Chapter 15: The Ruby Annihilation part 2

[ ] = main character thoughts.

My eyes scan the carnage unfolding before me. Everywhere I look, I see only death. People slaughtered without mercy, others running desperately trying to survive. The monsters, though not particularly powerful individually, are devastating in their overwhelming numbers.

The brutality of the scene should shake me to my core, yet I remain impassive. My body trembles, but my mind maintains a calculating coldness. There's no room for emotions at this moment.

[The tower was the right choice. If we had stayed outside, we'd be dead like the others.]

A new scream tears through the sky, making everyone shudder with terror. I watch as the monsters of this level vanish into nothingness while a new portal materializes in the air.

[It's already here. The next level is about to begin.]

Different creatures emerge from the portal: armored knights marching in tight formation. They're slower than the previous ones, but their sharp swords more than make up for this weakness. The danger has increased exponentially.

"The sword-wielding monsters are coming," I announce with an icy voice.

Frenya looks at me, terror in her eyes. "What do we do now?"

"I know what to do." Without hesitation, I pull out a bottle from my bag containing a mixture I had purchased before entering the portal, I bought it because it could be useful in difficult times.

[It wasn't a waste of money, after all.]

I quickly pour the contents on the stairs, then light a stick with fire and hold it tight, positioning myself in front of the door of tower.

"What are you doing?" Frenya's voice betrays her panic.

I move swiftly upward. "Step back and stay away," I order tersely.

"What are you planning to do?" Frenya insists.

"You'll see." My response is as cold as metal.

The knights disperse throughout the castle, entering through every opening. The small river that protected us has been drained by the monsters from the previous level, making access far too easy. Not all of them are heading toward us, a sign that there are other survivors.

[Good, there are other resistants. But how long will they last?]

The monsters begin climbing the stairs, the metallic sound of their steps echoing off the stone walls.

"We have to do something!" Frenya shouts, panic evident in her voice.

"Wait and watch," I respond with unnatural calm.

"I can't wait!" Her voice rises an octave. "They'll kill us! Why are you stopping us? Don't you see they're coming up? Soon we'll have their swords at our throats!"

"Stay still as I told you. Don't ruin what I've prepared." My tone brooks no argument.

Frenya, frustrated, remains motionless against her will. The sound of metallic footsteps intensifies - boom, boom, boom - like a macabre drum announcing death.

I'm only a few meters from them now. I can see the reflection of their blades.

"Doruuk, what are you waiting for? They'll kill us!" Frenya's voice is almost a sob.

[Just a moment longer. Just another instant.]

The first blade is in front of my face, the monster raises its arm to strike.

" Doruuk what are you waiting for, they will kill us. " Frenya screams.

[Now!]

I throw the lit stick onto the mixture and I throw myself back. In an instant, violent flames erupt, turning the monsters to ash. Those who remained outside can't advance, blocked by the wall of fire. Their screams of pain fill the air.

[I did it... Wait!]

The dense smoke begins to suffocate us. Lillia and Frenya rush to the window, desperately trying to breathe. I take off my coat and start frantically fanning ' like idiots ' the smoke outward.

"Are you crazy?" Frenya shouts between coughs. "You're sending the smoke toward us!"

" Ehhiiii!!!!! Doruuk! listen to me!! "

"I'm listening to you! Quickly climb onto the roof from the window," I order curtly.

"Are you out of your mind? What if we fall?"

"You won't fall." My voice is as firm as steel.

"I don't trust you! Lillia, help us! Use your spell to disperse the smoke!"

[I hadn't thought of that. An oversight.]

Lillia nods and uses her magic to disperse the smoke, while the fire continues to keep the monsters at bay. I pull out a rope from my backpack and hand it to Frenya.

"I'm going to check the situation below. You stay here."

"Are you mad!" Lillia exclaims. "You've seen how many there are!"

"They won't catch me." My voice is certain.

[This isn't a reckless move. They don't know the real battle has yet to begin. I need more resources.]

I descend quickly. The monsters, seeing me, move en masse toward me.

[No need to fight. They're slower than me. Just need to run.]

I move among the monsters like a shadow, exploring the castle. The corpses of fallen warriors are in a horrible state, almost unrecognizable. I search them quickly, looking for useful items.

[Let's see what they've left behind.]

I collect void stars, a spear, a bow with arrows, provisions, and a spell book.

[Decent equipment. We'll need it.]

[Should I continue?]

[No, better retreat before they surround me.]

During the retreat, I see a group of warriors surrounded. Without thinking, I throw them the spear and use my crossbow to eliminate some monsters. "If you want to live, gather everything you can find! Another wave is coming, and they'll be stronger!"

I run back to the stairs, now that the fire has died down.

"You're back," says Frenya. "What did you go do?"

"I recovered essential equipment." I distribute the loot. "Frenya, wear this armor. Lillia, this spell book might be useful to you. Let's put the void stars in the item box."

"You were thinking about money even at a time like this?" The disgust in Frenya's voice is palpable.

"I seized an opportunity." My response is practical, devoid of emotion.

The warriors' agonizing screams fill the air, making blood freeze in veins. I hold Lillia and Frenya back from going to their aid. We must think of our own survival. We position ourselves to eliminate any monster that gets too close.

[It's about to begin.]

 [Very soon.] [It will be harder than before.]

 [More terrifying.] 

[This is where we'll need Lillia.]

 [I'm at a disadvantage.]

 [The real battles start now.]

Chapter-End.