He changed out of his vest and t-shirt last night but still wore the same beaten jacket and jeans. The charisma stat didn’t seem to change his appearance much. However, there was one major difference.
Examining himself in the mirror, Peter gaped with disbelief. The mirror reflected a well-toned body, with explosive yet lean muscles. He was pushing forty, but his abs were pushing six. He ran his hands over the white T-shirt for one final confirmation.
Looking good. I haven’t been this fit since my days in the forces.
After the self-examination, Peter decided to read the remaining SYSTEM notifications.
Peter Sol Karr [Human]
Level: 16
Title: Slayer
HP: 1550/1550 | Mana: 1150/1150 | Stamina: 1750/1750
Primary Stats:
STR: 30 + 18 AGI: 25 + 14
CON: 25 + 2 INT: 15
VIT: 28 WIS: 15
Auxiliary Stats:
LUK: 22 CHA: 0+7
Free pts: 32
Skills:
Mind’s Eye (Unique) LV 2, Ghost Walk (Rare) LV 4, Body Enchant (Rare) LV 2, Mystical Mark (Ex. Unique) LV 1
“Ding!”
[Slayer – Rare Title]
[Passive: N/A]
[Active: Congeal killing intent. 20% chance to intimidate equal or higher leveled monsters and 70% chance to intimidate lower leveled monster.]
Confused by the title, Peter decided to activate the [Slayer] title. Immediately, Peter felt the room drop several degrees, and a shiver ran down his spine. Before it could leak outside, Peter quickly reeled the monstrous aura back in.
“Ah. That was pretty scary. Maybe I should apologize.”
Scratching his stubble beard, Peter walked towards the door. The trio immediately gathered upon hearing the hinges on the door creak open.
“Now that I have your attention, first, I want to apologize…” As Peter got to the last syllable, their faces rared with anticipation. On the other hand, his palms began to get very sweaty.
“I… I’m sorry.” Peter's face contorted into something between a smiling yet frowning expression.
Feeling the goofy stares from the trio, a tingly discomforting feeling washed over his body, so he decided to change the conversation before it got more emotional. “Moving on, there are things much scarier than me outside, and unlike me, they won’t apologize when they attack or scare you.”
Rem nodded his head in approval while James had a smug smile plastered on his face.
Noticing the two different reactions, Peter shouted, “Hey! What the hell are you so happy about James!”
“Well, you apologized, of course, I’m happy. And I do forgive you!”
“Asswipe.”
~Giggles~
“Anne! Rem!” James complained.
Before he realized it, Peter curled his lips into a fat grin.
I might be running late Amy, but I’m coming.
“Alright, settle down. As you all mentioned earlier, it’s pretty clear that the government isn’t coming to rescue you. This means that it’s every man for themselves now. Kids, before this began, people were already assholes, so you all need to understand that the monsters aren’t our only enemy; people can also be just as dangerous.”
The trio turned solemn. No one had much sleep until dawn because a cacophony of screaming and shrieking would wake them periodically through the night. Based on the chaos they heard, monsters evidently weren’t the only predators.
As he got to the last word, Peter felt a stinging pain in his fist. His nails had dug into his skin as he thought back to the day that he ended his military career.
This is a new world, and now I have a chance to run things my way. I will never let anyone walk over me again.
Shoving the memory back to the back of his head, he fiercely looked at the trio. He wanted to let these innocent kids know that humans were just as threatening as monsters. He was going to train them into bona fide professional mercenaries. Albeit bordering on the morally grey area, there were no international laws to stop him now.
Upon feeling a threatening presence staring at them, the trio locked eyes with Peter.
“First lesson. Try and resist my killing intent.” Peter glared at Rem and watched as Rem’s face began to sweat. Then he shifted his gaze to Anne. Surprisingly, she met his gaze head-on and even smiled. He nodded with an approving glimmer in his eye. Finally, he locked eyes with James.
James stumbled backward and breathed heavily on the floor. Removing his gaze from the pathetic sight, he increased his killing intent on Rem. Peter could see Rem’s face flush red, barely managing not to cry.
“You pass. Barely. But, at least you did better than your pops.” Rem exhaled loudly and wiped away the sweat on his forehead. Last but not least, Anne. Peter continuously increased his killing intent until Anne finally couldn’t resist any longer.
Huff! Puff!
Although she was gasping for air, she showed no sign of discontent.
“Not bad Anne, I’m surprised you resisted my killing intent for so long.” Before Peter could finish complimenting Anne, she mustered up her courage and asked, “Thank you! I was wondering… um, can you show me your status window?” Shocked by her sudden question, he almost choked. “What do you want to see?”
