Rico stood in the middle of the tunnel, surrounded by ten goblins, the two daggers in his hands glinting under the faint light.
The first goblin rushed toward him from the front.
Stab!
The dagger pierced its neck, and the body collapsed instantly.
The second goblin jumped while screaming.
Slash!
Its head separated from its body before it could touch Rico.
Two goblins attacked from behind at the same moment.
Disappear!
Rico appeared directly behind them.
Slash! Slash!
Two heads rolled across the floor of the tunnel.
The remaining goblins stepped back in fear, but Rico dashed among them without stopping.
Fast strikes, short movements, and the daggers cut through everything with ease.
Crash!
The last goblin fell to the ground without moving.
A blue window appeared in front of Rico.
[You will be healed automatically]
Rico felt a refreshing energy spreading through his body.
Ryu stood a short distance away, watching the scene with wide eyes.
"You're really amazing, Rico!"
"Let's continue."
Rico and Ryu continued walking side by side inside the tunnel.
The silence returned, but Rico suddenly slowed his steps.
A heavy feeling pressed against his chest.
Rico turned back, his eyes glowing with a faint red color.
The aura around him changed for a moment.
"Rico, why did you stop?"
"Nothing."
Rico continued walking.
'Someone is watching us… am I mistaken?'
The end of the tunnel appeared ahead, a wide dark cave stretching forward.
Suddenly, Rico dashed forward with incredible speed.
Dash!
Ryu froze in place for a second.
"Wait!"
Ryu ran after him at full speed.
'Why is he so fast?'
Rico reached the entrance of the cave and stopped.
Ryu arrived behind him, breathing heavily.
In front of them was a massive black snake, its body coiled, its eyes closed.
"Why did you run so fast, Rico?"
Rico raised his hand and pointed forward.
Ryu looked… and froze.
"What is that?!"
"That thing is strong… how are we going to defeat it?"
'How will I show my full power in front of Ryu?'
'If I do… he'll tell everyone.'
A heavy sound came from behind them.
Crash!
The entrance of the tunnel closed completely.
Ryu turned around in panic.
"Rico, what do we do? Someone sealed the cave!"
At that exact moment, the snake opened its eyes.
Two red eyes glowed in the darkness.
[Death Serpent – Rank C]
Rico smiled slightly.
The red aura ignited around his eyes.
'It seems this fight will be interesting.'
"Ryu, do you think you can defeat this thing alone?"
"No, of course not."
"Then promise me one thing."
Suddenly, a deadly red aura exploded from Rico's body and covered him completely.
Pressure!
Ryu stepped back.
'What?!'
'His aura… it suddenly approached B-rank!'
'How?!'
"Don't tell anyone what will happen now."
"O-Okay… I promise."
The snake opened its mouth.
Dash!
A stream of venom shot toward Rico.
Rico vanished from his place.
Disappear!
He appeared behind the snake, his eyes glowing red.
Dash!
The daggers struck the snake's scales.
Metallic clash!
The attack did not pierce the scales.
The snake twisted rapidly and attacked.
Rico stepped back quickly.
A red window appeared before him.
[The player is in danger]
Another window followed.
[Opponent Status]
Opponent Name: Death Serpent
Rank: C
Specialization: Death Venom
Threat Level: Medium
'Opponent status?'
The snake fired venom again.
Rico dodged quickly.
Dash!
A series of attacks with the daggers struck the snake's body.
Clang! Clang!
Useless.
'This is impossible!'
The snake's tail slammed forward.
Crash!
Rico's body smashed against the cave wall.
"Rico!"
Rico slowly stood up, his clothes torn, blood flowing from his mouth.
'How will I defeat this thing?'
'I can't use the Soul Devour technique…'
'Because of Ryu.'
An idea flashed in his mind.
Rico suddenly moved.
Repeated dash!
His movement became faster than before.
Disappear! Appear!
Rico appeared at different points around the snake's body.
Ryu watched the scene, frozen.
'Could Rico actually be an assassin?'
Slash!
The snake's right eye was cut.
Screech!
Slash!
The left eye fell.
The snake struck the ground wildly.
Rico stored the daggers inside the system.
He stepped forward with his bare hands.
