Part Nineteen

“Kagh, cough, cough. That can’t be good. I don’t think I’ve spit up blood in a while. Cough, cough. Ow."

I’d woken up, so that was a good sign. There hadn’t been any guarantee that I would or that I’d regain my sanity, so that was a plus. The bad part was that I’d probably fractured a few ribs at the very least. Maybe even damaged some internal organs.

Fucking hell, that thing was tough! My chest hurts, my armors shot and I don’t think I can walk. I may be done for.

Looking around, all I could see was signs of my battle with the Orc General. Broken trees and upturned earth were everywhere. But there were no signs of the Monster that did most of it. Hopefully that meant it had died from that strange mist my berserk self had conjured.

I really, really don’t want to know what that was. I get the feeling that it defile me if I know. Now then, how do I get myself out of this mess? This would usually be the moment where someone miraculously shows up to save me, but I’m nowhere near lucky enough for that. Guess I’ll have to leg it back.

Just trying to stand was torture. My body flared with pain and I thought that my ribs might completely break instead of just crack.

Aaaahhahahaaah! Nope, not doing that again! FUCK! And I thought that time I sprained my ankle hurt. This is a million times worse. Guess I’ve got no other choice, I have to eat it.

Because I only had one Treant’s Fruit left, I was reluctant to use it, but I was no help to me if I was dead. Getting my arm to my magic bag was tough, but doable. Actually eating the fruit, not so much. My jaw wasn’t broken, but my body was close to death. I’d assume my stomach was okay since I didn’t feel any extreme burning in my abdomen, but the sensation of actually swallowing the fruit made me reconsider.

“Gaaa!aaaaaaaaaaa!*#&#&@*#&”

The second the healing effect kicked in was agony, like fire ants crawling around inside me. I could feel my injuries sticking themselves back together, something I’m not eager to repeat. I writhed on the ground for a few minutes, waiting for the pain to abate.

Haa…haa…haa, I think it’s over. That was horrible, but I feel surprisingly better. Well, compared to before at least. I can at least stand now and it no longer feels like I’m going to vomit blood. Ribs are still cracked, so I should go slowly, but I think I can make it. Hopefully. I really don’t want to die.

[Alicia’s POV]

“What do you mean you don’t know where he is!? He was with you up until now, wasn’t he!?”

“He went off to provide a distraction so the rest of us could escape. Shortly after we separated, we heard a loud explosion and an accompanying roar. We think he must’ve tried to blow it up, only for it to fail.”

The saboteur squad had returned barely an hour ago. While they’d suffered casualties, most of the group had returned alive. However, Michael was nowhere to be seen. In a blind fury, Alicia had run up to them and began to accost them for details as to what happened.

It was then that the Commander had intervened, bringing everyone involved to the conference room. There, Jansen had explained what happened. Everything was fine up until they had sabotaged the supplies, when a powerful monster had approached.

Why does he do this to me so often!? He knows he doesn’t need to fight it, but he does it anyway!

There was no doubt in her mind that if he’d just used the Fragrant Meat, he could have escaped without fighting the monster. But he’d obviously tried to engage it, only to end up stranded inside the forest by himself. Whether or not he was actually aware of it or not, Michael was an essential part of their team. If something happened to him, they would have an extremely difficult time replacing him.

The weird part was that Sampson had remained quiet during the meeting. From what Jansen had said, he’d been in charge during the operation and had approved Michael’s plan. So she thought that maybe he’d have something to say about it.

But it wasn’t Sampson who spoke next, but Finnél.

“If he didn’t return, then he’s probably dead. In the end, that’s all he added up to. It’s pathetic.” His sneer just further infuriated Alicia.

“You asshole! Would you like for me wipe that look off your face for you? Or would you rather I cut you somewhere else?”

It was highly possible that Michael’s hostile attitude towards a certain of people had rubbed off on her.

“Oh? I wonder if you’d be able to keep that defiant attitude once you’ve been in my bed.”

It was like he was deliberately trying to rile her up. Their argument only grew more heated from there, culminating in the two standing and almost coming to blows.

“Enough! I will not have disorder among the ranks!”

The duo's continued arguing had set the commander off, forcing both to shut up. They knew that any insubordination would result in execution. Alicia sat back down, grudgingly holding onto the rest of her complaints.

“Regardless of whether or not he’s survived, we must continue on. Do not forget that we are still surrounded by an army of monsters. It will take all of our collective efforts to survive this ordeal.”

Damn it! Are they just giving up on him? After everything we’ve been through together, I can’t do nothing to help him. I know he’s out there, we just need to find him.

