Chapter 6 SIX
“Did I die? What loop is this?” Ken asked as he raced towards the East of the camp.
“No you didn't. You survived the injuries. Your system upgrade came on time before the injury.”
“That's great news. Where did I stop?”
“The two minute task has ended and you have lost the new capabilities. But, I will be giving you a second chance, except it will be harder. Are you ready to take on the next challenge?”
Ken sighed. “I have no choice. What is it?”
“Stop!”
He obeyed immediately and started scanning the area.
“Look over to the mountain. Do you see the round egg-like structure popping out of the hollow?”
Ken’s eyes moved to the direction and in no time he got hold of the giant structure. It is reddish brown. Metal stronger then iron. But it had cracks that scattered from the top to the rest of its circumference.
“That is a Bergon pod,” AIDEN said as though he read Ken's mind.
“In it, is one of the most deadly creatures you will ever see.”
“Can you explain further?”
“The Bergons. Nine in number. Located in the pods scattered all over the planet. Winged. Fierce. Able to breathe fire and ice. This is the first to hatch.” AIDEN paused. “Destroy it!”
“Nope I can't.”
“You can and will after the next thirty seconds.”
A new message flashed across Ken's eyes.
SYSTEM RECALIBERATION: FIRING CURRENT CAPACITY TO SUPER MODE.
It started with his hair. They all stood pointing upwards and outwards. Then his mind quickened. He could think critically and faster, analyze any situation before he even thought of it. He felt a powerful surge of energy all over. His vision and hearing senses sharpened. He received infra-red vision which could view the inside of anything. He saw the Bergon, massive and frightening. It had dagger teeth. Ears that looked like blades. Powerful strong wings and limbs. He looked at the face. It instantly locked eyes with him. His heart jumped into his stomach. With a loud creak, the pod broke and released the monster. Ken could see its size fully now. It was ten times his height. He was still awestruck when the command came.
“You know how it is. If you complete the task, then you can retain your current skill level.”
“Destroy the Bergon before it enters the city.” AIDEN said so gently that Ken forgot for a second it was an actual threat capable of mauling him.
“Are you crazy? How do you expect me to…” Ice from the Bergon’s mouth started rushing towards him ready to freeze him. He jumped at the right moment onto the nearest tree branch.
“Wow! I can do that?”
“Fight!” AIDEN commanded.
He turned to the Bergon who had charged towards him.
“God! Aiden!”
“You can't chicken out at this moment if you want to retain your new abilities. Summon courage.”
Ken took a deep breath and opened his eyes. Mentally ready to battle. He jumped off the tree with ease, twisting mid-jump and launching a powerful blow into its eye which sadly, had no effect.
He winced in pain. It felt as though he had hit a rock with bared hands.
He lost his agility mid-air and fell with a loud thud.
“Aaghhh! This is much worse than I thought.”
“I think I might have something but first, run!” AIDEN said.
He zoomed off in time before the creature hit the ground with its claws.
AIDEN continued.
RECALIBERATING SKILLS: PAIN THRESHOLD RISING.
“I have increased your pain threshold. You will be numb to some degree of pain stimuli. Now move.”
Ken faced the creature bravely. “Activate infra-red vision!” He commanded.
His eyes maxed out and he paid full attention to the Bergon approaching. He saw past its skin and into its body to spot any vulnerabilities.
There it was.
It didn't have the normal anatomy of other creatures. It had what looked like a blood storage organ after the heart which received blood, energized it and released it only when urgently needed.
“So if I take it out, blood connection to other organs will be destroyed and I can tire and kill it. But how do I do it?”
He looked around and spotted a long curved metal close to him. He picked it up and ran straight towards it.
But the Bergon was ready. It had studied Ken's tactics and already knew his next action.
Ken ran right, backwards and towards the left each time. But his move was going to kill him this time. As he raced towards the left, he ran straight into the Bergon's claws.
It picked Ken with ease, wrapping its hands firmly around him. It roared aggressively. The gust of wind from its breath ripped Ken's suit off. Ken pushed, twisted and kicked, all to no avail.
Then, the Bergon squeezed.
Hard.
Rough.
It flexed its hand so tight in an attempt to suffocate Ken.
It started with Ken's bones. His arms cracked and were soon crushed.
He screamed from intense pain.
Then his rib cage. Crushed.
He opened his mouth to scream but no sound came out. It squashed Ken's lungs and heart. His internal organs.
Ken was weak. AIDEN could not initiate any action.
The pain was excruciating.
His life flashed before his eyes.
All his days in Raven force camp without ever knowing his parents. The errand boy. The laundry boy. A zero level cadet or more like a fugitive.
Hot tears ran down his cheeks.
Then blood.
He bled from all his openings.
He was finally squashed.
His body gave way completely from the inside out.
All his organs ground to paste.
Then the Bergon threw the semiconscious Ken to the floor.
He saw the giant Bergon foot descending over him and closed his eyes in resignation. It stepped and pounded Ken continuously till he was evenly mixed with the soil. No fragments left.
Ken died again.
The second time.
More painful than the last
Will he get a third chance?
