Bundy, with much effort, was finally able to slit the throat of the pig.
After that, he cleared the innards of the pig and hung the body of the pig onto moving hooks that transported them for cold storage.
Wiping beads of sweat off his forehead, Bundy looked at Lukas and said, "As you can see, it wasn't a walk in the park. Even for me, a retired awakened."
He panted as he tried to catch his breath.
Lukas saw the difficulty, but he was determined to earn more Slaughter Points for the day.
"Don't worry. I'm ready."
Seeing that Lukas was still keen on doing so, Bundy relented, and he let Lukas handle the next livestock.
The entrance opened and another pig entered the path.
When it got near, Lukas made a swift move and grabbed onto it.
Bundy, standing beside Lukas, was ready to help out just in case.
Any sign of distress from Lukas and he would go in and kill it off with his knife.
But it was not warranted, as to his surprise, Lukas simply overpowered the pig.
It could only squeal and try to struggle out of Lukas's grip.
But it couldn't move as Lukas brought it down onto its knees.
Slit.
Then with a swift motion, Lukas slit the throat of the pig.
A familiar sound erupted in his mind.
[Ding!]
[Slaughter Point +5]
[Current Slaughter Points: 165/500]
When he saw the information panel in his mind, he knew that he was on the right track.
He proceeded to clear the innards of the pig and said, "Maybe I can try to handle something bigger?"
Even though Bundy was impressed, he shook his head at Lukas's request.
"Get used to it first. We shall see to it after lunch."
"After lunch? All right then." Lukas knew that he was being impatient, so he agreed to Bundy's suggestion.
He continued to handle the slaughtering of pigs for the day until lunch.
It wasn't boring to him as he tried out different ways to handle the pigs.
Slowly adjusting his technique as he gained experience.
Finally, when he figured out the optimal way to strangle the livestock and slit its throat, he was three times as productive as he was when he started.
Soon, it was lunch, and he ate with Bundy at the staff cafeteria.
"Eat more." Bundy was impressed with the strength that Lukas exhibited.
A thought had crossed his mind that it was as if Lukas was an awakened.
But he wasn't sure about it, so he kept quiet.
There were cases of people becoming an awakened without going through the Awakening Process, but they were far and few between.
Lukas munched on the fries, and when he finished them, he looked up and asked, "Bundy, do you know anything about registering as an awakened?"
Bundy raised his eyebrows and said, "You've awakened?"
"Me? No. I'm just a pretty normal guy." Lukas denied it as he wanted to continue coming to the Abattoir to earn his Slaughter Points.
Bundy frowned as he didn't believe Lukas.
But he didn't want to blow Lukas's cover and said, "You can go to the Awakened Center to test and register as an awakened.
"They have tests and trials to gauge whether you are one.
"Don't be intimidated if they don't want to attend to your request.
"They are legally required to attend to anyone testing and registering as an awakened."
Bundy took a bite off the piece of meat he had in his hand and continued, "After you are certified, you can then join in hunts and missions for dealing with demonic beasts.
"The rewards are much more than you could ever imagine."
"Rewards...." Lukas got intrigued at the prospect of getting huge rewards.
He could first earn Slaughter Points here in the Abattoir, and when he was strong enough, he would then be able to try and take on these hunts and missions.
"You've seen my performance in the morning. Maybe it's time for me to try handling something more challenging?"
Lukas said after summoning the information panel in his mind.
[Ding!]
[Current Slaughter Points: 225/500]
[Host Level: 1]
His progress was much faster today with the higher Slaughter Points and he was eager to get even more.
Bundy nodded and said, "You can have a try, but let me remind you that it is much tougher than handling a pig."
Lukas smiled at Bundy and said, "I know you would have my back."
Bundy sighed and led Lukas back to the station.
"Observe very carefully. The struggle is much more intense, don't be scared by it."
He briefed Lukas and gave the signal for the entrance to be opened.
This time, when the entrance opened, a cow came charging towards Bundy.
Bundy focused intensely as the steel barrier rattled from the cow knocking onto it.
He grabbed onto the cow's horn and held onto it.
Bundy's body glowed for an instant as he activated his ability.
The cow tried to shake Bundy's hand off but couldn't.
With a tug, Bundy pulled the cow's head towards him, and he made use of the motion and slit the throat of the cow.
"Are you still sure you want to do it?" Bundy panted as he put his hands on his hips.
Lukas nodded with a determined look.
"All right. Since you insist." Bundy stood aside and gave the signal to those manning the entrance.
The entrance opened and the temperature immediately heated up.
A being entered the entrance and it wasn't a cow.
"What the hell are you doing!" Bundy shouted at those manning the entrance.
It was a domesticated demonic beast.
Someone had angered it and let it enter.
The Fire Deer, with its eyes reddened, was hurling fireballs at the steel barriers.
Boom!
Some of the steel barriers were blown apart and everyone else in the Abattoir panicked.
"Where is the security team!" Bundy shouted as he held his knife and stood his ground.
"The security team is coming!" One of the personnel shouted.
Bang!
The Fire Deer lunged at Bundy, and it knocked Bundy up into the air, hurling him across the ground.
"Run!" Bundy spat out a mouthful of blood and shouted at Lukas.
He tried to stand up but passed out from the impact.