Pause System: Harem In The Apocalypse
chapter-7

After putting all his power into the swing, the edge of the blade connected exactly on the same spot that he had previously struck. A blade was now partially embedded in the spot that previously had a dent.

It connected, he had cut through.

However, the timing-

*BAM!*

He felt as if a truck had hit him. As he was blasted back, his eyes widened.

*CRASH!*

Gray's back slammed against the wall, cracking it partially as he sank in.

[HP: 3/8]

Something had broken in his ribs, and his mind was in a haze, numb with fiery sensations.

Slowly, he got up, almost tripping as he did so. Before he could plan his next move, he saw the armor rushing at him through the corner of his eyes.

Gray let go of his sword subconsciously when he was hit. The Armour rushed to him barehanded.

This was probably due to it realizing that Gray could pause the sword, making it useless. He could pause their weapons only by glancing at them, if he wanted to pause the Armour directly, he would have to be in direct contact with it.

But at this stage, Gray was nearly dead. Even if he paused, what would his hands be able to accomplish against a piece of golden armour?

Grey put up his guard despite the pain around his chest, unsure of what it could possibly accomplish.

Within a split second of the armor reaching him, he was already in motion with a kick thrust.

Gray swayed to the side, watching as the kick dug into the wall beside him. After that, he stepped in with his hands pulled back and curled into a fist.

A punch was about to be delivered. In response, the armor curled its arm into a fist and was about to counter when all of a sudden-

He passed right by. It was a fake. Gray rushed toward the blade without looking back, feeling the armor follow him from behind.

Quick. As he ran, that was the only word that came to mind. He had never run so fast in his life. If it weren't for the pain in his ribs, his body would have felt amazing.

The sword, just inches away on the ground beneath him felt unreachable. This was due to the piece of armor behind him.

After rolling to the ground and grasping the sword, his eyes widened. His head was brushed by a breeze at that moment. Gray raised his head, in a stance to swing his blade in a counterattack, thinking he'd avoided it.

All of a sudden, he stopped-

[PAUSE]

It's leg stopped right in front of Gray's face. A small knife could be seen sticking out of the sole, stopping right before Gray's eyes. Immediately before Gray's eyes, the knife's blade stopped. It was sticking out of the golden sole.

Whether out of reflex or surprise, for a moment Gray's eyes were focused on the blade of the sole, swaying his head to avoid getting hit. Just one moment of distraction, just that one moment, was all it took.

*BAM!*

Gray was hit on the side of the head by its left metallic leg. In that moment, time seemed to stand still for Gray.

It was finally sinking in. It wouldn't work. Regardless of what he planned, it was doomed to fail.

Speed-wise, this thing was still superior. And its defense was unbreakable.

Once again, life flashed before his eyes as he wondered, why was he trying so hard? Why would he work so hard for survival when he came here seeking death? Wouldn't it be easier to accept his fate?

Is there a point to this?

"What's the fucking point?". Gray questioned, still standing there.

The armor appeared confused. Gray had been hit on the sides of his head directly, so how had he not moved an itch? It realized that the air in front of its right leg had returned to normal.

"I'm starting to get sick of this Shi-"

Gray was interrupted, as the armor suddenly sent an Axe kick with it's right leg, down at him. In response, Gray muttered but a single word. "Pause."

Suddenly, the entire armor froze. It glanced down in confusion to see that Gray's torn up shoe tip touched it. And that was all it took.

It had paused yet again. However, it was unconcerned at all, as Gray would not be able to breach their defense.

Gray drew his sword back yet again and stood in the same place as before, ready to swing it with all his might and attack the same spot as before.

But-

In contrast to the armor's expectations. Grey sighed softly as he walked toward the throne.

Gray continued walking as he said, "This won't work.".

As the Armour realized Gray had noticed, it tried to move, but no matter how hard it tried, it was unable to.

"You thought I wouldn't notice, didn't you?" Gray asked, taking his time with each and every step towards the throne at the end of the room.

With Gray getting closer to his throne, the armor strained even more.

Gray moved the replica of the golden armor that was sitting on the throne away as soon as he reached the throne. A purple sphere of crystal was visible embedded into the throne.

"Found it." Said Gray as he raised his blade up into the air.

The armor was unpaused and, in desperation, it leapt towards Gray, its arm extended to stop him.

However, it wasn't fast enough.

*SLASH!* *CRACK!*

A purple flash filled the room when Gray cut the purple crystal in half. Gold armor then scattered to the ground as a notification rang inside Gray's head.

[You have conquered the labyrinth's first floor!]

[You have received quest rewards]

[100 XP have been received]

[Achievement, tenth human to complete the first floor of the Labyrinth]

[Congratulations! You have levelled up!]

[Possessor: Gray Caliber

Race: Human

State: Fatigued / Injured

Level: 2

XP Required For Level Up: 65/200

[HP: 8/11] [-4 Injured / Infected]

[Strength: 6

Agility: 15

Stamina: 10

Sense: 7

Points Available To Distribute: 7]

A grin widened on Gray's face as he saw this. As a door appeared to open, a small tremble was heard in the room. A path led ahead behind the throne, and Gray was puzzled to see that it had opened.

A purple orb then emerged from the purple core, stealing his attention. He grabbed it in curiosity, and it was incredibly light.

[Skill orb discovered]

[Skill: Unknown]

[Would you like to absorb skill]

Excited, Gray didn't hesitate to reply. "Yes."

[Failed, unable to absorb skill]

[Failed, unable to absorb skill]

'Fuck, is it because I have a skill already?' Gray cursed.

The orb ball was tucked away in his pocket after he gave up on it.

[Quest: Finish the second floor of the labyrinth, available]

[Accept?]

"HELL NO!" Gray shouted, walking back towards the entrance.

While he may have acted like a badass a second ago, that was actually due to him having noticed the core was not inside of the armor piece, but rather on the throne. Right now, he felt dizzy, nauseous, and drained; if not for the adrenaline, he might faint at any moment.

Because of his hunger, his stomach was making him feel sensations he never knew it could produce. There was an unpleasant smell coming from him. He just wanted to go home and sleep, if he was going to live his life, he'd make the most of it.

- Preview.

It had been his expectation that there would be military personnel waiting to bring him in for questioning outside the Labyrinth. Once Gray had finally reached the surface, he could not help but be shocked by what he saw.

The sound of gunshots reverberated throughout the air.. A horde of undead was heading his way and people were screaming around him.