The Final Desperation

"What a surprise! And the newcomer kills the Blood Orc! Ladies and gentlemen, I cannot make this up! We have an upset!"

Kazuya didn't hear the rest of the announcement as he had fainted out of exhaustion. The next thing he remembers is waking up at home with a bloody smell nearby. He looked over and saw a giant bucket of bloody meat slices. Ignoring everything, he ran over to inhale the flesh and blood. Quite literally, he inhaled it – not even bothering to chew. He shoved everything he can grab, focusing solely on swallowing as fast as possible.

He had become a snake for the duration of his meal. His body had gone into severe overdrive to overcome that battle and he needs the nutrients to recover. Even now, he had no idea what had happened. Everything seemed like a blur. Soon, strength returned to his body, and groaned at the sight of his room.

"That's not going to be fun to clean"

And indeed, it wasn't. Blood was everywhere from his "meal." It was hard to find a single spot without staining.

After cleaning, he pulled out his phone, checking for the date. It was the following day. Luckily it's the weekend so he doesn't have to explain the mess he got into.

 

---

 

The next day, Kazuya approached Langeth and asked him to meet outside.

"What is it?" Langeth asked as they found a secluded location.

"I met Pierre a few days ago."

Langeth paused when he heard this. Then seconds of silence followed.

"Did you?" Langeth finally broke the awkward silence.

"I understand why you wanted me to avoid him."

Langeth took some deep breaths to calm himself.

"But during this process, I discovered something."

Kazuya began transforming into his combat form. His arms sharpened, but a carapace no longer formed on his body. Instead, red fur grew with two tails sprouting from behind. Seeing this, Langeth was astonished. This wasn't the transformation he had seen before. In fact, apart from the arm blades, everything about Kazuya's form had changed. He had become more agile and deadly.

If before he was a tanky warrior, now he had become a rogue with dangerous attacks. As for whether this was a good change or not, it would depend on his fighting style and how well he could utilize this form.

"As you can see, my mutant form has completely changed. Do you have any idea why this might have happened?"

Langeth shook his head in response.

"This is the first time I've seen something like this. Normally when a mutant awakens, they take on the characteristics of their awakener, and that form remains static for the rest of their lives. Very rarely do they change. In those cases, the change was a result of them getting infected by another corruptor, and their body adapting to the new virus.

This was rare because most of the time, the body fights off foreign parasites. In fact, the change in form often symbolizes the weakening of their immune system, as that's the only way the invading virus can survive in the body. In those instances, the changes are very minor. Like a different color or a small feature, such as some animal ears or scales.

There has never been a case like yours, where your entire body took on a new form and you only kept the small features from before. So, how does this form compare to your previous one?"

"Stronger. Way stronger," Kazuya replied without hesitation.

"Oh? Show me."

Kazuya closed his eyes and tried to recall the feeling he had when he utilized this form. How did his body move? Was it like that? No, it was faster and more efficient at the time. There were fewer movements and less energy loss.

"I can't exactly recreate my best movements, but I can demonstrate a general idea."

Langeth nodded, allowing Kazuya to smack the ground with one of his tails and propelled himself at Langeth. Next, he swung his arm blades, which Langeth easily dodged. Following that, he struck out with the two tails. Unlike his arm strikes, these two attacks caught Langeth off guard, giving him two bruises on his arm.

Kazuya withdrew his strength and waited for Langeth to recover.

"How is it?"

"I understand why you think this form is stronger. It's not even a question. Before, you only knew how to passively receive hits and launch counterstrikes in hopes of hitting your opponents. But now, your attacks have become quite deadly. The way you utilize your tails is also something else. It's very unpredictable, and they hit hard. Way harder than your arm swings. So much that it becomes redundant. If you don't plan on getting close, don't bother with transforming them. It will only sap your stamina faster when you don't use it."

Kazuya was shocked by his explanation. Was the power-up really that significant?

"Then do you have any theories on why I took on this form in my life-and-death duel?"

"No. As I said before, mutants take on traits of their awakener. You haven't come into contact with any other parasites, right?"

"No."

"Then the only explanation I can think of is that this has always been inside you. It's only a few days ago that it awakened. But don't take this theory too seriously. That would be absurd. You said that a mantis corruptor was your awakener, so where could a beast-type parasite come into play? Maybe you awakened some rare genes of the parasites? Otherwise, I have no idea."

"Thank you. Since you put it that way, I won't dwell on this anymore."

