Nameless stepped through the portal, his senses heightened to their limit. The moment he materialized, his eyes caught a vivid, gruesome sight—a searing beam of light sliced through a man's gut, splitting him in half with surgical precision. The remnants of the man's body fell to the ground, lifeless, as the same deadly beam shot towards Nameless, moving with terrifying speed.
His reflexes, honed by countless battles, kicked in. With a swift motion, he summoned his dagger and intercepted the beam just in time, the impact sending a shudder through his entire body.
He darted to the nearest pillar, where other humans were taking cover, panting as adrenaline coursed through his veins.
*What the heck is going on?* he thought, eyes wide, trying to piece together the chaotic scene around him.
*No, this should be normal... the Fatek planned an ambush from the start. They just caught me off guard. This is the result of being out of the loop for so long. Lucky I was sharp enough to block that...*
Peeking around the pillar, Nameless quickly analyzed the situation. Dozens of Fatek warriors were spread out across the battlefield, their blasters firing lethal energy bolts in every direction. Some were already engaged in close combat, including the captain, Hera, and Loki, their movements swift and precise as they fought to keep the Fatek at bay.
*Come to think of it, these guys I'm beside are long-range combatants,* Nameless realized, reddening with shame at his initial panic.
With renewed resolve, he gripped the hilt of his dagger, feeling the cool metal steady his nerves. Without a second thought, he dashed out from behind the pillar, charging headlong into the fray. His mind raced, recalling every encounter he'd had with the Fatek, the scars they had left on his body and soul.
*For years, I've faced the Fatek, struggling to kill even one. I've suffered countless scars. Even now, with this incredible speed, I still feel uncertain...*
His grip tightened as he neared the first Fatek, his heart pounding in his chest.
*Power doesn't change mentality... unless I force it to.*
He slowed his pace, the world around him seeming to decelerate as he focused on his target. The Fatek raised its massive gun, aiming directly at him. Nameless watched the beam form, its light intensifying before it shot towards him. He dodged, shifting his body weight to the left, the beam whizzing past him harmlessly.
In one fluid motion, he lunged forward, plunging his dagger deep into the Fatek's throat. The blade sliced through flesh and bone with ease, the creature collapsing to the ground, lifeless.
*It's working...* he thought, a surge of confidence electrifying his veins. Without hesitation, he moved towards another Fatek, this one far more imposing.
The creature stood with four muscular arms, each gripping a massive club that dripped with human blood. Its body was a bulk of pure muscle, but that didn't hinder its speed. With a monstrous roar, it swung one of its clubs down towards Nameless, aiming to crush his skull.
Nameless leapt back, the club smashing into the ground where he had stood a split second before. The force of the impact shook the earth, sending debris flying in all directions.
*Too close—*
He barely had time to blink before a wave of blue energy exploded from the club like a nuclear bomb. The shockwave struck him with full force, sending him hurtling through the air, his body twisting in mid-flight as he struggled to regain control.
"Arrgh!" Nameless growled, maneuvering himself to land on his feet. He skidded back several feet, his knees nearly buckling from the impact.
*This is insane...*
He watched the Fatek warily, his earlier burst of confidence now tempered with caution. He studied the creature's weapon, noting the faint blue glow that still clung to the club.
[One has been added to all Stats.]
[You have come close to death.]
[One has been added to all Stats.]
But even with the increase in stats, it wasn't enough. The Fatek's grip was unyielding, the creature's strength overwhelming. Nameless knew he had only seconds before he was crushed completely.
*Think!*
His mind raced through countless possibilities, searching for something—anything—that could save him. His left hand, still free, rose instinctively. With a primal roar, he slammed it down onto the Fatek's arm, his glove dissolving like ice under the sun.
The Fatek shrieked in agony as its flesh began to decay, the rot spreading rapidly across its body. Nameless fell to the ground, gasping for breath as he watched the Fatek disintegrate before his eyes, its body reduced to nothing but steam and a foul stench.
[Deceased Touch skill in use.]
*Thankfully, it was better than what I thought...* Nameless mused, struggling to his feet. *I thought it would just infect him, but it decayed him until he was nothing but air...*
[You have leveled up.]
[Leveled up.]
Nameless felt a brief moment of relief, his body trembling from the exertion.
[You have successfully enslaved the soul.]
[Souls enslaved 2/15.]
*Enslaved...?* he thought, confusion clouding his mind. *Is this something related to—*
"NAMELESS! RUN, YOU IDIOT!"
Loki's voice shattered his thoughts, the urgency in his tone unmistakable. Nameless' eyes widened as he saw Loki racing towards him, his face a mask of panic.
*Behind...* Nameless thought, turning quickly, ready to face whatever new threat had emerged.
What he saw made his blood run cold.
A massive creature loomed before him, far more terrifying than any Fatek. It stood on all fours and resembled...
'Impossible, an—'
Alien Bison.