Villain Ch 51. Killsteal

The swordsman had taken a step forward, his boots crunching on the dungeon's damp floor beneath his feet, his mind and body fully engaged as he navigated through the dangers and challenges that lay ahead.

Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain in his back, as if someone had plunged a dagger deep into his flesh. His attacker had struck from behind, moving with such speed and stealth that the swordsman had been unable to defend himself in time. The pain was intense, and he could feel his HP draining away like water from a leaky bucket. His blood painted his uniform.

Even as a full tank-type swordsman, he knew that his opponent was a formidable foe.

'This guy is thick,' thought Allen. He had to confess that he had underestimated his opponent, thinking that he could take him out with a single blow, but he was wrong. The swordsman was tougher than he looked, and he had managed to survive Allen's critical attack.

With a quick movement of his hand, Allen activated his Hiding skill, vanishing into the shadows like a wraith. He watched as the swordsman turned around, confused and disoriented, searching for any sign of his attacker. He had no idea that Allen was still there, waiting in the wings for his chance to strike again.

Allen moved quickly and silently, his footsteps as light as a feather. He knew that he only needed one chance to finish the job and he had to take out the swordsman before he opened his inventory and used his Escape Rope.

Again, Allen approached from behind, he raised his weapon, a deadly blade honed to a razor's edge. As silent as a professional assassin, he struck out, the blade flashing through the air like lightning. The swordsman had no chance to defend himself, no time to react as the blade plunged deep into his back once again.

The impact was brutal, and Allen could feel the resistance of the swordsman's light armor. But he didn't hesitate, didn't falter in his attack. With a fierce determination, he pushed the blade deeper, slicing through the flesh and bone like a hot knife through butter.

The swordsman fell to the ground, his HP depleted to zero and his body broken.

[You have managed to kill a player]

[Kill player 3/10]

Immediately, Allen used his Hiding skill again, leaving the three dead players confused as to who had killed them.

After gaining his victory, Allen walked back to his comrades. With this, they only needed 7 more kills. But unexpectedly, another swordsman appeared on the horizon.

"It's so crowded out there, guys. We better not lose our hunting spot," the swordsman's voice echoed through the cave even before he arrived. It seemed he was a member of the previous party. Luckily, dead players couldn't communicate for a while, not even via party or private chat.

The girls gasped as the new swordsman appeared, his uniform gleaming in the dim light of the cave. They huddled together behind the pillars and stalactites of the cave, their hearts pounding with tension and anticipation.

Allen was already preparing to ambush the new swordsman as he waited for the perfect moment to strike. But before he could make his move, Zoe stepped forward, her sword glinting in the dim light.

Without hesitation, she lunged forward, her sword blazing through the air like a comet.

The swordsman was caught off guard, his defenses down as Zoe's sword struck him. In one swift motion, she stabbed her sword into the swordsman's back, driving it deep into his flesh. The impact was brutal, and the swordsman let out a cry of pain as he felt his life force draining away.

Luckily, this swordsman was not a tank type, and his level was only 12. He was no match for Zoe, and he fell to the ground in a heap, his body broken and lifeless.

[You have managed to kill a player]

[Kill player 4/10]

Zoe smiled triumphantly as she watched the swordsman's body fall to the ground, his armor clattering against the dungeon's floor. His face was buried in the water, so he couldn't see Zoe at all.

Allen and the others breathed a sigh of relief. But again, their moment of respite was short-lived. The sound of footsteps echoed through the cave, followed by the chattering voices of several people. It was clear that another group was about to arrive, and from the sound of it, it was around five or six people. Their cover would be exposed, and they would be trapped with no way out.

They had to make their move! Quickly! Or their cover would be exposed!

Vivian waved her hand, summoning her virtual keyboard before she moved her fingers swiftly over it, her eyes focused on the screen as she typed a message to the rest of the group.

[Lilieth: What should we do? Should we engage them directly?]

She hit send, and the message was instantly transmitted to the other members of the group. They had to be careful - the swordsman's corpse was still lying on the ground, so they couldn't talk freely.

Allen's response was quick to follow.

[Azazel: No, stay anonymous. Avoid direct battle as best as we could.]

Zoe and Shea quickly followed suit, typing their responses into their own holographic keyboards.

[Abyssia: But how?]

[Lullaby: I think confronting and killing them quickly is the best solution. After we complete this quest, we can send a message to the group chat and ask others to quickly complete their daily quest before this information spreads in the player's forum]

Indeed, it was a good idea, but Allen remembered Jane was still sleeping and Larissa was still shooting her video. Both of them may not be online immediately. But as Allen looked around at the monsters that surrounded them, a wicked smile spread across his lips. He had an idea.

[Azazel: I think I know how we can kill them without revealing our identity.]

The others perked up; their attention fully focused on Allen's message.

[Lilieth: How?]

[Azazel: Have you ever done killsteal and become a toxic player?]

His group immediately understood what he was implying. They would use their skills to steal kills from the upcoming group and use it to challenge them for a duel openly.

[Shea: You are clever, Allen. I didn't even think that far.]

Allen answered them with an innocent smile.

[Azazel: I'll take that as a compliment.]