2024-10-10 00:18:27Neo stood in front of a mirror, wistful and hollow smile adorning his blood red lips, his vermillion eyes stared back into itself through the mirror, and he slowly turned to a familiar portrait, the words that came out of his lips was barely audible.
"I will join you...soon." He took one last glance at the portrait and exited the house, Headed for the rift station which coincidentally used to be their manor. The portrait stood there unchanging, just as it had been for the past six years. save for the fact that the black mist that seemed to be swirling around his parent’s faceless picture was now much thicker, akin to wisps of smoke. * "What are you staring at, bastards?" Neo cursed inwardly, throwing deadly glances at the people who seemed to have turned him into a riveting spectacle to feed their eyes upon. Everyone seemed to avoid him like a plague while gluing their eyes on him like a failed work of art. Well, he couldn't blame them though; he was definitely not looking good at all. Since he heard reaper's call the day before, he had been struggling to get the transport fare to the closest rift station. But with him showing several scary symptoms, almost all of his usual work stations rejected him. Things got worse when he started to vomit blood more often and he started losing weight, hence feeling dizzy most of the time. The only person who had been of help was his old neighbor who had managed to borrow him some money, for the fear that he would die in the house and fill the environment with stench. Looking down on himself, Neo shook his head in self-pity. He looked pretty much like a creepy scarecrow… even worse. "I guess if I were them, I would stare at me too." Neo thought, sighing, while cursing reaper inwardly. The fact that the structure he was in used to be his own house made him feel some sets of complicated feelings. Was it fear, worry, wisfulness, or fury. he couldn't really tell. But whatever it was Neo welcomed it. The sounds of a steadily approaching footstep suddenly interrupted Neo's train of thought. Neo looked up to see the face of a stoic-looking man with a calm demeanor and deadpan expression holding the famous—or probably infamous—hyperplasmic blaster. "Stand up, kid. We have decided to call you up next because of your prominent symptoms. Come with me," the man said, his majestic figure retreating. Neo nodded, stood up, and followed the man. 'I guess being scrawny is not so bad after all,' Neo thought. Entering a large office, the automatic door behind Neo slammed shut. But not before the majestic officer left the office, so Neo was left alone with five magnificent figures sitting resplendently behind the alloy desk. "Have your seat, young man," the man sitting in the middle said, flashing Neo a glistening smile. The man was rather nice and unmistakably handsome. Neo sat down, bearing the onslaught of all five gazes. It was easy to tell by the aura they exuded that they were not ordinary people, so Neo quickly checked out their emblems to discern their ranks. They were all scoping him out as well; all of them were Deciders except for the man at the middle, right on his emblem his name and rank "Ascender Dale" were intricately carved, accompanied by a shiny golden star. Neo's face froze for a second. "A real Ascender?" Neo thought in awe. Granted, Deciders were not so much, but Neo had met a few in his lifetime, but Ascenders were few and far between, so Neo had not been privileged to come across any. But then, there was something so familiar about his aura but Neo couldn't quite put his finger on it. "They are still humans after all." Neo thought, staring at Ascender Dale, almost imagining the power brimming within his bones. "So what's your name?" Ascender Dale asked, activating his communication device. "Neolin," Neo answered curtly. "You mean, Neo is your first name and Lin is your last name?" Ascender Dale asked. "Well, that works too," Neo thought inwardly, but he just nodded in response. Since his parents died or left—whichever happened—Theo had prohibited him from using his family name. So in the academy, he was always the kid without a last name, but now that Ascender Dale had given him a makeshift last name, he was more than willing to accept. The aloof Ascender stared at Neo, lingered for a moment, and then continued. "What about your parents or any other family members?" "Gone," Neo replied, and he was almost pierced through with five sharp gazes. The other Deciders who had been busy typing away whispered some stuff to the Ascender, his expression darkened but he just nodded. "So then let me brief you about reaper's domain, which is popularly known as the afterlife ," Ascender Dale said, as his gaze suddenly darkened. You see, according to experts, the afterlife is the place where we go after we