Twenty-five human men, Three Dwarven men, Two Goliath, and Eight varieties of Demi-Humans that had mainly rat and cat ancestry domineering over a percentage of their bodies turned towards Sebas as he yelled out his prayer of the hunt. His right foot’s talons grabbed onto the railing that looked down onto the first of three deck levels. Thirty-five pairs of eyes along with three that were missing their twin locked eyes with the monster that stood upright on a makeshift pedestal while a debuff plagued the crew. All the crates of cargo and barrels of fermented liquids the pirates held were suddenly placed on the deck. Thirty-eight guns, rune-based flintlocks, blunderbusses, pistols, and revolvers, along with what looked like an assault rifle equipped to one of the shirtless Goliath pointed directly at Sebas’ head.
His grip on the railing of the ship loosened as he leaned forward, resting his elbow on his pantleg, he appeared to be counting each gun aimed at his head. Sebas looked around for a moment before inhaling sharply.
“ALRIGHT”
The sound of dozens of gun hammers pulling back as he spoke towards all the pirates, made him visibly uneasy.
“It seems we have come to an impasse here gentlemen! I’m willing to spare you all, but the only thing I need is food for my Pet in the underside of the ship, and I couldn’t possibly spare Thirty-eight people who neglected a child for two whole weeks!”
The guns continued to train in on his position, each pirate remained silent.
“So! Do we have a Volunteer? I’ll only take one!” Sebas announced.
The shotgun-toting Goliath walked forward, aiming his gun’s barrel against the other Goliath’s head, and blasting the gun’s cartridge of small, razor-sharp star-shaped metal beads directly through the backside of his kin’s skull.
“Name’s Taugath, Monster.”
“Nice to meet you!” Sebas said with glee, “Well boys, time’s up! You all get to die now!”
“KILL THE BEAST AND THE MUTINEERING GIANT!”
Gunfire and explosions began to ring out as battle began, Sebas grabbed the corpse he disemboweled and charged forward, vaulting over the railing, and landing atop a set of crates where he was suddenly surrounded by several armed soldiers, who unloaded against his surcoat, he threw the corpse, knocking over two men while his leg was able to throw a crate with the grip of his talons and a turn of his body while his hand stood up from the ground where another crate sat. The box slammed into the body of the pirate, slamming the man into the side of a staircase, the broken crate revealed a massive gaping wound made up of a jagged wooden plank that broke off into his midsection. Five men made up the remainder of the surrounding assailants, they riddled Sebas with bulletholes, and blood began to gush out from holes in his surcoat as he fell into the hole that was created from the removed crate he threw.
The pirates were hesitant to check the hole where the monster fell, looking over at the discord created by the seemingly bulletproof Goliath that started to break into the formation of pirates that fired at him out of desperation. His shotgun, which was similar to a canon, made up part of his left arm and broke apart pirate after pirate. The three seconds required to place the strange cylinder cartridges into his metallic forearm and aim at a target were slow compared to the torrent of bullets that rained onto his body, creating spotted pattern bruises and cuts that refused to relent. A scream was heard every few seconds as the Goliath grabbed a new victim with his
“Is that freak dead? Did anyone get a message?” One of the pirates asked his companions, shaking iron sights of their pistols trained into the hole where the monster fell.
“No! But we sent at least thirty bullets into that thing, that's enough to send a level fifteen tanker to their bleeding death, and with the speed that thing was moving at, I wouldn’t count on it being a tanker!” His companion shouted.
“Fuck this! I’m not waiting for him to get up, what if he's got some regeneration skill?” A skittish pirate wearing an apron and holding a flintlock yelled while firing round iron balls from his firearm at the crates.
“EUGENE NO! THAT’LL GIVE AWAY YOUR POSI-” the first pirate A loud crash was heard as another crate slid across the ground and smashed into Eugene’s lower body. A dark figure launched out from the opening of the crate and grabbed onto Eugene’s throat as several dozen bullets flew toward the monster.
The crushing grip and the overwhelming difference between the whelp’s durability and the monster’s massive hand with razor-sharp claws managed to bisect the man’s head from the supports the neck tried to provide.
[Notice: You have killed (Prey) “Eugene K’Len” Level 7 “Classless”]
[(Risk-Taker) has been activated]
[Experience has been gained.]
[You have killed a Human.]
[The God of Humanity Shuns You.]
