Civilization

Letting out a deep breath, I get into a running position, pressing my feet down onto the ground, while I unsheath the Poison Fang tied to my waist. While it wasn't the strongest weapon, it was enough for me since I didn't anticipate myself to be running headfirst into a horde of monsters. Noticing my stance, Nina calls out to me in a hurry.

"Wait. Rebecca! Don't run off!" - Nina

Turning towards her, I give her a small wink, as a gentle smile spreads across my face.

"Don't worry, Nina. I'll only be gone for a bit. I can't do much right now anyways, so let me help the best I can." - Rebecca

Before Nina could refute me, I launch myself off the ground, squeezing through the gap between Travys and David. Feeling like the wind, I slice through the necks of several zombies before my momentum stops. Glancing back, both of them could see the mix of surprise and excitement spreading across my face, as I grip my knife tighter, focusing on the group of monsters that were congealing near the spearmen.

As light as a feather, my feet swiftly take me close to the skeletons that plague the spearmen and like a butcher, I slice through the spine and several arms and leg joints of each skeleton. Faster. Faster. My hand and arms move at increasing speeds with each stroke, and before I know it before the spearmen know it, the skeletons were sliced into numerous pieces.

Feeling like I was on top of the world, I quickly clear out the rest of the monsters that were near us. Leaping over zombies, dancing between skeletons, like a figure skater blessed by the wind. This is what it feels like… To be strong. To not worry about someone else protecting you. The feeling of my knife slicing through flesh, breaking bones, and the splattering of blood. Nothing else can mimic this feeling.

[Coin Flip skill duration has run out. Agility 204 -> Agility 102]

"So, there IS more to you." - Devel

Landing beside me, with a slight electrical charge, Devel looks at me with a keen eye. Throwing the blood off my knife with a quick swing, I glance up in his direction and smile.

"Sorry, but I'm taken." - Rebecca

"AHAHAHA! IAN! She is a keeper!" - Devel

Taken back by my words, Devel bursts out laughing as he covers his face with his hand. Unable to contain himself, he carries on laughing as he slowly makes his way to Travys, who already proceeds to take out a potion for him. Stopping only to drink it, he continues to laugh as he brushes past me.

"Then make sure you keep being useful." - Devel

Dashing toward the horde of enemies, Devel charges head first, pulverizing a few monsters with his blade. Looking back, I see Nina's slightly dissatisfied expression, while I chuckle nervously. Falling back to the middle of the group, I glimpse at Nina.

"Not even a second had passed and you already disobey, one of the commands to make sure this whole operation doesn't fall apart?" - Nina

"Sorry, Nina but there wasn't anything for me to do. I don't want to just sit here and just wait for something to happen." - Rebecca

"Sigh, alright, I understand. How much longer on your buffs?" - Nina

"Well, I won't be as fast as I just was unless I Coin Flip Agility again, but I still have over 100 Agility. That ends in another 28-ish minutes." - Rebecca

"Agility 102, is quite fast… Not sure if anyone else has reached that kind of speed just yet. Alright, I got a new request for you. Instead of helping out Devel and the others, I would prefer for you to rush over to either Helioc or SanShiGo's side. Make sure they don't die since the final fight with the Reaper will be extremely difficult. If and it's a big IF, but if they are able to help us in the fight, then it might turn out to be just a little bit easier." - Nina

"Are you sure you want me to leave this side?" - Rebecca

"I'm sure, Sabrina and I will figure out a way to protect ourselves in the worst-case scenario, plus the monsters still have to get through our frontline, and Devel or one of the others can always quickly rush back." - Nina

"Okay, who is more vital in your plans? I'll go to them first." - Rebecca

"Helioc. Not only is his side lesser in number, but his skills are more likely to be useful in a fight since he has the ability to move through the shadows. Both he and Frank can easily ambush monsters, so keeping him alive will be more worth it than SanShiGo, at this moment." - Nina

"On it. I'll come back before my skill runs out." - Rebecca

Glancing in Helioc's direction, I see the mysterious red scarf floating back and forth, between monsters, never staying still and never getting caught. Quickly, I move toward him, as I get to observe the rest of his team which turns out to also be assassins-like people. Prior to passing through the gate, they all seemed like warriors, carrying short swords and small axes but now that I am seeing them in action, it seems it was just my misconception.

