Chapter 4 - Tragedy
Continent of Andras, Aetheris, 7 Alorinni, 882 Lumina Calendar. Sapiens Kingdom, Prospera. Burial/Cremation Zone. Nighttime.
It has been one week since Damian arrived in this world, and during that time, he has undergone rigorous training from Commander Richard alongside other knights, without any noteworthy events occurring.
| Name: Damian Blackwood |
| Age: 10 |
| HP: 5,000/5,000 |
| MP: 4,000/4,000 |
| SP: 400/6,000 |
| XP: 2/5 |
| Level: 1 |
| Title: |
| -Soul from Another World |
| Status Effects: |
| -None |
| Stats: |
| -STR: 5 |
| -DEX: 6 |
| -INT: 4 |
| -END: 6 |
| Skills: |
| -Slash |
| -Stab |
| -Sprint |
| -Muscle |
| Inventory: |
| -HP Potion ×100 |
| -MP Potion ×100 |
| -Fire Bomb ×10 |
| -Bow ×1 |
| -Arrow ×1000 |
| -Longsword ×1 |
| -Shield ×1 |
| -Robe ×1 |
| Market |
| Souls: 999,999,999,999 |
Damian, lying on his makeshift bed, now focuses on the status displayed in his field of vision. He feels that something has been added to this status window.
"Age... Title... Skills... They all appeared suddenly," Damian sighs lightly, wearing a bitter smile. He continues, "Even my XP only increased by two after that intense training." He looks frustrated.
"Well, never mind, as long as I gained some useful skills," Damian then directs his thoughts towards the skill icons in his field of vision and reads all the descriptions of the skills he acquired during his intense week of training.
| Slash: |
| Slash is an active skill that allows the user to perform potent attacks using sharp weapons such as swords or knives. When using the Slash skill, the user is able to deliver sharp and deep cuts to their opponents, causing significant damage. The movements involved in this skill include curved strikes with a weapon designed to slice and strike enemies with great speed and force. |
| Stab: |
| Stab is an active skill that focuses on quick and deadly stabbing attacks. This skill grants the user the ability to launch attacks using sharp weapons like knives or spears, with the aim of directly piercing the target. The movements in this skill involve directed and powerful thrusts, targeting vital areas or weak points that can cause serious injury. |
| Sprint: |
| Sprint is a powerful active skill that enhances the speed and agility of the user to an extraordinary level, propelling them forward like lightning. When activated, the user taps into the inherent energy within their body, channels it to their legs, and unleashes an incredible burst of acceleration. With Sprint, the user becomes a blur of motion, leaving their opponents mesmerized and struggling to keep up. |
| Muscle: |
| Muscle is a passive skill that enhances the physical strength and muscle capabilities of its user. It increases the user's raw strength, enabling them to lift heavier objects, deliver devastating punches in combat, and easily carry out physically demanding tasks. |
"Mm-hmm," Damian nods his head, satisfied after reading all the skill descriptions he acquired.
And why was he able to easily obtain all these skills in just one week? It's all because Damian understands the ins and outs of his Cheat System.
"Alright, it's time to sleep," Damian laid his body down and muttered again, "Goodnight, myself..." His body indeed needed rest due to his critical Stamina Points.
...
Inside the cave where Damian woke up and was discovered by two knights, in the darkness and dampness of the cave, the corpses began to rise one by one. Even those that had turned into skeletons rose alongside the other bodies.
Gahh...
Guohh...
Krekk...
Grrr...
The moans of the undead, now turned into zombies and skeletons, echoed from the depths of this burial/cremation cave.
The two knights who found Damian inside the cave, and were assigned to guard its entrance, started hearing the groans of the undead and skeletons rising.
"H-hey, I... I didn't mishear, right?" The knight on the left side of the cave's entrance asked his companion on the right, sweating profusely.
"Y-yes, I... I heard it too..." His companion replied, as he also heard the groans coming from inside the cave.
They exchanged glances, nodded, and decided to enter and investigate the source of the groans that made their hair stand on end.
With one knight holding a torch and his companion wielding and pointing a spear forward, they slowly ventured into the cave.
The sound of their armored boots was audible along with the increasingly closer groans.
Suddenly, in the midst of their tension, someone stood up in front of them in an eerie manner.
Both knights swallowed hard and broke into cold sweats. Nevertheless, with a little courage, they approached the person.
