《Scholar of sin》 Cursed one Why.....why...this pain. Pain? what is pain...where am i...wh..what am i? Hundreds of thoughts pass through my mind, but none have an answer to my questions. Unbelievable...pain? rocks through my body as i try to regain my clarity. However i receive no salvation to my suffering as endless darkness envelops me. Now i can only feel two things..pain and hunger. unbelievable hunger! As i start losing my self again to the darkness i feel something pull me. Finally i feel something pulling at my soul as i regain my vision and some memories. Startled by sudden invasion of knowledge and memories i get dizzy. After regaining my clarity i confusedly i look around myself only to be petrified by the scene around me. There are several..humans running away from seemingly dead creatures. They look the same in almost all aspects expect these...hollow creatures look like corpses. When i look down at myself i see a gruesome scene.I looked exactly like a corpse would look my chest is sunken in with bones and some internal organs sticking out,my limbs were filled with various wounds and were riddled with arrows and knives alike. Although i could not see my head i could feel something sticking out. Even though this scene was gruesome to say at least.. i did not find it repulsive at all and merely accepted it. While my body was in a terrible state i was still able to move perfectly fine in fact i even felt...empowered. Standing up forcefully i rip out few spears that were sticking out of my body and hindering my movement, ignoring arrows and knives in my body i look around my self. There are humans monsters and undead fighting each other with frenzied look in their eyes. As i watched the scene around me i felt something spark inside me. Being unable to resist this urge that kept growing inside me i jump to the closest creature. It was a 2 m tall and 3m long hound, not noticing me behind it i jump on its back and bury my hand inside the wound on its back. Finally noticing me it lets out a loud yelp as it starts jumping around attempting to throw me off its back. Not waiting for it to do that i rip out a dagger sticking out of my arm and rapidly start stabbing its neck. While i managed to stab it few times the dagger was old and rusted so it broke quickly. The hound suddenly jerked violently Causing me to fly off its back. Rolling over i quickly stand up and take a spear that was laying neraby. This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. The moment i took the spear my body reacted instinctively taking a stance almost as if i knew how to use it. Not thinking much about it i stared at the hound that was rushing at me with frenzied look in its eyes. Not waiting for the dog to jump at me i take a few steps and thrust out with spear. Feeling the soft flesh tissue being torn apart by spear brought me a weird sense of relief. While i managed to pierce it with my spear it also managed to bite my shoulder and rip off a large chunk. Not paying attention to the new addition on my body i hit the hound with a handle of spear and push it away. Just when i was about to stab it again i noticed that it stopped moving completely. At the very same moment white light started flowing out of its body and enter my body gently and nourish my soul and suppressing that hunger inside me. Getting intoxicated by that feeling i stand still for few minutes. While i was shrouded with white light i felt something urge me to find a safer place. Not fighting against it i pick up the spear and run towards a nearby abandoned house. As soon as i entered the house i closed the rotten door and sat down on floor, sitting still for few moments i felt my mind blank out as i immersed myself in a peculiar state... ----------------- Unknown amount of time has passed when i felt my consciousness and reason return. The first thing i noticed after waking up is that there were less wounds on my body and that most of other wounds have started closing up as well. weirdly i could feel some scattered memories return to me as well..i felt that they were very important to me but i could not understand anything from these fragments... i needed more. Remembering what happened before i felt confused, but while i felt confused i also felt strange obsession being born inside me....to sate my maddening hunger and find out my purpose. Standing up i head towards doors with heavy steps and unwavering determination ready for the new world laid before me. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I am so excited to write this, so i would REALLY appreciate your opinion. Please point out my mistakes so i can improve my writing, English is not my native language and i am novice to writing. Chapter 1: Gray world With heavy steps i walked towards the doors before me they seemed even more worn out than before, not paying much attention to it i push the doors open and step outside to stare at the scene around me. While i was not expecting much i was rather confused by the scene outside. There was no one here expect some bleached bones and rusted weapons. Several meters in front of me there was something familiar. It was a 3m long skeleton of a hound, most likely the one i killed since there was a broken blade near its neck. To think that only bleached bones would be left here from the