Everyone has something they fear it might be as small as a spider or big as a rampaging truck. No matter how hard they reject their fear it lingers around their body awaiting the right time for it to strike. Similar to a tumor they'll drown their host to depths of despair till they're incapable to resist and at last kneel and succumb to their fucked up reality
[Morris where are you going? You've been ignoring me since we left the workshop. I haven't even heard of the next part of our plan, you do remember that you have to keep me up to date. I've already tolerated a lot when I didn't care about the time you kicked me out because of your mission as a seer]
"It's time to go back to the institution. I've already completed everything for me to advance to the next story quest..." He gave a summary of their situation, and it opens with his reason for jumping from one roof to another
'I hope they have a good mission for me, it's fine, for me to do as I please I've got this information from Hyunsu. It appears that the fifth story quest will be related to the original plot of my book. If it weren't for my readers then the plot wouldn't be ruined, but I can work with this,'
'In my book, the ones that failed the fourth story quest are given their very own redemption arc. Most of the qualified mercenary extras died and the ones who survive the surprise attack ultimately led a second chance. But to enter the brigade now in stage five, be given a new mission to surveil the outskirts of town, later on, will be ambushed,'
'Since this is just the start of the story it's not a full-on survival quest. They'll be given a time limit and once that's over their backup will arrived to save their asses... But if I were them it's best to get it over with and die earlier in the story. Even if you're a reader who knows the plot, you'll automatically have your ass screwed by not becoming an avatar,'
When made his way through the institution's whereabouts, he's movements were put to a stop when a knife appeared in his neck. He didn't show any signs of struggling and the figure released him and a cutscene played amid his stroll. The figure was revealed to be a member of the institution and berates him for his stupidity
"Member 397 the fuck are you doing!? Running around without a mask to cover your face do you want our enemies to know our secret lair?" The npc proceeds to in scolding him for his action that could've leaked their secret
'Oh right!? I have to do a little role-playing in this story quest. I forgot about that lemme just grab my mask,'
"Forgive me as my mask was stained by the follower's chemicals... I thought it might be a nuisance if I'd get infected so I haven't used it for a while. It mostly disinfected so I think it's fine to wear it once more," Morris revealed his mask which he purposely splattered some ink to fool his fellow member
[You fucker!!!? Be careful not to stain it! Do you think I could make another one if you ruined my design!!?]
"I can accept your reasons forgive me if I offended you... If it happens again then you should mask your appearance. The institution won't be held responsible for your death if somebody targeted you," The girl sighed in relief before and she guides him into a tunnel that leads him to a spell circle encrypted with a teleportation enchantment
[Another gateway? It looks like this institution isn't as bad as I imagined. Their not a bunch of closed-minded people that would only make one entrance to their lair]
The girl closed the entrance and Morris stepped into the circle teleporting him to their hideout where he meets an unwelcoming atmosphere. It was the same place as his first meeting with the leaders of this fine institution and their faces remain hidden in the shadows. He lowered his head and took a kneel to show his respect towards the npcs that awaited his return
"It's an honor to be able to meet with the elders once again... This member is delighted to witness such a marvelous opportunity. I'm here to report the success of my mission to the leaders of our organization," Morris took a few seconds remaining in his position before a voice ordered him to stop
[Story quest: Search and destroy you've found the secret hidden from the public. searched the abandoned facility that was marked
Requirements:
Investigate the marked facility for anything unusual: 10/10
Apprehend a follower of the Mad Alchemist. we need to catch a person who's related to their plans 1/1
Failure: 10 days. if you can't finish the mission in 10 days it'll automatically be a failure you'll face a contribution point drop]
[System: You've captured a high-ranking follower of the Mad alchemist you've earned 300 contribution points]
'That's what I'm talking about high contribution points I've got 500!!! If I add the ones I got for killing a ton of infected in the 1-3 stages I get 800 contribution points. I'm such a successful player,'
"It looks like this one gained some manners compared to his last visit. Don't you agree with me Vice-captain?" The Leader grinned in the shadows while the others around him were stunned by his reaction
"It's 'Vice leader' we didn't approve of calling the two of us captains since it lowers your status to mine. But I admit, this newcomer has some incredible potential. To think he captured a high-ranking follower without any problem. How should we reward him?" The vice leader appeared beside him revealing his face and Morris was stunned upon learning of his identity
[System: You've met an important character Genis Cromwell the second in command of the shadow institution]
"You pricking brat that's not how the second in command should act!!!" The Leader yelled at Genis's action while the other core members were shocked
'Genis Cromwell this guy!? I remember this name... This name is associated with the weapon called 'Cromwell's dagger' but it wasn't an item that Hugo had obtained from clearing the famine fever. This weapon was famous as that good-for-nothing murderer's trump card. I can't believe that I'm looking at the owner of that overpowered dagger with my own eyes,'
[System: You've been affected by the character Genis Cromwell's Killing intent!!!]
