Counterattack

Hans halted in his tracks, hearing a vibration coming from the ground. 

Rrrrruum—

The dungeon lightly shook and for just a few moments it stopped. The shaking was the indication that the boss monster was nearing its end. Every now and then, there would be tremors and it would intensify as the clock ticks. When the boss monster is killed, the dungeon will collapse and by then, it would feel like an earthquake. 

'I need more time to adjust.'

Hans glared at the 3 guards, who were looking at him with murderous eyes. Clenching the weapon in their hands, they gulped in nervousness. 

"H-his wounds already healed!!?" 

Although Hans's shirt was ripped and full of blood, the wounds couldn't be hidden from the eyes of an Awakened. Now, those wounds not only healed but also didn't leave any scars. 

"A regeneration skill? I didn't think you had this many trump cards, Hans." Dos pulled a sword from the air; his lips suddenly formed a smirk, "... Hehe, blame your bad luck as we have this weapon."

From a distance, Hans observed the weapon. Just by looking at it, he knows this weapon was to counter healing users like him. The sword hilt was small, only suitable for one-handed use and the blade was also curved like a traditional kris. Despite that, as long as the user knows how to use it, that sword would be deadly. 

"This sword contains anti-healing properties." With a swing of the sword, it drew a white aura line in the air, "... So your regeneration would be useless."

Dos looked at Hans with a smug expression but somehow his face also showed a frown. Now that the boss monster was nearing its end, the dungeon would collapse soon. By then, it would be too late to fight Hans but the worst thing was… 

'He would have a chance to escape.'

They didn't expect this outcome thus they weren't prepared for it. The time remaining before the boss was cleared was probably at 3 minutes maximum. Dos had to change the plan. 

"Uno, Tres, change of plans!!"

The two guards flinched, face full of grimness. Both moved their eyes to their leader. 

"What is the plan, Dos?" 

Dos smirk albeit with a little hint of regret. 

"We have no option left. I thought he'd be an easy breezy kid, take him down and our job is done. But we miscalculated. This guy is not weak fodder at all."

"W-what do we do?" 

"Well, the dungeon will collapse soon. Torturing him in that little amount of time would be nearly impossible. He might even escape."

Dos raised his chin towards Hans. At his unpleasant gaze, Hans' pupils narrowed. 

"So I decided… we will kill him." 

"What?" 

The two guards panicked, their eyes displayed hesitation and slight doubt. Dos looked at their faces and sighed. Their original plan was to injure Hans or torture him as per Jason's orders. As Hans was famous back then for being the 'rose that never bloomed', they thought it was an easy job. 

But they were caught off guard. This guy regained his potential… a potential to become the world's strongest.

But what if they stopped his growth here and now? 

Dos weighed the pros and cons and quickly concluded that following Jason's orders was not possible anymore. 

'And we're not his dogs either. We work for his father, not him.' 

If everything went right they might even be rewarded for their job well done. Jason's tantrum wouldn't really matter. 

"Dos, are you out of your mind?!!" 

"Jason wouldn't like this!! They might kill us if we took down his prey!!" 

"So what?" 

Dos eyes became murderous, brimming with killing intent as it darted toward Hans.

"It was much better than leaving a sleeping dragon alive."

Uno looked at his side. Tres showed hesitation before shrugging his shoulders. Understanding their meaning, Uno activated his buffs with a determined face. 

'Good, good, at least I'm not the only one to blame' 

Dos smiled at his subordinates. 

Meanwhile, Hans adjusted to his newfound strength. His body was now wrapped in this seemingly red mist while his hand underwent a metamorphosis. 

Shu—

Neon lines covered it completely with its inside gleaming in red. Just above his wrist all through his finger, it was donned in a glistering scale-like thing. In other terms, his arm appears like a spectral form. 

'Hand of Asura.'

Although he didn't know its description, he somewhat understood its abilities. 

'My stats were already at A-class, I don't if that's enough though'

This would be his first time fighting three A-class Awakeners. However, he had no plans on being merciful to those who threatened his life. 

Hans raised his head towards the three and clenched his fist. 

"Let's start round 2."

Swish—

Baaam —

Hans' figure vanished and instantly appeared behind the one named Tres. Earlier from where he stood, the ground collapsed due to the powerful strength Hans put on his legs. 

'I… can win.'

Every time he faced danger, all he wanted was to become stronger. 

'My goal shouldn't stop here!'

No matter how cool it might be, the only goal he had in mind was to find out the source of his power, his family, and to survive in this apocalypse. 

Thus, he came to a realization. 

'I will kill them.'

But before Hans could land a hit, he was met with a powerful kick. 

