Chapter 4

Konlan groaned painfully and instinctively he raised his hands to hold his aching temples.

"What happened?" He questioned groggily. His thoughts flowed like thick treacle and his mind struggled to make sense of what was happening.

Before he could begin to process what had happened, a beam of blue light appeared out of nothing in front of him.

Memories of what he had done rushed back to him and the overload of information caused him to drop to one knee and hiss with pain.

Despite feeling like an elephant had been forced inside his skull Konlan still knew not to scream. Screaming suggested weakness. Those who were weak did not live long in the slums.

Konlan spat out two words, the veins on his neck squirming like earthworms under his skin as he battled with the pain, "It worked."

After a quarter of an hour, the agony in his head finally subsided to a manageable level.

Now that he could bear the bright light, Konlan eagerly began to devour the information displayed on the blue screen.

[ Integration complete. You have integrated with the character: Captain America. Skills obtained include: Enhanced strength, enhanced healing factor, hand-to-hand combat mastery, rifle mastery, decreased aging ] 

Konlan couldn't help but smile.

Huge changes had taken place to his body. Just like the real Steve Rodgers, his weak and malnourished physique had been completely transformed.

His height had increased to at least 6 feet and his clothes could barely contain his broad shoulders and large rippling muscles. It was not an exaggeration to say that he looked like a god on earth. 

"This power, it's incredible." He whispered. 

Clenching his fist Konlan resisted the urge to moan with pleasure as strength gathered in his forearm.

For the first time he felt a sense of security in this cruel world.

He had yet to test his strength, but his instincts told him that the wall in front of him would crumble like paper with the slightest effort.

Movie scenes flashed by in his mind as he thought of the feats Captain America had accomplished.

Single handedly destroying entire squadrons of elite German soldiers, overpowering the engines of a military helicopter; although he lacked the indestructible shield Steve was famous for, guns in this world had not been developed.

Nigh-inexhaustible stamina, superhuman durability and strength. With a sword in his hands Konlan would be almost invincible on a battlefield.

'No. I can't let arrogance become my downfall. This body is still human.'

Konlan meticulously anayalsed his weaknesses. Many had been eliminated by the integration of the super soldier, but many still remained.

'In close combat I'm almost unbeatable. Ranged weapons still pose significant threat. It would be best if I could get my hands on a shield as soon as possible.'

Along with a superhuman physique, Konlan had inherited the memories and skills of one of the greatest soldiers to ever live.

With eagle like vision and superhuman motor control, Steve was a lethal marksman. He was also proficient in various forms of martial arts and different weaponry.

The serum also tremendously enhanced Steve's intelligence and transformed him into a prodigy at all things.

Konlan wondered why Captain America had never explored his phenomenal genius.

After integration his thoughts flowed like water and solutions to various problems came to him in a matter of seconds.

"Perhaps there is some justice in this world after all. Captain America is the perfect starter pack." Konlan mused to himself.

While he wasn't aware of the change, the darkness that had accumulated in Konlan's heart was melting rapidly.

For the first time since he awoke in this world, he could finally feel safe.

'I need to get out of this hellhole.' 

Treachery, betrayal, murder; these were the qualities that fueled the sprawling slums. Having experienced the lowest points in his life over the past year, Konlan had 0 intention of remaining any longer. 

There were various monsters in the world of the Witcher, but Konlan did not believe himself to be the son of fate to the extent that he would encounter a Lechen the moment he stepped out of the slums. 

'Where should I go?' 

Konlan did not waste any time. His possessions numbered no more than the clothes on his back, his knife and his coin purse. All of this was already on his person. 

Konlan did not hesitate any longer.

A tall figure dressed in black made his way through the slums.

Experienced thieves who were skillful at discerning a person's character warily eyed up the unknown individual. 

Judgements could be formed from various things about a person and in the eyes of the thieves, there was only one thought present. 

Danger. 

Most residents of the slum walked with a rushed and jerky gait, never wishing to linger in the sight of others. But the tall figure walked with calm and measured steps. 

There were many routes to enter the slums, but only one way to leave. The powerful figures in the shadows enforced this rule with blood. 

Every unfortunate soul trapped in the slums meant another coin falling into their pockets; what kind of farmer would allow their livestock to leave without permission. 

As the tall figure's journey drew on, the number of eyes that followed him increased. 

The exit to the slums was more than just a gate. It symbolized the power of the upper class, a constant reminder that those in the slums could never get out. Every year hundreds of people died having never seen beyond the hideous towering walls that kept them prisoner. 

The skulls of those who had attempted to escape this life were hung from the walls. In winter the wind could be heard rattling their bones. 

It was for this reason that the slow approach of the black figure attracted so much attention. 

Some watched hoping for a show of violence, others huddled in the shadows protecting the last glimmer of hope that remained in their hearts. 

Every citizen of the slums dreamed of watching their jailers burn. Men, women and children alike fostered a bright flame of hatred towards their cruel masters. 

The lone dark figure eventually came to a stop in front of the towering iron wall. 

"What the fuck do you want?" 

The figure in black didn't say a word, only staring at the giant like guard with cold eyes. No other facial features could be seen beneath the black rags that covered his face. 

The guard growled angrily, "Are you deaf bitch, mute too? Know your fucking place." 

Never in his life had the guard experienced disrespect life this. Even as a child his strength far exceeded that of his peers. After being baptized in war and ultimately being cast out of the miltary for disemboweling several prisoners, he had ended up serving as a guard in this nameless slum. 

He resented everything around him, refusing to accept any blame or responsibility for the situation he had driven himself into. Other than drink and coin, the only thing that gave the guard any joy was bullying the vermin living in the slum. 

Standing at a huge 7 foot tall with ugly red scars that extended from his lips to his brow, the guard's monstrous appearance was enough to make most give up the thought of resisting. 

  The figure in black still didn't react to the provocation. 

The bear like guard could control his bloodlust no longer. The ground shook as his feet impacted heavily against the earth. Heady emotions filled his mind and for a moment he seemed to be back on the glorious battlefield, laughing wildly as he slaughtered. 

The savage mace in his hand cast a long shadow over the motionless figure. Those watching on flinched, anticipating the sick crunch of the fool's skull. 

They were destined to be disappointed. 

Konlan held the body of the mace with one hand.

Watching the guard's expression turn from rage to horror made him shudder with joy. How many times had the man in front of him thrown jeered while hurling rocks at him for mere amusement. Had he ever once thought that that pathetic soul he so gleefully bullied would end his life? 

Underneath the rags that covered his face, his lips were turned up into a vicious smile. 

"Fuck off." 

The onlookers finally heard the distinct crunch they had been waiting for. 

But the body falling to the ground was not that of the figure in black. 

The guard's eyes were fixed wide with horror. He had died a death befitting of his cruelty in his life. 

The skin of his face pulled and twisted unnaturally around shards of bone. Five lines of varying length revealed that he had died to a crushing pressure applied to his face. 

Blood dripped from Konlan's hand onto the dry earth.

Behind him formed a bright crimson trail. 

This time no one stepped out in front of him. 

For the first time in their lives, the citizens watched a human walk out from the gates of hell.