Demon King Reincarnated Into Hero Society

Chapter 5 First Kill, Killing Without Remorse.

Carl was stuck between a crossroad. He had to make a decision between living and becoming someone he doesn't want to be, or dying and upholding his pride and honor to the very last moments of his life.

Does he want the System?

Yes, he did.

He felt like he could grow stronger if he had the System.

But, did he want to become the saviour of the world, a hero of humanity?

That was where his doubts steamed from. He wasn't fit to be called a Symbol. Not after the numerous humans he had killed in the battlefield during the great war in his past life.

Was he even fit to wear the body of a human?

Carl was confused, however, he reminded himself that his goal was to protect the people around him and to save the world if it needed saving. It wasn't to become a Symbol, neither was it a means to try and deceive himself.

It was to rip the massive benefits that came from the System and grow stronger, exponentially.

And he was against this whole notion of maintaining one's pride and honor.

“I accept.” Carl said.

But nothing happened.

And then…

He heard the familiar but yet unfamiliar mechanical voice of a female whispering into his ears.

[Host detected!]

[Synchronization begins…]

[1%]

“Crap!” A pained gasp billowed from deep within Carl's throat.

Suddenly, a wave of agonizing pains invaded his entire body. It felt like he was being ripped apart and reorganized, his bones crushed to dust and reformed, his muscles torn into shreds and rebuilt. Carl screamed in pain but his voice couldn't be heard. Time was still on pause. He gritted his teeth and bared the full brunt of crushing pains.

[5%... 17%... 29%... 34%...]

As the percentage bar increased and the synchronization drew closer to its end point, the crushing pains intensified and Carl's screams filled the whole place.

[... 67%... 82%... 96%... 99%]

The pains were gradually beginning to fade away as though it'd never existed to begin with.

[...100%]

And suddenly, Carl felt a surge of refreshing energy invading his entire body.

The sensation he felt was comforting and soothing at the same time. Carl closed his eyes to savor this sweet feeling. Somehow he felt stronger, like he was undergoing some sort of an awakening.

[Congratulations! Synchronization complete. System has successfully bound with the Host.] The System announced..

[You can summon the ‘System Interface’ to check your updated status information.] The System's voice suggested.

“System interface!” Carl called out the ‘system interface’ just as he was informed to do by the system. A blue translucent screen appeared before his eyes… The translucent screen seemed almost non-existent in nature, but yet it felt so real.

—

[Status Window] [Skills] [Quests] [Inventory] [Shop]

—

‘So this thing is like a gaming interface.’ Carl thought, as realization hit him. He was very familiar with lots and lots of video games in this world. Those were his comfort up until now.

‘I wonder what I can do now that I've bounded with the system,’ Carl mumbled inwardly. He glanced at the blue translucent screen before his eyes. He clearly knew the situation he was in at the moment, therefore, he knew that there was no time for him to explore the system thoroughly right now.

There was no need to rush, the exploration could come later.

Right now, all Carl could think of was how he could survive his current situation. Every other thing could come afterwards.

Then, maybe, he would have all the time in the world to explore the features of the system and figure out ways on how to grow stronger with its help.

Assessing his current predicament, it was obvious that all he needed was power—strength, to overcome his adversaries.

Be it offensive power or defensive power. Something that could help him take out the bloodlusted, monstrous villain or at least defend himself against the villain's devastating attacks.

“Did I unlock any abilities?” Carl asked the system, making sure to know what to expect when he summons the ‘Skills’ window.

[Yes. You can check for available skills by summoning the ‘Skills’ tab. Also, you can unlock new skills by completing specific quests or by purchasing them from the ‘Shop’] The system assured him, redeeming his hope.

‘Skills!’

Carl concentrated his mind on the blue screen before him, with a single thought he willed the ‘Skills’ window into existence. A blue translucent screen appeared displaying his list of available skills.

—

Passive Skills: [Detoxification (Lvl 1), Minor Regeneration (Lvl 1).]

Active Skills: [Dash (Lvl 1), Inspect (Lvl 1), Fireball (Lvl 1).]

—

[WARNING! Time slow-down effect will wear off in 5…]

[4.]

Carl was taken aback by the sudden appearance of the red warning screen and the countdown. He didn't dwell too much on it, and he quickly checked the description of his active skill; [Dash].

[3.]

Dash: [Increases Host's agility Stat by consuming -3 Energy points every minute. Agility Stat is increased by +5 Stats points.]

[2.]

Carl was speechless. This was a great boost in his speed. He wanted to stall for time, long enough for the backup to arrive. And [Dash] seemed like the perfect skill for the job at that moment.

[...1.]

He didn't delay any further as he quickly activated the skill.

“Activate Dash.” Carl said.

[0.]

The countdown came to an end and the time slow-down effect was removed. Everything resumed back to normal, as it had been before the system interfered. Vilewolf's claws were descending upon Carl once more, the monstrosity towering before Carl like a vast mountain peak.

