Strongest Mystic

Ethan's body was completely stiff as if he was paralyzed. He thought, 'seriously? Now I'll become some kind of monster?'

[No. This is some kind of variant. Your cells are reacting to it unusually. According to the public known information, the virus affects the brain, stomach and heart of the affected person at first but in your case, it's spreading throughout your body.]

After a period of fear and uncertainty, Ethan felt a bit calm. It was an unusual feeling but Ethan took advantage of it. 'Nyx can you use obsidian fragments and get rid of this damned virus?'

Nyx replied shocked him, [No, I can't. I am afraid using obsidian to try and get rid of it will have an adverse effect. It's because it gives the same feeling as obsidian. By feeling I mean there is a high chance that the virus originated from obsidian fragments. I am sorry, due to my incompetence I can't get rid of it.]

Ethan closed his eyes and processed the information. "No wonder even after so many years, we still cannot counter the virus… Nyx don't be like that. You are my only support right now.'

[Yes, you are right.] Nyx said softly.

'We cannot get rid of it. But can't we suppress it?'

[Yes! I didn't think of that. I'll also try my best to not let you go unconscious right now. But I am afraid that you will get unconscious in ten or so minutes.]

'It's alright. Gotta survive this first.'

Nyx was doing her work at a fast pace. Ethan could feel his body relax with every passing second. But still there was a high chance that the thugs would reach him before he would be able to move.

Just then he felt someone panting above him and some liquid fell on his face. Opening his eyes in surprise, he saw the brown female dog he had met before.

"Go… go away," he said in a low, breaking voice. This female dog was clearly different, after all he was not able to detect her.

She bent down and started licking his face. He gasped in horror, "Hey.. no go away… you will also… be affected."

If she got affected then Ethan would have no choice but to kill her. He didn't want that to happen.

[No way…] Nyx suddenly gasped.

At that moment, his body trembled and he could move his body again. He slowly got up and coughed out some dark liquid that actually corroded the ground. He turned to look at the female dog with wide eyes.

Even without Nyx saying anything, Ethan knew that this dog was really really special. Just by licking, she became a catalyst and helped Nyx to suppress the virus easily.

Ethan felt dizzy and his body was still weak. But still he was out of danger thanks to her timely arrival.

"Why… Why did you help me?"

She looked at him with a sense of pride, barked and then turned around to slowly walk away, her tail wagging.

"Hey wait!" Ethan hurriedly stood up and asked, "How can we meet again?"

The female dog paused and looked back. She gave another bark and shook her head left and right.

Later, Ethan gazed at the alley the dog had disappeared to and sighed, "So she really was my destiny."

[You will definitely meet her again.] Nyx was sure of it.

Ethan turned and said, "Before that I will have to survive first."

Ahead of him, the thugs had started to gather, their machine guns aiming at him.

"Nyx, let's finish this quickly."

Ethan instructed her to use the special points in two things: boost his agility by ten times and create a new ability: psychic shield.

Nyx hesitated as it was a big gamble but she knew that they had no other choice as currently Ethan's blood-thirst was so high that the first person he saw would die, so she did what he said.

As for him not attacking the female dog, it was bizarre. So many strange things were happening that even Nyx couldn't understand them. All of this just increased her drive to improve.

Ethan took a few deep breaths, trying his best to clear his mind. He picked the sword and muttered, "This sword will break."

The shortest goon said in the distance with a fear filled voice, "Damn boss, he actually killed these monsters. What should we do now?"

The shirtless burly man beside him snorted, "Idiot, it's clear what we have to do." he pulled out his own gun and roared, "Kill this bastard!"

More than fifteen thugs fired at the same time, the whole street was filled with the vicious sound of bangs. There were fifteen more behind them, ready to attack when needed.

At that moment, a golden translucent screen covering the whole width of the street appeared in front of Ethan, becoming an impregnable wall to the first round of bullets.

The burly man shouted even louder, "Don't worry, guys! Even if he is a mystic, it's impossible for his shield to last forever. Use everything and make hundreds of holes in his body!"

The thugs gave a battle cry and kept on firing at Ethan. The shirtless man was right. The shield would disappear in forty seconds.

Ethan took a deep breath and took a basic sword stance, holding the sword diagonally upward. He could run away but he would be captured sooner or later.

So Ethan was going to use the skill 'lightening edge'. It was a legendary sword skill passed down by his father. A sure kill sword move that had eliminated many foes.

Thirty seconds…

Ethan closed his eyes and tried to concentrate. The essence of this move was speed and the foundational movements of a swordsman.

Ethan had boosted his speed. And fortunately, Chase never missed his training and had a good foundation. Ethan just had to concentrate, recall and implement what Chase had done everyday.

It was easy but somehow it wasn't working. Sweat dripped down his face. By now, his sword should be covered with purple lightning but it wasn't happening.

The geniuses of this world had found many ways to use arcane energy without being a mystic and these people were called drifters.

After conditioning their body and meeting some requirements, if they performed certain movements and breathing techniques, they would be able to use the powerful skills they created or inherited.

Fifteen seconds…

The sound of bullets colliding with the translucent screen was piercing to him, making his head ache.

He again used the chronostasis ability to stop time for three minutes. Nyx helped him remember all the training his father gave him but he still couldn't see the answer.

The time resumed again.

What was he doing wrong? Maybe he should really run away. Cracks started to appear on the screen. He had to calm down. There had to be something he was missing.

Ten seconds…

"No," Ethan growled. He didn't want to die. He still had a lot to do. He still had to apologize to Sasha.

Five…

At that moment, his father's words echoed in his head: "Son, success comes not from strength or money, but from having a pure heart."

Four…

That's why he wasn't able to use this skill.

Three…

His heart was not pure but filled with filth.

Two…

Tears dripped down his face.

One…