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Chapter 28

  The cyborg’s crocodile head snickered as it continued its relentless assault from the shadows.

  “I thought you’d put up more of a fight, the way you came at us in the beginning. Seems like you’re nothing more than a freak show. Not so cocky now, are you?”

  I remained silent and merely focused on continuing to defend.

  After all, a true keyboard warrior knows to reserve the trash talk for after they’d won, otherwise you’d just look like an idiot.

  And I was planning on turning him into an absolute clown.

  I only had one chance, and I had to make sure he wouldn’t be able to escape. In order to do that however, I’d need some help.

  Now, I just needed to hold on until Khaelen arrived. Judging from his position, it would be at least a couple minutes.

  I winced as yet another energy blast scorched my chest and the smell of burning flesh filled the air.

  Hurry up Khaelen, I’m literally cooking here!

  I uncorked my last Grand Potion and began to run, bobbing and weaving among the trees. Beam after beam of light pierced through the thick trunks behind me as they accurately tracked my position. His eyes must have some form of thermal tracking or night vision as well.

  The Mossdew ring and my potions were working overtime, as freshly healed wounds split open, then regrew again in an endless cycle. I think I’ve spilled enough blood to feed a poor, starving village of vampire children at this point.

  Finally, I received a message from Khaelen; he was in position.

  I immediately turned and began to run to a small clearing nearby, with the cyborg right on my heels. Upon reaching it, I abruptly stopped and merely stood still, as if I had given up.

  The cyborg emerged from my shadow once more, ready to deliver the decisive blow.

  Here it comes, you bastard.

  Withdrawing a large cluster of light orbs, I threw them high up in the air, directly above my head. Right on cue, a shuriken flew through the air and struck the orbs, shattering them completely.

  Crack!

  For a few brief moments, a miniature sun appeared in the dark of the Canopy.

  The clearing, now flooded with light, no longer had any shadows.

  Storm Caller began to glow, as I poured every drop of mana I had into it.

  Its studded spikes crackled with lightning as it gathered electricity from every possible source... including the cyborg. Arcs of blue-purple lightning began to flow from his power core into Storm Caller and his red eyes gradually dimmed.

  Before I could fully drain him of his battery however, the cyborg began to desperately fly away. The organic part of its reptilian face was contorted in shock and fear, providing a stark contrast to its ever-emotionless machine half.

  I was already prepared however, with another cluster of orbs thrown into the air as I followed right behind him.

  Again, a pair of shurikens flew through the air and detonated them, leaving no shadows for the cyborg to disappear to. Meanwhile, Storm Caller grew brighter with every passing moment as it ravenously devoured the cyborg’s energy.

  Gradually, the cyborg’s movements grew slower and slower, and I became able to keep up with ease. The thrusters on its back began to sputter and spark, soon failing entirely, and it had to resort to running on the ground like the rest of us peasants.

  By now, it was slow enough that I could easily reach out and grab it, but I chose to maintain my current course. I didn’t want to give it a single opportunity to turn the tables or escape.

  Finally, by the time I had thrown the ninth round of orbs, it had completely stopped.

  It remained on the ground, seething with a glare of pure malice, as it lay trapped in a prison of metal fused with flesh.

  “What are you? For what reason have you interfered? Are you not aware of the pact all Tier 4 worlds have made? Your race will be slaughtered if this is found ou-”

  Crunch!

  With a brutal snap, I tore off both of its arms and crushed its legs. The sly bastard had been stalling for time and trying to retrieve something from its Inventory. For good measure, I pulled out the Void Dagger and buried it inside its abdomen, pinning it to the ground.

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  Now, it was completely and utterly immobile, even if it attempted to disappear into a shadow.

  As blood and a strange oily substance began to flow from the cyborg unceasingly, I poured a Medium Potion over its stumps so that it wouldn’t bleed out. After all, it wasn’t every day that I got to speak with a fellow parts connoisseur.

  “First, I’m from a Tier 6 world, not a Tier 4, so the little pact you’ve all made doesn’t matter to me. Second, I stopped you two because I just felt like it. It’s a free countr- ah, world right?”

  Khaelen, who at some point had arrived behind me, chimed in as well.

  “This guy’s just saying that because he’s embarassed. Just admit it, you were worried about m- ahfgffgf blargh!”

  With a casual flick of my finger, I shot a particularly large and juicy booger straight into the loudmouth and calmly turned back to the cyborg.

  Its snout wrinkled in disgust, it replied in a derisive and mocking tone.

  “You expect me to believe you’re from a Tier 6 world with that kind of strength? At least make it somewhat believable and say you’re from a Tier 5. Even if my guide system can’t figure out what race you are for some reason, we’ll find out eventually. I’ve already sent your image to all the Tier 4 races I’ve Allied with nearby. You and your kind will be killed on sight. Enjoy your victory while it lasts.”

