章 59: Executioner-II

Pedro watched his arm turn into a mirage as it alternates between flesh and light. It was a fascinating sight. By turning into light, Pedro can achieve incredible speeds and phase through matter.

Though his phasing through matter can't compare to Specter, a 4th-year student of Heromaker, Pedro felt that he can beat anyone… even Specter himself.

PHOTON TRANSFORMATION— that's how the Author named his mutation.

The power to turn into light opened new possibilities for Pedro. Still, the Author's words lingered in his mind like a vivid warning. "You got rid of your fear. Now, you can freely morph into rays of light particles. Do you know what that implies? By removing your fear, your survival instinct has been suppressed. Perhaps, the power to turn into light in side-effect will also reduce your lifespan."

Hearing the Author's dreadful words, Pedro didn't feel any fear at all. He only felt a calm realization that he has limited time. He has to get stronger so he can get his revenge faster.

The only way he sees it was through the Author. Thus, Pedro dedicated himself to the task.

In four days, he made his preparations, studied his targets, and practiced his mutation. Carrying a slingshot, and a pouch filled with his teeth, Pedro fearlessly enacted his plans at midnight.

His plan was simple— under the silence of the night, he will snipe his victims to death. The teeth he plucked from his mouth will be his ammunition. These things if shot at the speed of light will definitely be his most fatal weapons.

In the four days he prepared, Pedro plucked his teeth, asked Heather for help to be healed, practiced his aim secretly, and made backup plans in case everything go south.

His regenerated teeth felt weird, but it was his teeth nonetheless, so they worked just fine.

With the guise of being a victim of bullying as his cover, Pedro excused himself to return to his dorm much early under the witness of his close friends, Heather, Trom, and Nika. Now that he has an alibi, Pedro has become more confident in successfully executing his plan.

Pedro remembers his targets quite well. Hiding in the thickets of trees, he sneaked into the girls' dormitory. Pedro recalls where and how the beds were set up, thus he aims with 100% trust in his information.

The tooth nesting in his slingshot was released and turned into a deadly ray of light with enough momentum to pierce the concrete walls of the academy. He shot two more times consecutively to increase his uncertain hit rate.

After his experimentation, Pedro discovered that anything in his person as long as it has his cells can morph into light particles. That includes his hair, tooth, and even shit. That's how he got the idea of using his teeth as projectiles.

Through the same experimentations, Pedro discovered that the teeth used as projectiles will turn to ash after all of their momenta was exhausted. It's as if the tooth's mass was the fuel that drove that ray of light. This reminds Pedro that maybe one day, he'll become like that tooth.

In essence, what Pedro created was an almost perfect assassination tool. Its only flaw was that the ray of light it released when shot was too attention-grabbing. Knowing this fact, Pedro has to make quick work of this.

Speedily swinging to another tree, Pedro aligned himself with another girl's room. Like the one before, he killed another.

Pedro doesn't have it easy as the night patrols wandering in the area might spot him at any minute. Fortunately, Zia provided him with intel on how the patrols operated. Hopefully, with this, he can avoid any direct confrontation.

After some killing in the girls' dormitory, Pedro proceeded to the boys'. There was a reason why he arranged it like this. In terms of the level of difficulty and chances of exposure, the boys' dormitory was quite challenging.

He passed over Rodney's room from the periphery. For a second, murderous intent flashed in his eyes. "This guy wasn't on the list…" Pedro calmly told himself that it was not the Author's wish.

Maybe, the Author has other plans for Rodney. Pedro climbed the trees with ease. Tough Brim Trees surround the dormitories in equal intervals. These trees' purpose was to offer shade to the terraces of the dormitory. With the trees' massive frame, it also serves as a great shade for the strolling people.

However, at this very moment, these trees became the reaper's cradle and staff. One by one, Pedro killed the sleeping students without a sound. It's amazing that despite not seeing his targets, Pedro managed to get a headshot every time.

