Joe had his body half turned as he gazed at Ray's shocked expression. It took a second before he fully turned around to face the 2 remaining beasts. “You guys aren't looking too good. I think you should sit this one out.” Joe's voice was calm and certain.
A dark mist seeped out of Joe's palm. It encompassed the Wolfin he just slaughtered, before devouring it whole, leaving no traces behind.
[Skill Activation: Predator]
[+1 (lvl 9) Mana Beast Core To Your Inventory]
[Your Mana Pool Has Been Replenished]
With that out of the way, Joe's attention was fully on the two beasts ahead of him. With a single step, his body bolted forward.
As he charged, an idea bloomed in Joe's mind. “Let's take things up a notch Sy, Let's go X2!”
[Skill Activation: Outsider’s Enhancement X2]
[Total Speed:20>44]
[Toal Strength:18>42]
[Total Skill:21>53]
Joe's eyes flared to life, his muscles tightened and bulged slightly as they were bombarded by a new wave of energy, an adrenaline rush coursing through them like a raging river. His senses were all sharpened to the extreme, in those few seconds. He was completely in the zone.
A Wolfin (lvl 11) intercepted Joe, it rose to tower his frame. But by the time it reached its apex, it was already too late.
Joe was already there.
Coated in mana, his fist dug deep into the Wolfin's stomach. The beast released a painful howl, blood and teeth spewed out of its mouth on contact. Its body was sent hurtling back, slamming into a tree with bone shattering force
The Wolfin's spine made an audible cracking sound. its body slid down the trunk, smearing it in crimson as it sunk to the surface. Lifeless.
[You Have Slain A (Lvl 11) Wolfin]
Joe's focus shifted to the last Wolfin, he rushed towards it without the slightest hesitation.
The (Lvl 12) Wolflin didn't back away, it threw itself at Joe without warning . its jaw unraveled as it pounced with its teeth ready to dig into Joe's body.
The Wolfin's mouth snapped shut, but it got nothing but air.
Joe had vanished with the wind.
From above, Joe came crashing down. With his right leg fully stretched, he landed on the Wolfin's skull with a thunderous heel strike.
The beast's skull caved in from the pressure, the ground below it cracked and crumbled. Its body plummeted into the resulting crater as Joe's foot flattened its skull.
Dust hung around Joe momentarily, but when it retreated, his victory was confirmed. He had slain another Wolfin.
[You Have Slain A (Lvl12) Wolfin]
[You Have Leveled Up!]
[You Have Leveled Up!]
[Current Level:10]
Joe allowed his shoulders to fall down as he exhaled. His muscles relaxed, and the mana shrouding his body faded. [Skill Deactivated]
He looked to take a step, when his muscles suddenly tensed up. His body refused to move an inch, rooting him in a place. A sharp pain surged through his body unannounced. Joe gritted his teeth as he looked to endure the excruciating discomfort. His muscles and bones felt compressed and overwhelmed. They threatened to crack and tear apart, destroying his body in a matter of seconds.
The pain subsided twenty seconds later. It retreated without warning, relieving Joe off his discomfort.
He was left panting and soaked in sweat. To him, those twenty seconds felt like an entire life time. He doubled over clutching his knees. His chest pounded, and his breathing was labored.
“I guess I may have over done it a bit…” Joe thought to himself, as he tried to calm down his racing heart.
He knew even without Syr saying a word that using a X2 Multiplier on [Outsider’s Enhancement] the cause for his suffering. Pushing his body like he did, even if it was for a few seconds, was bound to catch up to him.
Joe straightned after a few minutes. As everything seemed to be back in order. But Joe took what just occurred to heart. It was a warning. If he ever overextended himself again, it could kill him.
[Your Skill (Outsider's Enhancement) Has Reached (Lvl 4)
[Updated Attributes]
MP: 680//920
? Skill: 19>23(+2 Class Boost Attribute Points)
? Strength: 18>22
? Speed: 20>24
? Defense: 14>16
? Mental Strength: 19>21
? Additional Attribute Points: 2
His attention was drawn to the notification screen that popped up in front of him. He had just gone up another two levels. The news warmed his heart, bringing a smile to his face.
“You can give the free points to my defense Syr.” Joe blamed some of the pain he just experienced to his low defense, so he invented more into his defense.
[Updated Attributes]
??Defense: 16>18
With the upgrade confirmed, Joe turned to the Wolfin he just killed. He activated [Predator] and absorbed it in seconds. Using [Predator] was becoming second nature to him at this point. Even he was surprised with how quickly he was adapting.
[You Have Replenished Your Mana Pool]
[Current Mana Pool:920/920]
[+1 (Lvl 12) Mana Beast Core Has Been Added To Your Inventory]
With that done, he made his way to the Wolfin laying against a tree. He repeated the same process and absorbed it without difficulty.
Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.
