His building of residence came into view and a wave of hope and delight washed over him. He was totally unworried about the truck full of military men that was hot on his trail. Even if he slowed down his speed a bit, there was no way they were going to catch him now, since he was already near his destination.
What really was unnerving to him was not being able to retrieve the bag he dropped in his room before the Transmigration time was up. He felt missing this opportunity would probably haunt him for the rest of his life, because inside that backpack were all the important valuables that belonged to Void.
Earlier in the crematory, he had grabbed Void's bag of essentials that contained a katana, daggers, a customized small gun, a black leather mask and gloves. He had purposely taken Void's bag instead of his own because these things were what Void valued the most, regarding material things.
Void had always wanted to be an expert katana wielder, throw daggers with ease and someday emerge as the best recruit after his service years as a Becomer.
Void's dreams have been short-lived due to his sudden death, but Eric wasn't going to just let go of the things Void held valuable and cherished.
'Sorry, I can't even fulfill those dreams of yours, but I can't let them die with you either. I'll keep and take care of your toys in your memory.'
Bang! Bang!
Gunshots echoed in the empty street as bullets narrowly missed Eric who didn't stop running despite the command from the soldiers.
Eric fled into the wide open main gate of the residential building without as much a backward glance, then slammed the gate shut behind him.
"How long more?" he asked.
[32s ]
"Thank you for putting me in this tight position."
[You Are Welcome.]
He saw that the other rooms were still empty, devoid of residents. Jogging a few more paces, he saw his door which he had recklessly unhinged and flung down the hallway when he turned a beast. That much he remembered.
He rushed into his mess of a room and quickly grabbed the backpack, opened it to check its content, then immediately hefted it onto his back.
"Mission accomplished… With exceptionally more time than is necessary now. You should give me a reward for that, system."
[Host Is Declared a Greedy Being]
"Huh… How much time left, please? Let's get the heck out of here," said Eric hurriedly as soon as he heard marching footsteps coming from the hallway.
[23s. To Burn Time, Host May Fight The Incoming Assailants Off And Consume More Mana To Store In The Mana Bank]
"Hell no! I've killed enough colony mates for one night. These lot are innocent. They are just following orders."
"Umm… What do you think will happen if I get shot?" he asked calmly.
[Let's Find Out, Host]
"I prefer not." Eric rushed over to the window and with unintended ferocity, shattered the thick glass while opening it.
He looked down and in his mind, calculated the distance from his current height to the ground. This much was a risk he was willing to take.
His sensitive ears picked up the sounds of footsteps that have gotten dangerously close to the door. The soldiers would have bursted in if they weren't treading with caution.
"I'm sure nothing will happen to me if I jump from here, right? I mean, it's only about 30 feet from here, and I'm more agile and stronger than before."
[Again, Why Don't We Find Out?]
"Yeah, let's find out," Eric conceded as he decided that shattering his bones, despite how low the odds are, is better than getting shot.
At least, he knew his bones can slowly heal with time but the system seems also skeptical about a bullet wound.
"Here goes my limbs," he muttered as he tapped lightly against the window frame and dived down, headfirst. His dive was free at first, but as soon as he was just a few feet from touching the ground, he turned easily and balanced his body so his legs could land him. Surprisingly, he managed to touch the ground lightly, like a professional stuntman.
"Aha, I sure aced that one," he said delightedly. "Guess I'm a natural. No, I'm more than that. I'm supernatural."
[10 s remaining…]
"Cool. I'll just walk majestically down here while those soldiers wonder where I've disappeared to. See, I keep pulling stunts that amaze even me."
"For instance, I decided to jump because I know I was a born diver. You should have seen that stunt I pulled mid-air. Bet you couldn't believe it either, aha!"
[Host Is Ridiculously Childish]
"Also, did you notice I just created a new word? That word, 'Supernatural.' It can only be from me, I know. I wish this new world I'm travelling to appreciates my talent. I have a lot to teach the world."
[Ignorance And Naivety Is Not a Crime. Wallow In them, Host]
"Tch. A little word of encouragement would do."
Suddenly, a sharp noise pierced the still night. "Halt!"
Eric glanced up to see three soldiers standing by his window and pointing their guns downwards. He followed the direction where the gun was pointed to, but he realized that it wasn't at him.
"That's right. They couldn't have seen me where I'm hiding in the shadows. Are they seeing things then? Who else are they pointing their silly guns at?"
Then, it clicked. A thought? A feeling? Instinctual? Eric didn't know, but it really clicked.
"Oh shit! The girl. She followed me!"
[5s… 4s… 3s… 2s…]
Eric recklessly rushed out of his hiding spot and muttered, "use Killer Dash."
Making it last only a second, Eric dashed frantically and protectively towards the approaching girl who was still clad in a robe that was completely soaked in blood.
[…1s…]
[Activation Complete.]
[HOST IS TRANSMIGRATING.]
He flung his arms out, covering the woman from a direct gunshot from the soldiers.
A chime sounded from the system, a short gasp from the girl, and a gunshot.
The bullet burrowed itself deep into Eric's back as he wrapped the woman in a hug.
* * * * * *
[TRANSMIGRATION COMPLETED.]