Vergil decided to stop by a place that Elvira had mentioned if he was ever hungry. A small tavern.
Pushing the doors open, the scent of roasted meat and smoke filled his nose. His lips curved into a bittersweet smile, recollecting his past memories of starvation.
Rays of sunlight spilt onto the chandelier from behind him, its amber glow lighting up the place, warming the tavern in contrast to the cold breeze outside.
'Emberheart Tavern, it certainly does live up to the name. Vergil thought.
The laughter and voices rang like bells, as mugs clanked together while barmaids weaved past carrying trays with precision.
Vergil paused momentarily, and afamilar unease began to rise, one similar to when he was at Elvira's.
He closed his eyes and the hollowness returned. Making his way to the counter, where a broad-shouldered man with a grizzled beard was seated, polishing a glass.
"Aye. What'll it be, lad?"
"Something quick. I've got a job soon," Vergil leaned on the counter
"Doesn't everybody," the barman said. "I'll get you sorted, lad."
He shouted an order toward the kitchen, sliding a mug of water across the counter. Moments later, a steaming bowl of stew arrived–chunks of meat and vegetables floating in a rich broth. A slice of bread resting on the side.
Vergil dug in. The flavour and taste were 'delicious'. For a moment he forgot everything, solely focusing on the food before him.
Dipping the bread in the broth and tearing into it with a sound of satisfaction he never realised he had been holding back.
The barman watched him eat with a smirk. "Not bad, eh?"
Vergil nodded between his chews. "Yeah… It's good."
"A good meal can keep you going." The man said with a smile. " Come back for another meal if you're craving something unique."
Vergil wiped.his mouth using his sleeve. "...Thanks." Their eyes met once more, Vergil could feel that the man pitied him, Vergil averted his gaze elsewhere.
He set his coins down softly, before exiting into the breeze of the afternoon air.
The hour-long trek carried Vergil through a straight path, passing by rotted fences and signs clinging to life.
The village came into view, a graveyard of collapsing homes and shattered windows. The scent of ash and dust filled the air, thick enough for Vergil to be able to taste it on his tongue.
'All of this... done by rats?' Vergil expressed with a stunned look as his stomach twisted.
Then–scuffle... scratch.
Vergil froze, his dagger sliding free from its sheath.
A rat, nearly the size of a cat. Rooting through a pile of debris. Its matted fur twitched, teeth gnashing on something rotten. It hadn't noticed him yet.
Vergil lunged. The blade pierced its skull, the body dropping limp with a twitch, before Vergil used his Authority.
[User has gained 1 Dexterity point]
[Skills acquired: Lesser Disease Resistance (F-), Filthy Bite (F)]
Vergil's grip tightened.
'There has to be more.'
"Squeeee!"
From the shadows, more rats spilt out. Filthy, scarred, their red eyes glinting. They rushed as one, tiny claws scratching against cobblestone as they rushed at him.
"Come on then!" Vergil roared, slashing.
Crunch. Splurt. Blood splattered across the ground as his blade danced.
One after another, bodies dropped, yet the swarm pressed on. His arms and lungs screamed for relief, but he began to notice these weren't mindless. They moved with intention, probing, herding in on him.
Then, KRRRSHHH!
The wall behind him exploded. A massive rat crashed through, its weight shaking the ground, and scars split across its hide.
Vergil's fear came true.
'So it was you.'
Behind it, the swarm surged. Larger rats this time—scarred, grotesque and disturbingly coordinated. He had been played.
The leader screeched—SKRREEEEEE!
"Move!" Vergil spat.
He activated Dash, his body surging forward as the swarm thundered after him.
Claws raked across his arm, rip! Pain shot up as blood sprayed. He growled, yanking the rat free and hurling it aside.
There was no thinking, just running. Beams crashed behind him, and the air burned his lungs.
A rat slashed at his back, and he staggered, teeth clenched as claws ripped across his flesh. His shirt shredded, blood slick against his skin.
"Ghhhhh–damn it!"
He didn't stop. He couldn't. Not yet.
Another turn, his legs began to scream as his breath became ragged, but if he slowed even once, it was over for him. 'Don't give up on me yet.'
