Murai felt a rising power within himself, raging and empowering his spirit like wood tossed into a wildfire. His soul was trying in fighting spirit; it was either because of his Will to keep fighting, or the already ongoing battle filled with enduring variety of soul-cracking spells coming at him.
More minutes passed.
His opinion changed drastically since Rain made its first appearance, and even though this Battle wasn't something Murai wanted, he could adjust it to his standards. There was a source for Bliss under any mortal's hands, as long as one was curious, hurtful, or looking enough. Murai knew it. He found his spark in what the Battleworld gave him already.
Those were unfamiliar tools, hiding behind something called learning and training. Or a skill that he had yet to get to his head.
His soul spoke of true elder, ancient, and old memorial qualities that could shatter this Mental Battle to pieces. It sounded like a good test too. And since the battle went on without a care for physicality, he might as well figure out his options and soul.
In the following minutes, Murai kept his soul firm and enduring. He couldn't be shaken by any normal attempts that Rain had. From time to time, the Will of the Battleworld also followed along, notifying him of the increased Will by a few points as his soul endured dozens of powers a minute. It reached the 11th point, yet it felt like... nothing.
When he felt Vitality rising, it was wonderful. Will felt like tossing a pebble to Void. Its increases gave him nothing notable, or was it so dull because of this intense Battle? His senses no longer moved within his flesh, but felt more... broad? He had a hard time describing and figuring out what was going on, feeling as if the world was turning still, red because of Rain's attack, and mildly disorienting because of something unfamiliar.
The Will of the Battleworld was of no help. It occasionally described the spells Rain was using, but that was useless when he had no way of defending than bracing against them.
He hoped for some deeper message, though it seemed unlikely to hear or sense them. A significantly important Will of the Battleworld had to wait after this Battle.
Those calls were quite an annoyance in the middle of the battle. It was like hearing a sibling whispering or shouting around the corner where one needed to concentrate. They caused his mental capacity to shudder from time to time, cluttering his mind over some not chances, so it didn't bother him too much.
In his case, he hated it from that principle alone.
Gods... I heard that mentioned numerous times already. Which freaks are in this world, watching, or influencing shit they shouldn't? Are they here... too? No. Gods are behind this damned system. I am stone certain this won't work against my will! Devil of the bitch, you think too highly to go toe to toe against this little me! Murai thought too highly of himself, unaware that his ego was growing as he endured what no Level 0 beast ever endured.
Something was turning up a notch, surprising Rain and some other figures.
A powerful wave of the Will of the Battleworld made another crack in his head, hurting him as another ability went ahead. That happened in the 17th minute of this Mental Battle. 13 more to go...
[New Breach has been detected, clustered along the Soul Lock, brought out by Soul Essences and Taboo]
[Lines has been... conspired....]
[Requirements for Hidden Abilities are usually unlocked after a minor revision]
[Soul-Manifestation is unleashed!] The voice spoke with a significant change in attitude, almost shouting in vivid excitement and sudden change of rules.
[It is a Hidden Ability, meant to go under the cover of unique requirements for functioning. It is individually based on what it could do and acts not by the Will, or not even the Intent. It is a mixture of it all. A true manifestation of one primeval and mysterious essence. The SOUL!]
[There are prerequisites for it to be unleashed. For now, the unlocking sequences are adjusting, thanks to the first unlock itself. You've accomplished those special requirements that are unique to circumstances and individuals]
[Main cause: your damnable soul]
[Aspects of the Manifestation infuse the Law of Souls into reality, mending the inconceivable with conceivable. Souls are immovable, yet yours moved to the physical realms. That is what a Soul-Manifestation is. A Hidden Ability of utmost quality and special properties of the Soul]
[Soul-Manifestation: A power of the soul makes due changes. Your soul can turn towards the higher realms with this ability]
[Hidden Grade S]
[It has a unique approach to power]
[Leveless, but particularly affected by Will and soul-based powers]
[Power Level: inconceivable, unstable, and impossible]
A sudden clarity flushed over Murai's mind right after the voice stopped speaking without stuttering. A sudden standstill made him feel like an explosion that moved his very own soul in a different direction. In a blink, the Soul Manifestation did its course without his choice. It was almost involuntary how it happened, but he wasn't stopping what sounded like insanity.