His vision quickly darkened when he was met with Genis's Killing intent. It was the first time he felt this pressured in his entire life if he could describe his feeling it was fear. He was afraid of losing his life, his body tried to avert Genis's eye and yet his body didn't follow through with his command
It was purely just the pressure of someone intent on ending his life and yet his body warns him of his demise. He froze and he watches the overwhelming pressure in his state where his incapable of withstanding its force. When the effects of this bloodlust field his body to the brim, he pictures a ton of probable deaths within his mind. He died in all sorts of possibilities and most of the reason was that he moved when he was within the range of his oppressor
'Hold a little bit more... Urgh, you can do this Morris you've been through a lot compared with this. You were beaten up until Jin came along and before that, you had some difficulties with your body. You were frail and most of your life you're a loser, you've faced many shits that could've killed you. Don't event think that this is the end!!! Resist stupid body of mine! This won't be enough to scare someone like me,'
[System: You've withstood the overwhelming pressure of a greater existence!!!
Status: You've gained a passive skill after resisting such an overwhelming force. The skill [Mental fortitude] has been added to your skill slot!!! You can now resist incoming mental attacks]
[You're still awake after all of that? The tenacity of this prick is incredible!!! I knew you were the perfect fit to be my avatar]
"Give me your best shot... I'm not going to run away from the likes of you," Morris's body was trembling for all of them to see yet his mind was unfazed by his situation
[System: The rank of your skill [Mental fortitude] has risen from F to E!!! Your resistance has greatly increased you can now withstand a mental attack whilst being unaffected for 30 seconds]
"Genis that's enough!?" The leader consumed Genis's killing intent by exhibiting his very own. Since his intent was far too great in promotion, it nullified his attack and freed Morris of his suffering
[Morris, are you alive?]
"Calm down Leader, I was just testing the kid to see if he's that capable,"
"What do you mean by that Genis? Explain your actions before I lose my patience, this was supposed to be a calm and relaxing meeting!! Yet I find that to be completely different from what I witnessed today," The Leader gathered his Killing intent so it wouldn't frighten a single person in their meeting
"Just as I said, and from what I understand I found myself an apprentice he was able to withstand my pressure," Genis grabbed Morris to his shoulders before he placed a mark on his right palm
[System: You've been given a special role!!!
Status: You're no longer a member of the shadow institution your new role is Cromwell's disciple]
'What the hell I got a new role!? This isn't even possible. I never heard of a special role before and I never even wrote one in the first place,'
"Why you little brat!!! I was going to ask him to become my disciple you've ruined my plans," The Leader grits his teeth in front of Genis
"What can an old fart like you teach the younger generation? You're too old school, he might not even learn with your level of expectation," Genis replied in a manner that insulted his leader while the others kept their mouths shut
"Ugh, what's going to happen?" Morris recovered from the shock that he experience when he accepted Genis's killing intent while he stands back to his feet
"That's a good question kiddo you'll be joining me in my missions. Aside from that, I'll teach you how to rise to my level," Genis replied to his question while he pats his head before he notices his big smile that spelled danger
'It looks like I'm not going to have a great time on my fifth story quest. Whoever is listening to me, there's only one thing that I have to say, I need your help. This might be the last time you'll see me breathe,'