"It seems boss fought quite hard. I am unclear of the details."

"He must have used all his potions, too. Our potions were barely effective."

"He is using a skill to heal himself from time to time, I reckon he initiates it as long as he recovers some mana for it. However, I am not sure how he does it as he seems to be unconscious." Leon said.

"How was he even alive after he was hurt to the extent that his heart was exposed?" Leila asked.

"I a.s.sume that as he heals a bit further every few minutes, he just kept himself from dying most of the time." Leon replied. "We did all we could do to heal him, used all our potions even. But the last one seemed to have no effect whatsoever. Even if we had more, it wouldn't do any good to us." Leon said and added: "Can you survey the surrounding area, I hear some of those beasts in the distance, there must have been fighting around here, too."

"Sure." Leila said as she made her way down the mountain. The sun was up, in the sky, but beasts all around seemed to be quite active, uncharacteristically of them as this was the territory of those large beasts just a day ago. She began seeing some raptors eating into a corpse, a pterodactyl carrying another mauled corpse in the sky. Along with her skill, she managed to blend into the foliage and moved around the beasts. The whole forest was feasting on the bodies of those tribesmen, she followed the bodies for what seemed like two hours and gazed at the tribe's camp off a cliff using her Undead's Vision. There was a man with only one arm sitting in the middle where the tribesmen built the shrine.

"Did you kill everyone and almost h.e.l.l?" Leila murmured to herself, turning back right after. She made use of her speed as much as she could to get back quickly, even meeting Leon on the way.

"Where did you go? I told you to only search for the surrounding area!"

"I followed the corpses back into their camp."

Leon sighed and asked. "And what did you find?"

"A man with one arm, sitting on what seemed to be a throne. But it seemed like he butchered all those tribesmen there. There is no one left. I think he is the one that did h.e.l.l in, too. He seemed strong."

"I see. h.e.l.l's wounds seem to be healed completely from the outside at least. It is probably soon he'll wake up."

"Good. We need to ask him what happened."

Leon and Leila got to the place where there were some corpses littered around.

"It feels odd." Leila said before they got up onto the plateau.

"What does?"

"The corpses stretch from that camp to here, not to anywhere else. If that man was the culprit, would they still chase h.e.l.l down to the last man? Wouldn't they try to take that man out first?"

"I don't know, we should find out soon enough." Leon said.

"Alright." Leila said as they made their way at the top. Although the path to the top was narrow, it was relatively easier to safely climb onto. They soon saw h.e.l.l up and active.

"Hi, guys!" h.e.l.l yelled and waved at the two siblings.

"Hi, guys?! You were basically dead, you b.a.s.t.a.r.d!" Leon yelled with a smile as he ran up to him. They chatted for a bit as h.e.l.l whined that he had to use all the potions on him and almost puked blood when he heard they also used the remaining potions on himself, too. They had none left. But at least he was alive.

"So, what did exactly happen? I thought you were gonna throw them off and run up here?" Leon finally asked.

"I killed them all." h.e.l.l said.

"You killed more than 100 tribesmen?"

"I didn't say it was easy. But it kinda was, you should have seen their faces!" h.e.l.l said. "They were horrified!"

"What about the one-armed man in the camp?" Leila asked, causing h.e.l.l to jump up in caution as he gazed down the plateau.

"What's happening?" Leila asked again.

"Did he see you?" h.e.l.l asked, and asked again right after as she didn't immediately answer, gripping her arms: "Did he?"

"No! I only checked him out with my Undead's Vision." Leila said.

"h.e.l.l!" Leon yelled. "Tell us."

"Remember the G.o.d they were summoning?"

"Yeah, Pilaki, they said." Said Vaun.

"It turns out their tongues aren't really built into properly p.r.o.nouncing English after all. What they meant to say was "Player Killer".

"It's him?!" All three of the party members exclaimed.

"He is strong, too strong." h.e.l.l said.

"I thought I could take him out with my newly found combos and quick wits, but taking an arm was all I could do before one half-a.s.sed slash of his sword did this to me." h.e.l.l said, showing his completely healed chest, and added: "Well, it's healed now."

"How low did your HP get?" Leon asked.

"It dropped to 1."

"From?"

"350."

The party was silent. It was indeed a miracle that h.e.l.l managed to take one of his arms.

"We need to finish him off." h.e.l.l said after a few moments of silence.

"Right now?" Leon exclaimed. "Are you even properly-"

"I am good. If he can somehow recover that arm, it will probably be impossible to get him without casualties." h.e.l.l said, solemn, instead of his usual callous demeanour.

"How did they even summon him anyway?" Leon asked. I thought you had killed the ones summoning him."

"I guess he just wanted to come down himself when their numbers were down to twenty or so."

"Alright." Asked Leon. "How do you want us to attack him?"

"We blast him with everything we've got from the get-go, don't give him a chance to counter-attack at all. The only reason I escaped was because I teleported away numerous times as soon as I cut off his arm. I don't think it would be possible otherwise."

