The dark sky was staring at his face, the rumbling on the ground was increasing, yet he could not move.
'I have to move.' He yelled in his mind, 'I have to kill him. Please move.' His right hand was just as heavy as lead. His thigh was throbbing like crazy. However, no matter how much tears his eyes had leaked, his body was not listening to him at all.
And the system came to his rescue.
[Hormone level reached the threshold value. Time to break down: 0:54]
His body began to sweat like crazy. His heart was like pumping blood like there's no tomorrow.
[Hormone level reached the threshold value. Time to break down: 0:53]
His lungs were pumping air like gigantic bellows. His body had grown lighter now.
[Hormone level reached the threshold value. Time to break down: 0:52]
His hand was no longer painful as he jumped to his feet. Blood was leaking out of his nose, but he didn't know about it. He ran as if there was no tomorrow.
The tide of the beast was less than 20 meters away from him, yet he felt no fear. He ran in the direction to which he was directed.
[Link established.]
[Identifying the owner: Second officer Levi.]
[Condition: Critical]
[Cure: Inject a dose of Ck30]
The system had no idea whether Aiden was listening to it or not. It was only when the shuttle appeared in Aiden's view that he responded again.
A few bodies of badgers have been mutilated by the earthen spike. The body of the unknown beast was crushed under a giant rock. And a four-legged beast with multiple snakeheads was struggling to get out of the quicksand.
'Did Levi kill them? 'The scene was shocking enough for Kinoya to break the trance. But Levi was more frightening than that.
He stood there like a statue. His left face was black, charred. That was the smallest wound, though. Something had a part of his stomach, the intestines were spilt in front of him. And his right hand was like a thin, dried stick. The black line was spread over his chest from the shoulder.
[Opening shuttle.]
[Distance: 32 meters]
'What the hell has happened to him? He could kill these beasts, and yet he was reduced to such a state.' Around this time, he realized that the warm blood that ran out of his nose was coming into his mouth.
'Just a little more,' he asked his body again. Although the timer showed 0:39, he knew very well that it wasn't going to last that long. He just moved to avoid the reach of one of the snakeheads and grabbed Levi.
'Have I used too much strength? 'Aiden wasn't sure, but the left side of his face and his right hand crumbled as soon as Aiden touched. Some unknown part of the body leaked out of Levi's wound, but he couldn't spare a glance at it.
[Hormone level reached the threshold value. Time to break down: 0:24]
The notification arose as soon as he entered the shuttle. 'Close the shuttle. Charge the multi-directional taser.'
He put Levi down. Aiden wasn't sure if Levi was alive or not, but he was looking for the medicine and it was a success. He had found multiple vials of Ck30 and many anti-poisoning potions.
[Taser charged to maximum.]
'Fire it as soon as they get close.' He poured the anti-poisoning potion down his throat. And he injected a Ck30 on his thigh, and another on Levi's.
"Bell. Monster. Kill me." Levi yelled, startling Aiden.
"What?" Even before he could understand what Levi was talking about, he had already fallen unconscious.
He wanted to check whether he was alive or not, but Aiden began to cough. He was coughing up blood.
Blood flowed out of his nose and mouth. He didn't know how to stop them as weakness washed over his body. He lost consciousness, as the cold, unhurried voice spoke.
[Mission Accomplished.]
*************************
"100,000,000 credits? The federation is going to give that much if they just joined?" Aiden, 12, failed to hide his shock. Although he was only 12 years old, he achieved the highest rank among thirty recruits.
He knew he wasn't supposed to show his opponent his shock during the negotiations. It's like giving them a higher ground, but it was too much of a shock to him.
'Father needs 10,000 credits a month for the family, so 120,000 credits a year. It's going to be 1,200,000 in ten years. Then my elder sister, my brother, and I will have different families, a total of four families. That's...'
Looking at the child who was acting like a child for the first time in six years, the general was happy.
"It's not just that." he struck when it was hot, "Every time you update the characteristics of local flora and fauna with evidence, you'll earn one credit point. And you can trade every credit point for 1,000,000 credits."
The general didn't know whether Aiden had completed his calculation or given up in the midways after listening. Yet Aiden's face had become more serious.
"And?"
Out of all the reactions the general had expected, Aiden had given him the most unexpected one. 'This little shit! Isn't he satisfied with that yet?'
Hiding his initial surprise, he added, "Your name will be inducted into the history books, as one of the pioneers of new-age exploration. And you will contribute to the recovery of the birthplace of humankind."
