'This is a Fallen One?' Eri thought to herself, still standing behind Rashin. 'But... he looks... human.'
Rashin, his gaze focused on the figure before him, felt a bit of hesitation as he weighed his options.
If he hadn't made contact with the individual, he wouldn't have known it was a Fallen One.
Back in his time, he was able to battle with them using specific gear gifted by the military.
Rashin didn't have that gear with him. In other words, his chances of winning in a confrontation were close to none.
Still, at that very moment, the rage he felt as he stared at the Hakia outweighed the fear.
"Human... you're quite strange, aren't you?" the individual spoke, one of his eyes now glowing purple.
Rashin clenched his fist.
"Not many would be able to tell what I am from merely touching me. Quite the sense you have there," the individual grinned.
Eri, now realizing Rashin might be right, widened her eyes in shock.
"From a single touch, you were able to determine what I am. Should I not be curious as to how?"
Rashin replied, "The stench of death doesn't go away so easily. Even if you take another form."
"Hahahah!"
The individual laughed.
"Maybe you're right. Perhaps I chose the wrong form. Pardon my stupidity; I shall reconcile that..."
The individual slowly pulled down the cloak, revealing a man with scars drawn all over his face. He had a hunched back, and his hair had begun to fall out.
"Upon landing, this was the first prey I found. As you can see, he isn't in the best of conditions."
Rashin spat internally. 'So Fallen Ones can take over people like hosts now?' he questioned.
"Still, even with a damaged form, it should be impossible for humans to harm me. And yet, you were able to..."
The man stretched his hand forward, showing the dark streaks that had slowly begun to take over his hand.
"Unknown. Never knew. Never occurred. Strange indeed. I have more reasons to leave this host and move to a new one. Is there any chance you're willing to surrender peacefully? I shall make your death simple."
'So I was right. They do take over people's bodies now. Tsk! Hakiaas never fail to piss me off.'
Rashin took a fighting stance. "I'd rather die."
His response was met with a sadistic grin from the man.
"Very well."
In a flash, the man appeared in front of Rashin.
'So fast...' Rashin was frozen.
Even Eri widened her eyes as she also could not read the man's movement.
Before they could process what was happening, Rashin received a straight jab to the chest.
This not only broke one of his ribs but also sent him flying and slamming into a tree.
Eri was left alone.
Her legs shook in fear as she gripped her staff close to her.
'A... Fallen One in Vergino? It's not the Count Hour yet... they shouldn't...'
While in thought, she made eye contact with the man, and the fear she felt intensified.
The man stared at her for a while, and then, without saying a word, grabbed her by the neck and slowly raised her up.
"A female. You seem to have a lot of blessings flowing within you. Ahh, yes, you are of the Angel, aren't you? What do they call you people again... oh right... Priestess."
Eri struggled to free herself as the man kept speaking.
"You are really unlucky... now that I've run into you, killing you seems like the best option here. I can't let you just—"
"Light Saber!!!"
Eri suddenly yelled, a sharp fast beam shooting out of her staff.
The beam went straight through the man's head, causing him to let go of Eri as blood leaked from the opening in his head.
As her foot touched the ground, she immediately planned on running, her eyes already set on her escape route.
But just as she took a step, the man grabbed her by the leg and instantly slammed her back onto the ground.
It felt like her entire insides exploded upon impact.
How? She had just shot the man in the head.
She didn't expect him to die, but she also didn't expect him to recover so quickly.
The man stood in front of her, the hole in his forehead already closing up.
"Oh wow, you actually fought back. I'm surprised. Am I? I think I am. Well, doesn't matter... Please die, I plan on taking over that man's bo—"
The Hakia looked over to where Rashin had collapsed, but he was no longer there.
'What? When did he move from there? I didn't detect anything...'
He began to look around, trying to trace Rashin's energy.
Left... right... left... right...
One last turn, and there Rashin was.
"Pay attention."
Just one word.
A word followed by a stab to the chest.
Yes, Rashin had arrived, and in his hand was a blue blade leaking with energy.
As Rashin pulled out the blade, the Hakia stumbled backward, watching as the black streaks began to spread from the wound in his gut.
"How...?" He could barely speak, his eyes widened in utter shock.
Rashin, now standing in front of Eri, uttered, his eyes glowing a bright blue light,
"Come... punch me like you did the last time," he said with a chilling voice.
(A few moments before)
As Rashin's back slammed against the tree, he fell unconscious, his eyes slowly closing.
From where he was, he could see the Hakia wrapping his hand around Eri's neck and picking her up from the ground like she weighed nothing.
'No... not again...' Rashin whispered, trying desperately to raise his hand.
'F...ace me, you bastard!!!...'
'I refuse to die like this! Not now! Not when a Hakia is before me! Slaughter them all! Rashin! Kill every last one of them!'
He didn't forget.
How could he?
These monsters destroyed everything he knew and loved.
They were an abomination.
'An abomination that needs to be eradicated. Strength! I need strength to kill every last one of you! I swear it! I'll kill you all with my bare hands, you hear me!'
"My bare hands!"
From nowhere, a template appeared before him.
[Congratulations, you have awakened your Blacksmith System!]