60 Episode 9-Liberators of the Oppressed (6)

(What the hell, man...)

Four men wearing white robes and hoods stood guard at the door of this classroom.

[Nebula "Masters of the Klan" are glaring at you!]

[Nebula "Masters of the Klan" are warning their Incarnations!]

"You little shits," I mutter aloud.

"Wha?"

"Over there!!"

"Damnit," I said. "Open fire on the Klansmen!!"

There was no way I would waste perfect bodies and just let my flare zombies eat them.

(Confederate zombies. How cool is that?)

Using the soldiers to kill the soldiers, I ordered my new undead to shoot the guards. Three of my targets dove into the room, while one of the Klansmen was absolutely shredded. Bullets tore into his body, dyeing his white robes red with his blood. One bullet penetrated his neck, whiplashing his head at a dangerous angle. The world's ragdoll physics kicked in, and the Klansman was a puppet jostling; his limbs went flailing around. I couldn't help but laugh.

"Hahaha!!"

Flare zombies armed with swords advanced, hoping to storm the room while the opening presented itself. Alas, gunmen stepped out and repelled them, but this allowed me to fire back. A red bolt nailed one man in his chest, causing his ribcage to crack and his breath to forcefully expel from the incredible force. His back slammed against the open door, and he slumped to the ground.

[Constellation "Harbinger of Peaceful Death" is satisfied by your actions!]

[Constellation "General-Slayer" approves of your rebellion against oppression!]

[Nebula "Secret Six" are cheering you on!]

[Constellation "Deity of Sleep and Hypnosis" is concerned for your safety!]

[Constellation "Egyptian Thought" is concerned by the carnage!]

[Constellations are excited by the scenario!]

[You have been sponsored 3400 coins!]

Grabbing a stick of explosive putty, I approached the classroom's outer wall and pressed the material against it. I ignited the charge and dove back into the hallway.

-!!!BASHOOOKOOM!!!-

A deafening explosion roared out while shrapnel and debris flew. The fire spread out, consuming the oxygen and filling the air with gunpowder. I bum-rushed with my squad, using the smoke as cover, opening fire into as many men as possible. Some fell like dominoes but others still resisted. They had premade cover and-

-!Shing!-

-!Shing!-

-!Slice!-

-!Crack!-

-!Pwush!-

(Eh?)

Three of my zombies fell to the ground while two others were thrown across the bloody room.

(The hell? They have enhanced strength due to the virus, plus they should have the same stats from when they were alive!! How?)

As the smoke cleared, I quickly gained answers. A pit of dread dropped into my stomach. Was this moment an example of "a punch in the gut?" Through my helmet, I glared at the Confederate soldiers peeking over the tables they hid behind.

"You sick fucks."

[Nebula "Radical Republicans" are repulsed by the Incarnations' actions!]

[Nebula "Secret Six" are disgusted by this violation of human rights!]

[Nebula "Masters of the Klan" are smiling!]

[Constellations who love stimulants are loving this method!]

[Constellations who dislike substance abuse are angered by this turn of events!]

Three men stood before me. Faces red with rage, the trio panted raggedly. They had constricted blood vessels that bulged, dilated pupils that darted around, trembling limbs, and blood leaking from their noses. Using [Physical Analyzation], I saw their hearts pumping dangerously fast - they had higher body temperature and blood pressure as well. Besides that, they all had one thing in common: they were young black men. This group... they were using some of the slaves as fighters, and they were enhancing them with...

(The Agrigite Flowers! The pedals are used in tea! It produces a healthy drink that promotes lucidity, but it can be used as an addictive drug that can temporarily increase the user's stats! The effects are extreme bursts of energy, mental alertness, and hypersensitivity to light, sound, and touch. But the drawbacks are irritability and paranoia!!)

After remembering a very convenient and expositional piece of information, one man bolted forward, swinging his fist at my face. Without a second to spare, I ducked under the swing, using my feet to push myself away.

(Fuck, he's fast as me!!)

With my reduced stats, he came close to rivaling me. Three flare zombies swung at him, but he grabbed one of their noggins and slammed it against his knee - using this stunned body, he threw it at the other one while slugging the next zombie in the jaw.

