[You have activated the second effect of (Weakest of the weak), acquiring the skill <Equivalent Exchange> for 5 minutes. Cooldown starts now.]
A strange energy made its way into my body and I knew what it was. When a person learns a skill they need this energy to activate it, Zamor also used it to seal my movements before. The name of this energy was mana.
'I have 10 times less than even the weakest, though. Do I even have enough to activate the skill?' My vision slowly drifted towards the screen on my right and I read the content of the skill.
[Skill:<Equivalent Exchange>]
[Description:None]
'There's no description?' I was under the impression that each one would have one but I didn't have time to wonder about that now.
[Time left: 4 minutes, 36 seconds]
I decided to focus as to not waste the little time I had left.
[Effect: Sacrifice something (Item, Title, Skill, Life) and receive a boost in power equal to the sacrifice.]
[Note:This is a temporary skill brought by the title <Weakest of the weak>. It will disappear along with <Equivalent Exchange>]
'And here I thought I'm getting a main character power-up.' A wry smile appeared on my face and I decided not to waste anymore time. I was already aware of what to sacrifice. I only had one valuable thing anyway.
"I sacrifice my title <Weakest of the weak> to boost my level." I activated my skill, a small portion of mana was used in the process but it was something I could overlook.
[Sacrificing unique title <Weakest of the weak>]
[Due to the title being one of a kind, your level is boosted to lv.10 <Peak Mortal>]
[Remaining time: 4 minutes 12 seconds]
The quantity of my mana grew exponentially and my sense enveloped the while village. I was now at the same level of power as a baron. My injuries disappeared in the blink of an eye. I managed to free myself from the ropes.
'But my power is only temporary.' I reminded myself. My main goal should be to escape. Or maybe not. I glanced at the ropes on the ground. They didn't break even when I applied a significant amount of force. That could only mean one thing.
'It must be an artifact.' I decided to 'borrow' it for my plans. I checked its effect on the status.
[Name: Nice looking rope]
[Grade: Low Mortal grade]
[Effect: Bind the target. It also looks nice I guess]
It was useless for me, since it would break easily under the Ruthless Knight's strength. Although he was weaker than me, his level was 6, at the peak Mid Mortal stage, the rope couldn't possibly compare.
But I had other uses for it. I gave out the command.
"Sacrifice <Nice looking rope>" I didn't need to say the rest. My will was enough"
[Sacrificing Low Mortal Grade artifact <Nice looking rope>]
[Receiving low grade skill <Uprising>]
[Effect: Boost strength by 10% if trying to go against beings with higher authority]
[Will disappear after <Equivalent Exchange> is gone]
'Quite useful since I'm going against a viscount. I only have a little over 3 minutes 30 seconds left. I have to get going now.'
I released my pressure and levelled the whole room to the ground. I alerted the guards outside but it didn't matter. They are too weak to cause problems anyway.
I could sense Zamor's killing intent from behind me but I remained unfazed. I was the strongest in this region now. They posed no threat to me.
I ran as fast as I could and killed those that stood in my way. That's when I thought of something insane.
'<Equivalent Exchange> said I could sacrifice Life, but it never said it had to be mine!'
I wanted to escape because of the little time left but I ditched that idea at this very moment. I turned around and began my massacre. Frustration that had been building up inside me was being relieved as I used their dead body as a sacrifice. I didn't even bother looking at what I received in return.
I only stopped when just 30 seconds remained. Most of the village had been reduced to ashes. In my abnormal stage, I even slaughtered innocent people, mothers and children. However, I didn't have time to continue.
Time wasn't the only problem as well…
'I sense people coming here. One at Peak Mortal stage and another 9 at Late Mortal stage. Even if I were in an optimal stage, I couldn't win against such a force.'
I retreated with full speed. I found a cave and hid inside. After using mana to ensure my safety, I found myself looking at the screen once more.
[Remaining time: 3…2…1…0]
[Skill <Equivalent Exchange> is being removed]
[Skill <Uprising> is being removed
[Lv.10 → Lv.0.1]
During the 3 minutes I was 'hunting', I received some rewards for sacrificing lives but I stopped using it halfway through because I got the best reward already.
=====
[Name:Atlem]
[Title:Slaughter Demon]
[Title description: You acted as a beast from hell and slaughtered hundreds of people! This title is proof of your ruthlessness!]
[Effect: Each person you kill adds their strength to your lv]
[Level: 0.1 → 6]
[Strength - Mid Mortal realm]
[Skills: None]
======
Although I expected more, given the amount of people I killed, the only one with Mid Mortal strength was Zamor Vistillson. The difference between Low and Mid Mortal was quite high, so I guess it's more or less enough.
It felt unreal. Until a few hours ago I wasn't even lv.1 and now I'm stronger than most normal people.
It was problematic that I didn't have any skills, though. Everyone at my level would already have some kind of skill, therefore was stronger than I was. I would deal with that later, right now-
"I need to get out of the viscount's territory first!"