pants instead of dresses when they were transferred to from Earth. However, while everyone else sported well-fitting tops that were neither too tight nor too loose, the last woman wore a baggy T-shirt that likely obscured the full extent of her weight issues. Matt¡¯s observations were more about adapting to the necessary adjustments than anything else, as he tried to assign each woman to a role suited to her strengths for the future. In this case, he was convinced that she would excel as a base tender, a role that required less exploration or constant movement. With this thought in mind, he began his instructions.


    ¡°First, each of you needs to take a hard look at yourselves and each other, and then determine which roles you can best fill. Take Eleanor, for instance; it may be too early to decide if she is the ideal leader for your group, yet she certainly knows how to take charge¡ªa quality that we sorely lack. And then there is Emily, who seems to be desperately trying to hold herself together as she clings to anyone she believes could help her survive. As for me, I long to find a quiet place to be alone, though that luxury is currently out of reach. Still, I remain hopeful that it will one day be possible. In the meantime, I will share some fundamental survival knowledge with you all.


    ¡°Now that you have all learned the basics of making cordage and have been provided with a tool to help create fire, we can address another critical need: clothing. None of us arrived here with a change of clothes, and I expect this to become a pressing concern sooner rather than later¡ªunless you all decide to embrace nudism. Fortunately, we have most of what we need to craft basic fur garments. I just have to locate the right bark and secure a method to boil and store water, and then we can tan the furs of the rats we killed.¡±


    Matt suppressed a snicker as he noticed a few of the women cringe at the thought of wearing clothing made from rats, his mind flashing back to his own past survival tactics, many of which others might find repulsive.


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    ¡°All of you need to put aside your preconceptions about what¡¯s ¡°gross¡± because in the wild, many unpleasant tasks are necessary. I¡¯ve dealt with rodents, eaten insects, and even had to relieve myself in the open¡ªamong many other repulsive experiences¡ªto survive in isolation, and you all will eventually face similar challenges. That said, I won¡¯t force anyone to do anything, but if you¡¯d rather risk your life and impede the group than eat a simple cricket, then go ahead and do what you must.


    Now, regarding the specific skills I plan to teach to get us all to a level where survival is manageable¡ªit¡¯s simple. First, you¡¯re all already familiar with making cordage. I¡¯ve discussed fire-starting and tanning furs for clothing, which naturally includes preparing furs to be tanned. Beyond these, I intend to introduce some basic trapping techniques and a rudimentary method for constructing shelters from logs, since we currently lack many of the tools required for more sophisticated building.


    I know I¡¯m rambling, but remember: fire, shelter, and protection are the three pillars we need to focus on. As much as I¡¯d like things to be different, I¡¯m convinced that the best approach involves tracking down the goblins and seizing whatever they have¡ªtools, supplies, or anything that might support our survival. Even if their resources are crude, they could be exactly what we need.


    ¡°What if there are hundreds of goblins?¡± Emily asked, her face showing clear worry.


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll dispatch hundreds of goblins before they have the chance to use us the way they intend,¡± Eleanor stated resolutely. ¡°I¡¯ve been pondering the goblin problem; if we ignore them, it will only grow worse. That¡¯s also why I believe that after just a few days of preparation at this camp, we should abandon it and adopt a more nomadic approach.¡±


    ¡°What the hell,¡± grumbled the overweight staff wielder. ¡°I thought we spent all that time finding a good permanent base, and now you want to just up and leave it.¡±


    ¡°Unless you¡¯re fully ready to build a genuine line of defense, settling down anywhere just makes it easier for our enemies to attack us,¡± countered Eleanor firmly. ¡°We need proper tools, and I¡¯m willing to bet that capturing the goblin camp¡ªor whatever structure they¡¯ve got¡ªwill offer us a more secure and sustainable long-term base.¡±


    ¡°Fine, but if it turns out to be a stinking disaster, you can be the one responsible for fixing it,¡± retorted the staff wielder with her arms crossed.


    ¡°We can evaluate the location once we find it,¡± said Matt, clearly trying to steer the group away from another argument. ¡°For now, I want every one of you to consider what role you can play to help the group, even if it¡¯s not your first choice. And before anyone protests, know this: I¡¯m about to venture into the forest to bring back monsters for us to fight. I don¡¯t relish it one bit, but I¡¯m the best-suited person for that task. So, gear up, embrace the hardship for now, and let¡¯s hope that it all proves worthwhile in the end.¡±


    As Matt finished speaking, a long pause ensued until the bow-wielding women¡ªwhom he presumed to be the youngest in the group, though he could be wrong as her features spoke of Asian ancestry, and he found their ages hard to judge¡ªspoke up.


    "Isn¡¯t this the part where you ask us if we have any questions?" she asked looking disappointed about something.


    "No," Matt replied, "if you have any, handle them through Eleanor. I¡¯ll address them only if she brings them to me. Honestly, after speaking with all of you, I feel like I need to crawl into a hole and take a long nap. Now, if you¡¯ll excuse me, I¡¯m going to focus on the bright side of my new role by slipping away to find something to bait here for all of us to kill."


    Matt simply smiled to himself as he noticed the slight pout forming on the bow-wielder¡¯s face upon his departure. Although he heard a few of the other women call out for him to return, he continued his trek into the woods, intent on finding a target to vent his frustrations about the situation. Unbeknownst to them, he planned to outlevel the others by solo-targeting several foes before luring the rest to his chosen trap. Despite knowing the risk, Matt felt an urgent need to prove his independence¡ªand to do that, he had to learn how to survive on his own. His primary concern was reaching a state where nothing in his vicinity could threaten him, though he doubted such a point was ever truly attainable.


    Alone once more, his mood began to lift as the stress of dealing with the women faded away. However, solitude was short-lived when the sound of shuffling leaves reminded him he was not entirely by himself. Whatever shared the forest with him seemed to vanish into the shadows the moment he strained his eyes to locate it, and he fought hard to keep the rising panic at bay.


    Recalling that natural camouflage was essential to many animals¡¯ survival, Matt scanned his surroundings for any sign of movement. His thoughts raced through images of insects, snakes, and even some mammals. The more he considered each possibility, the more the thought of a snake¡ªcapable of disappearing low to the ground¡ªpersisted, though something about that idea felt off. If it hadn¡¯t been for the goblins, he might have dismissed the uneasy feeling; instead, he had to accept that not everything he encountered would originate from Earth. This made him worry about Bob, as he couldn¡¯t help but wonder whether the boar and rats he had killed were of terrestrial origin too. And if they were, what did that spell for the bobcat¡ªand for his own chances of survival?


    Questions and thoughts like these kept threatening to distract him from the more pressing need before him. Namely, not dying because he got distracted when he should have been paying attention to his surroundings.

 CH. 8

    Ch 8


    As Matt slipped away from view, it took only a second before the first complaint erupted. The bow-wielder glared pointedly at Eleanor as she began, ¡°Where does he get off just walking away like that when we still have questions about the survival plan? He hasn¡¯t even asked me about how many shots each arrow is good for¡ªeven though I followed his instructions and ended up ruining one last night.¡±


    Eleanor let out a heavy sigh before replying, ¡°And I doubt he ever will.¡± She paused, choosing her words carefully. ¡°Look, I understand your frustration, but I told you all: he isn¡¯t one for dealing with people. Although, in his own way, he does care¡ªit just isn¡¯t obvious. For now, please bear with me while I figure out how best to manage him.¡±


    Almost too softly to be heard, Emily murmured, ¡°I don¡¯t think he¡¯s the type to be managed.¡±


    The second staff wielder, her tone dripping with condescension, demanded, ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±


    ¡°Um, well,¡± Emily began hesitantly, ¡°when I look at him, I get the feeling that he prefers doing things himself rather than explaining what he wants others to do.¡±


    Nodding thoughtfully, Eleanor added, ¡°I see. Perhaps he gets frustrated when others do something in a way he feels is subtly wrong¡ªwhen they fail to grasp what he considers basic. If so, it might be best to simply assign him tasks and hope for the best.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t be serious,¡± snapped the bow-wielder. ¡°All of us dislike being in groups for one reason or another. Why does he get away with¡ª¡±


    ¡°It is because we are all women,¡± interrupted the smaller of the two sword-wielding women. Her words fell into a hush that silenced the others, who were uncertain how to react. With modest build, brown hair, and matching eyes set against pale skin, she might have been overlooked¡ªif not for the horizontal scars that ran up and down her arms. Though her jacket and the myriad bracelets she wore usually concealed them, each had seen the marks when she first swung her sword, and none had dared to question them. After a longer-than-necessary pause, it was Eleanor who finally broke the awkward silence once again.


    "While your wording could use some improvement, I believe you''re on the right track. Matt is an outsider in more ways than we are to each other, and we need to remember that. It¡¯s precisely why, as much as it pains me to say this, Emily, you need to avoid getting too close to him¡ªand that applies to all of us."


    "What do you mean?" Emily asked, her voice tinged with surprise. "I barely know him."


    "Yet you¡¯re already trying to latch onto him, and if he were truly interested, you would almost certainly allow yourself to become completely dependent on him while convincing yourself that you were in love," Eleanor explained firmly.


    "That¡¯s an awfully bold claim," retorted the second staff wielder, her tone edged with defensiveness. "I think you¡¯re projecting your own feelings onto the rest of us."


    "Perhaps," Eleanor countered, a subtle flush of frustration coloring her cheeks. "But I wasn¡¯t the one who was nearly snuggling him. Look, the main reason none of us should get too close is because he will run if he feels things are becoming too intimate, and if that happens, it will tear our group apart even more."


    "Or we could let her try seducing him," the smaller sword wielder chimed in with a mischievous grin. "Maybe that would make him a bit easier to handle, as long as Emily is willing to get him to¡ª"


    "He won¡¯t change who he is just because one of us wants him to," interrupted the other swordswoman, clad in black yoga pants and a tight white T-shirt that accentuated her olive skin, fiery red hair, and entrancing green eyes. Her presence made the four other women feel insecure, and even Eleanor found herself longing in secret when looking at her, despite her typically standoffish nature. "None of us will change because of someone else. Change only happens when we truly desire it, and the only reason any of us would want that is to survive. So until Matt feels that change is essential for his survival, he will remain as he is, and there is nothing we can do about it."


    "We can¡¯t know that until we try," Eleanor replied softly, her voice steady despite the tension. "Sometimes all it takes is giving someone a chance for a change¡ªa chance for people to grow."


    "Why say what you don¡¯t truly believe?" interrupted the second sword wielder sharply. "Really, I know you want us to hold onto hope, but what does it say when we only speak this way when he isn¡¯t around? It means that we don¡¯t trust him, and sooner or later, he¡¯ll sense that. That¡¯s why there¡¯s no chance of things working out long term as things are. I appreciate that he¡¯s teaching us to make rope and showing us a few other tricks that could help us survive, but I agree with him: keeping his involvement temporary is for the best."


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    "You talk about trust, but why should any of us trust anyone else here?" Emily interjected before Eleanor could respond. "I was singled out because I was ready to follow him the moment he saved us from that goblin. That¡¯s why I trust Matt. He killed the goblins without asking for anything in return, only relenting after we pleaded for his help, and all he seeks is to leave once he¡¯s done assisting us. I truly believe his only motive is to survive on his own terms, even if that means retreating to his isolated existence. Eleanor, you say I can¡¯t change him, and I understand that, but isn¡¯t it so wonderful to dream about being the one who quietly exists in his shadow and supports him when he needs it?"


    ¡°God, you really do have it bad,¡± retorted the other staff wielder with a scoff. ¡°It¡¯s disgusting, if you ask me. Why should any of us want to live in a man¡¯s shadow?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d take his shadow over yours any day,¡± declared the first sword wielder, her tone edged with a confident sneer.


    ¡°Ha! Why should any of us care about what a cutter thinks?¡± scoffed the second staff wielder, crossing her arms as if daring anyone to contest her.


    ¡°Be careful about throwing stones,¡± cautioned the second sword wielder, her voice low and steady. ¡°Especially when you¡¯re an easy target given the way you look. Scars tell a story about one¡¯s past, not their present, and not every mark¡ªor the reasons behind them¡ªis obvious. Eleanor, you still have my vote to lead us. I have no desire to be tethered, much like how Matt would so gladly abandon us all.¡±


    ¡°He wouldn¡¯t¡ª¡±


    ¡°Emily,¡± Eleanor interjected sharply, ¡°she isn¡¯t saying that he would. She¡¯s simply pointing out that he¡¯d prefer solitude. As I mentioned before, he cares deeply¡ªso much so that it seems he can¡¯t help but isolate himself. It¡¯s a significant part of why he longs to be alone; most people don¡¯t truly care, and those who do often feel they¡¯re eventually taken for granted.¡±


    ¡°What would you know about that?¡± snapped the second staff wielder, her eyes flashing with resentment. ¡°From what you told us, you lived in luxury and ordered others around.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s merely running a business,¡± replied Eleanor evenly. ¡°The ones who care make the best employees when kept happy¡ªbut they¡¯re the first to burn out when forced to tolerate indifference.¡±


    ¡°And just how do you manage to keep them happy?¡± The second staff wielder¡¯s tone dripped with sarcasm as she leaned forward.


    ¡°By ensuring they work in teams of like-minded people, those who care, and keeping indifferent outsiders at a safe distance.¡±


    ¡°If he cares so much, why did he dodge my question, which showed that I care?¡± pressed the bow wielder, her face drawn into a frustrated grimace.


    ¡°He retreated from the world for the most part¡ªbased on what we know, he burned out so completely that he likely assumes¡ª¡±


    ¡°I think you¡¯re overthinking things,¡± stated the second sword wielder with a dismissive tilt of her head. ¡°Some of us just never fit into the world and look for ways to avoid it. You lived in wealth but seemed to despise your peers, leaving you with no one to truly call a friend. So you retreated into your business, where no one dared get close enough to be called your friend, because you were simply too superior. I¡¯d even wager that you were avoiding an annoying entitled brat trying to force you into becoming their woman.¡±


    ¡°You really shouldn¡¯t expect all the lives of the rich to resemble those splashed across the headlines,¡± retorted Eleanor sharply. ¡°Since it seems necessary to share some of my past to put everyone¡¯s mind at ease, I will. I was the only child of a remarkably successful businessman who built a company valued at well over a billion dollars. I never attended a formal school; instead, my mother devoted every day to teaching me until I turned 12, after which my father assumed responsibility. This meant that every day I accompanied him to work, absorbing every aspect of his enterprise. I recall hiring my first employee at 13 and firing someone at 14¡ªthat was the moment I realized that true friendship might forever elude me.


    ¡°You might argue that it hardly matters when I possess the freedom to do virtually anything with our family fortune, but my father imposed one strict rule: under no circumstances could anyone learn of our wealth. I remained oblivious to our true financial situation until after I turned 21, having always believed that we were merely scraping by. In hindsight, I can now see the subtle clues that would have made the truth obvious, but my entire life had been meticulously orchestrated, leaving me without a proper frame of reference. I had never even seen a movie beyond carefully selected documentaries until my parents allowed me access to more extensive options after my 21st birthday.¡±


    ¡°What the fuck,¡± growled the second staff wielder, her voice thick with disbelief. ¡°How the hell are you meant to lead anyone when you barely know anything¡ª?¡±


    ¡°Do you even listen?¡± interjected the bow wielder sharply. ¡°She said had never not have never


    ¡ªshe¡¯s corrected such mishaps by now, I¡¯m sure.¡±


    ¡°Not completely,¡± Eleanor conceded, her tone measured yet resolute. ¡°But I feel I have come far enough to serve as a leader in this situation, for one simple reason: I am willing to take charge¡ªunless one of you would rather try.¡±


    The other five women fell silent, exchanging uncertain and cautious glances, as Eleanor paused for a moment of reflection before continuing.


    ¡°If I¡¯m being honest, I fear that those both willing and capable of leading are in short supply, and those who should lead might simply refuse the role. After all, had all 12 of us remained together, Matt might have emerged as the ideal leader¡ªif only he could overcome his compulsion to isolate himself. Instead, the six of us must maximize the advantage of having him around while we can, for I suspect that sooner or later, he will seek a way to extricate himself safely from our midst. Even now, I¡¯m almost convinced that his plan is to return only when he brings with him the means for us to kill, once he deems himself unable to win the fight on his own.¡±

 CH. 9

    Ch 9


    Matt moved just as the creature stalking him leaped, barely shifting out of the way in time to escape a vicious blow from a claw or horn aimed at his throat. The elusive attacker vanished almost immediately, its presence betrayed only by a scattering of leaves that stirred in its wake. Forced to push his senses to their very limits, Matt strained to locate it, a desperate effort that allowed him to dodge another potentially fatal strike. This time, he glimpsed that the entity was not much larger than the rats he had encountered before as it rocketed past him.


    Despite his rapid reactions, his mind quickly adapted to the escalating danger. With barely a moment to spare, he blocked the subsequent attack by bringing one of his rock-cutting tools to the point where it had struck twice earlier. This maneuver revealed the foe to be a brown rabbit, roughly the size of his head, surprisingly outfitted with a roughly six-inch horn jutting defiantly from its center. Sadly, that was all Matt had time to process before the rabbit twisted, kicked off from the rock, and vanished into the shadows. Yet, the encounter made it unmistakably clear: the enemy¡¯s strength lay in its speed. He felt that a single well-timed counterattack was the only means to end the fight quickly.


    Unfortunately for Matt, landing a successful strike proved far more challenging than evading its deadly blows. His split-second reactions permitted him to block or dodge by mere fractions of a second, but he was simply too slow to decisively attack. To compound his dire situation, fatigue was rapidly overtaking him and the lack of water since his arrival was beginning to exact its toll. This only reinforced the fact that finding water was now a priority¡ªeven though, once found, it would still need to be purified to avoid the risk of contaminants. A fact that couldn¡¯t help but make Matt wish that the path of the pot had been an option offered as he avoided another attack.


    Then, when all hope seemed lost, his right-hand cutting tool slipped away as his body unexpectedly released its grip. Yet he did not panic. Instead, he trusted his instinctive reaction, raising his right arm and thrusting forward with his hand. He felt a sharp impact on his palm and a piercing pain between his middle and ring fingers, as if fire had been ignited in his grip. In that split second, the rabbit was already caught in his grasp. With a swift, determined swing of his remaining cutting tool, Matt ended the threat, the foe succumbing instantly under his decisive blow.


    Monstered killed: Level 5 horned rabbit.


    Base experience multiplied by five.


    Awarding 150 experience.


    Current experience to next level 366/1000.


    Kill more things and gain more power if you wish to pursue a path of bloodshed.


    Matt hardly minded that the mysterious force guiding his path had once again erupted into bloodshed; instead, he let out a deep sigh of relief. Yet, a nagging worry lingered¡ªcould he possibly lure such a monstrous creature back to his group? Even if he managed to do so, he doubted that any of them could withstand the first savage strike. In a moment of bitter irony, he mentally cursed the absurdity that even seemingly cute bunnies had turned homicidal in this brutal new reality.


    Still, amidst the chaos, there was one undeniable benefit. With his trusty cutting tool, he struck precisely where the sharply pointed horn met the rabbit¡¯s skull. After about thirty seconds of relentless hacking, the rabbit¡¯s skull was crushed, and the horn lay in Matt¡¯s hand. He quickly tested its sharp edge as a makeshift stabbing dagger. Measuring just over six inches in length, Matt knew it needed a proper handle to be wielded effectively without sacrificing its full length. He envisioned attaching a sturdy shaft to transform it into a formidable spear¡ªor perhaps even carving it into a knife if, as he suspected, the horn proved harder than wood.


    Satisfied with his makeshift weapon, Matt moved on after checking that his only injury was a shallow cut between his fingers, incurred during the struggle with the rabbit. Although the wound wasn¡¯t deep, it still troubled him, as he lacked the knowledge of the local medicinal plants necessary to treat it safely. Yet, he also recognized that understanding the flora might solve another pressing problem: water, since he was convinced that at least one plant would naturally provide a reliable source of hydration.


    After another ten minutes of trudging through the dense trees, Matt finally came to a halt. This time, he clearly saw what he was facing: four goblins of varying sizes, cautiously moving through the forest. Trusting his instincts, he refrained from launching an immediate attack. Instead, he quietly climbed a nearby tree and listened to their wary chatter from his elevated perch. After roughly five minutes of eavesdropping, one goblin began to grumble, ¡°Why we have to track down killers?¡±


    ¡°What we do when killers come for village,¡± retorted the largest goblin. ¡°Besides, you have me¡ªI kill any human that comes easily.¡±


    Another goblin muttered, ¡°What good is any of it? We¡¯re trapped here forever. How much long before village destroyed by newcomers?¡±


    This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    ¡°We¡¯re strong, stronger than newcomers,¡± hissed the smallest goblin. ¡°You not old enough to remember, but village always kills men, takes women, and grows. Soon, we grow big enough to rule whole woods and never worry about the outcasts who are tossed aside here.¡±


    ¡°I know how we work, but why there not more of us?¡± replied a third goblin. ¡°Killers kill four¡ªwhy¡ª¡±


    ¡°They kill four weak goblins like you, not strong ones like me,¡± snapped the largest goblin. ¡°Also, clear that it was a struggle from the scene¡ª¡±


    ¡°Quiet,¡± interrupted the smallest goblin, pointing toward the spot where Matt had fought the rabbit. ¡°Look¡ªfresh tracks. We¡¯re close.¡±


    That was Matt¡¯s cue to act. He leaped down from the tree and swiftly advanced toward the largest goblin, driving the rabbit¡¯s horn into its back all the way to its base. Without wasting a moment, he abandoned the horn, rolled aside to avoid any counterattack, and sprinted toward the six waiting women. A wry smile spread across his face as he acknowledged the reassuring notification he had just received.


    Monstered killed: Level 4 hobgoblin.


    Base experience multiplied by four.


    Awarding 120 experience.


    Current experience to next level 486/1000.


    Kill more things with a single blow if you wish to pursue a path of assassination.


    Matt¡¯s smile vanished as he turned and saw that, instead of following him, the three goblins had reversed their course, sprinting the way they had come. His heart sank as he realized he¡¯d made a grave error; if he didn¡¯t catch them, the situation would spiral further out of control. Without a second thought, he spun around and plunged into a chase.


    In just two minutes, Matt managed to catch and dispatch two of the goblins, but the smallest of the group was nowhere to be found. A chilling dread welled up inside him as he suspected that this little creature might have been the leader.


    Desperately, he began scanning the area for any clues that could lead him to the elusive goblin, but no trace could be found, no matter how intensely he searched. Eventually, he steadied his racing heart with a deep, calming breath. Reflecting on the 180 experience he had gained from the encounter, he returned to the fallen bodies and retrieved the horn. Examining their belongings, he noted that aside from the stone axes attached to the hobgoblin¡¯s waist, the only items of value were the worn leather clothing and three waterskins, each containing nearly a liter of a foul-smelling liquid.


    Matt was almost certain that the liquid held a trace of alcohol, though he had no intention of drinking it. Instead, he poured it out one container at a time, scrunching his nose as the repugnant odor assaulted his senses. A nagging worry crept in that even boiling the substance might not neutralize its stench. However, he could not afford such delays as he resumed his search for any sign of the smallest goblin. Alas, after about 15 minutes of fruitless hunting, he found himself once more surrounded by a horde of scurrying rats.


    25 minutes of relentless running later, Matt burst into a clearing where the six women were busy weaving cordage. Their task came to an abrupt halt upon seeing him. In an instant, they rallied together and charged at the elusive rats, echoing the chaotic scene he had just escaped. Gaining another 57 experience points from that fight, Matt now stood before the women, a frown etched on his face as he attempted to find the right words¡ªuntil Eleanor finally spoke.


    ¡°You look like you¡¯ve been attacked by forces other than a rat swarm while you were away,¡± she commented, her tone a mix of concern and curiosity.


    ¡°Right,¡± Matt gasped, still catching his breath. ¡°There was this bizarre unicorn bunny that kept trying to pierce my neck with its horn, and then four goblins appeared. They¡¯re the real problem¡ªthey were clearly searching for us.¡±


    ¡°How do you know that?¡± Eleanor asked, her eyes narrowing in suspicion.


    ¡°They were talking as they neared, and from what I gathered, they were looking for us. They traced my fight with that odd rabbit back to here. I managed to kill one and attempted to lure the others into pursuit, but they scattered quickly, and I only caught and killed two of them.¡±


    ¡°Does that mean we¡¯re in danger?¡± Emily inquired, worry tinted in her voice.


    ¡°We¡¯re always in danger,¡± overweight staff wielder remarked sharply, crossing her arms and giving Matt a disapproving look. ¡°Now, there''s no choice but to move on.¡±


    ¡°Or we could stand and fight right here,¡± countered Eleanor, her spirit rising. ¡°We¡¯re stronger¡ª¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Matt interjected firmly. ¡°I haven¡¯t shared everything I learned from them¡­¡±


    As Matt disclosed the remaining crucial details to the women, he could sense their growing dread. The revelation that they weren¡¯t the first group dropped into these ominous woods struck them hard; it felt as if the initial voice had deceived them, sparking doubts about their supposed advantage in numbers. Instead of any hopeful promise, the world now appeared to be rigged against them¡ªa cruel, twisted game designed solely for the struggle of an unseen spectator before their inevitable demise.


    Matt watched in dismay as several of the women began to unravel, their voices rising in anxious debate over the worsening state of affairs. The scarcity of water was mentioned time and again, and amid their despair, they even contemplated suicide as a means to avoid capture. Sensing that the situation was about to spiral dangerously out of control, Matt abruptly stepped in and bellowed, ¡°All of you shut up!¡±


    The six women turned to face him, their expressions a turbulent mix of hope and seething anger, but silence eventually settled over the group as he continued.


    ¡°If all you¡¯re going to do is give up, then I might as well walk away. But I know you all want a chance at getting some pay back for all the suffering the goblins have inflicted on others. I¡¯d bet on it¡ªeven if you are captured. When the timer on returning to our world runs out, you¡¯ll be transported out of here.¡±


    ¡°By that time, the damage will be irreparable!¡± shouted the bow wielder. ¡°Who¡¯s to say how many goblin children we¡¯ll have birthed by then? Do you really think any of us would want to live after that horror?¡±


    ¡°There is life after rape,¡± countered the red-haired sword wielder, her voice steady despite the pain. ¡°The agony may never vanish completely, but it will subside. It is only when we surrender to despair and allow ourselves to die that we truly lose hope.¡±


    A heavy, uneasy silence fell over the group as they struggled to find a response¡ªuntil Eleanor finally stepped forward, taking charge of the tense situation.


    ¡°We¡¯ve already taken out seven goblins,¡± she declared. ¡°I say we set our sights on a hundred each and see which side wavers first. The goblins are on their way, so our real dilemma is whether we confront them here or make a strategic retreat.¡±


    ¡°We need to move,¡± Matt interjected firmly. ¡°We must find water and establish a proper base¡ªmy plans for digging a well can¡¯t proceed otherwise. Let¡¯s start heading in the opposite direction from where they emerged. Maybe if they think we¡¯re fleeing in fear, they''ll underestimate us.¡±

 CH. 10

    Ch 10


    It took them about an hour, but once they had gathered all the materials¡ªusing some of the rags the goblins called clothes to fashion a makeshift bag¡ªthey were on their way. Their goal was to find water, which proved easier said than done since the generally flat terrain offered no clues. For all they knew, they might have been traveling parallel to a river all day yesterday. That uncertainty led Matt to decide to take a path perpendicular to the route they had carved the day before. Although this maneuver brought them a bit closer to the goblins, Matt was convinced it was still the right move.


    Hours passed, and apart from employing his wilderness navigation skills to keep them on a mostly straight line, everything felt unnervingly too peaceful. This calm only confirmed Matt¡¯s suspicion that something was provoking attacks on individuals who wandered alone. He secretly hoped that the goblins, who always moved in groups of four, might also suffer from this anomaly, yet he doubted it¡ªafter all, both the boar and the rabbit had attacked him by themselves. These thoughts swirled in his mind as they finally paused for a breather under the scorching sun at its zenith. That''s when Eleanor gently pulled him aside from the group to get more information.


    ¡°So, how close are you to reaching level 2?¡± she inquired.


    ¡°Just over 72% of the way there, but no¡ªgaining that last bit isn¡¯t my top priority right now,¡± he replied.


