New Start, Old Moves

‘It hurts, it hurts, it hurts.’ Was the only thing running through Leo’s mind as this fantastical sight happened above him. He remember dreaming of entering a new world of fantasy and becoming powerful. Stronger, better than he ever was on earth, but how could he? That was all fiction and no matter how fantastical this always, reality was way too harsh. Wait, reality? Fiction? Cheat skills! He still had the system. Appearing in front of him once again he took note on a low HP bar which he assumed represented his health.

‘I can’t die here.’

Slowly the HP bar lowered. He scanned the skills page once again. Whether from the blood loss or the the system itself the skill he needed to use started to glow. ‘Sorry Natasha, but we are past the point of hiding from your pursuers.’

REBECCA’S GRACE PULSE

A warm feeling seemed to concentrate on his wound. Was this mana? Maybe, all Leo knew was that he was feeling better as his HP bar filled. He gained the strength to weakly stand up.

“You were a damn priest huh?” The cloaked man cursed seeing Leo up.

Zentella attempted to strike again, except this time the clocked man dodged her and grabbed her out of the air. “GAH!” she gasped as he punched her in the gut hard leaving her dazed and dropping her weapon.

“But I suppose we are done here.”

“Let her go!” Leo instinctively knew that there was no room to hesitate. Someone like this cloaked assassin would still want kill him. That was the only reason that Leo was willing to charge at the man. He wasn’t going to leave just yet.

“These matters don’t concern you, just take a nice rest with your Goddess.” The cloaked man slashed at Leo forcing him to dodge down. He was still caring Zentella, meaning he wouldn’t be a proficient as he could be.

This was all Leo needed to even dodge said attack and pick up the dagger that Zentella dropped. “Sorry, but I kind of made a promise to protect that girl.”

“Natasha must have been desperate to enlist the help of some… Strange priest.” The cloaked man now fully took in Leo’s strange appearance to him. His clothes were far too different from what he would call a priest. “But if she wanted to play decoy so bad, she should have gotten better help.”

“Yeah, I can’t argue there man.” Leo was shaking. He had the dagger, but what could he do? This guy was blocking the very fast and scary movements of Zentella; a resident of this crazy world. Leo never so much got into a fist fight back on earth keeping to himself. So now what? He was going to fight to this man. More importantly, could he kill him? But that thought was at the far far back of his mind.

“Pity then.” The cloaked man started as his movement blurred where he stood.

“Ha!” Leo had no real combat experience. He never swung a knife, let alone a dagger. Yet he channeled that inner child that grew up on these stories of power and fantasy. If the man before him fought like some kind of fantasy assassin, then the most coolest thing that would happen in this setting would be an, “Attack from behind!” Shouting and swinging upward with all his might, Leo miraculously caught a bit of the blade. It wasn’t a block, but it was enough to change the blade’s direction to only cut his left arm.

“Damn, lucky priest. You’re getting on my nerves.”

“So let her go and I’ be on my way.”

[Proficiency unlocked!]

[Aleister’s Weapon Mastery can now be used]

[Zeke’s Kill Strike can now be used]

‘Wait? Skills were locked?’ Was all Leo could think before the cloaked man charged at him.

It seemed that Leo’s continued existence was an annoyance to the man opting to attack head on. However…

ALEISTER’S WEAPON MASTERY

Leo’s movements changed completely. He was now blocking and parrying the strikes with the ease of someone who has been fighting with weapons all their life. Granted, the clocked man was still considerably stronger than Leo. However, with the extra weight of Zentella, the cloaked mangas being pushed back.

“Who… What are you?”

“Just a guy keeping their promise.” Man, he felt so cool.

“Bullshit! Your Mana completely changed! You don’t even feel like the same person anymore!”

“Sorry, can’t answer that for you.” That would have to be a question for another time. As the fight continued, Zentella began to awaken.

“Nom.” It seems in the scuffle she was able to position herself and chopped on her captor hard.

“GAH! DAMN BRAT!”

That split second turn was the cloaked man’s downfall.

ZEKE’S KILL STRIKE

It was instant. The fastest Leo had ever moved in his entire life. The dagger pierced his enemy’s neck. The warmth was lost passing by his hand. He removed the dagger with such precision and swung away the blood from the blade. It was natural, like he had done this a million times.

Of course… reality came crashing back with a thud the man before him made. Crashing to the ground releasing Zentella. Soon blood began to pool. Leo’s hands began to shake. Dropping the blade he began to look at them and at the body before him. He did that. He killed that man. He took that man’s life.

Pat Pat

“You did good… You did what must be done.”

Zentella now stood next to him patting his arm. Her expression was blank as always with a small trail of blood dropping from her mouth. It was not hers. This small child was not fazed in the slightest at what had just transpired.

“Get a grip Leo.” He clapped his hands together. He still needed to fulfill his promise after all. “Okay, let’s get out of here.” He then stopped as his arm was being pulled. “Uh… what’s is it?”

She didn’t look at him, but tighten her gripped, “You… Your Mana feels like Daddy.”

“Oh… yeah. I think I have his skills.” Leo just stated, unsure what else to say or properly explain what happened.

Zentella just nodded, seemingly satisfied with such an answer she then suddenly climbed on to him, “Then let’s hide.”

Nodding Leo looked at his screen again and cycled through Zeke’s skill.

ZEKE’S STEALTH

There was a lot to take care. A lot to unpack. First things first was to protect this small girl resting on his back.