Bring it on

The kobolds sneered at the lone human in disdain. Even battered, they still held the advantage of numbers, forming a loose semicircle around Kaden. Their amber eyes gleamed with a cruel light, as though delighted by the prospect of a slow, painful kill.

A few of the kobolds immediately waddled over to the far side of the clearing, shuffling into position and cutting off Kaden's last route of escape. However, Kaden only laughed at their efforts.

"No need. I am not planning to go anywhere." He might have been marginally weaker than them before but this single level up changed everything. 

The surge of level up still humming in his veins, he flexed his fingers around the spear shaft. Thorn Whip's energy crackled faintly in his off hand.

"Come on," he growled, voice echoing across the smoky, bloodstained clearing. "I'm right here."

Six kobolds came at him from the front and back and Kaden clutched the thorn whip tighter in his hand as he calmly channeled the mana within him.

[Sanguine Roots]

The ground rumbled beneath one unfortunate kobold's feet, Sanguine Roots bursting up in a surge of crimson-tinged tendrils. The scaly creature let out a guttural squawk, thrashing in alarm as the roots latched onto its ankles.

It did not stop with that. The ground rumbled again—and again—as crimson-tinged roots erupted in multiple spots, each fueled by the blood and chaos saturating the battlefield. One set latched onto the ankles of a kobold directly in front of Kaden, the second and third sets reaching out hungrily for two more.

In an instant, three of the six assailants found themselves immobilized, letting out panicked, guttural squawks. Their clawed feet scraped uselessly at the soil, trying to pry loose the living vines that pulsed with unnatural force.

Kaden watched with grim satisfaction. He'd never before managed to cast Sanguine Roots on multiple targets simultaneously, but this newly earned level gave him the extra mana he needed and bumped up the skill a little.

The ring of kobolds who had expected to box him in now looked on in alarm. Kaden did not miss this opportunity and instantly used the chaos to strike at the kobold on his left. 

The scaly creature tried to bring up its spear in a rushed block, but Kaden was faster now—every ounce of agility polished by his recent level-up. He feinted high, then swept his spear low, smashing against the kobold's exposed flank. 

A panicked snarl tore from its throat as it stumbled, and in that brief instant of imbalance, Kaden ended it with a swift, ruthless thrust.

[Ding! You have killed a kobold scout]

The moment the creature dropped, he spun toward the next one. He still had two more free kobolds to handle—even as three remained bound by Sanguine Roots.

A second kobold snarled, leaping forward with a chipped club. Kaden snapped Thorn Whip across its torso, the barbs biting through worn leather armor. The kobold hissed, flinching just enough for Kaden to sidestep and drive his spear deep into its midriff. There was a choked gasp, then silence.

[Ding! You have killed a kobold warrior]

Before Kaden could finish the last free one, five more charged forward and once again cornered him. "Bring it on." Kaden did not hesitate and kept thrusting his spear wherever he could find an opening. The faint crackle of Thorn Whip danced across his off hand, and drew blood recklessly.

The kobolds didn't waste time—they attacked from multiple angles, shrill hisses and guttural snarls filling the air. Kaden did not let up and gave them back as good as he got. He took multiple hits and three big injuries covered his back, bleeding profusely.

However, he continued pushing. He left the injuries to the dot healing coming in front the sanguine roots and focused frantically on the assaults, going on full-drive offense mode. 

He was now slightly faster and stronger than the kobolds. Not to mention these were already injured creatures. His mad push was more than enough to overcome them. Within seconds, notifications started popping up one after the other.

[Ding! You have killed a kobold warrior]

[Ding! You have killed a kobold scout]

[Ding! You have killed a kobold warrior]

…

…

…

And then came the next level up notification which all but sealed the fate of the kobolds.

This was more than enough to finish the stragglers. The remaining few kobolds, battered and out of breath, bore terrified expressions as they realized just how much stronger the human was. Their snarls wavered, replaced by flickers of fear. 

Kaden latched onto that fear, forcing his exhausted body to continue the slaughter fest.