**Chapter 51: Trading Injuries for Lives, Entering the Transcendent!**

Gord stopped in his tracks and suddenly raised his left hand.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

With the pull of the ring on his pinky, the **[Rapid-Fire Crossbow]** strapped to his left arm immediately shot out three short bolts.

This sudden attack did not surprise the **"Killer in the Mist."**

"You think I didn't see that ring?"

"You're using my subordinate's weapon to attack me?"

"How ridiculous!"

The **"Killer in the Mist"** sneered, and with a few swift swings of the **"Executioner"** in his hand, he easily deflected the three short bolts and then lunged at Gord again.

Gord wasn't surprised by this. He knew the **"Killer in the Mist"** had already noticed the **[Rapid-Fire Crossbow]**.

That's precisely why he used it.

If he hadn't used it, it would have only made his opponent more cautious, which was something he absolutely did not want.

He needed his opponent to think that Gord had exhausted all his options and was powerless.

Then, to see him as nothing more than prey on the chopping block.

In the next moment, a dagger slipped from Gord's sleeve and into his hand.

Ignoring the **"Executioner"** thrusting towards him, Gord's dagger stabbed directly at the **"Killer in the Mist."**

"You want to perish together with me?"

"Are you worthy?"

The **"Killer in the Mist"** sneered, and with a flick of the **"Executioner,"** sent Gord's dagger flying from his hand.

At the same time, a bloody gash appeared on Gord's right arm.

It was...

The **"Executioner!"**

Not the sharp edge.

But the serrated side.

Pain!

Agony!

In an instant, Gord felt as if every bone in his body had been shattered and ground to dust.

Meanwhile, before Gord's eyes, visible only to him, notifications popped up one after another—

**[Bloody Honor] +1!**

**[Bloody Honor] +1!**

**[Bloody Honor] +1!**

...

Seven notifications in total!

Just as he suspected, the **"Executioner"** in the hands of the **"Killer in the Mist"** was indeed the weapon that had killed his father, three uncles, and three cousins.

It was imbued with **[Bloody Honor]!**

However, despite all this being what he wanted, the pain was beyond Gord's expectations.

Even though he was prepared, Gord couldn't help but let out a scream of agony.

"Ah!"

Gord, screaming in pain, collapsed to the ground, convulsing.

Seeing Gord's pitiful state, the **"Killer in the Mist"** laughed.

This was deliberate.

After deliberately disarming Gord of his dagger, he had used the serrated side of the **"Executioner"** to torment him.

After being toyed with by the boss of the Pine Nut Hotel, he needed to vent.

And Gord, who was utterly defenseless, was the perfect target!

"Scream!"

"Keep screaming!"

The **"Killer in the Mist"** shouted at Gord.

Collapsing to the ground, Gord screamed in agony while silently chanting in his mind—

**"[Bloody Honor] enhances [Unarmed Combat]!"**

**[Unarmed Combat (Expert) → Unarmed Combat (Master)]**

**[Unarmed Combat has reached Master level. You will additionally gain expertise in Two-Handed Combat Mastery and Two-Legged Combat Mastery, as well as two expert-level options for Grappling and Throwing techniques.]**

**"[Two-Handed Combat Mastery], [Two-Legged Combat Mastery]!"**

Gord made his choice immediately.

**[Unarmed Combat (Master): In the professional circles, you have long sat on the champion's throne. You not only excel at dodging, but your fists and legs also strike fear into your opponents; Effect: Body +0.6 (Basic, Novice, Skilled, Proficient, Expert, Master 0.1), Skill +0.5 (Novice, Skilled, Proficient, Expert, Master 0.1)]**

**[Well-Trained: Years of rigorous training have made your physical condition far superior to the average person; Effect: Constitution +0.2]**

**[Dodge Mastery: Compared to attacking, you prefer defensive counter-attacks; Effect: When dodging an opponent's attack, Body +0.3, Skill +0.3]**

**[Two-Handed Combat Mastery: You excel at using fist, palm, and elbow strikes, making them hard to defend against; Effect: When choosing two-handed attacks, Body +0.3, Skill +0.3]**

**[Two-Legged Combat Mastery: When you use your legs to attack, not only is the force overwhelming, but the speed is also unmatched; Effect: When using leg attacks, Body +0.3, Skill +0.3]**

...

The increase in **[Body]** made Gord feel the pain ease slightly.

But it wasn't enough!

The pain had lessened!