time i entered that hut... at least several years passed. Not paying much attention to it i take one of spears that seemed less rusted and start walking towards something that resembled a stone road. Walking down this road i observed the world around, on the sides of road there were patches of dry grass and sky was always ashen grey with no signs of it changing. There was little to no wildlife such as boars and birds alike and only living creature i saw so far was a crow.It did not take much time to leave the town while following the road so due to curiosity i climbed a nearby hill to look at this "town" i came from. While it was not very large it was surrounded by 3 m tall stone walls that were currently in ruin and falling apart, but the town itself was not in a much better state. Most of houses have already caved in and fallen apart with only few still standing but even those houses seemed ready to fall apart. All the wood was rotten as well which indicated that this town has fallen long time ago perhaps a few centuries even. This town.....smelled with air of death and decay. Not wanting to look at it any longer i walked back to the stone path and continued my journey to the next destination. Although i did not know where i was going or what i was going to encounter my subconsciousness was telling me to go this way. ----------- The world here was very dull there were trees at the sides of road but most were dead or were decaying, although there were few trees with leaves or they were already yellow but although the world looked like this it gave off a unique comforting feeling. There was no apparent day or night in this area since i was already walking for a long time and the weather did not change at all,But that was not really bothering me since there was enough light to see and darkness to rest, while i was immersed in my thoughts i walked onwards without looking in front of myself and bumped into something without noticing. By the time i focused on what was in front of me i suddenly felt something slam me heavily on my chest. Losing my footing i flew backwards for several meters before i fell on my back. Looking down at my chest that had a gaping hole in it i stood up quickly and looked in front of me to see what my foe was. The moment it hit me i knew it was not something small due to force behind its attack..but i did not expect it to be a troll. It was 4 meter tall, covered in grey armor like skin, it also had a single horn protruding on its forehead, due to size of its horn i knew it was not an adult yet which gave me some comfort. With my gate turning solemn i quickly get into combat stance again with my spear that i used against that hound. With few light steps to the side i started circling around it slowly while looking for its weakness or something that i could use against it. But the troll obviously did not give much though to it as it immediately charged at me with its fists swinging wildly to my left and right sides obviously intent on smashing me. Seeing that i could not dodge left or right i run towards it and slide between its legs. Not giving the troll time to react i take a thrusting stance and thrust out in its back with all power i could muster. The moment i stabbed my spear in its back it managed to react by turning around surprisingly quickly and lashing out with its fist at me. Being forced to let go of my weapon i jump back and manage to dodge its attack. Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. While i could not see if i managed to pierce it with my spear my hands were trembling slightly, not in fear but in excitement. Feeling the spear pierce through its flesh was indescribable, while its skin and muscles were hard it could not impair the thrusting power of spear much. Knowing that i managed to wound it rather heavily i slowly retreated to a nearby tree and stood in front of it. The whole time i moved troll was observing me carefully obviously acting with much more caution than before now that it recognized me as someone that could hurt it and perhaps even kill it. Seeing that i stopped moving it let out an enraged roar and charged towards me with its head aiming to impale me with it. Knowing what was its intention i jump up at the tree and jump back behind the troll the moment before it smashed into tree. Knowing that my plan succeed i watch as the troll slams into tree causing it to break in half and him to fall over its trunk, i quickly run towards its back aiming to take advantage of fact that it is probably stunned by impact and fall. Jumping on its back and ripping my spear out of its back i launch several heavy thrusts at its neck excitedly, every time my spear pierced its flesh i felt something rise up inside me causing me to lash out faster and stronger in frenzied manner. Just as i was about to stab it again i felt something grab my leg and make me lose balance, being unable to react on time due to my frenzied state troll stood up quickly and held me in air by my leg. Regaining my clarity quickly i stare into its eyes and notice a change in its eyes, while before it was looking at me with only hunger and interest in its eyes now it was looking at me with anger and madness in its eyes. Feeling unprecedented sense of crisis raise inside me i quickly jab my spear into its eye socket..which