"Alright." Leon said. "I'll try to give you guys a second using all my mana, I should be able to hold him down even if it's for a second, I don't think he'd have more strength on him than the T-Rex. I'll be out after that second, so be careful."

"Let's head out." h.e.l.l said, summoning Imp Needle in his hand as he opened his menu to check his stats.

Player: Man of Cursed Spirit

Age: 21

Occupation: Cursed Hunter

Level: 34

Stats

----------

Strength : 65 (70)

Defence : 10

Dexterity : 166

Mana : 2125

Vitality : 20

Stamina : 10

Unused Stat Points: 30

*Dexterity: 196*

He would be better prepared this time, they hopefully would not give him a chance to strike. If a strike that should've barely grazed him did him that much damage, one hit would be fatal to anyone. h.e.l.l didn't like the fact that how he loved the thrill last time. He didn't want to admit it, but he was itching to fight and kill that man. He was sure he would be blissful if he managed to kill such a strong person.

They arrived at the camp soon after with not much trouble on the road. The camp was then revealed to them after a few hours. The throne was also seen as they got into the camp. The man was still sitting there with one arm.

"You want to know for how long the system existed for?" The hulking man on the throne said. Without looking to where they were at even. Leila was startled. She didn't think they, or at least herself had made any noise whatsoever.

"I can feel you all around me, come forward." The man said again. Player Killer was a man with a height reaching nearly 3 meters with bustling muscles akin to a Greek G.o.d's. He seemed to have bronze skin and not much of an armour, some robes and a kilt. He truly looked as if one of the G.o.ds of Olympus people would read about. He also wore an iron crown on his head, it seemed like a simple decoration by itself, but imposing, nonetheless. He had a very large sword he used in one-hand. Even with an arm gone, no one would look down on this G.o.d of a man.

"Missed me?" h.e.l.l said.

"Oh, you are all healed up." Player Killer said. "You aren't worthless it seems. I may actually spare you."

"I wonder if you'll get a chance to do so." h.e.l.l said. "I slashed an arm off with a weapon from one of your minions. Imagine what I'll do with this, this time." He added, showing his Imp Needle.

Player Killer snorted and got up, took his arm and reattached it as if nothing happened. The wound still seemed to be there somewhat for a few seconds until his arm looked again to be in perfect shape.

"f.u.c.k!" h.e.l.l yelled. "Now!"

Leon poured all his mana into his Telekinesis and was ready to hold the man.

"Do it, hold me." Player Killer said. "Looking exactly at Leon."

Although frightened, he kept his composure and executed his skill. h.e.l.l at the same time used Short Distance Warping and Rapid Move consecutively. His invincible combo. Coupled with his newly increased speed, this combo had gotten even deadlier.

"You have increased your speed again." Player Killer said. Unfortunate as it is, that won't work on me a second time." Player Killer added and seemingly executed the exact same move to counter h.e.l.l's.

"You think you are the only one with such skills?"

"Nope." h.e.l.l said as he executed Rapid Move again and again, but weirdly enough, he was countered each time.

"Your friend there uses his skill very stupidly, all his mana was simply wasted when I used Quickening just now."

"Shut up and kill me, you b.a.s.t.a.r.d." h.e.l.l said as he employed his Rapid Move again. He didn't understand how he was countered each time. He figured he could deploy the move around 14 times in total. He could only use it 6 more times as well as 2 more Short Distance Warps. Leila was waiting for an opening. She combined shadow reach and multiplier at once, turns out they were compatible, but he couldn't hurt the man. His skin seemed to be harder than simple metals. They were just deflected away.

h.e.l.l teleported behind him and used Rapid Move again. Player Killer immediately turned out and attacked him back. It seemed Player Killer was always fast and strong enough to match h.e.l.l's attacks exactly. Seeing Vaun coming from the rear, h.e.l.l yelled.

"Protect Leon, don't come close!"

It seemed Vaun wanted to help in some way, but he would only die here if he tried. And as soon as his mana ran out, h.e.l.l would follow him to his death.

"What will you do?" Player Killer said. You are facing a man who is stronger, faster, more durable than you. It also seems that I can reattach my limbs back. Who's to say that even if you land a hit, I'll actually die?"

"We have to kill you to pa.s.s the level." h.e.l.l said.

"You can't." said Player Killer.

h.e.l.l stopped striking at him, sizing the man up and down. h.e.l.l's party members were feeling incredibly bad at this moment themselves. Leila's attacks did nothing and even if Leon landed a hit using all his HP, it was likely the man wouldn't die. They were helpless, only hoping their ace h.e.l.l would be able to do something. Leon felt useless, if only h.e.l.l hadn't given him the skill. He could probably use it properly in this situation, maybe lop his head off. He would ask him to take it back from him if they survived this.

"Killing me is impossible, defeating me is also so, as long as I don't allow it."