But then, the System's mechanical voice whispered into Carl's ears:

[Activating Dash…]

[-3 Energy points.]

[Agility stat has risen temporarily by +5.]

Immediately after Carl activated the [Dash] skill, a surge of energy invaded his body, overwhelming him entirely. It felt warm and refreshing, coursing through his veins, but it wasn't as refreshing as the sensation he had felt a few moments ago after bounding with the system.

Carl's body felt light, like he'd suddenly become weightless, and he felt more agile. He was filled with so much energy.

“This feeling?” Carl smirked. “Let's get you somewhere safe first.” Carl took a sprinting stance and quickly bolted forward leaving a trail of dust at his wake. His speed had improved greatly, even though he was injured—adding the weight of the unconscious little girl he carried in his arm—Carl was running at an incredible speed. Not like a blur, but he was easily carried by the wind.

Vilewolf wasn't left behind. He immediately gained more momentum, his speed increasing drastically, while he closely chased after them. Carl was unable to shake him off his tail, but he was able to separate him from the rest of the pack. Which was a good thing.

Carl's wounds were no longer bleeding profusely as they use to, this has something to do with his passive skill: [Minor Regeneration]. It was doing its job in mending his injuries. But a low level skill like that could barely do much. He needed to do something about Vilewolf, immediately.

Carl summoned the Skill window. A familiar blue screen appeared before his eyes. He found it odd that it wasn't obscuring his view, he could still navigate perfectly.

He scanned his pitiful list of skills and his eyes fell on a very interesting active skill; [Fireball]. Every gamer was familiar with the famous fireball spell used by the wizard or mage class.

Focusing on the skill, detailed information about it suddenly appeared.

Fireball: [Conjures a ball of fire that can be shot at targets. Consumes -2 Energy points for each ball of fire conjured.]

Carl didn't waste anymore time he immediately stopped in his tracks, he gently put the unconscious girl down on the cold floor and turned towards Vilewolf, he quickly activated the skill.

“Activate Fireball,” Carl said as he outstretched his hands forward, his palms wide open.

Just immediately after uttering those words, a pulsation of energy surged before his palms. The surrounding air around his palms intensified and heated up.

[Activating Fireball…]

[-2 Energy points.]

A ball of fire the size of a gulf ball manifested out of thin air hovering before his palms. With direction, the fireball shot towards Vilewolf knocking him off his feet. Although one fireball wasn't enough to kill Vilewolf, he was already getting back on his feet with a burn wound on his chest and the smell of roasting fur lingering in the air.

Carl had acquired lots of experience in his past life, he didn't need lectures to aim and fire at a target. However, he felt like he was a bit rusty.

‘I was aiming for his head,’ Carl exhaled in dejection. He glared at the rising Vilewolf and focused on pouring more energy to activate the skill once more.

“Activate Fireball,” Carl said.

[Activating Fireball…]

[-2 Energy points.]

A fireball shot at Vilewolf pushing him backwards. Vilewolf tried to resist the force of the attack, digging his feet into the concrete floor. The ground beneath his feet cracked and shattered into shards of stone.

But Carl didn't stop there, he continued activating the skill multiple times.

“Activate Fireball.”

[Activating Fireball…]

[-2 Energy points.]

… Fireball.”

“Activate Fireball.”

…

[Activating Fireball…]

[-2 Energy points.]

[Activating …

…

[You're currently low on Energy!]

When Carl stopped firing, he had already shot four Fireballs at Vilewolf before he ran out of energy, and as for Vilewolf, he never attempted to rise back on his feet again.

He was dead.

Carl knew this because immediately after he fired the last Fireball, the System's voice whispered into his ears announcing his kill.

[You’ve killed a Superhuman, Vilewolf.]

Carl's hands dropped slowly, a hint of relief evident on his face. He wasn't terrified at all when he saw so much blood and a lifeless body before him. He just stared at Vilewolf’s steaming corpse one last time before he bent down and picked up the unconscious girl and was just about to leave, when…

Just before he left, a System notification drew his attention. Carl was distracted by the sudden blue screen that appeared in front of him hovering in the air. Immediately, he felt exhilarated when he read through the rolls of writing.

[Fireball has leveled up.]

[Fireball (Lvl 2).]

[The effectiveness of Fireball and its destructive capabilities has increased.]

“I leveled up a skill. This is going to be an awesome adventure with you, System.” Carl exclaimed excitedly.

Carl was finally about to leave when the cavalry finally showed up.

The backup had finally arrived, although it was very late. The Hero Society had mobilized a group of Heroes consisting of a few B-Rank Heroes, and two A-Rank Heroes.

The police flooded the scene of the incident accompanied by a few ambulance vehicles. The press had also arrived too.

It seemed like the two other villains fled the scene of the incident for some reasons best known to them. Carl collapsed to the cold floor and fainted. Exhaustion finally catching up with him.

***

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