Chapter 42
New Breed
(Miyamoto P.O.V)
For some time I knew Alexander wasn’t well. Even though he’s capable of putting on a smile that can fool even the most skeptic of people. I knew deep down, under that kind and determine smile of his, he was suffering. I have no idea what was tormenting him, but I know that he doesn’t want anyone to know about it. So I waited for him. I waited till he trusted me enough to tell me everything that’s been on his mind. And it seems that day has finally come.
I follow Alexander to his home, where he led me to his basement. A dreadful moan echo through the basement. Whatever Alexander wants to show I knew from the noise, that it was alive and it wasn’t human. I glance at him hoping I’ll get some answer to what that noise was, but he continue walking as if he didn’t hear anything.
“Miyamoto If there was a list of things that threaten humanity what do you think would be the top three on that list?”
“Is this a quiz?”
“Maybe.”
“Well if there was a list obviously the number one threat would be the Demon King. Second I guess would be monsters, and natural disasters would probably be third.” Alexander abruptly stops walking and looks at me with and unreadable expression on his face. I was expecting him to taunt me for creating an inaccurate list. But I quickly realize we already reach the end of the long hallway, there’s nothing but a door standing between us and whatever is creating that awful noise.
“That’s actually a pretty good list, if this was two hundred years ago, it would be completely accurate, but we’re not living in the past. While natural disaster is very much a threat to us, something else has taken it spot. The third most dangerous thing to humans is humans themselves. We humans have always been at odds with each other, the one thing that was keeping us from killing each other was the Demon King. Now that he’s gone we humans no longer have a reason to work together. It’s kind of sad when you think about it really. Our cities are being terrorizes by monsters, and yet we somehow find time to kill each other. Speaking of monsters, this brings us to the second threat.”
Alexander pushes open the door revealing a room filled with cage monsters. The room echo with monsters roaring at us or banging their cages I wasn’t surprise when I saw them, I knew from the noise he was holding some kind of beast, but what I didn’t expect was for him to have so many down here. What can he be planning with all these monsters?
“You were correct on the second one. Monsters are still very much a threat to us, even more so now then two hundred years ago. I bet if these creatures were somehow able to break free from their cages, instead of following their instinct an eating each other, they’ll instead work together to try to kill us and everyone in this city. Scary thought isn’t it?”
“It’s definitely something that’ll keep me up at night.” Alexander cover his mouth to try to stop himself from laughing.
“If you think this is nightmarish, then wait till I show you what’s number one on the list. It’s a little further ahead.”
“I’m sorry not trying to be rude, but I just can’t imagine anything more terrifying than monsters overwhelming our city. The only thing I think that’s a greater threat than monsters, is the Demon King himself, but just as you said he’s dead. Are you telling me there’s something out there even worse than the God of Corruption?”
“….It’s right in front of us.” Ignoring my question, Alexander points towards the side of the room that for some reason was nearly pitch black the only thing I was able to see was two dim yellow lights that flicker every now and then.
“Can you see it?”
“No, I can’t see anything, it’s too dark.”
“Really? I’m looking right at it. Why don’t you try focusing on the light?” Doing exactly what Alexander said, I focus my sight on the yellow lights hoping I will be able make something out. After a few seconds of seeing nothing but darkness, I came to realize that the lights were actually moving, it took me a few extra seconds for me notice there’s body directly underneath the lights. It’s was hard to make out what the creatures was, but I could tell it was humanoid from the way it move. After a minute had pass my eyes were finally able to fully adjust to the darkness, which allowed me to see it and all of its terrifying glory.
Even though I knew the creature had a humanoid shape from the way it was moving, I found myself surprise to see how its physique looks exactly like a human. If the creature wasn’t chain to the floor and was standing on its two legs it would probably be the same height as an average male. Seeing how the creature looked exactly like a human was extremely unsettling, so much so that I actually found solace in the fact that it had scales instead of skin, otherwise I can easily imagine it sneaking into a city even with its horn on its head.
“What is that?”
“We called them Chimera, well at least that’s what Alice call them.”
“Chimera? I never head of them before.”
“Of course you haven’t. They didn’t exist until two hundred years ago.”
“Two hundred years ago? Then that means the Demon King created them right?”
“I doubt the Demon King created them, but they were born from his corruption.”
“Corruption….” I turn my attention back to the creature who was staring at me with eyes filled with malice. I guess that’s reason why I feel so uneasy about the creature. I can’t sense nothing but ill-intent from it, like its sole purpose is to kill as many human as it can before it dies. I understand why Alexander is afraid of it now. This thing isn’t a monster it’s an abomination. I need to kill it, before it has a chance to kill us all.
“Careful. Don’t get too close.” Alexander grab my shoulder and pull me towards him.
