Worst Case Scenario

Freya and I crept along the corridor decorated in smooth purple tiling. Crimson torches clung to the walls along the hallway.

As we reached a turn, Freya tucked her head around the corner and then whipped it back. Her eyes said it all. There were monsters around the corner, and they weren’t weak.

“I’ll cast from a distance, while you tank the damage. Deal?” She looked at me for confirmation, and I nodded back. Without another second to waste, she aimed her staff around the corner and whispered the incantation of her spell.

“Bring forth a pillar of stone, Catapult!” With the command, stone formed in the air and flew into the fray. Hobgoblins were blown apart, and a hulking beast charged from the back, engrossed in a mossy green substance. “Crap, why’s there a troll here too?!”

I drove my arms forward and clashed against the troll's belly. The plump shape of its gut nearly consumed my arms whole, but stopped once I was elbow deep. My strength held up against it; the troll couldn’t push me back. Luckily, that’s all I needed to do.

Whatever you’re going to do, Freya, I hope you do it quickly! This guy’s tough!!!

The full weight of the troll came down on me as it wailed a series of punches at my shoulders and head. It didn’t do a lot of damage at first, but it really started adding up after a while. Near the tenth blow, I felt my grip crumble, and he nearly buried me under his fists.

Suddenly, a burst of scarlet exploded against the troll's head, and flames engulfed its mossy skin. It staggered back as the flames cinged its face. Free from its onslaught, I took a step forward and channelled magic through my body and out of my palms. A heavy burst of wind flew at it and toppled the beast over like it was made of paper.

Is it just me, or did that feel a little stronger than usual?

{<Minor Wind Manipulation> has evolved into <Greater Wind Manipulation>}

Hey, it worked! I knew using the skill more would pay off. Now, let’s see what the new, improved version is really capable of. Wind! Wind! Wind!

One after the other, I aimed my blasts of wind at the troops ahead. Blades of wind flew forward and lopped the heads off goblins, while hobgoblins got a burst of wind instead. Not only was it a perfect chance to build proficiency with my skills, but I got in some good target practice as well.

Freya aimed a powerful arrow of fire magic down at the Troll, and in a sudden explosion, it was burnt to a crisp. She ran over to me and took on a defensive stance, “Look alive, there’s something weird happening!” Freya suddenly shouted.

Just as she called it, the lifeless red glow in the monster's eyes poured out an intense crimson. Their bodies writhed on the spot, as if something were eating them up from the inside.

The goblin I was about to smash into the ground stopped cold in its tracks and held its head in pain. Foam fell from the corners of its mouth, and I could see the veins on its neck throb a dark green.

“Guaaahhh!!!”

“W-what’s happening to them?” Freya stepped away, gingerly.

She doesn’t know either? This must be the Frenzy status at work again. Appraise!

{Goblin Lv. 8}

{Condition: Frenzy (Major)}

It’s the first time I’ve seen a condition status with 'major' before. I doubt they’ll be any easier to fight like this.

The goblin's body radiated a potent red aura. The goblin lashed out and threw its weight around like a feral animal. Nails and flesh smacked and broke against me as it tried desperately to get any sort of damage in. A small chunk of its health chipped away with every hit. It didn’t care that it was dying; all it focused on was trying to kill me.

I should end this. We need to clear this dungeon and get Freya out of here before it gets any worse.

I turned to her for reassurance, but she didn’t seem much better than before. Her breathing was heavy, and she clutched her staff for balance.

“I… I can’t do this…” Her pale face zoned in on the floor, “I’m going to die here…!”

{Freya Lv. 24}

{Condition: Fear (High)}

Crap, she’s already been affected by it! I’ll have to do this myself. I brought down my fists into the goblin and charged onto the next one.

{50 Exp gained}

I couldn’t shake the glares of two orcs at the end of the hallway. Besides a few more goblins, they were the only monsters left in the room. I ploughed through whatever goblins came close and aimed my hand out to the trolls. Try this one for size!

A clump of stone formed in the air and took the shape of a drill head. It took some concentration, but it felt easier than before. I added some wind for good measure and spun it at max speed.

The explosion of air shot it forward like a bullet and pierced the troll's thick skin. Green blood rained over the space between us, and it screamed out in agony.

I aimed my sights at the attacking troll that rushed at me. It pushed its partner aside without another thought, then raised the large stump of wood it dragged along the floor. The heavy thuds of its steps wobbled the corridor, but I stood firm.

It took a small chip off my health bar, but nothing I couldn’t survive. I paid it no mind and drove my fist into its stomach. No reaction. It didn’t seem to care that it just got winded, and shook it off like it was nothing.

A solid slap collided against the side of my head, and I was blown off my feet and through the air. Nearly a quarter of my health was taken off, and cracks appeared along the right side of my body from where I was hit.

The troll stood over me with lifeless, red glares, “Gwaaaaaahhhh!!” A series of relentless punches rained down on me as I got to my feet.

{-24 HP}

{-20 HP}

{-19 HP}

Damn it, this is never-ending! Why… isn’t he getting tired?!

I blocked them with my arms, but it felt stronger than before. Not only were the hits dealing more damage, but it seemed to matter less when I hit back. I saw its health drop, so it wasn’t getting sturdier.

Does it not feel pain anymore?

I didn’t see much other option, so I dropped onto all fours and used my momentum to propel myself forward into a sprint. It wasn’t long before my weight crashed into the injured troll, and my body was surrounded by a pale white energy.

Bulldoze!! Now go down, tubby!

{Troll Lv. 22}

{Condition: Frenzy(Major)}

“Aaaaaahhh! Stay back– get away!” Freya screamed.

She was pinned to the wall under the bloodied hand of the troll I had hit before. The gaping hole still bled out as it cornered her. Its health bar clung to the red, barely alive.

The frenzied red of its eyes bled with killing intent. It clutched down on her arm, and alarm bells rang in my head. She would die if I didn’t do anything.

I have to help—

I summoned the blade of wind from my palm, but immediately felt the impact of a fist into my back. I felt helpless under the overwhelming strength forced over me. The wind scattered before it could be released.

A crushing weight pinned me down as mossy skin melted over me. Its entire body dwarfed mine as it rolled over me, just barely able to see Freya from under its stomach fat.

As strong as I was, it wasn’t enough to lift it from my back. It outclassed me in strength and weight, something I never thought would happen in this world again.

This isn’t mindless anymore; it’s still got some form of consciousness. My fears came to life in front of me as the Troll raised her up and smashed her into the wall, repeatedly.

Wait, don’t do it! Let her go!!!!