While on the run... Kael suddenly realized something, "I understand now! The Falna evolves abilities based on inner desires, and the refresh
While on the run...
Kael suddenly realized something, "I understand now! The Falna evolves abilities based on inner desires, and the refresh effect follows this same pattern. While awakening new abilities from strong desires might be difficult, modifying existing skills is much simpler!"
The former creates something from nothing, while the latter merely redistributes experience points.
"Just now, when my survival instinct overwhelmed all other desires, it created an ability that locks my HP and keeps me alive! Luck only determines how powerful these skills become."
Realizing this, Kael's confidence surged!
"I can at least choose which skill pool to draw from — whether it's R or SSR, that's up to fate!"
Having pieced together these insights, he stopped in his tracks.
In this brief moment of clarity, his depleted endurance took its toll. His body grew heavier, and the footsteps behind him grew sharper, clearer.
He turned to look — two pursuers loomed less than ten meters away.
"No more wasting energy. Time to end this!" Kael drew a crimson dagger from his chest and whirled to face them.
"What's this? Filthy rat, done running?"
"Haha, bet you can't run anymore!"
Seeing him stop, the two slowed their approach, stalking forward like cats toying with a mouse, gripping their swords with sneering faces.
In the dim passage, Kael slowly raised his head. The blue phosphorescent stone's afterglow lit his chin, highlighting eyes that brimmed with endless malice. His lips curled into a predatory smile.
"You think you've got me cornered?"
"What else?"
The white-robed man sneered, continuing forward, crossing half the distance until only six meters remained between the three.
Five meters... Four meters...
"Why don't we figure out who's the hunter and who's the prey?"
Kael leaned forward and, as the white-robed man rushed in, pushed off the ground with his right foot, launching himself toward his opponent.
The white-robed man's pupils dilated with excitement as he blocked Kael's flying knee with one hand while swinging down his sword with the other.
Slash—
Warm blood stained the white robe and splattered across his face, making the white-robed man tremble.
This feeling — the sight of life gradually fading before his eyes!
Thud—
Then came the impact of metal against his face.
"Hehe... gah... ugh ugh ugh..." He tried to laugh but could only produce strange gurgling sounds.
Kael stood his ground despite the large diagonal gash across his chest, blood gushing freely. The Falna on his back burned hot.
His passive ability [Goes Where He Pleases] had activated! Not only was he immune to knockback, but his strength now surged to unprecedented levels!
While suspended in that brief moment — the white-robed man still blocking his knee — Kael threw his money pouch as a feint with one hand. With the other, he crossed the safety distance and precisely slashed his crimson dagger across the white-robed man's throat.
"Hey... what are you doing?!"
The second white-robed man slashed Kael across the waist and followed with a kick to the fresh wound.
Splat—
Before he could hit the rock wall, Kael gathered a mouthful of blood and spat it into his attacker's face.
The moment he landed, he rolled to the side, taking advantage of his opponent's blood-blinded eyes to slash the main artery in his thigh with a rolling strike.
Blood spurted out like a fountain, drenching the floor.
"Damn it! Damn it!"
The white-robed man pulled out a high-grade Elixir from his robe and sprinkled it on his wound, but there was no sign of healing. He turned to stare at the brat in shock.
Kael showed his blood-stained teeth in a wicked grin. "It's useless. This blade carries an incurable curse. You're done for!"
"You... you madman! You madman!" The white-robed man yanked him up from the ground, pummeling his face repeatedly.
He never expected this kid to be so vicious — willing to trade his life with them!
"Hahaha... the more force you use, the more blood you lose..." Kael sneered, "How's it feel? Getting dizzy yet? Come on, where's your strength? Keep hitting me!"
He lay on the ground, firmly protecting his cursed dagger. He let the white-robed man vent his rage. After just four minutes, the white-robed man collapsed powerlessly on top of him.
Kael pushed him off, and the man watched helplessly as he slowly cut his throat with the dagger.
Even in death, he couldn't understand how someone with their chest slashed open and guts spilling out still had the strength to do this.
But he'd never get the chance to know the answer.
❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈
After disposing of the two pursuers, Kael collapsed to the ground, clutching his stomach while frantically kicking and rolling.
"Ahhhhhhhh... it hurts, it hurts so much!" He screamed, "The pain — it's unbearable!"
Even though [Goes Where He Pleases] negated most status effects, and [Working Like a Dog] provided combat continuation — preventing both action impairment and pain-induced unconsciousness.
The attacks that had nearly severed his waist inflicted bone-deep agony beyond human endurance. Yet the skill's immunity effect cruelly prevented him from passing out!
"No wonder... Dr. Mundo went insane..."
With trembling hands, Kael retrieved a fallen alchemical potion condensed from his own blood. He quickly used the liquid to rinse his exposed intestines before stuffing them back into his body.
Leaning against the rock wall, he waited for the potion to take effect. Time crept by as rolling waves of heat spread across his body. Looking down at his chest, he watched his flesh writhe gently — displaced ribs realigning themselves while impurities and sand were pushed from the wounds.
In just five minutes, his wounds had completely healed.
"Hahahahaha—" As the torturous pain finally released him, Kael threw his head back and laughed, raising an arm to cover his eyes.
As the laughter shook his body, tears welled up in the corners of his eyes.
The enemies were only Level 1 C-Grade fighters, yet he was so weak that victory required reckless, unexpected attacks just to take down a single opponent. His only advantage was the incurable curse that let his enemies slowly bleed to death.
Who knew how many such battles lay ahead?
The moment of weakness passed swiftly, replaced by a pain-maddened spirit. Kael gripped his dagger, retrieved his battered money pouch, and gazed down the passage ahead.
This time, he held true power in his hands.
"No one can stop me! I will survive! I'll live more freely and prosperously than anyone!"
With renewed resolve, he secured his pouch, cleaned his wounds, donned the Evilus's signature white robe, and strode onto the battlefield.
"Ready to embrace death, you trash?"