The revelation of my Divine Art has overdid itself as a lubricant more than I expected. The floodgates were open and Hyx began spilling the bean and recounting his tale from the time he was reincarnated till this current moment. He sounded like he has been waiting to share this to someone from the same world as him and also someone he could trust. I guess I kinda fall into the criteria?
Neglecting his aloof mood of recalling his horrifying and sorrowful history, his life until now has been a shit show, to put it in layman terms. Sympathy was welling within me but that’s what you get for making a deal with the devil, figuratively speaking. At the peak of his isolation and desolation, he made a deal for freedom in exchange for becoming a God’s champion. I’m not one to judge and I don’t have the privilege of doing so considering I kinda did the same thing.
Putting his background aside, something about him has been bugging me for quite some time now. I have noticed how his hands are always shaking and trembling intermittently for no apparent reason but hearing his story made me understand. His trembling hands are the reminder and residue of his past.
In the end, all’s well, ends well. Although he isn’t exactly leading a perfect life but his life couldn’t have been better now. As for his sudden deep trust for me, it stemmed from the memory of the First Beast, a primordial being which he’s fused with. The name Abaddon is shrouded in the histories but a name that had once brought comfort and peace. She was once one of the leading faith until time changes everything like always but among her peers, she’s known to be the most credible and obligated. An apostle of such Goddess couldn’t possibly be a bad person, that was Hyx’s reasoning. Seems like his depended Goddess and mine might have some sort of history. His emergence as the Harbinger and my summoning as the Abaddon’s champion is too much of a simple coincidence. For all I know, Abaddon might have anticipated that my path would cross with this person.
Although we came from the same world, our conversation couldn’t be steer into such direction. In spite of his ability to recall a ancient memory, he had trouble remembering things from his time on Earth. Everything was a blur, he told me. He compared his archived memories to Jenga. One sloppy move could topple the whole setup. I can’t speak fully for his circumstances but he seemed to have wrong priorities regarding his memories.
“And mind you, I’m not a vegetarian by choice, kinda.”
He has suddenly added while concluding his retelling. Although I wasn’t bothered by his diet but he’s very emphasizing on it. We are in the forest in the dead of the night. Summer is here but it didn’t make the night any less chilly. The fact that we are walking close a running river didn’t help to raise the temperature. I’m in simple attire without my armor and I couldn’t be bothered with the trivia stuff in this cold but my social anxiety dictates me to listen to him till the end. I hate to admit it but I’m someone who always get dragged by the flow.
Turns out, consuming flesh or meat grants him the attributes and features from the owner of the flesh, physically, spiritually, or even mentally. Although he does have some control over it but the higher the intelligence of the one he ate, the harder is it for him to control. He learned it the hard way when they hunted a Greenshine Monkey. They are an intelligent bunch and capable of communicating with humans much like Capuchin Monkeys and Dolphins. As a result, he developed their profound night vision and their tendency to sleep and traverse on trees. It took him a few days for those urges to subside but even then, those urges are crawling on the walls, begging to be let out.
“But didn’t you ate humans before? You did told me you ate a woman before, no?”
Only after I brought it up, I realized my question has sounded way too morbid.
“I did.” He answered with his head held low.
Ah… Did I stepped on a landmine? In response to my slip up, I shrink my head.
“But humans are different though. Rather than their base instincts or any special physical features, I inherit their memories instead.”
One’s character is often formed from the experiences one gained. Doesn’t that mean he inherits their personality too?
“I know what you want to ask,” he said to me. “I do inherit their personality and attitude. Of course, I can draw a line between what’s theirs and what’s mine but continuous probe into the foreign memories will only blur the line.”
“So just don’t probe?” I gave an airy response.
“What an excellent idea. Why didn’t I think of that?”
I rolled my eyes. “Okay, you don’t need to be an asshole.”
“If I tell you to don’t think of elephants, what would you think of?”
