He felt the first trace of cold sweat running down his face. His chest stilled while his heart started a drum roll. He suddenly found it hard to breath, his throat dry and sore, all from the effect of just having a brief flashback of his death scene at the narrow path. He quickly shut his thoughts in a cage, closing his eyes sharply, his head drooping to his chest in despair. But that didn't stop him from suffering the sick feeling of cold, curved steel lodged in his chest and the deadly way it grabbed his organs, yanking them out with the curved edge as his attackers tried to retrieve their long knives.
That was more than enough torture.
"Fine," Eric bursted out, sweating, hands shaking, knees turned to jelly. "I will do it, okay? I—I will kill my killers. You don't have to threaten me.'
[Good]
[New Skill Acquired]
[Skill: Killer Dash]
[Description: Killer Dash grants the user a temporary surge of speed, allowing him to dodge attacks with ease or close the distance to his target in the blink of an eye...But its true power lay in its ability to set up a deadly counterattack by dashing past an opponent, you could strike from behind, catching them off guard]
[Skill Duration: 3 s] — Can be stopped after a second, mid-dash, but once it reaches 2 s, it uses up the total time before the dash can be stopped]
[Cool-down Period: 2 m]
[Cost: -2 MP]
[This Skill Might Help You Subdue Your Targets For The Primary Quest]
The skill's description was clear. Without a sharp blade and precise technique, the dash itself was little more than a flashy maneuver.
But a he didn't quite grasp what these other terms were.
What does "MP" mean? What about these other stats that points were added to after he killed the Dead-handler? Why were the stats displayed in short? He needed a thorough explanation.
[Stat Description Will Also Be Opened Only After You've Completed The Primary Quest]
"What a bummer. I should be in total control of the system, but I'm here, locked out. This isn't fair."
[You Know What's Not Fair? The Price For Diamonds In COF]
"Really?!" He grinned, immediately excited despite himself. "You think so too? I mean, how do I get to pay a million coins for 500 diamonds? I suggested–"
[Like I Thought, It's So Easy To Misdirect His Thinking]
"Uhm, I'm very much present. And who are you taking to? Your other sucker system friends?"
[The Monsters In Your Next World]
He gulped, flinching.
Eric seemed to be getting the hang of this System already.
'Like I thought, it's all like an adventure game.'
'This Killer Dash skill might turn out pretty much useless if failed at the first attempt. Why should I wait for 2 minutes before using a skill?'
"Huhhh, weird system," Eric started sarcastically. "About this task...the one about killing your killers–"
[PRIMARY QUEST: Kill Your Killers]
"I should get a reward for that, right? Maybe another skill. Care to hint me what it will be?"
Eric waited, but there was no response.
'Seems it only displays what it was programmed to display. Or maybe it's just cocky.'
'Little use asking silly questions.'
[I Can Hear Your Thoughts, Jsyk]
"Alright, I'll go kill my killers before you threaten me again."
He tried the door again, expecting resistance, but he was surprised to see that it opened easily, creaking slowly as he pulled it open.
"Is this door bound to that man's soul? It wouldn't open when he was alive."
As soon as Eric was clear of the crematory, out in the dusk, he decided to try the acquired skill beforehand so it wouldn't come as strange to him when he was facing his killers.
Since its cool-down time is 2 minutes, I just have to wait a little before I start my manhunt.
'Might as well see if all this is true, and also how it works.'
[I'm On Fake!]
'I'm no fool.'
"Use Killer Dash."
Suddenly, Eric moved so fast, almost invisible, leaving nothing behind but floating dry leaves. It wasn't so much like moving, to him since he didn't feel his legs could actually keep up with that speed even though he was a good runner. He felt like he phased quickly from his former spot to his present one, stopping suddenly like he didn't just break a sound barrier with such overwhelming speed. He stopped, completely still, composed as he pulled off a stylish pose with the bloody katana.
Also, since he didn't stop the dash in the first second, he had used it all up and there was no chance of using it again until the cool-down period was complete.
'It was real after all. Call me a Samurai, folks.'
'Don't know what a Samurai means, but call me one.'
"Sucker system, what does a Samurai mean? I saw it somewhere but I didn't really grasp what it was all about. Care to hint?"
[I'm Napping. I Can Tell You All About Otherworldly Monsters Though. I'm Wide Awake For That]
"Tch."
He looked back at the spot where he stood a few seconds ago, and not even his instincts could prepare him about finding out how much distance he had lapped in that short time.
'Man, I was there just now.'
'This is becoming a whole lot of real.'
'Pretty cool, huh?'
'This should give me a massive advantage when I face off those bastards again. A quick dash to their rear and a quicker slash for all three. I hope they are all together, and if not, it only gets more fun.'
'Two minutes and I'm ready for the Killer Dash again.'
Eric walked down the same lonely path he took earlier with Void. It was mostly deserted even during the busiest of days in the colony, but it was even more deserted now since it was well past curfew.
Even creeps, beasts, and little animals seemed to be observing the curfew since it was eerily quiet. His steps filled the air with a lot of noise against the seemingly deserted world.
Two minutes...
But as soon as Eric rounded a small bend, three figures appeared far off before him, each one of them dressed in military uniforms, masked and imposing with their sniper rifles. They chattered happily like they were about to have a feast. Two of them walked in sync while carrying a dead beast hung against a horizontal metal pole balanced on their shoulders for support. They were headed in the direction of the Motherbase and they were going to tread the exact path Eric was on.
"Shit!"
"They are near. They are so f--king near."
Eric was losing it already just from the sight of them. The memory of Void choking on his own blood while battling for life forced itself into Eric's head again.
"System, how much longer till the Killer Dash cooldown?" he asked fiercely.
[Cooldown time remaining: 1m 30s]
"Shit!"
---
[Host's Life Will Be Lost For Good If Killed Again]
[Host Must Proceed With Caution]
'What? Are you threatening me again?
[Host Must Wait For The Killer Dash Cool-down Before Engaging Enemies]
'To hell with your cool-down now. I'll sneak a surprise attack on them.'
'Yes. Here's a good spot to lay ambush. They can't be prepared for this.'
'Also, with any luck, the Kill Dash cool-down would be complete by the time the heat is on.'
Eric grabbed and adjusted the mask on his face more tightly. The rough black leather gloves gave him better grip on the hilt of the katana as he unfolded it, ready. He hid himself behind a large tuft of grass, watching behind tiny openings and watching his killers approach without worry. From the way they moved and were gathered, Eric saw it was easier to at least give two of them a quick surprise death.
Two of them are walking in sync, carrying the dead beast on their shoulders. They are the easier targets here.
'But hell, I don't want their death to be quick.'
'I should stab them at their vital points and make sure they can't fight back. Then... I give them a slow, painful death.'
[Host Is Not Capable of Holding His Killers Off]
[...For Now]
"Get the f--king screen outta my face."
'How long till the Killer Dash?'
[Cool-down Time Remaining: 43s]
'I think that timer is crawling. But fair enough.'
'Inform me when it's complete.'
'But for now... I attack.'