“Shields!” Alex yelled out his command.

  Those at the front were the burliest amongst them. Many of them had tattoos all over their bodies, some even had them on their faces. Muscles bulged bigger than anything Mordred had ever seen. It was as if each and everyone of them had used mystical pills to temporarily enhance their muscles. But now they were covered in thick armour, even their faces were covered in a full face helmet.

  The two goblins picked up their javelins, and threw them with considerable force. They swished through the air, hurtling at insane speed. One of them smashed into a man at the front. With a sickening crack, his entire body was sent flying through the air, colliding with the others behind him.

  However, he got back up. He cradled his arm; it was clearly broken. But he still had his life.

  The other man wasn’t so lucky.

  Another spear struck another, but it had gone straight through his helmet's visor with impeccable aiming. He was killed on the spot.

  Those at the back hadn’t taken Alex’s advice. Amongst the 71 that were still alive, at least 20 of them had chosen other weapons, mainly bows. It was a good weapon, but against monsters that could dodge, and had durable skin, it was akin to throwing toothpicks at them. That wasn’t to mention their lack of skill with it, either.

  Many of them fumbled around with the arrows, dropping them on the floor the moment the goblins began their attack.

  However, Mordred did notice one woman in particular who was remaining calm. Somewhat. She still had fear stricken behind her eyes, but she was remaining composure. She had an arrow knocked, ready to fire the moment the goblins got into reach. Mordred doubted she’d do much damage, but that was the same with the men at the front with spears.

  Admirable, Mordred thought as he summoned his new skill: Omniscient Blossom Confluence. The moment the blossoms appeared around him, like the centre of a beautiful storm, Mordred heard a crack from behind him.

  The man that had suffered a broken arm, had it broken back into place. Behind his visor, he gazed at Mordred in shock and awe. He played with his arm, picked up his severely dented shield, then nudged towards the front of the crowd once more.

  Mordred was surprised at the man’s bravery. He was born into a harsh world of cultivation, where one had to battle for their own resources. Especially given Mordred’s peasantry background, with no family to rely on.

  Was Earth the same in that regard?

  Mordred focused. In just the span of 1 minute, 6 of them had already died. Some of the heavily armoured people in the middle had already fallen to the ground, sobbing. Not to mention those cowering at the back.

  Just like before, when the goblin’s had run out of pointed sticks to throw, they bolted towards them like little green lightning.

  “Spears!” Alex yelled.

  Almost at the same time, those at the front aimed their own pointed sticks ahead. It took only 15 seconds for the goblins to arrive from the treeline. Like a battering ram, they smashed through the wall of shields and spears.

  Alex’s own spear had penetrated one of the goblin’s eyes, spewing blood, eliciting a pained howl; which only made it turn furious. It’s own pointed anger turned to Alex. It moved, threatening to rip him apart.

  But Mordred was there to back him up. With his skill activated, Mordred used his new sword to strike at the goblin. Longsword aimed for its throat, Mordred felt the increased power radiate through his body.

  However, the goblin was quick to duck. Then, it activated a movement skill. Green mist covered its legs, and in a burst of movement, was already standing in front of Mordred. However, Mordred’s defensive ring activated.

  Pink blossoms turning frigid, Mordred commanded them to slice and dice the monster. Each one left a mark in its flesh, drawing blood. But they were just a flesh wound, and they were already healing.

  Shit, Mordred thought, and quickly used Plum Step, increasing his own movement speed. He dodged the goblins machete with a step to the side, barely avoiding it by a hair's breadth, then swept his blade, nicking the creature’s throat.

  Mordred wasn’t done there. Using the defensive ring of his cultivation technique, the frigid blossomed seeked out the newly created wound. Petal after petal sliced at the gash in the goblins throat, widening it, blood spurting.

  Noticing the situation it was in, the goblin raised its hand to block the petals.

  But how could it focus on defence when Mordred was aiming for an assault? Activating his sword arts, the petals of the blossoms swished with his every sword strike. Each time he swung his sword, it only grew more powerful.

  While Mordred was focusing on his prey, the others were struggling. People were dying by the second. The short haired girl that was well practised with a bow, found her mark. She penetrated its eye; she was the only one to deal any significant damage.

  However, Mordred couldn’t spare the attention, even as others were cleaved in half.

  Soon, his moves ended in a crescendo. Petals laying on his blade, the air turned pink. Mordred grit his teeth and slashed with all his might. His blade found its mark, slicing half way into the goblin’s already wounded neck. His blade continued, slicing through resistance until it glided all the way through, decapitating the wretched beast.

  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

  You have defeated: Goblin (Level 4)

  | You have Levelled up: 2>4

  | You have 4 unspent Stat points.

  | You have earned 13 achievement credits.

  Mordred immediately placed all his points into Qi. If he was going to endure the waves of monsters, he had to be able to cut them down with ease.

  He felt the startling distance a moment later. The inside of his core was a gas, but it was quickly transforming thicker. Mordred was stunned. If he wanted it to grow to such a state, he’d have to cultivate it for at least 2 years.

  Now, it was instant.

  “Now focus on the other one, Mordred!” Alex shouted, blood seeped from his helmet. Perhaps he was only able to continue because of Mordred’s healing ability.

  So, Mordred turned his focus on the other. The goblin was about to tear into the short haired girl. Bolting, Mordred only barely made it in time. His ice petals moved in front of her like a wall as the goblin’s cleaver descended.

