GLITCH

The Blood Eminence

TRAVELER'S ROUTE, Emerald City – Blue Town

Friday, November 5, 2500 12:31 PM

"!?"

I made a quick movement with my tech boots to catch Sven as he flew away after taking a punch from the Skeleton General; a few meters from his original position. He's coughing blood after receiving a brutal blow from it. He shouldn't have lowered his guard on the first place. Well, I guess he's bit lax since he knew I'll jump into the fray if something like this happened; I could say that it's partly my fault.

The Skeleton General showed his back to us, since it thought that he already killed Sven and is now heading towards the direction of Blue Town. Thanks to Sven's [Tenacity] skill, a fatality is avoided, but to deal 5500 damage in just one punch is something else. Above all else, this glitch is an agro-type. Agro-type glitches are so persistent in killing anyone who gets to their sight; dormant glitches, the polar opposite and a rare case, are manifested beings that won't retaliate as long as no one tries to attack. I lay his head on my lap while still have my caution on the glitch in front of us right now. Sven's white long-sleeved shirt is in tatters; his pants got some cuts during the fight between him and those 17 skeleton warriors. Well, he did his best; he destroyed seven of them, a quantity more than what I expected.

The moment he opened his eyes, I feel relieved.

"You're bleeding; take some rest. I'll take it over from here."

I lay his head gently to the ground, and wore my tech gloves. I guess it's time for me to kick some butt.

"Wait."

I gazed at him with the corner of my eyes.

"You can no longer fight in your condition right now you know?"

"I know. But I won't give up, not anymore. As long as I'm still breathing, I'll stand up and face whatever or whoever is in front of me. Even if my heart gets punctured, or I got an arm or a leg cut, I'll fight. It's because…I'm a Rogue Knight."

Oh? I guess this battle made him more powerful inside.

I turn away and looked at the monster's back. Hearing those words made me see you as a proper Glint. You also managed to defeat seven skeletons, which means you leveled up already. You have successfully matched the authority level needed for you to wield it.

I took a peek on this 9 ft. tall monster's status.

Skeleton General

HP: 19000/19000 MP: 0/0

Monster Lv. 32

Strength: 92

Dexterity: 40

Constitution: 81

Intelligence: 7

Skill: None

State: [REANIMATED] can't be defeated without destroying its core

This bone is way too strong than those skeletal warriors. No wonder it was able to make a quick attack on Sven; its DEX is 40. The only status that remains the same is its INT.

This might be a little troublesome.

"This one is a Skeleton General. It has the thrice the status as yours. Now tell me, do you have the resolve to fight it once more?"

I asked after confirming the monster's status.

"Yes", he said while spewing some blood to clear his mouth.

Is that so… now that's a Rogue Knight for you. Now, as a compensation for your training…

"Well then, have this."

I put my left arm sidewards and released one of my creations, the Tech Sword. It has great specs, but sadly, I don't want to use it since I prefer to use my tech gloves instead, and also sword wielding is not exactly my forte.

"This is my Tech Sword; I made it during the period of my life that I planned to open a weapon shop but the plan fades as I'm now a future instructor of Glitch Academy."

He walked towards me as if he didn't receive that heavy blow at all. When he picks up the sword, the blue light on its edges pulsated. This signifies that the sword is now registered as Sven's possession.

"The sword now deems you as its owner. I'll assist you for now. Now, show me your resolve Sven."

"Of course", said Sven, grinning.

Sven Fleming *Private – Platinum Guild

HP: 3000/8500 MP: 320/510

Mantle: Rogue Knight Lv. 017

Strength: 41

Dexterity: 32

Constitution: 42

Intelligence: 28

Skill:

NIGHT VISION [Toggle Status: Inactive]

Can see well in the darkness

IRON DEFENSE [ACTIVE]

Defense is boosted thrice

SLASH [ACTIVE]

Attacks with a heavy slash

TENACITY [PASSIVE]

Negates 40% of the damage taken

KNIGHT'S ASSAULT [ACTIVE]

A powerful strike that can pierce through the enemy's defense

Rylai Lux *Instructor, Glitch Academy

HP: 5000/5000 MP: 1000/1000 RG: 001/999

Mantle: Death Lv. 0010

Strength: 25

Dexterity: 25

Constitution: 25

Intelligence: 999

Skill:

SOUL READ [Unique Passive]

Identify the target's soul and its contents

ASTRAL FORM [Unique Toggle Status: Inactive]

Can form into pure magical entity at will

TOUCH OF DEATH [Unique Active]

A simple touch will bring death to the target (can only be used while Rage Gauge is full)

CURSE OF DEATH

The one who wields the Death Mantle is cursed to have only 1000 MP. However, every active skill (aside from the Touch of Death) will only consume 5 MP upon activation, while toggle skills consumes 1 MP every minute; statuses and skill can only be raised every level base 10

Now then, let's see what we can do.

