Chapter 19- First Time
After leaving the base, Rein ran toward the horde, his eyes counting their numbers thoroughly and trying to figure out where they were coming from exactly. He knew that if this was a smaller horde that had separated from the main one, then it was coming from the southern district of the city.
'So many. Fighting them will be impossible.' Rein thought to himself as he took a different path and approached the horde from the side. He wasn't suicidal to let them see notice his presence.
Reaching a small opening between two buildings, he peeked through and watched silently. His eyes traced the horde, trying to find any loophole or weak point he could use.
'I don't have time. They will reach the base in a few minutes at most. Fuck.' Cursing inwardly, Rein summoned his sword as he started sneaking behind the horde. The most obvious plan was to try to get their attention and make them chase him instead of continuing their march toward the base.
However, that idea was naturally very risky, and the chance of it working well enough wasn't that high.
'I don't have other choices. I need to at least hinder them enough and buy myself some time to figure out a plan.'
As he snuck behind the monsters, Rein suddenly leaped out as he dashed toward the backlines.
His Essence channeled through his body, boosting his physical prowess even more. This was something he discovered earlier as he was fighting. Life Essence wasn't merely for abilities and skills; it seemed to boost his strength when merely channeled through the body. Almost like a performance-enhancing drug or a very potent energy drink.
Before any of the Undead could even notice his presence, Rein was already there as his sword slashed in the blink of an eye.
Several heads flew off the shoulders with one swipe, as if Rein was cutting through butter. They were all weak and pathetic Undead, and he was at least several times stronger than they were.
"RAAAAR!!!"
Immediately, the rest of the Undead around the area noticed his presence and turned around to attack him. Rein quickly created some distance as he dragged the group around.
[Several targets detected.]
[One-Man Army has been activated.]
[Your power has increased by 4%]
"Hah… Good time for you." Rein muttered as he felt the palpable boost in strength and speed. This was the second skill he received, and it had finally come to be useful as he faced this large horde.
Shifting his balance, Rein noticed that the group had moved far enough from the rest. It was time to hack them into pieces.
*Swish*
Using Gravity Manipulation, he ran toward them. The first Undead attacked him with its slow arms, only for Rein to sidestep them and cut its head in one swift move.
[Your power has increased by 5%]
Without stopping, Rein stabbed the second in the face before he activated the second skill. 'Fortified Fist.'
Clenching his hand, he threw a punch toward the third Undead. It was a charged hit with his super strength, his Essence ability, and all the momentum in the world. The result… was gruesome.
The head exploded on impact as blood, brain matter, and bone shards flew everywhere around him. Rein's body was completely covered in blood stains as he spat out a piece that almost got into his mouth.
[Your power increased by 6%]
Each kill boosted Rein's power beyond imagination. Since his stats were already high, 6% was no laughing matter, and he could feel it.
'I'm way faster and stronger.' He thought as he continued gliding through the group, slicing and punching holes through the Undead. His speed and power were so dominant that the Undead were simply throwing their hands in the air. Rein was like a ghost to them, appearing and disappearing, leaving corpses behind.
[Your power has…]
[Your power…]
[Your power…]
The notifications rolled in in a steady stream. Rein ignored them as he focused all his mind on the battle. Each swing, each move of his body, everything felt like a dance to him. A very deadly dance.
The blood that splattered everywhere, covering him completely, and the bodies that fell like flies, Rein oddly felt at peace there… He wasn't worried, he wasn't disgusted, he was simply in his own world.
This was the world he had been living in, and with all the Undead, the death was intensified by 100. For a natural killer like Rein, being a hitman was merely a way for him to use his talent to the full extent.
This was what he was born to do. Yet, there was one different thing about all of this than what Rein had lived before.
[You have gained +1 Strength.]
Each kill rewarded him instantly. Each kill gave him power, a lot of it. The Rein from seconds ago is weaker than the current Rein, and the feeling of each evolution and each stat increasing, and the sensation of his body as that happens was simply addictive.
Rein had immense tolerance to all forms of addictions, and he could easily say he didn't have any addiction. However, it hadn't been an hour, and he was already completely hooked on the sensation of gaining strength. It was far more euphoric than any drug or any sexual activity.
*Swish*
'More.' His eyes, wide open and cold, flashed with a dangerous glint. 'I need more. This isn't enough.'
His sword sliced and diced every single Undead as if they weren't humans merely an hour ago. They didn't matter anymore. Their death was as meaningless as any other death of an animal or an insect. They had lost their humanity the moment they ate the flesh of other humans.
'Die. Die. Die.'
Rivers of blood flowed beneath his feet. Rein was feeling it all, and for a second, he almost was about to smile. Until…
No more.
"Hm?" Snapping out of his dazed state, Rein looked around him as he realized… The entire group of Undead was wiped out. Their corpses and hacked limbs and heads surrounded him, oozing blood endlessly.
Rein himself looked so terrifying, completely covered in blood from head to toe. Breathing in, and then out…
'That was… What was that feeling? I lost myself for a second there.' He frowned. 'Odd. That usually doesn't happen to me.'
Staring at his bloodied hands, Rein eventually turned around and looked at the horde that was still marching ahead.
'No time to think about this. I was able to kill them all. I need to mov-'
"Rein!"
At that moment, he heard a voice speaking to him. Shifting his look to the side, he saw Violet rushing toward him.
"What are you doing here?" He asked coldly.
"I'm sorry. I saw you running quickly, and I couldn't stop myself from following you."
"Go back now, Violet. This is very dangerous." He said as he swung his sword to the side, getting rid of all the blood that had accumulated on it.
Staring at him, Violet was stunned for a second. Rein looked completely different from usual… His eyes, his voice, the air around him… It was all too different. Even though she wanted to ask if he was ok, if that blood on him wasn't his.
She couldn't.
Violet didn't realize that… It was the first time she had seen Rein as he was working. The same man she had known for a long time… This was the first time she had seen his eyes as he killed his targets.