Henry's mind was in turmoil. 'What the hell is wrong with these girls?' he thought, panic rising in his chest.
'I can't die here. Not now'
The thought of losing his hard-earned coins weighed just as heavily. Those coins were his only chance at buying the flintlock tomorrow. If someone else bought it before he could, he might never get the chance again.
'Ten Blue coins… just ten, and the flintlock is mine'. The obsession burned in him, but so did fear. The weapon meant power, yet the cost might be his life.
"Fine," Henry whispered at last.
(Are you sure you want to give all your coins?) Rai's voice stirred in his head.
"..." Henry didn't reply. He only reached for his inventory, pulled the coins out and tossed it to the ground. His slingshot clattered beside it.
"Slingshot?" one of the twins mocked with a chuckle.
The leader standing in the middle shook her head and gestured for the twin to collect the pouch. Obediently, the girl stepped forward, crouching to grab it.
Henry's hand moved quietly, pulling his Whispered Fang from his inventory and then aimed at the ground.
*Whew*
The arrow snapped loose, striking stone, then ricocheting straight through the girl's forehead. Her eyes widened, her body crumpled.
[You've killed a human]
[+20 Experience points]
"Sister!" The surviving twin shrieked, fury twisting her face. With a cry, she lifted a massive rock into the air and hurled it.
Henry dropped low, rolling to his knees. He snatched the pouch, the slingshot, and the glowing crystal above the corpse, then bolted.
"I'll kill you!" the leader roared, chasing him. Rocks tore through the air, slamming into walls and earth, but Henry's zigzagging sprint kept him just out of reach.
His chest heaved as he ran. "These girls are insane…" he muttered.
Old memories clawed at him, school hallways, laughter at his back, fists waiting for him to fall.
'I hate bullies'
Sliding to the edge of a crumbling building, he pressed himself against the wall, catching his breath and waited patiently.
The leader's voice came from the street. "Be careful, Eunice. He might be stronger than we thought."
"I don't care," Eunice spat, her voice shaking with rage. "He killed my sister, and he must..."
Her words ended in a gurgle as Henry's arrow struck her throat. She collapsed in silence.
[You've killed a human]
[+20 Experience points]
"One left," Henry whispered, preparing to move.
But before he could take more than a few steps, pain cracked across his skull. A stone had slammed into the back of his head.
"Argh!" Henry cried, collapsing to the ground.
[-20 HP]
[HP: 25]
Through blurred vision, he saw the captain standing over him, her face a mask of hatred.
"You owe me," she whispered. "Your coins… and your life. Both are mine."
Rocks hovered around her, shifting as though alive, waiting for her command.
Henry groaned, tightening his grip on his bow despite the throbbing pain.
"Don't move," she hissed. At her signal, a massive rock floated inches from Henry's skull.
'Damn it… this is crazy' Sweat trickled down his cheek as he glanced up at the looming stone.
"Hand over the coins," she demanded, stretching out her hand. "I won't spare you. You killed them. They were my family. My only family."
Henry's thoughts darkened. 'Should I transform into my Goblin state?and end this quickly?'
The captain raised three fingers. "Count of three. Hand them over." She lowered one. "Two."
Henry's voice was strained. "If I give you the coins… will you take that rock away from my head?"
Her expression twisted with grief and fury. "No!, you took my family life and now I'll take yours."
Henry's chest tightened. 'No choice. I'll have to transform' He drew in a sharp breath, ready to take the risk.
*Clang*
The sound of a door opening cut through the silence.
"What's happening in front of my door?" A familiar voice rang out.
Henry froze, his heart leaping. He turned his head. 'Juilet. Damn… I forgot I was right outside her place.'
"Henry?" Juliet voice carried shock. She had never truly seen him fight, but the sight of him beaten down by a single girl unsettled her.
Henry lowered his gaze. "Huh."
The earth user's face paled. Her voice trembled. "I...I'm sorry, great Juliet. I didn't mean…" Sweat streamed down her face. Without waiting for an answer, she turned and fled.
The stone above Henry's head dropped. He barely twisted aside, the rock crashing into the ground between his legs.
"Shit… that was too close to my joystick," Henry muttered, exhaling hard.
Behind him, Juliet voice was cold. "You're weak, Henry. I can't believe a girl cornered you like that."
'How do I explain? I'm stronger but my state is only half due to my transformation skill' His mind raced and then he spoke firmly, "I'm not weak."
"You're strong," Juliet admitted, turning toward her door. "But you almost lost your manhood to a girl with earth magic." She paused, her tone softening. "Come inside. The couch is still free."