'These bastards will just whip out the crystal like it's nothing. Where did they even find them? I bet they don't even know its origins. Wielding power they don't know anything about. I think it's deeper than what's on the surface. The Empire is full of constables who have alchemy and some magic, but aren't that strong compared to those who aren't within the Empire. So they are using the crystals to match or even overpower the ones who threaten them, and they've killed many. They use the crystals as a last resort. This guy…he instantly pulled him out when I killed his mentor. Does he mean to do that because I'm strong? That's right, fear me.'
Olrick said, "Okay let's talk about this for a second. We could actually work together."
Gunn didn't say anything.
Olrick continued to say, "I could be your inside man! I don't wanna die! Please!"
Gunn still didn't say a word.
Olrick thought, 'My ability is similar to Ivann's. If he responds to anything I say, I can control their actions for 10 seconds at a time. This is why I mentioned earlier that my ability wouldn't work. Maybe if I keep pressuring him to speak, I could maybe win! I just have to survive!'
Gunn lunges forward, dagger poised for a strike, but Olrick, sensing the incoming threat, swiftly extends a crystal chain which Gunn barely sidesteps. The chain shatters on the balcony railing, sending sharp shards spinning through the air. Olrick, not missing a beat, manipulates another chain to swing wide, creating a trap. Gunn flips backward, avoiding the encircling chain, his boots skidding across the blood-slicked floor as he regains his footing, eyes narrowed.
"I know what they did to your family! And I know why! I can help you!" Olrick exclaimed.
Those words made Gunn stop for a mere second, and almost spoke, but he held his tongue.
'He's trying to get me to talk. Of course this bastard is trying to trap me, if not, he wouldn't have embraced the crystal so fast. The Empire is more corrupt on the inside as I thought. He doesn't know anything about anything. And if he does? Will I respond? What would make me respond? Curiosity? I want to know how everything started, yes. I can't fall for it. He's constantly pressing me on the matter, like he wants me to talk.'
With a snarl, Olrick unleashes a flurry of dark purple and black crystal flame kicks, each one tearing through the air towards Gunn. Gunn blocks two swift kicks with his armored forearm, feeling the heat even through his protection, but dodges a third kick by twisting his body in a tight spiral, evading the fiery burst. Gunn retaliates by throwing his dagger, which spins through the air with deadly precision. Olrick twists, letting the dagger embed in the wall behind him. Instantly, Gunn dashes forward, sprinting to retrieve his weapon, sliding under a swinging chain. Gunn grabs his dagger and rolls to the side as Olrick slams a controlled victim into the ground nearby; the impact explodes into a hail of sharp crystals. Gunn shields his face, bits of crystal grazing his skin but pushes through the sting.
'Tch! He's using the bystanders as weapons. I hate this fight. The more I fight this brat, the more I see myself in it. To kill the constables before the execution, I killed civilians. Not on purpose, but they were in the way. And they were caught up. The more I realize this, does this make me like them? An enemy of the world? No. No, I'm not. I'm not like them! I'm no fucking hero either.'
With a fierce battle cry, Gunn charges, using a high kick to divert Olrick's arm, which was poised to launch another chain. His following strike, a vicious elbow, lands against Olrick's crystalline form, causing a crack to form along Olrick's shoulder. Olrick grunts, retaliating with a controlled burst of explosive crystal chains aimed directly at Gunn. Gunn uses the auditorium seats for cover, flipping over them as chains destroy rows with loud, echoing booms.
Gunn, from behind cover, sprints towards Olrick, zigzagging as he anticipates another chain attack. He jumps, using a fallen beam as a springboard, and delivers a powerful downward strike aimed at Olrick's head. Olrick blocks with his forearm, the impact resonating like the clash of steel. He counters with a roundhouse kick, but Gunn ducks under the swing, rolling behind Olrick and attempting to stab at his back. With unnatural speed, Olrick spins around, catching Gunn's wrist and twisting it viciously. Gunn hisses in pain but manages to headbutt Olrick, breaking the hold and stumbling back to regain distance.
Olrick, feeling the crack from the headbutt expanding, fuels his fury into his crystal control, causing multiple chains to lash out towards Gunn like serpents. Gunn leaps, somersaulting over the chains, landing gracefully and dashing forward again. As the combatants close in, Gunn slices horizontally hoping to catch Olrick off-guard. Olrick deflects the blade with an armored crystal forearm, then counter-attacks with a swift jab that catches Gunn in the side. Gunn grits his teeth against the pain. Moving fluidly, Gunn retaliates with a series of rapid thrusts, each parried by Olrick's crystal-infused limbs. However, Gunn's relentless assault starts to show results as small cracks begin spider-webbing through the crystalline armor.
