I looked at these five bastards in front of me with emotions I can’t explain their origin. My mind spun as fast as possible, thinking about ways to kill them. I never really fought to the death in my life. So I had to think different for a moment and use all the common sense in fighting I could think about.

  Assess the situation first. No use in jumping into your death, Laith. Now… five beasts. About two metres apart from each other and the second on the left is the closest to me. Can’t back off anymore or I’ll lose any form of escape.

  I could think this much but there was one obvious thing that both sides knew.

  I am weak.

  Extremely weak.

  When godlike entities are fighting around me, I am unimaginably weak.

  But at least I am aware of that… which is a start. Fighting them with strength alone is suicide so I need to come up with something. Something they can’t think about.

  Let’s see… They seem smart but not smart enough to realise feints… so I could bait them into attacking first, reading their patterns before luring them into a trap. Honestly, the chances are very slim for me to kill all of them. But I can’t do anything besides using such a simple tactic.

  All I have to do now is to set the trap and get them to fall for it. Yeah… that’s what I should think about first yet I have absolutely no idea what to do.

  My thoughts stopped right when the first one started to run up to me. It was the second on the left. It was the nearest one to me and seeing its bloodstained beak made me almost lose the strength in my legs.

  It was already running at me and by now, I should do something at least. So I jumped out of the way, barely getting hit by that beast.

  Don’t look at me like that! I didn’t know what to do! And if you were in my circumstances, you wouldn’t either.

  So I just listened to my gut for once and spun around, swinging my arms with the rod in my hands so hard that I hit the beast on the side of its upper body. It flew a bit off course and crashed into the wall instead of into my face. It even had a bit of blood leaving its mouth.

  I’m that strong? Oh hell, no! It must be this weird place…

  Or maybe a bit of physics and centrifugal force helped out? I’m not sure but spinning my whole body may have helped big time.

  Yet when I saw the sight of my successful attack, I did not get cocky and turned around to not let any of these bastards see my back for a moment. I learned my lesson the hard way.

  Or deadly way. Take it as it is but I for sure won’t want to make the same mistake.

  Now two were running up at me and they, yet again, aimed for my neck. A pattern? Maybe. But I should first think of how to dodge it. Jumping to any side will be impossible but thankfully, the two of them jumped at me at the same time, giving me one place to dodge their advance.

  Below!

  So I ducked as low as I could right after seeing the two high enough to reach my neck. And using the chance to push the rod into the chest of one of them, I felt more and more ecstasy.

  Not from harming them. But from enjoying this fight. I’ve gone insane, haven’t I?

  I then again, swung the rod horizontally, trying to catch the bastard that just went by but they were too fast for me to get a solid hit now.

  My eyes darted from left to right, from up to down, from back to front, focusing on all five of them. I don’t know why but I feel like I can do more with a ‘weapon’ in my hand than I initially thought.

  TAP TAP TAP TAP

  Footsteps coming from the left! They weren’t loud but with how much energy I was consuming on just staying alive, my senses must have gone up a notch from all the adrenaline, even making me forget the fight far away.

  Not so different from before, another one rushed at me, jumping high towards my neck. This was the pattern, right? Jumping at my neck the moment they see an opening. But it was fast.

  Faster than I could think. So… my body moved by itself, jumping backwards while swinging upwards to hit the fucker below its head, making it lose balance and fall immediately.

  I’m alive… I’m alive! HAHAHAHA! Look! I’m alive! And that is all thanks to my own effort!

  But it’s not the time to admire my newfound feelings for a good fight. I am here to kill those bastards! I’m at a point where I can see the possibility of killing at least one more and more, with my grip becoming stronger and stronger.

  So let’s reach that goal!

  With my eyes set on the one that I hit from beneath the head, I dashed towards it with all the power my legs could muster up. And feeling the air pass by made my heart only more excited!

  "FUCKING DIE!"

  This is it!

  BAAM

  I had to kill it!

  BAAM

  No matter what!

  BAAM

  Just get your ass over there and kill it, Laith!

  These thoughts went through my head like a broken record playing nonstop. Fuck morals and ethics right now! I want to show them that I am not easy prey!

  I’ll show you all that I will fight for myself!

  I swung the metal rod again. And so flinched the beast on the ground again.

