Ch 6: What’s going on?
Akhil’s abilities gave him hope the moment he discovered them.
In fact, if he had to put it into words...
It felt a little overpowered.
But it was to his benefit.
{Gene Synchronization}
This ability allowed him to copy the genetic codes of anyone whose blood he absorbed.
Not only would he be able to assume the form of whatever beast it came from, but he would also be able to use the beast’s ability.
And his version of the ability wouldn’t remain at the same level as the original owner.
No—his power allowed him to add his previously existing mutant points to those gained from the opponent.
So essentially, if he absorbed the blood of a grade two mutant warrior while already having three points of his own, the points would combine, pushing him up to the next level.
After absorbing blood from his target, he had unlocked a skill:
{Rock}
And when he saw the spear thrust toward him, Akhil instinctively activated his ability.
His green skin hardened, darkening to a deeper shade.
The spear struck him, but it couldn’t push any further. It simply stopped against his hardened flesh.
Akhil stared blankly at the man, and the two locked eyes.
The man stood dumbfounded.
"Die, you green-skinned orc!" he roared in panic, stabbing the spear again.
But to his dismay, the weapon got stuck once more, unable to pierce through the thickened skin.
Akhil frowned, confused. ’Why is this idiot trying to kill me?’ he thought, glaring at the man.
As the man thrust the spear a third time, Akhil finally moved.
Hardening his hand, he threw a rock-hard punch.
The man couldn’t dodge. The sheer force of the blow sent him crashing to the ground, his jawbone shattering under the impact.
"It can’t pierce my skin, but it freaking hurts, you idiot," Akhil muttered, looking down at him.
The man shuffled his feet, trying desperately to crawl farther away from Akhil.
"And why the hell are you trying to kill me?" Akhil demanded.
He could understand if they attacked him while he was still a mosquito, but now? Despite not being fully human, at least he could stand on two feet.
The man didn’t answer. Instead, with a terrified look, he screamed at the top of his lungs.
"Guys! This one here also has the same powers as their boss!"
Blood leaked from his shattered jaw as he spoke.
"What the heck are you saying?" Akhil raised a brow, utterly confused.
Before he could react further, the man regained his footing and tightened his grip around his spear.
Just then, another man appeared behind him with a gun in hand.
"My spear can’t get through him," the first man muttered.
The second man didn’t hesitate. He fired straight at Akhil.
Akhil raised his arms to block.
The bullets bounced off his hardened skin, but the piercing pain still tore through his body.
He gritted his teeth.
"Stop it already!" Akhil thought angrily as he closed in on the two men, slamming their heads together with a sickening crack.
Then, as he walked out of the corner, he was greeted by a grave sight.
Several orcs lay injured. In front, others were locked in combat with humans.
The scene left him baffled.
’Why are they fighting?’ Akhil wondered.
Still, he didn’t dwell on it. Instead, he walked further ahead.
Aside from the two he had already dealt with, only a small group of humans remained.
Five of them. Seven in total.
At their lead stood a red-haired man battling fiercely against Nibo.
The man’s mechanical arms looked like massive hammers.
"You thought we’d let you leave so easily? It was smart of us to let you run so you could lead us here. Now, we can wipe you all out at once!" the red-haired man shouted, his laughter echoing across the battlefield.
He swung his massive fist straight at Nibo.
Nibo crossed his arms above his head in an X to block.
The blow came down with brutal force.
Nibo’s arms shook as the impact hurled him backward.
Akhil remained at the corner, silently observing the fight—until he heard Aria’s voice.
"He’s just a kid! Don’t harm him!" she screamed.
But the man with a deep scar running across his face only laughed maniacally.
"It’s not human... so why should I care?" he sneered, kicking the young orc boy to the ground.
The boy fell on his backside, wincing in pain.
The scarred man raised his hand, a spark of flame flickering to life in his palm.
"You orcs could become a threat to humans. We can’t allow that... Who knows what stupid quest the system will throw at us next?" His voice dripped with cold disdain.
"Besides, we need food rewards from the guild."
Killing intent flashed in his eyes, and a dark grin twisted his face.
It was hard to tell whether he truly meant what he said or if something darker fueled his desire to kill.
Without warning, he hurled the flame straight at the boy.
"You bastard!" Aria cried, clutching her burnt arm.
But she was too late.
The flames were already racing toward the child.
The boy’s eyes widened in terror. He scrambled, trying to dodge, but he wasn’t fast enough.
He flinched, eyes shutting tight as the fire closed in.
He braced for searing pain.
But to his surprise, he felt nothing.
A calm voice spoke instead.
"Well, that kinda hurt. Can someone please explain to me what’s going on here?"