The room was electrifying, almost suffocating, as the Representative, a daunting figure, stood unwavering. There's no openings. I already relayed instructions to the station, urging them to get Oren here. I could die at any moment in this high-stakes encounter.
Facing the Representative felt like squaring off against a force of nature. I understood the vast chasm between our skills; defeating him wasn't within my capabilities. However, there was no other choice—I would hold him at bay until reinforcements arrived, no matter the cost. In a moment of quick thinking, I utilized the nearby couch as leverage, planting my left foot on its edge to launch myself upwards with precision. The movement was almost balletic. As I ascended, a whirlwind of motion followed—a graceful spin, my left leg extending forward with the intention to strike him in the left cheek.
But he was no novice in this dance of combat. Reacting with an almost instinctive agility, the Representative lifted his right arm with seamless ease, intercepting my strike effortlessly with his forearm. I planned for you to do that. Using the redirected force to my advantage, I choreographed a swift kick through the air, manipulating it to create a subtle vortex. It became my pivot point, a calculated move allowing me to spin upright with a fluidity that belied the intensity of the moment. Now, crouched and poised like a coiled spring, I narrowed my focus solely on the Representative. Every muscle in my body tensed as I raised my right arm, preparing for an uppercut.
I launched my arm upward, channeling every bit of strength into the strike aimed at his chin. The impact should have rattled him, but to my astonishment, it seemed to have no effect. His derisive words, "Weak." echoed. Hopelessness started to seep through, slowly. In a millisecond, his hand snaked out, effortlessly ensnaring my arm in a vice-like grip. Panic surged within me—I needed to break free, to escape his iron grasp. I struggled with all my might, throwing multiple punches. It was futile, akin to fighting against an unyielding force of nature. With flick of his wrist, he hurled me off to his left, sending me hurtling back toward the same direction I had started from. The velocity was staggering, causing an inadvertent chaos—sending the nearby couch flying.
As I desperately fought to regain control, my fingers scraped against the floor upon impact, the friction searing my skin. An involuntary exclamation of frustration and pain escaped my lips. "Argh, damn it!" I cursed under my breath. Looking up, I expected to see some semblance of reaction from him, but he remained stoic, almost unmoved by the spectacle of chaos around us. I guess he has to act like the people whose body he steals. The fact I expected to see emotion from him was a mistake. It was as if this entire encounter was nothing more than a casual game to him.
In the blink of an eye, he closed the distance, a blur of movement as he materialized mere inches from me. His left leg, a weapon poised for impact, surged forward in a precision-driven front kick aimed directly at me. Reacting on instinct, I raised my guard just in time, absorbing the brunt of the force that sent me skidding backward into the kitchen through the counter.
The impact reverberated through my body, a wave of agony pulsating from my arms. I winced as an intense shade of purple rapidly spread across my skin, his strength is at least four times mine.. The pain was excruciating, searing through my nerves, weakening my once-strong limbs. Each subsequent blow meant a further drain on my dwindling strength, leaving me acutely aware of my vulnerability. I could endure only a few more of these punishing hits, but only on non vital areas. A single strike aimed at my vitals would mark the end of this skirmish. Pressed against the cold surface of the fridge, my back to the wall, I raised my arms again, preparing for the onslaught.
Despite my efforts, his swift movements remained elusive, shrouded in a veil of invisibility. The uncertainty of his whereabouts heightened the tension, amplifying the adrenaline. This adrenaline could only carry me so far. I mustered all the courage I could summon and unleashed a vehement insult. "Stop these hit-and-run tactics! Face me like a true man!" His voice seemed to emanate from all directions, enveloping me in an eerie echo. "I don't care," he uttered, his words laced with an unsettling indifference, "even if I did, you'd lose."
A sudden jolt surged through my senses, as if a searing bolt of pain had materialized out of nowhere, landing squarely on my shoulder. The impact felt intangible, as though I had been struck by an invisible force. I staggered, reeling from the unexpected assault, but instinct demanded I maintain my guard. Before I could steady myself, another sharp blow landed, this time targeting my elbow. The impact was brutal, causing the right side of my guard to falter and weaken. Agony seared through my nerves, a relentless wave of pain flooding my senses. I gritted my teeth, desperately clinging to my defensive stance despite the excruciating torment.
The pain was overwhelming—agonizing, persistent, and unyielding. Each strike felt like a targeted assault on my vulnerabilities, threatening to dismantle my defenses piece by piece. It was clear: this bastard possessed the capacity to incapacitate or even end me with a single, calculated attack. Yet, amidst the torment I thought of ways to survive. I was not just facing a skilled opponent, but someone who took pleasure in the turmoil they inflicted.
The assault persisted, a relentless barrage targeting my vulnerable left side. Each strike was a calculated blow aimed to weaken my defenses, causing my left shoulder and elbow to falter and succumb, leaving my left flank exposed. Agony seared through me, but I refused to relent, summoning the last shreds of my resolve admist hopelessness. Desperation clawed at my throat as I screamed, "Just end it, you bastard!" The air was thick with tension, but he remained silent, an ominous precursor to the impending onslaught.
