Chapter 21: Novice Eroding Dark Bat Strike & The Execution!
"Then where exactly is your hideout?"
Alex's voice was calm, but the blade of the Death Scythe pressed a fraction of an inch deeper into the cultist's skin, drawing a thin line of red.
Vargo, trembling in the dirt, his Semi-Beast form completely dispelled, looked up with eyes full of terror. "I... I don't know... The hideout changes every week! I swear, I really don't know where the Wolf Envoy is right now!"
Alex stared at him for a second, assessing the truth in his fear-filled eyes. He nodded slightly, a cold, indifferent glint flashing in his pupils.
"Oh."
Shhhk!
The Death Scythe flashed like a black bolt of lightning.
There was no hesitation, no dramatic pause. The blade sliced through the air, and Vargo's head was severed cleanly from his shoulders.
"If I can't get useful information, don't blame me for being ruthless. In the end, only Slaughter Points are real!"
Alex looked down at the corpse with disdain. Before coming here, this man had been aggressive, arrogant, boasting that he would let Alex choose his own way to die. But in the face of true strength, he had begged like a dog.
It was truly disgusting.
Alex frowned in disgust, crouching down to thoroughly loot the body. He stripped Vargo of his cash, Origin Stones, and any identification tokens.
He didn't linger. The Feral Blood Cult was elusive and cunning. Who knew if there were other elites hiding in the shadows of the Whispering Valley?
This experience rang a heavy alarm bell in Alex's heart.
He had been confident—perhaps too confident—because of his S-Rank ability and the System. But today proved that enemies wouldn't just send fodder; they would send assassins higher than his realm.
Without enough life-saving measures, I must not leave the city lightly!
Even if I do, I need to disguise myself. No more walking out the front gate with my face exposed.
"Damn it. One day, no matter what it takes, I'm going to uproot the Feral Blood Cult completely!"
Alex cursed silently, kicking dirt over the bloodstain before turning to hurry back toward Riverdale City.
The journey back was quiet, the adrenaline of the fight slowly fading into a dull ache in his muscles. By the time Alex saw the towering walls of Riverdale City, the sky had turned a deep purple, and the setting sun cast long, stretching shadows across the ground.
As he approached the gate, the familiar faces of the two guards came into view. They were leaning against the wall, looking bored.
"Yo, Alex! You actually came back alive!" one of the guards teased, a look of genuine surprise on his face. He had clearly expected the reckless "rookie" to come back on a stretcher, or not at all.
"What? Does my being alive bother you?" Alex rolled his eyes at him, though he wasn't truly angry.
"No, no, I was just worried about you. We made a bet on whether you'd run back crying within an hour," the guard laughed.
Alex didn't say a word. He simply reached into his storage bag, pulled out a round object wrapped in a cloth, and tossed it directly at the guard.
"Since you're working so hard standing guard, here's a gift for you."
The guard caught the bundle reflexively. It was heavy and wet. The cloth fell open as it rolled in his hands, revealing the grim, frozen expression of Vargo.
The guard's laughter died in his throat. He stared at the head rolling at his feet, his face draining of color. He looked up at Alex, stammering violently.
"Alex? What... what is this??"
"This guy's name is Vargo," Alex said casually, adjusting his collar. "He came to assassinate me, so I chopped him. I recall there's a bounty for killing members of the Feral Blood Cult. You guys can split it."
The two guards looked at each other, then down at the head, then back at Alex. They were stunned.
They had heard of Vargo. He was a notorious figure on the city's wanted list, known for his cruelty and for slaughtering an entire family a few months ago. Moreover, everyone knew his realm was at least Tier 1, Rank 7!
And Alex, a student who awakened yesterday, just chopped him down so easily?
"Master... Master Alex... d-did you really kill him?"
The guard's tone instantly shifted from teasing familiarity to utter respect and awe. His posture straightened, and he looked at Alex as if looking at a monster.
"If I didn't kill him, did you kill him?" Alex said impatiently, waving his hand. "I'm tired. I'm going in."
He turned to enter the city.
