I pictured Nightshade wearing a jeweled crown, hailed as the liege of leisure. My jelly trembled.

With a great effort of will, I pushed away these negative thoughts; I would not simply allow Violala to drive her serrated foreleg through my chest.

First of all, it probably wouldn’t even kill me; just damage an irreplaceable body part and send me down an even more vicious negative spiral.

Second of all, it was old, human Tallum who withdrew from the world due to a small failure; current Chimera Core Tallum (when he isn’t sucking away lifeblood) invests in the present; so when I get back from this mission… I really need to take some time and engage in some leisure-centric activities.

Perhaps some farming? Well, if I do that, I’ll need to fight and kill the gathered pests-

Ahem, ahem, leisurely ranching? The Rotfly Swarmers-

Well no, they are unruly and foolish. I’ll need to put up Mana Arrays in order to corral them.

…why does each activity sound so much like work? Then as a relaxed construction worker-

Errr, as a Real Estate Developer-

…have I truly not developed a single hobby?

Gasp, do I only engage in Vanity Leisure?!

But there was also a third reason why I didn’t allow my bad mood to linger; today, I had succeeded. The form was strange and tense, but we were going to resolve the mission given to us by the Kami without slaughtering the Fae Squirrels or clashing against the half-awakened Old Oak Grasps Upward.

Although it’s proof I’m slightly corrupted by this new fantasy life that I’m almost disappointed my siblings and I don’t get the chance to fight against a Kami. I cannot help but wonder what its Anima tastes like…

Also, let’s not entertain another diversion about swallowing one of these flowers. Too intoxicating a daydream.

A warm current of satisfaction ran through me. Although my failures to manifest leisurely action along with my very zen mindset were a minor issue, I couldn’t help but feel vindicated in my efforts. Couldn’t I just do better in the future?

I stood above the final Seed and activated my Blessing. I received 2 more proficiency, a testament to how quickly repeated actions were considered worthless by the System. But as the crystal grew across the flower, the feeling in the clearing changed.

“Fetch my Mantle,” The Kami wasted no time in giving the order to one of his subordinates.

“Great one-”

“Do not cheapen my words,” The eyes of the Kami flashed.

The offending fae squirrel threw its body against the ground. “This one would not dare!”

Before it moved, it cast a vindictive glance in my direction. Its expression clearly conveyed ‘if not for you, the Kami would not be forced to such lengths!’

Yes, yes, blame me… when, if not for me, Mookt would have wriggled his disgusting, fleshy body through your pristine forest and just gorged himself on your bodies…

But you are right, I am the villain.

I watched the squirrel hurry up the three. It crossed the tangled boughs and approached the black leaf I had spotted earlier, completely still and serene. Nightshade sidled up next to me. “Brother, I have a thought; considering the current exchange… we have needs, but pilfering a few fae squirrels for Anima before we depart seems tactless.”

I pivoted to Nightshade in wonder at this reasonable point.

“...yet my yearning for blood has not yet been sated.”

Ah, there it is. But it’s true that I’d prefer to fill up on Anima before we need to walk all the way back.

“There is a nearby swamp at the base of the forest.” Nightshade attempted to discretely indicate the Kami’s back but used his squirrel head arm to do so, which started a horrifying wave of jiggling flesh. “That old man… although stubbornness will do much to ensure his word is kept-”

“A demonstration of goodwill!” Suddenly Sage popped up between us. Her tails flicked out and pulled both Nightshade and I against her side. She remained overwhelmingly strong. “Hehehe, to think even Nightshade had enough political acumen to manipulate your lessers. Have I underestimated you?”

“...’tis but a remnant of a bitter lifetime,” Nightshade said. “I’ve reincarnated precisely to escape such headaches.”

-and instead create them for others-

The Fae Squirrel brought down the Mantle and prostrated its body as it presented it to the Kami. The bear cub plucked up the leaf and looked at it for a long time. Then his attention swiveled and he offered it to me. “Our pact is made.”

I took the leaf. The weighty moment almost collapsed immediately as I almost dropped it.

Immediately, my Health began to drain and the tentacle I used to touch the Mantle disintegrated on contact. My physical, squirrel hands flashed forward and held the Mantle. To my relief, the energy of the leaf didn’t have such a caustic effect on physical flesh.

