Facing the Minotaur

Russell: "Are you sure about this?"

"Yeah, don't worry about me man"

Terry: "Dude, he's going to be fine"

After wiping out all the goblins (some might've run away) with their help, I've decided to at least teach them a bit about the system as a parting gift.

After the explanation is done, they're trying to convince me to go with them. I had to refuse however, I'm just not suited to be with people for now.

Once I gather more experience, who knows, I might have joined one of the groups formed for fighting monsters.

Ryan: "Having someone like you would help a lot, why don't you follow us? We are going to a shelter that's not too far from here"

".... The stadium right?"

Ryan: "Yeah, would you like to come?"

Hmm... Even though I have decided to go alone, I can't just leave them to die.

"Look, I don't know how to explain this but don't go to that place, you will surely die if you do"

Ryan: "Why did you say that?"

"I told you I can't explain it, but I'm going to you some advice at least, and you need to trust if you want to live"

Ryan: "... What is it then?"

"First, can you call Hana to come here?"

Ryan: ".... Did you know her?"

"I will answer that later"

He stands in front of the bus for a bit, perhaps deciding whether to believe me or not. In the end, he called Hana to come out.

Ryan: "Did you know him?"

Hana: "No?"

Once she said that Ryan immediately got on his guard, blocking her way from me as if I would go and grab her.

I admit it, I did sound suspicious. I'm just that bad at picking my words.

"Once you guys are nearing the shelter, there will be bad traffic and the gas will run out, you guys will be forced to leave the bus and get attacked by monsters."

They made a face that said, "tf is this guy saying". Can't help it.

"You can go ahead and look at how much gas you had left. Then decide if you want to believe me"

Hana: "Why should we believe you again?"

"Because even though you managed to reach the shelter, at the end of the day, you will be killed"

Hana: "... Fine. Then? What did you want us to do hero?"

"Hah, right. Find other places that are not a big building, and try to survive this day no matter what. You will be rewarded by the system if you do that"

Her expression changed to a serious one. Probably because I mentioned the system. Then I should mention some uncomfortable thing for them to believe me.

"Oh right, Ryan will die before reaching the shelter, trying to protect Alice from monster attack you guys on the road"

Ryan started getting tense after I mentioned her daughter since he hadn't introduced her yet.

Hana's face is also getting more serious.

"Well, it doesn't matter anyway. As I said, all of you will die if you went for that shelter"

This should be enough, I need to go before there are more portals appear.

"Well it's up to you, I wish you guys luck."

Hana: "... Are you from the future or something?"

Hoh? That's a nice guess. Should I spice it up a bit?

"... Maybe? Think however you like. you might get the answer if you did what I told you, to survive this day"

Without looking back, I walked away from them.

I should go to the shelter where my parents are at. It might take a few days if I'm unlucky, so I'm hoping my luck aspect doesn't let me down.

***

[ Status: Kaiden ]

[ Level: 4 ( 7 ) ]

[ STR: 8 ]

[ DEF: 4 ]

[ DEX: 9 ] ( +1 )

[ SPD: 10 ] ( +1 )

[ END: 8 ] ( +1 )

[ INT: 5 ]

[ LCK: 5 ]

This time it's only went up by 3. Perhaps because I wasn't fighting alone. It's also like that in the game, having a party lessened the amount of experience gained when fighting monsters or in missions.

That makes sense, most likely Ryan wasn't alone when he fought and it's only me whose crazy enough to do so.

But isn't it good for farming? Even if you hunt a low-level monster, it doesn't change the amount of stat points gained unless you're with a party. There's also no amount of points being set for you to level up, like "gained 50 experience to go up to level 2"

Oh, but I've only killed goblins, so maybe different monster gives different amounts of stat points.

Then I will try killing other monsters to find out.... Before that, I need a new gear. My shoes are torn apart from my stunts and my weapon is in terrible shape.

[ You've purchased a "Hunter boots" for 15 gold coins ]

[ You have purchased an "Iron Dagger" for 20 gold coins ]

[ You have purchased "One Handed Shield" for 10 gold coins ]

There's a lot of handy stuff prepared in the system weapon and armour shop, almost like a portable supermarket (except the item shop).

