System Fall

I felt the surge of power in my veins, growing stronger with every kill. The Manhattan skyline around me was void of any witnesses I once cared about; it was as if I was at an all-you-can-eat buffet of power points. At first, this sensation was intoxicating as I steadily grew stronger with each kill. But ever since I had ranked up, even five more victims did little to enhance my stats.

I craved more, insatiably more. [Last Kiss] had made me addicted to killing in the same way a stockbroker develops an addiction for making money. My purpose had shifted: It was no longer about strengthening myself for shared objectives.

Not all abilities I gained were beneficial, and I couldn't upgrade them once they transferred to me from the people I eliminated. Hence, it was crucial to have the people around me level themselves up.

I found myself in a group unaware of what my weapon did, and it was an opportunity too valuable to squander. The first guy I ended provided me with a wealth of experience, but his skill was nothing more than weak telekinesis. Too ineffective for actual combat, but potentially useful for smaller, handy tasks.

That irritating Annie handed everything she had to Nick, dying without giving me anything. Nothing. Absolutely zero.

But now, with all these diverse individuals gathered on the rooftops of Manhattan, connected by steel and iron cable bridges, [Last Kiss] was seeing quite a bit of action. All I had to do was bide my time, wait for the perfect moment when someone was fatally injured, and then swoop in to claim their skills and points.

And since I made no attempts to snatch any of the Silver Tokens that people were murdering each other for, I wasn't disturbed too much. With most everyone of worth gone, I didn't need to hold back anymore. Everyone left would die once the System Fall concluded, so why waste these points, right?

I'd ascend to D-Rank in no time with this strategy.

"More of a bitter mercy, isn’t it?" Nick challenged.

Wonderful. I was going to have to kill the hero.
******************

 

I didn't know Lydia's abilities, but I was fairly sure I could take her on. My skills weren't limited to our weapon styles; I actually knew how to fight. Not to mention, I had no clue about what hidden skills she might possess.

"They'll die anyway, either later on or when the city falls," she'd said with a dismissive shrug. There were about nine people left on the Manhattan skyline, their eyes shifting helplessly between the two of us.

I retorted, "You're right about the inevitable, but I believe these people could survive if they gamble with their chances."

Unfortunate, I thought, she still has some morals intact. Intriguing, but I'd like to see her maintain that stance. I responded out loud, "How about we join forces? I have a team waiting for me on the ground, and they'd certainly appreciate someone of your caliber."

Lydia didn't look impressed. She casually tossed her pink bangs out of her eyes. "No, you're the ideal candidate we're searching for, as a sacrifice to our 'god'."

I hesitated, then took a look at the remaining people around us. "Does anyone here want to live?" I asked, feeling my anger boiling over at their resigned expressions.

No answer came. Frustrated, I brandished my sword, Legender, the sunlight reflecting off its blade. "Is death all you consider?"

"What's the difference? We're destined to die sooner or later. Only the lunatics like you or me can survive this," Lydia snickered before continuing, "but hell, I don't want to plummet to the ground. I'd rather take my chances with her Rejuvenating Supplements."

Before I could finish my sentence, Lydia's supporters had formed a human barrier around me. Their faces were a mix of desperation and determination, fueled by whatever lie Lydia had fed them. They charged towards me with whatever makeshift weapons they could find, their movements chaotic yet dangerous in their unpredictability.

"Kill him!" Lydia's command echoed through the air, reverberating off the steel structures that linked the Manhattan rooftops. The sound of her voice seemed to invigorate her supporters, adding a twisted sense of urgency to their desperate attack.

But I was ready. I'd been trained to deal with far more lethal enemies. I wasn't about to be taken down by a mob driven by fear and desperation. As they charged towards me, I plunged myself into the fray, armed with nothing but Legender and my wits.

 

With a swift motion, I lunged forward, my sword coming down in an arc against whatever weapon they possessed. Each swing of my blade found its mark, cutting through the makeshift weapons as if they were made of paper. Those unlucky enough to be within my reach fell to the rooftop, their heads separated from their bodies in a swift, decisive stroke. The rooftop was soon littered with the fallen, their lifeless eyes staring up at the towering skyscrapers surrounding us.

 

I was never the idealistic hero yearning to erect a just society. What irked me was the sight of the strong exploiting the weak to scale the ladder of power. My actions were not rooted in benevolence; they stemmed from my disgust at seeing evil thrive.