Irrelevant as his words might sounds, his point got through. “I see.” Although he was only trying to reach an understanding with me, his tone made me want to chin him. Seriously, I wonder how did that beautiful Nephilim woman fell in love with this person. For the whole time I spent with him, nothing about him strikes me as someone who’s charismatic and of leader material but yet, his companion’s trust over him seems to borderline fanatical. If he truly isn’t just fibbing, he claims to have been sharing a bed with the Nephilim almost on a nightly basis.
I have doubts but I recall the expression of the Nephilim. Besides her unparalleled beauty, her gentle facade looks to be a mask for the insatiable desire expression that I couldn’t help but notice. If she has the look of someone who only wants more, he might be boasting instead of fibbing.
His words reek of a playboy’s manner but he’s just being terribly honest. I have been hit on several occasions and I can differentiate if someone’s into me or just being friendly. Hyx only serves to muddy that perception of mine. It stinks to admit but it kinda hurts my woman pride when I’m not being hit on by someone with abundant of experience.
Sex is the height of ecstasy, or so I’m told. In fictions, a woman can be broken from the sheer pleasure sex has to offer, even if the act wasn’t consented by both parties. I don’t know how much truth or how much fantasy went into these frequent delusional claims, my meagre experience with men made me skeptical. Although I did loved my now ex-boyfriend while our relationship last, sex with him was unsatisfying if I’m being mild. It was my first time and it hurt. He claimed to have done some research for our first time but his research was terrible. In some fictional piece, having a large piece seems to be the crucial thing for a woman’s pleasure and hitting the end of the womanhood was the key… Horseshit.
Not to say my ex had a big one but...
It hurts. Instead of my g-spot, he went as deep as possible, with each thrust accompanying further pain. I complained but he promised me that the pain will subside. We did have foreplay but it was only five minutes I believe and I was wet but not that wet. And the sweat that accumulate from the heated session was disgusting. Going down on your partner took more courage than I expected. Is one thing to be hearing and reading about it but, I don’t think I have it in me to put something vulgar like that into my mouth. In the end, I didn’t and I didn’t allow him to do so either. I applauded the ones who are willing to go down on their partner.
To sum up the entirety, my first time had been horrible. I have no doubt sex can be pleasurable but my first partner was just no good. Not to mention, I didn’t even reach my climax but he did. Although, I have heard that a woman not reaching orgasm on their first is normal. However, not only was it unsatisfying, it even hurt. First impressions are important, I can truly see that now. Due to this, I’m not that looking forward to another session and as of now, I’m not particularly in need of a man’s comfort during night.
“Hya~!” I let out a scream when something cold envelop my face. It’s only cold water but this is totally uncalled for. “What was that for?!”
“Don’t blame me. You were so out of it that you weren’t responding to my calls.” Hyx told me, bluntly.
“C-couldn’t you just nudge me?” I stuttered at the beginning but my anger has covered it up. Although I’m angry but I do realize my voice is kinda low to be of any impact.
“I wanted to hear you shriek. ” A grin formed on his reply.
This little shit. What is wrong with him? Where did all his reserve went? He wasn’t this brazen a few minutes ago.
“And you…” he looked away while scratching the back of his neck. “You look strangely erotic and flustered when you’re out of it. I guess that kinda tempted me to try something mischievous.”
Once those words register in my mind, red fills my face and I turn my face away. “I-I didn’t n-need to know that.”
“I understand I understand. Every person has their needs. Some even feel lonely at night. Well, I’ll be sure to be considerate of your privacy when we get back. I’ll even ignore the weird noise coming out from your room, on an off chance you’ll be comforting yourself.”
I want to explode but being the kind of person I am, I can only grind my teeth against his harassment.
It’s vexing that laws against Sekuhara[1] are pretty lax in this world. It’s terrible for a woman. If a woman wants justice, she will have to serve it herself.
I don’t think Hyx has any room for complain even if I hit him now. My hand flies at him like a viper thrusting at it prey… Eh? My fingers pass through his head. There was no feeling on my skin when I passed through him. It’s like he’s nothing more than an illusion.
