Era of Players: Death God
Chapter 55 - 55: Eve of their Rematch 1

The air itself crackled with raw magic as Aiden's emerald aura danced around him. In that split second before he vanished, his eyes, normally a warm crimson, flared a vibrant red, there was a mix of green in them mirroring the swirling energy. His longsword, once an unassuming weapon, now pulsed with the same otherworldly light. Then, he was gone.

Not a single goblin even twitched in time.

Pui!

A sickening spray of crimson erupted from the massed ranks as Aiden reappeared in their midst, leaving a trail of dismembered bodies in his wake. The remaining goblins, their bloodlust momentarily replaced by primal fear, recoiled from the whirlwind of emerald steel.

One, emboldened by either courage or stupidity, charged. Its scimitar, wickedly barbed and stained with countless battles, met Aiden's blade in a shower of sparks.

Klangs!

The impact sent the goblin flying back, its scimitar clattering uselessly to the forest floor. It landed with a sickening thud, its eyes wide with terror as Aiden loomed over it.

But before Aiden could deliver the final blow, a guttural roar echoed through the trees.

''Roarrr!"

A massive goblin, twice the size of its brethren and clad in crude but surprisingly well-made armor, emerged from the forest. Its single, bloodshot eye locked onto Aiden, and it charged, its thunderous steps shaking the very ground.

Dun! Dun!

Aiden, his emerald aura flickering slightly from the exertion of the previous slaughter, readied himself for the new challenge. The forest floor crunched under his boots as he braced himself for the impact, his emerald aura intensifying to a blinding light. The clash, when it came, was like the meeting of thunder and lightning.

Bang!

The ground shuddered, and leaves rained down from the shaken canopy.

Aiden, though momentarily staggered by the force of the blow, held his ground. He gritted his teeth, channeling the emerald energy coursing through him, and with a surge of strength, pushed back against the brute. The massive goblin, surprised by the sudden resistance, stumbled backward, momentarily off balance.

Seizing the opportunity, Aiden launched a counter-attack. His emerald blade blurred into a whirlwind of motion, striking the giant goblin with a series of lightning-fast strikes. Sparks flew with each clang of metal, and the stench of blood and burnt flesh filled the air.

The other goblins, emboldened by their champion's initial success, let out a collective roar and charged forward. But before they could reach Aiden, a wave of emerald energy erupted from him, knocking them back with a bone-jarring impact. The forest floor was littered with groaning goblins, their eyes wide with shock and pain.

Aiden, his emerald aura flickering faintly now, turned back to face the giant goblin. The creature, though heavily wounded, still stood, its single eye burning with a desperate rage. It raised its massive axe, its muscles straining with effort, and prepared to deliver one final blow.

Aiden, his breath ragged but his eyes filled with unwavering determination, raised his longsword. This marked the beginning of the second round and the winner must be decided.

The two vanished at the same time clashing several times without a clear winner.

The hulking goblin chieftain, mid-swing with its massive axe, roared in frustration as Aiden vanished.

Swoosh!

Confusion clouded its single eye, momentarily halting its descent. Then, a blur of emerald materialized behind the creature, leaving behind a faint trail of swirling wind.

Empowered by the desperate chant and his dwindling reserves of mana, Aiden unleashed a flurry of attacks. His longsword sang a deadly song, each strike imbued with the magic of the "Wind Dance" exclusive skill and leaving a sizzling scorch mark on the chieftain's armor. The creature, surprised and disoriented, bellowed in pain as Aiden rained down a relentless barrage.

One strike, fueled by the heightened speed granted by the exclusive skill, managed to pierce the armor, drawing a crimson bloom across the chieftain's shoulder.

Enraged and wounded, the chieftain lashed out blindly, its massive axe cleaving through the air in a desperate attempt to connect with the elusive warrior. But Aiden, a whirlwind of emerald and determination, danced around the blows with the grace of a seasoned acrobat. His movements, quick and precise, were a testament to years of honed skill and raw talent.

However, with each passing second, the magic supporting him began to wane.

Aiden felt the "Wind Dance" exclusive skill straining, threatening to fade entirely. He pushed himself even harder, channeling the last reserves of his mana into his blade. He knew time was running out. He had to finish the fight soon, or risk facing the chieftain at its full strength once the spell dissipated.

