Apocalypse Baby

Onigi's body tensed, his fingers twitching as he saw Alex about to strike Isla down.

His instincts screamed at him to move—to stop it.

But he didn't.

He couldn't.

Isla was a huge asset to their team, but just like Kato, she had made her choice.

She had fought. She had lost.

If he were in Alex's position, he wouldn't hesitate to kill her either.

So it would be hypocritical of him to interfere now.

Instead, he forced himself to stay still. To accept reality.

Besides, this wasn't even the real Alex—just a clone.

There was no point in wasting his sword on an imitation.

If he was going to fight, he'd fight the real one.

He watched as Isla fell, her lifeless body hitting the ground.

It was unpleasant to see.

And from the silent tension in the air, he knew his men felt the same.

Onigi's jaw tightened.

He didn't think he could stomach seeing Aikio and Kato meet the same fate.

Enough.

He made his decision.

Alex, still gripping his weapon tightly, watched Onigi rise to his feet.

His narrowed eyes locked onto him.

Was he going to attack?

Was he mad that I killed one of his ronin?

His expression was unreadable—his posture tense.

Alex braced himself, expecting an attack.

But then, Onigi spoke.

"I don't think I can sit still and watch more of my people get killed."

Alex's narrowed eyes relaxed slightly.

So he wasn't going to attack.

Onigi turned to the remaining ronin, his voice firm but calm.

"We're leaving."

His words weren't up for debate.

The other ronin hesitated, their faces twisted with displeasure. The weight of Isla's death still hung heavy in the air.

But their loyalty to Onigi outweighed their thirst for revenge.

One by one, they turned and followed their leader.

As they reached the exit, they paid the necessary points and their figures flickered and disappeared into the next stage.

Alex exhaled, running a hand through his hair.

"Whew…"

Relief flooded him.

For a moment, he had assumed the worst.

If Onigi had chosen to fight, that could have been the end for him.

"DAMN YOU!"

A furious voice then roared behind Alex, but before he could turn—

BOOM!

A powerful force smashed into his back, sending him flying.

THUD! THUD! THUD!

Alex tumbled across the ground, dirt and debris flying in his wake.

Pain flared through his body, but he gritted his teeth and forced himself to balance, skidding to a stop.

His mind raced.

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Why did I react so slow?

He snapped his head up—and locked eyes with the barbarian.

The towering warrior crouched beside Isla's lifeless body, his trembling hands gently lifting her head.

His face twisted in pain.

His breath hitched, his voice breaking as he spoke.

"You… how… how could you do this?"

Alex tilted his head, confused.

"Do what? It's kill or be killed. I don't assume you guys just wanted to beat me up and let me walk away… did you?"

Akio's fists clenched.

His muscles tensed as his expression darkened.

His voice came out in a low, seething growl.

"You're a monster."

Alex let out a short breath, his voice sharp.

"Aren't you coming to this realization a little too late?"

"Damn you!"

With a furious roar, Akio charged.

BOOM!

The ground cracked beneath his feet as he lunged at Alex with pure rage.

But Alex was faster.

In a blur, he disappeared—then reappeared mid-air, directly above Akio.

Before the barbarian could react—

CRACK!

Alex drove his foot down into Akio's face, slamming him into the ground.

The impact shook the earth, dust and debris flying everywhere.

Pinned beneath Alex's boot, the barbarian groaned, his arms trembling as he struggled to push himself up.

Alex pressed down harder, his voice cold and sharp.

"You don't have the right to be angry at me..."

Akio growled, his teeth grinding against each other.

"You attacked me first—with the intent to kill."

Rage burned in Akio's veins. His vision blurred with fury.

Isla was gone.

The weight of her death crushed him, twisting his grief into something dark.

His breathing grew heavy.

His muscles bulged, veins pulsing as his body heated up unnaturally.

Then a deep, guttural growl escaped his throat.

A red aura exploded around him, pulsing like wildfire.

He had activated it...Frenzy Mode.

It was a skill that sacrificed defense for overwhelming offensive power.

The angrier he got, the stronger he became.

And right now...

He was drowning in rage.

Akio grabbed Alex's ankle, his fingers like an iron vice.

His entire body glowed red, raw energy pulsating from his skin.

Alex felt the pressure on his leg intensify, like his bones might crack.

His eyes narrowed.

SHING!

With a swift motion, Alex swung his blade down, slicing clean through Akio's arm.

Blood sprayed into the air.

But the barbarian didn't even flinch.

Alex leaped back, his instincts on high alert.

His eyes widened.

What the hell?

Akio stood there, one arm missing, yet completely unfazed.

His chest rose and fell rapidly, his body twitching. His face was twisted, his teeth bared like a rabid beast.

He didn't feel pain.

Alex's mind clicked.

Berserk mode.

The barbarian's breathing turned into a low, guttural growl.

Then....

ROOOOOAAAARRR!

Akio exploded forward, charging like a rocket-powered bulldozer, the ground cracking beneath his feet.

His eyes burned crimson, locked onto Alex with nothing but pure, mindless bloodlust.

But Alex—

He remained still.

Calm. Unshaken.

His hand slowly raised.

This fight was over.

He had no time to waste on a rampaging beast.

Alex's eyes sharpened.

This had gone on long enough.@@novelbin@@

[Black Flame]

The words left his lips, and instantly black flames erupted across Akio's body, engulfing him like a living inferno.

FWOOOSH!

But there no screams of pain.

The barbarian kept charging, his pace unwavering.

His skin sizzled, flesh peeling away as the cursed fire ate him alive, but he didn't slow down.

He was more than a man now.

A monster.

A mindless force of vengeance, driven by a singular purpose—kill Alex.

His eyes burned, not from the fire but with sheer rage.

ROAAAAR!

And then, with one last, furious battle cry, Akio swung his massive axe—

WHOOSH!

The blade cut through the air, aiming to cleave Alex in half.

But—

Alex was gone.

BLITZ!

In an instant, Alex slipped past him, his blade a blur.

SCHLICK!

A brief silence.

Akio stood frozen, his body trembling.

Alex turned, his black dagger dripping with crimson.

Then...

THUD.

Akio's body collapsed, motionless.

The lifeless barbarian collapsed, his severed head rolling a few feet away.

The flames continued to burn, but the battle was over.

[You have killed player Akio]

[You have received 3200 Nightmare Points]

[You have received 90 stat points]

Apocalypse Baby Kicking In

[You have received additional 3200 Nightmare points]

[You have received additional 90 stat points]

Alex exhaled, his grip loosening on his blade.

This… killing people… it wasn't satisfying.

But it was necessary.

He had made a choice—never to spare anyone who came at him with the intent to kill.

No matter who they were.

His thoughts lingered for a moment, and then something felt off.

His instincts screamed at him.

His eyes widened.

Wait...Where the hell was Kato?

The realization struck like a lightning bolt.

Then he sense danger.

Alex moved.

Too a little bit too late though.

And then.

SCHLICK!

A blade pierced through his chest, its tip bursting out from the other side.

Pain...sharp, cold and real.

Alex gasped, blood spilling from his lips.

Behind him, Kato leaned in, his voice a whisper of pure satisfaction—

"Gotcha."