Grip!
He broke the snake's hard scales.
Crack!
Rico shouted as he shattered more.
Fracture!
The scales finally broke.
Rico summoned one dagger.
Final dash!
Stab! Stab! Stab!
The snake staggered.
Rico stepped back.
Thud!
The snake's massive body collapsed to the ground, shaking the entire cave.
Boom!
[You have defeated the Death Serpent]
[Level Up]
[Level Up]
Ryu slowly approached and placed his hand on Rico's back.
"Rico… who are you really?"
Rico brushed his hand away.
"Remember your promise."
Rico walked toward the snake's corpse.
A window appeared.
[You can now devour the target's soul and technique]
Rico extended his hand.
A massive red aura covered the snake's body.
Pressure!
A system window appeared.
[The target's soul and technique have been devoured]
[Acquired Technique: Death Venom]
[Information: You can infuse venom into any weapon, and you have gained immunity to poisons]
Ryu stepped back.
'What?!'
'What is that massive red aura?'
Suddenly, a mechanical sound came from behind.
Click!
The sealed tunnel opened.
John stood there with the other hunters, wearing a sinister smile.
"Rico… are you ready for the massacre that's about to happen?"
"So you were the ones who sealed the tunnel on us?"
"Yes."
"What will you do with your weakness, Rico?"
Rico stood in the middle of the cave, John in front of him with the two hunters, while Ryu stood behind Rico nervously.
"Why did you do this?"
John smiled wickedly.
"As you know, Rico… you insulted someone very important."
"I insulted someone important?"
"What are you saying, John?"
"Did you forget Mr. Sato?"
"Yes, I remember that trash."
"That trash wanted to kill a young girl."
John's face changed and anger appeared clearly.
"Do you know what you're saying, Rico?"
"With those words, you are insulting Mr. Sato."
"You will pay a heavy price."
Rico smiled calmly.
"But unfortunately… the three of you are not enough to defeat me."
"You seem arrogant, Rico."
"We are C-rank."
John laughed loudly.
"Are you scared? You will fight three C-ranks."
"We are high-level, as you can see. We trained well."
"And you are just a newly awakened beginner."
Rico calmly pulled the daggers out of storage.
He raised one dagger and pointed it at John.
"Come on. All three of you attack me."
John's face filled with anger.
"Arrogant fool!"
Dash!
John and the two hunters rushed forward.
Rico avoided the attack easily with a sidestep.
"You seem strong."
Another dash!
Rico dodged again smoothly.
Rico rushed toward them.
Their swords moved with fast and continuous attacks.
Clash!
Rico blocked the strikes with all his speed.
'I'm using all my speed.'
'Fighting humans is different from fighting monsters.'
'Humans are smarter… but.'
'I still remember his words… there are monsters smarter than humans.'
Continuous strikes.
Suddenly, a sword blade pierced Rico's stomach.
Slash!
Rico groaned and stepped back.
The two hunters rushed toward him immediately.
John watched with a smile.
Rico blocked the two attackers quickly.
But suddenly—
John appeared behind Rico.
Crash!
A powerful strike hit Rico's back.
Rico flew and slammed into the cave wall.
Bang!
"Rico!"
Ryu ran toward him.
"Don't even think about helping him."
Rico fell to the ground among the debris.
Dust surrounded him.
'I was a rejected child.'
'I never knew sadness or fear.'
'Everyone was afraid of me.'
'My father and mother were the only ones who treated me kindly.'
'When my father died… I didn't feel sad.'
'Not out of hatred… but because I don't feel sadness.'
'My body was weak.'
'In elementary school… middle school… high school.'
'Everyone bullied me.'
'I remember my father's words.'
'He said there is a rule in this world.'
'A rule that appeared with the gates.'
'The strong devour the weak.'
'That's why…'
'I will kill these insects.'
'But…'
'This is the first time I will kill humans.'
Rico slowly stood up from the rubble.
His head lowered.
A faint red aura surrounded his body.
'I will kill them.'
"It seems you won't surrender, Rico."
"You're tougher than I expected."
"Could it be that you're higher than C-rank?"
"A normal person wouldn't survive that attack."
