I couldn’t run. If I could, I would’ve made a break for it. I deliberately slowed down in front of the mutts, then pretended to stagger. It was easy to act naturally as my balance collapsed with my injured leg. 

I deceived two idiots, and they threw themselves at me with a roar. They jumped so high and fast that I had to tilt my head to see them.

Slice!

[You have defeated the Declan scout.]

Their intestines and blood poured down like heavy rain and continued to spill out after their corpses fell to the floor. One of them crawled towards me as my hit had not been fatal. I stepped on its head with all my might and crushed its skull with my upgraded Strength. I only had a few more steps left to the entrance room.

I counted the mutts, and they were down to only ten. However, going against them in a frontal attack was still a suicide. I opened the door, then closed it quickly.

Thud!

The wooden door shook as if it would break, but it became quiet for a moment. I pressed my back against the door and waited for the first unwelcome guest with my sword...