SORRY GUYS!! I GOT CARRIED AWAY WRITING, AND THEN I HAD TO EDIT, AND THEN I HAD TO PICK UP MY LITTLE SISTER FROM HER CHRISTMAS PARTY. I COULDN'T LET ANYTHING TARNISH MY STATUS OF {ABSOLUTE BEST BIG BROTHER}. ALL JOKES ASIDE, I APOLOGIZE, AND I'LL TRY TO MANAGE MY TIME BETTER IN THE FUTURE. I STILL HOPE YOU ENJOY THE CHAPTER, AND THOSE IN THE TOP 10 PLEASE HURRY AND VOTE SO I CAN WORK OUT THE PLOT FOR STORY INTEGRATING THE WINNING OC YOU GUYS DESIGNED. AS ALWAYS, STAY SAFE, AND MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON SOMETHING AROUND YOU, NO MATTER HOW SMALL!
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[Lance POV]
The knife slips into my body in near-slow motion. I felt like I was in a scaled-down version of Ezra Miller's 'The Flash'.
It sinks into my right pectoral, grazing my collarbone and plunging about four centimeters deep at a 67-degree upward angle. It severs multiple major blood vessel groups, but thankfully not an artery, because those hurt way worse.
Then a realization hits me, also in slow motion.
How the fuck can I see the angle and depth of the knife?
The thug answers for me when the lackey closest to us suddenly goes pale and stammers, "K-Kyle! His... his eyes! They changed to black! W-what the fuck?! He's not human!"
An acrid smell, unmistakably piss, wafts from him, followed closely by a rapidly spreading dark stain around his crotch. The leader isn't much better, but he's not pissing himself... at least not yet.
What the hell did they mean by my eyes changed to black? I think to myself.
Suddenly, a realization hits me harder than an angry wife in a trailer park. "Ha!" I blurt, grinning, although I probably looked like the devil himself to the thugs, which isn't far off.
The entire 'gang' pales as my peals of laughter echo in the dark alley under the clear moon in the night sky. "Ha! Hahahahaha!" I laugh.
I feel a slight tension behind me, so I quickly dial back my insanity levels from a 10 to a 7.
Putting on my 'Prince Charming' face, I turn back to the girl I now recognize as Sally Park and smile reassuringly. "It's okay, Pretty Senior. I'm just going to take care of these pipsqueaks real quick".
As I said that, my mind was racing with my new discovery. When the uggo gang leader, Kyle, stabbed my chest, something changed.
My vision stayed the same, but my other senses dialed up in real-time. I entered the "White State," but my eyes weren't closed, and that changed things entirely.
The world instantly turned to black, and everything in a 400-meter radius around me turned pale red. When I focused on the knife, it flared bright red, and I could see my internal organs in a glowing crisscross grid, loned with my entire system of glowimg white blood vessels and veins along with the blade as it entered my chest.
I could also see Sally, even though she was behind me, along with the other thugs. On each of their bodies, countless bright red spots lit up like ornaments on a Christmas tree.
I couldn't help but laugh. "Ha! Thank you, guys! You just helped me with a minor level up! I'm forever indebted to you, so I'll make it easier for you". I smile, and the thugs begin to soil their pants one after another as they shake in fear under the bloodlust aura emanating from me in a slight black haze.
Whoah! I can manifest a bloodlust aura in this world? Dope!
Putting this matter aside, I continue my speech. "You have two choices. The first choice is to stand still and let me beat the shit out of all of you. If you take this option, I promise that when you wake up, not even 10 minutes will pass before you're completely healed. The second choice is to fight me, and I can't guarantee that you'll ever walk again. In fact, I guarantee you won't. I don't start fights just to fight, but I sure as hell finish them...". The pressure from my aura bursts out, causing them to wince.
"Pick. Option One... or Option Two?"
The leader, Kyle, gulps before saying, "O-Option One!" I nod before turning back to look at Sally.