Perhaps… the natural enemies of Chimera Cores are actually Kamis. If we had fought, if this being had mobilized its energy for violence… would any of our exposed jelly been naturally destroyed? I felt myself beginning to sweat inwardly as the Kami, missing my brief hand change, bowed low to his fae squirrels.

Wounds to our physical bodies would have been much more dangerous, as our jelly was exposed… Hah, did I inadvertently save our lives by negotiating?

But also, perhaps, the Kami is unaware of our weakness. Best to hide it, for now, and discuss with my siblings later.

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

All eighty or so of Fae Squirrels threw themselves prostrate as our grouping gathered at the edge of the clearing. A Shaman spoke up, its face still pressed into the ground. “Great One… at least let us escort you to the edge of our domain.”

“You all…” The Kami’s eyes reddened and he appeared to be torn between frustration and fondness. In addition to having a hot temper, this Kami also appeared weak to genuine pleas. Another strike against companionship-deprived old souls, who would be easily taken advantage of by bright-eyed transmigrators.

Sage, on cue, moved forward with a scammer’s wide grin. “Actually, we believe a further display of goodwill would cement our friendship. We will swing by the swamp to the South. It would be acceptable if a single patrol accompanied us, to observe the situation.”

“...you wish to slay the three-eyed beast?” One of the fae squirrels gasped.

“Ideally in single combat,” Nightshade growled. Violala tapped my armored spine, wondering if Nightshade was being serious. My expression crumpled as I refrained from saying he was definitely serious.

Acknowledging it would just make it more real.

“...the first patrol, prepare to follow,” The Kami growled out slowly. The bear cub gave Nightshade a long look. “Let’s see your sincerity, blightspawn. And also, you, let’s see if you are as big of an array genius as claimed.”

Ah, is that me?

…did I make such claims…? I was just remembering legos.

Very soon, an entire convoy had been constructed. From the numbers gathered, a squirrel patrol seemed to include ten of their burliest, bushiest tails, and then one beady-eyed and bossy Shaman. An audience of smaller squirrels gathered to watch us depart. Hiding in the depths of the tree I even saw small heads and glittering eyes, hints at the presence of squirrel kits.

Sage gestured imperiously with a tail; the whole group began to move.

Fae squirrels loped ahead, their tails fluttering behind their sinuous forms as they moved through the tree line. In the middle, we three Chimera Cores trotted along, Violala upon my back. And behind us came the waddling form of the Kami. As we proceeded further South, Violala moved and landed on Nightshade’s back.

Not that I blamed her. The Kami hadn’t ceased speaking to me the entire time.

“Heh, we are much diminished due to your evil methods, Blightspawn. Yet can you not see how we’ve been sharpened by the experience? No matter your tricks in the future, no matter my own fate,” The Kami slammed his paw against his chest. “The Fae Squirrels learn and grow. See how proudly we charge toward the unknown? Even the three-eyed monster casts no shadow across their hearts. Such bravery reminds me of my youth.”

“Is there any reason that the three-eyed monster is special?” I asked, almost on autopilot at this point.

The Kami nodded. “Hum hum! Indeed. As you are aware, four factors affect the growth of monsters: their race, their relationship with a Kami, the presence of a Monarch, and finally the reach of Corruption. It might be a small piece… but the three-eyed monster undoubtedly has opened itself to Corruption.”

Was I aware of this? The topic brought me back to the present. Wait, how would Chimera Cores grow normally? And what the hell is a Monarch?

“Hoo. You will naturally understand when you see,” The Kami said mysteriously. Then it gave me a long look. “Anyway, life is built from unexpected moments! When you marched into my forest, bloodshed on the mind, could you have known we would end up like this? It will take a lengthy trek until we arrive at the lair of the three-eyed monster. Treasure these moments! Take a deep breath, experience the wonder of the natural world! Savor the bounty given to you by generous Kamis who came before.”

Mud squelched beneath my tortoise legs. In front of me, fae squirrels left trails of glitter as they moved through the reeds. The wide blue sky sat above, sunlight baking the sprawling wetlands around us.

I appreciate the reminder to savor the present… but weren’t you going to teach me about Arrays?

