Azriel stretched, feeling oddly refreshed as he sat up in his bedroll. The softness of the Dream Sheep Bedroll had exceeded all his expectations, a far cry from the lumpy mattresses he had back on Earth. For a moment, he just lay there, staring up at the dimly lit cave ceiling, savoring the unfamiliar but welcome sensation of comfort.
“Man, if this is what camping feels like in this world, I’m not going back to an Earth mattress,” he muttered, cracking his neck. As he sat up, he gave a contented sigh, brushing some of his glowing red dreadlocks from his face. His stomach growled, and he instinctively opened his inventory, thinking about the wolf meat he’d cooked the previous night.
"Time to play Monster Chef again," he said with a smirk, already pulling out his cooking set. However, just as he reached for the utensils, a chime sounded in his system, and a notification appeared in the corner of his vision. Azriel groaned, flopping back onto the bedroll.
“Can’t I have five minutes without the system wanting something from me?” he complained. He waved his hand to pull up the notification, expecting some mundane reminder or another low-level achievement. Instead, his eyes widened as he read.
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[Divine Quest Received]
Guardian’s Light
A prayer has reached the heavens, pleading for a protector. A young girl, Yuki, needs a guiding hand and a shield to guard her from the shadows threatening to consume her future. Will you answer the call?
* Protect Yuki from harm.
* Ensure her safe passage through the trials ahead.
* Fulfill the dying wish of her mother.
Reward:
* A blessing from the Goddess of the Guardians.
* A Celestial Essence.
* ???
Do You Accept?
Yes/No
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Azriel blinked, sitting upright and rereading the quest description. His groggy irritation quickly gave way to confusion and then curiosity. A divine quest? And what’s with the ominous ‘???’ reward? Azriel thought as he scratched his chin. Even if accepted, he accepted how would he know where this Yuki is? Azriel blinked again as another notification popped up, accompanied by a subtle chime.
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[System Update: Map System Unlocked]
You can now access a detailed map of your current region and mark significant locations. Quest objectives will be highlighted.
----------------------------------------
“Well, that answers that,” Azriel muttered, rubbing his face to shake off the last traces of sleep. “Convenient timing, huh?”
He stood, stretching to loosen the stiffness in his back, and with a thought, summoned the map. A semi-transparent projection of the area materialized before him, displaying the forest in meticulous detail. Azriel mentally accepted the quest, and a golden marker pulsed deeper within the woods, labeled simply Rena’s Location.
“At least it’s straightforward,” he said, staring at the marker.
Azriel methodically equipped his gear, checking each weapon and strap. Before leaving, his gaze drifted to the remains of last night’s meal. He grabbed a piece of cooked wolf meat, stuffing it into his inventory.
“Never know when you’ll need an energy boost,” he reasoned.
Stepping out of the cave, he squinted as sunlight filtered through the canopy above, casting a warm glow on his skin despite the lingering chill of the forest air. His boots crunched softly against the underbrush as he started walking. Glancing at the map again, he muttered, “Let’s hope this system knows what it’s doing. And,” he added with a wry smirk, “that this threat doesn’t involve another pack of wolves.”
He stopped, inhaling deeply. It was time to try something new. With a sharp exhale, Azriel activated Gravity Manipulation. The world shifted as the familiar pull of the earth ebbed away. He floated a few inches above the ground, weightless and disoriented.
“This… feels strange,” he muttered, wobbling slightly. His instincts screamed for balance, but there was no ground beneath him to stabilize.
“Alright, Azriel, you’ve got this,” he mumbled. “Just… don’t crash into anything.” Determined, he pushed himself higher, his movements jerky and unsteady. Soon, his feet left the forest floor entirely, and he hovered awkwardly in midair.
Adaption has activated
Gradually, he steadied, his body adapting to the new sensation. With more focus, his ascent became smoother. The treetops spread out before him, offering a breathtaking view of the forest stretching endlessly in all directions.
Skill [Gravity Manipulation] has reached Level 2
…
Skill [Gravity Manipulation] has reached Level 5
“Whoa,” he breathed, his unease giving way to exhilaration.