I yank out the knife, stained and dripping with my blood. I toss the bloody blade to the ground, where the clattering of metal on pavement sounds like a church bell's final warning.
Taking off my shirt, I rip off the top part, which is soaked in my blood even though my wound closed as soon as I pulled the knife out. It even healed around the blade, but I digress.
I gently wipe the blood away from Sally's eyes, chuckling inwardly at her lack of resistance and the bright red blush spreading down to her neck.
I pat her on the head and say, "Senior, I don't want you to watch this. A flower should never have to endure the darkness. It's much better to let it bask in the sun".
After saying this, I turn back to the gang, who are sweating unnerving amounts and shaking in fear. This is actually convenient and makes sense from a manhwa point of view.
On earth... my past life's earth, that is... after reaching a certain threshold of fear, survival or self-preservation instincts would normally kick in, causing at least a few of these obviously weak thugs to flee.
But here, under my Battle Intent and bloodlust aura, their survival instincts are inherently different and separate. My aura reduces those instincts by 66.6%, eliminating the "fight and flight" response and leaving only "freeze," pushing these unfortunate thugs right into my hands.
"Don't worry, guys. I'm a man of my word". With that, I enter The Black and take a deep breath. Then, I strike.
I hit the first thug, my hand taking a peculiar form guided by an analysis that was infinitely boosted. My thumb lies flat against the palm of my right hand, and my wrist is as straight as I can get it.
I bring my arm back and thrust at the glowing red spot with a single black dot on the leader's upper armpit.
All of this happens in a split second; from start to finish, it is one fluid movement. Even as my hand is reaching toward that glowing spot, only visible to me in The Black, my knee shoots out toward a slightly darker red spot on his lower abdomen.
It's connected to the first glowing point on his shoulder by a glimmering black thread in the the black.
My fist impacts first, followed by the knee, and completed with a deadly Bandae Dollyo Chagi, a reverse hook kick used in Taekwondo, most commonly referred to as a spinning hook kick.
The kick landed on another glowing spot, this time ink black connected to the second spot by a red thread of blood vessels glowing red, with a few black specks on it.
The end result was that Kyle, the thug, was launched into a far alleyway wall in a split second.
The sequence was so fast I could hardly believe it myself, but I was excited to try it again.
Looking at the other twenty-four thugs in front of me, I can't help but grin. "So," I ask, dramatically cracking my neck and sporting a demonic grin, "Who's next?"
[Warren Chae POV]
Eli, where are you, I think. It has been over two years since we last saw him, and I've had what you would call a guilty conscience ever since.
After the situation with Heather, Eli left and nothing was ever the same. Since then, I've been fighting like a Roman gladiator, because it's the only thing that can take my mind off everything that happened.
A few days ago, a strange coincidence happened. Two people were walking by me at the mall, talking about a good-looking boy from Seoul named Eli.
I thought it might be a coincidence, but it kept nagging at me. I mentioned it to Sally who, of course, dragged me down here to 'investigate'. We had been searching all day, and Sally was pretending she wasn't hungry just to keep looking.
I told her to stay put and went to the closest shop to grab some food. With her focus, I should have known she wouldn't stay put. I ran off to find her and, ten minutes later, I saw something that made my blood boil.
Sally was pinned against the wall, and a kid was holding a knife that was heading towards her. Before I could even react, a figure dashed past me and tanked the knife into his own chest like it was only a toy.
He said something to Sally that I couldn't hear, but it must have reassured her. Then, he calmly pulled the knife out of his chest like it didn't even phase him. He took off his shirt, covered Sally's eyes, and spoke to her again.
What happened next shocked me to my core. He struck a goon's shoulder, and the man's head snapped back like it had been hit with a heavy object. Then, his knee smashed into the goon's side with a loud THUMP!
Before the sound could even echo, his stance changed in a perfect sequence. His right foot stepped back and he quickly pivoted on the balls of his feet, turning clockwise while his head snapped back and his leg left the ground with blinding speed.
In almost slow motion, I watched his rotation continue, his left leg tensed slightly then jumped, lifting his entire body off the ground.
