Start of Killing (2)

After absorbing all the partials, Cyrus visibly grew a centimeter as the pale yellowish skin brightened, and his bald head grew tiny crimson hair.

Cyrus also felt the hunger before was completely gone at this moment, but he frowned as he questioned the System, "System, I just killed eight people, but I only got 7 SP and 2 LXP? Why is that?"

The System emotionlessly answered,

"[User Cyrus would have to fill both SP and LXP caps before you can move to the next Rank. If even one of them is empty, you will continue on your current Rank until the other cap is filled. The SP or LXP collected during such phases will not be counted. You need to reach a new rank before the collection process again.]

"[As for the lack of LXP, it is only natural because LXP represents the person's lust before they died by the Lust Sword. If they have no lust before their death, there will be no LXP!]"

Cyrus thought for a moment before nodding, "Fair enough. I'll keep this in mind."

"Cyrus, I became strong again. I'm feeling it right now!" On the other hand, Eve was quite elated as she felt a warm power. It was a pity she was still in her sword form.

Cyrus's lips curled, "You're such a fickle woman. You were complaining about killing a few minutes ago, and now you're enjoying it."

"Hmph, they deserve to die!" Eve retorted coldly.

"Hah, if they were eating an animal instead of a human to quench their hunger, would you say the same? I do not disagree with you, they deserve to die, but you should never judge someone after what you see. Always know the circumstances." Cyrus seriously stated.

He knew killing was almost an addiction; if one started to enjoy it, they were not coming back, just like sex but more dangerous. He didn't want Eve to have such a mindset just because she had turned into a sword.

It didn't matter if his emotions for Eve were because of their bond or old Cyrus; he didn't want to turn Eve simpleton. She should have a mindset befitting a God's wife.

Above all, she should always put Cyrus and herself first, even if she had to sacrifice she deemed 'good.'

He had seen too many people who turned into arrogant idiots because they had some powers, and then someone else outsmarted them by using that power for their own benefit.

The world of strong always revolves around benefits, and once you learn how to use those benefits to manipulate others, you'll be a God!

"Alright, Lord God, I'll remember your teaching." Eve teasingly snickered, clearly ignoring Cyrus's advice.

Cyrus sighed before he smiled while licking his lips, "You'll understand eventually. I won't let you get blind. Even if I have to pierce through both of your 'holes' to wake you, I'll do it. Just wait!"

"Y-You! Alright, I'll listen to you!" Eve instantly surrendered, but there was a tingle of anticipation in her voice.

Cyrus merely smiled before he looked at the remaining dead body, which was missing chucks, and he stabbed it with the lust sword. He wanted to know if he could turn dead into SP or LXP, but just as he thought, nothing happened.

Only someone he killed would turn into particles.

'I'm only seven LXP away from reaching the next Rank. So, I should search for someone with lust. Should I go to pleasure alley? Nah, that place is the only area where those cops pay attention, and I don't want to kill them. Their weapons are quite deadly for me. So, this place is perfect. No one pays any attention here, and these guys are too easy to kill.'

After deciding, Cyrus left the building after making sure no one was there. But before he goes toward a gang hideout, he chooses to cover half of his face with a torn cloth from a cloth left of those eight cannibals.

Those clothes were the only evidence that he had killed them. The blood on them was gone, so it didn't matter, even if someone saw them.

After hiding his face, he moved toward the next building, but there wasn't anyone inside, and this happened until he reached the 9th small building.

He sneakily peeked through the hole in the wall and saw 12 men sitting on the floor in a complete daze as crimson saliva dripped from their nasty open mouths.

His eyes landed on the black needles pierced through their arms.

"Paradise Needle!" Cyrus was astonished as a memory of old Cyrus a little over a year ago surfaced in his mind.

It was just like another busy day for him. After he collected some junk, a masked man approached him who was wearing clean clothes without any speck of dust which was quite a rare sight in Slum Districts below F.

He would never forget what that man said to him that day while he offered him a small case of black needles.

"If you can sell them for me, I'll let you into District T."

Cyrus wasn't naïve as he had seen too many shoddy characters around the Slum Districts, and he always avoided them to avoid any trouble since he knew he wouldn't be able to handle it and drag Eve down with him.

But this man's outfit was just eye-catching for Cyrus. He had never seen someone so clean in his entire life, so he was naturally compelled, especially when he was offering to enter District T, which should be better than District V.

"What are they, and where do I sell them?" He asked but didn't accept the offer, though.

The masked man replied, "They are Paradise Needles, just pierce them into your arm's nerve, and for an entire night, you'll forget about your misery. Do you want to try it?"

Cyrus was instantly vigilant and shook his head, "Find someone else!"

With that, he ran away. Even though he was curious, he was hell-bent on staying out of trouble, and the Paradise Needles spell endless trouble.

He never saw that man again, nor did he come in contact with those strange needles again, until today!