Legacy of Chaos

by Jackson Bale

  Franky---looks---at---Brock,---finding---the---man---in---pain.---He---is---holding---his---side,---several---of---his---bones---must---be---broken.---Blood---is---trailing---from---his---mouth.

  But---even---with---the---pain,---he---looks---at---Franky---and---says---one---word.

  “Run...”

  Franky---blinks---and---turns,---sparing---a---glance---as---the---mother---screams---and---yells---in---pain.---Her---injuries---are---minor.---And---when---she---recovers,---she---will---finish---them---all---off.

  He---looks---back,---the---[Bard]---had---stopped---playing---music.---He---is---helping---Siberia---stand,---the---battle---had---been---lost.---He---is---starting---to---retreat.

  Franky---takes---one---look---at---Brock,---a---sad---look---of---acceptance---crosses---his---face.

  Franky---drops---his---shield---and---turns---toward---the---mother.---His---open---hand---grabs---his---sword,---wielding---it---with---two---hands.

  [A---Hero’s---Moment]---has---been---activated.---Stats---adjusted.

  The---mother---rat---starts---to---blink.---She---had---regained---a---bit---of---her---eyesight.---Her---gaze---lands---on---Franky.

  Franky---accelerates,---his---speed---doubling,---tripling.---Before---the---mother---realizes---what's---happening,---Franky’s---sword---whips---out---and---rips---flesh.---She---screams---and---swipes,---but---Franky---rolls,---dodging.---His---movements---are---fast---and---erratic,---constantly---aiming---to---stay---at---her---back,---always---entering---and---exiting---the---mother’s---claw---range---with---explosive---grace.

  _______________________________

  She---had---heard---it.---Brock’s---word.---He---had---told---Franky---to---run.---That---situation---of---being---told---to---save---yourself.---She---had---been---in---the---same---situation---as---Franky.---They---had---told---her---to---Run.---That---the---battle---was---lost.---That---she---should---escape---and---save---herself.

  And---she---had.---Her---team---had---died.---They---had---all---perished.

  She---had---promised---herself---that---she---would---never---abandon---them---again.---That---she---would---rather---die---alongside---them.

  But---now,at---this---moment,---She---is---hidden---in---the---shadows,---preparing---to---leave.---To---run---again.---She---cant---stop---something---that---her---entire---team---couldn't.---The---whole---battle---had---started---without---her!---She---is---afraid.

  She---wants---to---leave!

  And---she---probably---would---have.---But---now...---all---she---feels---is---guilt.---Franky---refused---to---run.---Instead,---he---is---fighting.---He---didn't---run.---He---would---die---for---his---team.---She---never---should---have---run.

  Tears---start---to---flow---down---her---face---as---she---bites---her---lip,---drawing---blood.---Her---eyes---focus---as---her---hand---moves---to---her---pouch,---grabbing---two---balls.

  She---takes---a---deep---breath---and---moves,---activating---[Silent---Sprint],---allowing---her---to---run---without---making---any---noise.---She---sprints---forward,---her---eyes---adjust---to---the---flickering---light---of---Franky’s---movement.---A---light---moving---faster---than---she---ever---could.---She---quickly---gets---behind---the---mother---rat,---her---nails---flicking---in---her---palms,---arming---her---explosives.---She---throws---one---at---the---mother---rat’s---left---leg,---her---[Flickering---Aim]---skill---drastically---increasing---her---aim.

  The---bomb---explodes,---setting---fur---on---fire---and---causing---the---mother---rat---to---fall.---Without---waiting---a---single---moment,---she---throws---another---bomb,---striking---the---face,---causing---another---explosion.

  But---to---her---complete---surprise.---The---mother---rat---stops---herself---from---falling.---Her---head---is---on---fire,---but---she---refuses---to---go---down.

  She---stands---back---up,---her---face---covered---in---ash.---She---is---bleeding---from---everywhere.---Part---of---her---ear---is---torn---off.---At---some---point,---Franky---had---severed---the---tail.

  And---still,---the---monster---stands.

  Its---head---turns.---Its---eyes---make---contact---with---her---own.---Jessa’s---mouth---opens.---She---loses---control---of---her---bladder.---Fear.---She---wants---to---scream.---Emotions---riling---up.

  *Shhhwwwwiiiiinnnnggggg*

  And---to---her---surprise,---Franky’s---sword---impacts---the---mother's---throat.---He---had---thrown---his---sword---and---it---had---penetrated---through---the---neck.

  The---monster---panics---and---moves---its---claws---towards---its---throat.---It---wraps---them---around---the---sword.---With---a---squelching---sound,---it---pulls---the---sword---out---and---throws---it---to---the---side.---The---monster---still---stands.

  And---then---Jessa---notices---Franky.---He---jumps---on---the---Mother’s---back.---He---extends---his---hand---and---slams---it---into---the---open---wound---on---the---back---of---her---neck---and---yells.---His---expression---is---one---of---only---calm.

  “[Flash---Fire].”

