SYSTEM ASCENSION

”You are dangerous.”

”Thank you.”

The ground beneath Zeal exploded apart.

In the next moment, he vanished from where he stood and appeared directly before one of the men. The attacker barely had time to lift his head before Zeal punched his way through his jaw.

The force sent him out of sight.

The rest froze for a moment. This strange man’s vitality was off chart, unreal for a human.

Zeal tilted his head slightly.

”Oops.”

The silver-haired woman appeared behind him in that same instant, her claws aimed directly for his spine. Zeal leaned just enough for the attack to miss before driving a kick into her ribs.

The impact detonated like an explosion.

Her body tore through multiple ruined pillars before finally crashing into the distance.

Another enemy descended from above, attempting to capitalize on the opening, but Zeal caught the incoming arm effortlessly.

”Forward and reverse.”

Blood erupted everywhere as he burst apart.

He coughed out a chuckle.

”Come at me together.”

They exchanged glances. Only three of them were remaining.

The lady narrowed her eyes.

”He can’t keep using it. It probably drains his stamina as well.”

”You’re pretty smart huh.” He was before her in a blink of an eye, and before she could evade, he drove his index finger into her eye.

”Aaarrrggghhh!”

”You can’t say if you don’t see right?”

She stretched out her hand and blasted through him. She didn’t check the outcome before she escaped half blinded and regrouped.

”He’s a threat to us.” She panted.

”That’s an honour.”

He replied, right behind them. They froze. He grabbed the lady by her head.

”You see, I don’t like you. I should show you what happens to people I don’t like.”

Before she could react:

Gone, was her second eye.

Far across the battlefield, Elias continued tearing through endless waves of monsters. Was it minutes, or hours? He couldn’t tell.

Weapons were forged. Sword, spear, bow, dagger, chains, axes — construct after construct burned through his stamina at a terrifying rate, yet the hordes continued advancing endlessly towards him.

Despite his difficulty, he spared a glance at Zeal.

The man moved through the battlefield calmly, every motion flowing into the next as though he had already seen every attack beforehand. There was no wasted movement.

It was pure combat mastery. However, it was dragging on longer than expected.

Elias narrowed his eyes.

’If he keeps regenerating, he’ll run out of stamina soon. But...he blinded that woman. That should make the fight eas—”

Before his eyes, the silver-haired woman vanished from her position and reappeared directly behind him, her claws already descending toward his neck.

Instinctively, his hands went up to shield himself, but a hand seized her face mid-motion. The impact alone cracked the ground beneath them.

Her eyes widened at the speed Zeal used in getting to them. His expression had completely changed. Gone was the lazy smile and casual teasing from earlier. His glowing eyes stared down at her with a level of irritation that finally felt genuine.

Before she could pull back, Zeal’s other hand grabbed her by the jaw.

Then he pulled.

A sickening sound tore through the battlefield as her head ripped clean off her body. Blood erupted like a fountain.

For a brief second, everyone stopped to catch their breath.

The remaining two figures stared at the corpse in shock as the headless body collapsed limply onto the ruined ground.

Zeal tossed the severed head aside carelessly.

”Annoying woman.”

He narrowed his eyes, watching as they spread out and circled him.

’This is getting out of hand. I can’t fight and protect Elias at the same time. Then...’

”Run,” Zeal said without turning his head.

Elias didn’t answer.

Another monster lunged toward them and was cut apart by a constructed blade in Elias’s grasp.

”I said run.”

This time, Elias gave him that baffled expression.

”I can still—”

”Elias.”

That name alone cut through his words.

Zeal finally turned slightly, just enough for Elias to see his expression.

”Leave.”

Elias froze.

For the first time in the entire battle, Zeal’s tone wasn’t joking.

Elias’s fingers tightened around the sword he was holding.

”I can help you.”

”You are helping me,” Zeal replied instantly. ”By not being here. You’re a burden.”

Elias’s eyes shook slightly.

”...Don’t say it like that.”

Zeal turned around and grabbed him by the collar, pulling him close just long enough to meet his eyes properly.

”Why are you suddenly acting like a kid?! It’s irritating!”

The attacker exchanged glances.

’Are they fighting among themselves?’

Elias didn’t know when he bit his lip so hard until he tasted blood. Then, he shoved Zeal’s hand away from his cloth, turned around and dashed off.

Zeal turned, eye wide. He seems to be in a state of shock at Elias’s reaction.

’Is he pissed? Did I strike a nerve? I should apologize afterwards right?’

He looked up properly at the enemies he had been facing.

’I need to finish them.’

He crouched, knowing fully well that he could take those two on.

”I should finish up here and...”

But before he could move, a chill ran down his spine.

It wasn’t a murderous intent, but cold like a blade at your throat before you even hear the draw.

He turned, but it was too late.

He barely saw the figure standing there, before a hand came straight at his navel, bursting through his flesh.

”Aargh!”

He grabbed the man’s hand, still logged inside him and they stared eye to eye.

”Number twenty.”

Zeal grinned.

”You’re a disposal.”

The man leaned closer.

”I usually find it odd. Most regeneration abilities regrow from their heads or heart, but you. You grew everything after being burnt in the fire that day.”

Zeal chuckled. ”Lucky me right?”

”I set that fire.” The man smirked. ”and I concluded my analysis on you.”

He leaned closer. ”Number twenty, you regenerate from your vital core don’t you.”

Zeal’s silence confirmed it.

”See, I was right. How rare. If only you were on our side.”

The man tightened his grip, making Zeal cough out a handful of blood.

”Guess what I am touching?”

”My...heart?”

”Usually, the vital core isn’t always visible,” the man shrugged. ”Except for me, number twenty. I hope you said your goodbye to that boy.”