If The World Can Defeat Me

"H-human!"

Ulguc screamed towards me as I fell to my knees.

"I-I'm fine kid! Stay back!"

As I was responding to Ulguc, the wrappings that covered my brand slipped off.

"G-God dammit!"

The Brand of the Unforgivable was out for all to see. However, Ulguc and Thor simply looked at the marking with confusion.

"Huh? What kind of tattoo is that?"

The goblins outside also began to converse with each other. They also seemed to lack knowledge of the significance of my brand.

"You fools!"

Brolx's shout silenced the noisy murmurs between the goblins.

"Do you not know the shape of the Dark Markings? On this human's flesh is the Brand of the Unforgivable! And that means you are Baxter the Branded, the one who unsealed Lord Ira!"

Everyone gasped at the revelation.

"This man is Baxter the Branded?!"

"I thought he would be bigger..."

"He doesn't look very threatening..."

"Not to mention he is a Null!"

"How could one of the Forsaken undo the power of Chronos's Tongue?"

As the goblins' constant questions, comments, and rants came in one after the other I managed to use the chance to get off my knees. I glared at the Chief of the Shin Tribe, my anger and patience reaching the boiling point.

"That's right...I'm Baxter the Branded. The one who freed your master, the Demon King. Now that you know that...how do you feel?"

Brolx asked, "What do you mean?"

I continued to talk in a mocking tone.

"You are all just monsters created by the Demon King for the sole purpose of war. Now that he is back do you feel nothing but joy? Do you think that with your master back the Realm of Ocaleveth will finally belong to the monster race?"

The Chief of the Shin Tribe was at first silent, but then she responded to my sarcastic question with a calm and mature tone.

"I speak for the Shin Tribe when I say we feel nothing but pity for Baxter the Branded. And while our people are grateful for Lord Ira's return we want nothing to do with his war."

"Oh? Is that right?"

"Yes, as you stated before our people were created to be Lord Ira's minions. After he was sealed away by the Hero of Light the goblins and orcs left the Dark Lands and formed their own tribes. We built homes, customs, and practices, and have celebrated our freedom for centuries. While we do see Lord Ira as our god the Shin Tribe has no desire to waste their lives in another pointless war.

"When word of Lord Ira's release spread, some of the goblin tribes returned to the Dark Lands of their own free will to fight for their master, but the goblins of Drogmaria simply wish for nothing but to live on our own terms."

"I see...does that mean you guys are against the Demon King?"

"Did you not hear me?" Brolx growled at me. "We still worship Lord Ira as our god! However, we are no longer the mindless servants we were in the past! And the Shin Tribe wishes to be free!"

The Chief of the Shin Tribe then aimed her axe at me.

"Baxter the Branded, you will lose your life here today. Not because we desire the reward but to avenge our brothers who you have slain!"

After hearing her words I let out a sigh. I dropped my previous attitude and matched Brolx's seriousness.

"I understand your point of view. If I was a leader of a tribe that is so close like family I would also take it upon myself to try and avenge the lives that were lost. However, I will say that I do not regret killing those goblins from before. They tried to kill and rob, I gave them the chance to leave with their lives but persisted. In the end, their deaths were their own fault."

"Be that as it may, the Shin Tribe has its rules. Your blood will be spilled."

"You've spilled enough of my blood..."

Finally deciding to put everything on my greatest move, I take out my katana Elendria, unwrapping with my teeth due to one of my arms being unable to move. My dark sword was out in the open, letting off dark smoke that nearly covered the entire cage.

"Now it's time to spill yours..."

Brolx pointed at my katana and stated, "That is a very interesting shape for a blade and it is covered in rust. It will eventually break. Do you truly think such a weak weapon can defeat me?"

"Do you want to know why this sword is rusted?"

I displayed Elendria, showcasing the faulty metal and the patchy handwork of the designs of the helm.

"I have used this sword since my banishment. It rusted quickly due to the amount of blood that was coated on it. I slayed humans and monsters, and many times I was forced to take lives because I was a branded. Because I am hated by the world, because of the bounty on my head, everyone has tried to take my life. But even though my life is barely one worth living I refuse to let the bastards of this world take it from me! Death can have me when the world defeats me!"

My eyes flared and I screamed so loud that I was sure my voice reached the heavens.

"AND NO ONE HAS DEFEATED ME YET!!"

"Such powerful words," Brolx commented. "But they mean nothing against true power."

I said nothing in response, there was nothing that needed to be said. All that mattered was the result and I wasted no time to try and find it.

Even though one of my arms was rendered useless, I launched my entire body at the female hobgoblin like a cannon. The moment our blades clashed, a powerful shockwave erupted from the inside of the cage, knocking down the goblins who were outside.

I put my entire weight into my one arm, pushing the blade against Brolx. The force was enough to make Brolx bend her knees.

The first time since the fight started, I finally started to Brolx struggle. Sweat was pouring down her forehead and she was gritting her sharp teeth as she was trying her hardest to push me off. But I would not relent.

Even the sand below our feet lost its color and heat. It looked as dark as dust and was as hard as stone.

Brolx was the first to notice the strange transformation of the sand below her.

"W-what is happening to the ground!?"

Looking back at it, I did not notice what was happening nor did I really care. My mind was fully focused on the fight. Elendria released her dark aura and my body began to feel heavy. The world was drowning in an endless sea and the black fish swam around me, blocking my vision of everything else.

"WHERE ARE YOU!?"

I called out to the white fish who glowed like lanterns in the night. They surrounded and attached themselves to the figure of Brolx who was still standing tall with her battle axe in hand. Usually, my opponents were slow or did not move when I was in this state, but the Chief of the Shin Tribe's speed did not change.

However, mine did. At that point, I was able to match Brolx's attacks with my own and counter every single move she threw at me.

I made Elendria follow the path of the white fish which were sliced into pieces every time. Thanks to them I knew where Brolx would attack. My rusty blade was able to block her battle axe, slowly chipping away at the expensive and great metal.

At that moment, even with one arm, I felt invincible. Despite the heaviness in my body, I moved like I bore no weight at all.

"HOW?!"

I remembered hearing Brolx scream, her voice sounded strange within the Sea of the World.

"WHERE ARE YOU GETTING THIS STRENGTH?!"

I answered honestly.

"This is the technique of the Nulls you people you look down upon. The strength of those who were Forsaken by Mana. This is their power..."

Then after one successful parry, the Chief of the Shin Tribe was wide open. With one quick slash, I sliced off Brolx's right arm making the limb that held her weapon fly into the air and crash into the hardened sand. I then sliced across her chest, leaving a big gash that traveled all the way down her stomach. The wound released a fountain load of blue blood and Brolx vomited some out before she fell over.

As the goblins outside the cage were yelling in worry for their leader, I stood over the hobgoblin with a triumphant smile.

"I told you...that I would pay you back for my arm, bitch..."

Right on cue, my body started to feel incredibly heavy and I fell over. My consciousness started to fade and the last thing I saw before darkness took me was Ulguc running towards me in slow motion.

I let out one last sigh of relief before I went to sleep.

"Glad you're okay kid..."