Chapter 9: The Way of The World

Chapter 9: The Way of The World

[Three Days Later]

After the Second Impact, the two men continued moving through the city, taking rest in a now abandoned movie theater. Điscover new chapters at novelhall.com

Finn sat in the lobby, which was properly barricaded, only allowing a single entrance to be uncovered. Across the large room of red-and-yellow, retro carpets and walls of posters for movies that would've been currently showing, Damian was at the concession stand, snacking on popcorn that was stale by now.

"Status," Finn said, checking on his current abilities as he ran his fingers through his messy, dark hair.

[Level: 10] [750/5000]

<Vitals: Healthy>

<Magic: Healthy>

Though it had been a few days since the start of the world-changing event, not much progress had been made in finding any other survivors. It almost felt like they were completely alone in the city, though that seemed unlikely.

"What's the plan for today?" Damian asked, munching on a bag of popcorn as he walked over.

Finn exhaled as he sat up, looking around at the lobby of the lonely theater before staring at his friend, "I don't want to sit around here any longer. We're close to one now so...I think we need to check what those towers are about."

"I was thinking the same. Those things have been bugging me–they came down with the Second Impact," Damian remarked.

There were still too many questions about the nature of what was happening. Even fundamental aspects about the systems bestowed to them, like the "Anarch Coins" that dropped from monsters; Finn was still perplexed as to their purpose.

After finishing up their morning snack, the two men made their way out, going through a side exit of the theater that led into an alleyway. As he led the way into the main street, Finn couldn't get over the sight of the cityscape even after the first few days:

The streets were cracked, blooming from tall grass; moss and vines clung to the deteriorating buildings as even some trees began to grow between the cracks in the asphalt.

"Nature is reclaiming it, eh?" Damian said, leaning his axe against his shoulder.

"I wouldn't say that. I think whatever is responsible for everything is claiming it," Finn said.

It was simply unnatural the rate that the cityscape was overrun with the growth of nature. He could only pin it to the Second Impact.

The quiet ruins of the city housed too many monsters to keep track of. While it was almost peaceful, both men knew it was otherwise. The only reason it ran quiet was the fact that there was nothing left for the monsters to slaughter.

At least, the smart ones that remained hid themselves from such a fate.

"Think we'll find someone today?" Damian asked, scratching his chin as a light beard had begun to grow in.

"Dunno. I hope so," Finn answered.

"Me too," Damian said quietly.

Though he only knew the person for a few days, he felt he understood what kind of person Damian was well. It wasn't a difficult thing, seeing as Damian was an open book who wore his emotions on his sleeve.

'I can tell, he wants to help people. He's talked about how many he failed to save so often, that at this point he's probably praying just to save one. I get it. I'm not some kind of hero, but it'd be nice to find another person in this hell,' Finn thought to himself.

In the near distance, the sight of one of the enigmatic towers loomed; it reached past the clouds, seeming to be endlessly tall.

Finn felt the vibrations of the mighty slam, even though he steered well clear of being hit directly. He sprinted straight for the cyclops' legs, coming upon its right foot–

'There,' he watched, looking behind its ankle.

["Tendon Slice"] [1:59]

A quick slash of his dagger against its achilles provided a devastating effect, completely severing its pivotal point.

"Grruuu–!?" The cyclops let out, beginning to lose its balance.

As it began to stumble, causing the street to rumble beneath its weight, Damian backed up, finding its shadow cast over him.

"Woah, woah–don't fall on me!" Damian called out.

From behind the falling cyclops, Finn yelled to his companion, "Use your skill!"

"--Oh, right!" Damian remembered, sucking in a large breath.

["Aura of The Strong"] [9:59]

The skill was commanded through a massive exhale and a slam of the warrior's foot upon the street, producing a shock wave that rippled forward. It was powerful enough to move the nearest, wrecked cars, even off-setting the stumbling cyclops as it instead began to fall backward.

Finn, from across the street, felt the winds brought upon by his partner's skill as his hair was brushed, finding the cyclops now in his range to finish off instead.

'Alright–I can't miss,' he thought, focusing his vision on its neck.

As he made sure his sight was lined up on that specific vital spot, he sprung forth, vanishing from the spot he stood–

["Blink Slash"] [2:59]

In an instant, he reappeared multiple meters in the air, at level with the giant's throat as he swept his dagger forth in the very same instant. It was a near instantaneous attack, leaving the cyclops utterly confused as its neck was slit before it collapsed onto the street.

Finn landed on his feet with an exhale, brushing his hair up, "Got it."

["Cyclops defeated."] ["Anarch Coin x20 obtained."]

[Experience points: +750] [1500/5000]

[Assimilated ability from [Cyclops]: "Commanding Stomp" 1 / 5]

'A new power to use–that could be useful,' he took note of before looking at his companion.

Damian wiped a bit of sweat from his forehead with a smile before putting his fist forward in a gesture, "Nice one!"

Finn bumped his fist against his companion's own with a small smile, "Yeah, you too. It's good to know we can handle a cyclops fairly easily now."

"Isn't it? Man, I feel strong!" Damian boasted with a playful attitude.

"Let's hope you feel that way when we get into that tower," Finn said.