Psychokinetic Eyeball Pulling

Chapter 9: The Sight Of Fear

Astrid closed her eyes as she fully focused on her Psychokinesis skill. Her mind thrummed. The Spawn used their usual tactics of using the top cover of the shipping containers to mount a sneak attack. Using their crossbows to their advantage, it allowed them to ignore their weakness of full frontal combat.

She didn’t need to say anything. As Brett was already moving–or more accurately–he disappeared, skulking into the shadows.

Astrid spun around, the matter rapidly condensed around a gremlin's head–with a pop–fragments of skull and brain splashed.

More gremlins appeared, the ranged users kicked into action as they bombarded the gremlins, not giving them a chance to peek over. Astrid fully used her detection abilities that Psychokinesis brought with it. With Crash being her only attacking spell, she had to use it sparingly. She identified the strongest of the bunch and made targeted it first.

Astrid felt their number dwindle one by one. Soon, they were all dead. Brett made sure of it.

You defeated a - Gremlin - level 8!

You defeated a - Gremlin - level 6!

You defeated a - Gremlin - level 9!

Extra experience is awarded for defeating enemies above your level!

Experience is reduced for fighting within a group.

“Y-you seem low level. Besides, you don’t have a wayfarer’s badge like your team. A-are you a recruit?” Jonathan walked beside her. His eyes were fluttering around the dark room.

Ah, here we go.

“I am.” At Astrid’s words, Jonathan squinted his eyes.

With a sigh, Astrid pulled down her hood–revealing her face and the strands of golden locks.

“Astrid? W-What are you doing down here?” Jonathan said in confusion.

“Stay focused, the gremlins are lurking.” Astrid reminded.

At her words, Jonathan turned his head like it was on a swivel. He tightly gripped his staff.

They reached the wall on the other side. There was a large door and stairs travelled down into the void of darkness. Astrid peered her head around the entrance. Her nape tingled as she saw white-gleaming eyes look back at her. Arms stuck up in the air, broken like snapped twigs. Her jittered mind moved on instinct, slamming the door shut.

What the hell was that? Her heart beat’s pace rose, the image still within her mind.

“You okay?” Losef placed his hand on her shoulder.

“I saw something.” Astrid shook her head. Holy shit, that was scary. It reminded her of the wardrobe monster from the stories of old. But Leena was always there to scare it off. Running in with a broom in hand, her little stumpy legs running to save her. The memory softened the fear as her lips twitched.

“Tell me what it looked like.”

“Arms in the air, br- they were broken?” Astrid said. “White eyes, white as snow.”

Losef nodded. “Rachelle, seal the door. We’re heading back.”

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Rachelle sealed the door with concentrated fire once she was done. They rushed back. Daniel and the others were finishing up camp. They moved the containers to a defensible position.

“Daniel, we have a problem.” Losef said.

“Problem?” Daniel's hand that had disappeared into his rucksack halted. “Something we can’t handle?”

“Of course we can, but—” Losef’s eyes fell on Astrid and the other youngsters. “Darkness Walker.”

At the words, Daniel’s lips turned up into a wry smile. “It’s going to be a long day.”

Daniel looked at Astrid. “How are you feeling?”

“Shivering in your boots yet?” Brett added.

“I’m fine.” Astrid continued. “I was just shocked at the sight of it. I’ve never heard of a Darkness Walker before?”

"Few people have as they're a rare sight to see.” Daniel said. “They live in the Bubbled Towns and Cities below. They feast on the fear of their enemies. If you’re not careful, your mind will scramble till you turn into a mindless beast. Everyone gather up.” He waited until the team circled him. “We have a Darkness Walker stalking our back. Although it’s locked to the other side of the cargo hold, there’s no telling if it's the only one.”

“Then why the hell are we still here?” One of the more experienced seafarers said. “I’ve also heard the stories of them.”

“Scared of a little monster?” Jonathan nervously chuckled.

“You wouldn’t be saying that if you experienced the hell it brought with it, boy.” Losef said. "Although it doesn't affect us much, the same can't be said for you little ones.

“Watch your words.” Jonathan stood up to Losef. The size difference was comical as he craned his neck upwards.

“That’s enough.” Daniel continued. “The darkness walker only poses a threat to those who either have inner demons toiling away at their heart–or low intelligence.”

Then Daniel turned to Jonathan. “Right now, I’m leading this mission. If I think for one second you are a detriment, I’ll be telling the Seafarers to take you back to your golden castle. I’m in charge and it’s my decisions that result in you living or dying. We are not equals.”

Astrid felt a sense of overpowering authority from his words, they were saturated in experience despite his young age. Jonathan bit into his lip and nodded.

“Those of you who need to enter your System, we’ll cover you. “I shouldn’t need to explain why entering your System without backup is dangerous.” Daniel said. “Just let us know. We’ll be staying here for a little while to rest up.”

“I do.” Astrid said and so did Jonathan and his friends, the lowest levels within the group.

Daniel and the others got into formation as Astrid entered her System.

Unallocated stat points: 5

Astrid placed three points into Intelligence and two into wisdom, hoping to fend off against the Walker's mind ability.

