Nicole's team moved with precision. Briar and Laney were in front, scanning every corner with military efficiency, weapons in hand. The others spread out, staying sharp, covering angles, and clearing paths. Everyone else followed closely behind, our steps in sync as we moved through the maze of hallways.
The sound of distant screams from deeper in the mall added urgency to the situation. There was no time to waste.
I glanced over at Sol. He was beside Giselle and Devan with a pocketknife, ready for anything. He was calm and collected, just like I trained him to be. I was proud of him.
Behind us, Jasper's group moved like a disorganized mess, still panicking and unsure. I honestly don't even care about them anymore. They are just bait for me at this point. I hope they will be able to slow down anything that attacks us from behind.
"Where were you originally planning to go? Do you have a plan?" Nicole said, still focused ahead. I contemplated whether to tell her or not, but there was strength in numbers. Also, I doubted she was going to let me wander off alone.
"My friend owns a store on the 3rd floor. His store can be used as a base." I said, speeding up to get to the front of the group next to her.
"We can go anywhere for a base. Nicole! Just find a store with fewer of those … things. Anyone will do." Jasper shouted from the back.
"I hate to admit it, but Jasper's right. There must be another reason you would drag Sol down to the third floor when other stores would work fine as a base." Nicole said, staring deep into my eyes. I held her gaze before sighing.
"Viktor is an old friend from my mercenary days," I said before getting interrupted by Jasper shouting Assassin work. Everyone ignores him, waiting for me to continue.
"Viktor, for one, is strong and has unique taste. I think he would be able to explain or have an idea about what is going on. What is a status window? I am assuming it has something to do with a game, but I do not understand. Viktor is big on anime and games, so maybe. He also has my old weapons, so hopefully he still has them." I said before seeing the stairwell ahead of us.
"I see. We will follow you for now, but if it's too dangerous, we will separate." Nicole said doing some hand signs to her team, making them nod.
"What if she escapes?! We can't let her go?" Jasper shouted, pulling Nicole, forcing all of us to stop.
"Give it a fucking rest already! Goblins are killing people everywhere, and you are worried about Medusa. She is an asset if anything, and even if we separate, no one can leave the mall anyway." Laney said, frustratingly.
Jasper was about to say something until one of his men tapped his shoulder, pointing behind him. We all glanced in the direction he pointed and saw five goblins staring at us from the end of the hall, grinning menacingly.
"We are taking the stairs, let's move!" Nicole said, lifting Sol in her arms. Sol started to struggle until I shook my head making him settle down.
We didn't have time to waste. The moment we moved towards the stairs, one of the goblins screeched loudly. This signaled for the others to attack, and I could hear more coming our way. Logan, Briar, Sloan, and Jasper's men took out their guns and started shooting at the goblins. While running down the stairs, we could hear shouting from behind us. Some of it was from the goblins, but what got all of our attention was someone yelling that bullets didn't work. How could bullets not work? Were the goblins that strong, or did guns not work with these monsters?
"Close the door and follow behind," Nicole yelled.
"There is movement below us, Captain," Giselle said, firing her weapon at a goblin coming up the stairs. She hit the goblin between the eyes, making the goblin scream in pain, holding its forehead, but other than a small scratch, it was fine. Giselle stood still in shock, surprised. I rushed passed her, taking out my knife and stabbing the goblin twice in the chest, pushing the goblin against the wall. The goblin tried to defend itself but before it could use its knife to stab me, I slit its throat making blood spray over me.
I could feel the stares behind me, but I wasn't focused on that because a blue screen appeared before me, saying +5 exp. I didn't have time to focus on it because I could hear more goblins coming up the stairs. The goblin dematerialized before I dropped its knife.
"We are cutting through the fourth floor," I said, kicking the fourth-floor door open.
Rushing out, we immediately see people trying to fight off the goblins but they were losing. Men were being eaten, women were being dragged off, kicking and screaming for help.
The goblins were relentless, pouring in from the sides, and their vicious growls echoed throughout the floor.