While airborne, he turned 180 degrees, extending his leg in a horizontal motion until his heel struck the goon's lower right jaw, lifting him clean off the ground and carrying him into the alleyway wall with deadly force.
He landed casually in his original position.
I was stunned. I've been in countless fights, but even my instincts screamed danger from the battle Intent and bloodlust emanating from this guy.
I even unconsciously stepped back. The speed, the strength, the efficiency of his strikes... this kid is a monster.
Something inside me tells me it's not just his fighting skills I need to be wary of. All I know is that Sally will never wander alone without me again.
Because if this guy wasn't protecting her... if he was the one threatening her... I know in my gut I wouldn't be able to beat him to protect Sally. And that thought terrifies me.
[Sally POV]
When he took off his shirt, I was stunned. His body is way too perfect! How am I supposed to resist that? I screamed internally, looking at his tall frame, his perfect chest muscles, and that eight-pack... gyaah! So hot! That V leading to his hips... dreamy. His arms were perfect too... It took a second to even ask myself why he took off his shirt instead of just checking out his body, but by the time I did, he was already placing the shirt over my eyes and putting my head down.
I knew I must be blushing way too hard.
Then, his words nearly caused me to pass out from the blood rushing to my head. "Senior," he said, his voice gentle, "I don't want you to watch this. A flower should never have to endure the darkness. It's much better to let it bask in the sun." His voice instantly caused my heart to beat faster, entering BPM territories doctors might call dangerous.
Oh my god... even his voice is sexy! Does he maybe like me? Does he think I'm cute? Kyaaa! What if he asks me out? Should I reject him or say yes? A senior dating a junior—that's so wrong! But... if it's him...
I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't snap out of it until I felt the shirt being lifted off my face.
I blushed harder, expecting the handsome albino junior to grace my sight.
"J-junior," I muttered, looking down. "Thank you, you know... for saving me." When I didn't hear a response, I slowly looked up, only to see that the person who had uncovered my eyes was none other than Warren, who wore a slight smirk but had worry in his eyes.
I pushed him away, or at least tried to, though it was impossible given his large frame. "Ah! Warren!" I yelled, huffing in annoyance. "Why do you have to play these kinds of games, huh? You could've said it was you!" I finished, turning to storm off, but unlike normal, he clamped my arm.
"Sally, stay close to me. We need to go. Now," he said seriously.
I could tell something was up, so I followed him silently as we slipped off into the night, leaving the groaning members of that delinquent group lying unconscious. Just how strong is that albino junior? I wonder. And... who was he?
[Warren Chae POV ~ A few minutes prior]
My mind is stunned as the scene of carnage unfolds before me. I've seen one guy take on multiple people. Hell, I'd even done that same thing. But this... this is entirely in a league of its own.
The white-haired kid fights in an unknown style, almost like it's tailored for him only. But even as I watch, he improves rapidly.
His speed and strength adjust, and any unnecessary movements are eliminated from his form in real time.
In a total of at most forty seconds, the entire gang is knocked out, some even frothing at the mouth from whatever technique he used.
Suddenly, he turns towards me, and my body freezes. He isn't even exuding bloodlust, but my body freezes anyway. With shock, I realize what it is... Survival Instinct.
My body treats him as a threat that could take my life, even though he's over fifteen meters away and only looking at me.
Fuck! I think I've never really been scared of a human. Surviving in the ugly side of human society's lowest dregs that operates on Darwin's Law, I've come to see myself as strong, but right now I feel it. Fear.
A dark and sticky knot in my chest threatens to swallow me whole into the abyss. PrimalFEAR.
He turns towards me, and I notice that another knife is hilt-deep in his chest, although this one isn't a switchblade like the first one.
It is a combat knife, and whoever put it there did so with the sole intention of killing the albino kid. How the fuck is he still standing?! That's a fatal wound! I think to myself
The albino kid walks closer to me. When he's next to me, my teeth chatter and my knees shake slightly. I hate it. It's pathetic!
