I did my best to take out several monsters but they just keep coming back. It was a good thing that the havoc they brought didn't incur any damages to the village. The queen, Elena the stupid witch, has sent support but the numbers weren't enough. It was like she was doing it on purpose. Just what is she planning?

"Mr. Blacksmith!"

"Huh? Oh oh yes, that's me. I'm Blacksmith." Dang! I almost forgot that I'm wearing my mask. It was clear that if I reveal my face, they would surely wipe me out together with the Cataclysm.

I had a bad reputation, thanks to Ayumi and her s.h.i.+tty master named Elena. But I couldn't blame Ayumi. It was beyond her control and she wasn't even able to disobey Elena. If she did, her curse would just simply eat off her body.

"I need a.s.sistance! There are people inside that inn and they have been trapped by some sort of a Goblin Pirate."

"Noted!"

I immediately went off with my Stride skill. It didn't take long enough and I was able to arrive safely. I could hear screams for help and the inn has been swarmed with monsters.

As soon as I barged in, I was greeted by s.h.i.+ning swords and arrows. I immediately parried it with my Calibur. With my Stride, I was able to take out a couple of monsters in a flash.

"Shooting Star!"

As soon as I activated my skill, I shot two floating swords at the enemies that are blocking the stairway. They yelped in pain.

"Skriiiiiii!"

"Master!"

"Yakiro!"

"Ayumi! Koneko!"

It seemed that they heard the screams for help and decided to come. Ayumi threw several daggers and Koneko protected her with her barrier skills.

"Help us!" The screams were louder than before.

"I'm coming! Koneko, just to be safe, I need you to come with me!"

"Yes, master!"

"Ayumi! Take care of the monsters and make sure they don't come inside!"

"Okay! Steal!"

Ayumi stretched her arm with her hand wide open. Suddenly her body enveloped a light and the monsters suddenly buckled to their knees. In an instant, they were weakened.

I didn't waste any time and I ran my way through the monsters. As soon as I arrive by the second floor, the floor was crawling with goblins wearing bandana and pirate hats.

=

Other-world Goblin Pirate

=

They charged at me and started to slice their swords. I was able to block it off with my Calibur and Koneko's barrier. The floor should have been dark but my body had lightened up the room. I was covered in white flames however, Koneko didn't seem affected by it. A goblin pounced at me and I fell on the ground. He was grabbing my shoulders but suddenly jumped off as soon as my flames touched him. He started to shriek in pain and the goblins stared at him. They were looking at him and suddenly they looked at me. It seemed that they understood that they couldn't come near me and decided to summon a cannon.

"A cannon?" It was black and they lit the cannon. It shot a cannonball at me with a thunderous boom. I wasn't able to block it and felt my ribs cracking and breaking. Even my Adamantine Bone skill couldn't resist the impact and damage of the cannon.

My Resiliency skill came into effect and started healing me. Koneko a.s.sisted with the healing and just like that, brand new rib cage. The goblins were dazed, they started to summon another cannon.

"Shooting star!"

*SKILL ON COOLDOWN*

d.a.m.n it!

"Someone! Help!"

"I'm coming!"

I have to make it on time!

Suddenly an idea came into my head. How could I forget? There's one overpowered skill that Koneko has.

"Koneko! Fox Queen and screech!"

Koneko suddenly realized what my intention was and didn't hesitate to transform. She was now in her Fox Queen form and roared a deafening screech.

The goblins, confused, struggled to move. I was right! These idiots have large ears making them vulnerable to sound attacks. They were paralyzed in their feet.

I didn't waste any time and took each one of them with a slash on their necks, sending their heads flying to the ground.

I ran and checked every room.

Empty!

Empty!

Empty!

Empty!

Empty!

There was one room left and it was just around the corner. I ran as fast as I could. My mana has already reached zero from all that Stride and Shooting Star.

I kicked the door open and saw a badly injured teen fighting a goblin with a broom. He had bruises and he looked helpless but he continued to fight. He noticed me and suddenly smiled in relief.

"It's help! Little sister! We're saved!"

"Go to your sister!"

"Okay!" He crawled down the bed and the goblin turned towards me. He looked different and he had a long black beard.

=

Goblin Blackbeard Captain

=

This goblin is the captain! Why would he be in this room? What's so precious in here?

"Grrrrrrr!"

"Eeeek! That's creepy!"

He held his pistol towards me and pulled the trigger.

Bang!

I was able to dodge it. I looked behind and there was a large hole on the wall. It was stronger than the cannon before.

He charges with me with his hook and laughed like a hyena. Our metals started to clash and Koneko turned into her Sabertooth empress. She cast double psionic waves but the goblin jumped.

"What!"

He antic.i.p.ated every move we made and we caught ourselves busy with him. Koneko pounced at him but he kicked her and Koneko roared in pain.

"You b.a.s.t.a.r.d!"

I ran to him and started to attack him. He was able to parry my sword and lifted his pistol at me.

"c.r.a.p!" I rolled over to the side and he blasted another wall wide open.

