*

“Bugger all this for a game of soldiers…” I muttered to myself, cradling my aching head. My vision was blurry.

I blinked. My blurred vision suddenly focused again, not that it was a solid improvement.

That was because all around me was nothing but fog, thick enough to make a pathfinder lose his way. I was clearly standing on solid ground, but I wasn’t even able to see my feet. Like last time, a broad-tipped lance was standing tall and proud, never falling. Looks like I’m back in that world again…

My head suddenly didn’t ache as much as I took in the sights around me.

BACK SO SOON?

I turned, and saw the silhouette of what I supposed was the spirit of my Ash White spear shaft, his features obscured by the fog. This time, however, it seemed that he was clad in tattered robes, a detail I hadn’t been aware of during my last visit to the Foggy World. His physique was also a lot bulkier than I had remembered. Has he been working out? If so, I want to know how he does it, I thought glumly to myself, looking down at my own body, which was far less muscular. That pissed me off a bit, because no matter how I tried, I never gained much muscle.

I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT LANCE WOULD COME WITH YOU… Shaft continued wistfully. OH YES, SHE IS CURRENTLY MANIFESTED IN THE HUMAN WORLD. I FORGOT, HOW SILLY OF ME.

Well, he was as absent minded as ever… I grinned as I replied: “I wasn’t planning to come back here for some time either, but a werewolf had other plans. Remind me to get a new fur coat when I get back.”

OF COURSE, Shaft said as he leaned against the standing lance and made himself comfortable. WELL, SINCE YOU ARE HERE, PERHAPS YOU MIGHT HELP ME RELIEVE MY BOREDOM. THE LASS WAS MORE ON THE QUIET SIDE, AND I DON’T GET MANY GUESTS THESE DAYS…

… It seems like being a spear spirit is a very lonely occupation.

“Do you have any more hints for that quest then?” I figured I may as well use my time here constructively.

LET’S NOT TALK ABOUT THAT. THE MERE THOUGHT OF THAT QUEST GIVES ME A HEADACHE.

Well damn it.

A SPAR WOULD BE THE BEST TO HELP ME STAVE MY BOREDOM, BUT YOU AREN’T EXACTLY THE MOST SKILLED OPPONENT, Shaft mused to himself. I CAN OFFER TO GIVE YOU TIPS BUT TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE HERE… AH, I KNOW WHAT WE CAN TALK ABOUT. IS YOUR EARTHLY SHELL STILL CAUSING YOU TROUBLE?

“Are you referring to ‘Berserk Impulse’? The skill is troublesome, but it has been a great help to me so far in tight corners.” I recalled the previous times I had been under the effect of that skill. It was certainly a skill at a Cheat Key level, boosting my STR, Fighting Spirit and Regenerative ability by a large amount while improving my fighting capability. Earthly Shell, which I now dubbed the “me under the effects of Berserk Impulse”, was a way better fighter than I was.

But such a power came at a steep cost. Earthly Shell was a powerful fighter and a good ally to have on your side, but he... could be a bit of a wrecking ball when he got involved. It was actually because of him that I was on the run from bounty hunters, set upon me by the angry members of a punitive raid that I had accidentally made fail. As powerful as the skill was, it most certainly wasn’t worth the trouble.

WHAT IF… THERE IS A WAY TO ACTUALLY CONTROL THE EARTHLY SHELL DESPITE YOUR CONSCIOUSNESS BEING STUCK HERE WHERE IT CANNOT INTERVENE? WOULD YOU LIKE THAT?

Huh? Was there something like that? And you are doing the whole “mind-reading” thing again, Shaft!!

I looked up at Shaft, thinking that I had finally seen the light of an angel shining down on the most unfortunate me. Unfortunately, with all I could see from him being a silhouette, I just saw the bright but creepy-looking smile of Mephistopheles instead. Quite the contrast, if you ask me.

