Loopbreaker

Stenson’s eyes were bright as the older man stared at Francis.

“You’ve grown from what you’ve told me. And a day earlier than usual. All so you can have some armor to fight in. It appears that you are taking what you say I’ve taught to heart.”

“I need to get stronger,” Francis replied. “This is going to be the new norm. While the fighting naked has worked well, I’m sure I can improve in other ways if I stay alive longer and push deeper into the enemy lines.”

The general shook his head slightly. “No, not yet. I would keep fighting without armor. Try a few dozen more times and then see what happens.”

“Why?” Francis asked, surprised at the older man’s response.

“Because you might gain another skill or two,” Stenson said. “You could miss out on if you give up the path you’re on. I probably wondered if you’d ever get thick skin. No one ever gets thick skin. Combined with Strong Bones and Pain Resistance, you’re a walking juggernaut and that’s what you’re aiming for. The Juggernaut skill.”

“What does that skill give?” Francis asked.

“I don’t know. I just know if you get it, things will change for you in a big way,” Stenson replied. “It’s one of the skills of legends. Rumors swirl that there are variations of it, but you possess enough of the defensive skills that you could possibly unlock either the legendary or perhaps mythic one.”

Francis coughed, shaking his head.

“I’m sorry, did you say mythic?”

“Still want that armor?” Stenson asked with a grin.

“Hell no!”

***

The green liquid dripped off his skin as Francis yanked the sword from the second snake-kin’s chest. Carnage lay everywhere and in the middle of the night, he was the creature these beasts started to fear.

Roars came from all over and once again, Francis imagined what was being conveyed.

Another armored rhino-kin thundered toward him, and in under a minute, the creature he had once died to in a single blow lay gasping for life, face down in the dirt. Francis turned, the arrow that he knew was coming, missing him by inches.

Two hundred plus deaths later…

Stenson’s advice was to keep pushing on since Francis’ willpower and mind weren’t buckling under the constant deaths. Francis was wading through the army, his offensive skill gains having stalled out again.

There was a method to his madness. Like the first few times Francis had fought at night, he had made sure to follow the same path, learning where the hiding beasts were. It turned into a battle so similar that Francis had managed to close his eyes a few times, killing his enemy while dodging other attacks, all from memory.

It was utterly glorious, and that was why he wore a blindfold now. Stenson had told him, no, he had basically ordered him to do this. Rumors had swirled for thousands of years of a blind monk who could defend against any opponent that attacked him. Many had attempted to learn whatever skill he must have possessed, but none were recorded as ever having done so.

Still Francis did it, placing his feet with confidence in where he was going. His hearing had improved and he felt like he could sense those creatures around him that Francis knew were present. Less than twenty deaths ago it had felt like an awakening of some kind within and around him.

Raising his shield and angling it slightly, Francis moved to his right, deflecting an arrow meant for his chest.

He smiled, knowing what was coming, and prepared for the fight that always got him.

Three of the elite tiger-kins came toward him, one pressing from the front, the other two making their way around his sides as they always did.

Francis could smell them, the musky scent that oozed off them. It was stronger than the other beastkins, who were weaker and far easier to kill. Each also moved almost silently, only making a sound when they attacked. The earth was unable to help prevent it. A cry of pain came from the ground they attacked, their feet causing the dirt to grind and shift from the pressure of their assault.

Then there was the sound of their claws coming at him through the air. It was hard to hear unless one knew what to listen for. That one had taken the last nine deaths to learn.

Francis raised his shield, blocking the first attack, and activated Iron Wall, lessening the damage he couldn’t avoid from his left.

A claw came from his right, downward, meant to slash him from head to waist, and Francis sensed it, using the impact of the injury from his left to help push him into position for an attack.

[ Riposte ]

[ Power Strike ]

[ Quick Attack ]

[ Flurry ]

His blade moved so fast that when he had tested it, Francis’ own eyes almost struggled to track its path. Stenson had congratulated him while laughing, almost giddy from what Francis had demonstrated. It was closing in on the speed at which the general could swing for just a single moment. All he needed to do now was get faster and stronger.

