The world was engulf in darkness. A quiet and lonely place with no light.
I couldn't see anything. I couldn't hear anything. I couldn't feel anything. No light, no warmth, nothing at all. I was all alone in this solitary lonely world that only darkness was my only companion. It was such an absolute isolation that I didn't even know if I had a body myself.
Right now, I couldn't even feel my very own presence.....the presence that was once known as Hero Stein.
Then it came to me ---- and I somewhat understood.
-------------------I already died.
Scenes about me meeting that disgusting skull face and my death match with that three-headed [ Chimera ]. At the very least, I manage to break the lion's nose bone, hehehe I bet it's roaring in pain right now.
Thinking about this, I felt somewhat refreshed. With this, I would never feel ashamed even if I fell in hell. But still.....before long, even this little consciousness I have right now would vanish and everything I did would be gone.
Have I wished for such an end? ---------- Of course not!
Have I lived my life with satisfaction without the slightest regret? ---------- Of course not!
The things I found in that new world, the meeting with Flora that greatly changed my life, although few but even so, those are my precious memories that I greatly treasured.
---------------- so if I say I died without regret then I'm just a pathetic liar. If I say those things then isn't it like I'm just running away from the truth? Satisfying myself with that little false truth?
-----------------But it's too late......
"No."
My ears, which I didn't know if it still existed, heard a voice. A very familiar voice.
Instantly, the realization that [ maybe ] I still [ exist ] befell me.
Although I don't feel anything.
Although I can't see anything.
But that familiar voice that although I only just heard it a few times but can still be remember easily. This voice is the first voice that greets me when I came into that mysterious virtual world. It's her voice, I'm certain of it. She who proclaimed herself as the god of that world.
Realizing this, my consciousness awoke at once.
-----------------------------------------
When I regained my consciousness, I found myself in a familiar space.
This place was identical to the place where I first met Rosa. A place that didn't exist on Earth nor Virtual world. A world of pure white.
".....To be able to meet properly like this, it sure has been quite some time... right Hein~"
A girl was in front of me, calmly sitting. This girl is without no doubt the Lolita Goddess that trapped us in this world.
She looked about the same age as me. Well-proportioned features. A slim figure. If I were to compare her to my Flora then I'll say she was of the more 'slender' type.
Nonetheless, she was certainly alluring. She's beautiful and also have a very cute, doll like face and figure.
"Yeah, it's been a long time~ How are you?"
"Although I can't really say I'm fine, but compared to someone who rashly challenge someone more powerful than him just to be defeated... then I think I'm somewhat better~"
"Ahahaha so you saw that... Well, a defeat is a defeat so I can't really give some excuse this time... "
"Silly...I really appreciate it if you take care of yourself more..."
"well, not like it can change anything... I'm already dead, that of course I understand"
"Stupid, you're still not dead you know."
"...........Eh? really? What happened, I'm certain that I really died that time, wait don't tell me..."
Faint, hazy memories floated in my mind. Those are the memories from the fight.
Hearing my question, Lolita shook her head while smiling bitterly.
"No, I didn't do anything more like I can't do anything to help you or the other human I transported. I maybe a God but what can I only do is to organize the system which you players have, I can't interfere nor do anything in the lower realm. You see, my only power is quite limited and those other gods always do anything they want that's why I'm always found myself frustrated all the time."
"Well, Please accept my condolences then~" I said while smiling wryly.
"Hahahaha then allow me to thank you~"
"Oh by the way...if you're not the one who save me, then who? I don't think that skull face will save me so he can't be him..."
"About that, it seems a certain monster seems to have taken a liking to you."
"A certain monster? Although I don't quite understand what you're saying but it's not like I don't have any clue either....... I first thought something strange was when I fought the [ Poison Fin Frog ], after that I just forgot about it because I can't sense it anymore. Next is when the time I met Flora and when my skill evolve into [ Divine Sense ] I can sense it from time to time. Well, I just didn't mind it though because I didn't feel any hostile feeling from it..."
"Aside from that so-called [ Lover ] of yours, which I don't really [ Care ] about!...that monster is quite a find. You should treasure it you know~ although it's still not strong enough, nonetheless it was still quite impressive. After you passed out, It fought against the [ Chimera ] despite being low-level and escaped successfully while bringing you; although it suffered tremendously..."
"I... see. It seems I really need to thank him... ah by the way, If I didn't die, how can I meet you like this?"
"Hm? We've already met a few times here you know~ although you'll just forgot your time in here though~ but still isn't this like a [ Lover's Rendezvous ] fufufu"
"Aside from that I-don't-know-how-to-react comment, It seems you're not lying. Furthermore, there are also times where I felt something is missing or forgotten after I woke from sleep, so it must be that."
"You're really smart~"
"Well who cares about that... Now I can still fight a revenge match against that skull face and that dog. This time I'll make sure I can plant that disgusting bony face in the ground!"
"Sigh~ not like I can persuade you to give up~ ha~ that attitude of yours really don't change no matter how much time passed by.....or how many times you reborn, you still won't change"
Letting out a deep breath, Lolita said some things I can't quite comprehend but whenever I saw her smile like that, I don't understand but I also felt something inside my heart.
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Happiness? no something far more greater than that.
"I don't really understand what you're saying but, I can only say that I am who I am and will never become someone other than myself."
