Chapter 7

– "Hold the door!"

Inhuman groans. The sound of pouring rain.

– "Ah, damn it, the bench, give me the bench!"

Night. A tavern. Killer lies in a pool of blood. Beside him is Mr. Gennady, also on the floor.

Someone stomps outside, someone else pounds on the door. The demonologist desperately braces it shut while the kitsune rushes to help.

What's going on here? Did someone miss their loan payment?

A few days earlier, our quartet of would-be saviors of the world had left the village and headed to the Tree of Wisdom to get starter kits for Zina and Killer. Their primary interest, of course, was in experience-gathering amulets. Since neither of the unlucky pair had managed to level up yet, this presented some intriguing opportunities for them. Starter gear was important, too, but Yuri was more concerned about the jingling coin purses filled with their advance funds.

The royal shopping spree at the innkeeper's had seriously dented the party's finances, although the quality of the purchases left nothing to be desired during the journey. Nothing, except for Cabbage Stump.

One look at this horse in daylight was enough to realize it had witnessed the creation of the world and had since plowed every field in the Western Empire. Perhaps there was a time when it was worth the 20 silver coins they had paid, but that time was long gone. The nag reliably hauled their cargo but seemed perpetually confused about why it wasn't in a stable and tried to bolt at the slightest commotion.

Fortunately, the journey passed without major incidents, though it took far longer than the previous one. Along the way, they encountered several packs of familiar wolves, which Killer managed to scare off single-handedly. Or rather, scare away—upon seeing the square-shaped beastman, even the pack leaders turned tail and ran. These encounters caused far fewer problems than Cabbage Stump, who would immediately flee at the first sign of trouble.

After sealing the contract, the new party members received the same set of items as the yokai. Zina's weapon was an impressive dagger with a blade made of an unusual silvery metal, accompanied by a leather bandolier filled with throwing knives. Killer got the expected staff—not a bad acquisition, as it was metal and ended with a metallic orb etched with strange runes. Even without magic, it could deliver a solid blow to anyone in need of a lesson.

The party's finances were tallied: each player was given a pouch containing 50 silver and 50 copper coins. Zina's financial transactions, which involved jingling her coins at the innkeeper, nearly emptied one pouch, leaving the group with 164 silver and 170 copper. Yuri estimated that, if prices here were like in the game, they wouldn't see any decent gear until gold started flowing like a river.

At the Tree of Wisdom, Yuri also received a blunt answer to his burning question about death:

– "You die, you die. What's the fuss? If you don't resurrect in time, that's it." The Tree's response was prosaic. To avoid further questioning and preserve the mystery, the Tree promptly fell back asleep.

Another interesting discovery made during their stop at the wooden Snow White was a new addition to the "game" system. The players, accustomed to its "bug fixes," were delighted to find that item descriptions now included properties.

All items in Grind were ranked by rarity and bonuses according to their color:

Deficient – GrayCommon – WhiteImproved – GreenRare – BlueArtifact – PurpleMythic – OrangeUnique – Red

Now, as shown by the magical property window, the starter weapons given to the players were clearly classified as Improved. Weapon bonuses, though minor, were now visible and pleasantly useful. Even food, according to the same window, had quality and bonuses!

Everyone eagerly enjoyed their rare-quality gifted bento. It was time to hit the road.

– "We're not going straight to the capital," the kitsune suddenly announced, catching everyone off guard.

– "What?!" the bakeneko bristled, understandably so, given her vested interest in the imperial bureaucracy.

– "To the north lives—or should live—a hermit sage. Since the Tree of Wisdom is constantly sleeping and giving cryptic answers, I'd like to speak with someone more… coherent. It's not far, the location's distinctive—we shouldn't miss it…"

Mr. Gennady was reluctant, but the reminder of the yokai's unclear status and the Gender Change Potion calmed the fuming bakeneko. The party set off northward.

It was early evening; the fog was thickening, and rain began to drizzle. As they were searching for a place to camp, the outlines of buildings emerged from the mist ahead, and the grass underfoot gave way to a dirt road.

The appearance of a village in the middle of the forest didn't seem to bother anyone. Even Yuri, the most experienced Grind player, didn't give it much thought. His mind, after the grueling march, was consumed with thoughts of food and shelter.

Besides, it was Killer's turn to cook tonight, and everyone was reasonably worried that he might start his killing spree by poisoning his fellow party members.

Villages sleep soundly at night, so the deserted mist-covered streets didn't surprise anyone. The drizzling rain, which soon turned into a downpour, could easily muffle the usual sounds of village life.

Already drenched to the bone, the group finally stumbled upon a tavern. Barely tying their nag under the awning, they entered without hesitation into a place filled with graveyard-like staleness and chill.

The tavern appeared slightly wealthier and livelier than the last one. Several candle-lit lamps and a kitchen hearth in the distance faintly illuminated the interior. Hunched figures sat at numerous tables, absorbed in their meals. The kitsune, now transformed back into her maid disguise, resolutely headed toward the counter, where the innkeeper was dozing.

– "Excuse me! Hey!" Yuri knocked firmly on the counter to rouse the sluggish creature who was in no hurry to serve their distinguished guests.

A soft sigh escaped, and the bloated innkeeper began to stir, raising his face to Yuri. It was swollen and bluish.

Yuri froze for a moment, unsure whether to demand food or call for help—the man clearly didn't look well. But events unfolded so quickly that the kitsune didn't have time to deliberate.

The innkeeper's face began to peel off in patches, revealing rotten flesh beneath. Yuri's eyebrows nearly shot off his face as he stared in shock. Bulging eyes fixed themselves on Yuri, and a mouth filled with blackened teeth weakly rasped:

– "Meaaaat…"

– "For everyone!" barked Mr. Gennady from behind, still oblivious to the situation.