die. This was proven after recent sightings of those that were supposed to be dead, but we can't be sure of anything about reaper's domain. It might just be an illusion for all we know, but if our suspicions are true, then I'm pretty sure that place is the infamous hell". He swallowed and continued. "Immediately you are transported somewhere, make sure you find the nearest stronghold, otherwise you will die. This is a fact, not a probability. Just pray not to be transported far away from a stronghold. If you die over there, I will take it upon myself to hold your burial, since you have lost your family... sadly. Best of luck, kid. The Ascender said, but then his eyes suddenly shone and he continued. "Oh, lest I forget, immediately you step into the rift, you will be examined for eligibility for the test of allegiance, but you have nothing to worry about. Less than one percent are ever eligible, but if you somehow become eligible, I'm sorry, but we have no information to deal with that circumstance since no one has been recorded to succeed, so you will have to help yourself, or else you end up like the others. Well, that's very much about it." Ascender Dale said, ending his monologue. "Thank you," Neo replied with a slight bow. As Ascender Dale commanded one of the Deciders to escort Neo to the rift. A familiar scene of Neo hopping into the rift played out, and just like that, Neo's harrowing memories were over. The flood of energy had done a thorough search from the beginning of his memories to the very end, leaving and giving the consciousness back to the owner. Only then did Neo notice the thick manifestation of darkness surrounding him. "What is this place?" Neo asked, still soaring in the abyss. As if answering his question, the voice of reaper echoed around Neo again. It seemed to be literally everywhere. "Mortal eligible for the Allegiance trial ! Prepare for the allegiance trial!" Neo was still busy trying to figure out the source of the voice when the wordings of reaper's words resounded in his mind. His face twitched violently.
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Death scape Chapter 3
"Eliminate the threat," Reaper's voice echoed through the darkness. Suddenly, there was utter silence. But Neo was still shrouded in endless darkness. Soon enough, Neo noticed that something was different. The cloud of darkness he used to be in was the actual manifestation of darkness itself, but the one he was currently in was just the… absence of light. Also, Neo noticed another disturbing fact: he couldn't move! His limbs seemed to be glued to something. "What is going on?" Neo yelled, venting his frustration. "If you don't shut your fucking mouth over there, I swear I will come there and fucking shut it for you." A husky voice echoed throughout the darkness, making Neo flinch. Unexpectedly, another voice, which was unmistakably feminine, sounded again. "Oh, our guest is awake. Cut him some slack, bastard. Those miscreants must have hit him too hard on the head. Stay still, let me help you with the veil and ropes," the feminine voice said, coming closer to Neo. Ne
Death scape Chapter 4
"Once again, damn you, Reaper!!," Neo said out loud, venting his frustrations."Excuse me, who is Reaper?" Scholar asked, raising his eyebrow."Uhh, it's... it's nothing. So, this door is our escape route, right?" Neo stuttered, quickly finding a way to change the topic."Well, not really. You know, this place has been sealed shut by thick, reinforced metal alloy, and food is being dropped from that hatch in the roof right there. So, since we can't climb up there, I found a vulnerable spot in this room. No need for exuberant explanations, you will understand the big plan soon," Scholar explained, then continued. "Uhh... you might want to step back a bit." Neo furrowed his brow as he quickly found a place to hide himself. Beauty was also hiding herself perfectly under Shitface's makeshift bed. While Shitface went to the fireplace and scooped some soot to mark a spot in the wall, which Neo suspected to be the vulnerable spot. "Ready?" Scholar asked Shitface, with a grim expression on
Death scape Chapter 5
5 The crew kept advancing forward in fear and trepidation. Sometimes they would meet lifeless walking bodies strolling around aimlessly. They seemed to be oblivious to their presence, but before Neo could make further investigations, Shitface would have pounced upon them and crushed their skull with a heavy metal rod that he found on the floor. But from the little he was able to glean, he learned the virus was even more potent than he thought. According to what Scholar said, they were in the quarantine room for a week, and within that time, all eight hundred members of the Disease Control Center were infected. There was even a probability of the days being lesser since they stopped receiving food supplies three days prior, which meant that the way in which the virus spread was indeed terrifying. It also seemed to make the bodies of its host rot faster, but what was truly bothering Neo was that despite the fact that they were the ones to make first contact with the virus, they were per
