Nicole POV
The air in the mall felt thick, the silence interrupted only by our footsteps and the distant hum of overhead lights flickering. We moved quickly ducking in and out of stores to avoid big groups of goblins. Viktor wanted to fight them to level up quicker, but until we have a safe base I want to avoid drawing too much attention to us. Viktor was about to start complaining until Jasmine pulled him aside and said something to him.
I honestly don't like that I am not the sole leader of our little group, but I don't know the rest that well and they all trust Jasmine. Viktor is an anomaly who from their conversation and observation used to be in the military or a mercenary. Probably both, but Jasmine definitely met him before she came to Falkirk. Mitch and the other teenagers must have been mentored by her and they look to Jasmine for direction when Mitch is unsure. Josh and Liz are irrelevant. From what I can tell they are just ordinary civilians. Sol is Jasmine's son so he trusts her directive but he does come to me if she is preoccupied. This shows me that Sol knows the rest but he trusts me more or maybe he was sent to keep watch over me. Jasmine, honestly I can't get a good read on her. Sure she can fight, Sol is her priority, she trusts Viktor, and she's still surprisingly calm around me. She hasn't shown any hate or malicious towards me or anyone except the goblins. I still don't know if I should trust her. Overall, my team and I are outnumbered, and even though I believe if we can down to it, we can subdue Mitch and his gang. Jasmine and Viktor are a different story. I need more information on them before engaging. I will have to observe them more when we fight the goblins.
The store we needed—"Edge Sports"—was up ahead, just past the electronics shop and across from the escalators. The path to the store was clear, but that didn't mean we were out of danger. I tightened my grip on my combat knife, feeling the weight of the metal in my hand. We were already at risk just walking through the mall, but the goal was simple: grab what we could stay unseen, and move quickly.
I glanced back at the group—everyone was alert. Viktor had his axe out now, looking as casual as ever with it resting on his shoulder. His eyes scanned the surroundings with the calm assurance of someone who'd seen chaos before. Sloan was close to the front, keeping an eye out for anything suspicious. Jasmine was right behind me, as always, but there was something different about her. Her expression was unreadable, but I could feel the tension in her stance, the way she scanned every corner, every shadow.
Just then, the quiet was shattered by a loud, screeching noise coming from the hallway ahead. Out from an abandoned store came three goblins, their distorted faces twisted into snarls. They were small but quick, charging toward us, their jagged swords raised.
"Goblins," Viktor muttered from behind me, his voice dry but with a hint of excitement. "A few of these won't slow us down. Let's take them out."
The goblins had Level 1 floating above their heads, a clear indicator of how weak they were—but they were still a threat.
"I'll take the front," Sol said, moving forward with precision, his knife out, ready to strike. He looked towards Jasmine and she nodded. His movements were smooth, and controlled—he didn't hesitate as the first goblin charged him. With one swift motion, he drove his knife into its side and twisted it, and the goblin fell to the ground with a grunt. It looked like Sol aimed for the goblin's liver with such precision that I knew he was trained. I don't see any change in his stance so I can only assume that he is used to fighting people his size but he also knows where to hit where it hurts. Sol finished off the goblin.
"Nice job, Sol," Viktor said, his voice calm, but I could hear the approval in it. He swung his axe at another goblin, the heavy blade cutting through its skull with a sickening crack. "These guys are nothing but target practice," he added with a grin, preparing for another swing.
I could feel the adrenaline kick in, my senses sharpening. I stepped forward, knife in hand. The last goblin was coming at me, but before it could reach me, Logan was already there, his fist hitting it in the gut, sending it stumbling back. He took advantage of the opening and brought his knife down on its throat, ending its life in one swift motion.
"They're easier than I expected," Mitch said, wiping his hands on his pants. He gave Kyle a smirk. "No sweat for us."
"Don't get cocky," Kyle replied, his tone serious. "We still have a long way to go. And those goblins won't be the last problem we face."
"Goblins are easy," Briar said with a laugh, his eyes scanning the area. "But they're still a pain if you don't take them seriously."
I nodded as the last of the goblins crumpled to the floor. Jasmine moved forward, checking over the bodies for any weapons or supplies. Her face was stoic, but I knew she was always thinking—always calculating the next step. I didn't want to ask her if she was okay; we both knew the answer.
Since we had a moment, I checked the notifications that I had been ignoring. The screen flashed in front of me.