    ¡°Maybe it should be. Hear me out¡ªwe¡¯re relying on you more than we should, and we have no idea what leveling up will even mean for us.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s find water first. Each of those goblins was at least level 3, yet that didn¡¯t stop me from taking them down with a single hit.¡±


    ¡°Alright, but if you need my axe or any of the other weapons, just ask and I¡¯ll see about lending them to you next time you go out.¡±


    ¡°No, and don¡¯t ask me why, but if it¡¯s something provided by whatever sent us here, I¡¯d rather not use it.¡±


    ¡°Promise me it isn¡¯t just a misguided sense of pride or something along those lines.¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s nothing like that. I simply get this uneasy feeling whenever I handle any of the weapons you all carry. Trusting my instincts is how I fight, and I¡¯m going to stick with that approach, hoping it all works out.¡±


    ¡°Alright, now for the tougher topic¡ªwhat are you going to do when one of us starts thinking that we love you?¡±


    ¡°Walk away.¡±


    Matt gave Eleanor a serious look before continuing. ¡°In my mind, walking away is my only option. I¡¯m simply not the kind of person to deal with the responsibility of keeping anyone happy. Besides, we have no clue what our new reality will be like once we leave this place. Even if I were capable of returning their love, any relationship that hindered me from living the life I want would sour very quickly. I¡¯ve made it clear that I¡¯m not one to enjoy the company of others, and I can only think of a single woman who might have even been a possible match for me.¡±


    "What happened to her?"


    "Nothing. I didn¡¯t even give her a chance to be more than a friend I¡¯d talk to a few times a year when I went into town for supplies. Part of my goals is to find her if she got dumped in here with us and make sure she survives. But who knows how spread out we all are or if she even ended here as she may have fallen into a different category than us."


    "I see. I assumed that any attempts to get close to you would be a terrible idea and have already told the others as much. I just wanted to ensure that you would turn down any who tried. Now, please make sure you do so firmly when it happens, but don¡¯t insult them either, as we all need to work together."


    "Right, at least for now. Don¡¯t worry, if any of them wants to make a big deal out of me turning them down, I¡¯ll be the one leaving, as I would rather die than deal with that for a year."


    Eleanor looked a bit worried as Matt said that, but she kept her thoughts to herself as she stood and called for the others to get ready to move again. Matt decided not to pry into her mind, as doing so with anyone was just about the last thing he ever wanted to do. Still, he knew there was a reason she had asked, and it only increased his desire to escape and go off on his own the moment he felt like doing so was an option. Only, part of him felt like it wasn¡¯t ever going to be as the rules had been set up to deny him that simple freedom.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    The next few hours really started to wear on Matt as more than one of the women didn¡¯t know how to keep their complaints to themselves. It would have been one thing if they had been complaining about things he could address, but they were just lamenting over things beyond anyone¡¯s control. Matt started to feel like he couldn¡¯t take one more complaint about wanting a specific drink or food that likely didn¡¯t even exist anymore. Still, the worst was listening to the overweight staff wielder complain about having to walk so much, especially since she was slowing them all down.


    Matt was lost in dark thoughts when something caught his attention. The terrain was dry, but ahead lay a riverbed¡ªone that meant water to Matt, even if it wasn¡¯t immediately apparent. To the others, it seemed like a cruel joke, and the overweight staff wielder wasted no time blaming him as he announced that they should set up their base nearby.


    "Look at what Matt has found¡ªa river for us to settle near! There''s just one problem: all the water is gone!" she complained loudly.


    "Do you know anything about water tables?" retorted the red-haired sword wielder, her tone sharp with irritation. "Honestly, can you do anything but complain?"


    "Why would I need to know anything about whatever those are? It¡¯s not like¡ª"


    "Just shut up," the redhead interrupted firmly. "Water tables indicate how deep you need to dig to find water, and riverbeds usually have very high ones. With an hour or so of digging by hand, we¡¯ll likely reach safe, drinkable water."


    "Let¡¯s not assume that it will be safe to drink," cautioned Matt. "We don''t know what kinds of minerals this area might have¡ª"


    "We either drink it or die of dehydration, since we don¡¯t really have any other options right now," Eleanor stated briskly. "Even if we had a pot to boil it, we don¡¯t want to start a fire and be seen yet."


    "If you¡¯ll let me finish, we need to let the water settle before drinking it, and when we do, it¡¯s important not to disturb it too much. You¡¯re right that there¡¯s a risk of contaminants, but we can mitigate that somewhat," Matt added calmly.


    "How about you prove there¡¯s actually water before making plans," scoffed the overweight staff wielder.


    Matt swallowed his urge to retort, not wanting to start another argument, and allowed a small smile to creep onto his face as a plan began to take shape. He surveyed the area and noted that the riverbed was about ten feet wide and, by his rough estimate, could hold around five feet of water when full. It wasn¡¯t a raging river, yet he was confident that water lay beneath the sediment. Finding a sturdy rock to serve as a makeshift tool, he chose a spot with fewer obstructions and knelt down to set out his orders.


    "Eleanor, at least four of us need to stay on guard, facing outward in case anything attacks while we¡¯re digging. I also need two others to help move the excess dirt as the hole starts to collapse around us¡ªthat''ll be one of my biggest challenges."


    "Emily, Maria, you two can handle soil removal," stated Eleanor, firmly.


    "I am not¡ª" the overweight staff wielder began, alerting Matt that her name was Maria, only for the redhead to shoot her a silencing look. It seemed that at the very least, Maria had a bit of sense as she got to work, even if she was grumbling under her breath the whole time.


    Thus began the digging, and Matt soon found himself wrestling with more than one rock that stubbornly interfered with his progress. Every inch he dug revealed ever-increasing dampness, which buoyed his hope that water would soon appear. Yet after what felt like two exhausting hours, he was left with nothing more than a hole about two feet deep and two feet wide, devoid of any pooling water. While he could extract a scant trickle from the rich soil he had dislodged, it simply wasn¡¯t enough, and his body was beginning to protest the strain.


    ¡°Take a break, and I¡¯ll take over for a bit,¡± offered the redhead, clearly seeing that he was slowing down.


    ¡°Thanks. Just make sure you keep widening the hole as you go so that it won¡¯t collapse,¡± Matt replied.


    With a nod, Matt switched roles and assumed the lookout, keeping an eye on their surroundings. Barely twenty minutes later, someone shouted excitedly upon discovering water, prompting renewed bursts of digging as the team shifted to having just Matt and Eleanor on watch. By the time the sun began to set, they had expanded the hole into a circular basin about four feet across and four feet deep. This measurement didn¡¯t even take into account the stones and sticks hastily arranged around the edge for reinforcement. Still, Matt knew much more work was needed¡ªonly the bottom and about a foot up on each side were lined with their makeshift support.


    This left them with one major challenge: they could only scoop out a meager mouthful of water at a time with cupped hands. The water skins Matt had filched from the goblins were now in their possession, but they all agreed to avoid them after Matt explained his reservations and even allowed them to sniff the skins. Matt¡¯s plan was to first fill the skins with water and then drop in several red-hot stones to boil¡ªand thus sterilize¡ªthe water. This approach, however, meant they would need to wait until they felt safe enough to make a fire. He even considered testing the women with the bow drill, though he doubted they could manage the far more laborious hand-drill method he had once used to cook boar.


    Speaking of the boar, Matt was relieved that they had let the remaining portions cook almost into jerky the previous night, as that turned out to be what they had for dinner again. With the hearty meal and the steadily emerging water supply, Matt was generally in good spirits, despite a few grumbles from the women about minor oversights that momentarily tempted him to consider leaving. Yet, as dusk settled and they resumed the familiar rotation of watches from the night before, Matt accepted that he was firmly stuck where he was¡ªfor a little while longer at least.

 CH. 11

    Ch 11


    Matt woke to the sound of Emily screaming. He leaped to his feet and looked around to see nearly twenty goblins charging at them. Instantly, his fight-or-flight instincts kicked in, and he thought that fleeing must be the only option. But then he noticed Emily trembling as she stood with her back to him, even as the redheaded swordswoman charged in with reckless abandon. That fierce determination stirred something deep within him. He swiftly yanked the rabbit¡¯s horn from his belt, gripping it tightly in his right hand while drawing one of his stone cutting tools in his left, before surging forward into the fray.


    The first goblin he struck fell instantly from a swift, precise blow to its head. However, the effort slowed him just enough that he couldn¡¯t avoid the next goblin¡¯s assault. Desperately, he deflected its crude club with his forearm¡ªa jolt of searing pain bolting up his arm¡ªbut he pressed on, driving the rabbit¡¯s horn deep into the creature¡¯s eye socket. Wrenching the horn free proved more difficult than he¡¯d anticipated, as it yanked the screaming goblin into the air.


    In the midst of the chaos, another goblin charged him. Without missing a beat, Matt swung the horn downward, bashing one goblin into another. Thankfully, this maneuver dislodged the horn. He quickly stamped his boot onto a foe¡¯s throat, then swung his left arm to deliver a crushing blow to another goblin¡¯s head with his cutting tool. Unfortunately, that goblin was mid-swing with its club, and as it released the weapon, the momentum sent it crashing directly into Matt¡¯s face.


    A cry of agony escaped him as his nose shattered, blood spurting down his face. Still, he kept his footing and, fighting through the pain, managed to ram the rabbit¡¯s horn into the ear of yet another goblin. By that point, the goblin who¡¯d lost its eye staggered to its feet, shrieking as it tried to flee. Undeterred, Matt closed the gap in just five strides, ending its flight with a savage blow to its head with his cutting tool. Amid the roaring chaos, he couldn¡¯t tell if his strikes were merely stunning his foes or truly killing them, as screams and battle cries filled the air while the women struggled desperately to survive.


    He had assumed they would have at least one more day to prepare, but clearly that was not the case. The goblins had come in overwhelming force, intent on their destruction, and Matt struggled to understand where his plans had faltered. Even if the smallest goblin had scurried off to alert its kin, their pursuit should have taken longer than a single day to unfold. Deep down, Matt knew he must have missed something crucial, and his mind raced with questions as his body instinctively shifted into autopilot.


    Then, his eyes fixed on a heart-wrenching sight: the redheaded sword-wielder faltered and fell, collapsing as one of the goblins splashed a mysterious substance across her face. In that split second, Matt recalled the contents of the water skins and wondered if they were never meant for drinking at all, but rather were some kind of potent drug. Moments later, another piercing scream shattered the tumult, as the overweight staff-wielder crumpled to the ground while four gleeful goblins restrained her. Simultaneously, Matt dispatched another goblin that dared to intrude into his sphere of control, momentarily diverting his attention from the women, only to be met with yet another scream¡ªthis time from the bow-wielder, who was struggling desperately against three vicious goblins.


    Things were getting worse; what had initially felt like 20 goblins now seemed like 40. Despite their best efforts, Matt and the women were being overwhelmed. Once more, his fight-or-flight instincts kicked in as he charged towards the bow wielder, taking down three more goblins along the way. However, by the time he arrived, the goblins already had her down, appearing to waterboard her with one of their water skins. Matt swiftly killed the three that had her restrained, but the damage was done, as she was unresponsive when he looked down at her, her eyes vacant and lifeless.


    Once more, a scream jolted him from his thoughts as he watched Emily go down, and the world went red. Suddenly, nothing mattered to him as he moved and killed with relentless fury: one goblin, two goblins, three goblins. Matt didn''t even try to count as he pushed his body well past its limits, driven by a surge of adrenaline and desperation. However, it was meaningless, as the goblins stopped trying to fight him once Eleanor and the other sword wielder had been subdued. If he had accomplished anything, it was planting the seeds of terror in the hearts of the goblins as they fled with their captured prizes.


    Matt tried to follow, but at some point, he had injured both his legs and couldn''t run. Instead, he fell forward when he tried, and by the time he made it back to his feet, he was alone, surrounded only by the injured, dying, and dead goblins. Feeling that he should at least finish them off, he hobbled over to each one, slaughtering them without mercy. As he did so, he felt a part of himself break, slumping to the ground after finishing the last one off and receiving a series of notifications awarding him experience for the gruesome deeds he had just committed.


    Monsters killed: 15 level 3 goblins.


    Base experience multiplied by three.


    Awarding 193 experience.


    Current experience to next level 916/1000.


    Kill more things while in a rage if you wish to pursue a path of wrath.


    Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    Monsters killed: 6 level 4 goblins.


    Base experience multiplied by four.


    Awarding 103 experience.


    Current experience to next level 1019/1000.


    Kill more things while in a rage if you wish to pursue a path of wrath.


    Experience has reached threshold prepare to level up!


    Matt felt as though his entire body was ablaze, experiencing the correction of every injury he had sustained since his arrival. Simultaneously, he noticed all his senses sharpening as he received another message.


    Matthew Pierce.


    Level 2


    Strength: 11


    Dexterity: 7


    Durability: 7


    Stamina: 9


    Spirit: 8


    Mind: 5


    Species Human (H)


    Bloodline: (Not evaluated at this level)


    Path: None


    Titles: Integrated


    Skills: Auto translate


    No path detected: increasing all stats by one due to the lack of path.


    If you wish to specialize in certain areas, select a path.


    Available paths¡­


    As the pain faded away, Matt glanced at the stubborn message that hadn¡¯t cleared on its own, noticing far more path options than the meager choices offered at the beginning of this ordeal. None of these new routes came with any proper description, so he mentally dismissed the message and focused on what felt like the correct next move. Before leveling up, despair had gnawed at him from his inability to give chase; now, however, leveling up appeared to have brought a complete heal, a phenomenon that left him briefly puzzled even as he realized he didn¡¯t have time to dwell on its meaning¡ªespecially when the goblins already had at least a twenty-minute head start.


    Fortunately, the path ahead was unmistakably marked, for the goblins had been running with a singular focus on speed. Yet, the realization that even after killing 21 goblins there were still enough left to carry off six women told Matt he was up against a significant force. If he assumed that it took at least four goblins per captive, that would suggest 24 attackers, though it was equally plausible that 12 hobgoblins had been deployed to transport them¡ªa theory bolstered by his observation that not a single of the goblin variant had mixed into the melee.


    As Matt mulled over these possibilities, he soon encountered the first obstacle in his path. His hunch about the hobgoblins sticking back as muscle proved correct¡ªthey were there to carry the women. However, they had miscalculated; two of them were struggling to move Maria while four other goblins kept vigilant guard. Just as Matt was about to spring into action, he recalled that each of the women had been drugged, and rescuing Maria prematurely might thwart any hope of saving the rest. Grateful for the brief window of opportunity, he managed to avoid detection while quickly weighing his options.


    Deciding not to rush in recklessly, Matt slipped off to the side and then pushed forward, determined to catch up with the leading group. His plan was to confront each advancing group and rescue the women, or at the very least, reach a threshold of saving three. With that goal in mind, he edged past one group of five to six combined goblins and hobgoblins after another until he finally caught up with the group fleeing while carrying the redheaded sword-wielder. Summoning every ounce of resolve, he charged in.


    His first strike did not catch the enemy off-guard¡ªafter all, he made no effort to be quiet¡ªbut the raw terror in the goblins¡¯ eyes was proof enough of his sudden and fierce presence. In an instant, the first goblin fell; two others scampered away in a screech as the two hobgoblins dropped their captive and lunged at him. Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, Matt drove the rabbit horn into one goblin¡¯s throat and, in a swift exchange, traded a blow to an opponent¡¯s arm for a clean strike to the other¡¯s temple with his long-dulled cutting tool. His decisive action came just in time, allowing him to pivot and meet the advancing group carrying the bow-wielder as they charged into the fray.


    Unlike the previous group, none of these goblins fled, and noticing that there were six goblins alongside two hobgoblins, he deduced that the two deserters had likely joined their ranks. A sinister grin spread across all eight faces as they slowly closed in on him after dropping the bow wielder, sending his guard into overdrive. This was the inherent flaw of his fighting style: while he thrived when he could flow with the chaos of battle, the long lull before the fight truly began was maddening. To make matters worse, he was painfully aware that he had no more than thirty seconds before another group of six arrived to reinforce them. Yet, his instincts vehemently warned him against rushing the current skirmish, prompting him to quickly analyze his options.


    Then, just as the next group emerged into view, Matt¡¯s senses locked onto one hobgoblin turning its head, and in that split second, he attacked. The speed of his assault was such that he struck before the hobgoblin could even react, though the remaining seven quickly closed ranks around him. In one fluid motion, Matt pivoted around the fallen foe he had just struck, using its body as a makeshift shield against attacks from all sides except the goblins directly on his left and right. Those on his flanks required swift action or he would be in trouble so, with a forceful kick, he sent one of their clubs crashing back into its wielder¡¯s face, narrowly evading another blow, before slamming his rabbit horn weapon into the other goblin¡¯s skull with all his might.


    As the goblin with the impaled brain collapsed, Matt advanced, kicking its limp body into another enemy, only to soon find himself face-to-face with the second hobgoblin in the group. This time, a wry smile crept across his face as he goaded the hobgoblin into an overzealous overhead smash¡ªa move that inadvertently struck a goblin still reeling from being knocked over by their fallen comrade. The ensuing squashing sound was oddly satisfying, and taking full advantage of the moment, Matt drove his rabbit horn deep into the hobgoblin¡¯s skull at precisely the same spot he had targeted before. Instead of shattering the skull outright, he watched with grim fascination as a two-inch fragment of the horn broke off, then delivered a heavy blow that cracked the remaining skull apart.


    For a fleeting moment, time appeared to freeze as Matt¡¯s body and mind scrambled to process the unfolding chaos. Crucial seconds slipped away when he briefly lost the rhythm of battle, nearly immobilized as another goblin lunged at him. Still, he managed to dodge, hurling the broken horn fragment at the charging attacker while swiftly pulling out his second cutting tool. With a weary sigh, he resigned himself to yet another brutal struggle for survival¡ªa fight that demanded he save others even as every fiber of his being longed to run.

 CH. 12

    Ch 12


    Clutching one rock-cutting tool in each hand, Matt maintained an intense focus on every goblin that came within the striking range of his weapons. Unfortunately, there were too many of them, and he soon found himself enduring one minor blow after another. He was somewhat relieved that the vicious creatures wielded nothing more than clubs and lacked the brute strength he¡¯d expect from a human adversary. Their reckless abandon¡ªcharging without any semblance of self-preservation¡ªgave Matt a glimmer of hope that he could prevail or at least dispatch enough of them to make a meaningful difference.


    That hope was shattered when he felt the sharp teeth of one goblin sink into his left arm just above the wrist. Rage surged through him, as he lost his grip on the tool in that hand, and he instinctively swung his remaining tool at the goblin¡¯s skull. Even as the creature relinquished its bite, another enemy landed forcefully on his back. With quick reflexes, Matt slammed himself down onto the intruder before it could inflict further harm. Still, he found himself pinned on his back while the remaining goblins continued their relentless charge.


    Frantically, Matt kicked and punched, desperately trying to prevent the goblins from swarming him. He had no time to think or plan¡ªonly to fend off each attacker as they surged forward. Blood splattered everywhere, mingling with the red smear of his own, as every part of his body throbbed with pain and each breath became a struggle. His vision blurred into a chaotic scene where he no longer saw fear in the eyes of the goblins. Instead, they seemed to be grinning at his inevitable demise. At some point in this chaos, he lost his remaining cutting tool, leaving him defenseless against the onslaught. Death loomed large for both him and his attackers, and amidst the chaos, he couldn¡¯t help but wonder why he had risked everything for a group of women he barely knew.


    There was a small consolation in the thought that, when alone, he would have been attacked even more relentlessly¡ªwhich, in theory, could have helped him level up quickly enough to become immune to weaker foes. But that line of thought vanished as he felt another set of sharp teeth sink into his already screaming leg, battered by countless blows. In that agonizing moment, memories of the life he once knew and the peace of days long past flooded his mind.


    Time itself seemed to slow down as he savored what felt like his final moments, reflecting on the life he had cherished until now. Yet, those final minutes dragged on interminably, and he felt that his entire life should have flashed before him¡ªinstead of merely the moments preceding his inevitable end. It was at that exact moment, as his thoughts swirled in a haze of impending doom, that a deep chuckle reached his ears. Instantly, he recognized the gravely familiar voice of the one who had welcomed them to this nightmare.


    ¡°How pitiful¡ªso much potential, all destined to be lost because you rush in to save others rather than seizing the gains and abandoning the dead weight.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s just what humans do!¡± Matt mentally shouted, sensing that the very fabric of time was being manipulated.


    ¡°Yes, humans¡ªa foolish race that cannot achieve harmony with that which they deem inferior, like ants or bees, yet fail to rise to the magnificence of the dragons they so fantasize about.¡±


    ¡°Are you here just to mock me before I die!?¡±


    ¡°No. Were I inclined to mock you, I wouldn¡¯t be addressing you now. Rather, I am here to offer you a chance to survive.¡±


    ¡°Oh, and what will it cost me? My soul?¡±


    ¡°If only it were that simple. No, what I require are the last threads of what you call your humanity.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You need not understand; simply know that if you refuse, this is where you will meet your end.¡±


    Matt hesitated, processing the weight of the words and pondering what it truly meant to lose his humanity. Was it his humanity that compelled him to save the women? Was he being given the option to become one of the monsters, or was there something even more nefarious at work?


    ¡°No,¡± Matt finally responded, astonishing even himself. ¡°I will not die, and I will not change who I am for anyone¡ªmuch less for some disembodied voice sent to tempt me!¡±


    In that moment, Matt thought he could almost hear a smile in the tone of the unseen speaker.


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    ¡°Such a pity. Still, show me, prove me wrong and survive this fight.¡±


    Time seemed to resume, and Matt found his body moving on its own as he forced himself upright and unleashed a primal roar. Without a second thought, he thrust his right arm toward the nearest goblin¡¯s throat and clutched it. In a wild frenzy, he swung the goblin¡¯s body around like a cross between a club and a flail, smashing it into one goblin after another as he ignored the searing pain that coursed through his body. It wasn¡¯t until, after approximately a dozen savage swings, that the goblins head came free from the relentless combat, and Matt found himself crouching to pick up another stunned goblin that hadn¡¯t yet recovered from his brutal assault.


    Embracing the role of a demon in the eyes of the goblins, Matt felt inspired by the sinister deal he suspected had been offered by a devil himself. Aware that he couldn¡¯t win if every goblin engaged him simultaneously¡ªhe had already come dangerously close to being overwhelmed¡ªhe surrendered to the only option remaining: to become a monster, so long as he maintained control. At least, he reasoned, if those who viewed him as a monster were, in fact, the true beasts, then he could at least see himself as a hero on one side. He wasn¡¯t entirely sure why he longed to be a hero, but he decided to embrace the mantle and push forward.


    By the time the second goblin¡¯s neck finally gave out, the remaining goblins and hobgoblins had scattered, leaving only the redheaded sword-wielder and the bow-user behind. Feeling his strength beginning to wane, Matt scoured the battlefield for any goblins still breathing and finished them off. In that instant, whatever governed the nature of this experience recognized the fight as over, and Matt received three messages detailing the gains he had earned from the battle.


    Monsters killed: 6 level 3 goblins.


    Base experience multiplied by two.


    Awarding 360 experience.


    Current experience to next level 1379/2000.


    Kill more things while in a rage if you wish to pursue a path of wrath.


    Monsters killed: 2 level 4 hobgoblins.


    Base experience multiplied by three.


    Awarding 160 experience.


    Current experience to next level 1539/2000.


    Kill more things while in a rage if you wish to pursue a path of wrath.


    Monsters killed: 4 level 4 goblins.


    Base experience multiplied by three.


    Awarding 320 experience.


    Current experience to next level 1859/2000.


    Kill more things while in a rage if you wish to pursue a path of wrath.


    Matt was just about to curse his luck for coming so close to reaching the next level and being able to continue his quest when the last group, carrying the overweight staff-wielder, came into view. His world was a haze of pain, but he still managed to smile as he grasped the neck of the nearest dead goblin and hurled it at the hobgoblins struggling to carry Maria. Without even waiting to see the results of his throw, Matt grabbed another goblin corpse and put everything he had left into charging forward with renewed determination.


    His actions had the desired effect as the smaller goblins scattered in fear, and the two hobgoblins carrying Maria collapsed. The thrown goblin had crashed into the front hobgoblin, leaving the one at the back unable to handle the weight alone. This made dispatching the pair and earning 160 experience points almost too easy, as the notifications came streaming in.


    Experience has reached threshold prepare to level up!


    Matt felt like his entire body was on fire once more as every injury he had sustained during the fight began to heal. This was once again followed by the revelation of his new stats.


    Matthew Pierce


    Level 3


    Strength: 12


    Dexterity: 8


    Durability: 8


    Stamina: 10


    Spirit: 9


    Mind: 6


    Species Human (H) (pending evolution to G)


    Bloodline: (Not evaluated at this level)


    Path: None


    Titles: Integrated


    Skills: Auto translate


    No path detected: increasing all stats by one due to the lack of path.


    A path is required to evolve areas, select a path.


    Matt once again felt the world come to a complete stop as several options of paths were displayed before him, shimmering with potential. In that frozen moment, the deep, resonant voice of the unseen entity invaded his mind:


    "Good, good¡ªwhat a delightful bit of entertainment. It always pleases me when my expectations are exceeded. Still, it does not erase the fact that you once refused my hand, and I do not take kindly to such defiance."


    "Go to hell¡ªif you¡¯re not already there," Matt shot back, his tone edged with defiance. "I know nothing about you or your motives, so excuse me for not entrusting my fate to someone like you."


    "All someone as feeble as you needs to understand is this: I possess power, and you do not. Judging from the world you hail from, I can see why you might naively believe that standing up to those with true might is even possible. Allow me to enlighten you about the reality you now inhabit. Planets like the one you once called home are as numerous as the stars, with at least ten new worlds discovered each week and claimed for purposes known only to those who wield genuine power.


    "Take your solar system, for instance. Though it boasted the only world with what you deemed intelligent life, it contained eight significant worlds and hundreds of insignificant ones. Even now, as you struggle in this very moment, everything is being reshaped according to our design. Several worlds will be merged, while others will be torn apart and their fragments distributed among various factions. Worry not¡ªat least for now¡ªwe intend for these places to remain habitable for survivors, though life will become far more treacherous than you can imagine.


    "In these early trials, we need you all to endure hardship so that the strongest of you may rise, much like cream separating from milk. It is then that we can reap something of true value¡ªthe experience gained by eliminating those who refuse to comply with our designs, much like you seem so determined not to. After that, your world will transform into nothing more than a desolate place where the weak are condemned to mundane tasks that barely yield enough experience to capture our interest.


    "So, what occurs when someone grows too powerful for even those in power to eliminate?" asked Matt, a challenge in his tone.


    "How do you suppose we came to be the ones in control?" the voice countered. "Make no mistake, we are not all allies, and not every world suffers the fate I¡¯ve just described. Some become barren wastelands, while others evolve into paradises in their own right. Now, will you accept my help¡ª"


    "Thanks, but I intend to forge my own path," Matt interrupted. "Allowing myself to be subjugated by another¡¯s power is simply not an option."


    "If that is your decision, then I shall not waste time explaining which paths offer true promise and why you must avoid those that appear deceptively alluring."


    At that instant, time resumed its relentless march, and once again, before Matt¡¯s eyes, a screen lit up with a myriad of possible paths awaiting his choice.


    Available paths¡­

 CH. 13

    Ch 13


    Available paths:


    Improvisation (Who needs a weapon when anything can become a weapon when used wrong)


    Terror (Why be loved when you can be feared)


    Unyielding (Pain is meaningless before your will to survive whatever stands in your way.)


    Regeneration (It¡¯s just a flesh wound, it will heal.)


    Rage (You wouldn¡¯t like you when you¡¯re angry.)


    Counter (It¡¯s not who hits first, but who hits harder.)


    Defiance (Wealth and power are meaningless if they require you to compromise.)


    Solitude (Who needs others?)


    Savior (Saving others when you can, is just something you do.)


    Survivor (What doesn¡¯t kill you only makes you stronger.)


    Rogue (Shadows are silent and so are you.)


    Kicking (It¡¯s up, it¡¯s good.)


    Matt surveyed the twelve options available to him, frowning in uncertainty since none of them were familiar enough for him to feel confident in his choice. Worse yet, the short descriptions provided were, at best, vague and, at worst, laced with sarcasm and mockery. Still, he knew he had no choice but to select one and face the consequences. Methodically, he began eliminating the options that failed to spark his interest.


    Immediately, Kicking, Savior, Rage, Counter, and Terror were crossed off his list. Yet, seven possibilities still remained¡ªa number that felt overwhelmingly burdensome when only one could be chosen. Determined, he embarked on a second round of eliminations based on which option best aligned with his personal path. Rogue was dismissed first; he wasn¡¯t inclined to the idea of skulking in shadows. Next, he abandoned Solitude, recognizing that while it might have reflected his past self, it did not suit the future where he could no longer simply ignore the vibrant, moving world around him. He then ruled out Defiance, concerned that its uncompromising nature would create more problems than it would solve, especially after his unsettling exchanges with the deep-voiced observer, whose opinions of those aspiring paths clearly influenced the powerful.


    This process left him with three options: Improvisation, Regeneration, and Survivor. Improvisation resonated with his tumultuous past; it evoked the spirit of resilience, suggesting that even if it meant enduring more physical punishment in ensuing battles, it offered a flexibility that balanced his inner strength with a willingness to adapt. Regeneration, on the other hand, promised a lifeline¡ªa possibility of self-healing that he found especially appealing as the path ahead might preclude the ease of leveling up health in the conventional sense. Finally, Survivor captured the essence of his history, embodying everything his life had been about up to that moment.