Death scape Chapter 6
As the crew walked back, Neo entered an introspective state for a moment. He just couldn't help but think that the scholar was intentionally stalling for time. Granted, he couldn't have known about the breach in the roof, but there was no way he wouldn't have known about the door situation. The pieces were already connecting themselves—the scholar was up to something. Beauty also seemed to have the same suspicion, even Shitface, who wasn't very much on the brain side, was throwing occasional glances at the scholar. Even he could tell that something was wrong with the unassuming scholar. But there was nothing they could all do. Dismissing or eliminating him was as good as spelling their doom. He was the only one who knew his way around the maze-like structure of the DCC anyway. So they just had to be quiet and watchful.By the time the crew got to the breach in the wall, it was already nightfall. The moon had already chased away its glamorous counterpart dominating the night sky in all
Death scape Chapter 7
7 Neo glanced around, waiting for the next command. But he was met with other tired and weary gazes. They were all too spent to even come up with a sound idea. Scholar finally broke the silence, his voice accompanied by the whistling sound of the wind."If we can make it across this beam, alight the ladder, we would hustle our way through the horde, I would override the defense HQ and activate the gate. Our salvation lies beyond the gate," Scholar said, pointing to the almost imperceptible gate in the distance. His hand trembled, either due to the cold or his fatigue. Neo couldn't really tell which. Neo's hope was suddenly ignited. The salvation Scholar spoke about was very alluring. Very pleasant to his ears. Although it was easier said than done, Neo didn't really care. He just wanted to get out of that hellish landscape. No matter how bleak their chances of escape were, it was like a beacon of light at the end of a harrowing, torturous journey through the night. He almost felt li
Death scape Chapter 8
8 Life is sometimes funny, isn't it?Few hours prior, Shitface had made his mind. Together with Beauty, or even probably Scholar, to use Neo as bait if… or when the need arises. When Neo woke up, Beauty had said that it changed nothing. If anything, they would have been happier, given the fact that they wouldn't have to carry the bait around. It's like leading a ram to the slaughter, but the ram this time was Neo. And about Neo defending or launching an attack himself, that would have been the least of their problems – actually a swing from Shitface's metallic rod would have done the job. For all he knew, his presence must have been the reason the rambunctious muscle glory was holding the metallic rod amongst other things. But eventually, he ended up being made wraith bait by his most trusted companion.Talk about the irony. Neo would have laughed out loud if he wasn't too weak. Breathing was enough stress though. But that wouldn't make him stop thinking about what just happened. Wh
Death scape Chapter 9
9 Neo entered the building, glancing around to find his way. It didn't take him long to find the light source, likely triggered by Scholar. The whole place was pitch black because there were no windows. Even the oxygen seemed thin. The security was... admirable. And best of all, it made tracing the light source much easier. Neo suddenly entered the room, making Scholar tremble. A dry smile appeared on his face as Neo walked up to the control deck to check out what Scholar was doing. What he saw made his eyes widen. There were two buttons beeping red. They seemed to be working on some kind of separate energy reserve, so the energy shutdown on the DCC didn't affect them. Beside both buttons were written: ... INITIATING NUCLEAR DECONTAMINATION ... INITIATING PERMANENT SHUTDOWN Neo's fist tightened as he stared at Scholar with murderous intent. His face demanded an explanation. Scholar's lip suddenly trembled, and he replied, "Fine… fine, now that you have found out, I gu
Death scape Chapter 10
