To start it off. Not dead. Enjoy.
Arc 2 Chapter 1: Meeting with the Heroes (1)
Subtitle: Are you a cheat?
I laid on the bed tiredly. My body felt really sore from Freyja messing with me. I couldn’t help but shudder as I remembered her fingers as they slid throughout my body. I instantly shook my head. Nope, nope. Can’t get distracted now. I finally have enough rest to at least meet with the other heroes.
*knock* Knock*
The door opened slightly as a girl with orange hair peeked through.
“Master, the heroes are here.”
“Please let them in.”
As she opened the door, Sara walked up to me and took a knee. It was… really embarrassing since I’m still not used to people doing this. Even the villagers that became our maids did this.
“Ah… please stand up. I’m really not used to people kneeling to me.”
She smiled.
“I’m sorry master. I know how nice you are, but this is the only way a knight can show there loyalty towards their master. That’s why please allow me this freedom.”
I sighed.
“It’s not like I’m ordering you anyway, plus I really just want you to do what you want. So I guess its fine.”
She smiled as she stood up behind me. I then looked towards the door and saw three people enter. One was a girl dressed in a miko and samurai armor hybrid attire. She had black hair and brown eyes. She looked a bit childish, but you could see that she was a person with experience in the battlefield. The other one was a beautiful tanned girl. She had red eyes, though it was lighter than mine and had flowing black hair. She wore what seemed to be an assassin clothes, though the plated armor on several areas showed she wasn’t an assassin. Maybe a close range specialist. Lastly, a boy could be seen. He had red curly hair and blue eyes. He looked young, but something told me he was older. Maybe around his early twenties.
“Hello heroes. My name is Catalea also known as Bryan. Right now, I’m currently stuck in this form so please bear with it for a bit. Aside from that, I’m pleased to finally meet you all.”
I gave them a smile. They all seemed to stare at me, their faces red. That’s a weird reaction.
“Um… Hello, it’s nice to meet you Catalea san. My name is Horie.”
The miko girl bowed awkwardly and looked like she was about to trip. I gave a light giggle before turning to the rest.
“My name is Cynthia. Pleasure to meet you.”
Cynthia walked up to me and presented her hand. I took it and shook hands with her. I could feel she was sweating, probably because she’s nervous. I wonder why? I’m sure my bloodlust is currently turned off right now. I then looked towards the last hero. He just stared at me… more like he was looking at my chest. I snapped my hands in front of him. He seemed to understand what just happened and began bowing towards me.
“I’m sorry for being rude… It’s just. You’re really pretty.”
Ugh… I really want to transform back. Can’t I transform already? Don’t I have enough mana already? It’s already been two weeks, so why can’t I changed back yet? Plus, what the heck do you mean pretty? My chest? Hello, I have face you know? I’m not just some object to be stared at… I silently cried on the inside as I kept smiling towards them.
“Thank you for the complement, may I know your name?”
“Um… it’s Kayden. Just Kayden. I don’t really like saying my last name since it’s too long.”
I also shook his hand. He was even more nervous than the other girl. He then stood back to where his companions stood.
“I understand. Now that introductions out of the way, let’s get down to business… actually, is your brother Yuusuke not coming?”
They all then looked at each other before looking back.
“Weird, I was sure he was right behind us.”
“Yeah, me too.”
“I wonder where he went.”
They all looked at the door behind us. I would use my perception skill if I could, but… it’ll only make my condition worse. Ugh… I swear Freyja. Once I get better, I’m making sure you won’t be able to stand for a week.
“Well, I guess we can just start without him. I’m sure I’ve already answered all his question.”
“Questions? So he’s already met with you… wait a minute… now that I think about it, aren’t we supposed to be meeting with Bryan?”
They all looked at each other and then to me. I wonder if they didn’t hear me explain it earlier. Well, I guess I should repeat.