    The choice grew tougher, but ultimately his desire for self-reliance narrowed his considerations to Improvisation and Regeneration. Both were clearly defined; one favored the use of makeshift weapons while the other focused on self-healing. In the end, Regeneration prevailed in his mind. He reasoned that although he might eventually discover a weapon he wished to master, the ability to heal himself would remain invaluable regardless of the road he traveled.


    The moment of selection struck him like a physical blow, unleashing a fresh wave of pain as something within him fundamentally shifted. First, he felt his muscles bulge and then contract repeatedly, forcing him onto his hands and knees. Next, a strange sensation overtook his bones as they shifted unnaturally, his joints audibly popping and grinding as he stifled a scream. Finally, just when he thought the ordeal was over, a searing heat ignited within his blood, as if it were boiling, and his eyes teetered on the verge of bursting¡ªthen, the world faded to darkness.


    In those agonizing moments, time seemed to stretch into eternity while all he could do was strain his ears for any hint of an impending attack. Fortunately, no assault came, and gradually, Matt¡¯s vision began to return. However, as his eyes adjusted, he realized that the world itself had changed¡ªnot in shape, but in the very quality of light. The sunrise bathed everything in a richer spectrum of colors than he had ever seen before. There was little time to marvel at this newfound vibrancy before a new screen materialized before his eyes, marking the next chapter in his altered existence.


    Matthew Pierce.


    Level 3


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    Strength: 21


    Dexterity: 13


    Durability: 16


    Stamina: 19


    Spirit: 15


    Mind: 9


    Species Human (G)


    Bloodline: (Not evaluated at this level)


    Path: Regeneration (Increase Durability by 30% and Stamina by 15%)


    Titles: Integrated, Front runner of species (5% boost to all stats).


    Skills: Auto translate, Minor regeneration.


    Matt blinked in disbelief as he noticed that his new stats were nearly double what they had been at level 2. In some cases¡ªdurability and stamina, for example¡ªthe improvements were astonishing. He couldn¡¯t quite grasp why this had happened, though he suspected it had something to do with his species evolving into what they now called the G rank. Still, it made him wonder why fighting goblins had once seemed so easy, leaving him with a nagging feeling that he was missing a crucial detail. Just then, as if to distract him further, a new screen materialized before his eyes.


    "Congratulations on choosing the first step of your path. Moving forward, while you will still receive six stat points each level, they will now be allocated according to your chosen path rather than being distributed evenly as before. Each time you increase your species rank at levels 3, 5, 9, 17, 33, 65, and beyond, you will be able to add a new facet to your path that will alter this distribution."


    Still, nothing seemed to add up for Matt. As he absorbed the notice, trying to decipher the reason behind the change, another message promptly appeared.


    "Congratulations on reaching the next species rank. I¡¯m sure you¡¯re curious about what this means for you. I''ll spare you the complicated numbers and exact details, but know that each tier increases your stats exponentially. Depending on your situation, you might even be offered the chance to change your species altogether."


    While this message clarified some points, it only deepened his confusion, as if the person in charge was deliberately withholding vital information. Though he was unsure if it was a person or just something trying to pretend to be a person. His suspicions grew when a subsequent message replaced the last one.


    "Well, would you look at that¡ªyou are among the first of your kind, one of the earliest individuals to achieve your current species rank among those integrated at the same time as you. There are additional bonuses and various ways to earn little boosts along the way, but fret over those when they come."


    For the time being, Matt chose to focus on the few clear details these messages offered, waiting in anticipation for more information. It soon became evident that no further notices would appear, leaving him to unravel their meanings on his own. It was frustratingly difficult¡ªhe couldn¡¯t even scroll back to review them¡ªand he found himself wondering if he was overlooking something elementary or if reviewing details between levels was simply forbidden.


    After about thirty seconds of pondering its importance, Matt finally decided to let it go. His stats remained static, and his skills were passive enough not to require active thought during combat. Instead, he shifted his attention to the pressing situation at hand: the three women he had managed to rescue and the three still held captive by the goblins. However, his progress stalled when he attempted to wake the three unconscious women¡ªhis efforts proving entirely futile.


    In the end, Matt had no choice but to pick up the redhead and the bow wielder, setting them down beside Maria as he settled in to wait. He believed that whatever influence they were under would have to work its way through their systems within a matter of hours at most. After all, it couldn¡¯t be too powerful if it hadn¡¯t posed the risk of death when used to capture the women. Still, a nagging anxiety gripped him over Emily, Elanor, and the other sword wielder¡ªwho, for all he knew, might already be suffering at the goblins¡¯ hands, while he could only offer aid by abandoning the three he had saved.


    ¡°Frustrating, isn¡¯t it?¡± came the deep, resonant voice¡ªa tone that Matt found himself despising more with every passing moment. ¡°Having the power to make a difference yet still being utterly incapable of doing so.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s decided you are the devil, and this is hell,¡± Matt retorted, his voice edged with bitter irony.


    ¡°Ha, you might not be entirely wrong from your own perspective,¡± replied the voice coolly. ¡°It¡¯s always fascinating to observe the way primitive worlds interpret the ripples of realities beyond their own. That¡¯s why we typically devote several centuries to studying and influencing promising worlds like yours before thrusting them into integration.¡±


    ¡°Did you write all those descriptions yourself?¡± Matt asked, his tone laced with disbelief.


    ¡°Not entirely,¡± the voice responded. ¡°You see, the system that allows all of this is something none of us fully understand¡ªeven though we have managed to seize control of it.¡±


    ¡°Then I can hold you responsible for shattering the peaceful life that I worked so hard to build.¡±


    ¡°No, you can blame us for you ever having a life at all. Left to its own devices, your world would have been integrated by the year 1700, according to your calendars. In truth, those from that era may have been better prepared for what you all will soon face, but they were fewer in number¡ªless than a tenth of those present when we pulled the lever, so to speak.¡±


    ¡°So, you simply desired to have more of us to harvest, and what was so special about 1700?¡±


    ¡°Essentially, yes. We plan everything for worlds teeming with life, for you are the greatest resource in the universe. And as for what was special about 1700¡ªnothing, really. It was simply the year your world was discovered by the system. If you knew your history, you¡¯d realize that it was the very next year that the seed drill was invented. After it took 1,700 years to go from roughly 190 million people to about 600 million, it only took 100 years to surge from that 600 million to nearly a billion. And then, everything accelerated from there.¡±


    "Are you claiming that you were the one who invented the seed drill?"


    "No, but we inspired the inventor in your world. Food is the first step, and from there, we continue to build until a world is near its peak. However, I want to be clear: we merely accelerate progress, as everything that has been invented was always possible, and many inventions occurred without our assistance."


    "Like what?"


    "Nuclear bombs. We always hate when a world develops those. It almost led to your world''s integration in 1945, but we held back, choosing to observe and utilize the window of opportunity that would open if one were ever used again. You can thank us for implanting the concept of mutually assured destruction into the minds of as many world leaders as possible."


    "I see, you''re both the devil, God, and everything in between, all rolled into one."


    "No, the entities you call the devil and God, as well as many other deities worshiped on your world and others, baffle even us. They clearly existed and possibly still do, but even we lack proof of their true nature."


    "Why are you telling me all of this?"


    "You mentioned that you can''t trust me. While normally I wouldn''t be concerned about such matters, I have a purpose for you and wish for you to accept my offer of assistance."


    "Just so you can kill me when it suits you?"


    "Perhaps, but I like to think you could be of more use to me than that. So, how about it? Will you accept my aid in exchange for your loyalty?"

 CH. 14

    Ch 14


    Matt felt an overwhelming urge to groan at the brazen attempt to force him to subordinate himself once again to another¡ªthis time, the request coming from whoever, or whatever, was behind that deep, resonant voice. He longed to shout in defiance, yet it was peculiar¡ªhe could easily raise his voice when it meant protecting his own life, but he found it nearly impossible to do so when another¡¯s well-being was at stake. A rising sense of frustration built within him as he sensed the invisible presence simply waiting for his reply. He understood that if he wanted time to begin moving again, he had no choice but to respond.


    After taking a steadying breath and calming his turbulent thoughts, Matt gathered the few sticking points he had and delivered his response with measured determination. ¡°You say that you wish to earn my trust, yet I don¡¯t even know your name or exactly what you are. And what exactly does your help entail?¡±


    ¡°Tempormr,¡± the deep voice replied in a tone both deliberate and enigmatic, ¡°as for what I am, suffice it to say that I am neither human nor anything remotely akin to it. Should you survive this period and return to your world after it has been transformed, I will ensure you have the chance to see me and understand. As for my assistance¡ªI am limited to observing; I¡¯m forbidden from sharing intelligence on what others are doing. Nevertheless, I can offer you one thing with ease: the ability to distort time during those critical moments when your life hangs in the balance.¡±


    ¡°Got it¡ªyou¡¯re the god of time.¡±


    The voice chuckled softly. ¡°No, I only possess the ability to manipulate time¡¯s flow to suit my purposes. Still, I suppose even that might be viewed as godlike power by your kind, and some of my contemporaries do like to be seen as deities. It¡¯s truly boorish how most of those on my level conduct themselves.¡±


    ¡°Then why not try to destroy them? I don¡¯t know what powers they hold, but time does seem overwhelmingly potent to me.¡±


    ¡°It is, but when one acts alone, it¡¯s incredibly challenging to confront adversaries who have alliances specifically formed to counter you.¡±


    ¡°Is that why you¡¯re reaching out to me?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I am not one to lavish anyone with vast resources or unfettered aid¡ªI¡¯m too selfish for such extravagance. Instead, I seek those who understand the value of keeping what they earn and who are willing to exchange limited assistance on fewer restrictions than any other of my kind would demand in return for their loyalty.¡±


    For the first time, Matt paused, the true implications of the exchange settling in. If he was right, this deal might be one he could enter into without significant difficulty. Yet, certainty would only come from further inquiry.


    ¡°Are you saying that all you require in exchange for your aid is that if I grow in power enough to help fight those on your level, you¡¯d call on me when the time came?¡±


    ¡°There would be a few more requirements,¡± admitted the voice, its tone laced with a blend of gravitas and casual indifference, ¡°but they merely consist of making your allegiance known, in the manner and at the moment I deem appropriate.¡±


    Matt couldn''t find anything inherently terrible about those terms, though a few details worried him as he formulated his response.


    "That doesn''t sound too terrible, but I want three caveats. First, you must never force me to betray another. Second, if I believe carrying out your order undermines my own interests, I can refuse it. And lastly¡ªtying into that second point¡ªyou must provide me with some form of aid or incentive every time you ask something of me."


    "If you demanded that of any others of my power, they would destroy you for your impudence at the first opportunity,¡± retorted the voice. ¡°However, I appreciate you leveraging my greed against my desire to make you my puppet. Very well, I¡¯ll agree to the second and third caveats in principle, but the first needs an addendum: betrayal will happen if you entwine yourself with those who would move against me.¡±


    "Then I can only be made to act against them if they actively work against you, with no ambiguity whatsoever."


    "You can¡¯t be entirely clear about it, but I doubt you''ll face many challenges given your inclination to seclude yourself. That said, you''ll still need to venture out and grow powerful if you ever want your existence to truly matter¡ªand that will require you to interact with others."


    "Great, though let''s worry about that after I manage to survive this world."


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    "Ha, fool, you''ll be removed from this world before long; once you hit E rank, I''ll ensure that your growth isn¡¯t stunted by a lack of challenges."


    "Any chance you could find my bobcat, Bob, and send him here to serve as my fighting companion in that case?"


    "No, but I''ll trade my aid in reuniting you with him when you leave this world¡ªassuming he survives¡ªif you agree to find one other person to join you in following me during your time here."


    "Are you saying I just have to pick someone and get them to worship you or something? I thought you didn¡¯t want to be seen as a god."


    "I eagerly await the first time a follower of another on my level dares to speak with you. However, yes¡ªthat is close enough to what I require from you. But you must limit it to one person; the more fates you try to entwine with your own, the less effective it will be."


    "Kind of like how when more of us work together to kill the same target, the experience we gain is divided among us?"


    "No, that¡¯s merely simple math¡ªnothing is lost, just split among collaborators. What I speak of is far more complex and cannot be quantified. Some of us are simply blessed by fate, and those around us are drawn to that blessing. However, the more you attempt to entwine your fate with others, the more you risk being dragged away from your own destiny, potentially losing fate¡¯s favor. At F rank and below, trying to entwine more than one person with your fate would be foolish and might even render you worthless to me¡ªat which point, I will abandon you."


    "Got it¡ªloyalty only goes one way in this relationship, but do you really have to make it sound like you''re suggesting I should get married or something?"


    "No, that''s absolutely not the case. You must avoid that until your blessing from fate has grown strong enough that having a child won''t ruin you."


    "What!?"


    "You''ll quickly discover that most who attain my level rarely have children or commit fully to relationships with others. Of course, we indulge ourselves when the mood strikes, but as soon as one starts having children, the climb becomes exponentially more difficult. There are many factors behind this, but one of the biggest is that a portion of your fate becomes irrevocably intertwined with that of your child."


    "Even if I end up as a deadbeat dad?"


    "Fate is one of the most elusive and unpredictable aspects of our reality. If you consider time to be omnipotent, then fate stands as its formidable counterforce."


    "So, are you saying that if I ever find a path that involves fate, I should take it without hesitation?"


    "Not at all¡ªavoid it at all costs. Most of those who tread such paths become bound to fate¡¯s capricious whims in a way that renders any attempt to overcome it futile. Remember when I told you that you were doomed to die without my aid? In that moment, you defied fate and twisted it to your will. It is that very will which enables one to conquer fate."


    "So, is that the spirit stat I''ve been observing?"


    "Before I can explain further, I need you to pledge your loyalty to me."


    "Fine¡ªas long as you don¡¯t betray me or ask me to betray someone else except in the most extraordinarily severe circumstances, I will remain loyal according to the value of the rewards you offer. Now I feel more like a mercenary than anything else."


    "You are, and you will soon realize just how much you have gained by agreeing to this. For now, let me delve into what lies beyond the so-called stats. Will, fate, and luck all lie outside of them, and yet can still be quantified by the system if you unlock them. Though they are intricately interwoven in ways that could take years to fully explain¡ªso much so that they may seem like different names for the same force. Simply understanding that they exist is enough for now, as we move on to discussing your stats. First, consider the physical attributes, the most straightforward ones: strength, dexterity, durability, and stamina. These four combine to determine what your physical body can endure. Even if you possess the strength to hoist a massive boulder, it matters little if your body isn¡¯t durable enough to support the extra weight. Similarly, your stamina defines not just how long you can hold it, but also how well you can raise it overhead without injuring your more vulnerable parts of your body.


    "As you stand at this moment, I¡¯d advise you to concentrate on boosting your dexterity to better match your strength. The path of regeneration will help narrow the gap between your durability and strength, while stamina will become less critical until you face prolonged battles. However, should you continue orchestrating scenarios that lure enemies to fight on your behalf, stamina will certainly prove its worth in those extended conflicts.


    "Now, let us discuss spirit and mind, which are somewhat less tangible aside from their role in manifesting magic. Yet, when it comes to inspiring others, swaying hearts to a cause, or achieving various feats beyond physical might, they play a crucial role. This is precisely why you should seek out someone capable of compensating for any weaknesses in your mind when you set out to recruit the individual I wish for you to recruit."


    "I thought I had the right to choose who they are and that it was completely up to me?"


    "You do, but I''m just letting you know that addressing your many weaknesses is always a good way to find those with whom you can work effectively."


    "Who said anything about working with them? I just plan on getting them to the point where they can stand on their own if needed. After that, they can go off and do whatever they want."


    "First, you should reach the point where you can stand on your own. You will need several allies before you can truly stand independently, and even then, others will be necessary for one thing or another. A general can''t both plan a battle and gather the necessary intel to do so effectively. They rely on others to support them, just as I''ll rely on you to handle things that are convenient for you but would be troublesome for me."


    "Got it. Prioritize being able to manage them. Now, what else can you tell me about my stats, particularly how much punishment I can take right now?"


    "Do you know why the path of regeneration was open to you from the start?"


    "Because I used leveling to fully heal both times I have."


    "No, you healed because you had the potential to walk the path of regeneration. It''s in your bloodline, though even I don''t know for sure which one you possess. Still, those with natural regeneration are rare. Now, I''ve said enough for today. I''ll offer more information when I want something from you. For now, I will accelerate time for the three you''ve rescued to let them recover from the drug in their systems. Just be aware that nothing is without side effects, and they will each need to overcome these on their own."

 CH. 15

    Ch 15


    Matt had only a minute to ponder Tempormr¡¯s warning about potential side effects when the three women around him suddenly began coughing violently. In a matter of seconds, their coughing erupted into bouts of vomiting and desperate gasps for breath, their panicked eyes darting around the dimly lit corridor as if searching for an escape. Thankfully, spotting Matt seemed to soothe them somewhat¡ªuntil Maria broke down in tears while the bow wielder clung to her legs, struggling to catch her breath. The redhead, however, remained unmoved, her vacant stare making it painfully clear to Matt that she was suffering the worst of it. Realizing that every second counted, Matt forced himself to speak.


    ¡°The three of you can deal with the effects of being captured and drugged later; right now, we need to rescue the other three.¡±


    After a tense pause, it was the redhead who finally responded.


    ¡°Surely by now they¡¯ve been taken to the goblin village and are¡ª¡±


    ¡°No, they haven¡¯t! Don¡¯t ask how, but when I rescued you all, I managed to get you to wake up early. The others are only five to ten minutes ahead, and I move faster than these goblins¡ªthere are only about twenty of them left. Besides, I just reached level 3, which is when our kind hits G rank, so things aren¡¯t as hopeless as they might seem.¡±


    A spark of hope flickered in the redhead¡¯s eyes as the bow wielder turned to regard him for the first time, and even Maria¡¯s wails softened into quiet sniffles as she listened.


    ¡°You do look slightly different,¡± the bow wielder observed. ¡°It¡¯s almost as if someone snapped your picture and then retouched it in Photoshop. Still, if the goblins were truly on your level, I doubt your recent increase in strength would be so decisive¡ªthey wouldn¡¯t be so easy to dispatch.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think they all start from the same place we do,¡± Matt replied evenly. ¡°Frankly, my stats have more than doubled since we first arrived. Granted, I have no way of knowing for sure; maybe we were simply facing the rejected, weak, and expendable ones of their kind.¡±


    ¡°Sounds like you¡¯re making a lot of assumptions,¡± the redhead shot back. ¡°But fighting is better than just sitting around. I¡¯m assuming you don¡¯t have any of our weapons?¡±


    ¡°Sorry, but for now you¡¯ll have to make do with the clubs that the goblins seem to favor.¡±


    At Matt¡¯s response, it was clear that the three women weren¡¯t pleased. They simmered with discontent yet held back their complaints as the bow wielder and the redhead rose to their feet. Maria, however, remained sprawled on the ground. Matt had no desire to deal with her; if forced to choose which one of the women he wouldn¡¯t have minded losing to the goblins, it would have been her. Still, he knew they needed to keep moving, and if he didn¡¯t at least try to get her up, he might as well set off on his own. So, gathering the last reserves of his patience for dealing with people, he spoke.


    ¡°Maria, I¡¯m not here to coddle you¡ªor anyone else, for that matter. I can¡¯t say I like any one of you, but as long as you¡¯re all trying, and I¡¯m around, I¡¯ll put up with you. That said, if you plan to break down and cry when others need you to toughen up and carry on, then go ahead and stay here for any monster that wanders by to feast."


    ¡°Would it kill you to actually be nice?¡± Maria muttered, glaring at Matt with a look that could curdle blood.


    ¡°It might, just as it might kill you to run a few miles in the middle of a blistering summer,¡± he retorted. ¡°The point is, we¡¯re not going to change who we are, but at the very least, we won¡¯t harm one another.¡±


    ¡°Just leave me to die, will you? I already know my fate¡ªI only serve to slow down our chances of survival.¡±


    ¡°Has any of us actually said that?¡± the redhead interjected sharply.


    ¡°No, but you all are thinking it, especially you three,¡± Maria shot back. ¡°At least¡ª¡±


    ¡°We think plenty of things, just like you,¡± the redhead countered. ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean we act on them, and it doesn¡¯t mean they¡¯re true. None of us really know each other¡ªwe all tend to isolate ourselves, and as much as it pains me to admit, that is only speeding up our demise.¡±


    ¡°What are you saying?¡± Maria demanded.


    The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°Zara. That¡¯s my name,¡± the redhead declared, her tone firm. ¡°Now I¡¯m not just another nameless face to all of you.¡±


    ¡°Masaki Yumiko,¡± interjected the bow wielder. ¡°Yumiko is my given name; I assume most of you follow Western customs.¡±


    ¡°Are you actually from¡ª¡± Maria began, but Zara cut her off.


    ¡°Maria, let¡¯s not dwell on where any of us are from,¡± Zara said decisively. ¡°I don¡¯t wish to reminisce about life before all this chaos; it only makes our current plight feel even more unbearable.¡±


    ¡°Alright, looks like we at least know each other¡¯s names now,¡± Matt observed with a hint of weary resignation. ¡°Now, Maria, what¡¯s it going to be?¡±


    ¡°All I¡¯ll do is hold you all back, just as I am right now,¡± she replied sullenly.


    ¡°I just need the three of you to attack from the rear while I charge ahead,¡± Matt instructed. ¡°My hope is that I can hold them off long enough for you to catch up and deliver the final blow.¡±


    ¡°So you¡¯re leaving us to fend for ourselves while you play hero?¡± Zara retorted sharply.


    ¡°No,¡± Matt insisted, his tone firm yet laced with urgency. ¡°I just don¡¯t believe they¡¯ll expect the three of you to be in fighting condition¡ªit might just catch them by surprise.¡±


    ¡°Whatever,¡± Zara grumbled. ¡°Just go cut the goblins off; the three of us will catch up and hopefully make it before it¡¯s too late.¡±


    As Zara finished speaking, she shot Matt a look that clearly warned if he didn¡¯t get going, he¡¯d have to face more drama than he ever wanted. With a nod, he turned and left, following the obvious trail left by the goblins. Once he vanished, Zara faced Maria, who immediately planted her hands on her hips and launched into a tirade.


    "Honestly, I¡¯ve wanted to do what Matt has been dreaming of since day one and go off on my own, but I like living too much for that. Still, if dead weight like you is offering to disappear, I¡¯m all for it¡ªfeel free to just lie down and die. I, on the other hand, plan to live. Let¡¯s go, Yumiko, we shouldn¡¯t keep Matt waiting too long if we want to level up to two using this fight."


    With that, Zara turned, and Yumiko shot Maria one last disapproving glance before clicking her tongue and following Zara, each of them wielding a club in one hand. Maria didn¡¯t bother to follow; as the pair moved out of sight, she was left alone.


    Meanwhile, Matt wasted no time and dashed away. Although he nearly fell face-first as soon as he started running, he quickly recovered before actually faceplanting. He continued cautiously, trying to adjust to his new stats. Thankfully, the balance between his strength and dexterity remained intact, which helped him avoid a complete loss of footing. Still, it was frustrating feeling as though he couldn¡¯t move as quickly as his body wanted to. However, with each step, he could sense his movements steadily improving, and he was optimistic that soon he¡¯d be moving effortlessly. Unfortunately, his mind reckoned that it might still take hours to reach that point, and he desperately wanted to catch up to the goblins in under one.


    What Matt didn¡¯t fully grasp was that, once engaged, his mind began to perceive everything at a much faster rate. This effect was amplified by the fact that he was alone and running toward his goal¡ªwhat felt like a minute to him was closer to 50 seconds. While many might lose track of time amidst constant distractions, Matt was accustomed to the quiet of the wilderness, which granted him an unusually accurate sense of how much time was passing. He hadn¡¯t realized just how useful that skill could be until he spotted the goblins now traveling in one unified group.


    Before long, Matt found himself cutting through the group, overtaking them with a grin as he observed the fear etched on 19 of their faces. In all, there were six hobgoblins carrying the last three women, along with 13 smaller goblins¡ªincluding the one who had slipped away from him and sparked this entire mess. What he hadn¡¯t expected was for that elusive goblin to speak with the authority of someone in full control, issuing orders like a commander.


    "Everyone else, keep going! I¡¯ll hold him back. If he escapes me and catches up, charge him one at a time to slow him down. We¡¯re close enough to the others now to overwhelm him if he dares to give chase."


    Matt¡¯s stunned pause cost him dearly. The small goblin vanished in a flash¡ªmuch like the rabbit had earlier¡ªleaving him scrambling as he barely dodged an incoming strike. What really threw him off, however, was how he overextended his movements and ended up in an awkward position while the other eighteen goblins fled with the three unconscious women. His initial impulse was to charge after them, but the moment he moved, he was forced to duck again as a dagger glinted before his eyes. A sinister chuckle resonated through the air as the elusive goblin continued speaking.


    ¡°It¡¯s hard to adjust, isn¡¯t it? Suddenly, all your stats surge, and you don¡¯t get a chance to test them before being thrown into battle. I¡¯ll give you credit, though ¡ª you can react, even if you do so a moment too soon and end up out of position. You really thought we had abandoned the other goblins and risked leaving those three breeders behind? Don¡¯t worry; none of them will die. Another group will guard their bodies until we deal with you.¡±


    Before Matt could shout a retort, he found himself dodging once more¡ªa dagger now aimed at his ankle. The brief glimpse of the goblin fueled his rising worry over just what he had gotten himself into.


    ¡°I bet you¡¯re wondering why I didn¡¯t kill you earlier. You probably think I was too scared¡ª¡±


    ¡°No, you wanted us to believe we were safe, relying on your clumsy techniques in the chaos of a battle against more than one opponent. Really, you wanted me to lead you straight to the women while you hid in the shadows until we stopped for the night.¡±


    ¡°Oh, it seems you¡¯ve managed to see through some of my intentions after the fact. Not bad for a level 3 who hasn¡¯t fully adapted to the rules of the system. Still, as one of the few to reach rank E among my kind that you¡¯ll find in these woods, it matters little. Compared to trash like you, I might as well be a god. So, any last words?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you talk too much.¡±

 CH. 16

    Ch 16


    "I talk too much," mocked the goblin. "Here I was giving you a few more seconds to live, but if you want to hurry up and die¡ª" Once again, Matt barely shifted to avoid the goblin''s strike aimed at the back of his left knee. Still, he managed to stop in time, deliberately making his movement appear clumsier than those before as he executed a roll and regained his footing. Moments later, he feigned a burst of energy as if he were chasing after the other goblins, only to leap backward the instant the goblin attacked. That delay allowed him to deliver a second kick, albeit a fraction too late, as the goblin moved faster than expected. Nevertheless, it was progress, and Matt wasted no time charging forward to escape once more.


    This time, the assault came from behind. Matt rolled to the side before springing to his feet, continuing his run the moment he was upright. He managed only a few feet before having to dodge again, and soon found himself armed with just the single cutting tool in his left hand. Although frustrating, Matt had determined that this maneuver was essential to preserving his dodging ability for as long as possible. Despite enduring twenty strikes from the relentless goblin¡ªleaving him with three shallow cuts on his legs¡ªhe felt a sense of victory as his movements grew more polished and the goblin¡¯s attacks began to slow, the intervals between them lengthening noticeably.


    Yet, Matt¡¯s situation remained perilous as he struggled to draw enough oxygen to sustain his frantic pace. Had it not been for the goblin¡¯s obsession with lurking in the shadows between strikes, Matt doubted he would have lasted as long as he had. His mind raced as he wondered about the goblin¡¯s tactics when the creature started to speak again.


    "You''re a slippery one, that''s for sure. What did you do? Take the path of dodging or something? So your first skill lets you avoid the first strike of any attack, does it?" the goblin taunted.


    "Ha, why would I tell you?" replied Matt, his eyes never leaving his opponent as he tried to glean any useful tidbits from the goblin¡¯s words.


    "It must be something like that, otherwise my hidden blade skill would have landed cleanly by now," the goblin replied.


    As the goblin finished speaking, he suddenly reappeared in front of Matt, slashing upward toward his groin. But Matt merely twisted slightly, causing the blade to dig into his thigh instead, as he brought his fist into the path of the goblin¡¯s attack. Gritting his teeth against the searing pain, he partially knelt and smashed the goblin¡¯s head between his fist and the ground. Although the impact worsened the knife wound, it allowed Matt to pin the goblin, gripping its head as though his life depended on it. Next, he swung the cutting tool in his left hand downward¡ªonly for the goblin to reach up and grasp at it with both hands.


    In that tense moment, the two of them were locked in a stalemate, glaring at one another. Had the goblin not sent his compatriots scattering, Matt would likely have suffered a defeat. Instead, the sudden arrival of Zara and Yumiko tilted the scales in his favor. Both quickly surveyed the situation and attacked without hesitation. Moments later, amid the chaos of battle, Matt couldn¡¯t help but chuckle when a notification pinged through, marking a brief reprieve in the maelstrom of combat.