Cause? His soul? That was much to his liking, regardless of Breached which depicted things that better shouldn't happen.
A wave of external force entered his body from the ground, mending or changing his ways. It also turned the tides of this Battle to a new direction, pushing him, and enveloping him from the ground again, forcing him to take what Battleworld endowed. It all disappeared within him as if a black hole was the little duckling.
It was wonder if Rain saw or felt it too. He was standing a couple of meters aside, unleashing his attacks while standing still and watching how Murai changed without a choice. He guessed well that he was new. And almost all Blessed newcomers were prone to wild changes that were often crucial. Especially this one that ended up as an Anatidae.
Slowly, a strange vision appeared above the collapsed Murai, who long ago stumbled to the ground. Something inconceivable turned to the vivid realm. Waves of the soul flew from Murai's body, flowing like upside-down water droplets, then steams of water, before turning to softly shaped wind. It was mostly white, but many portions were in the shape of bright fog that was colorless.
It was large, appearing larger than Rain himself. Due to the lack of Murai's Will, or by no choice at all, the appearance of his soul flickered in its turns, shaping up into a lofty-looking ghostly duck. It was his manifestation, staring down this Poouncing Devil with arrogance, impunity, and a mighty attitude fit for a king.
Straightening his posture and turning his head upwards, Rain watched the sight before his 3 pairs of glowing eyes. The duckling was like an ant before him, yet the gaze of the glowing duck above was stronger than some fools from his memory. It was much stronger than it gave it any credit.
This was no longer a duckling, but a full-blown powerful Anatidae of an unknown Class, properties, or Stage. Was it an Adolescent, Adult, Elder, or... something else that he heard from Radagan? It was a terrible assumption that stopped before turning to depression.
That was at least what it thought, and for the better, it didn't cause any panic or loss of control. Rain changed his posture and acted in a more reserved manner as if he decided to go all out.
He struck his gaze against Murai's Soul Manifestation, meeting a pair of white globes of light that swirled in endless Intent, unknown power, and immense glory of something that was out of this world. It was chaotic, yet from the outside perspective, a strange staring contest ensued next.
Nobody moved.
But the dust and clutter of stones formed many whirlwinds around them, as the mental battle turned quite physical. Each stared, and Murai was no longer in his body at all. His awareness was turning, swirling in the torment of something unfamiliar, yet deeply scrutinizing as if he didn't want any of this.
Tables turned. Now, Rain was against a much bigger foe, though Murai was still on the ground, motionless, but alive. His consciousness was much higher up, glancing at the foe below its eyes.
“Oh.” Rain said, “What is this thing? You tiny... little thing. You are new in this world, so I won't be too harsh, but this is a Battle of my pride. So... don't take it as an offense. The rules of this Battle are in my favor. It is your problem you've gotta deal with me. Now....” Rain paused, dropped lower with his head, and closed his eyes, before opening them in a deep redness that did not glow. It was almost black. “Creeping Pressure of 10th Lord! I will show you the might of the Demonic Army!!”
Rain unleashed his best ability.
All over him changed, turned to a black veil that sucked the air, and ceased the light. The following pressure, aura, and powerful shockwave destabilized everything as 6 waves spread like a shockwave, turning small rocks on the ground to mush, shuddering Murai's body, and crashing some distant trees to pieces.
Murai's Will was unchanging, but thinly, one could notice his Soul Manifestation flinching.
Before shuddering as if met with an army of thousands of demons.
[Warning!] Will of the Battleworld shouted, appearing sorry, afraid, or confused. [Creeping Pressure of the 10th entered your soul and destabilized your Soul-Manifestation]
[Beginning the repairs and fusion of the Soul-Essence! Apologizes... Repairs will take time. Meanwhile, be patient. Not dead] It spoke as if in a hurry, causing Murai to scowl regardless.