Baam—

Although he blocked it by crossing his arms to his chest, his body was still thrown from the force and crashed into the wall. 

Slam—

The wall broke apart on the impact and bits of rocks fell towards Hans. He raised his head. 

'As expected, it's the one named Dos.'

The moment he flashed to one of the guards, that guard didn't even react. But instead, only Dos could follow his movements. 

'They are all A-class but their strength gap is huge.'

The dust gradually settled and Hans rose from the rubbles. He twisted his hand and glanced at the spot where Dos kicked. 

'I felt nothing.'

Even though he tanked the blow, he didn't even feel the pain. 

'I'm still inexperienced.'

He could have dodge it, but the first thing he did was block it with his hand. Coldness crept into his eyes. Hans slowly walked towards the three. 

"Damn, he got up that fast!?"

Seeing Hans unscathed and wound less figure, even Dos grimaced. His brow furrowed in shock. 

'That's my full powered kick! How can he… still have the strength to stand?!' 

This wasn't a normal occurrence at all. 

"D-Dos, why didn't you finish him?" 

"Have you lost your touch? Your kick felt weak."

Dos scratched his neck; his face reddened in embarrassment. 

'What do these guys know?' 

He definitely used his strongest kick. Even if he only grazed Hans, it should be enough to take him down so how could he get up? Did… did he really lose his touch? No, that's impossible. If he did, Hans wouldn't have flown to the wall. 

"How many people have you killed?" Hans shook his head and asked once again, "No… it doesn't matter."

The three guards' eyes were fixed on Hans. The sudden question bewildered them but since Hans didn't dwell further, they brushed it off. 

Hans' deep and hoarse voice continued. 

"The tables have turned. You're my prey now."

At that phrase, Uno and Tres couldn't suppress their laughter anymore. 

"Pfft, the fuck is he talking about?" 

"He always does this speech. Aight, let me finish him."

Uno snorted and pointed the sword to Hans. 

"It looks like your brain matter exploded from the kick that you couldn't understand your position her—" 

Swish—

A burst of sound made Dos widen his eyes, although he could follow Hans's movements, those two cannot. 

'Fuck!!!' 

Clang—

Dos blocked Hans' attack. 

Wooosh—

Hans's fist collided with the blade's edge. Dos tried to overpower Hans but it seemed like his strength was slowly being seeped out of him. Hans lifted his other hand and threw another punch. Having anticipated the attack, Dos pulled a dagger from his back and narrowly blocked the attack. 

Now, they are in a stalemate. Dos cocked his head behind and yelled to the other two. 

"You bastards!! Don't underestimate him anymore!!" 

Click—

Dos immediately shifted his eyes back to Hans. 

Click—

'The blade…' He muttered while gritting his teeth, '... it's breaking!!' 

Having no option, Dos quickly altered the direction of the blade's to successfully nullify Hans's fists. He then took a step back and repositioned. 

'What's that on his hand?' 

Due to having strange arms, Dos couldn't help but be curious. But since the start of Apocalypse, it's not weird seeing new abilities from time to time. Thus, Dos mistook Hans' arms as a skill. 

'I can't let my—' 

Swish—

With eyes full of murderous intent, Hans dashed towards Uno. After many calculations, it seemed that his strange power spike could even make Dos stand in a daze. Knowing this opportunity, Hans immediately grasped it. 

He appeared behind Uno, this time, Dos didn't react. No, rather none of them reacted. 

Uno hadn't noticed but his eyes suddenly widened when he felt shivers on his back. He tried to twist his body, but it was too late. 

Stab—

Hans's fist connected to his head. 

Baam—

Splat—

Blood exploded to the ground. Perhaps it's because of his last second consciousness that Uno still managed to raise his hand; shortly afterward, his headless body fell in the pool of blood. 

Thud—

Splash—

"Fuck, Uno!!!" 

"Shit!!" 

It was at this moment that Dos and Tres realized that Hans already killed Uno. There's no reason to stand by anymore. It's killed or be killed. Agreeing with this condition, Dos and Tres grimly motioned themselves to attack. 

Wooosh—

Hans's muscles tense, and focused on the blurry figures surrounding him. 

Shu—

A fireball went his way. Hans effortlessly dodged it and followed the attacker. It was Tres. Due to stat differences, Hans quickly caught up and aimed at his head. 

But before he does… 

Wooosh—

Dos blade, which was aimed at his neck, appeared. Hans stopped his tracks and crouched down to evade. 

'Can't hit him!' 

Dos missed the opportunity to kill Hans thus he paid the price. Unlike Hans who's ready to strike anytime, Dos couldn't immediately shift his momentum. 

