First Kill

Pak—!

"Who are you and what organization do you work for?"

Receiving another punch in the face, feeling helpless, I looked at the madman and answered hoarsely while spitting out blood, "France Neemon and I don't work for anyone,"

"Strange… this is very strange." The man spoke with doubt as he holds his chin before gritting his teeth, "God, I wasn't out for almost a year outside and here I was finding someone that could be a spy, This is my lucky day. Hehe, motherfucker,"

'What the fuck?'

He appeared like a real madman as his reaction was on the border of insanity. He laughed and get angry at the same time.

His reactions were mixing all over his face unable to see his true intention or whether his intention was true or not.

I was lost for words on what to say or think.

'I was helplessly getting beat up for… an hour already? Basing my observation of this guy, he is a complete psychopath. His reactions might be the cause for a Piece.

'Is he already taken over?'

There are some cases regarding Pieces taking over the body and soul of the person. Either they have turned crazy or lost control. In other words, they look like empty shells without any thinking on their own.

'Seeing one in my front sure gives me chills. His emotional state is worsening, already beyond repair. I… would take that as an opportunity to escape,'

I'm not a fighter nor has plans to deal with a crazy guy. In fact, planning something on someone who isn't able to think and just goes with their instinct wouldn't work.

'I'll just have the good luck to guide me. Besides… this guy didn't even check on me and removed my weapons from my side. I guess that is good for me,' Glancing at my side, I move my gaze at the man once more, who was muttering on his own, 'Of course, he's a Ruiner. The problem is, how could I deal with him? And what type of Piece does he have? No, it doesn't matter what type it is.'

Quickly formulating a plan in my head, I peek at my hands being tied by the rope. After surveying the surroundings that go unnoticeable to the man, I happened to land my gaze at the side which could help me get out of my problem.

It was a sharp edge that could easily cut the rope down since it was done poorly and not tightly.

Once I foresaw the outcome if I followed the steps, I concentrated my gaze back on the man who was still doing what he was doing.

It eventually became worse as he started to remove his hair while his skin was being peeled off by his fingers.

Coldly staring at the enemy in my front, I closed my eyes for a second, relaxing the muscles on my face as it turned sour and appeared hurt.

"Kuwahhh!"

Mixing it with my pained scream as I squirm around on the ground which had direction in mind, I eventually reached through the side where the sharp side is located.

The man quickly became nervous as he moved his gaze at me, frantically showing concern as he walked but all was done on my part, since I was in the process of removing the rope.

"Why are you in pain?! It's supposed to be me!"

"Kuwahh!"

I was still screaming. Small bruises started appearing on my face after I stopped on the side.

Slap—!

"Hey! Is something wrong?!"

Slap—!

"Answer me! Why are you feeling much intense pain?!"

He keeps slapping my cheek to find answers. In about a minute or so, with the help of a sharp edge on the side, I managed to free myself. Still, even if that's the case, I continued screaming.

The man didn't even find it strange.

"Stop shouting and just answer me! Let me be part of your pain!"

'Just what the hell are you saying?' Musing that thought inwardly, I remained my focus amidst the act I was doing, 'Just come a bit closer…'

I didn't mind his saliva spewing out onto my face. The better the distance, the more the success of this plan could work.

'Just a bit closer…'

"Why aren't you answering!"

'Now!'

I swiftly reached my hands onto his neck, using the element of my surprise as a weapon while I pinned him down on the ground.

Even though it appeared clumsy, due to the man being caught off guard, the tides are turning on my side.

Thud—!

'Please work!'

All I planned is to make the man fall unconscious. There was no hesitation in my hand as I continued to press him down but they were visibly shaking.

"Kuh!"

He struggled to get out, trying to grab my hands out or reached his hand to my face but I was in a great position. Half a minute passed on our tranquil fight, he still hasn't gone into that state while my strength slowly dwindled.

'Shit… this body couldn't take it anymore...'

Knowing I wouldn't hold out much longer, my eyes wandered to a particular place as I looked at the side of my body where the set of knives are placed.

"Hahaha!"

A flash of horror appeared in my eyes.

"Kuhahaha! I see!"

Even though he was in a predicament, the man laughed.

