===
ADDITIONAL ABILITIES WILL BE ADDED
===
"Additionally, what?" Ashley asked herself. As she doesn't know what's going on.
Suddenly, three holographic screens popped up in front of her, which wrote some of her abilities.
===
Name: Imperial Rage.
Rank: EX
Type: High risk, High reward.
Grade: Activate.
Lv: Max
Description
-The more you eat this apple, the stronger you will become; however, using this ability will also slowly consume both your rationality and insanity.
[PROS]
-Permanently increase your strength by 1, this effect can be stacked.
-Permanently increase your Dexterity by 1, this effect can be stacked.
-Permanently increase your agility by 1, this effect can be stacked.
[CONS]
-Permanently decrease your
Intelligence 1, by this effect, can be stacked.
-Permanently lost of your insanity by 3%
-Permanently lost of your rationality By 3%
===
===
Name: Crown Rage.
Rank: S
Type: mid risk, mid reward.
Grade: Passive
Lv: Max
Description.
-Killing is fun. However, it can be addictive if it is done regularly.
[PROS]
-Temporary increase your
Strength by 0.1 for 5mins. However, the cooldown will reset if you kill someone. Also, this effect can be stacked.
-Temporary increase your
Dexterity by 0.2 for 5mins. However, the cooldown will reset if you kill someone. Also, this effect can be stacked.
-Temporary increase your
Agility by 0.2 for 5mins. However, the cooldown will reset if you kill someone. Also, this effect can be stacked.
[CONS]
-Temporary decrease your
Intelligence by 0.2 for 1 hour. However, the cooldown will reset if you kill someone. Also, this effect can be stacked.
-Temporary decrease your
rationality by 1% for 1 hour. However, the cooldown will reset if you kill someone. Also, this effect can be stacked.
-Temporary decrease your
Insanity by 1%, for 1 hour. However, the cooldown will reset if you kill someone. Also, this effect can be stacked.
-Temporary loss of your insanity by 30% for the duration of time.
-Temporary loss of your rationality by 25% for the duration of time.
-Once the duration ends, Stamina stats will temporarily drop to 0 for 1min
===
===
Name: Blood Rage
Rank: +A
Type: low risk, Mid reward.
Grade: Activate.
Lv: 1
Description
-Even the hands of a baby can be a deadly weapon once it is coated by blood.
[PROS]
-Any part of a limb can be coated in a weapon made of blood.
-Your bloodlust Aura will increase exponentially.
[CONS]
-Uncontrorable lust.
===
Seeing those abilities before her, Ashley couldn't help but break into a cold sweat.
"This is crazy," Ashley mumbled, gazing up at those skills.
For Ashley, this sight was both spectacular and strange. It was the first time in her life that she had encountered such a messed-up skill.
The skill that Ashley received is undeniably powerful; however, it can be a double-edged sword for someone like her.
Anyway, let's return to the story.
"Is this for real!?" Ashley asked herself, totally shocked.
"Can I really become strong just by killing them?" Ashley added, smiling menacingly
As Ashley recalled something from the past, something she would never forget, the memories of her family being killed flooded back.
She wanted revenge for them, to kill and destroy those responsible. Ashley's mind was consumed by thoughts of how she would plan their demise.
Rage, guilt, hatred, anger—all of these emotions overwhelmed Ashley, causing an explosion in her mind. But then she remembered her mother's words.
"No, this is wrong. This isn't who I am. My mother taught me to survive, not to become a murderer like them!" Ashley mumbled, trying to calm herself.
Suddenly, a harmonious, sweet voice whispered into her ears, "No, kill them. Kill them for your family. Kill them for your desires."
Upon hearing that, Ashley's instincts responded to the voice. "Who are you? How can I murder people?" she exclaimed, covering her ears in an attempt to block out the voice.
However, it's no use; the sweet, harmonic voice continues to ring inside Ashley's head. "But you've already done it. Look at that bastard on the floor. You killed him, right?" the harmonic voice said to Ashley.
"I had no choice! If I didn't kill him, then I would be the one who'd be killed," Ashley replied to the harmonic voice.
"No, you're wrong. You killed him because your instincts were telling you to. You killed him because you wanted to," the voice insisted, taunting Ashley.
"No! Shut up, you're wrong!" Ashley retorted, desperately denying it.
However, her resistance was futile as the harmonic voice continued to pursue Ashley. "No, Ashley, I am right. You killed him because you desired it."
"No, I'm not!" Ashley denied those accusations with all her might.
But her resistance quickly crumbled when the harmonic voice said these words, "But why are you smiling when you killed that Fatso?"
Upon hearing those words, Ashley suddenly became confused beyond belief. She looked up into thin air and asked, "Me, am I smiling?"
As she said that, Ashley's eyes glowed a dark red as if she were suddenly possessed by something.
"Yes, you're smiling," the harmonic voice affirmed.
Ashley didn't realize it, but she had been mentally unstable from the very beginning. She had only been able to maintain her sanity due to her strong desire to survive.
"Now, do you understand?" The harmonic voice whispered.
"Yes, I understand now," Ashley obediently replied.
Not because she was hypnotized or being controlled but because she finally understood her true nature.
"Then, kill those who oppose you. Kill those who murdered your family, and kill those who deserve to be killed," the harmonic voice ordered.
