The monsters flinched in surprise when Bruce charged toward them. Although he wasn't like the other humans, the only difference was the weapon in his hand and his odd behavior. Everything else made them think Bruce was just an ordinary human, but Bruce wasn't sane like other humans.
The sudden charge caught the goblins off guard, and Bruce had time to aim at the neck of one of the goblins and then stab with his sword. He had aimed at the center of the neck, but he only hit the left side. Despite that, a lot of blood gushed out from the wound; Bruce had hit an artery.
You obtained 12 experience points.
You obtained 01 spiritual coin.
Unfortunately, Bruce didn't have time to attack the other. The beast swung its sword to split Bruce's skull in two, but he reacted in time to put his sword between them and stop the attack. Sparks passed near his eyes when the two weapons collided. Physically speaking, the goblin was stronger; it was only obvious given the difference in HP, MP, and SP. Thus, Bruce was losing, and his stance was getting lower.
"I can't say… that I'm sorry for this!" Bruce said and then kicked the monster's groin.
The green face of the monster became white for a second, and then the beast lost all its strength and even the air in its lungs. Bruce used that chance to take a step back and then swung his sword downwards, splitting the monster's head in two.
You obtained 12 experience points.
You obtained 01 spiritual coin.
"Why the hell this keeps happening?" Bruce muttered while cleaning his face from the blood that was spilled. "This smell is making me sick…"
Half an hour had passed since the monsters appeared, Bruce was already getting used to the smell and the fight of blood, and he also had found someone who tried to screw with him. Things were progressing too fast, but that seemed the natural order of things in the end.
Bruce sighed when he noticed that the monsters didn't drop anything, he still didn't know if that was possible, but he was helping that the monsters could leave some loot. Then he sighed again when he saw the man who he had knocked down slowly getting up while trying not to make any noise.
The fool showed his back to Bruce, so he didn't notice Bruce's approach or when he kicked his legs and then knocked him down again. It was a weird feeling; Bruce had never bullied anyone before; if anything, he had been bullied in middle school because he was a gamer who had no friends. Even though there were other kids like him, he didn't feel like getting closer to them. Regardless, Bruce felt a compelling force inside of him, making him feel that the man deserved a few more kicks.
"I guess I'm not a completely decent person," Bruce frowned and then grinned when he approached his head to the man's head. "A-ny-way… You sure have some nerve in trying to lure the monsters toward me. It looks like you got some scratches here and there thanks to the fall… but you deserve more punishment. Don't you think?"
"Sorry… sorry!" The man said with tears in his eyes. "It wasn't my intention… I just… acted without thinking."
"I see… I guess I can forgive you, considering that you are an asshole down to an instinctual level," Bruce frowned and then recalled something before turning around and looking at the buildings the man came from. "No… actually, I will forgive you. I'm a man who doesn't hold grudges, after all. You just have to tell me your name."
"Sir, my name is Donald," Donald said while looking fearfully at the sword in Bruce's right hand.
"Donald, huh," Bruce said. "Let's see… create a party? Invite Donan? It isn't working… maybe there is some sort of trick. Ah, I got it… Hey, wish with all your heart to become a member of my group."
Donald frowned when he heard that, but he wasn't brave enough to defy someone who had a sword in hand. He just obeyed, and thanks to it, Bruce saw a light-blue screen appear before him.
Donald wishes to join your party. Do you accept it? Y/N
HP: 08/08
MP: 05/05
SP: 07/07
Bruce readily accepted, and then Donald's HUD bar appeared right before his. Looking at that, Bruce felt depressed. It was evident that the body of the users had been measured by the system. Donald was a coward, but a coward that had a body stronger than Bruce's.
There were also two options under Donald's HUD bar, a circle, and a cross. Bruce touched the circle first and then saw the window expanding, showing him another and much more detailed status screen.
Status
HP: 08/08
MP: 05/05
SP: 07/07
Level 01 (10/100)
STRENGTH: 4
P. Attack: 5
VITALITY: 03
P. Defense: 5
AGILITY: 05
Movement Speed: 7 meters per second
INTELLIGENCE: 2
M. Attack: 3
DEXTERITY: 4
M. Defense: 3
LUCK: 8
Range: 3 meters
Free Points: 00
Spiritual Coins: 01
Social Status
Level 01 (10/100)
Karma: - 02
Intimidation: 03
Charisma: 05
Persuasion: 03
Insight: 06
Perception: 05
Presence: 05
Allies: 00
Enemies: 01
Skill List
Magic:
Physical:
Passive:
Production:
"Interesting, I can see my party mates' status…" Bruce rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Then the cross must be the option to expel him from the party."
You completed a quest!
You received a new quest!
Form a party of six members!
Reward: Old Chainmail.
Buckler (Common) (+0)
A common shield that possesses no significant capabilities or effects. Forged by an average blacksmith.
Physical Defense: + 3
Durability: 20/20
Requirements: 5 Strength
Donald opened his eyes widely when he saw the shield appearing out of nowhere. After that, Bruce disbanded the party. Donald recalled that he saw something about quests, but when he saw Bruce picking up the shield, he forgot about it. Now, what made him forget that was the serious look in Bruce's eyes.
"… Can I go now?" Donald asked.
"Yes, don't let me see you doing something like that again, or else..." Bruce said.
Donald got up and then began to run to who knows where. While watching that, Bruce smirked and then headed toward the building Donald came from; there, he found another short sword.
"Two-sword style, huh. "Bruce said while checking the identical swords. "Ha! Ha! Ha… and Ha! Yep… I'm no good. Two swords style is impossible for me."
Bruce tried to mess around with the weapons a little bit, but due to his strength, he couldn't swing both weapons at the same time without making large movements and exposing himself. Despite that, Bruce didn't throw away either of the swords; maybe if he levels up and increases his strength, things will change.
"Well, now… this is a problem," Bruce said while looking at the things he obtained in the last few minutes. "I need to find a backpack."
From the beginning, Bruce knew that a backpack would be more useful in the long run. Still, the durability and usefulness of the suitcase made him choose that. He was close to his apartment, but returning now without knowing how things changed there would be too risky, even considering that he has two swords and a shield. Things would be a bit less complicated if he could carry the shield on his back, but he didn't have anything with him that might help him.
"Yep, I need a backpack," Bruce muttered. "I should find one eventually; there is a number of shops on the way toward my parent's home."
Bruce hurried to take his broken suitcase and the things stored in there. It would be a massive pain in the ass to carry all that, but even broken, the briefcase will help him for a while. After organizing his things, Bruce resumed his journey toward the North.