“Close?” Confuse about what Alexander was talking about, I look back at the creature and notice I was now standing right in front of it with a sword in my hand.
When did I get so close to it? I don’t even remember moving. I look down at my hand to see I had a tight hold on my sword. From the looks of it, it seem that I was going to attack the creature. Is it possible that I was so fearful that my instincts took over my body?
“I understand how you feel Miyamoto. Every time I look at this creature I am struck with an intense fear. I can’t even begin to imagine what it will do if it manage to escape.
“Why are you keeping it alive then?! If you’re truly aware of how dangerous it is, then you should’ve killed it the moment you laid eyes on it!” Shaking Alexander hand off my shoulder, I raise my sword over my head so I could strike down the creature in one go. The creature didn’t have a hint of fear in its eyes. Even though I was going to cut it into two, it just continue to stare at me with unwavering hatred.
“I thought you trusted me Miyamoto.” Alexander said softly.
“I do, but this thing… this thing shouldn’t be allow to live! We need to kill it before it can destroy all of us!”
“If you kill it, everything I work for, all my plans will be ruin. Didn’t you say you’ll follow my orders even if it cost your life, are you really going to destroy your own pledge, just so you can sleep a little better at night?”
“….Damn it.” Against my better judgement I drop my sword to the ground which burst into light the moment it touch the floor. After the particles of lights vanish I took last look at the creature before returning to Alexander’s side.
“Thank you Miyamoto, for trusting me more than your instinct. I promise you won’t regret it.”
“Just tell me the reason why you insist on keeping it alive.”
“It’s simple really. I want to know how they were born.”
“I thought you knew, didn’t you say they were born from the Demon King’s corruption?”
“Yes, I did say that, but that doesn’t make sense. The Demon King’s power sole purpose is to destroy life. Even people who are bless with his power or is converted into demons will die. Because the power greatly shorten their life span.”
For a brief second a frown form on Alexander’s face, like a bad memory suddenly flash in his head. Just as fast as it appear, it was quickly replace with a resolve look. Seeing his expression change so suddenly reminded me of earlier when he was shouting at me. I don’t know what’s going on, but it seems he having some kind of internal conflict. Seeing him suffering like this is all the more reason why I need to stay by his side, I can’t imagine what he’ll do to himself if he continue fighting alone like he’s been doing for all these years.
“Corruption weakens and destroy life, yet these creature somehow got stronger from it. If you look closely at the creature. The horns while it does look like a demon actually belong to the bull frog, the scales obviously came from some kind of lizard, and the humanoid shape along with it monstrous strength that came from orcs. Which means not only did corruption make them stronger, but it somehow corrupted their body allowing them breed with any kind of creature. This isn’t the work of nature. There’s a malicious being out there creating these abominations, and from the looks of it they know how to use corruption, probably better than the Demon King himself.”
“I guess that answer my question.”
“Huh?” Alexander said with confuse look on him.
“Earlier I ask you if we’re dealing with a threat greater than the Demon King. After hearing you explain this to me it seems I finally got my answer.”
“If you want you Miyamoto, you can leave I won’t force you to fight these things.”
“I already told you before I will follow all your orders even if it means sacrificing myself. So I’m not going anywhere even if you order me to leave.”
“….Didn’t you just contradict yourself?”
“Ah… your right.” Alexander started to laugh, I also ended up laughing at my own stupidity. Finding something to joke about was a nice refresher from the intense atmosphere we were suffocating in.
“Miyamoto….” Alexander voice trail off as he look at the creature in front of us. There wasn’t a hint of fear on Alexander face as he stare at the creature directly in its eyes. Seeing that confident look reminded me of the time when I first met him.
“I have no idea if these creatures are a greater threat than the Demon King. But I do know that they were created from the Demon King’s power.” A smile spread across Alexander face as he tightly clinch his right hand.
“The last hero made have killed the Demon King, but I’ll be the one to end that’ll end his legacy.”
(Anna P.O.V)
The world around me became a blur as I was carried off into the forest. I have no idea how fast we were moving, but
I do know I was getting sick from all the jumping the hero was doing.
“Hurry up and put me down, before I spew up everything I ate earlier!”
“I will once I get this thing off our ass.”
“I’m not sure if you notice, but we lost that thing a while ago.”
“What really?” The hero abruptly stops running and looked behind us. “Huh, I guess we really did lose it.”
“Or maybe it went after the others since they’ll be easier to catch.”
“Shit, if that’s true we need to hurry and get back there.”
“Wait! Wait! Before you start jumping over buildings again, can you at least put me down? I can run back on my own.
“Sorry, I can’t do that Anna. It’ll be much safer and faster if I just carry you back.”