    Monster killed: level 9 goblin.


    Base experience multiplied by six.


    Awarding 120 experience.


    Current experience to next level 2139/3000.


    The absence of a clear direction on how to forge a new path was notable, yet equally significant was the realization that if he had won that fight on his own, it would have been worth a third of the experience needed for a level. Nevertheless, Matt set aside his thoughts on both matters for later, shifting his focus to catching up with the goblins that had fled. With determination, he pulled the knife from his thigh, gritting his teeth against the pain, and crafted a makeshift tourniquet from his belt before standing up. Thankfully, no words needed to be exchanged as the three of them charged forward, following the obvious trail the other goblins had taken through the dense underbrush.


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    Just a few minutes later, the rear of the goblin group came into view, and their lack of discipline became apparent. Instead of following their orders and having one of them turn to fight, they squabbled over who should face the threat. This internal conflict resulted in one goblin tripping another mere moments before Matt closed the ten-foot gap. He ignored the fallen goblin, trusting his companions to handle it, causing real panic to ripple through the goblin ranks. One of the hobgoblins carrying the women shouted for all the goblins to turn and fight while they attempted to flee with their captives.


    Matt sensed that if he didn''t act quickly to stop the six retreating hobgoblins, it would soon be too late. Without hesitation, he hurled the knife in his hand. Though this deprived him of the first real weapon he had wielded since the ordeal began¡ªa crisis that likely affected most of humanity¡ªhe had no regrets. His aim was true, and the knife struck one of the hobgoblins carrying Eleanor in the side. The hobgoblin staggered, dropping her as their partner struggled to bear the sudden increase in weight alone, causing them to collapse to the ground.


    Unfortunately, the other two goblins continued to advance, and Matt found himself with only a single cutting tool as he faced off against the 11 chaotic goblins blocking his path. It was this chaos that gave Matt the confidence to throw his cutting tool, striking the rear goblin carrying Emily as he pushed forward through the tangle of goblins. However, the cutting tool''s impact was insufficient, causing only a brief pause in the hobgoblin''s movements. Meanwhile, the pain in his thigh from his own stab wound was intensifying. Despite this, he let out a primal roar, catching two clubs that had been swung at him. He wrenched them free from their wielders'' grips and hurled them at the retreating hobgoblins.


    At that critical moment, Yumiko and Zara entered the fray, charging in to attack the goblins that were fixated on Matt. Their intervention only heightened the chaos, as the goblins appeared energized by the presence of new targets besides Matt. Ultimately, he was left with only the two goblins who had lost their clubs still focused on him. He quickly exploited this by grasping them both by their throats and smashing them into other goblins. This action redirected the majority of the goblins'' attention back to him, and he shouted to Zara and Yumiko with urgency.


    "Stop the hobgoblins from escaping with the others, I¡¯ll handle these ones!"


    After shooting him a troubled look, Zara nodded and broke through the chaos, but Yumiko failed to do the same as three goblins clambered onto her. Meanwhile, Zara caught up to the pair hobbling away with Eleanor and quickly dealt with the wounded one. However, the other two pairs were still pulling away as Matt went to work freeing Yumiko. By this point, he felt numb to all the hits from the goblins'' clubs that he had taken while avoiding being overwhelmed by their quickly dwindling numbers. In some ways, he felt like he was being attacked by a pack of savage children as he grabbed and tossed them around. Yet, unlike children, these creatures bounced back up after being thrown ten feet away and charged back in as if it was nothing.


    As Matt finally reached Yumiko, he found her struggling to stay on her feet while he ripped the first goblin off her. By the time he was reaching for the second one, she had already started hitting the third with her newly freed hand, trying to break free before the remaining goblins closed in on them once more. Despite their efforts, Matt felt as if they were doomed to come up short since two of the hobgoblin pairs were still escaping, and it was clear that Zara had her hands full dealing with the one she was fighting. Even if Yumiko managed to free herself, it seemed it would all be for naught¡ªuntil he witnessed Eleanor move with surprising agility as she took down the hobgoblin that had been carrying her away moments before.


    Although he knew Tempormr would likely count that as yet another favor he had done for Matt, Matt no longer cared. Whatever his fate was, it was clear that it was no longer in his hands alone, and whatever Tempormr had planned for him would just have to be forced to fit within his own plans. After all, Matt maintained his own goal of becoming independent of everything when all was said and done, just as he had always dreamed. In that way, perhaps the chaos of his new reality would be a positive thing if it granted him enough power to truly stand alone.


    Yet at that exact moment, none of that mattered as he placed his trust in Zara to get Elanor on the same page while he focused on fighting goblins alongside Yumiko. With this shift in concentration, he ceased worrying about matters beyond his immediate battle, and his movements sharpened dramatically. No longer did he allow goblins to land nonvital hits; instead, he effectively deflected them with his arms while using his legs to sweep their feet out from beneath them. Once he had them on the ground, a swift stomp on their chest or neck was sufficient to end them. It was only forty seconds after he saw Eleanor stand that he realized none of the goblins seemed to be stirring anymore.


    Though he knew from the lack of a message about gaining experience that at least one of them was still alive, Matt took a moment to assess the situation around him. Yumiko appeared ready to collapse from exhaustion, her clothing barely qualifying as such anymore. The goblins¡¯ claws had torn through her shirt, and even her jeans were riddled with holes in more than one spot. However, the determined look in her eyes told Matt that she was anything but ready to stop fighting as she scanned the area for threats, almost frantically.


    This wouldn¡¯t have been a major issue for Matt, but both Zara and Eleanor were out of sight, having chased after the last two pairs of hobgoblins. This created a sense of urgency for him as he worried whether the two of them could handle four hobgoblins. Additionally, the fear of how close they had gotten to the goblins¡¯ settlement nagged at him. As he turned to chase after Zara and Eleanor, he suddenly fell to the ground. It was only in the moment before everything went black that he noticed the blood trickling down his leg and realized that the makeshift tourniquet he had fashioned had failed.

 CH. 17

    Ch 17


    As the world slowly came back into focus for Matt, he found himself being carried in a decidedly awkward manner. At first, he feared that the hobgoblins had captured him; then, a glimpse of Zara¡¯s vivid red hair floating by on a gentle breeze confirmed he was not in their grasp. It was already too late to stop his struggle¡ªhe had begun to thrash, slipping free from Zara and Eleanor¡¯s hold, tumbling onto his hands and knees. Voices swirled around him, though none made sense as he fought to steady his breathing and calm his racing heart. In that chaotic moment, he noticed that everyone was present except for Maria, and a small weight lifted from his chest as the true concern in each voice became clear. He raised a hand to quiet them before asking, ¡°How long was I out?¡±


    ¡°Maybe ten minutes,¡± replied Yumiko, relief mingling with her worry. ¡°I thought you were dead when I saw all that blood.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, care to explain how your thigh stopped bleeding on its own?¡± Zara added with a hint of accusation. ¡°And the timing of us all waking up from being drugged by the goblins seems off to me. Why did we all regain consciousness before¡ª¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t look a gift horse in the mouth,¡± interjected Matt forcefully. ¡°As for my wound closing by itself, my path granted me a minor skill for regeneration. Now, let¡¯s focus on getting back to the camp and, if possible, retrieving your weapons.¡±


    ¡°Wait, you mean we can get self-healing skills?¡± Eleanor asked, her voice filled with quiet wonder as Matt struggled to rise.


    ¡°Not impossible, but I wouldn¡¯t put all my hopes in it,¡± Matt replied, just as a wave of dizziness hit him. ¡°Look, I¡¯m far from fully healed, and we need to reach somewhere safe before we stop to chat.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t you talk and walk at the same time?¡± Eleanor pressed. ¡°It will¡ª¡±


    ¡°Use your eyes,¡± Emily snapped with a huff. ¡°It looks like he can barely stand. Besides, we should all be grateful that we¡¯re no longer in the goblins¡¯ clutches.¡±


    At that, a collective nod and a few grateful glances turned toward Matt as they began retracing their path toward the riverbed. Along the way, several of the women engaged in light, offhand conversation¡ªan unmistakable attempt to avoid facing the near-tragic events that had unfolded. As they talked, Matt found himself weighing what he should explain and whether he should just act as clueless as the rest about the incident. Clearly, there were things he knew that could be used to his advantage if leveraged correctly. However, that wasn¡¯t what he wanted, he still longed to become a footnote in their lives, to be forgotten as he faded to the background as they become self-sufficient.


    Matt''s thoughts lingered on these concerns until they reached the spot where they had left Maria. There they were met with a distressing scene: four goblins encircled Maria, who was hog-tied and sobbing hysterically in a fit of rage. Eleanor and the swordswoman, whose name Matt didn''t know, were the first to react. Yet, instead of engaging in battle, the goblins raised their clubs threateningly towards Maria, halting the pair in their tracks as one of the goblins began to cackle menacingly. It was evident that this goblin believed they had gained the upper hand, as he spoke in a mocking tone a few moments later.


    "Good, now if you don''t want her hurt, you kill the male and come forward¡ª"


    "Now why would we do that, or anything you want?" Zara retorted with a derisive sneer. "Right now, all you have is a useless hostage, and I wouldn''t trade her life for any of ours. Let''s just leave or let them harm her, but we really can''t hesitate to refuse trading one of us for her."


    "Bitch, you don''t care about anyone!" Maria screamed. "How long until she sacrifices each one of you for her own survival?"


    "There has to be something we can do," Emily murmured, casting hopeful glances at Matt as if she expected him to devise a solution.


    An uneasy silence settled over the group, with several women exchanging tense glances while the goblins appeared momentarily unsure of their next move. For Matt, this situation epitomized why he despised dealing with others. If it were just him, he wouldn''t have to worry about saving anyone, nor would he have to rely on the hope of rescue. He could simply accept that if his own efforts weren''t sufficient, then it wasn''t meant to be. Yet, peace was elusive, as Maria shattered the silence once more with a piercing shriek when the goblin who had spoken earlier began tugging at her jeans, laughing cruelly.


    Stolen novel; please report.


    This led to the women shouting at him while the other goblins cackled, gleefully raising their clubs high as they cheered on their leader. Matt supposed this was the moment when a hero was meant to devise some brilliant strategy to save the day, but that wasn¡¯t him. Even though he had mostly recovered from the blood loss he had suffered, he was still weak from the previous fight and didn¡¯t have any weapons beyond the knife that had been returned to him after he regained consciousness. Nevertheless, he couldn¡¯t just sit there and watch what was about to happen, as he found himself moving without realizing it.


    The three goblins with the clubs appeared confused to see him spring into action; they hesitated and failed to even shout out before he was already halfway to them. Yet, they still had more than enough time to bring their clubs down on Maria¡¯s head if they hadn¡¯t looked to their leader first. ¡°Sheep,¡± was the word that came to Matt¡¯s mind as he slid and rammed into Maria¡¯s body, pushing her into the three goblins and toppling the leader. Next, Matt managed to grab the leader¡¯s neck, just as he had with so many other goblins before, and swung him overhead with all his might, slamming him into the ground.


    That was all Matt had to do, as by then Eleanor, Yumiko, Zara, and the last nameless woman had sprung into action. It went without saying that the remaining three goblins died rather quickly, and Matt just stood there looking at Maria like one might regard a drug addict who claims everything is someone else¡¯s fault. He knew she was toxic and, given how things were, she was likely to get them all killed if allowed to remain as she was. Yet, he hadn¡¯t found any acceptable way to deal with her. When the notification chimed, awarding him a full 9 experience points from the fight, he was just about to walk away when she started to yell.


    "What the hell was that for?! You could have killed me! What are you¡ª"


    "Shut the fuck up!" spat Matt, venom dripping from his tone. "I don¡¯t care if you die; I just don¡¯t feel like witnessing rape. Now if you don¡¯t want to end up tied up for the next monster to come along and enjoy a feast, you¡¯d better learn some self-preservation."


    At that, Maria seemed to short-circuit, her mouth opening and closing several times like a fish gasping for air. Meanwhile, each of the other women reacted differently to his words, their expressions hinting at things they wanted to say yet couldn¡¯t quite articulate. Zara, however, managed a wry smile as she spoke.


    "I think we all need to make a few decisions before we proceed. First, Maria here has long lost any right to act on her own. She sat here and got captured instead of trying to rescue the rest of you. The fact that she¡¯s still alive is more than she deserves, and I¡¯m not willing to risk our lives keeping her around."


    "That¡¯s a bit far, don¡¯t you think?" argued Eleanor. "Everyone has moments when they want to quit¡ª"


    "Not out here, they don¡¯t," interjected Yumiko, a harshness in her tone that made Eleanor flinch. "Out here, people reach a point where they choose to give up and die, and Maria did just that when Matt said he was going to save the rest of you. She outright declared herself useless and even delayed us a bit."


    "I don¡¯t know if you noticed, but I¡¯m not exactly built for chasing down anyone!" shouted Maria defensively. "Just because all of you are in better fighting shape doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m worth any less than¡ª"


    "Out here, it does," interrupted Matt bluntly. "That¡¯s just the hard reality we¡¯re living in, and nothing will change that unless you fix the issue. I don¡¯t plan on sticking around long-term, but if the six of you were a chain, I¡¯d see you as the weakest link by far. So either find a way to be useful or shut up and do what you¡¯re told if you want to survive."


    "You really think we¡¯re just going to let you leave?" retorted Zara, crossing her arms. "Sorry about that, but I don¡¯t care if I have to track you down like I¡¯m a hunter and you¡¯re my prey. I¡¯m not about to lose you as part of my group if we¡¯re truly forced to stick together."


    "Same," agreed Yumiko, with a curt nod. "Even if you¡¯re irritating at times, you did show up for us when it seemed like the most foolish choice."


    "It¡¯s not even an option anymore," Matt continued, his tone growing even sterner. "Once I hit level 9, I suspect the voice that spoke to all of us at the start of this mess will have other plans for me."


    "What?" retorted Zara sharply, with the other women echoing her confusion as they exchanged puzzled glances.


    Matt sighed, realizing that speaking up wouldn''t be easy, but he felt compelled to be honest about the reality of the situation. Allowing them to believe they could depend on him now would only complicate matters when he was inevitably taken away. However, it wasn''t the right moment to delve into specifics, so he simply shook his head and replied, "For now, just know I made a deal to help save all of you, but I don¡¯t want to discuss it until we feel safer and have searched our old campsite."


    His words seemed to settle the group, and after a brief pause, Eleanor spoke up. "Alright, let''s untie Maria and get moving. We can sort everything out once we''ve had a moment to calm down. Maria, I don¡¯t want to hear any complaints from you. As the others have pointed out, you¡¯re lucky to be alive, even if it''s not the most ideal situation for you."


    Maria winced, retorting, "I think he broke my ribs with that slide, so I¡¯m not sure if I can¡ª"


    "You¡¯ll live," Zara interjected. "That''s all you should focus on for now. Though, I suppose I should thank you for not tagging along. If you had, Yumiko and I might not have made it to level 2."


    Matt couldn''t help but smile at this, finding a small piece of solace in Zara''s words. Meanwhile, Maria groaned in pain as her bonds were cut, and she was helped to her feet. With that, Matt returned to contemplating exactly what to say, as they continued at a now slower pace toward their former campsite.

 CH. 18

    Ch 18


    The walk back to their old campsite was uneventful, and the fifteen minutes they spent salvaging what little they could was no exception. All they managed to find were their discarded weapons and a few jackets they had once used as blankets before moving on after drinking some water. In the end, they simply followed the riverbed, hoping to put as much distance as possible between them and the path the goblins had taken.


    Although they knew this wasn¡¯t the best plan, they desperately needed water, and it wasn¡¯t as if they believed they could evade whoever was tailing them. Eventually, they arrived at a spot where the river bent sharply and cut into a rocky slope, exposing a few large boulders above the shoreline. Though it would only serve as a temporary resting spot, it allowed them to reach water once more as they settled for the night.


    Once more, they found themselves without fire, and this time, food was also scarce; the remains of the boar they¡¯d left behind were sadly missing upon their return. Still, most of them managed to maintain relatively good spirits as they gathered around to listen to Matt¡¯s explanation of his words from earlier in the day. With no time for further delay, Matt sighed and began with what he deemed the most vital information.


    ¡°None of us really know what¡¯s going on,¡± he began, his voice heavy with uncertainty. ¡°And I want to say before anything else: for all I know, I''ve been fed nothing but lies. Regardless, I have to move forward assuming it¡¯s all true and deal with what that means for me¡ªeven if none of you need to do the same.¡±


    ¡°You can stop beating around the bush and just tell us what you learned and how,¡± Zara interjected sharply. ¡°We know you have no proof, but anything that might help us survive is worth knowing.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sharing everything,¡± Matt continued, his tone cautious. ¡°I believe that would only get us into trouble. While I think I¡¯ll be safe, I can¡¯t say the same for all of you. As for what I will share: you know that voice that spoke to all of us just before everything started? Well, apparently, I caught its eye, and it made a deal with me. Basically, with a few exceptions, I agreed to remain loyal and listen to its commands in exchange for knowledge and some assistance in waking all of you from that drug-induced stupor. They mentioned some side effects, but so far, it seems none of you have experienced¡ª¡±


    ¡°Withdrawals,¡± interrupted a swordswoman with heavy scaring on her forearms, her voice edged with cynicism. ¡°At least that¡¯s my bet, considering what I felt when that slurry was poured down my throat¡ªit was like taking a Xanax while I was drunk.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Emily asked, her tone a mix of confusion and disbelief.


    ¡°Just trust me, we should all be grateful that we even woke up at all,¡± the swordswoman retorted.


    ¡°Let¡¯s not delve into the details of our pasts,¡± Eleanor cut in before anyone could push further. ¡°Each of us was a loner before¡ª¡±


    ¡°Nah, I¡¯m done with that crap,¡± Zara snapped. ¡°Sure, we all have scars from before, some worn openly, but we need to address them before we have another meltdown like the one Maria is still dealing with.¡±


    ¡°I am not melting down!¡± Maria shot back, her voice trembling with denied emotion. ¡°You¡¯re all just picking on me for no reason!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to hear it,¡± Matt interjected with a note of anger. ¡°Look, the one thing I can¡¯t handle is drama right now, and the six of you seem poised to launch right into it. If you¡¯d rather argue than listen to me, be my guest¡ªI can disappear for a bit.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s find a middle ground,¡± Yumiko suggested softly. ¡°We all state why we think we were isolated, and no one comments on it until morning.¡±


    Matt wanted to prevent even that from occurring, but he sensed that attempting to do so would backfire. So, he just sighed as everyone except Maria and him nodded, and Yumiko continued to speak.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go first. I believe I was isolated because I never did anything but focus on my studies while growing up. I never learned how to have fun with others, preferring to concentrate on myself with my limited funds,¡± she confessed, her voice tinged with regret.


    ¡°Books,¡± commented Emily, her eyes distant. ¡°I always wanted to read more than deal with others.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve already mentioned my status as always being above others I knew,¡± stated Eleanor, her tone matter-of-fact. ¡°Making friends with those whom I might have to fire never made sense to me.¡±


    ¡°I was raped, and blamed for it by those I thought were friends,¡± stated Zara, her voice barely a whisper. ¡°Never wanted to get close to anyone after that.¡±


    There was a heaviness that hung over the group at those words as the group seemed at a loss on how to respond until the one with seemingly even more issues broke the silence.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t always isolated, but my only friends and lovers, were whoever could get me my next high,¡± stated the scarred swordswoman, her eyes haunted by the past. ¡°After getting clean, I just didn¡¯t fit in anywhere and don¡¯t know what being friends even means.¡±


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    ¡°Well, aren¡¯t you all just bundles of joy. I don¡¯t even know why I am here, as I had none of those issues,¡± commented Maria, rolling her eyes.


    ¡°Sure,¡± retorted Matt, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. ¡°I just can¡¯t stand people and the drama that comes with them, especially those with egos.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re one to talk,¡± spat Maria, her eyes narrowing. ¡°You¡¯ve got an ego¡ª¡± Crack!


    ¡°Just leave if you¡¯re going to do this,¡± stated Eleanor, dropping the hand-sized rock she had just split by banging it against the rock she was sitting on. ¡°Matt never said he didn¡¯t have an ego, and it is normal for those with large egos to have issues with others who are the same. Now either join the rest of us in being truthful or just be quiet.¡±


    ¡°Right, I¡¯m isolated because I hate others judging me as useless for being fat. Is that good enough?¡± Maria snapped, her voice laced with frustration.


    ¡°Whatever,¡± retorted Matt, dismissively. ¡°Now can we move on?¡±


    It was clear that Maria wanted to say more, but she just crossed her arms and turned away from the others as mood was completely ruined and Matt continued speaking.


    ¡°Good, now before I start, please just let me get through it all, as I really don¡¯t want to deal with any more interruptions¡­¡±


    Matt reviewed the information he¡¯d gathered from Tempormr, though he chose to omit any references to fate, luck, Tempormr¡¯s name, or the politics of the powerful. His account included the detail that Earth had apparently been cultivated for centuries before it was deemed ready for harvest. However, he did mention Tempormr¡¯s claim that Matt had a bloodline¡ªwhich had allowed him access to regenerative abilities¡ªand how that legacy allowed him to choose his path. His explanation nearly came to a halt when Emily interrupted, suggesting several mythical creatures that might fit the description. Had Zara not cut her off, Matt doubted he would have finished his story, but he managed to do so just as the final light of day was fading.


    He concluded by explaining that he would be removed from the world once his species reached E rank, and only a moment later did Zara interject.


    "Wait, you¡¯re going to be forced to leave the world, not just us, no matter what!?" she exclaimed.


    "That¡¯s what I said¡ªlevel 9 is what I¡¯m expecting," Matt replied.


    "You have no idea what you agreed to or where you¡¯re going. Why agree to that?" asked Eleanor sharply. "From where I¡¯m sitting, that deal sounds very one-sided. You¡¯re given a bit of information and then forced to follow the whims of some unknown entity that could be after anything. For all you know, you might have just agreed to unlock the gates of hell¡ª"


    "I¡¯ll kill myself or get myself killed if it comes down to something like that," interrupted Matt. "I¡¯ve made my bed, and none of you need to lie in it."


    "Wrong¡ªone of us does," stated Yumiko firmly. "You owe him one more follower if you want to see your pet when you leave here."


    "Bob isn¡¯t a pet; he¡¯s a partner in our mutual struggle for survival," Matt corrected. "Besides, I know better than to pick any of you to be that extra follower I need."


    "And just what does that mean?" pressed Zara.


    "It means that if I¡¯m going to be stuck with someone else for who knows how long, it¡¯s not going to be a woman I barely know," he replied without malice. "From where I stand, it only spells one of two outcomes: either one of us ends up dead, or we get married¡ªand I¡¯m not interested in either possibility."


    That silenced the group for a moment before the scarred swordswoman decided it was her turn to speak.


    "You may not have much of a choice but to pick one of us when the time comes. As for death or marriage, I think you need to expand your imagination a bit and stop being so narrow-minded in how you view the world. Besides, if I were to bet on it, at least four of us are already asking ourselves if we want you to choose us, while one is almost set on it."


    "Which is just another reason to shut the idea of any of you down hard right now. Sorry, but the last thing we need is for this situation to turn into all of you competing to be chosen by me. That setup alone reminds me of those terrible reality TV shows that I hated seeing ads for before I escaped society."


    Matt noticed several of the women recoil from his words, and he realized he was just one misstep away from either being pushed out of the group or having them all try to cling to him. Thankfully, Eleanor quickly interjected, saving him from needing to say anything else for the night.


    "I think that what I said about none of us trying to initiate a relationship with Matt the other day applies even more now. Instead, it seems like our main priority should be to find others in the area, including the guys we split from on the first day and work together to figure out if we can deal with the goblins before we lose Matt."


    With nods from most of the others, the conversation shifted to that, and Matt just sighed as he excused himself. He didn¡¯t go far, just about 20 feet away, where he sat and gazed up at the stars glimmering in the night sky, pondering their location. The question of whether they were even in the same universe, let alone galaxy as Earth, loomed large in his mind, and if not, he wondered just what the laws of physics were in this place, if they even existed that was.


    He could accept the possibility of regeneration and his enhanced physical abilities within the confines of reality as he understood it, but the notion of instantaneous transportation from one place to another was too far-fetched. A part of him still anticipated waking up from the dream or nightmare he believed he was experiencing, yet that idea seemed increasingly illogical the more he pondered it. Too many elements were beyond his frame of reference as he assessed his situation. Gazing at the stars only intensified his confusion, as he failed to recognize any constellations among them, and the presence of two half-full moons baffled him further. If he were indeed asleep, surely he would have awoken by now if he could.


    "It''s hard to accept, isn''t it?" remarked the scarred swordswoman from behind him. "I''m Rose. Figured since I''m the last one to introduce myself, I might as well get it out of the way. Now, the others want to discuss shifts for watch tonight, and I used that as my excuse to come fetch you."


    "When I speak, do I sound like someone from where you¡¯re from?" asked Matt, wondering why he hadn¡¯t heard any accents after pondering how things worked for a while.


    "Yeah, I suppose that''s just part of the auto-translate skill. After all, none of us are from the same places, as far as I can tell."


    "Right, well, Rose, let''s see about making the best out of the mess we''re in."


    "Of course, and don''t worry about what the rest of us think. If one of us is who you want to have with you when the time comes, just say so."


    "No, I don''t think that''s a good idea. I''d sooner miss seeing Bob and just trust him to survive than create the issues that would cause."


    Rose rolled her eyes, and Matt simply smiled to himself, quietly renewing his resolve to survive as they made their way back to the others.

 CH. 19

    Ch 19


    When morning arrived, Matt discovered that Rose had been more or less right¡ªeach of the women seemed to be suffering to some degree. While a few of them merely experienced occasional shakes or headaches, Maria, Emily, and Yumiko appeared to be hit particularly hard. Rose admitted that she wasn¡¯t feeling much better either, but with more experience dealing with such effects under her belt, she knew how to manage it. Still, Matt could sense the heightened anxiety radiating from each of them as they deliberated on what to do with their day. Suggestions varied wildly¡ªfrom continuing the search for a new location to establishing a main base to scouting out the nearby goblin village. Matt quickly dismissed both ideas, realizing they simply weren''t in any condition to tackle either mission. Instead, he assigned everyone the task of making more cordage while he set about an overdue endeavor: drafting a rough map of their surrounding area.


    Using the river as a central reference, Matt focused on creating a map that prioritized directional warnings above all else. In just about an hour, he managed to scratch a detailed representation onto a flat stone roughly the size of a computer monitor. He marked all the known landmarks, including their first campsite, the general route of their initial arrival, and the direction where they expected to find the goblin village. This exercise not only provided a useful visual guide, but it also helped Matt better grasp the situation as he sat down with Eleanor and Zara to discuss his findings.


    ¡°You¡¯re saying that when we fled, we moved in a manner that inadvertently brought us closer to the goblins?¡± Eleanor asked, her brow furrowed as she processed the information.


    ¡°It¡¯s possible, given how quickly they reacted," Matt confirmed, his tone edged with concern. "If they followed our trail instead of going back towards where we first arrived, we might have spared the others from being targeted.¡±


    ¡°Or perhaps they tracked both routes and dispatched the other five already,¡± Zara countered sharply. ¡°Either way, my vote is against trying to find them.¡±


    ¡°With that logic, my only options are the five people I don¡¯t despise,¡± Matt muttered. ¡°Look, my needs are my needs, but I¡¯d really like to find someone who can be my second party member sooner rather than later.¡±


    ¡°All the more reason, then, to choose one of us,¡± Zara retorted. ¡°Even if it isn¡¯t me.¡±


    ¡°I stand with Matt on this one,¡± Eleanor added. ¡°Even though my survival instincts are urging me to ensure that he picks me, they also tell me that choosing the right person could save more lives.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but I¡¯m the only one who¡¯s willing to venture out on my own¡ª¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t bring you two here to rehash last night¡¯s same old argument,¡± Matt interjected firmly, cutting Zara off. ¡°I¡¯ll take a goblin with me before any of you, as nothing says they have to be human.¡±


    That finally quieted the pair, though their exchanged glances clearly hinted at a desire to challenge his statement¡ªyet both feared provoking him into doubling down. With a heavy sigh, Matt shifted his focus back to his plan and continued.


    "Alright, our immediate goals are to recruit more people first, and then to raid the goblin village¡ªeliminating the threat they pose to this region. Once that''s accomplished, building a village for the survivors should be straightforward, and at that point I hope to find my second before I make my final exit."


    "I¡¯ll admit that having extra hands will simplify our task against the goblins, but it will come at a significant cost in experience," Zara replied. "I still think that¡ª"


    "Goblins are weak and dumb individually," Matt interjected sharply. "Granted, that¡¯s a generalization¡ªjust as with humans there are exceptions, but I¡¯d wager that the next raid on us will involve every goblin available. I suspect they already have eyes on us, biding their time until they can organize a full assault. The opponent you mentioned from last night, the one who left me in a stalemate, was formidable enough that if three goblins were at his level, our group would stand no chance¡ªand even two might be too many."


