Capítulo 10: Blood on one’s hands
Chapter 10
…
Within the cover of darkness, 5 black SUVs enter a rough terrain from the highway. Soon they stopped at an area covered with a few patches of trees. From the SUVs around 15 men got off and most of them are carrying handguns and knives strapped on their belts. They are all wearing black shirts and pants and most of them have black face masks covering their faces.
A tall bald man with a skull tattoo on his head puffs a cloud of smoke from the cheap tobacco on his mouth while he observes his surroundings.
"Boss, look over there! Those are the vehicles used by those people..." One of his lackeys said while pointing in a particular direction.
When the bald man looked at the parked vehicles, a smile appears on his face.
"Check the vehicles and destroy their dashcams…" the tall bald man commanded as his gaze shifted to the woods.
A slight smile appears on his face as if he is getting the feeling of excitement about what they are about to do.
Meanwhile, not too far from the group above one of the many trees in the surroundings, a figure is stealthily observing them.
…
"There are 15 people… from the looks of them and the weapons they are carrying; it seems that they really are not good people." I thought as I still try to weigh my moral virtue against my logical decision.
I knew deep in my heart that these people are the kind that would kill, rape, and plunder without any moral inconvenience in their hearts. However, I am not like them. Although I wanted revenge, and I wanted to kill those who killed my parents and Lin Qiao, my heart is still not ready to take any human life at this time.
Maybe this is because I am not acquainted with these people and I did not want to judge them by their looks, or maybe because I am just influenced by the teaching of the old man to calm my heart every time I do martial training. Many different reasoning and justification are circling my head as I try to rationalize what I am about to do.
But at the end of the day, I knew that there is nothing I can say or do to change the fact that I have already decided to kill this bunch of people.
As I watch the group go round about their actions, I saw them begin doing something with the other vehicle that belongs to the students. I knew that they have done it to prevent anyone from possibly escaping.
"Everyone, let's proceed to the site. I can't wait to have my hands on the goods. If I fancy one of them she is mine... If I am in a good mood, then you all might also enjoy yourselves… Hahaha…" the bald man said with a burst of lascivious laughter.
Upon hearing his words, my mind suddenly turned blank.
It was like... my head was assaulted with dark memories of the laughter of the people who suddenly surrounded me. Everyone was laughing... Everyone was pointing their fingers at me and Lin Qiao... I could hear their scornful laughter... I could hear those sickening comments that made my stomach churn in anger and rage.
There is not a time in my life that I really wanted to kill a person other than the time when I was stabbed to death by those people. And that same feeling is slowly enveloping my body and my mind right now.
I could suddenly feel my hand shaking and my body trembling in anger. My eyes became fiery as my gaze filled with killing intent was directed towards the group.
The tall bald man seems to have sensed my strong killing intent as his eyes subconsciously shifted towards my direction. I could clearly see him looking towards the tree where I am at.
But then his face and expression seem to be full of questions and confusion as if he could not find any reason why he felt that something is off. I could see him shaking his head.
The group began walking following the forest trail.
I did not move and just watch them from above like a silent predator waiting for my prey.
At this time, my heart is already set and my overflowing killing intent has already taken over my desires. Deep within my mind, there is only one thing I want to do, and that is to kill these people.
As the group passes below me, one of them was slowly left behind as he suddenly turns to one of the trees. He then opens the zipper of his pants and took out his thing and began to pee.
From above, I silently crept closer like a silent spider predator.
I have always hunted some of the wild beasts in the forest like this. I've done this a thousand times as if it is second nature to me. This is one of the perks I have gained from my survival skills.
As I crept closer, the man seems to have finished his business as he suddenly zips up his pants. As soon as he turns around, his face was grabbed by my hand. He wanted to scream, but he could not. He wanted to fight back, but it was all too late.
This is because, my other hand has already grabbed the back of his neck and in one twist, I broke his neck with a snap.
I have my legs grabbing the thick trunk of the tree while I supported the man to not make any sound.