That was the evidence that the grip of my hand can't hold any longer while his thoughts started to accept what was happening and soon, he would create something that could turn things around.

I clicked my tongue and eventually made a choice. In just mere seconds, I swiftly removed one hand from the man's neck, grabbing a knife on my side.

Seeing the opportunity, the man jerked his hand forward, trying to gouge my eyes out but I was faster.

Dodging it, my right hand, which holds the knife, targeted the man's chest. I stabbed it deeper, knowing my life depends on it while using my hand to block the resistance the man was doing.

Tak—!

In half a minute of the struggle, the man's movements started getting slower. In a minute, he stopped moving. His eyes became lifeless and his leg that kept rising which had been locked due to me being on top of him, both slumped on the floor.

Shocked by what I just did, I subconsciously stood up, only to fall down once more. Feeling my legs numbed due to the outcome, I drag myself away from the body and soon enough, my back was stopped by a desk.

"…"

I peeked my wavering eyes at the man's corpse. Though death was in front of him, a brimming smile is still attached to his face.

It was a terrifying and chilling image that I knew would stuck inside my head.

The room has been enveloped with total silence. I crouched onto myself, having bloodied clothes and hands while I remain seated quietly.

…

"Hahh…"

Moving my head up, I looked at the corpse once more before placing my hand on my knee, only to see them still shaking.

I lost track of time, momentarily lost for anything as the only thing I could do was to sigh.

Holding one knee, I assisted the other to stand up but failed to do so. Shaking my hands for seconds, I stood once more and regained my balance.

Slowly walking towards the corpse, I salvage everything that I could get and to my surprise, I saw something being emitting out of his body.

They were Pieces. Two of them to be exact. They both appeared in the middle of his chest. One was emitting a red light glow while the other produces a blueish-yellow glow.

'A Progression 2 Ruiner, huh? Why would he have signs of losing control?'

At that one moment, a thought came to my mind, a description of Ruiner in the novel.

/Being a Ruiner is not exactly always right or brings benefits to the person. It could bring people bad luck, mad, and insane. With many Pieces out there in the ruins, one could eventually know it would bring bad consequences./

/The First Ruiner was a bad person. He killed people and it brought him joy. That's when the people of this world knew that there are called Ruins and the most treasured item it holds are called Piece. And those people came to a thought of a solution… the only solution a person could defeat a Ruiner is to be one. The power scales between a Ruiner and a normal person were evident./

/The people had no choice but to become a Ruiner. They knew the risks and downsides of being one. They would get driven mad and fight the Piece they have just to ensure their sanity is intact. Thus, The Justice is formed./

/The reason why the powerful organization that the capital holds which consists of Ruiners called The Justice was because of this story. It is very inspirational and holds a simple yet resolute purpose: To protect and do justice to the people who needed it./

That was one of the things that Isaac heard when he was being hired by The Justice.

Another thing was the most important part.

/You can't control two Piece at one time nor consume them consecutively. It has been proven through the ages that the person would go insane. It's not advisable/

'It's probably that reason, huh,'

I don't know when or where or why he would consume two Piece at one time. I don't even have anything to prove my point. But the thing is, I learned something from here.

'Never consume two Pieces at the same time. One must have a certain understanding of their Piece before they acquire another. Not followed, either you'll become a walking corpse or the enemy.'

Grabbing the two Pieces and slipping them through my pockets, I moved on tapping on his pockets to see if there was anything more and there is.

I rummaged my hand on it and saw what seems to be a box. There was a faint light grayish glow emanating from the item and by the looks of it, it seems to be another piece.

'Now, I have three Piece in my possession. I don't even need them. Maybe I should sell them? Yeah, right. I would do some investing later on and I would need money. A tremendous amount. Right, sucking the duke dry still not changed, I will get out of here alive,'

With everything done, I nodded my head.

My initial goal didn't change since I still have to find where the people had been restrained into. I could recognize it the moment I saw the place since Isaac mentioned some details of the prison he was in.

"Now then…"

Wearing a white robe and assessing myself for a few minutes, I slowly headed toward the door of the room and opened it.

As soon as I stepped outside, a sense of déjà vu came through me.

"Why are you wearing a white robe on? Did someone issue a mission?"

Someone called me.