Day 42.1

***POV Shuusuke***

“Puny winged freak,” Rickter spat at him, kicking Shuusuke one more time while he lay curled on the ground, his wings bunched up tight against his back.

Shuusuke pressed his face into the ground, hiding his expression of boredom. This was taking forever.

But Rickter and his cronies had been at this for a while and soon tired of the game, leaving Shuusuke curled up in the run down aviary park that was the midway point between the school and Shuusuke’s house.

Recently, Shuusuke had changed in a way that even Rickter had sensed. He wasn’t as embarrassed, or as clumsy. Even jibes about Shuusuke’s molting barely elicited a reaction.

After standing up and brushing himself off, Shuusuke began to trudge home.

Cloits, the race of creature that Shuusuke belonged to, were strange creatures. When they were born their entire bodies were covered in pale scales, slowly darkening to brown or grey as they aged. But during puberty, the small bumps on their back would grow, causing extreme irritation and a prodigious amount of shedding.

After a few weeks of this, wings would literally rip out of the weakened area of skin, long, bare limbs that were extremely awkward. At that point, the itching and shedding got worse. Commonly, young Cloits would fervently rub the two wings together, almost as if they were trying to start a campfire from friction, rubbing off the scales and revealing the feathers underneath.

Although it wasn’t an explicit rule, the color of your feathers determined a lot about your life. Darker feathered creatures, like Shuusuke’s parents, inevitably ended up working in industry. More brightly colored feathers would lead to careers in entertainment or politics.

Shuusuke was in the middle stages, where he had his wings, but he feathers wouldn’t yet be revealed. Normally, he should be desperately trying to get past that point. But Shuusuke was distracted by other matters.

Opening the door, Shuusuke shed his outerwear and proceeded up to his room. His terminal glowed softly, the list of industrial land plats still up on the screen.

Over the past few days, he had done his research. His criteria was that he needed the location to be close enough that he could travel to, but far enough away that the chance of running into any of the workers here, in his district, were nonexistent.

After reviewing revenue streams and the economic movements of the various precious metals, he had chosen a facility just 3 districts north of him that manufactured industrial grade crystalline brass. Mostly used in communications equipment, Shuusuke judged that the upcoming holiday season would be enough to reward him for the investment even in the short term.

Shuusuke briefly skimmed the communication he had typed out earlier, then closed his eyes. It wasn’t significant in terms of  his current wealth. The rewards from the gambling house from his bets and the revenue stream from the video he took ended up being just enough to live the rest of his life without working.

Enough to live his life well. Extremely well.

But he clicked send, buying a factory.

‘This…. Surely this will work out well?’ Shuusuke thought, frowning at the dispatched communication.

Then he snorted. Still, even if it did work out, that didn’t mean h was willing to take the rest of his business easy. Firing up his streaming equipment, he prepared for a long night of practice.

After all, he had treated himself to 2 new automated cameras with mounted mics and essentially every language translation software. Success deserved to be rewarded, after all.

***POV Predator***

Groaning, I rolled over, my head throbbing painfully.

-That Jester….

-Let’s level a bit more before we get on his bad side again…

But just as I was thinking about that, I noticed a blinking notification that made me still.

The Path of the Dragon required four steps that strengthened you power and resolve. But a Dragon is more than simply strong. The Dragon is also determined, almost to an obsessive degree. What is yours will always be yours, and what revenge you seek will be accomplished, no matter how much time it takes or what it will cost you.

You have encountered your first Demonstration of “The Code of the Dragon.” You have become fascinated with the Minotaur people and their strange realm. Find their and ravage their citadel, slaying the Silver Minotaur. Only then will you be satisfied.

-Well, I suppose we could make an exception just this once.

-The Path of the Dragon rewards were always worth it… But how do we return to that place?

Sitting up, I looked around. Ashni sat coolly beside me in a meditative stance, likely just waiting for me to awaken. Now we were on a strange plateau, grass as far as the eye could see. But as I started to stand, so did Ashni.