The knight in front, holding the torch, tried to touch the person's shoulder to turn their face and see it clearly.
Grrr...
The person turned around, revealing a partially destroyed face. Their brain was decaying, and their right eyeball hung loose.
"Ah!!!!" The two knights were startled and terrified, and immediately ran out of the cave.
"Hah... Hah... We have to report this to the Commander!" exclaimed one of the knights, still running in fear.
"That's for sure, damn it! Hah... You might... Hah... not have seen it, but... Hah... behind that zombie... there were many more zombies!" The knight who previously held the torch looked extremely frightened, and his face turned pale.
His companion was also pale, silently praying that they would survive this night.
...
In short, the two knights on duty at the entrance of the cave immediately made their way to Commander Richard's large tent to report what they had seen inside the corpse cremation cave. With pale faces and trembling legs, they conveyed the incident to Commander Richard.
"What?! Dozens of undead in the cave?!" Commander Richard's eyes widened upon hearing the explanation from his subordinates.
The two knights simply nodded in response. They were truly frightened now, never imagining that a day like this would come.
Commander Richard clenched his teeth. "Call all the members! We shall eradicate these undead! And you, quickly convey this emergency situation to Duke Henry! Hurry!" His voice was firm and loud.
The two knights immediately moved to gather all the knights in the camp and inform Duke Henry, who led the region, about the situation.
As they left, Commander Richard entered his tent to prepare for the threat of the night.
"Oh, protogonos god, protect us..." He prayed, seeking protection in his heart.
...
Damian, who was sleeping, was awakened by the commotion outside his tent. The noise came from the knights running in haste.
"What's happening?" he uttered as he got up from his bed and stepped out of the tent.
Outside, Damian saw the panicked knights running towards Commander Richard's tent. He felt confused and stopped one of the knights to inquire about the situation.
"What's going on here?" Damian asked the knight he stopped.
"Dozens of undead have risen!" The knight shouted to Damian before continuing his run.
Damian fell silent for a moment, trying to process the brief information from the knight. "Undead? Where?" he wondered inwardly, trying to understand the situation.
"Ah, could it be from the cave where I woke up?!" Damian exclaimed, recalling that the cave was a potential source of undead.
Sweat began to pour down his forehead. "But how could they rise?!" Damian felt puzzled facing the unfolding situation.
Not wanting to remain idle, Damian grabbed his gloves and short sword from inside his tent. However, he didn't immediately join the previous group of knights.
Damian went to the training area and gathered some equipment, such as leather boots, lightweight armor, and a helmet. Although they didn't fit him perfectly, Damian paid no mind to it. To him, defense was crucial even though this wasn't a game world like the ones he used to play.
"But this is the real world, not a game..." he murmured, shaking his head, then he ran towards the direction where the knights had gone.
____________________
Inside a moderately-sized mansion, a man in his 30s with golden hair sat in his study. In front of him, a kneeling knight awaited his command.
The man was Duke Henry, while the kneeling knight was a member of the knights led by Commander Richard. The knight had reported the situation to Duke Henry as instructed by his commander.
"So... you're saying that dozens of undead have risen in that place?" Duke Henry asked, massaging his temples. He hoped that the knight was joking or providing incorrect information.
"Yes, my Lord. Currently, Commander Richard and the knights are preparing to face the horde of undead!" the knight replied, bowing his head.
Duke Henry felt a headache coming on. "Oh, gods... I will prepare with my troops and head to that location immediately." He was deeply concerned that the horde of undead would ravage his territory.
Undead creatures may be weak when they are just one or two in number, but if they gather and reach dozens or even hundreds, they can easily destroy small territories like Duke Henry's.
And who could deal with them? Only adventurers of the caliber of Orichalcum or higher, and even then, it would require a group of at least five individuals.
...
Damian, at this moment, joined the group of knights in front of Commander Richard's tent. Their number reached forty-seven, including Damian and Commander Richard, who would lead this expedition.
Not long after, Commander Richard emerged from the tent, fully equipped and with a sheathed sword at his waist.
"We will handle this issue without waiting for Duke Henry's arrival! If we allow the undead to continue roaming, they will become a threat to other territories!" Commander Richard exclaimed, unsheathing his sword and raising it high. "Come on, brave knights!"
"Ohh!!" the knights shouted in unison.
