During the Great Catastrophe, the Hero had great allies with unique abilities. One of them, having [Residue Detoxification], which will be one of the more important clues in learning [Soul Retraction].

"The old Hero is that far away from us?! Well. It's still strange for him to be in this continent. He was on the other side of the world just a few days ago..!"

"Yeah..! For him to get here that fast... Teleportation Magic! It's a difficult and risky spell, but that would be the only answer to this!"

Den and Feradon argued over how the the Old Hero managed to step foot on this continent in just a few days. He did return from a great distance, far away from us after all.

Lare, Liand, and Crowler were still asleep. Rika and Pikaia were cooking something in the kitchen. Pikaia still needed to learn that she can eat things like fruits and vegetables too. We had to eat horrible food most of the time because of this, fortunately, Rika is finally here to teach her about not eating rocks.

"You see... Crushing potatoes is bad! They're very fragile, like dirt. They're different from metal. Don't eat metal as well! From now on, eating rocks and metal is banned!"

"W-w-what?! But I thought we needed iron to be healthy!!"

"That's... Hmm. I think I've heard about it before. That we eat metal iron? I guess you can eat Iron then..."

"Yay!! I have blocks of iron back in the basement!! You can have them if you want!!"

"No! You think I'm the same as you?! Humans can't eat a block of metal, you know!?"

"W-what?! Why?!!"

I step out of the house. It's finally a peaceful day, where nothing bad will happen. The sky is clear, and the streets are windy, there's not much people around as well! It's truly a perfect day to go on a walk around the city!

I walk through the streets, there are several people walking around, some are doing laundry, while some are walking their dogs.

"Good morning, soldier! Thanks for keeping us safe from the empire!"

"No problem, citizen! That's our job after all!"

How friendly. The soldiers are roaming around as well, keeping the peace. The enemies are too far away to attack, and even if they do want to attack, the army has already pushed far enough, that the nearest cities around Madagon are already retaken by Asanrak.

Oh, who is that I see? It's a familiar face. Must be one of the soldiers during the battle against General Yynfur. Is it one of Rika's men? I must go say "Hi" then.

"Hey there, Soldier! Aren't you from the 8th infantry division?"

I yell as I walk up to him. Divine Intervention is in the basement at Rika's house, so talking will be fine. I hope no one steals that gun though.

"Huh? Oh! It's the outsider! Hello there!"

Outsider? Yeah, he is definitely one of Rika's men. It must be Neer Sandem, the one who tried to make another plan during the battle against General Yynfur.

"Hm. What brings you to this city? Perhaps you're looking for your leader?"

"Haha..! You're right! Sergeant Rika Zerai should be around here somewhere. Another outsider is here as well, Feradon, I think..?"

So Feradon isn't part of the military huh... He must be a member of the Fanine Clan then. Probably General Litharin's assistant?

"Well. We're currently living in her house. But no... We can't let you enter. So sorry haha..!"

"Really?! Come on..! I just want to talk to her! She did a great job in our last mission, you know?"

"Last mission? Can you tell me more about it?"

"Yeah, of course. Let's talk at Rika's house..!"

"Hmm... I guess that's fine then. Bring snacks though, and prepare for annoyance before you step in..!"

"Annoyance..? What do you mean by that..?"

The guys back there would definitely kick him out... Well. I guess Rika can let him stay.

As we arrive in front of the house. Pikaia opens the door, and looks at us with confusion.

"Huh? A new member? Vixen! I told you the house is already full!"

She says, angrily. She's still wearing an apron, she must've been cooking something just a few seconds ago. Oh wait! Her wings stand out too much! I forgot about that!

"W-w-what the?! A dragon?!"

Sandem panics. It's an expected reaction. But I need to calm him down!

"No no..! It's just fake wings. You know, she wants to be a dragon."

"What?! How rude!! I am a dragon!!"

I sigh. How stupid can she be... Can't she understand the situation here?

