"It's Jack," Elend mused. The implication did not escape him, no, he did not believe he just killed a human. The system recognizes him as a monster. Somehow, he turned into one.
"Jack.." Ron remarked. "The knight? The Empie Knight, who's in charge? That's Jack?" His voice quivered—a captain of a Knight Hunter, death.
Elend nodded. His shoulder suddenly felt heavy, a smothering dread weight on it.
"I saw him," Tower muttered. "In the ticket room. He was arguing with the other Hunter. And then, the monster attacked. He fought bravely. Killed many. I did not see him get captured, though."
"Whatever happened" Elend said, closing Jack's eyes. "He is no longer human." He scanned the snake's tongue, lips far too hideous for a human. Yet that face is unmistakably his.
Elend picks up the clown mask. A teardrop painted black below the right eyehole.
(Mask Of Tear. Grade B. Strength + 10. Dexterity + 5)
The system shows a word hanging above the mask.
He put the mask on, deciding vision won't be a problem. He scanned the rest of his equipment.
(Steel Sword. Grade B)
(Breast Plate. Grade C)
(Steel Dagger. Grade C)
Elend Mireaux lvl 6
HP: 250/250 (3/min)
Mp: 18/18. (2/min)
Strength : 26 + 10
Intelligence : 14
Dexterity : 19 + 5
Skill :
(Active)
- Heavy Strike (2) Lvl 4
- Flurry jab (3) Lvl 2
(Passive)
- Inspection
Class : ?
His sword is a delightful surprise, it was probably owned by some rich kid before. But why did it not give an extra stat like the mask? Is it because it's still a normal steel sword?
He scanned Ron and Tower's items. Ron's bow graded C. Both of Tower's swords graded C. even his armor and shield graded C.
"We need to get you guys better equipment," Elend murmured.
"You have an Inspection? I have heard about that Skill," Ron asked.
Elend nodded, pleased with the Skill. Not every Hunter would get inspection, it's a pretty useful skill. This would prevent him from being scammed.
"Let's keep going," Elend said, stretching his back. As he glided toward the door, he noticed the lack of footsteps behind him. Turning back, he saw both of them clouded with hesitation. Eyes still downcast on Jack's remains.
"Elend..." Ron started. The words die in him as he bites down on his lips.
"What is it?" Elend has some guesses about what will happen. He did not like the way their body shuddered away.
"We will take our chance, hiding away in this room," Tower stated. His armoured fist rattled against the scabbard, making a clinking noise.
"That is not wise," Elend said. Dread laced with hopelessness has shallowed them, clouding their judgment, making them choose the easiest path in front of them.
"Maybe not," Ron admitted. His breath lingered shakily. Tear glistened down his eyes, it caught the color of amber red of the theater light.
Eland inhaled a breath, making sure it wasn't too deep as he did not want them to be insulted.
Did he make a mistake? Should he let them fight with him earlier? Elend did not consider that just watching might be more terrifying than being in the middle of it.
"He stabbed you, Elend!" Ron bellowed. Voice breaking into a gasp. "If he angles it toward your throat. You would be dead!" He took a deep breath. "The level-up healed you. But how are you fine after that?"
Tower put an arm on Ron's shaking shoulder. "We're grateful toward you, but after seeing our friends body, hunkered down because of a single monster, and now the Knight's body... It's just too much," He motioned toward the row of seats. "Wait with us. Between the three of us, we can take care if a single monster spawned"
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Elend shook his head, and their face fell.
"I understand. But I can't wait here. I'm sorry if I push you too hard."
Tower nodded, taking off his armoured gauntlet, and he handed them to Elend. "I do not plan to give up being a Hunter." His eyes dimmed with a flicker of determination.
Elend raised his eyebrow at that.
"For now, I will take a step back, though," He smiled, one coiled with bitterness. "If we survive, will you take me to another dungeon?"
