Inside the bus which was covered in spider webs and dust. Abyssal with his pale face covered in blood quickly surveyed the bus and his eyes lit up as he spotted a pile of human bones wearing military dress sitting in the driver seat. Hanging on the skeleton's neck was a chain necklace which has different types of runes carved on it.
_Chain of runes._
Abyssal thought as he strode forward and grabbed the chain. As soon as he took it out of the skeleton it immediately crumbled into dust.
Without further waste of time, Abyssal who was feeling light-headed immediately wore it and right at that moment a magical scene took place. The runes on the chain immediately light up with a green hue which covers all his body. After the light faded Abyssal could be seen standing still without any injury on his body, even the blood on his face had been cleaned, if not for his tattered clothes, no one would know he went through hell.
_As I thought, this rune chain has seven effects. Strength, regenerative, speed, elemental, spatial, illusions and the last no one was able to know it till humanity ended._ Abyssal thought.
As if remembering something, he looked at the three runes and immediately absorbed them after which he checked his stats.
[Morningstar Amon]
Strength: 29.5
Speed: 19.5
Stamina: 29.5
Perception: 25
Endurance: 15.
Skills: Metal Three Claws>>> Lvl 1<<< uses QI energy as base, the higher the user's strength, the stronger it becomes.
Ferociousness>>>LvL 1<<< increases the user's braveness and makes him immune to fear, lust, happiness, sadness and curiosity. When used, the more angry the user gets, the stronger he becomes.
Sharp Sense: >>>LVL 1<<< increases the user's six senses for a certain duration.
_Tsk, at least it will help you for a while. Hope you like my gift Little Morningstar._ With those thoughts Abyssal sat down on one of the dirt sofas with his eyes close.
"Urgh... My head hurts." Suddenly he dizzily stood up with one hand supporting his head. From his current voice, you could tell it was Morningstar since the voice wasn't cold like ice. After calming himself, Morningstar looked around and was taken aback.
_How come? When did I enter this bus and where's the cat?_ Thinking of that scary cat he couldn't help but clean the bus window glass and took a peek but what he saw left him baffled.
He saw his axe stuck on the cat which was laying motionlessly.
"Whatta! How...? Definitely I didn't kill that thing."
[I did it...]
Morningstar jumped in fright from hearing a voice in his head.
"Who are you?!"
[Me? I'm your darkest side Abyssal, while you went unconscious I took over your body and killed that Little Kittie over there. Also, I left a gift for you, check your stats.]
"My dark side? Gift?" Without wasting time he opened his stats and the number he saw left him agape.
[Morningstar Amon]
Strength: 29.5
Speed: 19.5
Stamina: 29.5
Perception: 25
Endurance: 15.
Skills: Metal Three Claws>>> Lvl 1<<< uses QI energy as base, the higher the user's strength, the stronger it becomes.
Ferociousness>>>LvL 1<<< increases the user's braveness and makes him immune to fear, lust, happiness, sadness and curiosity. When used, the more angry the user gets, the stronger he becomes.
Sharp Sense: >>>LVL 1<<< increases the user's six senses for a certain duration.
It was at that moment he felt different, he could feel a lot of strength passing through his body.
_It feels like I can even bend irons with my strength._
[Yes you can. Also on your neck is a unique artefact that I got from the bus.]
Chain Rune: >>>LVL ???<<< This rune chain has seven effects. Strength, regenerative, speed, elemental, spatial, illusions and ??? To use it, the user must always sacrifice a soul before activating it.
[Indeed, that was what killed the previous owner, the weasel didn't sacrifice any living being and tried using it which ended up devouring his or her soul. Poor being.] Abyssal said coldly even though he mentioned 'poor being' at the end of his words.
Ignoring what he said, Morningstar asked what bothered him the most.
"You said you're the manifestation of my dark side and can take over my body, so why leave me in control?"
[Nice question kiddo, I left you in control because I can and you don't have to worry, besides you're not the only one with a dark side among humans and there's a certain rule that protects you all.]
"Huuuuu, that's scary... Wait You said 'Protect you guys.' Does that mean I... I'm not..."
[Bingo! Funny right? Some human on earth has such a side. Decisive, bloodthirsty, greedy, lustful, mad and cruel.]
Morningstar couldn't help but feel scared at the thought of someone sizing control of his body at a certain time.
But after thinking carefully about it he couldn't help but scoff.
"I don't believe there isn't a manifestation of my good side to counter you."
[Oh, what made you think so?] Abyssal asked with an amusing tone.
"There must be balance in this universe. Fire must be balanced with water, dead with life, good and evil. Yin and yang. I don't believe something won't counter you."
"... Hahaha, I almost forgot your emotions don't fluctuate that much which makes you easily overcome your fear and think deeply within a minute and that's cool kiddo."
"Don't call me kiddo since we were born at the same time."
[Tsk, do you think we really were born at the same time? Let me tell you something, I can be said to be the first split personality to arise since your future self played a huge part in it.]
