Gacha System: Reborn In The Hardest World
Chapter 25: Abaddon

Chapter 25: Abaddon

Rurik tilted his head and swerved his entire body like an acrobat, maneuvering out of the way of a pair of bolts that exploded past him, "--Enough of this."

["Invisibility"]

–Shifting in the unseen, he ducked to the side, halting his firing for the moment. It was an attempt to get the reaper to stop moving and make him ignorant to his position.

’Quiet steps–just a split-second, just give me an opening for a split-second...!’ Gael hoped, quickly shuffling around, having an open look at Rurik’s right side.

Before he could pull the trigger, he found the pale man already crossing the distance between them. He hadn’t even noticed Rurik turn his way, yet—there he was.

"Ghk!—"

He ducked down, miraculously evading having his brain skewered by the needle blade. The invisibility wore off just as he did, swinging the crossbow up at the killer’s chin—

[Temporary summoning over.]

’Shit!’ He reacted, finding himself disarmed.

Before he could adjust, an impact collided directly against his abdomen. It felt as though a cannonball had struck his stomach, forcing a mixture of air and saliva to be spat from his mouth.

"Pyuh!—"

He found himself launched back against his will by the force. The roars of the crowd didn’t soften the blow as he caught himself, huffing.

By the casual way that Rurik’s foot was raised, it hardly looked as if any effort was exerted in brushing his stomach.

’This guy is stronger than me...That’s undeniable,’ he thought, holding his abdomen.

Attempting to speak made his ribs ache, "—Temporary Summon: Skill!—"

Just as he got the incantation out, he stepped back, though still being pricked by the blades of his opponent. One of the needles stabbed into his right forearm, while the other pierced his left thigh.

"Ngh!—"

[Skill Summoning Initiated | (R ): 50% | (SR): 25% | (SSR): 20% | (UR): 5%]

It was clear to him he was being played with, like prey being tracked by an apex predator. Rurik didn’t pursue him aggressively, instead keeping a slow, methodical pace around him.

The cheers of the crowd continued, hardly in his favor—

"FINISH HIM, REAPER!"

"KILL HIM! KILL HIM! KILL HIM!"

—Once again, he was cornered in this strange world. Though this time, there was nobody to blame but himself. As the merciless reaper approached, he readied himself—

[Chance Summoning complete...You’ve obtained...!]

[Skill temporarily obtained: (SSR) "Demon General Trigger: Abaddon"]

An immediate influx of power surged through his body, as if his veins were injected with raw energy itself. As he breathed out, the air burned; as he flexed his muscles, the air quaked; as he opened his eyes, he saw everything–

’--This power, it’s what I needed!’ Gael thought.

Black markings covered his body, feeling the weight of horns that had sprouted from his head; the entire crowd went to shock, as his opponent stayed at a cautious distance.

"WHAT IS THIS FORM THAT THE ROOKIE HAS TAKEN ON...? THIS ENTIRE TIME–HAS HE BEEN A DEMON?!" The announcer shouted in disbelief.

—

A view of the arena was spectated from a higher balcony, etched with jewels and a violet carpet of exuberance.

"That young man...What a beautiful one he is; a diamond in the rough," the woman of glistening, scarlet hair remarked in her lavish chair, licking her lips.

Beside her were multiple guards in armor different from the soldiers of Galios; ruby steel like that of beating hearts.

"Sir Damian," the woman of esteem spoke, raising her hand to the guard to her right. "The man fighting Rurik. What’s his name?"

"According to his employer, it’s "Gael"—he’s not from Galios," the ruby-armored guard answered dutifully.

"I see. I’d like you to find out what you can about him," the voluptuous woman ordered with a smirk.

"As you wish, Lady Gallace," Sir Damian knelt to a knee.

–

Though he was conscious, he felt a distinct shift in his mindset; an alteration to his personality that came with the authority of ["Abaddon"].

’All I want to do right now is...destroy. I know it’s bad, but it feels as natural as breathing–oh, this power is dangerous, but right now, I need it,’ Gael thought.

As he stared at his blackened palm, a black flame gathered, swirling into a burning sphere. With a casual flick of his wrist, he sent the fireball right for the Venator Reaper–

Rurik moved to the side, letting it pass as it struck the magical barrier with a burning impact–FWOOM.

The explosion of black flames frightened the spectators, erupting against the barrier just inches away from the crowd.

A perturbed sigh left the lips of Rurik, "I suppose I’ll have to use my magic as well. It’s been a long while since I’ve had to resort to it within the confines of this colosseum–but alas, you’re a troublesome one."

In a peculiar fashion, the pale man placed his needle-like blades into his own forearms. It was difficult to discern, but the weapons seemed to be absorbed by the reaper’s own flesh, sinking into his body.

’Enough of this–I don’t know what he’s planning, but I’ll destroy him,’ Gael thought, summoning another of the unholy fireballs into his palm.

Sending the element of destruction forth was a euphoric sensation, the same satisfaction was being praised for a good deed, only the inverse–

This time, the sphere made a direct hit, exploding right against the reaper who made no attempt to evade its fiery wrath.

"AAAAAAND THAT’S A CLEAN HIT, FOLKS!...IS THE VENATOR REAPER STILL BREATHING?!" The announcer shouted.

It wasn’t a question that lingered for long as the smoke was cleared, unveiling the unharmed form of Rurik. The man’s pale skin resembled reinforced steel, slightly burnt by the black flames.

"If you were able to burn my Titan Skin, I’ll have to commend the heat of your fire. There are very few masters of fire magic that have harmed me in this state," Rurik calmly complimented.

Before the reaper could even look up, Gael was in front of him, unrestrained like a wild beast. With the authority of Abaddon, malignant strength flowed through his muscles as he clenched his fist, expanding his biceps.

[—Destroy.]