somehow provokes no reaction from it other than an enraged road followed by feeling of weightlessness. When i figured out what happened i saw that i was flying through air towards a cliff wall with incredible speed. Trying to prevent me crashing into it i jab my spear into ground moments before hitting the wall, however it only slowed me down for a second before the handle broke. Crashing into the cliff wall i felt my body quake as i fall down the ground in a miserable state, knowing that i would die if the troll got here before i manage to stand up i forcefully stand up and estimate damage in my body. My left shoulder is dislocated and 9 of my ribs are broken, sighing i return my shoulder into its place forcefully and ignore other damage in my body since there is no time to take care of it. Quickly grabbing my now broken spear i look at the troll that is trotting heavily towards me, its whole back and neck is stained in blood while its eye was destroyed and brain slightly damaged due to thrust into its eye earlier.It had heavy wounds on it so it would probably die soon as well.So now i had two options to try and survive until it dies because of its wounds or to try and land a finishing blow when a chance appears. Bracing my self for this battle ahead me i grip my spear and glare at my foe. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please point out my grammar and spelling mistakes so i can fix them. I would really appreciate reviews so i can know where i can improve for better quality content. Thanks for support everyone Chapter 2: White light This time i do not wait for the troll to come to me and i immediately rush towards it as i release intense killing intent. Seemingly surprised troll pauses for a moment by reacts quickly by roaring and sending a punch my way, already knowing it would do that i slide under its fist and stop right next to its leg, taking advantage of its slow reflexes i lodge my spear into its knee and twists with all my strength until i hear a cracking noise followed by a anguished howl. Not daring to stay near it for a single second longer i rip my spear out of its leg and jump away dodging a kick that was coming my way. Feeling powerful wind hit my face from force of its kick i become increasingly nervous knowing that a single hit would decide my destiny. Putting more distance between two of us i retreat into the forest as quickly as i can and hide behind a slightly larger tree. Heaving a sigh of relief i relax for a moment but i don''t let my guard down as i can hear ground rumble from its heavy steps that keep getting closer. Trying to be as quiet as possible i suppress my breath and wait, after few seconds passed rumblings stopped but that only alleviated my nervousness. Each second seemed to last an hour as a minute or so passed before i finally sighed..which was followed by a roar and feeling of wind hitting my face. Knowing what was about to happen i slide down on my back and barely dodge a palm that blew the tree trunk apart. Jumping on my feet quickly i sprint deeper into forest with the troll following closely behind me. Sparing a glance to the troll i noticed that it is limping on the left leg i stabbed earlier, using that to my advantage i run to the left side so it takes more time for troll to turn towards me. But even next to all that it was still slightly faster than me in pure running speed. feeling the troll coming closer and closer i once again feel wind hit my back, squeezing out all my strength i crouch and manage to dodge its attack. Seeing that trolls head was right above me i position the spear above me and jump with all my strength managing to pierce its jaw all the way in its mouth. Knowing i gave it another critical wound i push the spear deeper inside in an attempt to pierce its brain. Not excepting a counter attack i am suddenly slapped aside by its hand which sent me flying several meters into a nearby tree. Feeling my mind cloud over i look towards the troll with a desperate feeling inside me, not paying attention to me it started roaring and using all of its strength to pull the spear out of its jaw,the spear started moving in a second and was being slowly pulled out of its jaw. Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. While the troll was cunning it was not very smart as it used brute strength to pull out the spear out of its jaw. Knowing what would happen i watch the troll with a twisted smile forming on my face. As if to alert me the troll suddenly started howling in anguish, he had actually ripped off a large part of its jaw along with the spear. Using this opportunity where it was not paying any attention to its surroundings i limp away and hide behind a tree, looking at my body with a resentful gaze i try moving my limbs and feeling the changes, the bones in my right leg and arm were smashed into many pieces while most of my left rib cage was pulverized. Waiting for several minutes i limp towards the troll that stopped jumping around and howling..it actually lost its consciousness due to severe pain. Knowing that another opportunity like this would not show up i take what is left of spear and stab it as deep as i can into its eye. This time there was no extreme reaction like before, it just twitched few times before it let out its last breath. Knowing that i won this battle with mostly luck i let out a dejected sigh as i lay down next to troll corpse exhausted, even though this body feels no exhaustion or pain my mind felt tired...so very tired. Managing to keep my eyes open for a few seconds i notice a white light flow out of troll into my body. Seeing that strange thing happen again i smile happily as i feel my soul being nourished and hunger dissipate. Looking down at my body slowly being repaired by white light i let out a satisfied sigh before falling asleep. Being unable to stay awake any longer i fall asleep for the first time without feeling unbearable hunger. