Feyre

  It had only been a couple hours but I'd already decided something very important. Having a personal guard wasn't all it was caked up to be in my old world. My team always used to joke about all of us getting personal security guards so that no saboteurs could attack us and I'd waved it off. When I looked back on it, if I'd had a guard I would have perhaps survived. That, however, didn't matter anymore. I had a Guard and he was watching me like a hawk. It was mildly disconcerting at first but I ended up chalking it to the fact that he was just awkward being around me for most of the trip.

  The carriages eventually set off again and so I was forced to ride next to him instead of next to the carriage. the whole section of the ride was boring and I couldn't appreciate the views because I always felt his piercing gaze on me whenever I looked around."Are you sure you're protecting me and not protecting them? Anyone would think I must have been convicted of some heinous crime given the way you look at me Sir Lucius..." I smiled but it was about as forced as a smile can be.

  "I know not what you speak of, I am here to protect." A smile equally as forced as mine.

  "Protecting who? Karrlund?" I shook my head. "I'm more of a prisoner right now than a VIP..." He grunted and looked away at that. I guessed I wasn't that far from the truth then.

  He finally spoke up again after a couple minutes brooding into the treeline. "I am protecting everyone. You and everyone else here... At the same time. I'd appreciate it if your accusations could wait until we are no longer riding Miss Agrifiti." His face was twisted into utter disgust towards me and I sighed internally. I nodded silently and smiled politely as I curse him in my mind. Screw you, I hope you're eaten by a tree or something. He appraised me and grunted, turning away from me to focus on riding as his horse got a little skittish.

  I turned away too and focused on appreciating the nature around us. This conversation didn't stop him from glaring at me as if he wanted to run me through but it did at least lessen the frequency. The forest's trees grew more dense and beautiful as we got further along the track, eventually leading to what could only be described as an archway covering the entire path that was made of sticks and leaves. every now and again I saw a stream of sunlight slip through the canopy but it was always fleeting and weak, barely enough to stave off the growing chill of the air.

  I sighed and dropped back slightly so that the carriage would shelter me from the now biting breeze. Not long after, the carriage stopped and Tyrril stepped out. He looked as cold as I felt and only when we were all in groups did I realise why. Pavolia went from campfire to campfire lighting them with a smile and kind word to the group who she helped. I watched as she returned to the group I'd ended up in. It consisted of Karrlund, Tyrril, Emrik, Pavolia, and Lucius. Of course Lucius wouldn't let me be within one hundred miles of Tyrril without him.

  It was quite a comfy rest, the moss on the ground was dry and spongy so we used it as cushioning and decided to make a night camp here. It wasn't until quite a bit later that I even thought of it but I had downed a lot of water and a small amount of alcohol at dinner so it didn't come as much of a surprise to me when nature called. It was annoying, no doubt, but I didn't see any issue with it. In order to not wake anyone I decided to attempt to sneak out to the forest. It felt kind of exhilarating to manage to creep out of my tent and into the woods without being stopped and questioned by whoever was on guard duty. In my last life, I'd once tried sneaking out of the campus dorms. It didn't become anything too big but I got a right earful from the Dean and was put on kitchen duty for weeks.

  I smiled to myself as I reached the edge of the designated clearing. I had thought I'd been successful in my escapade but unfortunately it turns out that wasn't the case. Seemingly waiting for me, was none other than Lucius. He was the one person I really didn't want knowing about this because I just knew he'd try to follow me or something. Damn it. Why is he here!? I couldn't see him in the dark but I could tell he was smirking, especially when he spoke. There was some sort of sardonic drawl in his tone that peeved me instantly. "Where are you headed off to Miss Agrifiti?"

  "I wasn't aware you were on duty even so late at night Sir Lucius." I smiled but I was aware it wouldn't reach my eyes, if he could even see them. I sincerely doubted he could see any better than me in these conditions but it wasn't a bad idea to keep the act up for a little bit. "I am off due to a call from nature I have received. You need worry not, I am not going far." I was tired and really didn't want to deal with him right now but it didn't seem to matter for him. He stepped forwards.

