Chapter 72 God’s Intervention

It is unfortunate that things don’t go your way—everything could be perfect just for it all to be stripped away, mercilessly perish in front of your eyes along with all of your plans.

I had all my cards laid out—ready and set, in utter perfection I would’ve won this battle of wits without so much as a scrape on my cheek.

And yet—I am now at death’s doorstep, on my knees about to beg for my life; not even the Golden Knight had me so vulnerable and unconditionally defeated.

"Aaa... AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH...!!"

I was having the worst diarrhea of my life.

Sat naked on the toilet—I had taken off all my clothes procedurally as the diarrhea worsened.

"Is— is this because they were dr— drinking?!" I said as sweat dribbled my face, the entirety of my skin red as if I’ve been pushing quintuplets out of my anus; yes, I was no longer even pale.

"But... but...!! How come my stomach didn’t get upset from the dude in dream town?!"

I closed my eyes and focused a small bit of my MANA...

...on my anus.

"AAAAAAAAAHHH!! FUCK...!!"

It hurt like fucking shit...!! This is horrible...!!

After a short while longer of destroying the toilet, I was finally done.

And immediately, I noticed—particularly because it stood out like a sore thumb due to it having MANA scrawled on it—a little note beneath my doorstep.

Came up and picked it up...

Instantly, my eyes widened and my eyes went onto the clock... just eight minutes left until the said time...!! Fuck...!!

Began frantically dressing up... I was naked...

Left and paced my steps—wasn’t going to run in the hotel; didn’t want to alarm anyone.

Once outside, I simply disappeared—straight on top of a building.

With MANA on my eyes, I managed to see writings even from far away—it was enough to know exactly where to go.

So I go there—obviously, in time.

I didn’t manage to particularly think about the situation at hand—instinctively followed the instructions.

Fisk wouldn’t have any reason to lie—not here.

As I waited, everything soaked in—what he was doing by this, and why the details were omitted: Fisk clearly assumed I’d be able to make my own conclusions, and he was right—I did almost immediately.

Then I saw her...

I couldn’t help myself but seductively lick my lips at the sight.

My prize.

Took one step forward—and I was gone.

Dragged her into an alleyway...

Stood in front of me a frightened girl—perfectly matched the woman I saw weeks ago during one of my first hunts.

"It’s you... the— the System Killer."

Oh, she really is frightened—was I leaking bloodlust?—oops.

"Be good for me and don’t try to run this time, okay sweetheart?"

"I— I— I w— won’t..."

Her little stutters... mmmmh...

I can’t help myself... I can’t...

My MANA proceeded to darken—I could feel the sadism tangibly manifest through it.

"Oh, don’t be scared."

Little girl glared at the ground—that’s no good, darling.

"Little baby, are you alright?—holding yourself together?"

Rather than continuing in provocative stutters, she closed her eyes—her MANA began calming down, even as I stood perfectly in her presence.

Oh my...

Now I see how you managed to run away last time—you didn’t stop to think for a moment, which made you react faster than anyone else could even at the sight of death.

"I’m fine—you plan to kill me, correct?" she said concisely.

"Am I?"

Her MANA tenderly flickered from this.

"Can you let me live? P— pretty please?"

I have to be quick with this—Fisk was very explicit about this being a speedy operation.

Begging for her life, though?—that’s actually a new one.

"I can’t let you live—there’s no scenario where you come out of this."

Then as I said that...

My palm gently went onto her cheek—moved my hand upwards to her hair.

"There isn’t a single conceivable scenario where you live..."

Her MANA kept repeatedly flinching with each touch—it beautifully mirrored heartbeat and that was melting my heart in unadulterated love.

"Not even if you beg, fight, or have God Himself stand before me and command otherwise."

A soft little tear... I could see... ahmmm... mmm...

"Not— not even if I offer you information you can’t refuse?"

With a smile I was pressed against her ear—it died.

My expression changed into something of profound seriousness and I promptly moved my face away from her—kiss distance.

"I’m listening."

Softly, a cheeky smirk hopped up on her face—her MANA complemented this as well.

"Did— did you know that Systems track Players at all times?—and even notify them once they disappear?"

Just slightly, I tilted my head and then replied, "that was somewhat obvious—I had to operate on logic like that to remain ahead of them."

After a second of silence, I decided to add, "but I do appreciate you confirming it—you’ll still be dying."

Her MANA had a massive burst of terror as my words progressed towards their end—deliciously.

"Wait!!" she yelled, then resumed, "every person is marked, including an irregular like you— did you know that— that you’re marked?"

"Irregular?—what is that?" I softly answered her.

Yet again, her MANA softened up—any sign of curiosity from me carried its form.

"They’re people incompatible with Systems—it’s a special MANA category— you were incompatible, r— right?"

So, she didn’t even know I was this so-called irregular?—she’s a pretty smart girl, isn’t she?

I’m growing fond of her, I can’t deny that.

"This is very interesting, but it isn’t enough—I’m still going to kill you," I said indifferently—her MANA didn’t quite find that appealing—surprise.

As my hand sharpened, yet again I was interrupted. "Wait, wait!!"

Softened. "Yes?—anything else?"

"I know about the Soul—that’s— that’s something even the top players don’t know about, they keep it classified from— from literally everyone," this time, she was slightly frantic—was she running out of secrets to share?

"Hmm—what is that about?" I let out—she stepped backwards a few steps; I allowed it.

"I’ll— I’ll tell you more if you let me live," she bit her lips upon saying that—her breaths heavy and agonized.

"You do realize, that would be really risky for me."

"I will keep it a secret!!— not anyone, I won’t tell anyone, I promise," yet again frantic—I do adore it... mm...

She can’t possibly think I believe she’s good at keeping secrets though, can she?

"Hmm..."

"And I know if I said anything about you, you’d— you’d make killing me the very last thing you ever do!!"

She makes a good point—she’s right.

Then...

"I’ll let you live then—I’ll give you this chance."

Immediately, the heartbeat of her MANA transitioned from utter chaos to ultimate peace—a truly gorgeous and stunning thing to witness!

She then exhaled—eyes closed in relief.

And as she opened them again...

"AAAAGHH!!— GLRRRGHH...!!"

Her hands went onto her throat... hysterically.

And as she kneeled down and grabbed my leg...

I turned towards her.

"I’ll find out about the Soul myself."

As tears gathered on her pretty face and fear surrounded the poor little baby...

I cut off her head—I wouldn’t risk leaving before being certain of her death.