World Witout Wizards: Guard

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"Motherf.u.c.ker," I heard a faint, barely audible voice, "What's wrong with you? I've only been away for a few hours!'

"This damned warlock decided to test him. The test has already started, we don't have time to cancel it. The audience is thrilled about this performance."

"Listen, Joseph, you're the embodiment of wisdom, aren't you? Do something!"

"Do you want me to die? Do you think I'm a moron?"

"If his secrets get out now, we'll be dead. Do you think you'll be spared?

"Okay. You don't have to shout, I understand. Come on. Start!"

Welcome to the Demons' plan!

I was literally spat out at the crossroads of Death; I didn't even know what else to call this place. It was a large square with paths spreading from it.

I could see a black, cracked road, gray melted remnants of buildings, stumps of burned trees and bones scattered everywhere, hundreds of crushed and broken skeletons. Obviously, the goddess of Fertility didn't visit this place.

Looking back, I noticed the only partially preserved structure, which was unusually high – more than three floors! I'd never seen such high houses. The ground trembled, and I knew it wasn't the right time to admire the landscape. I needed to get out of there, and this building seemed to be the safest place.

However, I was wrong and realized it as soon as I came in. It was strange, there were even more bones here than outside. I saw piles of crushed skulls and many skeletons that looked broken in half. The earth was trembling, and a terrifying sound filled the air.

I heard what sounded like a roar of an ancient, giant, indomitable beast. It penetrated to the bone and could have only meant hunger, as wild and primitive as the creature itself. Whatever it was, I definitely didn't intend to meet it, so I rushed into the building and climbed up the stairs to the second floor. There were fewer bones here. I didn't stop and went up to the third floor.

It was almost empty. I didn't know why. I saw only a couple of long-decomposed bodies, one of which was clutching a strange black sword with a thick blade and a long handle in its bony hand. It didn't look anything like the long sword I held in my hand this morning. This sword seemed to be eager to fight, unlike me. I wanted to survive!

Don't use Light... Really? Although if I tried, I could only light my way through the bones. So, I didn't use 'the Strike of the Sun' and hid in a corner, hoping I wouldn't be seen. I froze. But the enemy decided not to let me off the hook. The building shook, and one of the giant stones fell in. A pair of eyes and jaws with several rows of huge sharp teeth appeared in the doorway.

Dragon! Dammit! A real black dragon that all the peoples throughout the Empire feared since ancient times. A creature of eternal darkness.

They hadn't been seen for several millennia and were mentioned only in the most terrible tales. Although the dragon looked different in the pictures, I recognized it immediately. I was completely taken over by primal fear, but I still hoped it was only imagining it. This couldn't be true! I was having a mental breakdown!

The next second the monster hit the house with all its force again. A piece of the wall, the size of a horse's head, fell on me. The pain of the blow woke me up. Well, maybe that's unrealistic, but I wouldn't' like to be eaten alive. I touched my belt, examining the weapons. What I had was good against a wolf or a boar but useless for fighting a dragon.

Intelligence Check

Base 0

Bonus - 1

Dice Roll 2

Requirement 2

Failure

Error

Requirement 1

Success

If I stood in the middle of the room, the dragon wouldn't be able to reach me. Its muzzle was too wide to go through the hole. Feeling my way along the wall, I found myself next to a withered body. Probably, this warrior of antiquity also had found a loophole and was able to hold out long enough, because his head wasn't bitten off and he wasn't torn in half. In any case, he died of hunger or thirst, but he was able to hold out longer than the others.

I didn't like that option. I wanted to live, so I grabbed the black sword by the hilt without hesitation.

Compatibility with Weapon Check

Base 0

Bonus -1

Dice Roll 4

Requirement 3

Success

It burned my hand again, but it was different now. The heat brought force, self-confidence, the knowledge that this blade would never let me down and would withstand the strike of an enemy.

Permanent bonus obtained: Heavy Iron. During two-handed sword attacks, you get a +1 bonus. But remember, you won't be able to swing such a heavy object for too long.

Wow, great! Well, damn it, that's impossible! It is enough to hit the target once, so this creature will leave me…

Waiting until the massive muzzle sniffed the room, slightly moving away, I quickly crept to the window and didn't lose. The creature leaned back against the wall, looking at the building.

That's it! I ran up close and pierced the dragon's pupil.

Dexterity Check

Base 0, +1 (weapon)

Bonus - 1 (total)

- 1 (Dexterity)

Dice Roll 3

Requirement 2

Success

The blade went through his eyeball like through butter. The monster roared, twitching to the side and boring the hole even wider. The dragon spun in place like a dog chasing its tail. He was the size of a big house, and he smashed everything in his path. I felt excited.

I've just injured a DRAGON! F.u.c.k! No one will believe this!

But that wasn't enough. It was unlikely that he would sit quietly and look through the window with his one eye when he comes to... It meant I had to attack immediately before the winged serpent woke up.

I ran, jumped on his wing and stuck my sword into his flesh, rotating the blade. The creature's roar grew louder and it deafened me. The dragon flapped his wings, bringing them together, I rolled down to his shoulder blades. Rising up and lifting the black sword as high as I could, I struck with all my strength.

The blade rang, shattering into thousands of fragments. The dragon threw me from his back. I flew across the room and hit the wall. It hurt even to breathe, let alone to get to my feet. The monster was fine. Having overclocked, the dragon rushed forward, trying to crush me with its head or squash me against the stone. With horror, I expected to die, but at the last moment, I realized that the dragon was not there.

The reptile leaned to the side! He went blind in one eye and now he was out of balance! It was my chance, if not to win, then at least to escape. The next moment the creature's head struck the wall two feet from me. A cloud of dust and debris rose into the air, huge stone slabs fell on the dragon's head…

Congratulations! You have survived the ordeal! You are leaving the Demons' plan.

I woke up in the chair that didn't look so scary anymore. My mother was standing before me with her hand over her mouth. My father was nearby, with a bewildered look in his eyes. I tried to turn around and was surprised to find that nothing was holding me. The demon's head in the jar looked at me in surprise. The family heads stared at me with the same expression.

But most of all I was amazed by Oulsast. The chief looked like he died in his chair. Then they probably brought him back to life f.o.r.c.i.b.l.y and he died again. His skin was even grayer than usual... However, he overcame his pride and anger, rose from his chair, leaned on his staff and squared his shoulders.

"As a representative of the HAND, I announce that Michael Greystle has passed the test and has become a man."

The warlock took a deep breath, clearly unwilling to speak further. However, he obviously had read the magic MESSAGES several times. "As the winner of his own fears and as the man who survived the ordeal, Michael can choose any of the paths: ranger, guard, warlock, blood mage. Any path! That is the HAND's order!"

"What are you talking about?" I stared at the chief in confusion, "What do you mean, I can choose any path?"

He didn't answer, he just waved his hand in my direction, and four burning MESSAGES appeared in front of my eyes:

Choose your role in the great Empire.

Ranger is a hunter, deftly handling any small arms. Increasing bonus to small arms and spears (up to +4). The initial +1 bonus.

Black guard is an elite warrior who has the rudiments of blood magic in terms of healing himself. Increasing bonus to Repelling an Attack and Regeneration (up to +4). The initial +1 bonus.

Warlock is a mage of summoning and control. An increasing bonus to soul magic and control (up to +4). The initial +1 bonus.

A Blood Mage is a combat mage with offensive and defensive spells. Increasing bonus to blood magic and short sword (up to +4). The initial +1 bonus.

Serve the HAND, and it will bless you!