Breathing heavily, Tristan looked around at his classmates, a glint of coldness in his eyes.
As Zain approached Jeremy's corpse, the sharp, metallic scent of ozone lingered near it, shadowing other smells. The smell mixed unpleasantly with the burnt odor of singed clothing and charred flesh, creating a pungent atmosphere that clawed at Zain’s nostrils, making him grimace as he drew closer.
Zain looked at his watch. Seven fifty-five.
Tristan's eyes flickered at him, but he was ignored when another pressing business appeared.
"You can't just kill—" a girl shouted to Tristan, but Zain ignored the argument. It was a minor dispute in the grand scheme of things. Already, a significant portion of Earth's population should be dead across the world. One more was a drop in the ocean.
As Zain's fingers brushed against the spectral essence hovering above Jeremy's corpse, a jolt of strange, tingling energy surged up his arm. Remnant lightning… It was the energy left by Tristan's lightning and dissipated after going through him. Without wasting time, he activated his skill.
Devour.
The raw energy demanded not only to be shaped but also seemed to resist every attempt to control it. This was a more complex and demanding task than he had initially anticipated.
As the ethereal figure above the corpse began to stabilize, a draining sensation overwhelmed Zain. This time, the mana pattern that erupted within him was not merely chaotic—it was aggressively invasive, twisting through his system like barbed wire. Each pulse cut sharply, akin to countless tiny blades slicing through his internal energy channels, rearranging and forcing them into a new, unfamiliar design.
His brow furrowed in deep concentration, the strain visible as he tried to impose some semblance of order on the chaotic mana. He felt his blood burning, the sheer intensity of the power coursing through him making him dizzy.
This new mana pattern was complex and seemed almost aware, as if it had its own will, aggressively reconfiguring his internal landscape. It felt like a wild river was breaking its banks, the currents searching aggressively for new ground to saturate. The pain was acute, a searing sensation that felt like both cutting and burning from within. Zain grimaced, his face contorted in pain as he fought to maintain control over the force that now threatened to overwhelm him.
As the ethereal figure above the corpse began to stabilize, a draining sensation overwhelmed Zain. This time, it felt as if the skill was not just channeling the mana and vitality but actively leeching both his life force. His muscles tensed, his jaw clenched as he struggled to maintain the connection, his eyes fiercely locked on the diminishing spectral form.
His left hand finger dug deep into his palm.
Gradually, the figure condensed into a smaller, more intense shape— a ghastly, glowing sphere that pulsated with captured life.
However, instead of dissolving into a stream of light that seamlessly integrated into his being, the sphere sparked a battle within him. The ghastly light resisted, as if fighting against being absorbed, sending sharp, discordant bursts of pain through his body.
[ Soul Increased by 0.461 ]
For a fleeting moment, his surroundings—the classroom, the smell of burnt flesh and ozone—vanished, replaced by an eerie void.
In this abyss, a faint silhouette emerged, ghostly and indistinct. It was Jeremy, his figure animated with a wild, berserker-like fury. Zain watched, his heart pounding in his chest, as the figure moved with desperate, chaotic energy. Jeremy's spectral form seemed to be engaged in a fierce battle, his movements blurred and frenzied, as if fighting an unseen enemy or struggling against an inevitable fate.
But just as quickly as the vision had formed, it began to fracture. The edges of the silhouette started to crumble, the movements slowing, then becoming disjointed. Within seconds, the abyss shattered with the figure.
The abrupt return to his senses was disorienting, leaving Zain momentarily dazed as he tried to process the vision he had just experienced. His heart still raced from the intensity of the encounter, a lingering echo of the desperation he had perceived in Jeremy's ghostly form.
This was not a mere transfer of power; it was an intense, almost violent integration process.
After what seemed like an eternity, the integration stopped.
[ HP: 21% ]
[ MP: 28% ]
Shit, Zain staggered, catching himself before he caused a greater commotion. His heart pounded ferociously, and his breaths came in ragged gasps as he grappled with the internal turmoil.