  "Nevertheless Miss Agrifiti, I am afraid that, lest we wake up Pavolia, I will have to follow and guard you." I wanted to rebuke him. Reject him so thoroughly that he physically recoiled. Instead I let out a sigh and stepped past him, nodding.

  "If you must... I expect you to be at a minimum 4 strides away from me at all times and, most importantly, you will be turned around when I..." I didn't finish because, honestly, it was beneath me to have to set rules like this in the first place. He didn't make any reply, but when he started following me he was about 3 medium strides away from me so I assumed he had listened.

  If riding beside him had ever felt awkward them at that point they would have been seen as charisma filled moments of communication. Walking through the forest with him in tow felt so damned awkward that I wanted to just curl up and die. If only he hadn't been here... It would have all been alright... I sighed and glared back at him. I swore to myself when I saw his stupid grin in a beam of moonlight. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of my anger.

  Eventually I got to the designated area where all the holes had been dug and the cleaning utensils stored. Lucius turned away and waited for my signal for it being safe for him to turn around again. Luckily, Pavolia had clean spare sleeping garments which she'd made herself. The garments were basically a white linen shift with some sort of undershorts and knee length stockings. They all had a couple of enchantments that I assumed Pavolia had added, one such being a temperature regulator and another being the size . All in all, extremely comfy in all aspects. I guess Pavolia is just very serious about comfort... I shook my head and did what needed to be done.

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  I walked over to Lucius and tapped him on the shoulder when I had sorted myself out. He turned to me, smirked, and started walking, leading the way. Instantly, something felt wrong. Firstly, this wasn't the way we'd came. Secondly, I could feel the utter malice behind that smirk and I didn't like it. Thirdly, and finally, he turned to me and put his sword to my throat. That was kind of a big give away to his intentions.

  "Not another step Miss Agrifiti." His voice was sharp and pointed, not unlike the sword he wielded. There was a hate in his eyes that went far deeper than just a suspicion. "So how did you do it?" He asked almost mockingly. I had no idea what he was talking about but attempted to raise my hands in a placating manner. He snarled then, an animalistic and wild sound that rumbled across his sword's length and to me. "Don't play stupid with me! How did you trick them into believing you!?" He stepped forwards pushing his sword towards my throat and forcing me to stumble back.

  "Please... I don't know what you-" He pushed further and I tripped over a root, landing on my back with a thud. The wind left my body in a whoosh, forcing me to gasp for air.

  "Pathetic... Oh well, guess I'll never know. Doesn't matter anyway..." I scrambled back until my hand landed on something sharp. I felt the blood well and then flow. Desperate, I clawed at the ground behind me as he advanced, sheathing his sword as he did so. He laughed as he strode forwards. "You can't escape me you know... I've hunted down far stronger prey before." He crouched down and leant in close. His eyes reflecting the strands of moonbeams. "I'll be the first to admit you don't look half bad... If I didn't have to spin this story to make me the valiant hero I would have loved to-"

  He never finished his monologue. He didn't make any sounds other than gurgles after the jaggedly sharp rock had sliced deeply into his throat. Unfortunately, I was right in front of him, leading to a lot of blood spilling onto my white shift.

  [System]

  [You have slain [Baron]/[Warrior] Lucius Gritte [Hythangir] Level 20/12]

  [EXP gained = 400]

  [You have killed a Person while Classless]

  [EXP gained = 100]

  [You have killed a Monster as an Otherworlder]

  [EXP gained = 25]

  [No Class Detected, all EXP going into Race]

  [Race Level Up!]

  [Race Level Up!]

  [You are now Level 32(125/165)]

  [You have earned a Sub-Title!]

  [Sub-Title: "Revolutionary"]

  [The Sub-Title "Revolutionary" is available to be Equipped]

  [The Sub-Title "Revolutionary": For every [Noble] killed, gain a permanent +5 to SPD, STR, and VIT even when the title isn't Equipped and for every [Royal] killed, gain a permanent +10 to * stats even when the title isn't equipped.]

