CHAPTER THIRTEEN - A Dangerous Enemy (2)
1186 Words
“Do they also get points for taking them out? We just got rewarded for doing so,” Karenia asked. To her, they were all the same. It didn’t matter what powers they had, a Riser was a Riser and this irritated Isaac. Kiro wasn’t too bothered. He had a fair idea of how strong Isaac was and it was going to be quite tough. Isaac was much younger than them by at least five years. He looked about seventeen or eighteen years of age. He had dark circles around his eyes, most probably from the fact that he barely ever slept. He had a drab expression to top it off. His hair was white as snow and it was thick. His skin, pale. It was evident that had a difficult life before the apocalypse that made him adapt to it very quickly. His members were a middle-aged woman and a young man, both of whom were clearly bigger than him in size. Isaac was small, even for his age, but he had a very imposing attitude.
The only reason Karenia was still lax about their present situation was because her level was still low. Her beast senses should have been able to allow her gauge her opponent’s strength, but it would seem that she was still unable to do so. As long as she was confident, it would still prove to be advantageous to them. Victor too was confident. They had already met the requirement of earning 1000 coins. Now, they could concentrate on their main objectives.
***
System Update
Victor Vaneki
Rank: Riser
Level: 4
Ability: Fire
Skill based ability: Fire ball, Multiple fire balls (max=8)
Originator: Blaze
Sponsor: None
Title: Ascient
Stats;
Strength: 48 Speed: 50
Stamina: 42 Intelligence: 46
***
System Update
Karenia Zari
Rank: Riser
Level: 4
Ability: Enhancer
Skill based ability: Super punch, Quick leap
Special skill: Frenzy
Active Time: 00:50
Originator: Beast
Sponsor: None
Title: Prodigy
Stats;
Strength: 50 Speed: 48
Stamina: 44 Intelligence: 50
***
System Update
Kiro Ner
Rank: Riser
Level: 7
Ability: Force Field
Skill based ability: Force field ball, Force field zone (Active time: 01:00)
Originator: Phantom
Sponsor: None
Title: XXXXX
Stats;
Strength: 78 Speed: 72
Stamina: 70 Intelligence: 74
***
“What is it that you want Isaac. We haven’t crossed paths before, so we shouldn’t have any issues yet,” Kiro said. But in truth. He was well aware as to why Isaac was after him. Isaac was a very proud character. He wanted all the attention for himself. Kiro may not have realised, but his stunt on the train made him popular. And Jovak revealing that he was of Phantom origin, a member of the Eight who no longer bestowed her powers on anyone, added more fuel to the flame.
“Did you really think I wouldn’t notice your field? You were stalling so you could set it up right?” Isaac said.
Kiro grinned at the thought that he had been found out. He had to set it up before Isaac attacked them. The thing was, even though he knew who Isaac was, he had never actually faced him in a fight. So, there was no harm in taking extra caution. “You’re smarter than I thought,” Kiro goaded.
“Do you think you are powerful, Phantom Riser?” Isaac asked. His tone was serene, but even that couldn’t hide his murderous intentions. His imposing aura made even the aloof Karenia be on her guard.
But Kiro kept his calm. “No, I don’t think I am. At least not yet. I don’t think you are either. But you see these two beside me, it would be wise for you to avoid them,” Kiro bluffed. And a very risky move at that. But he knew that nothing he said would get him out of that situation without a fight. So why mince words?
“What were you before all these happened? A student in college? A doctor? Something to be proud of I supposed. Can you guess what I was?” Isaac asked.
“A d**g addict?” Karenia teased. He did look pale. The only reason she decided to tease him was because she found it amusing that a midget thought himself superior to them.
“Quiet mutt, you were not called upon to speak,” Isaac retorted. He looked down at her with contempt from the high grounds on which he stood.
“Oh, little man can’t handle the truth?” Karenia goaded. Isaac was offended. And just like his height, he also had little patience. He charged five energy beams around him, aiming at Kiro’s team. Victor reciprocated by charging five fire balls.
“Oh, the Ascient has some skill as well. No matter, all efforts are futile before me,” Isaac said.
“You were a mercenary. Since the age of three,” Kiro abruptly responded. While Isaac’s energy beams and Victor’s fireballs may look similar, they were in no way the same. The density of those beams would make them pass through Victor’s fireballs like they weren’t even there, even if Victor was to be two levels higher and they couldn’t even ascertain that yet. Maybe if Victor had the lightning element, he would have been a match but not with his fire. It would seem that the only ones aware of this fact were Kiro himself and Isaac. So Kiro sought to draw his attention back to their conversation.
And he was successful. Isaac retracted his energy beams and Victor followed suite. “You’ve heard about me? I’m quite pleased that my tales have spread this far,” Isaac gloated.
“But why would a hitman want to be famous?” Victor asked.
“I strive to be the top at everything I do and the most famous as well. In the underworld, I was known as the Decimator. I intend to keep that name in this world as well,” Isaac said.
“If you are so insistent on being at the top, why don’t you go after Jovak? You know who he is right? He is currently the strongest Riser,” Kiro said.
“In time, I will. I am currently not strong enough to appear before him, much less challenge him.”
“Oh. You can actually admit to being weaker than someone?”
“Knowing your place is strength in itself. I’m not as delusional as you lot, thinking that you have a chance against those more powerful than you.”
“So, you’re a coward that goes after fights he thinks he can win,” Karenia teased.
“You are beginning to get on my nerves mutt,” Isaac retorted.
“Don’t you dare call me that!”
***
System Update
Karenia Zari
Special Skill Activated: Frenzy
Active Time: 00:50
***
“Karenia calm down, this is not the fight!” Kiro warned but it fell on deaf ears. “Karenia!”
“You are holding back against me? What insolence,” Isaac said. He charged his energy beams at them once more and Victor responded in the same way.
“Karenia, get them,” Kiro said. He had had enough of Isaac. He wanted to save her skill for the fight against Jovak, but he decided he would figure something out for him later. They needed to show Isaac his place.
“My pleasure.” Karenia responded with a wide grin.
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