The sun was in its final descent, casting elongated shadows through the trees, one of them belonging to the orc as it lumbered toward me. The forest held its breath. The only sounds that broke the silence were the guttural, echoing laughter of the orc and the earthshaking impact of its footsteps.

  There was no strength left in my legs, only the dull, rhythmic thud of my heartbeat, each pulse a grim reminder of my approaching end. The stench of the orc hit me first: foul, unwashed, and heavy with blood. My blood, along with its blood. A trail of violence clinging to us both.

  Every cough brought the metallic tang of blood to my tongue, warm and coppery. It bubbled up in spurts, spilling from my lips. And yet, through the haze of pain and fear, only one word remained in my mind.

  “Unfair.”

  The orc stopped mid-step, its shadow flickering in the dying light.

  “This world. This life. This situation, it’s all unfair.”

  Did I need to say it aloud?

  No.

  Could the orc even comprehend my words?

  Again, no.

  But does it matter? Do I need to justify myself?

  “If I had been stronger, I could’ve killed you without effort. If I had been faster, I could’ve left you behind without a second thought. If I had been more honest……I would’ve gone with them. I would’ve left. Why is it only now, with death staring me in the face, that I finally understand this? Why did the writer pick me—of all people—knowing my dreams, knowing my limits, knowing I would break so easily here? Why must life be so cruel? Why must death arrive without dignity, without fairness?”

  The orc began moving again.

  “Maybe everything would be easier if I had changed. If I had been someone else, someone better.”

  I turned my head to look at the orc.

  “But even that,” I said softly, “is just another impossible dream.”

  Rogue, you're still out there, aren't you? You're not finished yet. Your Master has one more order.

  “For the Boss!”

  Suddenly, the bushes behind the orc rustled violently. In the blink of an eye, before the creature could fully turn, Rogue burst forth with one final, desperate assault. He scaled the hulking monster with swift precision, racing up its broad back until he reached the neck. With a surge of momentum, Rogue circled around and launched himself at the orc’s last remaining eye. Clinging tightly with his feet, he began his relentless assault, aiming with fierce intent to blind the beast permanently.

  For life to throw an orc in my path, I could only despair at the absurdity of it. The difference in power was so vast, so utterly hopeless, that the thought of victory seemed laughable. How could I ever defeat a creature like this?

  The orc let out a guttural roar and charged toward a nearby tree in an attempt to rid itself of my summon. Rogue, ever agile, leapt away just in time, soaring upward to land on a low-hanging branch. As the orc slammed into the trunk with brutal force, Rogue dove once more from above, landing back on its shoulders and continuing his unyielding strikes.

  Even if I know it’s impossible, even if logic tells me I’ve already lost, I still want to win. The craving to live, to keep going, won’t die. I don’t want this orc to end my story. I don’t want to lose you either.

  The orc howled in agony as Rogue drew blood, a scream of frustration and pain echoing through the trees.

  If that’s what it takes, then so be it. I will fight like vermin. I will cling to life like a rat cornered and desperate. I will bare my teeth at the abyss. I will endure pain, and I will summon every last fragment of willpower buried inside me.

  Then came a squeak—short, sharp. The orc had finally caught Rogue. Like a savage gorilla, it raised its thick arms high, ready to slam my companion into the earth with fatal force.

  No. I wouldn’t let him suffer any further. That pain, that burden, is mine to bear.

  The orc’s face twisted in confusion as it realized Rogue had vanished from its grip.

  Even now, with all the desperation in the world, I can’t overpower an orc. I’m outmatched in every physical way. My body is broken, and what little mana I had has long since drained away. There is nothing I can do. Nothing but accept my end.

  The orc stalked over to me and seized me in one massive hand. I was weightless in its grip, nothing more than a ragdoll. Its ironclad fingers dug into my ribs with crushing force, and my legs dangled uselessly below. One amber eye bore into mine, seething with raw, burning hatred. The other socket was a grotesque void; dark, slick, and pulsing with blood. Crimson blood ran freely down its cheek, threading through layers of old scars and fresh filth.

  Then, its jaw began to unhinge. Cracked, peeling lips curled back to reveal twitching black gums, and from deep within its throat came a guttural growl. The heat of its breath hit me like a blast from a furnace, thick with rot and filth, revolting enough to make me gag just inhaling it. And then, it drew its head back. Its mouth opened wide, wide enough to crush a skull in a single bite. It was going to bite my head off.

  But I had known this moment would come. Ms. Lonnie taught me that much.

  I used to think I understood the world, thought I had learned enough to survive. I used to believe that I knew a lot of things. But only now, here, staring down the throat of death, do I truly understand what it means to know something. Because now, I know what I must do.

