All two hundred bandits were waiting for us to attack. Someone blew a horn and all of them picked mushrooms from their bags. They were that prepared for the battle. I thought that they ate berserk mushrooms but it didn’t look like they were losing their minds. I would say that they were more focused than earlier. Ten of them suddenly started running toward a whole army. Before they died they were able to kill thirty soldiers. It worked like a berserk mushroom but without side effects.

The rest of the bandits were waiting. Not moving at all. Suddenly there were a few explosions beside soldiers. When I was walking I noticed that something weird was happening to the body of the dead bandit. It was expanding.

[ Eric ]

“Get away from the bodies! They’re going to explode!”

Some did as I said and some didn’t hear me because of the commotion. As I predicted the body exploded. I was far enough that only the shockwave reached me and made me stumble. Why do they explode? Does it only happen when they die? Those who were in front began fighting with the bandits and those behind watched and waited for some kind of command. The bandits tried to spread themselves. They all knew what was going to happen when they die.

[ Eric ]

“If you kill them they will explode! Try to stay away from the dead bodies!”

Now there was no other option. I’m going after Meka. If he dies the explosion might stop. He is probably behind it. He doesn’t care about his people if it’ll help him win. If I go from the side they’ll notice me. Going through is also risky they might hit me and if not the explosions will get me. I stood there thinking what is the best option.

[ Eric ]

“Ahh… Fuck it.”

The best option was the stupidest idea. As I ran toward the bandit I took two biggest shields from the ground and crushed his skull with them. His body began expanding so I took a few steps back and at the last second jumped at him and covered myself with the shields. My stupid idea worked and I was sent flying toward Meka.

Now that I think about it, I haven’t thought about how I’ll land. I did most of the things on reflex or at least with help from my power. I used a shield to slide on the ground and then kicked it right at Meka. He grabbed it without much effort and took a look at me.

[ Meka ]

“And who the fuck might you be?”

[ Eric ]

“Someone who’s going to crush you.”

[ Meka ]

“I’d like to see you try.” He said as he reached out for his long sword.

I thought that I was ready to fight him but I underestimated him. He raised the long sword with only one hand, while I could say that my one-handed sword is kind of heavy. I met his strength once he swung the sword at me and I only had time to block it.

I wasn’t the only one who underestimated their opponent. When he pressed his sword harder at me I took mine away. While he was falling because of my sudden movement I got a chance to kick him in the head.

[ Meka ]

“You’re not some random soldier. You might be even stronger than my brother… Who are you?”

[ Eric ]

“Have a kicked some manners into your head? I’m Eric. A warrior blessed by the gods.”

[ Meka ]

“Blessed warrior? Red hair and that name… You’re the one! HAHAHA! YOU’RE THE ONE SHE WANTS!” Meka’s voice changed from calm to psychopathic laughter.

[ Eric ]

“She? Who are you talking about?”

[ Meka ]

“MY GODDES OF COURSE!!! You should remember her name. As the first enemy to ever hear it and the last name, you’ll ever know. Cariva.”

While he was speaking I noticed something unusual. He began to grow. We both were around the same height but now he is above two meters. Height wasn’t the only thing that changed. His muscles also had grown. Right now this long sword looked like a normal sword compared to him. Is this some kind of spell?

The bigger the target the easier it is to hit it. He swung his sword with full strength and aimed for my neck. I slid under it and went for his ankle. It felt like a clean hit but when I looked back there was no wound. Seeing my face Meka began to laugh.

[ Meka ]

“Confused? Hahaha! This is the power that will rival all the gods in Asgard!”

When he tried to reach me with his second attack his shoulder moved in an unnatural way. With that, he could reach further. While I dodged the attack I think he cut off some of my hair. Seeing the opportunity I went for his hand. When I hit him the sword bounced back like I hit something hard. For a second something that looked like scales appeared on his hand.

[ Eric ]

“What kind of spell is that?!”

[ Meka ]

“The power of change! This one spell is unlimited! I can do whatever I want!” He shouted as he jumped on me.

While I dodged the attack, something unexpected happened. He grabbed my leg, not with his arm but with a long tail that somehow grew out of him. With the usage of the tail, he threw me at the ground. Power of change my ASS!!! It’s like he is evolving right in front of my eyes! Or rather… Mutate.

How do I fight something that I can’t leave a mark on? That monster a few months ago was hard enough even when I got a high-grade spell. Strength isn’t something I’ll get out of nowhere. I need to think! THINK!

I rolled away when he tried to stab me and began running. This was the only thing I was better than him at the current moment. Speed. While I kept my distance I tried to come up with a strategy. There are no cliffs or mountains to drop him from the height. Soldiers wouldn’t do much. I think that he could even slaughter them all… When I heard an explosion a smile came back on my face.

[ Eric ]

“Catch me if you can you ugly lizard!” I ran toward the battlefield and without any hesitation so did he.

I stabbed the first bandit that I saw and threw him at Meka. He sliced his man in half and when he did that the body didn’t explode. Does it work differently than I imagined? At least it doesn’t look like he knows what I’m planning. He cut the body on reflex. He was focused only on me. He didn’t care if he killed a few of his men on the way. To try to confuse him I ran around passing by his men and dodging all his attacks. I thought he was only focused on attacking me but I guess I was wrong. He stopped and looked around.

[ Meka ]

“What the fuck are you trying to do? Kill all my men? That’s not gonna stop me! I can always recruit new soldiers! Or change people into ones!”

While he was talking he took a few steps toward me and I respond with a few steps back. I was watching him and a pile of bodies that he was going toward. While we were running around I made that pile and left a few of them alive. I tossed a sword in the air and looked him directly in the eyes.

[ Meka ]

“You won’t win without the sword.”

[ Eric ]

“You are more braindead than I thought…”

The sword landed on the pile of bodies and went through. It killed the ones that were alive and made them explode. Meka didn’t react in time and felt the blast through his whole body. The bandits stopped exploding after dying and the soldiers killed the rest of them. Once the dust settled on the ground I saw Meka without legs and a shattered arm.

[ Eric ]

“I think it’s time to end this.” I raised a sword above Meka’s chest and stabbed him with my full strength.

[ Voice ]

“I don’t think so…”

A door appeared in front of me and once it was opened a tentacle attacked me from them. It stopped me from killing Meka. One person came through the door protected by the tentacle. It was a very familiar face to me.

[ Kyle ]

“Long time no see. Eric.”

I couldn’t believe my eyes. I knew that he might be alive but why is he here? Why did he help that bastard?

[ Eric ]

“What the fuck are you doing here?” I asked with anger in my voice as I punched the ground and stood up.

[ Kyle ]

“Helping my fellow apostle.”

[ Eric ]

“Didn’t know you were a religious person…” I pointed my sword at him.

[ Kyle ]

“I see no point in fighting you. I’ll be taking him.” Under Meka’s body appeard a door that he fell into. He looked around curious about something. “Where is your Asian friend? Tae was his name, right? I don’t see him anywhere.”

[ Eric ]

“He was taken by…”

[ Kyle ]

“Hakarl clan? My plan worked then.”

[ Eric ]

“What plan?!”

[ Kyle ]

“So he didn’t tell you? We made a deal. I made his mark vanish and he watched your fight. It was his own decision. Now. If you’ll excuse me. Ciao.” Said Kyle as he disappeared from the battlefield behind doors.