Accidental Healer

With the seventh day winding down, everyone gathers near the clearing where the first raid appeared. Mischief, Nick, Alex, Elise, and I stand alongside two archers and another fighter carrying a spear.

The group shuffles about in hushed conversation. I can sense there is an uneasy tension in the air. Shifting glances towards where the portal should be appearing, weapons held tight in clammy hands.

Two months ago, we were just normal people, living mundane lives. Now we’re standing on strange soil, away from our homes, waiting to fight off an alien invader.

I scan their faces—fear, doubt, hope. They all keep shooting glances at me. Relying on me. Elise nudges my arm, her eyes urging me to do something. What am I supposed to do?

We had discussed the plans in detail, Elise and the others. I was confident that everyone would be fine. Mischief and I would still do most of the heavy lifting anyway. I glance at the man holding a spear. His knuckles are white from gripping his weapon hard in both hands.

Hesitantly, I clear my throat.

“Alright, everyone,” I start. Everyone turns to look at me. “The plan is simple. Archers, you play support. Mischief and I will be playing decoy, hopefully taking up most of the attention. Alex, you and uhh…you with the spear will wait for the raiders to engage in the fight–then charge in. Hopefully netting some easy kills and experience.”

“Maddux.” The man I forgot says with a slight wave of his spear.

“Right yeah, Maddux.” Should’ve remembered that. Great start, Layton.

I had hoped explaining the plan would calm some of their nerves, but people were still shifting uneasily.

That’s when I get an idea. I pull Alex aside and whisper something in his ear. He smiles and we walk away from the group a bit.

Everyone is already watching the two of us so I don’t need to call people's attention. Instead I cover myself in a barrier, then like before I step out and nod at Alex.

Wham! Wham! Wham! Alex’s axe slams into the barrier, each strike sending ripples across its shimmering surface. The force reverberates through the air, but the barrier holds—unyielding. Just like I need to be.

“I doubt any of us thought we would be here a month ago. I just thought you should know, each of you will be completely shielded during the fight.” I can see the tension easing, shoulders relaxing.

“Everyone will be fine. If things go south, either I will step in or Mischief. But remember, the goal is for you to gain experience. I’m here for support, not to carry the fight.”

“And let me be clear—do not play hero. There’s no point in risking your life unnecessarily. Got it?”

Alex straightens and shouts out a very mocking, very crisp “Yes, SIR!”. The rest just nod along standing taller.

It’s not much but it’s the best they are going to get from me. One last look around and I catch a glimpse of our camp. It’s still daytime and the light is hitting the trees at just the right angle to cast a sepia tone over the meagre walls. The cabins are visible–barely peeking over the top of the log palisades.

A few thin stacks of smoke curl lazily into the sky. I breathe in the fresh pine smell and let the sun warm my face. The chill air contrasts the warmth of the sun perfectly. It’s peaceful.

There is only about a football field length of pine trees between where I stand in the clearing and our camp. Briefly, I wonder how safe it is to build our settlement so close to where the raids occur.

Maybe once this fight is over I would talk with Jared about it. For this raid I had a feeling we wouldn’t need to worry. Something about that bothered me. Was I being too casual about all of this?

The team moves into position. We don’t have to wait long. A large shimmer ripples through the air. The raid has begun.

This time, it’s not orcs.

The raiders step out—and they’re the most human-like creatures I’ve seen yet. But something’s wrong. Instead of human noses and mouths, they have canine-like muzzles—jaws lined with sharp teeth.

Without fur the look is unsettling, just skin stretched over the long snouts. Most wear tattered cloth shirts and pants, but they’re better armed than the last raiders—carrying longswords and two-handed claymores.

Something about their appearance reminds me of our own ragtag group. Even at my distance I can see the sag of shoulders, set in desperate determination. The mannerisms are so human. None of the raiders have any armor.

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The group is only fifty strong—half the size of the last raid.

As is my habit, I try to reason with them.

“Hey there!” I shout, waving in what I hope is a universal gesture of goodwill. “You don’t have to do this! We’d prefer a peaceful resolution!”

The lead raider cocks his head and mutters something to another. I can’t understand a word of it. Then, he raises his sword and shouts.

I glance at Mischief while running fingers across the orcs locket in my pocket. Did any of that get through?

Mischief just shakes his head. I let out a sigh. I tried.

I draw Tranquility from her home. The raiders charge.

I remind myself—I’m here more for support than anything else, our team needs to close the level gap. The idea of our team growing gives me chills.

