Chapter 4 FIRST BLOOD

Reno struck first, lightning gathering in his hands, much larger than before. The air around him smelled of ozone, and the hair on my arms stood on end. A universal sign that being electrocuted is not a pleasant experience.

"Lightning Burst!"

He thrust both hands forward, two lightning projectiles shooting toward me. Fast, but now the world felt a little slower, or maybe I was faster. I twisted, dodging the first projectile. The second narrowly missed my shoulder.

HANDS!

A small explosion occurred behind me, my skin still burning. It was so close.

"Did he get faster?!" Dimas shouted.

Yes, I was quite pleased with this development as well. Kevin charged from the left, his sword blazing brightly, flames coiling around the blade. With a diagonal slash, I lifted the branch.

CLANG!

The sound of impact startled me slightly, and I looked down at my weapon. The branch had managed to hold the sword. It hadn't shattered, leaving only a slight scratch. Oh, so the durability has increased. Kevin seemed equally surprised.

"Impossible!"

"Many impossible things happened today," I replied, pushing him back.

I kicked Kevin in the knee, momentarily losing his balance. I seized the moment, stabbing him in the shoulder. Kevin quickly retreated, the tip of the branch only grazing his arm. A little blood, but still progress. Reno came in again from the right flank, their coordination quite good. Annoyingly, lightning struck the ground near my feet. I jumped back, and Dimas fired two arrows. I missed one, and the other hit my left arm.

SRAK.

I winced, the arrow stuck shallowly. It hurt so much, I pulled it out forcefully.

"Ah, you jerk."

Blood dripped. Okay, can't take too long. They still have the upper hand, I need to reduce the number of players. Quickly, my eyes immediately locked on the target. Dimas, Archer, Long Range. Low Defense, priority target. I ran towards him.

"Protect Dimas!" Kevin shouted.

Too late. Dimas panicked and fired hastily. The arrow missed. Good, I got into close range. Dimas's face was pale.

"W-wait"

No, I swung the branch at his wrist.

CRACK.

His bow fell, and Dimas screamed. I kneed him in the stomach, knocking him back. Then I stabbed him in the chest with a swift motion. Instantly, Dimas's body froze, his eyes widened, and his breath stopped. Silence.

A notification appears.

Human target slain

Devour Root activated.

The roots came out again, piercing Dimas's body. A second energy flowed in, stronger, hotter, more addictive. I closed my eyes for a split second. It felt like my body was being forcibly upgraded, muscles denser, reflexes sharper, mana increased.

The notification appears again.

Agility +3

Dexterity +2

Mana +1

EXP gained.

Level Up!

Level 5 reached.

Weapon evolution available.

I froze. Weapon evolution? Interesting. The weapon in my hand trembled, the handle cracked, not broken. It changed, lengthening slightly, growing more thorns. The surface became darker, its shape no longer a simple twig. More like a sharp branch, a primitive weapon. But certainly more deadly.

A new notification appears.

One Tree Stalk → Thorny Branch

Evolution complete.

I smile.

"Oh."

"Finally there is visible progress."

Kevin stared at me like he was seeing a nightmare. A fair reaction: he gripped his sword tighter.

"We have to kill him now!"

Finally understanding, Reno looked doubtful.

"K-Kevin..."

"We have to retreat-"

The smartest thing he'd said all day. Kevin turned sharply.

"Shut up!"

Ah, zero leadership qualities. Very good, I spun the Thorny Branch in my hand. Much more comfortable, more balanced, sharper. A nice improvement, but still ugly, but effective. I stepped forward, and Kevin subconsciously took a half step back. I watched it, and it was very satisfying.

"Why did you step back?" I asked.

"You guys are the ones who want to kill me, right?"

Kevin gritted his teeth, his face tense, sweat starting to show, the fire on his sword trembling slightly. A breach of trust was detected. Good, Reno finally made his decision, he retreated. He truly retreated.

"I'm not coming anymore!" he said.

Then he turned and ran away, very wisely. Kevin's eyes widened.

"RENO!"

It was too late, and all that was left was Kevin and one other person who looked like they were about to faint. Kevin looked around, at the bodies, the blood. Two of his friends were dead, one had run away, and I was still standing. Still alive and growing, the silence felt heavy. Finally, Kevin said softly,

"We can talk."

I almost laughed. Ah, the negotiation phase. It's interesting how morals and diplomacy emerge after a change in position.

"I think I'm a monster?" I said.

Kevin swallowed hard.

"That was..."

"Force situation."

Oh wow, amazing. I shook my head slowly.

"No."

"You guys are just panicking."

"And choose the easiest solution."

I raised my weapon. The thorny branch reflected a faint light, and Kevin took another step back.

"Raka, listen," I interrupted.

"Now it's my turn to choose."

Our gazes met, and he knew. I knew there was no turning back. Kevin roared and charged, his sword ablaze. A vertical slash, which I blocked.

CLANG!

The impact was stronger, but my body was also stronger now. We were locked in a fist for a few seconds. Kevin's face was very close, full of anger, full of fear.

"You should be dead!" he hissed.

I stared at him blankly.

"Maybe."

Then I shifted my body, letting Kevin's momentum take over. He lost his balance slightly, and I stabbed. The thorny branch pierced his side, and time seemed to slow down. Kevin froze, his eyes wide, his mouth slightly open. He looked down at the blood that was beginning to flow.

"Ah..."

His body weakened, his sword fell.

CLANG.

He knelt, then collapsed. It was silent, utterly silent. I stood still, breathing heavily. My body was covered in minor injuries, my clothes dirty, and my hands bloody. In front of me, the man who had tried to kill me was now dead.

A notification appears.

Flame Knight slain

High-value absorption available.

I stared at the writing, slowly smiling.

"High-value?"

It was so exciting, a root emerged. Larger than before. It pierced Kevin's body, and this time the energy entering was much greater. Brutal, the heat seared my entire body. I gritted my teeth, almost screaming.

Notifications appear in succession.

Strength +4

Vitality +3

Fire Resistance acquired.

Skill fragment obtained.

Skill acquired: Ember Slash

EXP gained.

Level 7 reached.

I opened my eyes slowly, breathing heavily. My body felt... different. So different, so much stronger. I looked down at my own hands, trembling slightly, not with fear. Adrenaline, power, I chuckled. Slowly, in disbelief. In a matter of minutes, I'd gone from being a burden to the class to something they were afraid of. Fascinating.

I looked at the last remaining person, the child already sitting limply. His face was pale, tears threatening to fall.

"D-don't kill me..."

I stared at him for a few seconds. Then I sighed.

"Go."

He glared.

"Hah?"

"Go."

He didn't wait twice. He just ran away as fast as he could. Smart.

I finally sat down on the ground, my body feeling exhausted. But my mind was surprisingly clear. I looked at the Thorny Branch in my hand. This weapon was only its first evolution. Meaning there were still many stages to go. I smiled faintly. The journey had just begun, and from now on, I would no longer be the prey. I was the hunter.

[END CHAPTER 4]