10 "Ahah!! I see you have killed him, now we are even," Beauty said, a disturbing giggle escaping her lips. "Yes, I did. That should tell you just enough about me," Neo said placidly, attempting to play the formidable and dauntless assassin. He was already on his last legs. It would be unfortunate if she chose that moment to attack, so he had to put some contingencies in place. "You should understand that there's strength in numbers, right? So why did you kill him?" Beauty said, staring daggers at him. Neo tilted his head. Beauty's understanding of "strength in numbers" made him shiver. Her concept of strength in numbers meant wraith baits, most especially the ones that would transport themselves to the point of slaughter. "How sinister." Neo cleared his throat and replied, "He tried to kill us all, so I killed him first." He tried to maintain his elusive behavior. Beauty walked up to the corpse, confirmed its death, and with her usual sinister smile, she replied again. "Now tha
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CHAPTER 45
"Crap!"Neo cursed, the word a tight knot in his throat. He ground his teeth together, channeling the last vestige of momentum from his swing, forcing himself forward. willow vine and the Bone of Contention were already plunging into the abyss below. Neo released his grip on the vine; he could summon his spectres back, but not himself from a potentially fatal fall. Spectres were expendable, but a half-insane Neo was not.The last surge of inertia flung him ten meters past below chasm's edge. Knowing the brutal impact was imminent, Neo summoned twin blades, driving them deep into the rock face. The swords bit, arresting his descent just short of a bone-shattering collision, Neo stared at the abyss below and smiled. "Not as bad as I thought ehh?"He dismissed his falling specters and began to climb, using his swords as improvised knives, hauling himself upwards inch by agonizing inch.Finally, he crested the rim of the chasm, emerging into the oppressive silence. Beads of sweat slick
CHAPTER 44
After staring at Neo for a few fleeting seconds, Blob averted its gaze back to the ice above. It seemed to wrestle with some inner turmoil. The sun was rising, its light filtering through the ice, and a cold sweat traced Neo's spine despite the chill. It wasn't fear he felt, but anxiety. He had never faced a creature of such power before. Yet, if push came to shove, he was prepared to stand his ground and go toe to toe with the creature, even if victory was uncertain. At the very least, Blob would not emerge unscathed."Blood for blood; that's the afterlife currency."Blob finally appeared to reach a decision, meandering toward the distant chasm and disappearing within. Neo finally took a breath and felt a weight lift off of him.He was still reluctant to move, though, lacking a concrete plan of action. Neo began to mentally retrace his steps, sinking into deep introspection. But something quickly disrupted his thoughts. Emerging from the chasm in droves were familiar figures, crawl
CHAPTER 43
Neo's vision and breath were momentarily stolen; the water muffled his hearing as the world spun around him. Then—Bam!!!He slammed against the floor, a jarring thud echoing in the cavern. A groan escaped his lips as he tried to roll over, but his entire body ached. To make matters worse, water continued to cascade onto his face. With considerable effort, Neo finally managed to roll out of the waterfall's path and stand, finally taking in his surroundings. The air hung heavy and still, a damp blanket pressing against his skin. An earthy scent permeated the space, a blend of wet stone and a peculiar, almost fungal, scent of antiquity. Above, a vast expanse of azure ice covered nearly everything, its light almost divine. This celestial radiance was punctuated by shadows lurking in the distance, where the light couldn't penetrate. A wide chasm, seemingly devoid of light, divided the two sections of the cavern. This was no ordinary cave; it was a subterranean chamber, a colossal cathed
CHAPTER 42
Neo sat in a meditative pose within a cave, positioned several meters above the lake on the far side of the valley. The lake's waters silently lapped at the mountain's base as Neo stared blankly into the distance, seemingly indifferent to the leviathans battling far below. In truth, he couldn't see them at all; his consciousness resided in a different realm entirely.Neo’s feet dragged along the dark, charred sand. The silent breeze of his soul nipped at his skin. Around him stretched an expanse of the same strange, silent sea of dark sand, with a thick mist billowing in the distance. The only source of light was a pristine orb looming above. Though obscured by the heavy veil of mist, Neo could still discern its form.He had been mistaken all these years. The pristine orb was the soul core, the light that illuminated his inner being. He himself was within his own soul. The meaning of the billowing cloud of mist, however, remained a mystery.In the center of the dark desert lay an oasi
CHAPTER 41