Then, the kid speaks: "In nine days, midnight, address 14XX-XXXXXX. Be there alone. If you come, I'll tell you the exact location of Hostel B's Big Daddy Eli Jang."
"Oh, and take this," he says, pulling the knife out of his chest with a wet squelch and pressing it into my hands. "It's actually a valuable combat knife. If you find a good buyer, you could get around 600,000 Won for it. Enough to get something extra for the runaway family you guys run. Goodbye."
A second later, I gasp loudly and my body falls to my knees as my heart races.
Fuck! That monster knows Eli! He knows where he is! I think, irritated at my own weakness.
I glance around, but he's gone. I go over to Sally and lift up the makeshift blindfold the albino placed on her.
A small, goofy grin is on her face, her eyes are vacant, and she is blushing furiously. So pretty, I think. Wait! She doesn't like that albino bastard, does she? Fuck!!
[Lance POV ~ Moments earlier]
"Damn, I think..." I said, slightly incredulously, watching as the thug, Kyle, was launched backwards to the other end of the alleyway by the force of my kick. Wait... what the hell? I think.
I had just taken a deep breath through my nose to steady myself when a strange thing happened.
For a split second, the world turned green, and a bright green light in the form of a line connected the alleyway wall to the thug, Kyle, while he was still airborne.
But when I blinked, everything turned back to normal. Now, I wonder if I imagined it? Given my life is now a part of a world that is a fictional work, I think, doubtful...
Filing this information away for later.
I take a deep breath; then, without warning, I launch into a martial art that I've been trying to create. Parkour CQC. Name still pending.
The first thug, a wiry kid in baggy clothes with a jagged scar splitting his upper lip, lunged with a clumsy hook, desperation and fear clear in his eyes.
Respect though, bucko, I think. Fighting rather than getting the brakes beat off of you.
I didn't give him the air to breathe, however so it's useless in the end. I stepped into his guard, my lead arm slicing upward faster than he could react.
My upward elbow strike caught him square under the chin, snapping his head back so hard his teeth clicked, sprays of blood shooting out. He was out before his knees even buckled.
I didn't wait for him to hit the pavement before choosing the next unluck thug. I dropped my center of gravity instantly, palms hitting the cold asphalt as I whipped my trailing leg in a vicious low sweep.
His feet vanished from under him, but I was already moving.
Using the momentum, I launched myself toward the brick wall of the alley. My Air Force Ones found purchase on the grime-slicked surface, and I shoved off, twisting my body mid-air.
I executed a flawless Bandae Dollyo Chagi, a spinning hook kick which was definitely my favorite move as if now, and it landed with with near surgical precision.
My heel connected with the third man's temple with a sickening crack. The force sent him hurtling backward like a ragdoll, slamming into a fourth thug who probably wishes he had stayed in school right about now, and sending both of them crashing into a mountain of overflowing garbage cans.
I landed in a crouch, pivoting to face the last man standing. He was too close for a full swing, so I didn't use one.
I tensed my feet, channeled the kinetic energy through my hips, and buried a one-inch punch into his solar plexus.
He staggered back, wheezing like a chronic chain smoker, his hand moving to his waist. A black, custom-made combat knife caught the dim light. Before I could parry, he lunged, burying the blade deep into my chest with a grunt.
I didn't flinch. The training I endured worked perfectly, even if I still reacted slightly to the pain...
While the blade was still buried in my chest, I struck, almost laughing at the stunned look on his face.
Sorry, senior. But of all opponents, you tried to kill the one person in this world who is quite literally immortal. Use more Karma Points in your next life. I think, nearly laughing out loud.
He doesn't even last a second, my fists becoming a blur as I follow the null zones, as I've decided to call them, shown to me by the black. I start with a steady punch to his left shoulder, followed by a punch to his right shoulder, then left pectoral, and right pectoral.
Four rapid-fire strikes that instantly deaden the nerves and shatter his major muscle groups functionality.