Nothing about it hurt. The Creeping Pressure of the 10th Lord felt like many pokes sticking into the sea. Yet, Soul Manifestation dropped and shuddered, turning to a mist that hovered above the collapsed duckling. It looked lifeless on the ground, but Murai wasn't worried. He was still attacked to it with his Living. It wouldn't... Well, he hoped it would be otherwise, but his Curse wouldn't leave him just because of this.
This power that Rain used was the strongest attack he had in terms of Mental Battles. It could shatter many Wills since it was a gift from one of the powerful Lords under the Hells of this world.
It had some nasty effects, ranging from decaying bodies to shutting physical senses, but its main forte was the ability to push the souls with utmost pressure within each wink.
It should've elevated this battle in its stakes or ended it completely. Rain hoped for that, yet what he expected didn't occur. There was a large disparity in their abilities, but not their souls. Murai's Will was starting to take a proper shape, fusing, or mending to his body or this world, returning to its splendor in moments.
It was no longer up to the Soul Manifestation to take him on. He waited for repair as this muddled smoke, feeling numb, thin, and like something out of some stories said to children.
Murai's awareness was hit by a large force, which destroyed his newly made Soul Manifestation. It was kind of dull and unfamiliar, and it couldn't take this attack at full. Murai handled it like a stone anyway, deducing that enduring was key. Attacking wasn't even on his mind, which might be a mistake that he overlooked.
His experience in Mental Battles was tiny in comparison to his foe, but when it came to being stubborn, Murai was confident to find no equal. It was too bad that the Battleworld wasn't such a nice place for his start, since he was never a fast worker, but a fast learner he might be.
Murai learned being like this the hard way, which amounted to many lives when he took things more than slowly. He was yet to understand or come to a conclusion about what sort of life this could be, or how this world operated.
Against the pressure, that had a speck of power of some godly power, it seemed like a mountain went against another mountain, destabilizing, but not vanishing. Rain was even hit with some backlash, wincing in his steps, unfamiliar with what he was seeing in that smoke.
Murai's ability wasn't enough to defend against it, but it was enough for survival. The Battle hadn't ended yet.
Since the Will alone wasn't enough, or his use of it was too poor, Murai was at least glad that his foe didn't have something even stronger. If he did, then being one-shotted because of his unfamiliarity sounded like a laughable End.
It resulted in some automatic restoration. Murai wasn't sure how it acted without him doing a thing. Did something touch his soul? How he Manifested out of his body was also a worrisome topic.
He doubted it all, knowing that nothing broke in his soul. His sense of self was the same, memories intact, and Will clear. It felt... detached, like being aware of the broader Sky while being a smokeless stretch of a river going through the ocean of Void. That was all.
Regardless of this lesson, this battle was yet to become hopeless. This might not be a battle to the death, so Murai wasn't inclined to act recklessly.
All he had to do was endure this battle and the Pouncing Devil would let him go, right? He thought so, knowing Will of the Battleworld's bent like Laws to certain rules. They should be trustworthy. Hopefully. Should he trust it? He felt there wasn't really a choice. It was waiting in irritation, or waiting in acceptance.
Time ticked by, and a minute after this clash, Rain resumed his attacks against the formless Soul-Manifestation. So much stress and continuous pressure were taking a toll on his mentality, yet he kept attacking, afraid of the smokes because he had never seen something like that.
Rain was vigilant against the little duckling too, fearing that it would step up suddenly and gnaw at his feet or neck. It was a futile idea. It was Level 0. It had no power to even stand, yet its mentality was right there, living through a hit that could shatter the Wills beyond his Level. Sending mental spells against the smoke, he accepted Murai was the soul of something more powerful than his former self.
That tremendous display of Soul Manifestation was the source of fear. Rain realized it amid this Battle. It was no time to regret. He probably made a huge mistake by accepting this non-mandatory mission. It sounded enticing, though regretful.
A being that was yet to undergo evolution and can withstand a mental strain to this extent? Creeping Pressure was only partially effective against that mass, of... what exactly? Ghostly, yet firm and physical. What is a soul? Rain wondered, Maybe a Pact wouldn't hurt to consider after all, but it may be too soon, or too late for that.
