The Severed Thread of Fate (2)

The Demon King fearlessly made his entrance at the center of of the human domain. As though the world have all came to a halt before its presence, not a single word was spoken, not a strand of muscle dared to contract. Uncertainty permeated throughout, uncertainty of the possibility to live to and see another day.

What do we do now? Is this the end? Am I going to die? Where did it all go wrong? Did my effort so far amount all to nothing? Why did it appear here? Why now? Why? Why? Why? Why, did everything have to fall apart? Why, did it all have to end before I found happiness in this god-forsaken world?

[-in! Jin! Snap out of it!] Shin's telepathy suddenly ended my train of thoughts. [What should we do now…?]

I gaze at his face. A mix of pity, regret, and bitterness. Shin, of all the round he has experienced, he has most likely never have encountered an individual like myself who have the ability to control the scale of probability. Despite, the limited trust he had, he had probably held some expectation of this being his last regression.

[I'm not sure, this is impossible, it shouldn't have happened.]

It was then, Shin gripped his weapon tightly as his muscles tensed; his eyes went wide and morphed to that of a slit as blood-red permeated throughout. I recognized that skill immediately.

[H-Hey! What are you doing?!]

[Eternal Mimicry - The Seeker of Chaos - Berserk]

It was a berserker skill. But, it's not that simple. The essence of the skill was to unleash and harness the nature and power of a being called Seeker of Chaos, a guardian of the Origin. Due to its overwhelming power, Shin will only be consumed by chaos itself and ultimately perish when the skill ended.

[Should I… Kill hi-]

[STAND DOWN! OR I WILL KILL YOU AND EVERY SOUL RESIDING IN THIS WORLD!]

I glared at him, threatening to unleash and probability storm of the largest magnitude that would mark the end of this world. This world, if he were to kill that damn bastard, the Origin would descend. Then, not a single thing about this life would have any meaning as death only awaits. I'd rather end it myself, then to continue to delay my inevitable death.

His right eyes morphed to that of mystic blue and landed on me, yet with the power to control the scale of probability at the tip of my finger, I felt not a shred of fear.

"I will be blunt," The Demon King begun, drawing attention of every single being within the arena. "Which one of you lowly being dared to have crossed me? And which one of you have been trying to cross the boundary of what it means to be human? Step forth for you will be granted a painless death." An emotionless tone, befitting of a demon king.

"So you are the Demon King…" it was then, a lone human step before the ugly creature, and I clearly knew who this human is. Golden hair fluttering amidst his calm yet mighty aura, emerald green eyes that glows through the darkness that had engulf the land, serving as a glimmer of hope for humanity. His figure stood tall and large, acting as a barrier against the evil force invading. Though I have read about him, witnessing his presence sent goosebumps throughout my body. It was not out of fear but admiration. The man before me, titled Humanity's Strongest, was Baek Hyeon Yoo.

In reality Shin is the strongest within the human domain. It was odd that I did not feel such emotion standing before him, possibly due to his ability to hide his aura and power.

"Father…" I heard Jun-seo muttering behind me, an uncomfortable tone, one filled with anxiety. I too was feeling the same emotion.

I do not understand how have the story developed to this extent. But I do understand an important detail.

"Humanity's Strongest, Baek Hyeon Yoo can not fall today…" for everything will crumble without his existence.

"How arrogant of you,, you dare step your filthy foot in the land of humans?" Baek Hyeon Yoo glared at the indifferent giant demon.

"Humanity's Strongest… I have no interest in you," the Demon King only address him with a mere glance. "Begone," and with a flick of a finger, Baek Hyeon Yoo was sent flying into arena wall with a powerful gust of wind.

'Matter and space manipulation…' I noted internally. Seeing him being powerlessly flung away did not surprise me. I was well aware of the power that thing possess. But…

As a I gaze around the arena I can see the faces of the humans who just witness the scene. The horror in the eyes was heartbreaking. The despair so thick, it was suffocating. There, before them, their one and only hope, Humanity's Strongest was effortlessly flung away.