    "I still say you¡¯re underestimating us," Zara countered. "Sure, Maria may be dead weight, but if Yumiko and I manage to level up¡ª"


    "He¡¯s talking to us as we are now, not as we might be once we level up and our species rank increases," Eleanor stated matter-of-factly. "Really, having seen him fight, do you honestly believe you can do what he does?"


    "Not on my own, but I believe two of us could¡ª"


    "None of us know how to fight as a coordinated team¡ªnot even in a duo," Eleanor cut in firmly. "That¡¯s exactly why we failed so miserably against the goblins when we split up, allowing them to overwhelm us one by one. This isn¡¯t something that can be fixed overnight."


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    "It isn¡¯t something to be fixed," Matt declared. "Any attempt to change that is just asking for more problems, in my opinion. Self-sufficiency should be everyone¡¯s goal at this point, and once you can trust that each person can handle themselves, you''ll fight with the confidence of knowing you¡¯ve got each other¡¯s backs."


    "That¡¯s an interesting way of looking at it, but it essentially means that Maria is doomed¡ª"


    "She is, unless she makes a dramatic change and quickly," Zara responded sharply, cutting Eleanor off. "I, for one, wish the goblins had actually¡ª"


    "Don¡¯t finish that thought," Matt interrupted. "Even if I agree that she¡¯s at a major disadvantage, she¡¯s still a resource we can leverage for a net positive outcome if she¡¯s convinced to make a modest effort."


    "I thought you couldn¡¯t stand her?" Eleanor commented, surprise lacing her voice. "Do tell me, what¡¯s with this sudden change of heart?"


    "It¡¯s not a change of heart at all," replied Matt, his tone measured. "Ever since I agreed to stick around for a day, I¡¯ve been assessing how each of you could be put to use. Given that magic is a thing, if she takes a path that leads to base building¡ªor at least maintaining one¡ªit could prove very useful. Any such encouragement needs to come from you, and possibly Emily, because I suspect the rest of us might just end up making her shut down even more."


    Eleanor considered his words before responding. "I see. I¡¯ll try to convince her to start some digging, as it seems our actions shape our available options, and earth magic appears to be our best bet for establishing a base. But tell me, how will she level up if she isn¡¯t out there fighting?"


    "Traps and defense," Matt stated firmly. "Really, we all need to focus more on those two areas until the goblins are taken care of."


    Zara nodded in agreement. "I can get behind that. So, when are you going to scout our surroundings for any goblin watchers, if you¡¯re so confident they¡¯re lurking nearby?"


    "I¡¯m not headed out to search for them," Matt clarified. "I¡¯m going to look for some food that we can use to lure them in, making them believe that we feel secure here."


    Zara¡¯s voice rose sharply. "What!?"


    Eleanor interjected calmly, "You want them to delay their attack, to take their time before launching their next strike."


    "Exactly," Matt explained. "I want to force them to wait at least an extra day. My bet is that their attack could be set for tonight, but if they sense that we¡¯re settling in and feeling secure, they might postpone it by a night or two."


    "I thought you said they were gathering in full strength for their next assault?" Zara pressed.


    "Zara, they are gathering their strength," he acknowledged, "but I never claimed they¡¯d be ready to strike at their peak. For now, they need to believe that we¡¯re suffering from the drugs¡ªand not wasting any of that opportunity. However, if we act like we¡¯re fine, they might think we have a healing path or some kind of advantage, and that might make them hesitate. After last night¡¯s events, they¡¯re sure to be questioning more than a few things, but all they''ve got to go on are the bodies¡ªunless an unseen watcher has reported everything back."


    Eleanor shook her head slowly. "You¡¯re relying too heavily on factors beyond our control. I¡¯m not convinced we wouldn¡¯t be better off retreating into the woods to put more distance between us and the goblin village."


    Zara weighed in, "If you can convince Maria to move, or if you decide to leave her behind, I¡¯m all for moving deeper into the forest today. But I lean toward fortifying ourselves here for the night and then moving out tomorrow, since I don¡¯t see us making much progress today. Besides, Rose seemed quite certain that the withdrawal symptoms would significantly weaken by tomorrow morning, given that we were only drugged once."


    "She also said that the opposite is possible," cautioned Matt. "Either way, fortifying here is pointless¡ªthe terrain is useless for such defenses. Perhaps if we found a cave, we could set up something, although that comes with its own set of potential complications."


    "Everything seems to have issues for you," retorted Zara. "Have you ever considered that bolstering our spirits by taking action might be just as important as ensuring our defenses are practical?"


    "Yes, because any boost to our morale will be nullified when our defenses eventually fail. If anyone feels the urge to do something, then building a fire pit and sharpening sticks into makeshift spikes and spears is a good idea. At the very least, if we plant them in the ground pointing away from us, they might deter a charging attacker."


    "That sounds like a plan," stated Eleanor. "Plus, they should be easy enough to tie into bundles and take with us when we eventually move on."


    "Alright, is there anything else you need to say before you start looking for our dinner?" asked Zara, her tone edged with irritation.


    "Yes, unfortunately," replied Matt. "If things go the way I hope, I''ll be gone until nearly dusk because I plan to get eyes on the goblins as well."


    "Oh, come on¡ªthat is downright reckless right now," shot back Zara. "You even mentioned that we should wait until we have more numbers before pursuing them."


    "We need information," countered Eleanor. "Plus, this will allow Matt to return quickly if he spots a group of goblins charging our way."


    "I still don''t like it," argued Zara. "You should at least take one of us with you if you¡¯re going to¡ª"


    "That would only make matters worse," interrupted Matt with a hint of a smile. "The goblins want all of you alive, so if one of you gets captured while out with me, then what? Besides, if it''s just me, it will be harder for them to notice me, and if they''ve already discovered other groups, I might have a chance to rescue them. If nothing else, taking a few goblins down and making them think we''re planning an attack should throw them off balance."


    "Whatever¡ªyou wouldn¡¯t listen even if my logic were better," retorted Zara. "Maybe you''re right; perhaps partnering with you really is a bad idea."


    Matt had to stifle a chuckle as he noticed Zara carefully gauging his response. Her counter did force him to consider more deeply what kind of partner he needed. After all, collaborating with someone who simply agreed with him on every point wouldn''t be ideal, nor would teaming up with someone who always contradicted him. Once more, he found himself weighing the benefits of adding a complication to allow him to have Bob alongside him. Part of him even wondered if Tempormr¡¯s goal all along was to push him away from teaming up with Bob by setting such a condition. Either way, Matt figured he would just have to face the challenges ahead and see how things ultimately unfolded.

 CH. 20

    Ch 20


    Matt felt liberated as he savored what he knew was destined to be just a fleeting moment of peace while he walked toward the spot where they had first discovered the riverbed. The fact that he managed to cover this distance in half the time it had taken the previous day highlighted several issues. Foremost among them was the sluggish pace at which the group moved, which would make escaping an attacker a challenging endeavor. Additionally, it made Matt worry that he might be doing himself more harm than good by assisting the women, yet he couldn''t envision abandoning them either.


    Still, that''s precisely what he had done when he accepted the deal with Tempormr, now that he had the time to reflect on his choices. Sure, the help he had received, which had awakened the women early, was necessary for the rescue to be fully successful, but it was beginning to feel empty. This was a first for Matt as he attempted to unravel his emotions about the situation. What he lacked was the realization that he had never before felt responsible for anyone else''s well-being in his life. It was something he had unconsciously avoided throughout his life. Even with Bob, the bobcat, he had never felt accountable for its well-being; the animal was its own master, and in Matt''s mind, they merely worked together for mutual benefit.


    Matt''s introspection was so intense that he found himself questioning his intentions toward a few of the women as he passed the spot where Maria had been rescued. Fortunately, by that point, more pressing matters occupied his mind as he fled from a small horde of monsters pursuing him. The fact that the rats, rabbits, boars, and even a few birds the size of his torso seemed more than happy to ignore each other and target only him was enough to confirm that the world''s mechanics were fundamentally flawed. After all, at the very least, if the birds were hungry, the rats would make for a much easier and quicker meal than he would.


    Yet, he was glad that things unfolded the way they did as he led the monsters on a wild chase, hoping to attract more pursuers along the way. If the women had been in a condition that Matt thought could handle a fight like this, he might have doubled back to let them gain some experience. However, they weren''t ready for such a battle. Instead, he focused on the idea of forcing the goblins to clash with the monsters, following the path he had created during the attempted kidnapping. This was easier said than done, Matt found himself pushing his abilities to the limit, dodging the birds¡¯ swooping attacks while staying ahead of the others.


    This relentless pursuit continued as Matt covered one mile after another, feeling the sweat accumulating on his body. He cast his mind back to the days when he had first looked at enlisting in the army and pushed himself to persevere through those initial two-mile runs. Though he was never a particularly bad runner, he never felt the need to run two miles without reason. Yet there he was, motivated by the prospect of earning an extra $88 each month by passing a test that included push-ups, sit-ups, and a two-mile run. Driven by his tendency to push himself to extremes, he found himself chanting in his head that he would stop only when he was dead, placing one foot in front of the other repeatedly.


    While Matt''s military career had been short-lived, he never failed to live up to that mantra. No matter what challenges life threw at him, he just kept moving forward, one step at a time. He acknowledged it wasn¡¯t the healthiest way to live, but it had worked for him, and he wasn''t about to change something that was effective. He even found a bit of humor in the fact that, for the first time, there was a literal truth to the mantra: if he stopped now, he would likely die, as more and more monsters joined the chase.


    Finally, he passed the area where the final clashes had taken place and continued onward, clueless about what awaited him. He had expected to encounter a large cave or even a cluster of huts built behind a shabby wall¡ªnot a modest hole in the ground that he had noticed only because a goblin emerged from it just as he rounded a corner. That goblin was followed by three more, who started to charge at Matt, only to freeze in terror when they caught sight of the massive number of monsters chasing him. Although this sight brought a brief smile to his face, a pressing question remained: Was this opening truly the entrance to the goblins¡¯ settlement or merely a resting spot for the four goblins?


    With only a few seconds to decide, Matt took the risk; knowing he was nearly at his limit, he barreled past the goblins and slid into the hole. Fortunately, it opened up almost immediately, revealing a subterranean cave spacious enough for three people to stand side by side. The cave clearly descended further as he heard the agonized cries of goblins who for some reason had chosen to stand their ground above him. That provided Matt just enough time¡ªa mere half-second¡ªto catch his breath before noticing the first of the rat monsters following him into the darkness, silently signaling him to keep moving.


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    After a run roughly equivalent to a football field, Matt found himself confronted by a crude wall with a gate set in its center. The wall appeared to be constructed from fallen branches woven together in a circular pattern, with the gate''s center designed to open if pushed or pulled with the right force. Although no guard was in sight, the structure was so effectively embedded in the cave that it blocked the path entirely. If there were any guards, Matt suspected they would be stationed at the opposite side of the entrance, busy operating the crude door as goblins came and went. Hoping that his charge would be enough to break through, he angled himself carefully to concentrate as much momentum as possible on his shoulder as he rammed into the center of the barrier.


    When the collision occurred, Matt felt and heard several things simultaneously. First was the intense pain shooting from his shoulder, rendering it limp and spreading through the rest of his body. Next came the crunching sound as the gate flexed, splintered, and then held firm against his attempt to force it open. Then came a shout of surprise from the goblin who, for some reason Matt could only wonder at, opened the gate a moment later, shouting threats and brandishing a short spear. Matt couldn''t have cared less, as he saw his chance for salvation and leapt through, receiving the spear to his limp arm as a thank-you before shoving the goblin out into the trailing pack of monsters.


    The shrieks that followed were lost to Matt as he found himself facing three other goblins, each holding their own short spears. The pause that ensued lasted only a second as Matt noticed that beyond them, the path continued. He hurried to slip by just as a rat managed to climb into the area, quickly followed by three more. It didn¡¯t matter that Matt was sure he was officially in over his head; he had no choice but to use the chaos of the situation to move forward. If he tried to retreat, he was certain he''d be eaten alive by rats, but if he moved forward, perhaps the rats and goblins would deal with each other for him.


    That thought lasted only about 30 seconds as Matt broke into a massive opening that looked like it could have fit an entire football stadium inside it. Had he been in such a stadium, he would have been in the rafters, while below lay the seating area and field, both teeming with movement as tens of thousands of goblins swarmed. The noise from the chaos below was so overwhelming that by the time it reached Matt, it reminded him of the few times he had been dragged to a major sporting event by his father when he was younger. There was something about the sound of so many things blending together, transforming into nothing but white noise.


    Still, this situation meant that the issues with the goblins were on a completely different scale than what he had considered possible. Moreover, it forced him to reconsider his entire perspective of what they truly were and how their society was structured. Yet one thought in his mind remained unshaken: these creatures were his enemies, and it was highly likely that for him to regain his freedom, many of them would need to die¡ªeven as he began to question whether such a course of action was realistic. However, none of that matters as he focused on deciding his next move.


    At that moment, his options appeared stark: he could follow a path leading down to the massive crowd, retrace his steps to confront the monsters waiting behind him, or simply stand his ground and fight as they approached. Ultimately, he saw only one path that might grant him an eventual escape¡ªand it was none of the obvious choices. Instead, Matt felt that hiding and waiting for the monsters to pass by was the safest and most prudent course. An added advantage was that this delay might give his minor regenerative abilities time to mend his injured arm and shoulder.


    By a fortunate chance, he spotted a narrow path just wide enough for him to squeeze through, leading away from the overwhelming mass below. If he had to guess, he believed the path descended at about a 20-degree angle, and when compared with the route he¡¯d taken to get there, the two formed roughly a 30-degree divergence. Without hesitation, Matt hurried down the passage, scanning his surroundings for a potential place to conceal himself. Only instead he heard the sounds of a group of goblins approaching further down the path, their raucous laughter mingling with the eerie echo of their steps.


    Frantically Matt searched until at last in a secluded corner, he discovered a small square table adorned with various stone jars, roughly the size of a modest card table. What made it particularly suitable as a hiding place was that it appeared to have been hewn directly from the mountain, with the area beneath it purposefully hollowed out. A quick glance confirmed that the space was empty, and with all the speed he could manage, Matt dragged a lone stone stool halfway back into position just as the goblins arrived. They were carrying a strange, glowing light that added to the tense atmosphere as Matt tried to not even breathe as he waited for them to pass.

 CH. 21

    Ch 21


    Matt stilled his breath as he listened intently for any sign of the goblins. He heard them round the corner, their crude chatter echoing softly along the cave¡¯s walls. Although most of their conversation wasn¡¯t essential to his plan for tackling what he now considered a massive infestation, it revealed unsettling details about their mindset. Their focus, disturbingly centered on sex, confirmed that Matt had unwittingly wandered down the hall toward the so-called breeding pits. That dreadful term alone filled him with apprehension about what horrors might await him deeper inside, though those worries were abruptly interrupted when two goblins came to a stop.


    After exchanging a few vulgar words of farewell, the other goblins in the group departed, leaving the remaining pair to settle onto a pair of stones placed right at the curve of the cave. A weighty silence hung in the air before the two goblins began to grumble about being stuck on guard duty instead of luxuriating in the breeding pits as they preferred. Just as Matt was contemplating his next move¡ªpossibly eliminating the two and making a swift escape¡ªone goblin¡¯s words halted him in his tracks.


    "I can¡¯t wait until those stupid scouts finish rounding up all the new brood bitches," declared the first goblin in a gleeful, mocking tone. "It¡¯s been too long since I last savored the despair in their eyes as they realized they¡¯d do just about anything for a chance at survival."


    "I still can¡¯t believe one of them tried launching an attack without proper authorization," grumbled the second goblin. "That idiot¡ªand everyone who went along with his plan¡ªdeserved the death they got. I can¡¯t fathom that they truly believed bringing back six unbroken bitches would lead to any outcome other than their own demise, even if they somehow succeeded."


    "That¡¯s just the fate for the rejects who never had a hope of ever laying eyes on a proper, bent-over bitch ready for breeding," the first goblin laughed scornfully. "All they can dream of is bending over another reject and deceiving themselves into thinking it matters."


    Still, the second goblin pressed on, "But what do you think the king will do now that a move has been made?"


    "Nothing will change," the first replied dismissively. "By the end of the month, the constant monster attacks will have them pushed to their limits. With the wastes targeting every man they can find during that time, the weaker women will begin to crumble as they always do. Then the real fun begins: those of us with brains¡ªand those deemed truly worthy of breeding¡ªwill finally make our move."


    "I think we should focus on the group that the idiots tried to kidnap," the second goblin suggested. "They should be made an example of, especially the man they brought along."


    "Oh, so you think he should be one of those who gets buggered to give the reluctant bitches the final push to surrender?" the first sneered.


    "No, I say he should be tied down while we unleash half a dozen of our crazed bitches on him," replied the second with a dark chuckle.


    "That will never happen," the first countered. "The king won¡¯t risk any challenges to his authority at this point. Besides, do you really want to see your chance to breed ruined because six of our bitches end up carrying a human¡¯s baby?"


    "Watching that bastard get devoured while having his seed stolen would be worth every chaotic moment¡ªespecially when all these new bitches are ready to be broken in. Ideally, I¡¯d even breed one of the six with him at the same time, forcing them to watch just what our women can do."


    Matt felt an overwhelming urge to vomit, but he suppressed it as his desire to eliminate all the goblins intensified with each vile word they uttered. Despite their repulsive language, he was gaining valuable information from them. That was until one of the goblins who had left suddenly dashed back in, shouting frantically about the monsters that Matt had allowed to enter. With that, the conversation abruptly ended as two goblins rushed towards the commotion, while the other goblin sprinted further into the tunnel.


    This situation presented a dilemma for Matt: he could either continue to remain hidden and recuperate, pursue the goblin running deeper into the tunnel to kill him before the alarm could be raised further, or attempt an escape. Though not in perfect condition, Matt was in significantly better shape than before; his arm was functional again and he was no longer bleeding. Thus, staying hidden was no longer an option. He quickly abandoned his hiding spot and charged further in, deciding that eliminating the goblin who had run deeper into the tunnel was the best course of action, regardless of any other factors.


    It didn''t take long for him to catch up, as his pace was considerably faster due to his longer legs, and the goblin appeared to be nearly out of breath. When Matt plunged his knife downward, he swiftly dispatched the goblin, and a quick message appeared before him.


    Monstered killed: Level 7 goblin.


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Base experience multiplied by 5.


    Awarding 150 experience.


    Current experience to next level 2358/3000.


    With a dead goblin sprawled on the ground before him, Matt scanned his surroundings for a place to hide the body. This led him to make the unfortunate decision of peering around the next corner, where he stumbled upon a scene that could only be described as hellish. The tunnel expanded into a smaller chamber dominated by a large cage. Inside the cage were women of diverse body types, ranging from petite with pronounced curves to towering bodybuilders. Their skin tones varied from deep green to stone gray, leaving Matt struggling to process their unique beauty. A quick count suggested there were about 15 women, but there may have been more, as the sight of so many nude figures, none of whom were human, made it difficult to think clearly. It was evident, however, that not all were goblins or hobgoblins, given that two of the women appeared strong enough to crush him with their bare hands, defying his expectations of either species.


    Matt might have continued to stare indefinitely if one of the muscular women hadn¡¯t focused her attention on him. She didn¡¯t break his trance immediately; instead, she began by smiling at his gaze before turning to present a full view of the scene. Only after he had taken a step back and garnered the attention of every other woman in the cage did she speak, snapping Matt back to his senses.


    "Like what you see? If so, why not let me out, and I¡¯ll gladly show you what I''m capable of," she offered with a confident smirk.


    "Thanks, but I¡¯m good," Matt replied, his reflexes kicking in from the few occasions he had been flirted with in town back on Earth. "Though, I am curious¡ªwhy are you all being kept in a cage?"


    "You must be clueless about goblin society," replied a woman who appeared to be about four feet tall, with an ample bust and a bubbly demeanor. "This is what it means to be born female and still be able to breed."


    "Got it, so what happens if all of you manage to escape?" asked Matt as he shifted his gaze to the opposite corner of the room, his stomach churning with disgust at the thought of being attracted to any of the women present.


    "Are all human men like you?" demanded the bodybuilder-like goblin woman, her tone edged with hostility.


    "I''m not exactly sure what you''re implying, but I doubt it," Matt replied. "We''re quite varied in both appearance and personality."


    "I see. In that case, if you let me out, I''ll simply find a few of you to have fun with¡ªinterested or not," the bodybuilder-like goblin woman retorted with a smirk. "Though I suppose I''ll give you a slight head start on escaping, as thanks for finally freeing me from another disappointing tryst."


    "Got it, so your entire species is all about rape?" Matt snapped, turning to leave. "I''ll keep that in mind before I decide to¡ª"


    "No, we''re about having sex and reproducing," interjected a four-foot-tall goblin in a surprisingly authoritative tone. "Besides, can you honestly say that looking at us doesn''t make you want to forget about leaving and lose yourself completely?"


    "The head on my shoulders tells me that running away as fast as possible is the only smart choice," Matt said, his voice firmer now. "Now, have a good life."


    "Leave, and we¡¯ll scream¡ªunless you unlock us," interrupted the bodybuilder-like goblin woman. "I am not about to miss a chance to finally be free and do as I please. That¡¯s the one thing I can¡¯t stand about the way things are run here. Just because one in 50 goblins is born a woman means we¡¯re forced to breed the moment we reach maturity. Heck, the only reason we¡¯re allowed to even reach level 5 is that we can have twice as many children in our lifetime once we hit species rank F."


    "Go ahead and scream," Matt countered coolly, "though it won¡¯t change my plans much."


    "But it would make a world of difference for all the humans likely being targeted on the surface as we speak," stated a new, commanding voice, causing Matt to freeze mid-step. "Good, you seem quite persuadable. You don''t want to be raped, and we want to reach the surface¡ªwhere we can find men who aren¡¯t goblins to have fun with. So, let¡¯s make a deal."


    "No deal can be made without trust, and I doubt either of us could ever trust the other. Besides, how exactly do you expect me to free any of you when I don¡¯t have a way to open your cage?"


    "Telling you how to open it is as simple as turning the gear without dropping the failsafe," the voice explained calmly. "And as for trust¡ªnot necessary. All you need to do is raise the gate just enough while we move toward the exit. If you hit the failsafe, we really will be trapped until an army of goblins comes to reset it. How else do you think our males manage to pick one of us at a time to mate with, instead of watching us all escape at once?"


    "Our lives are spent in cages," added the four-foot-tall goblin woman, her voice tinged with resignation. "When we are born, we are locked away, and we only leave when it is time for us to be forced to reach level 5. Five male goblins act as our wardens on the surface. Even that takes forever because every time we go out, we come back pregnant, as our men can''t keep it in their pants. Then it¡¯s back into the cage until our child is weaned, 13 to 15 days later, and that cycle continues until we reach level 5. After that, it''s a day or two in this cage before spending two weeks in our pregnancy and motherhood cage and then back here."


    "Two weeks? It only takes two weeks from when you get pregnant to when your child is weaned?" replied Matt, dumbfounded by such a timeline. "A thousand goblin women could breed an army of 26,000 in a year¡ªthat is just insanity."


    "That is what being a goblin is all about," stated the goblin woman with a physique like a bodybuilder, her eyes glinting with a fierce determination. "What do we care if half of our kids die before they are a year old and another half of what''s left fail to make it to two years old? That still leaves plenty who can keep having more goblins, as we outbreed all other races and conquer everything with our numbers."


    Matt had no answer for that, as his brain worked in overdrive to figure out exactly what he was supposed to do in this situation. Even if he just freed the goblin women in the cage before him, it would cost the goblins around 400 children in a year. By the same math, Matt calculated that the six women with him could result in over 150 more goblins. At least, that was what he thought before the new voice shattered his logic with her next words.


    "Oh, and the women with you are especially prized, as human women will give birth every day once they are properly altered for the males'' needs. Though none of their children will be female, at the very least, take solace in that when you explain this to them and how you didn¡¯t create as much chaos as you could when you came here."

 CH 22

    Ch 22


    Matt couldn¡¯t just walk away after the new voice dropped that bombshell. As he turned around, he found a three-and-a-half-foot-tall goblin woman standing smugly at the front. The sheer contrast between her diminutive, otherworldly proportions and what he considered normal was revolting, yet he clung to the thought that they simply weren¡¯t human¡ªa notion meant to silence the nagging voice in his head that warned against even looking at her. Managing to choke out a single sentence, he said, ¡°Explain how the release mechanism works.¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± replied the tiny woman with a gleam in her eye as she gestured toward the only solid part of the cage. ¡°The door in the center of this wall slips up into the ceiling when that gear over there is turned.¡±


    Matt was relieved to divert his gaze. Behind him, set at thigh level, he could now clearly see a handle attached to a gear embedded in the wall, accompanied by a lever atop that restrained the gear¡¯s motion in one direction only. While he inspected the mechanism, the diminutive woman continued to explain, ¡°All you need to do is turn the lever, and the door will start to open, setting us free.¡±


    ¡°I take it that pulling back on the lever is the failsafe then?¡± Matt queried.


    ¡°Oh, no,¡± she corrected with a small, knowing smile, ¡°that is simply a safety measure. It prevents the springs in the ceiling from overpowering the mechanism that opens the door and closing it prematurely. The true failsafe is pulling the handle and gear out completely¡ªit¡¯s a much faster method to cause the door to drop.¡±


    Had Matt been more attentive to the tiny woman¡¯s face, he might have noticed the sly smile curling at the corners of her mouth. He ignored it, trusting his instructions and pulled the gear out completely, only to hear the heavy metal door clatter down with a resounding bang, immediately followed by over a dozen ominous laughs echoing around him. Spinning around, he met the predatory gazes of a dozen women, each filled with a calculated hunger, while the goblin woman continued, her tone dripping with condescension, ¡°Men are always so easy to fool. The sad part is that had you simply opened the door for us, we would have given you that head start. But now, you¡¯ve left us no reason to care about anything, as you clearly tried to trap us completely¡ª¡±


    Matt didn''t even pause for more explanation; he spun around and fled the way he came, pouring every ounce of his strength into his escape. The last thing he needed was being captured by the group of goblin women, ruining his life just as Tempormr''s stark warning about becoming a father echoed in his mind. The only sensible option was to avoid the grim remnants of goblin forces¡ªthe very ones he had hoped to conceal himself from when he encountered the women¡ªand to sprint away as fast as possible.


    Fortunately, his long, determined strides kept him well ahead of the pursuing goblin women. So effectively did he create distance that he scarcely registered their presence as he stole a glance over his shoulder, just before coming to a halt at the entrance of the tunnel he had previously used to reach them. Though this brief respite didn¡¯t allow him a full sigh of relief or a moment to catch of breath, it did give him just enough time to assess the chaos unfolding outside.


    What Matt saw defied reason: pure pandemonium reigned, with scores of goblins and nearly a hundred monsters sprawled motionless on the ground, even as twice as many clashed in relentless combat. On one hand, this disarray might let him slip by unnoticed by the goblins, but he still faced the daunting challenge of navigating through the relentless monsters. More creatures surged from the very entrance he had inadvertently led them to, each wave making what seemed like an impossible task even more urgent. Just as Matt prepared to launch himself into a desperate dash for the tunnel entrance, Tempormr¡¯s voice resonated in his mind.


    ¡°You truly can¡¯t keep from causing trouble when left to your own devices.¡±


    ¡°Unless you have a way out for me, I don¡¯t want to hear it,¡± Matt snapped back.


    ¡°Head back the way you came.¡±


    ¡°I thought you didn¡¯t want me having children yet.¡±


    ¡°None of those women actually followed you. They are now retreating deeper into that area as they free the others. Amidst the chaos lies your escape opportunity; you¡¯ve done such a commendable job here, and you¡¯re clearly not ready to confront the goblin king.¡±


    ¡°Great, just great! Do you at least have a map you could hand me so I can make my way out?¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately, that is as much meddling as I can afford this time; others have taken notice, for the goblins are now being guided by someone else.¡±


    If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ¡°Wonderful, just wonderful¡ªnext, you¡¯re going to tell me that I¡¯m not allowed to exterminate them if I get the chance.¡±


    ¡°I find it heartening that you can so readily proclaim your intent to carry out a genocide. It confirms my belief that you possess the necessary disposition to rise high with the aid of the system.¡±


    ¡°Fuck, you just had to put it like that. You really have no idea how we weak mortals think¡ªnow I feel like killing them all would be wrong, even if they¡¯d gladly do the same to humans.¡±


    No response came from Tempormr as Matt weighed his options and questioned whether to trust the mysterious entity. At least he knew the route ahead if he rushed forward, yet the prospect of escape along that path seemed unlikely. With a resigned sigh, he turned back toward the breeding pits. Even as uncertainty nagged him, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a weight lift off his shoulders¡ªpreviously, all he had seen was a vision of his own demise before Tempormr had spoken. Now, he dared to believe that with the right moves, there might be a chance to escape. That hope was the only reason he didn¡¯t return to the hiding spot beneath the table to simply wait and hope for the best.