[The Goddess of Mercy prays for you]
[The Goddess of the Hunt smiles down on you]
[Notice:
[Health Points [ 48 / 198 ] -> [ 82 / 197 ]]
“What the fuck are health points?” Sebas wondered to himself as bullet heads and round iron balls removed themselves from his body, worming their way out of his limbs while he stared at a hole in his arm that was growing back at a rapid pace.
“... Metal…” Sebas yelped as a bullet went through his body, he dashed from side to side as the four men fired their weapons at him the ones who had to pull the deceased companion off of their body got help from reinforcements, and one of them retched as the bloodied remains caused vomit to release itself from his stomach.
Sebas grabbed a gunman by the wrist, forcing his firearm towards himself, his strength seemed to easily overpower the pirate, and every man he fought with seemed to be near or below his human “self’s” power.
Sebas wrestled with the man for control of the pistol he held, he crushed the man’s wrist and grabbed the gun while stepping on the man’s right foot with his taloned foot, screams sounded as his feet began to dig into his hostage’s foot. Sebas grabbed the strange weapon as stray gunshots were made for him. Sebas’ hand dwarfed the object, his pointer finger struggled to fit into the trigger guard as it was shorter horizontally than it was vertically, his claw struggled with the object, and trying to learn how to use the firearm was a difficulty he didn’t expect to have to deal with.
“PULL THE HAMMER, SQUEEZE THE TRIGGER,” Taugath’s voice bounded from across the boat.
Sebas looked at the object calmly in his hand while it held sideways in his palm, pulling back the small piece of metal with his thumb, the struggling man in his foot’s grip tried to shove it out of his grasp, only for the gun to discharge it’s bullet directly into his throat.
Sebas closed his eyes and opened his mouth, rolling his lower jaw as the ringing sound in his ears suddenly caused everything to begin spinning, the blast caused vertigo to fill his system.
Sebas shook his head as a bullet suddenly entered his chest, he sent a gunshot at the three men across from him, a single bullet broke through the first man’s chest, the second blasting into a shoulder, and the third losing his second, non-eyepatched eye to a well-placed bullet.
Sebas tried firing the gun again, only for a silent click to sound from it.
[Notice: You have killed (Prey) “Craith” Level 15 “Swashbuckler Novice”]
[(Risk-Taker) has been activated]
[Experience has been gained.]
[ ]
[Nightmare Level 5 -> 6]
[You have killed a Human.]
[The God of Humanity Shuns You.]
[You have killed a Red Named Human.]
[The God of Humanity Hates You.]
[The Goddess of Mercy prays for you]
[The Goddess of the Hunt smiles down on you]
[Notice:
[Health Points [ 36 / 197 ] -> [ 81 / 195 ]]
[Access. 5 Stat Points are available for Distribution.]
[Constitution has been increased 30 -> 35]
Sebas’ body once again shoved all the metal bullets that lodged themselves into his body as his allocated, the hostage seemed to die, unsurprisingly from the unlucky death he brought upon himself. Sebas planted his left foot forward, and threw the gun toward the second pirate, hitting the man in the head with a loud thud as the object made contact. Sebas made a mad dash for the third pirate, his arm making contact with the man’s stomach as his fingers pulled out another heart.
[Notice: You have killed (Prey) “Pavel” Level 13 “Supreme Seaman”]
[(Risk-Taker) has been activated]
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
[Experience has been gained.]
[You have killed a Human.]
[The God of Humanity Shuns You.]
[You have killed a Red Named Human.]
[The God of Humanity Scorns You.]
[The Goddess of Mercy prays for you]
[The Goddess of the Hunt smiles down on you]
[Notice:
[Health Points [ 63 / 195 ] -> [ 105 / 192 ]]
“Less info PLEASE” Sebas screamed as he slammed his foot on the pirate he threw a gun at, crushing the skull, gristle coating his foot as the head’s remains were splattered from his dismount over crate and boxes.
[Notice: You have killed (Prey) “Wynfer” Level 15 “Honorary Meat Shield”]
[+13 Hidden Notifications]
Not bothering to check, Sebas scanned the battlefield, Twenty-nine pirates remained on the battlefield, and a bullet to the side of his jaw reminded Sebas of the man against the staircase, picking up Eugene’s Head.
[Notice: You have killed (Prey) “Gwynn” Level 16 “Prospective Eagle Tamer”]
[+12 Hidden Notifications]
Twenty-nine.
Sebas vaulted over crates and dashed forward, where he leapt onto a retching pirate, embedding a foot into his backside, while kicking another pirate overboard.
[Notice: You have killed (Prey) “Gwynn” Level 15 “Worn and Torn Deckhand”]
[+12 Hidden Notifications]
Twenty-seven.