 

---

 

When Kazuya got home that day, he found a note on the floor of his apartment. Someone must have slipped it underneath his door. At first, he didn't pay any mind to it, thinking it was an advertisement. This isn't the first time he experienced such a thing. But things quickly changed when he found more of these around him, showing the culprit's ability to enter his room.

This spooked him. There are only so many people who can do that without breaking his door. No, there's only one. Pierre never returned his key when he sent Kazuya back.

"I'm sure you have questions. Meet me at this address tonight, and I will answer all your questions. -Pierre."

Seeing this, Kazuya crumpled the paper up in fury. The nerve of this guy. After what he did, he still dares to show up in front of him.

"Oh, I will be there. Even if it's for some payback."

Kazuya looked at the time and realized he had an hour before the meeting. He used this time to change out of his work clothes and get something to eat. Then he looked up the location to make sure he wasn't walking into any traps. It was an abandoned church, solidifying his plans.

 

---

 

Kazuya arrived a few minutes early and looked around the place. Nothing seemed out of place. Just a normal abandoned church. Realizing this, Kazuya strolled through the entrance of the old building. The first thing he noticed was the numerous candles that lined the stone walls.

On the floor was a newly brought red carpet that covered the walkway between the seats. He also noticed that there were no cobwebs or dust anywhere in sight. The place had been cleaned well.

"I'm so glad you could make it," Pierre's voice came from the podium at the front.

Kazuya's gaze followed the sound and saw him in his flashy red suit.

"Pierre."

"That's me. Welcome."

"Why did you do it?"

Kazuya approached him.

"Do what?"

"Cut the act! You know what I'm talking about. I almost died there."

"Ah, the initiation? Well, I admit that I went a little overboard, but every-"

Kazuya punched his face before he could finish. He didn't want to hear it. At this point, everything sounded like an excuse.

Pierre turned his head back to face Kazuya.

"How hurtful. You didn't even let me finish."

"It wouldn't have turned out like this if you had told me what I was getting myself into."

"So now you're blaming me?"

"Isn't it your fault?"

"No. You only have yourself to blame. If you had listened to Langeth's advice, you wouldn't have fallen into the trap."

Kazuya became even more upset at this. Part of him knew Pierre was correct, and that's why he was upset. How was he supposed to know? And he walked right into it.

"Then what the hell was that arena?" Kazuya changed the topic.

"As I said, it's an initiation."

"Do you think I will believe that? I clearly heard the announcer say '3-time winner.' There's no way that's an initiation."

Pierre chuckled.

"I guess I can't hide it anymore. You're right. That arena is an illegal underground place run by mutants for mutants. People send the prey they catch and watch the fight. Oh, the thrill of seeing them struggle to survive in the face of all odds and the joy that comes with their despair as they realize the fate that awaits them. It's so exciting."

Pierre grinned, with hints of cruelty, enjoyment, and sadism apparent in his voice.

"You're a psycho!"

Kazuya finally snapped when he heard this. Two tails burst out from behind him and pierced at Pierre. Pierre, though, was indifferent to the attack. He transformed his right arm into an elongated lance and knocked the tails aside. After that, his right arm morphed back, and his left arm started morphing. It extended at a rapid rate and pierced Kazuya's stomach, sending him flying.

Kazuya got up, ignoring the steam from his regenerating abdomen. Right now he was more bothered about how casual Pierre seemed when he fended off his attack. It was frightening.

Pierre ignored the look and walked over with his hands in his pockets.

"That wasn't very nice, was it, Kazuya?"

*Step step*

Sweat formed on his back as the deceptive man approached. This was a torturous feeling. Soon, Kazuya couldn't bear this feeling anymore, transforming his arms and charging at him. As he got close, he launched himself with his tails and started spinning, becoming a whirlwind that sought to chop up everything in its path.

Pierre merely transformed his arms again and gave his long arms a hard swing. Blood spurted onto the walls as Kazuya fell to the ground. Pierre walked over and looked down at Kazuya.

"Do you know why I dared to meet you?"

A black spear formed in his hand.

"It's because I know I can beat you."

He then stabbed the spear through Kazuya's thigh and into the ground.

*Sssssss*

"And do you know why I know that?"

Pierre ignored the pain Kazuya was in and continued monologuing.

"It's because of experience. No matter how strong your transformation is, I know I can beat a newbie mutant that can barely control his hunger. You are inexperienced. You don't know how to utilize your abilities, relying solely on your instincts to tide you through. But instinct can't help you overcome this gap. Accept it, Kazuya. You're weak, and you're arrogant. Arrogant in thinking that you can fight anyone."

