The Unknown God

The tent's entrance flap parted before the two victorious swordsmen. It revealed a well-lit interior. A portable hearth provided a nice cosy heat. Animal furs isolated the tent from the cold, hard forest floor. Wooden c.h.e.s.ts of all sizes laid, neatly arranged, around it. A massive table in the corner of the tent had a map of the surrounding area, with wooden figures. The hobgoblin captain sat behind his desk, going over the spread-out doc.u.ments. He looked up at the newcomers.

"It seems like you are somewhat competent, at least," he rolled his shoulders before adding in his passive voice, "Well, now I guess we are going to fight. Any last words?"

"Yes, yours!"

Taking advantage of the unprepared boss, both of them rushed at him simultaneously. Both attacks connected at the same time, yet both were met with a solid object. One bit into harden wood, while the other rang loudly as it stuck forged steel. The Captain stood proudly over them, his entire frame defended by a large shield and a sharp longsword extending from his right hand.

The shield released a bright glow for a split second, before blasting Moventus with raw kinetic energy. His sword did not idle either. It disengaged from Simply's blade and came horizontally at him. Sensing the lack of force against his sword, Simply instantly ducked. A streak of metal flashed past his head, taking a portion of his hair with it.

"Now, that's a close shave-" {Sorry had to do it!}

Raising his head, he was met with the captain's boot. For a moment, his perspective became in slow-mo, as he cruised through the air, before crash landing. He landed on his back, arching over a c.h.e.s.t. A loud cracking sound cut his cringy line short. Ignoring the sharp pain in his back, he downed a bitter-tasting potion. He grimaced as the slimy potion went down his throat. He drew in a long breath, in an attempt to slow down his raging heartbeats.

The hobgoblin let his enemies regain themselves, waiting for them to attack him once again.

'What an overbearing pressure!' Simply flourished his sword.

Simply fell into a battle stance. Moventus immediately noticed it, because until now he had never seen Simply fight in any proper sword stance. To the trained eye, he was wildly swinging his sword at his foes. Although trances of sword techniques appeared in his fights, the majority were just 'blind strikes'.

Simply slowly approached the hobgoblin captain, his stance wide with his knees slightly bent, holding Narsil horizontal to the ground. His presence disappeared from the room. He was still here, yet it felt as if he was not.

He flickered out of existence for a split second, reappearing in front of the captain. His sword sailed through the wooden shield. His opponent's stab passed through his stomach before his body disappeared.

"An after-image!" blurted out Moventus.

The real Simply emerged behind the captain plunging his sword deep within the small gap between the helmet and the b.r.e.a.s.tplate. The tip pierced the spinal cord and continued its descent. Only after his crossguard kissed the red hobgoblin flesh, did Simply stop.

{In this game, as long as you hit a fatal point, it generally ends up with a kill. For example, if Simply hadn't taken a potion, he would have died from suffocation within minutes, due to his shattered back. On the other hand, some NPCs and Monsters have special stuff (abilities or items) that result in them not dying instantly from these kinds of attacks.}

The hobgoblin looked up at his killer's reflection on the nearby mirror. They exchange a silent look before the fallen captain closed his eyes for the final time. His mouth curved into a satisfied smile. After all, he had fallen in battle. He was worthy of joining the honoured ranks of his god's army on the plane of Acheron.

---

Silence had fallen upon the battlefield. The horrifying magical attack was still fresh in the minds of the survivors. Mulzorz surveyed his terrified enemy in amus.e.m.e.nt. He enjoyed the feeling of being feared. It left a pleasant taste when his foes met their end, knowing full well that they were powerless to do anything about it.

"Bow down and accept your faith, you weaklings! How dare you attempt-" blood gushed out of his mouth, the colour drained from his face. A sword was sticking out of his stomach. It withdrew, and reappeared at his neck, cleaving it off in a single swipe. The head of the mage landed on the floor. It rolled onwards, coming to a halt alongside the corpses of his victims. His body crumbled with a loud thud.

To the battered troops, the figure standing over the corpse of Mulzorz was a goddess. Inspecting her nails, she addressed the crowd.

"Whacha looking at! Don't expect me to help you sorry lot anymore. Go, go... go."

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Level 22 (37%)

Name Simply Umbra

Class Imperial Knight

Race Human

Health 441 (420) (+5%) { (vitality-10)/10 x 2.5 = X% }

Mana 229 (220) (+3.75%) { (Intelligence-10)/10 x 2.5 = X% }

Stamina 441 (420) (+5%)

Intelligence 25

Wisdom 20

Dexterity 40

Agility 20

Vitality 30

Strength 50

Unassigned Stats 5

Perception 0

Magic Resist 0

Defence 0