“Didn’t you hear me earlier? My name right now is Catalea, but I’m actually Bryan. Because of the recent events, I’m suffering from what’s known as a mana overcharged or simply called a backlash. Normally I would use Mana to turn back into a guy, but… yeah, I can’t do that right now.”
They all looked at me with dumbfounded looks.
“I don’t believe you.”
“Well, it’s understandable that you won’t believe me. Even your brother wouldn’t believe me. That’s why if you wait a couple of days, I’ll show you what I mean. Aside from that, just think that you’re currently talking with Bryan.”
They all looked at one another again and nodded at my idea. I also sighed. People really do believe things only if they see it with their own eyes. I was then about to start the meeting, but I realized that they were still standing. Oh yeah, this was my bedroom. I forgot about the chairs.
‘Hey Lily. Can you ask some of the maids to carry chairs to my room?’
‘Give them a sec. I already sent them over there.’
Just as she said that through our link, three maids appeared. Each carried a chair over and placed it in front of my bed. They then beckoned the heroes to sit. I’m surprised Lily only brought in three. Did she know that Yuusuke wasn’t going to be here? They made themselves comfortable as the maids bowed towards me and left.
“Um… before we start, can I just clarify something?”
I looked towards Horie who broke me from my thought.
“What is it?”
“Well, considering if you really are Bryan, is it really not possible for you to bring us back to our original world?”
I looked into her eyes. She looked, hopeful as her eyes were really trained on me. I guess Yuusuke must have talked to them about it. I sighed.
“I’m sorry, but it’s just not possible. As I told Yuusuke, in theory, I might be able to create a spell that can send you back, but I can’t guarantee that you’ll be sent back to the same world.”
“What do you mean?”
It was Cynthia this time who spoke up. Rather than being dejected, she looked interested.
“Well, you guys know that I’m a recent summonee right?”
“Yes… but what does that have to do wi… wait. You mean.”
Kayden began looking at me in surprise as he realized what I just meant. This guy’s pretty sharp.
“What is it Kayden?”
“She’s not a person from Earth. She’s from another world.”
Both Cynthia and Horie first looked at Kayden in surprise then at me. Then as if a lightbulb clicked open, Cynthia gave out an acknowledging sigh.
“That’s why there were those mechanized tanks in that compound. No wonder everything from this place looked familiar but at the same time not.”
Kayden nodded while Horie sat there confused. But there is one thing they’re missing.
“You are correct but at the same time no. I do come from a different world, but the world I come from is also Earth.”
“Ehh… Wait, so those that mean you came from a parallel Earth.”
“As far as I can tell, yes. From the stories Marlana and Artura told me, your Earth was supposed to be peaceful and filled with many huge cities and many flourishing countries. My world, not so much. Only a couple of nations exist and a handful of cities stand. Also, your Earth does not contain mana, but in my Earth mana exists.”
“Eh… if your world has mana, then how come the army seems so… advance.”
“Yeah, why does it seem so advance? Normally, a technology focused civilization focuses on tech hence technology, but a magic focused civilization would be more focused with power and not technology.”
Both Cynthia and Kayden were really curious about the things I made huh. But I wonder why they made those inferences.
“Oh… and how did you come up with that conclusion?”
Cynthia began explaining it to me.
“Well, the demons are heavy on magic development. We’ve noticed their weapons, and they seem primitive. Yet it’s not their technology but their magic that makes them so hard to beat. Humanity as far as I could tell focused on technology rather than magic, so although were weak on magic, we’ve created weapons that can equal the demons in terms of power. Even the Beastkin’s, who are one with nature, tended to focus on only technology as their aptitude for magic was low, hence they’ve also managed to equal the humans in terms of power.”
“Beastkin? Oh… I forgot that they were here too.”
The Beastkin’s were a group that had mix genes from humans and animals. Apparently, they appeared after some kind of calamity from the past, but so far, I haven’t really had a chance to meet them. Well, it’s not like we’re going to meet them under bad conditions later on, so for now focusing on the empire would be good.
