Magic, as soon as I heard the word, my mind started lingering off. Memories of seeing the blood of a person you have taken life from, you didn't just take him from the world, you took away the persons present and future, and the blood that followed, that once magical substance. Seeing the path it would take, the color it would be and the pure amount it, at first this experience was so traumatic it really felt unreal, it felt like magic. Reminiscing about these memories surprisingly made me feel sick, something that never happened in the past. Killing and stealing the constant cycle that did nothing to me in the past, was crumbling down my defenses, I might actually start crying. Remorse was something that I had no luxury to feel, life and death was as told tied as one, people all around knew it, people accepted it, it was part of life.
Remorse, it seem like I am on my way to redemption. As I thought that my mood suddenly turned for the better and I started to think about the possibilities of using magic to overcome my inferior physical strength. I never trained my body much during my time in the slums, mostly because you didn't have the luxury to indulge yourself in such activities. I was although an exceptional marksman and I was even more confident in my use of knives, but to eliminate a target the main thing you needed was neither of those, creativity and guts was what differentiate amateurs from professionals. The guts to end someone for eternity and the creativity to be given that opportunity.
I never considered myself a professional though, I was payed for killing someone only a handful of times, no, killing was more of a tool in survival, when you live in a world where it's kill or be killed.
I wonder if I can find my brother in this world, might he also been given the chance to be redeemed.
Muto seemed to realize that my head was currently in a bit of a turmoil and said,
"It's really an amazing thing, that magic, it can even take people to the sky, or at least that is what I have heard, hehe"
As I saw the small grin on Muto's mind and the second mention of magic I returned to the present, thinking the past is the past, this is now, the future is ahead. As soon as I thought that I continued to eat my grilled cat monster. Muto saw that I continued to eat and was smiled slightly before continuing,
"Sadly I don't know anything about this thing called magic, it seems to be originating from another world, but everything that can be used there seemed to be apply over here too."
I suddenly came to a very obvious realization that for some reason I didn't think about before,
"Muto, how can we communicate with each other? You speak my language, which is very odd when you originate from another world is it not?"
"Hmm, you speak in my language for me."
With a surprised facial expression I asked,
"I do?"
"Yes"
It seems like we understand each other's language in this world, or that we translate it in our mind. For some reason I didn't feel surprised at all, if there is magic, something like this should surely be possible. This game is a such a waste, a world where everyone can understand each other wouldn't that be a peaceful one ?. But sadly in every world there is both darkness and light, the same seems to apply to this world, I thought to myself.
Never the less, to be able to redeem myself or at least to survive I need to learn this thing called magic, as soon as I realized that I knew what my next question should be,
"Muto where does one learn of this magic?"
Muto scratched his head for a while and took another bite of that incredible cat meat before saying,
"There is one city where a race with good knowledge of the magic settled down, there is probably more cities down south, but I have never traveled there."
Geographic position, right this is a world, there should be directions,
"Oh yeah I forgot to ask, where are we now?"
"We are in what can be called the north part of this world"
The north is a vast forest, that's probably an correct assessment,
"Is the entire north covered of this big forest?"
"No, this is what has been named the forest of endel, it was named by some creature named endel who once ascended here without the help of others, that's why I came here."
Muto took another bite then continued,
" This is located in the middle of the north, if we go north from here we come to the vast plains followed by the mountains of Cerckel, west is the swamps of Mat group, east the flying lands of Motle, south is the passage to central continent which is presumably guarded and taxed by some powerful being in the central continent to bring money in"
By the naming of the different things it's pretty clear that these are location people have ascended without the help of someone that has already have done so. But naming a whole part of a continent after these people must make them and everyone who have ascended that way incredibly famous,
"Is everyone that ascended that way regarded that high?"
"I think they are just the first to do so at least as long as people can remember, plenty of people have left on their own."
"Owh, plenty then it doesn't seem so special."
"By plenty I dont mean that many of everyone that has ever come here."
Plenty not that many?, what is this confusing bull/cow implying, well he is only one man I can't expect to find out everything about this world from one single creature.
"So where is this city where these magic race have settled down?"
"I heard it was in the north part of the region close to the mountains of Cerckel."
"Heard?, haven't you been there?"
"Owh little creature, this is a vast world I don't have time to travel everywhere."
"Even though you said time is irrelevant here"
"What?"
"Nevermind."
It's decided then the best possible way for me to survive here is to travel north to this city where presumably magicians live. The uncertainty of the matter left me feeling uneasy. I don't have much of a choice in the matter, to survive I must be able to fend my own in this world, I must be able to at least be able to live without being pushed around. As I finished thinking about it I should probably not ask Muto to accompany me, he went here for the sole purpose of finding something, he probably will not want to help a stranger travel to a far off land and to top it all off he didn't seems very interested in acquiring, magic.
"I will take my leave then, thank you for everything, you don't seem to possess a weapon will you really be able to survive out here?"
