Chapter 4: Kill, Kill, Kill—Madness Unleashed

"Gagaga!"

Just as Mu Yi and the Giant Wolf faced each other, a strange cry sounded; the Giant Wolf lifted its head warily, then fled in panic.

Watching the Giant Wolf leave, Mu Yi felt no joy; the only reason a predator could escape was the presence of a stronger predator.

Pairs of green‑glowing, hungry eyes lit up from the shade of the trees.

Under Mu Yi's gaze, a half‑human‑tall green‑skinned Goblin, with an unknown fluid dripping from its mouth corner, grasped a crudely made wooden spear and surrounded Mu Yi.

The Goblins, accustomed to ruling the forest with brute force, never consider who their opponent is; the forest belongs to the Goblins, to the great beast‑plague Espirin, and all other creatures are merely prey.

"Iron-blooded Slaughter!" Mu Yi no longer hesitated and immediately activated his Elite Talent.

【Elite Talent activated, combat buff applied】

【Based on your attributes, you gain a temporary +1 to all attributes】

【Based on your weapon, you gain a temporary Blade Weapon Mastery specialization】

(Blade Weapon Mastery: a specialization acquired after extensive training with blade weapons, allowing proficient use of all blade weapons, knowing how to inflict greater damage and how to hit enemies more easily 【Accuracy +1, Reaction +1】)

Mu Yi instinctively adjusted his grip on the blade, making it easier to exert force; the weapon seemed an extension of his limbs, and he knew how to unleash its full chopping power.

Now he could defeat five versions of his former self, Mu Yi judged his own transformation in his mind.

Even with identical attributes, his former self was at best a slightly stronger ordinary person, whereas his current self was a heavily trained warrior.

It's like a butcher and a farmer: same strength, but the butcher can more easily slaughter and dismember animals.

The Goblins kept emitting an irritating, sharp sound, then stared greedily at Mu Yi with small eyes of deep green or dim hue.

"Gagagaga!"

After confirming Mu Yi was alone, the Goblins, brandishing their crudely made weapons, swarmed toward him like a hive.

When they realized the enemy numbers were far fewer than theirs, the Goblins became unusually ferocious.

Mu Yi inhaled deeply, and the Mountain Cutting Knife flashed a cold gleam in his hand.

Just a single encounter, a Goblin was gutted by Mu Yi; with both attribute and specialization buffs, the Goblin's movements were crystal clear to Mu Yi, who could see every action.

【You killed a Goblin and gained 5 kill‑experience points.】

【Gained one "Fierce" mark (24 hours)】

A red hue colored Mu Yi's eyes; adrenaline surged dramatically, his heart thundered, continuously pumping fresh blood throughout his body.

Having ended a life with his own hands, Mu Yi felt a certain intoxication.

But because of that fleeting intoxication, a Goblin thrust its wooden spear into him.

The Explosion-proof Suit performed well, yet Mu Yi still felt the impact of the spear thrust.

The painful shock awakened Mu Yi; with a swift motion, he cleaved the Goblin's head open, the foul‑smelling blood splattering onto him, yet Mu Yi felt no nausea—on the contrary, he felt exhilarated.

The beast within his heart seemed to roar wildly; this is the life he loves.

【You killed a Goblin and gained 5 kill‑experience points.】

【Gained one "Fierce" mark, current mark count: 2】

The red in Mu Yi's eyes grew more pronounced, yet he felt no discomfort; instead, a surge of power rose within him.

In fact, it was the Elite Talent effect 2, the "Fierce" mark's boost, but none of that mattered to the current Mu Yi.

What mattered was that he needed to kill all the Goblins before him.

"Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill!"

The nearest Goblin took another slash, but perhaps due to its relative sturdiness, it did not die instantly.

"Ga! Gagaga!"

Instead it lay on the ground, emitting a desperate, painful wail; the mournful cry made the surrounding Goblins, sensing trouble, retreat several steps in unison.

But they did not scatter.

Hunting large prey always demands a price; the price has not yet fallen upon them...

Moreover, they outnumbered the foe, allowing them to hunt the monster before them.

"Puff!"

Mu Yi swung his blade; the tip pierced the wailing Goblin's body, fully delivering the wailing Goblin to whatever afterlife may await.

【Gained one "Fierce" mark, current mark count: 3】

"Hey, plant!"

Mu Yi drew his blade, looked at the Goblins that hadn't fled but circled again, and smiled.

"Not fleeing, but coming toward me!"

Mu Yi's smile was both cheerful and... ferocious.

"Then I'll send you down to reunite!"

Mu Yi lunged at the Goblins; about thirty gathered, and he intended to slay them all!

However, what troubled Mu Yi was that these half‑human‑tall Goblins were so short that they crazily attacked his lower half, forcing Mu Yi to bend over, shield his vital parts with the Explosion-proof Shield, and then continue cutting down the Goblins.

"Whirlwind Slash!" Seeing attacks coming from all directions with no room to dodge, Mu Yi gritted his teeth, withstood two blows, then spun his waist sharply once.

The universal technique granted by his specialization proved very useful; though it added no extra effects, the few Goblins nearby fell, each gutted.

【Gained one "Fierce" mark, current mark count: 11】

When the "Fierce" mark count exceeded 10, Mu Yi's eyes turned fully blood‑red, the world was veiled in a crimson haze, yet Mu Yi noticed no abnormality, as if completely unaffected.

The Goblins, who had been watching Mu Yi warily, suddenly froze.

They saw Mu Yi's blood‑red eyes.

In an instant, in some Goblins' eyes, the entire sky seemed to turn blood‑red, and a blood‑red, terror‑laden phantom monster appeared before them.

They emitted shrieks several octaves higher than before, then, like huge rats that have met a cat, they fled wildly!

Just a fleeting glance at the blood‑red monster's phantom shattered their courage; they went berserk, turning on each other as if everyone around were an enemy.

The Goblin's eyes were blazing red as it charged toward Mu Yi!

Its eyes were completely blood‑red, but unlike Mu Yi, it had entirely lost its sanity, even ignoring the fear of its bodily Instinct, and actively charged at Mu Yi.