Escape

[You should run.]

'Huh!?'

The panel, which had been almost silent until now, became active once again. Hans raised his head reflexively, lifted his right hand, and tapped the screen in mid-air. While his gaze was fixed on the status window, the words floated in white letters.

'What is it now?'

After confirming the content of the message, Hans' face crumbled in confusion.

"Why?" Hans eagerly questioned, tilting his head to the right. Furthermore, why would it say such a thing?

[…]

"How come you're not responding?"

Is it possible that there is a problem with the system? There have been instances where the status window has failed to display skills, though these are extremely rare.

'Weird.'

For some reason, Hans was bothered by the status window abrupt intrusion. When the first time he spoke to it, the panel only responded if the question concerned his ability.

At first, he wondered why the system was set up that way, but the more he observed it the more he realized that this existence was out of the norm.

One of the reasons he wants to gain strength quickly is because of this. Perhaps, ranking his innate ability may provide him with answers.

'Is it warning me?'

Run? But how far? Shouldn't it give exact distance… for reference?

Unfortunately, his question was not answered because an alarming sound jolted him awake from his trance.

Beep, beep—

The ringing sound reverberated throughout the building, prompting him to exit the room. After he walk out, Hans' gaze darted around the area which looks like a hallway.

The other rooms opened as well, followed by people peeking out with bewildering expressions etched on their faces.

"What the hell is going on?"

"Seems like an emergency."

"Shall we go out?"

Due to the increase of stats, Hans' hearing became stronger too. Eavesdropping from afar wouldn't be a problem either.

[Emergency Warning!

All people inside the building need to evacuate. I repeat…]

A loud machine voice buzzed, followed by an emergency notice. Despite their confusion, the people complied and proceeded to simply leave their rooms.

When suddenly—

Hans' senses tingled.

'Something is coming?'

As if his instincts warned him, Hans turned towards the other people and cried as loud as he can.

"Duck!!!"

A loud booming sound reverberated from the distance almost simultaneously.

Hans immediately threw his body on the floor and covered his head with his hands while the rest subconsciously followed suit.

BOOM—

Shring—

Unfortunately, not everyone reacted in time as some were blasted by shockwaves that squashed them against the walls.

BUZZ—

The massive shockwaves of the explosion shattered all of the windows, followed by a loud ringing sound that rendered others half deaf.

"Ahhhhh!!!! Ahh!!!"

"Help!!!! I don't want to die!!"

"Ahhhhh! My legs!!"

Those who are barely alive let out agonizing screams, but others are not as fortunate as them.

"D-dead!!!"

"Ahhh what's happening!!!??"

"Fuck!"

"Kyahhhhh!!!!!!"

These people started freaking out when they saw bodies on the floor covered in blood. Nobody could have predicted that they would go through something like this.

Gulp—

Meanwhile, after the explosions stopped, Hans unconsciously swallowed his saliva. His heart begins to race as a result of adrenaline and relief for his quick survival instincts.

'If I didn't duck on time…'

Wouldn't he have been swept away by the shockwaves if it hadn't been for his quick reaction time? Even if he is awakened, the aftermath of the massive explosion is enough to kill him.

'Pant—, pant— I'm lucky.'

Hans slowly raised his head while lying flat on the floor. His gaze darted around the other people as he observed them, meticulously. Based on their quick reaction, most of them were definitely awakeners.

'Is it… over?'

No one knows what it is. Even Hans didn't know what happened, thus he can only guess.

'Attack?'

That appears to be plausible. If someone has that much destructive power, he or she is either a strong awakened or a powerful enemy.

'I'll take a look.'

Just as he was about to stand up, someone tugged on his shirt, causing him to fall back down. Hans cocked his head slightly so he could look behind him.

'Who the hell—?'

There, a young adolescent laying on the floor worriedly stared at him, his gaze fixed on his upper chest.

"Y—You're bleeding, Mr.."

"It's nothing."

"But…"

Hans shifted his gaze downward, specifically to his chest. Although Hans was immediately aware of the danger and jolted down the floor, a moving projectile still managed to strike his chest.