Seizing a momentary upper hand, Gunn plunges the dagger into one of the larger cracks. Olrick roars in pain, backhanding Gunn with such force that Gunn skids across the floor, struggling to rise as he wipes blood from his split lip. With Gunn momentarily down, Olrick focuses, causing the crystalline chains to form a dome above Gunn. Gunn, spotting this, rolls out just as the dome collapses, narrowly escaping crushing imprisonment.
Gunn, now standing, locks eyes with Olrick and charges with renewed vigor. Olrick's chains intercept, but Gunn predicts their trajectory, weaving through them with an acrobat's grace, keeping his gaze locked on his adversary. As the distance closes, Gunn slides under a last-ditch kick from Olrick, coming up behind him. He grabs Olrick's head, attempting to drive the dagger through the junction where the crystals seem most concentrated.
Olrick elbows Gunn in the stomach, forcing him to release his grip. Gunn gasps for air but sweeps Olrick's legs, causing both to crash to the ground. They scramble, rolling across the blood and crystal-strewn floor in a tangled fight for supremacy.
Olrick yelled, "Think about it! You know you're gonna win this! I know what happened on that day!"
Gunn clenched his teeth, thinning, 'Don't respond. He doesn't know anything! I'll find out for myself!'
Both competitors rise, battered and bleeding, circling with wary, predatory gaits. Olrick, perpetuating an onslaught of kicks, nearly overwhelms Gunn, who barely parries each blow with his dagger, the sound of clashing echoing through the theater.
Olrick said, "The Empire had dealt with villains in the past, but none like your family. They were set on killing Bramwell, doing everything it took to get to him. They believed in some prophecy that he's involved in, since everyone knows they dabbled in dark magic, shaman shit, necromancy, curses, etc. Rumors say they saw a vision, that he would eventually destroy everything—."
Gunn thought, 'Shut up…shut up..shut up..'
Olrick continued, "So on that horrific day, Bramwell, Executioner Mortimor, and many others showed up at your birthday party, but not to bring gifts. They showed up and killed everyone. Blood splattered all over the place, bodies flying all over the place, but somehow your survival instincts were better than your families, and theyâ€"."
Gunn screamed, "Shut up!"
It was silent, and Olrick grinned maliciously.
'Got him.'
Olrick was walking towards Gunn, and Gunn's eyes and mouth were bleeding out but with black blood, his eyes pitch black matching the color.
Olrick said, "Poor kid. I'm not that much older than you. I'm kinda new too. Ivann was my mentor, he taught me everything I needed to know. He all of sudden brought up retirement. And the fact that he was scared to mention it to Bramwell…mm. It's crazy honestly. Once you're in the Empire, there is no leaving. I admit, Bramwell is a crazy son of a bitch, and I don't blame you for what you want to do to him. But you are an enemy, you've taken countless lives in the name of revenge. I don't give a shit, honestly. All I care about is making my family proud. Ivann was really close to them. My family is scared of you. They hoped that through me, I could drive that fear from them."
Gunn thought, 'Move dammit! Move! Move! I was brought back before, who knows if I'll come back again!'
Olrick dashed forward, ready to strike, his crystal arm barely touching Gunn's chest.
[FLASHBACK]
[10 years ago]
9 year old Gunn, In the deep, dense woods, a young Gunn found himself face to face with a ferocious baby bear. The air crackled with tension as the two adversaries locked eyes. Gunn's heart pounded in his chest, his palms sweaty, and fear coursing through his veins. Little did he know that this encounter would shape his understanding of life, death, and the power to overcome fear.
The baby bear lunged forward, claws slashing through the air. Gunn, caught off guard, stumbled backward, narrowly avoiding the razor-sharp claws. He felt the sting of a deep scratch on his cheek, blood trickling down his face. The bear growled menacingly, its eyes filled with hunger and aggression. Gunn wiped the blood from his cheek, his face contorting with determination. He refused to let fear paralyze him. With a surge of adrenaline, he lunged forward, attempting to tackle the bear to the ground. But the bear was quick, expertly evading Gunn's attack.
The baby bear retaliated viciously, swiping its claws at Gunn's chest. Deep gashes opened up, blood saturating his shirt, as pain shot through his body. Desperation painted his face as he desperately tried to defend himself. Watching from the safety of the trees, Gunn's mother called out to him. Her voice carried a mix of concern and encouragement. "Gunn, remember, death is a part of life. But in facing it head-on, you discover the strength within you. Overcome your fear, my son."
