Hotel Royal Orbit, Room Number 576
The air crackled with tension as Alex and the assassin stared at each other, their gazes locked. Sweat trickled down Alex's brow, his heart pounding in his chest.
Alex thought, "What the heck is this situation? I don't even have any attack abilities, and my body is only F rank. Judging by the looks of this assassin, he's most likely C Rank."
While the assassin remained a stoic figure, his eyes cold and calculating, he thought, "Is this some kind of joke? This guy is weak as hell. Why would someone put him on my organization's killing list? Well, let's kill him as fast as possible."
On the other side, Alex was dying from fear. Well, think about it for a second. He was a normal 21-year-old guy who didn't even have the heart to kill a chicken. Now, facing this situation, his whole body was paralyzed by fear. But Alex was trying everything to survive, so he thought of every possible way to escape.
After thinking for a moment, he said to Alice, "Alice, give me an electric shock using my body's cell electricity so I can escape from fear."
[ Yes, Master, but this is going to be painful, Master] Alice responded.
"Just do as I said."
Alice gave him an electric shock using his body's cells, bringing Alex back to the present situation. Alex made up his mind that he would die if he didn't find a way to survive. So, he had to do anything he could to stay alive.
He scanned his surroundings and found many pieces of furniture that could be used in a fight. He would use everything at his disposal to ensure his survival.
He said to Alice, "Alice, can you help me calculate his moves?"
[ Yes, Master, I can calculate them, but you may not be able to dodge them because he's too powerful ] Alice replied.
He said, "Alice, please do as I say, don't ask questions."
[ Yes, Master ] Alice acknowledged.
Then suddenly, he heard Alice's voice, a lifeline amidst the chaos.
[Dodge left! ] she warned.
Her digital presence provided him with crucial predictions of the assassin's movements. With a surge of adrenaline, Alex swiftly sidestepped, narrowly avoiding a lethal strike that would have ended the fight before it truly began. Alex used everything in the room to fight.
The room became a battlefield, with every piece of furniture a potential weapon. Alex, fueled by a mix of desperation and ingenuity, seized a nearby chair and swung it with reckless abandon.
The clash of metal against wood reverberated through the room as the assassin deftly evaded the makeshift assault, his movements fluid and precise.
In the midst of the intense fight, the assassin's mind was a calculated whirlwind, his thoughts hidden behind a mask of stoicism. He analyzed Alex's movements, anticipating his every action with a precision honed through years of training and experience. As he skillfully dodged and parried Alex's desperate strikes, a small flicker of satisfaction danced in his eyes, relishing the thrill of the hunt.
But as the fight escalated and Alex's unconventional tactics came into play, a faint trace of uncertainty crept into the assassin's mind. He couldn't help but marvel at the resourcefulness displayed by his adversary, a novice thrown into the chaos of combat. His initial confidence wavered, though he refused to show any outward signs of doubt. He thought, "Who is this really?"
Time seemed to slow as their duel intensified. Alex's mind raced, consumed by thoughts of survival. Each swing and parry became a delicate dance between life and death. The sting of his injuries served as a constant reminder of the fight's reality, while every strike from the assassin emphasized the imminent threat.
Yet, Alex refused to succumb to despair. Fueled by determination, he unleashed a relentless barrage of attacks, driven by a bold idea that had taken shape in his mind. Amidst the chaos, his focus shifted to a single plan that held the potential to turn the tides in his favor.
Drawing upon his last reserves of mana, Alex channeled his energy, causing his hands to radiate with an ethereal light. Seizing the moment, he reached out, his fingertips barely grazing the assassin's arm. In a flash of cosmic energy, the assassin vanished, transported to the unforgiving depths of the cosmic space.
The assassin found himself abruptly ripped from the confines of the room, his surroundings morphing into a bewildering expanse of cosmic space. The shock on his face was unmistakable, a mixture of disbelief and horror etched across his features. In that final moment of his life, the assassin's eyes widened, his mouth agape, as the unforgiving abyss claimed him.
It was a fleeting expression, gone in an instant, lost to the void. But within that brief moment, the assassin's stoic facade shattered, exposing the vulnerability that lay beneath his cold exterior. The shock and realization of his impending doom were unmistakable, etched into his countenance, serving as a stark reminder of the unforeseen consequences that awaited those who underestimated their opponents.
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Yes, you've got it right. Alex doesn't have any attack-type abilities, but he thought what would happen if he sent someone to his cosmic space, which is devoid of anything. If you're thinking the same thing, then congratulations, you've grasped the point. In empty space, there is nothing, including oxygen, for a human to survive. However, Alex can survive in the cosmic space due to his cosmic energy, making it impossible for any other being to survive there.
A moment of disbelief washed over Alex as he realized the audacity of his move had paid off. The room fell silent, save for his labored breaths and the faint hum of Alice's presence. The fight was over. He had emerged victorious, though not unscathed. The wounds he had sustained, both physical and emotional, were a testament to the gravity of the battle.
