Chereads / I was a merchant NPC before I became the LAST BOSS. / Chapter 11 - The calm before the storm

Chapter 11 - The calm before the storm

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Eidos had been moving through the forest with caution, ever mindful of the need to lay low and avoid the notice of the players who hunted him.

Eidos's initial destination lay in one of the sprawling western towns, among the largest in the land. His primary aim was to secure the world map, an essential tool crucial for the completion of his quest. This coveted map would unveil the precise locations he needed to reach, an indispensable guide to chart his course through the vast unknown.

But as he ventured through a dense forest, the sound of a child's cries pierced through the tranquil surroundings.

"H-help! uwaaaaa!"

His instincts kicked in, and he couldn't ignore the distressing wails. He followed the sound and soon stumbled upon a scene that filled him with anger and resolve.

A group of players, their avatars adorned with menacing armor and weapons, had surrounded a young child. The child, no more than seven or eight years old, was huddled against a tree, tears streaming down their virtual cheeks.

"AHAHA LOOK AT THIS KIDS! SO FUNNY"

"Hey lets take a Screen Shot together with this morons"

"this will go viral!"

"hey come on cry more!"

"it's just a prank bro"

The players were taunting the child, laughing cruelly as they threatened and harassed the defenseless character. Eidos felt a surge of anger welling up within him. He couldn't stand by and watch such despicable behavior.

[WorlfsKing Dagger Equipped!]

With a swift and silent approach, Eidos activated his stealth skill and crept closer to the players. He had no intention of directly engaging them in combat; his objective was clear—to rescue the child and ensure their safety.

Eidos used his unique presence to distract the players, drawing their attention away from the frightened child. As they turned to face him, he taunted them, using his agility and speed to stay just out of their reach.

"Come on, you cowards! Can't catch me?" he taunted, luring them deeper into the forest and away from the child.

Meanwhile, the child seized the opportunity to escape, slipping away from the tree and making a run for it. Eidos had created a diversion, and it was up to the child to find safety.

Eidos led the players on a merry chase through the forest, using his knowledge of the terrain to his advantage. He jumped over fallen logs, darted through thick underbrush, and even swung from vines to evade capture.

"the goddess warned me to stay low but."

As he continued to taunt and outmaneuver the players, Eidos couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. He was using his unique abilities to protect the innocent and stand up against those who sought to harm others.

Finally, after a thrilling pursuit that left the players frustrated and exhausted, Eidos circled back to check on the child. He found the young character hidden behind a large boulder, trembling but safe.

Eidos smiled reassuringly at the child and gestured for them to stay hidden while he confronted the players one last time. He didn't seek revenge this time, he felt a sense of calmness after his fateful encounter with Bladrayne the Goddess of Death; instead, he delivered a stern warning about the consequences of their actions before disappearing into the forest.

As Eidos and the child watched the players retreat, a sense of satisfaction washed over him. He couldn't help but feel that he had made the right choice by intervening to protect the vulnerable. He had risked exposing himself, but it was worth it to ensure the child's safety. Or so he thought.

Eidos left briefly to gather some food for the children, he also made sure the the kids are still hidden, his heart lightened by the belief that he had made a difference. But as he returned to the spot where he had left the child, his joy turned to horror.

The once-peaceful clearing was now marred by a scene of unspeakable cruelty. The players who had tormented the child had returned, their intentions darker than before. The child lay motionless on the ground, lifeless and broken.

Eidos felt a surge of anger and despair. All the bad memories of violence and injustice he had experienced came crashing down on him like a tidal wave. His fists clenched, and his jaw tightened as he struggled to contain the maelstrom of emotions swirling within him.

"It was already too late for the kids," he thought bitterly, guilt gnawing at his conscience. "But I can still make things right."

Without hesitation, he drew his weapon and charged at the players. His movements were swift and precise, each strike aimed at incapacitating his foes rather than killing them. Eidos had always abhorred violence, but in this moment, it felt like the only way to protect the innocent.

The players, taken aback by his sudden assault, fought back fiercely. They were well-equipped and skilled, but Eidos had an edge they couldn't match—the burning determination to right the wrongs he had witnessed.

"What the fuck is wrong with this player?! he Stop! we are just having fun!"

Blows were exchanged, spells cast, and the battle raged on in the once-tranquil clearing. "what did you just called me?" Eidos fought with a relentless fury, his every move fueled by the memories of suffering he had endured and the child's broken form lying on the ground.

[+100 HP Due to regeneration]

As the dust settled and the last player fell, Eidos stood panting, his body bruised and battered. He had managed Kill all the players, but the cost had been high. The child still lay on the ground.

Kneeling beside the child, Eidos did what he could to tend to their wounds knowing that it wont help anymore. His hands trembled with a mixture of anger, guilt, and sadness.

He looked up with an exhausted expression.

"Maybe it's much better if players did not exist in this world," he whispered to himself, his voice heavy with sorrow. In that moment, Eidos couldn't help but question the very nature of the world he inhabited, where cruelty and violence seemed to thrive unchecked.

"Goddess, what should I do?"

He closed his eyes and remembered his last conversation with the goddess, not so long ago.

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