Chapter 438 (1/2)

The first Red Death Cultist to reach him was smashed sideways by the butt of Randidly’s spear, sending it careening into its buddy, both of them stumbling at the sudden force. With a quick spin of the spear, Randidly positioned himself to stab twice, very quickly, right into the rib cages of two other Red Death Cultists, ending their lives.

But as the second thrust was withdrawn, one of the swiftly dying monsters desperately reached out and latched onto the spear, using its body weight to delay Randidly’s move by just a split second. Five more Red Death Cultists approached in that space, rapidly closing the distance between them and Randidly.

Randidly’s hands tightened on the spear shaft. These fuckers…!

But at the same time, Randidly’s pride burned bright and hot, keeping him standing in the same position, holding his ground before their assault. If they wanted to bet it all on this moment of weakness, he would show them their folly. Even though his spear was delayed, it still had plenty of time to make it back into a serviceable position and begin to lash outward.

Once, twice, three times… almost 9 times, his spear slashed in front of him, causing a spray of hot blood over the wooden floorboards. And each time, the Red Death Cultists would scramble to grab his spear, holding it still, or would just jostle the weapon, but each time they came just a bit short.

Until Randidly thrust at a particularly large and ugly member of the race, aiming for its heart, and a smaller Red Death Cultist leaped, not towards Randidly, but in the way of the spear, allowing it to impale him, gripping tightly on the shaft. Taking advantage of the small opening, the ugly fucker ducked around and swung its huge arms to crush Randidly.

A swift twist and shake weren’t enough to dislodge the small Death Cultist that had sacrificed itself to buy time, which caused Randidly to grimace. There were still too many of the surrounding Red Death CUltists for him to waste time on this. Again, he smashed his Willpower against the strange prohibition he felt against using Skills and felt it crack, just a little.

But then the big fucker was before him, and Randidly expertly flipped the spear to put his smaller bodied fellow bat in the path of his attack. This didn’t even phase the big fucker, and if anything, he howled and attacked faster, a murderous gleam in his eye.

It didn’t help Randidly that four other Red Death Cultists were coming at his sides, seeking to strike while this apparent crisis consumed Randidly’s attention. Hotter and hotter Randidly’s rage rose, consuming all other emotions that were in his chest until that heat was the only remaining sensation that he could feel. The base emotion of Wrath made him blaze intensely, and his passives all activated, pushing his strength to its current limit.

‘Do you think this is enough?’ Randidly thought, every syllable cast in molten metal and fire.

The big fucker’s strike descended, ripping through the body of the impaled Death Cultist, killing him. It continued downwards, and Randidly shifted his weight forwards, then shrugged his shoulder, knocking the blow harmlessly aside. Although he couldn’t use the Skill, he smashed the slightly off balance Red Death Cultist with a roundhouse kick, throwing his body aside.

Then the spear blurred, flicking back and forth, reducing the four other attackers to ribbons. The final 10 or so Red Death Cultists bellowed, and all of them rushed towards Randidly at once, their eyes making it clear that they were betting it all on this final attack. Randidly’s wild grin curled upwards. Perfect.

For the third time, Randidly smashed his Willpower against the silence, and this time he felt it shudder and shake, knocked from its moorings. But just as quickly, the Grey Death Cultist forced it back down, keeping him from unleashing any of his Skills. The bodies had thinned out immensely, and Randidly could now clearly see the Grey Death Cultist standing there, about 30 meters away.

Around his feet a magic circle glowed, Mana revolving rapidly around where he was standing, keeping the Skill active and in place, even as Randidly struggled against it. But apparently, the struggle was not without cost to the Grey Death Cultist. It swayed on its feet, and a thin, very visible, trail of crimson fell from its mouth, dripping on the fur of its chest and stomach.

Randidly’s smile stretched, reaching as wide as was physically possible, his intent clear. I will break you.

The Grey Death Cultist seemed profoundly weary and closed its eyes. We already knew we two couldn’t both leave this room alive. Why speak of it now?

Swinging his spear, Randidly killed the first 5 Red Death Cultists attacking, instantly reducing their numbers by half. The fiery warmth of violence had Randidly quite pleased with himself, but then his senses screamed at him, and he twisted to face the ugly fucker, who had stood back up from the kick, and was now spear tackling Randidly.

Roaring soundlessly, Randidly brought his spear down like a hammer. The big fucker was faster than he looked, and had gotten within the range of Randidly’s spear, but Randidly didn’t pull back. Instead, he just slammed the weapon down more viciously, hitting him with the pole. The strike took the big fucker in the collarbone, which cracked with a satisfying snap.