Before Kayn could respond, the air around them erupted with chaos. Piercing screams shattered the tense silence, mingling with guttural growls and the harsh cries of goblins. The sound of frantic footsteps and terrified shouts echoed through the hallways, making both of them freeze.
Kayn's eyes darted toward the source of the noise, his body tense. "They're everywhere," he muttered, his voice barely audible over the cacophony.
Kiyan swallowed hard, his shield trembling slightly in his hands. "What do we do, Kayn?" he asked, his voice laced with desperation.
Kayn stood, gripping his hand. His mind raced, and though fear threatened to overwhelm him, a spark of determination ignited within. "We survive," he said firmly, his gaze locking with Kiyan's. "We move, find somewhere safe, and figure this out."
The screams grew louder, closer, as if the chaos were closing in around them. Every second felt heavier than the last.
"Stay close," Kayn said, his voice low but resolute. "And don't let your guard down."
Kiyan nodded, his wide eyes betraying the fear he tried to suppress. "What do we do, Kayn? We're not ready for this... we don't even know how to fight."
Kayn's gaze shifted between the axe in Kiyan's trembling hands and the chaos spiraling around them. He took a deep breath, forcing the panic bubbling in his chest to subside. "We survive," he said, his voice firm despite the tremor beneath. "No matter what. We survive."
Their eyes met, an unspoken agreement forming between them. Neither knew what lay ahead, but the determination to stay alive bound them together in this surreal nightmare.
Kayn's attention was drawn to the dagger the goblin had dropped. It lay there, gleaming ominously, its serrated edge reflecting the dim, flickering light. The instinct to arm himself pushed him forward, and he crouched, reaching for the weapon.
The moment his fingers brushed the hilt, a glowing hologram materialized before him, startling him into stillness.
Do you want to make this your servant?
"What?" Kayn breathed, his heart pounding. He stared at the message, its meaning both absurd and intriguing. "A servant? Like in the games?"
To his shock, a voice—calm, yet unnervingly clear—responded as if plucked straight from his thoughts: "Yes."
The hologram shifted, and an image of the dagger filled the screen. Its jagged design seemed almost alive, thrumming faintly as though it anticipated his decision. Below the image, a set of stats appeared:
Goblin Dual Dagger
Stats:
STR: 4
AGI: 4
INT: 1
STA: 3
Minions: 1/5
Kayn's brow furrowed as he scanned the details, a mix of unease and curiosity washing over him. The dagger pulsed faintly in his grip, radiating a sinister energy that sent a chill down his spine.
"I just unlocked... a minion system?" he whispered, disbelief lacing his words. His mind raced as he pieced together the fragments of information. This wasn't just a weapon—it was something far more dangerous and powerful.
Kiyan noticed Kayn's hesitation and stepped closer, gripping his axe tightly. "Kayn? What's going on?" he asked, his voice shaky but laced with concern.
Kayn shook his head, his grip tightening on the dagger. "I think... I can turn this into a servant," he said, the words tasting foreign on his tongue. His gaze shifted to Kiyan, who looked more baffled than ever.
"A servant?" Kiyan echoed, his confusion deepening.
Before Kayn could explain further, the distant screams drew nearer. Shadows danced erratically in the corridor ahead, and guttural growls echoed ominously.
Kayn glanced at Kiyan, his expression resolute. "We don't have time to figure it out. If this thing gives us a chance to survive, I'm taking it."
With a deep breath, Kayn pressed "Yes."
The dagger pulsed violently, a surge of dark energy coursing through it. A faint shadow rose from the weapon, coalescing into a spectral form that vaguely resembled the goblin it once belonged to. Its glowing eyes fixed on Kayn, awaiting his command.
Kiyan's jaw dropped. "What the hell, Kayn?!"
Kayn stood, his pulse pounding in his ears as he met the creature's gaze. "I don't know what's happening," he admitted, "but I think we just got a fighting chance."