7 7. Massacre

As the fight reverberates around the train

I walk up to the next batch of enemies while contemplating the thing I did just now.

'It's been a while, hasn't it?' I said it inwardly as old memories started to cloud my mind.

Yes, killing someone is not my first time. As I said before, 'I am not a protagonist nor am I a villain; I just want to live peacefully.

And the thing about killing is that this world has its own set of laws.

If one kills someone from a villainous faction, they will easily get off the hook.

And the man I killed was from one of the villainous factions.

Although I knew that killing them would only pose trouble later, I couldn't do anything about it.

A thrust for power always brings hardship. Overcoming them is the only way.

Shooking the thoughts aside, I looked at the people around me while I was thinking that most of my enemies were already dealt with.

Thus, I began to walk toward the front compartment.

[Blitz]

But, just as I was about to descend into the next compartment, a gush of wind hit me, sending me slamming into the wall.

Argh!!!??

As a metallic touch hit my tongue, blood started to pour out from the corner of my mouth.

"Cough, what the?..."

But then my eyes fell on the massive tornado spinning in the center of the compartment I was in.

The wind blew as it gathered around the tornado.

I looked at the tornado with astonishment as it shot a gush of wind rapidly toward the Awakeners, blowing them away.

Some tried to block the attack; some tried to dispel it, but the damage was done. Norms who didn't have the strength to protect themselves died.

Some of them even got seriously injured; thankfully, mine were not that grave because I was away from most of the firepower. And the mage who casts the spell has been defeated by the awakeners.

Watching innocent norms die in front of me makes me rage. But what can I even do? I contemplated.

'If someday I see the people I care about die in front of me, will I be able to avenge them? Will I be able to face myself?'

The answer to that I don't know; my whole existence is a mystery. Why do I have to face this? Why me, why no one else?

'I guess only time will tell," I said inwardly before getting up from the ground.

Argh-

With a groan, I got up from the ground and slowly walked to my initial destination, leaving the distracted thought behind.

...

Entering the compartment, my eyes bulged as I looked at the gruesome scene in front of me.

The whole compartment is drenched in blood, and corpses with broken ribs and lost limbs are lying on the floor.

Not even children were spared.

Gripping the hilt of my katana tightly, I started at the bloodied scene.

An unwilling rage built up inside me, and I looked at my surroundings to find the culprit who was responsible for this massacre.

.

While I was looking, my eyes fell on a corner where a woman's dead body was lying on the ground while she held her small child in her arms.

She had sacrificed her life to protect the one she cared about the most, but sadly, her efforts were in vain as the child also died along with her.

I stared at the duo for a moment with an indifferent look. Although I am not showing any hint of emotion, my mind is in chaos.

I activated my gift, which is something people get after their awakening.

[Eye of Dominance]

Instantly, the world around me started to gain clarity, and I could see everything in every possible detail.

Although I can't use it to its full capacity, it only hardens the stain on my mind.

I have used it a couple of times while fighting with Milia, but I still can't land a hit on her.

This gift of mine is truly godlike.

The only thing I need now is to get stronger and reach a new realm of power.

Fighting with her, I realised that my mind and eyes can keep up with her movement because of 'Eye of Dominance', but my body can't.

And I learned it the hard way.

As I looked at every nook and cranny, my eyes fixed on a particular corner where the mana was acting weird.

I intensified my gift, and then I saw it.

A man wearing black attire is looking at me with a frown; he probably noticed that I have seen through his face.

"Get out; I knew you were there, at that corner," I said with a cold voice that could send shivers down anyone's spine.

Who can imagine a 15-year-old boy making a face like that?

Instantly he deactivated, God knew what skill, and appeared out of his invisible state.

I can't help but complement my gift; this gift is a remarkable addition to my path of power.

It can see through anything, no matter the distance, through the exchange of brain-piercing pain.

And know what? I am probably the only man who has been through that hellish pain every day and every moment of his previous life.

"Impressive, for someone who is just a peak to see through my illusion, truly remarkable," the man said with a sarcastic look.

I stayed silent as I kept staring at his dead black eyes, which had turned into an abyss after forming a contract with a demon.

