Bloodbath

5. Downfall

The most dangerous monster I've fought so far, or rather the only monster, since I've been killing animals which, for the clarity of my mind, I won't consider the same. Goblins, though strong and hunting in groups, were absolutely no match for me. It was like beating a baby... I mean, I would obviously never try to beat a baby, but it is the perfect way to compare our strength.

The sad thing is, there are human soldiers powerful enough to deal damage to me and even cause pain. I can still feel pain, but it's to the point where, as before, when I pierced my thigh with a tree branch, it felt like a hornet sting. But the arrow was different. Never before have I been shot by one, but there's no doubt I felt the whole thing like the real deal.

I also regenerated slower than I normally would and had to use Vitality to heal myself. If only I hadn't left that arrow somewhere, I could go pick it up later. He most likely took that arrow with him. It can't be that I get hurt by arrows but not other wounds. It might have been some kind of enchantment on the arrow or the material the arrow was made of. Anyway, I must be wary of soldiers now. I was pretty sure I could take one on in PvP, but it seems debatable now that they might be better equipped.

I'd have to find out what my weakness is. I mean, other than sunlight and the fear of losing Bianca.

Another thing that bothers me is that I have so many spells. I shouldn't be so unthankful, but I'm gaining them as I level up. Even so, the soldier was a higher level than I was and had much less in his arsenal. I shouldn't consider myself special just yet since I don't know how all of this works, but if someone can be stronger than another person who's of a higher level or be injured by a weapon that shouldn't hurt, then this place is completely unbalanced in terms of power. Even at max level, I'd still be vulnerable. Unless it all just makes sense and I'm the one who's stupid here. I need to find some library and learn more about how it all works.

Until things in this village calm down, I had to step away and go back to lazing all day in the barn. Bianca has been visiting me less often and gets surprisingly clingy once she comes here. It's less talk and more chill than it was before. Even now, she's just sitting and thinking about things she won't tell me.

"Bianca, seriously, tell me what's going on." I have to get it out of her.

"It is nothing important. Since the village was attacked, a lot of things have been destroyed. Some people died, and more would have if you had not stepped in to save us. But now we have no money to pay for repairs. Moreover, since I am the youngest here, it has been stated that, in the worst case, I will be sold to the nobles."

That last sentence was all it took for me to snap. They're selling her to keep living?! She's a child, and not only would she become a slave, but nobles might also use her in various ways I can't even imagine.

Other than me, Bianca is the only one I care about here, and if even her parents won't protest against selling her off, I will! I get up and kneel while facing Bianca.

"Do you want to be sold, or do you want to be free?"

"I have no say in this; it is up to—"

"Yes, you do! Tell me, do you want to follow their choices or be free to choose your own fate?!"

I must get more on the offense. Her face seems troubled, but her tears quickly fall, and she breaks.

"I want to be free... I want to be with you, and I do not want to stay in this village waiting to be sold! I... I am scared..."

Her tears nearly cause my own eyes to leak, but I quickly wipe them away. I stare into her red, crying eyes. The emerald beauty of her eyes and long eyelashes. Her cute face that remains cute no matter the expression.