(Damn, it's a melee.)

I ignited my mana blade and swung at another man stampeding in my direction. Some of my flare zombies shot at him, but the bullets even lodged into his surface skin, going no deeper. As this occurred, the king and his men fled, leaving behind the three Klansmen and the three drug addicts.

(Activate Character Profile!)

I filtered the information and saw the following messages.

+

[The three individuals are currently under a powerful stimulant!]

Attributes: [Drug Addict], [Keeping One's Head Low]...

+

Distracted by the information, a knife almost grazed me.

(That's what he used to cut my zombies!!)

I backed away, going on the defensive. I sent undead, but he dodged their bite attacks and stabbed them repeatedly - they fell to the ground, finally dead. Needing to put more distance between us, I began dual-wielding my blaster pistol and rifle. I fired into his torso and limbs until he collapsed, but he was still alive, crawling to me. My zombies swarmed him in the end.

Alas, his sacrifice provided the opportunity for a surprise attack. I was slammed by a headbutt to the waist and thrown across the hall. My vision swam from hitting the ground and knocking my head against the carpeted floor. Soon, my weapons were kicked out of my grasp, and a grown-ass man used his knees to pin my arms. Clasping his hands together, he bashed my helmet again and again with the force of a blacksmith's hammer.

-!SLAM!-

-!SLAM!-

-!SLAM!-

Through my helm's vision, I could see the man's enraged eyes, the spittle flying from their mouth, and the sweat dripping off their skin between attacks. He slammed his hands into my faceplate so quickly I couldn't even see. I wasn't even damaged, but I was stuck in this blind, tumultuous hell. My limbs desperately struggled under the pressure, but I froze as my mind grew pained. My flare zombies were dying in droves, causing a massive headache to form.

"Guuaarrgghhh!!!"

It felt like someone was driving a spike into my skull. The pounding on my helmet forcefully shoved my head, hurting my neck. The mental backlash agonized me until I couldn't think clearly. Succumbing to the excruciating pain, I went limp. As the warnings said, I thought I'd die from brain hemorrhaging, or my neck would finally crack. The poundings increased, and I could hear the man yelling in rage.

I lay here, overwhelmed by the pounding and the sense of powerlessness. No matter how much effort I were to exert, I wouldn't be able to surmount this.

(Should I invest coins? Or use my stigma?)

Either way, it would cost me. Collecting my thoughts as much as possible through this clusterfuck, I prepared to invest in coins.

(Invest 6,000 coins in-!!!)

"Gaawaahhhhh!!!"

[Mental backlash has impaired your mind momentarily!]

[Due to this, you will be unable to perform any mental commands!]

"Gwahh!! I can't see--!!"

No matter how many times I opened my eyes, I couldn't see. I was blind. This was it. This was despair. That familiar feeling of no control and feeling an imminent conclusion.

-Crick!-

My head was shoved harder into the floor.

-Krek!-

I felt a part of my arm fracturing from the pressure.

[AhAhAhAhAhAhAhAhAhAhAhAhAhAhAhAhAhAhAhAhAhAhAhAh!!!]

[Nononononononononononono!!!!]

[Idon'twanttodieIdon'twanttodieIdon'twanttodieIdon'twanttodie!!]

I heard the flare zombies screaming within my mind and flickering out. Through the avalanche of my mind, I had a thought: What made me different than these slavers? Just like them, I took people and made them fight. They're undead, but somewhere deep down, they were still human. I forced them to fight, forced them to die, and took advantage of them.

If my thoughts were whole, I probably think this -

(GAAAAHHH!!!!)

[Fragment of the 4th Wall has said, "If Ethan Nakamura's thoughts were whole, he would think this regarding the slavers: "We're not so different, you and I." If he could chuckle, he would. He tried to act all angry earlier because of the injustice, but he was no better. He was just a hypocrite. This is why he didn't want to be a good person and why he declared himself evil. It's easier to play the villain than to play a hero, for they are fools who imprison themselves in useless principles that weaken them."]

