"F*ck you! F*ck you! Get lost!"
Luis Cole cussed relentlessly. The puddle of blood in human form shivered, and it soon took its stance again.
I evaded the strands it shot on my way and cut them with the sword. The clots of blood sliced in two, they splattered on the floor and bubbled as if trying to revive themselves. I realized that my attempt would be useless. I was compelled to end the battle in cruelty, soaking my hands in someone's blood.
Will I feel guilty if I took a person's life that committed a grave sin?
The blood formed a thick mass again and lunged at me. I evaded the bloody shower and hurled myself at the student, the sword pointed horizontally, burrowing half of it into the concrete wall, passing through Luis' chest, piercing his heart directly.
"Grrwarrk…grrwarrk…"
Luis Cole regurgitated blood. His eyes were shocked and soon became hazy, while his hands tried to pull the blade out of his chest. A few seconds later, the movement ceased, and his eyes lost vigor and vitality.
The poor student died with his eyes wide open. He probably couldn't believe that a fellow Awakener would kill him.
As the master of blood manipulation died, the pool of blood in human form fell on the ground like a sudden rain pour, soaking the floor in red liquid once more.
I let go of the hilt, and only then did I feel the wound on my palm, bleeding profusely. My knees weakened and I wobbled before falling on the floor beside the student's corpse. My hands trembled and I felt light-headed.
It felt like all the adrenaline in my body rushed over. I remained slumped, panting my breath and regaining my energy. Once I had enough strength, I stood and planned to leave, but the green arrow that bobbed up and down above Luis Cole's head was still evident.
So, it doesn't disappear even after the character has died.
Out of curiosity, I reached and opened it.
[Ting!]
[1 Supporting Character Acquired!
>18 remaining]
"A supporting character? This murderer?"
I paused.
Who am I to say that? Now, I'm also a murderer. No, it's not murder. It's homicide. I had a valid reason. My killing is justifiable.
I pulled the sword out, and blood gushed from his body. I looked away as I couldn't bear the sight. Luis died with his eyes open, and it felt like those dead eyes would haunt me.
My attention was immediately stolen by the notification sound.
[Ting!]
[Congratulations! You have acquired a valuable weapon!]
[Obsidian Sword of Death]
[Description:
*Sword acquired from killing more than a hundred lives [↑]
*Sword must feed blood from the wielder to activate its ability
*Sword Ability
>Blood Manipulation]
"What? So, that ability wasn't owned by him? Does this mean that some abilities are attached to the weapon itself?"
I stood and examined the black sword.
"A sword that kills more than a hundred, it certainly is appalling to use as a weapon. So, a weapon can be obtained by killing its owner, is that how it works?"
There's an upgrade arrow. I pressed on the symbol.
[*Sword will upgrade the more lives it takes
*No. of lives required to next level > 200]
I shuddered. This black sword is truly ominous. I guess it won't be upgraded that easily. Though I felt reluctant to take the sword, fighting with bare hands would put me in danger.
After checking the house for any survivor, I went out, leaping over the pile of corpses after touching the green arrows above their head.
[Ting!]
[1 Extra Character acquired!
>198 remaining]
[Ting!]
[1 Extra Character acquired!
>197 remaining]
[Ting!]
[1 Extra Character acquired!
>196 remaining]
There was a total of six corpses inside, and I gathered all of the characters. After decreasing the number to one hundred ninety-four, I went out to the streets.
The sky was already dark, and the road, without any light from the houses, was only illuminated by the flickering light of the old streetlights, paired with the dead silence, left an eerie atmosphere in the background.
But what terrified me more was the glowing green arrows scattered in the street. There was one in the middle of the road, on the bench, on the thresholds, and even under the bushes!
There were characters outside, yet the town was so quiet!
I went to the man lying in the middle of the road. The streetlights barely helped, but because of the stench of blood, I could tell he was already dead.
"Bloody…town…!"
The entire town was bathed in blood and corpses!
Blood stains splattered on the windows, on the walls, on the road, and even on the plant boxes in the plaza! Corpses are hurled everywhere as if the killer had fun throwing them like pebbles.
I wasn't just horrified. It was beyond horrifying!
What baffled me most was the green arrow that remained on their spot, pointing at their corpses. How evil could I be if I said that part of me was grateful that many characters showed up without resistance, allowing me to acquire all the numbers I needed?
"How am I going to stay here? This town is so unlucky."
The black sword in my hand throbbed, and then a black smoke gathered on the hilt before it encircled the blade. It was as if the sword was reacting to all the corpses in the vicinity.
"Fuck. I don't like this."
I'm sure their lives were what fueled this demonic sword.
I tried to open my SUP window. I remembered seeing the word inventory, which I guessed was something that could store all my items.
[>>>>Inventory
*No item stored]
"How to store an item? Now that I've realized, this window doesn't have a 'help' button, or maybe Q&A, at least. How else are those Awakeners who have never played a game before understand this?"
I lifted the sword and just punched it into the golden window out of frustration, and the sword shined and disappeared in my hand.
"…"
"It's such a relief that I'm too smart for this."
I shrugged my shoulders in lax. Then, while on it, I checked on my health and was delighted that it was already in complete recovery. I no longer felt any pain in my back, only in the wound in my palm.
I stared at the wound and was surprised that the blood stopped dripping, even though the slit was still wide open.
"I need to find a cloth to dress this wound."
And to my body. I want a warm bath. No, I don't care if isn't warm. I felt icky.
[Ting!]
[1 Extra Character acquired!
>193 remaining]
I left the corpse on the road and entered another house. The door was destroyed like it was forcefully opened by someone.
"That psychopath…he didn't even spare the ones hiding."
I bowed at the entrance, "Pardon the intrusion."
I scanned the living room and there was no dead body inside which made me sigh in relief. I took some clothes hanging on the terrace and decided to clean myself. Surprisingly, the bathroom and the kitchen were also free from corpses, so I managed to do what I intended without any worry.
"A bread!"
I went and took it. It was dry, but it would suffice my hunger. Then, I remembered the soldier and the kid as I gobbled the food, and wondered if they also found something to eat.
I should spend the night here. There are foods and drinks in the pantry and some clothes that could fit me. I should pack them later. I still don't have a target place to go. Those foods will last me a week at least.
I sat on the floor and leaned my back on the wall. I should take as much rest as I can.
"I should check if the TV's working, or find a phone. I have to know what's happening and how the government handled the situation. I just hope there's a place for all survivors. Find about the Awakeners too, and report…Luis…"
I yawned. My eyelids drooped.
I thought that after regaining my energy and eating my fill, I could stay awake through the night, but as soon as I closed my eyes, fatigue wore me down, and not long passed, I was already out.
Then, I woke up from someone's sobs. The voice sounded near, I turned my head to the right and saw Luis Cole leaning on the wall beside me. He was grinning while blood trickled down his face and the sword was stuck in his chest.
"How dare you sleep after killing me?! Look at me, Atlas Sterne! You killed me! You're a murderer! A murderer!"
"NO!"
I jerked from my sleep. I turned to the right and saw the space empty. It was a nightmare, just a nightmare, Atlas.