(Cover made by my dear friend MPTARTS. mptarts on Instagram)
(A/N)
I actually can't stop writing for this fic lmao. The ideas keep pouring into my brain!
Essiter: I kind of wanna draw that lmao(Even though I suck at drawing), And Thank you! I wasn't sure if the interactions between the characters were up to standards but it seems like it was :D.
Harmgee: Grinding time indeed!
Spenge: RAGHHHHHHHH
(Cardin)
"HRAGHHHHH" Cardin roared as he brought his Mace down onto the head of the Boarbatusk in front of him. The armor of the grimm crumbling like sand under the Executioner. The body of the grimm quickly fading away into ash.
"This is getting ridiculous" Cardin huffed as he sat down onto the cold marble floor, His body exhausted and his mind longing for just a few hours of rest. He couldn't feel his arm and he has been in the dungeon for hours. God damn, I barely survived thanks to my years on the field.
{Training}
Kills the grimms
Stage 1: (240/240 Beowolfs)
Stage 2:(130/130 Ursas)
Stage 3:(50/50 Boarbatusk)
Final stage(?/?)
Cardin couldn't wait for the damn training to be over. Gamer's body may have saved him from bleeding out from lacerations and stab wounds but it did nothing to sooth the pain or the mind-numbing slaughter that Cardin has been partaking in ever since he has gotten into the dungeon
"I've rested enough, Start the final stage"
Are you sure Cardin? Your HP is below half and your state is exhausted
HP: 65/200
Aura(Unlocked): 95/300
"I have that Second Wind thing. Don't act like your concerned for me. Start it"
Your funeral kid. Don't say I didn't warn you!
FINAL STAGE
DEATHSTALKER(0/1)
"...Son of a bitch..." Cardin grumbled as he readied his mace, Cardin smiled nervously when he saw the gigantic Deathstalker form in front of him. Cardin took the initiative and drove his Mace down into the Deathstalker's carapace and cracking it somewhat. His grin quickly faded when he spotted the tail flying at him.
His Guardian shield quickly unfurled to catch the tip of the stinger just inches away from the center of his eyes before he was side swiped by a claw and sent flying into the wall. His aura shattering and the agonizing pain of having something break his aura quickly overwhelmed him.
"shit... I'm really bleeding" Cardin muttered as he wiped his eyes. Looking around for his weapon, He failed to find Executioner laying anywhere near him, His heart almost froze as he realized that he was weaponless and out of aura against a Deathstalker that had a slightly cracked shell, "Shit"
His panicking quickly stopped when he heard the enraged screech of the Deathstalker. Cardin berated himself for not learning martial arts for the last time before unfurling the Guardian shield. The glint of it's edge giving him a slight idea as he readied himself. If he was correct. Then he might just be able to survive
"COME AT ME ASSHOLE" Cardin screamed, His voice a pitch higher than what he was used to as the Deathstalker swung it's pincers, Cardin gathered all of the strength he into his legs and leapt onto it's back. His Shield raised up high before he brought it down with a scream, The sharp edge of the Shield barely cutting through the damaged Carapace
CRITICAL DAMAGE DEALT!
A few more blows like that and the deathstalker's done for! Keep going Kid!
Cardin grinned at the messages before his split distraction costed his life. Cardin felt his bone shift and crack and his heart being pierced through before he felt the agonizing pain blossom in his chest, Cardin looked down to see the glowing yellow stinger of the Deathstalker dyed red with his blood. It's tip pierced through his chest and dripping an green fluid that Cardin was 99% sure was poison
"A- arg-" Cardin choked as he tried to say something but his throat tightened. Blood pooling in his lungs as he coughed up blood. His life flashing before his eyes as he was flung into an marble pillar. His spine snapping on impact and an terrifying sensation and realization hit him. He couldn't feel his legs.
I can't die here, I haven't- I have... No.. It's only been a week Cardin's mind flooded with emotions as he watched his life slowly drained away from him in front of his eyes. His sadness when he realized he still hasn't made up for his mistakes, His fear when he realized that this may be it. He might not go back to the start and this is his last chance. And his rage when he realized that all he could blame was himself for being foolish enough to challenge this tower.