  But before I could finish the beast on the ground, another beast ran up from behind. I don’t have time to finish the beast on the ground when another bastard is already on its way to my head.

  Not seeing where the beast was, I tried to focus on my other senses. I had no time to turn around now that it was already coming toward me. And sure enough, I heard its steps from behind. Now all that’s left is to wait for the moment I don’t hear any steps.

  Tense your legs and wait! Clench every instinct to turn around and wait!

  NOW!!

  I pushed the ground and jumped to the side, hoping to evade it like I did the other times.

  “GAGH!”

  Shit! I did roll away but that one bastard still managed to make a rather wide wound on my left leg.

  It hurts! It fucking huuuuuuurts! I want to cry! That’s how much it hurts!

  But stay focused, Laith! Don’t you dare give up and die here! You have to still kill one!

  So I pushed myself forward. No way I’ll spare one bit of energy!

  The only time I’ll stop is when I die! So move, Laith!

  MOVE!

  “HAAAAAHHH!!!”

  I stood up after all the struggle. Staggering while moving to a better position, I could see the remaining 4 that were still on their feet.

  Taking a deep breath, I could only think for now.

  This doesn’t look good. My heart is beating like crazy and the adrenaline in my veins only caused my whole body to go into a literal overdrive mode. The beast on the ground shouldn’t get up after all the hits I did on its head…

  But is there a way to win this? The answer was simple

  No.

  I’ll definitely die. There is no other possibility. My leg is ruined. I can’t walk properly. And to top it off, the other four only have minor injuries.

  I won’t win.

  But I felt disgusted at that thought. My heart wasn’t only racing because of all the action. No.

  It was racing because I had to win. But will I be able to kill all five?

  …

  Heh… how stupid of me.

  I don’t win when I kill the last one.

  No.

  I’ll win when I kill the first one!

  Like chess, you can’t win without a little sacrifice! And if it means that I get to take one down?

  GLADLY!!!

  And so, I ran. I ran with every bit of strength left in these pitiful legs. I ran with the pain I felt all over my body set aside.

  I ran with only one thought in my mind!

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  I’ll win!

  Each step hurt like shit. But so what! Each breath is stabbing my lungs even more. But so what! Every moment reminded me that I’m about to die. But so fucking what!

  Being so focused on that one thought, I didn’t even realise that my speed increased slightly. Only a bit, but it was enough for me to reach that fucker before any of the others could reach me. And that’s all I need!

  In front of that beast, I looked down at it. No pity. That’s what it deserves for trying to kill me since the beginning. Showing mercy here is something that will make me lose. And I’ll win. I’ll win this game!

  Not caring about anything at that moment, I held the rod high in a reverse grip, pointing one end directly at its neck.

  “Haaah!”

  Pushing it through the neck in one go. But it didn’t die.

  “Haaaaaaah!!!”

  So once more. And yet, it didn’t die.

  “HAAAAAAAH!!!”

  So once more!

  “Just die already!”

  And once more!

  “DIIIIEEEE!!!”

  And that was when I realised it. It was dead. Haaah… hahaha… the rod was still inside its neck but I could definitely tell.

  Eyes diluted. No movement of its chest. No reflex to any of my movements.

  It died…

  “YEEEAAAAH!! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!”

  I was thrilled! I won!

  I won…

  And that meant that they lost. And since they realised that, they all ran towards me with anger visible in those glowing red eyes. They became restless seeing the dead body of their companion. Must be hard to see assumably their family dead in front of them.

  What was unusual though was that their bodies started to grow slightly, their beaks becoming longer at a speed visible to the naked eye and their fur becoming a darker shade of red.

  Yet that didn’t take away the smile on my face. Some might say I’m psychotic for still smiling in this position.

  But all I could see was a bonus for me before my death. So why not!

  “COME AT ME!!!”

  They flinched before coming back to their senses.

  Wait. Did they flinch? They can feel fear?

  Then… it shows that I can be feared!

  “HAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!”

  Two of them started to run at me while the other two came from each side. My eyes tried to keep up with them but they were faster than before. I guess I need to guess.

  My only option now is to go at either one on each side. So I choose the one on my left.

  Pushing off the ground with my right foot, I soon found myself face to face with the beast’s beak wide open.

  But I was already expecting such a sight.

