NOVEL NEXT Chapter 9: [ Intro ] Chapter 9- Death is just a beginning
"Haah...." Akhil stepped out of the basement, each step careful despite the burning pain shooting through his body.
Blood dripped from a gash on his cheek, staining his shirt, but he pushed on without missing a beat.
'1...4...6...' His eyes darted around the apartment, lingering on the drawers, furniture, and several cameras hidden around, almost like it was waiting to catch every moment.
[SUPREME YANDERE SYSTEM ACTIVATING...]
[ERROR DETECTED: SYSTEM DAMAGED DUE TO TURBULENCE.]
[REPAIR INITIATED.]
[INITIALIZING...]
'Laila, hope you see this well', Akhil made sure that his face was clearly visible in front of all the cameras, with the angle of him in this state being evident to others as he arrived, stumbling, in the middle of the room.
"Cough! Khwack—drip" He coughed—a rough, wet sound that echoed in the stillness—as he staggered and leaned against the wall for support.
His fingers left bloody smudges as he pulled himself upright, trying not to let the agony show.
"Haah...Haah..." For the cameras, he really put on a performance, exaggerating each labored breath and wince of pain to ensure it all got caught on film.
But as soon as he turned away from the lens, the act was over.
His face hardened, and he moved with purpose, searching through the drawers until he found a small paper cutter and tucked it into his belt.
"Cough!" He glanced back at the camera one last time, coughed again, and felt more blood slip down his chin.
Presently, if he were to ask whether he really trusted those two women who had extreme love for him, then his answer would typically be no.
What he trusted was himself.
Knowing well that all the hard work he put into making them fall for him over the years was what made him sure to get the result in the form of their reaction.
He staggered out of the apartment, his body swaying as if he could barely hold it together.
Yet, the moment he hit the open air, the mask dropped.
[ SYSTEM: REPAIR IN PROGRESS.]
[ANALYZING ENVIRONMENT.]
[ERROR: LIMITED FUNCTIONALITY DUE TO SYSTEM DAMAGE.]
His walk quickened, and his breaths became steady as he moved with precision toward the waiting vehicles.
Three drivers stood nearby, weapons slung over their shoulders like it was no big deal.
Akhil approached them, pretending to stumble, head down as if defeated.
One of the guys noticed him.
"Hey, he's—"
Akhil was faster than a snake.
He lunged and drove the knife into the first guy's throat before he could finish his shout.
The second man barely had time to react, raising his gun in shock, but Akhil was already twisting the blade free, slashing his wrist to disarm him.
A hard kick sent the guy sprawling.
The third driver froze, panic flashing across his face as he raised his weapon.
But Akhil was already there, driving the knife into his chest with brutal efficiency.
Blood pooled around them as Akhil snatched the nearest car's keys and slid into the driver's seat.
He pulled the door shut with a grunt, his hand shaking slightly as he reached for the glove compartment.
Inside was a phone.
He flipped it open and dialed a number.
It rang twice before a familiar voice broke through.
"Hello?"
He coughed again, making sure it sounded desperate.
"Niharika… listen. They're after me. I... I'm hurt."
"Akhil! What—where are you?!"
"Call the police," he managed, his breath hitching like each word was a struggle.
"I don't think… I'll make it. Please…"
"Akhil! No, stay on the line! Where are you?!"
But he hung up abruptly, tossing the phone onto the passenger seat.
The fear and desperation vanished from his face in an instant.
He gripped the steering wheel tightly as he started the car, the engine roaring to life.
The vehicle tore through the city streets, heading for the highway.
Akhil wove through traffic like a pro, eyes flicking to his mirrors as headlights appeared behind him.
His pursuers were right on his tail.
Once on the highway, things got serious.
Vrooom! Vroom!
The roar of engines echoed through the night as the black cars formed a tight convoy.
'Finally, they are here,' Akhil's grip on the wheel tightened, his mind racing as he calculated his next moves, and amidst all this, he reached a conclusion.
This was the last day of his life, no matter how much he tried to escape now.
Nor did he want to run away now; it was just one way towards the end of all this revenge he had planned so far.
Whup-whup-whup-whup
'!'
Then he heard it—the thumping sound of chopper blades above.
Two helicopters appeared, their searchlights slicing through the darkness.
He clenched his jaw as the bright beams spotlighted him.
Things were getting hairy.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw two trucks barreling toward him from both sides of the highway.
His heart raced as the trap closed in.
BOOM!
The trucks slammed into his car simultaneously, launching it into the air.
Metal screamed and twisted as the vehicle spiraled, flipping wildly before crashing onto the asphalt.
Clank!
The impact shattered windows, sending shards flying everywhere.
Smoke curled from the wreckage, and for a moment, everything went quiet.
Akhil stirred, a bloodied mess, but his eyes flickered open.
"Cough!...wh-what a...show.." He coughed, crimson staining his lips as he dragged himself out of the wreck.
[SYSTEM: REPAIRING IN PROCESS.]
[HEALING FUNCTION: ATTEMPTING TO STABILIZE HOST.]
[ERROR: SYSTEM REPAIR INCOMPLETE.]
[HEALING FAILING DUE TO SYSTEM LIMITATIONS.]
Moving was slow and painful as he crawled onto the asphalt.
The helicopters hovered above, their lights washing over the scene.
More vehicles surged in, forming a tight ring around him.
Black SUVs screeched to a halt, men in tactical gear pouring out.
Akhil's vision blurred as his strength drained.
He collapsed onto the ground, his cheek pressed against the cold, blood-soaked asphalt, his heart beat halting at that moment.
[COLLISION DETECTED: HOST INJURED. BLOOD LOSS: 99%. HOST WILL NOT SURVIVE.]
[SYSTEM ERROR: UNABLE TO REPAIR HOST.]
[HEALING FAILED: SYSTEM STILL IN REPAIR.]
Before everything faded to black.
And then, silence.
[SYSTEM: ERROR. HOST IS DYING.]
[ATTEMPTING TO PRESERVE HOST'S SOUL.]
[FAILURE: SOUL PRESERVATION INCOMPLETE DUE TO SYSTEM DAMAGE.]
[FINAL ATTEMPT: RESURRECTION INITIATED]