Junk Items Matter – Especially When Survival Becomes Reality
Unlike in the game, where grinding cash was a breeze, survival here was real. So Yoahim focused on scooping up every scrap of junk he could find. With help from Emily, and the undead Sila and Lili, he stuffed his inventory full and grinned in satisfaction.
"Take a break. We'll head out once your holy power's recharged."
"Thank you for your consideration." Emily bowed her head politely, then began her prayers to the gods.
Yoahim leaned back against the cave wall and stretched out his legs. He closed his eyes for a quick rest.
Crunch. Crack.
The sound of bones snapping and muscles tearing shattered his peace. Irritated, Yoahim snapped his eyes open to find Sila and Lili staring right at him.
"Ah, shit—you scared the hell outta me! You're ruining my meal here, so fuck off to the corner and rest!"
The two undead slunk away, shoulders slumped. At least they listened better now than when they were alive. And they were way more useful in a fight.
"Break's over. Let's move."
Emily finished her prayers and stood. Just like before, they put the two undead up front and advanced slowly toward the boss room.
"It's even darker now that we're deeper in. Should I cast a light spell?"
"Nah, save your holy power for me." Yoahim focused his mind, and a green flame flickered to life at his fingertips. Black magic. It was meant to be a fireball projectile, but at his low skill level, it wouldn't pack much punch. He lit the short stick Lili had been carrying, turning it into a makeshift torch.
The skeleton mage Lili clicked her jaw in annoyance, but Yoahim ignored her. Owners give orders, and minions obey.
"Whoa, that's amazing. You can do stuff like that too?"
"Shh. Stay quiet and follow."
"Gulp!"
Her dramatic swallow almost made him laugh. Yoahim trailed carefully behind Sila and Lili.
No monsters jumped them on the way to the boss room. At the right-hand corner, a reddish glow flickered. Probably the boss room right after the turn.
"Brace yourself."
"Gulp!"
"Okay, you can talk now."
"Haaah... Yes! Let's crush the enemy together!"
Yoahim's group rounded the corner. What awaited them was a massive plaza. Torches on the walls gave off the stench of burning oil. No traps or ambush gimmicks in sight. That meant just one foe: the boss.
"Kee-EEK! Insolent human! Barging into my bedroom uninvited!"
He didn't know the name, but it had to be the kobold chieftain or something. Bigger and bulkier than a regular kobold—maybe half again as large. Yoahim drew his sword. Looks like it'll drop a ton of EXP. With some luck, maybe loot too.
"Insolent human! You killed all my minions! Now I kill human!"
The kobold moved first, as expected of a boss. Leather armor and helmet, studded club in hand, muscles bulging. Level around 25, probably.
Yoahim cast a blessing on himself and bellowed, "Sila, Lili—grab aggro! Emily! Bless me up!"
"Urrraaagh!"
"Uuuoooraaagh!"
"Got it! Be careful, Yoahim!"
Sila and Lili charged ahead while Emily piled buffs on Yoahim. His body felt lighter, power surging through him. Heart pounding, he kicked off the ground and dashed forward.
"Stinky human! Die!"
The kobold swung its club, sending Sila flying. In that gap, Lili's magic slammed into it. Loud booms, but negligible damage. Still, enough to piss it off.
"Owies! Now I'm mad! Kill stinky human!"
The kobold thundered toward Lili. But Yoahim didn't move to save her. The undead were bait from the start. His job: flank and strike.
"Hah!"
With a kiai, he slashed at the kobold's back. Schlck! Blood sprayed. Yoahim spat out the foul taste that hit his mouth and chained into the next attack. Rapid strikes shredded its back.
The kobold spun with a screech, coming at Yoahim. But it had no skill—just brute force. Predictable, straightforward swings. Stay sharp, and it couldn't touch him.
Easy.
Yoahim was certain now. Dead simple. No matter how strong, it was still a kobold. The boss had multiples of a normal one's HP and attack, but that was it. Easier than fighting ten regulars. Just one thing to focus on.
