Chapter 10: Assassin
'Is this truly the abyss mode? No, there are too many factors at play,' Noctis quickly shook off his thoughts and surveyed his surroundings.
He struggled to devise a way to escape this predicament or survive.
'What can I change? The skill activated despite the shield, meaning the assassin will shoot through Brad's magic and cut my life along with the shield at the very next moment.' He glared at the silver light, attempting to identify who it was, as the assassin charged straight towards him.
''What can I trade for my life? No, wait I don't need to change my own fate!' He focused on Brad, or more precisely, his magic circle.
'Instead of changing my fate, which would demand a greater price, I can change the fate of others while facing lesser price myself.'
As time ticked down, Noctis contemplated for a moment, with his skill dwindling to 15 seconds remaining.
He let out a sigh internally as he established the changes and Drawback with his unique ability.
'Alter the shield's magic circle to become unstable, resulting in an explosion that propels me backwards; Drawback- will be losing my right arm along with sustaining several broken bones.' Noctis's voice trembled at the end, steeling himself for the pain he was about to endure.
A familiar blue window materialized.
[Drawback accepted]
Noctis felt a moment of relief that it was approved, but it was short-lived as the monochrome world began regaining color in mere seconds as the skill's time limit approached.