“Show Status Window”
Peter Sol Karr [Human]
Level: 16
Title: Slayer
HP: 1600/1600 | Mana: 1150/1150 | Stamina: 1800/1800
Primary Stats:
STR: 30 + 18 AGI: 25 + 9
CON: 30 + 2 INT: 15
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
VIT: 28 WIS: 15
Auxiliary Stats:
LUK: 22 CHA: 0+7
Free pts: 32
Skills:
Mind’s Eye (Unique) LV 2, Ghost Walk (Rare) LV 4, Body Enchant (Rare) LV 2, Mystical Mark (Ex. Unique) LV 1
"Wow,” she gasped. Fascinated by Peter’s status screen, she began to fidget with excitement. Peter didn’t know what was going through her mind, but he felt that her passionate reaction was suitable for the plans he had in mind for the trio.
“Woah! Sir—”
“It’s Peter, not sir, you dimwit.”
“Sir Peter, how did you get so strong? I thought the average person’s stat was between 10 to 15!” Rem waved his hands and shot a pleading look at Peter for an explanation. Even James expectantly glanced at Peter.
Peter facepalmed as he heard the title again, but replied, “Well, my two swords give me plenty of agility as is. Anne, does your sword also give you stats?”
Anna nodded in confirmation. Peter hesitated but decided to also tell them about his [Ring of STR] and the [Mystical Core]. James and Rem stared at Peter with unbounded greed in their eyes. However, they quickly swallowed their saliva after seeing Peter’s provocative grin.
“You can get these items from killing monsters. Skill books as well. But, first and foremost, you all have to learn how to defend yourself. We’ll be doing basic training for one week. If you still can’t learn to fight properly, then you can only blame yourself if you die in the field.”
Peter signaled the group to pack their bags and reconvene afterward. Peter stopped James before he left with the duo. “James, you’re going to be ready to get your hands dirty. Like it or not.” Peter shot a grim look at James, but for the first time, James didn’t flinch or get nervous. Instead, he nodded his head slowly, and wordlessly walked away.
Peter and the trio reconvened by the door.
“How much food and water do we have left?” Peter asked James
“3 canned vegetables, 6 canned beans, 5 protein bars, 7 bottles of water, 5 various miscellaneous food kits, and a bottle of Jack Daniels,” James quickly replied.
Peter smiled when he heard the last item before he nodded in satisfaction, “Good, that’s about two days of provision if we ration carefully.”
Following that, he gave a brief speech. “Ok, basic training starts now. The first rule is to fight to kill, do not show mercy. The second rule is always to follow my orders. If I tell you to charge, you charge, if I tell you to fall back, you fall back without question. The third rule is to always cover for each other. If Anne is in front, Rem, you should always be behind her. Don’t let her back go unprotected, and vice versa.”
Following the brief rules, Peter taught the group simple hand movements for attack, retreat, cover, two-person formation, and etc. The group committed his instructions and hand signs to their hearts.
Sensing goblins in the hallway, Peter sheathed one of his swords while holding the other with two hands. “On three. One, two, three!” He kicked open the door and sliced the first two goblins in half. The last goblin rushed towards James.
The trio watched James haphazardly swinging an iron pipe. “James, open your damn eyes!” Peter almost fainted watching James mindlessly swinging his weapon with both eyes closed.
“Even after my pep talk…” Peter grumbled.
After 30 seconds, James ran out of stamina, and the goblin lunged towards James.
Puchi!
Peter’s dagger slid through the goblin’s head like hot butter and imbedded into the hallway. “You dumb cunt! You could’ve lost your life right there James!”
“Dad! Are you okay?”
Before Rem reached his father, Peter ran over to James and punched him in the gut. Despite putting on a tough front, Peter only hit him with a tenth of his strength. James keeled over and dropped to his knees.
Peter didn’t hold back his killing intent and held his sword above James’ head. “James, how can you expect your son entrust his back to you? I may as well end you now before you accidentally kill one of us out there.”
James started incoherently mumbling on the floor.
“Speak up.”
“Pe…Peter, I know that I promised to not be a burden to you but I… every time… every time I see blood, I feel queasy and sick. I thought I could stay strong for Rem. But I’m just not ready and I don’t know if I’ll ever be. Please...Please is there anything else I can do?” James pleaded with teary eyes.
“Daad!” Under Peter’s suffocating killing intent, Rem surprisingly didn’t back off. Forcing himself to resist the fear, Rem shakily pushed back. Even Anne was nervously trembling by Rem’s side. Yet, in this situation, Rem managed to push Peter away and stand against Peter’s fully congealed killing intent.
However, watching Rem struggling to stand up and defend his father elicited Peter's respect. Reeling in his congealed killing intent, he walked back to James and whispered into his ear. James nodded twice, and Peter brought James back to his feet.
“Wha… What was that?” Anne asked.
“We’ve come to a new agreement.”
“What agreement, sir?”
“Rem, your father won’t be much use out there with his attitude. Therefore, your father will take a supporting role and will get a reduced portion of equipment and skills until he chooses to participate in direct combat. Remember the deal we made last night, I’m not here to nanny anyone.”
Rem looked at his father’s weak figure on the floor and resolved to do double the work to make up for his father’s shortcomings. Peter walked over to Anne while watching the father and son duo from the corner of his eye and asked, “Do you think what I did was wrong?”