He kept sending the power that was no longer restricted by the backlash. Using all of its Will, and all of its mental power, he wanted to stress the already stressed soul above the helpless duckling. It was just too bad, or too late. His attacks couldn't do much against the sturdiness of Murai's soul, or they couldn't do much because most of the attack felt weak, muddled, or weakened against the formless smoke that swirled in repairs.
On the other hand, Murai was enduring it in his cocoon, feeling how the barrages clicked against his senses, trying to crack him apart. It never went too deep to hurt him, so he awaited the source of his hopeful change.
It happened in the 22nd minute.
[A repair of Soul Manifestation is over. By extension, new readings, and gathered knowledge, the merge of the soul powers Breached some limits and requirements]
[A Soul-Essence has methodologies and legacy as a leading method of Soul Pathways. It has been reshaped, added as a changed ability, ceasing the Soul- Essence away]
[A new Attribute was added thanks to your unyielding soul and Hidden Ability that is inconceivably rare]
[Soul Power is assembled]
[Soul Power: A soul to quench the mind. A power to question the Origin itself. The Heavens are watching, yet souls are observing back in fear or reverence. You have a powerful one, and so it shall be mighty. Further powers and abilities are added thanks to the creation of the Soul Power]
[Soul Power gives birth to the Soul-Body, turning the tides of your soul and a qualitative leap of your Soul Space. The Soul-Essence and Soul Power are a part of it]
[Soul-Essence is removed and fused to the Soul-body, giving rise to a fusion of abilities within the same Origin]
[In a true sense, it is a source of power that drives your soul, thus strengthening it along with defense and mentality]
[Further improvements in Soul Power can unlock new properties, thus creating a new future]
[Soul-Body: A portion of Will and soul makes its validity, hence creating and raising the strength of the soul and slightly strengthening the body. It is caused by a portion of the Soul Manifestation, along with your incredible display of undeniable powers and Will]
[Grade C]
[Level 1]
[+15 to Soul Power]
[Current Soul Power: 15]
[Strike of the Will is strengthened to an unknown degree]
[Body Attributes are unable to be calculated]
Murai was aghast, muddled by the voice all over his soul. Then, something changed in clarity, moved the confusion, and his Soul Space shuddered in a display of senseless light and clarity. He felt something weird. A comfort with his soul.
It was unfamiliar; he wasn't used to feeling this... content. A power rushed in, and it wasn't some attack caused by Rain, but weird strands of power that washed his senses, smoke, and soul in a wild cocoon. His vision blinked, and a power returned to his Soul Manifestation and turned the formless smoke into a swirling madness. It began deflecting some of Rain's spells.
Whatever was happening, Murai wasn't in any control. Within his Soul Space, something moved, reshaping the quivering round soul into a Soul Body, slightly resembling a tiny duckling that snuggled into a ball.
Murai wasn't able to follow it. The message sounded interesting. Like a tiny dot in the middle of nowhere, he sensed the switch, then turned from the formless smoke to the Soul Body that remained in his body. He wasn't keen on making a difference. What was that smoke? What was this Soul Space? Was it related to his soul? It should be. That was what he grew up knowing.
He switched into his Soul Body right away, sensing how he entered a state that was more alive and vivid. It almost felt as if he was a ghost, or a formless Avatar, or similar to various other mythologies, legends, or techniques that worked with souls across many Skies. In this case, something changed his soul in itself, creating Soul-Body. It seemed to resemble his physicality, so it was perhaps making it sturdier.
The soul became what under his watch? A stronger version of itself? How was it possible to change his soul of all things? Murai never heard of such an external thing handling his soul like that. Perhaps it was... No fucking way. Murai refused that idea in a heartbeat. He didn't believe in anything without any claim or his idea first.
But he really did feel a bit sturdier from his previous state. He figured there was some way to strengthen his soul in this life, it seemed.