  I threw up. Last night's dinner hurtled out of me like a rocket and I was left retching as Lucius' body fell into me. For the second time since I had died, I killed a man. I didn't collapse this time, but the retching didn't stop for a long while. I felt weak all over and I could feel ever single drop of sweat on my body, forming and being absorbed by whatever enchantments Pavolia had added.

  Eventually I managed to get a grip on reality and roll his corpse off of me. It was a morbid sense of relief really, his still bleeding body no longer pressing down onto my own bleeding self. I struggled to breathe for a moment, no longer than a couple seconds. I wanted to cry. I wanted all of this to end. I wanted to curl into a ball and just disappear. I didn't, for whatever reason I had decided in my subconscious. Distantly, I heard an almost familiar howl. It was louder though, and more eerie than the Greater Wolf's.

  I looked over at Lucius after a while. It would've been a waste if I didn't take what I could from this. After all, it was entirely possible that the others in the group had fully endorsed Lucius' plans and I wasn't a complete idiot, despite letting an obviously hostile man venture into the woods with me while I had basically no defences at night. Yeah... not my smartest play... I sighed and reached for Lucius' sword. It wasn't half bad, being a slightly fancy Arming Sword. It was well balanced, if slightly heavier than a usual one back from my world. Lucius had quite a few goodies on him, including a hefty pouch of what I assumed was currency, a slightly fancy belt and a sheathed Carnwennan dagger. Overall, not too shabby of an outcome considering it was from a terrible situation.

  Of course me thinking that jinxed it royally. Almost as soon as I had finished wrapping the belt around my waist and made sure everything was fully attached to it, I heard a twig or branch snap nearby. Not only that but a foul stench permeated the air, ruthlessly overpowering the growing smell of blood and corpse. I turned sharply to the shadow and froe. A great hulking creature of shadow and hate seemed to stare right back. It must have been the size of a shed in width alone. Red hot coals for eyes and a long winding pink scar that was illuminated by the moon's shuddering light.

  "That's got to be stronger than the Wolf Chief..." I almost Instinctively went for the sword at my side. "Ah... No there's no point... Who could kill that..." I felt that, if I hadn't gone earlier, I would have relieved myself. That was, however, a fleeting realisation. The great hulking thing loomed in the shadows and we locked eyes for many moments. "How do I use [Identify]?"

  [System]

  [Use Skill: Identify? Y/N]

  [Notice: Current level of skill means target will know and be able to block it easily.]

  I stared at the notification and then back at the hound seemingly borne from the shadows themselves. I had thought that if I was to die I would want to know what killed me. So, in the end, I decided "Yes... I wish to use [Identify]...". Whether as a form of mercy or mockery I knew not why [Identify] wasn't blocked. It didn't matter in the end.

  [System]

  [Target Status]

  [Name: N/A]

  [Title: Apex Predator]

  [Race: Dire Wolf]

  [Race Level: 5]

  [Class: Adept Assassin]

  [Class Level: 32]

  [Sub-Class: Advanced Berserker]

  [Class Level: 26]

  [Stats]

  [Strength: 1195]

  [Speed: 1195]

  [Intuition: 385]

  [Charisma: 329]

  [Vitality: 851]

  I looked at it, then at the stat sheet thing. Then, I turned and sprinted. It was not, perhaps, the best idea in the world. It was, however, the only one my terrified mind could think of. I had the stats of a probably slightly above average human. That would make 10-20 about average for a normal person. Frankly, I was extremely out matched and had nothing in my mind except flight.

  I admitted to myself, I was extremely lucky. Not only did the Dire Wolf let me identify it, but it also let me run away, seemingly walking over to Lucius' corpse from the brief glance I got. After that I didn't turn back, even if I had wanted to I wouldn't have been able to. My body was on autopilot from start to finish as I sprinted into the trees with the bare minimum yet again.

  I'm also quite a slow writer so each chapter takes aproximately two hours to make, if I'm continuously writing, even without all this extra research and stuff (I have to do a lot of easy but time consuming maths to work out stats... Should've done a LitRPG without Stats TwT). Basically please be nice, or if nor nice, then helpful. LOL anyways See ya next chapter, probably less yapping in the author's note at that point.

  idiocy brilliance going on. :]