As Alexn gazed down at the edge from which Arnold and Hex had taken the perilous leap, a sinister smile crept across his alien features. He muttered to himself, "Running away, huh," his voice laden with contempt.
Turning away from the edge, Alexn approached the other lieutenant who had earlier been incapacitated. The defeated lieutenant groaned as he regained consciousness, and Alexn regarded him with a mixture of annoyance and disdain.
"Pathetic," Alexn scoffed. "I have to clean up after your mess once again."
As he looked down on his comrade trying to get on his feet, Alexn muttered in frustration, "If it weren't for this mess, I'd been summoned by the higher-ups now." The prospect of attaining a higher rank had eluded him due to the unexpected turn of events, leaving a sour taste in his mouth.
As they plummeted onto the ground, Arnold clutched Hex tightly, he used his body as a tank for their landing. He felt the weight of their impending fate as he lay on the ground. His heart swelled with gratitude for Hex, the companion he had found in these dire circumstances.
In the final moments of his life, he whispered with great effort, "Thank you, Hex, for teaching me never to give up... You've been like a brother to me."
Arnold's voice wavered as he continued, the realization of their impending separation cutting deep, "If only we had more time together... " His breaths grew labored as he went on, "In the end, I'm still that same weak guy..."
With each word, Arnold's voice grew weaker, and as they neared the ground, he let out one last, ragged breath, his contented expression showed a contrast to the sorrow that settled in Hex's heart.
The loss of his newfound friend weighed heavily on Hex as he landed, alone and broken, in the harsh situation that had claimed Arnold's life.
Amid the profound grief and loss, Hex's trembling hands opened up his status tab.
Name: Hex
Class: Survivor
Title:-
Level: 19
STR | Strength: 10,200
DEX | Dexterity: 8,200
MND | Mind: 200
INT | Intelligence: 200
ARC | Arcane: 200
Alien Skull Available: 48,000
With tear-filled eyes, he saw the number that signified his own pain and the price his friend had paid. The skull points had increased, marking Arnold's final sacrifice.
Each number on the screen seemed to etch itself into Hex's already heavy heart. A bitter mix of sorrow and anger surged within him as he realized the true cost of their escape.
He called Arnold's name, each cry punctuated with the realization that his friend's voice would never respond again, that the warmth and camaraderie they'd shared were forever extinguished.
After Hex reluctantly assigned the points with a heavy heart, two notifications suddenly appeared on his status tab.
The first one read:
"Unlocking two skills from Strength Books of Antifragile Art. First skill: Vitality Skill Unlocked."
The second notification was more perplexing:
"Same stat detected, transferring Berserk skill in progress.
Do you accept? If not, you will receive a skill according to your book choices."
These unexpected messages left Hex grappling with difficult decisions, his heart heavy with sorrow for his fallen friend.
Suddenly, two imposing figures landed in front of Hex and the lifeless Arnold. It was none other than Alexn and his comrade. They had finally tracked down Hex.
"Pathetic human," Alexn sneered, his face twisting into a sour expression as he gazed at Arnold's lifeless body.
As Hex knelt beside Arnold's lifeless body and grief coursed through him, he had no hesitation in accepting the skill transfer. It felt like the last gift from his fallen comrade; Arnold's final will.
With determination in his heart, Hex activated the two newly acquired skills simultaneously. A notification appeared before him, a stark reminder of the dire situation he faced.
"Using two skills simultaneously will accelerate mana usage. Accept?" The message hung in the air, a reminder of the choices Hex needed to make. With unwavering resolve and a heavy heart, he accepted the notification without a moment's hesitation.
Hex, with tears in his eyes and Arnold's final words echoing in his mind, screamed, "No, Arnold!" as he sprinted towards Alexn. It was a reckless and desperate charge, much like the first punch he threw earlier. However, this time, it was fueled by the memory of his fallen comrade.