•••

TOWN PLAZA, Blue Town

Friday, November 5, 2500 12:47 PM

Two of the Blue Town G-unit Squad went scouting around the town to ensure that no civilians still outside. One of them is a 19-years old teenager who just got registered; he's a light skinned, has red hair and eyes. He has a gentle face and has a decent physique in accordance to his age and is 5'9 in height, and is currently wearing a long-sleeved shirt and semi-fit pants with a pistol hanging on his waist. The other one is a middle-aged bald guy with a menacing appearance; has a muscular physique with some scar all over his body. He's half-naked and only wears trousers. He has a spear that he carries around with his right hand.

"Hmm…? Who's that guy?"

The younger one approached a fellow wearing a formal outfit. Judging from its physique and the wear, it's a male, 6'1 in height, and wears some kind of mask. It looked like he's going to some formal ball. He has this gentlemanly aura. The Glint didn't know of some formal event that'll take place here in Blue Town, nor an incoming visitor.

The stranger did a monologue as he glanced his surroundings.

"Hmm… this place is kind of deserted already. I guess they went inside the bunker. What a shame…I wanted to taste the dew of mortality of the ladies here and see if it's sweeter. Oh well, I guess I can't do lollygagging here for now."

"Excuse me sir, welcome to Blue Town. Unfortunately, I'm afraid that we can't give you proper hospitality. We're in the midst of evacuating the villagers. I suggest that you come with us immediately for your safety."

The stranger looks at them directly in the eyes, specifically the person who politely greeted him.

"I see, you're a gentleman as well. That's good to know lad. Please keep your personality as it always been."

"You humor me mister."

"Ah, no I'm merely stating the facts."

"Excuse me old man", one of them suddenly interrupted the stranger and looked at him with his stern eyes. "I don't care what the two of you talking about but we're on duty. We don't have time to talk with a stranger and talk nonsense", he continued while shrugging and having a smug look on his face.

"Nonsense you say?"

Even with the stranger's mask, the rude fellow noticed the man scornfully looking at him. The air around the three of them suddenly changed. He who has experience what this malicious atmosphere is, took a leap backwards and took his fighting stance.

"What are you doing? Don't tell me you want to raise your sword against him?" the young guy asked.

"Can't you sense his killing intent you fool!? What a greenhorn you are! Quickly call for back up! I'll stall him!" the bald guy said, still agitated.

"Oh no need for that since I'll be leaving already", without prior notice, the man in mask is behind the baldy and patted his back. Surprised, the man quickly turned around to face him along with his spear swung with full force. All of it was for naught, since the stranger is no longer there.

Furious, the man shouted in fierce rage.

"Where are you, you cunt! Show yourself! What a coward! Face me head-on!"

"My, my…what I disgraceful being."

"Wha – above…?"

The younger fellow looked at the sky. The bald man did the same and he saw something that can never be done by anyone under normal circumstances. Hovering above them is the stranger. With him are thin spikes that have the length of 1 meter, made of blood.

"Blood…?"

"A power that can control blood huh? Well then, come at me you chicken!"

The stranger shook his head in disagreement. With a blank expression on his face, he looked at the individual trying to taunt him.

"Why would I fight someone who's already dead?"

"HUH?"

In a blink of an eye, multiple blood spikes came out from his body and impaled him. Astonished, the young lad's legs gave up, as he trembles in fear.

"Ack! H-how…?" the baldy asked while coughing blood.

"Heh, did I just hear a squeak from a person pretending to be a fierce lion? I just used your blood on my own accord."

"You…demon…!"

"Oh? What a shameful man."

After stating those words, the man snapped his fingers and the struggling warrior exploded. His internal organs scattered around, and blood showered the area.

The stranger is looking around then fixated his eyes, but his sight is not set inside the town but rather the route between Emerald City and Blue Town.

"So, that things out there huh? Better fetch this powerful pawn."

Returned to his senses, the young Glint points his gun towards the so-called gentleman levitating in the air.

"F-f-f-f-f-freeze! Please don't resist or e-e-e-e-e-else I'll shoot you!"

Instead of being alarmed, the gentleman gave a warm smile.

"I'm proud to see a gentleman like you. Now if you excuse me young lad."

The gentleman's figure dissipated.

"I-I-I-I need to report this to the superiors…!"

The young lad hurriedly runs back to the bunker's entrance where his superior is stationed.

•••

TRAVELER'S ROUTE, Emerald City – Blue Town

Friday, November 5, 2500 12:53 PM

"I'll stall you some time. Please use this potion to recover your health."

I gave him a potion for him to recover his health. He received a direct hit after all.

"T-thanks for this Rylai. How much does this cost? I'll pay for this."

"No need for that Sven. Let's focus on how to defeat that walking bone figure."

"But…"

"Here I go", I said while leaving Sven behind.

I used my tech boots with the speed enough for me to appear myself in front of this skeleton and shoot out a barrage of shockwaves. Of course, it's not enough to make the general flinch but at least I got his attention. For a figure of bones, this one sure is tough. Did it perhaps drink a lot of milk before coming here?