As his grip on the knife loosened, I brought my hand around in a horizontal chop to jugular. His eyes rolled back, but I wasn't finished.
Pivoting hard on my right heel, I swung my left leg in a savage roundhouse kick. It connected with his temple with the weight of a sledgehammer, spinning his limp body into the shadows.
Oops, I think. He might actually be paralyzed. But then again, he did break his promise of standing still, not that I mind. More fun for me. Him? He'll probably decide after his hospital bills get payed...
I didn't give the rest of 'classroom clown crew' any time to rest.
As their members were lessening, I went all out. I centered my weight, feeling the friction of my soles against the grit of the pavement.
I turned toward the closest thug, a tall and thick brute with a rusted pipe and multiple tattoos, and anchor my lead foot.
In one fluid motion, I rotated my hips, generating a plethora of kinetic energy that then traveled up my spine and snapped into my arm.
My arm folded tight, and I caught him with a vicious stationary spinning back elbow. The impact sounded like Shohei Ohtani's baseball bat hitting an out of the park Homerun.
His jaw crumpled in real time, multiple teeth flying out in a visceral spray of blood, spit, and sweat.
Yeah... that's fucking disgusting, I think, almost gagging at the sight. I need to work on that too. Throwing up after kicking ass would be embarrassing as hell...
Without waiting for him to hit the ground, I lunge toward the narrow wall of the alley to my left.
I kick off of it, defying gravity for a heartbeat as I tucked into a tight backflip.
Mid-rotation, I saw the second attacker gawking upward. I extended my leg at the peak, my heel striking the crown of his head with the full momentum of my flip.
The result was instantaneous, with his eyes rolling back into his skull, and a thick foam began to leak from his mouth as his nervous system misfired.
I complete the rotation, landing in a perfect, coiled fighting stance, my forces silent on the concrete.
The third man stood paralyzed, shivering as his brain struggled to process the crushing defeat his 'Backyardigans Crew' is experiencing.
Grinning savagely, I bound back onto the wall in a crazy leap, digging my right heel into a protruding brick in a window well.
In that split second, I use that leverage to spin my entire body as fast as I can, generating a unique, localized torque that defied standard physics.
Then again, that's pretty tame as far as physical feats in the world of Lookism go...
As I think that, I channel that centrifugal force into a straight right, the punch landing like a cannonball, his consciousness flickering out before he even feels the pain.
The fourth man was already turning to run, but I meet him with a sharp straight kick to the solar plexus.
As he clutches his stomach, gasping for the air I just stole, I reached down and gave him a wedgie, hoisting him off his feet.
"Time to change you're diaper, senior! You pissed yourself," I say with a pang of unrestrained laughter.
Before he could even cry out, I used that grip to flip him in an instant, throwing him with pinpoint aim into the final thug, about four meters away.
They collided in a tangle of limbs and groans, leaving me alone in the silence of the alley, minus the whimpers, groans, and crying.
After telling Warren to meet me in a few days, I jump up the alley walls, flipping onto the roof of the building without even using my hands.
"Ah, fuck. They were way to weak. Maybe It's time to start my money making plan to earn some real money..."
[3rd Person POV ~ Police station ~ 1 hour later]
A figure with dark shades sits in the security room, watching a playback of security footage from an unknown alleyway, timestamped an hour ago. A grainy and blurry figure takes on a group of thugs, protecting a girl that is all too recognizable.
Gun grins, his battle Intent erupting without him realizing it. Or... maybe he does, he just doesn't care.
"So, mystery boy. You had a run in with the original founders of Hostel. Warren and Sally... it's been a while since I paid you a visit, huh. Maybe I should drop by and say hello..." His battle Intent flares even more, and the police officer behind him pales, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.
H-how strong is this guy? Is he he even human at this point? the guard wonders.
Gun stands up, and instantly the pressure and instantly the pressure Vanishes as if it was never there.
Time to go see if I've found the new crew head... or the Second Generation's Garpyrong Kim...
[Chapter end]