A sharp, rhythmic, metallic clang dominated the valley of endless battles, a sound interwoven with the distant echoes of death and destruction from the ongoing bloodshed.A young man relentlessly hammered a large, crystalline-looking mallet against a jagged ledge below his feet. Its head, twice the size of his own, moved with surprising ease as he struck at the base of a jagged ledge near the ground. He stood upon this very ledge, working to separate it from the mountainside. Each powerful blow sent tremors through the stone beneath his feet, sparks erupting as the mallet connected, sending shards of rock flying. This was Neo, and he was far different from what he used to beNeo’s body, once frail, was now honed and athletic. Sweat glistened on his bare chest, the muscles coiling around his chiseled form. His upper body was exposed and dirt-streaked, while below, his lower body was covered by Azure, a material that had folded itself into makeshift shorts for him.With a final, resoun
CHAPTER 40
Neo gritted his teeth, fighting to anchor his teetering consciousness. This was, invariably, the moment he loathed most: the agonizing wait, eyes closed, as the mental assault from the stronger killing intents ebbed away. Yet, on this day, he forced his eyelids open, compelled by a suspicion that had gnawed at him since he first discovered the ice barrier. With strained eyes and sheer willpower, Neo managed to pry his vision open, just as the lake's water level began to plummet drastically. Then, a grotesque, blob-like mass began to swell from within, its size expanding exponentially. Simultaneously, another massive creature, eerily reminiscent of a lion save for its deep obsidian skin and tenebrous steel wire-like veins coiling throughout its body, descended. Its enormous wingspan towered over the battlefield, an omen of death. Its mane was a thick cloud of dark mist, obscuring the evil that lurked in the depths of its eyes, and where a tail should have been, an enormous stinger, wi
CHAPTER 39
Neo's silver longsword danced through the hordes of creatures, a playful smile gracing his lips. He was resolute in his intent to "try harder," not from spite or madness, but rather as a meticulously planned strategy. What better way to comprehend the intricacies of a system than to become an active participant within it? Though a veil of depression and hollowness might shroud his inner self, a mask of feigned madness concealed a cold, calculating spirit.He battled relentlessly, consuming what sustenance he could find amidst the carnage. The cycle of fighting, eating, bleeding, and fighting again persisted until the blood moon finally dominated the horizon.Gazing at the crimson orb, a wave of nostalgia washed over him, causing him to grimace. The other creatures seemed to share in this awareness, displaying a primal fear of the night's terrors, much as he once had.Neo had long transcended the paralyzing fear of the night's beasts. While his body might still instinctively tremble at
CHAPTER 38
Neo dragged the creature aside for the Harknidae to suck dry. He then started to summon willow's vine massively, without the least care for his essence depleting. Although the Harknidae are pesky and annoying, they are the reason the whole valley is not unbearably disgusting and stinking. The sheer amount of blood spilled in the valley each day—and night—is staggering. But the Harknidae are up to the task of cleaning up the mess; they are like the valley's vacuum cleaners. Neo's essence finally ran out after a few minutes, and the cave's compartment was filled with an endless brown rope running around the place. Usually, Neo would wait for his essence to replenish before plunging into battle again, using the willow's vine as an extra reservoir of essence to sustain Asunder for a longer duration. And that was exactly what he was trying to do, until his stomach started to hurt as if he was being shredded from within. Black blood began to drip from the corner of his lips. Neo was no s
CHAPTER 37
Neo suddenly felt a constraint, and before he could react, a putrid smell assaulted his nose. By the time Neo realized what was happening, he'd already lost a few liters of body fluid to the embrace of a blue, cloth-like creature. Its presence had been utterly obfuscated by the large expanse of the blue lake. The creature, which strikingly resembled a piece of clothing, fed on the water within creatures, a method similar to the Harknidae, but far more devious. Neo immediately plunged his hand into the soul realm, crushing the creature's soul. Cracks spread across it with some resistance, but it eventually crumbled into countless particles adrift in the unknown universe once more.The announcement rang in Neo's mind, revealing that the unassuming creature was a mutant behemoth! Neo was certain he wouldn't have been able to slay that attack without a similarly devious trump card. Nevertheless, without Soul Stinger, he could have stunned the creature with his Crimson Nebulae and escaped
