Chapter 12: Finally Some Action (Part 4)
Killing me is not enough to kill me, my heart beats di di dum dum di di.
{Finally some Action}
"Zero, play Pureojuice gear five drill," he smirked, rolling up the sleeve of his trench coat with deliberate confidence. The fabric bunched against his forearm as anticipation coursed through his veins like liquid fire. "Let's take this immortality for a test ride." He moved towards the beast with nothing but his fists, his trusty AI, and the unwavering confidence that he'd come back from death after being pummeled by the monster.
{Confidence is good and all, but how do you plan to beat that thing? Did you not see its status sheet?}
Zero said, bringing Zeke back to earth with the sharp clarity of cold water hitting fevered skin.
"You're right, forget about his ability—how do I bridge the stat gap? This would seem like a child fighting a certified UFC boxer," Zeke said, abruptly stopping, placing his hands on his chin in contemplation. His brow furrowed.
The Minotaur, already seeing a contender, had rushed towards Zeke with thunderous hoofbeats that cracked the pavement beneath. Upon reaching him, Zeke—oblivious to the Minotaur approaching—was hit with the force of an S-ranked strength stat.
His stomach caved in with a sickening crunch, ribs folding like paper. He coughed out blood that painted the air crimson as he flew backwards towards the trio, his body a ragdoll in the grip of overwhelming force.
"Shit!" Kai exclaimed as he rushed towards Zeke as he landed near them, dust and debris erupting from the impact crater his body had carved into the concrete.
Jude and Aaron stood at the ready, their muscles coiled tight as springs, preparing to fight the Minotaur if it approached them. Flames danced around Jude's fingers while shadows seemed to writhe at Aaron's feet.
"Cough, that… didn't hurt that much," Zeke rasped, climbing from the rubble, his Immortality knitting his insides back together. Bones popped into place, bloodstains fading like a bad dream. He grinned, brushing dust off his joggers.
"Hey, hold on, I just discovered something monumental. Let me think, we'll duke it out. There's time." He waved at the Minotaur as if it could hear, his grin widening.
The Minotaur huffed—a sound like steam escaping from a locomotive—and stood still, honoring his apparently durable opponent. Its massive chest rose and fell with each breath, muscles rippling under fur that seemed to absorb the streetlight.
'Nice. Now back to you Zero, this monster has three traits, and Jude has one trait. I thought you said traits were gifts from the tower?' Zeke asked mentally, giving the trio an "I'm okay" hand signal.
{Did I say that? It seems I did, but you misunderstood me. Traits being gifts from tower was said in the sense that traits, unlike skills, abilities and some resources are not found in dungeons or danger zones. Increase your comprehension—traits are something that monsters have by default. In fact, having an innate ability for a monster is the hallmark of reaching S Rank. Traits can be shared by a race of monsters, with deviations in ranks, highlighting their potential. You need a compendium} Zero lectured.
'Yeah, I didn't get what you said, we'll run it back when we're free later on. What I asked the question for, based on the effects of their traits one would say my immortality is a trait and not an ability, don't you think? So effectively I have no innate ability,' Zeke mused, his thoughts calm despite the Minotaur's looming presence.
{Hmm, that's smart, I didn't notice it as well} Zero said with surprise in his tone—whether at Zeke's insights or his oversight unclear.
At the same time a blue screen popped up in Zeke's face, its ethereal glow casting strange shadows across his features.
At this point this is getting annoying, but the timing couldn't have been better.
[THE HOST HAS FOUND AN ERROR IN THE SYSTEM]
[REWARD INITIATING FOR IMPROVING THE SYSTEM]
[1,200 STAT POINTS REWARDED]
[AS THE HOST HAS NO INNATE ABILITY THE SYSTEM WILL REWARD THE HOST WITH A NEW INNATE ABILITY, AT LEAST AT THE LEVEL OF ABILITY TURNED TRAIT FIRST GAINED]
[SSS RANK ABILITY AWARDED]
[PREDATORY MIMICRY(SSS RANK)]
{Effect: Allows you to copy one ability you witness, with a limit of one ability at a time. If you copy another ability, the former would be replaced with the new ability. It also grants you the ability to take one aspect of their power or possession. A trait, skill, innate ability, a portion of their stats (up to 10% of their total), or an item in their possession. Only one plunder can be taken per defeated opponent}
".."
