Hunger

[Hunt starts in 60 seconds.]

The countdown started.

Brennus equipped the Bloodbane sword and raised a brow at the full moon.

'Night in a forest is going to be a bit hard.'

Emma's gaze drifted to the trees in the surroundings before stopping on Brennus. She drew a deep breath in surprise. "This… This is another world?"

She hadn't expected him to bring her to a whole nother world.

"Kinda," Brennus answered.

"We won't die here?"

"Yup."

"Really?"

Brennus furrowed his brows. "I get it that you're scared. It's reasonable. Just stick to the plan, and we'll walk out with a boon."

"Try to tame the beasts with telepathy. If that's not possible, distract them until you kill them," Emma repeated the plan with a sharp glint in her eyes.

Brennus hung his sword on his waist and plopped his hand on her head. He rubbed her hair, causing her to squint with a slight blush.

"What's this supposed to mean?"

"Reward for being a good girl?"

Emma brushed off his hand. "Look, the countdown is ending."

Brennus armed himself with another Light sword. The countdown ended, and cold gales assaulted the duo. Brennus took out a jacket from his Mystic Dimension and draped it over shivering Emma.

She shrunk her figure in the jacket, shivering as she did. "You don't feel cold?"

Brennus shook his head. He was still wearing the Reaper Shroud and casual jeans. The darkness did nothing to bar his vision.

'Perks of being an angel.'

"Where should we go?"

Brennus looked around. All the directions had trees scattered, making it hard to choose.

Wolves howled in the north.

"That's our direction."

"Alright," Emma said and clutched his shirt. "I can't see clearly."

The chirping insects distracted him, so did the howls. Emma halted and pointed at the green-skinned snake slithering through the grass with crimson letters hovering above its head.

[Forest snake Level 2]

This weak creature couldn't even trigger his senses.

"Go on. Show me what you're made of."

With a somber expression, Emma crouched and concentrated.

"Leave your mind to me. Be defenseless."

Her words were straight out of a fake hypnotist's mouth. She was trying hard to brainwash the snake, so much that her mental waves generated low wind around her.

"Just a small thought implant. You can do it."

He, a level 4 telepath, tried to cheer her. He had no idea what she was doing, but she had his full support.

"I won!"

Emma eventually succeeded in making the snake dance to her whims. She also graduated from level 21 to… level 27. He had to grind nonstop for one level while Emma jumped six levels straight.

'What nonsense is that?'

"That's how the system works, pal. She is a mutant and a single breakthrough in her telepathy affects her overall power. Whereas, your levels are strictly like RPGs."

'It includes equipment?'

"Yes."

Brennus let out a sigh. His level and other people's level acted completely differently.

Emma hung the snake with its tail and poked its head.

"It's my cute pet. Fuck, Winston. He never allowed any pets in our home."

'Can we bring it back?'

"You can."

Brennus crossed his arms on his chest. If he added his own telepathy into the mix, creating an army out of wild animals might just be possible. Any adult could crush this level 2 snake.

'If only I could make them stro—no no no no no. How did I forget that skill?"

"Give it to me."

Emma looked at him warily. "You won't eat him, right?"

Brennus took the snake from her and pressed his finger on its head. "Initiate the contract."

[Contract initiated… Contract successful]

[Forest Snake has joined the follower's list.]

'Are you trying to make a god or something with followers?'

"Maybe. This contract requires consent of the other side to influence their mind."

'I'm glad I didn't use it on Emma.'

Emma's eyes widened. "What did you do? It stopped resisting completely."

Brennus just smiled at her confusion. Emma's shoulder dropped dejectedly.

"Fine. Don't tell—"

"Alright."

Brennus explained the Contract thing to her. Emma blinked her eyes stupidly.

"You're more dangerous than I thought…" Emma glanced at the snake with a sigh. "We're doomed if someone got this information. Mutants and humans, both will be after us."

Brennus shrugged his shoulders. "Let them come."

They will become his nourishment.

"We should move," Emma suggested.

"Yup."

Moving so they did, through the lifeless dark forest. The bestial roars crept closer and closer.

Brennus's senses went haywire. He felt the wind trembling over his head. He shoved Emma to the side, raising his sword at the same time.

Clang!

A metallic clash sparked the creature's wolf-like face. Its sharp fangs peeked out of his mouth as its rancid breath churned Brennus's stomach.

[Werewolf Level 24]

[Main Skill: Superhuman regeneration]

The werewolf's crimson eyes glowed as it swiped its other claws. Brennus swiftly leaned his body to the side. The werewolf kicked the blade and rebounded. Standing a few meters away, the creature glared at Brennus with its feral crimson eyes with every bit of intention to devour him whole.

"I should've brought silver here," Brennus whispered and wielded a Light sword in his left hand. "Still, this thing is lacking a lot for a Level 24 monster."

Other than its agility, its strength was a step below him. No matter what this monster came at a perfect time. He needed to regain some confidence after running from Level 150+ mutants.

He swept his tongue over his lips with a grin.

'How much XP will I get now?'

***

Name: Brennus

Level: 12 (90.47% to next level)

HP: 740/740

SP: 500/500

Current Race: Low-rank Angel

Class: Blood Reaper

Title: Limb Butcher

Traits: Barbarian, Scholar, Cosmic Dweller, Aphrodite's Child, Super Sense, Master Swordsman, Master Smith.

Strength: 60 (+5 from Unholy Vengeance, +10 from Bloodbane Sword)

Vitality: 74

Dexterity: 70 (+10 From Reaper's Shroud)

Intelligence: 50 (+5 From Unholy Vengeance)

Wisdom: 50 (+5 From Reaper's Shroud)

Luck: 35

Stat Points: 0

Skills:

[Death's Blessing Lvl. Max (Passive)]

[Beyond Death Lvl. Max (Passive)]

[Mystic Wings (Active) Lvl. 1]

[Divine Essence Manipulation Lvl. 5 (Active)]

[Ignore Lvl. 2 (Passive)]

[Telepathy Lvl. 3 (Active)]

[Sword Mastery Lvl. 6 (Passive)]

[Levitation Lvl. 1 (Active)]

[Create Dungeon Lvl. 2 (Active)]

[Poker Face Lvl. 1 (Passive)]

[Battle Instincts Lvl. 1 (Passive)]

[Shadow Blood Lvl. 1 (Passive)]

[Kill Counter Lvl. 1 (Passive)]

[Burning Sword Lvl. 1 (Active)]

[Mortal Contract Lvl. 1 (Active)]

Current Quests:

[An Eye for an Eye, a Soul for a Soul]

[The Real Angel of Death]

[The Forgotten Past]

Current Equipment:

[Unholy Vengeance (E)]

[Reaper's Shroud (D)]

[Blessed pendant (D)]

[Fire extinguisher (F)]

[Club Gaming Console (D)]