There's also some new stuff in the skills shop, but only 2 of them interest me.

[ Sword Art ]

[ Improved the way you use a sword without much training ]

[ Battle Aura ]

[ Shrouding yourself with battle aura increases your physical ability, focus and the efficiency of your weapon ]

It's pretty clear that the system has decided my role to be a warrior or something, but I think magic would be more useful now that endurance has improved. Sadly, however...

[ Shop ] [ GC: 108 ]

★ Magic ★

( Self Barrier ) - 25

( Grant Flame ) - 30

There are only two... And they are not a ranged spell but a buff...

Nyeh, ranged magic is for a pussy anyway. Real men like me prefer it close and personal when fighting.

Kidding.

I would prefer to be a magician honestly but the system decided otherwise.

[ You have purchased the skill "Sword Art" for 30 gold coins and "Battle Aura" for 25 gold coins ]

Better take one of these magic before getting reset. Hopefully, it'll stay when I die.

[ You have purchased a magic "Self Barrier" for 25 gold coins ]

[ Self Barrier ]

[ Form a Barrier covering your entire body to act as full body armour ]

Since I couldn't buy a set of armour yet, it's better to have this.

[ Status: Kaiden ]

[ Skill ]

( Flicker - Active )

( Battle Aura - Active )

( Sprint - Active )

( Future Sight - Active )

( Battle Instinct - Passive )

( Danger Sense - Passive )

( Sword Art - Passive )

( Dagger User - Passive )

[ Magic ]

( Self Barrier - Buff )

***

The town seems to be completely deserted. However, there's some indication that someone is going around stealing stuff, vandalizing stuff and even burning stuff.

Now, it might be caused by a monster, but I'm sure they didn't know how to use spray paint or know the value of a TV. There's a truck that's loaded with electronic stuff but also abandoned. Must have been a monster interrupting these guy's shenanigans.

Anyway, it's a sight you would see in a post-apocalyptic movie, but the wheatears are so nice it's hard to believe it.

If not for the blood trails that are present here and there, then I would've believed nothing had happened.

Thankfully no body parts are lying around, I did say that I don't mind it but doesn't mean I want to see it.

But... the longer I walked, the more blood was present on the road and sidewalk... It's kinda strange... No body or nothing, but blood trails and pools are almost everywhere in this part of town...

If the monster is having a feast with the people they killed, then blood splatter should be around more. It's almost like they're dragging them to a specific spot. All the blood trails go towards one direction.

I shouldn't stick around here too long than needed. My mission is to meet my parents at the hospital shelter.

Plus, I'm not a hero.

As I continued walking, I managed to figure out the menaces that caused all the blood. Skeleton soldiers, obviously a normal civilian don't have a chance against them.

They're pretty well equipped, some of them, to which I'm sure is the squad captain, look pretty scary and well equipped.

The foot soldiers mostly have a spear, Sword and shield or only a sword, bow and crossbow.

The more well equipped however have some light armour on them, a large shield and heavy weapons like 2 two-handed swords or a halberd.

Looks like it's an elite group of skeletons. Unlike in popular media, they didn't have a clunky and awkward movement, rather, they moved pretty well, almost like a human. They're quite tall too, almost 180 cm ( 6ft? ).

Currently, I'm avoiding them without an issue, but sooner or later I might be discovered as they are just roaming around without a point.

Could it be that they know someone is sneaking around? If they're that smart as well, I should get the freak out of her ASAP.

After a while, a faint screaming could be heard. It sounds like... Someone is having fun?

The sounds get louder until some skeletons notice it and face the source of the sound.

Currently, I'm taking cover behind a car, observing the skeleton so I can sneak out without being noticed. But the sudden loud noise has turned into a big trouble.

A van appeared at high speed and ran over a few skeletons on the road.

"Woah..."

A holiday van? What is happening here?

My question is quickly answered. A few burly men got out of the vehicle and started smashing the skeleton skull with a sledgehammer or some type of modified heavy weapon.

They're not a good fighters, but their strength makes up for it. The skeleton couldn't match their strength. The skeleton captain put up a fight, but one of the burley men had some sort of skill that shattered the skeleton's shield and armour like glass.

