After telling Steffi a story, I ended up explaining exactly what happened to her. Just like how I have told Uncle Jim yesterday, I said it to Steffi. Without skipping anything at all, and in much more details than what Uncle Jim received from me. After all, I skipped the part where I felt comfortable with killing right after I saw some blood when I spoke to him. I confessed everything that was within my heart, to Steffi.

Can it be that I am trusting her too much?

I guess I can only blame it on myself, for being too weak against the word ‘Friend’.

And Steffi in turn, shed some tears for both me and Aran.

“Enough crying!” I comforted, “I wasn’t hurt at all and Aran is going to be just fine under Daddy’s care!”

“Un.” She said as she nodded.

I took a glance outside and saw that it was already late. The clear sky was colored orange, with a hint of darkness.

“Hey Steffi.” I asked.

“What is it, Jee...?”

“Isn’t it a bit late?”

After I said that, Steffi took a look outside the window and exclaimed, “ Eeek! Grandfather is going to be mad!”

By Grandfather, she of course means the village’s elder. Granpa is her referring to the old demon, not that they have any blood relations as far as I know.

“Is that so.” I quickly brushed her off, “Then shouldn’t you be heading home in...right about now?”

She lowered her head in fear.

“Now now, if you delay any further, won’t your grandfather get even madder?”

As if she just realized something that she didn’t earlier, she raised her head and shouted. “Jee is right! He’s going to be super mad at this rate!!” Her eyes were of course, filled with sparkling stars as she spoke.

“Jee! Walk me home!!”

“Eeehhh? But Daddy doesn’t allow me to...”

And if I were to think this straight, haven’t we grown awfully close in a really short amount of time...?

Then again, I never had friends before...

I guess this is how friends are between each other.

“I see...That’s too bad, Jee...”

After she said that, she stood up and I escorted her to the door. I then opened the door, and let her get outside.

“See you tomorrow, Jee~ And take care of Jelly Jelly~!”

Jelly Jelly...? Ahh, it must be Aran.

Is she calling him that because of the thing on his arm...?

Still, does she only know how to call people by nicknames?

“Okay, See you tomorr---”

Wait a second...Why ‘See you tomorrow’?

Am I planning on seeing her tomorrow?

Right. We’re friends now, right...So I guess we can see each other without really having a ‘reason’ behind it.

“--On another thought, Steffi, Let me walk you home!”

Daddy isn’t home anyways! What’s the problem of walking Steffi back home? Her house is actually pretty near ours, way closer to us than Uncle Jim’s place!

“Are you sure, Jee? Steffi can walk on her own! Steffi doesn’t want Jee to get into trouble...”

I waved my hand to deny her, “No need to worry, Steffi. Daddy isn’t home anyways, and Uncle Jim’s house is pretty far away! So no one is going to see me walking you home~”

Even though Steffi was the one who requested of me to walk her home first, she seemed to have a hard time accepting it now that she realized that I might get into trouble because of it.

I walked outside alongside her and closed the door behind me before she could even voice a reply, and then said, “Let’s go!”

After that, I felt warmth coming from my palm.

“Un, Let’s go!” Steffi repeated after me.

We then exited the courtyard, making it into the ‘road’.

“Weird...” I couldn’t help but mutter.

“What’s wrong, Jee?” Steffi cutely titled her head, as she gripped harder on my hand. [A/N: No, this is not homo. They are kids, dammit! Can’t kids act as close as siblings?]

“No. Umm, Steffi, you said earlier that you don’t usually get outside much, right?”

“Yes, Steffi can’t stay outside until night!”

“Well, on the other hand, I sometimes go on walks outside with Uncle Jim or Daddy! And when we usually go on these walks, the sky is pretty much darker than right now. Yet, Daddy stops every few steps to exchange greetings with those who pass by! However, at the moment, there aren’t any people outside at all!”

Looking around, you won’t find anyone at all. It is as if the village was deserted all of a sudden, and only me and Steffi were left behind.

There were no late farmers. No early drunkards or mothers who are walking around with their children.

I had a hint of fear seep through my heart, but I quickly quelled it.

“Steffi thinks that it’s because its going to rain soon!”

“Eh?”

Rain? I looked up to the sky, and to my surprise, dark clouds seemed to have swarmed it, covering the stars.

“Even though when I took a look at the sky earlier, there weren’t any clouds at all...”

It is still somewhat bright outside, but that’s only because the clouds have yet to mask the brilliance of the sun.