As the adrenaline subsided, Alex's mind swirled with a mix of triumph and exhaustion. His thoughts turned to the unknown motives of the assassin, his questions unanswered.
But he guessed that it was the young master he had met in the cafeteria, though he couldn't think of a reason to hire an assassin. He calmed himself and scanned his room, finding a first aid box to patch up his wounds. He felt a sense of relief wash over him, knowing that he had survived.
After everything happened in this room, Alex's heart began to grow cold, and his once bright blue eyes took on a slightly darker shade. Alex had made up his mind: he would survive in this world, no matter what it took, and he would break free from this reality that felt like something out of a novel.
Snapping back to the present, Alex asked Alice to check what he had obtained from the loot. Just because the assassin couldn't survive in this space didn't mean his belongings couldn't. The items could be stored here, as Alex planned to divide the space into multiple parts and make use of them. Lost in thought, he suddenly heard Alice's voice.
[Master, we have obtained his suit, his smartwatch, some money, and equipment.]
[Here is the list, master:
1. 1.1 million FC coins used in this world.
2. 2 daggers.
3. Assassin suit.
4. Smartwatch.]
He said, "Alice, check this watch and try to crack its code. There must be safety features in place, and do everything within the cosmic space."
He knew that if the organization had not been exposed yet, there must be something that made the members trust and rely on the watch. While he thought, he heard Alice's voice.
[Master, I will need some time. If I try to force the watch, it will explode. I'm using the assassin's dead body to perform the trick. I need one hour.]
He replied, "Okay, let me know when you're finished."
Then he called the hotel management team, and they came. He lied to them, making up a story, and successfully arranged for a new room. After falling asleep, he was abruptly awakened by Alice.
[Master, here are the detailed information I collected from the watch.]
[The organization is known as "The Shadow Syndicate," a secretive and highly skilled group of assassins operating in the underworld. Formed centuries ago, they have become renowned for their efficiency and discretion in carrying out their missions. The Syndicate operates under a strict code of conduct and maintains a network of influential clients who seek their services.
The Syndicate's operations are overseen by a council of enigmatic leaders known as "The Shadows." They meticulously vet and select individuals with exceptional combat skills, stealth, and unwavering loyalty to join their ranks. Each assassin is given a code name and assigned a handler who provides them with mission details and support.
The organization maintains a "Killing List," a compilation of high-profile targets marked for elimination. These targets range from corrupt politicians and powerful crime bosses to influential figures who have become threats to the Syndicate's interests. Clients can request to have individuals added to the list by paying a substantial fee, with the assurance that the Syndicate will take the necessary steps to fulfill the contract.
Assassins within the organization are motivated by a system of contribution points. For each successful mission, they earn points that can be exchanged for various benefits within the organization. These benefits include access to advanced weaponry, specialized training, information resources, and even the option to request personal favors from the Syndicate's extensive network.
However, the organization operates in the shadows, with strict rules and regulations to ensure secrecy and loyalty among its members. Any breach of trust or betrayal is met with swift and severe consequences. The reputation of the Shadow Syndicate serves as a deterrent to potential enemies, as their reach extends far beyond the mortal realm.]
I think they have become more dangerous after mana comes to this world, though. While I was thinking about this, Alice gave me some good news.
[Master, I recently discovered that the World Orb can also extract skills from a human if they die. In such cases, the loot is given to the killer. However, in your situation, the World Orb doesn't have a proper connection to you. When you killed the assassin in the cosmic space, you received no loot. But here's the good news.]
[Master, I am now able to do the same because I am combined with the World Orb interface. When you kill any creature or anything outside of the cosmic space, you will receive skills, loot, and other essences directly absorbed into the plant core. Since you have full control over the cosmic space, which is a part of yourself, you can obtain everything.]
[Here are the skills I acquired from the assassin, and the remaining energy will transfer to your body. This is similar to experience points in a game, so you don't have to absorb any monster cores to level up your rank.]
[Skill Name: Shadowbane Annihilation
Skill Description:
Shadowbane Annihilation is a deadly skill possessed by the Shadow Assassin, empowering them with enhanced attack capabilities and the ability to instill fear in their enemies. This skill consists of three sub-abilities:
1. Shadow Clock: This sub-ability allows the assassin to manipulate shadows and blend seamlessly into darkness, enhancing their stealth and ensuring their movements remain undetected.
2. Shadow Spike: The assassin channels a surge of dark energy into a concentrated spike of shadow, launching it towards their target with great force. The shadow spike pierces through defenses, inflicting significant damage upon impact.
3. Monarch's Embrace: By tapping into their dark aura, the assassin casts an aura of terror and dominance, causing their opponents to tremble in fear and become paralyzed with terror.]
That's good. Having this skill will help me in the future. Then suddenly, my whole body feels warm, and it's as if I'm getting stronger every second. I think Alice transferred the remaining essence to my body.
After 10 minutes passed, my body healed, and I felt I became much stronger than before. Then I thought, "Check my new status window," in my mind.
"Status window"
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