《HIVE - LOCKED UP IN SPACE》 Prologue PROLOGUE November 23rd , 3016 ------ "WAKE UP YOU FILTHY ANIMAL" What felt like a boot smacked me right at the back of my head, causing an acute pain to be shot through my body. The spasm of pain caused my face to contort. Body feeling sore and numb, I roll over trying to adjust myself only to be greeted by thewonderful sight of a man clad in gray. Looking around, the room was pitch black except for a single light bulb illuminating the entire room. "What the fuck? Where a-" Before getting a chance to finishing my sentence, the man thrusted out his left foot, kicking me in the gut. *BELCH* My gag reflex kicked in, which caused me to roll over to the side and spew whatever''s left in my stomach of what I ate the night before. The acidic taste still lingering in my mouth and the burning sensation in my gut still fresh, I looked at the figure in a daze.. having no idea what the hell is going on. "Okay. We don''t want to hear any unnecessaryshit coming out of your mouth, all you have to do is answer whatever I''m going to ask. Understood?" The figure said in a low threatening voice. Still lying on the ground in a daze, the figure then grabbed me by the collar and pulled me up, disregarding whatever pain he inflicted on me before. Being barely a few centimeters away from him, I got a good glimpse at the figure''s face. Rocking a crew cut, he had a really impressionable scar on his left cheek in the shape of an "X" and had a menacing glare, almost anyone could tell he was a seasoned veteran having his own fair share of battles. It felt as if I was naked in front of him, almost as if he could see through me which made me feel really uncomfortable.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. "How many people did you murder this past year?" "Huh? I didn''t murder any-" *SMACK* "DON''T LIE! WHY DID YOU DO IT YOU PIECE OF SHIT" The interrogator screamed, causing his spittle to fly everywhere, getting onto my face. "What the fuck?" "Look asshole, if you aren''t going to be cooperative I''ll make sure your remaining time here with me will be hell before you get sent off to HIVE after your sentencing ." HIVE is known to be the most infamous and brutal private space penitentiary located in the moon which houses the galaxies and earth''s worst criminals. There were many rumors about it being used to exploit criminals to face off in gladiatorial combat or compete in races or challenges just for the sheer amusement and money being raked in. Such illicit blood sports was the norm there, or so I heard. "ANSWER ME NOW ASSHOLE" What do they want from me? Are they crazy?? Such thoughts flooded through me. Before I could speak up again I was mercilessly stomped on. This continued on for about half an hour, after getting physically abused for awhile now, something in me snapped."LEAVE ME ALONE! PLEASE! PLEASE..." Due to the extreme amounts of pain and confusion caused throughout such a traumatizing situation, I started to curl myself up into a ball to lessen the impact and abuse being hurled at me, refusing to speak any further. Seeing the interrogation was going nowhere, the man heaved a sigh and left the interrogation room. Knowing that he left the room, I uncurled myself slowly only to notice that there was some sort of gas being released in my room. The air vent was releasing some sort of black haze and it was really frightening, truly. It took only less than a minute before the interrogation room turned completely hazy, to the point where all I could see was a single shade of gray... not even my hands could be seen at the moment! I couldn''t hold my breath anymore because my lungs were starting to sting after depriving myself of oxygen for a good minute... taking in a big mouthful of that questionable gas caused me to be hit by a pang of nausea. Feeling my consciousness slowly but surely fading, I embraced my sleepiness and closed my eyes... now letting nature takes it course. All I could do as of now was to hope for the best, still not comprehending the seriousness of the situation I am in. ------ Alright, guys. That''s all for now... I know it''s rather short and the chapter is pretty bad... Tips and constructive criticism would be appreciated, still new to writing so it took me quite awhile to even write such a small prologue chapter~ish. [Chapter 1] A Glimpse into the Abyss November 24th, 3016. ---- The sound of the humming air vents and the constant sound of constant chattering accompanied my awakening body. Now was not the time to continue sleeping. My eyelids stirred, repeatedly closing and opening due to the poor lighting in the room. This couldn''t be happening... glancing around the small cell, it was as large as your typical bathroom.... which isn''t big. Trying to adjust and straighten my body only rewarded me with a good amount of pain digging into my joints, causing me to flinch and land on the cold hard floor awkwardly, dazed. This shouldn''t be that surprising considering the amount of stress I''ve been through yesterday. After a good 20 minutes, I''ve regained my ability to get up on my feet. Taking another good look at the current cell I was placed in, it was in a pretty bad state. The cell had a sour stench and the air was stale, it was obviously not in a good condition. "This place smells.. " - me (muttering under my breath)Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. "No shit, looks like you are in a pinch, fish. How did a pretty boy like you end up here of all places? You look like you can barely harm a fly with that stringy arms of yours, haha." -?? I was startled by the voice coming from the cell directly beside me, disrupting my train of thought. "Where the hell am I...I was framed, I''m a law-abiding citizen." -me "Oh sure, aren''t we all? Looks like you are in deep shit buddy, I never saw these many goons personally "escorting" you here only to throwing your pretty ass ''ere in the big boy''s pod. We aren''t going to see the light of day no'' more. We''re going to Gladiator school lads, in space." -?? Hearing his cackled laugh which followed suit with a fit of coughs sent a chill down my spine. This place is truly fucked up, he probably has a screw loose somewhere. Gathering my thoughts, I tried to recall what led me to this situation I''m in. Oddly enough, nothing came to mind. Fuck me. All, I could do was to sit in silence and notmove, letting my bare foot thrust out from under the quilt which was growing cold on the bare floor. Sitting there in solitude was all I could do right now,which was fine since all I wanted right now was some peace and quiet. However, It doesn''t look like I''ll be getting any "peace and quiet" in the near future. Quite the opposite in fact. Not knowing what''s to become of me... [Chapter 2] Acceptance December 1st, 3016. ------- Alright. Maybe too much peace and quiet could be a bad thing. Being placed in this "holding cell" with a bunch of lunatics was starting to get to me, these baboons could not stop hollering and hooting. The days passed pretty slowly, considering the lack of entertainment in this god damn shit hole. Being on lockdown almost 24 hours a day, it gave me a lot of time to think and organize my thoughts. My situation will not get any better if I continue wallowing is self-pity, this made me decide to steel my resolve and make the change for the better instead of waiting for it to happen. My body was screaming weakness, there was barely any meat on my body. Anyone with half a brain could tell that I was malnourished and vulnerable. The inmates in this pod were supposedly the worst of the worst, a bunch of misfits and scum of society. Murder charges in here were considered pretty light, everyone here had a sentencing of a minimum of 10 years, the majority of them were sentenced to football numbers. They could smell fear and weakness from a mile away and luckily for me, there was still ample time to get this pathetic body whipped into better shape.Stolen story; please report. Having to make do with whatever that could be salvaged in here, getting my body in shape seemed