  That’s why the thing that bastard bit on first wasn’t my head but the metal rod that I had in my hand, letting me duck as I saw the rod already entering its beak.

  Choking, it lost balance and fell to the ground. The only thing I did then was to jump on it and try to kill it by rotating the rod but…

  I was already caught by the other three. That was expected.

  I couldn’t kill one more… but that didn’t make my face any less filled with happiness…

  Blood.

  Lots of it.

  Just like last time. They started to bite off my flesh just like last time.

  Tearing me apart with each bite. Flesh by flesh. Piece by piece. They tore out almost everything.

  It was almost the same as last time. But almost. Last time I felt sadness for my death and regret. now…

  My smile was what got rid of their cocky expressions. And I swear here!

  I swear the next time I’m here, I’ll let hell loose! I’ll kill every one of you!

  I won’t go down like this time. When I’m back, I’ll be the one to be your nightmare. And not the other way around.

  And just as I made my promise inside my head, my head was finally torn off, releasing me from this never-ending torture.

  My vision turned black with all my senses sensing nothing.

  No touch.

  No smell.

  No taste.

  No sound.

  No light.

  And then it was white again… It seems that my senses came back as I felt my bed underneath my body.

  Opening my eyes, I could see the sun shine through the curtains. The golden rays fell upon my sleeping face and when I woke up, they blinded me only. I was dazed for a moment.

  But just for a moment.

  "Ugh… This again… Huh?"

  The pain I felt a moment ago. These memories, which should be my absolute trauma, started to become hazier and hazier than just a moment before. Nothing changed. I didn’t magically get some ability like in all those movies and novels. It was just me.

  Nothing changed in my body. But my mind… that’s another matter. Besides the obvious headache from that dream, something else was different.

  I’m ready to fight to the death! I was filled with something people would call determination. I bet my eyes are blazing with a fire that would most people shrink down. And it’s this feeling that was created by my death.

  This dream appeared again. And if it happened a second time, why not a third time? Or a fourth? So I’ll fight again. And I will kill all of them!

  But if this goes on with each death, then my mental fatigue will just pile up. And I still have plans. But what I can do is obvious.

  I need to learn how to fight. I refuse to just sit around and wait for my next nightmare.

  I’ll win again next time. And that win will let me live!

  Then let’s see. Building up strength would be one way but that will take longer and the fact that this body of mine can’t seem to get grow muscles as fast as normal people and that it isn’t guaranteed for me to have this power inside the nightmares doesn’t make it a good option.

  So I have to learn how to use my body to fight. Martial arts. I should have enough free time to join a martial arts club. And if mum heard me saying that I was interested in learning Martial arts, she would be excited.

  She isn’t an advocate of violence perse but only when you listen to what she says, not what she does. And she is actually quite fit for her age as well.

  I took out my phone to text my mother about it. The money belongs to her so I should at least ask for permission. I’m not a bad son! You are for thinking about not asking for permission.

  [Hey mom! I wanted to ask if I could go to a Martial arts club and take some lessons]

  [Yes!]

  Hahaha! Called it. Not only did she reply immediately, she even added the exclamation mark.

  I went to my computer to search for a club near my school. I’d like to use the time right after school immediately there.

  And it didn’t take long since my school was more in the central area of the city, making finding one easy peasy! Oh! And would you look at that! It even has students that won national tournaments! That’s actually amazing.

  And such a coincidence! I can apply for a test lesson on Monday as well!

  Such coincidences don’t usually mean good but I didn’t care because I was too busy watching all the videos they have on their webpage. Forget breaking wooden boards. Have you seen the trainer breaking the sandbag so hard that it broke the chains holding it in place?

  Now that is what I wanna learn!

  GRUMBLE

  But maybe I should close the computer and eat something. I don’t hear my stomach grumble like that a lot so let’s just make ourselves something quick. Maybe pasta? It was already 1 PM so…

  Wait… Did I sleep that long? How?

  No really. How? I don’t take a nap that long. I must have been out for at least 14 hours!

  That’s a record I don’t want to break again. That dream gets only weirder and weirder.

  I threw myself on the couch as anyone that has existential problems would do and tried to think about all this.

  I didn’t feel like playing. I didn’t feel like sleeping. I only felt like laying here, thinking about my dream.

