Chapter 103: A Necessary Sacrifice
Mordred stared intently at the glowing notification before him, time seeming to freeze, the world around him blurring and fading into the distance. Beside him, Kael knelt in the blood-soaked sand, desperately performing chest compressions on the old man’s lifeless body.
- "Come on, old man," Kael murmured in a hoarse, nearly broken voice. "Don’t give up on me now we just survived hell! Breathe, damn it, breathe!"
But Mordred knew. He knew it was too late. He understood the devastating efficiency of his new skill, and he was certain there was no return for the man he had just coldly struck down, even as guilt began to gnaw at his soul.
His orange gaze burned intensely, fixed on the translucent screen floating before him:
[Absorption complete: Please choose between: → [Physical Stats] → [Physical Skills]]
He inhaled slowly, briefly closed his eyes, then silently pleaded as if in a desperate prayer:
- "Please, gods, deities, demons—whoever hears this plea... I need this skill. I need his ability to evade death, to strike back before thought even reaches me. Please..."
He mentally extended his will and resolutely selected:
— [Physical Skills].
A profound, terrifying silence followed his decision. Seconds passed interminable, cruel while Mordred waited anxiously, his heart pounding like a wild drum in his chest.
- "Come on," he murmured, clenching his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white. "Come on... come on!"