My vision blurred again. Perhaps I ought to up the Panadol dosage; this was becoming a recurring problem… Oh wait, I don’t have a headache. Perhaps I should go see a psychiatrist then?

Shaft sighed again.

HAAA…THE EFFECTS OF THE SKILL MUST BE WEARING OFF, YOUR CONSCIOUSNESS IS BEING CALLED BACK. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU TRY AND MAKE YOUR VISITS MUCH LONGER THAN THIS. ACTUALLY TRY TO ARRANGE THEM PROPERLY INSTEAD OF DROPPING BY HAPHAZARDLY LIKE THIS.

“Can Lance still contact you while she is being manifested?” I asked.

SHE COULD, BUT SHE HASN’T CONTACTED ME YET. HONESTLY, I TAKE HER IN AND GIVE HER A PROPER HOME, AND THIS IS HOW SHE THANKS ME? SHE WILL FEEL THE FLAT OF MY HAND ON HER BOTTOM FOR THIS.

Oh my… Shaft could be a little bit of a pervert… I really didn’t want to be Lance when Shaft was like this.

LET ME THINK.... YES, TRY TO ARRANGE A LONGER DURATION NEXT TIME. I'LL EXPLAIN THE METHOD FOR CONTROLLING YOUR EARTHLY SHELL TO YOU THEN. GET LANCE TO CONTACT ME BEFOREHAND.

"I will."

My vision worsened, and soon became black for like… the 2nd time in the row today.

**

*

And for the 2nd time today, I had a bugger of a headache as I found myself back in the “Human World”, as Shaft would have put it.

Shaking my head to stave off the disorientation, I looked around. It seemed that we were still in the Howler's Pass, but in a different area of it. I pushed myself up and looked around, noting the many caves that dotted the canyon walls.

Tante was sitting in a corner, her flag leaning against the wall. She looked up when she noticed that I had awakened.

"Welcome back, sleepyhead." Tante teased in a playful voice. "Looks like you are feeling better?"

"Still have a blinder of a headache. It's too bad the game doesn't have aspirin." I replied casually. My head was still aching dully.

"About that... do you suffer from split personality disorder or something?" Tante asked, her smile replaced by a serious expression. It looks like this was not the time to be joking around now.

"It's a long story." It had been quite a while since I first obtained the skill via the Nomadic Imprint trait.

"Well, I have time, and from the looks of it, we are safe here for the moment. You best tell me about it, and I won't take 'No' for an answer. You have caused me trouble then and again, and I think I deserve the truth."

Tante's expression brooked no refusal. I sighed to myself and began to gather my thoughts.

"Alright. The truth then." I said.

"The truth." Tante echoed, agreeing with me.

**

I told her about how I obtained the skill at the very beginning and my life with it until now. Tante listened attentively, only interrupting at certain points to ask questions.

When I had finished my story, she mulled over it for a bit before speaking again.

"This has to do with your whatever-spirit, right?" She asked.

"It does."

"And you are sent to some spirit world or something each time you are under the skill's effect?"

"That is the case."

"Are you sure you are not lying through your teeth or something? Because that has got to be the craziest story I have ever heard."

"GIVE ME BACK MY WASTED BREATH AND TIME, DAMMIT!!"

Tante grinned happily before continuing: "But it is crazy enough that I can believe it somewhat. We are in an MMORPG after all."

I take back what I just said. I wish my older sister was as understanding as you!!

"What a troublesome class you have."

"Indeed."

"Well then, we will just have to work with it then. Your story just gave me a good idea. Come on!!" Tante had an evil grin on her face as she dragged me down the pass.

But I also wish that you weren't that crazy or scary. I would rather face my sister’s book right now than have to go along with one of Tante's crazy crusades...

***

*

Wisp had been running for a pretty long time, ignoring the fact that his satiety bar was running dangerously low. His stamina and sustenance stats had actually jumped by a few points during his journey, a clear indicator of the long distance he has travelled.