A shout followed his mauling, only for an additional explosive BOOM to silence it.
Twenty-six.
----------------------------------------
[Perspective Shift; Arietta Lightbringer (LV 25)]
----------------------------------------
“What do you mean?” She asked Karri.
“Getting a straight answer out of Adam is like taking candy from a child, it is impossible to do it while you’re both alone and if you do it in public, he’ll just start crying about nonsense.”
“I think the analogy is lost on me.”
“Yeah, Kar, what the fuck? When have you ever stolen anything from a baby?” Nilo asked while lounging in a swaying hammock.”
Karri placed her hands on her head, covering her eyes in embarrassment. “Look,” she began, “He’s keeping secrets, has been ever since I met him in Eruka, he’s been playing a character, and it has been slipping from his grasp since Sebas seemingly fell off the Starrous.”
“Have you asked him if he’s okay?” Arietta asked Karri.
“No… every time I get the chance to, he comes up with some sort of rubbish metaphor to explain his problem, and I do not get them.”
Ari originally joined the expedition for her family’s prestige and influence, it would be a useful resource for the hero of the northern continent if she could sling her family’s seal around the east, helping the one who defeats the demon king would have significant sway in future political aim and endeavor. It wouldn’t be a lie to say it was something selfish, but now it was a personal interest when it had to do with Sebas.
After six years of chaos, and silently searching against her father’s wishes and without his permission, she had the best lead that wouldn’t cause an issue in whatever internal problem would arise after she spoke out of term.
She could find out why.
“He may not be stable, stress and issues affect people differently, and the last thing you want is the little hero to end up like the Third Hero.”
Nilo’s brow furrowed and she asked the obvious question, “What the fuck happened to the third hero?”
Karri leaned back against the wall, looking out the windowsill that showed the approaching coastal city, giant ornate columned buildings dotted the coast along with massive docks that seemed to be filled with ships. “He loved the Saintess,” Karri said.
“Isn’t that supposed to be beautiful and gross?” Nilo asked with confusion, slinging her arms on the side of the hammock to prop her head up to give her full attention.
“Well, yes,” Karri began, “Love is great, no matter where you are, even in the southern continent where the first Demon King was born. However, that man slaughtered an entire church so he and his “Beloved” could be together.”
Nilo’s expression furrowed even further, she was practically scowling, “How many people died?”
“Six hundred thirty-five in the church alone, an additional three hundred and fifty-eight as his rampage was finally quelled.”
“Fuckin’ hell.”
“But Adam isn’t the third hero,” Karri said while eyeing Arietta.
She placed her hands in her lap, meeting Karri’s gaze, “It is just a reminder the world needed, the Hero is a person as well as us. Be it this one, or the first. Humans have desires, desire can become destructive.”
“That isn’t Adam.”
“I believe you.”
“Good,” Karri huffed.
“However,” Arietta resumed the ended conversation, much to Karri’s distaste, “He knew Sebas was alive, and it is important to me to find out where he is.”
“Why’s that?” Nilo asked.
“Because… something happened a long, long time ago, and I need an answer to a question that I have not quite formed.”
“That’s an annoying way to say you want to find your boyfriend to ask why he ditched you,” Nilo said.
Karri sighed and Arietta gripped the cloth in her lap, mumbling “He is not my boyfriend.”
[Perspective Shift; Sebas Aren (Level 9)]
Eugene’s skull sat next to an unconscious pirate as Sebas and Taugath massacred the crew of the ship, a kick unintentionally sent the head of the late Mister K’len flying towards the window of the third floor’s office a loud crash of broken glass was heard as twenty-five men surrounded the mutineer and the monster.
“So tell me something?” Sebas said to the Goliath man with scar-shaped tattoos on his face.
“What’s that?” Taugath asked.
“Why’d you defect?”
“S’good day for Mutiny.”
“Is that really all?”
“My wife’s pregnant.”
“Oh! Congratulations!” Sebas said before using the sturdy Goiath to launch himself forward and claw through a man while his teeth sunk into another pirate.
The Goliath man dashed much slower than Sebas did, holding his semi-metallic arm above his head as he ran forward.
[Notice: You have killed (Prey) “Lydo” Level 13 “Bullet Dancer”]
[+13 Hidden Notifications]
[Notice: You have killed (Prey) “Keo” Level 19 “Priest of The Blood Mother”]
[+15 Hidden Notifications]
Sebas spat the level 19 throat out of his mouth and sighed when his body seemed to go over the threshold of his maximum “Hitpoints.” His body appeared to fill with energy as the invisible force of energy flew into his body.
