Both of their environmental suits are compromised, the same as ours, which is why they were not detected by the navigation device. Four of us would fit in the spacecraft, so it should be fine, Alex contemplated in silence, eyeing the other two aspirants.
Similar to them, the two were also panting and seemed to be exhausted from running.
It's obvious that both of them are quite strong, stronger than Malik.
Considering that the beast horde was roaming in their direction the most for the last couple of days, these two aspirants must fought through hell to reach here. It could be said the two of them experienced the beast horde the most, both are exceptional candidates.
Natalia and Alex on the other hand got lucky and managed to mostly avoid it.
However, tension enveloped the four of them when the two made eye contact with Natalia.
"YOU BITCH!" One of them roared.
Upon hearing this, Alex couldn't help but frown as it seemed the two knew Natalia.
It was also worrying to find these aspirants' expressions instantly contorted at the sight of Natalia, a clear sight that there was hatred involved between them, and Alex could already smell trouble looming in the air.
Alex turned to Natalia and found her frowning, "Did you know these two?"
"Yes... We have a bit of history, a misunderstanding that has escalated. And now, they refuse to listen and are actively trying to end my life" Natalia replied, her voice laced with concern. It was evident that meeting these two had taken her by surprise.
Especially in a very crucial moment, when time is clearly not on their side.
Pausing for a moment, Alex squinted his eyes.
Is this the reason she occasionally checked her navigation device? He thought in suspicion.
However, his train of thought was disturbed abruptly.
Feeling concerned, Natalia reached out her small, slender hand and held his arm from the side. Her eyes fixed forward at the two hostile aspirants. It's also worth mentioning that Alex could feel her slightly trembling.
Even her facial expressions, visible through her face shield, vividly conveyed fear.
Tch! This is not my problem. Clicking his tongue in displeasure, he averted his gaze away. I'll just try to mediate their conflict. If these two are unwilling, then I'll just leave her. There's no point in sticking my nose in others' business.
Suddenly, one of the aspirants, a well-built man stomped a step forward.
Opening his face shield with a click, exposing his bald head, the aspirant glared at Natalia ruthlessly, "How convenient to meet you here, Natalia. We thought you were dead, but it seems you're not, and that's good..."
"Surely you don't think we're going to let you on the spacecraft with us, do you?" He added.
Likewise, his comrade chimed, "Eaten by beasts is a suiting death for you, bitch!"
Not wanting to entertain their mockery, Alex lifted up his face shield and smiled with both arms raised, showing that he didn't want any problem, "Please, friends. Any problem you had with Natalia can be resolved after we get out of here safely, the beast horde would be here any minute. So can we not do this now?"
"Who the fuck are you?" the bald man asked with a cold, sharp tone.
Keeping a friendly smile, Alex swiftly answered, "I am not looking for trouble, I'm also ab-"
"Shut up, I don't give a fuck who you are" the bald man rudely intervened.
Upon hearing this, Alex could only smile awkwardly, cursing the bald man inside his head.
But then the bald man continues while getting to his battle stance, showing that he is not going to let Alex go, "Since you know Natalia, you'll be dying here too. Anyone associated with her is as crazy as her, so you are better off dead"
At the sound of this, Alex's face contorted, and his body twitched, his expression darkening.
Something inside him awakened, and he was forced to clench both fists.
Great, another one who wanted to kill me. God fucking damn it! Alex cursed inside his head.
Oblivious to the others, there was a war inside of him. He was still frustrated from not feeling satisfied with the way he killed Malik and the other squad members. It would be better if he could kill them himself, but he couldn't do that.
At this moment, his body began to tremble, and his chest began to burn like fire.
Natalia was still observing the two aspirants warily from the back.
However, she noticed that Alex's body was shaking uncontrollably, 'Hmm...? Is he afraid?'
Raising her face to look at Alex from behind, her eyes widened in shock when she noticed an unusual air around him, almost as if the air around him was steaming. Standing beside him felt like standing beside a ticking bomb, moments away from exploding.
'Is he the same person as before? He's usually indifferent and composed' Natalia pondered.
Just then, the two aspirants made their moves.
Splash!
A sudden burst of energy erupted beneath their feet, which were equipped with battle gear, propelling them forward at incredible speed toward the spacecraft, leaving a visible train on the snowy ground as they zoomed toward their destination.
Expecting this move already, Natalia intercepted one of them swiftly.
Likewise, Alex also did the same.
Obviously, the two aspirants planned to take the spacecraft and leave both of them behind.
Alex couldn't allow them to do that, or else his fate would be sealed, and the precious second chance he had obtained would go to waste. I need to calm down, yes... I can still negotiate. I'll leave Natalia behind, it's the best move for me. I don't believe they truly want to kill me, so they should accept this, he seethed, his anger simmering just beneath the surface.
Upon drawing closer to the bald man, Alex saw him suddenly shift his direction.
It happened swiftly and unexpectedly, the bald man targeted him and forcefully crashed into him, sending Alex stumbling back several paces. Moreover, the impact was far from trivial, leaving Alex in pain.
All of the air inside his lungs was forcefully knocked out by the force of the collision.
"Wait! Listen to me, I don't want any trouble!"