Shaking off the disorientation, Zain quickly regained his composure, his mind racing to make sense of what had just happened. Was it a manifestation of his Devour skill, offering him glimpses into the souls he encountered? Or was it something else—an echo of Jeremy’s last moments or emotions, imprinted somehow by the traumatic end he had met? Or was it the real Jeremy?
Maybe his previous hypothesis about the skill being more beneficial than harmful might have been premature. The skill indeed demanded a significant toll on both his health and mana, but the internal conflict he experienced suggested a deeper interaction with the souls he absorbed.
Maybe he should stop devouring sentient souls for the time being.
Zain glanced down at his watch, noting the time: Seven fifty-eight. Though the episode in the void had seemed prolonged, he was only mildly surprised by the minimal time dilation.
Skills involving the energy body or internal reflection typically operate at accelerated speeds; thus, the passage of time experienced internally could differ significantly from that in the physical world. Depending on the intensity, what felt like ten minutes in the energy realm might only equate to a single minute here.
As Zain reoriented himself to his surroundings, the conversation around him still centered on the grim event, with Tristan's escalating temper drawing uneasy glances. Most attendees, however, were engrossed in a heated debate directly linked to their survival. Given the circumstances, his unusual behavior—kneeling beside corpses—seemed a minor oddity.
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A girl's voice cut through the tension, quivering with anger. "He was our classmate!! Tristan, are you crazy!?"
Zain watched Tristan closely, gauging his reaction to the confrontation. Closer to eruption… His tactic of killing a chicken to frighten the monkeys had been effective. Now, his strategy was to manipulate these lesser players—mere cannon fodder—into positions where they could be more effectively used. Right now, the act of killing holds more potential loss than gain.
Tristan turned towards the source of the protest, his eyes flashing dangerously. Sparks still flickered around his fingers, a stark reminder of the power he wielded.
"I can, and I did," Tristan replied, his voice cold with the gravity of his actions. "This world has changed, and in this new order, power is the only rule that matters—and I have the power."
The students stared back at him, the fear palpable as they processed the brutal demonstration of his authority. Silence hung heavy in the room, only the sob of a girl breaking the quiet.
The fool is not a fool…
Landon stepped forward, his voice carrying a tone of melancholy resolve to address the situation. “Alright, everyone, let’s keep things moving forward. Monsters are appearing— we can't stay here,” Landon said, pausing to let his words sink in. “I know this is hard, but our survival depends on staying active. We have to move.”
A girl from the corner of the room, shaking like a leaf, voiced her fear, “But what about the monsters?”
Landon nodded, acknowledging her fear. "Yes, it's terrifying, but standing here might be even more dangerous. We need to find safety and resources. Remember the monster we encountered earlier? The one we defeated had an Essence Crystal in its head— it can increase your level if you absorb it."
A gruff voice from the back of the group called out, skeptical of the promise, "And how do we know these crystals will really make us powerful? What if it's all just a fluke?"
Landon didn’t reply. Instead, he simply turned and looked at Tristan. That silent exchange was enough for everyone to understand.
Tristan was already powerful to slay the monster. But after he absorbed the crystal, his power had increased dramatically. The visible change in Tristan was undeniable proof of the crystals' potential.
Seeing the murmurs spreading through the crowd, Landon raised his voice, "The Essence Crystals are our only hope for survival. We need to collect as many as we can and pool them together. It's the only way we stand a chance against what's coming."
Zain narrowed his eyes, hearing Landon's words.
A murmur of agreement, mixed with apprehension, rippled through the group. Another voice piped up, this time with a tone of concern, "But how do we distribute them? If we all fight for them, it'll be chaos."
Landon smirked, the cold glint in his eyes reflecting his ruthless nature. "Simple. Those who contribute the most in gathering and fighting will receive the largest share. The powerful will get more, ensuring that our strongest remain our greatest assets."
A wave of unease washed over the group. Some nodded, recognizing the harsh necessity of the plan. Others exchanged worried glances, the seeds of distrust already beginning to sprout.
Tristan sneered, electricity crackling menacingly in his hands. "Think of it as a protection fee. Or you could speak if you don't want to be protected?" The threat in his voice was unmistakable.
The students fell silent, their defiance quelled by fear.