“Don’t bother. I’m a Spatial Magic practitioner, remember?”
I couldn’t care less about what tricks he has, I just want slap that smirk off his face.
While we are throwing our wits at each other and with occasional tries of hitting him, our feet had carry us over to a clearing with a pond that acts as the basin for a waterfall. The air is sparkling with tiny splashes made from the descent of the waterfall. Couple with the night star smeared with stars, it’s simply an amazing sight to behold. The flowers on the riverbed even glow.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
It’s beautiful and romantic but it only makes me question Hyx’s motive off bring me out for walk in the dead of the night. On the off chance that he decides to push me down and have his way with me, I don’t think I can do anything to stop him. I’m well-aware of our power level gap. I shudder at the worst outcome.
Noticing my suspicious glare, he sighed and pointed at the pond.
“Notice that ripple?”
I follow his finger and find ripples forming on the surface of the water. They aren’t from the waterfall splash and the size of the ripples are too big for a small drop. The ripples are moving like a snake slithering across land.
Wait…
“Is that why you invited me for a walk?” I asked.
“Not initially. I took notice when we’re strolling and figured, hey, couldn’t hurt to get some light exercise.”
Light exercise? In the middle of a night? Right after dinner? That’s…. whimsical. But… he noticed the monster lurking underneath the water before me. How? Why couldn’t I sense it until the moment I saw the ripples. Even now, the monster’s presence is faint and I won’t be able to sense it if I don’t concentrate. Does my radar not work underwater or does the monster has some special ability to avoid my detection?
I have no doubt that it will be a cinch for me to deal with the monster even without Talia but unlike the other ground-dwelling monsters, this one serves no danger to us. This pond connects to the river near the cottage but the river enroute is just too narrow for it to traverse. Simply put, there’s no point in killing this monster.
“Please tell me we’re not doing this for sports.”
“We’re not. We’re doing this for the dough.”
I see. He intends to sell the corpse, or rather, parts of this monster as materials to the Adventurer’s Guild. Judging from the size of it, it can actually fetch quite some price.
“You ready?” He asked as he took out a small knife through his Item-box ability. Doesn’t seem like he was bragging when he told me his abilities are mainly Spatial Magic.
For me, I draw out Avent from Arms Inventory. This sword will be more than enough for this level of monster.
“Oh damn, is that Moon Silver?”
I’m pretty sure he has some sort of appraisal-type ability so that question must have been rhetorical. “Can we just get on with it?”
“Alright alright.” He waved off my rush and drew blood on his palm with the knife. His movement is swift. I was blank for a moment.
What the fuck is he doing?!
As I bark in my mind, the monster unveils itself, breaking through the water surface. Its nose twitched before turning to our direction. A physique of an overgrown snake with navy blue scales. Text boxes pop out with details of the monster’s identity and information. An adult Water Serpent with a power ranking of B. It only has Water Magic and Mana Control but a monster with even one Arcane Art is a threat that should be taken with absolute. Monster’s magic abilities often differs to the human’s magic counterpart after all.
Looks like Hyx drew it out with his blood.
Hmm? It’s faint but I see tiny sparkles of light floating around his bleeding hand. I’m not certain of those are but if matches any description in my memories, it would be Spirits but one should not be able to see Spirits without the Spirit Seer magic. His wound heals in an instance while leaving traces of steam. The faint sparkling lights faded with his wound. Did his blood drew in the Spirits?
“What are you waiting for? Chinese New Year?” Hyx asked as I was dazzle by the light fluffs around his hand. I can’t help but roll my eyes. What is he? Automated Insult Dispenser? The Water Serpent growls at our intrusion into its territory.
I notice Hyx doesn’t seem to have any intention of moving. “You’re not gonna fight it?”