“Jee~ Can it be that you’re afraid of the dark?”

“Eh? Of course not. Why this all of a sudden?”

I turned to face Steffi as we continued to walk. And then, I noticed Steffi’s mischievous smile.

“Now now~ The all mighty Steffi knows everything about Jee! Steffi knows that Jee is secretly afraid of the dark!”

“Hell no, Stef----”

“ROAAARR!!”

A shockingly loud roar sounded about, stunning me and Steffi into a complete stop.

Steffi’s expression was one filled with confusion as she tightened her grip over my hand even further. “What can this be? What can even roar like this?!” I shouted as hard as I could.

I then turned around too look at the source of the horrifying roar, and my mouth almost reached the ground.

Steffi turned around to take a look as well, ever so frightened. She took a few peeks at it, and then shouted, “A golden dragon?!”

Indeed, the one who roared was a golden dragon that was flying parallel to the road, heading straight for us.

Although, it was still a quite a far way. That just shows you how loud his roar was. In response, the clouds up above rolled and thunder echoed throughout.

“No, Steffi...Look again!”

This time around, Steffi was the one who had to open her mouth in sheer astonishment. Because, the dragon, which flaunted its beautiful golden scales with its haughty glare, transformed into a huge ape. The ape was huge, thrice the height of our house! And our house is pretty tall, at least 3 meters high said Daddy the other day!

The ape was also golden, but in this case, it was dotted in golden fur that looked extremely warm. It still had an arrogant look within it’s eyes, as if anything and everything was beneath it.

“This...” I just couldn’t put the feeling I have to words.

This is abnormal. I can’t help but feel that.

This thing smells of words ‘Immortal’.

“Boom!!”

“Hiiiiiiiii!?!?!”

Lightning suddenly hit the ground in front of us by a few feet, which caused the ground to crack open just slightly.

Steffi jumped in fright as she heard the sound of the ground cracking, and I myself couldn’t have helped but take a few steps backwards. My back was soaked in cold sweat.

Although the lightning directed our gazes away from the shape shifting golden ape, in the end it couldn’t have taken up our attention for much longer.

I directed my eyes back to the direction of the golden ape--And I think that Steffi did the same--and to our surprise, the ape was no longer there.

What took its place was a golden eagle, about half the size of the ape.

The golden eagle had sharp, golden suit of armor that it called it’s feathers.

It never really removed itself from the road, and rather flew a bit too low...

“...Hey Steffi, Isn’t it flying a bit too low...?”

Steffi, who was too preoccupied simply nodded to my question and had her eyes glued on to the eagle.

“However, I got to agree, it looks pretty cool...”

We completely forgot about the lightning that was about to hit us.

“Now then Steffi, we really need to step away from the road...or else we’ll get hit by the eagle!”

Steffi finally removed her gaze from the eagle, and nodded with an “Un.”

Her gaze seemed to be filled with glee.

“Why do you look so happy, Steffi...?”

I said as I directed us off the road.

“Steffi finds Goldie to be so beautiful! Extremely gorgeous!”

“And I take Goldie to be that thing...?” I said as I pointed at the now golden tiger.

The thing, or how Steffi calls it ‘Goldie’, doesn’t seem to have noticed it at all.

We just made it outside the road, so he probably will bypass us in pretty much a moment. He was getting pretty close to us, after all.

But if he doesn’t move at all, he won’t be able to touch us at all. Which is good news.

“Still...hehehe.” This confirms it! Immortals! Legends! Beings that are outside of this world! They all exist!!

“Jee~ You’re making a weird face...”

“Don’t mind me!” I then squeezed Steffi’s hand.

“Ouch~ Steffi is sorry! Please forgive Steffi~!!”

I then turned around to take a look at the golden tiger, where it seemed to have noticed my gaze...Because it looked right back at me.

“ROAAAAARR!!”

Another roar sounded, a lot louder than the last one.  

“Guh...!”

I had to let go of Steffi’s hand, as I felt my whole body freeze up. The golden tiger turned into a blur, and changed into a golden wolf. Exactly the same shape as the one from yesterday, aside from the fact that the color is completely different. The wolf from yesterday was all gray, while this one was covered in gold.

It changed directions, and started to run right for me.

Thunder sounds then started to ring, one after the other.

“Bang!” “Bang!” “Bang!”