    Instead, he passed by the dead goblin one more time and soon found himself in a room containing the empty cage that had once held the goblin women he had unleashed. Beyond that room stretched two paths. One path sloped downward more steeply than the other, and, not entirely sure which to choose, Matt trusted his instincts that descending further wasn¡¯t the correct decision. So, he rushed ahead, quickly entering another room that featured yet another empty cage, and continued straight through it.


    In the next chamber, barely twenty feet later, Matt was met with a scene of utter carnage. Next to six of the dozen chain-equipped beds lay dead goblins¡ªan appalling sight. The overpowering stench and the bloodstains that marred the beds left no doubt about the room¡¯s grisly purpose. Undeterred, Matt pushed forward, navigating through several more interconnected chambers that resembled a maze. More than once, he avoided entering a room when he caught sight of female goblins in the midst of brutal rampages.


    The savagery these goblins displayed assured Matt that he did not want to become their captive. Fortunately, they appeared singularly focused on their violent mission, allowing him the opportunity to dart down alternate paths or backtrack when necessary. Nevertheless, with every passing second, Matt began to feel as though he had chosen the wrong route, becoming increasingly trapped. In total, he must have traversed around fifty chambers before finally discovering a possible exit.


    This exit lay in a chamber much larger than any he had seen before, featuring a broad pathway that led upward. It was the first time Matt had encountered stairs in the goblin caves, and by the look of them, they had been crafted with humans¡ªnot goblins¡ªin mind. This peculiar detail prompted him to question their origin and wonder what awaited him at the top. His curiosity quickly turned to alarm when he noticed several goblin women stationed before that path, all wearing what appeared to be scraps of cloth for clothing.


    Among them were the three goblin women who had spoken to him while he was in the cage. It was immediately clear from the way they directed the others that they were the leaders. Matt longed to dash past them, aware that they were mounting a coordinated defense. However, he also knew that if the path behind them led to a dead end, he would end up cornered. Regardless of what Tempormr had said, Matt realized that if he tried to speed past the goblin women, they would undoubtedly pursue him or attempt to block his escape. After all, he was almost certain that whatever lay ahead was so critical that any commotion would trigger an alarm about their escape.


    It was for that reason he returned to the previous chamber with beds and slid into a dark corner, waiting with bated breath. Fortunately, he had moved quickly, for only a minute later a group of goblin women swept through the room, hurrying toward what Matt figured was their rallying point. Over time, he watched as a total of 15 groups¡ªeach containing between four and seven members¡ªdrifted through the chamber. At one point, the women paused immediately after entering the tunnel connecting the chambers, whenever the noise levels rose to dangerous heights. Each time, the clamor was quickly silenced, likely by the leaders in the adjoining room. Although Matt could not determine the exact number of goblin women brought into the chambers, if the other room was so filled that they extended all the way back to his hiding spot, there had to be at least 1,000 in total.


    The situation grew increasingly tense, and Matt felt it was only a matter of time before he would be discovered when the crowd finally surged forward. As he braced himself to move, he listened to the shrill cacophony of shrieks echoing from the goblin women¡ªa peculiar kind of battle cry in their own right. The sound, reaching his ears with a ferocity that made him grateful to have been out of their immediate vicinity when it began, nearly made his ears bleed. Taking this as his cue, he swiftly moved into the corridor and then into the vast chamber.


    In his mind, he envisioned sneaking up the stairs and trailing the goblin women to the exit, slipping past them at the last possible moment while relying on the dense woods and lurking monsters overhead to cover his escape. However, all his plans unraveled when he reached the top of the stairs and found himself face-to-face with the three goblin women from the cage, their smiles eerily welcoming. Beyond them, a dozen goblins clad in formidable bronze plate armor, wielding long spears and sturdy shields, stood in opposition to the remaining women. They blocked the only available path in what Matt recognized as once having been a grand ballroom, its faded splendor hinted at by the dilapidated chandeliers hanging overhead. Despite the overwhelming numbers suggesting that the goblin women were on the verge of breaking through, Matt¡¯s attention was fixed on the trio before him as the smallest among them addressed him softly.


    ¡°I know that you couldn¡¯t resist our charms, though you¡¯ll have to wait until we¡¯re free before we can have any fun.¡±

 CH. 23

    Ch 23


    Matt¡¯s first instinct was to run, but instead he returned a confident smile to the goblin women as he noticed a detail about the room that could work to his advantage. ¡°No, no, I simply wish to reach the surface,¡± he explained, his tone light yet edged with determination, ¡°and the other path presented dangers to my life and, more importantly, my chastity.¡±


    ¡°Chastity? What¡¯s that?¡± asked a burly, bodybuilder-like goblin woman, her brow furrowing in genuine curiosity.


    ¡°It is the very antithesis of everything I associate with goblins,¡± Matt replied with a smirk as he shifted into a stance that suggested he was ready for a fight. ¡°But circumstances like these make me realize that I should start enjoying what life has to offer while I still can.¡±


    ¡°We will teach you all about enjoying life,¡± giggled the diminutive, four-foot-tall goblin woman, her eyes twinkling mischievously. ¡°Just let us¡ª¡±


    Her words cut off abruptly as Matt made his move. Instead of launching a direct attack as he had otherwise been signaling, he leaped back at a precise 45-degree angle and twisted midair. Had his stats not doubled since being integrated, he would never have been capable of such a maneuver¡ªone that would have been straight out of an NBA dunk competition. With remarkable agility, he clutched one of the chains affixed to the wall that led up to a decrepit chandelier. Reaching over 12 feet in the air, he pulled his legs upward and began to shimmy toward the rusted fixture, quickly slipping out of the goblin women¡¯s immediate reach.


    Yet, his escape was far from guaranteed. Each chain was anchored to the wall only ten feet above the ground, and Matt was certain that at least three goblins working in unison could reach them. Even so, their coordination would take time; besides, every chandelier suspended by the chains had two connection points. Matt calculated that if he could reach one of them before the attachment connected to his current chain was yanked down, he might swing across the entire room from one ceiling fixture to another. This precarious route not only involved the half-circles through which the chains were looped, but also included straight bars that, at some point, had been used to hang other decorations, adding an extra point to hang from between each chandelier.


    The scream of the tiny goblin as she began barking out orders to thwart him spurred Matt to move even faster, his focus laser-sharp on his goal. Yet, he was moving slower than he preferred, and the experience was far from comfortable. More than once, his hands were painfully pinched by the shifting chains as he climbed. Despite this, he pressed on until he suddenly felt the chain lurch upwards, swinging towards the far side of the dimly lit room when he was just about five feet from his target. This sudden movement nearly caused him to lose his grip as he struggled to manage the wild swings of the chain until it finally settled. Unfortunately for Matt, the goblin women proved to be more organized than he had anticipated, managing to undo the chain on the opposite side first.


    This left Matt being jerked upward unexpectedly, and while he managed to hold onto the chain, his focus on maintaining his grip caused him to mistime letting go when it reached the ceiling. As a result, his left hand slammed painfully into the half-circle track through which the chain ran, and he barely managed to move his right hand in time to grab hold of it. Below him, he heard the thunderous crash of the chandelier hitting the ground, followed by the tiny goblin''s shrill voice shouting more orders. Meanwhile, he fought through the searing pain in his left hand, dangling precariously 30 feet above the ground.


    Realizing he needed to assess the damage, Matt pulled his left hand up to eye level for inspection. While his pinky and ring fingers appeared fine, that was where the good news ended, aside from the hand being in one piece. His thumb had bone protruding gruesomely, and his pointer and middle fingers hung loosely at unnatural angles, a sight that made the thought of swinging from one hanging fixture to another seem impossible. However, Matt was not ready to concede defeat as he began to more fully assess his precarious situation.


    The first thing he noted was that, despite hanging by just one arm, he wasn¡¯t nearly as fatigued as he expected. He assumed this resilience was thanks to his dramatically improved strength and stamina since his arrival, though he hadn¡¯t anticipated such pronounced results so early on. Still, he knew there had to be a limit, and he needed to devise his next move before reaching it. With determination, he pushed through the pain in his left hand, letting it hang loosely at his side while pressing it firmly against his thigh to keep his three damaged digits aligned, hoping his minor regenerative abilities would work wonders.


    "Ready to surrender?" teased a tiny goblin-like woman as her sly eyes finally met his. "I must say, you keep being the harbinger of fortune for us. Who would have thought to use chandeliers as a battering ram? Sadly for you, every time you try and fail to escape, you only entangle yourself further, and I have no intention of letting you succeed any time soon."


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    "Yeah, well, I''m not done trying yet," Matt retorted in a strained voice as he stalled for time. "I can''t say I¡¯m thrilled to hear you¡¯re making progress on your own escape while forcing me to be your captive."


    "We all know how things work," she replied with a mischievous grin. "Just as if a goblin man could mate with a human woman and produce a goblin offspring overnight, you can produce a similar effect with us. It¡¯s why our kind is forever quarantined to worlds like this, never allowed to know peace like other species."


    "Worlds like this?" he questioned, a mix of incredulity and curiosity in his tone.


    "Oh, forgive me," she laughed lightly, "those sent here know nothing. The bastards at the top want your kind to rise to a level where you¡¯re merely useful for their harvesting, so they create challenge worlds to push you. This realm is designed for those who are completely untested and foolish enough to think that climbing higher is a good idea."


    "Why would staying weak be anything but foolish?" he countered.


    "Why do fish swim in schools?" she shot back quickly.


    "People aren''t fish," he replied sharply.


    "Believe that while you can. Every species ranked E or lower benefits from sticking together. When something is twenty levels beneath you, it¡¯s almost worthless in experience points, so by remaining weak, we earn a measure of protection from being harvested," she explained with cool detachment.


    "Is that why goblins just have swarms of babies?" Matt asked, his tone laced with incredulity.


    "Who knows?" she shrugged dismissively. "I don¡¯t claim to know the origins of my species. All I understand is that we have long been exploited as mere tools in the grand designs of those who run the system."


    Matt¡¯s mind failed to conjure any response to that, and a moment later, cheers erupted from where the goblin women had been battling the armored goblins. Glancing toward the conflict, Matt saw that the front row of goblins had been unable to avoid being crushed as the goblin women succeeded in heaving the chandelier into them. Observing them pulling on the chain made Matt realize that his time to act was quickly running out as he asked the first question that sprang to his mind.


    ¡°What the hell is past them anyway?¡±


    ¡°The king¡¯s villa, where only those most loyal to him are permitted to live,¡± replied the tiny goblin without hesitation. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, loyalty doesn¡¯t mean strong, and the king is out in the main settlement right now. I saw him pass by not an hour before you showed up.¡±


    ¡°Great, so how long before a massive battle between him and a bunch of weak monsters would have him rushing back here?¡±


    For the first time, Matt saw a worried expression cross the goblin woman¡¯s face as she replied, ¡°Not long at all.¡±


    Following that, she shouted orders for several goblin women to start pulling down more chandeliers to block the stairs they had used to enter the room. As this happened, Matt glanced down at his hand, feeling his right arm grow increasingly tired. At the very least, his thumb didn¡¯t have bone protruding from it, though all three digits still looked off, and the pain radiating from them seemed to worsen with each passing second. Matt¡¯s thoughts about how long he could maintain the current situation were interrupted by the tiny goblin woman refocusing her attention on him.


    ¡°You can¡¯t seriously still think there¡¯s a path to escape us, can you?¡±


    ¡°The way I see it, I just have to keep hanging here until you all leave, as staying here will risk your own recapture. At that point, I just have to get lucky and avoid you on the way out.¡±


    ¡°Is that what you think?¡± replied the tiny goblin woman with a giggle.


    After that, she walked away, leaving Matt dangling precariously as he willed his injured hand to heal faster. Uncertain if his minor regeneration worked in such a way, he clung to the hope that his hand would mend quickly enough for him to grip something¡ªpreferably sooner rather than later. Every passing second piled on the strain in his right arm, yet he forced himself to remain focused on the actions he needed to take to survive.


    Meanwhile, somewhere far off from where Matt was clinging on, Tempormr watched the entire spectacle with a subtle, knowing smile. Unlike Matt, Tempormr understood that regeneration only improved when triggered by injury; every cut and bruise helped the ability grow stronger. He knew that by the time Matt fully unlocked his healing system, what had once been a minor trait would have evolved into a much more substantial form of regeneration. Tempormr was well aware that the hard road ahead was essential¡ªit was through these hardships that Matt would ultimately prove himself worthy as he grew in power.


    Believing in this necessary trial, Tempormr deliberately accelerated the pace at which time affected Matt¡¯s body. Without this intervention, Matt¡¯s injuries would still be in a dire state, and his right arm would have reached its limit much sooner. Still, it was thanks to his minor regenerative power that his body could endure the forced strain. As he hung there, his regeneration was healing the micro-tears in his muscles in real time¡ªalbeit leading to lopsided gains that would require correction later.


    Matt marveled at how he had managed to hang on for a full ten minutes. When his left hand, now free from pain, reached out, he allowed himself a brief smile. His grip, though accompanied by discomfort, was firm enough to let his right arm rest for just a minute. But the second he sensed the strain building in his left arm, he reengaged his right and began to swing his body. Beads of sweat poured down his face as he rocked back and forth, building the momentum needed to reach a bar positioned eight feet away from his current hold. From his perilous position, it was clear that landing a grip on that bar was far from a sure bet.


    Undeterred, Matt timed his move perfectly. With a deep, determined breath, he released his hold, convinced that his leap would succeed. His release was flawless¡ªhis trajectory carried him perilously close to the ceiling without touching it, and he sailed nearly horizontal before twisting mid-arc. In that critical moment, his feet pointed toward the bar, and then his hands reached out and gripped it tightly. However, as his momentum nudged his legs forward in triumph, he made a crucial mistake. A slight relaxation allowed his hands to slip from the bar, sending him into free fall with nearly no momentum left, and panic quickly began to set in.

 CH. 24

    Ch 24


    As Matt fell, the back of his head quickly became the part of him closest to the ground, and panic threatened to take over. Still, if there was one thing he had learned from living in isolation, it was self-reliance, and panic had no place in his life. So, he suppressed it as he searched for anything that could save him while he plummeted in what felt like slow motion. This allowed him to notice the chandelier hanging lower than the bar he had slipped off, its intricate glasswork glinting ominously as it approached. The only problem was that he was completely out of position, and all he could think to do was attempt to kick up with his foot and hope for the best.


    The result was that Matt¡¯s right foot hooked into the lower level of the two-tiered chandelier, which swung precariously with his momentum. Thankfully, his left foot managed to shoot up so that it was on the outside of the ring, while his right foot was on the inner ring, creating a vice-like grip¡ªalbeit a weaker one than Matt would have preferred. Still, Matt smiled nervously as he hung upside down like a bat, looking down at the floor and letting out a relieved chuckle at having averted disaster. Yet, this relief was short-lived, as he watched another massive chandelier get tossed into the staircase leading back down.


    Fearing that the chandelier he was hanging from would be next, Matt glanced to both sides. Sure enough, two goblin women were grinning menacingly on each side as they began undoing the chains from the fasteners in the walls. A quick look revealed the tiny goblin women smirking at him, not far from where he would land when the chandelier came crashing down. Once more, Matt¡¯s mind raced frantically as he tried to devise a plan to save himself, inevitable resorting to swinging his body back and forth in desperation.


    This had the intended effect of making the chandelier swing once more, and Matt smiled as he saw the goblin women hesitate in their efforts to release the chains. This pause allowed him to bring his left foot down as his body swung upward, and just as the chandelier hit the ceiling, his right foot was also freed. Once more, he was headed towards the metal bar that he had failed to grasp before. However, this time he managed to actually hold on, pulling himself up onto it. This allowed him to position his body awkwardly¡ªand admittedly unstably¡ªhorizontally on top of the bar, trying to give his weary muscles a brief rest.


    Upon seeing this, the tiny goblin woman threw up her hands in exasperation and stomped off towards the area where the armored goblins had been driven back. Matt wasn¡¯t entirely sure, but he felt like the fight was still ongoing in that direction. However, it quickly heading towards an ending as, by this point, the goblin women had gained a clear advantage. Regardless, he felt that his timeline was bound to be tight, as he considered his options. It was then that he noticed a crawl space hidden in the shadows, just above the level of the pole he was currently on, rimmed around the room.


    Seeing this as his best chance to avoid the worst-case scenario, Matt started to shimmy along the pole slowly. Thankfully, there was nothing to distract him from focusing entirely on this task, and he was able to safely reach the edge, where he discovered that the path was only a foot and a half tall and three feet wide. This made it clear that the space wasn¡¯t intended for regular use. Suddenly grateful for his experience with low crawling during his short stint in the army, Matt quickly decided to head towards the side of the room where the fighting had taken place.


    Dragging himself along was a slow and irritating process, yet Matt found that the mere feeling of making progress lifted his spirits. This feeling doubled when he discovered a loose block that could slide inward, bringing him halfway to his goal. He pushed it in until it fell away, revealing a dark space beyond. Knowing it was not a far drop¡ªsince he had heard the block fall just a foot or two¡ªMatt moved into the opening. As his eyes adjusted, he realized it was just an old storage room filled with decrepit crates and fabrics. Though, he was only able make out general shapes from the limited light filtering in through the opening from the other room.


    While this meant Matt couldn¡¯t discern much about his surroundings, it did have one benefit: it made the slight gap under the exit stand out, illuminated by the light streaming through it. The best part was that the light seemed to match daylight, and he carefully made his way toward it without tripping over any unseen obstacles. However, as he tried to open the door cautiously, he found it was either locked or stuck. The handle would turn, but the door wouldn¡¯t budge, no matter if he pushed or pulled. So, Matt shifted to feeling around its edges.


    Stolen novel; please report.


    The first thing he confirmed was that the door swung inward, having found the hinges at the top and bottom of what was the right side to him. Next, he discovered a keyhole which was unusually large by today''s standards. Matt realized it was reminiscent of medieval times when keys and locks were crafted by hand, as machines for such tasks didn¡¯t exist. This also meant that if he had any knowledge of lock picking, he would have been thrilled at how easy this style of lock would have made the task.


    Instead, it was the narrow gap between the door and the wall¡ªthe precise spot where the lock was meant to engage¡ªthat gave him hope. With his knife in hand, he carefully chipped away at the wall until he fashioned a notch that fit perfectly into the gap. Next, he focused on maneuvering the lock; he tried sweeping it up and down to no avail, realizing he would need to coax it back into the door. This task involved a lot of delicate, meticulous wiggling of his knife while intermittently applying pressure to what he hoped was the lock mechanism. Finally, a satisfying click echoed, and when he tried the handle again, the door swung open, revealing a hallway framed by open windows.


    Without hesitation, Matt dashed toward one of the open windows and discovered that he was on the ground level of what appeared to be a poorly maintained mansion. What must once have been exquisite paths and lush gardens were now waging a losing battle against nature¡¯s relentless advance. This sight sparked even more questions for Matt, leaving him unsure of his next move. Although he had reached the surface, he had no idea where he was, and it was only a matter of time before he was found. Yet, he also felt that a hasty dash into the woods would likely end disastrously, drawing unwanted attention from lurking monsters.


    ¡°Any advice would be great here,¡± Matt muttered, his voice barely rising above the ambient rustle, hoping Tempormr would offer some guidance.


    When no response came, Matt retraced his steps back to the room he had just left, in search of any useful items. At first glance, he was hopeful that he could salvage some of the decaying cloths scattered about, believing they might serve as valuable materials for other purposes. However, it soon became clear that the fabric had truly rotted, disintegrating in his hands with even the gentlest touch. On the other hand, opening a few intact crates required little effort, and before long, Matt was examining a wide assortment of decorative items. Most pieces weren¡¯t worth the trouble of carrying them out, but a large silver bowl immediately caught his eye. Along with this, he quickly set aside a complete silver place setting¡ªcomprising four goblets, plates, spoons, dinner knives, and two forks each¡ªcertain that these items could prove useful later on.


    Fortunately, the bowl was large enough to hold all the remaining silver dining utensils, and Matt had managed to find a few pieces of intact linen in the crates as well. He swiftly wrapped everything in the linen, tying the bundle into a makeshift sack that he tossed over his shoulders. Fearing that he wouldn¡¯t be able to make it out safely if he searched further, Matt decided to take the risk and escape while he could. He hurried into the overgrown garden and made his way toward a distant wall. Nature had nearly reclaimed the wall, leaving only sections where the crumbling stone offered an easy passage.


    Before stepping into the woods, Matt made a point of climbing atop the wall, using a nearby pile of debris as a makeshift ladder. Once up high, he studied the sun¡¯s position in the sky, using its light as a clue to orient himself. Feeling fairly sure he was headed in the right direction to locate the river, he carefully descended and began moving through the woods. Unlike before, each encounter a pursuing monster appeared he quickly killed it granting him an additional 510 experience points, leaving only 132 points needed to reach level 4 before the sun set just three hours later.


    As twilight descended, his latest attempt to find his bearings by climbing a tree finally paid off¡ªa fleeting glimpse of a riverbed appeared on the horizon. However, when he reached it, he discovered that this was not the familiar stretch he had seen earlier but rather a completely different section of the riverbed.


    Still, trusting his instincts, he began walking downstream, convinced that he had arrived above the camp where the women were staying. This time, Matt didn¡¯t stop to confront any creatures that trailed him; instead, he allowed them to accumulate behind him. After all, if the women were waiting, he might as well risk bringing them some dinner. It wasn¡¯t long before a boar started following him, and even if a few smaller nuisances joined the chase, Matt felt confident that he could handle them if it turned out he was heading in the wrong direction.


    Rounding a bend, Matt smiled as he spotted signs of recent activity¡ªa hint that the women might have ventured further up that day. However, five minutes of frantic running later, he found a makeshift camp occupied not by familiar faces but by a group of twelve strangers. When they saw Matt barreling toward them with monsters at his heels, they panicked and shouted for him to stop. It was clear they wanted him to halt, but Matt couldn¡¯t afford to pause; for all he knew, this group might attack as soon as he turned to face the monsters. Left with only two choices in his mind¡ªto keep running toward them and risk involving the group in the fight, or veer off to the side, engaging the monsters while keeping them between himself and the strangers¡ªMatt was forced to make a split-second decision.

 CH. 25

    Ch 25


    Deciding that the best way to avoid issues was to veer off to the side, Matt did just that as he leapt up the edge of the riverbed and turned to face the monsters. He had two boars and three horned rabbits chasing him at this point. The boars were significantly slowed by the need to struggle up the steep bank, but the rabbits easily cleared it in a single leap. This gave Matt a few precious seconds to focus on dealing with the three horned rabbits before all five monsters would converge on him.


    Thankfully, his stats had improved since his first encounter with such a rabbit, and he noticed that two of these seemed slower than the third. This allowed Matt to react swiftly to their initial wave of attacks. He deftly dodged the fastest rabbit, stabbing his knife into the second one as it lunged, and swung the makeshift sack filled with the silver goods he had looted into the third. This maneuver ended one of the monsters immediately and sent another rabbit sailing back into the riverbed. Matt quickly set the sack down and retrieved a horn he had taken from an earlier skirmish that day.


    The distant sounds of shouting could be heard from the group he had encountered earlier, but Matt remained focused on the fight at hand as the first rabbit launched yet another attack. This time, Matt was prepared; he parried its horn with the one he wielded, and as the rabbit paused, he dropped the horn he was holding and seized the attacking rabbit¡¯s horn. The rabbit struggled briefly, but its resistance was short-lived. With all his might, Matt smashed it into the ground, killing it in the process.


    Just then, both boars came over the edge, charging at him with wild determination. Matt, thinking quickly, used the dead rabbit like a club on one, pivoting to use that same boar as a shield against the other. Unfortunately, all the blood that splattered was from the unfortunate rabbit, and as far as Matt could tell, all he had accomplished was to further enrage the boars. Yet, he grinned defiantly as they prepared to charge at him once more. With a swift dodge, he managed to send them tumbling into the riverbed once again.


    Taking advantage of the brief respite, Matt surveyed the situation around him and quickly noticed the other humans taking action. By this time, they had already dispatched the third rabbit he had swatted away, and moments later, two arrows found their mark in one of the boars as it struggled to rise from its fall. This injury diverted the boar''s attention to the other group, while the second boar turned and charged at Matt again. This time, Matt refused to let it close the distance. He dropped down with his knife clenched in both hands, using the momentum from his fall to deliver a deep vertical slash down the boar''s side, slicing through its thick hide with all the force he could muster.


    Following the vicious attack, there was no time to hesitate. As the enraged boar lunged with its tusks in an attempt to gore Matt, he was already prepared. In a flash, he shot out his hand and clamped onto the animal''s ear, throwing it off balance just as he plunged his knife into its neck. Although the strike earned him a total of 11 experience points for the fight¡ªdespite the system''s uneven splitting of rewards¡ªMatt sighed in resignation. Yes, the others had contributed, yet he had single-handedly taken on three of the monsters while they handled the other two. Still, he kept his disappointment to himself, turning his full attention to the surrounding humans as he prepared to flee should they prove hostile.


    "Drop the knife and raise your hands slowly," ordered a middle-aged man with short brown hair and a pronounced widow''s peak.


    "Not going to happen," Matt retorted. "Sorry if I''m not ready to trust you at first sight when you clearly aren¡¯t willing to do the same."


    "We didn¡¯t come barreling in like madmen pursued by monsters," countered the man as he, along with several others behind him, shifted into an aggressive stance. "For all we know, you could be here scouting us out for an attack."


    "What do I look like, a goblin?" scoffed Matt. "Honestly, I''ve had a long day. Let me give you a piece of advice¡ªthe goblins are about to get extremely restless. They have a massive underground settlement merely three or four hours'' run away. I''m just trying to find familiar ground since I exited through a different entrance than I entered from when scouting them out."


    "What kind of nonsense are you spouting?" replied another man in his mid-twenties with a pronounced gut yet otherwise in decent shape.


    "Just let me do the talking," shot back the man with the widow''s peak.


    "Nah, I''ll talk if I want to, because this is absurd either way. We finally see another person, and now you''ve got us ready to fight him because he single-handedly fought off a group of monsters that was chasing him? I think you were just biding your time until there was enough of them to make the fight worthwhile after watching how you handled them."


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    "We don¡¯t know that¡ª" began the man with the widow''s peak.


    "Hey, if you¡¯re going to argue about things I don¡¯t care about, I''ll be on my way," Matt snapped.


    "Hold it right there!" shouted the first man. "We aren¡¯t done with you yet."


    "Yeah, well, I''m done with you. I don''t have time to waste on people who haven''t shown anything worth trusting so far. By the way, I¡¯ll mention to my group that I ran into your group¡ªmaybe they¡¯d prefer to combine forces or trim a bit of dead weight."


    "Seriously, what the hell is wrong with you?" responded the second man. "What makes you think we¡¯d take on dead weight willingly?"


    "Simple. They can at least teach you how to make cordage and a few other useful things I already taught them. So, adding them to your group isn¡¯t a total loss, and my group can shrink down to six as we focus on leveling up."


    "Six? I your group didn¡¯t start with 12?" asked a mousy woman, her tone a mix of concern and fear.


    "We did," Matt replied coolly. "It''s just that the group split by gender, and I set off on my own from the very beginning."


    ¡°Wait, then why do you have a group?¡± asked the second man, his tone laced with incredulity. ¡°Plus, if there are six others who have you with the women, are you trying to build a harem or something?¡±


    Matt could feel a headache building as he glared at the second man, restraining himself from shouting. He had long ago stopped caring about what others thought of him, yet he still felt the familiar itch to correct or scold those who jumped to conclusions. Before he had a chance to speak, however, a petite woman with dark skin and flowing black hair¡ªlikely a bit over twenty¡ªstepped forward to admonish the second man on his behalf.


    ¡°Honestly, just because you¡¯re hopelessly fixated on making this situation into the plot of a terrible anime¡ªwhere you¡¯re the hero who gets all the ladies¡ªdoesn¡¯t mean everyone else is as deluded,¡± she chided sharply.


    ¡°Oh, come on, I can¡¯t be the only harem novel lover in this world,¡± the second man retorted with a smirk.


    ¡°No, but you¡¯re probably the only one foolish enough to shout it to the heavens,¡± she replied coolly. ¡°Sorry about him, but as bad as he is, he has no idea how to talk to women. In his own strange way, he is chivalrous.¡±


    ¡°Of course, if I aim to have multiple women fawning over me, I must treat each of them the best I can!¡± he declared, puffing out his chest.


