Stationed on the other side of the gate were real guards, fitted with silver plate armor and spears each. They were the ones who pushed Sachi back into the gaping jaws of death.
An axe swung down near Sachi's head, but he was quick enough to avoid it.
He rolled to his side and pushed himself upright. He didn't have much time to steady himself before another swung at him with a sword.
Sachi went to block the blow with his katana, except his weapon had been lying on the ground after he was thrown into the dirt.
The sword struck his side. If he was any slower he would have lost his whole arm.
'Damnit, this is bad…'
Without his weapon, Sachi was practically useless.
However…
[STR: 12]
He only had two choices: fight or die.
Even if he only had one arm, he'd choose to fight.
He stepped back and waited for another to strike.
The swordsman lunged forward again. Studying his posture, Sachi had a realization. He had experience in combat because of kendo, but these men had never fought before getting dragged into this game. Their fighting stances were full of openings.
Sachi jumped back, just barely getting nicked by the tip of the blade. Despite the pain, he took advantage of the opening.
He grabbed his opponent's hand that held his blade, and with his other hand Sachi hit the man's face will all his strength.
The man recoiled and let out a pained shout, loosening his grip on the sword.
Sachi swiped the sword from his hands and readied himself back into his stance.
The man gripped his now bloody nose. "Tch. Tough bastard. You think The Eternal Flame will just sit by while you attack his men? You're fuckin with a Major God right now."
There were five men remaining, each beginning to surround Sachi. He counted each one, assessing their positions carefully.
"I don't think he'll miss a few weaklings."
The men quickly became livid at his comments. It wasn't much different from the games he use to play, make them angry and they'll lose their edge.
They each charged at Sachi, infused with rage and attacking wildly.
Sachi only needed one opening
[Skill activated: Power Slash]
[You have slain a Champion!]
[All stats have increased by 10%]
There was no mana or energy bar for Sachi to look at, but each use of Power Slash made him noticeably more exhausted.
His plan was still the same. Cut through the unarmed one, and make them funnel towards him in one direction. That way it'd be easier for him to take down each one.
Despite the exhaustion, he could feel himself becoming stronger with each kill, the system wasn't lying.
Each one came running at him.
[You have slain a Champion!]
[All stats have increased by 10%]
[You have slain a Champion!]
[All stats have increased by 10%]
[You have slain a Champion!]
[All stats have increased by 10%]
[You have slain a Champion!]
[All stats have increased by 10%]
The last man fell, and Sachi fell to the ground in exhaustion.
[Champions slain: 8]
[You leveled up!]
The exhaustion finally began to catch up to him. Sachi's vision became blurry, and he fell to the ground unconscious.
…
He opened his eyes, he was lying in the field still. Next to him sat a beautiful green haired goddess.
"Serendelle..?"
She smiled as she helped him sit up. The corpses around him had become nothing but stains of blood, except for a few items left behind.
[Fiery Embrace]
[Rare Ring]
[Imbue your weapon with fire]
Another ring is nice to have, but the next item was far more enticing.
[Emberheart Plate]
[Epic Armor]
[+40 VIT. Immune to fire]
A black and red chest piece. It had a nice clean and sturdy look.
[Equipped: Fiery Embrace]
[Equipped: Emberheart Plate]
Serendelle's beautiful features were only enhanced by the sunlight.
"It helps to be friends with the Goddess of Luck, doesn't it?"
For the first time, Sachi was actually glad.
"It does."
He looked back towards the gates.
"How long was I out?"
Serendelle shrugged.
"Only thirty minutes or so."
He was glad it was only that long, he didn't want to deal with whoever else would show up.
[You have entered a safe zone!]
Serendelle had returned to her clover green bird form.
"How come you switch between that bird and your normal form, Serendelle?"
The bird chirped.
"The larger the form I take, the more power it consumes. But thanks to your efforts, I've been growing a bit stronger."
"Why did you choose to stay in your true form then?"
"So I could protect you in case anyone came by. Our fates are linked together, after all."
Sachi touched his right arm. The wounds he suffered had already been healed. That must have been a result from Serendelle growing stronger as well.
"Thank you."
Sachi saw the guards who pushed him earlier. Both of them stood at their posts, but were clearly trying to avoid Sachi's gaze.
He approached one.
"You're not a Champion, right?"
The guard ignored Sachi's question, sweat beads dripping down his face.
"Answer me unless you want to end up like them."
"N-no. I'm not."
"Then why do you help them?"
"They were members of The Eternal Flames guild. The Eternal Flame pays us, and we help feed him other gods."
Sachi had a realization. If they gather up other champions to give to the Eternal Flame, why did the lackeys try to kill him?
"What happens when Minor Champions show up?"
The guard fell silent.
Serendelle whispered into his ear again.
"Sachihiro, it is not wise to meddle in a Major God's business already."
Sachi ignored Serendelle's pleas.
"Answer the question."
Sachi tapped on the katana to his side.
"T-they take them to the prison. The king lets them use a small prison to hold the Minor Champions, and Kaelthar comes by maybe once a month to make himself stronger."
'Killing people like animals on a farm.'
Sachi grew angry.
"Where's the prison?"
"I-I can't tell you that."
Sachi blade was already drawn, and now it was pointed directly underneath the guards chin. A droplet a blood formed right at the tip of the blade.
The only other guard nearby drew his spear, but was shaking heavily. The display Sachi had shown earlier must have shook both the guards.
"I-it's right down the street! Next to the court house, there's a large sign pointing to it it's hard to miss!"
Sachi sheathed his sword and turned to pace down the street. Serendelle spoke once again.
"Sachihiro! Please rethink this. The Eternal Flame is the longest lasting Major God for a reason, we won't survive if we get on his bad side."
"I can't ignore what they're doing. Besides, having Minor Gods owe us a favor could be pretty useful."
The bird released what sounded like a sigh.
"Please be careful, Sachihiro. This won't end well."
Rounding the corner Sachi saw the sign for the courthouse, and next to it was the prison.
From the street alone, he could see a few more men wearing that red stripe on their arm.
"Sachihiro, if you do this the entire city and a Major God will be after you."
Sachi crouched down around a corner, onto the dirt path that lay before him.
"They're gonna have a hell of a time trying to find me then."
Serendelle persisted.
"There is no telling if those Champions are any better than the Eternal Flame's army!"
Sachi frowned.
"No, but there is a chance. First we scout it out, then strike."
"Sachihiro, they'll notice that you're a Lesser Champion, and there's not much of a crowd to blend in with."
Sachi bit his thumb.
"I don't need to blend in."
Sachi gently placed Serendelle onto the ground.
He picked himself up, stretched, and began to approach the prison.