Gunn, fueled by his mother's words, gathered his resolve. He dodged the bear's next swipe, ducking low to avoid its claws. In one swift motion, he grabbed a fallen branch and swung it with all his might, connecting with the bear's side. A satisfying crack echoed through the forest as the bear yelped in pain. Infuriated, the baby bear lunged once more, its jaws snapping dangerously close to Gunn's arm. Gunn managed to evade, but not without a deep bite on his forearm. Blood spurted from the wound, mixing with the sweat on his brow.
As Gunn struggled to regain his footing, his mother's voice rang out once again, filled with wisdom. "Gunn, life is a battle. Sometimes, we face opponents stronger than us. But remember, strength lies not in physicality alone, but also in the mind and heart." Gunn, fueled by his mother's words, refused to give in. He circled the bear, studying its movements, searching for a weakness. He noticed a vulnerable spot on its neck, exposed and unprotected.
With a surge of determination, Gunn seized the opportunity. He grabbed a nearby rock, his hands trembling with adrenaline. With a primal scream, he brought the rock down with all his might, striking the baby bear's head. The sound of crushing bone filled the air as the bear crumpled to the ground, lifeless. Over and over, he bashed the rock into the bears head, blood curdling all over Gunn.
Covered in the bear's blood, Gunn stood victorious. He staggered towards his mother, his body battered and bruised. As he embraced her, his entire family descended from the trees, surrounding him in a protective circle. Their hugs conveyed pride, love, and the triumph of courage in the face of fear.
"Mom.." Gunn cried.
His mother said, "One day, you will know. You'll grow into the man we want you to be. Make us proud."
[FLASHBACK END]
'It was like…they knew what would happen. Like they knew I would be in this situation. Training me for years ever since I was little…'Gunn thought as more black blood came from his eyes and mouth.
'I won't lose here..not here..'
Gunn's eyes glowed a dark red, and he said, "Fuck this."
Olrick gasped, "What?! Does revenge drive you that far?! I said all of that to destroy your will, and once you finally gave in, you still.."
As the clanking chains whip around them, creating a relentless dance of menacing arcs in the cluttered theater, Gunn sees a pattern forming among the chaos. His eyes catch the interlacing of chains, and it clicks—a plan forms amidst the turmoil.
Knowing time's ticking with each bruising exchange, Gunn waits for the chains to align into a hazardous lattice. At the critical moment, he leaps forward, his hands seizing all the converging chains at once with gritty determination, his muscles straining under the effort. This sudden maneuver initiates a brutal tug of war, Gunn pulling with all the strength mustered, his boots digging into the wooden floor, splinters flying.
They dash, the theater groaning under their destructive path, pillars cracking and velvet curtains ripping away in their wake. Gunn, knowing each second counts, locks his gaze on Olrick, whose face is etched with concentration and fury.
Olrick screamed, "You're no better than Bramwell! You're both corrupt! Driven by revenge!"
Gunn thought, 'It's more than just revenge. It's redemption. For myself? I don't know. Haven't thought that far into it. I just know, everyone in the Empire…must die.'
Then, in a strategic instant, Gunn lets go of the chains, all of them. The sudden release causes Olrick to stumble backward, thrown off by the unexpected slack. Gunn doesn't miss a beat; he dashes forward, closing the gap in a heartbeat. He lunges, driven by the rush of battle, and his dagger finds its markâ€"a piercing stab through Olrick's chin, the blade glistening gruesomely with dark blood.
With no pause, Gunn spins in the air, leveraging his motion to haul Olrick's caught body downward toward the ground. The impact is a sickening crunch, jarring bones and shattering the overlaying crystal protection. Olrick's body crumples under the brutal force but Gunn's not done yet.
His dagger still lodged in place, Gunn grabs Olrick by the coat, yanks him up and sprints, dragging the fading warrior behind him. The smeared trail of blood stains the theater's floor, a macabre painting of the night's violence. Gunn's pace doesn't falter as he maneuvers the limp form of Olrick, sliding him against the jagged, torn scenery. The rasping sound of fabric and flesh against the splintered wood is nearly drowned by the haunting echo of their disruptions.
Finally, Gunn halts, panting heavily in the middle of the ravaged stage, the sounds of destruction slowly settling around him. He stands solemn and fierce, his chest heaving with harsh breaths. With a final, grim glance at the defeated Olrick, Gunn yanks the dagger free, the sound a chilling click in the quiet that follows the storm.
Olrick's motionless body, now just a relic of the fierce duel, lies amidst the ruins of the theater. Gunn, his silhouette edged by the dim backlights, walks away, the victor of this bloody, devastating ballet. The theater lay in ruins, testament to the ferocity and finality of their confrontation.
"Two down."