[+1 (lvl 11) Mana Beast Core Has Been Added To Your Inventory]
“You can use all the cores I gathered to upgrade the Black Blade”
[Your Mana Tool: (The Black Blade) Has Leveled Up!]
[Your Mana Tool: (The Black Blade) Has Leveled Up!]
[Your Mana Tool: (The Black Blade) Has Reached (Lvl11]
After his order Joe finally turned around to face Ray and Shelly.
“Don't move!” Ray shouted.
Joe surprised by his tone, did as he said.
“Who are you?” Ray pointed his dagger. Its tip glinted with malice, his eyes unflinching.
Is this how people were treated for trying to help In Grisha? Joe was completely lost. He expected to see at grateful eyes at least, but instead he was met with hostility.
“I mean you no harm!” Joe raised his arms, in an effort to reassure Ray.
Ray didn't seem to buy it, his dagger was still directed at Joe. But something diverted his focus.
He turned his head after hearing low sobs coming from behind him. Shelly had her hands over her face, still unable to stop her tears.
Ray clenched his teeth and sheathed his dagger to his waist. He trudged towards Shelly and bent down slightly. He seized Shelly's hair with his right hand and hauled her back to her feet. His hand grasped her throat and he slammed her into a tree.
The tree vibrated as leaves fell from its branches. Shelly tried to scream but Ray's grip stiffiled any sound she tried to make. His eyes bored directly into hers. “Why are you crying Shelly? This is all your fault!”
Shelly's watery eyes dilated in horror, her entire body trembled at Ray's words.
Slap
A sharp sound resonated with the forest. Shelly's body sprawled to the ground and a red hand print bloomed on her right cheek. She held it, tears still dripping down her face.
“I'm sorry… I'm so—”
Crunch!
Her words failed to complete when Ray's knee collided with her face. Her head was rocked back and it hit the ground, hard. Blood pooled from her twisted nose and a few of her teeth were visibly cracked.
Ray loomed over her, “You think apologizing will change anything? You were the healer Shelly! Why didn't you help them? Everyone died and its all your fault!” Ray stomped Shelly's face repeatedly, each time he brought down his foot, her body convulsed and blood spurted fron her face. “Just die! You useless bitch!”
Ray could see that Shelly was moments away from finally giving in to the weight of his assaults. He smirked, before he raised his foot for what was to be the final time. Ray made sure this one was higher than his previous attempts, he needed his big finisher to be the most devastating of them all. Just before he brought down his leg, he felt a light tap on his shoulder.
Instinctively, Ray swung around. As he did, a crunching fist struck him right in between the eyes. His skin was smushed together and an audible crack reverberated. Blood exploded from Ray's face as his body was sent flying across the forest.
He crashed into a tree and another crack was heard. His body slid down the trunk, his face submerged In blood.
The perpetrator. Of course, was Joe. [Skill Activation: Outsider’s Enhancement (Lvl 4)
[-55 Mana Pool Points]
[Current Mana Pool:865]
[Total Skill:25>45]
[Total Strength:22>38]
[Total Speed:24>40]
He cracked his knuckles, “didn't your mother teach you, not to lay a hand on a lady?” Joe's eyes glared at Ray with a quiet intensity.
When he didn't see him move, his focus turned back to Shelly. “Are you alright?” He asked, his expression was a lot sweeter and his tone much more gentle. [Skill Deactivated]
Joe could see she wasn't ok, but he had no clue what else to say.
Shelly stired and pulled herself to sit upright slowly. Joe knelt down offering to help. But Shelly raised her hand and shook her head. “I'm …fine.” She managed to say.
A green light enveloped her body and slowly, her injuries began to fade, the blood dried up and her nose slowly fell back into place. [Skill Activation: Regeneration]
“Thank You.” Her voice was soft.
Joe just smiled. “No problem. My name's Joe. “
“It's Shelly.”
Before Joe could say another word, a cough made Joe turn his head. He found Ray slowly begin to rise.
He clawed his way back to his feet. “You bastard…” he spat out a large volume of bloody saliva. “Do you have any idea who you're messing with?” Ray huffed, one hand clutching his ribs.
His eyes darted to Shelly. “So now you're using that healing skill of yours. You selfish bitch! What about our party members? Why didn't you help them?”
Shelly's body shuddered at his voice once again, unable to say a word.
Ray clenched his fist, “not talking? That's fine with me!”
[Skill Activation: Stealth]
Ray's body vanished right before Joe's eyes. It blended with the wind and became impossible to track with the naked eye. Ray was invisible.
His footsteps vanished without a trace.
Joe sprang to life, he grabbed Shelly and threw her back. She shrieked, but Joe didn't have time to be gentle.
Luckily for Joe, his eyes were not normal. Even though Ray was invisible, Joe could see his mana clear as day. He could not only see a flickering flame. Joe saw everything. Ray appeared as a glowing humanoid figure of mana. Joe could see his mana pathway as it circulated throughout his body, he could even make out how much mana Ray had in reserves.