Just as she was about to storm out of the room, someone no one had thought would contribute spoke up.

“Commander, if I may.”

“What is it Archmage?”

“One of my familiars has found someone inside the forest. I’m assuming it’s the young man you’ve all been talking about."

No one, least of all Alicia, had seen this coming. The Archmage usually just sat quietly during these meetings, rarely participating. That he’d chosen now of all times to speak showed just how odd this was.

“He’s wounded, but seems to be in good health overall and has been making steady progress towards the fort. However, he’s continued to attract monsters to him and while he’s fought them off until now, he’s beginning to weaken. If aid is not rendered soon, I highly doubt he’ll last much longer.”

So do something! Don’t just calmly tell us, help him!

“Archmage, do you believe he’ll make it?”

“He’s quite close by. If I guide him with a familiar, it won’t take more than a half-hour for him to return. But if I don’t, he probably won’t make it much further. If he runs into a Minotaur, he’ll die without a doubt.”

“Then do it. That man has information that we’ve struggled to get. If he dies out there, it’s us who’ll lose out.”

[Protag’s POV]

“Haa…haa….haaa gagh! Can’t…believe….I’m….in this…..situation. Fuck….gagh.”

Things were looking rough. The effects of the treant’s Fruit hadn’t been enough to fully heal me and I was certain my internal injuries had reopened. I still had strength to walk, but it was getting harder to fight.

“Gyaaaaaaa!”

“Fuck……off!”

I decapitated the lone Goblin I’d ambushed. Survival Instinct was really pulling its weight here, as I was using it to find the path with the fewest monsters. I was certainly lucky, as I was mostly encountering Goblins.

I thought that we’d either killed most of the monsters on our way through, or that my fight with the General had scared them off, or that the others had cleared a path. Either way, I was extremely grateful that things were easier, as it was looking bleak for me. Even my Status was giving up on me.

Status

Race: Human

Archetype: Warrior

Age: 22

State: Dying (Internal Bleeding)

Titles: Razor's Edge, Way of the Warrior, Conqueror of Trials, Murderer, Mutationist,

Rank: C

Skills

Normal Skills: Analyze, Survival Instinct, Dual Sword Aura Rank E, Grudge Magic Rank F,

Equipment Skills: Mind’s Eye,

Special Skills: Skanda Rank E, Bloodthirst Rank E,

Authorities: Insight,

Equipment: Demon’s Third Eye, Striker’s Pants, Moray Boots, Warrior’s Bracelet, Ring of Lesser Mana Reflection, Nightmare’s Twin Swords,

See! Even my Status says I’m fucked. I really shouldn’t have challenged that Orc, that was a definite mistake. How was I to know it was a C-Rank monster? Though I still believe that if I’d been in perfect condition, I would’ve killed it.

I was desperately trying to ignore the ominous addition to my Skill list. It looked like that would only bring me more problems if I tried to use it. Nope, it doesn’t exist. There are no horrible sounding magic Skills in my Status. Ahhh, this sucks!

Not only was my whole body throbbing from the pain, but it turned out that my innate magic was something better suited for a horror game. I was beginning to become quite pissed off at the System, as it kept throwing me these curveballs.

Not to mention that since I was heavily wounded, my mana wasn’t regenerating, meaning I couldn’t use my other Skills. It’s official, I’m up the creek without a paddle.

In the next moment, I tripped over a root, falling to the ground. As I tried to get to my feet, I could feel a presence approaching me. A monster now of all times!? Damn it, why is everything out to get me!?

I scrambled to my feet looking for the monster, but found nothing. That’s weird, I know I felt something with mana coming near. Where could it be?

“Chrp chrp!”

Huh!? That came from above me!

Looking into the trees revealed a small pale creature, made of a luminescent energy. It was clearly unnatural, but I didn’t feel any hostility. More like it was trying to show that it wasn’t hostile. Well, now we have glowing weasels.

Magic-Created Familiar

Rank: D

Description: A familiar made with mana. It is tied directly to its creator’s mana pool and thus can not be truly destroyed. It’s specialized in scouting and reconnaissance.

Its a familiar? Wait, is this how they’ve been doing their scouting? That makes so much sense, especially since I haven’t seen any soldiers leave the fort since we got here.

“Chrp chrp!”

“You want….me to…..follow you?”

“Chrp!”

“Lead….the way.”

Better to follow a magical weasel than to aimlessly wander the forest until I die. Wow, I never would’ve guessed I’d have to say that.