Civilization

Chapter 297 297 - Beating Zabik (Rebecca Perspective)

Racing at us was a total of 15 Lickers as well as Zabik, not to mention the already charging horde of skeletons and zombies. Helioc, me, and 9 other assassins with varying weapons were on our side. If this was before I realized the capabilities of my skills, then I might have just run away then and there, and maybe I wouldn't have even been in this situation. No, I definitely wouldn't have been in this situation.

But now, I am.

"Alex, Ricki, and Yoro, focus on the zombies and skeletons, and break open a path for us. P5, Queenie and the rest attack the Lickers, separate them into two groups and force them to the sides. Rebecca, you are with me. Don't fall behind." - Helioc

"I should be the one saying that. I notice that my Agility is higher than yours during the small exchanges with the monsters here." - Rebecca

"You may have high speeds but nothing can beat a teleportation ability." - Helioc

? Shrugging my shoulders, Helioc's teammates sprint past him, following his command. Three of them expertly slice a path toward the approaching Lickers, whereas the other six utilize their skills, creating small tornados in a conical shape. Separating the Lickers from each other, they created a clear path to the slower-moving Zabik, which both Helioc and I instinctively moved toward.

Disappearing beside me, Helioc reappears behind Zabik, slashing at his feet with both his knives. Distracted by the attack, Zabik attempts to slam his fists into the Helioc who was below him, but to his dismay, I already caught up to him. Zooming through the small path, I leap into the air, and pierce the Poison Fang deep into Zabik's forehead, letting the knife sink all the way to the handle, before somersaulting off.

"Pathetic, insects. Do you think just one stab from a puny knife will kill me?" - Zabik

"Not at all, but what about multiple slashes?" - Rebecca

"Act 1 - Dance In the Midnight Sky." - Helioc

Grasping both knives in front of him, Helioc, phases into a black shadow, as he wraps around Zabik. Only the knives in his hand and the red scarf can be seen, as slash after slash appears on Zabik's body. Blood gushes out from the torn muscles and deep white grooves can be seen along his bones all the way until it reaches his skull. Appearing as a complete body, Helioc floats momentarily above him as the red scarf sways in the wind.

"Act 2 - Piercing the Moon's Reflection." - Helioc

Quietly and calmly, Helioc, falls to the ground, with only one knife held in front of him. A clean cut could be seen on Zabik as even the air felt like it was sliced. However, Helioc knew it wasn't the end, jumping backward immediately to get out of Zabik's range. Swiping the air, Zabik's large white claws narrowly miss Helioc's chest.

Even though all the cuts on his body, Zabik, just smirks as he starts to chuckle at us. Moving ever so slowly, with his back hunched over and his claws dragging along the ground, Zabik approaches Helioc. Narrowing his eyes, Helioc prepares himself for the engagement, when Zabik, turns his head toward me. Bolting to me, as he lifts his claws up, spreading them wide in order to limit my options, Zabik smirks at my surprised expression.

The sudden change in direction causes me to hesitate and by the take I realize what was happening, it was already too late to dodge to the left or right. Running backward is also slower than running forward, and I wasn't sure if I had enough speed to get out of Zabik's range.

"Tsk, desperate times, call for desperate options. Wheel Of Fate!" - Rebecca

Pulling my top down slightly, I press my finger along one of the handles, spinning the wheel clockwise. A bright light appears before me and time seem to slow as Zabik, leaps off the ground, floating in the air in front of me.

[Wheel of Fate has been activated. User will lose 50% of their HP due to the activation.]

[Spinning the Wheel of Fate… The Wheel of Fate has chosen a random effect… Skill: Blink. User is able to activate Skill: Blink 4 times within the next 10 minutes. No MP will be required to use Skill: Blink.]

Blink (Active) - Move through air and space to a location of your choice within a 5m squared space.

Once the Wheel of Fate skill finishes time starts to speed up and without a second thought, I activate the newly acquired skill.