  Mordred felt the strain as the monster’s weapon cleaved into his petals, destroying, shattering each and every one. It brought enough time for Mordred to take the blossom’s place, and defend with his own sword. The weight of the strike came crashing down, blade on blade. Mordred changed the direction of his sword so the flat of the blade rested on his shoulder.

  The goblin’s blade crunched against his collarbone. Alex’s spear arrived, digging into the creature’s ear. It screeched, blood trickling down. It snapped a kick straight for Alex’s chest, the impact struck true, sending him hurtling to the floor in a groan of pain.

  Summoning his Qi, activating his sword arts, Mordred put every ounce of his strength into the tip of his blade. It shot through the goblins eye, penetrating its brain, killing it instantly.

  You have defeated: Goblin (Level 4)

  No level up, Mordred thought in pain. But there was something else.

  Your skill has Levelled up → Plum Blade Arts (★★★★)

  | When using Plum Blade Sword Arts, your attacks are 40% more effective.

  | Progress to next Level-up → 0/25,000xp

  | Achievement Credits awarded: 10

  1st wave complete!

  | You have 10 minutes to prepare for the next wave.

  Sighing, Mordred checked his current Achievement Credits. If he wanted to get out of this alive, he needed 10x reward desperately.

  Current Achievement Credits: 29/100

  Still so many more to go, Mordred frowned. It looked like he’d need to complete these monster waves in order to gain it. Or at least approach the 100 mark.

  Mordred kept his ring of blossoms up, despite how taxing it was to utilise it for so long. After just 30 seconds more, Mordred cancelled it. People were still in pain, their wounds still there, but if Mordred wanted to come out of this alive, he had to be in tip top condition.

  Of course, not everyone was so pleased about that.

  “Hey,” Kyle said, frowning. Mordred had heard of his name from the others. “You need to keep that ring up. Look at us–” he motioned towards those who had died, and those who were grievously wounded.

  “I can’t,” Mordred said without an expression. “I need to rest for the next wave.”

  Kyle stomped forward. Alex was quick to intercept, he placed his hand on Kyle’s chest. “Woah there,” Alex said. “Mordred is right. We need his power in the next stage. If he can’t use that ring, can’t fight, we’re screwed.”

  “Then what do we do?” Kyle threw off Alex’s hand.

  “Rest,” Alex explained. “Use the bandages. They’re magical. Listen up, everyone,” he shouted to the others. At least half were already sitting on the floor, looking in a daze. “If we can reach Level 5 and obtain our Classes, it will prove a massive boost in our strength. Remember what Bartholomew said, if we get there, we’ll be granted a stronger than average Class. We can turn the tide against these green bastards. So get on your feet, this isn’t over yet.”

  Mordred wondered how much stronger a class would make him, so as Alex broke free from the crowd, Mordred stopped him.

  “Tell me more about these classes,” he said. “You seem to know more about them than I.”

  Alex nodded. “You see, in our world; Earth. We have these games where you can pick classes. Each class changes your style of fighting, and not by a small amount either. You can pick a magic class and hurl fireballs. Or pick a warrior that makes you much stronger physically.”

  Mordred nodded along enthusiastically.

  “So, if Bartholomews words are correct, then we skip the most basic of them. In theory, we should get those classes later on if we were in an easier tutorial. But because of… our situation, we seem to get them earlier at Level 5.”

  I need to reach Level 5 as soon as possible, thought Mordred as Alex approached the others, spending his time helping bandage others, helping encourage them.

  Mordred admired it. Thanks to those who had decided to choose heavy armour and spears, it made defending so much easier. He had to admit it, but if it wasn’t for Alex, perhaps they’d have lost at the first hurdle.

  As a cultivator, Mordred was born to be selfish. It was his life above all the rest. So, he only thought of himself first. He had to change his thinking. He had to utilise all the resources available. People were resources, too.

  Heading over to the short haired archer girl, he handed over his bandage. “Your arm, wrap it up,” he said, pointing at the girl's wounded arm.

  “Thank you,” She said.

  “Don’t mention it,” replied Mordred. “I don’t need it. I seem to heal faster with my skills.”

  “I meant for saving my life,” she said with a wry shake of her head. “I would be dead if not for you. I’m Mia.”

  “Mordred,” he bowed. “Just make sure you pick a good class. We’ll need every ounce of strength we can get.”

  She nodded, and just as she was busy bandaging her arm–

  The second wave is beginning in 2 minutes. Get ready.

  Mordred excused himself with a bow, then headed amongst the heavily armoured earthlings just like before as he awaited the monstrous beasts to appear. How many would it be this time? Double? Or more?

  The anticipation left him feeling itchy. He gazed around at the people, looking for a target to–

  Kyle sent him a nasty look. “You should be in the front with that skill of yours. You really are a–”

  Mordred instantly flicked his blade with no hesitation, severing the man's head from his body in one swift motion. Blood spurted violently, leaving the onlookers frozen in shock and disbelief.

  You have defeated: Kyle Watters (Level 2)

  | You have Levelled up: 4>5

  | You have 2 unspent Stat points.

  | You have earned 3 achievement credits.

  You have reached Level 5!

  | Granting Common Class Selection…

  | Nightmare Difficulty Zone detected, upgrading Classes by one whole tier…

  | Granting Uncommon Class Selection…

  Mordred smiled at the words filtering in his vision. Now… what would be his choice for power?