A moment later, both of our abyssal eyes met with each other.

The man halted in his steps after looking into my eyes.

With my gift active, my eyes are glowing with a hint of blue, making it a very fearsome experience for anyone who sees them.

Taking his scythe out, the man took a stance out of instinct.

Power-wise, we are not that far off; he is just a rank above me in terms of power, so I am not afraid.

I also gripped my katana and prepared myself in a defensive manner.

Swish~

With the sound of air piercing, the blade made its way towards me to stab me in the neck.

I leaned back, avoiding the attack. Then, with a swift motion, I dashed towards the man while pointing the tip of my sword at his heart.

But to my surprise, the man vanished from his spot with a speed that couldn't be seen with the naked eye and appeared by my side.

'Another skill? 'I thought. With my gift, I can easily track his trajectory and defend myself from a cut to my limbs.

I moved backwards as I made some distance around us and sliced at his upper torso, where his heart is located.

Clang-

Instead of the sound of flesh slicing, a metallic sound rang as both of our attacks collided with each other.

Suddenly my eyes moved into a blur and I found a blind spot at his left abdomen.

I swiftly slid my sword around the scythe; a'S' ark was made in the air as my sword cut his abdomen.

Aghhh!!!

A scream of agony filled the room, and the man backstepped.

Blood gushes out from his wounds as he grabs his abdomen with his left hand. His face was filled with rage.

He released the wound and prepared another attack. His blade spirals around his hand.

Seeing the attack, I intensified the eye of dominance' and walked towards the enemy.

One could say that by walking, you are exposing every move, and I knew that, but I have a plan.

As the attack made its way towards me, I took a breath and swung my sword diagonally.

Clang-

A metallic sound rang as my one-handed katana collided with the man's scythe.

Without wasting any time, I have lunch myself towards him, with my left hand stretched out.

I knew it was dangerous, but it seems like I have found a flaw in his movement skills...

I grabbed his collar with my left hand and pointed my sword at his heart.

He tried to go back away, but he couldn't do so, due to me grabbing into his collar.

A scythe is a great weapon for dealing deathly blows, but it also has its flaws.

Like a spear, it's also a long weapon, meaning it's vulnerable to close-range attacks.

Thus his heart got pierced by my sword, ending his life in one go.

Thud~

Clang~

His grip loosens, and his weapon falls to the ground along with his lifeless body.

I stood there, looking at him with a ragged breath.

I fell to the ground while grasping for air, as the fights I have been having have left a mark on me.

I closed my eyes.

'I did it. I have avenged you all.  As Isaid that, a look of relief crossed my face.

Although I can't return to their lives, I can at least give them justice.

But I am still sad; those people have nothing to do with it; they were just normal people, like us.

Is awakening that much of a blessing?

What have they done to deserve this kind of fate?

Like always, no one is here to give me these answers.

A chuckle left my mouth as I got up from my rest.

"Ohoo, what do we have here?"

An aura that can only be described in one word, ominous, fell on me, my knees fell to the ground, and I lay flat on the floor struggling.

My vision started to blur as I moved my head towards the sudden voice.

But the only thing I saw was a man wearing black attire slowly walking towards me.

=====================

Yo, guys, I am back.

Today was hectic. I had to run through town to get some chores done.

By the way, i am still holding up the grate providing chapters everyday despite my busy schedule.

Now here is today's info dump.

1. Gifts: It's a mystery why people in this world have them, but in the presence of the gods, the people thought that it had something to do with them.

Gifts are rare. This means that very rarely, only 5 percent of people among awakeners have them.

Every gift has a unique signature; no matter how identical it is, every gift is different.

And our Mc has one. You can say he is very fortunate to have gotten one.

--

Now let's get to the main point: this Ark will soon end, and I have already made our MC skip a year.

This ark will only contain the story of how our MC gets that You know the cliche thing.

This can look cliche, but it's not. I have prepared most of the storyline in these arcs.

And the second ark will start when Zero heads towards his path of power for one year.

After that, the second ark will end.

This...

Shit

"Sorry, it looks like my mother is calling me, so I need to go. Peace out."