Raphtalia and Han continued to slash down monsters with mechanical precision. Her sword danced like she'd been wielding it her entire life, cutting through goblins and wolves with frightening ease. Han moved just as fluidly, his strikes clean, efficient, protecting Raphtalia without missing a beat.
Meanwhile, Chloe, Decard, and Dolf struggled desperately to stay alive.
[Decard (☆) has returned to the Goddess' embrace. His fighting spirit will be remembered for eternity.]
"One died..." Han thought grimly, but he had no time to dwell on it.
Because—
[Raphtalia (☆☆)'s Basic Swordsmanship has risen to level 4!]
'She's a monster…' Han thought, his eyes briefly widening in disbelief. She had picked up the sword just minutes ago, and her mastery was already rivaling Tess's spear skills. It was absurd.
"Hiiik!!" Dolf shrieked behind him.
Han's head snapped around just in time to see Dolf parrying a wolf's attack—but leaving himself wide open to a goblin lunging toward him. Without hesitation, Dolf grabbed Chloe and yanked her in front of him like a shield.
"I don't want to die, sorry!!" Dolf screamed.
Chloe screamed in terror—"Hyaaaa!"—the goblin's blade flashing toward her.
But the fatal blow never came.
A sword buried itself into the goblin's skull with a wet, meaty crunch.
[Skill awakening!] [The hero, Han (★), has awakened the skill: Sword Throw!]
"You!!" Han glared at Dolf, his blood boiling. First Dolf had lied about being a cook. Now he was using a woman as a shield? Scum like him didn't deserve mercy.
Han clenched his teeth and turned to Raphtalia, reaching out to ruffle her hair roughly. "Raphtalia, take care of things here, okay? I trust you."
Raphtalia's cheeks flushed red even as she decapitated another wolf with a clean swipe. "Someone… trusts me?" she thought, stunned.
Han charged forward, leaving her to cover their back. Without his sword, he was forced to meet the wave of monsters barehanded.
[Skill awakening!] [The hero, Han (★), has acquired the skill: Basic Combat!]
'Nice.' Han grinned fiercely.
His raw stats overwhelmed the goblins and wolves easily. His fists shattered skulls, crushed bones. It wasn't as fast as a blade—but it was still brutally effective.
[Han (★)'s Basic Combat has risen to level 2!]
Han carved his way forward, each punch a clean, efficient execution, until he reached Chloe and Dolf. He ripped the Sublime Longsword free from the goblin's corpse and, with a casual gesture, yanked the Old Iron Sword from Decard's fallen body.
He leveled a chilling glare at Dolf.
"If you ever try something like that again," Han said, his voice dangerously low, "even if you survive, I'll chop your head off personally."
"Y-Yes! I-I'm sorry!" Dolf stammered, swinging his sword wildly at a nearby goblin.
Han turned to Chloe, cutting down a wolf that had been moments from ripping into her.
"Are you fine, Chloe?" he asked, voice steady.
"Y-Yes…" Chloe stuttered, her heart pounding. He's… so cool… she thought, her face turning crimson. A man who protected the weak and despised cowards… was he even real?
"Okay, the—"
A terrifying, blood-curdling howl ripped through the air, cutting him off.
All of the monsters immediately turned tail and fled, disappearing into the trees.
[Chloe (☆) has fallen into a state of fear. All stats decreased by 30%]
[Dolf (☆) is terrified. All stats decreased by 70%]
[Raphtalia (☆☆) is absolutely terrified. All stats decreased by 90%]
"W-What's that?" Chloe whispered, her legs trembling so badly she could barely stand.
Dolf fell to his knees, covering his face and sobbing uncontrollably. "W-We're gonna die… we're all gonna die…"
Han knelt by Raphtalia, gently placing a hand on her head.
"Raphtalia," he said quietly, "are you all right?"
But she didn't respond.
She couldn't.
Her wide, terrified eyes were locked ahead, staring at the creature emerging from the forest.
The Failed Werewolf had arrived.
And it was coming straight for them.
Han knelt beside Raphtalia, placing a hand on her head gently.
"Don't worry, Raphtalia…" he said softly, scruffling her hair again. "I'll take care of it."
He stood up, turning toward the towering failed werewolf—but before he could take a step, a small hand clutched at his shirt.
"Wait…" Raphtalia whispered, her lips trembling. She was shaking with terror, but there was something else, something fierce burning in her heart. "I-I… know him."
Han blinked. "Y-You know him?"
She nodded frantically, tears forming at the corners of her eyes. "C-Can I talk with h-him?"
Han frowned deeply. "That's dangerous, Raph—" he began.
"Please," she interrupted, pleading, her hands balling into fists.
Han looked at her. She was terrified, yet she was still begging him for a chance. He closed his eyes for a moment, then nodded grimly.
"Okay… but if it tries anything dangerous, I won't hesitate to cut its head off."
Raphtalia wiped her tears and, gathering her courage, walked forward alone.
The Failed Werewolf, Duskfang, immediately roared, raising his massive claws to strike her down.
"Raphtalia!" Han shouted, drawing his sword in a flash. His heart thundered in his ears as he sprinted toward her, cursing himself. Why did I allow her to do such a foolish thing?! I'm so stupid!
But then—
"Uncle Zync!!" Raphtalia screamed, her voice cracking.
Han skidded to a halt, stunned.
The Failed Werewolf froze.
Its monstrous arm, mid-swing, trembled violently. A low, broken whine escaped from its throat. Its blood-red eyes flickered—just for a moment—with something achingly familiar.
Han's eyes widened. He recognizes her!
A single tear welled up at the corner of the werewolf's eye.
"Uncle Zync…" Raphtalia sobbed, stepping closer, the last of her fear vanishing. She threw herself against one of his massive clawed fingers, hugging it tightly.
Han watched, heart clenching.
He could feel it.
This wasn't an act.
This monster was crying—genuinely.
"Uncle Zync..." Raphtalia wept. "What happened to you…?"
Zync had been her father's best friend. After humans invaded their village and killed her parents, it was Uncle Zync who saved her, hiding her away at the cost of his own freedom. He had been taken… and she had never seen him again.
Until now.
The werewolf's mouth moved painfully, as if dragging words out from somewhere deep within.
"Raph… ta… lia…" he croaked, a mix of human voice and beastly growls.
Raphtalia clung tighter to his finger, her small frame trembling with grief. "Uncle!!"
Han stood there, sword slack in his hand, throat tight.
It was one of the most heartbreaking things he had ever seen.
But then—
A dark, oily tear slipped down Zync's furry cheek.
Han's blood ran cold.
Black tears.
"Uncle?" Raphtalia said, her voice quivering.
"Raphtalia, it's dangerous!" Han yelled, surging forward with everything he had.
He knew what black tears meant.
Corruption.
In Pick Me Up, there were rare, almost unheard-of cases where a boss monster would begin corrupting, entirely losing their mind and will, and gaining terrifying power. Han had seen it before—it had only happened twice in the entire game's history, and both to him.
This was a Black Mage's doing.
And it meant—
Raphtalia's beloved uncle wouldn't recognize her anymore.
Inside the failed werewolf's mind, a voice like nails on glass screeched:
"Kill the humans! Kill the humans! Kill the humans! Kill the humans!"
To be continued...
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How was this chapter? I'm trying to build more the plot, did I cook or not?