Terror Infinity - Side B

Chapter 9 - 1, Btooom

Shin: ...I'm alive?

Once again, caught in the battlefield of life and death Shin had come out on the side of the living. Right after defeating his first Btooom Soldier Shin had collapsed due to the fact that he had just unlocked his Genetic Constraint for the very first time to defeat the enemy, and had just going through the recoil of doing so. To Shin, it felt like his body was breaking down from the inside out.

In the end Shin was unable to breathe due to the seizures of his lungs, but what saved Shin in the end was Ki Energy. Before he lost consciousness he filled his lungs to the brim with Ki to heal himself. After passing out, Ki had healed the lungs and stopped his seizures. Five minutes later he was sitting out blood in an attempt to breath again.

Shin: Who knew that my desperate idea would work out and thank god, not this world's God, that I am alive.

Able to finally breath normally again, Shin stood up and examined himself. He needed to hurry and catch up to Hikari and the enemies chasing after her, but it was no good to embarrassingly die on the way there. Whether it was the hemostasis spray or something else that needed to be used, he had to recover enough to face five more enemy assassins, one of which, their leader who is stronger than the rest.

Checking himself over, Shin felt totally exhausted, but compared to the hell like pain a few moments ago this was heaven. Shin didn't know how to describe what just happened. When he was on the border of life and death, he felt something unlocked within him.

The combat became smooth and the precision of his movements was within a millimeter, and every bit of energy spent for those actions went without waste.

The combat instincts had no compassion or fear. If he really has to describe it with a phenomenon similar to SEED Mode from Gundam Seed, The Gamer MC's 'Gamers Mind' or having reached the Terminal Horizon in Black Bullet ( Just not that level of reaction speed ).

Of course this had to be the Genetic Constraint which had Saki talked about. Evolved human beings that can survive through any extremes. This also explains why it was so painful afterward, that was probably the side effects from the substance generated from unlocking the constraint.

The pain comes and goes quickly, yet I could manage. I felt that I was gradually recovering my energy and the feeling of unlocked Genetic Constraint is also subsiding.

Shin: Perhaps the poisonous substance is being decomposed by my body. My enhanced Cell Vitality and Immunization Strength were what probably saved me. During it all, it prevented the substance from totally unlocking the constraint.

Shin was glad that he didn't die, yet I was a little disappointed.

When Shin imagined that if he could keep that state active at all times, or could turn it on or off, with those combat instinct he would be capable of defeating any foe.

Shin: Ah, this was no time to be getting full of myself! I have to quickly heal... Huh?

To his own surprise, Shin had recovered a lot by now. He noticed his wounds from the battle were healing and was surprised. The strange thing was that after a while his bleeding, torn muscles and burned skin were quickly healed.

The speed of his healing was simply too amazing. It seems like the genetics of the One-eye Ghoul was working well. Maybe it could also be because he used his remaining Ki at the last moment to heal his lungs so he could breath, he was better at healing himself now.

Shin's Ghoul mutation and Ki energy did seem to work well together, and so on the verge of death he learned how to rapidly heal specific parts of his person with Ki Energy, which brought out the extreme healing factor of a ghoul.

Maybe if Shin tried, like Ken Kaneki, he could imagine himself rapidly fixing a twisted arm or leg like it was nothing. It would hurt like hell and spend a lot of Ki, but Shin didn't believe that he couldn't do it... Or at least not completely.

Shin: Can I survive if I lose the lower half of my body in an explosion... I would rather not lose my lower body now that I can put it to use... I wonder how Aqua is doing. Ah, that's enough foolishness!

Shin didn't even need to take out anything to heal himself from his Na Ring anymore, so he focused his mind back on the task at hand. To meet back up with Hiakri and save her!

If the fighting was still going on, then they must have moved quite far away. Shin couldn't see or hear anything past the island's dense jungle filled with wild life, but he didn't need to. On the thin road between life and death, his sence of danger and understanding it had improved greatly. He no longer needes to see or hear death, or smell blood to knew where they were most congested.

Shin: The sense of danger is moving further away. If they had killed Hikari then they would be running back over here to back up or avenge their comrade. She is still alive! Lets go!