"Just like I thought." Morningstar sighed as he stepped out of the bus while stretching his joint with a painful look.
"Time to head back. Geeze, how come I'm getting extremely hungry right now?"
[That's the side effect of getting stronger. It makes you get hungry and eat double of what you consumed before.]
"Thankfully, I told those guys to hide some snacks. Let me go meet them."
****
"Mmmm?"
Morningstar couldn't help but halt. The convenience store was totally different from before. It was completely empty and looked more like it was raided by hungry people. Without thinking much Morningstar turned towards the spot where they all buried their food and what he saw made his lips twitch in anger.
"Courageous indeed! Now what am I gonna eat?" Morningstar huffs in anger.
[Relax kiddo. The gluttonous moon will soon be out.] Abyssal said in a lazy tone.
"What is that?"
[When the moon appears something magical will happen. For now, find a pot and spices then we move.]
Even though he was curious he didn't ask much and moved outside.
_Don't let me see you guys or you will regret it._ Morningstar thought with anger.
[I advise you to leave them. It will be epical seeing their expression when 'that' happens.]
****
_I ... I really wish I could stop them but can I?_ Li Xi thought. Although she, Jayden and Jace might be stronger than all of them all thanks to Morningstar helping them level up but one thing was for sure and that's, _They are almost thirty-five in number._
Looking at the crowd moving all the goods Li Xi couldn't help but feel sad.
_Hehehe, nice one. You all are doing great._ Jayden thought inwardly.
He couldn't help but recall how he caught one mobster, while beating him he whispered some Intel regarding the store and like spell it worked.
Now watching them packing the goods he couldn't feel happier.
_This is my turn to force Morningstar to serve me. When he comes back he will definitely feel hungry and since there isn't food there I will ask him to join forces with me to take back those foods under the condition that he shares what he got with me. I don't believe he can take down every single one of them alone._
"It's Morningstar!" Li Xi Screamed in joy as she saw him walking towards them in a leisurely pace. At the sight of him, she couldn't help but feel like all the weight had been lifted from her and her heart beat in joy, meanwhile, another person's heart was beating but not in joy rather in anxiousness.
_Dammit! Why am I feeling so nervous? Hopefully, it works well._
_I hope I didn't make a mistake._
_Even if he suspected me I'm sure I didn't leave a leeway._
_I will just pretend._ Jayden thought as he looked at Morningstar.
Li Xi couldn't help but jog towards Morningstar.
"You're back! There's a big problem! Those guys rushed into this store and took literally every single thing in it."
"Yeah, I saw them," Morningstar said with a cold tone. "Did you keep some food?"
"Yes... But it isn't that much since we focused more on the female's supplies and weapons." She replied while blushing.
"That's enough," Morningstar replied, just then Jayden stepped out with his chest held high and said.
"It's great you are back, why don't we team up and go take back those foods? Only you might not be able to deal with them but if the both of us go together we can win."
[Hehehe what a foolishly cunning brat, even without a dark personality he is already rotten.] Abyssal chuckled in amusement.
"Okay, let's eat for now," Morningstar replied.
Li Xi, Jace and Jane brought the food outside and sat on the floor not caring of the dirt.
[Hehehe, they're slowly adapting to this environment.]
As soon as They brought out canned food and drinks Morningstar who was about to sit down stopped after hearing what Jayden said.
"Hey Morningstar, you know you should pay up for all this since we risk our fragile lives to save all of them. One or two runes will do." Jayden said jokily.
As soon as he said those words everyone couldn't help but remain silent.
"Hey, come on Jayden! He helped us countless times!" Li Xi yelled in disapproval.
Not having the intention of backing out Jayden retorts, "he took our runes back then all because of a mere poison so why not pay for this food?"
[Kiddo, I will advise you to let go of these noisy people and focus solely on yourself. You do know this world is just in its learning phase. You don't want to get bullied again, trust me.]
With a faint smile, Morningstar replied to them.
"Sigh, I guess I won't be eating then since I don't have anything to pay with."
Subconsciously Jayden retorts, "What of that thing you earn on the bus? You went down there alone and think we don't know you got a good stuff?"
Jace nodded in agreement.
"I guess it ends here. Take care by the way."
"Ah~" Everyone including Jayden was shocked.
He never thought his childish plan would instead destroy their fragile relationship with Morningstar. All he wanted was to be the leader instead of Morningstar but things didn't go as planned.
"Why did you say such a thing Jayden?"
"Isn't it just some foods? Why not give it to him for free?"
"You do know if it wasn't for him we wouldn't have gotten strong?"
His friends couldn't help but panic and berate him for behaving like that.
"What the fuck?! I don't even care if Morningstar gets lost! I have the strength to protect myself and we don't need someone like you!" Jayden yelled in anger, since Morningstar didn't want to stay he should at least leave.
That will give him an opportunity to have fun with Li Xi.
"I... I want to follow you Morningstar." Li Xi said shattering Jayden's fantasy.
(θ‿θ)