Chapter 96: Empathy

Pain.

It consumed Andrew, rippled through him like waves in an angry sea.

Every bone in his body ached with the aftershocks of that brutal strike.

'I-it hurts… urk!' He grimaced, clutching his chest as he staggered to his feet amongst the shattered remains of the fence.

In the pit of his stomach, a sinking feeling took root.

His confidence had been high, his hopes even higher.

A native couldn't possibly be stronger than him, not when he himself was a survivor of Earth's brutal Tutorial.

Yet here he was, gasping for breath, struggling to maintain his composure.

His eyes were drawn back to the boy who had landed that crushing blow. His face was calm, his stance steady.

An adversary far beyond any he'd met since arriving in this world.

'C-could it be…?!'

The thought that the youth might not be a native, but a survivor like him, raced through Andrew's mind.

'N-no…' His heart pounded in his chest like a wild drum.

Could it be? The one who defeated Fenrir was him? Was he a fellow Earth survivor?

Recognition dawned in his mind like a sunrise after a long night.

He instantly knew he was outmatched. It was as clear as the midday sun above them. He was fighting someone stronger, someone who had survived the cruel tutorial like him.

And if the youth was indeed an Earth survivor, then it meant he was of a higher level.

The thought made him feel cold despite the scorching sun.

'R-run… I have to run!'

Andrew's instincts screamed at him to flee, to run as far away from this deadly enemy as possible.

He gritted his teeth, fear gripping him tightly.

It was time to activate his last resort.

'<Dash>'

With a burst of speed that surprised even him, Andrew turned on his heel and bolted.

~WHOOOSH!~

'P-please let me make it! Let me escape!'

His heart pounded in his ears, each beat a frantic reminder of the narrow escape he was making.

'I'm sorry Fenrir… everyone… you just have to suffer the brunt of your crimes.'

He had nothing to do with this whole thing. He wasn't a bandit. He was just using them as a cover.

He never wanted any of this. He just wanted to be happy and comfortable.

Was that so wrong? Was that so bad?

No! No, it wasn't!

As he ran, his only thought was to survive, to live another day. And perhaps, to grow stronger so that he may never experience such fear again.

'I-I'll make sure I get stronger!' His thoughts desperately echoed as his heart pounded.

"Next time… next time for sure!"

"Oh? Next time what?" A voice sharply sounded behind him.

"E-eh?"

In a fleeting moment, the hope of escape that had blossomed in Andrew's chest was snuffed out.

Just as he thought he was getting away, a sudden pressure from behind made him stumble.

'N-no…!'

The world spun as he felt himself fly and then abruptly stop, his body painfully slamming into a tree.

"Gahh!"

His breath hitched as he tried to comprehend what just happened. How had the boy caught up so quickly?

'C-could he have the <Dash> Skill too?'

Andrew weakly slid down the rough bark of the tree, the taste of copper flooding his mouth as he spat out a mouthful of blood.

His body felt heavy, every movement sending throbs of agony coursing through his nerves.

Yet his mind was in overdrive, processing the realization that had dawned upon him.

He had assumed he had the upper hand with his <Dash> Skill. But the boy.. .had closed the distance between them effortlessly, as if he was merely taking a leisurely stroll.

Andrew felt a cold chill snake down his spine. The disparity between their powers was not just a small gap.

It was a yawning chasm!

Disbelief, fear, and a sense of impending doom swirled in his mind as he lifted his head to stare into the chillingly calm eyes of his pursuer.

"How..." he wheezed out, his voice barely more than a breathless whisper, the words heavy with the weight of his defeat and disbelief.

Andrew looked up, the pain coursing through his body momentarily forgotten as he saw the monstrous person standing over him, a broad grin spread across his face.

"You know, I had to knock out all your bandit buddies before chasing after you," The youth said, his tone light, as though they were discussing the weather rather than the conclusion of a violent confrontation.

Andrew's eyes widened slightly, a mixture of disbelief and fear crossing his face.

"Took me a while. You're really slow, by the way," The young man continued.

His words were like a dagger, digging into Andrew's pride. "Are you using <Dash>, by the way? Ah, that brings back memories, really."

Memories? The word echoed in Andrew's mind.

Did that mean he had the Skill? No… he had something better?!

Just how strong was this youth? How could he be so calm, so nonchalant, even in the face of conflict?

"I let you run off to create some distance between us and the other natives," He added, drawing closer to Andrew.

That word, 'natives', sent a chill through Andrew. The boy was an outsider, just like him. He was a survivor from Earth.

'T-this could be my chance.'

Andrew could plead for mercy, they were both from Earth, after all.

He could negotiate, offer something of value.

But even as this thought crossed his mind, The boy's next words sliced through his hopes like a razor-sharp blade.

"I want to get some information from you. About Earth. And other important stuff. Although..." His voice trailed off, his gaze turning thoughtful.

"...You might not have any useful information, this could all be a waste of time. But I still need to find out what I can."

"I-I can be useful to you!" Andrew blurted out, the words tumbling from his lips in a desperate plea.

"If you let me live, I can...I can provide a lot of help. I promise."

Yes.

He was weak, sure, but even weaklings had their uses. Thankfully this guy still needed his help with something. They could cooperate… right?

"Hm?" The boy looked at him, a strange look of amusement gleaming in his eyes.

"Maybe you're confused about something," he said, his voice soft yet cold. "You're going to give me information regardless."

"H-huh?" Andrew croaked.

"I just have to pry it out of you with my Skill. And even after you die, you'll still be useful to me with <Fallen Foe>."

"W-what…?"

"It's got an upgrade. Works with Human Essence too."

Andrew felt his blood turn to ice, a wave of pure terror washing over him.

Who… who was this person?!

"Do you even have any empathy? Are you even human?" he asked, his voice barely more than a hoarse whisper.

In response, the lad only chuckled, a chilling sound that echoed in the stillness around them.

"Oh, I have empathy, alright. But that empathy...doesn't extend to you."

Andrew's bloodshot eyes widened as he felt the overwhelming pressure the boy exerted.

After all… " He said, his smile widening, his eyes gleaming with an icy determination,

"... You are the enemy."

*

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[A/N]

Welp… that's the end for Andrew.

Thanks for reading.

Cheers!