The hobgoblin inches closer to Jin. Its dilated pupils were as fierce as an insatiable lion on the loose. Pulsing veins were manifested in uncanny places. Its breathing quickened, such that it was akin to a wild beast. This creature had a profound upsurge of adrenaline, channeling through its body faster than sound itself.

It was ready for an onslaught.

Jin had a hand behind his neck where he had been bitten. The bite still seared. He edged away from the hobgoblin. His mask shrouded the fear on his face, but not his eyes. What kind of powder was that?

The creature spoke no more. It only snarled, and growled like a beast. Anger colonized all its other emotions.

It was ready for an onslaught.

Jin halted, clutching both his hands to a metal bat. His brows furrowed under the mask. Why was he brimming with fear all the sudden?

The creature then lunged forward. Jin swung the bat with all his mustered strength. The creature was hit directly to its head. It was knocked back. It shook the pain and rushed in again.

Jin slung his bat over his head, and swooped it downward at the hobgoblin. It looked up at the descending weapon, and used its arms to block.

Jin didn't waste time. He quickly side kicked it to its stomach. As it steadied, he swung the bat again. The hobgoblin received a lethal blow to its head.

Frothing blood trickled down its face. Yet, it steadied again. Jin raised the weapon higher than his head. The bat swooped but the creature caught it.

It pulled the bat, thrusting forward Jin along with it. Then it jabbed a fist into Jin's face. His head shuddered. Dizziness running its course.

[HP: 7/15]

The hobgoblin struck him to the abdomen. Then another. He doubled over, his hand still clutched to the bat. His head was low enough for the hobgoblin to kick it. It was an opening.

The hobgoblin felt compelled, and quickly sent his leg launching toward Jin's face. Jin caught the leg, wrapping an arm around it at his side. The creature's eyes bulged.

Jin quickly let go of the bat. It was in his opponent's hand now. He looked down at the knife that was still stuck in his thigh. He swiftly yanked the knife out of his flesh, and winced. He raised the knife as best he could, and stabbed the hobgoblin to its leg.

The creature howled.

But Jin wasn't done yet. His hand was still clasped to the knife's handle. The knife was still in the creature's leg. Jin quickly clenched his teeth, and pushed the knife further up the creature's leg, shredding through its flesh like paper.

[Progression: 19/20]

Jin ran the knife jaggedly up the creature's leg. From its calf to its thigh. The creature wailed. It quickly dropped the bat, and punched Jin to his head on impulse, shattering the mask.

Jin was knocked off his feet. The mask disintegrated and vanished. He could smell the scent of blood in his nostrils. His vision was nauseating. How much more could his body take?

[HP: 6/15]

The hobgoblin was distracted with the knife in its leg. It was an opening. But Jin quickly lunged toward the bat on the floor, and latched his hands to it instead of attacking. Should the hobgoblin get his hands on it again, Jin would be vanquished.

The hobgoblin held the knife in its hand. Toward Jin, it limped. It lurched, floundering grossly. Blood trickled down its leg. Jin got time to get up. His hands were clasped to the bat. He was ready.

The creature, head tinged and contorted from constant blows, shambled. Jin heaved

the bat above a shoulder. The creature pounced. "You little fuckkerrrrr!!!"

Jin swung. "See you in hell." a smirk taking his battered face. The bat crashed into the creature's head, almost knocking the life out of it. It skated on its feet, thrusting backward. Yet, it was still standing!

[HP: 2/20]

It steadied, then lunged again. Jin didn't hesitate to swing. The creature received the blow to the arms it used to block. It was left with an opening.

It rammed a fist into Jin's face before he could retrieve the bat. Jin's head wobbled from the blow. Then it launched another. Then another again.

[HP: 4/15]

Jin used most of his remaining energy. He leaped backward. He finally caught a breath. The creature came lunging toward him. Lurching on his feet, he raised the bat above his head. The creature screamed to the top of its lungs as it inched closer.

Jin quickly slashed the bag as if it were a sword, pivoting on his toes. The weapon swooshed through the air, soaring through it. It plunged into the creature's head, shattering its skull.

Jin heaved as the rain burst on the surface heavily. His chest rising and falling again. His body was shaking.

The creature stood quiescently. Silence, then it started leaning. It crashed to the floor, sprawling out. Blood oozing out from its wounds. Fatality.

Jin dropped to his knees. His eyelids drooped. Pain seared through the entirety of his body. Why didn't he just request Tristan's help instead?

His lips parted as he looked up into the sky, rain pouring down on him. His heart slowed. He let out a long, stretched breath he did not know he was holding in. Victory.

[Endless Mode survived!]

[+10 Exp, +10 UP]

[Exp: 16/25 | Level 4]

[New Skill: Shape-shift]

He was bleeding.

He peered at the screen with slit eyes. Pain on his swollen, battered face.

[Evil: You have slaughtered three beings]

[Your sentience withers]