Chapter 30

“We have come to our decision,” said Rob. “Sally and Logan are going to join your faction.”

“And you?” asked Paul.

“I won’t be,” said Rob. “You guys seem to have a good thing going here, and I like your kumbaya mantra and everything, but⁠—”

“It’s not for you?” smiled Paul.

“No,” said Rob.

“As you wish,” said Paul.

Rob nodded to the man. He then turned to Sally and Logan.

“Thanks again for saving us,” said Sally.

“Yeah man, thanks,” said Logan.

Rob wasn’t very good at emotional moments like this. Saying goodbye. To be fair, he only met Sally and Logan the night before; but there was something about their circumstances on this island that made you feel closer to people than you actually were.

“I’m going to go,” said Rob. “Good luck you two.”

Rob turned around and began to walk away. He was eager to get back to fighting monsters, leveling up, and growing in power.

He then paused, remembering something.

“Hey Paul!” shouted Rob.

The group had begun to turn back to the base. Paul turned around, eyebrows raised.

“I’m keeping tabs on you guys now. If you mess with those two, I’ll be coming for you.”

And with that, Rob had enough insurance that Sally and Logan would be safe.

It was time to return to his goals.

A few hours later, Paul oversaw that Logan and Sally were given proper quarters and given everything they needed to feel safe at home within their faction’s camp.

He kept an eye on the two of them while he treated the Warriors in his medic tent that had come back from their hunts.

The camp was operating like clockwork. Everyone was doing their duty, including him.

And yet, Paul felt his thoughts preoccupied, by the young spearman he’d watched walk away down the long stretch of beach to the other side of the cove.

The Administrator had warned him about this man. Paul had considered sending a hunting party after him—but it didn’t align with his beliefs. If the young man attacked them, then they’d show no mercy, but he didn’t seem like a threat in the way The Administrator described and it wasn’t like The Administrator had made him sign a contract or anything like that⁠—

In that very moment, time paused around Paul, and he felt a chill go through his spine.

A huge pain erupted in his wrist. Golden light began to form along Paul’s wrist burning him. He screamed out in pain.

Eventually the burning agony subsided, leaving a black line, circling around Paul’s wrist.

The Administrator appeared in front of Paul.

“Don’t disobey me again,” said The Administrator. “I can take your power away if I want to.”

The Administrator then disappeared. Time resumed around Paul.

The man caught his breath.

He looked down to his wrist. The black mark was gone. And yet, he still could feel it there.

Paul shuddered. The pain was gone, but the memory of it was still close at hand.

He would continue to look after his faction.

And he hoped the island, with all of its monstrous beasts, would deal with Rob Fischer, so he wouldn’t have to.

A few evenings later, Rob found himself surrounded by six large Marsh Boars. Their eyes glowed vicious red. Their breath was hot and loud. Rob didn’t like the way they looked at him. They eyed him up like he was some kind of delicious cheeseburger.

“Stop licking your lips,” Rob spat at the incoming Marsh Boars that had him surrounded.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

The puddles of the marsh were drenched in blood. The shadowy silhouettes of Marsh Boar corpses littered the ground everywhere. It was all Rob’s handiwork, evidence of multiple days and nights of focused training. He’d already gained another two levels since he’d said goodbye to Sally and Logan, going from Level 12 to Level 14 with his Warrior-class.

Rob paid attention to the boars’ feet. They were moving in unison. Working together. They were all going to strike at once. He watched as their knees bent. They all sucked in air through their nostrils. Then they leapt.

Rob gripped his spear. He poured energy into his spear. It glowed with bright light.

The boars were flying through the air now. They were arcing towards Rob. They shadowed above him.

Rob spun on his feet.

The glowing energy of his spear spun in a whirling tornado of bright light.

The white glowing light was broken with the splatter of blood in all directions as Rob’s spear cut into the flesh of the leaping boars.

They collectively cried out.

They collapsed to the ground near Rob, but not directly on top of him in the fleshy feast they had been expecting.

Blood leaked from their bodies.

Rob didn’t waste time. Their coordinated attack had failed, and now they were distracted, panicking, confused. The perfect state of mind to get slaughtered in.