“Tsk, I forget you have the seed of necrotic energy in your chest. I can see it in your eyes. The deadness of your pupils reminds me of a serpent’s covetous gaze,” The Kami shook his head, talking perhaps about the eyes I had literally stolen from a python corpse. “No matter how inspiring my teaching, darkness will always cloud your mind.”

“So about the energy hoops-” I made one more attempt. My instincts pinged, telling me I was barking up the wrong tree.

Your (Earned) Skill Short-Term Prediction has grown to Level 11.

“You know, your ilk were once much more common. Heh, back before the Kamis were sealed, dark sorcerers were a dime a dozen! I remember very vividly on one occasion, some young fool rode his undead horror titan east out of the human lands. Of course, in those days the Black Hunt dominated the world, so he could only attempt to sneak through our territory. Yet what use is subterfuge before strength? The pathetic machinations were discovered. Before the abomination could cross the wetlands, She swung her sword. The whole sky split in half, making way for her strike! And do you know what happened?”

I tried to adapt, even as I felt exhaustion creeping in. “Can you tell me a bit about the Black Hunt-?”

The Kami slammed his paw against his chest. “The wind screamed at the power of the strike. The sun fled below the horizon to avoid annihilation. With a single slash, from a vast distance away, She severed the horror titan’s arm and set the sorcerer packing. But the dead flesh and necrotic energy smashed into the ground… right into your pathetic Kami’s river! Bahahaha, for a week, the water ceased flowing, simply dammed by the ugly flesh left behind. Hehe, get it, ‘damned’? And for the rest of the year, you couldn’t take a drink from the river without spitting out a maggot afterward. Heh, remembering how your Kami squirmed with its three heads, as the blight spread…”

“Is there a difference between necrotic energy and blight?”

“Oh? That’s a good question.” The Kami looked at me. While he began to answer, I wondered why this question got through to him while the others hadn’t. “Technically a difference exists. However, it is ultimately moot. Necrotic energy is the animating darkness and blight is the natural corrosion that occurs as the unholy energies warp the environment.”

“Is it similar to Corruption then? That the Three-eyed Monster has?”

My good luck spree seemed to continue as the Kami narrowed his eyes. “...no. Corruption is the remnant of a single being. An ancient evil, which wormed its way into the world. To touch Corruption is to open up a portal to the abyss. What is dangerous is not the energy, but the will contained within it. Allowing that old thing back into this plane of existence invites nothing but chaos. But many weaklings would prefer chaos to the current status quo.”

I cleared my throat. “So, about Mana Arrays…”

“Gah!” The Kami stumbled briefly, its paws sliding in mud. “Tsk! This is exactly why forests are superior to wetlands. Can’t even go for a decent walk in a place like this…”

“You-” I looked at the Kami in irritation, then paused. “Wait, are you getting smaller?”

When we had gone into the clearing and discovered the Eternal Oak, I could remember the looming presence of the Kami. He had towered above us, so tall that even if we three Chimera Cores had stood on top of one another, we would have been shorter. The muscles of his body had bulged in every sort of body positioning.

Yet now, the Kami had become barely taller than me.

The Kami, who shrunk to be merely an athletic teddy bear, gave me a defensive look and huffed. “Further away from the Seeds, it is more difficult to manipulate energy. A larger body is ungainly. Are your senses so dulled by darkness you cannot even sense that?”

These Kamis are individuals too. And this one… is just a prideful old man.

“We are approaching the den of the three-eyed monster,” Nightshade called from the front of the procession. He paused and straightened. Even from the back, I could feel the weight of his gaze as he considered all those who followed him. “I have one request; ensure that the blood spilled today is only theirs.”

Standing alone, at the front of the group, in my brother I could see not even a trace of his usual almost-chuuni attitude. No, what stood before us was a murderer who led us down a path of carnage. A seductive pressure radiated out from all those repurposed heads in Nightshade's body. From another life, I could feel the dark shadow of the being called Maou.

The fae squirrels chittered out their bloodthirst, flexed their tiny fingers, and gnashed their teeth.

They were entirely on board with Nightshade. Right now, it felt like they would follow him into the maw of hell.

Can bloodthirsty... be a foreign policy decision? I tilted my head to the side.