But what strange is…

'It's healed now.'

The wound bled for some time before being rapidly healed.

'And I don't have a regeneration skill.'

Perhaps another bug? But wouldn't he be dissected if authorities find out about this?

Hans pondered for a while before he shifted his sights back to the boy. Perhaps it's because the boy saw his large shirt dyed in the blood that he assumed he's severely injured.

'What a kind child…'

They are rare nowadays. Teenagers now focus on striving to be a wanna be awakened or become social media influencers.

'Seems like it over now but…'

Hans lightly sigh, his pupils narrowed as he studied his surroundings. Although the explosions halted, for now, there's no guarantee that there wouldn't be more. What if there is a round two? And then a round 3?

"Damn, where is the rescuer!?"

"Is anybody a healer type here?!"

"C-can we leave now? I-I don't want to die!"

Few Awakened began to tear up while others just want to get out of this hell place. Even Hans agrees to their complaints.

"Fucking cowards, I can't stand this shit! I'm done!"

One Awakened raised his body, annoyed expression etched on his face. If not for agreeing to be a witness, he wouldn't even be here. Now, he's in a hell-like situation where no one knows shit.

'Fuck that.'

The Awakened stood up, patted the dust on his clothes, and began galloping towards the staircase.

At that moment…

Wooosh—

"Shit, get down!"

B-Class Awakened, Johnny, cried towards that guy.

Splat—

Unfortunately, it's too late.

A light beam penetrated the guy's forehead. Blood splattered on the ground as his heavy figure fell powerlessly on the floor.

"Huh!? D-dead, d-dead!!!!"

"Kuuahhhhhhh!!!!"

The scene became chaotic once more.

"Don't move, don't move!"

Johnny quickly ordered the other people who's panicking from the sudden death of the guy. He couldn't blame them. If an ordinary citizen witness someone being killed in front of him, wouldn't he be freaking out? Some even develop traumas.

Only those awakened and others with tons of military experience remained indifferent but their faces also showed an ugly expression as well.

"We can't move?"

"Seems like it."

"How can we leave!?"

"Shut your goddamn mouth, please."

Thoughts run through their minds as their eyes remained at the lifeless body of the guy.

And just like that, time continues to pass by.

1 minute… 2 minutes… 3 minutes… 10 minutes…

No one move.

No rather, no one dares to move. What if someone is monitoring their movements? Their outcome will be the same as that guy. Perhaps, the rescue team is on the way so it wouldn't hurt to wait for some time.

Then they can leave, safe and sound.

But, Hans thought differently.

'I need to leave this place.'

He's observing how that guy died earlier. The guy managed to stand for 3 seconds before finally falling to his death. Meaning, the killer, or whatever it is, only kills what his sights saw. Perhaps he didn't see the guy for about 2 seconds, which is why the guy's death was delayed.

To prove this, he tried wriggling his legs and arms even rolling sideways left and right.

And no attack came to him.

That is why…

'I can move, as long as they can't see me.'

Fortunately, half of the wall height remained making it possible to move around.

Hans raised his upper body using his arms, adjusted his knees, and started crawling towards the stairs. Although the posture is embarrassing, he couldn't even afford to think of those things.

His life is at stake here, why would it matter?

In the meantime, seeing Hans begin crawling slowly, others exchanged meaningful gazes. They waited for a little more time. Maybe this guy will be killed.

Seconds ticks by.

And Hans didn't get killed.

"Should we follow?"

"But we have to crawl! I'm wearing a skirt!"

"Why are you bitching about it? If you don't want to live, you're free to stay. No one will stop you, girl."

Other men glared towards the man who said those 'heroic' speeches. The man took a short glance at them, before nodding with a hint of affirmation.

Seeing this scene, Hans couldn't help but facepalm.

'The audacity of these perverts…'

Wait, it seems like 'pervert' isn't the term anymore nowadays.

'What is it called again? Men of culture?'

Ha, haha… what a grand term.

At the same time, Johnny stared at Hans momentarily. If not for this man's warning earlier, they would not even know how they died. Thanks to him, many survived.

