The unsettling truth about being a long-range fighter in a post-apocalyptic world was sothing I couldn't ignore. Sure, taking out enemies from a distance had its perks, but the downside was deadly.
Running out of ammo at the worst possible mont—like now.
My handgun clicked empty, and I cursed under my breath.
"Shit!"
Grrr—
A low growl sounded nearby, followed by heavy steps. Night crawlers were closing in, and I backed up slowly, only to realize there was nowhere left to go. I'd reached the edge of the building.
I glanced back and realised the situation.
Eight stories high. It was far to jump to the next rooftop.
Fear, buried deep until now, surged through . Eight stories up with no way to reach the next building—it was too far to jump.
I was trapped.
Facing the night crawlers head-on would an getting overwheld and get torn apart by their sheer numbers. But leaping to the other side?
That was as good as suicide. Most likely, I would fall and get turned into porridge.
"Calm down now..."
I whispered to myself, forcing several deep breaths to steady my nerves. There were still ways to survive, even without ammo. It looked like I'd have to do things the old-fashioned way.
A group of night crawlers charged at , and I quickly sidestepped. The result?
The fallen night crawlers beca paintings on the ground below with their crushed bodies.
Really, It was almost too easy to make them tumble off the edge— they were creatures with barely any intelligence.
Kuweeok— Kyaaaack—
Each ti a crawler lunged to catch , I would sidestep and send them plumting over the ledge. Their numbers dwindled steadily this way. Of course, I wasn't earning any coins since I wasn't killing them directly, but this was not the ti for greed.
I glanced at the tir— only four minutes before the Fable ended. Could I really hold out that long?
Just then, as I was fending off another crawler, sharp claws flew from sowhere and sliced my shoulder. I swung my machete in reflex and gritted my teeth.
[So constellations have taken notice of your adversity.]
[So constellations are impressed by your will to survive.]
[500 coins has been sponsored to you.]
The constellations watching found my suffering to be amuzing. I felt like a crown performing for an audience. Indeed, I was a crown and the constellations were the audience.
[Ah! What's this? Isn't this very interesting?]
Aurora appeared and flapped her wings in the air. She was looking at with a cocky smirk.
[Oh my, aren't you a very lucky bastard? It seems so Great Gods have taken interest in you.]
"... What?"
[You should be receiving an system ssage from the constellations. Yes? If you want to survive your current predicant, I suggest you pick a star constellation.]
Just as she finished speaking, I received a system ssage.
[Star Selection]
Select your guiding constellation from the list below. This constellation will beco your greatest ally throughout the Stories. Choose carefully—once chosen, your star cannot be changed.
•Mother of Dragons
•Judge of War and Wisdom.
•Architect of Destruction
*??? ??? ???
Four choices were presented before . There were so nas I knew and there were one I didn't know. Even so, one fact remained the sa.
They were all asking to choose. To beco an apostle or die.
Star Contract.
This was a contract made between constellations and players seeking to beco their Incarnations. It allowed constellations to bestow their powers and divine protections upon chosen players, as well as support them through coin donations.
In essence, the constellation takes responsibility for the player; any actions made by the incarnation reflect upon their star constellation. It was the most important event for players since most constellations have high standards.
Knowing the true nature behind the star contract, I couldn't bring myself to choose a sponsor from this list—even with big nas like the 'Mother of Dragons' and the 'Judge of War and Wisdom' among them.
First was the Mother of Dragons.
This giant constellation's true na was Tiamat, the mother of all dragons. She was rumored to possess one of the strongest attack skills, envied even by Hadou Gods and Narrative Gods. Wasn't she Shin Jinhyuk's guiding star in *Song of Nightmares*?
The second option was Judge of War and Wisdom.
Her real na was Athena, a constellation from Olympus. As the goddess of War and Wisdom, she had many blessings that can enhance one's physical abilities and ntal fortitude.
Then, there was the Architect of Destruction
Strangely, I couldn't recall any specific mory about this constellation. Perhaps it was a passing ntion I'd forgotten over the course of the story. Either way, choosing this constellation didn't feel like the right decision. Isn't that a na that a demon that would have?
Lastly, there was a constellation that remained naless, having refused to reveal his identity. Even if I were inclined to choose a constellation, I couldn't bring myself to select one who would hide his na.
My mind began to work quickly.
On one hand, selecting any constellation from this list would ensure my survival. However, the mont I made that choice, I would forfeit my chance to reach the Final Story. On the other hand, if I chose not to select a constellation, I would be left to face the endless horde alone.
With the involvent of the constellation, the situation has beco much more complicated than before.
[The constellation 'Mother of Dragons' is awaiting your choice.]
[The constellation 'Judge of War and Wisdom' is awaiting your choice.]
[The constellation 'Architect of Destruction' is awaiting your choice.]
[The constellation '??? ???' Is awaiting ypur choice.]
My mind was working quickly, trying to choose the best choice. In the end, a decision was made.
