02:07 AM – A Moment from Death
Kaito's breath came in ragged gasps. His body screamed in pain, his ribs throbbing where The Butcher had sent him flying.
Above him, the masked killer raised his cleaver high, the bloodstained bde gleaming in the dim warehouse light.
This is it.
I’m dead.
Time slowed.
Kaito’s mind raced through every possibility. He had no weapons. No way to block the attack. No time to roll away.
Then I have to gamble.
As the cleaver came down, Kaito did the only thing he could—
He lunged forward.
---
02:07 AM – Risk and Reward
The Butcher’s bde sliced down—
But instead of nding a fatal blow, Kaito’s hands shot out, gripping the Butcher’s forearm just in time.
Pain tore through his hands as the sheer force of the swing pushed him backward, but he held on, using the Butcher’s own momentum against him.
With a sharp twist—
CRACK.
The Butcher’s elbow bent the wrong way.
A guttural roar of pain erupted from behind the mask.
But Kaito wasn’t done.
Ignoring the burning pain in his ribs, he twisted again—this time aiming for the mask.
His fingers caught onto the edge—
And ripped it off.
A scarred face was revealed underneath, with hollow, soulless eyes filled with madness.
For the first time, The Butcher hesitated.
And that was all Kaito needed.
A chance.
---
02:08 AM – Ren’s Hidden Card
"MOVE!"
Kaito barely registered Ren’s voice before something whizzed past his ear.
BANG!
A bullet tore through The Butcher’s thigh.
The killer stumbled, but his expression barely changed. His lips curled into a twisted grin.
"You think bullets will stop me?" he rasped, his voice hoarse yet amused.
Ren smirked.
"No," he said. "But this will."
He flicked his wrist—
And a small bck orb rolled toward The Butcher’s feet.
Kaito’s eyes widened.
"Wait, is that—"
BOOM!
A shockwave rocked the warehouse as the explosive detonated, sending the Butcher flying backward into a pile of metal crates.
Dust and smoke filled the air.
Kaito coughed violently, struggling to stay upright.
Ren stepped forward, blowing imaginary smoke off his gun.
"Did I forget to mention?" he said casually. "I keep a few toys on hand."
Kaito shot him a gre. "You had a freaking grenade and you didn’t use it earlier?!"
Ren shrugged. "Had to make sure you weren’t completely useless first."
Kaito was about to retort when—
A low chuckle echoed through the smoke.
His stomach dropped.
No way.
---
02:10 AM – The Monster Rises
From the wreckage, a figure emerged.
Bloodied, burned, but still standing.
The Butcher cracked his neck, rolling his shoulders as if merely waking from a nap.
His hollow eyes locked onto Kaito and Ren.
And he smiled.
> SYSTEM ALERT!
PLAYER #381 HAS ACTIVATED SECOND STAGE OF "BLOOD FRENZY."
- PAIN NULLIFICATION REACHED 90%.
- ATTACK POWER INCREASED.
- MOVEMENT SPEED BOOSTED.
Kaito’s fingers tightened into fists.
Ren swore under his breath. "This is why I hate fighting psychos."
The Butcher lifted his cleaver again.
Then—
He vanished.
No sound. No warning.
Kaito’s heart pounded.
Where—
Too te.
A shadow loomed behind him.
"KAITO, MOVE!"
SLASH!
Pain erupted across Kaito’s shoulder.
A deep, burning cut—
Blood spttered onto the floor.
His vision blurred.
The Butcher stood behind him, cleaver dripping red.
"You’re still too weak," he murmured.
Kaito colpsed to his knees.
No. Not yet.
---
02:11 AM – The System’s Voice
As Kaito’s vision darkened, something clicked in his mind.
A voice whispered in his ear.
> SYSTEM OVERRIDE DETECTED.
- EMERGENCY ADAPTATION ACTIVATING.
- CONDITION: SURVIVAL MODE.
His body froze.
Something shifted.
Then, in an instant—
Everything became clear.
Kaito’s pain vanished. His fatigue disappeared. His heartbeat slowed, calcuting.
His hands moved before his mind.
SLASH!
Kaito’s knife buried itself deep in The Butcher’s thigh.
For the first time, The Butcher’s expression changed.
Shock.
Kaito’s body moved on its own, faster than before.
Another ssh.
This time—
Right across The Butcher’s throat.
A sickening gurgle filled the air.
The Butcher staggered.
His cleaver dropped.
His body swayed.
Then—
He colpsed.
Blood pooled beneath him.
The warehouse fell silent.
Ren stood frozen.
Kaito stared at his hands, trembling.
The system voice spoke again.
> PLAYER #529 HAS COMPLETED THE MISSION: "BLOOD ON THE LINE."
+48 HOURS ADDED TO YOUR TIMER.
NEW SKILL UNLOCKED: "COLD CALCULATION."
- Grants temporary immunity to fear and pain in life-threatening situations.
- Enhances reflexes and decision-making speed.
Kaito’s breathing slowed.
Something had changed.
Not just in the system.
In him.
He looked down at The Butcher’s lifeless body.
His first kill.
And he didn’t feel sick.
He didn’t feel guilty.
He felt... nothing.
Ren watched him carefully.
"...So," Ren finally said, his tone unreadable. "How does it feel?"
Kaito’s fingers curled.
His voice came out colder than before.
"Necessary."
---
End of Chapter 6