With a final, desperate surge of energy, Aiden launched a calculated attack.

Whoosh!

He ducked beneath the chieftain's sweeping axe, his body brushing against the rough, calloused skin of the beast. In that moment, a wave of nausea washed over him, a reminder of the countless wounds he had sustained in the battle. Ignoring the burning pain, Aiden focused entirely on his task.

Aiming for the exposed nape of the creature's neck, a vulnerable point he had cleverly observed during the earlier exchanges, Aiden thrust his blade forward.

The enchanted longsword, imbued with the last remnants of his magic, pierced through the thick flesh, severing the spinal cord in a clean, brutal blow.

''!!!!"

The chieftain let out a final, guttural roar that echoed through the silent forest before collapsing to the ground, lifeless. Its single eye, once filled with rage, now stared blankly at the sky. As the dust settled and the roar faded.

''Ah! Ah!"

Aiden stood panting, his body shaking from exertion. The world around him seemed to blur at the edges, his vision swimming with exhaustion. Yet, despite the debilitating fatigue, a surge of triumph coursed through him.

He had survived. He had faced down the monstrous goblin chieftain and emerged victorious. But the victory came at a cost. His body ached with countless wounds, each a testament to the ferocity of the battle. He leaned heavily on his longsword, its emerald glow now dimmed and flickering, a mirror of his own fading strength.

Despite the fatigue and the looming aches, Aiden allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. He had proven his mettle, a crucial step in his journey to face his ultimate opponent, Noah. Tomorrow, he would confront his nemesis, his body still bearing the scars of this conflict but his spirit unwavering.

He knew the upcoming battle would be far more challenging, a duel that could reshape the very fabric of their world. But Aiden, fueled by the fire of determination and his newfound confidence, was ready to face the challenge.

[Level up]

As the adrenaline subsided, the true toll of the battle slammed into Aiden. His muscles screamed in protest, each movement a symphony of pain. Yet, the notification tingling in his mind provided a sliver of solace. He had leveled up, his hard-fought victory pushing him closer to his goal of becoming a Regular Rank Player.

Focusing on the notification, he saw the satisfying number: [Level 18]

Two more levels, and he would officially break free of the limitations of a Newbie Player. A surge of pride, tinged with exhaustion, warmed him from the inside out.

The notification offered a temporary reprieve from the physical reality. Most of his fatigue, the crippling exhaustion that had threatened to consume him, evaporated. Some of the minor cuts and scrapes, mere annoyances in the heat of battle, had begun to close, leaving behind faint pink scars.

However, the deeper wounds, the ones that threatened to fester and cripple him, remained stark reminders of the brutality he had faced.

Ignoring the protest of his aching muscles, Aiden knew tending to his injuries was paramount. He couldn't afford to dwell on the allure of another night resting beneath the starlit sky. With a grunt, he pushed himself forward, the forest floor crunching softly beneath his boots.

Deeper he ventured, the dense canopy overhead filtering the sunlight into dappled patterns on the forest floor. Then, the sound of rushing water reached his ears, growing louder with each step. A smile cracked his dry lips. A waterfall. Perfect.

Pushing through the undergrowth, he emerged into a clearing bathed in the ethereal glow of the afternoon sun. There, cascading down a moss-covered rock face, was a waterfall. The cool mist that hung in the air carried the refreshing scent of the forest, a welcome change from the cloying stench of blood and sweat that clung to him.

Without hesitation, he discarded his worn tunic and boots, leaving them in a heap beside the pool at the base of the falls. The cool water, a stark contrast to the heat of the day, washed away the grime and blood, leaving his skin tingling and surprisingly invigorated. He winced as the water touched his deeper wounds, a necessary pain he endured without complaint.

As he scrubbed and cleaned, focusing on the soothing sensation of the water, a new thought struck him.

'To ensure everything is perfect I must have some insurance. Contacting them is a must.' Aiden decided to contact his subordinates, to have them join for tomorrow but first he had to tend to his remaining wounds, ensuring they wouldn't become a hindrance in the battles to come.

With a sigh, he rummaged in his pack, pulling out the bandages and poultices he had acquired through scavenging the survival kit dropped by the drone. The road ahead was long and arduous, filled with challenges yet unknown. But Aiden, cleansed and revitalized, faced it with renewed determination, his spirit unbroken by the trials he had overcome and those that lay ahead.