[Fragment of the 4th Wall has said, "Ethan's mind continued to fracture. Due to the damage coming from physical demonic energy, the Fragment had trouble keeping Ethan's consciousness intact. They could block the mental backlash from the dying flare zombies, but the gem's instability was another matter."]

[Fragment of the 4th Wall has said, "This was despair. This indescribable feeling couldn't be properly conveyed in words. It was akin to falling into a trap and being unable to escape. It was like being beaten by a parent as a young child with no one to help. The sense of impending inevitably that couldn't be changed."]

[Fragment of the 4th Wall has said, "Ethan lay helplessly as the man smashed his hands repeatedly against the helm. His rage cooled and cold precision kicked in. The man ran his hands along the bottom rim of the helmet. Gripping tightly, he prepared to twist and snap the young Asian boy's neck within his armor."]

[Fragment of the 4th Wall has said, "The man's digits clasped the rim, sweat beads cascaded down his face, his eyelids blinked rapidly, and his muscles twitched. His body twisted slightly, ready to engage his core for this snapping motion. The muscles bulged, the hands turned, and the man's mouth opened to scream in rage -"]

"Hurgkukukuka!!"

[Fragment of the 4th Wall has said, "Nevermind, all that come out was chocked gurgling. The man's fingers contorted in pain, and he clenched his jaw tightly as he grabbed his chest. Cold sweat emerged from his body, and he stumbled away from Ethan. Fatigue washed over the slave as his breath became shorter."]

"Hurgraakkkk!!!"

-Thump!-

["Soon, the man crashed to the ground. He was dead. This may or may not be true but... the man died from a heart attack."]

***

I woke up. I didn't know if I was knocked out for an hour or a minute. Mustering all of the willpower I could, I clasped my hand around the gem attached to my Helm of Darkness. Using all of my strength, I tore it off. Instant relief came, and my vision began clearing. It was still difficult to see because of the tears of exhaustion, but I was recovering. Now it was time to hope that I didn't have permanent brain damage.

Pushing my upper body off the floor, I saw the man who attempted to kill me. I didn't know if I was lucky or if he was unfortunate. Maybe it was a combination of both. Looking around, I saw my flare zombies crowding around the other slave, mauling him.

(God, I feel like shit.)

Trying to stand up was an ordeal; I did it too quickly and felt light-headed, which didn't help my ailment. Almost falling to the floor again, I had to T-pose to create some balance.

[One Constellation likes your gamer stance!]

[A majority of Constellations are glad you are alive!]

[A minority of Constellations are displeased that you are alive!]

I paid no attention to the messages. I was about to tell Herald to open the Dokkaebi shop so I could buy pain relievers for this headache, but I suddenly heard a slew of malicious whispers.

[He won't see it coming...]

[This is how we get him!]

[Die, you shit!]

It was my Helm of Darkness, warning me of the hostile intentions of others. Sadly, I was too late.

"Gaahhh!!! Hurgkek!!"

A massive amount of force was applied to my neck, and the floor disappeared out from under me. I could barely see with my peripheral vision, but what I saw was like some dark comedy skit performed by the three stooges. The three Klansmen that were on my twelve emerged from the hallway on my six. With the ridiculous speed of a loony tune animation, two Klansmen lugged and propped a wooden frame on the ground, while the other one was the culprit who threw the rope around my neck. Pulling on the rope, I was yanked into the air.

"Hurreerrgkkk!!!"

I was being hanged. Using my remaining concentration, I activated Character Profile.

[Character "Hank Mathers" has activated "Lynching" Lv. 10!]

[Character "Dwight Allen" has activated "Lynching" Lv. 10!]

[Character "Mitchel Campbell" has activated "Lynching" Lv. 10!]

I was dangling like a fish on bait as my feet were flailing and kicking. My hands desperately dug into the noose that choked me, but it was too tightly woven.

[Y ou id iot, ju st act ivate A ir Ste ps.]

Reacting immediately to the advice, a slab of condensed air formed beneath my feet, and I summoned flames to burn the rope. I fell to the floor and stumbled onto all fours. Looking up from the ground, I saw the three Klansmen inching away.

"B-but that always works."

[You have activated "Blackening" Lv. 1!]