  I can’t let that memory become hazy again! I don’t want to forget it!

  And it was hard but I could remember bits of it. Especially my win. And how I then died…

  I need to think about strategies that can make me win against them. And although it's a bit embarrassing, I did think about possible scenarios for more than four hours.

  Maybe going on a walk for a change wouldn't hurt… who knows? Maybe the ‘fresh’ air could help me out a bit.

  I think you already guessed it but I’m not usually the type to go out and walk just like that. I rarely leave my home alone so this thought was pretty rare. But I did tell mum that I will go on a walk and having so many things to stress about can’t possibly be healthy. Maybe this will be the one that will calm me down a little bit.

  Basic clothes on? Check! Shoes on? Check! Wallet, keys and phone? Check! Headpho- Wait! Forgot my headphones! Alright! Now I can go!

  But man, walking around a city I grew up in yet not knowing a lot about it only sounds sad. I knew the city's general layout but never did I even care about the details. A pharmacy that was bigger than normal ones right at the end of the street. A kebab restaurant that had a long line starting from the door. The trees planted on the side of the streets are losing more and more leaves by the minute. The sky was clear. And the sun was about to set as its rays of light were now only numbered.

  Looking around the street while walking around was… let’s say a different kind of enjoyment. I somehow enjoyed this more than I thought I would, which I really didn’t expect from a bonafide shut-in.

  But figured that I was walking to school now. It's like a subconscious path etched into my brain. But was it such a good idea to go this way is another matter.

  Especially since most from my school live around here, letting me even spot some from my class around here. But why should I go talk to them? I can hardly remember their names and they will most likely tell me to go fuck myself. Even if I wanted to just be friends, I’d most likely get beaten since I can’t fight anyone with my pitiful strength…

  If only my attacks were just as easy as inside the dream…

  Now that I think about it, it does seem kind of depressing that my only friend is Felix and he is friends with a lot of people even if they know I’m his best friend. Seems weird but they most likely just want to suck up on him for being so sought after.

  Don’t you have it bad as well, Felix?

  But socialising felt wrong before that dream… I wonder why?

  Maybe I just feel alone from the thought of being unable to tell anyone about my dreams without sounding crazy…

  Well… let’s just enjoy the walk, okay Laith? Imagine that with every step you take, you become less worried, less lonely and a better person. You develop more the more you walk forward. And after reaching the top, let’s see if I can go up even more!

  Although… that has to wait.

  Because while thinking about my social life is good and all… that dream. I have to prepare for that first. I have priorities and right now getting my revenge on these bastards is my top priority!

  Streets that were now dyed in twilight… I must have walked through narrower streets now that I thought about ‘discovering the city’ but… where the fuck am I? I should try to find a way ou-

  "Hey, there beauty! How about spending this night with us, huh? We can make you feel really good!"

  "That's right! Come on, come on! Show us those gorgeous tits already!"

  Goddamn… sexual harassment? Ungrateful fuckers… if you need to be loved then try to work on yourself more! Maybe you can get one girlfriend if you try hard enough but this is just going too far!

  These fuckers seem to be in that alleyway over there…

  I went over there, hiding behind the corner before peaking out to see how many there are and maybe call the police if possible.

  Quick! Open my phone while see what’s going on there.

  Group of six men. One was extremely buff while the others seemed like your typical goons. ‘Gorgeous girl’ being surrounded. She is… looking around? Why?

  Now she just looks at the man that first said something dead in the eye. Her brows knit and her eyes most likely swearing every possible cussword out there.

  Alright! Got the address and texted the police about what was happening here! Now I only need a photo…

  “Scram this instant before I make you all.”

  "Ha! What a feisty beauty! Guess we don't have a choice but do this the… hard way"

  Said the muscular big bad evil guy like any third-rate villain. And although I’d like to make more fun of them, seeing them pulling out knives didn’t make me want to joke more.

  I just texted the police but it seems that they will take too long to come. Fucking bastards aren’t even patient with their prey. Oh! Should note that I need patience. Might be helpful during the dre-NOT NOW, LAITH!!!

  And could all of you just stop looking at her like she is the most delicious snack of all? I know she may look beautiful but have you ever seen Gina? I bet Gina can top that!

