There are six enemies incoming, three on each side. They are people, not monsters. I’m worried about this development because it has not been a whole day since we left. This means that they were tailing us since we left the town. They are either some opportunists that want to get something of value from us or sent by Kareena. I think she is pissed off to the top of her high heels right now. And Marcy got her in a loophole that ties up her hands. It is a violation of Guild laws to decline a job and then take the same job on the side. But the decline was recommended by the Guild Master herself, so it is as if the Guild had canceled the job.

The shame from yesterday is still fresh in my mind. I got overexcited at the idea of having Helen by my side and completely freaked out. Spending the night talking to her lifted most of my worries. I must show my cool side now.

Taking a deep breath, I sense their presences. They are moving slowly now, probably getting set up to attack. There will be some attempt to communicate the timing to attack from one side to the other. We must not miss this signal.

“They will signal each other to attack at once. Don’t miss that signal. Helen, you stand right there, I’ll cover you with [Bodyguard]. Marcy, stay close and don’t worry about using me for cover. I’ll keep my javelin ready to throw at any targets.” The two girls agree to my strategy. We are stuck in the middle of our camp, with no good place to hide or take cover. It is meat-shield time. So long I remain less than 4 feet near Helen, I will take almost any attack in her place. Marcy is nimble enough to evade most stuff these guys can throw at her.

A few minutes go by, and the forest falls so silent one can hear the trees’ shadows creeping as the sun drifts west. A bird cries. “The signal!” Marcy calls out. Helen clenches her staff.

An arrow flies in. I recall that bitter sniping incident with the Mirfield GM. Once again I put my arm in front of Helen and the arrow skids against my vambraces, deflecting sideways and leaving only a big scratch on the metal surface.

"SHOW YOURSELVES! [Intimidating Shout]!" This one is from skill fusion. I mixed [Intimidating Roar], [Belching], [Oratory] and [Acting] and the main skill went up a rank, becoming more powerful. The other three skills were lost, but I’d be able to retrain them. Fusion has no set recipe, it only needs the power of skills from the same group.

The shout has no visible effect. But after a while, another arrow flies and pierces my arm near the elbow. “It is fine. I can take two dozen like these before I would even consider doing something.” I calm the girls. All my troll skills and powers are active, except for my vulnerabilities and tough skin. Troll Regeneration works at half the level, but it is fine. I can already feel the muscles regrowing and pushing the arrow out.

Skill Bodyguard level 2 acquired.

"Marcy, can you shoot back?"

"I can't see them. I think they are using some kind of camouflage."

"Predators."

"What is that? Is it a monster?" Oops. It slipped. I even check us, there are no 3 red dots on anyone.

Those arrows all came from the same side. Probably the ones on the other side have no ranged weapon.

"Girls, I'll leave you two here and go get the archer and the other two on that side. Don't engage them, try to retreat to my direction. Helen, don't let the rats engage the enemy. It might get dangerous for them."

"Please be careful."

"We’ll be fine. Go do your thing, Beowulf."

I have five goblin spears tied to my back. I can't really call them toothpicks right now. They are still small. I take one in my right hand and leave the horn spear behind.

Dashing with [Athletics] on the direction of the archer, I focus [Presence Detection] as a half-circle in front of me to get a better signal.

From the bushes at the edge of the clearing, comes out one shady guy all dressed in black. He is wielding two knives bent at the middle. Those are called kukri if I am not mistaken. He looks totally like a ninja or some kind of assassin. I have to be careful of those knives. They are meant for dismembering swings. But are bad for stabbing.

With a shout, the black guy dashes to me, making wide swings with his kukri. The way he fights feel more like he is wielding a battle ax than a knife. I can take cuts and stabs all I want, but dismemberment will impair my regeneration. Cautious, I dodge the first swing giving ground.

A third arrow flies at me. I put my left arm over my throat, and the arrow punctures the vambraces, etching deep into my arm. But this gave me the location of the sniper. He is standing on a tree branch, taking cover against the trunk. Dodging the next kukri swing, I let fly my spear technique.

“Power Javelin!”

I have no time to spare watching the spear fly. Kukri is already at me, taking advantage of the opening. Sparks fly as his kukri skids against my metal forearm. Before I knew I had already twisted the arm to deflect the straight blow. Something falls off a tree, crashing into the ground with a loud bang. Something cracked.

Again I give ground, stepping back into the clearing. Marcy is shooting at something, her bow makes a very distinct noise when drawn. Helen is concentrating on a wall of fire to cover them.

Kukri slashes, and a stinging warmth is drawn across my belly. I’m cut. I don’t know how bad, but he seems happy. I step back again and draw my second goblin spear. Three left. The arrow shaft stuck to my arm snaps and is pushed out by my regenerating muscles.

I whimper. Kukri smells weakness and closes in for the kill. I smile with confidence. There is one weakness in his fighting style, his swings are too open. Dirty Tricks! I close in as if to clinch with my left in front of my mouth, to cover his sight from the toothpick I’m palming.

He disengages hurriedly, but clenches both arms inside to have his knives open two big sideway cuts on my shoulders. I can feel the metal scraping against my bones. The overextended spear only grazes his neck but that is enough to open a big gash in his windpipe. My arms fall limply to my sides and I drop the spear. He is down, choking and gasping for air. Blood comes out of his mouth.

