“Just a bit further,” Zoe said as she looked at Regis, “then we’ll reach the village.”

Regis nodded his head absentmindedly. His attention was on the status screen in front of him. Thinking back to what Alan said, the lowest growth rate for a human was 5 points per level yet his was only 2. He remembered the status he had read before. He was sure that the –Growth was the culprit but he wasn’t sure how much it decreased his gains per level by.

And who inflicted these status on him anyway? Did he offend someone or was it an act of pure malice? Did they do it to him? If it was them, he wouldn’t be surprise. But did they even have the power to inflict such curses? Well whatever the case was, there was no point in thinking about it. They were all dead now.

Still staring at his screen, he saw the 8 attribute points he hadn’t distribute. He checked what each attribute did.

Strength: every 50 points increases Physical Damage rank by 1 Intelligence: every 50 points increases Mana rank by 1 Constitution: every 50 points increases Defense rank by 1 Agility: every 50 points increases Speed rank by 1 Dexterity: every 50 points increases Control/Accuracy rank by 1 Luck: every 50 points increases Critical Rate rank by 1

“How strong is physical damage rank 1,” Regis abruptly asked.

Zoe and Alan stared at Regis before exchanging a look wondering what was this all about.

“It’s better if you see it for yourself.” Alan said as he handed Regis his rifle.

AK-47

Physical Damage: 1.5

Projectile Speed: 2.5

“Have you reached rank 1 for Physical damage?” Alan asked, eyeing Regis suspiciously. It could only be possible for a level 4 hero to have enough attribute points to reach rank 1 this early. A feeling of envy overcame Alan.

Seeing the look in Alan eyes made Regis think of those people’s eyes. He remembered how they had said he was different than other people. That even if he was to escape, no one would accept a monster like him.

‘If I tell Zoe and Alan about my power would they see me as a monster too? Would they look at me with the same eyes?’

“No, my growth rate is the same as yours. I just wanted to know,” Regis lied.

Zoe stared at Regis. She felt something wasn’t right. Would the scientists experiment on just anyone?

--

The sun was setting when they reached a small village. In it, there were six small huts made out of clay each with a straw roof. They were built in a circle formation with a campfire in the middle. The village itself was surrounded with many small wooden fences.

Alan excused himself just before they entered the village. Zoe gave Alan a knowing look and took Regis to the village entrance.

A big chubby boy of about 15 was guarding the entrance with a frown on his face. He was wearing a metal pan on his head and holding a wooden spear. Seeing Zoe, the chubby boy frown turned into a bright smile.

“Ah, Zoe!” the chubby boy said, cheerfully. “Everyone Zoe is back!”

He rushed to her, helping her with the bag of materials she was carrying.

“Thank you Carlos,” Zoe said with a brilliant smile.

Suddenly, a group of four all between the age of 13-16 came rushing out.

“Zoe, welcome back!” they shouted.

“Where is Alan?” a small boy asked.

Knowing this would take a while, Regis tugged Zoe’s arm.

“Where is the bed?” Regis asked.

“You want to sleep already?” Zoe asked in surprise.

“I did say this was my napping time,” Regis explained. He had been on the verge of falling asleep a couple of times during their trip to here.

“Everyone, this is Regis,” Zoe said, “He will be staying with us from now on. He is extremely tired so let me take him back first. Then we’ll do a welcome party later. In the bag are food and materials we collected. Split it among you five. Alan will be arriving soon to fill you on the details.”

The group of kids nodded their head then gave Regis a quick glance. They didn’t seem all that surprised. It was like they were used to Zoe bring back strangers.

She quickly led Regis to a small straw hut to the left of the entrance. Upon entering, Regis dropped himself on the nearby bed and quickly fell asleep.

‘This kid,’ Zoe thought with a smile. She went up to check on him. He was in a deep sleep. She wondered how exhausted he must have been. Looking at the mask on his face, she thought how uncomfortable it must be to sleep with it on.

Her hands hesitantly closed in on Regis’ mask. She didn’t know if she should remove it or not.

Suddenly, loud screaming could be heard outside. Zoe quickly left the hut.

Outside, Alan, who was beaten until he was red and blue, was lying on the ground surrounded by a group of men in military uniform. There were fifteen of them in all and they ranged from level 7-12. With the highest level being a man with a curly mustache and a military beret. Except for him who wasn’t carry anything, the other soldiers were holding a spear in their hands.

“Leave Alan alone!” Some of the kids were crying out.

“Where did you hide the rifle?” the man with the curly mustache asked.

“Lieutenant, I really don’t have any rifle.” Alan said, in a strained voice. He was fuming on the inside. How did they know about the rifle? He had gone through great lengths to hide it from them. Who betrayed him?

“None of us even own a rifle. Yet you have one. Where did you steal it from?” one of the soldier asked.

