“The infernal was destroyed, lady Saet.” The General of Intelligence that had been accompanying the strange man spoke up. Her eyes were rolled back into her head as she still maintained the spell, viewing the distant gore splattered area where the strange creature had once so confidently stood.
“As expected, then. Thurg is practically invincible with that accursed relic. You may return when ready, Athana.” Lady Saet answered in a tone that could have been described as disappointment.
“I shall end the spell then...” Athana started to say, but stopped. “Wait. Something is happening. His blood, flesh, and bones are glowing, and rising into the air! They seem to be reconstructing themselves. His body is whole, and he seems perfectly fine! Three other cyclops are coming to investigate on Thurg’s order...”
“What else, my sister!? Miss no detail!” Saet’s voice was uncharacteristically strained.
”...He seems savage and feral now, he does not respond to my voice. He screams in fury, gods help me the sound of it... A group of three cyclops have come near but they seem frightened of the noise. He has disappeared from my sight. Wait There he is, I can barely follow his movements. One cyclops is suddenly missing its head, and another has been struck with that severed head hard enough to knock it down. The infernal appears on the downed cyclops’ chest, and a fountain of blood suddenly replaces him. The third is trying to flee. It topples from a leg injury, and screams in pain. The infernal flies into its head, and through it.” Athana took a breath and licked her lips.
“Thurg is charging, but doesn’t seem to see the infernal. He smashes his cudgel over and over all around. The infernal hits Thurg in the eye. The cyclops staggers but no blood is drawn, his hide seems too much for the infernal. More attacks are exchanged, the area has been fully demolished. Something strange is happening on Thurg’s face... No way.”
“What is it!?” Saet demanded sharply, leaning forward in her throne.
“The infernal is prying Thurg’s jaws open, and crawling inside his mouth.” Athana’s dumbfounded answer left every face in the throne room slack with disbelief. “He has disappeared. Thurg’s throat is glowing. A burst of flame erupts from his nose and mouth. He is on one knee clutching his throat. So much blood pours from his mouth and nose. His eye is closing and he is slowly crumbling. Thurg... is defeated.”
The silence in the room was deafening for several seconds.
“The infernal has emerged, but seems to have calmed himself. He staggers and tries to speak but collapses. He is unconscious in a lake of Thurg’s blood. Shall we leave him? It likely won’t be long before the other cyclops forces discover this.”
“Go there at once, take my cousin with you. Bring the infernal to me, and transport Thurg’s body to the lower court.” Commanded Lady Saet. “Infernal or not, he has single handedly ended the stalemate in this centuries long farce.”
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Gray
Infernal Count (60%) Progress to Next Evolution
Level: 3* XP: 5% To Next Level Body Age: 29
Life: 7500/7500 Soul Energy 3360/3360
Strength: 1,680
Endurance: 1,875
Soul: 840
Agility: 510
Skills/Spells:
Age Stasis: Prime Human
Acid Resistance: 4/10
Perfect Mental Resistance 10/10 (World Boss)
Melee Mastery: 60/100
Ranged Mastery: 50/100
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
Appraisal: 9/10
White Nova: 15/20
Blast Nova: 15/20
War Mage: (1/1)
Greater Drain (1/1)
Awakened Senses (1/1)
Rapid Regeneration (3/5)
Soul Thief (1/1)
Bloodwalk (1/1)
Blood Frenzy (2/10)
Iron Belly (1/1)
Scavenger (1/1)
Royalty - Infernal (1/1)
Soul Brand (1/1) 2,143/3360 Available Slots
Shadow Wings (1/1)
Titan Flesh (1/1)
Buffs/Debuffs:
+840 Spell Damage from Strength
+420 Attack Damage from Soul
+1,500 Health Regenerated per Second
*Soulthirst: Consume a Worthy Soul within (40d/19h/06m/35s) to avoid Soulthirst
*EDEN: (+20%) XP gained for (08h/20m/13s).
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“I’m a damn freak, now. Leveling up to three must have bumped up the cap on my stats.” I sighed as I looked at the ridiculous numbers which until now had been stuck at 999*. “At least I bought a ton of time for Soulthirst, and now I know I have an out if I fuck up bad enough to die.”
I took another look around the room I was in. It was beautiful really. It wasn’t large, maybe the size of an average bedroom with a single door, a hammock, and a simple chair. What made it beautiful was the fact that the walls were actually living wood, with bark and dark green moss. The ceiling was made of tightly woven vines, also very much alive with green leafy tendrils dangling down. The floor was carpeted in bright green clover, and three dimly lit globes floated to and fro, clearly enchanted. It was obvious where I was, based on what I already knew. This was the celestial stronghold in the huge oak tree I had spotted last night.
