Psychokinetic Eyeball Pulling

Chapter 26: A Sign of Past Life

Astrid and the others were waiting behind a street corner. Astrid had checked, then double checked the only monsters around where the ones currently in front of the examinees. She looked ahead. Gloria and Nick were together on the other side of the street. It was their job to flank the goblins. While Astrid and the rest would receive all of the attention and malice from the bloodthirsty monsters.

The goblins appeared in view as they passed by the intersection. Astrid tapped Josh’s shoulder as the frontline charged forwards. Their heavy plate armour clanged as they dashed towards the goblins. Before they reached them, Mina loosed an arrow from her bow. The sharp tip pierced into the goblin’s leg.

Astrid watched as Froderick, and Josh clashed against the goblins. Josh had no problem sending his axe straight into the guts of a goblin. Whereas Froderick’s blade hesitated. The goblin, using that time, lunged its dagger towards his side.

Astrid’s mind crashed into the goblin, blood and bone scattered onto the pavement.

Froderick bit his lip as his large two-handed sword met with flesh, then bone, and continued through until the goblin's head hit the ground with a wet thud.

Gloria, on the other hand, was a killing machine. She had rid the nerves that were threatening her from before and turned into a shadowy storm as blood whirled around her. Covering her lithe leather armour in dark liquid.

Mina wasn’t able to help much when the brawling began, now and then she would fire her bow. But to Astrid, it looked like she had little confidence in her ability to keep firing while her team members were so close to each other.

Two goblins broke free from the ambush, scampering down the street with their high agility.

Astrid’s mind flared as she halted them in their tracks. She quickly noticed that their legs easily broke free from her Psychokinesis because of their heightened strength. So she focused on the monster’s torso, where they had no purchase to break free from. She used Crash from the front, blasting them towards her.

The goblin struggled to get back to its feet. Its arm lay at an awkward angle from the blast of psychic energy. Mina loosed an arrow as the goblin’s shoulder recoiled backwards. Astrid finished it by corralling a mass of matter by its skull and Crashing it. With a shower of blood and brain matter, it fell down next to its own kind.

With the battle having ended, Forderick’s eyes gazed at the fallen monsters. His eyes shook from the sight. The acrid stench of copper was too much for him to bear as he heaved up bile.

“Quickly check if they have loot, then we’re out of here.” Astrid said. “C’mon, Froderick.”

Froderick wiped his mouth and lethargically nodded.

Everyone nodded. Without checking what they received, they rushed back to the building that they had fortified. Before resting, Astrid checked the surroundings. With it being clear, she rested her buttocks on the ragged couch that lay against the main door.

Opening her system, she received the notifications from her past fights.

You defeated a - Goblin - level 14!

You defeated a - Goblin - level 17!

You defeated a - Goblin - level 20!nove(l)bi(n.)com

…

Extra experience is awarded for defeating an enemy one level above!

Experience is reduced for fighting within a group.

You have levelled up!

Psychokinetic level 26 -> Psychokinetic level 27

Illusionist level 20 -> Illusionist level 22

Gained 15 stat points.

You now have 135 intelligence.

Psychic’s Power level 7 -> Psychic’s Power level 8

Psych Domain level 6 -> Psych Domain level 7

Mind Barrier level 5 -> Mind Barrier level 6

You gained the title - Breaker of Shields: … only it’s your own shields that have been broken! Your mind shield has been broken one too many times! It’s a wonder your brain hasn’t turned into scrambled eggs.

| +5% barrier strength.

| Barrier spells cost 5% less mana.

Yeah, if the shield doesn't, you will. Damned System. Astrid groaned at the message.

“Who scavenged what?” Nick’s head rotated, looking at everyone.

“S-sorry, I got nothing.” Froderick shook his head.

“Yeah, because you were too busy puking your guts out.” Gloria said.

Mina’s trembling hands stopped checking her bow and said. “I-I’m the same, although I know they’re not human. I had the shots but, their eyes…”

“It’s fine.” Josh continued. “But know full well that you intentionally not landing kill shots puts all our lives at risk. The same goes for you, Froderick, although you got there in the end. Do not hesitate.”

Froderick clenched his hand into a fist and nodded. “Sorry Josh.”

“Don’t mention it.” Josh patted his shoulder.

“One mistake and it’s not an exaggeration to say that we’d be screwed. We have no healer.” Astrid stood up. “But it’s a start. Well done everyone. You guys keep a lookout.“ She made sure everyone understood before heading up the stairs.

Walking into the bedroom, she walked over to a picture frame that lay shattered on the floor. Levitating it upwards, she gazed at the picture. It displayed a happy family, all congregated on a summer's day, laying in a garden with colourful drinks by their side.

“Why did the world have to end?” Astrid mumbled.

“It hasn’t.” Gloria entered like a shadow.

Astrid glanced at her tall, lean body. The black armour she equipped was form fitting, favouring movement above all else. The only armour lay in her most vital areas. Chest, stomach, throat. Much like Astrid’s own. Her long black hair was all bundled and braided to one side.

“Do you really swing that way?”

“Shut it, it just looks cool, alright?” Astrid said. Why the hell is she so annoying?

“Sure.” Gloria shook her head. “You know, you’re a confusing person, you know that?”

“Huh?” Astrid tilted her head.

“Nothing.”