The two guards exchanged panicked glances and hurriedly bowed deeply to his retreating back.
"Master Alex, we were petty! We judged a giant with the eyes of ants!"
"Master Alex is unparalleled! We deserve to be slapped for calling you a reckless rookie behind your back!"
Their eyes were full of shame. They wished they could find a hole to crawl into. They had judged a gentleman with a petty mind, mocking Alex for being arrogant. Yet Alex didn't hold a grudge, didn't report them, and even gave them a high-bounty head to claim!
Alex paused and glanced back.
"Alright, alright. Your advice at the start was well-intentioned. Go claim the bounty and buy yourselves a good meal."
His tone softened. He knew how the world worked. If a commoner awakened an S-Rank Ability and ran into the wilderness to hunt the next day, calling them reckless wouldn't be an exaggeration.
But he, Alex, was different. He had his System Daddy.
"Thank you, Master Alex! For your duel with the Vance family in two days, I will definitely be there to cheer for you!" the guard shouted excitedly, clutching Vargo's head like a trophy.
Alex waved casually without looking back. "Suit yourself."
As Alex disappeared into the city streets, the two guards looked at each other again, their hearts pounding.
"Did you see that aura? That wasn't the aura of a rookie. That was a killer."
"From now on, if anyone dares to badmouth Master Alex, I'll bite them until they're sterile!"
"Right! I curse their mother to always pay double for groceries!"
Riverdale City. Alex's Apartment.
Back in the safety of his home, Alex collapsed into his chair, letting out a long breath. He checked the System panel.
[Slaughter Points: 485]
He looked at the points he had accumulated from killing Vargo, Zane, and the beasts along the way.
"Time to get stronger. I can't rely on luck next time."
He opened the skill tree and focused on Eroding Dark Bat Strike. It was currently at the Basic level.
"System, add points."
He dumped nearly all his points into the skill.
[Ding! Consumed 400 Slaughter Points. Level 3 Combat Skill: Eroding Dark Bat Strike successfully advanced to Novice.]
In an instant, a surge of knowledge and muscle memory flooded Alex's mind. Powerful energy surged through his body, reshaping his understanding of the dark elements.
He extended his hand, and a small, screeching bat made of pure shadow materialized. It was distinct, sharp, and hummed with corrosive power—far stronger than the chaotic swarm he had used against Vargo.
"Novice level... much better. It consumes less Origin Energy and hits harder," Alex noted with satisfaction.
"Phew... I just hope there are plenty of death row prisoners tomorrow, so I can farm more Slaughter Points!"
Alex sighed slightly. The further he progressed, the more Slaughter Points he needed for upgrades—thousands, tens of thousands. It was no small number. The 400 points he just spent felt like a drop in the ocean for future levels.
He shook his head, clearing his mind of greed. He sat cross-legged on his bed and began circulating the Shadow Ability Cultivation Method.
This was the cultivation method Sia had given him. He needed to master it.
First, he merged his consciousness into the shadows. The surrounding dark elements in the room surged like living things, frantically pouring into his body. His absorption speed was easily three times faster than with the Basic method!
"Amazing," he whispered.
Next, he began trying the advanced technique: Shadow Separation.
He circulated the method, his Origin Energy boiling. The shadows on the floor began to twist and rise, gradually condensing into a human figure identical to himself.
But just as the silhouette formed, Alex felt a massive drain on his stamina.
"Haa... haa..."
The shadow flickered and collapsed back into the floor. Alex gasped for air, beads of sweat covering his forehead.
"No, not enough. Separating the shadow is still too difficult with my current reserves."
It couldn't be helped; his realm was still a bit low. Alex shook his head, but felt no anxiety.
The potential of the Shadow Ability Cultivation Method was immense. It wasn't limited to condensing just one shadow for cultivation.
If he could master this, he could condense ten, or a hundred shadows. Imagine a hundred shadows cultivating simultaneously, feeding energy back to him... his speed would be terrifying!
Thinking of this, Alex's mood lifted instantly. He grabbed his phone and ordered takeout—several large bowls of beef rice.