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for support to my readers! Please tell me where can i improve since english is not my native language Please do make reviews so i can improve the story itself for better quality content Chapter 3: Dreams On a golden terrace next to vast sea a knight with long white hair adorned in white armor stands steadily next to a black haired maiden as soft murmurs can be heard. -Dear..do you have to go? -My lady, it is not that i wish to go but i have to. -You don''t have to go! You can always stay here together with me in the sanctuary. With a crestfallen laugh the knight responds. -True this place is safe...for now, fate wishes to split us apart surely this place will not last for long if the capital falls. It will only be a matter of time before this place is engulfed by darkness as well. that is why i have to take our fate into my hands, i am tired of running away. The maiden spills tears as she speaks. -But if you leave will that not be what it wants? we will go separate way once again! i do not wish to feel that loneliness again. Smiling the knight responds. -My dear lady i will never let you experience the terror of void again. That is why just lay thy burden on my shoulders and allow me to change our fate! As long as i fight there is hope, if we run away we will be consumed by void sooner or later. Besides i am not alone the king and his army are fighting this accursed fate as well, as long as i know that you are safe i am prepared to bear this burden. Seeing that she could not change his mind the maiden just sighed sorrowfully. -In that case...let us fight untill the end. --------- Waking up with a start i open my eyes and breathe heavily, for the first time ever since i woke up i dreamed. While this dream was strange for some reason i felt unknown sorrow and despair well up in my soul as if something bad has happened. Unable to shake off the strange feeling i stay still for few seconds before managing to calm down and sigh, this was not related to me. Standing up i feel that something has changed about my body, looking down at myself i notice that all the wounds on my body have closed and only scars were left, except the hole that was made in my chest by the troll there was only a small hole left now as muscles have already reattached. As for my skin it was now ashen gray colour with several large black spots while my body was still slightly rotten in several places i could feel strength in my body unlike like anything before. I was at least twice as strong than before i fell asleep, feeling more confident for this journey ahead of me i return to the stone road and keep walking to unknown destination. Recalling what happened before i think about that white light as my body slightly trembles in excitement. That white light seems to have beneficial properties to my body and soul, however that was not the most important factor to myself. The thing i payed most attention to was the fact i could feel some of my memories slowly being pieced together every time i absorb some of white light. Letting out a despondent sight i feel slight despair, my two greatest urges at the moment are to recover my memories and sate my hunger i feel for the white light. But through despair i also felt spark of hope, as long as i keep slaying stronger creatures my wishes will come closer to being fulfilled. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. While i was deep in thought i also kept my vigilance this time, as that troll was not a pleasant company. In such manner i keep walking down this road for several days just when i started suspecting that i was walking in a circle i saw a small village few miles in front of me. Suppressing my urge to walk right into it i climb a nearby hill and check out what was going on in it. It is a small village with about 10 houses in it, there were 3m tall wooden walls surrounding it on top of which were two seemingly nervous humans as they carefully observed their surroundings. Paying attention to area around village i notice a rather gruesome sight, there were few dozens corpses surrounding the walls. Among those corpses there were human shaped ones and monsters, there was even a dead troll that was somehow missing its head. Seeing that this village managed to keep so many hostiles out of their village my gaze turns a bit more careful. While i was observing the village for any more important information i suddenly hear screams nearby, turning my attention to the source of sound i notice 3 humans running out of a nearby pine forest with terrified looks on their faces. Their group consisted of 1 female carrying a basket and two males holding a spear and a sword