Guided by Commander Richard, they all moved towards the cave where the bodies were disposed of or cremated with strong determination. Damian walked behind them silently, without uttering a single word.
The knights were completely focused on their mission and were unaware of Damian's presence among them, wearing ill-fitting armor. They continued to advance, following Commander Richard without diverting their attention towards Damian.
...
In a nutshell, they all arrived at the designated cave location and quickly formed their formation before entering.
The knights with spears and shields took positions at the front of the formation, while Commander Richard was followed by the sword-wielding knights behind them.
With caution, they began to move into the dark and damp cave, aided only by the light of torches. Damian continued to follow from behind.
"I feel nervous..." Damian thought to himself. Although he had a mature soul, as a ten-year-old child, he still felt anxious and scared at the moment. For him, this was the first time experiencing undead creatures and facing them.
Grrr...
Suddenly, a rumbling sound was heard ahead of them. Despite feeling afraid, they continued to advance cautiously.
When they reached the middle of the cave, they were shocked to see a large group of zombies and skeletons gathered there. Tension made them break out in a cold sweat.
"Oh, gods... It's not just dozens, but hundreds!" Commander Richard exclaimed involuntarily.
Grr...?
Commander Richard's cry made the zombies and skeletons approach them.
Commander Richard immediately drew his sword and shouted, "Prepare yourselves! Everyone!"
The knights assumed their attack positions as ordered, and Damian also drew his sword.
Gahh...
Grr...
Krakk... Krakk...
Gahh...!
The battle erupted as hundreds of undead attacked them.
"Defeat them!" Commander Richard shouted as he charged toward the horde of undead, followed by the knights.
Slash...
Stab...
Bukk...
The sound of swords slashing, thrusts, and shield strikes echoed in the dark cave, while Damian trembled in place.
"I'm scared... And I can't move my feet!" Damian thought, breaking out in a cold sweat.
Damian's face turned pale, and the courage he had gathered before vanished upon seeing the terrifying hundreds of undead with their dark aura.
Unaware of the zombie approaching him, Damian remained frozen in place, his legs trembling and almost wetting himself.
Gahh!!
As the zombie began to attack Damian with its mouth open, suddenly from behind the zombie, one of the knights swiftly thrust his sword into it, causing the zombie to collapse to the ground and die.
"Are you alright?!" the knight asked, unaware that it was Damian.
Damian witnessed it all and was shocked. "I-I'm fine, th-thank yo—" before he could express his gratitude to the knight, fresh red blood splattered onto his face.
"Ah..." Damian immediately turned pale and despaired upon seeing the knight who had saved him getting bitten by another zombie that had appeared out of nowhere.
Grahh...
"What should I do? Should I run? But I can't move... Am I going to die again? And I've only been in this world for a week..." Damian's despair deepened, and his clothes became soaked with sweat. His face grew paler, and his eyes began to well up as he saw the zombie that had bitten the knight approaching him.
...
Commander Richard, in his fight against three zombies, noticed a knight who appeared to be a young child. "Damian?! What is he doing here?!" he exclaimed, forcefully swinging his sword at the necks of the three zombies he was facing.
Without hesitation, he ran towards Damian, ignoring everything else. His current priority was to save Damian from the approaching zombies' attacks.
"Duck! Defend yourself! Two consecutive strikes!"
Sing, sing...
With his silver sword coated in red energy, Commander Richard successfully killed the zombies attempting to attack Damian.
"Hah... Hah..." Damian was greatly surprised, and luckily, he managed to follow Commander Richard's command to duck.
However, the battle was not yet over. Another zombie approached and attacked Commander Richard ferociously.
Grahh!!
Commander Richard managed to fend off the attack, holding the zombie back with his sword. He looked at Damian with anger and asked, "What are you doing here, huh?!" His expression was filled with rage.
Damian, still frightened and pale-faced, remained silent for a moment in response to the question. Finally, with a trembling voice, he answered, "I-I just wanted to help..."
Sing...
"Help? What can you do?! You're just a ten-year-old child!" Commander Richard decapitated the zombie he was holding, then continued, "Wake up to reality! Do you understand?"
Damian couldn't find the words to respond to Commander Richard's remark. "He's right... I'm just a little kid. How could I possibly help them?" he thought to himself, full of disappointment in himself.
"I-I'm sorry, Commander..." Damian sat down on the ground, lowered his head, and gritted his teeth.