Testing his control, Azriel willed himself forward. His first attempts could have been more clumsy, sending him veering unpredictably. But with practice, his movements became precise, and the golden marker on his map drew his focus.
A grin broke across his face as realization hit. He was flying—actually flying.
The wind rushed past him as he picked up speed, his red-tinged dreadlocks glowing faintly, the strands swaying like embers in the breeze. “Okay, this is amazing,” he laughed softly, his voice barely audible over the air whipping around him.
As the marker grew closer, Azriel began to slow, descending toward the treetops. His initial unease had melted away, replaced by a sense of freedom and control.
“Not bad for a first try,” he said, glancing ahead at the glowing marker that pulsed in the distance. The journey had just begun.
***
The Dodomeki surrounded Yuki and her mother, their grotesque, multi-eyed forms shifting in the dim light of the forest. Their grins stretched unnaturally wide, their claws clicking ominously as they crept closer. Yuki’s mother stood with her blade in hand, her grip firm despite the tremors running through her body. Her breathing was ragged, and there was blood at the corner of her mouth, but she refused to falter.
Three Dodomeki lunged, and Yuki's mother cut them down with a swift, desperate slash. The motion cost her dearly, her knees buckling slightly before she caught herself. Yuki could feel her mother’s energy dimming, her once-strong aura now flickering like a dying flame.
“Run, Yuki!” her mother shouted, her voice a mix of urgency and pain. “I’ll hold them off!”
Yuki froze, her fists clenched tightly at her sides. Her mother’s words cut deep, but her gaze locked onto the blood staining her mother’s lips, and her heart ached. She couldn’t—she wouldn’t leave. Sparks of electricity danced along her knuckles, crackling with defiance as she stepped forward to stand beside her mother.
“I’m not running,” Yuki declared, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her. Her fists glowed with electric energy, her stance firm. “If you’re fighting, so am I.”
The Dodomeki chittered gleefully, their twisted grins growing wider as they prepared to strike. Three of them leaped forward, claws extended, their eyes alight with malice.
And then, the ground shook.
A loud crack echoed through the clearing as something slammed into the earth with the force of a meteor. A massive shockwave erupted, tearing through the ranks of the Dodomeki and throwing dirt and debris into the air. The three attacking creatures were obliterated instantly, their bodies disintegrating in the blinding impact.
Yuki shielded her face with her arm as the force of the explosion rippled through her. When the dust began to settle, she blinked and lowered her arm, her gaze drawn to the figure now standing between them and the remaining monsters.
The figure rose from his crouched position, the cracked earth beneath him still smoking from the force of his arrival. Yuki’s wide eyes fixed on him, her heart pounding as she took in the surreal sight. He didn’t look like anything she’d ever seen; he looked like a star coming to life.
The first thing that caught her attention was his skin. It was a deep, rich cinnamon brown, glowing faintly in the scattered light of the forest. The warmth of its tone stood in stark contrast to the silver-white dreadlocks that crowned his head, radiant in the sunlight filtering through the trees. Beneath them, where shadows fell, a faint red glow emanated from the strands underneath, casting an otherworldly light that flickered like embers. The interplay of silver and red against his skin was mesmerizing, a dance of fire and starlight.
His jacket, a striking red, seemed both regal and ready for battle. The sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing armor-lined forearms etched with nebula-like designs. The patterns shimmered as though holding the secrets of the cosmos within them. On the back of the jacket, a bold emblem drew her gaze: a four-winged dragon, its feathers intricately etched with grace and strength. Even though she’d never seen the symbol before, it exuded a presence that was impossible to ignore.
His attire was both functional and stylish. His black pants, practical yet sleek, allowed for easy movement, while his bracers, sturdy and unyielding, seemed ready to deflect any blow. His fingerless gloves, tight and worn, hinted at a history of battles fought, granting him the skill to wield his strange, glowing weapon with precision. Even his shoes caught Yuki’s attention: light and flexible but reinforced for durability. They reminded her vaguely of stories of runners and adventurers, though their build was clearly meant for terrain far more treacherous.