"A dragon?!! I need to call the-"

"Relax. I told you already. She really wants to be a dragon. Just call her one. Or get out."

"H-huh..? Oh... She's fake... Heh. Now that I look at it... The wings look too unrealistic!! Why would a dragon have the body of a human, but have blue wings!? You're pretty bad at trying to be a dragon!"

Hmmm... She actually doesn't really look like a dragon... He's right! Pikaia has the body of a human, but with blue dragon wings on the back! It's a terrible combination! Oh. And she also has a tail.

"Wait..! How does her tail move!?"

"Magic magic... It's simple. It's moved by magic."

"I see..! Sorry..! I just saw a lot of dragons on the battlefield, and seeing another dragon is terrifying..! I don't want to see one again!"

I understand that. Also, when did Pikaia get a tail? I remember her only getting wings yesterday. Did she get her tail back when I was asleep? I didn't really see her when I woke up. She was in the kitchen after all.

"How rude! You're seeing a real dragon right here, right now! A true, beautiful, wonderful, and powerful dragon!!"

"Heh..! I see through your lies now, woman! Sorry but, your dragon wings, and dragon tail, doesn't look realistic at all!"

"Surprise!!! I am surprised!! You still don't believe that I'm a dragon huh?! Fine then! Let me show you what a real dragon can do!!"

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Oh no... This is getting bad. I'll have to stop her from proving the fact that she is a dragon!

"Pikaia... If you're truly a dragon... Real dragons don't get mad at things like this... Perhaps. You're actually just a human?!"

"What?! No! You've seen me-"

"Shhh!! Stop talking. Stop being fake. And let us enter. In peace...!!"

What a relief. If she said something about eating rocks and metal, Sandem would've find out she was a dragon!

"Hey! What are you doing?!"

We walk past her, entering the house. There's another problem though... Everyone is still in the house! Den and Feradon are still arguing! And the others have woken up! Where's Rika though..?

"Pikaia. Where's Rika?"

"Oh, her? She's out buying somethings!"

Ah... This is bad... The guys would definitely kick him out. Should I just tell them about what we're going to talk about? No... It's going to be more chaos! What should I do..?!

Kahhh!! He's already stepped forward, interrupting Den and Feradon's argument!!

"I've told you already! The sun. Is not a planet!!"

"That's what everyone wants you to think!! You also think that humans are just normal humans too huh?!"

"What do you- huh..? Who are you?!"

Both of them looks at Sandem as if he was an alien. He begins to get nervous and scratches his head, fake laughing.

"Hahahaha...! What were you talking about..?"

Den and Feradon looks at each other. Hah.... This is definitely not good...

"Hmmm... Are you-"

"Shut up, idiot!"

Feradon slaps Den on the back, quieting him down, before whispering something to each other.

"Oh... I see..!"

"Hahaha! Welcome! Soldier! Are you in Rika's team? You look familiar, feels like I've seen you somewhere!"

"Yeah yeah! Come sit down!"

Looks like nothing bad is going to happen... Sandem sits down next to Den, I sit down as well, next to Feradon. Hold on. Why don't we have chairs..? Not saying that the rug is uncomfortable...

"Now. Back to what we were saying."

"Man... Using two "we"s in a sentence is really tongue twisting huh."

"What are you talking about? Your tongue can't get twisted, you idiot!"

"Man! Are you an idiot!?"

"No. You're the idiot here."

"Sigh... Can't you figure it out? Have you been living under a rock?! Even Pikaia here could understand what I meant!"

"Heh?! Is that right, Pickaxe?!"

Pikaia leaves the kitchen, appearing next to us, hands on hips. Did she figure out that Feradon said Pickaxe, and not Pikaia?

"Tongue twisters? That you're talking about? Hehehehe...!! I may have lived under a house, but I definitely have heard of them!"

Ehh...? No way... How'd she- oh right. Books.

"What?! How- how could...!!"