Thinking that there were no more undead approaching, Commander Richard approached Damian with a clenched fist. He intended to strike Damian.
However, unbeknownst to him, there was an Undead Lich casting a level one magic spell behind him.
Sshh...
"Behind you! Commander!" Damian shouted at the top of his lungs to warn Commander Richard.
However, Damian's efforts were in vain. The fireball from the level one spell couldn't be avoided by Commander Richard's quick reaction. It struck him directly in the back, damaging his armor.
Commander Richard's eyes widened, and his face reflected the pain caused by the attack. Without waiting long, he immediately fell to the ground.
Bukk!
"Commander!" Damian panicked at the sight and quickly ran towards Commander Richard.
He knelt down and vigorously shook Commander Richard's body. "Commander, wake up, Commander!" Tears started flowing from Damian's eyes, and his nose was runny.
Commander Richard opened his eyes, relieving Damian, but he weakly said, "Damian... You have to run... The undead are dangerous."
"B-but..."
"No 'buts'... Run as fast as you can... Don't worry about me or anyone else... Keuh!" Commander Richard struggled to rise, supporting his body with his sword.
"This is my final request... Please..." he continued while standing, gripping his burning sword.
Seeing Commander Richard's severely injured back, Damian felt a sense of sorrow. "I-I will..." Damian's words were cut off by Commander Richard's shout.
"WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR, DAMIAN! RUN NOW! DON'T JUST STAND THERE!" The commander appeared even paler.
Damian began to cry, then turned towards the other knights. What he saw and heard were screams of slaughter.
"Ahh! Help me!"
"I don't want to die!"
"D-don't come near... Ahh!"
The screams of the slain knights echoed in the dark and damp cave, intensifying Damian's despair and fear.
Fresh blood filled the battlefield. Forty-five knights were mercilessly slaughtered by hundreds of undead and one Lich.
With great effort, Damian rose. Commander Richard, who observed him, smiled. "You must endure... and live a better life," said the pale-looking Knight Commander.
Damian clenched his teeth and then turned around, but before he took a step away, he said while crying, "I will avenge you all..." He immediately ran with all his might, away from the battlefield.
Commander Richard didn't say anything and only watched Damian with a smile on his face. Then, lifting his sword, he charged towards the attacking Lich, shouting, "Hiaaaakh!!!"
...
Duke Henry and his knights arrived at the corpse disposal cave area and halted in front of the cave entrance. One knight, still on horseback, expressed his unease about the dark aura emanating from within the cave.
"What do you mean?" Duke Henry asked, perplexed by the knight's statement.
"I-I sense something ominous inside..." the knight trembled, pointing towards the cave entrance while cold sweat trickled down his face.
Duke Henry furrowed his brow and paused for a moment before expressing his determination, "Even though there's a threat within the cave, we must still enter. It is my responsibility as the ruler of this territory, and you, my knights, also have the responsibility to protect me." His face displayed utmost seriousness.
The ten knights exchanged glances with one another before finally nodding in agreement. "V-very well, my Lord, we will follow you."
Despite the lurking fear, they knew they had no choice but to fulfill their duties as paid knights to protect Duke Henry.
Duke Henry nodded without saying a word and dismounted his horse. The knights followed him into the cave cautiously. Duke Henry, being a nobleman, used a Light Tier One magic item as a light source instead of a torch.
After walking for a few minutes inside the cave, they arrived at the location rumored to be the gathering place of dozens of Undead. However, the sight before them left their eyes wide open—it wasn't just dozens, but hundreds of Undead, with even two Liches among them.
In addition to the Undead, they saw the bodies of dozens of knights and Commander Richard lying on the ground, blood flowing and stains of blood everywhere.
Duke Henry was taken aback and sighed inwardly, "This is a dreadful massacre..."
One of the panicking knights immediately tapped Duke Henry's shoulder and pulled him back. "This is extremely dangerous, my Lord! We must leave this place immediately!" he exclaimed.
They tried to maintain distance from the horde of Undead to avoid detection and attack until they managed to escape from the location.
Duke Henry tried to calm himself and nodded firmly. Without making a sound, they carefully stepped out of the cave.
"I hope the knights earlier weren't the only ones to survive this massacre," thought Duke Henry as he continued walking towards the cave exit.
He felt the need to confirm his thoughts by asking the first knight who had previously exited the cave. However, he was mistaken; indeed, there was only one person who had survived this tragedy.