"I have to find a way to protect those siblings!"

I was starting to panic. I know that Koneko's shriek skill is still on cooldown and it would take time for her to activate it again.

I couldn't use stride and there's no way for me to shorten our gap. I had to really on luck.

"Yakiro!"

Ayumi suddenly jumped in the scene, throwing several blades flying towards the goblin captain. He flinched, normally it wouldn't really deal damage to him but it looked like he was surprised by the sudden appearance of my friend.

"Stand back Ayumi! This guy is too strong! Even Koneko couldn't handle him." All of us were maxed to Level 30 ΔUpΔ and still, we couldn't deal with him. I have to think of someway. What would Namimi do while she was playing? Fighting stronger monsters means that you need to weaken them somehow. But how?

I glanced at Ayumi and finally thought of something.

"Ayumi! What does your steal skill do?"

"Um... It basically steals enemy stats and transfers to my stats. However, it has a time limit." There! A miracle! This will finally put an end to him.

"Weaken him! We have to weaken him! Cast steal at him!"

She nodded and reached her hand. The goblin started to run around, trying to avoid Ayumi's aim. I just have to find a way to corner him somehow. Finally, my mana was enough for me to cast a skill. But I was stuck between Stride or Shooting Star. I could stride and boost it with Ren Aura or I could pin him down with Shooting Star, but that would mean that I would still corner him somehow in order for me to take an accurate shot.

Maybe it's time to test my body.

I ran at him and he pointed his pistol at me.

Bang! I blocked it off with my blade but the brunt made my arm numb. The Calibur sword fell out of my hand and it vanished like fireflies. My flames quenched and disappeared. I just hope this plan works.

"Ahhhhhh!" I ran towards him and Koneko realized what I was after. She cast Holy Healing at me and healed my health. I ran and when I was finally in front of him, I crouched and jolted towards him.

"Grrruh?!" He was fazed.

He pierced his hook by my side and blood started to came out. It was painful and felt my insides were being impaled.

"Ahhhhh!" I screamed in pain.

"Yakiro!"

"Master!"

I grabbed a hold of the goblin and tightened my grip, making sure he won't be able to escape. He struggled and the hook started to move, applying more pain than before. I had to knock him out to the floor. I started slamming his face with my elbow. With several consecutive blows, he was stunned and fell on the ground. The hook pierced even deeper and the pain got even worse.

"Now! Do it! This is the time!"

"Yes! Steal!"

His body enveloped in blue light and he began to relax. His eyes began to turn upwards, leaving only white. He was weakened.

"Now! For the finis.h.i.+ng blow!"

I tried to stand but the hook kept me from standing. It was stuck to my side. Ah! f.u.c.k it hurts. I have to find a way to make him die. Maybe its time to roll the dice and test my luck!

"SHOOTING STAR!"

"Yakiro! Don't!"

"Master!"

I heard them scream my name and tried to reach me but I had already set the target as myself and the blades pierced behind my back and penetrated to my chest down to the heart of the goblin.

We screamed in pain but his scream died out.

"Ugh! c.r.a.p! c.r.a.p!" The pain is driving me crazy. I couldn't stop but think about ending my life. It was excruciating. The moment I thought about dying, my curse reverted back three seconds which made the pain even worse. Stupid! I should remember that suicidal thought is against the curse rule. Breaking a rule will end up reverting the time back to three seconds.

Ayumi ran towards me and sliced the goblin's hand-hook and made me lean by the wall.

"Oh! Oh no! Yakiro! Why? Stupid stupid! Don't die!"

"Cough... Cough... I won't die, Ayumi-chan... I promised..." I held her cheek and she began to cry. She's such a cry baby.

"Stupid... It's not like I'm looking forward to your promise or s-something... I... I just didn't want to lose a friend!"

Even at this moment, you're still a tsundere. You are cute Ayumi, make me think I wanna die.

f.u.c.k no.

Reverting back time in 3... 2... 1...

I just kept on making things worse and worse! I have to relax. It's better to pull this hook out, even if I have to tear my flesh apart.

"Ayumi... Pull the hook..."

Her eyes suddenly widened.

"What? No! Are you an idiot!" She started slamming my chest.

"ayumi! You're making it worse!"

"Oh! S-sorry..."

"Please pull it out! It's starting to drive me crazy!"

"But..."

"Do it, Ayumi-chan!"

Koneko transformed into her Crescent Lynx form and activated a healing skill.

"Holy Healing Tri-s.h.i.+eld!" Three s.h.i.+elds appeared, lined up with each other. They started to heal me.

"Do it, nee-sama. I trust master..."

"Koneko..." She looked at me then suddenly her expression changed. She was up to it.

"Yakiro. I'm going to pull it." She said with a fist curled up before her face.

"Yes. Do it."

"I'm going to pull now."

"Yes."

"I'm going to pull it."

"Of course."

"It's happening."

"I'm prepared."

"Here I go."

"JUST PULL IT ALREADY! GEEZ!"

