You Die, I Live – Grrowl
Grrowl. The monster's growl echoed through the air. Not too close, but not far either. Hard to judge by sound alone, but it was probably a goblin. Kobold cries sound like dog barks, or so I'd heard. This wasn't a dog's bark. Plus, all the monsters charging our way earlier had been goblins, so by process of elimination, goblin it was.
How the hell did it get here? I tilted my head, listening in other directions. The others were still deep in battle somewhere off in the distance. Maybe these ones had circled wide to sneak in.
"Ursa sis? Why'd you sto—mmph!"
Sonya crept up to me when I froze, whispering. Even that tiny sound might give us away, so I clamped my hand over her mouth in a panic. Hmph... hmph... Her startled breaths came out ragged. Sorry, Sonya, but I couldn't afford to hold back right now.
"Grrowl..."
"Keeek... kack!"
Luckily, they hadn't heard. Didn't seem like they'd noticed us. The two monsters were just prowling around.
"Sniff... sniff sniff."
Nose twitching. Were they sniffing us out by scent? Thud. Thud. Footsteps heading straight for our hiding wagon, getting louder.
No way—did they smell us?
"..."
None of us made a sound—not me, not the kids. Were we even breathing? I couldn't tell. The loudest thing in my ears was my own heartbeat.
"Sniff... grruk? Keeek!"
The one sniffing near the wagon called to the other. Two sets of footsteps closing in. We were busted. Detection was inevitable. We'd have to fight eventually.
My heart pounded like it would burst. My grip on the axe was so tight my hands went numb. My legs shook. Proof of my fear. And it was useless—just a hindrance from here on out.
Huuuuh... I exhaled slowly, very slowly. Don't be scared. Out there were just two goblins, nothing more. Weak starter mobs, the kind you slaughter first in any game. I could rip them apart. No—I would. I could do this. I convinced myself. Stay calm. Why are you scared? You'll win anyway.
At some point, the trembling stopped. My heart still raced like mad. But it was different now. Not fear—excitement. Excitement for what I was about to do. The thumping felt like war drums.
Now I got why the tribesfolk grinned before battle. Every sense sharpened. Just from the sounds outside, I could picture the goblins' positions and movements in my head. They were maybe three meters away. Only a thin tent canvas between us.
I gripped my axe and crept right up to the flap. No need for me to open it first. Why do their job for them? The instant they pulled it open, their hands would be free. That's when I'd cleave their skull. Then the other's neck. Axes were perfect for that, weren't they? Realizing how stacked the odds were in my favor, I wondered why I'd been scared at all. Ignorance really is a sin—ain't a truer word.
My body trembled again. Harder to control from the thrill now. Thud. Thud. The other kids heard the footsteps too; I felt them huddle tighter. They were still too young to get it. It's okay. I'd show them who falls.
Thud. Thud. I could hear their breaths now. Open it. Hurry up and open it. I wanna kill quick and rest. Please, just open it.
Thud. The footsteps stopped.
Grab. Two hands seized the flap. Long green fingers. Nails long and sharp like weapons. Goblin hands.
The first monster hands I'd ever seen in my life yanked the canvas open. My thoughts raced at lightspeed. Time seemed to slow as every detail slammed into my brain.
I raised the axe.
Shrrrip!
The flap flew open. Our eyes met, I think. Before my brain could process the goblin's ugly mug—CRACK!
The axe buried into the head of the one who'd opened it. The handfeel was weird, nothing like splitting logs. Like hacking soft, rotten wood with a solid core. The recoil shot up my arm, chilling my spine.
One down. Skull split—instant death.
One left. 1v1? I win, no question. Confident, I tried to yank the axe free.
"Urk! What the—!"
It was stuck deeper than I thought; the goblin's head wouldn't let go. I tugged again—failed.
And that was my last chance.
"KIIEEEEK!!!"
The other one snapped out of its shock from seeing its buddy's head explode and swung at me. A ten-year-old girl's body was thinner and softer than I'd imagined. Those nails would shred my arm clean off.
I dropped the axe in a hurry. Too late to dodge. I reached for its wrist instead.
Thwap. Thud.
Managed to grab the wrist, but I couldn't stop its mass from slamming me down. I tumbled out of the wagon, hitting the ground. Tall grass cushioned the fall, thankfully.
"KeeEEEK!"
"Guh...! You little shit!"
Tangled in the grass with me on bottom. Horrible position, even holding its wrist. The thing was bigger than expected. The goblin loomed over me, grinning. Made me wanna puke.
I twisted and rolled somehow. It got cocky with the advantage—lucky break. It panicked and rolled back. We flipped like pancakes, wrestling for top position.
Raw strength? Mine. But it was bulkier, and those nails were deadly weapons. I squeezed its wrist hard. Dead even.
Clunk! We rolled into something and stopped. The corpse of the first goblin, axe still in its head.