I did not have time to think of anything as I just grab the man's jacket and don it to my body. Then I also took the black face mask covering his face and the knife on his side. I left the gun as did not know how to use it.
The mask as the smell of cigarettes but it did not bother me that much. In my head, I only have one goal and that is to finish what I have started and decided to do.
I then followed the group pretending that I was that man.
The darkness has rendered the group into walking slowly while following the forest trail.
As for me, my next target is a tall man with a well-built body.
The man seems to be a bit of a distance from the person ahead as he seems to be bothered by his surroundings.
Using his flashlight, he would point it towards any sound he would suddenly hear from around him while his other hand busily tried to swat the bugs in the air.
I knew that this person is a bit cautious, but I also knew that I can take him on easily.
I suddenly saw a three-inches thick tree branch on the ground. And then using the knife, I sharpened it carefully and quietly. I knew that it is enough to be used as a makeshift spear.
I felt that the knife if not enough to kill the big man quietly. The reason for me thinking like this is because of my experienced. I felt that since the small knife was unable to kill me back then in one blow, then it would not be possible for me to kill that man too in one go.
However, the sharpened tree branch is another thing. I already have my idea on how to use it.
After thinking to that point, I calmly get a tight grip on the sharpened tree branch, and then my figure suddenly lunges towards the back of the big man. Then, I suddenly thrust the sharp end of the tree branch and directly pieced the back of the tall man with ease.
The sharp point of the branch skewered him as it passes through his front chest rupturing his heart.
I am now lifting the well-built man in the air while my attention is on the people up front. If ever they heard the sound then I would decide to run. But what I can hear are their bantering and laughter while walking through the forest and this gave me a sigh of relief.
After successfully killing the two people, I feel a bit overwhelmed. But suddenly, upon seeing the blood of the man I have just skewered slowly sliding down the tree branch I am holding, I feel a bit complicated. Then suddenly it reaches my finger which suddenly seemed to have melted my resolve.
As I feel the warm blood, my heart seems to have quivered as my mind was once again overcome with different thoughts.
I subconsciously let go of the body and it fell to the ground with a loud thud.
This sound startled me and then my eyes immediately shifted to the person ahead. I could his head suddenly turning around.
Everything is once again in slow-motion as I can feel my adrenaline rushing through my mind.
I knew that if this person discovered me, then I would be facing a group of more than 10 men with knives and guns.
My mind went blank at this time, and my body moved on its own by reflex. My feet were suddenly filled with too much power as I bend downwards and with all of my power, I kicked the ground.
Everything in my eyes suddenly turned into a blur as my speed suddenly increases. In a blink of an eye, I am already near the man who is still in the process of turning around.
With a knife in my hand, I did not hesitate to suddenly slice sideways as I pass by the man. I was not able to control my strength as the knife easily passes through the man's neck like I was cutting soft tofu.
It feels weird, but my adrenaline is currently kicking in and my desire seems to have been awoken once again. I did not know what happened next after that.
When I got my consciousness back, I am already looking at the tall bald man while he is pointing the shaking muzzle of his gun towards my direction.
I noticed the traces of blood on the side of his body, but my eyes did not leave the gun's muzzle.
Deep in my mind, I could see vague images of what just happened. I literally killed every one of his companions like a crazed psychopath and my action sends shivers running down my spine. If I was afraid of what I have done, how much more for the bald man who saw everything?
"Don't… don't come any closer!" the bald man shouted as he takes a step back while looking at me with fear in his eyes.
Then suddenly, his hand moved to squeeze the trigger. My mind suddenly worked and everything once again began to move in slow motion. Without any second thought, my figure vanished and when I appear I'm already behind the bald man.
He suddenly grabs his neck as a line slowly appears and blood began gushing out of his neck.
"I… I killed them all… I… I did it." I muttered to myself.
Then suddenly I feel nauseous as my stomach seems to have been twisted and turned.
After that, I began throwing up.