She was surprised when I barked at her and she accidentally pulled the hook out, tearing my side wide open. I felt my inside scatter on the floor and blood came out pouring down.

"AHHHHHH!" We screamed in unison.

"AHHHHH hahahaha. It's alright!" I scared her. Apparently, my Resiliency skill came into good use and it was boosted by my Apothecary Cla.s.s and Koneko's Tri-s.h.i.+eld.

--------

I was rubbing my cheek. Ayumi had slapped me hard that I thought I was going to die because of her. She was irritated and started to give me a silent treatment. My wound was already healed up.

"Geez. I'm sorry okay..."

"Hmp!" Ayumi crossed her arm and went down the stairs.

"Thank you... Mister."

I looked at him and noticed that my mask was not equipped. I hid my face.

"Don't worry about it. We're not afraid." He clarified.

I stared at him. His sister was hiding behind his back.

"I'm Razu'Ragi by the way." He smiled. "And this is my sister, Razu'Li."

Her sister stole a glance before she hid back in her brother's back. I noticed something different about her. That her eyes were red and surrounded by black. She's...

"She's a half-demon." He smiled. I can't believe it. Demons existed in this world. No, more likely, I thought demons only appeared as monsters.

"That wonderful!" Koneko's eyes glimmered in curiosity. She was into things that breed a mystery.

"Right. Hahaha. We come from a Demon Clan."

"Demon clan? Is it similar to Demi-human clan?" Demi-human are those humans with cat-ears and stuff. Like Koneko for an example when she's in her human form.

"Yes."

"Really? I want to talk more about it but we should focus on your evacuation. Follow me outside."

------

We left them by the carriage. His brother covered her sisters face with a hood. The thanked us and told us that they will repay us someday.

Ayumi was still basically annoyed. I really didn't mean to scare her but I thought it would be funny. I really thought I was going to die and I thought about scaring her would ease my regrets before pa.s.sing out. But it turned out differently.

She was pouting and I decided to talk to her when the air shook violently. A large eruption echoed and another crack opened. It was the third wave where Exalted monsters appear, and are much harder to deal with. If this was a game, the third wave would be the hardcore stage.

Minotaurs started raining down from the cracks and with a sweep, it sliced an adventurer. I couldn't believe it. It gets horrifying every pa.s.sing second. Just what world is this to suffer such a catastrophic prophecy?

I ran towards Ayumi and held her hand. She resisted but I tightened my grip. This was no time to argue and we definitely couldn't handle these monsters. It's time we meet Mr. Arthur.

I ran around the village, avoiding any encounter and saw Mr. Arthur wielding a large yellow ax. It was a two-handed ax and it emitted electricity and sparks. It must be a lightning type of weapon. He slashed the minotaur and a chain of lighting pa.s.sed by each nearby minotaur, paralyzing them on their feet. Look at how strong he is. It made me feel like I wasn't even needed in this world. Too much for that G.o.d representative stuff.

"Good timing, Yakiro! Take those children out of the village!" He pointed at the corner and there was a group of children, about five of them, cradling in a corner and shaking in fear.

As soon as they saw my face, they shouted "Murderer! We're going to die!" while pointing at me. It hurts me but I have to stay positive to save them. I wore my mask and one by one I lifted them. Ayumi a.s.sisted me and lifted the two girls while I lifted the three boys. They struggled in my arms and even tried punching me but it didn't hurt. I just ignored them even when they started crying. By the time I reached the end of the village, I left them. They had a confused look on their faces but I ignored them and went back into the village.

Tsk. This reputation is killing me.

I went back and a.s.sisted Mr. Arthur in fighting off the monsters. The adventurers started to help us too. There were bones and blood everywhere and, arrows and spells started to rain.

The monsters were really hard to deal with.

I couldn't even do much since I couldn't summon my sword. My SP was still down to four.

I relied on my Stride and Ren aura. I was able to fight off lesser monsters a.s.sisting the minotaurs.

They kept on increasing. Maybe there's a mini-boss that we need to kill, similar to that Goblin Blackbeard Captain, and the third wave will end. But I don't know if we can handle the Boss wave. Keeping in mind that most of us here are already exhausted from all those fighting. Our numbers were also decreasing.

I'm going to rely on my luck again.

And went I thought of that, I distinguished a minotaur different from others. His skin was red and his horns were larger. He wields a sword and has scarlet eyes glimmering in the dark. I pointed it to Mr. Arthur and he suddenly took it out without a sweat. We stared at each other and laughed.

"This is no time to laugh!" Mr. Arthur barked at us, me, Ayumi, and the adventurers.

"h.e.l.l is just starting."

BOOM!

Suddenly a humongous monster fell from the sky. All the lesser monsters and even the minotaurs standing on the ground was trampled when it landed. When the smoke cleared out, the adventurers and knights started to run away screaming.

"GRUOOOOOHHHHHHH!"

It was a minotaur but sized like a house.

It was the Other-dimension Minotaur King.