"Of course," Elend said. Fully intended to do so. That gave him a pause. He smiled, then let out a chuckle.
Ron and Tower's eyes widen at him
"It's nothing. I just decided to commit to becoming a Hunter, after this dungeon," Elend shrugged.
Ron's eyes widen more, then he closes his eyes and lets out a deep sigh. "You're crazy."
"I think so, to," Elend agreed.
"But that is great, isn't it?" Tower tapped his back cheerfully.
"How so?"
"It means you are fully prepared to survive," Ron finished.
_________________
(Steel Gauntlet. Grade C)
He hates how doubt gnawed inside him the moment he grips a door handle that led to a new theater.
Will he find another Blader? He had hope, not. Clenching his teeth, he shoved open the door.
A gunshot sound went off. A familiar scene plays on the screen, and Elend wastes no time watching it. He lunges forward at the creature, there's no throne seat, it is seated on the red audience seat. Almost too big for it.
Scaly, iridescent eyes widen in jolt. Hand lurches for the spear propped on the seat beside him.
(Heavy Strike) Elend rend down upon it. Sword crushes down through the chair. Blue light boomed with the sprout of blood.
The Lizardos manage to stagger away, but it hold no spear. From the left shoulder down, blood flows like a waterfall. Accepting inescapable death, it let out an ear-splitting roar.
It charges forward. Its right five talon streaking toward Elend.
Way too slow. Elend caught it with one hand. His steel gauntlet protects his left arm from its talon.
The talon scratched against the steel, drawing a loud screeching scrape.
It's snarled, showing that razor teeth are about to snap his head. With his right arm, Elend punched straight into its face. The Lizardos were knocked down.
Elend hadn't let go of its last arm. Through a horror-bound eye, the lizard looks at him. Fear shimmers in them.
He drew his dagger (Flurry Jab). Five gaping holes ended the Lizardos' life. He let the body thump down the stairs.
(You Slain Lizardos Lv 5)
(Level Up!)
Elend Mireaux lvl 7
HP: 270/270 (3/min)
Mp: 20/20. (2/min)
Strength : 28 + 10
Intelligence : 15
Dexterity : 20 + 5
Skill :
(Active)
- Heavy Strike (2) Lvl 4
- Flurry jab (3) Lvl 3
(Passive)
- Inspection
Class : ?
"To the next theater then," Elend muttered. He threw a look toward the Lizardos' Spear.
(Wooden Spear. Grade C)
Not worth it.
______________
He is not so lucky this time. The Lizardos manage to jump back from his surprise attack.
It released a Flurry of spear strikes upon him. Elend staggered back, not losing his footing. Sword held sideways, parrying each strike.
He raised his eyebrow in delight, he could keep up with the Lizardos's speed. As he thought that, it released another six quick jabs. Three he parried, two bounced off his breastplate, and one managed to scrape blood onto his thigh.
Elend scurried back in quick steps. Having his legs taken out will be too fatal.
A plan formed in his mind, more of a calculated charge really. His head was protected by the mask, body by the breastplate. The danger area is his legs. He could charge forward, risking the bet.
Focus settled across his mind. Maybe there's no need for the bet; all he needs is a good parry. No need to destroy the spear, just bat it far enough to create an opening.
(Heavy Strike) Blue energy coils around his sword. A glimmer of blue shines in his arms.
Again.
(Heavy Strike) The sword flashed in bright blue. The Lizardos squint, that one second is all Elend needed.
He darts forward, taking full advantage of his mask. Sword flashed down on The Lizardos. It flaily stabbed the spear forward, Elend then bat the sword away, knocking the spear out of its grip. letting go of his sword. The blue glimmer died down. The dagger dim amber gold as he thrust it into the Lizardos's throat.
Blood squelched. The Lizardos's eyes widen, still not taking in the pain. Even with a dagger stuck in its throath
Elend smiled. Hand slowly grip the Dagger handle.
(Flurry Jab).