Levitating the rubble around, she noticed it had become a little easier than before. With a satisfied nod, she was ready to continue. Then she felt her stomach rumble as it protested. A rose-tint flashed onto her cheeks. Maybe not then, let’s eat. She watched as the experienced members in the party were devouring their food in record time. They must know that this could be the only time they get to it.

Astrid looked down at the empty, packed lunch her mother had prepared for her. She always insisted on preparing it herself. Regardless of how many maids they had within the manor. It was to be for her lunch today back at the training field. I feel bad. Well, that father hasn’t rushed down here means they respect my choice. Seems like I was right.

“Alright, let’s get back at it.” Daniel rubbed his hands together.

“You like this, don’t you?” Astrid finished packing away her water bottle and the wrappers of her lunch. It wasn’t only Daniel, it looked like all the Wayfarers were raring to go.

“Like?” Daniel Laughed. “It’s all we have, and it beats starving and clawing at the walls out of boredom. But I could say the same about you. You're handling all of this spectacularly well. Perks of having the Sinwen blood in you, eh? Rob, you’re up, pal.”

“I suppose.” Astrid said. Daniel’s words were true. The only thing she felt was excitement, and maybe a little fear with that Darkness Walker skulking about, but that was it.

Rob grunted and unlatched the heavy-metal door. His shield was up and at the ready. Lisa knocked an arrow as she stood at a small gap between Rob’s shield and the door, ready to fire. Daniel swung open the door. Astrid had learnt not to use her ears, instead focusing on the matter. It was clear. They were met with another set of stairs leading down into the abyss.

Astrid looked down. She followed behind. Her position within the formation was in the middle.

They descended the stairs. She could feel Jonathan's stare on her back but ignored it. Each step brought with it a metallic clomp against the iron steps of the ship. Once they reached the bottom, it opened up into a corridor with many doors. Their lights flashed forward, hitting against the whites of glistening beads.

“Spawn.” Astrid looked at the familiar fish heads.

Level ?? - Spawn Swordsman: Adept in their use of swords, they are agile and brave.

The rest of the spawn were ones she had already fought before, warriors. The frontline stood forward with their shields.

“Tanks stay in front. Astrid, Brett, and Losef clear the rooms. I’ll deal with the evolved.” Daniel rushed off ahead alone, protected by the cover fire of the ranged users.

Astrid followed behind the others and rushed into the room. Brett disappeared and reappeared behind the strongest looking spawn within the room. Rippling muscles covered its body like steel wires. It didn’t matter. Brett’s dagger was swift as it sunk into the monster's back.

Losef stayed in front of Astrid. He kept the stronger ones away with the long reach of his spear. His body position was telling Astrid to take care of the weakest ones to the side of him.

A Spawn Fledgling dashed towards Astrid, seeing that she had no weapon in her hand. Its rusted dagger lunged forward. Astrid took a step forward as the Spawn abruptly halted on the spot, as if it had hit an invisible wall. Its eyes bulged, then popped. Her eyes turned frigid cold as she sent the monster hurtling backward, smashing into the other Spawn.

Her mind crashed into their skulls, killing them immediately.

They moved into the next room as the fighting became intense within the corridor, but Astrid had her own fights to worry about. Brett and Losef entered first. Instead of going into the middle, they took the sides of the room.

With the duo’s help, Astrid was able to easily use her magic from safety. A knife appeared in her hand, thanks to the belt strapped around her waist. Her mind threw it toward the Spawn like an arrow from a bow. The Spawn dodged to the side, but the knife curved through the air and sliced past its fleshy throat.

With blood spraying, they moved onto the next room.

You defeated a - Spawn Hatchling - level 4!

You defeated a - Spawn Warrior - level 11!

You defeated a - Spawn Hatchling - level 8!

…

Extra experience is awarded for defeating enemies levels above!

You have levelled up!

Psychokinetic level 6 -> Psychokinetic level 7

Gained 5 stat points.

Astrid left the last room with sweat dripping off her face, but with the messages, it put a smile on her weary face. Wiping the salty wetness with her sleeve, she looked down the hallway. Bodies filled the hallways by the dozen. The Swordsman lay separated, its eyes still open with a look of horror. Rachelle crouched down, picking up something from the corpse with a wide smile on her face. Daniel’s chest wasn’t even rising, a carefree expression plastered on his face.

Rachelle approached Astrid with an excited look on her face. She handed over the item she received from the Swordsman.

“Give it here then.” Astrid put out her hand.

With a quick nod of Rachelle’s head, Astrid took hold of the item. It was a ring, and unlike the gremlins, it wasn’t made from human body parts. Rather, it was shining gold. Is this why she looks so excited? Is she one of those loot goblins I hear about in adventure stories?

You gained arare piece of equipment!

Level ?? - Minor Ring of Life: A ring filled with power and life.

| 7 added constitution.

| 5 added strength.

| Grants Skill - Minor Heal: Heal any minor wounds on you, or someone else’s body. One use per day.

Once Astrid told Rachelle what the item was, her hands snatched it back.

Astrid shook her head. She had no use for it currently, anyway. She walked over to the swordsman. It was lean with an athletic build. Rachelle took anything worth of value, but Astrid’s eyes fell on the loincloth it was wearing. The material caught her eye. It didn’t look like anything special, but it attracted her. She had seen it in the back of Master Rumaisa’s Seamstress shop.