[+1 Hidden Notification]
Throwing himself forward, Sebas began to chase the men who were once encircling him and his new companion. He grabbed a scimitar from the priest of the “blood mother,” and began to cut down each of the pirates one by one, blood sprayed as the blade embedded itself into the third victim’s shoulder, Sebas used the man as a shield, and tackled the one behind him, keeping the injured pirate between them, his teeth shone red as the man underneath the new pile lost his head. Sebas was flabbergasted as the man’s head came up with him, the shield he once used screamed as he sat atop of him with what was once the back of his friend’s disembodied head in front of him. Sebas chose to silence the man with a swift fist that managed to shatter his nose, sending the man unconscious as the screaming suddenly stopped.
[Notice: You have killed (Prey) “Quint” Level 19 “Siren Botherer”]
[+14 Hidden Notifications]
Continuing his sprint, Sebas grabbed the head from his mouth, spitting out whatever grit and blood sat in his mouth, he threw the improvised ball at the nearest enemy, it shattered upon impact, garnering a scream from the pirate, which Sebas silenced with a dropkick that sent the man overboard. Seven men charged toward him while the eighth pirate who appeared to be panicking. He ran through their stampede he vaulted over the first man, a dwarf who he had plenty of practice out-maneuvering. Sebas launched his feet as he sprung forward, two more heads landed within his birdlike talon’s grasp. He crushed every single head he had gripped.
[Notice: You have killed (Prey) “Hadwyn” Level 20 “Mediocre Tactician”]
[Notice: You have killed (Prey) “Yole” Level 17 “Estranged Magic Cannoneer”]
[Notice: You have killed (Prey) “Iilyon” Level 14 “Lone Legionnaire”]
[+43 Hidden Notifications]
Sebas stood up, viewing his companion, destroying his half quite well, Sebas surveyed the surroundings as he was stabbed by three different scimitars from each direction, one of the pirates shouted at him as they pinned him.
“THAT WAS ME BEST FRIEND YOU JUST KILLED, DYA HAVE ANYTHING YOU WANNA SAY BEFORE YE DIE?” A dwarf asked as Sebas continued looking around.
He locked eyes with a woman, the same woman who wanted something from Echo.
Sebas looked down at the short man with very apologetic eyes as he sighed.
“I’m going to fuck your mother after I leave, I should have told you before. I'm very sorry.”
“I’LL KILL YOU!”
Sebas grabbed the dwarf’s head and squeezed it while headbutting the man to his left, he swung the dwarf around, like a flail, beating back the two men before throwing the body towards the Goliath.
“GOT A GIFT FOR YOU TAUGATH”
The Goliath watched as the dwarf flew forward, he shot the man as his body flew overhead, and his body was sent flying by whatever explosive cartridge the Goliath had inside of his arm canon.
Sebas watched with the pirate as the dwarven body flew overboard and the Goliath continued to fight the six human and demihuman men piled atop the massive man to subdue him.
“Wow, that's crazy, huh?” Sebas asked the rat demihuman next to him.
He turned around looking for who Sebas was talking to, only to be sucker-punched by Sebas’ fist as he returned his attention to him.
Sebas sighed and stood atop the unconscious man he just headbutted, crouching as his pointer finger’s claw began to slice open the man’s throat as he kept eye contact with the scarlet-haired woman up on the third floor.
[Notice: You have killed (Prey) “Bren” Level 13 “World’s Worst Swordsman”]
[+16 Hidden Notifications]
Sebas had managed to go from where that woman stood… a floor lower anyway, and was now halfway across the deck of the frigate, bloodied bodies and broken crates dotted the surface of the deck, making for the scene of a horror story. His clothes were ruined, and the swords in his back clattered to the ground as his healing effect shoved them out.
Sebas shouted up towards the woman as he pulled the sword that stuck out of his torso and pointed it up at her. “YOU OWE ME AN ARM AND A PILLOW, BITCH.”
It appeared the scarlet-haired captain found him amusing, as her face grew a smile, a woman in a maid outfit with purple braided hair and pale skin leapt at the captain’s snap of her fingers. Sebas stared up as the redhead sent her lackey after him, and made his next snarky remark. “I DIDN’T KNOW YOU HIRED SCANTILY CLAD WOMEN TO CLEAN YO-”
Suddenly, the Maid launched through the air, slamming her right leg into Sebas’ Chest, sending him under the deck with thirteen crates that piled atop of him as they fell from above.