Apocalypse Baby

Chapter 124 - 124: Absurd Amount

While Alex battled the endless nightmare creatures at the starting area, things at the finish line were starting to get busy.

The first to land was Kato.

He had been right behind Alex, and now that he had arrived, the first thing he did was glare at him.

Alex, however, barely acknowledged him.

Kato's fists clenched. His teeth ground together. His anger was palpable.

Onigi, watching from nearby, said with a complicated look on his face..

"I see you're still burning with rage."

Kato ignored him and strode forward, his steps heavy with frustration.

"You told me to do whatever I want... so that's exactly what I'm going to do."

Onihi responded:

"Even if it leads to your death?"

Kato didn't respond.

More players soon arrived.

One after another, until their number totalled seven who made it to the finish line.

Five of them were Onigi's men.

Some of the ronin bruised, others bloodied, but none seemed to have suffered anything too serious.

Kyiv, a swordsman, arrived next.

His sleeve flared making his disability apparent.

He was missing an arm but he didn't seem to mind it as he proceeded to the entrance to the next trial.

Last came Xeno, an archer.

He clutched his face, his eyes wounded.

A nightmare bat had attacked him, and from the way he staggered, it was clear the damage was severe.

Onigi scanned the exhausted group wondering if that was everyone.

But then a figure appeared in the distance.

Still undergoing to trial.

It was Freya.

She moved swiftly, leaping from tile to tile, her breath ragged but controlled.

Around her, nightmare creatures swarmed, yet something was off.

The nightmare bats weren't attacking her.

The others stared in shock.

Whispers of confusion rippled through the group.

"Why aren't they attacking?" someone muttered.

Only a few bats hovered nearby, their eerie eyes locked onto her, but they did nothing.

Freya pushed forward, her legs burning with exhaustion.

Then, with a final leap, she landed beyond the finish line.

Her knees buckled, and she collapsed, breathing heavily.

When she looked up, all eyes were on her.

Dozens of people stared their expressions a mix of confusion, suspicion, and unease.

A nervous shiver ran down her spine.

What if the ronin tried to kill her again?

No.

She doubted they would do that.

They were probably just stunned by the sight that the nightmare bats hadn't attacked.

It was simple.

From watching she had observed that the more mana you let out the more attracted the monsters are to you.

And when he had a skill that enabled you to concern yours, then you would be practically invisible.

The cracked tiles and the traps were the issues though.

Luckily she had made it.

She then rose to her feet.

Her gaze darted across the crowd,

A secret, brutal way that only a unique few knew.

If you killed another player, their Nightmare Points and stat points would automatically transfer to you.

And the only way to know that is if you had killed someone in the nightmare.

Kyiv knew.

And on his knees, his mind spiraled.

He had done questionable to act like a saint now.

The first two options were nearly impossible.

So that left only one way.

Kill someone.

His hands trembled.

His heartbeat pounded in his ears.

Now came the next question.

Who to kill?

Kyiv's eyes darted around frantically.

Everyone who had made it this far was strong.

No one would go down easily.

The Ronins?

Suicide.

They'd spot his intent and cut him down before he even raised his sword.

Even if he killed one of them, he wouldn't made it out alive.

Alex?

Not a chance.

Kyiv had seen what Alex was capable of.

Xeno?

Maybe, since he had lost an eye... but it was still too risky.

That left only one person.

His eyes landed on Freya.

She was weaker than the others.

She was exhausted.

She was alone.

Kyiv's gaze darkened like a predator who had found its prey.

He took a deep breath.

Then without any hesitation, he lunged toward her.

His grip tightened around his sword.

His boots that he paid for with his arm activated, boosting his speed.

He blurred forward, his blade aimed straight at Freya's back.

And she had no idea.

The sword was inches from piercing her, but a cold voice shattered the air.

"Petrify."

Kyiv's body was locked in place.

His sword stopped—millimeters from Freya's skin.

Freya turned, her eyes widening in shock.

The realization hit her.

She stumbled back, watching Kyiv struggle with a manic look on his face.

He gritted his teeth as he couldn't move.

Alex then stepped forward, leaning close to Kyiv.

His voice was low and dangerous as he muttered:

"You... what do you think you're doing?"