26 The Beginning Of The Hunt.

"Are there other artifacts like you? If so, what are your objectives? Why help me, or others like me grow? How does the system work? Killing monsters is converted to experience points? Levels? Why take such a form."

<Error: Due to lack of information, unable to formulate answer>

"Fine by me."

'Chosen…? I was chosen?'

'That makes a lot more sense now that I think about it… So the system isn't an all powerful artifact which gives me powers if I do as it desires. It's powered by my own effort and progression. The system learns and adapts with me… This is reassuring.'

Asper for now, was less worried about being back stabbed by the system. After all, if it wanted, he would probably have been dead by now.

<Error: Unable to formulate answer for why system has taken form of experience points and levels. Assumption: Simple format, easier for understanding.>

"I see…"

'It doesn't seem to be lying, and it certainly answered all my questions. I'm too tired to think of anymore questions anyways. Especially after receiving the backlash from having used electricity adaptation and pain nullification…'

After the effects had run out, for minutes which felt like hours, Asper felt living hell. The feeling of his bones breaking and his organs being electrocuted and fried, caused him to scream out in pain. He couldn't hold it in, no matter how hard he tried. He had barely managed to escape with his consciousness.

The scream had attracted the attention of a few other hideous monsters but fortunately, Asper had hidden himself in a tight spot which would make it hard for them to find him.

"You artifacts have names right? What's your Na-"

Asper's eyes widened as the notification interrupted him. He quickly leapt back due to having been startled, and in that instant.

*Pew!*

He watched as bullet passed right by him, it moved so fast that his eyes could barely catch glimpse of it. If he hadn't jumped that hole would have been on his head.

Almost no sound had come out from the rifle which had shot at him, keeping the location of whoever had aimed at him hidden.

'A suppressor!?'

Asper didn't even bother to look to check how many there were, his instincts kicked in and he dashed inside of the building which he had been standing next to. It was broken down but still in a better condition than most of the buildings in the area.

He skipped the door and jumped straight through the broken window before disappearing inside.

"HAHAHA! Did you see the way he ran inside?! We scared the shit out of him." Said the hunter with a tattoo over his left ear.

"He's getting away, shouldn't we chase him?" The Hunter with the tattoo on his backhand asked.

"Let the kid run. No need to rush. The hunt is only beginning." Said the biggest and most muscular out of the three of them. He had a tattoo on his shoulder and a bright green Mohawk. "Besides… We have this don't we?" He added with a grin as he pointed at the tool over his eyes.

a prosthetic tool on his eyes which could perfectly trace and single out footsteps of whatever he would want, as long as he had seen them before.

"HAHA! You really are the greatest boss. I'm glad I joined this gang. After all… I just can't help it… I want to kill…" The hunter with the tattoo over his left ear said clearly with a wide smile.

"You can't kill him. Not yet at least, after we find out whatever sort of secrets he's hiding and take all of his stuff, that's when we can kill him." The leader of the group replied.

——————————

'A hunter with a suppressor? He clearly knows what he's doing, so why the fuck is he going after a kid like me?' Asper questioned as he leaned and hid himself in front of one of the pillars on the second floor.

Asper was in no condition to fight. His health was low, and slowly regenerating even with the help of the system. He had only gained the HP he had lost from blood plus a bit extra in the time he had been searching for a way to leave the ruins so far and that was only 6.

'System show me the screen. Just my stats'

[Stats]

HP: 25/140

MP: 38/155

---------------------

VIT: 13

SEN: 7

STR: 5

AGI: 27

INT: 31

<0 Stat points Available>

'25…!? Against a hunter? I don't even know how many there are…'

"Fuck… Isn't there anything I can use to an advantage?" He muttered as he punched the floor.

A small screen which showed those words appeared in front of Asper's eyes. He ignored it of course. Asper was in no condition to move specifically due to the injuries he had sustained on his last fight. He was barely dragging his body through the city.

"Ah… That's right… The system." Asper muttered as if realizing something.

'System, adapt to the situation and formulate a strategy for me to survive.'

<Error: Due to lack of information, unable to carry out request. Reason: Unable to use skill 'Adapt' in such a way. Small Probability of this changing as skill levels up>

"Tch… Worth a try."

He slowly got up, before grabbing both pistols. One for each hand. He quickly reloaded both while he was at it.

"Whatever, if they want to come, let them. I won't let a single one out." Asper declared with a cold glare. There was no fear on his eyes.

'That's right. System, bring up the list of the adaptations and effects I currently have active.'

A list popped up in front of Asper's eyes and a grin followed after.

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