  I merely sighed and shook my head in response.

  “Fine, you don’t have to believe me. But you’re going to have to answer some of my questions.”

  “Hah! And for what reason would I ever comply?”

  “I can’t spare you, but I’ll make your death as painless as possible. Otherwise, I’m willing to try some of those things you were spouting off earlier.”

  The cyborg howled in laughter, as it replied, “You think I’m scared of some pain? Do whatever you please. My world is already doomed, at your hands. I will never give in to you.”

  And with that, the cyborg remained silent, refusing to speak any further.

  Damn, doesn’t seem like I’ll be able to extract anything from it. I was hoping on obtaining some information on where the exit to the next layer of Bellona was at the very least.

  Well, I suppose it's time to send it on his way.

  I stooped down and reopened its barely healed wounds with a quick slash of the Void Dagger. I wanted to avoid smashing any more parts of its body and preserve it as best as possible.

  As its life essence began to pour once more from its body, one of my tentacles penetrated its chest and began pumping anesthetic synthesized by one of my auxiliary glands.

  A sign of respect, and an apology, even though he had been a murderous lunatic.

  Ding!

  I collected and stored its body in my Inventory, and began walking over to the crater where the other cyborg still lay.

  I stood over it, Void Dagger drawn at the ready.

  Minutes passed, and yet I still remained there, hesitating.

  A bitter taste filled my throat, and my giant hands began to tremble as they balled up into tight fists.

  A hand covered in black fur, incredibly small in comparison, reached over and gently grabbed my blade.

  “I can do it, if you want.”

  With a forced smile and a lump in my throat, I shook my head.

  “What, and let you steal my points? Get away from me, you scammer.”

  This is my burden to bear, my sin.

  The first of many that would come.

  Shik!

  Then, a few minutes later.

  Ding!

  The System’s notifications rang hollow in my ears as I remained standing there, rooted to the spot.

  An entire world, reduced to ashes by my very own hand.

  I had never seen it, never known what kind of lives its inhabitants led, or even known its name until this moment.

  And yet, I had so casually been able to decide its fate. A sick joke.

  How many more worlds would I have to condemn in order to save my own, I wonder?

  How many more times before the deities above tired of their twisted little games?

  The Heretic God had been right. The cycle must be broken.

  Even if I must step upon the corpses of a thousand burning worlds, I must find a way.

  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  The leader of the group of Tier 5 otherworlders, a thin blue-skinned individual with four pairs of eyes, deeply bowed in my direction as he spoke.

  “Sir Adun, you have our eternal gratitude for rescuing us from our plight. We do not have any points left to repay you with, but say the word, and we shall repay you however we can.”

  Hmm, anything I want you say? One, two, three, four.... there’s about twelve of them. Not a bad harvest.

  With a sly grin, I said, “Well, I’m ok on points for now. But there is a little something you could give me. It’s very little, I promise you.”

  As I explained to them what I wanted, the entire group of otherworlders began to pale in fear and one even began shooting out an ink cloud.

  “You- you want WHAT from us? Sir Adun, I admit I said we’d do whatever was possible but-”

  “Relax, I have some potions that will regenerate whatever parts I lop off and I’ll inject some painkillers in you so you won’t feel a thing. It’ll cost you nothing, I’m actually the one losing out here!”

  After some hurried and whispered discussion, along with some reassurance from Khaelen, the leader finally said, “We-Well, alright. If it truly is as you say....”

  Hehehe, these country bumpkins fell for it!

  One of the otherworlders, a small mouse-like girl, ran up to me and desperately grabbed one of my legs as fat tears rolled down her cheeks.

  “Mr. Adun, p-please d-don’t cut off my arm! Please! Mr. Khaelen said you were a good guy! I’m so scared of getting hurt...”

  What was her name again? Misha?

  I decided to have some fun with her.

  I flexed all four of my arms and posed menacingly in front of her as I wickedly smiled.

  “Did Khaelen say that? Bahahahaha! Well let me teach you a lesson today, little girl. The world is full of scammers, and I’m one of the best! And you’ve just crossed me! Now as your punishment, I’ll be cutting off your head instead and eating it! Wahahahaha!”

  With a shriek, Misha’s eyes rolled back and she directly fainted on the floor.

  Khaelen frowned and walked up to me, saying, “Stop being an idiot. She’s been through quite a bit the last couple days, having to maintain the shield constantly. She’s not as strong as us.”

  “Alright alright, I’ll make a special exception and I won’t take one of her parts. Sheesh, you're no fun.”

  I grumbled and walked away, preparing to receive my donations.

  She probably didn’t have any good parts anyways.

  Probably didn’t even taste good either.

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