He ate voraciously, his mouth oily and his stomach full.
Satiated, Alex lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
"Tomorrow... the execution ground."
After executing those prisoners tomorrow, he would have enough points to finalize his preparations. Then, it would be time to face the Vance family.
Thinking of the upcoming battle, Alex felt his blood boil!
He had no reason to lose!
The Next Morning.
Awakener Administration Bureau, Rear Execution Ground.
The morning air was crisp and cold, carrying the faint scent of damp earth and iron.
"Alex, you're early. Here is the list of those to be executed today. Take a look."
Cyrus Xander, the City Lord, stood by the entrance, dressed in formal attire. He handed a clipboard to Alex, concern evident in his eyes.
Alex took the list and scanned it quickly.
There were 15 people on the list!
The highest realm was Tier 1, Rank 9, and the lowest was Tier 1, Rank 4!
The document clearly recorded their crimes: serial rape, malicious murder of civilians, and several captured members of the Feral Blood Cult.
In addition to the humans, there were 10 Three-Eyed Demon Rats, all around Tier 1, Rank 5.
Alex's heart beat faster. He did some quick mental math.
This wave alone... minimally 1,000 Slaughter Points!
Just that Tier 1, Rank 9 prisoner is worth at least 200 points!
What if there was a Tier 2 criminal? That would be double—400 points!
He tried to suppress the eager grin threatening to split his face.
"Ahem, Uncle Cyrus, remember to call me next time there's something like this. I'm very willing to help the city clean up its trash."
Cyrus looked at him, frowning slightly. He felt a bit puzzled.
This kid seems... unusually excited about killing people?
Didn't he say he wanted to overcome the psychological barrier of killing? He looks like he's about to sit down for a feast.
However, Cyrus nodded. "Sure. I'll let you know in the future. If there's anything I can help you with, I'll do my best."
Even if Alex had no relationship with his daughter, he would help him. After all, Alex was the city's top prodigy. His future was limitless, and binding him to Riverdale City was a priority.
The two walked side by side toward the execution platform.
"Killing isn't a game, Alex," Cyrus said quietly. "Even if they are scum, taking a life leaves a mark on the soul. Don't lose yourself in the power."
"I know, Uncle," Alex replied, his voice steady. "I don't kill for fun. I kill for purpose."
And for points, he added silently.
They arrived at the execution ground. It was a somber place, surrounded by high walls and electric fences.
Dozens of Awakener Administration personnel, mostly Tier 2 and Tier 3, stood ready, their eyes vigilant.
In the center of the clearing, the fifteen prisoners were subdued firmly. They were tied up with inhibitor cuffs, kneeling in a row, awaiting their end. Some were weeping, some were silent, and some glared with feral hate.
Seeing Cyrus arrive, Lee Guoan, the Deputy Director of the Bureau, hurried forward. His face was piled with a polite, ingratiating smile.
"City Lord Cyrus, welcome! Forgive me for not greeting you at the gate."
"No need for formalities, Director Lee." Cyrus waved his hand amiably.
Deputy Director Lee then looked at the young man standing behind the City Lord.
"This must be Alex, the one who awakened the S-Rank Ability? A fine talent indeed. I've heard much about you."
"Hello, Deputy Director," Alex greeted politely.
Lee nodded, sizing him up. "Then I'll trouble young brother Alex with today's execution. It's not a pleasant job, but someone has to do it."
Alex was an S-Rank Prodigy; his future achievements would be immeasurable. Being polite to him was never wrong.
"Not at all. I'm the one troubling you by taking up your time," Alex said humbly.
Lee smiled slightly, impressed by the young man's demeanor. Just as he was about to give the order to begin, a harsh, gravelly voice cut through the air.
"Letting a bullshit kid execute me?!"
One of the prisoners, a burly man covered in scars, struggled against his chains. He glared at Alex with bloodshot eyes.
"What kind of man are you, hiding behind the executioner's blade? If you have the guts, unchain me and fight me fair and square! I'll crush your skull like a melon!"