It was as if he believed that he could ignore the vicious aching in his belly if he just ran and ran without stopping.

He occasionally stopped to rest, drinking a draught of water and nibbling on several pieces of rye bread that he had managed to buy using the meager savings left in his possession. He dared not purchase any more food other than that. The rye bread tasted stale and dry, but to Wisp it tasted like the sweetest honeycomb, especially after it was softened a little bit with the water.

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“Uh… Chosen One, we have been running for a really long time. Don’t you think that it would a good time to stop and rest for a little bit?” one of the karpoi that had been following closely behind him spoke, concern in its squeaky voice. It didn’t seem all that winded by the long trip.

“We have already rested several times during the trip. We have to make it to the next city before my supplies run out…” Wisp replied easily, his confident voice belying his ragged and exhausted condition.

“You should at least try and rest for a while, that you should. We will be coming up to Howler’s Pass in a few hours at your current pace, and you should be in peak condition if we are to get through the pass unscathed, Chosen One.” another karpoi urged.

“For crying out loud, guys, how many times do I have to tell you that I’m not your chosen one?!” Wisp shouted angrily, only for his legs to lose strength and cause him to topple over. He laid there weakly for a few seconds, unable to move a single limb.

“You see? You are most reckless, Chosen One, that you are. You shall rest here, that you shall. We will get you sustenance, that we will.” The oldest among the Karpoi spoke in a husky (but still very high-pitched) voice. He moved his hands in several quick but graceful gestures, and several karpoi scurried off in search of food.

“Ugh…” Wisp could only push himself up to a sitting position, and he buried his head in his hands.

How did he end up in this pitiable position, he wanted to cry and lament. All he recalled was a feast held by his party members after a particularly successful dungeon raid, his fellow members getting a little bit too drunk after a cup too many, their incessant nagging for him to take a sip, his reluctant first sip of alcohol in so many years, and then…

**

“Ho… this is the first in many years I have seen a liver of such impressive caliber. Indeed, you are a man after my own heart. But what is this? Hmmmm… this is very interesting, yes indeed.” A powerful voice rumbled in my mind like a thunderstorm, but the tone sounded casual, amused even.

“W-W-Who are y-y-you?” I managed to mumble groggily, my head feeling like it was about to burst from the pain.

“You are a very interesting individual indeed. Your first time drinking in so many years, and you actually managed to drink everyone under the table? I’m surprised that you even escaped my sight for so long, but for no longer. You shall be my chosen, and what a worthy choice you will make. Will you accept my blessing? Although, young man, I won’t take ‘no’ for an answer.”

“I-I-It does-sn’t mat-t-t-ter m-m-much to m-me anyway. I –“ I stumbled my way through my reply but I forced out the last two syllables properly. “Accept.”

“INTERESTING!! VERY WELL, YOUNG MAN, YOU SHALL TAKE ON A DOUBLE PORTION OF MY BLESSING THEN!! TAKE IT AND BE GRATEFUL!!”

A bright light, and my vision went black.

***

“You will eat, that you will.” the karpoi elder spoke again as the group of karpoi returned, burdened with a large bundle of fruit. Wisp eyed the fruit with a hungry look on his face, but he stayed his hand.

“How am I supposed to know that the fruit is not poisonous?” He asked with suspicion in his voice.

“Chosen one, we have your best interests at heart, we have.” the elder sounded really concern, but his concern could have been a declaration of love for all Wisp cared, as he ignored the fruit and took out a piece of rye bread and gnawing hungrily at it.

“What a stubborn chosen one you are.” the elder sighed and gave a small smile.

“I must uphold the values inculcated in me back at the temple.” Wisp replied as he chewed slowly on a chunk of hard bread that he managed to tear off, relishing the piece as he rolled it over his tongue.

“Values are good, they are, Chosen One, but you must learn to cut loose a little bit.” the elder muttered to himself. As expected, his advice was ignored, but he spoke up anyway.

