I can't believe a seemingly omniscient entity like the system could get a person so wrong. I'm not a sadist. I was just experimenting. I am a kind-hearted individual who enjoys his books and long walks on the beach. But it's alright system. I forgive you.

I take a look at my status screen.

Name: Jacob Bates

Level: 4

Exp: 140/1000

Class: N/A Race: Human Health: 165/165 Mana: 210/210 Strength: 13 Endurance: 10 Dexterity: 10 Agility: 12 Intelligence: 18 Wisdom:

12

Attribute Points:

5

Skills:

[Blood Trance]

Titles:

[Cool Headed] [Murderer] [Monster] [Predator] [Sadist]

The question now is "What am I in dire need of?" I had no problems ambushing a level 1 goblin, but a level 2 provided to be a big issue when caught in a fair fight. I eventually won, but not by much. I'm thinking about putting some more points into strength to further enhance the speed I kill things, but I'm debating whether dexterity would be better.

Strength would give me overall increased physical capability, as well as more health points, while dexterity would increase the damage I do with light weapons tremendously. Strength would be better for the long-term unless I planned on using light weapons for the rest of my life.

I couldn't decide between the two and decided to test a theory I had. It was a gamble, but you would have to take them sometimes if you want to survive and I'd say taking a gamble right now is far better than in the middle of a fight.

Name: Jacob Bates

Level: 4

Exp: 140/1000

Class: N/A Race: Human Health: 165/165 Mana: 235/235 Strength: 13 Endurance: 10 Dexterity: 10 Agility: 12 Intelligence: 23 Wisdom:

12

Attribute Points:

0

Skills:

[Blood Trance]

Titles:

[Cool Headed] [Murderer] [Monster] [Predator] [Sadist]

I dumped all the points into intelligence. In hindsight, this was probably a terrible decision, but I waited a moment to see if my theory was correct.

...

Nope. Nada. My curiosity just turned to regret and now I feel like punching something. Preferably something that can't hurt me back. Yeah, that seems like a good idea.

What I was going for was one of those: 'Congratulations! Due to your intelligence stat reaching a milestone, you have been granted a new skill!' kind of things, but it seems I was wrong.

...

Or maybe I just haven't reached it yet...

Anyway, as I surveyed my surroundings, I realized I was a few minutes away from the bathrooms, so I decided I would try and relieve my ever-increasing blood blatter, and no you aren't the only one that wishes I didn't mention the words "blood blatter."

On my way to the bathrooms, I encountered two goblins. One with a low-quality sword, and the other with a dagger that wasn't in much better condition.

They were huddled close together, walking along the aisles, picking up things on the shelves, and then proceeding to throw them on the floor.

I guess I could grab a snack on the way.

I grab a trowel in each hand and make my way towards the two unsuspecting creatures. They look to be completely oblivious to me, as I slowly close the distance between me and them.

As they are walking side by side, facing the same direction, I follow close behind and wait for the right moment to strike.

They give me this opportunity soon enough as one of them grabs a can on a shelf and puts their hand in it. They struggle to get their hand out, and that's when I decide to take my chance.

I slice at the foolish goblin's partner, hitting its back, and watch as it collapses onto the floor.

Critical Hit!

Goblin has taken 44 damage!

It wasn't as much damage as I was hoping for, but it can't be helped.

The goblin with his hand stuck in a can had a mix of horror and anger sprouting from his face. He tried desperately to shake the can off his hand, but it wouldn't budge. This is when I try and help him out by cutting him out of it.

Goblin has taken 30 damage!

The goblin's hand came clean off, putting its brittle bone and stringy meat on display to any and all nearby.

As I was watching the now handless goblin bleed all over the floor, the one I had previously struck in the back got up and was right next to me before I could even react.

Critical Hit!

You have taken 50 damage!

You are now bleeding.

You will lose 1HP/min until the bleeding stops.

I curse as I feel a large hunk of metal penetrate my skin. The pain converts to anger and I scream out in a strained roar.

"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!"

This makes the sword goblin stagger and gives me the chance I need to end its life once and for all.

I swing down on the creature with unrivaled force, making sure to hit somewhere important.

The goblin attempts to dodge, and nearly does, but gets their leg pinned to the ground as they moved. I was originally aiming for their pelvis but ended up with something potentially better.

Goblin has taken 34 damage!

Now it can't run. I would have taken this chance to have some fun, but I was in a pinch when it came to time, so I tried ending it quickly.

Keeping the goblin's leg pinned down with one trowel, I dig into its gut with the other. It attempts to swing at me, but only grazes my skin.

You have taken 3 damage.

HAHA! It doesn't even have the exclamation mark, that's how pathetic that hit was!

After a single moment of thinking, I get an idea. I try to pin the goblin's left hand with a trowel, keeping its right leg pinned as well. The goblin dodged and dodged, just barely escaping full restraint.

I stab the goblin in the chest, resulting in it losing its cool and screaming out. That's when I successfully restrained a majority of the goblin's movement with a stab through its left arm.

Now was when the rest of my plan would be put into action.

Getting on top of the creature, I pin its unrestrained arm and leg with my own and watch as it struggles to break free.

I make a kissy face, thoroughly confusing it, and as my lips got close, I tore through its face, eating away at its flesh, ripping away any semblance of life it previously owned.

The notifications came rolling, but I ignored all of them for now, as I had another prey to attend to.

Looking behind me, I don't see the goblin anywhere. I form the idea that it ran away, but I don't accept that.

I hear a creaking noise from a shelf and look up just in time to see a one-handed goblin lunging down at me with a dagger in its working hand.

I feel all the force of the creature's body slamming into me, alongside a larger jolt of pain from the blade it wielded.

You have taken 13 damage!

You have taken 41 damage!

I was now on the ground, struggling to keep the vengeful creature at bay, barely throwing it off of me. I try to quickly get back on my feet, only stumbling before I got thrown back down again.

The struggle only continues for a few seconds, as I hear a familiar voice grunt as the goblin gets launched. I turn my head to where the goblin landed, and it seems the goblin's head got caved in on impact.

My EXP...

A few moments later, I am lifted up onto my feet, and I get a good look at the EXP thief.

It was a man with short, ginger hair and a scarred face. He was around 6"2 and looked to be more on the muscular side. He was wearing the same uniform as me, albeit in a far better condition, with a few rips and tears as well as the occasional splotch of blood.

He stares down at me, as I speak in a hoarse voice:

"Carl?"