"Shut your mouth and die, nothing you say will change our mind!"
Glaring at Alex with hostility, the bald man unsheathed his knife and gripped it in reverse.
Slash!
Having no intention of listening to Alex, the bald man started swinging the knife in an attempt to take him down. His compromised suit was also not helping as it was compromised, and couldn't detect the fact that the bald man was attacking him.
Expertly dodging the attacks, he then leaped and landed before the spacecraft.
Natalia also landed beside him, facing the two aspirants.
Both of them were standing near a cliff that would send them back down through the slope, and they would need to be aware of that. "I'm trying to give us a solution here! Stand down, and we can resume this when we get to safety!"
"Fuck that, we're going to settle it right now!" the bald man barked maliciously.
ROAR!!
Suddenly, a loud resounding roar could be heard reverberating through miles, originating from the forest below them. It was then that their attention shifted to the forest and saw a big fresh clearing that was caused by the roar.
At the heart of it is a giant purple tiger with one thick horn protruding on its forehead.
It was oozing with purplish energy and a glowing core on its chest.
One look is all it takes for the four aspirants to tell that this beast is not a Type-2 or even a Type-3 Beast, it's a Type-4 Beast that already has awakened a unique ability that grants it immense energy and supernatural powers.
Glaring at the huge spaceship in the sky, the tiger's sharp yellow eyes dilated.
Swish...
Boom!
Out of nowhere, the tiger beast shot a powerful purple beam at the spaceship from its horn.
Alex and the others were instantly alerted by the overwhelming power emanating from the beast, their helmet interfaces flooded their vision with warning prompts. A Type-4 Beast is something that even the spaceship they came here with wasn't able to beat.
However, the force field managed to shield the spaceship from getting hit directly.
Upon seeing this, Alex decided to give up.
"Okay, let me get with you guys. Do what you want with Natalia" Alex eventually said.
Natalia was left speechless when she heard Alex's words. She hadn't expected him to betray her so quickly. However, she swiftly composed herself, "Xander? Are you being serious? We agreed that we were partners in this!"
Despite her attempt to talk through him, Alex remained silent, ignoring her completely.
It was then that Alex turned around and headed into the spacecraft.
Clearly, he was going to let the bald man and the other aspirant do what they wanted to Natalia. But in that very moment, the bald man smiled evilly before he dashed forward again, faster than he was before.
Natalia reacted in time despite being caught off guard.
Fearing that she was going to be attacked, she leaped back and crossed her arms.
But she frowned when she felt nothing, even after a solid five seconds.
Splash!
Sensing that there was no attack coming to her, Natalia glanced to her side and gasped when she realized what had happened. Instead of aiming for her, the bald man aimed for Alex instead.
Despite sensing the attack, he was too late to block the attack.
Alex got stabbed with the knife right beside Natalia, crimson blood gushed out disturbingly. A searing sensation coursed through his nerve endings, spreading agonizing pain throughout his body and leaving him momentarily stunned.
Blinking his eyes a couple of times, he then realized that he had been stabbed.
"Where do you think you're going? I didn't say that I would spare you" the bald man grinned.
Upon hearing this, Alex grimaced, his patience broke.
You don't even know the fucking stake I have on my shoulders, and yet you want to kill me?! A measly kid like you wants to kill me?! Okay... Motherfucker. I've given you every chance for peace, but not anymore. If that's how you want to play, then I'll gladly play along.
Oblivious to the rampaging thoughts inside Alex's mind, Natalia decided to jump in to help.
However, she was stunned when Alex suddenly pushed her.
"Eh...?"
Natalia glanced over her shoulder in shock, realizing that she had been pushed over the cliff. She couldn't comprehend what had gone through Alex's mind, especially when he seemed to be in dire need of help.
Even the bald man and the other aspirant were shocked, not expecting him to do that.
'Just what are you doing? Are you really going to plead to them by killing me?!'
It appeared as though Alex was doing this to further plead for his life from her perspective, a realization that stirred anger within her. She hadn't anticipated that he would stoop so low in his desperation to survive.
However, the last sight she saw was Alex's mouth curling into a smile before she fell down.
A moment later.
Natalia fought her way back up to where the spacecraft was located.
Seeing that the spacecraft hadn't ascended yet, there was still a chance for her. She was attacked by numerous beasts that noticed her scent and the energy of her Psi-blades was starting to deplete at an alarming rate.
'I was fooled. I thought he was a good guy, but I was wrong...'
'Back-stabber. He easily sold me off even when I thought we had become friends already'
In the midst of her climb, she was cursing Alex inside her head.
Natalia persisted and, after a struggle, managed to climb back to the place again. She took a moment to catch her breath, feeling the sting of new wounds on her body. Despite the pain, her unwavering determination compelled her to stand and fix her gaze firmly ahead.
However, in that instant, she froze in her spot and gasped in disbelief.
Standing not that far in front of her was a familiar figure surrounded by crimson snow.
His arms were drenched in thick blood, each drop hitting the ground with a somber, audible drip. Nearby lay the lifeless bodies of the two aspirants, their forms torn open, sprawled upon the crimson snow, dyed by their own blood.
At the sight of this, she sucked in a cold breath and shifted her eyes back to the figure.
"X-Xander...?"