Chapter 58 Unknown System

A/N: If you don't want to read about Misogi Barlowe, feel free to skip this entire volume. I wanted to take a short break from writing the main story and develop an antagonist.

***

Deep in another area of the forest, a crazed boy resided, having been transported to this apocalyptic world alongside everyone else.

This boy was a truly unfortunate person.

His name was Misogi Barlowe.

In front of him, stood Rodeen Sadeghinad, the leader of one of the most violent gangs in the entire forest. Rodeen was not extremely muscular but his body was obviously toned—however, that wasn't his most significant trait. Rodeen had an extremely powerful system, a system which gained the respect of over a hundred loyal followers. Rodeen's strength was one that deserved its spot in the top 5.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Exclaimed Rodeen.

"Oh? That's not a very nice way to greet someone." Misogi replied.

"I would kill you on the spot but I don't want to waste my energy."

"I have a request for you."

"Do you think you're in the position to be making demands!?"

Misogi looked around.

"I don't see anything that would be a threat to me~"

"Haha, I'll give you two seconds to get the fuck out or I'm going to kill you!"

"At least hear me ou—"

[Open Portal]

Directly in front of Misogi, Rodeen formed a pitch-dark portal that ripped open the space.

"Hey, I'm trying to talk to you."

"Die."

Suddenly, an arrow flew out of the portal; it struck Misogi in the heart, piercing his skin and killing him instantly. Misogi's corpse fell to the ground as Rodeen dissolved the portal that he had previously conjured in front of him. Blood leaked over the ground as Rodeen began walking over.

However, to his surprise, when Rodeen inspected the corpse, he saw that the wound caused by the arrow had completely disappeared.

Slowly, the previously-dead Misogi got back to his feet.

"Hey now, that wasn't very nice."

"What the fuck? What is your system?!" Rodeen scrambled to try to find an explanation for the phenomenon.

"It's a secret~"

"I've had enough of your bullshit!"

[Open Portal]

Another portal formed at Misogi's feet, this time, he fell in, his body sinking into the dark abyss.

"Hey, I'm tr—"

[Close Portal]

The portal suddenly disappeared, and the bottom half of Misogi's body vanished along with it. Blood splattered all over the ground as his body fell lifeless once again. All that was left was the upper body of a bloodied and dead person.

"What on earth was that power he used the first time..." Rodeen muttered to himself.

With the assumption that it was over, Rodeen began walking about the building that they were talking in. His footsteps echoed throughout the hall.

[Removed Source of Death]

"Hey, do you mind letting me speak?" said Misogi in a slightly croaky voice.

"What the fuck?"

Rodeen turned around in shock as the previously-dead Misogi arose once again. The bottom half of his body had been healed and it would appear that he never had any injuries in the first place. Rodeen was in pure astonishment,

"Listen to my demands won't you?"

"What on earth are you!?"

Misogi slowly walked towards Rodeen.

"Now, I'll leave on one condition."

"...What is it that you want?"

"You give me that blonde-haired girl."

"What? You want Alice? For what reason?"

"Ah, she's cute, that's all."

Rodeen appeared to be incredibly agitated by Misogi's statements.

"I'm not giving you shit!"

"Ah, now that won't do~"

Misogi approached Rodeen until he was within arm's reach.

Rodeen raised his arm as if activating his ability, however, no matter how hard he tried, no portal was formed. He started to sweat as Misogi stared at him silently.

"Why isn't my system working?! Open Portal!"

No matter what he did, no portal was formed. He tried concentrating all of his thoughts but for some reason, his ability just wouldn't work.

"Are you going to accept my condition?"

"I'm not giving Alice to you!"

"Hey now, are you really in the position to be making statements like that?"

For the first time, Rodeen felt fear in his body.

Misogi reached out and grabbed Rodeen by the neck.

"Come on, give her to me."

Misogi's mouth was smiling however his eyes were as cold as the winter.

"G-go fuck your...self!"

Rodeen summoned a [Silver Sword] and swung at Misogi. Misogi took a step back to avoid the attack as the point of the blade just barely missed his neck. Without hesitation, Rodeen charged forward at Misogi and swung again.

"Hey now, why don't you call in some of your lackeys to help you?"

"If they see me struggling to fight a pissant like you, I wouldn't be able to face them again."

"Oh, but I'm strong, aren't I?"

Misogi wasn't able to dodge the second strike, this time, the blade cut into his chest, drawing out a large stream of blood. Despite all the pain, Misogi continued to smile. Rodeen pushed forward again, cutting his head clean off with one single strike.

"You're a weak little shit."

There was a brief flash.

[Removed Source of Death]

Rodeen couldn't believe his eyes as he saw Misogi alive once again, as if nothing had happened to him. His wounds had healed and his clothing was restored. As Rodeen prepared to attack him again, he noticed that his [Silver Sword] had vanished.

"W-what on earth...?"

"Are you really going to sacrifice your life protecting one mere girl?"

"How... are you still alive..."

"Come on now, if you don't agree, I might just kill you~"

"No way! I don't understand any of this but you're getting on my nerves."

Misogi slowly walked towards Rodeen again. In his hand, Misogi summoned a Knife of Kali.

In response, Rodeen quickly pulled a shield out of his inventory.

Misogi swung his knife, only to have it stick into Rodeen's shield.

Even despite Rodeen's previous reliance on his system, his hand-to-hand combat skills were nothing to scoff at.

"Ah."

After Misogi's attack, Rodeen dropped his shield and kicked Misogi in the face. Misogi was sent crashing into the ground, kicking up a little cloud of dust. Rodeen looked down at Misogi with a face full of anger.

As if he wasn't in any pain, Misogi climbed back up onto his feet.

"Why don't you give up, Rodeen Sadeghinad?"

"Tell me, what's the real reason for you wanting Alice?"

"The real reason...? Is wanting her to be my girlfriend a valid reason?"

"Don't joke around with me!"

"Eh? But I'm not joking..."

Rodeen took a step back and summoned some rope to his hand.

"If you won't die, I'll just tie you up and throw you into the river."

Rodeen moved forward with the rope in his hand. He tackled Misogi to the ground and began tying up his arm. All of a sudden, Rodeen felt a sharp pain in his side. As he looked over, he saw that blood was rapidly flowing out of his side.

Misogi had summoned another Knife of Kali and stabbed Rodeen.