CHAPTER 28: ALPHA VEINBACK RIPPER

In the dark underground, Roy stayed extremely close to Master Abraham, and short light sabers were attached to both their hind arms.

The light sabers were bright enough to illuminate the entire surrounding area, but at the same time, weren’t too harsh on their peripheral vision.

Here was no different than above ground in terms of the abandoned and dilapidated scenery, as there was hardly any human presence.

Roy perceived an extremely awful smell that made him contort his face into a heavy frown. It was the smell of animal faeces, and more.

Master Abe suddenly paused, stretched out his arm, and made a cut on his wrist. He made sure a few droplets of blood dropped on the railway tracks as they peered forward.

’He’s trying to attract them...’ Roy observed carefully, as it was well-known that abysshounds loved the scent of fresh blood and couldn’t resist; with human blood being their favourite.

Within seconds of Master Abraham’s actions, Roy could spot a crazed, red-eyed figure up ahead in the darkness outside the illuminated area.

"The Alpha is alone. I will kill it this time," he said and took a step forward, but the C-Class Executioner stopped him with an outstretched hand.

"He’s not alone," Master Abraham said.

...And right then, the red, crazed eyes afar that were visible in the darkness multiplied grandiosely.

Roy unknowingly took a step back, fear gripping his soul at their sheer number.

Abraham’s eyebrows fell deeper into a frown.

"The abysshounds from before weren’t all of them, maybe just the hunters among the adults. Now, we’re dealing with the entire clan."

For the first time, he kept his gaze on Roy instead of just glancing, and said, "The plan is... I hurt and immobilise, and no matter what, you kill."

Roy gulped heavily and nodded.

Master Abraham didn’t say anything else. Right then and there, he charged at the vengeful hounds!

"Grrr! Awooooo!"

The Alpha Veinback Ripper howled in beastly fashion, commanding its subordinates to attack. And wasting no second, they growled and charged at the duo in return.

Roy stayed close, with the dagger sheathed but the pistol in his hands.

This time, the Rippers were five in total, including the Alpha Veinback, and they charged together! Not one lagged behind!

Small bombs appeared in their midst and instantly exploded, the shockwave causing them to break apart, fall, and scatter. Of course, it was Abraham who threw them.

The executioner then pointed the rifle forward and razed them with bullets, further causing the beasts to fall into disarray. He made sure not to aim directly at them, giving them multiple chances to dodge or run away.

But by now, he was upon the most forefront abysshound, and in a flash, they had lost their forelimbs.

"Awwwooorrhh!"

The Ripper howled in pain, but in the next second, a large bang sound reverberated in the railroad tunnel, and its head dangled carelessly from the rest of its body.

Plop!

Roy panted heavily and wiped the meat and blood from his face.

[You have slain the weak beast, Veinback Ripper.]

[+20 EXP.]

Master Abraham was already upon the next one, which was the Alpha hound. It opened its mouth to howl-attack again, but it was too slow.

"You’ve already lost," he plainly said.

The black halo had already surrounded the area, and it was caught in the eye of the storm. Everything was way slower than before, and Abraham was even faster.

Subtract the speed of all caught within, and add it to one’s self. That was the current ’order’ within the circle.

Master Abe took a few steps back and touched Roy, allowing him better movement in the [Circle of Order].

Following a smooth black trail, the larger and currently mid-air Strange Beast lost its left forelimb to the whirring chainsword. The other abysshounds were incapable of interfering.

From the Alpha Veinback Ripper, there was no howl of agony, only a slowed-down glint of the initial realisation of pain in its ferocious eyes.

That was... until Roy appeared and kept the muzzle of the pistol just a centimetre away from its large head.

He closed his eyes and focused on the warm feeling in his chest. Following the instructions Master Abraham gave him, he then thought, ’2x Multiplier!’

Roy opened his eyes, but only he could see the ethereal light that flowed out from his hands and settled on the gun he held in his hand.

He grinned.

"Goodnight."

BANG!

Such a strange beast should be immune to bullets and certain explosives, but this one had its head cracked open like a coconut.

A second later, the emotionless and monotone system spoke in Roy’s head.

[You have slain the strange beast, Veinback Ripper.]

[+200 EXP.]

But then, there was another line that made Roy pause in shock.

[You have gained an Abyss Soul.]

However, there was no time to explore yet, so he put that at the back of his mind.

Still within the [Circle of Order], Master Abraham and Roy ended the three remaining Veinback Rippers, netting him sixty additional exp.

...A few minutes later, Roy was sitting on the railway edge, panting profusely. Fighting abyss creatures was some high-adrenaline task.

He was unable to contain his excitement and curiosity and summoned his system.

+

[Host Data]

Name: Roy Mclloyd

Age: 16

Level: 1

EXP: 840/1000

Stat Points: 0.0

Number of Sign-ins: 3

Skills: Link (Active), 2x Multiplier (Passive)

Linked Hosts: 1/1

Abyss Souls: Veinback Ripper (Strange)

Overall Stats: Physical = 4.0, Willpower = 1.0, Attack = 1.0, Defense = 1.0, Chance = 1.0 Total = 8.0

Overall Rating: "A weak, edgy loser who was lucky to be granted a unique system."

Miscellaneous: [Apple], [Cursed Ragdoll (2)]...

+

"We’ll wait here. The scent of blood should attract nearby abyss creatures," Master Abraham said, not looking tired in the slightest. Instead, he was busy carving holes in the dead, harvesting the energy crystals in the heart of the beasts.

"You have 840 EXP currently, right?"

Roy nodded. "And there’s something else..."

In the next second, an exact rendition of the Strange Beast, Veinback Ripper, appeared beside him, towering and imposing, its eyes devoid of any semblance of life.