Vergil twisted his body into another alleyway, forming a blind spot between them.
An abandoned house loomed. Door half-hanging. He dove inside. SLAM! The door shut.
The swarm scuttled past outside. Silence.
Vergil collapsed against the wall, his chest sheathing profusely, as blood dripped down his back.
"Fuck, fuck."
He took out a vial from his inventory and used his teeth to remove the cork before pouring the liquid down his back.
SSSSHHHhhhhh!
The liquid moved into the wounds, burning. His fists clenched. His jaw locked.
"F-fuck, that hurts!"
The pain blurred his vision, yet it made his breath steady, as he poured some more onto his arm.
'Focus. You need a plan, Vergil.' He breathed slowly. 'If I don't take out that leader first, I won't stand a chance.'
[Dash (F) + Scurry (F-) + Nimble Dodge (F-) → Evasive Sprint (E-)]
[Lesser Poison Resistance x2 + Lesser Disease Resistance → Weak Toxin Resistance (E-)]
[Feral Bite + Filthy Bite → Vile Bite (F+)]
Vergil smirked through gritted teeth. "Good… that's more like it."
His breath steadied. "Now… time to turn this around."
Vergil sat slumped in the corner of the abandoned house. His back pressed against the crumbling wall, as blood seeped from the gash in his abdomen. His breath became ragged and shallow. Pain blooming with even the slightest movement.
Blood stank in the air. His dagger rested in his hand, chest heaving while sunlight cut through the broken roof.
For just a moment, he closed his eyes.
When he stirred, sunlight cut through the broken roof. His brown eyes blinked open, he had passed out from exhaustion.
"This… hurts," he muttered, a shaky grin tugging at his lips. "But I'm still alive."
After a much-needed rest and recovery, he moved out in the evening. The swarm, nowhere to be seen.
Vergil slipped out through a shattered window with agility. Leaping onto a nearby ledge, he climbed onto a rooftop and pressed himself flat, peering over the edge.
Below, the rat leader and its guards stalked the ruined streets, slow and methodical.
"Analyse."
[OverVermin]
Level: 3
Lifespan: 15 years
Tier: 0
Race: Monster
Stats:
Strength: 14
Constitution: 12
Dexterity: 7
Intuition: 7
Magic Power: 1
Mana Capacity: 1
Passive Skills:
Lesser Pack Leader (F)
Survival Instincts (F)
Hardened Hide (E-)
Active Skills:
Feral Bite (F)
Tail Smack (F-)
Feral Charge (F)
Adrenaline Surge (E-)
---
Vergil narrowed his eyes. Stronger than the goblins I fought… but only two levels higher.
[A lot stronger, huh? Can you manage] The system asked curiously.
"You just gotta trust me," Vergil muttered.
He scanned the rest of the pack—level 2s, all of them. Then, an idea sparked.
Yeah… that could work.
The OverVermin had entered a rundown building. The village hall alone, separating itself from the others.
Perfect.
He moved slowly but swiftly, dropping from the rooftop and moving carefully to avoid the rats. Upon reaching the hall, he scaled its side and crouched on the roof. Pressed flat, he peered through a cracked beam.
Inside, the OverVermin rested.
Vergil reached into his inventory and pulled out a small vial—the paralysis poison he'd bought from Osric. He opened it, coating his blade in the dark and viscous liquid.
Now all he had to do was strike.
He pried up a loose tile. The wood beneath it creaked faintly.
Then he dropped.
THUD! His boots slammed against the floor. His dagger plunged straight into the OverVermin's skull. SCHK!
The monster screeched. SKRREEEEEEE! Its limbs flailed wildly, smashing broken tables, dust and splinters flying.
Vergil's teeth bared as he twisted the dagger deeper. "How do you like that, huh?!"
The poison seeped in. The OverVermin convulsed, foam bubbling at its mouth.
Vergil leaned in close, growling. "Not so fun without your friends, is it?"
The beast thrashed again, and a guttural screech echoed throughout the hall.
Vergil gripped his blade, ripping it free as blood sprayed across his mouth and cheek. But he didn't flinch and kept stabbing.
"Now…" His grin began to widen. "…let's start round two."