Rico walked forward slowly.
His head was still lowered.
The red aura grew denser.
"John, I want to ask you something."
"What?"
"Have you ever killed humans in your life?"
"Yes."
"Many humans."
"I killed many innocent people."
"Then… that is my answer."
Rico stopped.
He raised his head.
His eyes glowed red.
"Are you ready for your death… you and those two?"
John laughed nervously.
"Can you really do that?"
"You are weak, as you can see."
"Watch this carefully."
Boom!
A deadly red aura exploded from Rico's body.
The pressure filled the cave.
John felt fear.
'My suspicion was right.'
'Rico is not an ordinary person.'
"Attack him quickly!"
The two hunters rushed forward.
In a single moment—
Slash!
Slash!
Their bodies split into two halves and fell to the ground.
John stepped back trembling.
"Impossible… this is impossible."
He fell to his knees.
"Don't come closer!"
"My brother is S-rank!"
"If you touch me he will kill you!"
"No one outside will know!"
"Stop!"
Slash!
John's body split and fell motionless.
Ryu vomited from the horror of the scene.
Silence filled the cave.
"Let's hurry."
"The gate will close."
—
Reina stood in the unfinished construction area, dust surrounding the place, the gate stable in front of her and emitting a faint light.
Time passed, and no one came out.
Suddenly—
Rico and Ryu stepped out of the gate.
The light disappeared instantly.
The gate closed completely.
"What?!"
Reina ran toward them quickly, her steps uneven.
"Where are John and the other two?"
Rico looked at her carefully, his expression calmer than it should have been.
"I'll explain."
"Explain now."
Rico took a slow breath and stood straight.
"John and his group… sacrificed themselves for us, Ryu and me."
Reina's eyes widened, her body stiffened.
"How?!"
"John saw that we were weak."
"He told us to run and leave it to him."
Reina stared directly at Rico's face without blinking.
'John is not that kind of person.'
'Something is strange.'
"Anyway… we are truly sad about their deaths."
"He sacrificed himself for us."
Reina turned her gaze to Ryu.
Ryu stood nervously, looked away for a moment, then lowered his eyes to the ground.
The silence stretched.
"Anyway… we will conduct an investigation."
Reina adjusted her posture, her tone changing.
"For now, the two of you passed the test."
"Congratulations."
"You are now members of the Black Scorpion Guild."
She extended her hands.
"Welcome to the guild."
—
Park sat in the hospital, staring at the ground, his hand gripping the phone.
His gaze was tense, his breathing uneven.
The phone rang.
Park picked it up quickly.
A smile appeared on his face.
'Finally.'
The voice on the other end was calm.
"The three people we sent to kill Rico… have been killed."
The phone slipped from Park's hand.
It hit the floor.
Park froze in place.
'How?'
'That's Rico.'
'How did he kill them?'
'Three C-ranks.'
—
Rico walked out of the Black Scorpion Guild building.
The street was crowded, people passing around him, but he looked at no one.
His hands were in his pockets.
His steps were steady.
'Today was really exhausting.'
'Sato… I will kill him eventually.'
'I need to raise my level.'
'If my power hadn't increased… I would have died.'
'John was strong.'
'He was the strongest among the three.'
John's image flashed in his mind.
'He said he has an S-rank brother.'
'He said he would look for me.'
Rico looked at his hands while walking.
'I must become stronger as quickly as possible.'
'That person… will come soon.'
—
Two hours later.
Rico arrived at his house.
He opened the door quietly.
The house was silent.
He walked toward the kitchen.
No one was there.
He walked toward his mother's room.
He opened the door slowly.
His mother was sleeping on the bed.
Rico smiled faintly.
He quietly closed the door.
He walked to the bathroom.
Water flowed over his body.
'I still remember what that monster said.'
'Are there monsters smarter than humans?'
'Are there creatures more intelligent than humans?'
He finished showering.
He went to his room.
He threw himself onto the bed.
The ceiling above him.
His eyes half closed.
'I want to discover the secret of the system.'
'Is there anyone else like me?'
'Someone who steals techniques after death?'
'Am I… really human?'
His eyes slowly closed.
Silence filled the room.
End of Chapter (12)