I braced myself, my mind racing with calculations amidst the chaos. My instincts screamed a warning—I knew his pattern, I must catch his next move. A swift attack on my right side, perhaps targeting my ribs. I adjusted my stance, readying myself, using my peripheral vision to guard my vulnerable flank. But his strategy was cunning; he diverted my attention and adopted a new pattern, a surprise assault striking my left ribs with bone-crunching force. The sickening sound of cracking ribs destroyed my will, and I found myself collapsing, one knee giving way beneath me. Panic surged—was there no recourse, no avenue for defense?
His ominous voice echoed with a chilling countdown, each number a tolling bell heralding the impending doom. "Ten... nine... eight..." The world seemed to blur as I grappled with a haunting decision—should I raise my guard, take a defensive stance, or should I risk everything and counterattack? Uncertainty loomed, paralyzing my thoughts and actions. Frantically, I pleaded, "Stop this, you inhuman sack of—" but my words faded into the air, futile against the inevitable. Powerless, I stared into the face of my impending demise, a sense of helplessness engulfing me as the countdown continued its merciless descent. "Seven... six... five... four..." The abyss of uncertainty yawned wider, and with every passing second, my fate seemed irrevocably sealed. The countdown reached its climax, each digit a harrowing reminder of my impending fate. "Three... two... one..."
The impact landed with an ominous certainty, a forceful collision against my upper chest that felt more like a slow invasion. It seemed to insidiously creep inward, mercilessly denting my skeleton as if it sought to delve deeper into my very being. Pain surged, an overwhelming tsunami of agony that transcended any threshold meant for mortal endurance.
As the torment escalated, it was as though my bones were mere fragile vessels, shattering under the brutal assault. The excruciating ordeal was beyond the realms of human suffering, a visceral reminder of the fragility of existence. Blood seeped from within, an ominous herald of impending doom as I felt the grasp of mortality tightening its suffocating grip.
The gravity of imminent death loomed ominously, threatening to consume me in its unforgiving embrace. But the thought of perishing without a fight, succumbing to this relentless assault without resistance, fueled a desperate surge of defiance within me. Maybe I did good enough. I need to entrust the future to the next generation. The skill I wielded was meant for selflessness, a purpose I had forsaken in pursuit of personal glory.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
I had basked in the spotlight, relishing the attention until I collided with a Representative years ago. That encounter shattered the illusion of my strength, exposing my profound weakness in the grand tapestry of existence. I barely got out of that fight alive. But him, Oren, could do it. He possessed the capacity, the skill, to actually reach heights that I can't comprehend. I should at least help him along his journey, right? I'll see you eventually, Oren. The light is calling me.
----------------------------------------
Soul: 0 (-500)
Skills:
Lvl. 3 Stat Sacrifice - Sacrifice approximately 80% of your strength and speed stats to someone else. After doing this, you will lose the Gift. 500 soul to use, one time use. (Activated) You have transferred your stats to Oren Hashigana, give it one minute.
----------------------------------------
In the immediate aftermath of receiving the urgent call from the station, I swiftly exited the Colosseum, a whirlwind of thoughts racing through my mind. Urgency trumped all else—I prioritized the safety of my loved ones over any other concern. I made a hasty plea to delay my scheduled match, citing a medical emergency, though my focus lay solely on Aroha and Tony. Their well-being eclipsed everything else; my heart hammered in my chest as I fervently hoped they were unharmed. Aroha, please be safe! Tony, you too! The urgency in my movements reflected the depth of my concern as I bolted across the rooftops.
The rooftops blurred beneath me as I leaped and bounded without concern for the damage I caused. In my mind, property damage was inconsequential compared to the fragility of a life. Damage can be repaired, if a life is taken, it's gone forever. As I drew nearer, the scene unfolded before me, a devastating tableau that churned my stomach with dread. The shattered glass and disarrayed surroundings bore grim testament to a violent altercation that had transpired. Bloodstains marred the scene, signaling a fierce struggle had indeed occurred. Panic surged within me as I scanned the chaos, desperately searching for any sign of Tony's presence.
My heart racing, I closed my eyes, a practiced reflex, and tapped into my Danger Sense. In that moment of intense concentration, my senses extended, probing the environment for any hint of impending danger or the whereabouts of those I cared for.
----------------------------------------
Soul: 240 (-10)
Skills:
Lvl. 2 Danger Sense - Sense danger when it's nearby by closing your eyes and focusing, locations of the enemies of God will appear in your mind. 10 soul to use, thirty minute cooldown. (Activated) The thirty minute cooldown has commenced.
