Author: Thank you for reading, any advice is welcome, if you re-read the prologue I hope you like the changes. I’ve been coming up with new skills to introduce and will re-post Amare’s guide with the spoiler thing so people don't see it first when they read through. Even if they do then oh well.
- darn those tables
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When me and Shiro began making our way out of the slum district I decided to look at the notification that popped up after the fight. The results were as expected.
Blade Utility
Passive Skill
Mastery 0/100
Description:
The user can use bladed weapons more effectively.
Effects
Attack speed with blades +.5%
Attack accuracy with blades +.5%
Attack damage with blades +.5%
I wasn’t surprised to get this after the fight, since it was the first time I used a blade to kill someone in this life. Plus my knowledge of its use in my previous life helped, I expect it to level at a decent pace.
When we got a safe distance I checked on Shiro and discover no abnormalities. If anything she looks like a weight was lifted off her shoulders. Currently I have a decent amount of silver and a bag full of useful things. So we can stay at an inn for a while without issue, but first we need better clothes. Going to a decent quality store would be suspicious so we made due with this world's version of a clearance vendor.
Shiro seemed hesitant to use my money, she never thought about hiding her own and has to rely on me to buy things, but I assured her that it was okay. I was a bit too good at hiding things if Shiro, who was always near me, never noticed me hiding things.
We found a run down building that met our needs with a guard standing up front with a bored look. He didn’t even size us up when we entered. How he landed this job I’ll never know.
As I thought, the clothes were pretty simple, but compared to our rags asking for more would be selfish. The merchant was squinting his eyes at us as we browsed, well till he saw Shiro and turned from a careful merchant to some pervert in my eyes.
Ignoring the merchant I selected some simple clothes consisting of: a brown shirt, dark brown pants, simple leather finger-less gloves, and hard leather shoes that provided less than basic comfort. The whole thing looked like aged normal villager clothes in the middle class district. Shiro’s outfit was similar but fit for her and with with a cloak to hide her tail and ears. I’ve been trying to make her less self conscious about them but It’s been difficult. She only shows them to me and refuses to go out without something to cover them. But considering the weather I decided to put these thoughts out of my mind and buy a cloak as well.
The merchant looked ready to call the guard in anticipation for 'if we tried to run' once we had everything we wanted. Of course when we approached and I presented the copper coins for the clothes the suspicion on his face returned. I growled as I asked if he wanted to be paid or not. Thankfully his merchant act came into display and he thanked us for doing business. However as we were leaving his eyes would always stray and look at Shiro.
She seemed to notice and got fidgeted in discomfort.
Sighing I told her not to mind it. But she seemed to still be affected as she held her clothes tighter in her hands. The merchant didn’t have a changing room so we carried the clothes out. I proceeded to tell her it was inevitable with her looks. After that she looked ready to cry, and I realized she might be misunderstanding and continued with something I wish I could take back…I went and said, “Because you are a growing beauty, attention will follow you so you need to be careful.”
Her reaction was a little...overbearing.
“Really.” (Shiro)
During the rare moments she spoke she walked really close to me and stared straight into my eyes, without letting me get away, and seemingly produced a *ji-* type of sound. The stare wouldn’t stop so I nodded my head with a hesitant, “Y-yea you are becoming...very beautiful.” I think I was blushing since my face went hot. Seriously to get embarrassed over this…
She seemed satisfied and started to smile brightly as she started walking slightly ahead of me. Whatever expression she is making at the moment I couldn’t see.
When things settled down we took turns in an alley to change and discard our clothes, We’ll get more later, for now we need to find an inn to stay in. Afterwards we can discuss our plans and find a type of employment, besides thievery, to live off of.
Finding a cheap inn, we enter and got the last room available. As if someone had something against me the room only had a single bed.
Back in that dump I was in a similar situation but with crappier conditions. The floor being covered with [unknown fluids], which was the info I got from [Identify], so I had to share a cot with Shiro since nobody else could be trusted.
I was hoping to have my own bed, but well at least the floor is relatively clean this time. Shiro heavily objected to this though, I couldn’t help feeling like crying. Her excuse was that she was scared. She just helped kill 6 people and she was scared to sleep alone on the bed. Her [crying puppy eye’s] skill seemingly took effect because I couldn’t stand seeing her tear up and I caved.
With reluctance I went to sleep while praying in my head to Amare.
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When I opened my eye’s I was expecting Amare to be preparing tea before her usual gossip session but was met with her glaring at me coldly.
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...why?
Rolling her eyes as if she knew what I was thinking, which I think she does she explained.
“Why are you being such a wimp! Can’t you at least try to be more open with Shiro, it’s pitiful you know! I always see her doing her best to build a more intimate relationship with you, and the most she got was a hug pillow! It’s like watching some stupid ROM com in japan, grow some balls and interact with her!” (Amare)
Hearing this I recalled the fact that I would always try to strike a conversation with her, but would find an excuse to end any conversation that involved anything to do with family and relationships. The fact that she was 12 was a big factor. following this thought the goddesses next words confirmed my suspicions about her reading minds.