impossible, especially with the kind of slop they serve to the inmates. Although it seemed impossible at first, it became obvious that even though most inmates were confined here for a relatively long time before their placement, they were still able to stay big was due to the hormones that kicked in when living in such an unforgiving and harsh environment. Myself not being an exception to this phenomenon. Barely a week has passed after I started sticking to my workout routine which was basically consisted of high-intensity cardio such as burpees with jumping jacks and some calisthenics because there were obviously no weights to work with. Taking a good look at my physique now, it was nothing like the first day entering here, being a lazy shut-in and all... most of my fat were trimmed and I lost my muffin-top. Other than my body fat trimming down, I had a feeling of new-found strength, now being able to walk with much more confidence and a spring in my step. Things were obviously taking a turn for the better, regardless of the shitty situation we were placed in. Consistency was key and I knew if I stopped now and went back to my old ways and bad habits, whatever that was built up to this point would all be for naught. ----- This was how Jasper''s day would go until the inevitable day where he would be transferredand processed into HIVE. It could take months or years, but luckily it gave him more than enough time to prepare for what''s to come... at least that''s what he thought. But that "inevitable day" could happen sooner than expected, who knows. (lol) [Chapter 3] Acceptance (II) February 1st, 3017. ------- Another 3 months has passed, this time quicker than before. Most of the time being spent on keeping up with my daily workout routine and keeping to myself. This 3 month was one of the hardest times of my life. But it was a meaningful 3 months because it was one of the most crucial times of my life throughout my time being in incarceration which allowed me to now adjust my lifestyle from that of a normal law abiding citizen to that of a "survivor". It didn''t take long for me to realize that the lifestyle in an institution was that of a caged animal, especially so when you are living in close proximity with beasts in human skin. The law of the jungle was in full effect especially in the place like this, where all of the inmates here are still getting ready to be sent into HIVE. Betrayal, stabbings, murders and police brutality was the norm in this pod. Anyone who has been here for at least a week would''ve become numb to it in due time, it was generally a rule of thumb to mind one''s own business unless you were looking for trouble. This mainly applied to people without backing as most inmates group up and form cliques from the inside, strength in numbers was prevalent here. This made me even more anti-social and socially awkward, already being somewhat of an outcast since day 1 while lacking any human interaction. This made me even more anti-social and socially awkward, already being somewhat of an outcast since day one while lacking any human interaction during my entire span of incarceration in this pod. Though it wasn''t hard getting used to it since I was living a shut-in NEET lifestyle before all of this shit happened. The only way I could keep sane was to start treating daily life as if it was somewhat of a game, giving myself tasks and quest while trying to quantify my physical gain. It was almost to the point where it became a delusion, becoming lost in my own small word.Stolen novel; please report. Other than the increase in mental fortitude, I made some physical gains. Down the road, my routine has received a massive increase in workload. This was done to keep up with my physical needs, so as to continue to make even bigger gains. My physique is reaching my ideal standards soon, most of my fats are gone and replaced with lean muscle. Although I might not be bulky, my muscles seemed to become compact and lean, which is what I personally prefer... being able to hide it under my prison jumpsuit and all. Being a gray man was the ideal solution for me, to blend in with the crowd and not stand out while simultaneously being able to hold my ground against others. It was not about being the best and being outstanding but to survive and keep on living in peace. At this current moment, my workout routine has been increasing in length and is starting to take up the majority of my time but I started to love the adrenaline rush that comes with it, the sense of reward and satisfaction that comes after a good session. My delusions have become more powerful as times go by too, I''ve somewhat started to visualize gaming interfaces appearing in front of me. Its probably my own way of coping with this fucked up situation but the delusions lately have started to become pretty concerning. Pushing this thought aside, I continue my workout routine... when suddenly a text appears in front of me: [Unlocking Leveling System...] ....what? [Chapter 4] Judgement Pushing this thought aside, I continue my workout routine... when suddenly a text appears in front of me: [Unlocking Leveling System...] ....what? The popup seriously took me by surprise... was this still a hallucination? Standing dumbly in front of the popup, it caused me to contemplate seriously on what my next course of action should be. Currently, there were thousands of scenarios playing out in my mind. The sudden realization of the countless possibilities and limitless potential this system had and the advantage it had given me others overwhelmed me. My mind was BLOWN. Fuck it, I decided to indulge myself in this sick fantasy, this system could potentially be a godsend gift. Regardless if this was real or not, wanting to find out the depth of this system which has been "unlocked" apparently. Therefore adopting the "hope for the best but expect the worst" mentality was really beneficial in this situation, as it personally allowed me to make the most of the circumstance I was in. Indulging myself in my sick fantasy, I got myself in the mood and muttered "system" and willed it to start up with the utmost confidence. Let''s do this!Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. [System Initialized...] Hmm.. it was as if the "system" was somewhat intelligent, not sure if it was or could achieve sentience but from what we could gather the system could be able to understand me on a subconscious level. This could be looked into further but should be put aside for now. We have more important things to focus on as of now! [Starting up... Loading18%...] Are you fucking kidding me? There was a loading screen even in the figment of my very own imagination! F#%* ..98% ..99% ..100% [Welcome back, User ] Amen. It finally loaded, but before I could even check out the system''s feature, the sound of metal boots clunking across the pod could be heard. The echoes were coming closer and closer towards my general direction. How odd, this was a pretty rare occurrence as there was minimal guard involvement due to corruption... Anunsettlingfeelingbegan welling inside me. There''s was something wrong in this pod¡ªbut I couldn''t quite tell what it was. I felt as though I had entered a house with the gas stove left on; theatmosphere wasdense and strange, though apparentlyinvisibleto my eyes. Lo and behold, just as expected... the guards stopped at my cell. My heart nearly stopped and the previous enthusiastic and euphoric mood instantly turned into dread. From a 0 - 100. Judgment day has come. It was inevitable but today is the day I''d never see the day of light ever again, being sent to space and all... yeah. It was probably my turn to be sent to HIVE. The government, as corrupt as they are; considered me a high profile inmate, not even giving me a chance to a trial because they had ''undeniable evidence''. Leaving my family to fend off on their own. Closing my eyes, I resolved and steeled myself from what''s to come. No matter what unjust has been served to me, I''d return to them tenfold. "Inmate #28374 , please step forward~" ------ [Chapter 5] Judgement (II) "Inmate #28374 , please step forward~" a robotic and monotonous voice came from outside the cell which followed with a loud humming. What amazing timing! Swiping my hands, the translucent screen was quickly chucked aside, while moving my line of sight towards the voice. The gate of my cell turned green, opening swiftly afterward. the lucent light from The resplendent light illuminated forth, blinding me. My cell barely had any lighting, causing my eyes to hurt as I stared forward, trying to make out the figure which stood before me. As my eyes adjusted to the blinding light that shone through my cell, a whiff of fresh air hit me, while the stale air and poor ventilation in my cell were able to be let out. It was a refreshing change. The figure was a stark contrast to the shimmering light. It resembling a youth that was clad in black, in a similar uniform that of the same interrogator a couple months back. The only difference between the interrogator and that of the youth''s insignia and golden lanyard. The Insignia was beautifully embroidered on his uniform in the form of a golden eagle which signifies him being directly under the government''s head branch while the golden lanyard perfectly matched it. The Insignia the youth had was beautifully embroidered on his uniform in the form of a golden eagle which signifies him being directly under the government''s head branch while the golden lanyard perfectly matched it. The youth was probably a noble. Glancing at me, he shot me a look of disdain. Before I could register what was happening before me, a hand shot forth, clasping onto my throat before knocking me down on the ground. This led me to be temporarily incapacitated. A clicking sound soon followed. [User, has been bound to a (Class D Restrictive Collar)] Grimacing, I could feel the collar tightening... although it was thin and sleek it was digging into my skin. Other bindings soon followed. This was a horrible and degrading experience, this only allowed my hate and hunger for power to become more intense. Noticing my glare, the youth''s face turned uglier. "You goddamned mutt! Who do you think you are? Be glad that the great Dereck is here to escort you to your burial grounds, engrave this name into your soul you lowly commoner." Sneering at me, my collar tightened. A tidal wave of pain hit me, almost causing me to lose balance. Fucking bitch, this debt will be repaid. As the saying goes, revenge is best served cold. Making a mental note, one of the days I''d like to kick his smug ass in. But now wasn''t the time, without power, there was no point in causing trouble. Resistance was futile.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. Walking down the hallway, we could see plenty of other inmates that were in similar situations. All of them being chained up and restricted while having a choker placed on their neck. All of us were being gathered to the institute''s airfield. If I had to give a rough estimate, there were about 500 other inmates gathered including me. Some had different looking chokers and different amount of bindings. Luckily, I was considered a class D and wasn''t much of a threat compared to the heavyweights here. The heavyweights had thicker chokers and larger constraints placed on them to restrict their motion. This was truly a chaotic scene. However, there was only a single inmate that caught my attention. Apparently, he was the most dangerous out of them all. One of the guards had to use some sort of a pulley to carry that savage in. He was locked in an iron maiden, reserved for the highest of security threats out there. (Search "Iron Maiden coffin" on google, if you don''t already know what it is) Word of mouth was that the authorities had lost a few of their subordinates to that monster during its stay in the institute. "It" was the only Class A personnel that was going to be onboard with us. "Gentlemen." A voice resounded across the whole airfield, interrupting my train of thoughts. There was a man standing in front of us which looked to be around his mid-forties. His uniform was truly unique, he was the only one who was wearing a white ceremonial dress. He had the same insignia and lanyard as the youth before. Donning a red beret and an eye patch, it was as if he was full of heroic spirit. His voice radiated confidence while his eyes excluded dominance. Anyone could tell that he was a man of few words and had a lot experience that came along with it. I have to say, his voice truly matched his outward appearance. Anyone could tell he was a worthy opponent to be wary off just from the battle aura he was giving off as it was something that could not be faked. One had to experience many life-threatening battles to give off such bloodlust. "Ahem." Everyone was quiet now, all five hundred pairs of eyeballs staring at him. He continued his speech fluently without interruption. "As you all know, all of you misfits are going to be transported off to HIVE forrehabilitation. A word of advice, do not make any trouble because as you all can tell..." "there are collars placed around you. It can be detonated as per our will, so no monkey business. Whether you get to live another day will solely depend on us, so I suggest you stay in line or any one of us guards can end your sorry lives..." "good luck in yourrehabilitation." [Warning, Host has been by (Class-A Anesthesia).] [Troubleshooting..] [Regaining Consciousness... 20%] [Host Incapacitated...ERROR] [Effects Unknown] As if on cue, all of the guards struck out... injecting some sort of serum into our bloodstream. Because of the shackles placed on everyone, no one could resist. But thanks to my "system", I was able to stay somewhat conscious albeit in a lucid state. Inmates were dropping like flies, it was a tragic spectacle. Guards were picking up inmates now and throwing them onboard a freighter jet waiting to be sent off... probably to HIVE. What now? ------- [Chapter 6] The Transition Guards were picking up inmates now and throwing them onboard a freighter jet waiting to be sent off... probably to HIVE. What now? There wasn''t much that I could do since there was no reason to bring unwanted attention to myself. Resigning myself to fate, I followed suit and allowed myself to be rag-dolled and thrown with the other knocked out inmates into the freighter jet. We were treated like cattle for god''s sake! After we were loaded, the jet took off shortly after. The flight was surprisingly short, it had only lasted for about what seemed like forever...only to be told that it was a 4-hour flight. I was awkwardly chucked in with the rest of the inmates. It was a horrible experience, I had to be in close proximity with stinking apes that barely took showers. It was a horrible experience, being in close proximity with stinking apes that barely took showers was horrible. It felt like sardines in a can... yes, literally and figuratively. We had to be served baked beans and canned sardines before the flight! God bless us. Someone pulleda Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the jet half hour into the flight. It went out loud and stinky, me being the luckiest person on earth, I was in it''s "hit zone". Yes, for both of them... maybe for once I regretted acquiring this "system". The inmates really did have it good, but let''s look on the bright side!Not... FUCK ME. Thank god that was over. After the flight was over, we were unloaded and placed in a holding cell. I was sent to a level 2 City after undergoing "classification". Basically, they ran a background check before they decided which "city" you were supposed to be sent to. Because I was a class D threat and had a high profile case, the receptionist gave me my assignment, which was aplacement into a Level-2 City. HIVE was apparently split into several levels, the lowest being Level 1. In a traditional prison, instead of cities, they were separated by "yards"... HIVE had a similar concept. They had their very own currency and economy there, it was like living in a miniature town. Except that the average citizen here