Capítulo 11: The giant snake’s den
Chapter 11
…
In the depths of the night where the crescent moon looms high up in the sky, the scent of blood wafted through the forest air giving off a sense of dread and eeriness in the surroundings. Corpses of 15 men are littered all over the ground dying the earth red with some of them missing some limbs and even... their heads.
In the middle of this all... there stood a bloody figure heavily breathing while his eyes are turning shifty as if he could not believe what just happened in his surroundings.
Xin Wei was drowned at the moment, and it seems to him that he has gone berserk after his hands tasted blood for the first time.
His mind feels like breaking as he is being torn between his own morals and principles, against his natural desire as a normal person.
It is said that what separates us, humans, from beasts is our control over our desires. Once a human loses that control then that human is no better than a beast.
…
As I look around I could feel my heart thumping and my stomach would not stop churning. I have already vomited many times, but still, I could not get used to seeing such a horrifying scene in front of me.
In the middle of this all, my eyes suddenly caught something in the darkness. There is something flashing coupled with the buzzing sound from the tall bald man's pants.
It was his phone...
I took the smartphone but then subconsciously dropped it on the ground. This is because I saw the name displayed on the screen. It was a very familiar name and a name that I am well acquainted with.
Ling Ting… He is one of the people who stabbed me back then. I could still remember that crazy look he had in his eyes as saw his hand moving... stabbing. I remember that he seems to have stabbed me multiple times... and he seems to have enjoyed it.
Anger suddenly rose through my head as I pick up the phone and then accepted the call.
'Hey, you baldy, asshole! Where are you now? I can't wait to receive the new products that you are picking up. Remember to not touch the most beautiful woman in the group. I will have her for myself; your group can enjoy the rest! I will be waiting at our old place... the Dancing Swan Bar…'
'Toot… Toot…'
The call was dropped without the other person in the line waiting for an answer. When I heard that voice, my eyes seem to have flared up in anger. I wanted to crush the phone, but I did not.
I know that these people have a connection to those who orchestrated the demise of my loved ones.
The guilt that I was feeling a while ago suddenly vanished into thin air, as my mouth turned into a sinister smile. Suddenly, my eyes landed on the handguns on the ground.
"Since I will be fighting people who will use guns from now on. I better be prepared…" I muttered as I began collecting the guns and the knives.
I then pick up one of the corpses and removed his jacket and pants and don it to me. I knew that my clothes are already in tatters and I need new clothes and shoes. The things I got from the students are well and good, but they are not sturdy enough.
The clothes of these gangsters have good materials, hence I decided to take the one that fits me and has not been tainted with blood.
After getting what I need, I just left the area. I could sense that something in the shadows is approaching this place, something that I don't want to be entangled with, for now.
I soon came back to the campsite and checked the condition of the people. I am not sure what to do but I cannot leave them here as food for those beasts, I am not that heartless. And so I decided to put everyone inside their own tents.
Then I dragged the large carcass of the snake towards a certain distance from the campsite.
After securing the place, I left with a large bag on tow filled with food, clothing, guns, bladed weapons, and tools.
My destination is the small cave where the snake's den is.
It didn't take me long to find the place and after reaching it, I immediately crawled inside the small dark cave. It was really dark inside, but my vision is clear enough because of the floating window panel in the right corner of my sight.
Though it did not produce light outside, it has the ability to illuminates my vision making me able to see my surroundings at about 3 meters ahead of me.
I soon reached a large cavern the size of a small house. It has a slightly stale smell in the air and I noticed the smell is coming from one corner of the cave. This is where many skeletons are lying on the ground.
But what caught my attention in this place is the presence of the thick Qi inside the cave. As I observed the area I can see that it seems the Qi is being produced from a patch of plants at the left side opposite the skeleton remains.
As I checked the area, I also found some belonging from humans. Like phones, backpacks, clothes, and etc… the snake seems to have collected them and brought those things inside the cave.
After checking the place, I decided that I needed to clean the place. I can see that the cave is a perfect place for me to stay for a while. I just need to remove the rotting stink and it would be a good place to meditate.
