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

CHAPTER 97: Cold. Dark. Unrelenting - Daisuke's Savage Assault

For a moment, there was an eerie silence, and then—

BOOOOOMM!

Drawing on his newly acquired skills to bolster his accuracy, Daisuke swung the club in a wide arc, delivering a devastating blow to the gloating bastard with all his might.

Caught off guard at full throttle, Rohan found himself unable to evade. The wooden club struck him like a stone golem's fist, expelling the air from his chest in a sharp gasp of agony. His arms twisted alarmingly as the weapon bore down upon him.

CRACKK!

They snapped under the weight, the sickening sound echoing off the walls of the chamber. Simultaneously, the Sturdy Club shattered upon impact, but not before triggering its CC ability. Rohan was promptly lifted off the ground as the knockback effect sent him hurtling through the air.

Time finally righted itself, and he drew in a sharp breath, but before a pained cry could rip from his throat, Daisuke activated his Dash skill and closed the distance between them.

SLAAP!

He clutched the bastard's face midmotion, cramming a Frost Prism into his mouth. Rohan's eyes flickered erratically as he began to freeze from the inside out, a chill creeping through his veins. Then, without a shred of remorse or hesitation, spurred on by vengeance, Daisuke slammed his head into the floor, completely shattering the frozen body.

CRASH!

Fragments flew in every direction, leaving the onlookers in stunned silence. Petula's husband in particular was completely flabbergasted.

DING!

[Rohan has been defeated!]

[Stygian Abyss has been acquired.]

[Bloodstained Short Sword has been acquired.]

[Broken dagger has been acquired.]

[Kunai x7 has been acquired.]

[Smokescreen Bomb x2 has been acquired.]

[55 gold has been acquired.]

Ignoring all the other items, Daisuke retrieved the Stygian Abyss.

[Stygian Abyss]

[Rank: Unique

Type: Headgear | Light Armor

Durability: 177/180 | Physical Defense: 19.5 | Magical Defense: 29 | Evasion Rate: +18

A mask worn by a chilling specter believed to be the shadow of Charon—the lone ferryman tasked with guiding the fallen across the River of Styx. Legends speak of souls attempting to escape their fate and return to the mortal realm, only to be ensnared by the ferryman's shadow and cast into an abyss more harrowing than hell itself.

▪︎ Beyond merely veiling the wearer's facial features, the mask hoarsens the voice, obscures one's spiritual signature, scent, and even the faintest hint of movement.

▪︎ Reduces vulnerability to appraisal skills.

▪︎ Unlocks the «Intimidate» skill and amplifies its impact and effectiveness.

▪︎ HP +5%

Conditions of Use: Lvl 30+ | Strength 25+ | Stamina 15+]

Setting aside her own apprehension, Petula turned to the cowering Florians with a comforting smile. "Don't worry, everyone," she reassured with genuine warmth. "Haxks is here to help; we'll get you all out of here. Just hang in there a little while longer."

"Haxks... please, watch over my wife in my absence," Petula's husband implored, his voice laced with repentance.

Daisuke arched an eyebrow in confusion. "Huh? Why would I need to do that when she'll be staying right here with you?"

"No, I'm not," Petula asserted defiantly. "I won't rest until we find the keys and escape together."

The husband raised his shoulders in surrender with an awkward smile, clearly aware that an argument with the woman wasn't one anyone could possibly win.

Daisuke briefly considered silencing her with a blow to the back of the neck, but hesitated. He was uncertain how the man would react to witnessing physical abuse inflicted upon his wife, even if it was for her own safety.

With a nod of acknowledgment, Daisuke shifted his gaze from the anxious husband to the cowering lackeys. As if his malevolence had whispered directly to their souls, the men recoiled in terror, their cries echoing through the chamber like pigs facing the slaughter.

In a frenzy of panic, they stumbled over one another in a desperate attempt to escape. But suddenly, Daisuke materialized before them without a sound, his head bowed low, his aura radiating a frigid darkness that chilled them to the bone.

Without uttering a word, he affixed a half mask to his face depicting a demon from eastern folklore. Snugly fitted across his face, it concealed his nose and mouth. The design featured a large, wrinkled nose and imposing fangs that jutted upwards like tusks.

When Daisuke lifted his head, his striking golden eyes gleamed with an ominous allure, a stark contrast against the backdrop of his silver hair and the matte black finish of the mask. Drawing closer, like a predator closing in on its prey, his shadow engulfed the petrified men, wrapping around them like the ghostly embrace of death.