God Slayer: SSS-Rank Abyssal System

Chapter Two: A Debt to Collect

The news soon traveled all over Windfield Town that Samuel’s mother was dead. It was a very small town, so people learned things quickly. A few minutes later, Samuel found himself surrounded by several townspeople. The small shack soon became crowded and suffocating.

“It's so sad she's dead,” someone said. “She suffered so much to raise him.”

A middle-aged man grunted. “What happened in the end? It resulted in her death.”

Samuel clenched his jaw.

“He couldn't even awaken his Qi,” the man continued. “What a disappointment.”

A group of young women chuckled at the statement. They seemed more amused than sad about someone's death.

Samuel would have said something. But what could he say? Everything they said was the truth. He was a disappointment to his mother.

“Make way!” Someone bellowed from afar.

Samuel looked up and recognized the voice. Five men entered the shack, pushing people aside. When everyone realized who they were, they quickly rushed out of the shack.

“Declan…” Samuel gulped.

A burly man stepped forward, sneering. “If it isn't the notorious debtor!”

Samuel shuddered. He couldn't even speak out. “I promise, I'll pay you by the weekend…”

“That's what you said last week!” Declan grunted. “And that's what you've been saying for three months!”

“I'm being real this time,” Samuel said, fishing out bronze tokens from his pocket. “I'll pay you—”

A powerful kick to his stomach made him bend over instantly. His vision darkened as he clutched his stomach.

“Don't talk to our boss like that,” someone whispered into his ear.

Samuel couldn't say anything. He was wrestling with pain.

“Listen, Samuel,” Declan said. “When I come to collect my debt, you have no say.”

He signaled one of his men to pick up the bronze tokens scattered across the floor.

“One thousand bronze tokens…” he said. “That's what you owe me.”

Samuel looked up slowly.

“You'll be my carrier for one month as agreed,” Declan said.

‘Right,’ Samuel bit his lip. ‘I should have known…’

Carriers usually earned more than the ordinary folks in the town. They carried things for hunters venturing into Abyssal Zones. Hence, only a few people dared to take this job.

Samuel had become a carrier for a hunter group a few hours ago. Unfortunately, that was his last job for the month. He'd be working for free for Declan.

“We're heading into an Abyssal Gateway now,” Declan said.

“Now?” Samuel's heart skipped a beat. Why didn't they give him some time? He had to mourn his mother properly…

“Do you need time to prepare?” Declan bellowed sarcastically. “As if!”

Two men grabbed Samuel's arms and hoisted him up. He didn't even protest as they dragged him away. It was already a lost cause. No one owed the Black Gang and walked free.

They soon arrived outside Windfield Town. A swirling black vortex hovered a few meters from them… The Abyssal Gateway. It was impossible to determine which grade of Abyssal Zone it led to unless they were inside. Several hunters relied on Qi signatures to guess the grade, but it wasn't usually accurate.

‘What if it's a C-Grade Abyssal Zone?’ Samuel’s heart throbbed against his chest. He watched Declan and his men gear up, preparing to enter the Abyssal Gateway. They were now armed to the teeth.

“It's time,” Declan said, tossing a large backpack at Samuel.

Samuel caught it silently. But he didn't move. Carriers usually walked behind hunter groups. Since they were usually ordinary folks, they had no attributes or skills. They couldn't fight Abyssal Creatures, so the hunters always protected them.

“Who the hell are you waiting for?” Declan glared at him. “Go in!”

“B-but—”

Declan kicked him into the Abyssal Gateway, leaving no room for negotiation.

Samuel tumbled into the black vortex and found himself in a grey world. There was no colour in sight, except for the ash which stretched for eternity.

He stood up slowly and dusted his shirt. His eyes narrowed at the skeletons sprawled all over the valley. His heart thumped heavily in his chest from the ghastly sight. He wanted to turn back, but Declan was already behind him.

“Move!” The Black Gang leader barked.

Samuel obeyed instinctively and walked forward. The backpack was too heavy, but he didn't complain. That was his job as a carrier.

His mind drifted to his dead mum, tears welling up in his eyes. This would have been meaningful if she were alive. But she wasn't. He also thought of Vanessa, his ex-girlfriend. The memories made him cry silently as he walked ahead of the group.

“Stop,” Declan’s voice broke him out of his thoughts.

His eyes darted around. He was wondering why they were stopping. Did they sense an Abyssal Creature? He looked back at Declan, who was drawing out his greatsword.

Declan was a D-Rank hunter of the Guard Class. He had supernatural strength as his attribute, so Samuel trusted him. No E-Rank Abyssal Creature would be able to defeat him in close combat.

‘I just hope they defeat that Abyssal Creature quickly—’ Samuel’s inner voice was cut short abruptly.

Someone stabbed him from behind.

He looked down slowly at the blade protruding out of his torso. The pain was so overwhelming, he couldn't move an inch.

Declan laughed wickedly behind him. “You really think we'd let you off so easily? That you'd become our carrier?”

Samuel coughed out blood, his vision darkening.

“You don't deserve a place in the Devil's Paradise,” Declan continued. “Your only place is in death.”

With those words, he drew out his greatsword and kicked Samuel’s back, breaking his spine. The five men watched as his body tumbled across the ashy ground, bashing against the skeletons.

Samuel stopped tumbling and lay in place. His consciousness faded as he glared at Declan with resentment.

‘They all tricked me… If only I had the power…’

These were his last thoughts as he took his final breath.

[Ding!]

[Congratulations, the Abyssal System chooses you!]

[Do you wish to slay the gods and burn the world?]

[Yes] [No]

Samuel heard a loud chime, and then a monotonic voice. He didn't know if he was already in the afterlife. He should be, because Declan had stabbed him.

‘Yes…’

[Congratulations, you are now the Abyssal System’s player!]

[Revival ongoing… Revival completed!]

Suddenly, his eyes flashed open. He expected to find himself in the afterlife. But he was still lying on the ashy ground, surrounded by skulls. He sat up, dazed, and looked at his torso. He could see the wound healing visibly.

[Welcome back to the land of the living, Rebel! Your journey of rebellion begins now!]

At that moment, Samuel realized he'd chosen a path for himself. He stood up and clenched his fists.

“I will burn everyone who betrayed me,” he swore. “And if the world stands by them, I will burn it!”