    ¡°This is hell,¡± muttered Matt under his breath. ¡°Alright, now I¡¯m really leaving; this has officially crossed the line into absurdity. Although, if you really want a harem, you might soon find a swarm of goblin women in the area just itching to have their way with you.¡±


    ¡°Hold on,¡± called out the first man again, stepping in with a tone of genuine curiosity. ¡°You keep mentioning goblins while omitting key details every time. What exactly is going on, and how do you even know about it?¡±


    Matt shook his head and sighed, wondering if he could glean any useful information from this odd exchange. ¡°Fine,¡± he said finally, ¡°but that guy over there won¡¯t be doing any talking, and you¡¯ll have to share exactly how far up and down this riverbed you¡¯ve traveled.¡±


    ¡°Is your group camping near it as well?¡± asked the mousy woman, surprising Matt with her directness. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but if our groups were to join forces, it would be safer for all of us.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s one way to look at it,¡± replied Matt thoughtfully. ¡°The other way is to say it would only create more chaos. Who knows what kinds of issues might arise between our groups? Had your apparent leader not tried to disarm me right away, I might have been more inclined to consider working together. But since I despise authority, I just have a feeling things won¡¯t work out.¡±


    ¡°Every society needs authority,¡± the petite woman retorted briskly. ¡°Even if it is a flawed one like¡ª¡±


    ¡°You misunderstand,¡± interjected Matt. ¡°I have no intention of living in or forming a society. I simply want to live on my own once I escape this world, where monsters attack relentlessly if you¡¯re alone.¡±


    ¡°Hold on¡ªwhat?¡± asked the first man, incredulous. ¡°What do you mean they attack if you¡¯re alone?¡±


    ¡°Have none of you ever wandered off on your own?¡± Matt countered pointedly.


    ¡°No.¡±


    Matt held back a sigh as he elaborated on his understanding and experiences of being quickly found by monsters whenever he was alone. He then recounted the circumstances that led him to seek out the goblin settlement, after which he refused to continue until they shared what they knew about the riverbed. From their account, it seemed that Matt had gone the wrong way when he headed downstream, and he began to question just how off his sense of direction was.


    This exchange of information was not without its challenges, as more than one objection arose from the other group. Nevertheless, Matt felt reasonably confident that the information was reliable before he provided a concise summary of what he had learned while scouting the goblin village. After about an hour since his arrival, he was ready to leave, but then the mousy woman spoke up again.


    ¡°Wouldn''t it be best if at least four of us accompanied you so the monsters would leave you alone and they could return safely?¡± she suggested, her voice laced with concern.


    ¡°Not when all of you should really be moving to avoid the goblins,¡± Matt replied firmly. ¡°I¡¯m serious when I say they will likely be here by morning, and I have no idea how far I need to go to find my group.¡±


    ¡°Then I say we should all go with you,¡± proposed the first man, his tone earnest. ¡°I understand you don¡¯t like authority, but there is strength in numbers, and I think we shouldn¡¯t rush to judge any of us.¡±


    ¡°You just want to take advantage of his strength after hearing his story,¡± retorted the petite woman. ¡°Still, I agree with teaming up.¡±


    Matt wished he could run the current situation by Eleanor, at the very least, but that wasn¡¯t an option. In the end, he shook his head, looking up at the sky as he took a moment to decide how to handle the situation.

 CH. 26

    Ch 26


    "What are your goals beyond just surviving?" Matt asked, hoping this question would help him break the deadlock in his mind.


    He was mostly met with blank stares from the twelve others, until the second man, who had been told to keep quiet, broke the silence.


    "I''ve already admitted my dream of building a harem, but first I need to become the strongest guy around without becoming a total jerk. Otherwise, I''d just end up being the villain forcing girls to be with me, only for the hero to come along and free them," he said.


    "Got it," Matt interjected. "You really are hopeless."


    "Yeah, well, at least I have something I''m working towards, while everyone else here just wants to survive and figure things out once we''re back on Earth," the second man retorted.


    "Not true," the mousy woman interjected. "I want to find my pets alive at the very least."


    "That''s not a goal; it''s a hope, since you have no way to work towards it right now," rebutted the second man. "All of you are too focused on your worries and not on what you can do right now to improve yourselves."


    "We are working to improve our survival," countered the first man with the widow''s peak. "We all agreed that figuring out how to survive here was more important than setting any other goals while we figure out how everything works."


    "They''re all a bunch of cowards," remarked the second man. "But you''re willing to face this world head-on and risk death to grow stronger. Please, even if you leave the rest of us here, take me with you."


    "He just wants to make a pass at the women with you," remarked the petite woman who had exposed his harem fantasy. "After all, he''s already failed with us."


    "Is it your life''s mission to discredit me?" the second man asked in an exasperated manner.


    "No, you just make it easy," she replied with a smirk.


    "Enough!" Matt cut in. "The way I see it, he actually has a point, even if it''s kind of gross and creepy. Still, if you want to follow me, that means dealing with the fact that the leader of the other six I''m with will take over."


    ¡°What makes her a better leader than I am?¡± asked the man with the distinctive widow¡¯s peak, his voice tinged with anger.


    ¡°Simple. She has experience managing people and, from my perspective, she¡¯s smart enough to seize the opportunities right in front of her,¡± replied Matt.


    ¡°You''re not sleeping with her, are you?¡± the petite woman interjected with a raised eyebrow.


    Matt bit his tongue, inwardly amused yet wary, suspecting that her comment hinted that she was a bigger pervert than the guy who wanted a harem. Still, he decided that now was as good a moment as any to cut off such digressions.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m not involved with anyone in that way. My goal is actually to escape people once more and return to a life in solitude¡ªwhere hardly anyone bothers me,¡± he explained, his tone resolute.


    ¡°That¡¯s boring,¡± muttered the petite woman under her breath. ¡°Why not just find a lonely hole somewhere and die? Then you¡¯d have your final escape with absolutely no disturbances.¡±


    ¡°Have you ever woken up and stepped outside to enjoy an endless view¡ªno concrete structures, no neighbors, and if you look closely enough, not a single sign of human presence?¡± Matt countered, trying to paint a picture of the serene isolation he craved.


    ¡°Only after coming here,¡± the petite woman retorted sharply. ¡°And I¡¯ve got to say, it really sucks.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re missing the magic of waking up inside a space that feels alive,¡± commented the man who clearly harbored his own unconventional dreams. ¡°By the way, my name¡¯s Greg. What¡¯s yours?¡±


    ¡°Matt,¡± he replied, dismissing the importance of names in the moment.


    ¡°Nonsense,¡± Greg insisted, flashing a crooked smile. ¡°Knowing someone¡¯s name transforms them from just another faceless figure in a crowd into a real person.¡±


    Matt blinked at the awkward yet sincere sentiment¡ªhe couldn¡¯t help but believe there was a hidden truth behind the clumsy phrasing. ¡°Sure, if you say so. Now, are you all going to agree to my suggestion, or should I just take my leave?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m with you,¡± declared Greg firmly.


    Matt noticed the hesitation among the others; a few even appeared inclined to let Greg and him leave together, calling it a day. However, the mousy woman and the man with the widow¡¯s peak exchanged a meaningful glance before the latter spoke.


    ¡°Give us a few minutes to discuss this as a group. If there are any details you¡¯d like to share that might influence our decision, please do so now.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m almost at level 4, and level 3 is when you reach species rank G,¡± Matt offered, adding a touch of what he¡¯d figured out that he didn¡¯t care about. ¡°Do with that information what you will.¡±


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    As Matt finished explaining that he had noticed clear interests among several members of the group, he acknowledged that once everything was taken into consideration, it would all end in a wash. After all, everyone should be aware that he was venturing out on his own and fighting the monsters alone based on how he had arrived. He was convinced that once they put all these facts together, they would soon realize that his tricks wouldn¡¯t work for them. Ultimately, the only remaining question was whether they really wanted someone like him on their team as they worked toward any kind of survival scenario.


    "I wouldn¡¯t worry about those cowards," Greg interjected, cutting through Matt¡¯s thoughts. "All this time, it¡¯s just been a constant scramble for water. And those boars we just killed? They¡¯re going to give us the first decent meal in ages. If we can manage to get another fire going¡ªas I still say it was dumb luck that they got one started at our last camp¡ªwe''ll be set."


    "What method did they use?" asked Matt.


    "They struck a rock against the flat of an axe head, using a pile of shredded bark and leaves as tinder," Greg explained.


    "That¡¯s a solid strategy with the right rock. It just takes practice and a bit of luck regarding where the sparks fall. With persistence, it should start a fire if you¡¯re doing it right. Still, there are better ways to start a fire," Matt mused.


    Greg smirked. "Cool. So tell me, are you like a ninja or something after picking up that dagger?"


    "This," Matt said, raising his knife with a hint of pride, "I got off a goblin I killed. I didn¡¯t pick from any of the choices when all of this began."


    "What? Did you at least gain an attack skill from it?" asked Greg.


    "No, and from what I''ve seen, those skills aren¡¯t worth much. When it comes to combat, I prefer not to follow any preset movements that can be easily predicted. I fight using whatever means I have at my disposal to kill my enemy," Matt replied.


    Greg¡¯s eyes lit up with curiosity. "So, how many goblins have you killed? I bet you slaughtered your way out, and that''s why they''re bound to swarm us soon."


    Matt chuckled. "No, I only killed a few goblins with my own hands today. Honestly, I haven¡¯t been keeping track of the exact number."


    "So, you¡¯ve killed so many that you lost count then?" Greg pressed.


    "No, I just never really started counting. Are you really going to be like this all the time?" Matt complained.


    "Probably. I¡¯ve never been one to hold back who I really am. People can either like or hate me for it, but at least they know what to expect," Greg said unapologetically.


    "I assume, judging by the way things are going, that your group is less than thrilled with your openness," Matt noted.


    "Nah, it was mutual. If I''m being completely honest with them, the least they could do is reciprocate," Greg stated with a shrug.


    "Right, so here''s a quick question: How far are you willing to go to build your harem?" Matt asked with a thoughtful look in his eye as he thought about Tempormr¡¯s condition.


    "I''m ready for an epic training montage, if that''s what you''re asking," Greg replied, a spark of ambition in his voice.


    "Epic what?" Matt asked, feigning ignorance.


    "You know that part of the story where the hero goes from being a weak nobody to pushing themselves to the limits and beyond to become a true force, right before they prove themselves to the world?" Greg said.


    "I don''t really know; I haven¡¯t read or watched much fiction since middle school," admitted Matt with a laugh.


    "Man, you really are out of touch. That¡¯s even more reason for you to stick with me. I''m not kidding when I say I want to grow stronger, and I''ll do whatever it takes," Greg declared.


    Curious, Matt inquired, "What level are you, anyway?"


    "One," came the modest reply.


    "And what have you done to get stronger since arriving here?" Matt pressed further.


    "I¡¯ve been practicing with my wand. But right now, all I seem to manage is creating a gust of wind strong enough to blow-dry someone¡¯s hair," Greg admitted, a wry smile on his face.


    ¡°So, you went straight for the promise of power, then?¡± Matt remarked, recalling the brief description of the wand from earlier.


    ¡°How else can I achieve my goals? Besides, magic is fricking awesome,¡± Greg defended with a grin. ¡°I just need to move past the early stage where my magic is underdeveloped.¡±


    ¡°So, what¡ªdo you want me to carry you while you level up or something?¡± Matt teased.


    ¡°No, I need you to help me secure a second weapon so I can work on using both a wand and a sword¡ªor even a spear. I just want to develop both magic and close combat abilities,¡± Greg explained earnestly.


    ¡°Even though I¡¯m perfectly willing to watch you die after throwing you to the wolves?¡± Matt retorted.


    ¡°Are you at least going to ensure I have the tools I need to fight off those wolves?¡± Greg shot back.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got two arms and two legs with all your digits functioning¡ªwhat more do you need?¡± Matt mocked.


    ¡°How about a few fights where you jump in to save me when things get really bad?¡± Greg insisted.


    ¡°Alright, but not until you¡¯re injured in such a way that, without healing magic or modern medical technology, recovery is nearly impossible,¡± Matt countered dryly.


    ¡°Man, there¡¯s no love or sympathy at all. Fine¡ªI can deal with that as long as you fight alongside me at least a few times first,¡± Greg conceded.


    ¡°So that¡¯s a no then,¡± Matt sighed.


    ¡°I want to live, and I know I¡¯m not yet a skilled fighter. Otherwise, I¡¯d be out there doing what you¡¯re doing and have leveled up a few times already,¡± Greg admitted.


    Before Matt could respond, the man with the distinctive widow¡¯s peak reappeared, drawing their attention as he began to speak. ¡°We¡¯re willing to go with you, and if the leader of the other group can win us over in a few days, we won¡¯t object to her taking charge.¡±


    ¡°Cool, but if you object, that means splitting up,¡± Matt replied briskly.


    ¡°That¡¯s not¡ª¡± the man began.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care¡ªI won¡¯t force anyone to stay in the group I¡¯m part of. I¡¯d rather run around killing things until I die than deal with infighting over power,¡± Matt interjected firmly.


    ¡°Well, we don¡¯t want to live under a dictator,¡± the man with the widow¡¯s peak countered. ¡°So, we need some assurance.¡±


    ¡°I see. You all haven¡¯t accepted that right now we¡¯re living under a kind of dictatorship. None of us asked to be here, none of us signed up to work with others, and frankly, none of us truly has a choice in how things turn out. If you step back and look around, you''ll notice that everything we do is driven more by necessity than desire. After all, I would have left right after the fight if my group hadn¡¯t wanted to increase our numbers. Now, I¡¯m leaving. If you want to come along, then hurry up and follow me. And Greg, your first job is to carry the smaller of those boars back for my group¡¯s dinner. The others can do what they please with the rest.¡±


    With that, Matt returned to the bundle containing a silver bowl and tableware, slinging it back over his shoulder. As he watched Greg struggle to handle the boar, he felt an urge to sigh¡ªuntil another guy stepped forward to offer assistance. Soon, a few more joined in, and the entire group gradually started following Matt, though it was evident that more than one of them was less than thrilled about leaving the modest structure that had formed their camp behind.

 CH. 27

    Ch 27


    Traveling upstream with the 12 new followers proved to be far more annoying than even Matt had anticipated. Whether it was due to the darkness making everything more difficult, the increased number of variables that came with having more people, or the fact that Greg didn¡¯t know how to be quiet, Matt was definitely leaning toward it being Greg more than anything else. The guy seemed to have a compulsive need to talk incessantly. It made Matt wonder how Greg had ever managed to survive as someone isolated from society. Even if Matt could tell that it was precisely because Greg couldn¡¯t take a hint that likely made others avoid him.


    Still, somehow, they arrived at the point where Matt and the six women had camped the night before the goblin raid, after three arduous hours of walking. From there, Matt knew where they were, and he called for them to pick up the pace. Despite some complaints, they complied. This was mainly because they now actually believed that Matt knew where they were going, and sure enough, just before sunrise, the group arrived at the spot where the six women were dug in.


    At that point, Matt called for the others to stay back as he moved forward, greeted by a worried Emily who looked utterly exhausted. It was clear that she had ended up on watch by herself, and Matt internally questioned why. Still, as he saw her come running out to hug him, he held his questions back, forcing himself to accept the embrace as she all but broke down sobbing.


    ¡°I knew you wouldn¡¯t abandon us, sob, I knew it,¡± she said, her voice trembling.


    ¡°Calm down, has something happened since I left?¡± Matt asked gently.


    ¡°No, just talking, as Maria kept saying that you had run away from all of us. I knew she was wrong, but when you didn¡¯t come back by the time it was my watch, I, I, I¡ª¡± Emily stammered.


    ¡°Emily, it¡¯s fine. I just ran into some complications and got lost for a bit. Now we need to wake up the others as there are a few decisions to be made,¡± Matt reassured her.


    ¡°Right, who are these people with you?¡± Emily inquired, glancing at the new group.


    ¡°They were camped downstream from us. Beyond that, I don¡¯t want to constantly repeat myself, so let¡¯s wake up the others,¡± Matt replied, eager to move forward with his plans.


    Emily paused as if she still had something to say, but she held back and turned to join the others who were sleeping. Quietly and methodically, she woke each person¡ªstarting with Eleanor and ending with Maria. Not everyone stirred easily, yet within just over ten minutes, they were all awake and aware that Matt had returned and brought additional people with him.


    "It¡¯s good to see you made it back safely, but what took you so long?" Eleanor asked before anyone else could speak, her tone edged with concern.


    "I got lost," admitted Matt. "Thankfully, everything eventually worked out. I¡¯ll explain more later, but right now, there are other pressing matters to address."


    "Are you talking about the group that accompanied you?" Eleanor inquired.


    "Yes¡ªthe guy with the widow¡¯s peak is their leader¡ªand¡ª" Matt began.


    "Just tell me what deal you made with them," she interrupted.


    "I told them they must either accept you as leader and merge our groups, or they could part ways with us."


    "Great. And what exactly did you say to convince them that I¡¯d be an effective leader?"


    "I simply mentioned that you have management experience from before¡­" Matt replied, then went on to detail what he believed he had conveyed. He admitted, however, that he was hurrying and exhausted, and wasn¡¯t certain he had communicated everything correctly.


    By the end of his explanation, Eleanor¡¯s face appeared as if she were suffering from a headache. "Have you ever considered that perhaps I was hoping to find someone who could become a better leader than me?" she remarked bitterly.


    "I¡¯m not offering you that option. My deal is with you. If you¡¯re not willing to lead, then I¡¯ll likely take Zara, Emily, and Yumiko with me¡ªfocusing on leveling up and avoiding being overrun as the rest join the other group."


    "You assume that those three will follow you. Sure, Zara might, but you may find the other two more hesitant. Besides, Zara might expect something different from you at that point."


    "Let¡¯s hope we never need to find out, alright?" Matt replied, his tone laced with a hint of exasperation.


    "Yes, I agree it¡¯s best not to test that theory. Now come with me¡ªI need to speak with their leader. Did you really not learn his name at any point?" Eleanor asked as they prepared to move.


    "Steve. His name is Steve, but act as if I don¡¯t know it¡ªI take pride in not knowing these things."


    "You really shouldn¡¯t do that. Alright, one more thing before I go see him, and it¡¯s important: What do you want out of the relationships you build with those of us you¡¯re leaving behind when you exit this world?"


    Matt paused, mulling over Eleanor¡¯s question¡ªan idea he had never really considered before. He remained silent, knowing that any response now might render all his careful efforts meaningless. Yet he wondered silently just how much he could expect, given that their new world would likely force them to spend more time apart than together. After what felt like an eternity, he finally spoke.


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    "There are too many unknowns about what life on Earth will be like when we return for me to expect or desire much. If I had to choose one thing, it would be earning the trust of anyone we run into down the line."


    "Fair enough," Eleanor replied, her voice thoughtful. "But what do you think you¡¯ll need to do before you leave us to feel like you¡¯ve truly earned that trust?"


    "I don¡¯t understand what you''re asking," Matt shot back. "Why should I do more than what I¡¯m already doing?"


    "Matt," Eleanor said, her tone both gentle and firm, "when you disappear, it will feel as if you''re abandoning us. No matter what you do, that feeling won''t change. And if you continue being the only one who stands out like you do now, it will only worsen things."


    "It¡¯s not my fault others don¡¯t¡ª"


    "Choose four others to follow you, ones who will remain behind. Bring them along, even if they protest with kicking and screaming, because they need to be ready to fill the void your departure would create."


    "How bad did it get when I didn¡¯t come back?" he asked, his voice tinged with worry.


    "Maria really got under most of our skins," Eleanor recalled with a rueful smile. "It was probably just because we were already in a less-than-optimal mood, still recovering from whatever the goblins did to us, but it forced me to rethink my opinions of you."


    "And what are your thoughts?" Matt pressed.


    "Honestly, if you could find it within yourself to let others in, you''d easily unite many behind your banner," she admitted.


    "What?" Matt murmured, clearly perplexed.


    "You¡¯re inherently reliable," Eleanor explained. "When it really counts, you always come to the rescue of those within your reach."


    "In case I haven¡¯t made it clear before, I would have had no problem letting you all fall to the goblins. I just refuse to stand by and watch as they capture you to be used as, well you know," Matt declared.


    "I choose not to believe that," Eleanor countered. "I still think that the moment we started to lose¡ªand the moment you saw an opening to attack the goblins¡ªthings would have turned out exactly as they did."


    "What are you getting at?" Matt demanded.


    "Your instinct is to shoulder everything alone," Eleanor observed. "You need to let others share some of the burden."


    "Alright," Matt conceded with a pragmatic nod. "If this other group joins us, I''ll consider forming a team of six, including myself, before pushing hard for level nine."


    "Let me guess¡ªone of them has caught your eye to come with you?" Eleanor inquired.


    "Yeah, he¡¯s annoyingly persistent," Matt admitted with a wry smile. "But Greg, the one trying to build a harem, has volunteered to join. Although he doesn''t know that yet."


    "There''s a lot to unpack there," Eleanor remarked.


    "Just warn the others about him and let them know he¡¯s my current pick to come along," Matt instructed.


    "Are you trying to get him killed?" Eleanor teased.


    "No," Matt replied firmly, "but if he can¡¯t survive, then he wasn¡¯t a good pick in the first place."


    "You''re practically relishing the idea that he¡¯s going to be hated by all of us," Eleanor chided.


    "I¡¯m not sure I follow," Matt said, feigning innocence. "Why would any of you hate him?"


    Eleanor didn''t dignify Matt with a response as she shook her head and gestured for him to follow her toward Steve. Once they reached him, she wasted no time in exposing Matt for knowing Steve''s name as she initiated negotiations. Although Matt wanted nothing more than to slip away and catch a nap, it was evident that wasn''t an option until the current situation was resolved. Matters were further complicated when Steve revealed Matt had informed them about the goblin threat evolving into a stampede of goblin women. This revelation forced Matt to recount his journey to the goblin settlement for a half-hour.


    By the time Matt finished detailing his escape and the grim fate of any man or woman captured by the goblins, a heavy silence had fallen over both leaders. Matt, too exhausted to notice, missed the silent but mutual agreement between them to make things work and seek out additional groups to ally with. Meanwhile, Matt regarded the situation as merely an annoyance, believing that if the goblin women moved as a single group, they would be easy to outrun. Plus if they spread out, he felt confident in his ability to fight them off.


    After sharing the news, Elenor advised him to get a few hours of sleep, and Steve passed along the same message to his group. Both leaders figured that they would soon be on the run, and everyone needed to be at least partially rested for what lay ahead. However, before Matt had a chance to curl up on the ground for a nap, Zara appeared in front of him, arms crossed and a frown etched on her face. Feeling the need to avoid further provoking her, Matt decided to engage with her, a mistake born of his exhaustion.


    "What did I do now?" he asked reluctantly.


    Seeing the slight, ironic smile on Zara''s face, he knew he had already messed up. "Oh, nothing¡ªjust having you wander off on your own again made all of us worry that you might have died," she retorted coolly.


    "I told you I''d be late," Matt mumbled, defensive.


    "You also said you''d find dinner, and dinner came and went with nothing to show for it," Zara countered.


    "I did bring back dinner. There are two boars to be split¡ª"


    "That''s going to be breakfast," Zara interrupted firmly.


    Frustration bubbled in Matt. "What do you want?"


    "An apology, and for you to agree to let me be part of the group that is assigned to search for other survivors under your command."


    "What makes you think that¡ª?"


    "Eleanor and I talked a lot while you were gone," Zara explained with measured intensity. "We were planning to start looking for others as a whole group tomorrow. But now that you''ve brought back another group, I¡¯m convinced that you and three or four others will be sent out to search starting tomorrow."


    "The day after tomorrow," Matt corrected her, rubbing his eyes with lingering fatigue. "But fine¡ªlet me get some sleep. We''ve got a lot to do in just a few hours."


    "Only if you agree to let me come with you," Zara insisted.


    "No, I don¡¯t care what you want. I¡¯m not taking a woman with me," Matt stated bluntly.


    "That¡¯s sexist," she shot back.


    "I don''t care. I''m well aware of who I am, and if I took a woman with me, things would end badly," he replied stubbornly.


    "You''re just scared you''ll catch feelings," Zara said softly, her tone half teasing, half frustrated.


    "Feelings of irritation and anger, maybe. Look, I¡¯m not exactly relationship material, and I know that¡¯s what you¡¯re angling for," Matt retorted.


    "You''re really dense. Sure, I see that as a strong possibility if we survive long enough to return to earth and sort through all this mess. No, what I''m after is becoming strong enough that I won''t need anyone''s protection," Zara admitted. Then, with a more vulnerable tone, she added, "Matt, I''m a rape survivor, and you''re the first single, straight guy I''ve talked to in a long time whom I haven''t wanted to castrate. So excuse me for feeling like maybe, just maybe, I''ve finally found someone worth chasing."


    "Your desires are unrequited¡ªI want¡ª" Matt began, but Zara cut him off.


    "I know they¡¯re unrequited, and that''s part of why I feel the way I do. The other part is because I believe you would have stepped in when others wouldn¡¯t have in my situation."


    After saying that, Zara blushed slightly. Then, with a sudden turn, she started walking away. "Now go get your rest," she said over her shoulder.


    Shaking his head, Matt succumbed to his exhaustion and lay down to sleep. Yet, as his eyelids grew heavy, he couldn¡¯t help but linger on the expression Zara had worn just before leaving¡ªsomething in her look that was both enigmatic and unplaceable. As consciousness slipped away, that compelling detail stayed with him, weaving itself into his dreams of the uncertain hours ahead.

 CH. 28

    Ch 28


    Matt was jolted awake as he felt a body pressed against his own, causing him to leap up, only to find Greg laughing uproariously. Around them, several others were struggling to contain their laughter, including Zara and Emily. On the bright side, Eleanor appeared to be unaware of the commotion as she stomped over, which reassured Matt that at least she wasn¡¯t part of the prank. Zara spoke up, her voice tinged with amusement.


    ¡°Well, that confirms that you¡¯re definitely straight.¡±


    ¡°Not sure what you¡¯re getting at,¡± Matt retorted quickly, before he could stop himself.


    ¡°Simple,¡± Zara continued, ¡°you had no issues when Emily cuddled up to you on that first night, but you wake up and escape the moment Greg is the one next to you.¡±


    ¡°Your logic is flawed, and Greg, all she is doing is trying to get me to not want to train you up,¡± Matt replied, shaking his head.


    ¡°Hold on, she said that¡ª¡± Greg began, but Zara cut him off.


    ¡°I said nothing,¡± Zara interjected smoothly. ¡°Except for telling him the best way to wake you up.¡±


    ¡°Right,¡± Matt responded just as Eleanor arrived. ¡°If I¡¯m being woken up, I take it we¡¯re about to get moving.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Eleanor replied. ¡°Today is going to be a long one, and we want you and two others to take point so we can gain some experience as we go.¡±


    ¡°Split 18 ways,¡± Matt retorted skeptically. ¡°That would mean each one will hardly do anything to make a dent¡ª¡±


    ¡°I am well aware of that,¡± Eleanor interrupted firmly. ¡°I¡¯m talking about the need for us to gain experience as a group working together.¡±


    ¡°Oh, yeah, that makes some sense,¡± Matt conceded.


    ¡°I call dibs on one of the slots with you,¡± Greg chimed in eagerly.


    ¡°That¡¯s not how¡ª¡± Matt started.


    ¡°And I¡¯ll take the other one,¡± Zara stated, cutting Matt off mid-sentence. ¡°Unless you have a reason not to let us go with you and force someone else to go.¡±


    ¡°Any other volunteers?¡± Matt asked, hopeful for at least one more participant, but no one raised a hand. ¡°Great, looks like you win this round. Just don¡¯t come crying to me when you realize you made a mistake.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not worried,¡± Zara replied confidently as she turned to leave. ¡°You should hurry and eat before all the boar is gone.¡±


    Matt sighed as he turned to Eleanor and motioned for her to follow him toward what appeared to be the remains of the boar, cooked on pieces of bark. Once he had grabbed a piece of bark with what seemed like enough food to fill him, Matt turned to Eleanor and spoke.


    "How about you fill me in on what has been decided while I eat?"


    "Fine," Eleanor replied, her voice steady. "The plan is to head away from the goblin settlement and hope for the best."


    "What about any other groups like ours who are back in that direction?" Matt inquired, his brow furrowed with concern.


    "We need to prioritize our own safety first," Eleanor explained, her tone firm. "Plus, as you pointed out, leveling up with too large of a group will be difficult. Honestly, 24 feels like the right number at this point, as it will allow us to send out four groups of three in four different directions and leave half the group at camp each day. That way, we each get every other day off at camp and can focus on leveling on the days we leave camp. While we suspected it, it seems that monsters really do avoid any groups of four or more, especially after discussing it more with Steve."


    "I take it he''s still asleep," Matt said, glancing around the camp.


    "Yes," Eleanor nodded. "He stayed up just long enough to eat the first round of boar that was done. So, once you¡¯re done eating, we¡¯ll get him up and get moving."


    "I guess that means I have no say in the plan," Matt remarked, a hint of resignation in his voice.


