Back in the engineering facility, as they streamed every duel occurring in the cadet course…
"Damn, he's getting shredded."
"Obviously. He's up against Kash Mezino's brother, there known for being the highest paid hunter."
"At this rate, he might have already surpassed many middle-class Soldiers. Even so... Something's odd."
"What do you mean? What's odd?"
"His opponent's stats shouldn't allow him to last this long.?"
"Maybe a defensive skill is triggering?." One of the engineers said, speaking about Zylus.
"Impossible. His flow isn't high enough to sustain one."
The engineering booth was dim, lit only by rows of holographic screens. Four engineers monitored eight different angles of the duel, their hands hovering over controls that regulated the battlefield's AI.
All eight screens showed different angles of the fight, and two screens provided information about the applicants. Two of the workers were eating freshly cooked white rice with chicken, while the others completely absorbed themselves in the match.
"Well, it's whatever, the fight's about to be over with either way." One of them declared.
Soon, from behind the engineers, they heard the door creak open, and it was Kash Mezino stepping in.
"What's up Kash."
"Your brother's putting on a show."
"Any idea what system he uses?"
"You here to watch it live?"
Each engineer spoke to him in a very friendly way.
"Oh, you know the deal. Checking up on my brother." Kash replied. "Anyways, how's it going?"
"He's destroying that low-class kid." One engineer laughed.
"But, it's been ten minutes, how hasn't he ended it already? What's the info on the guy he's facing?" Kash wondered.
"Coming right up." An engineer said, taking the mouse and adjusting it to the two screens on the very right.
The television screen, which blurred in it's high brightness labeled some things about him.
[Full Name: Zylus Elwis]
[Family: Unknown???]
[Background: Unknown???]
[Class: Low]
[Ability: Unknown???]
[Opponent: Zenos Mezino]
[Health Remaining: 51]
[Chances Of Victory: 0.0000000000000000000000000001%]
"Not much known about him, and I have never heard his name," Kash said, turning to leave, until an engineer stopped him.
"Hold on, Kash. You missed something." One of the engineers said, pointing the cursor on the screen to a specific label.
Kash stopped and began walking closer.
"That bastard."
[How Did User Get In?: Recruitment By Chris Tall]
Kash and Chris have always had an intense rivalry. But what Kash hated ultimately was the fact that he could never surpass Chris. Every achievement, every hunt, every exam score... Chris outshone him. And now, seeing Chris's recruit standing against Zenos twisted something inside of him.
Kash soon began realizing he would never be able to surpass Chris, so instead of him continuing to develop, he chose to help his brother succeed the heir instead. He though of it as an investment, one that would truly earn him a title, even if he himself didn't surpass Chris.
"Now, I gotta watch." Kash grinned with clear malicious intent.
Now, Zylus stayed down, as Zenos paused. Laughing continuously at Zylus's new state.
"Is that really all?!" Zenos yelled, "I shouldn't have expected no more from a lower class."
From Zylus's perspective, he was half-conscious, and his health that remained was only 51.
[User Cannot Move]
[User Feels Uneasy]
[Major Injuries]
[System Override Activated
[Combat Feed Altered]
[Current HP: 1] → [Displayed HP In Engineering Facility: 51]
[Successfully Hacked The Engineering System]
[Warning: User Will Die If Combat Continues]
[If User Loses, He Will Face Similar Punishment]
Fucking hell, they've given me no choice. But I was right, my system did hack the engineering workers above.
"Move... damn it..." Zylus whispered, eagerly awaiting to return to his original state. "Fucking move!"
He screamed, blood pouring out of his dried-up mouth. Everything felt numb. Zylus couldn't move any part of his body. And he felt disgraceful, allowing Zenos to look down on him in complete pity.
Michael was there watching, and Emilia was there as well, watching with a smile far too eager for a noble. There was something cold in her eyes, something hungry.
"Honestly…" Zenos said, then paused after a long thought. "I would've gotten into way too much trouble if I said that."
Have I truly not changed? If my weakness is the thing holding me back, how can I get stronger? Why is it always on me to surpass what I should? Why…
Zenos began walking forward, tapping his brass knuckles on one another as the aura continued oozing out of the objects.
"You see, Zylus," Zenos paused, "I'm a descendant of the Mezinos. We Mezinos weren't born nobles; we carved our way here with blood. So I'll give you a minute, Zylus. One hit from me, and you'll drop under fifty HP. Decide how you want to suffer." He said, pausing.
Zylus began grinning. Zenos stopped to look clearly at the expression on his face, "You've done it now." Zylus said, lifting his head up, picking himself forward from the wall he lay upon.
Zenos's anger lingered, "How… how are you still smiling, you pathetic loser! Scum like you should be tossed out of our society!"
I didn't even say anything rude… But hey, come get some.
Zylus began picking himself up slowly, and an aura grew closely around his body.
[Rage: 50%]
[Strength: +1,000]
[Speed: +7,000]
[Health: +6,000]
[Stamina: +7,000]
[Victory Percentage: ???]
[Weapon Link: Active]
[User Status: Empowered]
As he picked himself, Zenos simply watched.
"How… how can that man still stand after what I've done?" He whispered.
Zylus stood in a slightly bent stance, grinning with malicious intent, his hands lay out in front, and he felt strong… enough strength to defeat his opponent.
"You say how I say why," Zylus said, walking closer to Zenos as Zenos simply watched, in fear. "Before my mother's death, she used to tell me, 'People who fly into rage always make a bad landing."
He paused; each step felt slow but fierce.
"I never understood her, though." Zylus said, spitting blood out of his dry lungs, "Not really that. But no one ever told me this feeling. Why rage feels so comforting right before it destroys everything you love."
"What are you trying to say?!" Zenos screamed, getting into a fighting stance, as he saw Zylus's systemic flow grow.
Zylus exhaled, steam rising from his skin as the ground cracked beneath him.
"Trying to say?"
Zylus inhaled, and steam hissed off his skin.
"That this isn't flying rage anymore, as my mom said."
His aura exploded, cracking the floor.
"This is the landing."