"You thought wrong, bitch."

I clenched my fists while speaking with my raspy voice. A black aura emerged and licked my body while imbuing me with strength, but I made no move to grab my weapons. I wouldn't give these men easy deaths.

***

-!Thwack!-

"HURR!!"

-!THWACK!-

"ARGH!!"

-!THWACK!-

"DAMN YOU!!"

-!CRACK!-

I let go of the man's head after cracking it open. After repeatedly smashing it into the floor, it finally burst - the Klansman's head was a molten lava cake, but instead of chocolate, pink brain matter and bone fragments oozed with thick blood. I turned to look at the other Klansman, who died when I ripped his organs out with my hands. His viscera spilled over his lower body and lap, and his guts glistened in the little light we had.

I turned to the third Klansman, who was desperately crawling away from me. It wasn't exactly easy, though. I threw this man onto the floor and stomped on the back of his knees, disabling his movement. He tried to escape while I was distracted by killing his friends.

I walked to him at a leisurely pace. Once I reached him, I kneeled down and grabbed his left hand. Using my enhanced strength, I grabbed his middle finger and pulled it backward until I heard a-

-!CRACK!-

There we go.

"AAAaahhh!!"

He screamed out from the pain. Curious, I pulled the white hood from his head. In return, I saw droves of tears running down his beet-red face, which was contorting by his constant sobbing. Watching this sight, I felt a vague sense of empathy encroaching onto my train of thought. These thoughts wanted me to stop, to walk away.... to preserve my humanity.

Like subway cars, they rode into the forefront of my mind, but as suddenly as they came, the sense of guilt halted - as if blocked by a wall. A cold sensation settled in, and the remorse washed away. Now unperturbed, I began snapping the other digits.

-!SNAP!-

"GaarghAAAaaahhh!!!"

-!SNAP!-

"Stop!!"

-!KRIK!-

-!CRACK!-

"GaaAAAaghhh!!!"

I snapped every single finger until the white bones poked out from the flesh.

[A sadistic Constellation that loves torture admires your handiwork!]

"P-please, n-no more. Don't-"

I didn't want to listen to his annoying voice, so I stomped on his throat.

"Huurrkekeguh!!"

He choked from the difficult breathing. He would catch his breath in a moment, so in the meantime, I decided to propose an offer he couldn't refuse.

"How about this. Let's make a deal. If you swear and Oath of Existence to speak the truth and tell me where your King is going, I'll give you a painless death."

"N-no, p-please. D-don't kill me...."

"HURRR!!!"

Screaming in rage, I grabbed his head and slammed it to the ground. I did it with such force, the skin of his forehead and temple split open until it was a useless flap dyeing red.

"After all you done? How many slaves took the Agrigite drug and died because of it? You had to know they would die from the overdose. Even if you did, you let it happen. You're guilty by association. You enslaved, believed in this racist ideology, and participated in a social hierarchy that placed you on the top. So no, you don't deserve the mercy of life. You may not even deserve the mercy of a quick death, which I might take away."

[A majority of Constellations are excited by Incarnation "Ethan Nakamura" and his cruelty!]

[A majority of Constellations want you to beat the man to death!]

[Many Constellations are flinching away from the brutality!]

Maybe the man saw the same messages I did because his eyes widened. In tired resignation, he closed them. A moment passed. Another moment came and went. In what felt like hours, he spoke.

"I swear an Oath of Existence to tell the truth," he rasped.

Soon, a blue fire nestled in his heart. If he uttered one lie, the probability would ravage his body. It wouldn't be painless if he did. I listened with rapt attention as he spoke.

"The king... he's going to one side of the building and he's going to escape through the parking lot. He's taking the tank and leaving while the others handle the situation. That's all I know."

I ruminated on the information. There was one fact that piqued my interest.

"You guys have a tank?"

"Yes."

I nodded my head in affirmation. Like the actor Danielle Dae Kim who played Jack Kang from the Insurgent film, I spoke one of the most notable lines in the movie.

"Thank you for your candor."

Promptly after, I fired a red plasma bolt from my blaster pistol.

-!!POH!!-

Directly into his skull.