9/200
No... No this can't be it. He couldn't die now. There's so much more to do!
8/200
He didn't want to die, He wanted to live, He wanted to see past his teenage years
7/200
He want to see the rest of Beacon. He wanted to see his friends and comrades enjoy the four years they have left
6/200
He had just gotten this chance. He had just began to live
5/200
He had just started to make it up to Velvet... To Jaune...
4/200
And this Deathstalker was ripped everything away from him. This wasn't his fault.
3/200
It was the Grimm's fault. He didn't want to die. Not without making that fucking grimm feel his pain.
2/200
He wasn't going to die.
1/200
He REFUSED to die without making that deathstalker pay. It wanted a piece of Cardin Winchester?
0/200
THEN IT'LL GET A PART OF CARDIN WINCHESTER
SECOND WIND ACTIVATED. ALL DEBUFFS DISPELLED
"YOU MOTHERFUCKER" Cardin screamed as he rose up from the ground. His grievous injuries healed and the gigantic hole in the center of his chest gone. His armor plating still retaining the shape of the Deathstalker's stinger. Cardin didn't hesitate for even a single moment as he charged towards the Deathstalker. Rage clear in his eyes and fury burning in his veins.
Intimidated: Deathstalker
Cardin parried aside the Deathstalker's desperate swing, The deathstalker's beady red eyes almost seemed surprised as Cardin grabbed the joint of the Pincer, The deathstalker immediately started to struggle but it was for naught as Cardin slammed his Shield into the join. Causing the Pincer to be rendered useless before slamming the shield into it again and ripping off the appendage. The roars of pain were like music to his ears
"HOW DO YOU LIKE IT HUH? YOU FUCKING LIKE GETTING YOUR ARM RIPPED OFF?" Cardin screamed as he wielded the gigantic pincer like a bat. Slamming it against the Deathstalker relentlessly while the grimm pathetically tried to shield itself with it's stinger and remaining pincer, if Cardin wasn't so enraged by the fact that the Deathstalker had almost killed him. he probably would have taunted it with "why are you hitting yourself?"
"HRAGHHHH" Cardin roared as he brought the Pincer back before stabbing it forward and impaling the Deathstalker on it's own pincer. It's stinger and legs flailing around as the life slowly drained from the grimm before it ceased all movements and faded into ashes. Cardin panted as he collapsed onto his ass.
"I'M ALIVE, FUCK YOU I'M ALIVE HAHAHA I'M ALIVE" Cardin laughed, He was absolutely elated as serotonin flooded his system. He had just beat a grimm that would have taken two entire teams together to kill. And he did it. Alone. All he had to do was...
The tip of the stinger piercing through his chest. his heart trying pump despite the stinger being in the way. The feeling of his lungs pooling with blood.
"I died... Holy shit I fucking died... Oh my god..." Cardin trembled as all the rage and adrenaline and happiness flushed out of his body. His hands couldn't stop shaking and his mind couldn't replay the last couple seconds before Second wind had saved his life.
The agonizing pain trying to breath. The poison congealing his blood while it leaked onto the pristine marble floor. Dyeing it a crimson red.
"Oh my god I died, I fucking died. it killed me" Cardin sobbed, He couldn't stop the tear from flowing down his cheeks as he cried in relief and exhaustion. He had lived. He had killed the deathstalker that killed him and won. His second chance wasn't wasted.
Congratulations of defeating Floor 1 of the Tower of Hanoi
Rewards:
{Berserker}: Unlocked by {Cardin Winchester}
Cloak of Lycaon: Stage 1 Reward
Gauntlet of Artio: Stage 2 Reward
Chestplate of Hildisvíni: Stage 3 Reward
{Intimidate} Upgraded to {Bloodlust}
{Desperate Strike}: Final Stage Reward
Deathstalker's Pincer: Final Stage Reward
Congrats on using Second Wind for the first time, Cooldown: 14:14:14
"E-Exit dungeon" Cardin said. His voice shaking as the room around him shattered and dissipated to reveal Cardin's room. It was still two in the afternoon and everything was left exactly as he left it. Time really was frozen in place.