"Oh creature Fey, what a thoughtful being, Don't worry Muto's fist can crush stone"
"Aha if that is the case, bye"
I picked myself up, turned around quietly and started walking in the opposite direction, as I was about to disappear out of sight, Muto started yelling,
"Hey Creature! stop!"
I slowly turned around and saw the 2 meter high Muto running against me, but this was not a speed possible for a human being he was easily moving as fast as moped or a leopard, not as fast as a moving car but still way above the human standard. Seconds later he was standing before me not even tearing a sweat and with overall perfect condition,
"Creature fey is rather weak, It's the stronger mans duty to escort the weaker one out of the forest at least."
I was pretty confident in fending of animals myself, but after seeing this monster running over here I started to grasp the power that the creatures of this world could possess. If ascending to the next world was based solely on strength I could imagine, the beings could be considered gods if they arrived on earth. In my head the decision was already made if I don't take help from Muto I might even die before arriving outside this very forest.
"Muto I would be very grateful if you could help me outside this forest of endel."
"No problem Creature Fey, It's my duty."
It seems that habitants of the planet of Irue possess great sense of duty, or maybe Muto is just an outcast in that way.
We looked at each other and nodded in unisons and continued to walk in the same direction I was currently heading in. As soon as we started walking, I was surprised how big of footsteps Muto took, as I had to take at least 3 footsteps before he even had to take one.
"Is everyone from planet of Irue this big?"
"I am considered to be a member of one of the smallest tribes, some tribes have double my height."
Creatures looking like Muto but twice as long come streaming in my head, his race would certainly be called giants if those ever walked the earth. As I was thinking and walking I suddenly felt breeze, yes that is right I was still not wearing any clothes. As I looked at Muto he was wearing what can be considered shorts together with a t-shirt but not a normal one, it was of black leather more like a skin jacket but thinner. Muto seems to be noticing my intentions with looking at my clothes and asked,
"Does your race were any clothes?"
"Yes, usually, well if we mate we do not and if we are some deranged person we might not either."
"Creature Fey, are you a deranged person?"
"In some ways, but I don't prefer being naked."
"Is that the case, I have some pants for you then."
Muto put his hand around his back and took out a bag which has been hanging on his waits back side strapped like a belt to hold it up. After a moment he picks up an identical pair of shorts to the one he currently wear, black with 2 pockets. I inspect them for a moment and I with certainty say these are too big for me, I have two choices though, stay naked and go around freezing or put on these looking complete retard, the choice was simple I put them on.
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As soon as I had them on they suddenly fell off, I looked to Muto and he was laughing slightly, he waited a moment then pulled out a belt. I took the belt and strapped as hard I could and we continued walking.
We walked for what seemed like an hour, I had no need to talk and it didn't seem like he was the usual talkative type either. I could see that he wanted me to speak to him but I hadn't bothered until now, but the glares were getting a bit uncomfortable.
"Muto, what were you doing before coming to this world?"
Muto suddenly showed a bright smile on his face and spoke with confident,
"I was the town head hunter in the second biggest village in all of south Irue, the town head hunter has the responsibility to look over every other hunter so that we all get meat on the table."
"Owh that sound like one important role."
"Oh yes I had over 1000 hunters to look after, it was a big responsibility, I was a great and important man in my previous life!"
"Women came flocking to lick my toes every day, I had the most licked toes in the village"
I was about to crack out in laughter but I didn't this was probably something they were where proud off in Irue, he then contiued,
"I was also responsible for my tribe surviving one hell of a dry year, all the aruyik animals in the area had left for safer mating but I took the hunters and tracked down them, and brought home lots of food."
"You must have worked hard to get that important postion."
"No, it's a little different in our world, the elders decide your mission the day you are born."
"Then you were quite lucky to be born that way"
"Yes, and in this life I will make all the females lick my toes also, but I haven't had much luck yet, very strange."
"Yes its very, strange"
Muto, a hunter no wonder he runs that fast. I knew what world this was and why one was sent here so my next question was obvious,
"If you was such a great man why did you end up here?"
"Well actually, I had this female, who licked my toes the best, once you decide that the female is your partner you cannot lick other peoples toes, I broke my promise."
"That's is the regret fullest moment in my life, what about you creature Fey?"
"I was a surviver, which in some cases meant doing bad things."
Fey's Perspective
Muto seemed troubled for a moment but decided not to continue asking anymore, We continued to walk for a couple more minutes and something unexpected suddenly jumped down from one of the trees above us.
Before my eye now stood what seemed to be 4 people, all of the same race it seems or at least that was what they appeared to be in my eyes. Their skin as blue as the ocean, big in stature from head to toe, at least 3 meters tall, if one thought Muto was big he was not much in comparison, they seemed to currently have pants on which would have been funny if that was not the same in my case. All of them appeared to be male, or at least none of them had any defining female characteristics, what I am implying is that they had no breasts. For some reason all of them seemed bald and they all had what appeared as blue eyes. One of them took a big step forward and was beginning to initiate speech,
"What are you small people doing in this dangerous forest?"