"Y-yesss!" came faint cries from all around as the tavern patrons began to stir, rising from their seats.

The innkeeper, unexpectedly nimble for his bloated form, stood and stretched his hands toward the kitsune. He leaned on the counter with such force that it creaked ominously.

Yuri reacted instantly—he was, after all, quite skilled. Slipping into stealth mode, he quickly darted back, leaving the undead innkeeper to grope at his illusory double. The illusion, in turn, firmly grabbed the innkeeper by the shoulders, pushed off the floor, and toppled him behind the counter. A fight broke out.

Yuri had to exit stealth mode; otherwise, he wouldn't be able to shout.

– "Ambush!" he yelled, maneuvering to keep Mr. Gennady between himself and the other undead patrons.

Chaos erupted.

A zombie sank its teeth into Killer's arm, and the lion-headed beastman spun through the room like a top, roaring wildly and knocking down nearby enemies like bowling pins.

The bakeneko, quickly realizing something was wrong, surrounded herself with blue flames and dashed to his aid.

The demonologist drew her dagger and clumsily fended off several zombies. They were slow but armed with cutlery—still dangerous.

– "Ahhh, sticks! We need to make a cross out of sticks! A stake!" Zina blurted out her battle plan. A solid plan, except that the local zombies likely had no idea who Christ was.

Yuri, sword in hand and trying to land a strike over Mr. Gennady's shoulder, had a different priority:

– "Levels! Check their levels!" he shouted, dodging bits of who-knows-what flying out of the chaotic melee created by Killer and the zombies.

This was a pressing concern. Yuri could feel his mana draining rapidly, which meant his illusion, locked in combat with the innkeeper beneath the counter, was fighting at its limit.

"Piercing Gaze," the basic skill of any demonologist, was something Yuri had once found unsettling. Zina had tested it back at the Tree's clearing and discovered it not only revealed illusions but also allowed her to see through obstacles—and check creature levels.

Thankfully, the demonologist understood him. Beams of eerie, narrow light shot from her eyes, darting around the room like laser pointers.

– "Level one! Level three! I can't make out…" Zina paused momentarily before screaming at the top of her lungs:

– "Behind the doors!"

Echoing her scream, Cabbage Stump let out a hysterical whinny from somewhere outside as the tavern doors flew open. Naturally, not on their own. Another undead figure lumbered in, dragging an axe in its lifeless hand, while two more zombies behind it struggled to fit through the doorway at the same time.

The situation was critical. Yuri hastily decapitated one of the enemies and looked around. Killer had dealt with his attackers barehanded and now stood frozen, unsure what to do next. Mr. Gennady had switched his focus to the enemies surrounding Zina, fighting skillfully with palm strikes and kicks, smashing rotting heads with precision. Meanwhile, the screaming demonologist continued to ineffectively jab at a zombie with her dagger. Surprisingly, the weapon proved highly effective at taking them down—provided it hit its mark. The enemy ranks were thinning rapidly, but the main threat lay at the door.

– "Killer!" Yuri snapped the beastman out of his daze and pointed to the door. "Throw them outside! Shut the door!"

The kitsune would have gladly sent her double to handle the task, doubting Killer's grasp of the situation. But under the counter, out of sight, a fierce battle raged on, with only an occasional glimpse of an orange tail to betray its existence.

Killer seemed to understand the order. He charged toward the door, barreling into the newly entered zombies and sending them flying into the courtyard along with those crowding the entrance. However, he didn't shut the door, instead throwing himself into a frenzied assault on an unseen foe outside.

This was his gravest mistake.

Yuri couldn't see what was happening outside. He rushed to aid his double, who was struggling against the absurdly strong innkeeper, and began clumsily stabbing at the zombie with his sword. It wasn't graceful, but it was effective enough.

From behind came the demonologist's piercing scream:

– "Killer!"

When Yuri turned, he saw the bakeneko and the demonologist racing toward the ill-fated door, with Killer staggering backward. A massive pitchfork was lodged in his head. Killer grabbed the pitchfork with a groan, yanked it out, and collapsed, blood pouring from his wounds. It was obvious: he was dead.

Yuri felt control slipping from his grasp. His double was about to lose its fight as well, its health nearly depleted. The cursed innkeeper was unbelievably strong. The kitsune redoubled her attacks, hacking at the unkillable undead with her short blade while trying to gather her thoughts.

– "Close the door! Bakeneko, rez Killer!" Yuri shouted.

The moment felt like a throwback to the good old days: dim lighting, a raid, and voice chat. For the first time, Yuri felt like he was in his element—on the brink of losing a dungeon run, only to pull it back through sheer determination. He took careful aim and slashed at the innkeeper's shredded neck, finally killing him. His double dissolved into a wisp of smoke, its health pool fully depleted. "Made it in time," Yuri thought as he sprinted toward Killer, where Mr. Gennady was helplessly pacing.

– "Try jumping over him and saying 'Reincarnation,'" Yuri suggested, guided by a mix of intuition and knowledge of in-game animations.

Thankfully, it worked. The bakeneko executed the move perfectly, and a warm burst of light illuminated the room. Some kind of magic had clearly taken place, and judging by Mr. Gennady collapsing from exhaustion, it had drained all his mana.

Yuri didn't know what else to do, but acting on instinct, he poured a health potion into Killer's mouth and splashed the rest over his wounds. He handed a mana potion to the bakeneko and rushed to aid the demonologist, who was now desperately calling for a bench.

They hadn't won. They had merely bought themselves time. Judging by the sounds outside, the zombies were still gathering. The tavern walls shook under the relentless pounding. Sooner or later, if they couldn't breach the door, the undead would simply make a new one.

And that would spell the end of their dubious adventures.