Death Leveling Chapter 39

[ … words ]

The perspective of some stranger:

“Yooooooooooo!! Is there no one else here?!”

I yelled underneath a building; a bunch of guys were on the floor, bleeding and some even unconscious.

“K’ay, bruh—I’ll take ya on,” stated a girl with an eyepatch.

“You again… you know I don’t like hitting women, right?”

Then I turned my back to her, took out a cigarette and lit it using a lantern.

Wrapped my hands in gauze—already had them on my fists, but adding extra was my little display of mercy.

“YOU’RE NOT PAYING ATTENTION!!”

She shouted as her fist connected with my fucking face!!

Stumbled a few steps backwards… “ya, ya—huueah— a good one, girl.”

Proceeded to spit a chunk of blood on the floor—accidentally landed on some unconscious guy, my bad.

I placed my hand over my nose—it immediately came away covered in blood.

With my palm now bloodied, I struck my head twice—smearing the blood into my hair.

Grinned and lunged towards her.

She immediately shifted left and threw a right hook—I instantly—and intentionally—caught it against my elbow, sending shivers through my body—a small price to pay!—as her fist shattered against it.

She immediately screeched in pain.

I lightly pressed my hand against her nose—barely applying any force.

“I win,” I smirked as I picked up the bloodied cigarette off the ground—still burning, aren’t ya?—ain’t wasting you for the life of me.

“Treat the poor girl,” I emptily mumbled as I leaned on the wall.

“What do ya say, wanna rub one out with me, Bread?” I voiced with my head held high—my throat egotistically displayed like a trophy.

“For the old times, right?” he whispered as he lowered his head slightly—his eyes transforming into something animalistic.

“You know it—I know it,” we both flaunted grins of equal quality.

Slowly, yet ominously, removed one singular gauze for him to witness in full glory.

I held up both of my fists—guarding myself fully—while, oppositely, he kept his palms open, shifting them about as if ready to parry anything I’d throw his way.

“Ya know what?—I won’t even use my fists to beat your ass!”

He giggled at my claim.

“Yeah?—promise?” almost sarcastically—don’t think I can, bud?!

I returned his laughter—a show of simultaneous respect and mockery.

“Oh, pinky promise, darling,” I said as I sharply tilted my head to the right for a moment—stretching my neck.

Instinctively and consciously recognizing his tactic, I decided to sacrifice my dominant hand as bait.

I lunged it towards him—and just as expected, he parried it without so much as a sweat!

Unbeknownst to him, my left fist was hidden beneath my right, already coming straight for his face!

“Yyyo—” escaped his mouth as he jerked his head upwards, stumbling backwards with a quick yet audible gasp.

“Hah,” I let out as my leg immediately caught his steps, sending him tumbling onto his back—his head striking the concrete floor with a loud thud.

“Huuuuaaa— that hurts like fuck!!” he voiced as his hands instinctively went to the back of his head—a stream of pleasant red liquid rapidly pooled beside him, cementing my undisputed victory.

“You said you won’t use your fists, you bitch!!” he bellowed, his voice loudly echoing through the basement.

As I turned around, in ego I proclaimed, “I didn’t hit ya once, did I?—predicted your every move.”

“You’re fucking insane, I swear to God,” the man said as he wept on his back without so much as a tear.

“Yeah?—not much you’re swearing to, then, bready Bread,” I muttered as I sauntered towards a bench.

Picked up my sweater and walked upstairs—they seem to be throwing a tantrum up there, what’re these guys up to?—a party without me?

The second the floor came into view… “ah… just Shao being loud again—typical tirade.”

Came up to the counter—this was a pub as much as it was a guild home.

I quickly tilted my head upwards and said, “get me something strong, won’t ya?—for the pain.”

“Winning your little bouts at least, Zel?”

Upon a momentary pause and our eyes locking for a good skim, I replied in arrogance, “you don’t see others coming up, do ya?”

He handed me a glass of Everclear—filled to the brim.

“Yo, you tryina’ kill me?!” I raised my voice, staring at the glass.

“What’s wrong?—can beat up everyone, yet can’t hold your liquor?”

“You old fuck…!!”

Instantly picked up the glass and in two massive gulps, demolished the drink…!!

“Eas— ea— OH, FUCK YOU MOTHERF—” my hands instantaneously warped on my throat, as I began aggressively coughing trying to catch my breath.

“You— you’re actually tryina’ kill me…”

I glared at the steward through one barely-open eye—teary-eyed and still at alcohol’s mercy whimpering in misery.

You would expect the dude to laugh, but no—he simply stared at me with the sort of expression you’d witness from someone who’d just beaten you in a fistfight.

“Zel, what is wrong with you?!—why are you dying again?!”

“Again?!” I quickly retorted, still struggling to catch myself.

“Again!!”

“Go away, Shao—you’re the last one I want to deal with right nia— now,” I coldly yet with tender affection answered her.

“Speak like that to me again and you won’t see me later tonight!! Hmph!!”

“Ya forget?—I’m getting shit-hammered at the festival, there’s no ’tonight.’”

I picked up that she was just bantering with me, but I was inclined to remind her regardless.

She raised her arms, squeezed her eyes, and puffed out her cheeks like some child.

“Is that right?!”

Some hours passed…

I was out drinking and letting myself loose…

“Gos— oh, fu— I might just pass out in a fuckin’ alley or some shit!!”

Stumbled, almost falling over repeatedly…

Dizzily, peered my head upwards—glaring at all the beautiful stars!!

“Life is beau— biou… tiful, but… but… do wish I had a family— like a brother!!” said the last part in excitement…

“Ah… I— I need to take a leak…”

Staggered my way out of the festival… a nice little desolate area!!

Now… bush… take my 99-percent-alcohol piss!!

“Eh?”

Some guy instantly poked his head out from the bush…