Following Helioc's erratic movement, his team would quickly dissect monsters that he would miss. Collapsing on one monster at a time with a few people, aiming for different vital points each. A person might slice at the neck while the other would stab through the chest, followed up by one more chopping off the feet. Their movements were smooth like butter, not a single movement wasted like they had perfected the art of killing.

"Why are you here?" - Helioc

Appearing beside me, like a ghost, Helioc stands cross-armed as he looks at me disdainfully. His eyes show more emotion than his speech as he stares daggers through me.

"Just thought you might need some help." - Rebecca

"I don't. Leave. You have no use here." - Helioc

"Oh really?" - Rebecca

Zipping away, I quickly eliminate two skeletons and a zombie that were closing in on one of Helioc's teammates. While I wasn't saving him entirely, I did allow the person to catch his breath, before reappearing in front of Helioc, without a moment to lose.

"I can definitely help you. My speed doesn't lose to anyone here, in fact, I'm sure I outclass a lot of your teammates in Agility." - Rebecca

Putting on my most cockiest smile, I try to tempt Helioc in letting me stay here, however, the man is as stubborn as a mule, scoffing in my direction. Ignoring my existence, he disappears, reappearing in the middle of the horde, continuing his killing spree. Unable to please everyone in this world, I shrug my shoulders but before I could continue following him, his teammate, the one which I helped, walks over to me.

"Thank you for before. I noticed the monsters coming for me but I was unable to move at that time, don't worry about Helioc, he is always like that. If he didn't try to kill you already then it means he somewhat acknowledges your skill, so if you want to help him, then I guarantee he wouldn't mind." - Aqua Team Member

[Karma +1]

"Don't worry, I kind of suspected it was like that. His personality is very uh… Open. I'll be here for just a bit to help out in everyone's progress to the Castle. In such a short time, we have already gone pretty far forward." - Rebecca

"Understood. We will continue to do our best." - Aqua Team Member

As the Aqua Team Member dashes away to his teammates, I look at the new system prompt. This was the first time I had gained Karma since I had acquired the new stat, and who would have thought I gained it while helping the enemy? Looking at this, I guess I can only assume that the more good deeds I do, the more positive Karma points I will receive. Likewise, the opposite also exists, where the bad deeds I commit will bestow negative Karma points.

Gripping my knife, I smile to myself as the thought of helping others will also reward me, but then the thought crosses my head. Didn't I help my own people before when I killed the monsters in front of them? Why didn't I earn a Karma point there? Before I could get too caught up in my thoughts, I hear several loud screeches coming from in front of me.

[You have been attacked by Wailing Scream and have been inflicted with Fear for 2 seconds]

Appearing from the shadows, were 5 identical monsters. Like a human with its skin ripped away, revealing only the muscles that connect every bone together, these monsters screech at the top of their lungs. Large sharp rib bones jut out from their chest as they snatch onto nearby zombies, instantly bursting them like tomatoes, sending a small shower of blood into the air.

Revealing to us a row of disgusting yellow teeth, as a maniacal laugh resonates in the air. Each monster smirks, as they look at us. Stepping to the side, they reveal an army of Lickers, as the monsters quickly leap out of the shadows dashing through the horde of zombies and skeletons, knocking them to the side as their pace quickens.

"It seems that I, Zabik, need to be here to teach these foolish insects where they belong!" - Zabik

Speaking in unison, the monsters screech once more, separating into three groups. 2 to the right, 2 to the middle, and 1 to the left. Glancing between the approaching monster and me, Helioc lets out a small sigh.

"I'll need some help now." - Helioc

"Gladly." - Rebecca

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