Alan remained mute. He concluded he wouldn’t be able to trick them.

“Still not talking eh?” The lieutenant said with a smiled. “Then we will ask that sister of yours. But before we do. We will do this… and that… to your sister.” The man leaned down next to Alan to make sure he could hear every single words.

Alan groaned then spouted out, “You bastards…”

The rifle was a memento his dad left behind for him. It was the only thing left that these bastard hadn’t confiscated from him. Did he have to give it up too?

“Looks like we really have to talk with your sister,” The lieutenant said with a sad sigh as if he really didn’t want to do so.

“STOP!” Alan yelled out. “I’ll tell you. I’ll tell you all the damn detail! Just don’t touch her.”

Tears gushed out of Alan’s eyes. He cursed that he was weak. He cursed that he wasn’t strong enough to fight back. Why was he born to live like this?

“Hurry up then. I don’t have all day.”

“I hid it just outside the village,” Alan said. He gave the lieutenant the specific details on how to find it.

“See. Is not so hard isn’t it?” the lieutenant said as he stood up.

He stared at the group of youngsters then pointed at Alan while saying, “This is what happens when you defy me. Each of you remember this. You are just slaves. If you act out, you will suffer the same fate as him.”

The children rushed to Alan.

“Wait,” the man said. “I didn’t say I was finished.”

All the children face turned white.

The soldiers continued to beat Alan with the spear bottom.

A dark silhouette flew pass the crowd of children and into the crowd of soldiers.

“Don’t Regis!” Zoe shouted out.

Before they knew it, a small boy with a black mask and garb was lying down next to Alan.

Everyone stared at the boy in shock.

“Isn’t he the kid, Zoe brought back?” the chubby boy with the pan on his head said, stunned.

“I haven’t seen you around. Are you another kid this brat brought back with him?” The lieutenant asked.

“Get out of here before we beat you too,” one of the soldier said.

Ignoring them, Regis looked at Alan’s face and said.

“You look horrible.”

Alan peeked through his swollen eye lids.

“Regis?” he asked in a weak shaky voice.

“This game doesn’t look very fun. Let’s go play something else,” Regis said.

Before Alan could utter a response, a spear struck down hitting where Regis used to be.

“Do you know what you are doing?” Regis asked his voice turned cold.

“What do you think, idiot. Just because you’re a kid do you think we won’t do anything to you?” a soldier asked.

“We are going to dismember you and feed you to the dogs,” another one said.

“What about you all?” Regis said looking around him. “Are you all going to feed me to the dogs?”

They laughed and said, “Are you afraid now boy? We will make sure not a bone of yours is wasted.”

“Good. Then you forfeit your lives.”

A black shadow passed by them followed by a brush of wind.

“The boy disappeared?!”

“AHHhhhrg...”

Everyone turned to the source of the sound. A soldier fell down dead. His neck was completely crushed.

“What? How?!” the lieutenant said. His body turning cold seeing his dead comrade’s tongue sticking out abnormally.

“Lieutenant He-lp,” another soldier cried out before dropping down dead with a spear through his heart.

“Who!? Who did this?!” the lieutenant once again cried out in shock. He turned his head frantically looking for the killer. He spotted Regis as he was about to twist another soldier’s neck.

“You!” the lieutenant shouted, “Don’t do it you bastard!”

Another soldier fell down dead.

“DAMN!” The lieutenant shot out a fireball from his hand and the remaining soldiers quickly followed stabbing their spear at Regis. A brush of wind blew pass them. The fireball and spears all missed their mark, hitting the ground instead.

Spurt! The soldiers felt some kind of liquid splashed on their face.

“AHH! Randal! His head is missing!”

A chill ran down everyone’s spine. How could a boy who was only level 5 be so fast and strong?

“RUNN!” a soldier erupted causing everyone to scramble and ran.

“You fool! Its onl— ,“ the lieutenant said but stopped abruptly because he felt a brush of wind on his back.

Before the lieutenant could turn, he felt a hand gripping his neck.

“Do you know who I am?!” the lieutenant asked.

“A dead man.”

Regis twisted the man's head.

White mist congregated above the lieutenant head. Regis had a shock look on his face.

This was the first time he had seen a soul materialized from a human.

He snatched it.

Acquire Human Soul

Do you want to change your class to “Fire Mage”?

Skill: Fireball

Passive: Fire Affinity

-1 Physical Damage, +1 Mana

Or

+4 Int

------

Tables for this chapter.

Regis lvl: 5 AP: 8 (AP = Unallocated Attribute Points) Class: None Phys Dmg: 2.4 Defense: 1.9 Mana: 2.7 Control/Acc: 2.2 Speed: 2.4 Crit: 4.2 Str:120 Con: 98 Int: 138 Dex: 110 Agi: 124 Luck: 212