"We've got to find somewhere to hide out for a moment. Everyone keep close." I said, running passed the screaming people. We need to avoid fighting until we get some weapons that work against the goblins. I look back to see if Sol was fine and immediately notice that no one is moving. Everyone was standing in shock at the chaos happening around us.
"Sol! Let's go!" I yelled, snapping everyone out of their shock. Two goblins rush towards me, looking at me with lust. I kick one in the face, making it fall back and dodge the other's attack, taking a side step. I quickly stab it in the neck, then push it away, making it hold its neck in surprise. The one that fell gets up and lunges for me. I lift my knee, hitting it in the head, stunning it. I then stab it through its big beady eye, making it scream in pain. I twisted the knife, and the goblin immediately stopped moving.
+50xp
+50xp
LEVEL UP!!
It looks like it has a similar physical structure to humans, which is good to know. This means that they should have the same weak points. I ignored the pop-up that appeared and tried to stay focused.
Sol quickly ran towards me, picking up something from the dematerialized goblins. I frown at first at his actions, but maybe its something important from the system.
Nicole looked at me with a frown on her face after glancing around. I hope she's not expecting me to save the people around us because that was unrealistic. We didn't have the time to save people who are of no use to us. Nicole shook her head and signaled for me to lead the way. I turned around, scanning the area then started moving.
Nicole's team followed closely behind, guns out, trying to protect civilians as best as they could. But the goblins... they weren't stopping. The shots fired by Nicole's team did nothing but slow the creatures for a moment. The rounds were only effective in forcing them back temporarily, but they didn't drop. No matter how many times the guns hit, they just kept coming. The shooting did help some people escape, but it also started attracting the goblins to us.
"Stop shooting and keep moving," I ordered, my voice steady despite the tension building in my chest. Sol was at my side, and I could see the nervousness in his eyes. I reached out, squeezing his shoulder as we pushed forward, reassuring him without needing to say a word.
Mitch's group—the gang bangers—were staying close, sticking to the plan I'd given them. They were following me, and I had to give them credit. In the midst of everything, they were holding their ground and staying focused. I'd trained them well, but this was a whole new level of danger, something even I hadn't been prepared for.
There were moments when we had to duck into smaller corridors, pushing through tight spaces to avoid the goblins. The noises from behind us—the screams, the chaos—kept me on edge. It was like we were in a maze, but no matter where we went, the goblins were never far behind.
We reached where the emergency exits were on the other side of the floor, and I felt a momentary flicker of hope. But it was short-lived. I knew the layout of the mall better than anyone here, and this path was the only way to keep us alive.
We had to get to Viktor's store on the 3rd floor, but the goblins were already gaining ground. That was when I decided to divert us.
"We're going left," I barked, veering the group into a side passage, hoping the twist in our route would buy us enough time. We couldn't stay in the open too long. We needed to regroup and get ready for what was coming.
The narrow hallway we entered wasn't much more than a service corridor. Flickering overhead lights cast unsettling shadows on the walls, and the air was thick with the smell of dust and mildew. We were far from safe, but this place was our best option for a brief respite and to prepare for what was coming next.
"Keep it quiet," I muttered to the group, though I knew they were already on edge, hearts pounding from the adrenaline. I think we lost the goblins chasing us, or they got distracted by someone else. It didn't matter anyway.
I pushed open a door at the end of the hall—staff-only access—and found myself in a utility room. A storage closet sat nearby, filled with cleaning supplies, but it wasn't what I was looking for.
"Stay alert," I ordered again, then turned my attention to the emergency fire safety station mounted on the wall. Something was glowing white, which was concerning so I took hesitant footsteps towards it. There was only a fire axe hanging behind a glass case, clearly marked for emergency use. I didn't hesitate anymore. I grabbed the handle and broke the glass with a single, swift motion. The axe was heavy in my hand, but it felt right. This was the kind of weapon I was familiar with—up close, brutal, effective. All my attention was on the axe when a blue screen appeared before me.
Fire Axe
Type: Melee Weapon (Axe)
Rarity: Common
Rarity Color: White
Damage: 10–18 (Slashing)
Durability: 100/100
Weight: Medium
Stat Bonus: None
Requirements: STR 12
Critical Chance: 5%
Attack Speed: Medium
Description:
A standard fire axe used by emergency personnel. Its weight and balance make it effective in close combat or for breaking down doors. Made of steel with a wooden or rubber grip, it's durable but lacks magical enhancements.