'What is that? Can I eat it?' The frown became deeper, as Aiden listened to the general. 'So, isn't there any extra money?'
Feeling the inner thought of the child, the general couldn't help but curse, 'Where did this money-grubber come from?'
It wasn't that Aiden was the brightest of all the children, nor was he the highest level mage. But even the primary wind mage candidate can not hold a candle in front of him when it comes to combat. That's why he was preferred more by the army.
The general picked up another document from the folder and placed it in front of Aiden. "As soon as you get back from the mission, the army will appoint you a captain, and you will be paid until the day you die."
"Where do I sign?" the general was a little startled by the straightforward question.
'A captain of the army will earn tens of thousands every month. There's no way I can spend 100 million in this lifetime. But if I do, my salary will be enough for me." And Aiden was satisfied with that.
**************
'Auuu' Aiden moaned in pain as soon as he woke up. His head was throbbing, his hand was still numb, and he felt like crying every time the sweat touched his wound on his back.
His breathing did not return to normal. Every time he tried to move, he felt that all his organs were so painful that he couldn't breathe. Even sighing was painful.
'Can you show me my stats?'
[NAME: Aiden Law {severely Injured} {Dying}
Age:16
Element: Wind
Level: 2 (2)
Grade: D (A)
Strength: 6 (11)
Agility: 8 (17)
Endurance: 5 (21)
Dexterity: 4 (15)
Intelligence: 12 (15)
Health: 07/57 (-/89)
Mana: 23/32 (-/81)
Battle rating: Level 1 (Level 5)
Skill: [Reduce Drag] [Air Punch] [Air spike] [Wind Skin] [Wind Burst] [Wind Scythe] [Wind Gale]
]
'How much time do I have?'
[Time till death: 1 day 15 hours]
Even frowning was too painful, but he couldn't help. 'Didn't you say that, if I use a potion, I could live for six days?'
[To prolong life, the host needs to drink two more liquids. Extended lifetime: 6 days 7 hours. Time till next potion:1 day 11 hours]
'This way, can I continue to take the potion to prolong my life?' Aiden was hopeful. But the cold voice soon put an end to his futile struggle.
[Taking more than three potions will reduce the life of the host.]
'Give up.' Aiden couldn't help but scolded himself, 'It's too late. Just give it up and...' The voice within his mind was silent, the tears were trickling down his face.
'Why am I supposed to die?' No one could answer, even if he wanted to know. It was then that he realized something, 'System, what about Levi?'
[Second officer Levi had died 5 hours ago.]
'So he was the first to leave?' Aiden was sighing in his heart. 'Perhaps someone else had already died. Well, can you let me show me his last fight?'
[The host was chosen to carry the will of Second Officer Levi.]
'Me! Why? Did he know that I was here?'
[Yes.]
'He might have woken up when I was out.' Aiden was silent, 'Death must always be lonely. Well, soon enough, I'm going to know about it. All right, PADS, show me his last memory.'
[The host must use the stasis pod to complete the inheritance of the will.]
'The Stasis Pod? Does he have one of them here? 'Aiden was dumbfounded. And the system has confirmed it, 'Wow! As expected of a rich man.'
Of the eight who came to this mission, four were the primary operators. They were given the rank of officers not because of their level of magic, but because of their background. They're all somehow linked to the Federation.
Elijah was the illegitimate daughter of the director of Desert Base 3. Even then, her situation was hundreds of times better than anyone else's. It was the same with Alex, Lyla and Levi.
On the other hand, Asher, Sara, Owen and Aiden came from ordinary backgrounds. These secondary operatives are only backups for primary operatives.
'Maybe that's also why Alex decided to kill him without hesitation.' Whatever the reason might be, he had no intention of thinking about it. Right now, he had a different thought going through his mind.
'If I have a stasis pod, it won't be a problem to treat my injury.' Somewhere inside Aiden was relieved. 'Can you take me to the pod? Well, if you can, do it.'
The floor moved as soon as he ordered. A large compartment opened on the side, and the mechanical arms took out the pod. Soon, everything was assembled, and the part of the floor was aligned with the side of the pod.
[The host is requested to enter the pod.]
'You want me to move around? 'Aiden cursed. Even when the floor moved, it was too painful for him, and now ...
'Just do it one more time.' Aiden urged his body, held his breath and rolled over. If it wasn't painful for him to scream, he would have broken a few glasses.
The hatch closed on one of them, and the cold liquid wrapped his body. His consciousness faded slowly.
[Inheritance is about to begin ...]