The blade Francis used–King Baxter’s gift to Stenson–sliced through flesh like a cleaver through tender meat.

Warm blood sprayed across him and Francis twisted and turned, dancing to the right. Everything that happened from this moment on was new and Francis felt alive. He could hear the dirt shifting and brought up his shield, listening to the wind warn of an incoming slash.

Francis raised his blade, catching a kick from the one trying to attack from behind, severing off clawed toes and a section of flesh from its foot. Even with the blindfold on, Francis had his eyes shut, trusting in the things he had practiced over and over.

[ Power Strike ]

[ Quick Attack ]

Taken from NovelFire, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

A grunt came from the one before him, his blade catching an opening he could sense. Francis drove forward, shield upward, bringing his blade around to slash across the creature's body.

The high-pitched whistle came and Francis flung himself to the left, twisting his body as an arrow impacted his shield head-on, shattering the metal barrier as he rolled on the dirt a few times. Rising to his feet, Francis swept his blade wide, empowering it again.

[ Power Strike ]

Two bodies fell to the ground with wet thunks. The pair of beastkin who had come to help were weaker than the last one he was facing. As the battle around him continued, Francis felt the landscape seem to take shape in his mind.

[ New Skill Battle Sense - Epic* ]

As it had been when Francis had learned to sense threads during combat, he could now feel the very world around him. Each of his senses announced what was near him for about ten yards. Francis could sense every direction, the air, and how it shifted based on the bodies lying on the ground. The scent of blood provided another layer to the image that appeared in his mind.

It was overwhelming, and Francis barely survived the barrage of attacks coming from the last remaining elite tiger-kin. A few slipped by as Francis adapted, learning to let go and letting the skill he had just gained help him react. It was like handing the reins over to someone else, sitting back against the seat on a wagon, and enjoying the ride, no longer needing to worry about managing the horse or mule.

Francis’ blade rose, the sound of metal against fur and flesh filled his ears. Squelches came from all around and Francis danced, weaving and moving through the weaker ones, cutting them down like stalks of wheat before the farmer.

A sensation flooded his mind as everything suddenly stopped. Nothing else came at him, and the circle he sensed went silent. Pain came in the silence, threads attacking him from all directions as fire of a different kind ignited his bones. These were the cords of magic, their damage far stronger than what he had ever endured from his sister.

Part of him felt honored that they used magic against him, while the other hated the sensation of his body being burned away. Even with the power granted from Death’s Dance, his body began to vanish, and darkness came once again.

***

[ Battle Sense ( Epic* ) - You have honed your senses to the point that they work in unison, allowing you to sense everything around you for a certain distance. As you continue to grow and nurture this skill, the distance will increase and the skill can evolve. ]

“An evolving skill,” Stenson said, his voice unable to contain his shock. “I… I have one. Francis, do you realize you have acquired something most cannot imagine?”

“And I’ve died thousands of times to get here,” Francis replied. “I’m pretty sure I’m past what most cannot imagine.”

The older man snorted and nodded. “Yes… There is that. But still, you, my boy, are quickly becoming far stronger than… this world can even begin to imagine. Soon… perhaps soon you shall be able to advance even more.”

“Does that mean I’m done with fighting naked and blind?” Francis asked.

“That depends on whether you want to give up any hope of acquiring what we discussed.”

Rubbing his eyes, Francis sighed, trying to decide what to do. He was excited, his skin tingled, and with his mind felt clear.

[ Status ]

Francis Lancaster

Age 17

Strength: 38

Endurance: 41

Agility: 39

Wisdom: 23

Perception: 30

Magic: 10

Skills

Swordsmanship (Common) - 64 Elite

Shield Use (Common) - 53 Advanced

Tracking (Uncommon) - 11 Basic

Stealth (Uncommon) - 11 Novice

Traps (Uncommon) - 3 Basic

Rock Throwing (Common) - 7 Basic

Mental Resist (Uncommon) - 45 Advanced

Blood of the Undying (Unknown)- 100+ Sage

Fast Learner (Epic) - 1 Basic (Locked)