were nutjobs and there were explosives strapped around your necks. Although it sounds good on pen and paper... the fatality rates were twice that of a maximum state penitentiary on Earth. The annual survival rate was below 60%...This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. [User, acquired a (Free Housing Pass)] After further examination, I willed my "system" to examine it. [Examining... (Free Apartment Coupon)] ------------------------------------> Item: Free Apartment Coupon Duration: 1 week Description: Standard Issue apartment coupon given to every inmate, only applies to . The apartment will automatically show up on your minimap. -----------------------------------> Congratulations on unlocking . Level Up! +1 +100 credits +3 Skill points Unallocated SP ->3 This was just great! It seemed like the "system" was broken after all. Because of my past, I was really comfortable with this new game-like system. Glancing at the top right, a small minimap appeared. The minimap marked out various landmarks and important buildings, there was also a blinking light appearing half a mile away. Focusing on the light, it was actually the apartment complex that the authorities housed me in. Walking out of the building, it was a pleasant treat to the eye being greeted by an amazing view. Living in that shithole for almost half a year, a good portion of your time was spent procrastinating and staring at the same rusted metal wall that caged you in. Because of that, you would learn how to appreciate the view and things that most people would mostly take for granted. Although the only thing you could appreciate was the man-made sky, it could still rain and all... but it was nothing compared to the view on earth. It WOULD be pretty depressing to look up only to see pitch black. You had to give them props for the effort, albeit it looking pretty fake. There were abandoned skyscrapers and tall buildings right off into the distance. You could also see a massive border towering over the area, quarantining the entire city off. They did a good job in giving a false sense of freedom but it still just an illusion. I still felt just as trapped; overwhelmed. Only buildings in this zone were somewhat maintained. From what you could tell, the only properties which had any actual value were the real estates or housing units in the neutral zone, where it was near the guard stations and was naturally protected. This was also where my property was located, as a temporary housing for me to get my shit together. If you could not cough up more COR by the end of the week you had to fend yourself in the wilderness or more rural buildings. Thinking back, didn''t I receive 3 skill points earlier? Hmm... ---------------- How do you think Jasper would fare in such an environment? [Chapter 7] Transition (II) Thinking back, didn''t I receive 3 skill points earlier? Hmm... Pushing this thought away, the top right-hand side of my was blinking. Assuming this was where my apartment was supposed to be located, I headed towards it. While walking towards it, it was already dead at night... the wildlife in the city was really active at night. Birds were chirping, owls hooting and various other bugs like Cicadas, grasshoppers, etc. could be heard off in the distance. The wildlife in this area was really rich, this was a good thing. Although hunting for meals was still a rather far-fetched idea, it could be possible. Meat should be a valuable commodity, so it was always good to have some because good food was one life''s only luxuries. Animals products such as chicken, rabbits or road-kill animals was also a pretty good jump from eating pre-heated canned food, at least quality wise. This did not come as a surprise to me as most of the buildings here were not well maintained and somewhat abandoned. Maybe it was because this neighborhood was not in the neutral zone, where everything under the sun could be done here without consequences or repercussions. Everything here was fair game, all that mattered at this moment was the strength; because without it, one would not be able to survive in HIVE for long. In all honesty, HIVE was nothing like how I thought it would be, I wonder how this supposedly helped inmates in their rehabilitation. It was more like a dumping ground for the unwanted; scums of society, lowest of life-forms that were deemed a threat to their fragile peace and order which they were trying to maintain. While following the , it felt like we were crawling at a snail''s pace. This was while following the conventional pathway the "system" had given us, mind you. Giving a rough estimate, it seemed as though we could reach the neutral zone by the next sundown. "Fuck this is taking forever..." cursing under my breath, my face contorted as I walked towards a car park, rummaging for supplies. While doing so, something else appeared on my . A red dot suddenly appeared near my radar, taking me by surprise.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. [Hostile Presence discovered...] [Target closing in...30 meters.] Feeling anxious, this was actually my first time engaging in any form of battle. Hands still stuttering; I quickly rummaged around, taking whatever that could be used to inflict damage on the enemy. A pointed tip with enough room to grab onto an object was ideal, it was either that or a blunt weapon. While rummaging through, I found a steel pipe lying around one of the broken down cars. Lady luck seemed to be on our side today! This time, without even willing the "system" to examine it, the "system" did it for me instinctively. [Examining...] [Item Confirmed... (Steel Pipe)] ------------------------------------> Item: Steel Pipe Quality: Poor Description: Steel Pipe, title says it all. Potentially fatal if hit with enough force or at the right area. Bonus Effect: Blunt Trauma, Stun (3%) ------------------------------------> Awesome.The adrenaline rush was piling up, there were butterflies in my stomach. My senses felt as though it was temporarily heightened. Maybe this was the fabled "Survivor Mode" that your brain sends you in when in dire straits, facing ado-or-diesituation? The rush is amazing, clutching the ... trying to mentally prepare myself for the inevitable skirmish. Either one of us will be left after this, it''s now or never! Glancing over the once more, the flashing red dot has been up against my arse for some time now... and its pace has been increasing. Analyzing the situation I am in, my gameplan was to use the bus besides the car park entrance as cover. We still have a massive advantage over the enemy...the element of surprise! -------- How will this go for Jasper? [Chapter 8] Drawing First Blood Either one of us will be left after this, it''s now or never! Glancing over the once more, the flashing red dot has been up against my arse for some time now... and its pace has been increasing. Analyzing the situation I am in, my gameplan was to use the bus besides the car park entrance as cover. We still have a massive advantage over the enemy...the element of surprise! The element of surprise was crucial for our success. The enemy probably has better gear than us, so keeping this advantage was the only way to have a good chance to survive this encounter. There was a good chance that the enemy could get caught off guard, giving us enough time to land a good shot in. Hiding behind the vehicle, my mind was a nervous wreck. There were multiple scenarios playing out in my mind... most of them ending with both sides suffering tremendously. Shaking my head, now was not the time to think about this. As the red dot was inching closer, I could feel the adrenaline rushing through my head... heard thumping, eyes turning red due to the amount of concentration placed on the task at hand. As the figure was about to enter the carpark... I positioned my feet slightly apart, adopting a steady posture which would, in turn, lower my center of gravity, allowing my shot to be more accurate and powerful. Steadying my as if holding a baseball bat, standing there motionless waiting for the right time to