Shin ran to catch up to Hiakri and the enemy, but he was in such a rush that he failed to notice something important. His own appearance. After unlocking his constraint, Shin had partially awakened to his Ghoul mutation and then having come so close to death, so close that he could touch it, in some way he had an awakening of sorts.

Like Ken Kaneki from Tokyo Ghoul, after this awakening his hair had lost its color and was now pure snow white. Shin also didn't know that when he was in Unlocked Mode earlier his left eye had become black and his irises blood red.

It would be a while till he noticed these changes himself... but ultimately he would be happy about his new cool appearance.

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https://youtu.be/g8DJY7atUCQ

Shin ran like a madman once he was recovered enough now that he knew Hikari was still alive. Just a level or two below, his speed has almost reached the limit. The feeling of the air becoming dense was coming back again, yet he was not in that unlocked mode yet.

If he had to describe it, it was like being in the zone, ones best physical and mental state in sports. It wasn't the same level when one is faced with death to enter the unlocked mode, but right now, Shin could rival the protagonist of 'Koroko no Basuke' and 'Baby Steps'.

To simplify it, what was happening now was that he had for the first time discovered how to go from normal to max. It was something that Biacuit Kruger taught Gon and Killia who were full of potential, but didn't know how to bring it all out at once.

Shin: God, what happen here? Blazing Gas BIM are no joke.

Shin ran into the area where the jungle had been destroyed by the Blazing Gas BIM that he saw fall from the sky earlier and what set off that unlocked the state he was in. All the trees, plants and animals nearby were decayed by the BIM attack. Then while running through all of it Shin discovered a corpse.

Shin: ...Well, it has decayed by a lot, but it isn't Hikari. It also isn't another NPC/Player. The armor it's wearing means it a Btooom Soldier makes it obvious as well.

In the foreat destroyed by the Blazing Gas BIM, Shin found a dead Btooom Soldier. It was decayed despite his armor protection and from the the blood oozing from the mouth, the enemy was shot in the mouth before the gas fell.

Shin: Way to go Hikari. Even I didn't pay attention to the fact that the mouth was the only unprotected area of the enemy's armor.... I can exploit this. Now I have to hurry up and-

- *EXPLOSION*!

Shin: Shit! It came from over there!

Shin quickly ran in the direction of the explosion in a hurry, yet was inwardly glad. Explosions and any signs of fighting was proof that Hikari was still alive and hanging on for him to return. Hikari had already defeated one of them, so his job will be much easier when he finally catches up.

- *EXPLOSION*!

Shin had finally caught up to Hikari and the enemy after another round of explosions. Hikari was leaning against a tree covered in blood and was surrounded by Btooom Soldiers and their leader the Btooom Commander.

Hikari was coming closer and closer to deaths door like Shin once was, but unlike him she wasn't awakening to her own Seed Mode. The enemy watching this, as she was losing hope and to avenge their comrade, they were enjoying every minute of it.

The Btooom Commander, not knowing that Shin had caught up to them and so unconcerned to watch their backs, pulled out a Timer BIM and threw it gently over to Hikari. As it landed a few inches from where she was leaning against tree, the Timer BIM began it countdown. It was set to go off in five seconds three had already passed.

Shin: No!!!

At that moment Shin entered Unlocked Mode once more. He sprinted to Hikari as fast as he could, but he wasn't going to make it in time. As the timer of the BIM was at 1, Shin kicked the ground with as much Ki as he could, and disappeared.

- SKILL MASTERY REWARD!

WITHIN 70% ACCURACY YOU HAVE EXECUTED THE FOLLOWING SKILL - INSTANT MOVEMENT! ONCE YOU RETURN TO THE TERMINAL LOBBY YOU CAN EXCHANGE FOR THE COMPLETE INSTANT MOVEMENT SKILL FOR 1/10 OF ITS POINT VALUE AND A D RANK REWARD!

For the first time successfully, Shin had executed the Instant Movement movement technique. After kicking the ground with Ki he reappeared right beside Hikari and picked her up in a hurry. Then as the Timer BIM was detonating and were caught in the explosion, Shin once more focused Ki right in front of his feet and kicked the ground, executing Instant Movement once more to escape and landing over 10 meters away to safety.