respectively. Moments after they left the forest loud howls and roars can be heard as several undead and a huge hound run out of forest following closely behind them. The spear user reacted quickly by turning around quickly and throwing a spear which pierced the hound through his head, however unfortunately for him that slight delay allowed undead to catch up to him and knock him down to ground. Only his screams can be heard as it sealed his fate, the sword uses bellowed loudly calling for help and waving towards the village. Although the village was close it was too far away to send any help on time, turning my attention back to these two humans i sigh knowing they would die if nobody helped them. Deciding it would be good to make good relations with these humans for some information i sight dejectedly and start walking towards them with my broken spear ready to lash out. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seems that some of you are rather perceptive and noticed that there is a lot of dank souls references in my story. Yes i was inspired by atmosphere dark souls gives off that, tragic yet mysterious story. But although i am inspired by dank souls i wont just rip off the whole story duh. I just want to have that unique feeling dark souls gives off in this humble novel of mine. Thanks for supports to my readers! appreciate the reviews as they really encouraged me to keep writing. I also decided to lengthen chapters, so except twice as much content in future Chapter 4: side by side Sighing i run towards them while holding my broken spear in front of me, while the sword user did not notice me yet the girl did as she let out a panicked scream as she starts running even faster towards the village. Not paying attention to her i wield my spear as i near the closest undead and stab through his head, with great anticipation i watch as a silver of white light flows out of him and enters my body, seeing that nothing really happened i let out a dejected sigh while muttering. I guess i have to kill stronger creatures in order to obtain true strength. While it was a bit disappointing i don''t slow down as i continue to take down several more undead before the swordsman noticed me. Although he was surprised he does not say nothing since i am helping him after all, as more undead charge at us even i start to feel burdened as i am forced to coordinate with swordsman to ease the load on both of us. We managed to take down about 10 undead so far, which is a third of their total number but that does not make it any easier since at most 5 of them can attack us at the time the only thing we have to our advantage is that they have absolutely zero cooperation and only seek to kill us in any way possible. Currently i was facing off against 4 undead at time 3 of them used short swords while one only had a shield. Rolling down i doge a shield bash and quickly spin around while stabbing him in back of his head. Not daring to stay at once place too long i quickly jump back avoiding several sword slashes, choosing my target i kick the knee of closest one which causes him to fall over on his remaining knee swiftly finishing him off with a quick thrust of my spear in the eye i step back observing the other undead. By the time i finished killing these two another two had already taken their places, furrowing my brows i realize that this is going to be a lot more troublesome than i thought, however that does not make me lose my composure and in fact it creates opposite effect as desire to kill once again awakens in me. Turning attention to the swordsman i notice that he is faring rather well for our current situation even though there were few minor wounds on him already i judge that he does not need help currently. Returning my attention to the my predicament i start retreating slowly while looking for opportunity to take out more of them. retreating i dodge a sword slash and hit back of his hand causing his sword to drop, not waiting for him to pick it up i send a kick at his ankles causing him to fall over full of openings. Taking the opportunity i kick his face as hard as i can causing his scull to cave in, seeing that he still did not die i kick him again which seals his fate. Seing another undead slash towards me i jump back, but i am unable to completely dodge his attack as he slashes horizontally on my chest. Becoming slightly angered i thrust through his head heavily causing light to fade from his eyes. running backwards i look towards swordsman and notice that he is surrounded completely by 3 undead. He manages to take out two quickly with a single wide slash of his sword but fails to notice third one as it slashes vertically at his head. By the time he noticed sword nearing him he realizes it is too late as despair fills his eyes. Knowing that he would definitely die if it connects i contract my muscles to their limit and throw out my spear with all strength i could muster, the broken spear flies through air with incredible speed as it pierces through its decayed skull with almost no resistance at all. Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. It takes him a second to realize what happens but he still manages to react in tame to dodge another attack, he does not say anything as he only looks at me with gratefulness in his eyes.Running towards the dead undead i rip my spear out of his head and use it to pierce through chest of another undead that failed to react in time. Blood sprays on my face as i pin him down on ground with my spear however i do not even blink as i grab a dagger that was hanging on his waist and stab him in the forehead, not waiting to check wherever he is still alive or not i take my spear out of him and continue to fight undead side by side with the swordsman. From now on it is rather easy to beat them since we already figured out how to fight together, he creates an opening and i use it to finish them off,as such we fight for several minutes before we manage to kill them all. The moment we finished killing them all i feel my clarity come back to me as i started losing myself once again during the battle, quickly regaining my mental facilities i look around ourselves. Two guys on a mound, a swordsman and a half rotten person covered in blood surrounded by several dozens corpses, it managed to create a rather impacting since that female was on her knees shivering few dozen meters away from us. The swordsman quickly ran towards the female and prompted her up while saying. "Are you all right Alinel did you get wounded by any of those hollow creatures" Although still dazed a bit she quickly responds. "What are you talking about! look at yourself first you are covered in wounds!" Smiling slightly he responds. "Haha these wounds are marks that i am still alive, without our benefactor there we would have most likely perished already" Sending a look towards me she quickly whispers to him. "B..but is that not another undying" Smiling uncomfortably he answers. " Alinel although he is indeed undying he is most likely an awakened one, a kind that has regained their memories while they are rare they do appear sometimes, so please do not confuse him with them. Seemingly understanding what he said she quickly stands up and bows lightly while apologizing. "Forgive me for confusing you with those hollow creatures" patting her shoulder knight smiles as he approaches me while patting my shoulder. "Haha friend would you come to our village with us, while we lost some friends we have indeed gained another comrade!" Seeing that my plan has worked i nod my head slightly and speak for the first time since i can remember. Although my voice was incredibly hoarse and ragged i manage to say a sentence. "L..lead the w..ay" Nodding the swordsman leads us to village. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for reading! Please leave some revives so i can improve based on them. Point out my grammar mistakes so i can improve in that was as well!. chapter 5: The village Following closely behind the swordsman we make our way towards the village halfway to the village we met with the guards that were rushing towards them for help, they quickly explain that i helped them so they let me through the gates without much problems. Entering the village i am a bit dissapointed by its state, all the houses were mostly run down and were held together by some sturdy ropes, the streets did not have any stone paths in them and were instead covered in grass while the total population of the village was 11 people. Of the people in village 6 were soldiers that currently served as guards while the other 5 consisted of the village elder,merchant, alchemist girl and the other two were just living here with no real profession. While the current lineup was depressing it did not really matter to me, after getting my self familiarized with the village the swordsman decided to take me to the village elder to discuss something. Walking down the dirt road for a minute or so we soon arrive to the largest house in the village, also the only house made out of stone . Entering the house i look around myself, it was a medium size room with a single fireplace in the room, few chairs a desk and random stuff covering the shelves. On one of the chairs there was an old man sitting, he was covered in some loose clothes and had a head full of white hair. The moment i entered the roome he looked at me,while he was rather old his eyes were still vigorous and were exuding a certain wisdom. Not saying anything he just waved his hand towards the chair on the other side of table. Nodding slightly i approach and sit on chair as i look at him, turning his gaze away from me he looks towards the swordsman and finally speaks with a hoarse yet steady voice . "Would you let us have some privacy?" Bowing his head slightly he leaves the room leaving two of us alone, finally looking at me he speaks. "Hmm, awakened undead i heard? Rare...pretty rare these days especially since the flame faded" Looking towards him with curious eyes i try to speak, but i am suddenly interrupted by him. "So you probably came here seeking answers to some things, while i can give you some answers i can not guarantee that it will help" Looking into his eyes with determined eyes i mutter with a hoarse voice. "Wh..what h..happened...to lead to downfall...of so many?" Not saying anything he looks at me for a minute with thoughtful gaze, as such i wait for several minutes before he finally speaks. "I have lived for a long time, i have watched as the kingdom decayed and turned into ashes as merely shadow remains of its former glory, yet the brilliance of the kingdom