Swish—

Hans swiftly sprinted towards Tres. His hand instantly created a spear and weaved it between Dos and Tres.

Shring—

"Arrgghh!!!" 

Clang—

"Shit!" 

Both of the bodyguards flew in the air until they crashed on the boss room's door. 

Hans tumbled backwards to stabilize his position. His eyes darted at the two. 

'Dos would be hard to finish.'

Hans' spear was blocked by him, fortunately, he still cut Tres both hands. Silence permeated all around the place and only Tres gritting teeth and their heavy breaths could be heard. 

"Fucker, don't you know who we are?!!" 

It doesn't matter who they are. Hans thought. As long as they get in his way, they are his enemies. Tres was basically out of the battle now. Hans faced the only man who could keep up with him. 

Dos, a man with an iron will and conviction. As if sensing Hans' gaze, Dos also glared at him. This was the first time he's been humiliated like this and it was a brat at that. 

With a determined face, he threw his weapon and gathered mana at his hand. The mana turned into a pill that Dos swallowed. 

"Waaaahhhh!!!" 

He kicked the ground and charged. 

Boom—, booom—, booom—

As he ran the ground cracked at his mass. When he reached level 100 a few years back, he awakened his talent. 

And that was… 

"As long as the 'Blessing of War' is with me!!! I… will not lose!!!" 

Boom, boom, booom—

The one who will die in this battle in their battle is Hans. 

"Aaaaaahhhh!!!" 

Like a bolt of black lightning, Dos gave out a war cry as the gap came closer. The space vibrated at the brimming power he received. It seemed like the dungeon was also amazed by his strength. 

At that moment… 

Shu—

Shring—

"Huh?" 

His vision suddenly spun around and the dungeon Hans figure became upside down. 

'W-what?' 

Thud—

His head shook and he felt tremendous pain after it landed on the seemingly damped floor. He tried to stand up but his body did not listen. The struggling Dos moves his eyes to the side. 

'T-that's…' 

Just a few centimeters from where he landed, stood a body that appears to be quite similar to his.

"Hmm, you're still alive after being beheaded?" 

Hans' voice rang to his ear. 

'I… Beheaded?!!' 

Cough—

But before he could realize what transpired, his vision suddenly darken. His consciousness gradually faded away, with only one question in mind. 

'What the fuck happened?' 

......….. 

Meanwhile, Hans raised his head. His eyes stared at the skill he acquired after evolution. 

'The Balance' 

Just like the name suggests, once it was cast into a target, it would weigh the target's evil nature and good nature like a balancing scale. 

Once the target's evil nature surpassed the good nature, their stats would be halved for a few minutes. 

'It's an overpowered skill.'

The skill seemed to have no limitations other than the huge stamina cost. This was the reason why Dos died. 

"Pant—, pant—" 

Hans stood next to Tres, whose eyes were already filled with fears. The man couldn't even move. His body was trembling too. The result of the fight was unexpected. Tres realized their mistakes; they underestimated Hans. 

"W-wait!!!" 

Tres urged his gurgling mouth to speak. 

"P-please!! Let me live!! I have a family back home, I-I have a daughter!!" Tres knelt to the floor with his hand at Hans' foot, "It's not my fault!! I-It's Jason. I was forced to do this job because they threatened my family!!" 

Tres burst out of tears. Hans could tell that the man was telling the truth. But after realizing his naive mentality, Hans immediately came to a decision. 

Whether it was good or bad, a sin is a sin. Nothing can change that. 

"Condolences to your family. I pity them because they will lose their father. I don't know how you got this kind of wretched job but still, since you want my life…" Hans raised the newly formed sword in his hand, "... then I also want yours."

"No!!!!"

Shring—

Thud—

Tres's head rolled to the ground with his eyes turning white while his headless neck fell to the floor powerlessly. 

"Phew."

Hans let out a deep breath. Although his counterattack took almost no effort, his mind still registered the fact that he's betrayed. 

'Did Kyle betray me too?' 

It seemed like a facade when he recalled their memories. Those laughs suddenly began turning fake. 

'And Jason, he wanted to kill me.'

Hans placed his hand on his chest and felt his suffocating heart. He thought he knew it all; he thought he was ready. 

Perhaps, he was the only one who's trying to convince himself that he's not alone and he still has colleagues and acquaintances. But his thoughts were briefly interrupted by Plundy's voice. 

[Hans, plunder them.]

"Huh?" 

This fucker, he was in the middle of his drama! Hans's brow knitted in annoyance. 

"That's the first thing you'll say to me huh?" 

This guy didn't even ask him if he was okay. 

[I feel like…] 

"Feel like?" 

[... I'll rank up after you absorb their skills.]