Besides, this is the perfect chance for me to test my swordplay. No skills—just technique. We agreed that Mischief and I would rush first and draw as much attention as possible. The goal is to distract and not kill. The killing is for the others who will close in later–hopefully scoring some easy wins.

I close the distance in a rush so fast my clothing whips in the wind. The raiders aren’t idle though, several open with a volley of sword skills—in a moment ethereal blades come screaming towards me.

In training we practiced defending these types of attacks. The spectre blades would be solid and could be deflected just like a real blade. I adjust my stance, waiting to redirect their momentum.

One attack is deflected, another sidestepped. The third… slips through and slams into my barrier. Damn. I’m annoyed but keep moving. Not a bad start. Better than I expected really for my first attempt in actual combat.

The hit on my shield still bothers me though. I hated the idea that I had to rely on it. If I didn’t have my barrier skill this fight would have ended before it even started. I grit my teeth pushing the thought from my mind. Besides the only reason I am even willing to be this reckless is on account of my shield. Otherwise we would have a different strategy.

I barrel into the ranks of the raiders swiping blades as I dive into the masses. Raiders rush in behind me. Closing me in. I’m surrounded.

Perfect. This is what I wanted—live application of my sword motions.

In close quarters my nostrils are assaulted with a horrible odor. Something like bile mixed with excrement. I gag. If the smell isn’t enough the dog snouts are even more disturbing up close and personal, skin pulled taught in strange angles with open holes as nostrils.

I set into my stance trying to ignore the attack on my senses. The clothes on these creatures are barely being held together flapping loosely.

The raiders rush in alternating between attacks. My hours–days of training are pay off. My movements are smooth. Instinctual. Six raiders are attacking at once.

A blade swoops in aimed at my head while I sense another coming for my back.

Ducking I avoid the first attack while pivoting to face the second that I parry and redirect. At first–I revel in the movement. I feel my own power surging in my limbs powered by my stats. Tranquility sings as it deflects another blade with ease, speed and power urging my movements forward.

Exhilaration surges through me. Then it curdles, sour and heavy. Even with six opponents attacking in tandem, it feels like I’m fighting children.

Where my movements are smooth and calculated the creatures attacks are clumsy and slow. Another raider lunges for me and I nearly have to wait before parrying the attack. I was so caught away in my own movements I hadn’t noticed just how embarrassingly pitiful the attacks on me were.

A heavy claymore swings at me from behind. I sense it more than I see it. I turn, shifting just enough to slap the blade aside. The raider’s momentum spins him around—his sword still outstretched—

And he can’t stop his movement and eyes go wide as it accidentally guts one of his own allies.

You have killed Hyenasapian (Level 11).

I blink. Really? That counts? I barely did anything. Thanks, system, for rewarding accidental manslaughter.

Level 11? They might as well be bugs and I’m a car driving down the interstate. Even being surrounded I can easily still peer around the battle.

Mischief is a blur darting through the raiders occasionally swiping out to hamstring one after the next. It’s good work, those would be easy kills for Alex or Maddux.

Still moving, I scan the battlefield. The raiders are growing desperate—fear evident in their eyes being accentuated by a chorus of odd barking shouts. Through the chaos and stench I can’t help but wonder what it must feel like to face an enemy so far out of reach.

I’ve long accepted that killing is unavoidable. But… sometimes, the reality seeps through.

I can see it in their faces—so human in spite of the dog snouts–the realization is obvious. They can’t win. Hopelessness.

NPC’s. That’s all these are. The system somehow creates them.

I cut down an attacker. Then another.

NPC’s.

This isn’t a fight. It’s a massacre. I glance toward Alex and Maddux again. Ten or so raiders have them pinned, my spell is holding but they’re overwhelmed.

I rush in, recasting Barrier. A few quick slashes thin the crowd. Alex sees an opening and swings his axe—unleashing a powerful slashing skill.

It carves through three enemies.

Three kills that should be a nice boost for his growth, hopefully he can get a level and start taking care of his lopsided stats.

The thought helps relieve a knot in my chest. Experience, levels, yeah that’s all this is. The knot doesn’t fully dissolve though.

The fight drags on longer than it needs to, but that’s the point. Growth. Levels.

Finally, the last raider falls to a well placed arrow from Nick.

[Congratulations! Raid two of three has been defeated.]

Alex drops his axe and sighs. “Uggghhh! Layton, I love that barrier spell!”

I force a laugh. Time to start thinking about the next challenge.