[You have chosen not to select a star constellation.]
This was the road that I've already decided to walk from the beginning.
[The constellation 'Mother of Dragons' is greatly displeased at your choice.]
[The constellation 'Jugde of War and Wisdom' is disappointed.]
[The constellation 'Architect of Destruction' is interested in your choice.]
[The constellation '??? ??? ???' Is interested in your choice.]
I wasn't surprised because it was an expected ssage. The constellations were people and they had different reactions. So reacted negatively while others were interested in my choice.
They could bite all they want, but I would never sign a star contract.
There were many ways to do so without becoming an alter ego of the constellations. I know all of them because I was the reader of the story.
[Haha! Are you sure? You might regret it later.]
Aurora had been wearing a mischievous smile the entire ti, but I didn't have the luxury to focus on her. I was too busy dodging the night crawlers that were lunging to sink their teeth into .
Slash, Crack—
The machete severed a night crawler's arm and found its way into the forehead of another.
They had gotten too close so I cut them down imdiately.
Night crawlers had a danger rating of grade 9 yet they were viewed as a high risk species. Their bodies was made from human base. If it was any other creature, I will have been already dead.
I looked at the ti. Three minutes. Only three minutes left.
Keok—
My right thigh was pierced by black fingers. I groaned as the pain coursed through my body.
The surface of my skin was turning black.
This was why night crawlers were so dangerous. If they bite or scratch you, you will slowly beco infected and turn into a night crawler.
Damnit! If only I had just one combat skill, then maybe...
"Wait..."
I rembered I indeed have a skill thay could help in my current predicant.
I hurriedly activated said skill at once.
[Exclusive skill 'Blood Demon Ki' has activated.]
[All your overall stats will increase.]
A crimson aura slowly rose from my shoulders and my body was filled with newfound power. It was the skill that the character Shin Jinhyuk used to dominate the ruined world.
Kwang—
The ground scattered as I leaped towards the horde with all my might.
Slash— Crack—
The machete was swung and blood flew in the air.
My vision was blurry. The machete was swung randomly and the night crawlers got crushed by the overwhelming violence.
At this mont, I have beco the Mad Demon of the battlefield.
The machete pierced the forehead of the night crawlers one by one as ti continued to tick by.
[02: 00]
The machete pierced into the skull of a lone night crawler.
[01: 40]
I kicked an approached night crawler in the stomach and slashed at the next one at the right.
[01: 20]
"Argghh!"
I groaned as my back was clawed by a night crawler before swinging the machete backwards.
[01: 00]
I slashed two night crawlers and slamd the handgun into the face of another.
[00: 50]
Suddenly, the number of the night crawlers increased by tenfold and I found myself being overwheld by their increasing numbers.
[00: 40]
After I cut down a night crawler, my shoulder bone got pierced. Next was my thighs, arms, chest and back. I was getting pierced from all directions.
[00: 30]
The night crawlers grabbed onto my body one by one. Now my arms and legs were sealed so I could not move. The worst was yet to co.
[00: 25]
"Arrggghhhhh!!!"
I scread.
Teeth and nails ripped through my fresh and bones. At this rate, I'll be eaten alive by this damn zombies before I even turn into a night crawler.
[Exclusive skill 'Omniscient Wall' has activated.]
[Most of the pain has been nullified.]
Even though most of the pain had eased, my situation was still the sa.
[00: 20]
Damnit, why can't the tir count down faster?!
[What did I say? You should have chosen a helper when you had the chance and now look at you. How pitiful.]
Aurora looked down at . Indeed, my situation was pitiful.
[00: 15]
She disappeared with a bored face. She must have thought my fate was sealed and left.
At this mont, the night crawlers were always ripping out my organs and feasting on them.
Damnit, the pain was unbearable even with Indifference nullifying most of the pain and it was difficult to maintain my rationality.
Suddenly, at the corner of my vision, I noticed a strange phenonon.
The surrounding space distorted and there was a flash of light. It happened in an instant —truly only an instant.
With a roar, sothing flew towards my direction with frightening speed.
"!?"
Maybe it was because my vision was blurry, It felt it like a giant laser was fired in a straight line.
It all happened in an instant. Before the zombies even realized what was occurring, the typhoon swept through and shredded them to bits along with the ground, as if they were caught in an industrial water jet cutter. It was rely a slash of the sword. If I had been struck by such an attack, I would have ascended to the seven heavenly planes only to plumt straight to hell.
There was the sound of a click and the sound of footsteps. The person behind that terrifying slashes was approaching. Damn, what should I do? I won't be able to resist anything in my current condition.
Desperate, I decided to activate a skill as a last resort but my last hand was washed away.
[Exclusive skill, 'Black Wall' has failed to activate.]
[Your body is currently in a crucial condition.]
Damnit, I could feel my consciousness fading away. Before I lost consciousness completely, I heard a sudden ssage in my head.
[Congratulations, You have passed the Second Fable.]
Reviews
All reviews (0)