I had awoken here in the comfortable, gently swaying hammock several minutes prior. I wasn’t restrained, and there was no guard posted by the open entrance to the room, where filtered morning sunlight was already beginning to find its way in. I could hear chatter from above, below, and all around my little room. My amplified senses picked up most everything. Celestials were spreading the word that the great cyclops warrior and many of his underlings had been massacred. The tone was disbelieving, ecstatic, and then worried. What could have done such a thing? Would it turn on them next?
“Can’t blame ‘em for thinking that way I guess.” I mumbled, sitting up in the hammock and putting my feet on the floor. I noticed that my shoes were still on and I was fully dressed. “Surprised I could sleep that well in my clothes.” I let out a startled noise (not a manly one either) as a voice answered my muttering.
“We tried to undress you, but that proved to be impossible.” The voice was feminine, full of authority and edged with just a little exhaustion.
It was a woman, sitting in the chair that had been empty just a second ago. One look at her for some reason caused a boiling animosity to erupt in my gut. I felt a sneer curl on my upper lip, baring my sharp teeth. She cocked a thin, blonde eyebrow and smiled knowingly. Immediately embarrassed, I looked away and down. What the hell was going on with me? It reminded me of that overfiend I met and couldn’t control my attraction to, but the opposite. So that’s it. This woman was just as beautiful as X’lyssa, with kind green eyes, flawless features, two sets of angelic wings, and the figure of a movie star. Even seeing that logically, all I could feel for her was revulsion.
“Sorry about that.” I said sincerely, pushing back the relentless hostility I felt with a growl. “Your Majesty, I presume?” I asked, standing up and bowing low.
“It is as you say.” She answered. “No apology needed. I too am resisting some very inelegant and violent impulses in your presence.” She added. “I am Saet, Sixth Reincarnation of the Celestia Dryas. It seems I’m not the only one with a knack for coming back.” She seemed like a sensible, straightforward type. I appreciated it, and was determined to override the irrational loathing.
“Gray.” I answered simply, pointing at my face. “I was a hopeless loser in another world, and my goddess was nice enough to give me another try in this one. I’m a regular guy at heart but some things happened and now I’m like this.” I gestured broadly at myself as I explained. Now that I was talking and aware of the reason for my feelings, it was getting easier to ignore the ugly urges. I was also opening up and revealing way more than intended. “I’m surprised you’d leave someone like me unguarded around your people. Don’t get me wrong I appreciate the trust and won’t make you regret it, but this goes against all the cliche scenarios I imagined.”
“I don’t trust you at all, Count.” Saet replied breezily. “After having you appraised, we simply concluded that there were no means of restraint capable of holding you. Even if there were, you could just Bloodwalk away. Killing you while you slept was suggested by some, but you regenerate your body at such a rate that even whilst helpless we couldn’t hope to destroy you cleanly without risk of waking you. Even if we did manage it somehow, you’d likely just come back and go on another rampage. In the end it was I who made the very unpopular decision to make you our guest until you awakened.” She stopped there for a moment, and I could see traces of the frustration I had no doubt caused still on her face.
“Like I said, some things happened.” I shrugged in half hearted apology.
“So you came to hunt and sate your Soulthirst, and succeeded. What comes next if I might ask?” She changed the subject.
“I’ll be returning to my territory first. They’re probably worried about me since your barrier seems to be blocking my telepathy. Afterwards I think I might finish wiping out the cyclops and free the mountain giant slaves they took.” I paused for a moment. “Beyond that? I suppose I’ll keep building up my territory into a place that’s fun to live in, which probably means toppling that shady human kingdom.” I stopped talking when I noticed her staring at me like I had grown a couple of extra heads. “What?”
“Exterminate all of the cyclops and topple the kingdom of Gault?” She pinched the bridge of her nose to steady herself as she responded. “Are all beings from your world so utterly insane? Do you realize how far that man’s influence reaches or the scale of Zurg’s power?”
“I think my way of thinking is pretty unusual even where I’m from. As for your second question... obstacles and possibilities are none of my business. I decide on a direction, prepare for the grind, and usually things work out for me.”
“Such insufferable optimism.” Saet grinned. “Well then, Count Gray the Dauntless One - I wish you success and look forward to hearing of your exploits. We owe you our thanks for disposing of Thurg.” She flipped a silver medallion through the air and I caught it easily. “That will allow you to pass through the barrier without causing a panic.” The instant the token was in my palm I was inundated by frantic telepathic messages from Niiya. I was really in for it now. It was like turning on your phone after a movie to see fifty missed calls.
“Does that mean I can visit again?” I asked happily. “I know a little girl that would love to see this place.” I was already scheming up bribes for the kid. Shameless really.
“You’re welcome here, so long as you never decide you want to do us or this tree harm.” She answered, standing gracefully.