".........Fair enough~" she said while smiling.
After a while, my body began emitting a strange glow.
"It seems, time is up"
"Am I going back already?"
"Yeah...Before that I must warn you. You're enemies this time is quite powerful compared to you. You must be careful all the time, and please take care of yourself more. You're a very important to me -- no to us. You're existence is far more vital than anyone in this world that's why please......... don't die"
"Hey, what do y ---............"
Without finishing my question, I was enveloped in that glowing light and passed out.
-----------------------------------------
When I woke up, I noticed that the place I was in right now was a pitch black world. It feels as if I were to go deeper and deeper, then I won't be able to leave this place.
'[ Haven's Garden ], [ Phoenix Rest ], that familiar [ White World ] where I met Rosa, and now this place. Just what the hell is wrong with me? Why the heck am I always drag to places I don't know! Am I just lucky or not?'
Complaining in my head, I slowly check up my body. All of my wounds, which would take up approximately a whole year to heal up, was now slowly recovering. What monstrous body I have? Or maybe this is because of my [ Health Regeneration ] which is being boosted by the [ Lover's necklace ] Flora gave me? Ha~ it seems even though we're far from each other, she's still protecting me...
Reaching such conclusion, I can't help but feel warm enveloping my heart. 'Ah, Flora I really missed you now!'
"Grrr..."
As I was reminiscing my time with Flora, suddenly a low growl resounded inside the world of darkness. Feeling alarm, I hastily look around.
Not far from me was a dog-like wolf lying on its belly the size of a tiger or lion, growling painfully as its body was covered with countless cuts and wounds. On its back was a very long wound as if it was cut by a sword or a knife. Its wolf-like face was drenched in blood and its breath was hoarse and rapid. It hadn't notice me yet, but I know that if I made even a little sound, It would sense me easily.
Seeing its pitiful appearance, something click inside of me. Based from my sometimes unreliable deductions, this wolf-face is the one who saves me from the skull face and that bastard dog because I can't see them here.
'Did it fought that bastard dog that is why it was deeply wounded? For what? Did it save me because he wants to eat me? I don't think so, if just for that then it won't fight until it became like this.'
I must have been too focused in my thinking and unconsciously let out a sound because it suddenly woke up and look at me.
The moment the wolf-face saw me, the darkness around it distorted and the monster disappeared. However, when I concentrated my gaze at the location it disappeared at, I still saw it clearly. Wolf face didn't move a single step, more like it cannot move due to its heavy injuries. It was staring at me with vigilant eyes.
"...A [ Stealth ] huh, so you actually have a very amazing skill?...However, I possessed a very cheat skill [ Divine Vision ] so give it up. I can see you as clear as day..."
An impression that mixed both surprised and praise leaked out from my mouth.
"...You saved me right?...for that thank you very much! You don't need to be so cautious because I won't hurt you, come here let me help you..."
Wolf face stared at me as I extend my hand towards it while smiling as gently as possible. Releasing its [ Stealth ], it slowly stood up and walk towards me with staggered steps. Wolf face turned its head towards me and stared with its dark colored eyes.
"Thank you for saving me...I haven't thought that I would be save by something I always thought as only a monster. I'm really sorry and thank you very much, I owe you my life..."
I moved my hand to its head and gently caressed it. Even though I touched it with my hand, It wasn't fazed at all instead it actually leaned its head towards my hand. Delighted, I continued. It wasn't as fluffy compared to Rabbi, but it was still amazing and quite comfortable.
*Lick* Raising its head, it suddenly lick my lips. I couldn't help but laugh as I hugged its body. But feeling the blood coming from its wounds, killing intent flow out from my heart. 'How dare that skull face and that bastard dog hurt someone as kind as this lovable dog!'
Suppressing my hatred, I silently withdraw the last [ Health Potion ] in my inventory .
"Drink this, it might help you recover"
Without hesitation, wolf face opened its jaw towards me as I slowly poured the content of the bottle to its mouth.
"Done....now then you should still sleep and rest, don't worry I'll be here and protect you"
I said while caressing its head. Nodding, it put its head casually in my lap as if it was a very normal thing in the world. Waving its tail, it closed its eyes completely.
Wolf face immediately entered the dream world. I thought I could move my body to exercise a little bit but when I saw it lie like comfortably, I felt like I really shouldn't disturb it. 'Oh well, I guess I'll just see what items I can use for my revenge match...'
"[ Inventory ]"
[ Inventory ]
1. Golden Badge of a Noble Acquired
2. Throwing weapon 20x
3. Broken Dagger
4. Goblin Elder Spear
5. Slime’s Core 4x - Used for alchemy.
6. Green Viper’s Fangs - Used to make poison
7. Poison Frog Meat 2x
8. Blue Branch 2x
9. [ Tree sap ]
10. 2 pelt and 1 wolf meat
11. Kelt (apple like thing) 25x
12. Blue Earth Flower 47x
13. Red Healing Petal 45x
14. Violet Cherry 50x
15. Yellow Pollen 50x
16. White Grass50x
17. Pink Purry 50x
18. Healing Sap
19.
20.
Well, Aside from the one's I'm wearing, it seems these are the only one left. Some of my things we're stored on my makeshift bag after all~ My inventory can only store 20 items, so I guess it really it can't be help.
"Now then, how should I trash that bastard?"