“Come, we have tarried long enough. The tester is waiting.”

I cocked my head at her, and she simply pointed.

I turned, and sure enough, a strange creature that glowed faintly and had wings of purest white floated down from above. She smiled kindly at her, and resisted the urge to yawn.

“Champion, congratulations on making-”

-Other me, you are on monologue duty. I want to work on skills

-Ughhhhhh.

But contrary to his tone, he complied. After all, I took care most of the talking, which was tiresome at best. Immediately, I felt inside of myself and felt a strange, hot core that hadn’t been there previously. Assuming it to be somehow related to the skill immolation, I focused on it, pouring my mana towards it.

Immediately I felt it, strange powerful heat surging upwards. It soon exploded outwards, and I could feel a dull pain as it used my veins to travel through my body to the surface. Hissing through my teeth, I couldn’t help but be grateful for both pain tolerance and greater resistance to fire. If the pain was this bad with both of those abilities....

Greater resistance to fire was my only ability that had reached what I assumed to be the third tier, possession the adjective of “Greater” so it should-

But my train of thought was interrupted as my world went white with pain as the fire reached the surface, immediately becoming voracious, violent flames that licked at my skin. They had emerged everywhere, soaking my skin and reducing the clothes that I had to ash in a second. It was 1,000 needles into every pore. It was every nerve ending wriggling desperate to get away from the devouring flames. It was-

-It is not enough to make me submit.

I gritted my teeth, hunching my shoulders, my mouth almost reflexively twitching outward into a smile. True, it was agony. But it wasn’t as vicious as feeling your very DNA twist and shatter, rearranging itself. This was but fire, and it was my fire.

This pain was me.

I let out a long breath, embracing the agony, allowing it to flow through me. The strange winged woman continued to talk, heedless. Ashni blinked, but quickly returned to ignoring me with her arms folded.

-The one downside, other than the pain, is that it makes it very hard to see and hear outside the flames. If not for our high perception, we would basically be walking around blind.

The flames were a dark red in color I began to see, almost maroon, a color akin to dried blood. My skin rippled and strained under the heat, drying quickly out, but my high health regen kicked in restoring my body to prime condition.

So the two struggled, the flames slowly whittling me down, symptoms of light burns appearing all over me. Still I gritted my teeth, preparing to endure for as long as my mana would hold up.

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-Probably impossible. It basically takes just as much per second as we regenerate. Just a bit more. We would be here for hours before your mana pool would give out.

But before I could continue, an unexpected notification turned my focus elsewhere.

Congratulations! Due to your actions, your skill has evolved from “My Heart is the Bellows, My Body the Metal Lvl 5” to “My Soul is the Flame, My Body the Blade Lvl 1.” Due to experience with previous skill, your skill has changed to “My Soul is the Flame, My Body the Blade Lvl 3”. Enhanced state now activates whenever the skill “Immolation” is active. Bonuses to stats increased while in enhanced state. Enhanced state now gives an increased sixth sense as to enemy positions and movements while the skill “Aura of the Predator” is activated. Damage significantly increased while enhanced state is active.

Congratulations! Due to your new skill, you have earned the title, “Though Blind, This One Still Hungers”. It is not possible to sense the intent of enemies outside of your line of sight. Sensitivity depends on your Perception stat. Due to synergy with other titles, your ability to digest materials have increased. Biological matter now increases Biomass by slightly more. Biologically related materials, such as bone, horn, and nail, can now be consumed for additional Biomass.

-Bones didn’t give Biomass before?

-Guess not. They were just so enjoyable to crunch though.

Before I could consider these changes further, and what it meant, Other me distracted me again.

-By the way… she’s finally done.

I turned my senses outward, looking around. To my surprise, Ashni was animated, glaring at the winged woman. I shut off Immolation so I could see more clearly

“Just summon the Guardian Colossus. We care not.”

“But heroes, I must warn you, the strength of the Colossus is far beyond that of a challenger on the 7th floor. Only be weakening by accomplishing the 4 puzzles.” The winged woman was starting to seem annoyed.

