"If there were only two [Killers], the moment I killed him the doors would have opened. But I didn't think it would be you." Mason explained casually.
"W-well, there's no way you can beat me with that exhausted body!" He swung the longsword overhead awkwardly, grinding the long weapon against the ceiling and walls of the bus.
"That weapon's too long, wise guy. And my exhaustion can be cured by you." Mason casually stepped under the obstructed longsword and grabbed at his wrist.
[Grappling Lv. 1]
[Vampiric Touch Lv. 1]
Mason's hand started to morph into blood red claws wreathed in shadow, as a warm red life energy started to leave Donovan's body through his wrist.
"No! NO! No…" Donovan's struggling weakened before ceasing, his meagre vitality and physique easily drained. The life force recovered his stamina and Mana, and the slight wounds on his body disappeared.
[You have killed a G Tier human]
[210 Coins have been awarded!]
[Sufficient Coins have been acquired. Would you like to see the "Coins and Points" tutorial?]
[The Reaper's Authority will extract a skill from victim]
[No requests...choosing extraction target at random...]
[Tactical Discipline Lv. 1 acquired!]
The translucent barrier appeared briefly, before the padlock symbol on it unlocked itself and shattered.
[The Reaper's Authority has been withdrawn]
The driver opened its mouth once more while clapping, "Good job everyone, I-"
Mason dashed forward and plunged the dagger into his neck, "Sorry, old man."
Surprisingly, the driver did not resist. He simply took the hit and fell over. He looked up with a creepy grin "Interesting, interesting! A mere mortal dares defy me. AHAHAHAHAHA!!"
[The "Thief of the Giants" cackles in amusement]
[50 Coins have been sponsored]
The bus driver's body went limp.
[You have killed a F Tier Corpse Puppet (human)]
[2110 Coins have been awarded]
[You have slain a being above your tier!]
[The skill [Bluff Lv. 1] has been acquired as compensation]
[The "Three-faced Witch" nods in appreciation]
[The "One Armed Brave" looks over in interest]
[The "Twin-Wolf Lord" twirls his spear excitedly]
[The "Vast Monster" wriggles]
An entire onslaught of messages struck Mason.
("Well...It's only natural. Maybe I shouldn't have stood out by killing the puppet. But I need those easy coins.")
Staying alive and growing strong in the long run was important, but tomorrow doesn't matter if today is not guaranteed.
Everyone scrambled off the bus before the guy in front backpedalled.
"Ah!"
Shrieks of confusion and fear brought attention to the obstacle before them. A large, man sized spider. It's long, chitinous legs tapered off into thin blades while it's glowing red eyes were locked on to them. A thin blue line stood between the buses and the spider, and more people began pouring out of the buses.
A blue UI popped up again.
[Main Scenario- Late for School]
Category: Main
Difficulty: F
Clear Conditions: Bypass the "Sentinel Spider" and enter the school hall. Crossing the line will start the scenario. If the Sentinel dies, the result is the same.
Compensation: ???
Failure: Death
"D-death?"
"How do we get past it?"
"Scatter! We all run around it!"
"Can we defeat it?"
The crowd of students began shouting and discussing. Suddenly, the scrawny kid that Rey nearly "sacrificed" turned towards Mason.
"You defeated Rey, you can fight the spider!"
His voice spread to the crowd, and they all turned to look at him.
"Right, you can do it!"
"You are strong, you have the responsibility to protect us!"
"Your sacrifice will save all of us!"
A few unscrupulous people turned his way and began pressuring him. They had no clue about his strength compared to the spider, but in the face of death, throwing someone else under the bus (haha) is worth it. Even those that didn't participate watched with hesitation. No one wanted to die.
Keith slid up to his side, holding the longsword Donovan dropped, "I can help you…"
"No need." He patted Keith on the back before glancing at the one bus that was still shut. He raised his voice, "Everyone! I'll distract it. But not for free." He rubbed his thumb and index finger together,the universal signal for money.
"What do you want?"
"Money? I can give you my whole wallet!"
"How much? How much do you want?"
Mason raised ten fingers. Everyone's eyes lit up.
"Ten Coins."
Everyone flinched at that.
"That's too much!"
"You extortionist!"
"Robber! Opportunistic scumbag!"
He shrugged, "You don't have to give it to me, I'll just go before you."
Mason never liked talking or social interaction, but somehow this set his heart pounding. The rioting crowd, the line between life and death and the thrill of an upcoming battle, joys he had never known before.
"We don't need your help." One of the inciters went ahead after learning the easy way out was not free. He ran towards the safety of the school gates, drawing a wide berth between him and the spider.
The clinking of steel on concrete chased the boy as he sprinted. It gained on him, but he could make i-
"Ow!"
He suddenly tumbled over as something caught his leg. He looked back to see a white thread looped around his ankle. The spider slowly reeled him in like a fish on a hook, before spearing him with it's leg.
As this was going on a few other brave souls dash behind the spider, who didn't turn towards them, until it whirled around with a mock slash. It chased them around playfully before killing all of them cleanly, in one hit. It seemed to enjoy toying with its prey.
Everyone who saw this winced in fear, and one standing close to Mason turned to him, "I'll pay."
["Tony" transferred 10 coins to you]
"Me too!"
The rest of the crowd swarmed to him.
"Wait" Mason held his hand up, "20 Coins."
"What? Why?"
[Bluff Lv.1]
"It's dangerous for me."
"He only paid 10!"
"Early bird discount."
[The "Thief of the Giants" nods in approval]
[50 Coins have been sponsored]
[The "One Armed Brave" shrugs and shakes his head]
[The "Vast Monster" yawns]
"But! If you all pay, it'll be fifteen."
"Fine." Everyone formed a line, transferring 15 coins to him.
["Howard" transferred 15 Coins to you]
["Philips" transferred 15 Coins to you]
["Laura" transferred 15 Coins to you]
["Heinz" transferred 15 Coins to you]
["Li Ling" transferred 15 Coins to you]
The constant ringing of notifications sounded like music to his ears.
"Ah, you two don't have to pay." He stopped Keith and Haley.
"Why don't they ha-."
"15 Coin Friendship discount."
[[Bluff Lv. 1] has leveled up!]
"…"