“If you will not eat, at least rest, Chos- no, Wisp.” the elder changed tone and spoke gently. “Your shifu will not thank me or you if you fall heavily ill while attempting that admirable task. Even if you reject your chosen path, we will still follow you until the end of our days. At least it beats having to stand still at a field all day.”

Wisp’s expression softened at that, and he attempted, unsuccessfully, to put a small smile on his face.

“Yeah… at least it does.”

Wisp had met the karpoi back when he was just starting out at a quiet village, while he was working on a field for a farmer. With his newfound shaman powers, he struck up a conversation with the grain spirits that lived there. The karpoi were confounded by this, since it was the first time someone actually bothered to do that.

Karpoi were one of the weaker nature spirits, and had little to no combat ability whatsoever. What they did have, however, was an ability that can augment the growing of crops, but it had so little application in conventional means of combat that most shamans, who were pretty rare and low in number in the first place, did not even bother communicating with them, let alone making a contract with them.

However, Wisp, who didn’t know any better, chose to make that contract, their first in many months. And of course, the karpoi that lived on that particular piece of land, whom didn’t have a contract with any shaman up until now, thought that it must have been a sign from the Fighting Goddess of Agriculture Ceres, and thus began to follow Wisp like a little cult of cereal killers (excuse the pun).

And they did have the potential to be cereal killers (yes, I’m still sticking with that pun, deal with it) if they put their little minds to it; an entire group of karpoi, armed with their ability to grow crops, will probably kill a rabbit… in about 10 minutes, assuming that they don’t get eaten first.

And now, Wisp, who had woken up the next day with a minimal case of hangover and not discovering the changes in his skill set and class until they went back to hunt... had probably found some use for them.

No, I’m not referring to their use as servants.

Wisp rested his exhausted and tired limbs for an hour or so, and he checked his stamina and satiety bar, which had both been restored to a satisfactory level. His maximum stamina has dropped considerably due to the massive amounts of fatigue built up, but it could be completely restored with appropriate rest.

Wisp continued to jog along the edge of the forest for an hour or so, and the forested area was soon replaced by hilly terrain. Before his eyes lay the entrance to Howler’s Pass.

“Are you sure that it’s fine to go in alone like this?” one of the karpoi asked with an apprehensive voice.

“It should be fine if we just dash through.” Wisp replied. “According to the map here, the Pass takes about 7 hours to traverse on foot, and that’s if our pace is good. It would have been better to try and get a party or a caravan to follow, but I’m running out of supplies and time. We’ll get to the nearest city at the border, and that is where we can finally rest and recuperate.”

Secretly, the karpoi felt differently about this, but nonetheless Wisp was their Chosen One after all, and they had sworn under oath (or rather, under threat of death from the elder) to follow him throughout his entire journey. And as was mentioned over and over again, it was a lot more exciting than just standing around in a rice field all day.

The karpoi could have been said to be very content being at the field, but at the same time they were incredibly bored.

Wisp jogged to the entrance of the pass, taking out a totem and channeling his mana through it.

“O Spirit of the Charge, grant me the use of thy strength and speed.” He intoned, and felt an incredible amount of energy coursing through his body. It was one of the very first spirit contracts that he had made, but he rarely used it due to the incredible amount of backlash he received soon after. Now was probably the most appropriate time to be using it.

He prepared to run his way through. For the safety of the karpoi, he had them transform back into bales of wheat, which he packed away in his inventory. He took his position…

And dashed off at incredible speed, the bull spirit granting him a recklessly fast and powerful charge as he sped off into the pass…

… and ran right into a giant boulder that had been conveniently placed in the middle.

“A boulder? No wait… if it was I could have seen it, and even broken through it thanks to the power of the Bull Spirit...” Wisp thought groggily as he looked at at the humanoid shape that he had run into.

“Gi-giant!!”

And then a gauntleted fist grabbed him by the collar, and he was dragged along like a rag doll.