"You really are stupid huh..?! Even this dumb useless dragon knows about them! If you're dumber than her, then you're dumber than a rock!! Hahaha!!!"

"What..?! Is this defeat..!!? I've never been defeated before...!! Not by someone like you!!"

"Hahahaha!!"

This conversation seems dumb... Sandem is pretty quiet... Pikaia looks angry...

"Hey!! What did you say about me being a dumb stupid ugly dragon?!!"

"What? I've never said that before."

"Really?! I've just heard you say that a second ago!!"

"Really?? I only said that you're a dumb useless dragon! Not a dumb stupid ugly dragon!"

"W-w-what?!! I'll let you know! That dragons are the most beautiful creatures in the planet!"

"Heh. In the sun? Feradon would agree with you..... Because there's no one else on that planet!! Since the level is so low, you're the only thing that doesn't look bad. Basically. You're on the same level as water!!!"

I don't think there's water on the sun... Also, is water bad?

"W-w-w-w-!!"

"Can't even talk?! Let me tell you something more devastating! I kicked your tail while you were asleep!"

Huh..? Why would he do that? That's kind of stupid.

"What?! I've always cleaned this tail for many years! You dirtying it means war!! Fine then! I won't give you gold for breakfast anymore!!"

"Heh..? Wait wait wait! No I'm sorry please..! Don't don't don't!! It's my favorite food please!"

Is Den eating gold..? Wait no... Is he just using the gold for money?! Hah... Pikaia is too stupid... Also. Weren't we going to talk about the 8th infantry division's most recent mission..?

"Ha-ha-ha!! If you're truly sorry.... Grovel right now!! And say sorry 200 times!!"

What a ridiculous request- he's actually groveling!!!

"H-huh?! T-the hero!! Is groveling!!!"

"W-what!? Den is?!"

"Let me see! Move out of the way!"

"How low the hero has gotten..!"

Huh?! Where did everyone come from?! Were they just listening in on us?!! And Den is still grovelling!!!

Liand, Lare, Rayan, and Crowler stepped into the room. Looks like it'll be more chaos then...

"Hahahahahaha!!! Look everyone!! The hero-"

An uppercut hits Pikaia. Den stood up, he looks really mad. He looks like he's about to cry... Uh oh...

"Hey! What'd you do that for?!"

"No.... Where the hell did you all come from?!!"

Same question, Den.

"Hehehe..! We just woke up, and then we heard you guys screaming so loud!"

"We were scared that you guys were arguing seriously..!"

"I didn't know you liked doing that. I'll keep this secret for you."

Looks like everyone misunderstands Den now. Well. He did kind of deserve this, for tricking Pikaia into giving him gold to sell.

"Hahaha! Den! I thought you actually wanted to say sorry! But now I see... You only did that because you wanted to! Am I right-"

"No, you idiot!!!"

When are we going to talk about the mission..?

"Umm... Actually.... Can I leave...?"

Sandem finally spoke.

"Who are you..?"

"Who's this man..?"

"Huh? When did this guy come in?"

"Who's he?"

"Leave. Intruder."

Did they not realize him being here..? Suddenly, the front door opened. It must be Rika huh....

"I'm home!! I got the carrots!!"

"Hah!! Rika!! Welcome back!! Let's cook!!"

Pikaia leaves the room. And just like that, everyone looked at Den in disappointment, as he looks down, in disappointment as well. How did the conversation go from tongue twisters to this anyways?

"We'll keep this a secret, leader."

"Yeah. No one will know about this. I'll get rid of anyone who does."

"Didn't that guy over there know about it already?"

Sandem? Well. He shouldn't have stepped foot into this house anyways...

"I didn't hear anything!! I swear!!! Okay okay... I'll leave now, bye!!"

He runs off, leaving the house. No one chased after him. He should be fine, I guess.