Pierre stomped on the arm that was trying to pull the spear out. Then another spear formed and nailed his other hand.

"And don't even think about using your tails."

Pierre cut down the two tails that were sneaking up behind him as he was talking. Then two more spears formed and impaled the two tails.

"You're too hot-headed. Reckless as well. Now you will pay the price."

 

---

 

Langeth was talking to 7156 when his phone rang. He gave 7156 an apologetic glance and took it out.

'That's weird. Kazuya doesn't normally call at this hour.'

Langeth answered the call.

"What's up, Kazuya? Did something come up?"

"..."

The call was silent. Only the sound of insects was heard in the background.

"Look, Kazuya. I know it's late, but you need to speak if you want something."

Then the caller spoke.

"Hey, Langeth. Guess what I have here?"

Pierre's voice came out the other end. Hearing this familiar but unexpected voice, Langeth shot up on his feet.

"PIERRE! Why do you have Kazuya's phone?" He yelled into the speaker.

"Quite the loud one, aren't you?"

"Answer the damn question!"

"Oh come on, no need to be so tense. Here, I will let you hear Kazuya."

"AHHHHHHH!"

A loud, piercing scream came from the other side.

*Pop pop pop*

Langeth clenched his hand so hard that his knuckles popped.

"PIERRE!"

"I said it before. No need to yell."

Langeth started to calm down. He's right. He can't afford to let his anger take control now.

"What do you want?"

"Now we're talking. You know the rundown church on the outskirts of the city? I want you to meet me there, alone. If I see anyone else, someone will be collecting a corpse tonight."

"Ahhhh, "Another scream full of pain came through the call.

"Oh, and I would suggest you come here sooner than later. I don't know how much pain your friend can endure."

*Beep beep*

Pierre then hung up, letting the dial echo in Langeth's ears.

"PIERRE!" Langeth yelled, a scary expression forming on his face.

"Need some help?" At this moment, 7156 asked.

Langeth considered it but shook his head.

"No. I can't risk it."

"Backup?"

"If you stay a good distance away."

7156 nodded and received a notification from EverRealm.

[You have triggered the faction event: Save the Damsel 2]

Requirements: Make sure Kazuya survives this encounter.

There it is, the mission for help. Langeth closed up the shop and did a partial transformation in the back. Then he started zooming to his destination. 7156 followed, but his speed was nowhere near the mutant's roof running.

 

---

 

Minutes later, Langeth arrived at the location and completed his transformation. Two crow wings burst out of his back, and his hands morphed into bird claws. His face deformed to resemble a crow's beak, and his hair changed from its silver-grey to black. Then he walked towards the church.

Upon entering the doors, he spotted Pierre sitting on the back of a seat with one leg dangling and the other across his knee. A few feet away from Pierre lay Kazuya, stabbed with five spears. While he had many wounds on his arms and legs, none of them seemed lethal. His face bore signs of heavy bruising, and his lip was cracked.

Kazuya turned to Langeth and managed a sad smile. Seeing this, Langeth's anger grew even stronger. What had Kazuya done to deserve this? He was just a young person, unfortunate enough to be thrown into the cruel realities of this world.

"Pierre. Why are you doing this?" Unlike his mind, Langeth's voice remained calm. Emotionless even.

"Does it really matter? You've come here seeking revenge."

"No. No, it doesn't."

"Let's take this outside. We wouldn't want your dear friend to be caught in the aftershock."

Langeth agreed, recognizing that an open field would be more advantageous for his abilities.

Pierre took deliberate, measured steps to follow Langeth outside. As he passed by Kazuya, he taunted, "You better hope that Langeth wins. Otherwise, you're in for a world of pain."

Once Pierre was outside the church, Langeth immediately launched an attack. His bird's claw collided with a thin lance that Pierre wielded. Langeth followed with an upward kick, but Pierre effectively blocked it with his other hand. Pushing Langeth's leg down, Pierre then expelled a barrage of needles toward him.

Recognizing the incoming projectiles, Langeth rapidly flapped his wings to alter the trajectory of the needles, though a few still found their mark, causing sharp pains.

'Anti-corruption substances,' Langeth realized.

Responding quickly, Langeth swung his other claw downward, striking the ground and creating a dust cloud that provided cover. He used this moment to distance himself and begin extracting the needles. However, before he could remove them all, a pointed lance extended toward him. Langeth stiffened his claws and shifted his body to the side, causing a collision between his claw and the extending weapon, resulting in sparks and blood. As he felt the side of his arm being sliced, he heard more whistling sounds.