It's not that he's lucky, but that he was skilled. With three simultaneous shots, he predicted the best angle to inflict the most damage.

He's curious to see if his aim really hit its mark, but he can't risk it. If there were someone who survived, then he can just fix it tomorrow somehow. For better or worse, he will complete this mission no matter what.

Pedro returned to his dorm through the slightly pried ceiling. When he lay in his bed, he recalled the people he shot at. All of them share one similarity, they have some sort of fame… the kind that would gather hatred.

The two girls he shot at… were a peasant and a noble lady.

The peasant was kind-hearted, beautiful, and capable. She kind of reminds him of Heather. Tila, a poverty-stricken farm girl, who ought to be sold to the brothel suddenly finds herself in the academy. While at it, she also found the love of her life. It's like a fairy tale. Rumors about her were the kind that girls concoct out of jealousy.

Meanwhile, the noble lady was someone that reminds Pedro of Zia's reputation greatly. She wasscheming, manipulative, and rotten to the core. Jenney Samira was a woman that derives excitement from pain. In the file that Zia gave, it was said that she paid 'second years' to rape a 1st-year classmate of hers.

The boys Pedro also shot at had similar stories. No matter what whether good or bad, a person will always have a hater out there, Pedro realized.

There was a peasant that likes to steal, a nobleman that loves to do charity, and a once slave learning to be a scholar. There were no exceptions. Pedro doesn't fear the consequences, however, he does feel guilty.

Morning came, and Pedro was awakened by the knocks on the door. He opened it greeted by a relatively mature student. "Hello, I am a 4th year working for the student council. May I ask you some questions?"

"Wuu? Whu~t ha~~ppened?" Pedro yawned as he wipe his eye boogers with the back of his palm. It was a convincing act as the 4th year student didn't find any fault with it.

"Where were you last night?"

And… the interrogation continued. With his prepared answers, Pedro breezed the inquisitive 4th-year student's questions. This felt a lot easier for Pedro than the class's written quizzes. He was almost regretting that he put so much effort into this operation, maybe he could've slacked off.

"So," Pedro glanced at the 4th year who was looking around the hallway as if something caught his eye. "What happened?" Pedro asserted he held the 4th year's arm not letting the matter go.

"It's better that you don't know."

"What? You disturbed my sleep here, bro? And my jaw was still hurting. Just compensate me with some golden turds will you?" At the mention of 'turd', the 4th year frowned in disgust.

"You could have said it normally, no? Sorry pal, but I ain't giving you any gold coins anytime soon."

"Then please just tell me what was happening?" Pedro persistently bothered the 4th year. Getting that information was what Pedro has been aiming for in the beginning.

"Fine, fine, just chillax man… If you were a 4th year or 3rd year, I would've already punched you in the face." The 4th year complained in surrender.

"Don't be like that, senior!! You are like my role model!"

"Stop with the flattering. I'll tell you…"

"…"

Pedro waited in silence with fake anticipation. The 4th year's face turned gloomy. With a hoarse voice, the 4th year finally revealed the truth.

"There was a massacre. 13 students were assassinated last night. It was brutal. We suspect it was the doing of a projectile ability. I've interned for the Extolled Police and have seen some gory stuff, but this was on another level. There was even a student who was dissected into half, top to bottom, the projectile ability pierced through the head and exited through the crotch..."

The 4th year student swallowed his words back too late to realize he said too much. He observed Pedro's terrified expression.

"I told you… It's better that you don't know." With these parting words, the 4th year left Pedro on his own.

Idly standing there, acting the part of a terrified freshman, he magnificently fulfilled his script. Pedro closed the door after a second or so. A smile was etched on his lips— he succeeded.

13 kills. That was the number of people that has to die that night. Including Hitch Hofferman, Pedro was instructed to kill a total of fourteen students.

An urban legend was then born that day, the Executioner!!