CHAPTER 41: 41. THE WEAK LINK

Shin scowled in anger. "Are you just gonna ignore me? Say something!!"

[There are three tiers to healing magic:]

[Mortal Healing, Spirit Healing, and Celestial Healing.]

[Levels 1–3: Mortal Healing]

[Levels 4–6: Spirit Healing]

[Levels 7–10: Celestial Healing]

[Recommended tier to heal Ayaka: At least Level 6 Spirit Healing.]

[There is a way to instantly reach that level... but a price must be paid.]

Shin’s voice cracked. "Then skip the damn lecture! Aya’s dying right here in my arms, and you’re giving me textbook definitions?!" He snarled, eyes wide. "What the hell do I have to give?! Just tell me already!"

Just as he spoke, more arrows ripped through the air again, splintering the wooden frame of the room.

With advanced flame control, Yuki didn’t even flinch to the sudden attack. She just scowled and conjured a blazing shield almost as tall as she was, its flame’s heat surging through the place. She lifted it with one hand, the air around her distorting from the heat as arrows hissed and vaporized on impact.

Shin let out a sigh of relief and turned back to his system. He was glad he got Yuki to join him—without her, he’d be dead by now.

[Offer 600EXP to level up your Healing Skill?]

Without hesitation, Shin accepted the deal.

YES!!" he barked, not even blinking. He had enough EXP from leveling up after he slept with Yuki, so it was more than enough.

[Processing...]

[600EXP deducted.]

[Host has returned to Level 2.]

[Mortal Healing ascending to Spirit Healing...]

[Ascension Successful.]

Golden light exploded around him in waves, bathing the blood-smeared floor in a soft divine hue. Shin didn’t care about the glow—he slammed his hands into Ayaka’s shredded torso. Her wounds gushed warm blood beneath his palms, and his hands trembled as he poured the newly awakened healing magic into her.

Her flesh slowly began to mend, inch by inch, the torn muscles knitting together with surreal precision. The shredded skin pulled back, pink and sore but whole again. Her breath returned, ragged and shallow, but alive. That was all that mattered.

His MP plummeted like a crashing elevator.

[MP: 485/1000]

He grit his teeth and pushed through, even as his vision blurred and a dull ache stabbed through his temples. He left himself with only a hundred MP, heart hammering.

Aya’s chest now rose and fell gently, her lips parting as a soft breath escaped her fragile, but alive body.

He stood up slowly, voice hoarse. "Lilian... stay with her. Don’t let anything happen."

Then he turned to Yuki, whose eyes gleamed like a predator on the hunt.

"What’s the status?"

"The archer’s a pain in the ass," she said with a smirk, her shark-like teeth glinting. "But I’ve handled worse."

"Good. Cover me—I’m gonna kill the rest."

"Say less." Her flaming shield vanished in an instant, replaced by a bow that pulsed with infernal energy, flaming in her hands ! As Tony fired more arrows toward the store, Yuki fired hers. Her arrows were so hot they melted Tony’s arrows midair and passed right through like meteors. The blast force alone sent a shockwave through the street. Tony and his crew dove behind rusted-out cars for cover.

Lawrence’s voice trembled. "It’s... Yuki. That’s her! I told you she was a damn monster!"

"Stop whining and go talk to her!" Tony snapped, shoving Lawrence forward.

Lawrence stumbled forward, but the moment he was out, a blazing arrow zipped past and scorched the condom packet in his hand to ash, punching through the center of his palm, ripping his middle finger off at the base, the digit flying through the air like a twitching carrot before embedding into a trash can behind him.

At first, adrenaline numbed him. But then, pure, agonizing pain followed.

"AAAGGGHHHH!!!" he screamed, falling to his knees. Blood gushed from his mangled hand, splattering the pavement. He clutched the stump where his finger used to be, body trembling, lips quivering.

Shin was already on the move, thanks to his upgraded speed stats and the battle experience points he earned from killing the three goons, he dashed through the buildings at lightning speed. He leapt off the side of a collapsed car, flipping mid-air. The world slowed. Lawrence looked up just in time to see Shin descending like death itself, dagger raised high.

SHWANK!!

The blade plunged straight into his forehead, stopping at the hilt. His eyes widened in horror, but it was too late.

And yet... the only thing Lawrence managed to grab in his final seconds of life—was his own crotch.

Shin yanked the dagger free, blood spurting out like a fountain. He backflipped once, landed behind a busted ATM, and ducked for cover.

[SOUL HARVEST]

[+1.2% battle experience gained!]

[+400MP]

[+300 coins]

THLLTHLLTHLL...

Blood poured out of Lawrence’s shattered skull, puddling beneath him and painting the pavement crimson. His lifeless body twitched once... then stilled.

Ado peeked out from behind a dumpster, only to witness the horrific sight. Lawrence’s corpse slumped over, hand still tucked over his groin. His face was frozen in a twisted grimace of pain and shame.

Tears welled in Ado’s eyes. "He’s... he’s dead..." he whispered. "He died... with honor... with his hands on his balls..."

Tony’s jaw clenched. He was losing everyone. Another comrade, down. Guilt twisted in his chest. If he hadn’t pushed Lawrence to talk to the girl... If he’d let him take a nap instead...

If that night Gerald died...he’d gone out with him, then maybe things would’ve been better.

Was this his fault?

Am I the weak link?

His chest burned with fury.

This ends now. He wasn’t going to lose anyone else. Not to that brat.

He reached into his quiver and pulled out a black metallic arrow—the kind he swore never to use unless absolutely necessary.

Its tip gleamed like polished death, a bullet-like head with a faint yellow gas leaking from tiny vents.

"Those are—!!" Ado stammered, eyes wide. "G-Group Leader!! You can’t use those—"

"Shut the hell up!" Tony snapped, veins bulging in his neck. "It’s all or nothing! I’ll kill that freak or die trying!"

He notched the arrow, drawing the bowstring to its limit. The gas hissed louder.

He peeked out from behind cover but adjusted his aim, not at Yuki, who was still shooting at him, but at where he last saw Shin hiding.

Then he released.

Letting the deadly arrow scream through the air, slicing toward Shin like a demon’s curse.

TBC