Chapter 17 (1/2)
Chapter 17 –Day 5, 5th Floor False Evil
I could feel everyone's gazes. I was that person– The '1st' place&h.e.l.lip; They didn't say anything but I could tell they were thinking it.
The other person was a man approximately my age. He had a solid body, stylishly shaved hair and had won eight consecutive victories. His expression showed that he was confident about his ninth victory.
He took out medicine from his inventory and drank it. “That meal looked delicious, but can you move properly with a full stomach?” Was he observing me? His taunt that was mixed with unease sounded pretty awkward.
”Yes.” I gave an inflexible, but sincere, reply. There was a funny expression on his face as I answered.
[Now, begin.]
The other person immediately rushed at me. His technique was easy to identify– it was a technique to make his body solid. He swung a fairly big hammer. Maybe it was to hide the punch coming from his other hand.
”Urat!” He made a fist with all his strength.
Limiter Release.
[Muscle strength has exceeded the limit.]
[Muscle strength:13]
Thirteen. Although it was only an increase by one, I could see that any ability over 11 points was enormous when just looking at reflexes that had 12 points. The other person's fist wasn't slow. It was a fast punch reminiscent of an athlete, but I was able to easily avoid it.
Deopsseok.
“Uh, ut.” I grabbed at his waist, then used my strength to lift him up from the ground. Even though he had the ability to harden, his weight wasn't that heavy.
I slammed the opponent onto the ground and climbed on top of him. Limiter Release was turned off, but it didn't matter due to the huge difference in muscle strength.
[Talent has been acquired.]
[Talent – Grappling:The ability to throw the opponent. Damage will rise according to the level. Muscle strength and balance will slightly increase.]
I was thankful, but there was still a lot left to gain. I held one of the hands of the opponent behind his back. I took his left little finger and folded it hard.
Crack.
There was the sound of metal breaking rather than bone, and it was quickly followed by a scream. “Ah, uwaaaack! Hey, what, what are you doing&h.e.l.lip;?” I truly wanted to thank him, but it wouldn't end with just this.
Creak.
”Kuaaack! Stop, I surrender! Surrender! S&h.e.l.lip;” It probably wouldn't work. I looked at the statue. Of course, it didn't interfere.
So far, no one had 'surrendered.' The a.s.sumption was that they wouldn't die when the HP reached zero, so everyone hit with all their power.Fight until the HP was zero.
I grabbed the ring finger this time. It broke.
“Kuook!” There was a foaming sound. His HP was only decreased a tiny bit.
[Talent has been acquired.]
[Talent – Torture: The efficiency of dealing physical/mental distress to others. It will increase in proportion to the level. Emotional control has slightly increased.]
[Has a complementary effect with the Talent – Compulsion.]
“Stop, stop, stop. Please, what, what are you doing?” He had already provided enough: I had gained talent and experience. Now his screams would apply psychological pressure to the other people. There was a reason for inciting fear in the other humans.
It was difficult to win against 22 people. If so, my goal was to frighten them; to prevent them from challenging me at all. There was nothing to lose so why not try it once? That was my idea.
I broke the last finger of his left hand. It was the thumb.
[The level of a talent has risen.]
[Torture. Lv 2. 4/200]
“Ack!” It would be a lie to say that his screams didn't hurt me. Torture couldn't be justified even if the person wasn't killed. ”Stop&h.e.l.lip; Please, please&h.e.l.lip;”
I wanted to close my eyes and my ears. But I couldn't. If I showed even the slightest sign of weakness then a few contestants might use that gap.
[Emotional control has exceeded the limit.]
[Emotional Control:11]
Once I finished with the right hand, shouts began to be heard from the people watching. ”Stop it, you b.a.s.t.a.r.d!”
“Are you even a human?” Crowd psychology was truly scary. Fear became secondary as they protested the ethics.
It was good enough. “I will stop it then&h.e.l.lip;” I formed a fist and punched the poor man's head.
Kung!
The screaming stopped. ”&h.e.l.lip; I-Instantly&h.e.l.lip;” Although it was painful, most of the man's HP was intact. The remaining amount had disappeared instantly. When considering the punch contained 13 strength, the fact that his head was against the floor made it the perfect scene for directing.
I threw the unconscious body outside the stage. Then I beckoned. “You told me to stop, so I need someone to replace him.”
[Talent has been acquired.]
[Talent – False Evil: The ability to plant an evil impression on others. It will increase in proportion to the level. Charisma has slightly increased.]
[Talent has been acquired.]
[Talent – Induce Fear: The ability to plant an evil impression on others. It will increase in proportion to the level. Charisma has slightly increased.]
[Benefits will open at Lv 5.]
[Charisma has exceeded the limit.]
[Charisma: 11]
Those who yelled avoided my gaze as I gestured. It took almost a minute for a challenger to emerge. “I-I'll do it.” It was a woman in her early 30's. She didn't seem like someone who could hurt anyone. She was very pa.s.sive as she headed up to the stage. It seemed like she thought I wasn't going to torture a woman.
Or&h.e.l.lip; She plunged forward as soon as the stone statue announced the start of the battle. She narrowed the distance with a light smile and took out a fist like cylinder.
Pak!
It was some type of launch device as I felt a pain in my chest. Nine needles were lodged in my chest in a circular pattern. I fell to my knees. ”Huhu. Thank you.” My smile became bigger.
The woman shook the cylinder as she approached. “Thanks to you, I received a very good idea.”
”&h.e.l.lip;” My kneeling body shook as I didn't say anything. Nine more needles entered my chest. The poison kept seeping inside me. The woman's att.i.tude completely changed as she pushed at me chest. I fell and the women climbed on top of me.
”&h.e.l.lip;”