With that in mind, I began working.
After I finished, I soon discovered golden lights entering the dark cavern and slowly illuminating my surroundings.
"It seems that it's already morning…" I muttered as I arrange the place where I am going to stay and meditate.
Then I also noticed that on a dark corner of the cave, there is a slight sound of trickling water. I did not notice it a while ago for I was busy cleaning everything, but now I have finished, I can clearly hear the slight sound.
As I walked towards that corner, I saw a small pond filled with clean water. Last night I only thought that it was just some rock formation, I guess I did not observe enough to notice it.
I took out a small wooden cup from the large bag and then filled it with water from the small pond. Then I carefully take a sip and found out that it was very refreshing.
It tasted like purified water that I usually have at home.
"This is good…" I said as I take another sip and finished the whole cup.
I did not discover any toxic materials from the water, so I knew that it is drinkable.
As I found myself in this tranquil place, I decided to sit down in a lotus position and began meditating to absorb the rich Qi in the air.
I spend my time in this place for a while. As the cave emits a large amount of Qi from the plants inside of it, I did not want to waste this opportunity to grow stronger.
In my fight against those gangsters, I now discover my weakness while fighting.
Although my skill, strength, and speed are superb when it comes to other people, I still lack the experience, finesse, and subtlety when facing others. Plus, bullets are really scary. I can dodge them and when I am hit my skin would heal itself really fast, but it is still really painful.
So, I knew that I need to gain more experience in fighting and I have to strengthen my constitution further by gaining more strength and dexterity.
I suddenly noticed something with my constitution stats. When I observed it a while ago and my gaze stayed on it for about ten seconds, the numbers suddenly changes.
When the number has changed it displayed a smaller value yet behind that new number is a red gauge.
I suddenly recalled that in my fight a while ago, I had actually seen this, but I just did not give it heed. I knew in my mind that this red gauge is the percentage of my constitution and that the smaller number represents how strong my constitution is.
The number is now 5. If I am not wrong, this represents that I am as sturdy as 5 people. I knew this because I can feel it for myself. As long as I continue absorbing Qi and training every day, I knew that my stats would increase. And my goal is to reach 100 for strength, dexterity, and Qi, and at least 10 for my constitution.
As I ponder and began setting my next goals, my desire to become stronger and my resolve was once again renewed.
I took a glance at the phone at the top of the backpack which is already turned off and a sinister gleam appears in my eyes.
"Just wait for me for a year… I swear to get my life back and get the justice I deserved…" I muttered as I slowly closed my eyes and once again meditate.
My routines now are as follows, I will absorb Qi in the morning, find food that would last me for 3 days while training my physique, then do target practice in the afternoon. Though I only have one of those silencers thingy that I grabbed from one of the corpses, it seems to fit all the guns I have picked up as they seem to be of the same model. Then at night, I would spend my time training my Qi.
This routine of mine is not perfect but it has given me too much of an advantage so far. And because of my gun training, I have already gained a new skill called gun marksmanship. I have learned that its effect is preventing my hand from trembling while holding any single-handed weapon. Plus my hand and eye coordination has improved.
And with that, I am really happy and satisfied with my growth.
…
One year later...
Time passes by in a blink of an eye, and now I have stayed inside this small cave in this huge and vast forest for a year. I have hunted, scoured the forest, and trained my body and Qi to their limits while living in this place. I have fought against the denizens of the forest and have lived through it all.
I know that I am ready now. I am now ready to face my enemies. And my stats are now as follows…
Stats:
Strength: 100
Dexterity: 100
Constitution: 9/100%
Intelligence: 14
Qi: 150
Available Skills:
Active skills: Acupuncture, Heaven seeking fist, Identification, Qi extraction and purification, and Gun Marksmanship.
Passive skills: Herbalist, Toxic & Venom resistance.
Presentes
-- Presente
recebido Status de energia semanal
200+ Ranking de
Poder 
0 Pedra de
Poder 
Comentário de parágrafo