“What’s your problem?” Astrid glowered. I can’t stand her!

Sighing, she stood up and placed the picture frame back onto the bedside table where it belonged. Next, she rummaged through the wardrobe. Astrid plucked out a long, slender dress. She placed it against herself, looking into what was left of the mirror.

“It suits you so much!" Mina walked in as her eyes lit up. "You look beautiful.”

“Thanks.” Astrid smiled and passed it to her.

Mina took Astrid’s spot and looked into the mirror before sighing and placing it back.

“What’s wrong?” Astrid said.

“Ah, it’s nothing.” Mina continued. “Well, it’s just not me at all. I could never see myself wearing it.”

“Well, I could give you a reason for wearing it." Astrid said. "How about joining me to a ball when one pops up?”

“Oh, my—the Astrid Sinwen inviting someone to an event?” Gloria continued. "Making friends?"

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Astrid frowned.

Mina’s head twitched from side to side in curiosity.

“Well, let's just say that nasty rumours spread around of our little princess.” Gloria sat on the bed. “Because of that, she was rather lonely as a child. How pitiful.”

“They'll get what's coming to them.” Astrid spat. "I'll make sure of it."

Edward, Florrie. The names flashed within her thoughts like a phantom. She had never forgotten what they had done. The bullying, the exclusion. Just because she was different. Just because she was a Sinwen.

“I thought it was something else.” Mina's shoulders dropped. "But that's even worse."

“What, did you think I killed someone or something?” Astrid raised her brows. Mina avoided her eyes.

“I wouldn't put it past her. The little devil of Rebirth.” Gloria fell on her back. A plume of dust caused everyone to cough and splutter as they ran out of the room.

“I know you’re a family of assassins, but isn’t that too much?” Astrid spluttered.

Gloria was about to open her mouth when Astrid’s hand shot up, covering her mouth completely. Gloria was going to protest, but she looked at her and nodded.

“Three… five, no, eight approaching.” Astrid whispered. She scampered down the stairs and warned the others. Everyone ducked under the window.

Eleven in total. Can we take them? Astrid could feel the hot blood pump through her body, and returning to the heart. We can take them.

“Josh, move the couch. Mina, take position upstairs." Astrid whispered. "On my mark, we ambush them.”

Josh nodded and, done as he was told, he used his strength and picked the entire thing up without making a sound.

“Is this necessary?” Froderick mumbled.

“Just be ready.” Astrid warned.

Astrid peered through the tattered curtain to the building across the street. Her mind connected to a piece of rubble at the entrance of the building. With a small tug, the debris rolled over. The goblins' heads snapped in the sound's direction. Astrid concentrated as she placed a basic image of a Wayfarer within the shadowed doorway.

The goblin’s quickly dashed towards the illusion, brandishing their weapons. A couple of them suddenly stood back and craned their necks.

Level 24 - Goblin Sharpshooter: An evolved archer, capable of accurately shooting from great distances.

Level 26 - Goblin Lancer: An evolved warrior. The Lancer focuses high mobility to deal damage in unsuspecting leaps.

Astrid focused on the matter in front of the building, sprawling across it like a massive blanket. Damn, it’s hard to control so much matter at once. Despite that, she waited. The goblins approached the building. Astrid’s eyes lit up as she used Crash. A dull explosion rang out. The entire building’s wall collapsed, sending a pile of bricks tumbling down towards the goblins.

The goblins attempted to scramble away, but it was too late. They vanished under the heavy bricks and debris.

“Now.” Astrid said.

Josh was the first one to leave the door. Rushing forward and cutting down the dazed goblin in front of him. Mina had an overview of the battle in the bedroom. Astrid could feel the air behind her change as Mina loosed an arrow. A gust of air followed as it spun like a miniature vortex, boring its rotating tip through the Goblin Sharpshooter.

Froderick grit his teeth as his two-handed sword lit up with a faint golden light as it slashed through the goblin like a scythe harvesting a crop.

The goblin lancer rapidly recovered from the surprise as its spear lashed out like a pit viper, striking at josh’s shield. The impact caused him to stagger backwards as another attack chased after it. It broke past his shield and tore into his shoulder. Gritting his teeth, Josh roared. His leg snapped forward, sending the goblin stumbling back.

It quickly regained its footing and dashed forward. Astrid strained her mind as blood seeped from her nose, she gripped hold of its ankle as the monster stumbled. Gloria appeared behind it like a phantom. Her twin daggers left a purple, hazy trail behind it as they pierced the monster's heart.

Nick raised his lightly glowing shield towards an incoming goblin. The hit from the goblin had no effect on him. Instead, the sharp glow from the shield transferred into his sword as he thrust to the goblin's chest. His hand blurred, and in the next moment, a new hole appeared within the little green man’s body.

Astrid’s mind crashed into the last goblin as it smashed into the building behind it. The sound of the monster’s death rattle faded until there was no sign of life. Using Crash five times within the fight wasn't a problem. But connecting to such a large amount of matter at once took its effect. She took a breath.

With a sudden twang of a bow’s string, she felt her mind recoil. Her vision snapped onto a goblin above them. Kill. The sudden thought hit her as a wave of psychic energy corralled itself towards the building.

Clenching her fist, an explosion rocked the edge of the building, sending the goblin splatting to its death.