Chapter 6 — First Kill!
After putting on the Sprite Pupils, Jason's vision experienced a change. His view of the whole world went red and the X-ray vision effect kicked in. However apart from that, Jason was now able to see the Malevolent's invisible body clearly.
"My left" stomping heavily on the ground, he lurched to his right, dodging an incoming bike that smashed against the wall behind him.
Leveraging on the Sprite Pupils, Jason discovered that the crimson halo encasing the Malevolent suddenly transform into multiple tentacle like serpents that lunged towards him. Their movement was so fast that before Jason could have any thoughts of escaping, they had already arrived before him.
Smack!
However to Jason's puzzlement, he didn't feel any sharp stinging pain. Instead he felt an invisible but heavy force smash against his chest, throwing him against the wall.
"Koff. Koff" wiping off the blood trickling out from his mouth, he side rolled just in time to escape another crimson tentacle from the Malevolent.
Bang!
A large dent appeared on the wall behind Jason, causing the teen to suck in a deep breath of gratitude. That would've been his head if he was only a tad bit late.
"We have to run!" the Hermit Ghost Girl attempted to grab Jason's wrist, only for her hands to phase right through him.
"No" Jason shook his head stubbornly as he glared heatedly at the Malevolent in the distance.
According to the system, defeating this Malevolent came with a reward; Mystique Coins. He wouldn't leave until he completed the mission and received the reward.
A pair of silver colored curved daggers suddenly appeared in his grip. This was another item that came with the system starter pack; The Klypt Daggers AKA the Daggers Of Cain.
Breaking off into a sprint, Jason dashed towards the Malevolent. Fortunately for him being the son of a multi billionaire Jason had the privilege of having many mentors; a sportsman athlete was one of them.
Whallop! Whallop! Whallop!
The crimson tentacles moved rapidly as they either wrapped themselves around nearby objects which was hurled at Jason, or directly smash towards him. In the blink of an eye, Jason's view was filled with falling obstacles and a large web of crimson colored tentacles.
"Humphh!" recalling the physical fitness lessons he took in the past, Jason skillfully maneuvered his way through these obstacles. Leaping towards a vehicle flying towards his way, he initiate a front flip while in mid air, slamming the bonnet with both palms , his wrist twisted in an agile manner while his body flipped all over, shooting forward.
Initiating a side flip, he avoided the webs of crimson colored tentacles and finally landed in front of the Malevolent, stabbing one of the Klypt Daggers towards his chest.
"Hmpfh. Stupid brat. That toy won't work on--" the Malevolent was leisurely snickering in mockery when his whole body suddenly stiffened.
"No! Impossible!!" he suddenly shrieked a Jason drove the dagger further into his chest.
The body of the Malevolent suddenly began to glow brilliantly before exploding into brilliant specks of light that flew into Jason's forehead.
—[Congratulations! Host has Completed System Main Mission; Defeat the Malevolent]
—[Host has received +200 Mystique Coins]
—[Congratulations! Host has Completed System Side Mission; Protect the Wandering Damsel In Distress]
—[Host has Received +20 Mystique Coins!]
"That's it?" Jason stared at the spot where the Malevolent had been previously standing on.
He only just needed to stab the other party and they vanished like a poof? Jason's confidence instantly rose all the way to the moon. He had previously thought that Malevolents were going to prove tough opponents but this...
They were far weaker than he would've ever imagined them to be!
He had only just returned the Klypt Daggers back into the System when he heard approaching footsteps from behind him. Looking over, he saw Stephen staring at him with furrowed brows.
"I said you should strictly stay in the car" Stephen fussed as he scanned Jason with his sea green eyes.
"Are you hurt?"
Sensing the unexpected concern in his voice, Jason cringed. If it was a lady that was fine.. but a fellow guy like him? it just felt weird hearing it from Stephen's mouth.
"What are you? my mum? I just came here to hunt a Malevolent" Jason threw his arms in the air as a proud grin etches on his lips.
"You what?!" horror flashed in Stephens eyes as he hurriedly reaches towards his back pocket. Feeling a small manual still safely tucked in, he gave Jason a strange look.
"How do you know about Malevolents? did Aletta tell you that?" he questioned sharply.
"Is that necessary?" Jason grunted with a proud smirk.
"I had my first kill today. And I did it so easy. Humphh, aren't I awesome?" Jason's expectant eyes fell on Stephen, as he waited for a huge wave of praises.
"Now isn't the time to joke around Jason " doubt flashed in Stephens eyes. Naturally he didn't believe Jason's words.
Of the myraid creatures in the world of the paranormal, the creatures Hunters hated to tangle themselves with were the Malevolents. This was because they had the ability to turn themselves invisible. Only a select few Hunters had the ability to see them and this required years of honing their skills. As such Stephen wouldn't believe a complete novice like Jason could survive the assault of a Malevolent. As for killing it, that was nothing but a pipe dream.
Malevolents were completely immune to physical attacks. Only Saints and powerful Items could exorcise and destroy them.
Just as Stephen was about to drag Jason away, he suddenly noticed something on the ground from the corners of his eyes.
"What are you doing?" Jason pursed his lips in confusion as Stephen suddenly knelt on the ground, scooping a silver colored dust that was mixed with earthen dirt.
"Ghost Ash!" utter disbelief flashed in Stephens eyes.
Ghost Ash was something that was left behind after a Malevolent had been successful destroyed. Every Ghost Ash was unique and could not replicated. As such Stephen was confident that the Ghost Ash trapped in between his fingers was the real deal. However didn't that mean Jason was correct when he claimed to have killed a Malevolent.
"How did you do it?" he stuttered, his voice still hasn't recovered from the shock and surprise from the discovery.
"Wait. Your eyes.. they are red" Stephen finally noticed Jason's pupil color was different than normal.
"Really? you must be overthinking things" panicking, Jason swiftly removed the Sprite Pupils, returning it back to the system. Luckily for him he could do this either manually or mentally.
"Maybe" Stephen mumbled when he noticed Jason's pupils had returned back to normal.
"So, how did you kill the Malevolent?" Stephen repeated his earlier question.
"I am a natural. That's how" Jason lightly puffed out his chest.
Stephen fell silent as he gave Jason a deep look before releasing a sigh.
"I have to admit, I really underestimated you. I am sure Amy and the other Hunters would be shocked when they hear about this" Stephen chuckled as he patted Jason on the shoulder.
"Since you killed a Malevolent, you better gather the Ghost Ash before they disperse. Without them you won't be able to get your reward" he advised, tossing Jason a small vial.
"What's this?" although the vial shared a slight semblance with the Void Vial, Jason pretended to be oblivious.
"That's a Storage Vial. It is the only thing that can prevent a Ghost Ash from dispersing. After you gather the Ghost Ash I will take you to meet someone. At the same time you can submit the Ghost Ash. Your reward would depend on the power level of the Malevolent " Stephen explained, before walking ahead.
"I really wonder how he did it. For a moment I am confident his eyes were red " he mused to himself.
"Looks like Jason has a secret of his own "