CHAPTER 8 METHODS TO GRADUALLY BECOME PROFICIENT

The next battle can be described as one-sided.

Naturally, it is the side of the Kabane that is being overwhelmed.

There are easily twenty or thirty Kabane charging out from the depths of the forest.

If Fang Li were to engage them directly, even with the Mystic Eye of Death Perception, he would be surrounded and killed after taking down only one or two.

After all, although the Mystic Eye of Death Perception is powerful, it has a limitation that can be considered fatal.

That is, it can only exhibit its effects when the Death Line is severed.

In other words, even if it can ignore the opponent's defenses and cause terrible damage, it is useless if the user can't reach his or her target.

In this situation, Fang Li, with only AGI (Agility) as his attribute value to make a move, would undoubtedly meet his death under the siege of a large group of Kabane.

The reason why the previous battle went so smoothly was twofold. First, there was only one opponent, and second, Fang Li's indifference towards death allowed him to fully immerse himself in the fight without any hesitation, displaying decisive and calm actions from the very first battle.

This is an advantage that other rookies who have just entered this space cannot possess.

Even if this advantage stems from Fang Li's personality flaws, it still remains an advantage.

However, even if Fang Li can remain calm and decisive in the face of battle, it doesn't mean his combat power is strong.

In terms of attribute values alone, Fang Li is already extremely weak. With the advantage of the sharpness and fearlessness of the Mystic Eye of Death Perception, dealing with one Kabane is not difficult, dealing with two or three is manageable, but facing twenty or thirty Kabane would be suicide.

Therefore, in the upcoming battle, Fang Li utilizes the advantage that all humans have— his Intelligence.

Those familiar with "Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress" know that although Kabane are monsters distinct from humans, they instinctively pursue blood.

This is an exploitable weakness.

Therefore, after diving into the bushes, Fang Li immediately unties the cloth wrapped around his hand and throws the blood-soaked cloth to one side. He then moves around to the other end, stealthily slipping into the thicket. Like a fierce wolf stalking its prey, he aims to plunge his dagger into the heart of his target.

To prevent the scent of blood from seeping out of his wounds and attracting the Kabane to his side, Fang Li also grabs a handful of mud and hastily applies it to his injuries, showing no concern for potential infection or inflammation, he displays a decisiveness that is somewhat frightening.

With this setup, the subsequent situation can be imagined.

Taking advantage of the Kabane's bloodthirsty nature, Fang Li, completely embodying the role of an assassin, uses blood as a decoy as he continuously lured the Kabane one by one in different directions, while he himself uses ambush tactics, repeatedly springing out of the bushes.

With his ice-blue Mystic Eyes locked onto the Death Lines entwined around the Kabane's hearts, his dagger mercilessly pierces through them.

And when one Kabane falls, the remaining Kabane notice Fang Li, turn around with a roar, and rush to attack him. But by that time, Fang Li has long since vanished back into the nearby bushes, like a venomous snake, using his ice-blue Mystic Eyes to continue tracking down his targets one by one, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Such skilled and decisive actions are completely unlike that of a rookie who has just entered this space, and even more so unlike an eighteen-year-old student who was an ordinary person just a day ago.

Perhaps, this is all due to his indifference towards death, right?

From this perspective, perhaps the Main God's Dimension is more suitable for Fang Li, who has an innate personality flaw, than the ordinary world.

Furthermore, with his Mystic Eyes closely related to "Death," Fang Li fully transforms into a slaughtering man, causing the Kabane to fall one by one into a pool of blood.

Throughout this process, the system's voice continues to echo in Fang Li's mind.

"Killed a Kabane, obtain 100 Exchange Points."

"Killed a Kabane, obtain 100 Exchange Points."

"Killed a Kabane, obtain 100 Exchange Points."

"Killed a Kabane, obtain 100 Exchange Points."

"Killed a Kabane, obtain 100 Exchange Points."

"Killed a Kabane, obtain 100 Exchange Points."

…

This strategy of hiding, baiting, and assassinating brings tangible rewards to Fang Li.

Of course, the rewards are not only Exchange Points but also Fang Li's personal growth.

As the slaughter continues, Fang Li realizes that he is becoming increasingly proficient in how to fight.

No.

It could be said that he is gradually becoming proficient in killing and not fighting.

It's as if the darkness hidden deep within Fang Li's heart has been guided and he is now gradually understanding how to better eliminate his prey, whose hearts are marked by Death Lines.

It's almost as if he is a natural executioner.

Moreover, Fang Li gradually immerses himself in this process, and his methods of causing death become more and more skilled.

"Innate Skill… Innate Skill…"

"What exactly is my Innate Skill? Is it related to the Mystic Eye of Death Perception, or is it above the concept of 'Death' itself?"

If Fang Li truly has an Innate Skill, it should be related to the concept of 'Death' itself rather than just the Mystic Eye of Death Perception as an ability.

Otherwise, Fang Li's self-taught lethal techniques cannot be explained.

"What exactly is 'Death'…"

With this thought in mind, Fang Li's dagger finally crossed the Death Line on the last Kabane's heart.

"Boom——!"

In an instant, the sound of glass shattering resounded as the Kabane, devoid of a glowing heart, fell to the ground, unable to move any longer.

"Killed a Kabane, obtain 100 Exchange Points."

The entire scene fell silent.

Fang Li, immersed in his comprehension of 'Death,' was suddenly awakened as he realized the situation around him.

The previously monotonous earth was now dyed red with patches of crimson blood.

And on these pools of blood, the Kabane fell one by one, losing their lives.

Some had missing limbs, just like the Kabane Fang Li initially killed, while others remained intact, with only their hearts pierced.

From this phenomenon, it could be seen that Fang Li first severed the opponents' limbs from the start, rendering them powerless, then followed up with a finishing blow, progressing in his ability to kill.

And…

"Moreover, I use these Mystic Eyes without feeling any burden…"

As mentioned earlier, the Mystic Eye of Death Perception is not an ability that can be used simply by using it.

It is a pair of Mystic Eyes that can perceive the Death Line by understanding the concept of 'Death,' allowing them to exert extraordinary effects.

However, trying to comprehend the concept of 'Death,' which the human brain should not comprehend in the first place, would put a tremendous burden on someone's mind.

Precisely because of this, in "Tsukihime," Tohno Shiki, who possesses these Mystic Eyes, often experiences severe headaches when using them. Only Ryougi Shiki from "Kara no Kyoukai" is immune to this side effect due to her own uniqueness.

"And I… am I special?" Fang Li didn't have time to dwell on this question because he sensed numerous shadows rushing toward this side from the other end of the forest.

"Heavens…"

This time, Fang Li was genuinely startled.

Shadows were emerging from various parts of the forest, and the term "densely packed" was an understatement to describe them.

There was no doubt that all those shadows were Kabane that had caught the scent of blood.

And the quantity was simply laughable, as even trying to count them would be futile.

"No, no matter what, it's impossible to deal with this number."

Even with two or three dozen Kabane, Fang Li had to utilize their bloodthirsty nature, employing a combination of hiding, luring, and ambushing to kill them. If he were to directly encounter such a dense army of Kabane, he wouldn't even have a place to hide.

Soon, this area would undoubtedly be filled with Kabane.

By then, Fang Li would be torn to pieces in a split second, without the slightest chance of survival.

"Escape."

That was the only choice.

Otherwise, Fang Li had only one path, a path of death.

Without any hesitation, Fang Li turned around and fled with all his might.

"Aaah, Aaah——!"

The roaring screams from behind echoed loudly at this moment, like a frenzied wild beast, instilling fear in the hearts of those who heard it.