Status | Inventory | Skills | Quests | Party (Locked) | Factions (Locked)
Status:
Name: Nicole Riley Brown
Level: 2 (175/200)
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Class: None
Title(s): N/A
Health: 140/140
Stamina: 140/140
Mana: 0/0
MP Regen: N/A
Strength: 12
Dexterity: 16
Constitution: 14
Intelligence: 12
Perception: 14
Luck: 5
Charisma: 9
Instinct: 6
Willpower: 10
Morale: 8
Free Attribute Points: 5
Skill Points: 1
Title:
N/A
Skills:
Active Skills
Combat Proficiency: Apprentice (Level 6)
Marksmanship: Apprentice (Level 8)
Tactics: Apprentice (Level 8)
First Aid: Apprentice (Level 6)
Appraisal: Novice (Level 1)
Leadership: Apprentice (Level 10)
Passive Skills
Survivalist: Novice (Level 3)
Situational Awareness: Novice (Level 5)
Combat Reflexes: Novice (Level 5)
Team Coordination: Apprentice (Level 6)
Reputation:
Current Faction: Independent
Inventory:
Weapons:Glock 19 (Silenced)
Combat knife
Armor:Kevlar Vest (Undercover)
My muscles tensed as I felt the familiar surge of power. Another level. Another step closer to surviving this.
"Level up?" Sloan asked, raising an eyebrow at me. "Guess we're all getting stronger."
"We'll need that strength," I said, my voice sharp. "But let's not get complacent. We still need to get to the sports store and grab what we can."
Jasmine looked at me, her expression unreadable, before she smiled, and then spoke. "The goblins are easy. But we need more than knives. We need real weapons. You're right, we can't afford to waste time."
I nodded then after everyone was ready to go I signaled for us to move. As we moved forward toward Edge Sports, Giselle muttered something about the goblins being creepy, but I could tell she was keeping her guard up. Amber was closer to me now, her eyes wide, still adjusting to everything that had happened. Laney gave me a small nod, confirming that she was ready for whatever came next.
When we reached the store, I saw it was partially looted. The shelves were half-empty, but there was still enough left that we might get what we needed. Luckily this store also sells camping gear so that's helpful.
"Take what you can use. Leave the rest," I said, my voice firm. "We don't have time to waste."
"Looks like a scavenger hunt," Viktor said with a grin, heading to the back. "But I'm not complaining."
"Everyone stay together in a group of at least two. Someone go with Viktor." I said looking at the group. Jasmine signals for Sol to follow Viktor. Sol stares at her and then at me before nodding. Sol runs after him and we all see him kick Viktor in the back of the knee making him curse in Russian.
Jasmine laughs before looking at me, "I guess I am going with you." I shake my head before walking away.
We cut into an aisle that had camping gear in. Jasmine grabbed two camping backpacks and handed one to me. I nod and we both start grabbing stuff. Sleeping bags, matches, flashlights, water bottles, and anything that could be useful.
"I should have told everyone exactly what to get so we all aren't getting the same thing and wasting time," I muttered to myself.
"We didn't have time for that. Everyone should know what they need to survive and there is nothing wrong with having extra. We might be able to trade it for something useful. Look radios. How many do you think we need? I don't think everyone should get one. What do you think?" Jasmine said, looking at the radios.
"So you aren't mad anymore?" I asked, ignoring her question. She looked at me before putting the radios in her bag.
"Mad, huh? I think I was more upset that the kids' lives were about to be ruined. I was always prepared to be arrested. Hell, it's more likely that I would have been killed but their safety has always been my biggest priority. I finally convinced myself to put myself out there and open up and I met you. The first woman that I opened myself up to for more than just sex. A real, genuine relationship. You work for the government, Interpol, or whoever. You were in my house and met some of my kids. I knew that you were hiding something and was confused about it from the look on your face. I just wished you would have just told me. I would have handed myself in." Jasmine said looking at me with an unreadable expression.
"How was I supposed to know that? Most criminals tend to run and I didn't know you were Medusa until three days ago. I was only told that we were catching Medusa somewhere in Farkirk, and my first thought was that you and the kids were in danger. I thought I was protecting you, but I guess you don't need protecting. So where does that leave us?" I said, moving closer to her.
"Us? I thought you were going to arrest me." Jasmine said, smirking, and moved closer to me.
"Well, the world has changed and I still want you. I want to know everything about you. The good, the bad, and the ugly." I said, taking her hands.
Jasmine looked at me, contemplating. Probably trying to see if she can trust me or not. I don't know why I am thinking about our relationship right now, but I feel like I have to tell her the truth. I don't want to live with regrets, especially since the world ended just a few hours ago. Anything can happen and I rather have her by my side than my enemy.
"Nicole, I have to tell you something. I am —" Jasmine was about to say something before a scream erupted through the store. What now?