  What the hell am I thinking?! No time become crazier than I already am and think! I’m behind a corner, this girl, who obviously has the attitude of a fighter, is currently surrounded by six men with knives out. One of them, who I guess is the boss, seems extra tricky. Do they belong to a mafia gang? Seems like it.

  If the me from two weeks ago would see me now, he would have thought that I have finally gone crazy. But I’m gonna kill fucking monsters inside the lowest pit of Hell as it seems. So why the hell should I be scared of regular humans?

  Maybe the fact that I can actually die here? No shit, Sherlock! But do you want to just walk away after seeing someone getting threatened like that?

  Of course not! And that is exactly why I need a plan. Obviously, I can’t kill them. So my priority is as follows.

  Get the girl out and shake off the gangsters.

  Stall for a bit of time at the same place until the police show up.

  I need to think carefully. I’ll definitely be a burden for a fighter if I rush in and I don’t have a weapon. So the only thing I can do is to wait here, watch and wait for an opening. I’m sorry…

  Wait… these blue eyes… dirty blond hair… and that figure and face…

  Fuck! I should have already guessed that it was Gina.

  But what the fuck is she doing in such a little alley? And how can she look at them with such calm eyes? I know she has eight years of experience but that won’t make you immune to knives! Right?

  And they seemed like they have already killed before. I don’t know how I can tell but it’s like a feeling I have. I can ‘sense’ their bloodlust and lust. As if they were surrounded by a bloody aura…

  I’m sure she can fight but can she defend herself from killers? She is definitely going to have a hard time trying to get out.

  Wait! How do I know that?! I never fought outside of my dreams! Is my vague memory messing with me now?

  But thinking about it was meaningless. See? One of them, although himself looking weak, had already swung his knife. Did he aim for the… shoulder? But why? Wanting to break her hope?

  These fuckers! Why is it that I’m so useless?!

  Gina turned her body to the side, grabbed the wrist of the man and took the knife immediately before throwing it to the end of the alleyway. The man couldn’t even react to it. She is amazing!

  No! No time to have sparkles appear in your eyes! The knife is just in my reach! I can have a weapon. But the timing isn’t right… just stepping in with a knife won’t work. I have to disturb everyone’s balance while rushing to get her out. Otherwise, it will be all for nought.

  And now she is starting to fight everyone head-on?! Any swing that came at her was countered by hitting their faces, kicking their groins or stomping on their knees. I guess everything goes in a street fight.

  But that was also true for the gangsters. They wouldn’t shy away from fighting dirty.

  I can’t help but be stunned. This level of fighting felt like it was from a movie. But this is reality! And although it seems like she is winning, her stamina must be going down faster than theirs.

  A war of attrition! She will be in their hands if this goes on! At least they don’t aim for vitals. Must be because of their lust. So killing is not allowed but as long as she can’t move, everything goes…

  Their faces said more than enough and it was exactly because of that that I need to move now. Deadweight or not, I have to shake up this flow completely!

  Assess! Assess! Assess! List everything you can see!

  Trained men? They seem to be coordinated… they try not to kill Gina but the same may not be true for me as well… Gina seems to be able to be fine with… four. Two are too many…

  My thoughts were quite fast. The dream must have affected my mind as well… or it’s just my adrenaline kicking in.

  But this isn’t a bad thing. Per se. But I don’t like that my thoughts changed like that of some influence I am not in control of. But no matter what, I have to focus on the present!

  And I might have an idea how to get out of there but for that, I need Gina to beat at least 2 men or it won’t work.

  Now! The knife! The knife that Gina knocked out of that one gangster. I can reach it faster than the others!

  “Stupid fucker! Get your knife back or you won’t help at all! She is fiercer than I thought… Just how I like it… Hehehe!”

  Perfect! That makes it 5 now! And I can use this to my advantage!

  Gina tried to keep him away from the knife but the other five played around with her, making her unable to get to that one bastard.

  Wait for it…

  Wait for it…

  “Where is that shit…”

  Now!

  Taking the knife right under his nose, surprising him at that moment, I ran at him with the strength I had to muster up no matter what!

  And looking the man in the eyes, I could see his surprised expression.

  My eyes flashed as I took the knife. It felt like I could do anything with it!

  Maybe this is just an illusion but I don’t care about that now! The only thing I’m certain of now is that this will be my first real fight.

  And I won’t let it be my last!