Second Lead Syndrome (1-187) | ✓

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Author's note: 2 months ago, this book barely hit 1k reads. Now, it's almost 60k, and I'm waking up to 99+ notifications everyday. Good god, you guys are amazing, LOL. Thank you so much for the support ❤❤.

Warning: The first half of this chapter contains strong violence (but there is no gore though). For those who are easily squeamish, you can skip the descriptions.

Everything happened so fast, Alric couldn't comprehend what had just occurred. A second ago, he was staring Veau in the face, who maintained a smiling expression. The next second, the thugs pounced onto Veau, regarding him as an enemy after he simply tossed their comrade away. 

However, Alric knew something. 

He knew he would never be able to erase this moment in his memory, especially as he watched Veau change drastically right before his eyes. 

His pupil widened and the hint of scarlet red swirling in his eyes eventually spread, his irises becoming completely scarlet red. The sclera began to change from its original white to a horrifying black.

(A/N: I assume some people, like me, aren’t familiar with anatomy terms. "Sclera" is the white part of your eyes, basically. Didn’t want to trouble you to search up the meaning and yeah…) 

Veau’s usual lazy demeanour was nowhere to be found, his smile disappearing and Alric could feel a sudden wave of bloodthirst coming from Veau, almost suffocating him. The thugs who were still charging at Veau with their weapons, halted in their steps when Veau disappeared within a flash. 

“What the-”

“Where did he go?!”

Alric could only stand still in the spot, feeling goosebumps over his entire body. Kai who witnessed the moment via Alric’s eyes was equally terrified.

Alric: "Do I...do I ru-run? Again?"

Xue: “With Veau like that, impossible.” 

With Veau like that, Xue didn't want to fight for control over the body either. The current state of his body was in no position to fight against him.

The cowardly merchant cried internally, he wanted to switch immediately but he was startled by a shocked yelp. He hadn't recovered when more shocked exclaims were heard, one after the other.

Alric watched on with a ghastly expression, rooted to the ground and he was unable to formulate any words. He caught glimpses of a shadow tearing past the thugs, the same shadow left chaos in its wake, limbs and heads were flung into the air, followed by a trail of blood. 

“Re-retreat!”

The massacre was appalling, and the only unscathed individual, Alric, was finding himself being showered with blood, his white shirt decorated by patterns of crimson red lines. A pungent, metallic stench filled the air and Alric looked tremblingly as an arm was thrown in his direction. Alas, Alric couldn’t find the strength to move, remaining frozen in the spot. 

Xue: “...aren’t you going to avoid that?” 

Kai: “Why can’t you take pity for this fellow soul of yours? You can feel how traumatised he is!” 

The arm decided to spare Alric instead, landing right on his light grey boots and Alric could feel the severed arm weighing down on his boots, feeling its shape clearly. Alric kept his gaze fixated on the arm which was cut off cleanly from its owner, he didn't see an inch of bone or flesh sticking out of place.