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

CHAPTER 99: Toxins & Fire - The Trials of Revenge

Daisuke looked on in stunned silence, the lapping flames dyeing his body a brilliant orange and gold. Brutus was a warrior-type with the IQ of Rock Golem, so how was he able to wield this kind of magic?

Brushing the thought aside, Daisuke darted to the left, the searing flames hot on his heels. As he circled around, the inferno trailed after him, enclosing both him and the giant in a crackling wall of fire. Brutus grinned, finally cornering his nimble prey. But Daisuke didn't falter; he couldn't, not in the face of such peril. His golden eyes blazed as he scrutinized the brute's stats.

In addition to his unimpressive supply of mana that had almost bottomed out from the continuous use of his physical reinforcement skill, Brutus possessed only a basic fire-type spell named Spark. And if Daisuke had to guess, such a low-level spell didn't pack that much firepower, which left only one plausible explanation.

Daisuke's frown deepened as the Eye of Verity shifted to another spectrum of vision. Similar to X-ray, he discerned shapes and outlines through various shades and intensities of blue. What caught his attention was a pouch made of sturdy monster hide concealed within Brutus's stomach, likely containing highly flammable oil.

This oil would be expelled by contracting his stomach, thus applying pressure to the pouch. A tube then funneled the oil up into his mouth. Upon activating the Spark skill, he would ignite the oil spewed from his mouth, mimicking a high-tiered fire spell.

It was an impressive piece of engineering to compensate for a lack of magical aptitude—and a clever tactic that likely caught many of the man's adversaries off guard, but Daisuke had absolutely no intention of falling into that unfortunate category.

As Brutus retrieved his double-headed axe and closed in with deadly purpose, Daisuke took a breath and braced himself for the inevitable clash. His body slowly leaned forward in battle readiness, his focus intensifying as his stats systematically pooled into his Agility and Strength.

With calm determination, he allowed his power to surge and envelop him, unveiling the prowess of his newly acquired skill—Sixth Sense. When his golden eyes flashed open, he honed in on the ogre's weak spot, laying the groundwork for his next move.

Swapping out the Lipanthyer's Fang for the Crafted Bamboo Spear, he patiently waited for the opportune moment. Brutus had become noticeably more cautious as he approached, his defensive posture indicating a heightened awareness of danger.

Suddenly, the window of opportunity appeared.

With the memory of the man's brutal treatment of Zephyr fueling his resolve, Daisuke launched himself forward like a bolt from a ballista. Brutus halted, his biceps bulging as he swung his axe in a tight arc. His eyes widened in dread when his target accelerated even further, moving at a speed far beyond what his eyes could perceive.

Before the axe could complete its crescent trajectory, Daisuke smoothly ducked beneath the blade with a grace that belied his speed. In a swift and precise motion, he drove the bamboo weapon deep into the bastard's stomach, completely catching him off guard.

"Y-You slimy bastard!" Brutus spat furiously.

Daisuke's features contorted into a dark scowl. "That physical reinforcement skill is definitely impressive, but you don't have enough mana to sustain it for long."

Driven by a maelstrom of rage, fear, and a myriad of other emotions, Brutus dropped his axe and reached in with his steely fingers, intent on ripping the insolent fly apart with his bare hands.

Daisuke's glare dripped with disdain and mockery as he crammed a Flarial Seed into the hollow bamboo spear. The glowing orange stone followed the straight, fibrous path until it slipped into the pouch within the man's stomach and made contact with the oil.

Brutus's eyes bulged with a sudden realization of his impending doom. Desperate and sensing his demise, his colossal arms lunged forward, attempting to restrain his adversary and drag him along into oblivion.

Daisuke swiftly retreated, vaulting over the barricading wall of fire and defensively throwing his body over Petula. The ogre's bellow of resignation echoed through the chamber moments before a violent blast obliterated him, scattering every fiber of his being in all directions—a fitting end for a ruthless villain.

DING!

[Brutus has been defeated!]

[Mighty Axe has been acquired.]

[Medium HP Recovery Potion x3 has been acquired.]

[Reinforcement Tablet has been acquired.]

[Mana crystal has been acquired.]

[Steel Ingot x2 has been acquired.]

[Silver Ingot x3 has been acquired.]

[84 gold has been acquired.]

"Are you okay?" asked Daisuke as he helped Petula to her feet.

"...I don't think I'll ever get used to that," she murmured slowly.

Daisuke turned, casting her a sidelong glance. "You mean the senseless violence?"

"It's not the violence itself," she clarified. "It's... the look on your face during those moments. A boy your age shouldn't have to carry such a burden."

Daisuke took a moment to absorb the warmth of her words before allowing them to slip away. "Let's keep moving."