Everyone's hearts were palpitating. Was there a reason as to why this man didn't kill them yet? It seemed Player Killer was willing to negotiate perhaps. That would be great news for them. But would he willingly get killed, that was improbable?

"What are you saying?" h.e.l.l asked. It was no fun if he couldn't even land a hit.

"Become my underling."

"We won't-" Leon was saying as Player Killer looked at him with the corner of his eye and one of the swords littering the floor impaled him in his leg.

"This is how you use that skill." Player Killer said with a pitying tone.

"Why do you want me as your 2-bit grunt? What do you need me to do?"

"You have to accept it, first." Player Killer summoned a contract in the air. It seemed to be written on animal skin using blood. "Accept it, or I'll take his hand next."

"Can't we-" h.e.l.l was saying as another object flew toward Leon and an ear-piercing scream was heard in the jungle. His hand fell on the floor, it was a very clean cut.

"As long as we can continue levelling, I will accept it."

"Good." Player Killer said and suddenly appeared in front of Leon, reattaching his hand.

"Sign it." Player Killer returned to his original spot and commanded.

"I don't have a pen."

Player Killer seemed somewhat defeated, looking at h.e.l.l in pity. "Slash open the artery on your wrist, let the blood pour on the contract."

h.e.l.l didn't question it further, it was painfully obvious the gap between the man and themselves was immense, beyond his imagination. h.e.l.l felt it wasn't now, but he would rival him, too, in the future. He slashed open his wrist without another word and let his life fluid pour onto the animal skin. The blood congregated into one area as if alive and his name was suddenly signed on the contract as the blood reshaped itself.

"h.e.l.leborus Puro".

h.e.l.l never really liked his name. Who in their right mind would name their children h.e.l.leborus? He was mocked a lot in his early school years. At least they had named his brother something proper.

"Contract has been completed. Touch your needle into my heart, I'll help you get stronger before you continue forward."

h.e.l.l complied and did as asked. The bronze man suddenly exploded with an immense force that left h.e.l.l somewhat grateful. The rewards were indeed plentiful. The system's notifications were ringing one after another. Their current levels were increased by a huge margin and h.e.l.l had gotten that skill as well.

*Skill: Quickening Acquired*

*+1000 mana acquired*

h.e.l.l had reached level 40 and all others had reached level 34. This was an immense jump in their levels. He wondered what that guy's level would be.

"It just doesn't feel like we earned it. But such an immense jump." Leon said.

"Do you think we can take on the other two bosses now?" Leila asked.

"I refuse to believe we have to fight literal G.o.ds now, that must have been our unluck."

"What were the other two?" h.e.l.l asked.

"The Djinn of Manipulation and The Demon of Pride."

"Oh?" h.e.l.l exclaimed. "Now that I think about it, I think I killed the Djinn's child. He is not gonna like seeing me, probably."

"What? When?" Leon asked in a hurry.

"He was my level 1, he could control people and turn them into zombies. Creepy s.h.i.+t."

"No kidding. How did you defeat him?"

"I ate him."

"What?!" all three looked in shock.

"It was a slug-like creature, so I ate him, spit him out and then fried him to death."

"Why didn't you, I don't know, just stomp it?" Leon asked.

"It was quite fast."

"So eating him was easier?" Leila asked this time.

"Alright, guys, look. What's eaten is behind us, we have to move forward now, yeah?" h.e.l.l said.

The three members felt some disgust over the topic and nodded.

"Let's rest around for an hour and then go find the Djinn." h.e.l.l said.

"Alright." Leon said as they wanted to contemplate what stats to raise. They decided soon after.

*Leon, HP: 1370*

*Leila, Dex: 156*

*h.e.l.l, Dex: 226*

*Vaun, Def: 155*

h.e.l.l checked his new skill.

*Skill, Quickening: Allows players to speed one action by 10 times, costs 50 mana per usage*

He could get rid of Rapid Move right now, that skill seemed like a worse imitation of this one. He figured he'd give Leon Rapid Move. Coupled with his Sundering Attack, it would make a great combo. When he offered to give it to Leon, he refused, saying:

"Keep it, in fact, also take the Sundering attack from me. You could perhaps defeat him yourself without making that contract if you had it in you."

"Leon." h.e.l.l said. "I am only giving you the skills I won't use myself. Also, I got a better version of the skill I'm about to give you, I'll literally never use it myself."

Leon felt bad, useless. He eventually accepted it, agreeing it would indeed be compatible with his Sundering Attack. Now with his increased HP, he could dish out one quick and devastating attack at the very least.

"Well, shall we go find that Djinn b.a.s.t.a.r.d if you guys are alright? I have recovered as much as I can." h.e.l.l said.

"Sure, do you know where he is?"

"Oh." h.e.l.l said and added after a moment, "Shall we find the b.a.s.t.a.r.d, then?"

"That, we can try." Leila said with a slight giggle and led the way.