I don't know what any of this means, but as long as I can use it to fight, it's fine. I swung it around a little, and it was just a normal axe.
"Grab what you can, guns are obviously not working, and it's too loud anyway," I told everyone. They didn't waste time. Mitch was first, pulling a crowbar from a nearby shelf. "Take this, Kyle and Amber, take this also. There is a pole over there if anyone wants it." Mitch said, grabbing a crowbar. I didn't recognize them at first, but Kyle was Mitch's right-hand man, and Amber was his left. Kyle grabbed a hammer, and Amber snatched a utility knife.
Nicole's group didn't take anything because they had secondary weapons like batons, knives, and tasers. I looked around and didn't see Jasper or his men anywhere.
"Where is Jasper and his people?" I asked, walking up to Nicole. Logan cuts in front of me, stopping me from approaching her.
"We go separated from them during our escape," Logan said in his deep voice.
"I see, well, how many of us have lighters?" I said a little louder for everyone to hear. Some hands went up, and I nodded.
"Why do you need lighters?" Nicole asked, pushing past Logan.
"I was thinking of using some of the cleaning supplies as Molotovs. I never tried it without alcohol, but some of this stuff is flammable. It won't be a big or strong fire, but it should deter the goblins." I said, holding a rag and a bottle. Mitch nodded and directed his group to start making Molotovs.
"So… you aren't worried about Jasper," I ask Nicole when Logan goes back to his team, leaving us alone. Nicole gives me a deadpan look, "No, you are my top priority," she said, making me smile.
"Stop, you are going to make me think you care about me," I said, shocking myself. Why did I say that? This is not the time or place to have this conversation. "Sorry, ignore that."
"I do care about you. Then I found out you were number one on the most wanted list. You lied to me about everything. What was I supposed to do?" Nicole hissed.
"I never lied to you, I just didn't tell you that I was sold as a child to an assassination group. If anything you lied to me, you told me that you did inventory, supply work, but I don't think hunting criminals is part of supplies. Or am I mistaken?" I said, moving closer to her.
"I have a high clearance job which requires a cover story." She said, glaring daggers at me.
"Oh, so your mission wasn't to get close to me? Is that why we came to my bar that night?" I said, taking another step closer.
"It was not like that, I only knew about you being Medusa three days ago. I genuinely liked you, and for you to think I would sleep with you for a mission, then you don't know me." Nicole hissed at me.
She stepped towards me, probably expecting me to back down. So now we are inches away, glaring at each other. The electricity pulsing in the air and honestly, I wasn't even upset. She looked hot as hell mad, and I just wanted to push her against the wall and have my way with her.
"So should we leave and give y'all the room?" Giselle said, making us both turn to her. Everyone was looking at us with mixed emotions, ranging from shock, embarrassment, happiness, and annoyance.
This wasn't the time for whatever this was. I don't know how long we had before the goblins caught up. The hallway was our last safe space, but I could already hear the sounds of things moving outside, more goblins growing louder.
We had to make it to Viktor's store, and we had to make it there fast. No more distractions. I looked around the room. There was nothing left to grab, but the weapons we had would have to do. Amber was only able to make ten Molotovs and was about to hand them to me, but I only took two and told her to divide them between her group and Nicole's. I checked my axe to confirm the stats. I could feel the weight of the axe in my grip, its cool metal surface steadying my nerves.
As I turned back to the group, I saw Nicole's team in the doorway, scanning the room for any more threats. "We're moving out," I said, keeping my tone sharp and commanding. "We make for Viktor's store now, or we don't make it out of here."
Without waiting for any more objections, I stepped into the hallway, the others falling into place behind me. Nicole's team formed up around us, and Mitch's group stayed close, ready for anything.
We were getting closer to Viktor's store, but I could hear the goblins' voices now—low growls, strange hisses. They were closing in. Time was running out, but we weren't going down without a fight.