Ignorance was blissful to these human.

This power of the great evil was unknown to these humans. They have only heard of this beings might in form of short horror stories told by soldiers returning from the battlefield. Yet even through such stories, it was unfathomable just how powerful it is.

On this day today, after centuries of being in the dark, it finally revealed itself, baring its vicious fangs against the entirety of humanity

"I will only say this once and will not say this again, the human that have bared its fang towards me and the human who dared to cross the boundary of what it means to be a human, step forth," its red blood eyes began to glimmer dangerously, sending chills throughout the land.

Not a single movement was made, no words were spoken, no hope was felt.

"Very well, from this moment forth, I, the Demon King, declare war against humanity." Its voice was like thunder to our ears. A declaration of a second war between humans and demons. Could they fathom the amount of lives that would lost to these filthy creatures again?

"You all are sources of my amusement, and I do not wish to force your kind into extinction. However, as it stands, I am force to take drastic measures. Do not blame me for your suffering, blame the humans who have crossed the line." As the Demon King finished its speech, it raised its hand forward. "My soldiers, go forth, bring destruction…"

It was then, multiple spatial tears appeared out of thin air throughout the arena. With a cry of a war horn, many pitch black creatures, numbering over hundred or thousands march through the portals.

"Everything is falling apart…" I couldn't help but uttered, witnessing those armies appearing through the portals.

Feeling satisfied with itself, the Demon King turned around, and after giving one look of disdain towards the humans, and disappeared through the its own portal.

"Shit…" Shin cursed as he look around at the severity of the situation.

[He is most likely still spying on this area, move with caution] I reminded the regressor.

[I know]

I turned back and look at everyone else, "our priority right now is to get out of here, you all are valuable soldiers with infinite potential, do not lose your lives playing the hero here, I gave them a stern look to which they slowly nodded.

"You're not going anywhere!" It was then, something pierced through the air with a sharp sound. I whipped my head towards the direction of the nasty voice to see a hand holding an arrow which stoped in its track just 30cm before my face.

"How troublesome…" Shin muttered under his breath as he activated his skill, his eyes distorted that of vibrant yellow.

[Eternal Mimicry - Limitless Range]

[Eternal Mimicry - Magic Enchantment - Explosion]

It was Eliss' and an unknown soldier's skill. His eyes locked onto to our assailant and launched the arrow at full power towards the demon. With precise accuracy, the arrow pierced the demon's head before exploding it into bits.

However, as quick as the death of the demon captain, at least 5 figures began to surround us.

"Shit…" and I couldn't help but curse. "They're all in the rank of demon captain…"

"So you four are the unpolished gems," one of the demon holding a great sword spoke.

[7 Swords of the Fallen Gods - Malicious Kindness]

Jun-seo's sword began to glow red. Malicious Kindness, a strength buff.

[The Great Surge - Limit Breaker]

Mia's rapier began to hum dangerously as her body glow in mystic blue light.

[Limitless Range]

Eliss' blue eyes distorted to that of vibrant yellow as her readied her bow with 3 arrows resting between her fingers on the tightened string.

[Eternal Mimicry - Magic Enchantment - Hellblaze]

[Eternal Mimicry - Magic Enchantment - Thunderwave]

To prevent more suspicion, Shin revealed his spear that he received from the academy and enchanted it with magic, in an instance, the spear was set ablaze and lightning began crackling, engulf in fiery and electric aura.

"All of you seems to have great potential…" Another demon holding a whip nodded as she got into a battle stance.

"The general was right, its too dangerous to allow to allow you all to continue living, the threat each of you possess will be immeasurable if we allow your talent to sprout," A cloaked demon holding a scythe began to draw closer, dragging his scythe behind him.

"I am not fond of killing children, but an order from the general is absolute," another demon wearing gauntlets slammed his fist together.

"You dare? Then, try as you might," Shin's golden eyes began to glimmer dangerously as he tightened his grip on the spear.