In sizzling blur. The Lizard Head fell into the carpeted floor.
(You Slain Lizardos Lv 8)
(Level Up!)
Elend Mireaux lvl 8
HP: 290/290 (3/min)
Mp: 25/25. (2/min)
Strength : 30 + 10
Intelligence : 17
Dexterity : 23 + 5
Skill :
(Active)
- Heavy Strike (2) Lvl 5
- Flurry jab (3) Lvl 3
(Passive)
- Inspection
Class:?
"Still no class?" He grumbled. Did he do anything wrong?
Many possibilities dance across his mind, maybe you're supposed to stick to one weapon so the system recognizes it easily. He sighs, no use thinking about it. But getting one will be undoubtedly helpful. He will need everything the system could offer.
"To the next theater then," Elend muttered. "I will wait for my mana," He said as he slumped into a chair.
He left the room shortly, leaving the headless Lizard monster. The very act brings an arrogant pride swelling inside him. Being able to stand toe to toe with these monsters used to be a childhood longing of his.
Delight warmed and settled in across Elend's chest. A grin formed under his clown mask. He looks forward to the next battle.
Letting the door close behind him, he scurried to the next one. Right across the hallway. He might check with Ron and Tower after this, before he moves to the higher floor.
Kicking the door open, he quickly strode in. Hoping to catch whatever monster unguarded. But as he stepped inside. His heart lurched.
There's no familiar gunshot sound. There's no movie playing, just a blank white screen.
A rancid metallic smell drifted heavily, creeping along his nose. It clawed inside his mind, forcing him to remember the hallway full of death, Human and Monster. Most of all, it reminded him of blood.
He gazed up toward the audience seat, the sight sent a ripple of terror pounding through his veins, and each heartbeat froze his body.
Elend’s early confidence now dimmed out completely, the face of Jack's went through his mind. Jack’s eyes suddenly opened, his mouth gurgled, laughing at Elend for his foolishness.
An entire row of the furthest seat was filled with the corpse of a human. All kinds of weapons jutted through their stomach, apples and pears shoved inside different mouths.
He recognised three bodies of Circus Blader sprawled across the stairs. But, there another three still alive.
One tried fitting an apple inside the mouth of the dead human, the other steadying a spear through the stomach. The last one, though, laughs as it sees Elend.
(Circus Blader Lvl 10)
(Circus Blader Lvl 12)
(Circus Blader Lvl 12)
Shoving his terror down, Elend charged toward the closest one before it could raise alarm.
The Circus Blader flicks its tongue. And run down the stairs to meet him.
Elend recognises its injured legs as it stumbles awkwardly, and this one is the lowest level, unlike the other two. (Heavy Strike) Blue hue coiled around his sword.
Two short sword snakes toward him, Elend lunges forward, making full use of his sword greater length. He rend the sword sideways, tearing through an arm. The Circus Blader, jumped back. Its right arm is split from the middle to its fingertips.
Under a normal situation, he shouldn't have had enough power because of his lunge. But the Heavy Strike makes it possible.
The Circus Blader's huge lips were shaking, gritting from pain. Elend gladly stepped back all the way. His back touches the door, he will let this one die.
The other two Circus Bladers have realized what's happening. Their snake tongue flicks toward Elend. They jump from chair to chair until only the vast carpet separates them. The white screen highlights their body, each as tall as him.
Elend had no intention to fight them within those chairs just so they could take advantage of their ridiculous acrobatic skill.
The injured Circus Blader has fallen. But it doesn't seem to be dead yet.
Elend gripped the door, considering to leave and fight in the hallway. But, are they going to be smart enough to send one flanking him? That would be worse than fighting in open space like this.
He would be a lettuce inside a sandwich.
Fighting here sounds better. He brings his sword in a hard grip, making sure his back is to the wall. He crept toward a corner to limit their flanking ability.
Both of them charged forward.
Elend cursed, he going to..
Chapter 5: -Risk It All-