"I need a shower" Cardin said as he unbuckled the Winchester armor. Taking one last glance at the steel Chestplate before stepping into the bathroom and locking the door. He quickly stripped off all of his blood and sweat stained clothes and felt a jolt of shock run through his body.
"No..."
The large circular scar that remained on his chest reminded him just how deadly being a hunter was. Cardin trailed his hand around the edges of the scar and shivered.
Let this be a reminder of your Arrogance, You aren't unkillable.
"y-yeah" Cardin said as he tried to ignore the discolored skin and ugly looking scar but the moments before his death kept flashing before his eyes. Cardin gritted his teeth as he turned on the shower, Cold water hitting his back instantly as Cardin stared at the shower drain. The specks of blood spiraling around the drain before disappearing
I'm strong. I took down hundreds of grimms... The only reason I was killed was because I was exhausted...
You know that isn't the case. Can you really not change Winchester?
No... The system is right, I could have waited and I could have replenished my strength. I died due to my arrogance, It was my fault. Cardin thought angrily as he slammed his fist into the wall, The tile cracked under the force Cardin had put behind his punch. So much physical strength yet none mentally. Fuck
"Cardin. You alright in there?" Sky's voice startled Cardin as he quickly shut off the shower and grabbed a towel, "I'm fine, Give me a few moments"
"Alright man, Just be careful in there"
Cardin sighed as he turned off the valve. He glanced into the mirror once again and ran a hand through his hair.
I still have a long way to go, Don't I...
{Duel of Kael: Test of Strength and Courage}
10 days left Cardin.
{Berserker}
!Title!
"Anybody can become angry — that is easy, but to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way — that is not within everybody's power and is not easy." - Aristotle
Effects:
Activated when either Condition A (Health is depleted) or Condition B(Rage maxed out) is fulfilled
Ignore all damage for 5 minutes. All physical attributes is maxed out. All mental attributes is reduced. At the end of the 5 minutes be inflicted with {Anxiousness} and {Paranoia}. 5% chance to be inflicted with {Death}
Cloak of Lycaon
Armor of the beasts: 1/5
!Armor!
"As silent as a mouse yet as fierce as an wolf"
Effects:
When equipped, Speed and Stealth are increased massively.
Bloodlust effects will be more likely to be activated
Wolf-like Faunus and Creatures are more likely to listen to you
Gauntlet of Calisto
Armor of the beasts: 2/5
!Weapon/Armor!
"A gentle creature that quickly turn into an force of nature when enraged. Never mess with a descendant of Calisto"
Effects:
When equipped, Strength and Constitution are increased massively.
Bear-like Faunus and Creatures are more likely to listen to you
Weapon-Specific skill: {Overwhelming Power} Activates. Each punch is doubled in power
Chestplate of Hildisvíni
Armor of the beasts: 3/5
!Armor!
"I saw the boars... they surrounded their lord as if they were a great company of men." - Beowulf
Effects:
When equipped, Constitution is increased massively
90% chance to block thrust attacks
95% chance to block slashing attacks
Boar-like Faunus and Creatures are more likely to listen to you
Weak to blunt weapons
{Bloodlust}
!Skill!
"Fear makes the wolf bigger than he is."
Effects:
Shatter their resolve. Make them fear you. You don't negotiate, You Conquer.
{Desperate Strike}
!Skill!
"Desperation is the feeling that you have when you are in such a bad situation that you will try anything to change it." - Collins
Effects:
50% Chance to shatter weapon to deal 300% damage
50% Chance Opponents gain debuff status: {Intimidated} and {Paranoid}
Deathstalker's Pincer
!Weapon!
An Mace carved out of Deathstalker's Pincer. It's engravings are designed to strike fear.
Stats:
Capable of inflicting Blunt-Force Trauma
Intimidates those weak to grimms
Advantage against humans
Disadvantage against grimms
Enrages Deathstalkers
2,275.
Our boy Cardin just can't get a break.
A bit of a short chapter but what did you think?
Comments and Criticism welcome!