The Soulmancer’s Ascension

Zephyr brandished his scythe as he entered the cave. Darkness disappeared as a ball of fire puffed into existence. A growl bounced off the cavern walls, provoking two more howls from the depths of the cavern. A pair of sinister violet eyes turned in his direction. Judging from the fresh deer corpse laying on the floor, the monster was indulging in an early morning meal.

Zephyr sprang into action with his scythe. The increased agility impacted his explosiveness. He crossed the distance within seconds, then, his scythe created a dazzling curve and cleanly beheaded the mindless monster. Red blood, no different from humans, sprayed, forcing him to retreat.

[Brood type: Fool Lvl. 4 killed.]

[Experience +6]

Two more fools appeared, standing shoulder to shoulder with straight backs, and light armor over their bodies as if they were two trained soldiers. One was bald and the other had a head full of red hair. He’d have mistaken them for humans in the shroud of the night.

‘They lost control over their minds. Is that why they are called fools?’

He’d love to ponder over the backstories of these two gentlemen if they didn’t rush at him as if he stole their family fortune. At the last moment, he kicked their chest. The shiny boot caved the breastplate and sent it flying like a ragdoll.

“Gah!”

The other fool grabbed his shoulder and smashed a mail covered fist in his chest. Zephyr deflected the punch. The bald fool immediately raised its knee and smashed it in his stomach. Zephyr’s eyes bulged as the steel-like knee folded him like a paper.

“Zephyr!”

The fool went for another knee but Zephyr blocked it with his scythe and retreated as fast as he could.

“Sherine, I can handle it.” Zephyr stopped his companion with a motion of his hand and circulated his breathing. He hadn’t expected the fool to counterattack so fluidly.

It wasn’t that strong compared to the last fool but it could fight. Not like a mindless beast but a veteran. Zephyr had to fight not one but two of these crazy fools.

It was going to be tough.

Zephyr focused harder than ever and evaded the bald fool’s charge. He went for the second fool with a vendetta. Merciless slices rained upon it. With the fluid movements of a veteran, it dodged or let its breastplate tank Zephyr’s attacks.

As the bald fool joined the fight, Zephyr kicked the red-haired fool into the wall. He swung the scythe without turning. The bald fool ducked under the wide arc, and the scythe was stuck into the cavern wall.

“Kill… humans,” the bald fool whispered with bloodlust clouding its violet eyes. “Kill.”

It swung its right hand at his head. The gauntlet would definitely deal a lethal blow or knock him out. He moved his head at the last possible second and grabbed the thick neck of the bald fool. Twisting off his right ankle, Zephyr shoved the creature into the cavern. Bam! Bam! Bam! He kept slamming the monster’s head into the brutal wall, ignoring its attempts to grab him.

Adrenaline pumped through his system. No rage. No fear. Pure survival instincts.

The back of its head exploded, and the brain matter slid down the cavern. The darkness shielded his eyes from the gruesome sight. His nose wasn’t so lucky.

[Brood type: Fool Lvl. 10 killed.]

[Experience +30]

Brood type: Fool Lvl. 8 killed.]

[Experience +18]

[You have leveled up. Basic attributes +2]

Only when the notification popped did the young man stop his violence.

He turned to the other fool. Sherine pressed down its writhing body with one feet. The scene left him with a wry feeling. The monster he struggled to beat was like an ant to a goddess. 

The gap between them fueled his motivation. He took his scythe and ended the red-haired fool’s life.He leaned against the wall and took long breaths. “Motherfucker was level 10.”

The foe was five times his level and was decked in some armor. The struggle wasn’t without its reward, however. He came out with knowledge. The knowledge to keep a second weapon he could access anytime and wear some goddamn armor.

‘I wasn’t cautious enough.’

He thought as he watched the white flames consume the fools.

[Soul Essence +100]

[Soul Essence +80]

He replayed the battle in his head, trying to learn from his mistakes. Sherine didn’t let him as she touched his back. A strange but warm feeling entered him. The stinging in his stomach disappeared.

Turning on his heel, he saw Sherine’s wearing gauntlets on both hands. Black and white melded seamlessly in the gauntlets, and the blazing red orb on the back of her hand stood out. The color of yin and yang as well as a phoenix mixed well in one item.

“Thank you for healing.”

Sherine made a hard to read expression before she turned to the deeper part of the cavern. “They’re coming…”

“I’ll fight. Give me three daggers.”

Sherine passed him the sheathed steel daggers, which he hid in his boots and tucked the last one into his trousers.

The fools came out, dashing. They were dressed in rags. Zephyr probed their fighting style first. They didn’t try to dodge his attacks, a testament to their low levels. Zephyr dispatched them with three quick slashes.

[Soul Essence +40]

[Soul Essence +30]

[Soul Essence +40]

In the deepest part of the cave, he stumbled upon what seemed like a bedroom. Torches hung from the ceiling, and four chairs surrounded a table, booze and glasses still intact upon which.

Zephyr searched the place for any valuables or a diary that would lead him to treasure. He found a pouch, which contained three bronze coins. Completely round coins with a star symbol carved on both sides.

‘I don’t have the protagonist's luck.’

The world already had one Chosen One named the Golden Siren Annalise. There was no place for another one.

Sherine tossed the pouch in her spatial pouch and observed the room. “I think they were adventurers or refugees before they turned… into those. Brood-type Fool… I want to know more about them and the brood.”

“We will,” Zephyr said with a determined nod. “I’ll be able to get enough Soul Essence before evening. Then we’ll head out for the town.”

He could reach out to Arlette to ask these questions, but he chose not to. The goddess left a bad impression on him. He hadn’t received any update on the realm panel ever since then.

‘I suppose she won’t sell me out to her little council.’

He wasn't doing anything wrong by killing brood monsters. Rather, he did the gods a favor. He had yet to do anything that deserved the real hostility from the WORLD.

'Maybe it has its hands full dealing with Brood Queen.'

The two continued their journey through the forest.

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