The skeleton screamed and swung its sword vertically; it's quite fast, but not fast enough for me to find trouble dodging its strike. But then as the sword impacts the ground, its tremendous force made the ground shook and leaves a medium-sized crater and a cloud of dust appeared and tried to impair my vision. Darn, for a being with no brain, he knows some tactics. If it's Sven here, I'm pretty sure he'll be in serious trouble.

Well, this skeleton can't hide from me though.

The sword is now swung in a horizontal motion. I leaped upward to evade it but then the attack was followed with a vertical s***h. This bony sure is fast and decisive too. It tried to end me by locking my position while I'm in mid-air. Again, I evaded the attack; I curled then twisted my body as if I'm about to do a spinning back kick to the sword. But instead of an attack, I made the sword's body as a foothold to move away to my right.

"Sven, I'll break its guard! Do a follow up!"

I put my arms forward and opened my palms. There's no need to pull my punches.

"100% power: Burst Shot!"

A dense shockwave was released from my tech gloves, erasing the dust cloud in its path, and made the skeleton general scream in pain as he stumbled down to the ground. Burst shot in its full power is truly devastating enough, but it has its demerits. Since I used it just now, the recoil effect of it made my arms sore and my gloves unusable for a couple of minutes. So I need to take a breather for a moment.

The skeleton tried to get up, but a blue flash coming from the tech sword is seen from above. Sven jumped up high and released a heavy blow to the cranium.

"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHH…! Take this; [Knight's Assault]!"

A loud bang is heard, and a cloud of dust appeared from Sven's strong attack.

When the dust cleared out, his attack created a huge crater on the ground, a little bigger than the skeleton made earlier.

"I-is it over?" Sven asked while panting then sits out of exhaustion.

"Not yet. Let's destroy the core first."

I walked towards the shattered cranium with its cracked core in it. I'm about to shoot it with a shockwave but…

"?!"

I sensed an incoming attack so I used my reflexes to tumble backwards twice then stopped my momentum with my feet and my right hand dragging about. When my movement finally stopped, I stood up and looked at the place where I originally am standing and saw some kind of deep red spikes.

"The one who did this…above…?"

"You did well to evade the impalement young lady."

"Who are you?" Sven, though exhausted, raised his sword against the floating man. He's a tall guy wearing a formal wear for balls; he has this gentlemanly aura emanating from him.

Well, that's what any normal person can see.

"Oh me? I'm just a gentleman you see. I'm Vlad. It's nice to meet you young lads."

I looked on his status and staggered upon seeing it.

Vlad *Cursed Remnant

HP: 250000/250000 MP: 4700/4700

Mantle: Blood Eminence Lv. 0100

Strength: 243

Dexterity: 320

Constitution: 230

Intelligence: 199

Skill:

BLINK [Active]

User goes blink to a short distance

TELEPORT [Unique Active]

Teleports to anywhere familiar

BLOOD IMPALEMENT [Active]

Impale the target with blood spikes

BLOOD SWORD [Active]

Create a sword made of blood; when a target is grazed or cut by it, the target is cursed and has his/her HP drained every minute

BLOOD REQUIEM [Unique Active]

Releases a frenzy of blood spikes within ten meters; the user will be the center of the attack

BLOOD FULFILLMENT [Unique Passive]

Blood is the only fulfillment you need; cannot intake anything aside from blood; the more blood you have, the more attacks you can do

"Level 100…? On top of it, his status…this one's higher than Ferni's."

"Oh…? You can see my level young lady? I see…you have those silver eyes."

"What about my eyes?"

"Well you see young lady; a silver-eyed individual only appears after a century. They have the capability to see someone status. Yes, those eyes… Death…"

"!?"

I flinched as the man in mask stated those words.

"Well anyway, I'm just here to fetch the skeleton general but to think that it's beaten by two young individuals. That some amazing feat", he said while clapping his hands out of amazement.

Sven ran towards me then wields his sword despite his fatigue and faced the mysterious gentleman and took his stance.

"Rylai, what should we do?" Sven asked.

"…let him get it."

"But…"

"Listen to me Sven, that guy is beyond us. Even if we try to outmaneuver him, the instant we do it, we're already dead."

Sven gulped after hearing my words as I stated it while having cold sweat.

"A wise decision lady. Since I'm a gentleman, I vow not to attack you two. Next time we meet, who knows? It might be the time to s*******r you. Well, I prefer to fight the two of you in good condition. Also, I can't afford to waste time here. "

Sven and I just stared at him, not even blinking once. He put his hand on the core and said, "Have a nice day."

With a snap of his fingers, he vanished without a trace.

Sven, with his fatigue overtaking his body, lays himself to the ground while panting. As of me, my legs gave up and sat with my arms positioned behind, supporting my body.

I don't know why, but for some reason, I feel that this event marks the start of a havoc that might shake humanity to their cores.

I sighed and just stared at the sky to release my anxiety away.