Three sounds echoed from the ground as it shook with all it’s might. Weird enough though, I was pretty calm. Well, aside from the fact that my back was drenched in sweat of course. No one in the village seemed to have noticed anything, which is also pretty weird.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

I could still somehow hear Steffi’s ragged breathing, as if she’s afraid. I don’t blame her though.

I somehow was able to open my mouth with a lot of difficulty, “Run...away...” I said.

I could feel that ‘Goldie’ was aiming for me. After all, I was the only one who was made ‘immobile’ between both me and Steffi. Not only that, I saw ‘Goldie’ stare back at me, right into my eyes, when I looked at it earlier!

The golden wolf was now pretty close to both me and Steffi. I could walk the distance between me and it with just four steps.

Three steps.

Two steps.

“Hnnghh!!!”

I heard someone hold down their breath, as I felt a force push me away.

“Jee~! Make sure to not forget about Steffi!”

I heard from behind.

As I was pushed aside, I was somehow freed from the binding of ‘Goldie’.

I turned around to look at Steffi as I fell down, and could not help but think...

...Ahh, She’s so bright.

With that being said, Goldie had a hint of ‘unwillingness’ within its eyes as it rammed straight into Steffi.

Right, into.

Steffi, absorbed the golden wolf.

At this point, I fell on my butt as I worriedly looked over at Steffi, who’s face was bright red...as if she was having a fever.

“Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!..”

The clouds seemed have been angered, as it spewed lightning after lightning.

I still can’t understand, how is it possible that no one have heard any of this? Why isn’t anyone coming outside to check? Steffi was hit!

“Steffi!” I shouted.

Steffi then directed a painful smile at me, as she collapsed.

“Huh, to think that the Overlord’s Core would choose a child as its next master...”

A sudden voice sounded into my ears, as a black blur appeared behind Steffi and caught her before she fell down.

The figure wore a black robe, covering its entire body. The voice that I heard earlier could belong to either a man or a woman, so I wasn’t really sure who it belonged to.

“Stop!” I shouted as hard as I could, as I put the palm of my hand onto the floor and used it as support to stand up.

“Oh? Weird. How is it possible for another mortal to be still alive...?”

The voice rang again. Yup, this is the voice I heard a few seconds ago!

The voice brushed the side of its mask, “Oh well, I’m not bored enough to investigate.”

“Oi child, consider yourself lucky to have been able to stay alive~”

The masked figure said as It showed off a ‘V’ sign toward me.

“Now then, I’ll be of--”

Before the person could finish, I shouted, “Please don’t take Steffi away!”

I had a bad feeling. This person seemed to be really dangerous. And Steffi seemed to be in pain...Well, at least she’s alive. However, she must stay here until Daddy gets here and get her pain to go away! Just like with Aran!!

“Please leave Steffi here!” I shouted again.

After all, it seems like the figure is trying to leave alongside Steffi. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have tried to said ‘I’ll be off’ while holding Steffi within its arms!

“Oh...and why should I do that?” The figure laughed.

“B-because she needs help!”

“Hahaha!” The figured laughed even more after it heard my answer.

As soon as I heard the figure’s laugh, I was struck with fear.

This person...is dangerous! Extremely dangerous!

I can’t calm down. I can’t calm down. I’m too afraid! Too scared! Too worried! This is bad, this is bad, this is bad! My friend, my only friend, is in danger!

Blood. I had the urge to see blood. To smell blood. To hear blood drip to the ground. I need that calming headache!

I raised my hand up to my mouth, and took a bite out of my thumb.

When the figure saw me taking a bite out of my thumb, it said, “Interesting.”

And it seemed as if it was only standing through this because of the word it just uttered. Because, it was ‘interesting’.

As I saw the blood coming out of my finger; As I tasted the blood that entered my mouth, the all too comfortable, familiar, headache came to me.

“Ahh...Better.” I muttered.

“Done?” The figure said.

“Yup.” I flashed a smile at the figure, “So, please, Can you leave my only friend here and go away...?”

I somehow felt all of my fear go away. I felt as if I was talking to a close person to me, like Uncle Jim or Daddy when I spoke to the figure. No sense of danger at all. Even if the figure were to move to attack me, to take my life, I would still not feel anything against it.

And...it seems that the figure is the very thing that I most look up to, an immortal! I think.

“Interesting, interesting! You’re interesting, child! Haha, you were just shaking in your shoes--Nay, was about to wet your pants, and yet now...You seem almost like a different person!”

“Please lower Steffi down...” I said, and then bowed.