The last of the five wield a pair of sharp metallic claws. She glared at Shin as if she wanted to tear him apart, "You might have killed Seros, but she was the weakest among us. Do not get arrogant with us, boy…"

"I suppose she was your sister?" Shin revealed a smile which devoid of empathy. "I can see the resemblance. You're right that she was a weakling. But in my eyes, you are no difference…"

"I'll make you pay for those words.." The demon captain vehemently hissed as she burst forward at high speed.

This is bad. The eyes of the Demon King definitely is observing this battle. If Shin were to go overboard, he will be suspected. If I reveal my power over probability, I will be dead.

'System'

[Yes, host?]

I have never tried to have a direct conversation with the system before, but I figured it should be possible. With that last system message I receive, I can deduced that there is some sort of being watching over me and this thing should've been created to protect me.

'Is there anyway to use Absolute Probability Manipulation that does not cause allow other to notice this power?'

[Yes, there is. As long as you do not use the power to influence time, space or matter outside of your body's control, there will be no leakages of ■■.]

'The what now?'

[■■.]

'Remove the filter.'

[Action denied.]

'Explain.'

[Language being used are out of this world law.]

'Explain the filter using language that can be recognized in this world plane.'

[Pending…]

[■■ can be described as "otherworldly source of power"]

'I see… what is the difference in the toll when using Absolute Probability Manipulation to influence anything within the body and anything external?'

[There is no difference. However, taking other factors into consideration, The toll will be much more heavier when influencing external factor, since ■■ need to exit the body. Therefore there will be leakages which would make host's soul recycle ■■ much slower.]

Ah, I see now. I was able to gather a lot of information from that and was able came up with several theories. But unfortunately, there is no time for that.

[Absolute Probability Manipulation - Pain Nullification]

Now.. I need to endure through these…

[Absolute Probability Manipulation - Enhance Instinct]

[Absolute Probability Manipulation - Enhance Strength]

[Absolute Probability Manipulation - Enhance Speed]

[Absolute Probability Manipulation - Enhance Defense]

[Due to excessive use of ■■, host will only able to maintain this state for 5 minute]

My instinct roared. This time, with the buff of the otherworldly power, my body move before my mind could react.

I raised my daggers and parried the scythe away, with a loud crashing boom it embedded itself into the arena's floor. The impact and debris would've affected me but I manage to activate my skill in time.

"Pretty good, young boy… and yet you are not one of our target, what is your name?" The cloaked demon revealed chilling smiled under its hood before summoning a knife out of thin air and slashed towards my head in a swift motion.

[Wind Mimicry]

"My mom told me not to disclose personal information to stranger!" his knife passes through my face which have become one with the wind, "ARGHH," I swiftly took this small window opportunity, and with a howl I ran my dagger through the area of his core.

'Not deep enough.'

"URGHH!! YOU DARE!?" The demon howled in pain as he kicked me away, fortunately I was able to block it which only cause me to be flung my a couple of meter. 'Weak,' I noted, possibility due to the defense buff.

I sprinted forward at high speed and launched the dagger in my left hand toward the area of his core.

"Tch," the demon clicked his tongue as he use the handle of his scythe to parry the dagger away. "You know of our weakness, human?"

Without saying a single word, I clenched my dagger tightly and slashed horizontally at the creature. The demon kicked his scythe up from the ground, blocking the trajectory of my slash, but the scythe was flung to the side being met with my strength which was buff by otherworldly source of power.

"!!" The demon, not expecting the sheer strength of the slash, was taken back. I did not waste a opportunity and thrust forward. However, it used the momentum of the scythe and was able to dodge to the side, and in the middle of the air summoned a knife and launched it at my heart.

[Wind Mimicry]

But the knife merely passes through the empty area that was my chest.

The demon captain landed quickly recovered, landing on the ground and got into his stance again.

"I took you for a weakling when I landed my eyes on you," He said. "But I was wrong, you are strong, it seems I have underestimated you. But its too bad, since you have me, Vikcra, as your opponent, I will be the one bringing death to you."