Zain watched, his mind racing. The power is really getting into his head. He quietly retreated to the back of the room, his mind racing.
"Now," Tristan said, his voice cold and hard, "who else is against it?"
No one spoke. The students stared at the floor, avoiding his gaze, their fear palpable.
He observed the unfolding scene with a detached curiosity. Tristan's aggressive stance had clearly intimidated most of the students, but Zain could see the fear and resentment simmering beneath the surface.
He ignored them, focusing on his own plans. He needed to grow stronger, and fast. Being in a group was the last thing he wanted.
As whispers began to snake through the crowd, a singular figure stepped forward from the mass.
Stepping into the scant light, a girl with carefully curled locks and a calculated innocence approached Tristan. “Tristan, my awakened ability is Healer,” she declared, her voice coated with saccharine sweetness as she fluttered her eyelashes. “Please let me stay by your side.”
A murmur spread through the crowd, and one student stepped forward. "Tristan, my awakened ability is Healer. Please let me stay by your side." A girl batted her eyelashes at Tristan, her voice dripping with false sweetness.
A spark of interest flickered across Tristan’s usually impassive face. His eyes, cold and calculating, appraised her as one might be a valuable tool. “A healer?” he mused, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his lips.
With a swift motion, he drew her close, his hand proprietorial on her shoulder. “Excellent. You can stay,” he affirmed, his smile broadening into one of rare satisfaction.
“Does anyone here possess any notable skills?” he asked, his gaze sweeping over the crowd like a lighthouse beam probing the dark.
"I can manipulate mana!"
"My skill is enhanced agility!"
"I specialize in—"
Their declarations overlapped, creating a cacophony of desperation and hope. Tristan listened, his expression unreadable, nodding occasionally as he mentally cataloged each offering.
While the other students clamored for scraps of Tristan's attention, Zain shifted his focus back to Jeremy's corpse. Observing Tristan's burgeoning control and power, Zain understood the importance of recognizing the capabilities of a potential future adversary. There was no better way to gauge Tristan's lethal potential than by studying how his previous unfortunate victim had met his demise.
The corpse itself was a grisly sight. Jeremy’s body lay contorted in an unnatural pose, his clothes blackened and torn from the intense electrical discharge that had overwhelmed him. The skin in the chest was exposed and marred by burns, the patterns almost fractal-like, tracing where the electricity had scorched its fatal path through his body.
With a somber expression, Zain stepped closer and gently closed Jeremy’s still-open eyes, a gesture of finality.
Considering the skill used by Tristan, his use of the Lightning Arrow was not just a display of raw power; it hinted at a refined skill set that was unusual for their level of training. As Zain observed the aftermath on Jeremy's body, it became clear that Tristan had managed to channel his mana with an efficiency that spoke of more than just innate talent. The precision and magnitude of the damage indicated a practiced hand, possibly enhanced beyond the norm for their age and experience with the help of specialized training.
Even if the boy possesses just the Lightning Arrow, the level of control he's demonstrated suggests significant practice in mana manipulation. And the presence of an essence crystal could have amplified his abilities substantially.
The ability to wield such power was impressive but also dangerous in irresponsible hands. And Tristan clearly had a few fewer arrows in his quiver.
Zain's contemplation of Tristan as a potential adversary was complicated by the gaps in his knowledge about the boy's background. He still didn't know Tristan's family name, which is a significant piece of information that could provide crucial context regarding Tristan's lineage and the extent of his training.
Zain felt a subtle but definite shift in the atmosphere as Tristan's gaze fixed on him, an unmistakable shift in the room’s focus.
"Zain, is your skill capable of detecting monsters?" There was no pretense of politeness in Tristan's tone, just a blunt inquiry that expected a truthful answer.
Did the power get to his head? Or is he suspicious of me?
Zain felt the weight of all eyes upon him as he lied smoothly. "Yes, it can." He would not be surprised if it were Tristan's instinct warning about potential enemy. Crazy things had happened before.
Tristan’s eyes narrowed slightly, assessing, then his focus sharpened, pushing further. "Zain, you go ahead and check for monsters then. With your Tracking Skill, it should be easy, right?"