After all, Daddy said that if I were to request something out of someone of a higher position, then I got to bow.

“No can do~ After all, this child over here has something that belongs to me.”

I raised my head said, “Please!”

“C’mon, it’s only one mortal girl. Why are you so fixed up on he--Oh right, I forgot. Hehe, your current demeanor really got me there for a second, you know?”

“Huh?”

What does it mean?

“Really, I almost thought that you, a mere child, was someone of our side...Yeah, you’re a mortal yourself. Really, your Blood thirstiness is something else, you know? Nothing a mortal is capable at...never mind a child. Oh, and by mortal, I also mean those guys who swing around sticks that they somehow like to call ‘swords’ and whatnot. Those mortals really haven’t seen what a real sword is like at all, eh. Truly, this is interesting.”

I took three steps forward and then I kowtowed[A/N-- Prostate] to the figure. “Please!” I shouted again.

“She’s my only friend!”

The figure laughed again. “Interesting, interesting! Haha, all of this for a friend. Child, you’re young, you’ll make countless more friends as well! Well, think of it as a good will from an elder to a junior. After all, I feel like you’ll be joining our side pretty soon. Oh, don’t worry, this child within my hands is going to be under my own personal care...”

I stood up again, and then threw two rocks at the figure. The rocks were very similar to the ones I used to stab the wolf the other day. The sharp ends were, of course, directed at the figure.

“Really? You think this would work against me?”

As the voice said this, A gust of wind brushed me from behind and went onward, toward the figure..and of course, the rocks as well.

And then, the rocks that were flying in a straight line, turned into dust by the gentle gust of wind...

“...Amazing.” I couldn’t have helped but say.

“Hehehehahaha! Really, your bloodthirstiness is something else, I tell you! I can’t help but think that you’ll get to our side sooner or later. I would gladly take you with me if I could...However, one kid is already enough.”

The figure then continued cryptically, “Your future is bleak with that bloodthirstiness, Child! Really, you’re more of a beast than a mortal! I can’t help but wonder what you’ll become when you gain power, will you destroy everything within your path or perhaps do something even worse? Hehehe! Just thinking about it sends shivers down my spine!”

“...I have no idea what you’re talking about...”

“Well, let me put it this way,” The figure then said, “You are so bloodthirsty that you are calm. Your future is so bleak, that it is limitless. Your bloodthirstiness is only obtainable if you have killed thousands; if you have lived on the border of life and death for countless of years. It’s not like something that gives you power at all, nor is it something that gives you an advantage over others. It just shows how ruthless you are, that’s all!”

“And you’re still only a child that wets her bed!” The figure laughed again, “Really, too interesting to give up! This is the only reason why I have yet to kill you, and have even talked to you this much. I want life to be interesting. Take me to be your enemy, child. If you want to meet your friend, over here,” The figured pointed at Steffi, “Then remember my name! They call me the Divine Saint!”

“What an ironic name, a saint that kidnaps small children...”

“Hehe. Oh well, I really hope that you get to the stage real fast...Hehehe, this will be interesting. Just thinking of throwing that place into chaos by an unknown brings me delight! Remember child, unless you make our place interesting, then don’t even think about meeting this child ever again!”

And then, the figure soared into the sky.

Flying.

It...really is an immortal.

“Oh, and by the way, you got to kill me, alright? I’m already bored enough with this world as it is. Here is a parting gift for taking your friend, and a favor from me...I expect you to return it to me soon, alright? And I won’t accept anything less than a stake through my heart~” The figure chimed into my mind.

After he said that, A large amount of information were dumped straight into my brain. Of course, this caused my headache to multiply by a lot...

“Oh, and before that, do you have any last words to your little friend? Think of something poetic, so I can motivate her with it!”

Something poetic? Steffi...

“Okay, you corrupt Saint! Deliver these words to her, 'Don’t get anymore dazzling, Steffi! I’ll just get jealous if you get anymore friends!’”

“That’s it?” The voice sounded a bit disappointed.

“Also, ‘Have fun with an early start at the road of awesomeness!’ ”

“Kehaha! Interesting. Well, see ya. The next time we see each other--or you meeting this child--we would be pulling at each others throats. I can’t wait!”

----------------------------------------

A/N: Well then, could this mysterious person who kidnapped our Steffi be a masochist?!

Also, how does it feel like to have the roles reversed? Because usually around, it's the other way around. Where the mc saves a friend, and ends up being the "chosen one".