"Yes," Ashley replied. And with that, the frenzy began.
"Oh, I forgot, but once you find him, don't let him get away, got it?"
Hearing this, Ashley cutely nodded her head at the voice.
"What a cutieee"
◇
[Five months later...]
On another ordinary day at the outer rim, two old comrades decided to meet each other after such a long time.
They both agreed to hang out in the alley where they had first met.
"Reng!! Kahhh!! This is heaven," one of the guys exclaimed, enjoying the sensation of smoking a cigar with his robotic right hand.
Beside him, the other comrade crouched down and said, "Milo!, it's been a long time since we smoked like this." He was also holding a cigar in his right hand but remained standing.
They both engaged in a conversation about the most recent events happening in the outer rim, particularly the rumors circulating at the Ark.
"Hey, comrade, have you ever heard about the Head Chaser?" Reng curiously inquired
"Head Chaser? What kind of stupid nickname is that?" Milo responded with excitement vivid in his eyes.
"So, it means you haven't heard of it," Reng said.
"Of course, I don't know. I just got released from prison, you know?"
"Well, that's true. It's a shame you're unaware," Reng mocked with a sneer.
"Yeah, yeah, my bad. So, let's not joke about it," Milo retorted.
"So, tell me more about this Head Chaser," Milo urged.
"Wait, before we delve into the Head Chaser, let's start with something else,"
"Tsk, fine,"
"Do you remember the incident involving that perverted shapeshifter who kidnapped a child?" Reng asked.
"Yes, that sick bastard. What happened?" Milo bluntly replied
"Apparently, that sicko messed with the wrong person, and himself got killed,
"Bruh... HAHHAHAH! That sicko deserved it," Milo chuckled.
"I know, right? But did you know that something else happened during the four months you were in prison?" Reng teased.
"Enough about that. Just tell me about this Head Chaser first,"
"Geez, I was just about to tell you. Fine, listen up,"
"Do you know about all the family heads involved in human trafficking?" Reng hinted.
"Yeah, you mean the Darkthorne family, Grimshaw, Gravesend clan, and lastly, the Duskborne?"
"That's correct, and all of them had their heads decapitated by the Head Chaser,"
"..."
"..."
"Haha, they deserved it," Milo chuckled, but then his laughter stopped abruptly.
"What did you say?" Milo asked, a hint of confusion in his voice.
"Yeah, I know, right? Oh wait, I just remembered. Didn't you get into prison for the same act of human trafficking?"
"Y-yeah," Milo stammered in fear.
"Damn, comrade, you're messed up," Reng remarked with a smirking smile.
As the two comrades were joking with each other, they suddenly heard the sound of footsteps approaching them.
-Steps...
-Step...
The sound of the footsteps grew louder, causing both comrades to turn their heads and wonder who could be approaching them in the alley.
They both looked up to where the stepping sound was coming from and to their surprise, they saw a small figure wearing a robe.
"Oh, hey, it's a midget with a robe," Reng remarked. However, an ominous figure suddenly appeared beside him before he could finish his sentence.
The figure emanated a small yet intimidating aura as if it could kill them at any moment.
"Hi," Milo greeted awkwardly, attempting to break the tension.
-Slingg!
But as he spoke, a blade materialized out of thin air and swiftly slashed him down.
-Zling!
In shock, Reng stammered, "Wh-who are you? Why are you doing this?" However, his words were cut off as the blade swiftly sliced through his neck, ending his life instantly.
====
[Crown Rage]
-Temporary increase your
Strength by 0.2
-Temporary increase your
Dexterity by 0.2
-Temporary increase your
Agility by 0.2
-Temporary decrease your
Intelligence by 0.2
====
"Ha... damnit, this is the third time," Ashley exclaimed in exhaustion after killing the two guys.
"I need to go now," Ashley said as she walked deeper into the alley.
Why? Well, because as of right now, Ashley was exhausted as fuck from the last battle.
Cuz, for the past five months, Ashley had been engaged in relentless fighting within the outer rim.
Why? She didn't really know. Ashley simply followed her instincts, not because of the voice in her head, which had disappeared a long time ago.
By the way, Ashley decided to invest all her 10 free points into intelligence. She then used half of it to use the abilities called 'Imperial Rage.' As a result, Ashley's current stats are greatly increased.
Now, you may ask why she didn't invest all her points into intelligence. Well, that's because of one of the drawbacks of Imperial Rage.
It causes a decrease of 2% in rationality and sanity. If she were to invest all her points, her rationality and sanity would be reduced by a whopping 30%, turning her into a full-blooded killer. That's why Ashley chose to use only half of her points.
Although her intelligence remained the same after using the skill, the real concern lies in the effect it had on her rationality and sanity.
Even with just a 15% decrease, Ashley has already transformed into a cold-blooded killer.
Her innocent eyes have become piercing and filled with a chilling aura, while her face remains the same.
-Step...
-Step...!
As Ashley walks on what seems like an endless journey, the exhaustion she has sustained is getting worse with each passing step.
Suddenly, while walking, she recalls memories from her past when she used to be an innocent little kid with a happy family.
It's a past she can no longer bring back, no matter what she does.
"Mama... Papa... I'm sorry," Ashley says as she falls down due to exhaustion.
-Thud...