“Yea right, the way you run, I think it’s safer for me to walk alone than be carried by…. You….” My voice faded way. Once I saw the creature creeping up on us.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
How… how the hell did it find us so fast? I’m sure we lost it a while ago or are you trying to tell me that this thing was somehow able to keep up with us and mask it’s presence at the same time?
“Don’t worry Anna, I promise this time the ride will be smoother.” My heart stop once the creature raise its hand to strike down me and the oblivious hero.
“Hey! Hey!! Turn around! It’s right in front of us! It right in front of…..” While the hero was still looking behind us, his hand move to catch the creature’s fist like it had a mind of its own. Even though he was able to perfectly guard against its attack, we were still push back from the force of its punch.
“Huh? Where the hell did you come fro….” Once again the creature attack the hero who was still confuse about what was going on. The hero quickly grabs the creature fist before it can hit him.
“Well aren’t you rude. Not only did you attack me out of nowhere, but you won’t even let me finish my sentence. It seems I need to teach you some manners.” The creature shook its hand to free itself from the hero’s grip. Unable to break free, the creature raise his other arm out and swung at the hero. As his arm got closer I quickly realize he wasn’t aiming for him, he was after me.!
Since I was still trap in the hero’s arm, all I could do was watch helplessly as its claw got closer to my face. The hero quickly jumps away from the creature just in time before my face got torn into piece.
The little space we manage to gain from jumping back was immediately taken away from us. Before we could recover from the jump, the creature was already in our face preparing to attack us again.
“Damn you’re annoying! Give us some space!” The hero threw a wild hook at the creature in what look like a pathetic attempt to ward it off. Instead of backing off like I hoped, the creature duck underneath the hero’s attack while once again trying to tear my face off with its claws. The hero quickly twist his body around just barley moving me out the way of its attack. As its claws pass by me, I watch a disturbing smile appear on its face as its claws tore through the hero’s cloak and dug into his skin.
That bastard, is it attacking me because it know the hero will try to protect me?
My question was quickly answer when the creature sent his fist flying at me again. The hero once again quickly twist his body around so he could shoulder block it. The force of the blow push us away from the creature giving us some breathing room.
“Damn…. This guy is tough.”
“This wouldn’t be a problem if you just put me down. It’s attacking me because it knows that you’ll sacrifice yourself to protect me.
“I know, I figure that out the second time he attack you.”
“If you figure it out, then don’t you think you should put me down? You’ll have a much better chance of winning if you can use both hands.”
“That’s true, but if I put you down he’ll kill you.”
“Stop treating me like some chick that needs saving every five seconds. I told you I can take care of myself.”
“I know that, but still even if you’re the strongest person in the world there’s still a chance you might die. So please, trust me and let me fight this guy on my own, I want to make sure everyone gets home to their family safely including you.”
If we weren’t in such a shitty situation I would be laughing right now. This guy wants me to entrust my life to him even though his right arm is entirely coated with his own blood and he himself looks like he about to fall over in die any minute. But if my memory serve me correctly, pretty much every hero I fought before was able to make a comeback when they was on their last leg, so maybe there’s a chance this guy was also able to inherit their bullshit luck.
“Fine, whatever you’re planning it better work, that thing is still after us.”
“Ok, here I go!” The hero run straight at the creature while still holding me.
“Wait, what the hell are doing?!”
“I’m plan on defeating it, that’s what I’m doing!!”Shouting at the top of his lungs the hero throws a right at the creature, who quickly retaliate with his own right. The two fist collided creating a loud boom. Both the hero’s and creature’s arms fell to their side after the power struggle ended. A smirk appear on the hero’s face as he looked at the creature’s arm which had cracks all over it.
“Looks like I was able to break your arm, although it cost me mine in the process, so since we failed to overpower each other how bout we call it a tied?” The creature raise its left arm up like it was holding a hammer.
“…. I guess that’s a no.” The hero look down at me with stupid smile plastered on his face. “Sorry Anna….”
“Huh? What do you mean sorry?! If you plan on dying at least put me down!” I desperately tried to pry myself free from him as the creature sent his arm crashing down towards us.
“This probably going to feel weird.”
“Wait what?!”
(Element: Electric Aura)
Electricity suddenly surrounded the hero’s body which shock the monster the moment he try to touch him. At the same the creature got shock, I also got electrocuted for being in the hero’s arm. I let out a girlish shriek as I felt electricity course all throughout my body.
“Don’t worry! This attack is non-lethal, you’ll be fine!”
Fuck you! Is what wanted to say to him, but I was too busy screaming at the top of my lungs to say anything coherent.
“Ok! Now that you can’t move….” The hero spun his body and nail the creature in the face with a powerful kick.