One by one the skeletons is killed by these guys. They seem to be having fun doing this, screaming a few profanity at their fallen enemy.

After wiping the floor clean of skeleton, they took the weapons and put them in their inventory and drove off after screaming out loud "Thanks for the loot fuckers!"

.... What a sight.

Must've been one of those so-called heroes or monster hunters on the internet.

Anyhow, they cleared the way for me so I will booked it.

Walking down the road again, it seems there are fewer and fewer skeleton soldiers around.

There are a few crushed bones on the ground and some tyre markings. Did these guys going around wiping out monsters?

I mean, that's good but... What are they planning with the weapon taken from these skeletons? Preparing their own army? That would be funny.

I should be quick before more skeletons came because of the noise they made.

***

It's 6 pm currently and I'm nearing the hospital. The road is now well-lit, making it harder to hide.

Damn, if monsters are around, I don't think I'm able to hide anywhere except inside these buildings and shop around. But they might be a nest so let's not try that.

If it's true that monsters get stronger throughout this day, then they might be too strong for me now.

But before I get any closer to the hospital, a woman and a kid suddenly approach me while running.

"Sir! Help us please!"

Where did they come from? Seems like they're running away from something. Their clothes are dirty and out of breath.

For now, let's figure out what's going on.

"Are you guys ok? Are you going to the shelter as well?"

"We are chased by a monster" she whispered under her breath.

"... What kind of monster? Is there a lot?"

"No... Just one, it's big and scary, it had a horn as well"

... Don't tell me.

"Does it look like a bull on 2 feet?"

"Yes! That's-"

I stopped her from talking using my hand. Seriously? Do they spawn around this time?

"Let's go, it might not catch us if we run now"

But if we're followed, then the hospital might be in danger. I don't know what kind of weapon the military had but if it's not a tank or an anti-tank weapon then we are dead.

Before we could start running, however, my danger Sense started ringing, similar to the last time I was killed by the Minotaur.

It's here...

The ground shakes every time it takes a step. It steps into a light coming from the street lamp, revealing its huge sizes and large clubs as its weapon.

I'm trembling, there's no way I could fight that thing. But if we ran away, even if we managed to outrun the Minotaur, it might find the hospital anyway.

These people will be killed, and there's nothing I can do....

Fuck me.

"RAN! RAN TOWARDS THE SHELTER!"

Words weren't coming out so I yelled to the top of my lungs towards the woman and kid.

She picked up her kid and ran like hell without looking back. The Minotaur looked at them and looked back at me without a change in its expression.

Ahhhhh this is stupid, this is some stupid shit. I know I can't win and I still decided to fight this thing.

I doubt a dagger would do it. I need a sword!

[ You've purchased an "Iron Sword" for 25 gold coins ]

[ «Sprint» Activated ] [ «Battle Aura» Activated ] [ «Self Barrier» Activated ]

Energy consumption is going to be crazy but I'll be damned if I didn't use everything I have!

I had 4 Elixir left and had no money to buy more. Let's make it count.

I'm scared shitless here, the Minotaur getting closer makes me want to run away.

But somehow, my danger wasn't ringing anymore and Battle Instinct didn't tell me to run.

Bastard! You think I can handle this thing!?..... Are you sure?! This abomination?! A literal mini-boss in some stages?!

The Minotaur made an aggressive sound and charged towards me with its weapon lifted.

[ «Flicker» ]

Without being warned, I dodge it way too early to the right.

The Minotaur stopped itself mid swinging and looked left and right before finding out where I landed.

It- it was slow? No... Too slow actually. I mean, granted he's big asf but, I might be overreacting?

It charged again, but this time I went forward, rolling on the ground to dodge his attack.

I went past and ended behind it. Again, it shows a sign of slow reaction by looking around before turning towards me.

I didn't even use Flicker to dodge it...

Huh, is this the same Minotaur? Now that I realized, it's kinda smaller? Both the size and the horn are smaller than the one at the stadium.

The Minotaur gave an angry roar before he went for another attack.

If you are this slow...

I rolled again and dodged its attack, this time ending on its right foot.

"I'm taking this alright?"

[ «Pierce» ]

I managed to sever its leg. The mighty Minotaur is now on its knees crying in pain.

Can I actually kill it?