My onslaught continued, each swing of my sword a stroke of retribution, until only one of those who followed Lydia remained—the teenager in a school uniform who'd earlier vocalized his woeful resignation.

"Do you still want to die, or will you finally decide to take action now?" I asked him, gesturing towards the bodies strewn about us. "Or do you wish to test your luck?" My question hung in the air, challenging the last vestiges of his will to survive.

In response, the boy frantically searched the pockets of the deceased.

Only Lydia and I were left on the rooftop now, locking eyes.

"I had an idea that you were different from them, but you're just as brutal as the rest of us. No, you might even be more ruthless. You couldn't bear to see me benefitting from the situation, could you?" she asked, examining her [Last Kiss] in the sunlight. "Does this blade look familiar to you? You know too much."

I breathed out slowly, a small vibration emanating from my throat as I chuckled. "If there existed something that could provide a painless death in this world, there would be a line of people ready to embrace it."

"So, what was all that before. Was that all talk?" Lydia inquired; an eyebrow lifted in question.

"Perhaps he might mature into a useful asset in the future," I remarked, my gaze falling onto the youngster who had just discovered some spare change. The boy began to rummage through the bodies strewn around, pulling together a collection of weapons and even articles of clothing. Every now and then, he would shoot nervous glances our way, as if suspecting we might undermine his scavenging efforts.

The boy scampered away, and Lydia brandished her weapon, [Last Kiss], while I gripped my trusty sword, Legender, our steel gazes never wavering from each other.

Lydia moved first, her blade slicing through the air with a deadly elegance. My response was swift, each swing of Legender acting as a counter, a dance of sparks flickering with every clash of metal. My superior strength gave me an edge, but Lydia's agility kept her in the fight.

Our blades were locked in a fierce standoff, my sword, Legender, clashing with Lydia's [Last Kiss]. Between the screeches of metal on metal, Lydia spoke, her voice a low murmur barely audible over the sound.

"Ever wonder, Nick, why we are forced to fight?" she questioned, her piercing gaze never leaving my face.

Her question struck me, unexpected amidst the lethal ballet we were engaged in. It was a sharp contrast to our current predicament, yet it held a gravity.

“I have always known it to be about survival, Lydia," I replied, maintaining a wary eye on her, fully aware that every word could be a potential distraction.

"Yes, survival..." she echoed, her voice trailing off as her expression turned pensive, even amidst our dangerous confrontation. "Yet my god has been whispering of a larger scheme, an intricate dance of fate far beyond our mortal comprehension."

I clenched my jaw. Her words were cryptic, her gaze distant. This was no ordinary banter between enemies.

"What are you saying, Lydia?" I pressed, attempting to discern the hidden meaning behind her words, while remaining alert to any sudden moves.

She allowed a small, enigmatic smile to play at the corners of her lips. "Just some thoughts for a rainy day, Vandal. You should always pay heed to the divinities when they call."

With that baffling statement, she disengaged from our combat lock, swiftly uncorking a tiny vial and downing its contents. A spectral sheen washed over her form, rendering her intangible. I could only watch as her spectral form melded with the winds, leaving me standing on the rooftop amidst a web of puzzling words and the silent echoes of a battle unfinished. She made her escape towards the nearest elevator and departed.

There were more elevators available than there were survivors left, which meant I was in no hurry to keep moving. I lingered behind.

"Hey, Zagren?" I beckoned to the bot, who had been patiently waiting for me.

"[Yes, human?]" It responded with a characteristic sigh. "[If you could please proceed, I could continue with my own responsibilities. I do have other tasks to attend to, after all.]"

"Would it be too much trouble if I requested a few extra minutes?" I leaned back against the metal wall of the elevator, easing the tension in my back. "Could you please delay this elevator's departure to Central Island until the very last moment?"

"[...that's certainly an unusual request. But since I did derive amusement from Lydia's reactions when you disrupted her scavenging, I suppose I can accommodate your request.]"

Through the [Eyes of Legacy], I saw another window momentarily appear beside Zagren and then quickly close. "[Done. I'll leave you to your solitude, but rest assured, the elevator will transport you to your desired destination.]"

"Much appreciated." I expressed my gratitude in a low, empty voice, then turned my attention towards the collapsing cityscape. As the rooftops slowly disintegrated behind me, a peculiar sense of satisfaction surged within me. I observed as each fragment of concrete and steel plummeted into the abyss, all the while, the elevator gradually gained momentum to match the destruction of the city. .

The gentle sway of the elevator lulled