Watching the father and son duo, Anne pursed her lips together and softly replied, “No. I understand why you did it. But, you should restrain your killing intent. I don’t like that feeling.”
He was putting up a tough front and didn’t plan on killing James in the first place, so he ignored her last comment. Still, he understood that she tacitly agreed with his punishment.
With a Cheshire grin, Peter asked, “Anne, although the father is a bit useless, the son shows promise. What’s your opinion of Rem?”
Anne flushed red and quickly replied, “Were friends. Just friends. Nothing more.” Feeling embarrassed, Anne quickly scuttled away.
After James and Rem hugged it out, they regrouped. The line up was different now. Rem and Anne would be in front, James in the middle, and Peter in the back.
The four made their way down to the main lobby.
“Shriek! Shriek!”
[Blue Goblin LV 8] [Blue Goblin LV 7]
They are a higher level than last night?
Two goblins pointed at the group of four and alerted the rest of the patrolling goblins. “James, stay behind me,” Peter said
Anne and Rem charged towards the two goblins that exposed their position and instantly beheaded one each. However, something seemed to have happened afterward, and their reactions dulled for a moment. Taking advantage of the opportunity, one goblin after another quickly circled the two fighters. There was a total of fourteen goblins.
“FOCUS! Don’t hesitate to kill!” Peter hollered. The duo simultaneously adjusted their gaze back to the goblins. They looked at each other with an ecstatic glint in their eyes.
“Anne, I’ll take the seven in front, and you cover me ok?” said Rem
“Ok.”
Rem stood like a stone wall and waited for the seven goblins in front of him to attack. On the other hand, Anne dashed to the goblin on the sideline and mercilessly stabbed it through the heart. Seeing Rem, alone in the middle of the group, the remaining 6 goblins immediately converged on Rem.
“Rem!” Anne cried. Realizing her mistake, her feet glowed with a green hue and her speed doubled compared to her earlier dash. She instantly stabbed three goblins in the back as she sprinted back to support Rem.
Cold sweat trickled down his back. Rem had never encountered such danger in his prior group with Olivia. He was always in the back because of his injury.
With a loud shout, Rem tightened his grip on the pipe in his left hand and ferociously struck down a goblin.
Unlike his father, Rem attacked with surprising accuracy and lethality. Seeing two more goblins fast behind his first kill, he braced for impact. He connected an overhead swing with the goblin on the left and kicked away the other.
KRACK!
The goblin on the left flew three meters and fell to the ground motionless. Unfortunately, the goblin that received a kick got up quickly. Encircled by the remaining 8 goblins, Rem locked eyes with Anne.
Peter barked out orders again, “Rem, take out the two to the right! Anne, cover!”
With the [Brave Soul] title, Rem had a distinct STR advantage over the goblins. With four strides, he knocked over two goblins like bowling pins. However, the small creatures managed to nick his thigh and waist with its daggers.
Rem yelp in pain and began breathing erratically.
“Duck!” Anne shouted.
Without hesitation, Rem squatted down as Anne leaped over Rem and decapitated a goblin in midair.
Six goblins down. The remaining eight goblins looked warily at the two fighters. They then looked over at Peter screaming orders and frail-looking James. Believing the two to be weaker prey, their eyes lit up like Christmas trees as they ran towards the two standing nearby.
“Ignorant trash.” Peter scoffed at the slow-moving goblins, and in the next few breaths, eight heads went flying. De-activating [Body Enchant], the glowing blue aura disappeared as well as his killing intent.
James looked at his son, then at Peter in awe. He watched the fight end in a matter of seconds. However, seeing the green blood sprayed all over the floor made him queasy. Taking a deep breath, he caught up to the duo waiting by the entrance.
“What took you so long James? Did you drop something on the way out?”
James shyly replied, “I only have 3 AGI.”
“3?!” the trio exclaimed
“Show Status Window”
James Gold
Level: 0
Title: Erudite
Primary Stats:
STR: 2 AGI: 3
CON: 5 INT: 25
VIT: 5 WIS: 30
Auxiliary Stats:
LUK: 30 CHA: 0
Free pts: 0
The trio was shocked by James’ unbalanced status window. Anne looked disbelievingly at James’ INT and WIS. Rem’s mouth could fit a donut, but in the next moment, his eyes flickered with pride. Peter sized up James’ lanky, but tall frame before scratching his head, “How the hell is your wisdom 30 points, yet you’re still a moron?”
“I have 2 PH.Ds Peter,” James retorted
“I have 2 PH.Ds, I’m soo smart.”
James shot a hateful glare at Peter, while Rem and Anne stifled their laughter. “Peter, can you stop mocking me…”
“No. Now tell me why such a smart man like you can’t understand that this world is more dangerous than ever?” James shakily looked Peter in the eyes at murmured, “I am aware of that face, but killing isn’t a means to end. And certainly, something I don’t wish to participate in.”