740 Uninvited Owner (2)
The front door creaked open, revealing the silhouette of a man swaying on the threshold. The light from the hallway seeped into the apartment, casting an eerie glow around him.
His name was Terrence, Erik's unsuspecting target.
Terrence was a man of considerable stature, standing well over six feet tall.
His broad shoulders strained against the fabric of his expensive suit, a testament to the life he lived as a mercenary, and of the stuff he did to get money. nove(l)bi(n.)com
His hair was a disarray of dark curls, slightly matted with sweat and sticking out in odd directions.
His face, usually handsome with sharp features and a strong jawline, was now flushed and slack with intoxication.
A pair of bleary, bloodshot eyes squinted into the apartment, trying to make sense of the flickering light from the television.
A look of confusion crossed his face as he stumbled further into the room, the door closing behind him with a soft click.
"Did I leave the damn TV on?" His words slurred. He was likely came from a bar or a tavern, and he obviously drank alcohol. He stood for a moment, swaying as he tried to remember.
Terrence had a peculiar quirk when he was drunk. He talked to himself, carrying on one-sided conversations as if there were someone else in the room.
It was a habit that had always amused the few friends he had but had often left him feeling embarrassed the morning after.
"Damn it, Terrence." He shook his head as if to clear his thoughts. "You need to stop forgetting things."
He made his way toward the television, his steps unsteady and uneven.
He stumbled once or twice, catching himself against the wall before continuing on his path. His hands fumbled for the remote, missing it a few times before finally turning off the TV.
The sudden silence in the room seemed to startle him. He blinked, looking around in confusion before shaking his head again.
"Must've been one hell of a party." A self-deprecating chuckle escaping his lips.
Unaware of Erik and June's presence in the room, Terrence continued toward his bedroom, leaving a trail of discarded clothing behind him.
Erik's blade found its mark with unerring accuracy. The sharp metal cut through fabric and flesh with equal ease.
Terrence's words turned into a strangled gasp, a sound that was abruptly cut off as his life was extinguished.
[HUMAN KILLED: MANA ABSORBING PROCESS STARTING.]
[0%...1%....5%...30%...70%...100%]
[MANA SUCCESSFULLY ABSORBED, STARTING CONVERTING PROCEDURE.]
[3...2...1...0]
[MANA SUCCESSFULLY CONVERTED INTO EXPERIENCE 968 EXPERIENCE POINTS AWARDED TO THE HOST.]
The deed was done. Erik stood over Terrence's lifeless body, his expression unreadable.
Erik's gaze swept over the lifeless form strewn haphazardly on the polished hardwood floor, his eyes devoid of any discernible emotion.
Terrence was now reduced to nothing more than a lifeless husk.
His once lively eyes, typically filled with a boisterous energy, were now vacant and dull.
His features, usually stressed by a confident smirk or a playful wink, were now distorted by the grim finality of death.
His strong jawline was slack, and his full lips were tinged with an unnatural blue hue. The curls that usually framed his face were matted with blood and stuck to his forehead, adding to the macabre sight before Erik.
His clothes were now marred by a spreading crimson stain. Erik's gaze lingered on Terrence's form for a moment longer before he turned away.
<He wasn't an innocent, > Erik's telepathic voice echoed in June's mind, his tone devoid of emotion. <He killed many outside the city just for greed. This man deserved his fate. >
June didn't respond, but Erik could feel his agreement. They both knew that Terrence's actions had warranted this fate.
<What do we do now? > June asked.
<Put him in the bathtub, > he said. <We need to clean up and leave no trace behind. >