They just said that Muto which is above 2 meters is small, I am 1 meter and 75 centimeters in comparison, which would probably make me a midget in their eyes. If we are speaking about eyes these creatures were showing a lot of hostility towards us in that part. I took a peak at Muto and could see that he was a moving his feet in what seemed to be a battle position. He then suddenly spoke up,
"We are going north out of this forest, so could you let us pass?"
The three creatures behind the one who was currently speaking suddenly started laughing pointing and whispering between themselves. After whispering a while the blue one was once again about to speak,
"If you want to pass that will cost you"
He then took a breath and thought for a second then spouted out,
"Should we say 2 crystal coins?"
I have no idea what to crystal coins was worth in this world, so I looked over at Muto his face was pale and he seems to be actually sweating. 2 crystal coins seems to be quite the amount of money, in this world, I will have to find out if we manage to survive this situation. Muto seemed to collect himself, collecting courage and said,
"We do not have that kind of money, you can have 3 silver coins is this agreeable."
Not just the 3 in the front started laughing but the one in the front seemed to start also, it was a laugh of a wolf barging with a sheep, they had the advantage and they knew it. I look at Muto and he took what looked like some kind of martial art position, probably getting himself ready to fight.
The blue being in the front collected himself and said with a sharp tone,
"Then we will loot of your bodies"
The expression he wore though was not consistent with what he said or so I thought, Well I will probably die here might as well take one to hell with me, As soon I said that I readied my mind, This opponent will die.
I thought for a second and said what came to my mind,
"I guess we have to kill them."
I bowed over to the ground and picked up the sharpest stone in sight, I slowly stood up again.
For some reason, the creatures didn't seem to have any will to fight, in their eyes they were already thinking of retreating, what I saw shocked me so I looked up at Muto. The glare he was giving me was like someone seeing a ghost but he also had such ferocity in his glare. It was hard to describe but it was a glaze that I haven't caught before
As I changed my eyes back to the blue creatures they were already retreating, half running in the opposite direction, It was almost too pathetic to watch. They must have seen the ferocity in Muto's face and that powerful warrior stance he was making, and thought he was to powerful to mess with.
I owe this man my life,
"Thank you, without you I would have been dead by now"
Muto's Perspective
As soon as I asked Creature Fey what he did, he seemed to make a grim expression, I understood there and then that It was not worth asking more about that. We continued walking a couple of meters and suddenly 4 new creatures jumped down from the tree tops, these large creatures I know them from Fariz town east of the forest, these are the Asura race, known for being ruthless robbers, taking everything from a person. There is no mistake that height and that blue skin it is certainly the Asura race.
When I looked over at Fey he shows no expression of surprise, he is inspecting the creature like it is a animal, just like him, I have almost seen no emotions from this creature, but his eyes, those kind eyes, they are telling the truth of his face.
One of the Asura tribe men seem to be stepping foward, maybe we can negotiate out of this?, I have heard Asura battle strength is pretty high and I can't fight 4 off them even if I was an amazing hunter.
"What are you small people doing in this dangerous forest?"
I am small compared to them, but fey is a very little creature compared to them, he must be scared. I have to speak up to appear strong, it is the duty of a hunter to always appear strong. I need to initiate battle position first though,
"We are going north out of this forest, so could you let us pass?"
They are laughing, this is not good they might bring some out insane terms and then force us to pay in some way.
"Should we say 2 crystal coins?"
2 crystal coins?!!!, One can buy at least 4 houses with that kind of money how can they possible think that we that kind of money or they might not want money at all, can it be that they are playing with us?, I have 3 silver coins on me maybe that will be enough for now. Please work.
"We do not have that kind of money, you can have 3 silver coins is this agreeable."
This is bad, They are now all laughing, they will probably attack, I need to prepare myself. Isusi battle style will probably be the best against creatures this big, I must protect Fey, will I be able to? I am shacking how can I even protect myself let alone fey.
"Then we will loot of your bodies"
Owh shit, we are screwed, should we run?, no they will catch us, think, think, think I must protect creature Fey it's the duty of the strong.
"I guess we have to kill them."
What is he saying, but when I look over at Fey, the warm hearted boy is nowhere to be seen, the kind eyes, gone. Before my eyes is something else, something extremely dark, that face, they whole aura around him, is itching to kill the creatures in front, how can I feel that killing intent too such a degree, how can one want to kill someone with such passion..
As he goes down to pick up a weapon I look up at the Asura tribe, the look in their face, grim, can it be that they too can feel that killing intent?, but they are far away how can it be?
They seems to be running, creature Fey, you truly are scary, that face, why does death reflect in your eyes.
"Thank you, without you I would have been dead by now"
Why is he thanking me,
Was I even needed here?