CHAPTER 9 UNABLE TO COMPREHEND THIS KIND OF FEAR

"Hoo… hoo…"

Under the steel walls of Aragane Station, Fang Li leaned against the wall, breathing heavily, needing a moment to catch his breath.

"How long has it been since I ran like this?" Ever since he became a hikikomori (Shut-In), Fang Li found even going up and down stairs troublesome. Experiencing an intense battle like today and sprinting at full speed was something he couldn't have imagined before.

"It seems my stamina has improved to some extent. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to run for so long like this."

After all, no matter what kind of attribute, it requires the consumption of stamina to use.

Attacking requires stamina.

Defending requires stamina.

Running away requires stamina.

And even more stamina is needed in a battle.

Therefore, apart from INT (Mystery), the improvement of the other three attributes also adds different levels of stamina to one's body.

If we compare stamina as a unit, increasing STR increases one unit of stamina, increasing VIT (Endurance) increases three units of stamina, increasing AGI (Agility) increases two units of stamina, and increasing INT (Mystery) does not increase stamina.

In other words, the proportion of stamina increased by the four basic attributes: STR, VIT (Endurance), AGI (Agility), and INT (Mystery) is 1:3:2:0.

In this situation, only in this way would Fang Li be able to run like a battle maniac for so long. Otherwise, he would have collapsed due to stamina depletion back in the forest.

"It's for this situation that I exchanged for stamina recovery items." Fang Li, who had recovered slightly, touched his leg bag. Instead of taking out a stamina recovery potion, he adjusted his breathing quietly, allowing himself to recover naturally.

Now that there was an opportunity to rest, he definitely couldn't use up precious recovery items.

Otherwise, if he discovered he didn't have any left when he needed them, it would be a fatal problem.

"However, it's worth it to be this tired."

After all, in this battle, Fang Li had killed twenty-four Kabane, earning him 2400 Exchange Points.

In other words, he only needed 600 Exchange Points more to complete the Main Quest number Three.

"It's just a matter of killing a few more Kabane."

With that said, Fang Li turned his head and looked toward the forest ahead.

The once peaceful forest was no longer tranquil, but filled with a restless atmosphere.

Clearly, the rampage Fang Li caused in the forest was like pouring gasoline on a fire, completely stirring up the army of Kabane inside.

"It will be bad if I don't hurry back."

Although the walls of Aragane Station were made entirely of steel, it was not only impossible for Fang Li to climb them with his current abilities, but they were also too high.

Even if he could climb up, it would be best not to be noticed by the guarding Bushi. Otherwise, it would undoubtedly result in a gunshot to the head.

"So, let me make use of this useless item." Fang Li spoke as he took something out of his leg bag.

It was the mirror he obtained at the beginning using 10 Exchange Points.

After taking out the mirror, Fang Li crouched down and placed the outline of the mirror on the ground, pushing it with force.

The mirror instantly rolled out.

The sunlight from the sky shone on the mirror, reflecting beams of light.

Those beams of light happened to catch the attention of the Bushi on the city walls.

"What… what was that just now?"

"Why is there light?"

"Could it be… Are the Kabane attacking us?!"

"I've never heard of Kabane emitting light!"

"No, the Kabane's hearts naturally emit light! The lights we saw just now could very well be the glow of the Kabane's hearts!"

"No… That couldn't be?"

In an instant, a restless and panicked atmosphere spread across the city walls.

Clearly, the fear of the Kabane had ignited the tense atmosphere on the city walls.

"Quick! Go over there and check!"

"There might actually be Kabane climbing up!"

Amidst the chaos, a group of Bushi wielding Steam Guns in their hands gathered in one direction.

That direction happened to be facing away from Fang Li's position.

Fang Li took in this scene, feeling a sense of confusion in his heart.

"Fear of death, huh?"

Lacking decisive means to deal with the Kabane, humans could only barely defend themselves against their attacks.

Now, the fear of the Kabane had already penetrated the hearts of every person.

Especially for these Bushi who had to confront the Kabane on the frontlines, their fear was even more pronounced.

Compared to them, Fang Li, who was an ordinary student just a day ago but had ventured into the Kabane's territory and fought those monsters, was truly abnormal to the extreme.

But why couldn't Fang Li feel any real sense of death?

"That's why I can't understand this fear."

Leaving behind these words, Fang Li tilted his head back and looked at the steel wall in front of him.

His dark-colored pupils suddenly contracted, transforming into Mystic Eyes with an ice-blue radiance.

Suddenly, on the steel wall, cracks resembling fissures appeared within Fang Li's field of view.

"So this is what they mean by everything having its time of death, right?"

Not only living things but even inanimate objects have their own lifespan.

Fire will burn out.

Water will evaporate.

Steel will rust and decay.

These are their times of death.

Since there is a "Death" awaiting them, the Mystic Eye of Death Perception can perceive this death.

However, compared to living beings, the human brain bears a greater burden when trying to comprehend the death of inanimate objects.

Naturally, the more abstract the concept of death, the greater the burden it imposes.

In light of this, the "Death" of living organisms is relatively easier for those with the Mystic Eye of Death Perception to accept, while the death of non-living things is much more challenging.

In the world of "Tsukihime," Tohno Shiki's Mystic Eyes specialize in dealing with living beings, allowing him to not only perceive "Lines" but even see the "Points" that directly lead to the death of existence itself.

On the other hand, Fang Li and Ryougi Shiki cannot see these Points of Death.

However, Tohno Shiki finds it very difficult to comprehend the "Death" of non-living objects, causing severe strain on his brain.

In contrast, Fang Li and Ryougi Shiki, despite not being able to see the Points of Death, can perfectly wield the abilities of the Mystic Eye of Death Perception without any side effects on their brains.

"I just don't know why I can ignore this burden compared to Ryougi Shiki."

This question was not something Fang Li, who had recently entered this world, could figure out.

For now, Fang Li shook his head, drew his dagger, and effortlessly stabbed it into the steel wall.