An uproar of pricing pressure swept his awareness next. Everything clicked together, stabilizing, and connecting. It was as if a powerful current of energy explosion raised his awareness outwards, uncovering his Soul Space that felt like a dull Void at first, but now, it felt like an immense Sky. He even sensed some light somewhere. Anywhere, or nowhere? What was it, he didn't know.
He didn't know how to feel it either, but it felt like a bomb exploded in the middle of his head.
Outside, Rain knew what was happening. He watched how Murai's body was nurtured by streaks of formless light, traveling into him from the ground and shuddering the hopeless duckling that he couldn't touch. Above it, the Soul Manifestation swirled, with notable strands connected to the body underneath.
Everything was connected.
So, he takes the blessings of Boosts that well, huh? In the middle of this Battle of all things? Luck is an inconceivable thing like Fate. This is neither, I suppose. Or a monster. It is an utter monster. Rain reckoned as he stopped all spells. He felt betrayed by his expectation, yet if he lost, there were no worries either.
Being a Punisher was kind of a Bliss. There were hardly any losses for them, as many thought of this position as a bullying opportunity against those who committed Breaches or some crimes.
Murai didn't feel that different from before after everything calmed down in what felt like a minute, or an hour. He lost track of time.
Then, a click sound echoed, and a voice whispered.
[A portion of the Will was added to the Body Attributes according to the Soul-Body connection]
[+2 to Body Attributes]
[Current Strength 20, Dexterity 20, Vitality 23]
[Soul-Essence did reach a new height, becoming a greater thing on its own. It did serve a purpose. The power of the Will was tidied according to the Soul-Body]
[Congratulation! You have reached the threshold of Level 1]
[First Evolution is behind the corner, acting as the mandatory Step and necessary choice]
[Cause: reached 20 Vitality, the threshold of a higher power according to confidential criteria, limits for first Anatidae evolution are reached]
[All is done, and the body and soul are ready. Anatidae can reach much higher and new heights with various effective evolutions stemming from their complicated Bloodline. Possibilities within your species are endless, though subject to the requirements, your findings, or your willingness to follow your choice]
[Unlike with abilities, evolutions act with choices in mind. It is up to you to handle it, as Battleworld created them to pivot the balancing scales of this world's beasts]
[Your beginner ones are following the most likely variables, readings of your Bloodlines, and possibilities under the Master Evolutionary]
[Anatidae Panacea: A powerful sub-species of the Anatidae species. It can use soul powers, and magic and has well-rounded possibilities of survival and body-based abilities]
[Overall: It is a mighty evolution that takes no unprecedented difficulties to follow thanks to magic and tough physicality]
[Class D]
[Anatidae of the Death: A Soul Servant of the Depths. A Pact with the God of Death allowed the descendant of the Death to follow the Path of Necromancy and some mutations surrounding ancient times. Soul magic is a powerful tool of this sub-species, allowing a vast variable of powers to occur. This sub-species was significantly improved by the order of one particular Anatidae which is under the influence of the God of Death and... surprisingly, it is in your Bloodline, acting as your direct ancestor and not outer influence]
[Your Bloodline has a part of that choice, thus influencing this choice to be made, when it would, otherwise, be unattainable]
[Overall: A special evolution with remarkable abilities with unknown might depending on background, Bloodline, and talent of the individual]
[It is impossible to calculate the potency of a Child of this sub-species]
[Class C]
[Anatidae Peniscula: A fighter like any other demonic beast of powerful Bloodline and history. The body is a temple. Flesh is the fuel. Blood is the epitome of Bliss. Everything can't be important. Magic is diminished in this sub-species but its power lies in other heights. It has a higher aptitude over flesh and physicality, changing this sub-species in many forms.
[It has a significantly higher ceiling of physicality than other choices. Special powerful body abilities are thus a main power of this sub-species]
[Overall: A majestic species of Anatidae species and their might can rule over others in a way that is clear to the eyes and bodies]
[Class D]
A triplet of choices was available in his soul, but Murai couldn't choose any right now. Even if he could, he would think twice about such a significant thing.