Her gaze trailed back to his glowing weapon, a fusion of blade and gun, a weapon her mother had talked about that had been created in industrial nations. The weapon hummed softly with stored energy. Every part of him seemed to tell a story of battle, strength, and resilience.
Then there were his golden eyes, blazing with intensity and resolve. They locked onto the Dodomeki with a ferocity that made Yuki shiver. His gaze alone was enough to send a ripple of unease through the monstrous creatures, their confidence faltering as they hesitated.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“Stay behind me,” he said, his voice calm and steady. It was deep and commanding, filled with an authority that brooked no argument.
For a moment, Yuki froze. She had never seen a fire before, but now she thought she understood it. This man was fire-blazing, raw, and untamed. He burned with a brilliance that promised both protection and destruction, warmth and danger.
The Dodomeki snarled and hissed, their earlier glee replaced with apprehension. This stranger, with an otherworldly presence, had shattered the rhythm of their hunt. Yuki clutched her sparking fist tighter, glancing at her mother, whose grip on her blade was weakening. Yet, standing in this man’s shadow, she felt a flicker of hope reignite. Whatever he was, whatever he had come to do, he was here, and the tide of the battle had already shifted.
***
Azriel hovered above the forest canopy and surveyed the scene below. His dreadlocks swayed in the breeze, and he tied them back. He activated his skill, Eyes of Nighthawk, and his vision sharpened. The world seemed to darken slightly as the skill’s enhanced perception took over, colors giving way to sharp contrasts and faintly glowing outlines of magical energy.
The forest floor below came into sharp focus, and Azriel’s eyes locked onto the group of creatures surrounding the two figures. A faint blue light traced their forms, and detailed information began to flood his mind as a transparent window appeared in his vision:
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[Dodomeki]
Classification: Yokai
Threat Level: Moderate to High
Description: Greed incarnate, the Dodomeki are fiendish yokai fascinated with wealth and thievery. These humanoid monsters are known for their lanky forms and pale, translucent skin that barely conceals the writhing mass of serpent-like eyes embedded within the flesh of their elongated arms. Each eye seems to move independently, scanning the surroundings for targets to kill and steal from. They are known for their predatory nature, often hunting in packs to overwhelm their targets.
* Strengths:
* Multi-Sight: The numerous eyes grant them unparalleled perception, making it nearly impossible to evade their gaze.
* Weaknesses:
* Light Sensitivity: Dodomeki struggles in areas of intense light. Their attacks are less accurate, and their speed is reduced when exposed to bright illumination.
* Distracted Vision: Despite their enhanced perception, Dodomeki can become overwhelmed by sensory overload, especially if too many of their eyes are targeted or damaged at once.
* Gold Hungry: Dodomeki are inexplicably drawn to gold, their numerous eyes unable to resist its gleam. If gold or golden objects are used as bait or thrown into their vicinity, Dodomeki may focus entirely on collecting it, ignoring combat for a short time. This compulsion can be exploited to create openings or escape.
* Combat Notes:
* Dodomeki are relentless hunters but will retreat if their leader is killed or if they face overwhelming resistance. They excel in ambushes and quick strikes, using their agility and multiple attackers to overwhelm prey.
* Effective strategies include creating bright light to impair their senses or isolating them from their pack.
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Azriel’s eyes narrowed as he watched the Dodomeki circle their prey. The two figures below were a woman with black hair streaked with a single white stripe wielding a blade crackling with lightning; he imagined Rena, the quest maker, placed on her in his vision. Beside Rena was a young girl with white hair marked by tiger-like stripes, her sparking fists. That girl must be Yuki Azriel, he thought to himself. The two of them were holding their ground, but they were clearly outnumbered. The woman’s movements were slowing, her attacks growing less precise. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth as she gritted her teeth, desperately fending off the creatures.
