All at once
Joyful with how effortless it was to kill the men I quickly left the scene to make my way to the next checkpoint.
'That was so much fun!'
'Doing the trick with throwing my blade completely caught them off guard.'
'And because I studied this group I already knew all of their powers which made it easy to kill them.'
'The way I killed the second was so cool! I held a stone between the knuckles of my pointer and middle fingers then charged right into him!'
'I got to actually feel his blood pure on my wrist as I broke through his ribs and lungs all the way to his spine.'
'I bet if I get even stronger I can go the whole way through someone's body!'
As I slowly pick up my speed thanks to Tunnel I take a look and the new stats in my panel.
[Name: Arthur]
Level: 2 (30%)
Health: 95%
Mana: 6 (11)
Attack: 2 -> 3
Defense: 0 -> 1
Speed: 3 -> 4
Mana: 10 -> 11
Abilities - Breathless, Rush, Tunnel
Bricks: +2 Defense.
Stone Cold: Remaining still will cause anyone who looks at you to feel dread.
All-star: You will catch anything thrown at you if you see it leave its original position.
(You will steal the abilities of every person you kill)
Mission - Slay all those who are forgotten. Your name resides in the shadows. There are no others like you: Kill everyone who still lives on Earth. (Reward: 5 levels, 50 mana, ability to travel through space)
Rank: Zero
'It seems that every time I level up my basic stat goes up one level each.'
'Finally, I have some defense, plus with Bricks, I will be a lot harder to kill.'
'It seems I was wrong about mana. I originally complained thinking it would be useless but now I realize just how important it is and how much more I need it.'
I already knew about all their abilities which was why I was able to counter them so easily.
I faked attacking James and threw my sword to kill the first man so that he wouldn't have Bricks activated and even if he did I figured the dagger would still harm him.
The second wasn't even a challenge because I just didn't look him in the eyes. It's such a weak ability that anyone could counter it.
Then the last man was also planned. I knew he could catch the stones but he froze in the beginning which confused me but then he got right back into the fight.
Because of my own experience, I already knew that activating abilities uses up mana, so I'll I had to do was drain him.
Then a stone finally hit him and once he ran out, it was a simple kill after that.
Spending only an hour traveling this time I arrive at my next point of attack.
Mana: 5 (11)
Entering a nearby building I wait for my mana to recharge and for my enemies to arrive.
Shortly after I heard voices in the distance. Looking down to check my mana one last time I load a stone into my slingshot and wait.
Mana: 9 (11)
When they became parallel with the building that I'm hiding in I raise my head to look over them and pull back on the slingshot.
The first shot is perfect as it speeds down and instantly kills the first man by bushing his skull through his ear.
The suddenness of seeing their friend drop dead stunned the remaining two for a moment allowing me to get off another shot and kill another one as well.
With the final man alive and no cover around all he could do was turn in circles looking for my position.
Too bad for him he came across me, and I dropped him down crushing his head like the others.
Without even going to check their bodies I make my way to the next checkpoint.
Repeating the same process I hide in a building a snipe the next three men that approach.
'Only one more group,' I say as I quickly make my way toward them.
With the six murders, I committed I check my status panel once again to learn about the new abilities I got.
[Name: Arthur]
Level: 3 (15%)
Health: 95%
Mana: 10 (12)
Attack: 3 -> 4
Defense: 1 -> 2
Speed: 4 -> 5
Mana: 11 -> 12
Abilities - Breathless, Rush, Tunnel, Bricks, Stone Cold, All-star
Flashy: You can change the color of your hair.
Night vision: You can see in the dark.
Dream: You heal 1% every two hours you sleep.
Reinforce: Touch someone to give them +1 Defense.
Grip: You will never let go.
Berserk: If you are below 10% Health Attack doubles.
(You will steal the abilities of every person you kill)
Mission - Slay all those who are forgotten. Your name resides in the shadows. There are no others like you: Kill everyone who still lives on Earth. (Reward: 5 levels, 50 mana, ability to travel through space)
Rank: Zero
'Some of these skills are actually useful!'
'Dream will be amazing because I will finally be able to heal my throat.'
'Night vision will be useful as well.'
'And berserk is amazing! Although being below 10% health means I can't really do much as I would be half dead I still might come in handy.'
Satisfied with some of the new abilities I received I approach the last group.
'This is going to be fun!' I say knowing that this is the most powerful group of them all.
This is due to their leader who has two abilities!
As we standoff in the road starring at each other I make the first move.
Without taking a step or making an action one of the men drops down dead.
He… killed himself.
'Stone Cold is amazing!'
Just by making eye contact with one of the men the amount of fear he felt made him kill himself to escape.
As my sinister smile grows on my face I charge at them accepting the two verse one.