Alwin had never felt more glad to hear that grating, annoying voice that always judged whatever he was doing. He squinted through the haze, barely making out Uchronia's silhouette peeking from what he guessed was a bush. The world was a spinning whirl of green, brown, and the occasional flash of whatever color the next attack coming his way was. They all blended together in the disorienting spin cycle that was his current reality.

Alwin dove into the bushes, the Spirit Hands keeping a finger out for any projectile that might have decided to follow him. There were none. The pounding footsteps of the approaching army of pursuers grew louder, accompanied by the angry shouts of "Death to the monster!"

Without all of the nonstop moving around, he could finally make out his surroundings. Green bushes, brown tree trunks, and an extremely pissed Uchronia.

"What are you doing?" she hissed.

"Luring people."

"You're supposed to bring one at a time, not everyone and their mother."

"I don't think their moms are—"

"Not the point! Get back out there and keep running around in circles. Give me time to think!" she shouted a whisper—which was a whisper so loud that it could still be considered a whisper.

"I have a better idea!"

The Spirit Hands lifted the chest piece up and out oozed Alwin in all of his dark gelatinous glory. Through the mental connection between his Spirit Hands and Feet, Alwin instructed them to continue running, but this time to circle around the rendezvous spot. The Spirit Feet clicked their heels, while the hands saluted—the right Spirit Hand raised itself against the top part of the chest piece and executed the gesture.

Quick! Go! Before the humans find us!

The Spirit Feet took off, boots pounding the ground, while the Spirit Hands scrambled to set the now-empty chest piece atop them. The ensemble dove out of the bushes, racing in a wide circle around them.

Alwin held his breath, partially because he still felt like hurling, but mostly because the army of humans was storming through the area. They chased after the now decoy armor, convinced that the monster was either inside or that the armor itself was the monster.

As the final human sprinted past them, Alwin finally released his breath and unintentionally released his breakfast as well. Uchronia hopped out of the way, dodging the torrent of half-digested food.

"Gross."

"What a waste." Gus shook his head, before going back to snacking on yet another muffin.

How could he still have an appetite to eat after watching that? And the smell. It wasn't as bad as the soiled leggings, but it was enough for Alwin to lose the will to eat for the rest of the day.

Alwin pressed his face against a tree and wiped away the gunk on his face. "Sorry."

"So what are we going to do?" asked Alwin.

"Shut up! I'm thi—"

The sound of attacks whizzing filled the air, cutting her off. Following the chaos came the thunderous roars and pounding footsteps of the approaching humans. The duo—because Gus was as nonchalant as ever—were silent. Uchronia and Alwin's eyes darted around, scanning the surroundings for any sign of a stray human stumbling upon their hiding spot.

Then silence.

Thinking was tough when the anxiety of humans figuring out they were hiding in the bushes, was gnawing away at their focus. Any hope of discussion was dashed when the humans ran past the three of them, causing their mouths to zip tight and their heartbeats to drum in their ears.

Meanwhile, Gus was happily munching on the snacks that were in the bags issued out to them. Alwin was envious of his bravery, or maybe it was ignorance that fueled him. Whatever the case, having his confidence would be a blessing right about now. That confidence would be infinitely better than his useless Core Skill that he had been 'blessed with'.

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After that lap, Uchronia just said, "I'll come up with something, keep an eye out. And don't!" She paused, glaring at him with the fury of a thousand humans. "Mess it up this time!"

Alwin nodded along, his lips pressed tightly together, too afraid to even let out a peep. Gus' mindless snacking was driving his anxiety crazy. He wanted to hop up to him and ask him to shut up, but that would probably, actually it would definitely, make things worse. All he could do was keep his eyes peeled for any danger while trying to ignore the crinkling of plastic wrap being pulled off from a sandwich Gus was about to eat.

After how many laps, Uchronia finally spoke up, "Everything will rely on Gus—"

The rumbling of footsteps and battle cries caused both Alwin and Uchronia to flinch. When they were far away enough that they couldn't hear them anymore she continued.

"Alwin you split up your Spirit Hands and Spirit Feet then the humans will split up too. While they're still chasing your distractions we pick off the stragglers at the back. Then Gus will absorb their essence and hopefully gain a useful skill. Then we keep snowballing from there. Got it?"

