Chapter 87: Unarmed!

Darkness brings the unknown.

The unknown conceals fear.

It will slowly hook that fear out.

Then it rapidly amplifies it, devouring the fearful.

Fear is like poison; despair spreads.

Trapped within, no one survives.

Except—

Nothing!

There was no fear at all!

Not even a single trace!

Why was there none?

The humanoid monster was puzzled, incredulous.

It searched like a madman, giving its all.

Finally!

Just as it was panting with exhaustion, it found a little bit!

Though it was only a tiny bit, it was enough for it!

Come!

Let it see, let it hear, that sound of fear—

It raised its hand and waved.

The next moment—

“I’m scared, I’m so scared… that you’ll run away!”

The voice boomed like thunder, killing intent surging for thirty thousand miles.

Obsession as pure as a raging fire incinerated the pitch-black Domain.

In the monster’s vision, a crimson giant rose from the ground, blotting out the sky as it slapped down with its palm.

It couldn’t dodge!

It couldn’t escape!

The space between heaven and earth was filled by this single palm.

The monster was smashed to pieces.

The pitch-black darkness vanished without a trace.

They were back in the corridor, right next to the battlefield.

Ding Xie looked at the stunned monster, leaped up, and delivered a splitting strike.

Squelch!

The chainsword built into the Regent armor split the monster in two.

Viscous, foul-smelling blood splattered.

The wailing, weeping projections dissipated.

Everything turned to ash.

【Demon Warlock locked, check in progress…】

【Check: Possession of Talents ‘Martial Star’, ‘Gloomy Shade’, ‘Seven Killings’, ‘Army Breaker’, ‘Greedy Wolf’!】

【Check passed!】

【’Martial Star’, ‘Seven Killings’, ‘Army Breaker’, ‘Greedy Wolf’ counterattacking opponent, check in progress…】

【Check passed!】

【’Gloomy Shade’ backlash in progress…】

【chainsword has killed the Demon Warlock】

【’Gloomy Shade’ devouring in progress…】

【’Gloomy Shade’ promotion in progress…】

【Insufficient energy, check failed!】

【Gained 2,000 EXP】

【Identified as rookie instance, EXP increased by 100%】

【EXP +6,000】

【Character Rank Up: 12 → 13】

【Health, Stamina, Stress limits +1】

【Skill Point +1】

【Talent ‘Fish that Escaped the Net’ check in progress…】

【Talent ‘Martial Star’ check in progress…】

【Check passed!】

【Attribute Point +1】

【Combat Skill Point +1】

…An unexpected enemy brought experience.

Rank increased, now Rank 13.

Attribute points and skill points as usual.

【Physique】 16!

【Unarmed Combat (Proficient)】 28!

The warm current in his body and the death-match in his mind appeared simultaneously once again.

Ding Xie had long since adapted to this.

It didn’t even affect his thinking at all.

‘Demon Warlock?

The Empire has such things?’

Ding Xie felt puzzled deep down, but his face remained calm.

In the Imperial education he had received, there was no mention or appearance of any words regarding Demon Warlocks; even after joining the military, he had only faced rebels.

Rebels who mostly used Firearms, with the occasional tank or aircraft.

But since this thing had appeared, it must be in the Empire’s records.

He didn’t know?

Naturally, it was because he wasn’t qualified enough.

As an orphan, he only needed to understand the ‘Greatness of the Empire’.

As for anything more?

The more one knows, the faster one dies.

Ding Xie’s philosophy was always: if you can’t figure it out, think about it later.

Now?

Naturally, he looked at his experience bar.

Current remaining EXP: 219.

EXP for next Rank: 112,725.

Then, just as Ding Xie was about to look away and continue organizing his equipment while waiting for the next wave of rebels, a projection similar to the previous one flickered on the transparent visor of the Regent armor.

The text that looked like garbled code appeared again.

But when Ding Xie felt displeased, the garbled code immediately became clearly legible.

Armor: 10+1

Force Field Shield: 10+1

chainsword X2: Sharpness +1

‘This armor can evolve?

It gets stronger by killing demons?’

Ding Xie’s eyes lit up.

And at that moment, an invisible force erupted from a certain point, sweeping across the entire base.

The force field was invisible, yet it had a smell.

Like rust mixed with vinegar, fishy and sour.

Even with the protection of the armor, Ding Xie smelled it.

A very disgusting smell.

Then, the text before his eyes flickered again—

【Encountered Demon Force Field, check in progress…】

【Physique check passed!】

【mind check passed!】

【Transcendent check passed!】

【Player not affected by Demon Force Field!】

【Regent Armor check in progress…】

【Check passed!】

【Regent Armor functioning normally!】

【double-barreled shotgun check in progress…】

【Check failed!】

【double-barreled shotgun unusable!】

【High-Explosive Grenade check in progress…】

【Check failed!】

【High-Explosive Grenade unusable!】

…A series of prompts began to appear.

Appearing along with them was a man wearing black armor, carrying a white metal case in his hand.

Just like the previous Demon Warlock, he had appeared from the Void Realm.

Upon seeing Ding Xie, the man pressed the commander panel on his right arm with his left hand.

Immediately, the visor rose.

Revealing a clean, middle-aged male face.

The man smiled before he even spoke.

“Ding Xie?

I remember you.

A recruit from before. I didn’t expect to run into you here; it’s great that you’re okay.”

The man was full of enthusiasm.

Ding Xie, however, had his brows tightly furrowed.

He didn’t recognize the man.

Seeing Ding Xie’s frown, the man immediately explained.

“We haven’t met in the literal sense, but I’ve seen your file, and I was the one who signed the documents for you to serve at this base.

A resilient, proactive orphan who sticks to his principles deserves more opportunities, don’t you think?

But unfortunately, I had to leave for a while due to some matters.

After returning, my identity and faction have changed.

However, gold will shine wherever it is.

Major Moss also discovered your extraordinary nature.

That’s why you are here.”

The man explained with great patience.

Then, his tone shifted.

“However, he didn’t truly unearth your potential.

Or rather… the Empire wouldn’t allow him to—the Empire has long since rotted; a False Emperor is in power, and the Legions are in chaos.

One’s birth determines everything.

Is this fair?

It is not fair!”

The man waved his arms forcefully, excitement surfacing on his gentle face.

His voice began to rise.

“The world wasn’t supposed to be like this!”

“The world wasn’t supposed to be like this!”

As the man’s words left his mouth, Ding Xie’s voice rose along with them.

The two of them spoke almost simultaneously.

Afterward, the corridor in front of the Weapons and Equipment Zone fell into dead silence.

A trace of awkwardness naturally arose.

Ding Xie spread his hands.

He didn’t believe a single word the man said.

If he were that gullible, he wouldn’t have survived long enough to leave the orphanage.

Let alone being able to earn extra money as a repairman at the base while serving his mandatory military service.

There was no awkwardness on the man’s face.

Instead, a sense of shared understanding arose.

“You think so too?

That’s wonderful!

We…”

Before he could finish his sentence, the man appeared behind Ding Xie in a flash.

That gentle face changed, now filled with smugness and mockery.

“Originally, I hoped you would become my pathfinder.

But you’re too smart!

Don’t try to resist; under the influence of the holy relic, all weapons have lost their effect!

Only Unarmed Combat is permitted!

And me, Hawke?

I’m the combat champion of SI-800 Base!”

As he spoke, his fist aimed at the back of Ding Xie’s head and swung down.

This punch, bolstered by the armor.

Was as swift as thunder.

Like a surging torrent.

He didn’t hold back at all.

He wanted a one-hit kill.