Chapter 8 – Soul Strike and the Terror of One-Eye

Volume 1: Apocalypse Beginning

Wen Yu barely twisted his body to the side, dodging One-Eye's pounce, then delivered a fierce kick to One-Eye's belly.

Although he had just become a Class Holder, it was obvious that a kick with twice the strength of a normal person was not something easily endured, especially in the soft area of the abdomen.

One-Eye was struck by Wen Yu's kick, his movements immediately slowing, while Wen Yu also felt a recoil travel up from his toes. He took a step back to dissipate the force.

"It seems that with double the physical stats, trying to take on this Beast is still too much of a stretch. In that case…"

"What about Combat State?"

The Soul Beast, which had been swaying up and down on Wen Yu's shoulder, suddenly dove into his body.

Wen Yu felt a surge of heat rush from his ears throughout his entire body, followed by a wave of restlessness, and then an overwhelming sense of power.

"Die for me."

The violent power erupted uncontrollably. Wen Yu roared, raised his fist, and smashed it down hard on One-Eye's head as it lunged at him. One-Eye couldn't react to his opponent's sudden burst of speed and took the punch head-on.

"Awooo, awooo…"

One-Eye was knocked to the ground by Wen Yu's punch, letting out a miserable howl. The physical pain was actually quite mild.

However, a strange energy surged from the struck area straight into One-Eye's brain. It felt as if a stick was stirring relentlessly inside his mind.

Seeing One-Eye's wretched state, Wen Yu immediately understood that in Combat Form, the Soul Beast's first skill-Soul Strike-had taken effect.

With Wen Yu's current physical stats, his base value was 4, while One-Eye's was at least 5. Without any weapons, it would be difficult to inflict fatal injuries on One-Eye with just fists and kicks.

Therefore, Wen Yu naturally placed his bet on Soul Strike, this S-Rank skill. At least for now, it seemed he had bet correctly-Soul Strike had dealt significant damage to One-Eye.

Wen Yu's fists and feet relentlessly pounded One-Eye's waist. The saying "copper head, iron tail, tofu waist" didn't only apply to wolves.

Moreover, the protection offered by the spine in the waist area was clearly weaker than in other parts.

One-Eye was clearly stunned by the successive Soul Strikes, completely overwhelmed. Aside from constant howls of agony, the pain in his mind had stripped him of all strength in his limbs.

This alone demonstrated the terror of Soul Strike. Without outside intervention, One-Eye's soul would be torn apart by the power of Soul Strike and he would die. Judging by the blood seeping from One-Eye's facial features, it was clear that this wouldn't take long.

But an unexpected turn occurred-not from the outside, but from within One-Eye himself.

As a Mutant Beast, similar to a Class Holder, each Promotion brought a chance to awaken a mutation ability.

For a "genius" like One-Eye, who had already become a Level 1 Mutant Beast at the very beginning of the Apocalypse, if he didn't fall along the way, it meant he would gain a high-level skill with every Promotion. The higher the level, the more terrifying he would become.

Thus, One-Eye already possessed his first skill.

Fate Struggle (S-Rank): An unimaginable fighting will makes the Host fearless, greatly reduces pain perception, and as injuries worsen, the Host's basic physical stats increase exponentially, with no upper limit.

At this moment, One-Eye was being tormented to the brink of death by the power of Soul Strike, and soul trauma was naturally a type of injury.

So, without Wen Yu even noticing, One-Eye's physical strength was steadily rising. As the soul injury worsened, One-Eye's physical attributes grew ever stronger.

The damage capability of Soul Strike is determined by the difference in base attributes between both sides. Originally, with Wen Yu's base attribute of 4 and One-Eye's base attribute of 5, Soul Strike could unleash tremendous destructive power, truly worthy of its S-Rank status. However, as One-Eye's physical fitness improved, the damage effect of Soul Strike kept decreasing.

Eventually, Wen Yu sensed that the target beneath him was growing tougher, its skin hardening, the recoil growing stronger, and One-Eye's howls growing weaker. Wen Yu gradually ceased his assault.

Then, what he saw were One-Eye's blood-red eyes.

What kind of eyes were those?

The previous mockery and coldness had completely vanished, leaving only a wild, murderous intent. The immense killing intent instantly sobered Wen Yu, who had been fighting with fervor.

"Damn, I only saw my own strength and forgot that Mutant Beasts can also possess abilities." Wen Yu immediately realized what he had overlooked.

In truth, Wen Yu couldn't be blamed. In his previous life, as cannon fodder, he had only encountered the lowest-level humans and monsters, and such creatures could never possess abilities capable of changing the tide of battle.

But the current situation was clearly different. Wen Yu himself, thanks to the terrifying Soul Master profession, could be said to have completely left the cannon fodder ranks in this life as long as he didn't court death.

As for One-Eye, to have grown into a Level 1 Mutant Beast at the very beginning of the Apocalypse, its future evolution path was wide open, and it certainly couldn't be considered cannon fodder either.

In battles between the two, skills were absolutely the key factor that determined victory.

Wen Yu ignored his own torn and bleeding hands and slowly retreated toward the doorway behind him.

Wen Yu couldn't tell what kind of ability One-Eye possessed, and the best way to resolve the current predicament was undoubtedly to find an escape route first-fight if he could, run if he couldn't.

One-Eye slowly straightened up, its lower body temporarily numb from Wen Yu's blows.

However, no matter how severe the physical pain, it could not compare to the agony in its mind.

This pain drove One-Eye mad.

"Roar!"

A tremendous sound wave erupted from One-Eye, making the convenience store's glass creak, and even the nearest glass counter shattered instantly. Wen Yu was stunned by the deafening roar, his vision blurring and his ears ringing.

One-Eye gave Wen Yu no chance to recover. Supporting its body with its massive forepaw, it lunged forward, its bloody maw aimed at Wen Yu's head. There was no doubt-if bitten, survival was impossible.

Wen Yu felt a wave of murderous intent rushing toward him. Enduring the dizziness in his head, he hurriedly twisted his body.

The combat experience Wen Yu had gained during a year in the Apocalypse saved his life. With a quick sidestep, he dodged One-Eye's gaping jaws.

Although he avoided being bitten head-on, One-Eye's claw struck Wen Yu's arm.

It felt as if Wen Yu had been hit head-on by a speeding train. The immense force sent him flying, smashing through the convenience store's glass and rolling several times on the street before finally dissipating the impact. A mouthful of blood followed.

Seeing his left hand's bones bent into a grotesque shape, Wen Yu ignored the excruciating pain and scrambled toward the entrance of the Residential Area.

Behind him, One-Eye continued to roar, but its voice was clearly growing weaker.

Wen Yu guessed that this Mutant Beast had likely injured its waist, weakening its mobility-which, in turn, had saved his life.