Zeke was numb. Regardless of his emotionless persona, he was very shocked, ecstatic, elated.
Only limited by his vocabulary range.
'But isn't this essentially a trait just like Jude's trait?' Snapping back from his stupor he asked, more humored by the system's repetition of mistakes than concerned, his tone carried a note of dry amusement.
Am I going to get another reward? Heh.
{Idiot, do you think the system is a simp for you? The reason your deductions were accepted was because like the Minotaur's trait, your immortality changed or rather evolved your race, essentially changing your being. Traits are essentially results of one's being, either from birth or by the rewards of the tower. They both change the being of the person with the traits. And before you can ask, Jude's trait changes his body to be able to infinitely hold and gain stats. It is a well known fact that everyone is limited in their growth, both in a non-superpowered world or not—it's simply biology.} Zero explained, his digital voice taking on the cadence of a professor delivering a crucial lecture.
"Heh, allow an immortal to dream," he smiled sheepishly, then turned to the trio.
"None of you has ever fought a monster, right? Well, get ready to kill your first S-ranked monster—a legendary start."
He said, effectively boosting their confidence as their gait straightened. His voice carried the weight of absolute certainty, as if their victory was already written in stone.
The trio's postures shifted subtly, spines becoming steel rods of determination.
He walked towards the Minotaur, ready to resume their battle, each step carrying the weight of newfound power.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting," he smiled harmlessly, the expression at odds with the chaotic scene. His tone was conversational, almost apologetic, as if he'd simply been delayed by traffic.
'I've had enough lecture for today, but later you'll explain the stat points and how it correlates to normal awakened life. But for now, based on my perceived notion, add 200 points to all my stats besides magic power, add 400 points to magic power.'
{Damn, you surprise me a lot these days} Zero said with pride in his voice—the lazy Zeke was slowly losing to the focused Zeke.
Not paying attention to Zero, he rushed at the Minotaur, his movements now carrying a fluidity that hadn't been there before.
Let's see who tires out first.
His goal: to create opportunities for the trio to deal damage to the Minotaur, as well as copy an ability that would allow him more versatility in dealing with the Minotaur.
The ultimate prize: The S ability Labyrinthine Wrath.
That's peak close quarter combat skill.
[STATUS]
Name: Zeke Vaughn
Age: Irrelevant
Race: Human (Classified Undying Variant)
RANK: C RANK
STATS
Strength: C (229)
Agility: C (258)
Endurance: C (302)
Perception: C (278)
Magic Power: B (461)
INNATE ABILITY
Predatory Mimicry (SSS Rank)
SKILLS
Messi's Legendary Football Skills (S RANK)
One Hit to Change the Face (SSS RANK)
Observation (SSS Rank)
TRAITS
Quantum Disentanglement (SSS RANK)
Immortality (SS Rank)
Martial Instinct (S Rank)
{Remark: I almost didn't know what to say, but, you're a lucky immortal waste of space}
Watching Zeke rush towards him, the Minotaur huffed—probably in contempt as the only good thing about Zeke would be his durability, his existence felt weak—but during the charge, he watched as Zeke's aura suddenly changed, rippling like heat waves off summer asphalt. He was shook.
But at the end of the day, Zeke had only grown to be a tougher rat, still weaker than he was. The beast's muscles rippled beneath its hide, confidence radiating from its massive frame.
So with another huff that sent vapor streaming from his nostrils, he rushed to meet up with Zeke halfway, the ground trembling under his charge.
BOOM!
Their fists jammed against each other with the sound of thunder, Zeke's arm bursting into a puddle of blood, bone and sinew exploding in a crimson spray that painted the air between them.
His grin not faltering as he swung his other arm as an instinctive action, landing a clean hit as the Minotaur definitely did not see that coming. The impact sent shockwaves through the beast's jaw, its head snapping back with surprised fury.
In a matter of seconds, Zeke's arm healed, flesh knitting together like time running in reverse, bone reforming with soft clicking sounds. Looking at the restored limb his grin widened as he locked eyes with the Minotaur, his gaze carrying the promise of an endless, brutal dance.
ROAR!!
The beast's thunderous roar shook the very air around them, a primal sound that vibrated through their bones and rattled their teeth. Saliva sprayed from its massive jaws as it threw out a full-powered punch, muscles rippling beneath its coarse, matted fur like steel cables under tension.