Mace (Common)- 11 Novice

Horseback Riding (Common)- 11 Novice

Horseback Handling (Uncommon) - 6 Basic

Pain Resistance (Uncommon) - 52 Advanced

Poison Resistance (Rare) - 41 Advanced

Power Strike (Rare) - 48 Advanced

Brawling (Uncommon) - 35 Proficient

Strong Bones (Rare) - 49 Advanced

Death’s Dance (Epic) 22 Novice

Magic Resistance (Rare) 44 - Advanced

Magic Feedback (Legendary) - 16 Basic

Quick Attack (Uncommon) - 31 Proficient

Guarded Stance (Uncommon) - 17 Novice

Riposte (Rare) - 14 Novice

Thick Skin (Rare) - 9 Basic

Night Vision (Epic) - 14 Novice

Iron Wall (Rare) - 8 Basic

Dual Wield (Rare) - 17 Novice

Flurry (Rare) - 4 Basic

Battle Sense (Epic*) - 2 Basic

His skills and stats were a testament to the amount of suffering he had endured. Even with Stenson urging Francis to continue this path, a part of him was frustrated, knowing he still wasn’t strong enough to even help with the beasts that could kill Stenson one-on-one.

“There really isn’t any other choice,” Francis replied. “I have to press on, even if it takes me a thousand deaths or more for that single skill you think is worth it. But tell me, could you endure the weight of what I carry knowing what I have told you?”

Stenson frowned and shrugged. “I would like to say yes but the truth is no man knows what they will do until that moment comes. Many men have been trained for battle, given the best instruction, endured enormous pain and still froze when someone next to them dies. Others who were often considered lesser warriors rose to greatness, the fire inside them spreading to the others around them as they fought. Some even carried on while missing a limb.”

“Brag much?” Francis teased.

“I am not talking about myself,” the general replied, narrowing his eyes. “You are different, a rare man in a world of men who seek only themselves, Francis. I believe that is why you endure what you do. Some might say they could and would do this for the ability to grow stronger and be the best, but the fact is, without real resolve, they will give up. Do you know the difference between a hero and a monster?”

Francis realized he had never heard this question from Stenson before. With no answer having been given, he tried to consider the one he should give. In his mind, Francis saw his father and his older brothers. Each had power, yet they used it only for themselves. A few of his trainers, like Lucan and Oidrun, seemed content to endure teaching the same thing over and over because they knew what the kingdom needed.

“It’s… something inside a person, isn’t it?” Francis asked.

Stenson nodded slowly. “It is a fine line between a monster and a hero. One may start off with every intention of doing good and to be a hero but may find themselves swayed by power, lust, or hate, turning into the very thing they despise. Even a monster might one day encounter kindness or compassion in a way they never expected and turn from the path they had gone down. Do you believe your father–who I know you envisioned by the look you gave–can ever become a hero?”

Every part of Francis wanted to say no. Not just to say it, but to stand up and shout that there was no way his father could ever become a hero, but a small nagging voice told him the general was proving a point.

“I would be foolish to think there was never a chance it could happen,” Francis replied, not hiding his disgust at having to say those words. “While I doubt it will happen, to believe it cannot after having the gift that I do defies all logic.”

“You seem to have grown wiser,” Stenson said, agreeing. “Right now you are on the path to becoming a hero but who is to say one day you won’t give in to the lust of what is inside you? Then what will you become?”

Francis shuddered, trying to consider how lucky he had been to even meet the parasite that had tried to control him and take over his body and mind. It had tried to brute force its way in, even woo him with the promise of not fearing death, but Francis had resisted.

What if one day I do give in? What kind of monster would I be?

“I see,” Francis replied. “I think I will sit this fight out. You know what to tell the King and I can appear before him, but I’ve made a few promises I think I need to keep, even if they don’t last more than a single death.”

Stenson smiled and nodded. “Then it is settled, pursue those things and then find me when you are ready to train again.”

As the older man stood, Francis raised his hand. “I do need your help with one thing.”

“Oh, what is that?” Stenson asked.

“My trainer, Phillip. He bears a scar on his face. Tell me, who gave it to him and why?”

Sighing, the general sat. “This may take a moment to tell.”

“No worries,” Francis replied. “I’ve got all the time you can imagine.”