'Who is he?' Johnny thought deeply before he began to follow suit.

.........…..

Hans crept down the stairs, one step at a time. His vision remained wary of other forms of movement around him.

'I'm right.'

As he had predicted, as long as he can hide from whoever is killing the survivors, he can move freely, albeit with some restrictions.

'It's not going to attack someone it can't see.'

Despite knowing this information, Hans remained vigilant. He forced his stiff neck to turn behind him and noticed other awakeners staring at him with expectant gazes.

'I'm more wary about them,' Hans thought inwardly.

To be honest, he's more concerned about the people who are following him. Not only because they are strangers, but also because of his previous experience.

What if he's betrayed by these guys?

Trust can be hard-earned these days. After all, betrayal never comes from the enemies.

Hans fix his gaze back to the stairs, raised his knees a little high before leaping from a 20 steps interval.

Huk—

After landing, Hans skipped 20 steps again.

Huk—

He did this over and over again until he's down to the final 5 floors of the building.

Pant—pant—

Even though he's tired, Hans forced his limbs to move, though they are already slightly trembling this time.

His sights darted around the area before his pupils contracted in surprise.

'It's worst here.'

Bodies were littered on the floor, while some have their arms or legs crippled. Unlike the upper floors, the 5th floor is wide open, that is why others can see what's happening on the outside. This also means anyone who tried crossing the 5th Floor had already died.

This is why Hans remained hidden on the large broken debris.

'Now, let's see.'

Hans slowly tilted his head sideways to peek on the outside but just before his eyes can get past the rock, he halted.

'Wouldn't I be killed if I showed up?'

Although he figure out some information, it was still limited by the lack of knowledge on who or what is attacking and even how it attacks.

Come to think of it, didn't the guy survive for like 2 seconds earlier? Maybe he can try it as well.

'But I can't.'

He's been at the end of the blade these past moments, and he doesn't want to risk his life anymore for a gamble.

Didn't there is a saying that says, 'Curiosity killed the cat'?

Although he didn't see what happened outside, Hans is quite sure that its situation is more chaotic than here.

'There will be no help, for now.'

Almost all Awakened from this branch association were probably dispatched a while ago, leaving only those low in rank and strength.

So asking for help is pretty much impossible.

'So how can I cross ahead?'

The stairs leading to the 4th floor are on the other side. To cross over, Hans needs to crawl but the problem is… the path is open in plain sight, with no walls blocking it or any large rocks standing by.

Crossing at fast speed is not a problem if he is a B-Class Awakened. Unfortunately, he's not there yet.

'Come on Hans! Think!'

It was then, Hans felt someone tug behind on his shoulders. But just as he was about to turn around, he was interrupted by a calming but creepy voice.

"Do not move…"

Hans' pupils constricted. Based on the tone of the voice, there's no doubt… it's definitely a woman.

'How come I didn't notice her?'

Is it because the rank of 'mind's eye' is too low? Or is it that the woman is too powerful?

Despite this, Hans maintained a calm expression, but his trembling knees betrayed him. He tried to open his mouth, but no words came out of it.

'What is happening!??'

Before asking a bizarre question, the woman behind raised her sword and caressed Hans' exquisite cheeks.

"Tell me human. Do you know the king? "

'King?'

How is he supposed to respond to that? Guess? Is she referring to a certain King from a bygone era?

Hans swallowed his saliva nervously. Sweat dripped down his brow as he tried to come up with an answer to the question.

And as if his brain doesn't want to, Hans received no feedback.

'Oh god.'

He just escaped death. The moment he tried to crawl earlier, all of it was his gamble. Though some of it was based on what he observed but still… there's a certain chance that he might die at that time for sure.

And now here… death is smiling with him once again.

'Come on, give me a break.'

At that moment…

Tri-ring—

[Blood Resonates…]

[Consuming her blood can get you out of this predicament.]

'Ah, there he goes.'

Hans instinctively let out a dumbfounded chuckle after reading the contents of the message.

"Ha, haha… seriously?"