Ren opened his mouth wider. The hole of the gun glowed.
I dashed forward, running straight at him.
BANG!
The saliva bullet ball flew toward me. As if time slowed down, I slashed the ball away and rushed closer to him.
Ren jumped back. I took a step toward him and slashed his chest. Then his shoulder. Then his other shoulder.
Ren stepped back, blood trickling down his mouth. He held his shoulder.
"I win, Ren. Give up and I'll spare you."
"I should ask you that question, Zain." He nodded toward my blade. "Look at the sword."
I looked down. The sword was half melted. The remnants of the blade lay on the floor in a pool of liquid.
So this is his unique skill.
"So this is your unique skill. An armor that acts as acid."
Why didn't he use this against me earlier? Unless he just wanted to test me.
Ren began to laugh loudly, even though his shoulders and chest were mortally wounded.
"You've figured it out that quickly. Good job."
He grinned.
"But this will be your final fight."
I dropped into my stance. "Says the person who looked like he saw his worst nightmare."
My instincts sharpened. Something was different about him. His aura was more intimidating. More imposing.
His armor melted away, revealing himself. He had dropped his defense for a more Lumin-based offense.
Fuck. I need to finish this quickly.
I dashed toward him. He raised his arm. I sidestepped and punched his ribs.
I winced. My hand burned like I'd touched acid. I jumped back and looked at my hand.
Smoke rose from my skin. My flesh was dissolving. I could see the red surface beneath.
His skin is completely acidic. The armor made his body shine as if covered in oil.
Ren dashed forward, throwing an onslaught of attacks. I dodged left, right, ducked. I stabbed Ren's exposed stomach—the blade melted completely before it could pierce him.
Ren kicked me away. I stumbled back a few steps. My armor was destroyed. Melted.
He dashed forward, punched my jaw, then an uppercut, then a headbutt.
I endured the burning pain and grabbed his neck, choking him. His tail wrapped around my thighs, restricting my blood flow.
I released one arm and cut off his tail with my flaming claw.
Ren screamed, pushing me away and stumbling back. I rushed toward him, seizing the opportunity. I punched his jaw. Uppercut him. Kicked his leg hard.
Ren dropped to one knee. He snapped his head back—I moved mine away, dodging the shot. He pounced upward and bit my arm hard.
I heard my bones crush.
I jammed my thumb into his eye, piercing deep. He screamed and let go of my arm. I grabbed his mouth. His jaw slowly clenched. The acid and poison dissolved my skin and flesh until I could see a fraction of my bone.
I'm not going to die. I'm not going to die on this damn ship.
This will be my victory.
I will win.
I WILL WIN!!
I used every ounce of my strength to open his jaw. I heard slight cracking. Ren gagged. He tapped my bicep—accepting defeat.
It's not enough.
I pulled his jaw apart further. Using all my strength. All my power.
I tore his jaw open.
His neck. His flesh.
I ripped him in half.
Ren's body went limp. I dropped him. Blood trickled across the floor until it formed a pond.
The last straps of my armor vest snapped. The vest fell.
I turned to look at the rookies. Their faces were etched with fear, indignation, intimidation. Like a pride of lions staring at a giant bull elephant.
"All of you!" I spread my arms wide. "Can't you see I killed one of the psychopaths? One of the killers? I killed him—Ren the Berserker—right in front of all of you!"
I stepped forward.
"Are you scared? Petrified? Intimidated? That the cowards can no longer hide in the bush?"
I spread my arms wider.
"Then come on! All of you! Come fight me! Zain the Berserker! Disciple of Draka—the Berserker of Drakva!"
Everyone stepped back.
That's what I thought.
Rela was right. Really, really right.
Fuck these cowards. Fuck this ship. Fuck the exam.
The dizziness worsened. I almost collapsed—then someone caught me. Muscular arms held me up.
I blinked.
I was inside a room. The surface was comfortable. Voices echoed around me. People in white and red robes looked at me in panic.
"Bring the air box! He needs oxygen desperately!"
"Bring him to the emergency room!"
I felt something like glass over my mouth. My body grew calmer. More relaxed.
My eyes felt heavy. Heavier than they should.
Then...
I blacked out.