"Look at you trying to dress and even act like the grim reaper."

"You just look like a crackhead that havent taken his meds!" I raised my hand towards the demon and begin to channel wind mana, immediately the air around us began to howl and the gust of air became more violent.

"[Storm of Emptiness]"

As the words escaped my lips, a raging amount of wind mana howled and soon become a large tornado as it engulfed the demon captain.

"What is this…? A vision hindering mana technique?" The demon captain curiously muttered. "Oxygen, its depleting," it caught on pretty quick.

'The oxygen is decreasing too slowly. Then…'

"Burn…" Immediately, a large flame exploded around the tornado. The fire mana slowly melt into the raging wind mana. Embracing each other, they manifested themselves into a larger fire whirl.

The demon quickly acted, and tried to rush out of the eyes of the tornado, but it continued to follow him.

"What?!"

The mana technique would continue to follow him for as long as I am controlling, to sustain it would obviously continue to use mana.

Now, with the adrenaline coursing through my body, I quickly recovered and burst forward at high uncontrollable speed, activating my skill and dagger art vanishing into thin air, merging with the tornado.

[Wind Mimicry]

[Dagger Art: Silent Wind - Concealment]

"Urgh… where are you! Show yourself you bastard!" Desperately, now unable to sense my existence, the creature swung its scythe around like maniac.

'An opening!'

Not missing my opportunity, I re-appeared an inch before the filthy thing and embed my dagger into its runes. "The scythe is a shitty weapon! And also wear some armour next time you emo fuck!"

"ARGHHSSHH!!" Letting out a ear-piercing scream it desperately try to summon its knife but it was already too late. With all of my strength, I ran the dagger through its body, blood spurred like waterfall, covering me from to head to toe. And just before the creature could process anything, its body have been cut open from its stomach to right shoulder.

"Hah…ha..ha…" With heavy breathe and the adrenaline still viciously pumping within my body I kicked the demon's body away. Staring the bloodied corpse and my blood-stained hand cause me to feel something I have never felt. I can feel it, the otherworldly source of power coursing through my body. It felt as though everything is being replayed in slow motion. "Ha…ha…HAHAHAHH," then I began to laugh uncontrollably. This is what powers feels like. "That's right, keep it going…" Its that feeling once again. I was myself but I was also not myself. But this time it was euphoric. My gaze sharply move towards other battle.

Shin have finished his battle for a while, his opponents head was cut cleanly off, and he was already helping Eliss since she was the most vulnerable to close-combat.

[7 Swords of the Fallen Gods - Blaring Humility]

Jun-seo was fighting off the demon with a great sword. It seems he had no choice but to unleashed Blaring Humility, the berserker mode, seeing as how his eyes began to glow red.

Mia was going against the demon with the gauntlet, and it seems as though shes being pushed back. With determination on my next move, I grabbed my dagger that I had thrown earlier and activated my abilities.

[3:45 minute(s) remaining before automatic shutdown of "Absolute Probability Manipulation".]

[Wind Mimicry]

[Dagger Art: Silent Wind - Concealment]

—-

[General POV]

"Useless, how are you going to take my defense down with only that speed of yours," the gauntlet demon taunted as he got back into a fighting stance.

"Shut up, you talk too much." Mia, who was intially pushed back, recovered and raised her rapier once more.

[The Great Surge - Limit Breaker]

[Storm Quelling Sword - First Stance: Imperceivable Gale]

Activating her skill, she performed the first stance of Storm Quelling, a sword art exclusive to the Verlice family, passed down to her by her father.

[Iron Fist]

The demon hurriedly raised his gauntlet into a defense stance and activated his skill, sensing the danger from her sword art.

Mia eyed the demon in heavy concentration. Her purple suddenly glimmered dangerously, and as if she was an illusion, she vanished into thin air.

Instants later, she materialized herself behind the demon. It was deadly calm before a swirl of wind was heard, and the demon's head was no longer apart of its body.

"Huu… god that fucking hurt," Mia groaned as she held herself up with her rapier. "I haven't mastered that move yet."