Later, the sun set. Rika told me about her last mission anyways. It wasn't even interesting. And- wow... Looks like Pikaia has learned how to cook fruits now..! But why fruits... It's a bit unusual to cook apples, isn't it?

"Hmmm... This actually tastes good..!! I give it 1.5 stars!"

"Hey! If it's good, then at least give it a better rating!!"

"Yeah... I give this 2 stars!"

We were all eating on one table. The food isn't bad, actually, it's better than the average food. Should we be resting like this when the world is still at war? I guess it's fine then... Rabbit once told me, "Hard Work without Rest isn't Hard Work." And yes, I don't even know what that means.

As I tried to sleep, a knock on the wall startled me slightly. Is it an enemy? I must go check. Rika's house is between two large buildings, the knocking came from behind the house. How should I... I'll just climb it then.

At the back, a person is sitting there, as expected. Looks like she isn't aware of my presence, she doesn't seem to be hostile either. Is she another homeless person? I should just send her away.

"Hey. Would you mind leaving?"

I say. She looks up to me. Wait! She isn't just another homeless person... She's-! I forgot. Hmmm... I swear I've seen her face before...

"Huh?! Who are you?!"

She says.

Despite having perfect memory, I somehow forgot who she is. No doubt that this the work of a spell!

[Conceal IV]. [Conceal] is normally weak, only hiding your presence, but at high levels, It conceals, presence, physical form, soul, knowledge, and more..! At this level, I can only barely see her, I thought it was the darkness, but no..!

"A Vampire?! What is one doing here?! The soldiers really aren't doing much huh..."

She knows about my Blood Magic?! It's a bit irritating when people automatically assume that I'm a Vampire just because I have Blood Magic, you know?

"I'm not a Vampire. And you should leave now..!"

"Such a weak monster... you can't intimidate me. Begone. Holy Light."

[Holy Light]? Well, of course it wouldn't work on- Gahh!! My hand is burning!! She's just that powerful huh..?!

"Tsk. What are you doing? I'm not a vampire. Leave now, or else I'll have to use force."

"You're still alive? What a tough vampire. Holy Light."

"Told you it wouldn't work-"

"Holy Light. Holy Flames. Holy Light."

She keeps using Holy Magic?! Most people would burn with that level of magic! Hah... Guess I'll have to use force then.

"Holy Light- Huh?!"

I use [Missile Dropkick].

"Kkha-!! Ouch!!"

Hmm... My feet is also burning. Why won't she stop that?!

"You are a strong vampire huh...! Seems that I've underestimated-"

"Holy Light."

"Huh-?!"

It doesn't do damage to her, but it will be enough proof that I'm not a Vampire. Even though I can't cast any Holy Magic spells, casting [Firelight II] while saying "Holy Light" will work as a fake [Holy Light].

"Huh...? You're not a vampire? There's no way that the system is wrong!"

System..? System!?! Game system?!! Like the system in a fantasy game?!

"What?! What do you mean by that?!"

"Hahaha..! Nothing nothing..! W-who are you anyways..? If you're not a vampire, then..!"

"I'm one of the Heroes. I can't say my name yet though. Forgive me for that."

"H-heroes?! The heroes?! Den Mako?! Or Frillet Tofan?!"

"Den Mako. We live right here. Why were you knocking anyways?"

"U-umm..! Nothing! I was just doing unnecessary movements!!"

"Okay then. Leave."

"No way I'd leave without visiting the heroes!!"

Ah... Another annoying person. The house is already full, you know?

"Sorry but. I was lying. Leave now, because I'm a vampire."

"Liar..! I'll eradicate you then!"

"Sigh... Fine. But only tomorrow. We're still trying to sleep, you know?"

"Yay!! Yay!!! Thank you, Ms. Not-Vampire!!"

"I'm not Ms. Not-Vampire... I'm-"

"See you tomorrow then, Ms. Not-Vampire!!"

She runs off, leaving me behind without even listening to me... Will she become another nuisance..?

I guess I'll just go to sleep for now...