Chapter 8- Surprise

Immediately, a window appeared in front of him. Talon was also curious to see how much his stats changed after the number of monsters he killed.

When he saw the numbers, he was truly surprised.

[Talon Everhart-

Level: 4

Dimension: Low-D (Access to other dimensions restricted. Reach level 25 to unlock.)

Class: None

Strength: 18 (+1)- Agility: 21 (+6)- Stamina: 14 (3)- Health: 18 (+6)- Aetheris: 95]

Free Points: 8]

'Holy… I have three stats that are already nearing 20 and one that's almost 100… Isn't this too powerful?' He thought to himself.

Talon had felt the improvement in real-time. His strength was now far above his old self. He felt his muscles pulsing with endless power. This feeling was simply too addictive even though he just got a taste of it.

Talon was a little scared of how much the feeling of leveling up would affect his mind without him knowing.

Shaking those thoughts away, Talon finally focused on the task at hand.

'Hmm, I need to use some of those points to increase my health.' He thought to himself. Then, he imagined what wanted to happen.

Immediately, he received a notification. 

[Ding!]

[6 Points have been allocated to health status.]

At the same time, Talon felt a warm sensation fill his body as all the pain he was feeling started diminishing faster than before. His health went from 18 to 24 in one single sweep which meant that he had the healing speed of 2.5 average people.

'An injury that would take a month to heal would only take 12 days now… This is ridiculous! Am I even a human anymore at this point?' Shuddering at the thought of how far his strength could go, he tried to imagine his future.

This new power that everyone acquired was certainly going to change everything. From power dynamics, to how people lived and communicated with each other. The strong will get stronger and the weak will be stepped on even harder. New people will rise and others will fall.

Perhaps many wars will occur for resources and domination. All in all, it was going to be chaotic no matter how Talon looked at it.

He didn't know how things would develop from now on nor did he know if he would have to face far worse things than these monsters. But, for now, he intended to take one step at a time. Whatever problems happen in the future, he relies on future Talon to take care of them.

"I want to see your status window once you find a good place to settle down for the day." Acrypha broke the silence as she looked at Talon.

"... Why would I show you that?" Talon asked back.

"Because I'm the only one that can help you grow stronger. Besides, you're now mine, I have to see everything about you." She replied casually.

"This thing again. What do you mean I'm yours? I'm not yours." Talon replied as he looked ahead of him, afraid that the others would notice him speaking with Acrypha. However, they didn't seem to realize it.

"Don't worry, they can't hear you. Only I can."

"... Is that so? That's convenient. Now, what's this matter with me being yours?" He asked.

Acrypha didn't immediately respond and instead floated slightly forward where she was facing Talon as he ran. Her beautiful, addictive smell and her otherworldly beauty captivated him. However, he didn't let that alter his judgment.

"I have initiated a link between us through our lips."

"A link?"

"Think of it as a contract. I have offered you a proposal and all you have to do is accept it. That way you will become mine."

"What the fuck?! I didn't agree to this!!" Talon yelled in shock. He didn't know that the sensual kiss he received from that girl was this terrifying.

"Don't worry, you still didn't accept it yet. I can't control nor affect your actions at the moment."

'Ah, man! I should've run away when I could've! But then again, can I even escape this woman.' He cursed his bad luck inwardly.

"Don't jump to conclusions yet, Talon. This contract is actually very beneficial to you."

"Ah, really? I'm happy." He replied sarcastically as he tried to hold back the urge to curse this woman.

"Listen to me first, human," Acrypha replied with a domineering tone that made Talon flinch slightly. Her casual attitude was altered slightly for a moment and the result was that Talon felt like his shoulders were being pressed down on by something heavy.

"This contract is simple. During the whole Integration process from now on, I will provide you with information and teach you what every single human on this planet doesn't know so that you can survive and get stronger. You will be far ahead of them before they even realize it."

"..." Talon couldn't really respond to her words since they were true. Even though she only gave him a few pieces of information from the moment everything started, it still helped him defeat his enemies and grow stronger in a very fast manner.

In reality, Acrypha had saved his life three times now and it barely has been an hour since they met. Whether he liked it or not, she had helped him greatly.

"I see you did realize how useful my information is." The beautiful woman added with a hint of amusement in her voice.

"Tsk, and what would you want in return for your kindness? I'm sure you didn't do it out of the goodness of your heart now, did you?" 

Talon totally believed in the saying 'There ain't no such thing as a free meal'. Acrypha might've helped him, but he was damn sure she didn't just do it because she liked him.

"What I want in return? I already said that before didn't I?" The girl replied as she suddenly floated closer to him until their faces were barely inches apart. Her beautiful red eyes filled his vision and captured his attention.

The young man didn't know how such beautiful eyes could exist in this world. It was as if he was staring at two celestial entities dancing within her eyes.

"Become mine, Talon. Submit yourself to me and become totally mine." She said. "I will bring you with me to heights you never even fathomed. I will make you a king of all kings. Everything you desire will become yours at a fleeting moment of thought."

The words Acrypha declared made Talon's eyes widen in surprise. His first thought wasn't 'What kind of nonsense is this?' and the reason for that was because he didn't notice a single hesitation in her words.

As if Acrypha was simply stating facts rather than over-the-top ambitions. She didn't exude any arrogance as she said those words.

However, at that moment, he only had one single question.

"Why me?" He asked with a confused expression. 

"When the time comes, you will know why. You will also be able to pay me back for my services."

"Ugh, of course, the vague answers. I feel we're some kind of fictional story characters talking now."

"So, what do you say, will you become mine?" Acrypha ignored his words and urged him to answer as if she was eager to hear the word 'Yes' come out of his mouth. He could almost see it all over her face.

'Why is she this eager?' Talon didn't know whether to laugh or cry at this predicament he found himself in.

In the end, however, Talon was still Talon, a man of priorities rather than impulsive decisions.

"I will help you in whatever you need me for in the future as a repayment for what you will teach me. However, I won't become yours. I'm my own self and I won't give that to anyone. Unless, of course, you're ready to be my wife then I will gladly give you my everything." Talon replied with a deadly serious tone though the last part was simply said for joking purposes.

Acrypha was ridiculously beautiful, that was a given. But, Talon had no intention of marrying her or liking her for that matter. He didn't even know anything about her which was far more important to him than looks.

Acrypha noticed all of those thoughts flash across his eyes as the two stared at each other and for a moment, she was shocked. This human had just refused her proposal. No, it wasn't as simple as that, he refused her without even hesitating for a single moment.

When was the last time Acrypha was refused by someone? She can't remember. She was always the target of the desire of every single male who ever laid an eye on her. They were ready to die just to make her theirs for a single moment. Yet, this human didn't even bother to think about it for too long after she told him that he could become hers.

She was genuinely shocked and for an even weirder reason felt impressed by Talon.

'Very interesting…' She thought to herself as she stared at Talon.

At the same time, Hyun-Jae spoke. "We're here!"

Immediately, Talon and Acrypha broke eye contact and looked ahead of them. There, standing tall in the heart of the destroyed neighborhood was the warehouse. Its structure was barely affected by the earthquakes.