"Hey! He was my prey!" It was then she heard Jun-seo's shout in annoyance. "If you didn't help I would've been able to kill him kuch earlier!"

"Oh shut up, do you think you in your berserker mode could've finished him off that quickly without any rational thinking," Jin brushed him off. "You hitting every places except for its weak spot."

"Hah? Weak spot? what are you talking about?"

The two of them have just defeated the demon captain and was tejoining the group

Moments later, Shin and Eliss also did the same as they finished their battle.

"Thanks for the help, Shin, I might've just died without you," Eliss heaved a sigh of relief.

"No problem," Shin nodded. "But we have to get out of here, we can't afford to be involve in anymore battle."

KABOOM!!

It was then a loud explosion was heard. We all turned to the sound of the noise. There, in the middle of the arena was Baek Hyeon Yoo, surrounded by large amount of demon. Standing before him, was another demon that was clearly larger than the others. One look can tell that demon is more dangerous than the other. It was a demon that was at least the vice-general rank.

"Shin!"

"Yeah, I got it," understanding Jin's intention immediately, Shin raised his hand towards Baek Hyeon Yoo's direction and cast a buff on the man, ensuring his survival in the onslaught.

[Eternal Mimicry - Limit Beyond - Enhance 10 fold]

"Father!" Jun-seo called out but I grabbed him by the back of his collar, urging him to not get involve. "Hey! Let me go!"

"We have to get out of here, Jun-seo," Shin urged.

"Just as that demon said," Jin spoke up, catching the groups attention, "you all possess infinite potentials, if one of you were to fall here, humanity is doomed. You better keep that in mind."

"To hell with that!" Jun-seo retorted. "Can't you see? Humanity IS already doomed. Did you not feel the power that demon king posses? Did you not see how he flicked father, humanity's strongest, away like a mere bug? Can't you fucking see!?"

"…" Jin massaged my temples in annoyance with how stubborn this kid is. 'We don't have time for this,' he told himself.

[0:09 minute(s) remaining before automatic shutdown of "Absolute Probability Manipulation".]

He looked at the timer shown by the system panel, and made his decision. Jin raised his fist, and with powerful punch to the jaw, Jun-seo was knocked out cold.

Everyone else who witness at the scene was in shock and surprised.

"Wow, I'm speechless," Mia uttered.

"I think you should've done that neck chopping thing martial artist does instead, that was quite brutal," Eliss commented.

"Ha.." Shin sighed in annoyance thinking about what Jun-seo may do when he wakes up.

"We don't have time for this," Jin said as he picked up Jun-seo's unconcious body and threw it over Shin's shoulder.

[Initiating automatic shutdown of "Absolute Probability Manipulation".]

"Someone, catch me," Jin suddenly said before he seems to lose all of his ability to control his body and began to fall backward.

"What the-" Fortunately, Mia was there and managed to catch him in time. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I just overuse my ability, that's all," Jin slowly nodded. "Anyways we have to get out of here."

"Hey! You kids!" It was then a familiar voice reach their ears. They turned to the voice to see a homeless man, who just appeared by their sides. His appearance hint that he was in a battle before coming here.

"Who are you?"

"I'm your homeroom teacher, you bastards! God, kids these days have no manners," our homeroom teacher, Aldir Hydes, shouted back. "Anyways, I'm here to evacuate all of you specifically."

"Specifically?"

"You all are priorities according to the higher ups, I'll escort you to the academy." Aldir landed his gazes on the corpse surrounding the group, as a soldier that fought on the battlefield of the war against the demons for decades, he immediately recognize that all of them are in the rank of demon captains, a rank that should be impossible for a first year to kill. "Hurry, we don't have much time," Aldir urged.

"The second war against the demon has begun."

Finally, allowing those words to crash down on himself, Jin looked up at the sky and think about his own fate. He felt as though he was never in controlled of this story despite possessing so much power over it.

「To be strung along by a mere thread of fate, oh how ironic must this story be.」