“Yeah, they’re a really peaceful race, but that’s not my point. What I want to know is, how is it that your world seems to be advance in both magic and technology.”
I then thought about it. Honestly, there’s only one good answer for it. One that reminded me of my past losses.
“It’s because it wasn’t enough.”
“Huh.”
They all looked at me in surprise. I then realized that I leaked out a bit of my bloodthirst. Control yourself. Breath in… out… in… out… good. I then refocused myself.
“What was that?”
I looked back at the heroes. They were already on their feet fully armed to the teeth. Horie was holding her katana to side preparing for a slash. Cynthia has a spear with some kind of mana crystal reverberating with power. Kayden has a crossbow pulled out pointing at the ceiling. Just where did they get those from? I was sure they came in barehanded.
“It’s… gone?”
“Yeah… that was frightening.”
Horie nodded along with a pale look. Oops. I guess it’s better not to tell them it came from me.
“Wow… I never thought I’d see the day you’d pull out your spear.”
Kayden whistled as he stared at the spear in Cynthia’s hands.
“I couldn’t help it. It felt that I would die if I didn’t pull it out.”
They all calmly stashed their weapons away as they looked back at me.
“Sorry about that, its just we felt something really… dangerous.”
I kept my smile.
“Thank you for being so perceptive. In my current state, I’m not sure I’ll be able to fight alongside you all.”
I tried to keep a poker face. Behind me, I could tell that Sara was trying to contain her laugh. Please don’t sell me out. As they all sat on their chair again, Lily came in with a tea set. Yuusuke was also following behind her. Another chair was placed near my bed as he took his seat. The other heroes then looked at the tea set as if they were excited.
“Did brother help make this?”
Brother? I looked between Horie and Yuusuke… I see. They’re siblings. Somehow, their appearance don’t match. But I guess you can’t always match.
“Yeah… I had to help. I mean, it was the least I can do after causing trouble yesterday.”
With that, I was curious on why the heroes were so excited about the tea. After Lily finished pouring mine, I took a quick whiff. It smelled nice and relaxing. I then took a sip. It was fresh to the taste and felt really herbal. It really helped calmed me down.
“This is really good.”
He smiled.
“Thank you… now going back to our meeting, did you tell them yet?”
“The fact that I can’t do anything to send you back? Yeah, I already told them.”
I could see the pained expression on his face. Then suddenly, he shook it off and his old persona was back.
“Well, now that I had a day to think it over, I feel a bit better. Anyway, what are we supposed to be meeting about?”
“Wait before that, can I just ask one question?”
Cynthia quickly interrupted Yuusuke and began to glare at me with a serious expression. It must mean there’s something important she wants to know.
“Black or white. What’s your favorite color?”
Huh… that’s a rather strange question to ask.
“Umm… black?”
She nodded several times as if she has reached enlightenment.
“I see. That means Catalea san must be wearing black underwear that’s filled with lacings.”
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I began to turn red as I tried to cover myself up.
“Hah, I guess I was right.”
No you’re not, but I really don’t like how you’re trying to guess what underwear I’m wearing. She began giving off a sleazy laugh as she slowly got closer to me. I tried to move away as I move my hands to my chest, remembering the previous day’s session with Freyja.
“Please don’t mess with my master anymore.”
A knight in shining armor appeared. It was Sara whose valiant back could be seen…
“She’s not wearing black underwear. It’s actually light blue with greyish blue frills.”
… My knight. Where has she gone? Rather, how did you know what I was wearing? I then heard a small thud.
“Ow… that really hurt Horie.”
“If I didn’t do it, you’re only going to keep harassing Caty.”
She then smiled towards me.
“YOU GUYS STOP. We’re not getting anywhere. Plus, I need to know about something much more important than her underwear.”
As much as I appreciate Kayden speaking up, just knowing the fact that he now knows the color of my underwear is making me uncomfortable. Especially with the sleazy hero Yuusuke beside him who was turning red.