His opponent's pressure resumed in reality, turning Murai's mind and attention back. Even against his stranded soul, Murai had to be aware of his reality. He stepped up his game right there and then. He hadn't forgotten Rain pushed him over an edge that he didn't want to feel. It was a threat. This Pouncing Devil wanted his life.
Something in his mind changed again, closely similar to the time when Murai decided to kill that helpful Devil Fox. Perhaps Rain's soul was quite special as well, but Murai doubted that. He was against something that was Level 54! If it didn't reek of imbalance, then what?
The course of time and awareness returned to normal. Murai realized that barely 10 seconds passed. The shaking throughout his soul stopped until it became like mindful melancholic steam akin to the sea before a storm. Boost stopped, and Murai's soul became a bit stronger throughout Rain's endless pursuit.
Perhaps it wasn't any pursuit. Perhaps it was a gift.
It was not long after Murai calmed, that his switch and Soul Manifestation returned to its glory, blinking back to a lofty duck-looking king of ghosts. Then, the battle changed its tide. Rain underestimated this far too much, knowing it was a long time since he took this sort of optionable mission seriously. But he used the Creeping Pressure! It didn't grant him a victory either. Someone will be nasty about it for sure.
I can't affect this soul any longer? Don't tell me this was the chance for this Anatiade to grow instead. Was the Punishment Act a farce? Just? Rain thought further into the reality of this situation, furrowing his weakening eyes. He was almost correct.
Though, this was supposed to be a kill before a storm.
In the remaining time, Murai felt the world and this Battle within his Soul Manifestation, cracking its familiarity under his senses and limits. He endured this fight to the bitter end. A much notable dunk glared at the Pouncing Devil from above with impunity of any harm or arrogance. It was confidence.
The rest of the time went by without a challenge, allowing Murai to win without lifting a wing. He could've fought back. Rain knew it, but doubted it to the very end. Perhaps his foe was stupid? How was that possible with such an enormous soul?
Then, the mechanical voice echoed to both of them, giving them different voices each.
[Congratulation! You have successfully vanquished the 30 minutes of Mental Battle. Punishment Act has been complicated. Crime has been omitted as a mistake]
“Mistake?!” Murai shouted within his mind; his Soul Manifestation grimaced in annoyance, flinching Rain in his steps. He felt... fear in the unknown. How? He battled in this world for years. Decades! He was member of a Hell for Hell's sake! He met Gods within his eyes.
[+2 to your Will]
[Body Attributes +2]
[Current Strength 22, Dexterity 22, Vitality 25]
[Level Up is available: Evolution is mandatory]
[Additional rewards will be unraveled by choice of your evolution]
[It would be stupid to not do so otherwise, so the timer to do so is 1 day]
Murai heard the Will of the Battlewrold with indifference, even though he was waiting for this endurance fight to be over. Rain's pressure disappeared right at the end of the 29th minute.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
Finding his connection back to his physical body was easy enough, and Murai forcefully opened his weak eyes after some time. He wasn't even sure how or when his Soul Manifestation ended, but it disappeared back to the physical body at some point during his switch or the end of this Battle.
Rain was still before him when he woke up, still collapsed on the ground and feeling tiny like a piece of shit. It felt completely different from being that impassive ghostly duck king. And that damned Pouncing Devil seemed to be waiting for him like a puppy before its master: hesitantly, with some hidden fears, yet some bits of reverence.
“Are you awake?” Rain asked, forcing his Will onto Murai's. It wasn't discomforting, but it sure was odd hearing a voice echo out of nowhere.
“Tsh... I am.” Murai emitted some noise through his Will, figuring that the methodology of commencing some conversation was possible if the other was accomplishing it. This was the only way; Murai doubted Rain would understand his quacks anyway, yet he asked many questions as if he did.
Sending a voice out was rather easy when he thought about it. It was like finding an anchor to a soul, which Soul Read helped with surprisingly well. It went with the Will also, channeling the inner thoughts to follow the Will to others. It was a matter of experience and a bit of practice, so Murai found a neat balance after a couple of tries, surprising Rain once more.
