5 Chapter 4

I briefly considered running away but immediately threw away that option. For all I knew this building is infested with monsters and I needed to get out fast.

I got into an improvised stance while I waited for the goblins then realisation hit me. I whipped out my bag and pulled out the kitchen knife, thankfully the goblins weren't too fast at climbing the stairs.

I noticed the first goblin approaching from the bend in the stairs as it carried a crude looking spear. I instantly threw the knife at him. I wasn't too confident in my ability to headshot him so I aimed for his torso, hoping to at least injure him.

It landed on his right shoulder with a sickening crunch.

I didn't have time to gloat over my success because the second goblin was probably right behind him. I jumped the goblin and pulled the knife from his shoulder then jabbed at the second one. My dagger struck true to its heart. It stopped struggling, dead. I was getting better at this.

-10 HP

[Bleeding Status Inflicted]

-1 HP per 5 second

I winced as I felt pain spread through my shoulder. I berated myself for turning my back to goblin. Then I felt another spike of pain as the goblin pulled its spear from my shoulder. I narrowly dodged it's next thrust as I turned back to face it.

The tiny creature seemed to take pleasure in my suffering as it smiled at me.

I dodged it's next thrust and instinctively caught its spear. Blisters from the wooden shaft pierced my skin. There was a slight pause as both I and the goblin seemed to ponder our next move. I pulled the spear out of its grasp and smiled at seeing the goblin's pale expression.

Disregarding the spear's blade, I bashed the spear shaft on the goblin's head, it broke on impact. The goblin fell down the stairs and seemed to lay sill, either dead or unconscious.

I couldn't feel my shoulder with all the adrenaline pumping through my veins but I was sure it needed attention, I walked towards the first goblin squirming on the floor and stabbed it in its eye socket. It stopped moving at last.

*Ding*

Lv. 4 [Goblin Scout] Slain

Lv. 6 [Goblin Warrior] Slain

Lv. 7 [Goblin Warrior] Slain

[Level 3]

Experience: 5%

I couldn't rejoice over the increase in level with the state of my shoulder. I needed to stop the bleeding asap.

I didn't carry with me anything that could be used as a bandage and promptly dismissed the thought of using the goblin's clothes.

Improvising, I used the knife to cut the lower part of my jeans into sheets. It was bit of work cutting the jeans but it worked out although I looked like a beggar now.

Fixing the piece of cloth across my shoulder blade was a bit trickier but I like to think I did a good job stopping the bleeding.

[Bleeding Status] Removed

Only after seeing this did I finally calm down. I was honestly surprised at how well I was taking all of this, then again I was nothing if not adaptable.

I was disappointed that the goblins only dropped a silver and 14 copper coins in total.

Where am I even supposed to use those?

Nevertheless, I kept them just in case. Now that I've calmed down I felt that I was quite lucky to survive this encounter. My fighting style felt reckless if not plain suicidal. If not for monstrous health I might've already been dead.

I need to be more careful from now on.

I also realised the usefulness of my [Lesser Pain Resistance], after all it was thanks to it that I managed to keep on fighting with an injured shoulder. I'm also shocked at the effects of my regeneration as I felt my shoulder was almost fully healed minutes after I was stabbed.

I can already imagine its usefulness in this monster infested world.

It also appears that those abilities were more difficult to level up accordingly.

I added my 10 stat points, 5 per level, to Vitality, Strength, and Agility in a 3:4:3 ratios. I planned to keep the advantage of my Vitality as well increase my other combat related stats to keep up with it.

After I was fully healed, I sheathed my dagger and picked up the knife and my bag then headed for the back exit of the apartment complex.

I had no intension of even checking the lobby for monsters… or survivors either.