But it wasn't enough to face the **"Killer in the Mist!"**
“**[Bloody Honor] continues to enhance [Unarmed Combat]!**”

**[Unarmed Combat (Master) → Unarmed Combat (Peerless)]**

**[Unarmed Combat has reached the Peerless level. You will additionally gain mastery in Throwing and Grappling.**]

**[Unarmed Combat (Peerless): You have mastered multiple combat styles, making you unmatched in unarmed combat; Effect: Body +0.7 (Basic, Novice, Skilled, Proficient, Expert, Master, Peerless 0.1), Skill +0.6 (Novice, Skilled, Proficient, Expert, Master, Peerless 0.1)]**

**[Well-Trained: Years of rigorous training have made your physical condition far superior to that of ordinary people; Effect: Constitution +0.2]**

**[Dodge Mastery: Compared to attacking, you prefer defensive counter-attacks; Effect: When dodging an opponent's attack, Body +0.3, Skill +0.3]**

**[Two-Handed Combat Mastery: You excel at using fist, palm, and elbow strikes, making them hard to defend against; Effect: When choosing two-handed attacks, Body +0.3, Skill +0.3]**

**[Two-Legged Combat Mastery: When you use your legs to attack, not only is the force overwhelming, but the speed is also unmatched; Effect: When using leg attacks, Body +0.3, Skill +0.3]**

**[Throwing Mastery: You prefer using throwing techniques, dealing heavy blows to your opponents; Effect: When throwing an opponent, Body +0.3, Skill +0.3]**

**[Grappling Mastery: Your grappling skills catch people off guard, even inducing fear; Effect: When grappling an opponent, Body +0.3, Skill +0.3]**

...

Not enough!

It’s still not enough!

“**[Bloody Honor] continues to enhance [Unarmed Combat]!**”

Gord screamed wildly in his mind.

Thump!  
Thump-thump!

Thump-thump-thump!

His heart pounded violently, like a war drum pounding against Gord's chest.

Then...

Heat!

Gord felt a flame ignite within his heart.

It didn’t just burn his heart.

It also scorched his remaining organs.

Almost instantly, Gord felt as though his internal organs were melting away.

“Ahhhhhhh!”

A scream far more intense than before echoed incessantly.

The pain brought by the **Executioner** was nothing compared to this.

Moreover, amidst the excruciating pain, Gord felt as though he was hallucinating.

He heard whispers.

He couldn’t make out what these whispers were saying.

But he was sure someone was whispering in his ear.

When he tried to listen more closely, he felt as though his entire body was being stretched out, and the intense pain made him want to curl up, but then he was crushed down.

His whole body seemed to be compressed to the size of a fist.

Flesh? Bones? Organs?

All gone.

Everything was gone.

Only the initial pain remained.

Pain!

It hurt even more!

Gord screamed, rolling on the ground.

And then…

He began to adapt.

People have thresholds.

Whether it’s joy or pain.

Sometimes, the two can coexist.

Of course, Gord hadn’t reached that point yet, but he could adapt to the pain.

He had experienced too many similar situations back in his hometown.

So, he was quite familiar with it.

He knew what to do.

Recall the good times!

Find the most beautiful things in his memory!

For example: Hotpot!  
For example: Barbecue!  
For example: Fried chicken and cola!  
For example: Braised pork with rice!

As time passed, the fantasies in Gord's mind helped him distance himself from the pain in his body, even though he was being stretched, crushed, and even torn apart. None of this could hinder his free imagination.

His throat was already hoarse from screaming.

But at this moment, Gord's eyes were exceptionally bright.

Gradually, the whispers faded away!

The pain dissipated!

Before his eyes, text continuously flashed—

**[Unarmed Combat has surpassed the mortal realm, assessment in progress…]**

**[Assessment passed!]**

**[Mind +0.1]**

**[Option obtained: Transcendent!]**

**[Unarmed Combat (Transcendent): Your skills have transcended the ordinary and reached a certain pinnacle; Effect: Body +1.2 (Basic, Novice, Skilled, Proficient, Expert, Master, Peerless 0.1, Transcendent +0.5), Skill +1.1 (Novice, Skilled, Proficient, Expert, Master, Peerless 0.1, Transcendent +0.5)]**

**[Transcendent: Your skills have surpassed the mortal realm, opening up new possibilities. When engaging in unarmed combat, you will gain an additional 'blade-level' attack effect, which also works against intangible entities!]**

(And so on...)

...

The significant increase in **Body** and **Skill** instantly began to rapidly strengthen Gord's body. Some techniques in his mind seemed to have been honed through thousands of trials, now perfectly fitting his enhanced body.

As for **Mind**, it wasn’t as noticeable.

But Gord instinctively felt that he was different.

It was as if a door had been opened, revealing a new world.

Even though this new world was still unclear.

"Scream!"

"Why aren't you screaming anymore?"

The **Killer in the Mist** kicked and beat Gord, his face filled with cruelty as he raised the **Executioner** in his hand, ready to strike Gord once more.

However, just as the **Killer in the Mist** lifted the **Executioner,** Gord sprang up from the ground.

He moved like a venomous snake suddenly emerging from the underbrush, swiftly passing by the **Killer in the Mist.**

Fast!

So fast that the **Killer in the Mist** didn’t even react. He turned around dumbfounded, watching as Gord walked towards the ruins of the **Black Sail Security Company,** his mouth opening instinctively, but no words came out. Then, he heard—

**Splat!**

A massive gash opened up on the **Killer in the Mist's** neck, blood spraying out. He staggered a few steps, the light in his eyes fading, and he collapsed to his knees, his head rolling off.  

(End of Chapter)