Chapter 5: Boy Vs Ratmen [2]

[You Obtained Rat Fur]

[You Obtained 2 Gold]

Despite finally getting some income, I couldn't even afford to take a moment to consider it!

"Damn rats!"

The moment the rushing steps began to splash, I couldn't stop my heart racing; it became hard to breathe as memories of the distant past filled my mind like the throes of death, my life flashing past my eyes.

When I feared death, my mind became hazy, escaping to a better place.

Or so I thought...

[Rai's Past Memory]

"Ah, the bastards here!" A black-haired thug called, his hand reaching out and grabbing me by the throat.

My body wasn't flexible as before I started to train at the local gym—this is a memory from when I was 11.

Smack!

Intense pain assaulted my nose and cheek, like a mixture of throbbing and a burning sensation before the warm feeling of a bitter, iron-tasting fluid oozed from my nose and lips.

Smack!

"Lil' poor shit, think you can refuse our orders?"

Bang!

Another one on the ground—my head was too dull when the second fist hit me, making nothing make sense like my brain was rattling around my head, spelling my doom!

Despite a pathetic attempt to hit the bastard back and to miss, only to have my jaw smashed by a rising knee from the cunts.

I didn't achieve anything...

All this...

They pulled me across the floor, dragged me until my clothes were filled with dirt, blood and filth and tossed me against stacked pallets.

"Ugh..."

"Hit him!"

"Fucking break his nose!"

The shouting of the gang was loud—the words didn't register for me at this moment. All I could focus on was the pain in my face and my right arm feeling strange.

Maybe in shock, probably that would explain it as the bone of my right forearm was sticking from the skin.

I had been hit by a metal bat while being dragged, fucking gangs, thugs and scum...

"Heh..."

"Do you regret not letting us fuck your sexy bitch of a mother now?"

A surly male with thick muscles and nasty breath, like someone who smoked a carton of cigarettes and didn't brush for weeks.

Who was this guy? Ah.... the prick that wanted to fuck my mother... Haha...

Watching these scenes, I realised something.

Each time, their fists smashed into my bloody face, or their boots trampled on my bruised and swollen body.

Why am I scared?

Haven't I already seen hell?

Didn't I already fight to survive once?

What does it matter if they aren't human?

[Present]

"Ah..."

As the Ratmen approached a group of four, I returned to my sense, a feeling of clarity in my mind.

The bastard sword held across my left hip, along my body, with the blade pointing diagonally towards my right shoulder.

"Aren't they just those fuckers with more hair?" A dirty tone, just like those thugs that assaulted him.

Vulgar, violent and unrestrained.

My body seemed to become more agile, and my movements flowed better as I darted forward—no way would I let these bastards swarm me!

One to the far left, two in the front and three to the far right, but they were not here yet.

I dashed, and the air leaving my lungs with a sharp sensation felt amazing.

My posture adjusted as I used the sprinting technique I learned by secretly watching my sister's athletics classes.

"haa....haa..." two sharp breaths before my body lowered for a fraction—I felt something like an instinct as the Ratmans spear lunged forward.

The blade missed me, but my messy hair was cut for free!

My hair was trimmed slightly, the undercut and shaved sides looking even more awesome with the wild hair on top now trimmed so it moved with the wind.

This fuckin' Rat!

Like a beast, my sword in hand slashed its neck, the dull sound of the wooden blade crushing its voicebox.

Not before my right arm smashed forward with a powerful hook—the feel of its mangy fur and teeth breaking caused a strange pleasure in my body to explode.

-> Defeated Ratman C

Unlike before, I used the momentum lunging forward to the two Ratmen to my right!

Now I finally got a good look at them, thanks to the torches flickering to show the two ugly bastards.

They were one hundred and twenty centimetres tall with dirty fur matted and filled with grime, long pink tails the thickness of a pinky while their eyes were dull but seemed sharp at the same time.

My sword was cumbersome to use as the skills taught me.

So I stopped, instead using it how I felt was best, holding the blade with a reverse grip, my left fist jabbed out, smashing the pommel into the nose of the left Rat.

A crunching sound before our bodies collided together, rolling in the mud. I made sure to jab its fucking body—during street fights, you never stopped hitting the opponent, even when down!

The same for your opponent!

"Haa...Haa.... fucker!"

So I closed my body, blocking the Rat's claws with my arms, the pain was intense, and my flesh burnt—however, the Rat under me was now a bloody mess as I slapped it over and over with pommel and fist, making sure to kick out with my right leg at the little bastard that tried to help its brethren.

-> Defeated Ratman D

"Hahahaha! Haa....fuck... my arm is sore..."

I couldn't help but speak out, rolling my body off the dead Ratman, feeling exhausted, but there were 3 more rats to fight! Hmmm?

For the first time, I noticed a strange number in the top left of my eyes, no two!

HP: 5/10 MP: 6/6

"Shit! I am half dead from a few of that little cunts scratches!?"

HP: 4/10

Bleeding? Oh fuck! Potion... potion... No

Woosh!

The Ratman E lunged at me with its rusty sword, slicing my shirt but missing my stomach by centimetres—I could feel the blade... The cold steel almost killed me, tearing open my stomach and dropping my guts on the floor!

No... I didn't dodge it—the blade nipped my waist!

"Ooh!"

Pain!

I felt so fucking much pain!

The blade was worse than those fucking sticks the thugs would smash me with!

I curled up, blood pouring from the wound on my side; my trousers became soaked with my blood, and my heart raced like mad as my mind became blank, thinking I would die!

The Ratman's weapon clattered to the floor—it seemed confused that it missed my chest, and my right hand instinctively grabbed the bastard's neck and squeezed it!

"O...wha?"

The Ratman was caught off guard, trying to choke the life out of the beast... I couldn't tell what was going on!

In a blur, my left hand dropped the sword, grabbing the bottle in my pocket—all I could see was a dim light and the Ratman in my grip with bulging eyes before a disgusting crack sounded.

The moment I swallowed the potion, it had a warm but milky taste with a hint of raspberry... Strange, what if I get addicted to this!?

-> Defeated Ratman E

A sad thought...

Maybe it was the fact my mind was under such intense stress, but I could think faster—there were too many things to consider. The sword drifted away like the two rats only a few steps behind me.

Can I use any weapon? Will I die here?

HP: 1/10 -> 10/10

"No..."

Whoosh!

In desperation, I tossed the now dead Ratman at them, its body heavy, yet my arms were full of strength again thanks to the thick and sticky red potion!

Tap! Tap! Tap!

I ran and sprinted, the muscles in my legs rarely working so hard unless I was spotted by one of the gangs at night!

With every fibre of my body, I rushed towards my wooden sword, twisting my body and leaning down to grasp it with my right hand.

Holding it to my waist with little to no guard, I looked up at the two rats rushing towards me.

I had fought against death and felt twice the moment and fear of death.

Somewhere deep inside me, a dark and violent side of me that I had let sleep for more than four years was waking up.

And only these two Ratmen were here to vent!