"Sila, Lili! Attack!"
Use the undead to pull eyes, flank and hit. Fight calm, and victory was theirs. As Yoahim focused for another swing—
The mangled kobold roared and slammed its foot down.
"Kee-EEK! No more mercy! Kill all humans!"
It yanked a shabby leather pouch from its belt, revealing a purple crystal. Crushing it in its fist, shards scattered with an ominous glow. The evil power trapped inside surged into the kobold's body.
"I strong! Human weak!"
Its bulk swelled, purple light flashing in its eyes. Danger screamed from every inch of it.
"What the fuck? This kobold piece of shit has a phase two?"
The empowered kobold swung hard, wiping Sila's HP in one hit. Lili's spell came, but it batted it away like an annoyance and smashed her skull.
No mana left to recast necromancy. Yoahim charged without hesitation. Hit before getting hit.
His full-force slash gashed its chest deep—but that was all. The kobold didn't flinch, countering with a club smash that sent Yoahim reeling.
"Gahk!"
Pain exploded. A few more like that, and he was done.
"Yoahim!"
Emily's heals dulled the agony. Yoahim spat blood and regripped his sword.
Fairy Sword's blessing! The active skill on his weapon boosted strength and vitality. No dragging this out. Pour everything in and end it.
Yoahim launched forward. The kobold rushed too, eager to finish him. They collided, weapons clashing.
BOOM! Sword met club in a deafening crash. Yoahim's wrists buzzed from the raw power, but he held firm.
"Raaah!"
Pushing the club aside with a shout, he slashed deep across its chest. Blood poured from the gaping wound. The kobold bellowed and hammered him. Legs buckled, but he endured as Emily's heals kicked in.
The duel was pure carnage. Dull thuds of club strikes, sharp schlicks of sword cuts, dripping blood, gritted groans, pained roars. The plaza echoed with it all.
It dragged on, but every fight ends. Yoahim readied his finisher. Deep breath, focus. One last strike.
The kobold swung too, but Yoahim was faster. This ends it. He poured power into his grip.
But—
"Kee-EEEEK!"
The strike landed true, piercing its right chest. Blood sprayed.
But—
It didn't die?
Mangled and bleeding, the kobold refused to drop.
"Kill human!"
Its turn. The club whipped toward Yoahim's face, smashing him into the cave wall. Dazed, he watched it charge with a smug leer.
"Die!"
As the club descended, Yoahim thrust out his left hand.
"...You first, asshole!"
Green flames erupted from his fingertips. Black magic. His ultimate trump card, saved for the end.
The fist-sized blaze rocketed into the kobold's gaping maw. As it reflexively clamped shut and swallowed—
"Kee-EEEEK!"
It detonated. The kobold's body shredded into chunks, splattering everywhere. Yoahim, closest, got drenched in gore.
He grimaced, prying the severed hand still clutching his collar and hurling it aside. Then he flopped onto the floor, coughing and gasping for air.
Massive EXP Gain!
EXP shot up nicely. A bit more hunting, and he'd level. Yoahim was pleased.
"Yoahim!"
Emily rushed over, checked him, and started healing. Vitality returned bit by bit. Yoahim let out something like a sigh. Fuck, the spots that got hit are throbbing.
As he lay there, obediently taking her heals—
"Huh?"
The cave flooded with intense purple light. He whipped his head around. The kobold's corpse was glowing.
What now?
As he stared, a black shadow peeled out like a departing soul.
"Fuck, does this kobold shit have a phase three?"
No way, right? Yoahim eyed the hovering shadow.
"Curious who dared touch my test subjects, I came to see... and it's greenhorns."
The shadow spoke, voice low and chilling. Emily shuddered involuntarily.
The formless shade writhed, then froze. No eyes, but Yoahim felt its gaze instinctively.
"Hm? You... That familiar aura. What are you, an apostle of the evil god?"
Me? Who, me? Yoahim scowled.