strike. Seconds felt like minutes... while minutes felt like hours. I stood there dumbly, glancing at my every few seconds.Patiently waiting for the perfect opportunity to arrive. And so it did. Footsteps could be heard... a figure which resembled a 35-year-old uncle with bulging muscles passed through the entrance, right beside the vehicle. He had gray hair, slightly balding. He wore a gray jacket and loosely fitted jeans, typical civilian clothing, except that it was stained with dried blood. The blood coming from his other victims, obviously. His eyes radiated killing intent, this was all I need to know. Although we were told judge a book by its cover, It was pretty clear he did not come here with "good" intentions. He had a title and name above his head, thanks to the "system". ------------------------------------> Title: Newbie Hunter (IV) [HOSTILE]This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Name: Lesley "Roc" Browne ------------------------------------> Swinging my , it hit him at the back ofthe head. His head was caving in at this point, you could see his eye bulging out in surprise and shock. The look on his face right now was priceless! Roc had a wonderful expression! Before he could react, I swung the metal pipe again... this time hitting him in the solar plexus. *crunch* The sound of breaking ribs were like music to my ears. Magnificent! As he fell to the ground, dropping his weapon, he had a look of surprise and shock turned which soon turned into fear. The feeling of being in control was the best, the high it gave me was the best. The power to be in control of someone was addicting, the high it gave could not compare to any drugs you could give me... I had an addictive personality... a new urge overcame me. I need to become stronger. My face now splattered in blood, grinning from one ear to the other. Roc now looking at me in fear, screaming "Monster... let me go!" while trying to crawl his way out did not help deter me from getting drunk from power. Watching him attempting to crawl away at a snail''s pace really amused me. Standing there, I decided to give him some false hope by walking to the side. As he crawled to the entrance, barely making out. Picking up a fairly decent sized concrete found beside the vehicle, I lifted it and threw in his general direction, testing my accuracy at a 30-metre distance. "ARGH, HAAAAAAAA" Bullseye. To my surprise, it actually landed on him, right square on his back. This was sure to paralyze him, he was as good as dead. Looking at his dismembered and crushed body, it seemed as though he would not live to see the next day. He turned his head facing me at this moment, staring at me with dead-fish eyes. His dead-fish eyes, staring deep into mine. *Please Kill me* It was clear that he wanted me to end him... but sadly a quick death was a little too easy on him. His title could only be earned by killing new inmates like me, what''s worse was the fact that his title was level 4. Minimum of 4 people has died by his hands, he wasscum. Lifting up the concrete, it was sticky to the touch.. it had blood at the bottom half. Looking at the sticky liquid slowly dripping on his broken back, it was quite entertaining to watch indeed. As if by accident, I let go off the rock... dropping onto his back again "ARGH" and again. and again. Unknowingly, after the third time, the concrete fell on his now limp body... he was already dead. Kicking him belly up, you could see his upturned eyes... as still as a dead fish. His mouth was wide open, front tooth knocked out bloodied... while having mucus and spittle in his throat frothing and bubbling out. Amused. I tried willing my "system" to check his cause of death. [Examining...] [Cause of death: Deprivation of Oxygen] What a shame. He choked on his mucus and saliva which led to his inevitable demise. Honestly, it was either the rock or the saliva... either way he would not come out alive by the end of the day. Level Up! +1 +200 credits +3 Skill points Unallocated SP -> 6 ----------------- What has Jasper become? A BADASS MOTHERFUCKER.. or a borderline psychopath??? Important (Pls read if you care) Sorry for being inactive for the past few days, had alot to deal with after the passing of my grandmother. I will be able to upload again on thursdayalthough i will have to sort myself out in the mean time thank u for rocking w me the past few chapter and id like to say that the few comments helped me get through and encouraged me to stay focus in this period too.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. all i wanted to say is that ur comments and even the act of reading my guilty pleasure semi competent rant novel actually mean much more then u think and i thank u for that.. so i hope to stay 100 with u guys. Uploads will come again this wed, i will not be able to update as frequently (maybe) because i have nationals in 2 months time too.. but i promise i wont completely stop because sometimes writing helps me get my feelings out there. sorry for this short rant/notice, and excuse my poor grammar because i am doing this on my phone and i do not have time to proofread or edit. [Chapter 9] Humble Beginnings Level Up!+1 +200 credits +3Skill points Unallocated SP -> 6 Glancing at the pop-up and then to the dead body that was lying on the floor, motionless. The body of that filthy animal made the quiet surroundings more profound, as though all life had been stolen from the carpark. Not sparing another look at the remains of that sorry excuse for a human, my attention was now focused on the pop-up in front of me. After this ordeal, it only strengthened my resolve to increase my strength as it was the only way to improve my situation. There have been many times in my life when I have felt hopeless throughout my incarceration. It was perhaps the acutest pain a person may know, founded on frustration and ventless rage. Now a path had presented before me... a path that was like an elevator that would be able to bring me bountiful gains and countless riches while being able to reside at the lofty peak, looking down at everyone below. Although the destination brought an insane amount of fame and glory, it was a bloody path that a few could tread long enough the reach the "promised land". It was a path of no return, filled with bloodshed and loss. It was not for the faint of heart or the weak-willed. It was a mad man''s path, a decision that the previous Jasper would not ever entertain. A lot of people have tread this path because of the temptation of power and control, but very few made it. There was no such thing as right or wrong in this jungle! The winners were the ones that were able to decide right from wrong, power reigns absolute! Now, it was my turn to tread this path... but with the "system''s" guidance and the plentiful resources that came with it, it would make it much easier to pave the road to success. But it did not guarantee the safety as it was not omnipotent. Strengthening my resolve, I motioned for my stat''s to be displayed in front of me. ------------------------------------> Strength: 7Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Dexterity: 15 Intelligence: 20 Vitality: 10 Unallocated skill points: 6 ------------------------------------> My stats seem pretty average... from the current skirmish that took place, it was evident that I was lacking the capabilities to inflict as much damage onto my opponent as intended, but as a trade-off, I had higher dexterity and intelligence stat. Considering an average healthy working adult has an average of 10 stats per skill, I wished to monopolize and improve my Dexterity whilst having my Strength to be not too far off. Therefore, the best course of action was to pump 3 skill points on Strength and Dexterity respectively. Feeling satisfied with my choice, I gestured to apply 3 Strength & Dexterity. [Comfirming Stat allocation...] [...Stat allocation Success!] Now that the technical stuff is out of the way, I am greeted by the wonderful sight of an almost ass naked mutilated corpse. What a waste though, whatever possessions he