Alexn watched with a hint of boredom in his eyes and muttered, "Not this again." But he underestimated the strength making him let down his guard. As Hex's fists connected with Alexn's face, a shockwave of power radiated from the impact point, and Alexn was sent hurtling through the air.
Crashing into the wall, Alexn barely had time to register what had happened. Hex stood there, tears still streaming down his face, and with a newfound determination, he declared, "You are not weak!" The words carried a weight that seemed to defy the odds and the situation, leaving an indelible mark in the air.
The other lieutenants stood there, stunned and incredulous. He couldn't believe what he had just witnessed. One of their own, the mighty Alexn, had been punched with such force and skill that he was sent flying through the air.
Among the lieutenants in that base, Alexn was renowned for his extraordinary strength. To see a human not only match him but also surpass him in a single blow left them in shock.
Alexn, struggling to his feet, felt a mixture of emotions. He was frustrated and humiliated, yet he couldn't help but be impressed by Hex's newfound power.
He watched as Hex's injuries began to heal, a testament to the Vitality skill he had acquired. Hex's strength had surged, and it was clear that he had harnessed the power of the Berserk skill as well.
It was a memento of Arnold's will and a testament to the unbreakable spirit of humans. The lieutenants were faced with a powerful and determined opponent they had not anticipated.
Hex's eyes lock with the other lieutenants, shiver sent into his body, "What are you doing just standing there, bastard!" The other lieutenant snapped into action as Alexn's voice jolted him from his stupor. His claws elongated, and his eyes blazed with renewed determination. He knew he couldn't underestimate Hex.
Hex, with his newfound strength and speed, dodged the lieutenant's vicious attack. He moved with agility and grace. In the previous fight, he had been little more than a pawn in the struggle, but now he was on par with the lieutenants.
The battle raged on as Hex confronted the lieutenant, each of the lieutenants slashed through Hex's body but healed quickly. Hex could see fear in the eyes of the lieutenant, something he hadn't expected from a mere human.
Hex's agility and strength proved too much for him. The tide of battle turned, Hex's fists and kicks were like thunder, and even a graze could prove to be a critical hit for the lieutenants.
Hex felt the newfound power coursing through his veins driven by Arnold's sacrifice and the strength he had gained, fought with unwavering determination. It was a fierce battle, and he was determined to emerge victorious.
Alexn intently observed the ongoing battle between Hex and his 'comrade', his eyes never leaving the spectacle before him.
He was astonished as he watched his 'comrade' being pushed back and overwhelmed by Hex. "How is this possible? His strength now rivals even that of a captain," he thought to himself.
Regaining his ground after being sent crashing into the wall, Alexn recognized the gravity of the situation. At that moment, he realized that he needed to intervene.
Without hesitation, he decided to join the fray, determined to tip the balance of power in his favor.
As Alexn joined the battle alongside his comrade, the dynamics of the fight began to shift. With his additional strength and presence, the fight seemed more balanced.
Yet, Hex's newly acquired skills granted him a significant advantage. His Vitality skill allowed him to endure seemingly mortal blows, rapidly healing his injuries.
Every time Alexn and his comrade managed to land a hit on Hex, the human swiftly recovered, frustrating their efforts to incapacitate him.
Hex's newfound abilities made him appear almost immortal in the midst of the brutal skirmish. The fight reached a point where Hex's powers seemed insurmountable.
After assessing the situation and calculating his moves, Hex transitioned from a defensive stance to an offensive one. His attacks became relentless and deadly.
The lieutenants lunged at him with a razor-sharp claw, Hex's powerful punch collided with the claw, shattering it along with the alien's arm making him staggered back in excruciating pain.
Seeing an opportunity, Hex moved swiftly. He launched a powerful kick at the lieutenant's leg, breaking his stance, and then delivered a gut-wrenching kick that sent the alien lieutenant flying through the air.
The lieutenant crashed to the ground, green blood spewing from his mouth in a grotesque display of agony. "I'm not done yet," Hex claimed that he had now asserted dominance over the battlefield.