  I know life is cruel. I know Death doesn't deal in justice. I’m no hero. Realistically, I have no chance of walking away from this. But I still want to. I want to go home. I want to see my family again. I want to chase my dreams, to become an adventurer, to live. That’s why, now, as I stare into the black abyss of its throat, I feel no fear. Only hatred.

  I hate you. I loathe everything about you. I want to watch you shrivel in agony, to see your body convulse and fold into itself in a blood-soaked heap, just like those goblins. I want it so badly it aches. But I know I can’t make that happen, not with brute force. I’m too weak. Which is why I have to rely on this.

  I spit into the mouth.

  The orc was momentarily stunned. It closed its mouth and proceeded to cough, irritated at what I had just done.

  It froze.

  A sudden shudder rippled through its body. The thick stench of rot still poured from its mouth, but now it mixed with something bitter, something poisonous.

  Wolfsbane.

  The orc staggered, grip loosening just slightly as its throat tensed. Foam began to bubble at the edges of its mouth. That burning eye widened in confused fury. It let out a strangled choke, and then a low, guttural growl that cracked mid-breath, like it was trying to roar but couldn’t draw the air.

  Its eye glared at me with scorn. Somehow, it knew I had done this.

  I stared back.

  The beast stumbled back a step, still clutching me, but its balance wavered. Muscles once tense with strength twitched with involuntary spasms. The foul breath grew ragged, wet. Blood from the ruined eye mixed with drool and foam, running down its chin in clotted streams.

  Then it dropped me.

  I crashed to the ground with a grunt, the air torn from my lungs. Above me, the orc staggered back, clutching its throat. Thick ropes of saliva and foam spilled from its mouth, trailing down its tusks and onto its chest. The amber eye darted in every direction, blood still streaming from the ruined socket on the other side.

  It let out a strangled roar, more choke than sound. Its knees buckled for a moment, then it slammed a fist into the ground, trying to stay upright. But the poison was already surging through it. Its body convulsed, lips twitching over black gums as it spat blood and foam in ragged bursts.

  The orc staggered, swaying like a felled tree clinging to its last root. With one hand still on its throat, it reached its other to me. It seemed almost accusing, but I knew that it wanted to kill me before I could run away, or at least, die peacefully. It took one step forward, then another, but its footing was gone. Its massive body lurched sideways, and with a guttural wheeze, it collapsed.

  The ground shook as it hit the earth, a thunderous thud of dead weight and muscle. Dust kicked up around its body, settling slowly over its twitching limbs. Its breathing became raspy and low, clinging onto the few gasps of air it could muster.

  I’m too weak, weak to the point where I almost died to this foul piece of shit. I knew that my best bet would be to blind it and to safely crawl away after. But there was a chance that Rogue would fail so I needed an alternative……….And honestly?

  I felt that was too light on the orc.

  It would hurt, and even be life-threatening, but I didn’t care. I would do it. I would store the wolfsbane poison into my mouth and spit it into the orc’s mouth. I would endure that excruciating pain.

  I would make sure the orc would die by my own hands.

  I slowly crawled to the orc.

  When I arrived and climbed atop the beast’s neck, I stared at it.

  It stared back.

  It was too weak to move its limbs. It only had enough energy to peacefully lie and await its death-

  “Hey.”

  The orc’s pupil stuttered at my voice.

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  “Who said you could die like this?”

  You almost ended my life. My dreams, my chance, everything. Do you really think I’m going to let you die peacefully?

  I brought out the gourd of wolfsbane.

  The orc seemed to sense what was going on.

  I brought it to the hollow eye. Its nerves and blood vessels were exposed.

  I smiled.

  This is going to hurt.

  The orc squealed like a pig as the wolfsbane entered the hollow eye socket. Its body convulsed like it had been struck by lightning. Its spine arched off the ground, a guttural, half-choked scream tearing from its throat, a sound wet and broken, as if it were trying to roar through blood.

  The muscles in its neck seized, veins bulging against green-gray skin. Its massive arms jerked upward, fists clenched so tight the knuckles split and bled. One leg kicked out violently, gouging a deep groove in the dirt before it locked rigid. Foam, thick and tinged with red, poured from the corners of its mouth, mixing with drool and bile.

  The ruined socket literally hissed as the wolfsbane soaked into the exposed tissue. Blood thinned to a dark, watery ooze, bubbling as if boiling from within. The flesh around the socket twitched and pulsed like it was alive, rejecting the poison, but it was far too late.

  The orc’s good eye flew wide open, pupil dilating to the size of a coin, then flickering wildly, trying to focus on something that wasn’t there. It gasped, chest heaving with desperate, spasmodic breaths, lungs pulling in air it could no longer use.