“I want to see how well you perform without the aid of that Mondra. If you intend to fight that Q’nu again, show me what you can do.” He said and disappear from my sight. Poof, vanished into thin air, literally. It’s like he has ceased to exist. I distinctively remember reading something about Spatial Magic having the best stealth capability but…
WHY THE HELL ARE YOU TELLING ME THIS NOW?!
The corner of my vision flashes red like an emergency indicator as I stare at the empty air. It’s the Water Serpent, baring its jaws wide, rushing at me. Lightning envelopes my body and the Water Serpent crunch down on solid ground, effortlessly. It looks thin but the bite force is no joke. Thank god, I chose to escape with Lightning Walk, a Lightning Magic that increase my speed tremendously.
While the Water Serpent is still recovering, I use Wind Slash to end it at once… or so was my intention. Wind Slash did nothing to the Water Serpent. No, it did do something but only by a little amount. It was a meagre one percent shave of its HP. Looking back at the information shown, the Water Serpent seems to be under the effect, Azure Scale, an advance level defensive Water Magic. Not something I expected from a B-rank monster. With further inspection, the defensive magic doesn’t seem like it will be going out anytime soon.
The Mana within the snake monster surge, the impetus for a spell cast. Seconds later, it unleashes a highly pressurize beam of water. I dodge it with Lightning Walk but the beam persists as it chase after me. Once it’s over, I switch to the offensive and go for the Water Serpent. With boost from Aerial Drive and Gale Rush, I reach the Water Serpent in seconds, preparing to swing Avent.
However, the Water Serpent dove back into the water and just like that, I lost track of it. I don’t know why but it’s capable of eluding a God-tier tracking ability.
“A monster’s strength excels the most in their domain and serpent-type monsters tend to be cunning and unpredictable.” Hyx’s voice came out from nowhere to tell me so. I’ve been taught of this but I have forgotten about it. What a blunder.
Taking the advice to heart, I appraise the waters too and holy shit, the pond itself is enchanted by different kinds Water Magic, all seems to give the Water Serpent an edge.
Standing above the pond with Sky Step, I scan for the Water Serpent. I can’t pinpoint its location but I know it’s still in the vicinity.
I reacted automatically at a ripple. Immediately after, stingers made of solidify water rise at me. They are fast but not too fast for me. I cut them down with Avent but that’s when the Water Serpent strikes.
Luckily, I’m swung with one hand, leaving my other hand free. I send a straight at the charging Water Serpent with my spectral right arm, enchanted with Supreme Might. I hit it square in between its two nostrils.
The air broke from my punch. The Water Serpent flew away as it carried its whole body along. It lost ten percent of its HP with just that punch. Damn, a Dragon’s strength is no joke. I flex my right hand for any after effects from the punch but it doesn’t seem like there’s any. Probably because there are no bones, muscles, or tendons in a spectral arm.
The Water Serpent quickly shakes off its fatigue from the punch and recovers its missing health thanks to the enchantments of the pond but I’m not discourage. Even though the Water Serpent has all the advantages for being in its home field, the gap in our potential and strength is just too much for those to matter. I’m slightly irk that I’m left to take this monster down alone but at the same time, it gives me the opportunity to try my Lightning Magic.
Looks like I do not need Avent after all. I store it back into Arms Inventory.
I summon a spear made of lightning called Thunder Spear into my hand. I know of this spell because I have seen it being used before. It’s only adept level thought but it’s more than enough. Providing that it hit off course.
As I suspected, the Water Serpent went for a long range attack. It uses the same highly pressurize water beam from before.
In the basic of the five elements of elemental magic, water beats fire and lightning beats water. With the difference in power, its water jet stood no chance against my Thunder Spear. It drills through the beam and straight at the Water Serpent, carving a hole through.
So much for being unpredictable.
Skill Point(s) gained +2
Ability Point(s) gained +2
I expected more from a boss-like monster but per the basic rules of leveling games, it will only get more difficult to climb onto the next level with each step.