did not completely fade away. That is a way of fighting against the curse, the terrible curse that engulfed all creatures with souls," Seemingly getting lost in memories he quickly jolts as he goes back to talking. "Ahh the kingdom fell...the humanity lost to the curse although not completely it is safe to say it is too late for our fate to change, unless the flame is lit once again which i do not know if it even exist, it is a thing of legends. Now enough of that gibberish, the humanity is frail as it is, and not many of us reside still in this cursed land however we can not escape from the shackles of fate as long as the dark still resides inside us." With the look inside his eyes getting sharp he looks at me. "Young undead, not all those that have fallen are lost however you might get lost if you let the madness take over you, do not get lost in it. In past i have met few such as yourself that are neither living nor dead most of them were sane around the time they awaken. But as they absorb more souls they slowly begin losing their sanity before becoming completely mad with sole purpose of obtaining more souls to ease their hunger. Which is why i pray that you will be able to control your fate, while i can not do much to help you i can guide you while you are here so please take this." Standing up with shaky legs he approaches me as he lays a small piece of wood emitting fragrant smell into my hands. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. "This is a piece of elder wood, it clears mind to those who posses it when you feel that you are about to lose your sanity crush it immediately. It will help you fight the dark inside you, this is my token of gratitude for saving my grand daughter, for now i can not help you more untill you find your true path. There is several abandoned houses in this village of mine you can use them while you are here." "If you wish to find more answers i recommend that you visit the tower of flame, if you go north for several days on foot you will find it" Not saying anything more he turns around and goes on the second floor leaving me alone in the room. Looking at the piece of wood in my hand i sigh as i put it in my breast pocket before i leave the house. Stepping outside i notice that the swordsman was still outside waiting for me, as soon as he notices me he waves his hand at me as he approaches me. "Haha my friend we have a lot of things to talk about, i never thought there were still just warriors left out there where the hollow reside." Pulling me towards a house in slightly better state than others he speaks. "But first lets get you some clothes and a good weapon, a true man must be presentable at all times." Sighing i follow him into a house belonging to a merchant. We spend several dozen minutes trying out various Armors and clothes, in the end the merchant let me have some old stuff for free in exchange for saving swordsman''s life who was his nephew according to him. Not refusing i quickly put on the clothes and armor. It was some simple gray clothes that were covered with iron chest Armour that somehow wrapped around my waist all the way up to my shoulder, with simple arm guards that went up to my upper arm. Under the arm guard there was chain mail that was attached around my shoulder and went down to my fingers. Wearing simple hard leather gloves and iron shin and thigh guards, as for the helmet it was a simple knight helmet without visor. The end result was pretty good since most of my body was protected well. Trying few motions in armor i find that the restriction is minimal and that i only have to cope with the weight which is nothing much to current me, suddenly i am interrupted by the swordsman as he sighs. "Ahh no good....your weapon is too bad i noticed that in the previous battle you could barely kill them with it! way too dull it is even broken." Looking down at my spear i do in fact remember that it took a considerable amount of strength to pierce my enemies. "This time i will buy you a weapon as a thanks for saving my life, but take a good care of it a good weapon is your lifeline" Not wasting much time he takes a spear and a short sword from the shelves while throwing a small bag to the merchant. "These are for you, i know that you fight with the spear well but here is a sword as well if something happens so you lose your spear" Nodding in gratitude i speak with a hoarse voice. "T..thank you" "haha small matter we are comrades for now after all, however i have been meaning to ask you for a favor. There is a gate in the forest that i have previously tried to enter with another comrade however he panicked at the last moment and attract ed a huge crowd of monsters. Would you help me get something from there, i promise that it will be a worthwhile trip for you as well, unless we die of course haha" Seeing that he had a slightly serious tone this time i think about it for a moment before nodding since i was curious about it myself. What would cause several warriors to risk their lives for it? To seal the deal we shake our hands as he speaks. "We shall head out tomorrow partner! just the two of us and the world" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for reading! Please leave a review so i can know where to improve If i make any grammar mistakes notify me so i can fix them.