still had were either broken or was nothing of significance/value. I really fucked his shit up though. Looks like ol'' Roc over here will be a sight to behold to whichever poor soul that stumbles across this big baddie. Oh right! Where was I going again? Glancing at the minimap, my end destination was not too far off. And so, the journey continues. ---------- After this *ahem* educational experience, the rest of the trip towards my safe house was uneventful and mundane. As I took a couple steps into the neighborhood I was greeted by the towering apartment complexes which were placed irregularly and were densely packed together. It almost looked like maze walls which were caving inwards. The architect that designed this apartment complex... wasn''t the brightest. At least the space used to build this complex wasn''t put to good use. What a shame, really. Although I believe a better term that would fit the odd housings would be "High rise flats", the kind you would find in China or South East Asian countries alike. The buildings had a pasty yellow color, which didn''t help to cover the stains and the obvious wear on the walls. Hell, there were even skid marks on the concrete tiles! As I got closer to the perimeter of the buildings I was assigned to, the started to get into the specifics of my new lovely home as of now. [Destination reached...] [Apartment would be located at Building8C] [#11-4, 8C] Looking at the building once more, the apartment certainly wasn''t up to par with the ones back on earth... but it could make do.. for now. It still beat the rusty cage we were locked up in, no doubt about it. Although it''s not ideal, it''s still a good start. For what seemed like a new beginning, an odd feeling of satisfaction welled up in the depths of my being. This apartment was the fruit of my labor and hard work, kind off. Something that I achieved which wasn''t casually handed to me. This time I am proudly able to say that this was something I got with my own two hands! ---------- [Chapter 10] Hooligan Subjugation You know what they say, another day another dollar. This doesn''t apply to me though... or the fact of the matter is anybody living in this semblance of society. We are all too cool for normalcy, being hip and funky myself. *Eeek* Getting off of my worn-out mattress, the sound of the loosened spring chimed clearly. The sound was further emphasized by the grating of the frail bed frame. Ahhh, this was music to my ears. After getting myself ready, I sauntered down the stairs and into the living room. Taking a swig of my fresh-brew coffee (institute provided of course), moaning in pleasure as I took a seat and ate my packet of rations. A good sleep was always appreciated, much less one without any nightmares. Down to business, eh. Naturally, by this time the system had fully integrated into my lifestyle and habits. Now, willing the came with ease and there was no need to make a conscious effort for it to do my bidding. Gulping down the remaining coffee and gobbling up the remaining content in my ration, the UI appeared, giving a brief description of what could be done to earn more COR and/or to advance the social hierarchy in HIVE. Scrolling through, there was a surprisinglyabundant amount of regular jobs that were provided by the institute albeit low paying and had really bad prospects... as with what you would expect a governmental job would be. The only plus side would be the job security, even that was pretty iffy, however... considering the fact that you may as well lose your life on the very same day. Living life like this was not an option for me. Scraping life like this was degrading and in my personal opinion a job for pussies and losers. Other than regular jobs, there was a multitude of other jobs... mostly being requests, sort of like a mission. Being paid to domissions weren''t so bad, the money earned was also good income. This type of easy money comes with a lot of risks though. This is really like a modern-day version of an adventurer''s guild, huh. Them taking a percentage of the earnings was to be expected too, the reason being them guaranteeing that the request was valid and the earnings would be paid regardless upon completion. After sifting through a generous amount of mission requests, I settled down with a hooligan subjugation quest.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. yes... before you ask... hooligan subjugations are now a thing in this f*cked up society I''m supposed to be apart of now. ------------------------------------> Mission: "Subjugate " "Nicholas is an individual which has been deemed too dangerous to be left alone wandering the streets of HIVE. Most notable for his large stature and red dreadlocks, he has tribal tattoos from the waist up and is known to be of Slavic descent. He has a highly destructive personality and has random anger flares, which results in unnecessary violence towards his peers. After multiple instances of such cases, the institute has deemed him as unproductive or "dysfunctional" towards the betterment of HIVE. [Update: Last seen in the outer layer''s dead zone] Objective: To be dispatched immediately. Bring back evidence of such to receive rewards from one of the Institute''s headquarters located at your local block. (+500 COR) Bonus: Bring him back alive (+200 COR) ------------------------------------> Very well. It''s decided, this poor bastard would be my first victim. Sacrifices have to be made, and he would serve his purpose as my stepping stone in this godforsaken area. Doing the institute and the common "people" a damn good favor. Ridding the scums of society would be a pleasure, I''m such a good samaritan, am I? Anyways, do not fret, as I am here to save the day! Accepting this subjugation request, I set off my on my noble journey to rid this world of evil like them. Thanks to my , finding his tracks would not be much of an issue considering the fact that my radar was still in effect as of now. As the system highlights multiple leads that were found through the multiple surveillance cameras that were placed along the borders of the safe zone and the outside, there was a disturbing amount of evidence which leads me to believe that he... was living in a rundown automobile at the "dead zone". What is the dead zone? Well, I call it the dead zone because its a portion of the land where fucked up people reside, away from the institute''s reach. If not for this cheat, how long would it take for me to find this fucker? My delusions sure are handy. --- After about an hour of jogging, there was a massive line drawn across... acting like some sort of a border. Assuming that was the end of the line, the disparity between both sides are pretty evident.. even from the sidelines here. On the other side, the roads were (also) abandoned but not maintained, the land barren and somewhat unhabitable even to my incredibly low standards. Glancing around, it had an archaic feel to it. There, the roads were not symmetrical either. Instead of concrete, there were paths made out of gravel and hardened earth... it was definitely worse than the low-end safe zones we were living in. Aside from the overgrowth on the pavements and roads, numerous dogs that were too large to be natural could be seen guarding some of the compounds. Houses there were mostly abandoned with barred windows and high fences with home-made barbed wire. The surroundings here tells me all I need to know, it isn''t a stretch of the imagination to understand how was able to thrive and fare inside such an area. --- [Chapter 11] Complications? Houses there were mostly abandoned with barred windows and high fences with home-made barbed wire. The surroundings here tells me all I need to know, it isn''t a stretch of the imagination to understand how was able to thrive and fare inside such an area. ---------- Well. Whatever, it wasn''t really any of my concern, to begin with. Let''s just get this over with. After pondering on this subject and how I would like to tackle this issue, there are actually a lot of factors that come into place if we are