Joe could see everything.
It was like he had some kiind of X-Ray vision. [Passive Skill: Outsider’s Perspective]
Joe kept up with Ray's movement with ease. He saw him imbue mana into a dagger he made invisible. Joe braced himself, ready for what was to come.
Ray attacked Joe head on, he zipped instantly to where he stood. He raised his dagger high above his head, before he swung it verticaly, probably certain Joe couldn't see a thing.
But Ray was about to find out the hard way. Joe wasn't your average opponent.
Joe's right hand launched forward and he gripped Ray's armed wrist. Mana flared from his form, before he drove a left jab deep into Ray's stomach. [Skill Activation: Outsider’s Enhancement]
[-55 Mana Pool Points]
[Current Mana Pool:810/920]
The impact deactivated Ray's Skill and he became visible once again. His body doubled over, eyes widened in disbelief “how…?”
Joe didn't respond, instead he threw a second jab that sent Ray tumbling and rolling across the ground. Hid body halted a few meters away.
But Ray refused to fall down, slowly he dragged himself up once again.
“Go!” Joe commanded.
“What?” Ray was visibly confused.
“I'll let you go, if you get out of my sight.” Joe's said, his tone relaxed.
“What? You're joking? Right?” Ray erupted into a short burst of laughter. “You want me to get of your sight? You'll let me go?” Ray couldn't help but release another chuckle. As his voice died down, his expression turned serious. “That's not going to happen.”
He reaffirmed his grip on his dagger, “this right here. This dagger was given to me by Kite. But you know where he is now? Dead! He's dead! How am I going to explain to Kate that her younger brother is dead huh? What am I going to tell her? The reason Kite's dead is because of her!" He glared at Shelly. "I won't let a bastard like you, get in the way of my revenge!"
Fire ignited from Ray's dagger. It crackled with intensity as it shrouded the entire blade except for the handle. [Mana Tool Skill: Burn]
Ray smirked at the sight, and then without warning—he thrusted his arm blade. Fire erupted from the dagger. It shot out towards Joe in a straight line, multiplying the Dagger's reach.
Joe swiftly unsheathed his blade. With a single swing, a crescent arc of mana sliced through Ray's flames. It proceeded its path looking to cleave Ray in half. [Mana Tool Skill: Mana Slash]
[Total Skill: 45>90]
[-90 From Your Mana Pool]
[Current Mana Pool:720]
Ray leaped to the side, the slash brisked past his body seconds from bisecting him. It continued untill it collided with a tree in the distance.
Ray glanced back at the devastation behind him, his relief written on his face. He turned to Joe once again.
“That was close, just who in the world is this kid? A licensed adventurer? No that can't be right.. he must be a lone wanderer or something. It doesn't matter. I have to finish this now. I don't have much mana left in the tank. I have use stealth, there's no way this kid managed to see through it. It was a fluke. Yeah.. that's what It was. A fluke.”
A smile crept on Ray's face. [Skill Activation: Stealth] Once again, Ray turned invisible.
Unfortunately for Ray, it wasn't a fluke. Joe kept up with his movements with ease. He saw Ray jump to the sky and his eyes followed him. Sure enough a spark a surge of fire shone brightly from above, and Ray's form was revealed.
“Die!”
The flames around the dagger danced. They became wild and unruly. Ray couldn't get them to settle down. The fire charred his hands and arms. But he refused to let go of it. With fury in his eyes. He swung it with all his strength.
A wave of fire fell from the sky. It came crushing down on Joe like a flood, ready to drown him in its burning embrace.
[Skill Activation: Outsider’s Enhancement (lvl 4) X2]
[-110 From Your Mana Pool]
[Current Mana Pool:610]
[Total Skill:45>65]
[Total Strength:38>54]
[Total Speed:40>56]
Black mana cloaked Joe as he sprung backwards in a powerful leap. The flames crashed to the earth, producing a blast that propelled Joe further backwards. His form skidded across the earth, stopping a fair distance away. He avoided the flames but just barely.
His jacket was torn and burnmarks found their way to his hands and arms. Joe winced as he endured the pain flowing through his body.
A cloud of smoke manifested and rapidly consumed the field. But even inside the thick dark haze [Outsider’s Perspective] was working just fine. Joe could see Ray's form land and dash towards his position. His movements were silent and quick but Joe could track him easily.
When Ray appeared in front of him and swung his dagger horizontally. Joe ducked, the dagger whistled above him. Using the opening created, his black blade ran through Ray's midsection horizontally, cutting him perfectly in half.
Blood sprayed as Ray's body parts feel to the ground. The smoke vanished and Joe could see the results of his handiwork first hand.
Right then and there Joe realized, for the first time in his life. He had just killed a human being.
