Chapter 29: Worse than Monsters

  It had been a long day with lots of excitement and danger but finally the camp was calming down. The scientists had worked into the night and Kou had to order them to stop out of security concerns. People looked tired but happy and the security team had gathered around a camp fire eating prepared meals. This was actually not so bad, better then the busy restaurant, Marcus thought.

  “Why do you think the earthquake has anything to do with the monster?” Achara asked with a mouth full of curry. “Chew, than speak.” Ms. Russell scolded her. “I don’t know for sure but it seems too closely connected to be a coincident. Monster sightings have been rare.” Marcus said and made sure to chew first. “A this point it is just a hunch. I hope I’m wrong.” Marcus gave Achara a smile but she looked worried.

  Finally Kou stomped into the light of the campfire and picked up a water bottle, he emptied half of it in one go. “They have finally settled down. This was harder than fighting the beetle.” He rolled his eyes. “Speaking of the monster, two people with a second PhD in biology (because one is not enough) had a look at our beetle friend. I did not understand half of it but because of something, something with the carapace they are fairly sure this was not a fully grown specimen.”

  “You think they are a monster species? Like reproductive?” Mason stopped eating his soup and played with his spoon. “It seems that way.” Kou said. “So we should expec-” blood splattered over Marcus face and Kou’s lifeless body dropped in front of him. Marcus froze unable to think. For half a second he was not able to act, “We are under attack!” Mason shouted and time started to move again for Marcus.

  “HEALER” Marcus shouted and got on his legs moving forward to confront what or who ever was in the darkness. Something grazed his arm, penetrated his armor and left a bloody wound. Before he could assess the damage, movement in the dark drew his attention and a man charged at him with incredible speed. Something suddenly appeared in front of Marcus, a ghostly claw swiped over his chest cutting deep in his armor and more deep red cuts covered Marcus.

  Achara was gone, Mason moved quickly through the dark shooting arrows at something Marcus could not see but he had already all hands full with the Aspect Warrior in front of him. The enemy was hiding his face behind a mask but Marcus was sure he at least knew the class, the ghostly attack had given it away. Aspect Warrior, rank 37, can quickly change his attributes around and later create physical manifestations, Marcus brain delivered data while his body tried to block attack after attack. The man moved so fast Marcus could barely react to the kicks and strikes, striking back was off the table.

  After a few seconds of bombardment the attacker changed his strategy putting his feet down, he must have shifted his attributes, Marcus thought. The man turned, much slower now, for a massive side kick. And Marcus saw his chance, he pushed Anchor to the max and took the attack head on. The kick connected onto his chest and it felt worse than the beetle hit earlier this day. But this was not nearly enough to break him. Marcus had been prepared, clenched his teeth and chopped his hand down on the stretched leg of the Aspect Warrior.

  On connection Impulse Hammer activated in a concentrated area and shattered the leg, breaking bones, tearing muscles and the man fell to the ground screaming. Out of nowhere a bright lance of light hit Marcus in the chest and face, burning him painfully. But he did not step back, the attack was not strong enough to drive him off. He bend forward and delivered a hammer blow to the chest of the fallen enemy. The body was lifted up from the power of Impulse Hammer and returned to the ground as corpse. The light ray wavered and Marcus could see the source, a woman maybe 50 meters away shooting the lance out of her hand. Marcus put up his arms and charged at the woman.

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  The heat and pain on his arms was immense but he quickly reached her. For a moment he could see the panic in her face before his fist shattered her skull. Her body was knocked back and tumbled down a small ditch. Marcus was not holding back, he felt no remorse or pity.

  He turned to find the next attacker but it had become quiet suddenly. “Ready check. Are there any enemies left?” He used the com and Achara and Mason gave green light. Marcus sprinted back to Ms. Russell who was working on Kou. Something like an emergency bandage covered the large hole in his chest and the old woman pressed her hands against the damaged area. “It is not enough, he is dying faster than I can close the wound.” She said through pressed lips. “Marcus you have high vitality? Would you allow me to Link you to Kou?” she asked without looking up. “Of course, take as much as you need.”

  Marcus had gained another level from the bug and had already spent it so his vitality was currently 21, he hoped it was enough. “This will make your own wounds worse.” The old woman said but Marcus just nodded. The priestess put one of her hands into Marcus’ hand and he felt an odd sensation. Warmth moved through his body and he quickly started to feel weaker, as if a giant wave of exhaustion had hit him. His wounds pounded and suddenly pain filled his mind. “Ahhh. Marcus you have this much vitality. With this he will live.” She whispered with her eyes closed.

  For a whole hour Marcus sat their enduring pain and watching the old woman. Sweat and exhaustion was on her face and Achara used a wet cloth to remove at least the sweat. When Achara had returned after the fight she had bleeding cuts too and her gun was gone but she held on to her short sword which was covered in crimson blood. Mason didn’t say much but took care of the panicked civilians.

  Finally Ms. Russell let his hand go and removed her other hand from Kou. She dropped back, exhausted to the bone. Kou’s chest was slowly moving and Marcus’ vitality returned to him silencing the pain. Achara sat next to Kou and held his hand, gently stroking it.

  Marcus slowly got onto his feet, he was growing stronger with every second his vitality was back in his body. Mason had gathered up the five corpses of the attackers and had expertly removed all valuables and things that might help with identification. “Who are they?” Marcus asked. “Class hunters, trash worse than monsters. They kill people for experience and their equipment.” Mason answered with a dry voice.

  “I thought that was a thing of the past.” Marcus looked at the people who had tried to murder everyone here. The face of one man was vaguely familiar and Marcus traced it back to the restaurant a few days ago. “In the past it was mainly about EXP, today they do it for the money. Even low level parties have enough gear to be worth millions, more than enough for some to become murderers. The scum pretends to be upstanding people and kill other expeditions once they are through the portal and far away from law and order.” Mason’s voice was full of hatred and spite. “I lost several friends to their kind. We got lucky tonight that we all survived.”

  Marcus explained the situation to the scientists and made clear they had to return to make a report and for Kou to rest in a safe place. Maybe it was his words or the fact that he was still covered in blood but they quickly accepted and they started the return journey right away. The camp would (hopefully) still be here when they returned.

  Marcus and Ms. Russell rested in the first car while Mason was on the wheel. Achara was alone in the second car but she was fine with that. Some very loud and angry music came from her car when they started. “Marcus, you are a rare find for a priest, like myself.” Ms. Russell spoke slowly with half open eyes. “That was the first time I have linked this much vitality to a patient. Without you he would have died.”

  Marcus looked at her but he did not feel like a savior. “You did the hard work, I was just there.” the old woman laughed softly and shook her head. “Link is only as powerful as the vitality of the donor. Most people only have minor amounts of vitality, especially at low levels but you have the vitality of a high level class holder.” The woman looked at him with open eyes searching for an answer to an unspoken question. Marcus just smiled.

  She padded his head and went to sleep afterwards. Marcus looked at her and also at Mason who heard the whole conversation, Mason did not say anything. Marcus’ own wounds had already closed and the level up he had gained from the class hunters had increased his vitality pool. Marcus enjoyed the thought that the crest he had gained from those murderers might one day safe lives.