I hear Marcy shooting again. “Are you girls fine back there?”

“We got it, Beowulf.”

Good. I’ve lost a lot of blood from the abdominal cut. But kukri is out of commission. While waiting for my regeneration to do its job, I check on the presences. The third guy is coming, fast!

A grizzled bearded guy, about six feet tall come into the clearing. He is wearing a chainmail, a wooden round shield and an arming sword at his waist. His right hand is holding something. He tosses an empty glass vial aside, it skids on the fallen foliage before breaking on a rock.

“You killed Hughes! My brother Hughes!” I knew no Hughes, sir.

I shrug. It is not like I can use my arms anyway. I’m glad they are still attached. He draws his sword and I get ready to make some fancy footwork.

Angry swings come left and right, and I bob like one of those air punching dummies. Grizzled is fuming and pursuing me. He thought I was going to be an easy target, but I’m good at dodging. My newest defensive tool [Full Defense] is working at full throttle. Too bad it only lasts 2 minutes.

Grizzled’s swings are backed by all his rage and grief. It is tiresome to dodge with these arms flailing around…

SWIISH - TCHUK.

...when an arrow flies just above my ear and straight into Grizzled’s left eye.

“What a mess you became, Beowulf!”

“Thanks, Marcy! I’m fine. This is just a flesh wound!” One more off of the bucket list.

I look around. Kukri has passed out, still not dead. On the other side, there is one presence behind the firewall. I walk back to the girl’s locations, and my belly finishes closing. Helen is panting. She seems to have used up her MP.

“Are you two wounded?” I look at them, they don’t have any signs of bleeding.

“Just check party status. What kind of adventurer are you?”

“I’m an ‘i’ rank villager, ma’am.” I really forgot about that. “Party Status” The window opens. Helen is with MP exhaustion but her HP is at 93%. Marcy is the spitting example of health. And I am with 75% HP and two “Arm Disabled” icons.

“There is only one guy left,” Marcy explains to me. “Helen, you can drop the firewall.”

“Oh, thanks!” Helen is relieved. She waves her staff sideways, and the firewall becomes faint wisps of flame that fade into the afternoon sun. Behind it, there is a guy in black leather armor hacking at tree roots that insist on squirming and wrapping themselves over his foot. Behind him, there are two pincushions, courtesy of our archer.

“You, lower your weapons if you want to live,” Marcy yells while her nocked bow remains trained on the guy.

“Tsc! This shit is well above my pay grade! Fine, you ladies won. I surrender.” he drops his hatchets.

“Hands on the back of your head!” I threaten.

“Fine, fine!” He moves his hands to his nape, very slowly. I can’t see one of his thumbs, it reminds me of Pencil and Cashier the magicians… “He is palming something, careful!!” I yell. Marcy ducks.

“Have it!” He throws a dirk. [Bodyguard] warns me his target is Helen. I’m not in a position to block. Everything slows down. In my panic, I see the dirk flying straight at Helen’s head, the smirk on the shitty rogue’s lips. I see Marcy’s red hair flowing up as she ducks. The tree leaves have stopped. I try to move to protect Helen, but it is like I am swimming in a pudding.

This guy is smart. If he takes out the magician the entangle spell will be dismissed, Marcy will rush to tend to Helen's wound, and I am no threat without arms. He can then run for it. I'm not letting him hurt Helen though.

Little by little my legs move, gaining momentum. Helen is not even aware of the dirk, she is staring at the ground. In this frozen world, the only things moving are the dirk and me. My foot sinks in the forest soil. Move! Faster! I’m gaining ground. I look straight at the dirk, slowly shifting from sideways to the front profile. It is flying straight, without any spin. A perfect throw. I feel my back rustling against Helen’s fluttering robes. The dirk is straight in front of me. I'm gawking. I want to yell but the words don't come.

TWACK.

I can still see the dirk. It is right in front of me. A sharp headache dazes and paralyzes me. The dirk is now getting past my eyesight. I can still see its shaft in front of me slightly above my eyesight. Very close. Like it is stuck to my forehead.

Skill Instant Movement level 2 acquired.

No. Literally stuck to my forehead. All six inches of it.

Skill Bodyguard level 4 acquired. Skill Willpower level 2 acquired. Skill Damage Resistance level 6 acquired. Skill Max HP Increased level 4 acquired. Technique Vitality Booster auto-triggered.

In the party screen, my HP bar drops to zero. I’m falling backward, the world resumes its normal speed. I can hear the girls screaming.

“Beowulf! Noooo!” Marcy shoots but misses her mark.

“NO!!!!! [NOVA BLAST]! Urgh.” And Helen’s HP bar instantly drops to a dangerous level of 20% at once.

A huge wave of heat, bits of flesh flung everywhere and a flashing light are the last things I feel. I can’t even feel if I am standing or laying on the ground. Everything is pitch black.

...

...

Human fragment eaten. Powering up Humanization Skill Sleep Resistance level 5 acquired.

Title Martyr awarded.

Those that willingly suffer death on behalf of their belief.

Enhances leadership and infuses those that share one’s beliefs with strength and hope.

I’m still here… right?