Just as I begin to take a breather, rain is poured over me. Literally. Another Water Serpent…. No, three more of them appear from within the pond. And they are the opposite of happy. I have no doubts I will have an easy time but I’m still no seasoned warrior. Things like this still cause me to hesitate.
I expected the water-jet beam when the opened their mouth but only one of them breathed out the water-jet beam. The other let out a cluster shot of water bullets. The spell names appeared beside them but I’m too bust to take notice. Even with Lightning Walk, I did not came out unscathed.
“I have told you. Q’nu doesn’t stop evolving and adapting. If only this much intimidates you, you will not last a minute against Valuma the next time. Stop getting surprise at the unexpected. Your brief second of astonishment will be the moment the Q’nu will aim for.”
It stings but it’s true. Perhaps it stings because it’s true. No matter how much odds I have in my favor over the opposing force, I can never fully harness my confidence. Inferiority complex and social anxiety comes hand in hand. Now that I’m about to face a real challenge in the future, unlike everything before, I can feel that these two weakness of mine would really be the death of me.
You know what… I might just be able to grow out of my shell if I stay by him. He might be a bit of an ass but he understands.
“Understood,” I responded as I coat myself with Mystic Skin. “Let’s do this.”
But as I plan my next attack, four more of the Water Serpents appeared and surrounded me. A text box pops up beside them. It reads; Mana Camouflage. All of the four have their mouth wide opened, preparing to unleash god knows what at me. Unpredictable, that’s what Hyx had told me just seconds ago and yet, I didn’t seem to truly realize its meaning.
My heart panicked and my brain froze. Am I gonna lose? Am I gonna die? What do I do?
I’m at a loss.
“Don’t be, Shizuka. You are not alone.”
Suddenly, Talia’s voice reaches me.
“Call out to me.”
At her words, I wish for Talia to be in my hands.
“I’m here.”
And there she is, in all her glory, in right hand at the next instance. Without anymore exchange of words, I withdraw Talia to my waist, bending my knees, going into a drawing stance. At the same time, the spells left the Water Serpents’ mouth.
However, it’s far too late.
Vorpal Draw, Full Moon.
I draw and swing Talia in a full motion of a circle, cutting down the spells and the Water Serpents.
Skill Point(s) gained +8
Ability Point(s) gained +8
Cunning. Unpredictable.
These two words float in my mind. I immediately cast six Lightning Aegis to surround me on all sides. And just as I have suspected, the remaining three Water Serpents are gone when I looked back at their direction.
Three streams of water-jet beams came from underwater, drawing scratches on the Lightning Aegis.
“That’s it.”
I heard Hyx’s praise but my mind didn’t wander off from the current situation.
“Come on, I’m ready for you all.”
I muttered under my breath, and my mouth which is often frowning solemnly with a tinge fear but now, I seemed to have unconsciously broke into a grin.
Hirano Shizuka's Status Information
Name
Hirano Shizuka
Status
Exhaustion: Mild
Contracted: Talia Lox
HP
600
MP
300
Age
17
Class / Job
Scout Hero
Dragon Knght
Gender & Race
Female / Human
Standing
Hero of Zerogian
Arcane Arts
Magic Melee Arts – Lv. 5
Body Strengthening – Lv. 4
Wind Magic – Lv. 5
Spirit Magic – Lv. 2
Lightning Magic - Lv. 10
Water Magic - Lv. 1
Aerial Dance - Lv. 3
Legacy
Dragon Mystic Arts - Lv. 2
Unique
Tempest Wings - Lv. 2
Title & Deeds
Abaddon’s Apostle
Scout Hero
The Elusive One
Demon Slayer
The Audacious One
Resolute One
Mondra's Companion
Dragon Blade
Overall Power Ranking
S
Effective Combat Strength
1990
Attack - 400
Defense - 250
Magic - 340
Resistance - 200
Speed - 600
Remaining Skill Points: 16 (6 ~ 16)
Remaining Ability Points: 12 (2 ~ 12)