Both Alwin and Gus nodded.

"Gus I want you to focus on attacking too. Eat away at their armor if you have to."

"But—"

"No buts, Alwin. We need Gus and his ability."

Attacking was supposed to be his thing. Why did Gus have to come in and steal the spotlight? It wasn't fair. All Alwin could do was sigh. That Core Skill of his was so useful. Why couldn't he be blessed with it instead?

As the familiar whizzing of skills, roaring of humans, and stomping of feet neared them, Alwin mentally commanded his Spirit Hands and Spirit Feet to split up. What he didn't expect was backlash from his Spirit Hands. Through their mental connection, he could hear them arguing with him. They weren't speaking per se, but signing to him through that connection. It was tough to decipher, but Alwin could tell they were worried about the Spirit Feet. They were young and naive, at least relative to them, and would undoubtedly get caught.

Then what do you want me to do? It's Uchronia's plan and you know how she gets when things don't go her way. I'll be lucky if she breaks down instead of getting pissed.

The Spirit Hands conceded and began supplementing the Spirit Feet with additional instructions, namely to dodge as if their life depended— because it did. Alwin didn't get what the big deal was. Couldn't they just be summoned again, if they get 'killed'? He just shrugged his metaphorical shoulders and left it there. No point thinking about something as useless as that when their lives were on the line.

After the lecturing by the Spirit Hands, the Spirit Feet performed their signature heel click of acknowledgment before splitting off from the chest piece. They ran towards the left, while the Spirit Hands floated away to the right, the chest piece held aloft like a trophy.

"Split up!" The humans shouted.

Alwin could hear the footsteps begin to diverge and knew that the first stages of their plan were beginning to take root. Uchronia was at the edge of the bush, peering out into danger, utilizing her natural green body as camouflage. She chanted an incantation, her eyes peeled following the last straggler of the group.

When she was certain that the remainder of the group was out of earshot, she leaped into action. That incantation had been for two techniques: Slow and Spirit Hands. Two pairs of Spirit Hands to be exact.

The straggler was a young boy in a suit of metal armor, eighteen if Alwin had to guess—which he did have to because the guy wasn't running around shouting his age like a lunatic. She slapped the stragglers face with her tail, casting Slow on him. The boy barely had time to react, and with the additional Slow on him, he was practically wading through molasses.

Uchronia wrapped her tail around his mouth, muffling his screams. The Spirit Hands—one hand on each limb—dragged him back into the bushes where Alwin and Gus awaited. Alwin, taking initiative and wanting to have some fun, had already begun preparing a three-course meal for the boy. Gus helped to prepare the diner for his last meal, swallowing chunks out of the metal armor, and exposing his fleshy body to the elements.

This was a special meal for a special boy. So special in fact that he didn't even have to use his own arms to enjoy the meal. All four of his limbs were held down by the Spirit Hands and each time he mustered the strength to move them, Gus the impromptu enforcer, would deliver a Static Pounce to shock the lad into submission. It would've been such a waste if he didn't enjoy the meal the way it was truly intended to be appreciated.

First up, is the appetizer. Alwin served up a delicious Spirit Blast, straight to the man's stomach, to help whet his appetite. Without any armor or defensive skills active, the skill must've really packed a punch. The man let out a scream that was muffled by Uchronia. After such a wonderful appetizer the man must've been screaming for more.

For the main course, a healthy serving of Spirit Scatter Blast. The secret to such a mouth-watering dish was the tiny Spirit Blasts nestled inside each one delivering an extra kick. Each shot caused the boy to let out another muffled scream. With that many screams, it was obvious that the boy was enjoying such a delectable dish.

Lastly, for dessert. A tantalizing Spirit Burst Blast to complete the meal and his life. The Spirit Burst Blast sailed toward the boy, and Uchronia and Gus moved out of the way. The blast was only meant for the boy after all. It would've soured the mood if anyone else were to get in the way of his final meal. The blast exploded sending waves of mana over him. His insides had become his outsides as innards spilled out of the hole in his stomach.

Truly a meal to die for by the one the only master chef Alwin.