Once they had fully escaped the blast Shin with worry called out to Hikari.

Shin: Hikari! Are you alright? Talk to me!

Hikari: ...

Shin found that Hikari was out cold just as the enemy were comprehending how he appeared out of nowhere and pulled Hikari to safety.

One second later, it was the Btooom Commander who acted first. He threw not another Timer BIM, but a Cracker BIM at the two. Without even using his BIM Launcher he could throw the small projectile over 100 MPH at them.

Shin had no chance to dodge it normally while carrying Hikari in his arms, so he escaped with a third Instant Movement, and not stopping there he kept running away from the enemy with his new skill. The Btooom Soldiers and Btooom Commander gave chase, but they were unable to keep up with Shin constantly using Instant Movement to escape them.

Shin: Are they still following? Ah, that's right. Hikari is still marked.

After setting the unconscious Hikari down, Shin looked back behind him. Shin had temporary put a good amount of distance between them and the enemy, but long as Hikari's IC Chip was marked escaping would be impossible. To truly be safe...

Shin: I have to defeat them here and now. Hikari, wait for me here!

Determined to defeat the enemy Shin ran back to face their pursuers. Fighting with Hikari nearby would be a mistake now that she is unconscious, so he choose to meet them head on. Two minutes later, Shin was face to face with the enemy. The three remaining Btooom Soldiers and their Commander.

Shin: Couldn't you have given up? No response? Well, begging for your lives now won't save you!

Shin used Instant Movement to charge at the enemy Btooom Commander. If possible, defeating the strongest of your foes will make the battle go smoother and with his new found speed they were no match, so Shin made the decision to attack the enemy leader.

This was a mistake.

Already hidden in the area were a few Remote Control BIM that the Btooom Commander set before Shin arrived and now activated. Explosions enveloped the entire area in an instant, yet both sides were somewhat safe.

The enemy were wearing armor with powerful resistance to explosions and Shin had Instant Movement to escape at the last moment. Still, both sides were temporarily stunned from the numerous blast, yet there was one among them that came out without a scratch and was already leaving ground zero behind.

The Btooom Commander who was inside the protective triangle shaped energy shielding of the Barrier BIM had escaped and was heading towards Hikari. Shin noticed this, cursed and followed behind.

Shin: Fuck! Timer, Cracker, Remote Control and and now Barrier! Just pick one!

Shin was finally beginning to see the true ability of the Btooom Commander.

That not only did this enemy possess the BIM Launcher and a suit of armor that greatly strengthened the man within, but that he could wield infinite amount of BIM of various types, possibly the five types that his subordinate Btooom Soldiers held, if not all BIM types, but he wouldn't be able to face him just yet.

Blocking his path to the Btooom Commander who prioritized killing Hiakri over him, were the three Btooom Soldiers.

Shin: Get out of my way!

Shin knew they weren't going to just obey, but he was upset despite being having the calmness of being in Unlocked Mode. Shin for some reason just knows because of the battle tactics and instincts of the Unlocked Mode that he didn't have much time to waste here.

From the earlier attacks from when they were still partied up with Saki and the others, Shin knows now that if he doesn't defeat them all in thirty-eight second, then Btooom Commander will be in range to snipe Hikari with the BIM Launcher.

To save Hikari, Shin must win and kill the three Btooom Soldiers within 28-30 seconds to catch up with the Btooom Commander with Instant Movement.

Shin: This isn't inside a labyrinth in Apocalypse Alice, so don't give me a time limit!

Shin roared and began the attack.

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Tyrannos Japan: Game Planner Gemu Shusaisha's Report 16.

Real World Btooom Game, Hard Mode - Day 2.

6:09 PM

Players Alive: 8/15.

NPCs Alive: 67/150.

Btooom Soldiers Active: 23/25.

Btooom Commanders Active: 5/5.

Ryota Sakamoto, Btooom Lord Inactive: 1/1.

Daily Minutes -

1. The first and second [ By fluke ] Btooom Soldiers have been defeated. Nothing else to report.

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Authors Note:

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