NOVEL NEXT Chapter 12: Unhuman Mission
Arvian's gaze swept across the notification and he yelled.
Arvian's hands shook and his breath caught as he finished reading the system notification. His eyes widened in disbelief as the words sank in.
"Holy smokes!"
"What... what the hell is this?" His voice broke as he muttered.
"Kill innocent people in the market? Why? For what purpose?"
He clenched his fists and shook his head violently, as though he was trying to shake off a bad dream.
"Damnn, this... this isn't something I can do. Innocent people? Just to progress in this twisted trial?" His voice was raw with fear and rage.
***
As soon as Arvian stepped into the busy market, he noticed a tiny mask shop nestled between bigger, more elaborate stalls. One mask in particular drew his attention right away.
The black, sleek mask gleamed menacingly in the gentle sunlight, its metallic finish gleaming. Deep purple accents pulsed like living veins, radiating a dark, otherworldly energy, while sharp, angular edges gave it a sense of menace.
Narrow, glowing red-eye slits glared back at him, exuding an intense, predatory aura. The mask's lower portion resembled sharp, fanged jaws that were poised to eat anything that stood in their way.
Arvian couldn't look away. The mask itself seemed to be peering into his soul.
Arvian quickly grabbed the mask and ran, hearing the shop owner and bystanders chase after him. With his heart racing, he sprinted through the crowd in an attempt to get away.
Arvian took a deep breath, leaning against the alley wall, trying to steady his racing heart. Suddenly, the screen flickered before him, drawing his attention.
[System Notification: Mission Item Acquired]
[SYSTEM]:
In preparation for your Unhuman Mission, the following item has been assigned to your task:
Item: "Soulrender Blade"
Type: Weapon
Effect:
This weapon depletes the essence of those it strikes, feeding on their very souls.
Its power increases as it is used for evil purposes, providing the wielder with strength and corrupted energy.
Warning:
The blade is cursed. It will feed on your humanity with each use, further corrupting your mind and soul.
If used excessively, the blade will begin to take control of the wielder, pushing it toward the mission's dark objective with increasing urgency.
Arvian's hand gripped the blade from his inventory, feeling its cold, dark energy pulse through his fingers.
The ethereal blade shimmered with an ominous glow, its weight a constant reminder of its destructive purpose.
He could feel its power, its hunger for destruction as if it were calling out for violence.
And in sudden,
Images of faceless people—mothers, children, merchants—flashed through his mind, their expressions shifting to fear as he imagined himself raising his weapon.
A knot in his stomach made him stagger back, almost retching.
"No! I won't! I can't... I won't become a monster."
Then the Realm of Eternal Torture, a warning of failure, reverberated in his mind. The system's cold, unfeeling words replayed relentlessly: 1 hour in the world equals 10 years of suffering.
He clutched his head, breathing laboriously.
"What kind of choice is this? Either I kill them or suffer endlessly... forever reliving this moment...?"
He was crushed by the mission's weight, and his eyes began to well up with tears.
"How am I going to do this?"
He heard a voice in his head, either his conscience or maybe Zaryx's residual influence: Live to the very end.
"No," snarled Arvian, his tone taking on a hint of defiance. "I... I refuse to do it."
◇_______________◇
[System Notification: Time Remaining]
[SYSTEM]:
Warning: The clock is ticking.
Time Remaining: 16:36
[SYSTEM]:
Failure to complete the mission within the allotted time will result in escalating consequences.
The penalty for failure will get more severe the longer you put it off.
[SYSTEM]:
You have been warned. Proceed with the mission or face irreversible consequences.
◇_______________◇
"Bloodyy Damnnn."
Gripping the weapon, Arvian put on the mask. It was like it was made for him. A surge of dark energy swept through him.
Arvian's eyes went to a kid waiting for his parents by the store, playing with a toy.
He gritted his teeth under the mask. He moved slowly toward the child, being cautious not to draw attention to himself.
***
Arvian's old, foul-smelling clothes were stained, his wounds reopened, and the weapon was covered in blood as he finished the Unhuman mission, making the pain even worse.
Feeling a wave of regret, he leaned against an alley wall for support.
***
When Darius finally got close to the Academy, a man suddenly materialized in front of him, exuding a huge aura.
'Who the hell is he?' With his mind racing, Darius pondered.
With a chilly and authoritative tone, the man spoke.
"You don't look like you belong here. Speak up, or I'll make it difficult for you to speak."
The man's gaze locked with Darius's, his eyes burning with intensity. Darius could feel the surge of power suffocating him as it pressed against his chest and rippled through the air.
"Think... think quickly!" A wave of panic swept through Darius, and his mind raced.
The man approached more quickly than Darius could comprehend, his shape-changing like a shadow as he did so.
"I will spare you, but you must do what I say," the man said, his voice a cold whisper.
Darius's breath quickened and his heart pounded in his chest as the man's words reverberated in his mind.
His whole body stiffened as the man's dominant presence took hold of him.
"Become my slave... and my team member." The words hung in the air, the weight of them suffocating.
Darius's thoughts were racing with uncertainty and anxiety.
The man's power was undeniable, and the option to fight back seemed impossible. He knew that resisting might mean his life, but submitting felt like a loss of his very soul.
With a final, desperate glance, Darius swallowed his pride and spoke through clenched teeth. "What... do you want me to do?"
The man turned and said, "Follow me," with a cold smile.
Darius was uncertain of what lay ahead, so he followed grudgingly after pausing.