"…ing is for losers", the familiar voice echoed in my head. As I watched the mage cry, her face contorting into an even more unpleasant appearance, a memory resurfaced in my head.
"People only cry when they're weak", the voice once again said, this time much clearer. I shook my head.
I couldn't let these thoughts distract me. Another voice – this time much more familiar – woke me up from my trance. My mood turned sour.
「You have leveled up」
The message said, taunting me. I knew the 「system」 wasn't to blame. It was just a tool meant to fulfill an unspecified purpose.
「Skill 'Instinct' is warning you」
I turn my head at the oppressive aura. Standing there were the group of silver-plated goblins, each one having their swords drawn and pointed at me. I retained my posture.
Having exhausted my stamina and the surrounding blue mana, I was currently in a disadvantageous position. I couldn't show any weakness. I swept my eyes over the group, each one flinching or visibly shaking as I did so. They were all scared of me and what I've done, each of them having lost someone important to them.
Suddenly, one of them dashed toward me with a battle cry. He approached me with unconcealed anger and sorrow.
My muscles cried as I lifted my arms to stop the oncoming swing of his sword, the scream of pain almost escaping from my lungs. I had to keep face if I was going to trick these creatures into believing that I was the powerful foe that they thought I was.
「Skill 'Instinct' is warning you」
Another one of them came at me with a huge swing, just barely missing his companion. I took a big step backwards, the broadsword that he used as a weapon missing me by a hair's breadth. I dove towards them.
Shifting my weight, I launch my fist towards the first goblin. He used his sword to block.
I'm not falling for that again
Retracting my outstretched fist, I moved to his side. The goblin flinched, quickly moving his sword. It was too late.
I repeatedly punch his armor, aiming for the parts that would be the thinnest. My hand ached from punching metal, eventually bleeding out. Still, I continued. After a second or two, the knight fell over, blood oozing out of the gap of his armor.
The other goblin shouted, but otherwise stayed still. He already saw what I did to his friend, so he probably wouldn't do anything too hasty.
「Skill 'Instinct' is warning you」
A stone pellet graced my cheek, creating a small cut from which blood dripped down. It was too fast and too small for me to see and react to, even with my 「Instinct」 skill.
Hurriedly, I turned towards the source. The bullet may have been fast, but the trajectory was predictable. Surrounded by the armored knights was the goblin mage, her eyes red from the tears she shed. She was saying – shouting something as she continuously shot shards of earth at me. I still couldn't understand her.
Dodging the predictable barrage of spells, I closed the distance between us. The knights stood in my way.
I dodged their weapons with ease. The effect of the previous chant was still in effect, sharpening my senses. The knights were confused by my agility, opting to fight me with less obstruction. A couple of them stood back, only helping out when necessary.
Fine by me
My bluff worked. The goblins now thought that I was still enhanced by the way I easily dodged their weapons that came at me. They couldn't be further from the truth.
In all honesty, I was barely standing. If it wasn't for the mind-reinforcement that I cast on myself, I wouldn't even be awake. Enhancing my senses let me be more aware of my surroundings, letting me stay one step ahead of my opponents, but it came with a cost.
Despite my best efforts, I was still mortal. A poorly executed step led me to the oncoming blade of one goblin, cutting my thigh. I gritted my teeth.
This was the cost I had to pay. Reinforcing my nerves with magic meant reinforcing my ability to feel pain. The wound burned several times more than normal, forcing me to step back. The knights noticed my quick retreat.
They looked at me quizzically, wondering about my sudden change in attitude. After a few seconds, they looked at my wound and cheered. It seems they found out about my weakness.
I was once again at a disadvantage.