Chapter 42: Chapter 42 – Battle with Tham

Cough! Cough!

Dust filled Percival’s lungs like a vacuum on low as he collapsed back onto the ground. Then, the fall unlocked something in his ear as a ringing sound assaulted him. The ringing was accompanied by the texture of stone and the taste of dirt.

What was that? Some sort of bomb?

Percival struggled to his feet but was pushed onto his knees by a savage kick. Gradually, his eyes steadied, and he saw the multiple players readying their weapons at him.

“Ah.”

Percival felt the cold press of a spearhead against the back of his neck. If he moved, no doubt the spear would only need to inch forward to pierce into him. That thought sent a wave of panic over Percival as he thought back to the feeling of dying to the Slime Colossus. The feeling of being helpless against a power greater than you.

The grip on Percival’s spear tightened subconsciously, which prompted the spear to dig deeper into his neck.

Despite the spearhead digging into his neck, Percival slowly looked up and found Adrianne and Novus, who had regrouped and gotten on some rubble nearby. Adrianne’s eyes were filled with a concern that Percival didn’t realize she had. But, Novus’ golden eyes still reeked of lingering anger. Percival knew it wasn’t towards him. It was towards whoever that person named Mercury was, but it still hurt to see no concern.

Percival’s face scrunched in mixed emotions: anger, frustration, sadness. Most particular was the sense of self-loathing stemming from his inability itself. At this tense moment, the image of the warrior on his dream board popped into his head, and Percival couldn't help but steel his eyes.

I told myself I was going to change- that this game would be a new beginning.

Percival's eyes finally shifted to an unflinching gaze.

I’m tired of being useless.

A shallow line cut into Percival's skin as the spearhead crossed his neck and his eyes landed on the spear-wielder. Thankfully, it wasn’t a deep gash; only a dull pain and some blood. The spearhead shifted as Percival locked eyes with the man, holding a spear he should have rightfully owned in the first place.

Dark hazel eyes reminded Percival of moss-infested wood. However, these eyes held a sharp glint that nearly caused Percival to avert his eyes despite his hardened nerves.

Chuckle.

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The man derived some measure of satisfaction from seeing Percival's dirty figure and let out a dry chuckle. With the utmost confidence, he lowered his spearhead, and his eyes left Percival.

This action made Percival want to growl in anger, but the man had already resumed staring at bigger prey.

Novus’ heated gaze burned away any pressure coming from the hazel eyes. In particular, a killing intent briefly flared that seemed foreign and odd to Percival. By this point, Percival had experienced Novus’ killing intent, and something about it seemed off. Typically, the mist crimson aura would briefly flare alongside Novus, but this time, nothing appeared.

Percival looked back to see an odd grin break through the lifeless demeanour of the hazel-eyed man. It was almost like he was happy to see them.

Cain.

The bright red name floating above Cain’s head gave away the killing nature of his rise. When the same player killed enough players, their name would gradually turn red above their heads instead of the usual, reserved green. The only way to get rid of it was the passing of time, defeating wild monsters or some unique items.

“Grahhh!”

A burst of rubble sent rocks flying as a prominent figure emerged and broke the tension.

“Fools! Tham the strongest goblin leader!”

The rubble was no match for the swamp-coloured biceps that broke through them. An equally muscular shout shook the remaining players already trying to steady themselves from the abrupt blast.

Meanwhile, Percival locked eyes with Tham. To Percival, Tham’s eyes only held the conviction of a bravado-filled ego. But, he could already tell it would be a long battle with the amount of muscle Tham's body possessed. Tham seemed half-bodybuilder goblin, half-ogre as his tall figure flexed to fight through the rubble.

"GRAHH!"

That’s who Garbal said we had to kill?

Percival's previous confidence was beginning to flee, but that was more so because of a debuff that passed through the room.

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