The black lightning that had solidified climbed into the sky, splitting the neck along with the atmosphere. The gorilla's body stiffened, then fell, causing a tremor that lifted red dust into the air.
A gray-haired boy landed on top of it. The black katana that crackled shrank and broke into tiny fragments of lightning energy that disappeared, swallowed by the world.
Cain, who stood on the monster's body, sighed and looked up, staring at the sky that was darker than night. The rumbling sound and the silver flashes radiating within it eased some of the burden that chained his body.
The corner of his lips lifted, and a complicated and happy feeling swelled in his chest, making him smirk. He shifted his gaze forward, peeking at the blue panel that floated in his view.
'600%, what will my level be after the system update later? I can't wait.'
Not to mention the accumulation of integrity points when he defeated the iron crab in the corridor that had become ruins across the way.
However, putting that aside, Cain fully accepted all the points because it was also in his interest to become strong. And after gaining incredible power called 'attributes.' He was sure that his life at the training facility would change both for the good and the bad.
For that, he had to prepare everything, even if the circumstances forced him to. The boy was ready to leave and abandon the Babilonia city and go on an adventure to traverse the world, even though threats would follow him everywhere.
That was better than becoming a spectacle of other humans who were basically a lump of greed itself, especially the one who held power in their hands. Worse, Cain would be used as a cash-cow who would be worked to death, and lose his rights and pride as a living thing.
He didn't want to be like that.
Cain turned to another panel that showed the countdown was still active.
[Remaining time: 11 seconds]
The boy gulped, feeling a chill creep down his spine. He shook his head, not wanting to think too deeply about the rebound that would assault him. His gaze shifted down, seeing the blonde boy approaching.
"Cain."
Abel ran, waving his arms furiously, reminding him of a dog happy to see its owner.
He chuckled, exhaling sharply to dispel the disrespectful thought in his brain. Cain jumped down and was greeted by Abel, Peter, and Louise, who radiated a bright aura in their expressions.
Of course, they had all survived against advanced-rank virus beasts and lived to tell the tale.
"You guys, good?"
The words that spilled from his mouth caused his other comrades to freeze. Their eyes widened with mouths agape because even at a time like this, Cain was still worried about their condition more than his own.
Rika stepped forward, she brandished her fist and punched Cain's left chest, which made him step back a few steps while coughing.
"We should be the ones saying that, idiot. Well, looks like you are fine too. And I believe there is a lot to talk about between us, later."
Cain blinked, seeing the red-haired girl moving her mouth, followed by Louise and the others. But all of that was silent in his ears. The effect of the shockwave released by the primate was still lingering.
'What are they talking about?'
When he was about to send a telepathic signal to his comrades, his black pupils shrank. An oppressive power assaults his body, enveloping the surrounding area with malicious intent.
He dragged his heavy foot and grabbed Rika's shoulder to pull her back. His black eyes narrowed as he saw the mysterious figure, wearing a robe that covered his body, standing not far from their position.
'This is bad! That damned monster is still here.'
The boy gritted his teeth. The black lightning on his body crackled, responding to the boiling emotion that swells from the depths of his heart.
Putting aside the iron gorilla, the enemy standing in front of him was in a different dimension. If the enemy wanted to annihilate his group, they would surely be dead without knowing why.
That was what differentiated a monster, commonly called a virus beast, from the corrupt. A virus beast that obtained its human form and held a massive power that could destroy a city with a flick of its fingers.
The corrupt raised his hands and clapped, reminding him of the first time Cain met him. But now all of it felt calm without any disturbing feelings that stirred his instinct.
"Fascinating, so that was humanity's greatest strength. It's a pleasure to witness it, first time."
"Who are you?"
Rika shouted, prompting Abel, Peter, and Louise to raise their respective weapons. Their action causes Cain to wrinkle his eyebrows, asking himself.
'Are they communicating?'
Cain gripped the hilt of his katana, a jolt of searing heat from the lightning coursed through his veins, awakening the dormant black dragon inside. Tiny black lightning bursts forth from his skin, creating a layer around his skin before wrapping his blade.
Seeing their leader standing tall despite the exhaustion, it ignited a fire in their chests. A burst of colorful aura radiated from their bodies, raising the already heightened tension to a stage where they were ready to fight until death.
However, different from their thoughts, the mysterious creature raised his hand upwards, as if he didn't want to start an unnecessary conflict.
"Please, I don't want to collide with you. For now!"
Rika knitted her brows. She pulled her eyes from the rifle scope, watching the robed person speak in unnatural vocabulary. She peeked at her side, noticing that Cain was keeping his mouth closed the entire time.
"You."
She and the other three pointed their weapons when they saw the mysterious person pointing at Cain.
"Kept the power I want! Later, in the future, I'll take it."
"You think I'll let you leave."
Realizing that the man in front of her was posing a threat to Cain. Her index finger moved before her thoughts could follow. She pulled the trigger that exploded the bullet inside it and launched a bullet that flew straight. But, before the bullet hit the mysterious creature's body, it stopped a few centimeters from his head.
Then, with just a flick of his finger, the bullet disintegrated into glittering dust, leaving a frightening impression that sent chills down her spine.
'Wha!?'
Her body flinched when the area around the enemy started to tremble; small pebbles scattered on the ground slowly floated along with his body. In an instant, he flew and disappeared to the horizon.
Silence descended into the area around Rika; the center was on their leader, who never once showed any signs of urgency, which made the blood in the girl's body rush to her head. Rika gripped the boy's right shoulder, yanking him to face her straight.
"Hey, why did you keep your mouth shut the whole time? The person was targeting you. What's actually going on?"
Not only Rika, but the other three stared at their captain's face, who was tilting to the side while scratching the back of his head. His relaxed behavior made Rika almost grab his neck, but a telepathic message that echoed in her head stiffened her.
(Sorry, my ear was damaged because of the battle. So I didn't hear the conversation between you and that monster.)
Rika froze, her quivering lips tried to squeeze the words stuck in her throat, but she couldn't.
"Ah? That's right, when I saved the leader from the sound wave attack. I saw blood trickling down from his ears."
She shifted her gaze towards Louise. Then, looked up to stare at the oblivious expression that somehow released all the tension that bound Rika's body. The girl clenched her fist and lightly punched the boy's chest.
"Goodness me, you really are…"
The red-haired girl let out a long sigh, not knowing what to do with her captain, who looked silly and embarrassed.
However, the calm that enveloped the group's mood had to be paid dearly because Cain suddenly vomited blood as his body swayed before collapsing onto the floor.
"!?"
Rika's breath hitched, her red eyes widened as half of her vision was covered by red. Her body started to tremble, witnessing firsthand how the boy collapsed. She gasped, reaching out to her left chest as she felt a tightness that choked her breath.
"Cain!"