Vengeance Without Duty

P.O.V - Joshua

Slowly pacing in front of the car, I felt that something was wrong. Kaiden should've been back by now.

"I'm goin to go see what's holdin Kaiden up."

Before the girls could say anything, I started jogging in the direction Kaiden went.

Having searched a few side streets and alleys, I couldn't find any trace of Kaiden, and the feeling of unease kept growing.

"AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGG"

Hearing a scream, my heart nearly stopped.

Running in the general direction the scream came from, I eventually came across a building with all the windows boarded up. As I walked closer, I suddenly saw a dog fly past the door, then another chasing after.

P.O.V - Kaiden

After buying the Eternal Army ability, I let down my guard.

Just as I was about to leave, I heard a growl from my side, quickly turning my head, I saw a dog lunging at me. This time I wasn't so lucky and couldn't avoid the attack. Feeling unimaginable pain coming from my left hip, I grabbed the dog by the neck, twisted my body and threw the dog a meter or two.

Staring at the dog in front of me, I slowly concentrate my mana and started invoking the Curse of Fatigue. Slowly the dog started panting, heavier and heavier with each passing second. Taking this time, I slowly cast Reanimate on the dog nearest to me. Feeling that the connection had formed, I mentally commanded it to to attack. As the dog rammed into his former pack mate, the dog flew into the reception desk. I quickly followed this up with a command to incapacitate the dog.

Slowly walking towards the now incapacitated dog, I pulled a wooden stake from my make shift pitfall.

With a quick thrust, the dog breathed it's last. I then proceeded to dig out the core.

*remnant mana detected, absorbing, please allocate to strengthen d.e.s.i.r.ed facet*

"Strengthen reaction time."

*reaction time increased*

*monster cores detected, absorbing energy, gained 2000 points*

'This one must have been the alpha.'

"Open ability tab and search for any healing abilities."

*active ability - Boone of Regeneration - Increase the natural healing factor by X amount(amount depended on level) for 30 seconds - cool down 12 hours - cost 1500 points*

*passive ability - Regeneration - Permanently increase healing factor by X amount(amount dependent on level) - cost 1,000,000,000 points*

"Purchase Boone of Regeneration."

After the purchase was complete, I immediately activated the ability. A warm sensation spread through my body.

Looking at the dog bite, I could see the blood stop flowing and a scab appear. Unfortunately

it did not completely heal, and there was still some pain.

After all of it was over, I walked out of the building, only to bump into Joshua.

"Joshua, what are you doing here?" I asked looking confused.

"I searched for you 'cause you were late. Then I heard this scream, and now I'm here. What happened inside?"

"Built a trap, killed some dogs, one got lucky. After I collected the cores, the lucky one bit me on my hip, that's why you heard a scream. Just don't tell the girls. Oh before I forget, I saved you one core."

Taking out a core from my pocket, I handed it to Joshua, who accepted it subconsciously.

Commanding the dog to follow me, Joshua and I headed back to the car.

Slowly walking down the street, I could see Claire and Marie sitting on the trunk of the car talking and smiling with no care in the world.

"I brought each of you girls a present, open your palms and close your eyes."

"How did you find anything in this shithole."

"Just do what I say."

Looking at them putting their palms out, eyes closed, I placed a core in each of their palms.

"Okay open your eyes."

As I waited for their reactions, I saw Marie grow somewhat excited and confused, while Claire only showed confusion.

"Remember I told you to search for abilities under 1000 points, your watch absorbs this then you can buy stuff."

After hearing that they could absorb and buy something with this, they proceeded to completely ignore me.

After everything was sorted out and everyone bought what they could, we made our way back to camp.

After we entered camp, we immediately called everyone to attend a group meeting.

"Okay guys, what I'm about to say next will make me sound crazy, but please b.a.r.e with it until the end, because I have proof."

Waiting until everyone got situated and making sure they were listening, I continued.

"As we searched through town for supplies, we came across a monolith in the town's center. For investigative reasons, I put my hand hand on the monolith. After doing that, I found myself in a white space. In this white space, some sort of recording was played, of people calling them,selves the Cleansed, saying that they caused the war unintentionally. And as an apology gift, they could grant us a new earth, by releasing energy that they stored in the monoliths. They say this energy will slowly change the environment replenishing our resources, and will also allow humanity gain abilities we would deem fantasy or supernatural. The monolith has an indeterminate number of these armbands, fitted with a personalized A.I. With this armband, you will be able to learn abilities like cursing, healing, et cetera. You will also be able to choose a class, now what you choose will be up to you, but we ask that you please the group in mind. And now, for the example."

As I finished speaking, I called Marie over.

"Marie what skill did you buy?"

"I did not buy one yet."

"A.I. can I transfer points to someone?"

*user just needs to friend the other person.*

'Good'

"Good, I'm going to friend you and transfer 500 points t you then see if you can find an ability called Boone of Regeneration."

Quickly friending Marie, I completed the transfer, and she bought the ability

"Someone give me knife or something sharp."

A short and skinny teen handed me a small pocket knife. nodding to him I proceeded to cut a lengthy and deep cut across my right forearm.

Gasps of shock could be heard from the crowd, and Panic set in on Marie.

"Marie focus, use Boone of Regeneration."

Following my instructions, Marie's hands were soon giving of a soft white glow, and the cut on my arm slowly started to scab over.

"See everyone, what would take days on a wound this severe, happened in mere seconds, and no stitches even needed. Now I must warn you, animals are no longer the same. On the armband, they have a guide book of sorts, and in the guide book, they explain that animals will slowly start to change. They will get more aggressive and dangerous as time goes on, after receiving the armband you can read the guide book for more detail. If you're still willing to go through with this, from tomorrow onward, Joshua and I will be taking three people a day, to undergo this baptism."