talking about how this mission should be done to maximise efficiency. It wasn''t as if the "dead zone" was my backyard, strolling across it like no one''s fucking business. That shoddy stretch of land got its name for a damn good reason and I''m not willing to test it. After crossing the border, new information could be seen flooding into my minimap. There were red and blue areas marking "hot spots" where most of the crimes and incident occur, those being based on previous incidents that were recorded down in the institute''s database. Gang activity was also at an all-time high down here, walking down the open roads was of my best interest. A rule of thumb would be to avoid shortcuts or narrow passages that would be prone to ambushes and the like. This also applies to other worse off neighborhood, more so in HIVE. While walking down the path indicated on the minimap and avoiding some of the hot spots, it was clear as day that I was being watched. As expected... [Suspicious Activities found...] [Highlighting Individuals....] [...90%] [Comfirmed..] This isn''t going to be pretty... keep your cool... keep your cool. Having previously killed people, it was reassuring that I had some sort of experience regarding self-defense. Nonetheless, it was still a nerve wrecking experience. While following the indicator, the minimap displayed 2 red dots that were not blinking... which probably meant that they were not hostile.. yet.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. ---- It looks like these 2 goons are still following me, it has been a good 5 minutes and they aren''t making it any more blatant that they were trailing behind me. Glancing back, it was pretty evident from their arrogant and smug faces that they were not going to make it easy for me. From their aura and how they carried themselves, they felt like nothing special or anything that couldn''t be dealt with accordingly. Just the run of the mill outlandish thug. Just look at that smug bastard, all high and mighty... swaggering along. All fat dumb and happy, probably on an ego trip. I guess it''s best to deal with the situation before it escalates... if I do not put an end to it right now it''ll bite me in the ass later when there are other things of importance to deal with. Quickening my pace as I scurried along the sidewalk, my next course of action was to lead them to a secluded dead end. ----- Reaching the dead end, I stopped dead in my tracks and waited for them to "corner" me. Hehe Due to the minimap, it was easy to predict when they would barge into the blind alley. Speaking of the devil, they are finally here. The two goons sauntered in, making a fool out of themselves. Both of them had their full body tatted up. What was most notable was the jolly roger on both of their arms. Their tattoos were a dead giveaway that they were cliqued up, I guess.One had a blue snapback and the other had a bandana of a similar color. Now facing them, they gave me a shit-eating grin. "Hey there buddy, you know the drill" The goon with a snapback came up to me, hands raised in the air like he owned the world, remarked. "Fork over whatever you''ve got, unless you wanna get fucked inside out" As if on cue, the other partner hollered back in perfect sync. Ahhh. What a cliche line, am I right guys? Sounding all third-rate villain like, this is going to be pretty anti-climatic. "Uhmm... how about no? What''re you gonna do about it bitch?" Staring at them with my eyes half opened, cracking out a loud yawn. Openly disrespecting them, this would hopefully enrage them. Them not thinking and acting with a clear mind would only benefit me. I need all the advantages I can get so that we can even out the playing field... being outnumbered 2 to 1 was a bad enough. Oh well, I can only deal with the cards I''m dealt. "I see how it is... let''s see what you have to say after I lodge this in your throat." The imbecile with a snapback now clearly fuming, clearly upset. Who asked him to have such a big chip on his shoulder. To hell with his ego, amirite? Taking out a blade that closely resembled that of a machete in a clumsy motion, he gazed at me in enmity. This was a dead giveaway and a good indicator that he wasn''t proficient with the use of a bladed object though, useful information all across the board. Goon number two followed suit, slowly closing the distance between us and him as he also grabbed out a blade from his back pocket. Shit is about to get real now. [Warning... Hostile presence discovered] [Possible actions displayed] [Chapter 12] Third Blood? (GORE) [Warning... Hostile presence discovered] [Possible actions displayed] ---- This isn''t good. It appears like the person that has a crippling disadvantage would be me. Taking this into account, my gaze flickered rapidly around my surroundings. Taking my surroundings into account, I had to play it smart. The goon with the machete still glaring at me menacingly was deliberately taking his time to advance towards me. Biting the bullet, my inventory flashed and my appeared in my hand too, this caught the two goons by surprised. From the looks they were giving, they expected me to be unarmed. What a fool. Still dazed by the glare of the light emitted as my weapon was drawn, even for a split second; an opportunity that was too good to pass off was presented on a silver platter. Dashing towards the goon with the machete, I swung the blunt weapon in an overhead arc. The blunt weapon collided with the goon''s head. This, however, was not enough to incapacitate him. The first goon staggered backward, falling onto his buttocks... the blunt trauma was enough to stun him for a couple of seconds. Witnessing this spectacle, the second goon was slack-jawed. What the hell just happened? The second good, still holding the concealed blade, bum-rushed me. Swinging the blade haphazardly, this type of opponent was the most troublesome to deal with. Although this made him undoubtedly vulnerable, I was not moronic enough to stoop to his pace. Slightly retreating, this caused the second goon to stumble as he rushed at me with full force. This being the case, he had employed too much force onto his front foot... this was good for me. Now he was not able to change his direction of motion easily due to the inertia of his force. Sidestepping to the left as I retreated with my leg slightly protruding out, it caused the goon to over-reach himself. As he turned his head to face me, his body could not withstand the inertia causing him to continue moving forward. Furthermore, he tripped on my foot. All of this happened in an instant. Because of him swinging foolishly, he tripped in an awful position. What a poor sod, really. Still twitching on the floor, his bandana now dyed red because of the blood that was flowing from his neck. Oh well. Kicking him over, belly up... it was pretty evident that he had impaled himself in the neck thanks to his awkward positioning as he fell. He must not have gripped the blade properly or learned how to cushion his fall appropriately.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it Oh? Looking at him heaving up and down, he might just be alive? Sneering, I used my and decked the knife that was still stuck midway in his windpipe. His eyes bulged out, coughing out a fit. The knife was further lodged into his throat, him heaving even further... as if gasping for air. How amusing. Walking towards the hapless lamb, it was as if the grim reaper was approaching to collect his soul. The look of despair in his eyes was exhilarating. Stepping on the blade that was still protruding out, I exerted more force so that it was further buried into his throat. After his measly attempts to resist, his eyes turned glassy... staring back at me. His life was snuffed out, just in the matter of mere minutes. His lifeless body now unmoving, [Target subdued...] [Analayzing body... 90%] [Opponent pronounced dead..] [Host will be able to collect the rewards after defeating all potential threats in a 10-meter radius...] Suddenly, a sour stench assaulted my nostrils. It wasn''t the smell of blood, as blood had a distinct smell that was very familiar to me... the smell of iron and a hint of saltiness. When I cocked my head, something well... unexpected happened... or not. Being greeted with such a miserable display, disgust was clearly evident on my face at this moment. The snapback goon was just gaping at his fallen comrade with apprehension clearly written all over. His sagging jeans had a yellow~ish stain that went from his groin up all the way down to his feet. Below him, was a puddle of yellow... substance. Staring at him with indignation... I could only reply with a tinge of exasperation. "And how the fuck do you expect me to loot your dead body when it''s covered with god damn piss?"