Yuki stood beside her mother, defiant and sparking with electricity, refusing to leave despite her mother’s plea to run. Azriel could feel her raw energy, untrained but fierce like a storm barely contained. He could feel the mana in the air was being affected by her Presence; she was scarce but mostly angry. She reminds of him when he caught-
The Dodomeki closed in, their elongated limbs and serpentine eyes creating a nightmarish silhouette in the dim forest light. Three of them leaped forward to attack the pair, their claws gleaming with malice. Azriel’s golden eyes glowed brighter as he deactivated Eyes of Nighthawk. Without any more hesitations, he descended at full speed, his hand gripping the hilt of his weapon.
“Time to turn the tables,” he muttered. “[Planetary Impact].”
Just before the creatures struck, Azriel slammed into the ground with a thunderous impact, unleashing a shockwave that sent dirt and debris flying. The three Dodomeki closest to the pair were obliterated instantly, their twisted forms disintegrating under the force.
Art [Planetary Impact] has reached Level 2
Azriel stood upright, his crimson jacket billowing slightly from the aftershock, as the remaining Dodomeki recoiled in surprise and fear. The predators had just become his prey.
“Stay behind me,” Azriel said, his voice calm and steady. With his Awareness, Azriel felt Yuki’s anger calm down slightly, and Rena felt extremely relieved for some reason.
Azriel turned his attention to the large pack containing over 30 Dodomeki, and he stood his ground even with an advantage in numbers. The Dodomeki swarmed toward him, their grotesque multitude of eyes reflecting their predatory glee.
With a sharp inhale, Azriel activated [Stun Bullet], drawing the Myth Maker. The barrel hummed faintly, and as he fired, the bullets arced through the air, striking multiple Dodomeki in quick succession. They froze mid-charge, their twisted forms locking up as the stunning energy coursed through them.
Art [Stun Bullet] has reached Level 10
He rolled to avoid a swipe from one of the creatures and snapped off another shot, this time activating [Shatter Bullet]. The bullet struck the ground at the center of a pack, detonating in a thunderous explosion. A crackling lightning bolt followed the eruption, arcing from one Dodomeki to another, searing them into ash.
Art [Shatter Bullet] has reached Level 5
The air filled with the scent of ozone and burning flesh. Azriel smirked, but the brief moment of triumph was cut short as claws raked across his back from above. He staggered forward, pain flaring as he turned to see one of the creatures grinning cruelly.
Azriel’s vision blurred as the venom began coursing through his veins. His muscles felt sluggish, and his breath hitched as his body fought against the toxin. The Dodomeki hissed, sensing its advantage, but its triumph turned to terror as Azriel’s gravity powers surged.
The Dodomeki was yanked upward and suspended in midair. It thrashed violently, attempting to free itself, but Azriel’s will held firm. He staggered to his feet, clutching the hilt of Myth Maker tightly.
“You think… that’s enough to stop me?” Azriel growled, his voice laced with defiance.
With a swift strike, he cleaved the Dodomeki’s head from its body, its lifeless form crashing to the ground. Poison still pulsed through his body, and his breathing grew heavier. He dropped to one knee, clutching his side as the venom sapped his strength.
Art [Void Blade] has reached Level 6
Art [Void Grip] has reached Level 2
Adaptation, he thought desperately, activating his Born Trait. He focused inward, his willpower sharpening into resolve. His body began to adjust to the toxin, mitigating its effects. But it wasn’t enough.
New Skill Acquired [Poison Resistance]
“No... stronger,” he muttered, his voice shaking. He visualized immunity, imagining the venom burning away entirely as his body refined itself. The trait surged, and he felt the change solidify a newfound immunity to the Dodomeki’s no to any poison. Azriel stood, a dangerous smile spreading across his face.
[Poison Resistance] has become [Poison Immunity]
[Trait System] has been unlocked
[Poison Immunity] has been moved from Skills to Physical Traits
Azriel dismissed the window and saw the remaining Dodomeki hesitate, fear creeping into their many eyes as they saw him rise unbroken. Azriel raised his hand, and a pulse of gravity pinned them all to the forest floor.