“Sorry about my friends… you can get stuck in their pace really quickly. Aside from that, I want to know how you managed to bring those soldiers here.”
“You mean the marines?”
“Oh… so they’re even called marines. Are they you’re men from the other world? Did they come with you? Or did you summon them from our world? Who are they exactly, that’s all I want to know.”
“Well… yeah. Actually, they’re from this world. You can say I made them and they are what you call an automaton.”
“You made them?”
“Yep.”
“… Don’t tell me everything in this entire area was made by you?”
“Well… I made all of the materials. It was up to them to use my memories to build a compound. Though the mansion was created by me from scratch.”
They all looked at me with a dumbfound expression.
“… You’re a cheat aren’t you?”
“Eh? Cheat? What do you mean?”
“You’re a cheat character. Overpowered, can do anything. That’s what we meant by cheat.”
I thought about it for a moment.
“I’m not sure I get it, but I don’t think I’m this so called cheat character.”
“…”
They continued staring at me in silence.
“Yep… definitely a cheat. Only cheat characters say that.”
They all nodded with one another. I’m really starting to get confused. I wonder if this cheat character is supposed to be a category from their old world. I don’t even think I could be a cheat character. Why? It’s because of the fact that each of my spell could become my own curse if I overuse them. That means that I can’t just do everything I want. Also overpowered? I don’t think so. I’m sure there are spells that can counter me. I just haven’t seen them yet… well anyway. I should probably move the conversation.
“Well, aside from that. Do you have any other questions to ask?”
They all thought about it for a moment. Yep, I knew it. They were the type to be easily distracted and swayed in conversations. At least they won’t ponder about a topic for too long… maybe they’re the emotional type? Then again, I’m the emotional type. I should hang around them for a bit and see if I can understand them more.
“Actually, I wanted to ask if I could see your stats.”
Another new word popped out.
“Stats? What’s that?”
“Wait… you don’t know? Didn’t Artura or Marlana tell you how to open your stats?”
“Hmm… no. All I remember was forcing them to make sure I stay out of the demon conflict.”
“… You forced them to do what?”
Horie, Cynthia and Kayden gave me a blank look.
“It’s a long story. Anyway, I’ll teach you how to open the stats menu.”
Yuusuke then stood up as he raised his hands in front of him.
“OPEN STATS!”
A bright blue screen appeared in front of him. He then went over to me and showed me the screen.
Name:Yuusuke AkiyamaAge:21Level:116Race:HumanGender:MaleSub Race:Japanese
Titles:Hero, Royal Guard, Demon Slayer, Dragon Slayer, Purifier, The Kingdom's Saint, Riajuu, Harem Protagonist
Occupation:SwordsmanSub-Occupation:Guard Palladin
Stats
CategoriesNumerical ValueStatus
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Strength962/1000Regenerate strength 40% an hour
May go over limit if in combat
-ONce said combat is over, fatigue will take over the bodyIntelligence10000/10000Mana regeneration is 1 point per 30 seconds
Mana consumption is lessened in combat
-50% decrease in consumption
Chantless magic is as strong as chanted magicStamina894/1000Stamina usage decreases over time if in combat
50% decrease in consumption
Healing potions also regenerate Stamina
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Vitality100000/100000Health constantly regenerates by 1 point per 10 seconds
Curses are instantly healed
Has a 100% of surviving lethal blows
Can only be killed by a cursed sword-said sword must have a health factor negationLuck10050% of setting an ideal flag50% chance of being in a random good luck event
10% chance of being in a random bad luck eventLeadershipCannot be determinedBlessing in effect-Men under your command are given 55% increase in their stats
-Charms casted on allies are 50% stronger
-Loyalty increases to 100%
-Men
that are killed are instead wounded and teleportedto the nearest allied
base (consequence, they will not beable to fight for four days)
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Interesting. It had several things placed with some kind of numerical value and a short description. That means he can see how much mana he used and all the other things. Then, since I’m a hero. This must mean that I’m the same thing. I placed my hands in front of me.