And now I was on top, pinning it.
"Hahaha!"
Its panicked face was delicious. Don't get careless. It had slipped up that way. No reason I wouldn't.
Hands still on its wrists—couldn't use my most useful human weapons. But humans have one killer tool left.
"Hmph...!"
Deep breath in, then headbutted its face.
Thwack!
"KEHEEEK!"
My crown smashed its long nose dead-on. Snapped like a twig. Super effective. Confidence surged. Felt good—once more.
Thwack!
"KWEEEK!"
Even better sound. The broken nose caved in. Tears streamed from its eyes. It flailed wildly—not attacking, just trying to shield its face.
One more headbutt, then I let go and stood.
"KWEEEK! KIIEEEK!!"
It rolled on the ground clutching its face.
"Pathetic."
I wasn't pristine either. No cuts, but three headbutts left my skull throbbing. Glanced aside—the axe in the first goblin's head. Yanked it free; it came out smooth this time, nearly loose already.
Axe in hand, I looked down. Through its gripping hands, its eyes stared up—full of pain and fear.
Raised the axe.
Brought it down.
CRACK.
"Haa... haa..."
Panting hard. Heart still exploding, ears ringing. Adrenaline crash hitting. Senses clearing to reality.
"Ugh...!"
Pain threshold dropped; my whole body ached. Back especially—must've been from tumbling with it.
Looked around. Two goblin corpses on the ground. One split skull, one severed neck. Exactly as planned.
The kids poured out of the wagon, running to me, faces tear-streaked but beaming. Adults from the finished battle approached from afar. Seeing them, I finally relaxed.
Exhaustion crashed in; I collapsed.
Before Ursa split the goblin's head.
Tension hung thick in the heart of the demon army camp. On a massive war chariot stood one hulking bear beastkin and a single purple-skinned demon. The demon huddled in a corner; the bear had claimed his chair.
"Fuck... what kinda bullshit is this?!"
The demon screamed. At the bear's feet lay his dead subordinates. He was the last.
The demon scanned around. Useless goblin and kobold whelps aside, even the somewhat decent lizardmen wilted under a single arrow, struggling against that puny bear and tiger beastkin. No reinforcements coming. It was a pure 1v1 with the bear.
The bear spoke.
"Is this all your forces?"
His overlooking tone grated.
The demon scowled. "You filthy maggots! Think you can touch me and walk away?"
He bellowed, but the bear ignored him and pressed on.
"How'd you know we were on the Great Plains?"
"Fuck off. 'Know'? We're just probing everywhere 'cause there might be more of you hiding!"
Beastkin warriors played hit-and-run, so others might be out there. The demon army had dispatched troops everywhere. This demon was part of the reconnaissance sent to the plains.
"Ha... fuck. Thought it'd be suicide marching straight into the plains, but you crazy shits actually nested here?"
He glared incredulously, but the bear didn't twitch.
"Did you report our presence?"
The demon lost it. "You brainless beast! Report? How, when the plains won't even let us out?! You filthy—!"
"Hm..."
"It was weird from the start... suddenly, no matter how we circled, we looped like we were nailed down. Then you showed up. How'd you tame the plains? The West Mystery—how the fuck did beasts like you do it?"
The beastkin tribes had gotten caught in it too, but no way this demon would guess. No need to correct him, so the bear stayed silent.
That was enough. All the info he needed.
The Bear Elder stood.
"Ha... questions over?"
"Yes."
"Fuck... thought I'd struck gold, but it's a bust."
The demon's excited tone cooled, manner shifting. When he'd spotted the beastkin group on the plains out of nowhere, he'd cheered inwardly. Unlikely survivors found. Slay them, and the plains might release him. Merit for the title he'd craved. He'd been over the moon.
Marched out thrilled.
Result: disaster. Who'd have thought non-warriors would wipe them? No—with him and his men, they could've won. The monsters just followed crude magic commands; he hadn't expected much from the rabble anyway. They took hits, but manageable. Plan was to use them as meat shields while he and his cleaned up.
But this one beastkin ruined it all.
He eyed the bear. Body huge as a real bear. Fists thicker, bigger. Golden eyes gleaming with deep, viscous killing intent. Strong enough for nobility. No match for his men.
One punch per man down. Now his turn.
The demon drew the greatsword from his back.
"Fuuuck... all that clawing for life, just to get mauled by a beast."
"..."
The demon raised his blade into stance.
"I am Helvar! Proud member of the vanguard of Count Purson, favored by the great Duke Basago, lord of wisdom and knowledge, hell's grand duke! By his grace, wielder of the red banner, kin of demons—I shall take your head and claim a seat in hell's high ranks!"
The bear beastkin silently raised his fist.
"Heavy Footsteps, Murugan. Your end."
That was Helvar the demon's last moment.