----------------------------------------
In that harrowing moment of intense focus, my mind honed in on the assailant's position, registering a vivid red dot in my mind's eye. The sensation was akin to a visceral alert—a clear indicator of his affiliation with the Alliance. It was a chilling realization that set a tumultuous cascade of emotions and thoughts into motion. Rage surged through me, a tempestuous storm fueled by the certainty of his allegiance and the imminent danger he posed. "Now I know, time to die, scumbag!", I yelled to myself. The words, heavy with determination, echoed within as I vaulted into the apartment, propelled by an unwavering resolve.
Without hesitation, I unleashed a ferocious right haymaker aimed at the back of his head. The blow was not just an attack; it was a declaration of my intent—a lethal strike intended to vanquish the threat in a single, decisive blow.
----------------------------------------
Soul: 185 (-55)
Skills:
Lvl. 2 Skill Combination (Speed + Strength Booster) - Stacked the Speed and Strength Booster skills. The cooldown has activated for both of these skills, not for skill combination, however. You have one use left.
----------------------------------------
My fist connected with a resounding thud, yet it seemed to have no effect on him. The realization dawned with chilling clarity—this opponent wasn't just another deputy; he was a force beyond the ordinary, a representative. Despite my disbelief of surviving, I braced myself for the counterattack that followed.
His left hook surged forward, an onslaught I managed to block, but the force behind it was staggering. It sent me careening to the side, crashing into the chaos-ridden scene. Disoriented but alert, I scanned the area, taking in the scene of devastation. My eyes widened in shock and horror as I spotted several unconscious figures, and amidst them, Tony's lifeless form. The sight shook me to my core—Tony, dead? It couldn't be true. A mocking laughter escaped my lips. This isn't true.
Then, a voice cut through the chaos, resonating with a chilling tone. "Oh, you're Oren. Good, I was hoping you'd get here. Come at me." The shock of the situation turned into of emotions—anger, grief, and a consuming need for vengeance. The words echoed in my mind like a relentless chant—"Avenge Tony, avenge Tony, avenge Tony." The weight of responsibility bore down on me, the guilt of his death clawing at my conscience. I was consumed by the singular purpose of retribution—nothing mattered except exacting justice for Tony.
My thoughts spiraled into a tumultuous whirlwind, drowning in sorrow and regret. The overwhelming need for revenge eclipsed everything else—nothing existed except the insatiable desire to end this opponent. As my gaze fell, lost in the depths of my own anguish, a screen materialized before me, an enigmatic harbinger in the midst of turmoil.
----------------------------------------
A skill called 'Stat Sacrifice' was used on you. You had no choice to deny or stop the skill. This skill has increased your stats permanently. Here are your updated stats;
Book Level: 3
Name: Oren Hashigana
Health: 4500
Strength: 186 (+96)
Speed: 184 (+88)
Defense: 5%
Soul: 185
Skills:
Lvl. 2 Skill Combination
Lvl. 3 Lazarus
Lvl. 1 Strength Booster
Lvl. 1 Speed Booster
Lvl. 1 Triple Strike
Lvl. 1 Cross-Arm Guard
Lvl. 1 Critical Hit
Lvl. 2 Danger Sense
Lvl. 1 Sledgehammer
Lvl. 1 Rage
Lvl. 1 Stealing Skills
Lvl. 2 Guaranteed Dodge
Lvl. 2 Peeking
Lvl. 1 Passive Healing
Lvl. 3 Roulette
Lvl. ??? Infinite Growth Limit (Passive) - No growth limit.
----------------------------------------
My body, a vessel for the torrent of emotions within, began to quiver involuntarily, the sheer pressure emanating from my being causing the ground itself to tremble. It was as though the very air crackled. My grip tightened, nails biting into my palm with a fierceness that drew blood. It was a visceral response—a physical manifestation of the overwhelming rage that consumed me. From the depths of my being, words spilled forth, laced with a venomous wrath that echoed from a place within me that I hoped never to revisit.
I began taking off my jacket. "Listen to me, you worthless excuse for a human being." the words sliced through, each syllable laden with the weight of my grief and fury. "You took someone from me. Someone I loved as a brother. You'll wish for the mercy you never gave, the mercy you tore away from him." The searing pain of loss mingled with a desire for retribution, a demand for justice that fueled the fire within me. A chilling vow slipped from my lips, carrying an eerie sense of certainty. "You'll beg for a fraction of the pain you've caused. But there won't be any reprieve. No salvation. Just the inexorable approach of your deserved trip to Hell." Have you ever been talked to like this, you death-worshipping garbage?
My jacket was fully off at this point. "Now, I'm going to take everything from you.” I declared, my voice starting to crack, not from anxiety or a lack of assurance, but from my voice not being able to communicate the feelings I'm feeling. I looked up and faced him in the eye, "You won't even be able to fight back. They say the right to life is the most important right. You just lost that right."
----------------------------------------
Quest 9: Deceptive Representative
You know what to do.
Requirements:
Kill the Representative of Deception.
Recommendations:
N/A
Rewards:
3000 points
1 Lvl. 1 Skill Roulette
Free Book Upgrade
----------------------------------------