  To sacrifice my life and accept that I used it for a noble cause?

  Fuck that.

  I’m too selfish to be satisfied with that conclusion.

  To deceive this mindless beast, to poison it and watch as it writhes and screams in agony? To see its eye melt away like vapor, searing and bubbling with every second? To witness this towering monster collapse not by brute strength, but by me? By my will, my effort, my cunning?

  To return to the arms of my loving family. To laugh again with my summons. To roam this vast, untamed world. To chase that foolish, stubborn dream I refuse to let go.

  To keep living in my own twisted, relentless way. To wield both logic and emotions to bring ruin to whatever dares stand in my path.

  That suits me much better.

  Finally, the orc’s body became slack, and its good eye became cloudy.

  The beast had finally died.

  And with that, a notification appeared before me.

  Congratulations! Mission passed!

  …….Cool.

  But I’m not done yet.

  I still have one more reward to reap.

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  I was born in the back of a cave, surrounded by cold stone and louder screams. There was no comfort in my arrival. I was met only with blood, hunger, and the weight of bodies fighting to stay close to the fire. My brothers tore at each other the moment they could crawl, already knowing what mattered: food, heat, and power. Not one of them would share. Not one of them wanted to.

  I learned fast.

  My hands were thick and slow at first, too soft, too clumsy. But they wanted to be like the rest. They reached out for bones, for tools, for flesh. I didn’t cry when I was kicked down. I didn’t beg when they took what was mine. I watched. I remembered. And then I started taking it all back.

  At first, I used my teeth. It was tough to tear through their skin, but it was a good start. Then, I used my fists. A brutal beatdown or strangulation. I had more options. Eventually, I learned to appreciate the weapons around me: stones, sticks, and shards of metal.

  I wasn’t the biggest, but neither was I the smallest. The ones who were bigger? I broke them, one by one. I tore out their eyes. I snapped their necks. I broke their limbs. I made sure that none would have the power to oppose me.

  Some orcs looked to the chief. I looked at the chief like a future kill.

  We weren’t warriors because of pride or glory. We fought because anything less meant becoming bones for the next to step over. Every day was a trial, to hunt, fight, kill, and eat. The weak were beaten. The slow were bait. The soft were eaten. If you wanted to see the next morning, you had to earn it with blood.

  And I earned every sunrise with someone else’s.

  I had become a merciless killer. Was it due to my upbringing, or was it my inner nature being nurtured to fruition?

  It was at some point that I began killing for the sake of it, instead of simply to survive.

  I began to enjoy it.

  I was kicked out of the den for this very reason.

  I could’ve fought back. I could’ve easily killed them all. If I wanted, I could’ve become the chief.

  However, I knew that I’d have more things to kill if I became a wanderer.

  With a wooden club in hand, I traveled the land. I killed many beasts. I killed many humans. I killed many that were deserving. I killed many that weren’t.

  I indulged in them all.

  One day, I came across a wolf. It was fast, clever, and provided a brief but enjoyable challenge. I swung my club as it darted and weaved, narrowly avoiding every blow. It was a refreshing workout.

  But it didn’t last. Soon, the wolf began to slow, its energy fading.

  Boring.

  What was that? I heard the cry of a small human.

  I turned to see four humans cowering at me.

  Ah, perfect.

  My eyes fell on the boy. Something about him interested me.

  I lunged at him, but somehow, he managed to dive out of the way. I crashed into a tree instead, and the little ones took that opportunity to run.

  Good. Make this entertaining.

  I chased after them, barreling through the narrow trees that tried to restrain me. What now? A snake, tangled around my legs. I stumbled, briefly, and realized I was losing them.

  No. Not yet. I’m not done.

  I hurled my club like a spear. They dodged again.

  Excellent. You’re performing well.

  I kicked the snake away and pressed on. By the time I arrived, only the boy remained. A slight disappointment, but not a problem.

  There’s something strange about him.

  I charged once more. Was I mistaken?

  He dodged and tried to strike my spine.

  That’s not good enough.

  He stumbled. I swung downward. He rolled beneath and slashed at my leg.

  No. Poor form.

  He tossed dirt into my eyes. Annoyed, I wiped them clear and readied myself. Dirty tricks……..Exactly like me.

  I kicked him with all my force. His body flew into a tree like a broken doll.

  Now let me hear you scream. Let me savor your despair. Show me your final, hopeless moments.

  Suddenly, I felt pain. A sharp, searing pain in my skull. It felt like something was inside me, chewing and scraping at my brain. I clawed at my temple, trying to dig it out, but to no avail. I inserted my fingers in my nostrils to fish out whatever was in, but I couldn’t reach far enough. What curse has this boy unleashed?

