Swoooosh!

The knife slashed right through the arms, cutting them with one clean slice.

I took the chance to pull my feet back, but the moment I did, even more hands emerged, clinging to my legs ferociously. They gripped my pants and climbed higher and higher, forcing their way towards me.

Swooosh! Swooosh!

I continued to cut down the hands, barely freeing myself each time, but it was no use.

Each time I cut down a hand, a new one appeared.

No, not just one.

Several dozen appeared at once.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

It reached the point where all I could see were hands, my shirt and face smeared with blood as the heavy scent of metal filled my nose. To make matters worse, the distant chopping grew louder, steadily closing in.

I could feel it.

Something else was coming.

Something even more powerful.

But I didn't panic. Swinging my hand, I continued to slash down, cutting down several hands at once. But even that became problematic.

With each slash, a dozen new hands appeared.

I was being overwhelmed. Each slash forced me back, my arms burning as sweat streamed down my face.

My swings began to slow down, just for a moment... but it was enough.

SWOOOOSH!

More hands burst from the blood, clawing at my legs, my arms, my clothes, anchoring me in place. I struggled, but they only multiplied, dragging me down inch by inch as I continued to move back, my back eventually colliding with something soft behind me.

I gave my back a quick glance, finding one of the carcasses behind me.

But something was wrong.

The carcass… moved.

It's cold, mangled skin shifted against my back, the entire body cracking and changing in forms as its rib cage expanded with a sharp, splitting sound, stretching wide, as if trying to swallow me whole.

By the time it acted, it was already too late for me.

Thankfully, I wasn't alone.

The moment the carcass moved, a shadow appeared right behind it as two dark hands grabbed onto it, stopping its movements.

"Hihihihi~"

A laugh followed, and the hands came to a sudden stop.

Turning around slowly, I looked at the dangling carcass and slashed the chains on top.

Thud!

The carcass collapsed to the floor shortly after, and the number of hands dragging at me began to dwindle, shrinking one by one before there were none left.

The same was true for the chopping sound as it faded into the background.

"...I guess you're not it."

I was a little disappointed to see this.

From the moment I entered the room, I'd already sensed something else inside the place. It wasn't the glasses that revealed its presence, but the knife. Through its second ability, I realized an anomaly was hiding among the carcasses. But it didn't stay put. It kept shifting from one body to another, never settling, which explained why every carcass had been swaying since the start.

It was for this reason that I allowed it to do as it pleased, moving back slowly and waiting for it to strike.

In the end, this was the result.

But...

"You're not the one who is haunting me."

Lifting my hand to look at the blade, I once again met my own reflection before wiping the blood from its surface. When I glanced down at my clothes, I found them torn in several places and completely soaked in blood.

"This won't do."

Taking out my [Quickstitch Outfit], I quickly changed it into an apron and put it on.

"...I won't get dirty this way."

Adjusting the mask on my face and holding onto the knife tightly, I began to walk away from the place.

"Time to look in a different area."

***

Early Morning.

Severed Star Branch Guild.

A small group had gathered in front of a particular door, a man in a dark suit standing before it with a clipboard in hand.

"As most of you are aware, the Guild is preparing for the upcoming World Congress. Soon, the main Guild's representatives will arrive, and things are going to get more and more hectic. We'll need to determine which teams will represent us. And naturally, we'll be holding a trial for that."

He was the Section Chief of the Hoarding Department, Clement White.

Staring at the group in front of him, his voice turned stern.

"Do not look down on those coming from the main Guild. Although they aren't from the island, they have access to a lot more resources than all of you. They're also trained by some of the best people on this planet. When the time comes for you to meet them, you'll be surprised by their skills."

Despite the intent behind his words, the Section Chief's words didn't reach the ears of many.

It was practically ingrained in everyone's minds. 'Those from the outer islands can't compete with those from the main islands, besides a few.' This stigma didn't appear out of nowhere, but from years of results in the World Congress and the achievements that followed.

The number of people who came from external islands and actually did well was a dime in the dozen.

There was usually no comparison.

"...Let's also not forget that we're also part of the same Guild. It would be best if you all got along."

The Section Chief's gaze paused on a particular figure as he spoke. Though he didn't say anything, his eyes said it all as several heads turned toward the woman leaning against the side of the wall, playing with her phone.

"Hm?"

Finally taking notice of all the stares, Catherine looked up.

"What? Why is everyone looking at me?"

"....."

Nobody answered. All heads simply turned back to the Section Chief as he continued briefing the group on the current situation.

"The type of gate we'll be entering is a hoarding gate, meaning that it'll continue until you end up clearing it. It's a fairly straightforward one. Most of you should already know the basic information about the anomalies inside and the general method of clearing them. I won't waste time explaining what you already understand. Your scores will be based on the number of kills you secure and their ranks."

Seeing how everybody had ignored her, Catherine clicked her tongue, feeling annoyed. But just before she could say anything else, a figure appeared next to her.

"Did... he end up showing?"

Chaterine paused, her emerald eyes turning towards the figure standing next to her.

Eventually, she shook her head.

"He didn't even answer me."

"He didn't pick up?"

"Didn't. Even when I knocked on his door, he didn't answer."

"...I see."

Marcus nodded, his expression calm. He wasn't surprised by this development as he calmly nodded his head.

"I guess it makes sense. He probably doesn't want to expose himself before so many people."

"Probably so."

Catherine brushed a strand of hair behind her ear while simultaneously taking out an electric vape and taking a quick drag of it.

"...I don't really blame him. If I were in his position, I'd also try my best to milk it so that I can make enough money to retire. If you ask me, he made the correct decision."

"Ye—"

"That's enough time wasted. Get ready, everyone. The trial will start soon. Make sure to get into your groups and prepare yourselves. This isn't going to be an easy ride."

Taking another drag of her vape, Catherine pushed off the wall and headed toward her group. Marcus followed close behind, the two of them drawing the attention of the nearby members as they made their way over and joined the other two guys.

Their presence instantly caught everyone's attention.

For they... were the aces of the Hoarding Department, and the most likely group to receive a good ranking within the World Congress.

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