{Warning: Triggering and Sensitive content ahead. Read at your own risk.}
~~~(POV: Justin Xander)~~~
~~~(Location: Training Field, Red's Hold, Aeternitatem Genesis)~~~
~~~(Day, Date, Time: Sunday, April 14th, 3:38 PM PST)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 19 Years)~~~
The fear on his face does bring satisfaction to me. I don't know how much blood he's spilled, but the state he was in when he left his little hole tells me he's despicable. His eyes stare at my hands. Shifting to different parts of me.
After seeing that look, I glance over myself. Now I notice I'm drenched in blood. Some parts of people hang off my wrists and hands. The act of tearing them apart with (Monument of Sin) is displayed for the bandit leader.
His eyes shake for a moment with fear, but to my surprise, he calms down. A cocky smirk forms on his lips, and less than a second later, I find out why. It's all accompanied by the same feeling I had when I first talked with Haleen.
[NPC Mack Reego has used the skill (Inspect Level) on you.]
[EoC Bonus Info: Inspect Level is an (Uncommon) grade skill. It allows someone to view the level of the person they use it on.]
The notification is the first I've seen of its kind. I didn't have (EoC) when I met Haleen, and I felt the same feeling from then just now. (EoC) not only allows me to inspect other's information, but it also tells me when someone is doing it to me.
I love this skill.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
My attention falls back on the bandit leader across from me. He's got his hand on his bald head as he laughs out. He saw my player level was 44, and compared to his level of 60, I was likely weak.
Sadly for him, that's all he saw. He'd understand he's about to die if his inspect-type skill were better.
"I can't believe all these piss-ants died to someone like you. You think you're special or something? I could've done the same damn thing with one arm tied behind my back."
His laughter ends as the amused edge in his voice comes to a sharp one. He flashes me a pissed-off look, and he grits his teeth. I killed over 90% of his group, so I see where his anger is coming from.
It won't do him any good. Killing him fast will be a mercy he doesn't deserve, but I have to take into consideration the state his slaves are in. They could be sick or injured.
If they are, any delay beyond this point could be vital.
But the darker part of me is saying an extra couple minutes to enjoy his suffering echoes in my head. In the end, that part of me would usually win out against absolute scum like Mack. But I have other priorities to put first.
Sadism may be unbecoming, but it runs in the blood.
"It took me almost two years to recruit and control this many men! You've cost me more money and resources than you'll ever comprehend!!"
He's screaming at me now. It's almost funny if the situation wasn't what it is. Veins line his temple and pulse in his neck. His white face starts flushing more and more red as the seconds pass. I think the time to talk is over.
His hands raise behind his back, and he draws two swords. He becomes enveloped in a red sheen. The pupils of his eyes disappear.
"YOU'RE GONNA PAY WITH YOUR FUCKING LIFE!!!"
He dashes straight at me, but it's not nearly fast enough to make me flinch from worry. As his sword is about to impact my shoulder, I smoothly step to the side. His eyes slightly widen, and I reach my hand out.
Grabbing him by the neck so hard that his throbbing veins and skin fill the slight spaces between my fingers. Kinda what it looks like when you squish something soft. However, I stop right before I reach his cervical disks.
"GAAH!!"
He instantly drops both of his weapons as his hands wrap around my wrist. Trying to break himself free. He starts to panic more and more, and he tries punching my wrists.
Instead, all he gets are broken hands. As this is happening, an idea crosses my mind. I loosen my grip just enough for him to get some air, and a deep gasp follows. I shove him into the ground before he can say or do anything.
He lands in blood, and some spilled intestines are squished under his bald head. The desperation in his eyes continues to rise. It almost disappears as I let him go, but I quickly lift my foot and bring it down on his kneecap.
*CRRRRUUUCCCCKKKK!!!*
A sickening sound comes from his right kneecap.
"GAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAA!!!!"
The scream that follows my action is loud enough to tell someone they're in real pain. It doesn't stop there as I do it again for his other leg. This time, with more force than before. So much that some of the bones break the skin.
"RAAAAAAAAAAGGGHHHHH!!!"
Now, he's immobile. At first, I was gonna end it quickly and easily. Help the slaves he's got held here by prioritizing them. Then, a simple idea lit up in my head. No matter how badly I want to kill this guy, the ones he's making suffer will want to do it themselves infinitely more.
My eyes look into his as he tries to crawl away. I slowly walk up to him; he lifts his hand in protest. He takes a breath to speak, but I don't let it get that far. I throw my fist into his gut, and he instantly vomits.
Almost getting some of it on me in the process.
"For all the things I want to do to you right now. I feel several more are waiting behind those doors who want it more than me."
The words leave my lips as I subtly point in the direction of the door he walks out of. Realization forms on his features, and a deep fear takes root in him. Seeing that tells me he really did the worst things to them.
Against their will.
It takes a lot of my own willpower not to end him here, but instead, I grab him by one of his busted legs and start walking to the door.
"Please! Pleeease! Please! Don't do this to me! I'll give you anything you want! Just name it! I have Gold and weapons!?"
What a pathetic worm.
He acts weak and scared in front of the strong and then strong in front of the weak. I don't reply to him. I have nothing to say to this mistake of a life.
After a moment of walking, I reach the door he came out of and open it. As I do, I'm hit with a scent that disgusts me since I know its source. Light floods the room, and I see five different women bound in chains.
Two of them have large bellies, and one is one-half the size of the other two. My grip on my man's ankle tightens so much another crushing crack fills the room. A scream from his mouth forces them all to lift their heads.
Each of them looks at me.
Without saying a word, I toss Mack Reego to the center of the room. I take another step forward and lift my foot again as I reach him. Bringing it down on his arm. Breaking it beyond use. He screams and screams even as I break the other arm.
Once I'm done, he's writhing on the ground. Unable to use his arms and legs. I turn my attention to the five women. They are complete without clothes, and parts of their bodies are bruised and scarred from abuse.
The two women with the large bellies are the most out of it. They've been here the longest. The other one with the still-growing belly is watching in fear. As are the other two. They seem cleaner and less beaten.
This scene tells me they've been here the shortest amount of time. These women need medical attention and therapy right now. Sadly, I can't help them much, but I can offer them something else.
"This man is going to die. That's not changing."
My words seem to wake up all of them to full attention. Their fear starts to melt away just a little, but I don't expect it to disappear—not with me in here.
"If you want, I can step outside that door and let all of you take your time with him. If you can't do that, I can finish him off right now."
Abused and nearly broken.
My offer almost goes by without an answer. However, one of the newer girls stands up. Holding out her wrists to me.
"Removes these chains. He's gonna suffer for what he's done."
I don't give any protests or words. I make my way over and break her wrists free by destroying the chains. As I do this, the other four also stand up and lift their hands. Without saying a word, I break them all free as well.
[A Quest Has Been Updated!]
I ignore the notification. I can't focus on the quest right now. Not with what I've seen. It's not my first time witnessing this, but it never gets easier.
"I'll wait outside until you're all done with him. Call for help if you need it. I'll be here in a heartbeat."
They all look at me reluctantly, but I can see I'm starting to earn their trust. For now, they nod their heads, and I make my way to the door. Closing it behind me.
It's not a second later before I hear Mack grunt and scream.
Today hasn't been a good day, but this helps me. Hopefully, things turn out okay for these girls.
But this has changed their lives.
Still, it's amazing that they have the strength and courage to face him after what he's done.
Not a lot of people can.