The army’s cavalry wheeled in from the flank, smashing into goblin ranks. Ballista bolts skewered a troll through the chest, toppling it with a crash. For a heartbeat, the King’s soldiers roared in triumph.
But in the distance, the war drums began again. The goblins weren’t breaking. More poured from the treeline, chanting in guttural voices as their shamans raised staves wreathed in dark fire. The ground trembled.
William’s vision split once more, half-battle, half-glitching interface. He saw more red runes crawl across the sky above Dunholme. He heard a concerned whisper in his ear.
“Hang on, William, we’re…”
[SYSTEM ERROR: RECALIBRATION FAILED]
And then the horde surged forward again, waves of goblins crashing against steel.
Steel met flesh, and the night shook with the screams of men and monsters as the lines of Mercia locked against the goblin horde. The clash was not quick and decisive, but grinding, a storm of bodies and blades that swallowed order in a tide of shrieking chaos.
William swung his sword; it blazed with divine flame as it carved through a cluster of goblins. [XP: +1], a half-dozen fell smoking, their bodies crushed beneath the boots of the army as the shield wall pushed forward another step. He could no longer hear Marie shouting orders to the other adventurers over the roar of trolls smashing into the line, or Sibrek’s bellow as the dwarf drove his axe into a war orc’s ribs and tore the beast apart.
Every few seconds an army mage threw out a [Fireball], [Lightning Blast], or other mage spell. Army priests healed the injured and dying, limiting the army’s losses. Everywhere, the field was breaking. A troll seized a pikeman in one hand and flung him into one of the ballistas. A war orc smashed into the left flank, its crude iron maul shattering shields and skulls in a single sweep.
Shamanic chants rose from the horde, dark fire curling skyward. Then the curse fell, and soldiers screamed as their eyes turned wild. A young soldier threw down his spear and clawed at his face until blood poured between his fingers. Another fled into the goblin ranks, consumed by false fear, only to be pulled down and butchered.
The fear-inducing curse spread like smoke. Weak wills faltered as the strong held the line.
William looked back towards safety and considered turning tail. Gritting his teeth, he roared in defiance, driving his blade up into the chest of a war orc before it could smash through the line. His heart thundered, and his arms shook as rising panic threatened to overwhelm him, but his blade and will did not falter.
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[XP: +5]
“Cleanse this curse!” Veylan’s voice cut through the chaos of battle and screaming soldiers.
A dozen priests began to chant, and a few moments later, a golden glow swept out over the battlefield. Soldiers who’d been running for their lives or cowering in fear behind those who resisted the curse came to their senses and returned to the battle.
William beheaded a troll that had been knocked to the muddy ground by a dozen pikemen, but as the line of soldiers pushed forward, and the [XP: +7] notification faded away, his vision burned, and weakness swept over him.
[New Title Acquired: Pawn of the Gods]
[XP: +50]
He grunted while dropping to one knee. The words hovered, crimson and jagged, but before he could even blink, they dissolved, replaced by another.
[New Title Acquired: Champion of the Gods]
[XP: +200]
Will’s strength returned, and without even willing it, his interface flared to life.
[SYSTEM ERROR: Incomplete Interface]
Character: William Draven
Race: Half-Elf/Human
Class: Holy Paladin of the Fallen Gods
Level: 200
XP: ??/??
Health: 127/140
Mana: 124/140
Strength: 200
Charisma: ??
Agility: 80
Intelligence: 60
Willpower: 40
Luck: ??
Free points: ??
Stamina: 92%
[Skills] Divine Fire (6), Light’s Mercy (6), SYSTEM ERROR
[Professions] SYSTEM ERROR
[Titles] Menace to Slimes, Player Killer, Hero of Brindlecross, Champion of the Gods, SYSTEM ERROR
[Reputation] The Kingdom of Mercia Rep: 13,098, SYSTEM ERROR
[Quests] Shadows of the Goblin King, There Can Be Only, Escort the Survivors of Brindlecross to Safety, Save the People of Dunholme, SYSTEM ERROR
[Oaths] SYSTEM ERROR
William pushed himself back to his feet and glanced over the changes. Another two stats—Health and Willpower—had recovered 10% of their original values, and he’d gained two more titles. “I remember gaining that title.” He dismissed his interface. “That was ten years agooo!” he roared as he cleaved his sword through a goblin’s chest.
It was one of the earliest questlines he’d completed. It started with killing ten slimes and culminated in a dungeon raid to kill the Slime Queen. He smiled, recalling his first boss raid with the guild he’d joined when he was twelve. Not much use to me now. He chuckled. Not unless this entire goblin horde is going to turn into slimy, slivering boogers. The title, [Menace to Slimes], gave a 10% damage bonus against slimes and a 10% reduction in acid damage.
With no time to waste on the [Champion of the Gods] title, he returned to the battle. He dodged to the left as a pike was thrust towards his heart. Will grabbed the shaft of the weapon and pulled the goblin in close, thrusting his sword through its heart. He cut down three goblins with the next swipe of his blade. He hadn’t reactivated his [Divine Fire] skill yet. I feel stronger. No, it’s healthier. He was feeling the benefits of his Health stat returning. I’m going to feel amazing if I can recover it all.
Reactivating his [Divine Fire] skill, he clenched his jaw, now too busy parrying the crushing sweep of a troll’s claw to think about titles and broken interfaces.
[XP: +1]
Chapter 044 [Questline Updated: Escort the Survivors of Dunholme to Safety]