    "You pointed to me as the leader, and now you get to show that you¡¯ll listen to me. Otherwise, this isn¡¯t going to work," Eleanor said, her eyes meeting his with determination.


    "Do I have to worry about you using that every time there¡¯s something that you know I don¡¯t want to do?" Matt questioned, a slight edge to his voice.


    "No, only when it is something that I judge is needed for the group as a whole to survive," Eleanor assured him.


    "Not hearing much of a difference," Matt muttered, taking a bite of his meal.


    "Do you disagree with my judgment on this one?" Eleanor asked calmly.


    "No," Matt admitted after a moment of thought.


    "Then let¡¯s wait for when you disagree with what I am asking of you to have this argument," Eleanor suggested with a gentle smile.


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    "Fine," Matt sighed, "now I¡¯m going to hurry and eat as I think about what today is going to be like."


    With that, Eleanor departed, leaving Matt to ponder what he would be facing with Greg and Zara by his side. He wasn¡¯t entirely convinced that this was their best option, but he couldn¡¯t be bothered with tryouts or any other complications. Even if he suspected that Zara was deliberately using Greg¡¯s avoidance to ensure no one else would join his group, at least both of them were willing to fight. Greg, striving to become powerful enough that women would overlook his peculiarities, and Zara, who was determined to be the one he took with him¡ªeven if he hadn¡¯t really chosen either.


    ¡°This is a real snafu,¡± Matt muttered softly, careful that none of the others would hear him.


    ¡°Yes, it is,¡± replied Tempormr coolly.


    ¡°Now you decide to speak? Where were you when I needed to maneuver past all the goblin women?¡± Matt snapped.


    ¡°I told you¡ªothers have a hand in directing the path that the goblins will follow,¡± Tempormr replied calmly.


    ¡°Right, so what do you want now?¡± Matt asked, his tone laced with impatience.


    ¡°You need to head in a slightly more northern direction based on your estimates than the path your leaders have set. A deviation of only about 15 degrees will yield significantly better results for your group.¡±


    ¡°Why is that?¡± Matt pressed.


    ¡°What do you have to offer in exchange for me revealing the surprise?¡± Tempormr questioned.


    ¡°Do you mean for me actually going there, or is this another one of your situations where you act like a god and I just have to have blind faith because you know that I¡ª¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t finish that thought,¡± Tempormr interrupted. ¡°Matt, I have told you before that I am no god¡ªonly a being who has reached what is considered the current peak and aspires to climb even higher.¡±


    ¡°Great, so you¡¯re just going to leave me hanging?¡± Matt asked, his frustration mounting.


    ¡°No, I am not. But if you don¡¯t listen now, you will only have yourself to blame when the opportunity slips away and you come to learn what it was later,¡± Tempormr warned.


    Matt held back a retort as he took his second-to-last bite of food, his mind whirring as he chewed thoughtfully. Finally, he finished and, before taking his final bite and standing up, he replied with only two words: ¡°Screw it.¡±


    With resolve, he rose and made his way over to Eleanor, who was in the midst of discussing plans with a few others. Before she could even finish speaking, he began, ¡°If I¡¯m in front, I want to choose our direction. I propose that we have a group of four trailing a few hundred yards behind us, a backup that Zara and Greg can fall back on if I deem it necessary.¡±


    ¡°Matt, I thought you were satisfied with the plan as it was,¡± Eleanor countered.


    ¡°I am, but the question is¡ªdo you trust me?¡± he asked, determination and a hint of challenge in his voice.


    Matt observed as Eleanor cast a long, intense look his way while the others she had been conversing with watched on. It seemed like she was testing him by getting him to agree to the plan as it stood, while he was eager to prove that she trusted him. After a moment longer than Matt would have preferred, she finally responded.


    "What direction do you want us to head in?"


    "Almost the same, just 15 degrees or so further north," Matt replied, his voice steady. "Call it a hunch, but my gut tells me we¡¯d be better off going that way."


    "That¡¯s not too drastic," Eleanor conceded. "Fine, and I agree that having a group acting as a buffer between our teams might be a good idea. But who would be in that group?"


    "Yumiko and three others she chooses," Matt suggested, "as they¡¯ll likely be the ones to level up the most."


    "I was supposed to handle the rear guard," Yumiko interjected, her tone firm. "We were just discussing what to expect when you interrupted us."


    "Then have Zara fall back and¡ª"


    "I¡¯ll take the lead on it," Emily cut in, her eyes gleaming with determination. "I need to work on leveling up if I want to gain the ability to walk the path I¡¯ve chosen."


    "And what path is that?" Matt inquired, curiosity piqued.


    "Support magic, mainly healing," Emily explained. "It¡¯s a skill that will be essential. It will also allow me to be useful without engaging directly in combat, but I feel I need to learn how to manage battles. It¡¯s a role that lets me keep an eye on the situation as a whole, if done right."


    "Just don¡¯t forget you¡¯ll still need to know how to fight for when things go very wrong," Matt advised, nodding in agreement. "But I¡¯m fine with Emily taking the lead on that."


    "That settles it," Eleanor declared decisively. "We¡¯ll have seven up front, four in the rear, and eight in the middle. Now, if you¡¯ll excuse me, I need to wake up Steve so we can make the necessary adjustments and figure out who will be in the four that are behind you."


    Matt nodded as he made his way over to Greg, who was busy swinging one of the goblin clubs clumsily. ¡°Don¡¯t wear yourself out before we even get started,¡± Matt called out.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be good,¡± Greg retorted with a mischievous grin. ¡°I just want to make sure I can use this and my wand at the same time.¡±


    ¡°Speaking of magic, is there anything I should know about it before I start ordering you around?¡± Matt asked, his tone trying to hold in his laughter.


    ¡°Yeah, don¡¯t ask me to cast it more than once every ten minutes. It¡¯ll just fail, and if I push it too hard, I might pass out for at least five minutes,¡± Greg explained, his expression on of frustration as he emphasized his limitations.


    ¡°Got it¡ªit sounds pretty useless,¡± Matt replied, skepticism lacing his words.


    ¡°I refuse to believe that. It¡¯s just like in those tabletop RPGs where the most powerful classes start off weak. They only become formidable once they¡¯ve leveled up and gained their spells or abilities,¡± Greg argued passionately, his voice rising with the fervor of a true believer. ¡°Eventually, when I hit level 5, you¡¯ll see that my magic isn¡¯t useless at all.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll give you until level 5 to prove me wrong,¡± Matt challenged, a smirk tugging at his lips.


    ¡°No, my bet is that it won¡¯t be worth anything until I reach E rank. After all, F stands for failure, right?¡± Greg countered with a laugh, his tone both self-deprecating and determined.


    ¡°And what happens when you hit E rank and it¡¯s still useless?¡± Matt pressed, arching an eyebrow.


    Greg beamed. ¡°Then I just keep pushing and refining it,¡± he declared confidently.


    ¡°Is that your answer to everything¡ªthat you just keep pushing until things work out?¡± Matt asked, intrigued by the unwavering optimism in Greg¡¯s approach.


    ¡°Absolutely! That¡¯s how any true protagonist rises to the top. When everyone else would give up, they persist, no matter what conventional wisdom dictates. They toss all the doubts aside and follow a path that resonates with them, pouring everything they have into it!¡±


    Greg¡¯s passionate declaration struck a chord with Matt. For a moment, he wondered if perhaps the best course was to ignore Tempormr¡¯s cautionary advice and carve out a path of his own¡ªa path that felt inherently right. Ever since arriving in this strange new world, an inner certainty had steadily grown within him, defying every warning about tampering with fate.


    ¡°Earth to Matt, come in Matt¡ªcan you hear me?!¡± came Greg¡¯s voice interrupted his reverie.


    ¡°Yes, you don¡¯t need to get in my face like that,¡± Matt replied annoyed as he snapped back into the moment.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Greg said with a shrug. ¡°You were standing there like a statue, and it looks like it¡¯s time to get moving.¡±


    ¡°Right, let¡¯s find Zara and get going,¡± Matt concluded, tucking his reflections on Greg¡¯s relentless spirit away for later contemplation. After all, the idea of pursuing his own convictions carried vast implications for everything he had planned.

 CH. 29

    Ch 29


    Two hours into their walk, Matt was already growing frustrated with how things were unfolding. Not only had they covered only about four miles in that time, but the encounters with the 20 monsters they''d faced so far had only netted him a mere 86 experience points. Meanwhile, Greg had accumulated 411 experience points from the same battles, and Zara had earned 309, putting both of them around halfway to reaching a new level. On the other hand, the 35 experience points Matt still needed seemed frustratingly out of reach, and grumblings were emerging from those not in the front seven, who were also eager for experience.


    The issue lay in the current system: the front three engaged the monsters, and by the time the next four arrived, the fight was nearly over. Then, Matt, Greg, and Zara would take about 30 seconds to rest while Emily''s group focused on harvesting anything worthwhile from the monsters. They would then hand off the gathered items to the main group upon catching up, who would distribute the load, using the crafted cordage to bind things together for easier carrying.


    This method was causing an accordion effect and was the main reason they were hardly making any progress. Still, Matt would be satisfied if they managed to cover 20 miles before stopping, as it would hopefully move them beyond the goblins'' range. Based on his judgment, they had been roughly ten miles from the estate he had escaped after evading the goblin women. On foot, 30 miles should be more than enough to avoid the worst of situations, but only if the female goblins headed in the opposite direction.


    "I''m going to scout further ahead for a while," stated Matt. "The two of you should fall back to the other group while I do."


    "Not going to happen," retorted Zara sharply. "Greg can fall back if he wants, but¡ª"


    "My plan is to lure about twenty monsters into following me all at once and then double back. If my previous experience holds, it should take roughly an hour. During that time, I expect the group to cover at least three miles before we repeat the tactic."


    "I have orders not to let you run off on your own," Zara insisted, her tone serious. "Matt, you weren''t here when things got really out of hand the last time we thought it was over."


    "Being on my own is part of who I am," Matt replied defiantly.


    "You''re going to have to change that," Zara countered firmly. "Let''s send Greg back, and the two of us can work on gathering about ten monsters to follow us before doubling back if you want."


    "I need you to be level 3 before I can feel secure letting you handle that," Matt said matter-of-factly.


    "Then you can just be patient and help me get there before we run off together," Zara shot back. Matt held in a groan at her words, the tension thick in the air. It was then that Greg decided it was the perfect moment to chime in.


    "I don''t want to be left out. I think we should wait until all of us are level 3," Greg said, attempting to assert his presence.


    "You''re useless," Zara snapped. "Your magic is like a weak gust of wind, and your hits with that club barely manage to push a monster back."


    "Let''s not do this," interjected Matt, trying to quell the rising conflict. "Besides, Greg could serve as bait if we took him with us. It wouldn''t be any different from what we''re doing now, except we''d be venturing farther ahead."


    "Then let''s just do that," Greg agreed, eager to be part of the plan. "At least until Zara and I reach level 3."


    "Fine," replied Matt, deciding that a three-way split was better than a seven-way one for now. "Let''s go and inform Emily about our plan so she can tell the others to focus on keeping a good pace while we concentrate on leveling up."


    "That isn¡¯t going to make the others happy," warned Zara, a note of concern in her voice.


    "Which is why, once each of us is at level 3, we''ll team up with two others and spread out to level them up to at least level 2 before rotating them out," Matt explained with a hint of optimism.


    "Matt, do you really think Greg can cover for two level 1s?" Zara questioned, her skepticism evident.


    "Fair point," Matt conceded. "We can assign him to run off to the side and focus solely on drawing monsters away from the main group."


    "That still leaves my need to be with you as an issue," Zara argued.


    "Then what would you suggest?" Matt asked, genuinely curious about her alternative.


    "Greg goes right, and we go left, focusing on bringing monsters in for the slaughter," she proposed.


    "Doesn''t it bother either of you just how easy it is to kill these monsters?" Greg interjected, a hint of bewilderment in his voice. "I mean, you''d think that with our luck, someone would have died by now."


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    "I am sure they have," stated Matt calmly. "Just not in our groups."


    "Yeah, your group never split up, and ours had Matt," added Zara, her tone a blend of exasperation and curiosity. "I still wonder what happened to the other five guys."


    "Let''s not get onto that topic," Matt said abruptly, eyes scanning the surroundings. "We have incoming."


    Not waiting for the others to respond, Matt charged forward at the four wolves that had just come into view and were already barreling toward them. These wolves looked close to what one might expect on Earth¡ªexcept that their tails resembled a cat¡¯s, ending in a hard, bone-like spike ball. If they were similar to the last group, three of them would be considered level 4 and the remaining one level 5, making these ideal opponents for Matt at this stage. Still, their spiked tails were dangerous; in the previous fight, he had taken two hits from them. Had it not been for his regeneration, he believed he would have been the unlucky one¡ªthough that was partly because he had been busy blocking attacks intended for Greg on both occasions.


    This time, however, he had a different plan. As he charged in, he swiftly dodged the lead wolf¡¯s snapping bite and thrust a horn taken from a horned rabbit deep into its side. With the initial attack completed, he had to act quickly: two wolves lunged at him simultaneously while the first wolf retreated slightly to lick its wound. Reacting on instinct, Matt leaped back to avoid the incoming strikes and then delivered a brutal kick to the face of the wolf on his right. This maneuver temporarily left him facing only one wolf for a brief moment¡ªthe remaining wolf seemed to be assessing the situation before making its move.


    That pause was exactly what Matt needed. Seizing the moment, he lunged at the poised wolf, forcing it into an aggressive charge. This lunging motion was more a feint than a genuine attack, and Matt easily sidestepped its advance. In a swift maneuver, he grabbed the wolf¡¯s tail near the spike and, with a quick pull and a precise slash of his knife, severed the tail. The wolf let out a pained howl as it struggled with the sudden loss. When the dismembered wolf lunged again, this time without hesitation, Matt had already repositioned himself to target the wolf he had just kicked. Unfortunately, the wolf had noticed its companion losing its tail and, unwilling to suffer the same fate, jumped aside to avoid experiencing a similar injury.


    That evasive jump might have worked if not for Greg, who had timed his gust spell perfectly. The blast knocked the evading wolf off-balance just as Matt adjusted his attack. Moments later, another howl of pain pierced the air¡ªa second tail had been lost, and Zara had engaged the first wolf that had lost its tail. Seeing an opening in the chaos, Matt charged directly at the injured wolf as the pack¡¯s leader moved to intercept him. This had been Matt¡¯s plan all along. With wild, determined swings of his knife, he forced the wolf to retreat, separating the leader from the other two now tailless wolves.


    However, from the quick glances Matt exchanged with the chaos, it was clear that Greg was in over his head as he swung his club wildly. Although Zara was holding her own against her own wolf with remarkable resilience, she couldn¡¯t spare the strength to help Greg as well. Matt knew he had roughly ten seconds before Greg would slip up and face a vicious bite¡ªor even something worse. That window was far too short for Matt to neutralize the pack leader or wait for Emily¡¯s group to arrive.


    Thinking fast, Matt feinted an attack on the pack leader before quickly pivoting to target the wolf that Greg was battling. The wolf noticed the feint and dodged, but this evasive move left it momentarily exposed to a glancing blow from Greg¡¯s club. Even though it was only a minor hit, it created the opening Matt needed; he followed up with a precise strike that drove a sharp rabbit horn deep into the wolf¡¯s spine.


    Without pausing, Matt spun around to intercept the pack leader mid-leap. Unfortunately, the agile wolf managed to bite down on Matt¡¯s knife, forcing it aside as it collided with him. Reacting instantly, Matt released his grip on the knife and landed a powerful punch in the wolf¡¯s throat. The blow was enough to dislodge the knife, allowing Matt to roll with it and force the pack leader onto its back.


    A moment later, as Matt leaped to the side to evade a tail attack from the already-injured wolf, he found himself near one of the two severed tails lying on the ground. Seizing the opportunity, he quickly grabbed the tail and executed an overhead swing with all his might. The force of the blow caught the pack leader on its side as it rolled toward him, creating a massive gash as Matt yanked the spike ball back in a controlled, deadly motion. In a flurry of subsequent attacks, another swing led to the wolf losing an eye, followed by a series of wild, pained attacks as it howled in agony with every hit.


    The relentless assault sent the remaining wolves into a state of frantic desperation. Greg¡¯s wolf was already weakened, Zara¡¯s was struggling as it attempted to disengage, and the last wolf could only manage to endure the unyielding onslaught. In the end, all four wolves fell just moments before Emily¡¯s group arrived. As the experience messages began to pop up on his display, a relieved smile spread across Matt¡¯s face, marking yet another hard-fought victory.


    Monsters killed: three level 4 spiked tailed wolves.


    Base experience multiplied by two.


    Awarding 30 experience.


    Current experience to next level 2995/3000.


    Monsters killed: level 5 spiked tailed wolf alpha.


    Base experience multiplied by three.


    Awarding 30 experience.


    Current experience to next level 3025/3000.


    Experience has reached threshold prepare to level up!


    Once more, Matt felt a wave of discomfort roll over his body as he gained more stats. A quick message displaying his updated stats flashed before his eyes again, briefly illuminating his surroundings with a digital glow.


    Matthew Pierce.


    Level 4


    Strength: 23


    Dexterity: 15


    Durability: 21


    Stamina: 23


    Spirit: 14


    Mind: 9


    Species Human (G)


    Bloodline: (Not evaluated at this level)


    Path: Regeneration (Increase Durability by 30% and Stamina by 15%)


    Titles: Integrated, Front runner of species (5% boost to all stats).


    Skills: Auto translate, Minor regeneration.


    He felt as though his mental stat was lagging behind when he took in his stats as a whole, but he simply smiled, appreciating how far he had come. Yet, at the same time, the achievement felt hollow compared to the satisfaction he experienced when he became a ranked G human. Still, he maintained his smile, aware that he was just one step away from reaching rank F. Even if "F" stood for failure, he was eager to discover how significant a leap forward achieving it would be.

 Chapter 30

    Ch 30


    ¡°Why did you all charge forward when the wolves appeared instead of letting us help out?¡± asked Emily, pausing momentarily to catch her breath.


    ¡°Because I knew they would let me reach level 4 if it was just the three of us,¡± replied Matt with a wry smile. ¡°Greg, Zara, how close are you two to leveling up?¡±


    ¡°I just need 215 more points, so one more fight like that should do it for me,¡± answered Greg confidently.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t really paying attention when the messages came in,¡± Zara admitted, ¡°but I think it''s just over 400 points for me.¡±


    ¡°I hate how much less experience we get for the same fights,¡± commented Matt, frowning. ¡°At the very least, the system should weight our contributions somehow.¡±


    ¡°Then hurry up and bring us all to your level so we don¡¯t need you to do this work for us anymore,¡± Emily retorted. ¡°We all know it isn¡¯t ideal. We¡¯ve yet to encounter anything below level 3 and even if we did, we wouldn¡¯t know until after we killed it. Everything about how this system is set up is terrible. It forces us into combat without giving any indication of our foe¡¯s capabilities beforehand. At the very least, we should be able to see our own stats and learn how to improve them beyond simply leveling up.¡±


    ¡°Exactly,¡± agreed Greg. ¡°We¡¯re working under miserable conditions here, and the only one who can afford to take damage is you, Matt, thanks to your regeneration ability. It¡¯s just not fair that we risk facing enemies who are much stronger than us any time we¡ª¡±


    ¡°Bears are naturally stronger than humans,¡± Matt interjected, his tone calm and measured. ¡°Yet we use tools and skills to bridge that gap; this is no different. Besides, I think not showing our levels might be working in our favor. Imagine if the monsters could see our levels¡ªwhat do you think would happen?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯d ignore us since we wouldn¡¯t be worth much experience,¡± replied Zara thoughtfully.


    ¡°They¡¯d see us as easy prey,¡± offered Greg, shaking his head.


    ¡°Nothing would change from what they already do,¡± stated Emily firmly. ¡°I believe the monsters here are controlled; they only seem to attack when we¡¯re in groups of three or less.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯d do exactly what I did to the pack leader during the last fight,¡± remarked Matt, his eyes glinting with a mix of caution and amusement. ¡°They isolate the ones that pose a threat while they deal with the easier targets. You don¡¯t understand just how overpowering the alpha of that group could be.¡±


    ¡°It could kill me with a flick of its tail,¡± Greg responded, recalling the moment vividly. ¡°Just watching the way you and it moved told me that. There¡¯s a reason I want to grow stronger before I try pulling stunts like those.¡±


    ¡°You sound like you¡¯re finally realizing you¡¯re not the main protagonist,¡± commented a petite woman with a wry smile, clearly enjoying the opportunity to dampen Greg¡¯s high hopes.


    ¡°I¡¯m starting to think you have a thing for him,¡± Zara mused, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Every time our groups meet up, you always make some comment about Greg.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡ª¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s time we get moving again,¡± interrupted Matt. ¡°I¡¯ll focus on luring enemies while you all fight them. Just remember, we need to get you all to level 2 before dragging out any more unnecessary fights.¡±


    Emily nodded as the petite woman appeared as though she wanted to yell at Matt. However, she refrained, knowing that if she did, Emily would kick her out and let someone else earn the extra experience they were gaining. With that, the pace shifted back to the rhythm of the first two hours. About an hour and a half later, and after defeating 14 enemies, Greg gained 231 more experience points, reaching level 2. Zara gained 167 points, putting her just 260 points away from level 3, while Matt only managed to acquire a mere 28 points from the fight.


    While Greg celebrated taking another step towards becoming a wind mage, Matt remained silent. The same could be said for Zara, as it was clear she wasn¡¯t pleased to be at the same level as him. Yet, Matt could tell she was excited, likely anticipating reaching level 3 in just a few more hours. He was certain she would make another attempt to prove herself as a better option than Greg. Although Greg showed significant improvement in his spellcasting after leveling up, as his spell suddenly became powerful enough to push most monsters a few feet back after reaching level 2. It wasn¡¯t quite enough to be deemed extremely useful, but it certainly indicated a potential future for him as a spellcaster.


    Unfortunately for Zara, their journey led them to a location that Matt would bet was the reason Tempormr directed them in this specific direction after another hour and a half of walking. This left her just 86 points away from level 3 as Matt called for them to stop and wait for the rest of the group to arrive. After all, the site they were observing was likely to become their base of operations moving forward. As Matt pondered the potential of the location, Zara was the first to speak.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    ¡°What exactly are we looking at?¡± she asked, her eyes scrutinizing the rundown building.


    ¡°It¡¯s our new base,¡± Matt declared confidently.


    ¡°Okay, but are you sure this is a wise idea?¡± Zara responded, a note of concern in her voice. ¡°It looks more decrepit than anything, and who knows what dangers might be lurking inside.¡±


    ¡°We can handle that quickly enough,¡± Matt countered. ¡°Besides, if there are even stronger monsters hiding in there, it just means we can level up far more rapidly.¡±


    Greg chimed in with skepticism. ¡°This place practically screams giant spiders. Just look at those massive, sticky webs. Besides, we¡¯d have to rebuild entire sections of these walls.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a literal stone fortress,¡± Matt argued firmly. ¡°Sure, rubble covers the ground and most surrounding structures seem utterly destroyed, but these walls remain largely intact. There¡¯s plenty of material scattered about to repair what¡¯s fallen.¡±


    ¡°How long do you think it¡¯ll take our group to rebuild everything?¡± Zara asked, thoughtfully. ¡°If we were a hundred strong, it might make sense.¡±


    ¡°We can get there,¡± Matt assured them. ¡°In fact, we should aim to gather 200 if we¡¯re to rebuild this place. Even then, it might still feel rather empty at first.¡±


    ¡°Who cares?¡± Greg retorted. ¡°I don¡¯t believe this fort has been abandoned for no reason. If my instincts are correct, this is a star style fort¡ªit might even have an inner keep. Whoever controls this place must be incredibly powerful; otherwise, the goblins would have taken it long ago.¡±


    At that moment, Tempormr¡¯s voice whispered into Matt¡¯s ear, ¡°The fool is right. Now the question is, what will you do knowing this?¡±


    ¡°I hope they¡¯re powerful,¡± Matt stated decisively. ¡°The more formidable they are, the better¡ªit¡¯s my belief that defeating beings stronger than us is the surest way to rise in ranks. If someone is too afraid to face them, that just means more experience for me.¡±


    ¡°Are you thinking of taking them on by yourself?¡± Zara asked, worry edging her tone. ¡°I can¡¯t let that happen.¡±


    ¡°No, this is a fortress. At most, I''ll scout it first before assembling a team that I believe can handle the challenge,¡± Matt replied.


    ¡°Wrong,¡± Zara insisted. ¡°You¡¯ll let Eleanor discuss it with the group and abide by her decision. That said, capturing a fort of this size will be significant enough that she might let you act independently if she¡¯s convinced you can win.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m confident it won¡¯t be beyond our abilities; I doubt there¡¯s anything in this world that ranks above E-tier,¡± Matt said.


    ¡°What makes you think that?¡± Greg challenged. ¡°For all we know, things might get significantly stronger as we move further from our starting point.¡±


    ¡°Because if we were to reach F rank together, it wouldn¡¯t reflect the best we could achieve. Reaching E rank might even mean we¡¯re preventing others from reaching F rank,¡± Matt reasoned.


    ¡°That¡¯s only true if everyone survives,¡± countered Zara. ¡°We don¡¯t even know how many people ended up in this world or if we¡¯re in a region where only loners have ventured.¡±


    ¡°Does it really matter?¡± Greg replied. ¡°All we can do is face whatever stands before us and push toward our goals.¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± Matt concluded. ¡°Then let¡¯s do just that as we move in. If things go south, the two of you can retreat while I cover our escape.¡±


    ¡°You mean charge forward and hog all the experience?¡± Zara retorted sharply. ¡°No¡ªwe¡¯re waiting for Eleanor. Unless you plan to charge in, forcing the other groups to follow and possibly dragging them into the mess you create inside.¡±


    Matt nearly bit his tongue to keep from speaking up, not because he cared, but because he knew cooperation was essential. Though he might have dismissed the discussion with indifference, he understood that playing nice was crucial if he was to secure a safe place to rest and ultimately survive. After all, no matter how powerful he was, death by exhaustion was still possible. Reluctantly, he remained still until the entire group of nineteen had assembled, all engaged in a heated debate about the fort.


    Opinions clashed: some saw the structure as the perfect base, while others feared it would only draw unwanted conflict. Throughout, Matt sat quietly, allowing each person to feel involved in the decision even though he had long since made up his mind. His only lingering thought was whether to make the fort his long-term base of operations or abandon it once his immediate task was done. As he reviewed the particulars of the structure in his mind, Eleanor¡¯s voice pulled him back into the conversation.


    "Matt, we¡¯ve heard everyone¡¯s opinions on the fort, but you¡¯ve been quiet since sharing your initial thoughts. Tell us, are you still set on exploring it no matter what?" she said, her tone mixing curiosity with authority.


    "Yes," he replied simply.


    "Even if I tell you not to?" she pressed.


    "If you gave that order, I would break away from you, either dying while clearing the fort or reaching a point where nothing on this planet holds any appeal to me," Matt responded, his tone steady despite the weight of the choice before him.


    "Hey, I¡¯m going with you," Greg declared, adding a touch of bravado. "So, no dying allowed."


    "Seconded," Zara chimed in. "I think I¡¯ve made my intentions clear already."


    "Then count me in as well," Rose said with a smile as she stood up and stretched, letting her bracelets fall and revealing scars that told silent stories of past traumas.


    "I want to go as well," offered Emily softly.


    "Even you, Emily?" Eleanor questioned, raising an eyebrow. "Are you saying you¡¯ll be the fifth member of the group following him?"


    "Yes. Don¡¯t get me wrong¡ªI don¡¯t want to split from you or the others, but I feel my path is with him," Emily explained.


    "It does for all of us," added Yumiko, her bow held at the ready. "But if he¡¯s dead set on this, there will be six of us venturing into the fort. My reason is simple¡ªI need arrows. I can¡¯t imagine a place more likely to have them than this location. I¡¯m tired of being hindered by the fear of running out, so I¡¯m ready to face whatever awaits us."


    "It sounds like all but two of your group would rather follow Matt than you," Steve remarked. "Maybe you and Maria should just accept¡ª"


    "Oh, shut your trap," Zara interrupted sharply. "You¡¯re making a power play and it¡¯s disgusting. Eleanor, ditch Maria and come with us. Even if Greg is an idiot, at least he¡¯s better than that ass."


    "I see, Matt, are you willing to accept leadership if I¡ª" Eleanor began.


    "Piss off. Just because that jerk desperately craves control doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m committing to anything. But if you want me to be the guy with the big stick¡ªthe one you point to as ¡®in charge¡¯ while doing all the real work¡ªthen yeah, I¡¯ll deal with that," Matt snapped.


    Recognizing the knowing smile on Eleanor''s face, Matt realized that, for now, his reluctant acceptance of leadership had been understood. Whatever came next, he knew he¡¯d have to face it head on.