Langeth pushed off the lance, executing a jump to the side that successfully evaded three thick spikes. Then the dust settled.

*Clap clap clap*

"Not bad. You managed to avoid that," Pierre applauded casually.

Langeth observed the transformed Pierre and couldn't help but notice how much more powerful he had become.

"I don't recall him being this formidable," Langeth thought to himself.

Before Langeth could respond, another lance extended towards him. Flapping his wings, he utilized the burst of speed to narrowly dodge the attack, yet another hole was added to his leg. Struggling to maintain his balance, Langeth found himself under a barrage of spikes and extending arm lances from Pierre. Wounds accumulated rapidly, and Langeth struggled to keep up with the assault.

Gradually, his body began to feel weaker due to the loss of blood.

"It seems I have no other option."

With this realization, the wounds affecting his movements began emitting smoke and began to close. Langeth then folded his wings and leaned forward, tensing his muscles before launching himself at remarkable speed towards Pierre.

Witnessing this, Pierre quickly sent another lance attack, but Langeth countered by opening his wings and tilting his body to evade. He gained altitude by flapping his wings and then closing them again. As Pierre retracted his arm and swung to parry Langeth's incoming claws, Langeth seized the opportunity to grab and yank Pierre's arm to the side, leaving him vulnerable. Langeth's other claw delivered a deep gash to Pierre's chest, revealing the contraction and expansion of his lungs through the wound.

Langeth raised his leg, ready to bring down an axe kick, but Pierre managed to retract his other arm in time to block the attack.

*Snap*

Numerous cracks appeared as the arm bent at an unnatural angle. Langeth capitalized on the recoil to leap upwards with his other leg and twist the arm he was holding.

*Crunch*

The arm dislocated, yet Pierre's expression remained unchanged. Instead, he took a deep breath.

"Not good."

Langeth's instinct proved accurate. Pierre turned his head towards Langeth and opened his mouth, expelling a barrage of small needles as he exhaled forcefully. Flapping his wings fiercely, Langeth glided backward to evade the onslaught.

"Your movements remind me of a certain event ten years ago," Pierre began to taunt.

Upon hearing this, Langeth's mind involuntarily traveled back to the referenced incident, clenching his claws in response.

"Of Marisa."

"Shut up."

"Of you teaching her."

"Shut up!"

"And how you let her die."

"SHUT UP!"

"She employed everything you taught her."

"I SAID SHUT UP! If you hadn't interfered, she wouldn't have died. If you hadn't dragged her into the underground a—"

*Puchi*

Langeth lost control and paid the price. Looking down, he saw a huge hole in his stomach.

"No. You never should have introduced her to this world. She was too innocent to survive. I merely showed her the cruelty. The accident occurred only because you had a conflict with her."

Gritting his teeth, Langeth focused on initiating his regenerative abilities.

"PIERRE!!!"

Langeth lunged at Pierre with both claws, yet he was met with another piercing strike to his chest. Pierre then kicked him back and allowed him to regenerate. As Langeth rose to his feet once more, he charged at Pierre with a primal ferocity that suppressed his human instincts. Pierre reverted his arms to their normal state and adeptly dodged Langeth's relentless assaults.

After a series of intense exchanges, Langeth discovered another wound on his body. This time, however, Pierre did not remove his arm. Pierre pressed him against the church walls and held him aloft.

"Emotions have no place in battle. They lead to irrationality and foolish decisions. You should understand this better than anyone, considering you were the one who taught me that," Pierre remarked.

"It doesn't matter. I WILL kill you!"

"Hahahahahaha."

Pierre covered half his face and erupted into maniacal laughter.

"Let me pose a question. How is your stamina? It must be drained from healing all those wounds."

Hearing this, Langeth's anger began to subside as he realized the truth. He was utterly spent. Even remaining upright was a monumental effort at this point.

"Allow me to remind you of where I struck you," Pierre taunted.

Pierre reverted his hand and applied slight pressure, causing Langeth to cough out a mouthful of blood.

'Wound? Where?'

Langeth glanced downward and realized that Pierre's hand was embedded in the left side of his chest. The squeeze just now. It felt constricting to his heart.

"No!"

"Unfortunately, this marks the end."

Pierre exerted pressure, crushing Langeth's heart between his fingers, then withdrew his bloody palm.

"Farewell, Langeth, the Blackwing. You've been a good friend, but your death will mark the beginning of something truly extraordinary."