... Pondering about it more only increased my displeasure. Dislodging the blade stuck into the now-dead goon, in a fit of rage, I lobbed the blade into the other guy chest. He yelped in anguish "ARRRGH. NO, PLEASE" "Alright, now open your mouth and bite onto the curb." Still staring at me fearfully, he relented and did it without protest. "Atta boy, now... be a good boy and answer with only yes or no, and don''t close your mouth, do you understand?" As he tried to answer me with his mouth still opened, I curb stomped him with utmost force. His face jaw now broken, it was clearly dislocated... his teeth.. well, let''s just say it wasn''t a pretty sight to behold. As the blade was still embedded into his chest, it was quickly taken out. Inspecting the blade, it was surprisingly still in decent condition. It has not lost its sharpness, I think? Well... there''s only one way to test it out. Grabbing him by the tuft of his hair, I slit his throat. It cut like butter, should I give him the honor of having the first Columbian necktie done by yours truly? Nah. His throat now having a large opening, there were blood bubbles being released from it. Was the fool still trying to breathe? Oh well. The blade wasn''t good enough to behade him in quick succession, but it was good enough to slit his throat with ease. Shall I keep this knife... it would really come in handy if I need to make an example out of someone. [Both Enemies Pronounced dead...] [Congratulations host...] ---- Level Up!+1 +200 credits +3Skill points Unallocated SP-> 3 [Chapter 13] Paying back in full Level Up! +1 +200 credits +3 Skill points Unallocated SP-> 3 ----- [Items obtained!] [Loading...] ---------------> Item: Executioner (Bayonet) Quality: Worn-out [Cursed] Description: This bayonet has been the cause of many misfortune and premature deaths. This bayonet is now said to have absorbed the life essence of its previous users. Bonus Effects: +50% Damage increase & state of fear induced only on incapacitated victims. ---------------> Item: Regular Machete Quality: Store-bought Description: Title says it all. Bonus Effects: Purple sheen, regular sharpness. ---------------> [Scanning fallen opponents...] [Bounty found...] [...both have been recognized for gang affiliations] [Gang Identified: Gravity Massive] [Gang affiliation LV2... footsoldiers confirmed] [Bounty can be redeemed for 50cor each at the institute''s headquarters] This was well worth the effort. Confirming the rewards, this "scuffle" was not for naught after all. Well worth the amount of effort in my opinion. Collecting all the rewards now, I changed my main weapon from the to my . Placing the under my secondary, this weapon was the most valuable loot I''ve obtained from these monsters as of yet. The inventory system also comes with an in-game "shop", which allows me to sell impractical or worthless loot. Albeit cheaper, it can only be sold for credits. Credits were an exclusive only currency if you were confused.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. But of course, the loot could also be brought to a nearby store at a local institute-ensured district. Then it would be sold for a different currency, dubbed COR. COR is the real-life counterpart to credits, which will be used to pay for daily expenses, apartments, cars, prostitutes and the like. Anything materialistic, in a nutshell. After all, is said and done, it is now a good time to continue on my quest after this profitable detour. Examining the minimap, it appears that there were more activities that were underway by our target. Zooming in, he just made his way back to his hideout. Kind of ironic, he is living in a broken down trailer park. White trash much? Making my way over, I stopped at a 50-meter radius to scout the situation. From what could be made out, there were a couple of blokes gathered, huddled around some sort of bonfire. Well, the bonfire was, in essence, a used metal trashcan that was lit on fire. They looked no different to homeless people, most sporting long hair below the collar. Either braiding their hair naturally or having clumps of hair drooping down their heads, they were bums. Yellow teeth and poor hygieneand the likes. The smell of booze and firewood was wafting from the trailer park. How the place smells like ass from here is still beyond my comprehension. As I covertly make my way, traversing through the road paths and conveniently erected tents by the bums. It gave me a good image on what all *these* is. Newfound understanding crept within me. I see what it is. This was actually a gathering of bums. Presumably, the trailer was the primary property, which in all probability was owned by the head honcho... . Okay. Let''s get this straight. Am I supposed to eliminate the big cheese of a group of vagrant beggars? Unbelievable. That being the case, we need to approach this mission delicately... as usual, I''m still at a disadvantage. But what''s the worst a drunk bastard can do to you? Exhausted, the , however, made things easier to tackle by automatically identifying Nicholas. Squinting, he was sitting on an arm-rest reclaimer. Him and the others being intoxicated, they were lethargic, one could be seen passing out on a mattress which was behind the trailer. The bonfire was at the opposite side of the trailer, while the mattress was on the other side mind you. This lone vagrant, presumably one of ''s buddy was wasted on the mattress. This made him an easy target to dispatch, whether he was innocent was none of my concern. That was how the world works, it was unfair. He might have some valuables on him too, an effortless kill and a charitable reward. Strength decided everything, so don''t blame me, buddy. Let''s end this quickly. As they say, procrastination is opportunity''sassassin. Treading towards him in small and gentle strides, making sure not to step on dried branches... it was a delicate and arduous task. Nevertheless, I would arrive at the back of his mattress. With a grimace, now in hand. Let us test it out in action. In quick succession, his neck now being pulled from the back... my hands now seizing his chin. This clamped his mouth shut as he broke out of his stupor. The way he looked at me as my blade descended onto his neck was an unforgettable experience. To my astonishment, his final moments were not of anguish, hatred, disbelief... but of acceptance. His eyes had a brief clarity as it soon lost its glimmer. Not even breaking eye contact, he held onto me and gazed at me unceasingly as he drew his last breath. As though as he engraved my very being into his memories. Although unspoken, it was clear he was indicating something along the lines of "damn brat, I''ll remember this." Every debt has it''s debtor after all. It was a first, to say the least. As he slumped back onto the mattress, a red thin line could be seen encircling his neck. The cut was very precise, it was difficult to spot to the untrained eye. His mouth now agape, blood unceasingly leaking out... dying the surrounding red. Strange enough, there were no regrets. Already knees deep into this, I can only continue and succeed in my subjugation. It was the only respectable thing to do, or else I won''t be able to face him or the faces of those I''ve killed on the other side. There is no going back after all. My fate has already been sealed. One day I would be the one tasting the cold steel of death.