  It hurts too much. It reminds me of—…no. No. I won’t remember that.

  I rushed to the stream nearby and plunged my head beneath the water, trying to wash it out. Relief, at least, for a moment.

  I turned back to the boy.

  You're mine now.

  I swung my club, yet he dodged effortlessly. Again. Missed. Again. Still missed. He was evading every blow. Easily. This was dragging on. I started swinging recklessly, desperate to catch him, but even then, he kept slipping through.

  We were both exhausted. No prey had ever pushed me this far. It was time to end it.

  He seemed to think the same.

  He charged at me, blindly. I raised my club to crush him, but a rat suddenly appeared on his shoulder. It then sprang forward, claws raking across my face. The boy climbed up next, and I felt the sting of his weapon driving into my right eye. I roared.

  I refuse to fall to a human child.

  I ripped the weapon out and hurled him to the ground. He went limp. The rat was dazed, too. I lifted the boy, holding him in front of me. I could only see half of him now. The burning pain from my ruined eye made me seethe.

  You won’t die quickly.

  I threw him with every ounce of force I had. Then I walked over. The damned rat still clung to life. I ended it without hesitation and kept moving. What would I see now? What would his face reveal? Fear? Hopelessness?

  I stopped. He was speaking. I didn’t understand his words, but the fury in his voice was unmistakable. Who was it directed at?

  I pressed forward. Why did this fragile creature make me hesitate? Why did his voice stir something old, something I was born with?

  The bushes rustled behind me. I turned. The rat again. It dove for my remaining eye. Not this time. I slammed myself into a tree. It evaded again. After a short struggle, I grabbed it. Before I could smash it, it vanished. What sorcery is this?

  I turned back to the boy. I walked to him and lifted him once more. His face, calm, almost indifferent. But his eyes were filled with fury. Pure, undiluted hatred.

  Thank you for the entertainment. I’ll savor your end.

  I opened my mouth to devour him whole, but then he spat into it.

  I choked, startled. What was that? Something was wrong. I could still taste it. Bitter. Icy. Not blood. Not metal. Something alien. Something…....wrong. That boy. That damned boy. He knew this would happen.

  I looked at him. His eyes weren’t scared. They were waiting. Expectant.

  Then the pain began.

  Like cold fingers wrapping around my throat, down my arms, into my gut, I felt the burning sensation envelop my entire body.

  I dropped him. Not because I wanted to. Because my hand, my arm, didn't work. It just let go.

  What is this?

  I look at the boy. I try to grab him again.

  I stumble. My knees give. I collapsed.

  What is happening to me?

  I breathe shallowly as I feel my strength fading away.

  It can’t be. I’m dying to this boy, to this young child.

  I hear him crawling towards me, and I eventually see him climb atop of me.

  His eyes lock with mine.

  Fine. So be it.

  I recognize you. You have slain me. You have won. You have earned the grand prize of continuing to survive in this cold world.

  I slow my breathing. I prepare to let my soul pass away.

  I hear him talk again.

  That same fear creeps into my body.

  I see him hold some object…….what is it?

  I watch helplessly as he pours a liquid into my hollow eye.

  I’m too weak to stop him.

  It becomes worse.

  I felt pure agony seep into my eye, burning my veins like fire spreading throughout my skull. My whole body jerked up off the ground. I screamed, but it didn’t sound like me. It was high and cracked, like a dying animal.

  My back arched. My arms shot into the air. My fists clenched so hard I felt skin tear. One leg kicked out and slammed into the dirt. Then everything locked. Frozen and burning at the same time.

  I felt my mouth fill with foam, blood, and spit. I couldn’t stop it. I couldn’t breathe right.

  My eye…….the good one……opened wide. I couldn’t see straight. The pupil grew huge, then twitched and shook, trying to find something. The chief, a fellow orc, or anything to use as a weapon.

  My lungs pulled in air too fast. I gasped, but it didn’t help. I was choking on nothing.

  My eye socket hissed like meat on fire. The poison was fully absorbed. The flesh twitched and bubbled. I could feel it dying.

  I wanted to fight. I wanted to stand.

  But I couldn’t even move.

  I looked at the boy.

  He smiled.

  His smile reminded me of myself, of my crazed hunter desire……….No.

  He’s worse.

  What type of monster are you?

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  I couldn’t even think.

  I couldn't even read the new notification that appeared before me.

  I could only let my body fall as I passed out.

  This time, it was for real.

  But before I did, I still had one more thought.

  A thought for not you, but for them.

  You're next.