“Don’t go pulling some age excuse! This world is f***ked up! If she didn’t have you, where would she be right now, who should she be with!” *Sigh* The goddess calmed down taking a few breathes before she continued. “Her race is a rare breed that be counted by one hand alone. I originally thought she was just a {White Wolf}. But the fight you guys had just revealed small traces of her real heritage. She is a {Moon Wolf} and can be considered a miracle existence.
When a mother gives birth in this world, the race of the offspring has almost a 90% chance of being in favor of the mother's race, unless but mates are of the same race. However there is still a very minuscule, almost nonexistent, chance for a random other race from down the family tree to emerge. That is why Shiro being a different breed with a father and mother both being of the {Dread Wolves Tribe} can be considered it’s own miracle.
Getting onto the real issue, Moon wolves have been hunted for their hearts to the point of near extinction. Ever since it was discovered that when their hearts were forcefully removed on a full moon from a living specimen, the heart would turn into a [Moon Stone]. The only people who really wanted these stones were the ‘Church of Light’. These stones, when used with a staff as a catalyst, allowed the user to cast light magic unhindered by any type of shadow magic at night. When consumed It would permanently boost the user's light affinity by 10%. This is what made the ‘Church of Light’ as powerful as it is today and drove them to seek the stones so heavily.
If she is discovered to be a {Moon Wolf} her life will be nothing short of being hunted. I’ve taken the liberty to update my guide with information on the churches. I will say this once, this isn’t your old world and you can’t even be considered an adult yet. You don’t have to leap into a relationship or anything, but if you keep pushing her away there will come a day when you will regret it.” (Amare)
I was left in a state of incomprehension. Shiro's race was hunted to an amount that can be counted in one hand and if she is discovered will follow the same fate. *Crack* For something as stupid as getting a F**king ROCK!!!
“Wow, it takes a lot to feel such heavy emotions of anger in this place. So have you heard my words properly?” As Amare tried to confirm her words I simply nodded my head. My mood has already gone sour and I’m no longer in the mood for talking.
I now have another target for the future. Along with someone that truly needs protection.
“There are still a few other things about her race that I haven't mentioned but you don't need to know about it yet. Now that this conversation is finished would you like 'Heavenly Abyss Tea' or 'Natures Sap Tea'.” (Amare) As if waiting for her appearance the housewife Amare appeared and the serious one is nowhere in sight. “Heavenly Abyss Tea please.” (Kuro) I don't really like the other one's name, it reminds of a type of gag back on Earth. “Natures Sap Tea it is then. I also prepared some cookies in the shape of animals.” (Amare) After saying these words she just put on an innocent smile with a *tehe* look going on.
If you were gonna chose anyway why ask!? I left this thought unspoken but her smile just grew bigger anyway. The rest of the time was spent again listening to her gossip while sharing snacks. I can’t escape and it’s better to just go with it, *munch* this stuff is delicious.
…..
“Hey this is unfair, how come the mortal get’s to eat the cooking of Goddess Amare every time.” (pitiful God 1)
“Yea other’s are lucky to even smell the fragrance of her tea. When I saw her I seriously hoped he was being punished.” (pitiful God 2)
“Ah the smell is drifting over, graaaaahhh (sounds of struggling)….how long are we gonna be hanging here!? *Sobs* To watch such heavenly cookies being eaten before us and we can’t even join in.” (pitiful Gods 1 in tears)
“Waaahh Amare have mercy, I want your cookies too!” (pitiful god 2)
“Waaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh” (Seriously pitiful Gods 1 and 2)
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After I woke up I saw Shiro still sleeping soundly next to me. What Amare said has left me thinking heavily about the future. If I am to protect Shiro I need to get a lot stronger to keep her safe. Hell I don't even think whenever she is covering herself when we go out is an issue anymore. Thinking it over the most reliable method I can think of to get stronger would be to join the Adventurer's guild with Shiro. We both need to become strong and this town isn’t gonna help us. If we encounter someone who knows what she is...I'd rather avoid that if possible.
The only adventurer’s guild in the area is in the city nearby, so me and Shiro need to gather provision. However for now though I’ll let her rest a little longer...our journey will be a long one.
As for being in a relationship with Shiro...at the very least I’ll leave it up to her, there is no need for me to take the lead. Should she ever seek me out I won’t refute her, and I won’t avoid the subject and just, as the goddess says, grow a pair.
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Extra: The Next chapter will close a few subjects to be brought up later and they will leave the town.
p.s.: sorry for the slight delay, I had night shift and wanted to finish this before sleeping when I got back but fell asleep typing.