[Olrick killed. Quest completed, Reward: 40% raise to all available stats]
[Level up!]
[Current level and stats]
[Level 11]
Strength: 1,344
Speed: 1,120
Magic: 1,120
Stamina: 1,120
Curses: 1,120
Acid: 1,120
Poison Strength and Effectiveness: 1,680
Speech: 1,120
Wisdom: 1,120
'I've leveled up. Once I reach level 15, I can enter the first floor of the Tower, and I can gain my power back, fights wouldn't take this long.'
As the theater begins to groan and creak under the weight of structural damage caused by the intense battle, Gunn's instincts kick into high gear. The faint rumble of the collapsing building grows louder, and it's clear that the once-grand edifice is becoming a deadly trap.
[System Alert: Structural Integrity Compromised. Advised Immediate Evacuation.]
Ignoring the throbbing pain from his wounds, Gunn dashes toward what appears to be a small, nearly hidden service door marked by old, flaking paint. With a forceful kick, the door swings open revealing a dark, descending tunnel, likely used by staff for discreet movements throughout the theater.
As he enters the tunnel, dimly lit by flickering emergency lights, Gunn hears a haunting sound echoing from behind him..the shuffle and moan of the once controlled victims. Their eyes empty, their movements jerky, they wander aimlessly, lost without Olrick's controlling influence, now bound by a new, mysterious force.
"Aghhh.."
Gunn turned around to look at them.
'I forgot about these people.'
[System Update: New Bonus Quest - "Eradicate the Afflicted". Eliminate all zombified victims for an attribute increase of 80% and level up 4 levels. Note: Recovery of victims is possible but currently obstructed. Exercise caution.]
Gunn pauses, the weight of the decision heavy in his being. These were innocent people, but Gunn saw no one as innocent.
'Take these people out of their misery, or level up. If I level up 4 levels, I can go to the first floor of the Tower. This is an easy decision. Take these weak people out of their misery, sounding like they're in pain. Why should I care about them? They're just rich people that I don't know at all. Easy.'
As he walks towards them, an enormous crash resounds through the tunnel as part of the ceiling collapses, dust and debris filling the air.
[Warning: Further collapse imminent. Immediate escape required.]
'No…no!'
Caught in a dire situation, Gunn's survival instincts take over. He begins tearing at the rubble, his hands bloodied and raw, trying to clear a path ahead. With each stone and beam he moves, more seem to fall, the tunnel threatening to entomb him alongside these tragic figures turned zombies.
'Power…I need the power! I hate growing at a slow pace! I didn't have power before, but when I finally got my hands on some..it felt right. Like it was a part of me. Felt like I belonged. To who? Not this fucking world. To myself, my family, who all was born with magic, but not me. I need to grow now, I want that feeling back!'
Gunn's breaths are labored, his vision blurred with dust and sweat, as he realizes the enormity of his task.
[System Critical Alert: Exit route 75% obstructed. Survival probability decreasing. Prioritize immediate personal safety.]
As Gunn strains against another heavy beam, the scene fades to a tense quiet, echoing with the distant, mindless moans of the afflicted, and the relentless, ominous sounds of the theater's final surrender to ruin.
The ceiling then collapses on top of Gunn, but Gunn dodges it, sliding out of the way, which created more rubble between him and the zombies.
'No use punching it all, more would just pile up. Shit! Shit!'
"Seems like you're in trouble."
Gunn turned around and saw Marshy, and a black cat that was standing beside her, almost the same height, wearing a trench coat, and a black staff on his back.
"Of course you're in this predicament, brat."
Gunn turned around and tackled the cat, pinning him to the ground, saying, "What in the fuck is this monstrosity?"
"Let me go! I'll kill you!" The humanoid cat exclaimed, making his claws sharp.
Marshy said, "That's Torch. A cat once a man, he's one of my old comrades."
Gunn responded, "Does he know?"
"Yes. He knows what we're doing. He was apart of a former rebel group with me in the past against the Empire until everything got wiped out."
Torch kicked Gunn away, making Gunn crash into the wall. Torch stood up, and started smoking a cigarette, saying, "Let's get out of here now."
Gunn tilted his head, "The monster smokes cigarettes?"
"STOP CALLING ME A MONSTER!" Torch replied.
Marshy sighed, "No seriously, let's leave. This place is becoming cramped. The constables are definitely running over here as we speak."
Gunn looked back at the pile of rubble, saying, "No. I.."
"You what?"
"…Nevermind."
[Quest failed]
'I was actually going to kill those people that could've been saved. Was I holding back? No. I couldn't have. I don't care about anyone, especially the rich snobs. So why did I hold back? I don't care about them, or anyone else in that matter.'