Barely freed, the group rushed into the cave. The rabbit, driven by fierce energy, dashed ahead without waiting for anyone. He didn't know the way, but his sense of smell quickly sorted the scents: blood, mold, goblins. He drew a straight line toward them.
"Where are you going like that? Are you sure it's the exit?" asked Damons, hesitating.
The rabbit turned without stopping, his eyes shining with murderous intent.
"The exit? I'm going to exterminate these vulgar goblins."
"What? But… we're going to get killed!" choked Damons.
"Then go back to your cage and piss yourself. Me, I need to exterminate them. I need it to become stronger."
Damons could feel his blood run cold. His throat tightened. But he clenched his fists.
"Me too… I need to become stronger."
"You're not coming with us, big brother?" asked Gobi, worried.
"Yes. Because I want to become strong too."
The rabbit chuckled quietly. Damons had straightened up, looking determined.
The cave widened. Soon, they reached a vast underground chamber. It was filled with goblins. A score of them. The air was heavy, thick with tension.
The rabbit didn't wait. He leaped with insane ferocity. He literally exploded a goblin's skull with a single kick. Then he continued, almost vanishing from sight.
BAM! CRACK! BAM!
He bounded from wall to wall, smashing enemies with supernatural power.
Damons, heart pounding wildly, hands shaking, hastily grabbed an abandoned sword. A freezing fear paralyzed him, every muscle tensed by the dread of the unknown. This was his very first battle, and panic almost cut off his breath.
He turned, eyes wide, toward the three little goblins, desperately looking for a glimmer of hope or a plan to cling to.
"Doesn't it bother you to see your kind being massacred?"
"No," replied Gobi. "They deserve it. They've always mistreated us."
Damons nodded, breath short. Without thinking, he rushed forward, desperate, trying to strike a goblin from behind, fear turning every movement into a primal reflex.
But the enemy spun around just in time and dealt him a brutal blow. He fell to the ground. The goblin raised its weapon.
"Big brother!" cried the three goblins.
Damons closed his eyes, bracing for the blow.
CRACK.
The rabbit appeared, breaking the enemy's spine with a precise kick.
"We can't leave you alone for a second…"
Damons regained his senses and, seizing the opportunity, plunged his sword into the goblin's throat.
[YOU HAVE KILLED A CLACKER GOBLIN.]
[+50XP]
[+5 STAT POINTS]
[YOU GAIN 1 LEVEL.]
LVL1 > LVL2
A chill ran through his entire body. He felt… lighter, faster.
"This time, I'm ready."
The rabbit, still in motion, continued slaughtering with ease.
Damons, in awe, murmured:
"How can I reach his power…"
The system replied immediately.
"Currently, the only solution would be to form a royal contract and make him your royal guard."
"And how will that help me?"
"You will be able to share your skills with each other. That could allow you to use his skill."
"Alright."
He shouted.
"Rabbit! Would you like to become my royal guard?"
The rabbit stopped mid-leap.
"And what next? Serve someone weaker than me?"
"What if I feed you for life?"
The rabbit almost drooled despite himself.
"What kind of cowardly deal is that? I'll never stoop that low."
"I feed you. I house you. For your whole life."
He froze.
"You helped me get free… I must accept. It's a matter of honor."
A window appeared before him.
[DO YOU WISH TO BECOME CANDIDATE NO.7'S ROYAL GUARD? YES / NO]
The rabbit grimaced.
"So that's what the little ones saw? That's not ordinary."
He pressed "yes."
[CONGRATULATIONS. YOU HAVE RECRUITED YOUR FIRST ROYAL GUARD.]
[SKILL SHARING' FEATURE UNLOCKED.]
[REWARD: SKILL 'MANA CHARGE' ACQUIRED.]
Damons felt a surge of energy fill him. It was as if a new part of his body had just been activated.
He whispered:
"I want to use skill sharing."
AI:
[YOU ACTIVATE SKILL SHARING –
TARGET: ROYAL GUARD]
AI:
[YOU TEMPORARILY ACQUIRE THE RABBIT'S CRUSHING LEAP MARTIAL ART.]