If one succeeded once in forming this connection, it became much easier afterward.
“You? Your Soul... What are you? Who were you, exactly?” Rain asked frantically, appearing like a rather startled chicken. He appeared not that frightening anyone, as if he understood what was before it, or who, to be exact.
“An old soul, I suppose. I appreciate this battle, dear Devil. Wait... You aren't a Devil, right? It is just a neat tricky name to sound impressive, right?” Murai sent back.
“You jest...” Rain sighed and visibly calmed and ceased his awkward manners away.
“Anyhow, you helped me understand the status of my soul and even the first evolution before my eyes. This was a very plentiful and first major battle for the start of this life.” Murai spoke without any speck of anger aimed at Rain. But, he would lie if he hadn't felt some discomfort when looking at this tall and impressive-looking beast.
Both must be glad for this to be over.
“F-first? You never even figured the first one out?” Rain asked and shock entered his eyes and voice again
“Eh? Does little Level 7 Devil Fox count? Never mind, is it that surprising? Isn't a Mental Battle unrelated to the levels or fundamental differences of our species? It reminds me of the soul battles, which aren't that crazy when I think about it. They just form tremendous things on everything apart from the body. However, it did something unpleasant to my body. I can't even get up since the difference in our physicality is too large. Thanks for that... asshole.”
“Oh, that? I... It is.. surprising, but it is also a course of the soul and one powerful Will. You already reached the threshold of the first Will, didn't you?”
“If you meant the threshold of some numbers, then I have no idea what you mean. I have yet to understand a lot about this world. I have been awake for very little, and this species is... questionably weak with growing up. Took me ages to get over my first steps.” Murai exaggerated his time without any shame. He tended to be like that with others unrelated to him.
Rain fell silent for a while, observing the helpless duckling before his triplet pairs of eyes, pondering over something. What did he want?
Murai was rather speechless by the aftermath of this battle. He won, yet he felt like a loser instead. His soul felt exhilarated, but his body was the exact opposite. It took immense effort to move his body afterward alone, and even then, he doubted he could step without stumbling. It wasn't because of wounds, but he felt as if he weighed a mountain and a half, while some unfamiliarity returned.
As that ghostly duck, he felt no problems. It almost felt divine!
Part of this problem was still on Rain. His range of attacks did influence the flesh as well. Many ended up influencing Murais' body to the smallest extent possible. Nothing ended up broken, though his feathers were disheveled and his muscles strained.
It was a wonder what would a more potent Blessed with higher mental strength do. What if a level 80, or 90 came to this battle instead? Murai was sure he would've died.
A soul was a powerful commodity. It could become physical in some mysterious ways, turned frantic, and nothing short of a miracle. Like magic, souls were complicated. That was the truth.
If Murai's soul had failed more, or if those readings and voices hadn't given him a thing, perhaps he would've struggled more. Win or not, he doubted the End would come. Which was a shame, or not? Nah, that would perhaps be a Blessings instead, or straight-up impossibility thanks to his Cursed Living.
A few minor exchanges between him and Pouncing Devil later, Murai got to his feet, struggling to move in nauseous dizziness. He guessed it was the effect of his returned Will to his physical body. The world that was before him was stranger and less vivid than before. Something changed once more, but he didn't know what.
“Can I have a rather bold question?” Rain asked after seeing Murai move better than he thought he would.
Murai stretched his strained body and looked at his past foe carefully, sizing him down and up. When he spoke so politely, one wouldn't think he was a powerful being close to some impressive figures.
“You can. Why hesitate, or do you have something special in mind? The Battle is over, so I would rather rest and go over my first evolution. It sounds interesting.” Murai told.
“I see... that. The thing is... I am a native of this world. This Battleworld may be a new thing for your soul, so let me be frank. That is my guess. One thing that piqued my attention is your lack of Life Companion. How long it has been since you came here?”
“Why are you curious?”
“Because I am interested in forming a Pact with you,” Rain said politely, flinching his neck down to make a slight bow, explaining his acts while sounding like a haggler.