“You don’t get to run,” he said coldly, his voice like steel.
With methodical precision, he dispatched them one by one, their attempts to resist futile under his crushing power. The forest fell silent, save for the faint crackle of dissipating energy.
Azriel exhaled deeply, surveying the carnage. His body still thrummed with the lingering adrenaline, and a grim satisfaction settled over him. He glanced back, knowing Yuki and her mother were safe, until he saw Rena fall onto the ground. Azriel began rushing over to aid her but then came to a halt when he felt another Dodomeki presence hiding in the trees. Turning to run away, he turned his weapon and shot at it. The Dodomeki, in a display of high acrobatic skill, dodged all of the bullets and fired, a horrified expression still on its face.
“Damn it!” he shouted as it escaped.
“Warrior, please help my mother!” Yuki yelled to Azriel. Azriel clicked his tongue, angered by catching the fleeing Yokai, but the girl’s mother was important and rushed over. Expanding his senses, he saw Rena's life force was almost depleted; the poison he was affected before he had to guess. He quickly used his looting ability, hoping to obtain an antidote. After all of the corpses vanished, a new window appeared, and he was unsatisfied.
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You have looted Dodomeki x33
You Receive
* 2,500 Gold Coins
* 300 Dodomeki Claws
* 30 Dodomeki Poison Tipped Claws
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Azriel turned to face Rena and Yuki. Rena sat against a tree, her breathing shallow and labored. Her bloodied hand pressed weakly against her side, and her face was pale, her strength clearly ebbing.
“No antidote, I assume?” Rena asked, her voice weak but tinged with grim acceptance.
Azriel hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. “No… not here. And I don’t know where the closest town is.”
Rena gave a faint smile, her eyes shifting to Yuki. The girl knelt beside her mother, gripping her arm tightly, her face streaked with tears. Despite her evident fear, electricity still crackled faintly along her fingertips.
“You…” Rena began, her gaze returning to Azriel. “Are you the one who answered my prayer? The one to take my request?”
Azriel straightened, meeting her gaze. “I am,” he said. His silver-white dreadlocks gleamed in the fading sunlight, the faint red glow underneath giving him an almost ethereal presence. “My name is Azriel,” he continued. “I’m a Radiantborn, I guess.”
Rena’s smile grew faint but genuine. “Radiantborn… I prayed for someone strong. Someone who could protect her, and I got pretty much a Demigod.” She coughed, a wet and rattling sound, and Yuki’s grip on her tightened.
“Mother, no!” Yuki cried, her voice breaking.
Rena reached out, cupping her daughter’s face with trembling fingers. “Come close, my little star,” she said softly.
Yuki leaned in, her tears falling freely as she pressed her forehead to her mother’s.
Rena’s other hand reached for her belt, pulling free a small sphere that pulsed faintly with stormy energy. She placed it in Yuki’s hands along with her sword, its hilt worn but still sturdy. “These are yours now,” Rena whispered. “A part of me… to guide you.”
“Mother, no!” Yuki sobbed. “You can’t! Just hold on a little longer!”
Rena shook her head weakly, her smile never fading. “Azriel will watch over you,” she said, her voice barely audible. “He is strong… and kind. You’ll be safe.” Her eyes drifted back to Azriel. “Thank you… thank you for coming…”
With one final breath, Rena’s hand fell to her side, her smile frozen in place.
“Mother?” Yuki whispered. “Mother!” Her cries turned into wails, and she buried her face in Rena’s chest.
Azriel stood silently, his expression stoic, but his fists clenched tightly at his sides. He watched the scene unfold, a heavy weight settling in his chest. The warmth of the fight had faded, replaced by a cold, simmering anger.
His mind turned to the Dodomeki still out there, likely stalking them. I’ll make sure they regret every step they take in this forest, he thought darkly, his silver dreadlocks catching the faint red glow as he turned his gaze to the horizon. For now, though, he remained where he was, watching over Yuki and silently vowing to uphold the promise Rena had entrusted to him.