“Open stats.”
… Nothing. Nothing was showing up. Is it possible that because my mana is so low it won’t work? Or maybe it’s from my Backlash… so many questions.
“… It’s not working.”
“That’s strange. It’s supposed to work. Not like it uses any mana which you seem to be lacking… want me to look up your stats for you?”
“Yes please.”
He then raised his hands in front of me. For some strange reason, I felt like backing away, but I somehow steeled myself to stay. All of a sudden, a new screen appeared in front of him.
“Let’s see now…”
He froze. That’s weird? Horie went over to him.
“Neh, brother. What are you…”
She also froze as she looked at the blue screen.
“What’s wrong with you gu…”
Kayden and Cynthia also approached and froze. I wonder why? What’s written on the blue screen? One by one, they all began looking at me with a mechanical look.
“Cheat.”
I could only smile at them awkwardly. Again with the cheat. I really don’t think I’m a cheat… am I?
Name:Bryan/Catalea CarletonAge:22Level:Cannot Be DeterminedRace:HumanGender:Male/FemaleSub Race:Clone
Titles:Hero, One Who Lost Everything, Controller of Destiny, Defender of the weak, Puppet (not in effect), Summoner of the Divine, Killer of the Divine, Unshakeable Will, Powerful Bystander, One who shook the world, Godlike Chef, The Angelic Nurse, One who is loved, A groom and a wife
Occupation:Spellcast MarineSub-Occupation:Medic
Stats
CategoriesNumerical ValueStatus
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Strength10/9999999Backlash in effect
-Cannot be determinedIntelligence10/9999999Backlash in effect
-Cannot be determinedStamina10/9999999Backlash in effect
-Cannot be determined
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Vitality10/9999999Backlash in effect
-Cannot be identifiedLuckUnknownUnknownLeadershipCannot be determinedUnknown
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Author Notes (this is long lol):
HELLO EVERYONE. So… I was going to upload a *ahem* side story. But, it’s not reaching me. In other words, writer block. So instead, I decided to start the second arc. Yes, Bryan is still a girl. Why? I’m not just going to do a stupid time skip just so I can make him talk to the heroes as a man. That’s going to be my grave and it will take too much time from them preparing against the empire. Also, I’m not just going to say Oh hey, plot convenience made me heal him and he can use his mana again… no. Not doing that lol. So until I can get the ball rolling, he stays a girl until his time limit is done. I mean I did promise that he would be a guy next chapter... but that was the side story chap... and yeah... so aside from that, I hoped you enjoy.
P.S: To those who think this is gender bender. Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. People tell me it is, people tell me it isn’t. So if you ask me if this is gender bender, I have no clue anymore lol He just turns into a girl since its convenient and he actually knows how to use it to his advantage. Same as being a guy. He uses it to his full advantage, though he is a guy originally so of course he knows what he’s doing. I mean, it doesn't define him as an mc, but he uses it for its convenience, so honestly, I don't know.
P.S.S: I read all the comments. If people ask for something, I usually enjoy doing it, but doing it in the mindset of “Careful what you wish for.” I mean, I even did a chapter on it XD
P.S.S.S: I suck with tables. What other stats should I place in there since I’m a newbie with stats and all that?
Editor Notes: Hi all, editor speaking. First of all pay, attention to details. There is a lot of hints here and mini Easter eggs. The devil is in the details so i will pass this off to the collaborator.
Collaborator: Just so you guys know, I won the match last time and the editor is now the school boy B****. Muhahaha curtsy of hat films but anyway in this arc, expect some info dumps here and there and just Nerd stuff in general so enjoy.
P.s i like how he is the bride and the groom hehehe
UPDATE:
HAHAHAHAHAHA. I FINALLY DID IT! The table is fixed.