"You’re….something else” Mumbling to himself the hero finally puts me down. Before I could celebrate being free I quickly realize my body is paralyze. The electricity crawling around me not only made my body feel numb, but it’s also preventing me from moving. Great, just when I thought I was free something else comes out nowhere to hold me down.
“Hey! You defeat the creature right? So can you please release me?”
“No, I didn’t defeat him...” With grim look on his face the hero walk forward a little bit, I followed where he was heading to see the creature was now standing sideways on a tree. The creature legs begin to swell up as it stood on the tree. At first I thought it was an injury it receive from the hero, but on closer inspection I quickly realize that it’s using magic to strengthen its muscles. The tree crack apart as the creature’s legs got bigger.
“You’re really something else. The moment I sent you flying with my kick not only did you break out of my electric aura somehow, but you even set yourself up in position where you can immediately counterattack me. You are truly relentless.” While the hero’s right arm swayed uselessly He raise his left in front of his him like he was getting ready to block an attack.
“From the looks of it, you seem to be charging up your final attack. If that’s the case, then you better not mess up, because if I survive it then that means it’s my win.”
Not falling for the hero’s scarce tactic, the creature continue to strengthen its leg until they looked like they were ready to burst. Placing both of its hand on the tree, the creature launch himself at the hero, destroying the tree in the process. Standing firm, the hero block the creature’s full body blow. Another deafening sound erupted from the two the moment they collided.
While the hero manage to survive the attack, the force the creature generated from it sent him flying through the forest. Hearing the sound of multiple tree crashing throughout the forest I was able to come to a sound conclusion that the hero probably won’t be getting up for a while.
What a dumb ass, if had just use the power Athena gave him, he would’ve be able withstand the creature’s attack and defeat it an a instant. Oh well, at least the electric aura that was surrounding me is gone so I can finally move, but now I got to deal with that thing alone, and without my sword.
Picking myself up off the ground, I turn to face the creature who was slowly walking towards me with a menacing grin. This thing definitely doesn’t see me as a threat. I don’t blame it, every time I look in the mirror all I see is a cat trying its hardest to act like a tiger. Although I doubt my frail appearance is solely the reason why it looks cocky. Defeating the hero must’ve cause its ego to rise, even though Joseph wasn’t fighting seriously, it’s still quite feat to take someone like him down.
“You shouldn’t let your guard down so soon. While that attack of yours was certainly fatal, I doubt it actually killed him, guys like him don’t die so easily. Trust me, I’m speaking from experience.” Ignoring my warning the creature continues to walking towards me, well I doubt it’s ignoring me, more like it probably can’t understand me.
"Right…. anyway despite my appearance I’m far tougher than the person you just fought. So trust me when I say this, attacking me is an extremely bad idea. You’re better off saving your strength for the hero when he comes back. So why don’t you leave me alone and I won’t give you a hard time. Sounds fair right?” With a malicious grin plaster on its face the creature stops rights in front of me and raise his left arm right over my head. It was obvious the exaggerated arm movement was meant to scare me more than actually hurt me. The creature is probably wants to see me panic before it delivers me the final blow…. And people wonder why I resort to violence, talking never solve anything.
“….. I guess I that’s a no.” Vines and roots broke from the ground underneath us and wrap themselves around the creature, binding it in midair. It was extremely satisfying to watch the cocky grin on the creature’s face be slowly replace with fear and confusion.
“Why do you look so surprise? I told you I’m stronger than I look.” I wave my right hand in the air, signaling the plants to bring the creature closer to me so I could get better look at it. I twirl the part of my hair where my horns was at in my original body.
“You…don’t look like a demon at all.” You have to be an idiot to mistake this thing for a demon. For one it has yellow eyes, two it horns are too curve alike mines which were straight, and three it physique looks more human than a monster. If you were to look at this creature from a distance, the first thing you would think is that there’s a human ahead of you, while if it was demon you probably be running before a thought even enters your mind.
“The fact that people mistake this thing as a demon is a great insult to me.”
Another root bust from the ground in response to my anger. The root wrap itself tightly around the creature’s neck causing it to choke.
“You should’ve of listen to my warning. I was planning on letting you go, since you did me favor kicking the hero to the next city, but you just had to get greedy and try to challenge me too, and because you couldn’t control that insatiable bloodlust of yours I’m afraid I’m going have to punish you, so prepare yourself, because unlike Joseph I’m not going to go easy on you.”
A/N: Sorry again for late chapter. A lot of stuff happen recently. My work schedule dramatically change, someone in my family got married, and I binge read all 300+ chapter of Gantz in a week. Anyway i'm gonna try to upload weekly again, since i usually get antsy when I take to long on a chapter.
I hope you enjoy, next chapter Anna will be fighting the wanna be demon.... also before I leave anyone else wondering what Aaron doing? No one, just me? Ok.