  Chapter---Twenty---Eight:---A---[God],---A---[Hero],---and---an---[Assasin]---walk---into---a---Bar

  *BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMM*

  An---explosion---of---boiling---blood,---followed---by---the---sound---of---it---sizzling---as---it---exits---the---mother---rat’s---body---as---it---lands---upon---the---ground.

  The---monster---had---died---standing.---The---spell---had---cooked---its---blood---from---the---inside,---killing---the---beast---while---seemingly---hardening---its---muscle---movements,---keeping---it---upright,---similar---to---a---statue.

  The---[Hero]---removes---his---hand---from---inside---the---dead---rat's---neck.---A---squelching---sound---is---heard,---followed---by---the---hand---which---is---covered---in---dry---blood.---Blood---which---had---been---boiling---when---it---touched---his---skin.

  But---the---[Hero]---does---not---heed---the---immense---pain,---jumping---off---the---dead---rat’s---back.---His---eyes---meet---Jessa’s.---She---just---looks---at---him,---mouth---agape.

  Then---the---[Hero]---continues---looking,---finding---that---same---expression---on---Brock’s---face.---Turning---to---the---far---distance,---the---[Hero]---finds---his---two---allies,---no---longer---retreating.---Instead,---they---are---slowly---moving---towards---his---direction.

  Finally,---the---[Hero]---takes---a---long---look---at---the---monster---which---he---had---slain.---Cuts,---bruises,---burned---hair.---The---monster---was---formidable.---It---had---taken---an---enormous---amount---of---damage---and---had---kept---on---living.---It---was---truly---impressive---and---utterly---terrifying.

  But---it---had---died.---It---was---no---longer---a---threat.

  There---is---no---longer---any---danger.

  _______________________________________

  Like---a---switch---going---off,---Franky’s---sense---of---calm---starts---to---quickly---recede.---Which---is---then---followed---by---his---emotions---as---well---as---the---lost---control---of---his---senses.

  He---quickly---stiffens,---eyes---widening---as---the---smell---of---burnt---rat---hits---his---nostrils.---Franky---bends---over---and---disgorges---today’s---meal---in---front---of---him.

  And---then---the---feeling---comes---in.---Pain.---Intense---pain---blaring---from---his---arm.---A---pain---that---is---reminiscent---of---oil---burns,---an---oil---burn---which---covers---his---entire---hand---and---part---of---his---arm.

  Such---pain---would---make---any---human---scream.---Unfortunately,---extreme---pain---is---not---just---coming---from---his---hand---and---arm.---His---entire---body---is---cramping---up.---His---skill---had---come---with---a---toll.---A---toll---of---pain---and---broken---muscles.

  Franky’s---mind---shuts---down,---knocking---him---out---as---the---[Hero]---falls---forward,---face---first---into---his---puke.

  But---right---before---his---head---strikes---the---ground,---several---messages---appears---in---front---of---his---eyes.

  Congratulations---[Hero].---You---have---slain---a---Dungeon---Born---Mons
ter.---Entity---potential---absorbed---has---been---increased.

  Level---Up---X---8

  You---are---now---a---level---34---[Hero]

  Level---Up---X---11

  You---are---now---a---level---23---[Scout]

  New---Skill---Awarded:---[Perceptive---Dodge]

  Level---Up---X---12

  You---are---now---a---Level---40---[Warrior]

  New---Skill---Awarded:---[Second---Wind]

  New---Skill---Awarded:---[Sharpened---Blades]

  Level---Up---x---6

  You---are---now---a---Level---37---[Light---Mage]

  Skill---[Aimed---Throw]---has---been---upgraded---to---[Overbearing---Throw]

  Skill---[Glowing---Armor]---has---been---upgraded---to---[Transcending---Armor]

  And---then---the---light---goes---out.

  ************************************

  My---head---hurts…---my---body---hurts…---everything---freaking---hurts.

  “Oy,---the---lad---be---waking---up!”

  Forcing---my---eyes---open,---I---am---greeted---with---the---sight---of---a---bearded---dwarf---with---a---smile.

  “Ughhhh,---what---happened?”---I---ask---right---before---the---memories---rush---back---into---the---forefront---of---my---mind.

  I---attempt---to---move---up,---but---two---hard---hands---pull---me---back---down.---My---body---feels---like---molasses.

  “Lad,---you---have---to---lay---down---a---bit---more.---Let---the---potion---do---its---work.---Not---good---for---you---to---move---around---yet.”---explains---Turnock.

  I---frown---and---turn---my---head,---noticing---quickly---that---another---body---lays---next---to---mine,---armorless---like---myself.

  Brock---gives---me---a---smile.

  “You---are---a---fucking---hero---Franky.---You---should---not---have---been---able---to---kill---it,---but---you---somehow---did.---And---for---that,---I---would---give---you---a---goddamn---hug…---or---I---would---if---my---insides---wouldn't---hurt---from---the---slightest---movement.”---he---says,---adding---a---laugh---at---the---end.

  Looking---a---bit---lower,---I---find---that---he---is---indeed---sporting---a---rather---large---bandage---across---his---chest---and---stomach.