"BLINK!" - Rebecca

Disappearing and reappearing next to Helioc, I feel my stomach churn, and being unable to keep it down, vomit bursts out onto the ground. Quickly, I wipe away the saliva still around my mouth, as I reevaluate my situation. Looking at my situation, Helioc places his hand on my shoulder as he steps in front of me.

"First time teleporting? Don't worry that is just something you have to deal with. Although, I guess that monster thought of you as more of a threat since it targeted you." - Helioc

"No, I think it was the opposite, it must have thought of me as easy prey. Can't say I don't blame it though. I can only Blink 4 more times within the next 9 and a half minutes. So, I suggest being able to kill this thing sooner rather than later." - Rebecca

"Agreed. I still have many skills which I can use against it. The only problem is my damage seems to be on the weaker side against it. Would have been better if one of us was using a blunt weapon." - Helioc

"Well, what can you do? I'll approach from the left, you go right?" - Rebecca

"Done." - Helioc

Splitting into two sides, Helioc and I sprint toward Zabik, who was unhappily turning toward us. Thinking back to Yor's battle with Number 88, I try to emulate his movements, watching the monster with every step, ready to change direction at a moment's notice. I have never been much of a fighter, so this was my first ever major battle and to my surprise, I enjoy it.

"Coin Flip." - Rebecca

Materializing the familiar Fortuna Coin in my hand, flick it into the air in front of me. The zap of electricity wrapping around the coin as it leaves my fingers sends a slight tingle throughout my body as I detour more toward the left, letting Helioc make first contact with Zabik.

[Successful Coin Flip! Doubling Random stat… Vitality has been selected! Vitality 49 -> Vitality 98. Will you flip again?]

"Yes" - Rebecca

[Successful Coin Flip! Doubling Random stat… Strength has been selected! Strength 44 -> Strength 88. Will you flip again?]

"No" - Rebecca

Doubling my Vitality solves my HP issue, giving me more HP and with the second coin toss, I gained additional Strength. I'm sure I'm the strongest person here, and with this added strength, I highly doubt the monster will be able to withstand my attack. Brandishing the knife to my side, I zoom toward Zabik, as the monster elongates the rib bones piercing the ground as Helioc nimbly dodges each attack.

"Dagger Toss! Shadow Sneak! Critical Slash!" - Helioc

Tossing his dagger at Zabik's head, Helioc reappears along the underside of the moving projectile, grabbing it out of the air as he hops off Zabik's disappointing attempt to swing at him. Positioning himself above Zabik's head, a red line could be seen as Helioc slashes at Zabik's neck. In the meantime, I arrive right below Zabik, piercing the Poison Fang right through his chin.

"BLINK!" - Rebecca

Immediately, I activate Blink as I sense something was wrong. Reappearing away from Zabik, I glance at my knife only to see that there was only the handle left. Stunned, I forget to keep an eye on Zabik.

"So slow. Just like the insect you are." - Zabik

Snapping my head in front, I see Zabik's towering figure, right in front of me. The rib cage opens wide as if inviting me in.

"BLINK!" - Rebecca

Using the skill once more, I reappear behind Zabik, but the continuous use, upsets my stomach and I collapse to my knees as only water and saliva leave my mouth. Glancing up, I see Helioc struggling to stand, as 3 deep red gashes could be seen across his chest. Blood bleeding profusely to the ground.

"Tsk, didn't think I would have to use one of my trump cards here. Rebecca, blink away from Zabik right now." - Helioc

"B-Blink…" - Rebecca

With my last usage of the skill, I blink behind Helioc, only to feel the repercussion of using the skill once more. Catching a glimpse of Helioc, before I lay my head on the ground, I see him rhythmically slide his knives against one another as he steps forward calmly. Zabik, responds to Helioc's provocation by copying him, as Zabik sharpens his claws against one another.

The moment, Helioc enters Zabik's range, instead of attacking with his claws, he opens his mouth, letting loose a violent scream.

[You have been attacked by Wailing Scream and have been inflicted with Fear for 2 seconds]

However, Helioc had already disappeared in front of Zabik. Reappearing with his knives around Zabik's neck.

"Act 3 - Void to the Moon." - Helioc