Chapter 11: The Aberrant Appears!

“Slaying an ordinary giant, reward: 5 credits.”

The moment Sikong Xu killed the giant, a cold, electronic-like voice was transmitted into his mind from the mark on the back of his hand.

“So that’s how it is. This must be the bonus reward for Main Quest One… That means… there are nine giants left…” Sikong Xu licked his lips, suddenly finding this trial in the fantasy world rather interesting. It felt like the ‘God’s Domain’ spaces described in the novels he read in his previous life, only without the terrifying ‘erasure’ punishment for failure.

Whoosh! After rescuing an elite from the Garrison Regiment and incidentally slaying another giant, Sikong Xu activated his omni-directional mobility gear once more. With the steel claws firing and gas jets releasing, he swiftly returned to his previous position.

Although Sikong Xu’s entire sequence of moves wasn’t particularly flashy, it was extremely efficient, and he executed it with a smoothness and ease that seemed almost effortless.

Watching Sikong Xu’s “performance,” everyone present was struck with a terrifying realization: “So killing giants is actually this simple?” Even Mikasa stared at Sikong Xu in utter shock.

“Xu… Is that really you?” In Mikasa’s memory, Sikong Xu had decent physical abilities and sharp reflexes, but his sense of balance was notoriously poor. He would even trip over his own feet when walking normally, and it had taken him three whole days and nights to barely manage the basics of the omni-directional gear when he first learned it.

“I’m still me!” Seeing Mikasa’s expression, Sikong Xu was instantly charmed—who would have thought the usually aloof Mikasa could be so adorable?

Unable to resist, Sikong Xu reached out and playfully tapped Mikasa’s little nose. “After all, I’ve been in the cadet corps for three years now. I’m bound to have made some progress.”

“I just didn’t expect you to change so…” Mikasa’s words were abruptly cut off by several giants charging toward them in the distance. Although everyone present was shocked by Sikong Xu’s strength, the mindless giants didn’t understand; they continued to charge at the group without hesitation.

As for the battle that followed, its outcome was almost a given. If only the elites of the Garrison Regiment had been present, the situation would have been dire—perhaps a few would kill some giants through sheer luck, but the majority would surely suffer heavy casualties.

But now, with both Sikong Xu and Mikasa—two veritable powerhouses—joining the fray, the battle became almost entirely one-sided. Whenever the “burden teammates” of the Garrison Regiment made mistakes or were caught by giants and faced imminent death, Sikong Xu and Mikasa would always appear at their side in the nick of time to save them, cutting down the threatening giant as if it were nothing.

Perhaps because they were in the town center, far from the Wall of Rose, only a dozen or so giants had made it this far, and all were swiftly dispatched by Sikong Xu and Mikasa.

Crunch! As Sikong Xu’s dual blades sliced through the nape of the final giant, everyone let out a deep sigh of relief. Some collapsed onto the rooftops, some embraced one another, and some even shed tears. Who could blame them? After experiencing such a brush with death, they needed to vent their emotions.

But Sikong Xu was far from pleased. Ever since he acquired the incredible skill “Infinite Martial Tempering,” his strength had soared to new heights—slaying giants was now child’s play. But Mikasa was just as formidable.

So, as Sikong Xu stared at his mission panel, with Main Quest One showing a frustrating 9/10 completion, he muttered to himself. If only Mikasa hadn’t stolen some of his kills, he would have finished the quest by now!

“Damn! Why didn’t I kill one more giant earlier?!”

Although slaying nine giants had earned him 45 credits, compared to the 150 credits for completing Main Quest One, it was a paltry sum! Credits were crucial in the Dimensional Academy—they were the key to growing stronger!

“If only there were one more giant…” Sikong Xu sighed forlornly.

His sulky expression made all the nearby Garrison elites grit their teeth in resentment. What did he mean, if only there were more giants? Did he think giants were so easy to kill? But remembering Sikong Xu’s performance, they fell silent. People like them had no right to criticize someone who slaughtered giants as easily as slicing fruit.

“Xu… When did you become so powerful?” Mikasa still couldn’t understand how the once bottom-ranked Sikong Xu had become so strong all of a sudden.

“Well… It’s hard to explain. Just think of me as someone useless in theory but a monster in real combat.” Sikong Xu brushed off her question. Until she agreed to sign a contract with him, he had no intention of revealing his identity.

“After all, without strength, I can’t protect you…” Sikong Xu smiled, teasing the usually icy Mikasa without even realizing it.

“I don’t need you to protect me—it should be me protecting you.”

As they spoke, another thunderous crash erupted from the ground. A massive figure burst out from behind a house at incredible speed, covering more than ten meters in just two strides!

“A giant!”

“There’s another one? Damn, how is it so fast?!”

“It’s an Abnormal! Scatter!”

This abnormal giant moved with astonishing speed. Before anyone could react, it was already upon them. If it were to strike now, several lives might be lost in an instant.

But surprisingly, the abnormal’s target wasn’t the Garrison elites or Sikong Xu and Mikasa. It sped past them, heading straight toward the rear.

“Phew…” The sudden appearance of another giant had everyone on edge, but when they realized it wasn’t after them, they all exhaled in relief.

“That’s it!” Sikong Xu immediately recalled the scene from the original story where Mikasa and the Garrison Regiment chased after an abnormal giant.

“Oh no! The civilians evacuating in the rear!”

“What?! Everyone, pursue that abnormal! Don’t let it reach the civilians!”

Perhaps because they’d been too tense, no one remembered this crucial point until the abnormal was already running away. Although the elites immediately activated their mobility gear to give chase, it was too late—the abnormal was much faster than an ordinary giant.

“Xu…” Mikasa glanced at Sikong Xu.

“Right! Let’s go after it too. If that abnormal starts slaughtering civilians, things will get ugly.”

With that, both activated their omni-directional gear and shot off in the direction of the evacuating civilians.