  I---sigh,---”Where---are---we?”

  “We're---still---in---the---dungeon---lad.---Can't---move---either---of---you---safely---right---now.---Best---to---get---you---guys---able---to---walk---somewhat---first---before---we---can---start---heading---out---of---the---dungeon.---Anyways,---I---started---a---fire---while---Sarena---bandaged---you---guys---up.”

  He---then---turns---and---points---a---bit---farther---down---at---Sarena,---who---is---sitting---on---a---frozen---rat---corpse.---”When---she---recovered---her---mana,---she---started---freezing---up---the---corpses---and---blood---to---restrict---the---smell---from---spreading---and---attracting---anything---that---may---want---to---make---a---meal---out---of---us.”

  I---look,---but---I---can---see---very---little---in---front---of---her.---The---fire---that---Turnock---built---is---not---creating---that---much---light.---A---fire---comprising---of---just---one---log.

  I---don't---think---a---log---the---size---of---my---foot---should---be---able---to---create---that---much---light---or---even---last---that---long.---Hmmm.---It---might---be---magical---or---chemical---like---those---bombs…---Oh.

  “Where’s---Jessa?”---I---ask.

  “She’s---scouting---around---us---to---give---a---warning---if---anything---comes---near,”---Brock---explains.

  I---don't---say---anything---more,---my---mind---remembering---her.---How---she---helped---me---out---and---made---that---opening.

  And---then---I---killed---it…---and---leveled---up...

  I---call---up---my---status.

  Franky---Sasco

  Level---40---[Warrior]

  Level---34---[Hero]

  Level---37---[Light---Mage]

  Level---23---[Scout]

  Minor---Mana---Sense

  Flickering---Strike

  Flash---Fire

  Defensive---Instincts.

  Analyze

  A---Hero’s---Moment

  Blinding---Block

  Transcending---Armor

  Overbearing---Throw

  Second---Wind

  Sharpened---Blades

  Perceptive---dodge

  Strength

  22

  Dexterity

  21

  Stamina

  31

  Perception

  36

  Endurance

  17

  Vitality

  107

  Mana

  337

  M/regen

  1.4

  Affinity

  7

  Intelligence

  51

  Willpower

  450+431

  Soul

  320

  Charisma

  431

  Heart---of---a---Hero:---Willpower---increased---by---Charisma---amount.

  “How---long---are---we---going---to---lay---here?”

  Turnock---shrugs,---”I---would---say---another---five---or---six---hours.---That---should---be---enough---time---for---the---Regeneration---Potion---I---gave---you---and---Brock---to---heal---you---up---to---something---that---can---fight,”---Turnock---frowns---and---looks---at---Brock,---”or---at---least---to---be---able---to---walk.”

  I---nod---and---relax---by---leaning---back,---“Alright---then,---I’ll---just---rest---here---for---a---bit---longer.”

  Turnock---nods---before---sitting---himself---next---to---the---fire.---”If---you---need---anything,---just---ask,”---Turnock---says,---grabbing---his---guitar---and---playing---a---relaxing---melody.

  Without---much---else---to---do,---I---call---up---the---descriptions---of---some---of---my---newer---skills.

  Rare---Skill:---[Second---Wind]

  When---[Second---Wind]---is---activated,---stamina---is---increased---back---to---full---but---maximum---stamina---regeneration---is---halved.

  Common---Skill:---[Perceptive---dodge]

  This---skill,---when---activated,---will---allow---the---user---to---dodge---a---perceived---attack---with---greatly---increased---speed.

  Rare---Skill:---[Sharpened---Blades]

  Current---weapon---has---a---[Sharp---Edge]---enchantment---applied---to---it,---greatly---increasing---its---piercing---and---slicing---capability.---Weapon---enchantment---is---removed---soon---after---when---not---being---held.

  Uncommon---Skill:---[Overbearing---Throw]

  Allows---the---user---to---throw---a---large---object---with---exceptional---accuracy---and---speed.

  Epic---Skill:---[Transcending---Armor]

  All---metallic---armor---will---have---a---slight---glow---when---worn.---The---glow---can---be---increased---or---decreased---by---using---mana.---Armor---worn---will---shine---brightly---towards---the---user---that---strikes---it.---Hostile---light---related---skills---will---be---drastically---weakened.---Immunity---to---blinding---from---light.---Light---magic---originating---from---the---user---costs---50%---less---and---is---20%---stronger.

  The---first---several---skills---were---good,---but---the---last---one---is---completely---confusing---and---insane.---From---what---the---[Tutor]---hired---by---Bernard---had---taught---me,---rare---skills---only---show---up---in---levels---exceeding---fifty---in---a---class.---And---even---then,---they---are---still---rare---until---you---obtain---a---tier---two---class.---But---Epic---Skills---are---a---completely---different---story.---They---had---explained---that---those---skills---are---extremely---hard---to---obtain---for---even---second---tier---classes.---It---is---not---uncommon---for---a---high---level---[Archmage]---to---not---ever---have---one.