Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended [Part One]

CHAPTER 93: Target Acquired - The Demon Unleashed

PAJIK!

A vein throbbed visibly on the man's forehead, his features contorting into a grotesque mask of rage. What stung him most was the brief flicker of fear he felt from the lunatic's ridiculous threat.

Fully aware of what would unfold next, Petula darted from her hiding place and positioned herself protectively in front of Daisuke. Ever since that fateful day, she had been ceaselessly plagued and tormented by the guilt of what she had done to him.

Sure, perhaps the weight of his loss had really driven him to madness, but it didn't justify the wretched fate that awaited him. He was still a living and breathing human being; he didn't deserve a dog's death.

Petula pursed her lips. While she cherished her husband deeply, she couldn't bear the thought of committing another atrocity. The thought of her crimes weighed heavily on her conscience, threatening to sever the bond of their love.

"You need to escape right now," she urged in a hushed tone, her eyes locked with the sneering assassins. "When you reach the top of the stairs, knock on the door three times. Once you're outside, flee the town immediately and never look back."

"You won't escape," the man declared. "Dispose of them both," he ordered flatly before calmly taking his leave.

Without a word, Daisuke callously shoved Petula aside. A sharp cry tore from her lips as her back met the unforgiving wall, leaving her crumpled on the ground. Dread gripped her as the assassins surged forth, poised for their assault.

Leaning forward, Daisuke's body tensed, his eyes veiled by the shadow of his bangs. Anger churned through his veins, stirring memories of the past—the ominous crunch of the vial breaking beneath his feet, his mother's final words; the sting of betrayal by Brek and the others, the harrowing ordeal of slavery; the bitter loss of his mana crystals to Reeza, and the heart-wrenching death of Zephyr.

Suddenly, his head snapped upward, golden eyes burning with madness and murderous intent.

DING!

[The active skill «Dash» has been acquired.]

[Dash]

[Rank: Rare

Classification: Active Skill

Lvl: 1

Proficiency: 0%

Unleashes a surge of mana to bolster speed and agility.

Skill Effect:

▪︎ Increases Movement Speed by 30%.

Mana Cost: 10 ⅌ Minute

Skill Cooldown: None]

SFFT-SFFT-SFFT!

A flurry of shuriken reached Daisuke before the assassins could close the distance that separated them. Reacting on pure instinct, he activated the newly acquired skill and propelled himself forward like a speeding arrow, skillfully weaving through the onslaught of projectiles with deadly purpose.

SHING!

He sidestepped the downward slash of the first bastard, wrenching the short sword from his grasp before plunging it into his chest. Swiftly retrieving the bloody blade, Daisuke clashed with several others, cleaving through them like tofu. His attacks were unceasing and merciless, his expression an uncivilized mask of pure veracity.

An expertly timed tornado kick sent another bastard hurling into the side of the wall, breaking several bones upon impact. Daisuke could clearly feel it—his stat allocation was fluctuating between Strength and Speed of its own volition, seamlessly optimizing each of his attacks.

But the liquid fire coursing through his veins left no room for contemplation; all that mattered was the relentless dance of carnage and destruction.

STAB-STAB-STAB!

The short sword plunged several times into an assassin's abdomen in a brutal fashion, then Daisuke used the corpse as a meat shield to protect himself against a hail of kunai.

Chucking the bastard to the side without a shred of remorse, he hurled himself at the remaining assailants. Petula watched in horror—just weeks ago, she had seen him helplessly at the mercy of the four hooligans. Now, he had transformed into a formidable force to be reckoned with.

The clash of steel cast an eerie glow around Daisuke's rigid expression. As Petula observed him effortlessly mowing through the men clad in black, the sword cleaving through them like a hot knife through butter, she couldn't help but recognize the true gravity of the threat he had posed to her earlier.

THUD!

When the last of the assassins fell lifelessly to the ground, a shiver ran down Petula's spine. She held her breath as Daisuke slowly approached, a part of her bracing for her own demise.

But it never came.

"...A-Are you alright?" she asked meekly.

"You said you knew of a way to bypass the traps?" Daisuke asked, his head hung low, his eyes indecipherable.

"Y-Yes, that's right."