“Stupid harlot,” Ashni said with a haughty expression. “Are you too stupid to understad? We. Care. Not.”

The winged woman opened her mouth to retort, but I grinned, listening to Other Me whispering in my ear. “Wait, we will attempt these puzzles. Starting with the east-”

Now they both turned to glare at me.

“Are we not in a hurry?” Ashni hissed.

But it was the Winged Woman who really pissed me off.

“Too late. I care not. Die the colossus, may your only gravestone be its steamy pile of shit.”

Fury +1

Fury +1

Fury +1

But before I could act on my anger, the woman disappeared. I looked around, and saw that some distance away the ground was parting, a large, dull grey hand reaching out of the ground. It took a few seconds and some earth shaking struggles, but soon the colossus hoisted itself up out of the ground.

It wasn’t a complicated creature, but it was a 10 meter tall giant with 6 eyes and a body that appeared to be made of some kind of iron derivative.

I smiled, my initial bad mood falling away. Although it wasn’t what I wanted, at least this fight was looking to be enjoyable.

Unlike my battle against the minotaur, I didn’t bother to hold back on using techniques. I was under no delusions that I was physically comparable to this creature.

-Although after our most recent level up…

Ignoring Other Me for now, I stepped using the Thunder Stance forms, the ground I had started from cracking from the force. Shooting towards the tall creature, which was gazing at me with all 6 of its eyes, I raised my leg, preparing to discharge all of the force into its chest when I landed against it.

Much to my surprise, the Colossus’ arm blurred as it attempted to slap me out of the air.

The speed of its passing threw gusts of air in every direction, but I narrowly slipped by, moving just fast enough to dodge.

My leg neared its broad chest and I kicked with everything I had, my leg slamming into its chest.

I winced. Just like I had expected, the thing’s skin was hard. And more than that, whatever material made up its body was dense. Too dense for my weight, even with a boost to really threaten it.

BOOOOOOOM.

The shock wave from the collusion arrived a split second later, the sonic boom finally catching up to me. I thought I felt the creature waiver, if only slightly, from the combined force, but that was just proof that it had engaged its muscles to counter me, not that the blow had done any damage.

I kicked back, backflipping away from the Colossus, considered how to best attack it, and I sensed more than saw its opposite arm blurring again, racing towards me.

-Tsk, it’s annoying when the big ones are fast too.

I created a platform of air and kicked off that, still upside down. Reaching the ground in an instant. From my handstand, I brought my legs down and immediately rolled to the side as the arm curved down after me, its huge hand swiping towards me.

I made it out of the way and hopped backwards, examining the stone that had been crushed to powder by the strength of the colossus. Just as I settled on trying Lunar Break, its six eyes abruptly glowed, and I felt the air around me congeal.

The creature leapt forward, its arm blurring out in a backhand blow, smashing me to the side before I could shake the strange skill it had used on me.

After tumbling for a while, I slammed into the ground.

I spat out some blood and staggered to my feet. My ribs had cracked, but only once, and I could already feel my body rushing to knit the bone back together. But still, damn.

-Yea, that hurt. Thank god for the End boost though.

-Still….

I pictured that human who had covered his body with metal and fought me on the 3rd floor, frustratingly ignoring my attacks.

-This type of enemy is hard for me to deal with. This is perfect practice.

Glancing away from the Colossus, which was slowly lumbering closer to me, I asked Ashni. “Not joining in?”

She simply snorted.

I grinned, and then I let the smile curl further, loosening the leash on the beast of madness within me. It had been sated yesterday as I slaughtered minotaurs, but I knew that every time I let it come out and have its fun, it grew stronger. More vicious and domineering.

More of a part of me.

I couldn’t find in myself a reason why this wasn’t a desirable outcome.

“Burn,” I whispered, activating Immolation and stepping forward.

***POV Shuusuke***

A beeping distracted Shuusuke from setting the parameters for the cameras-

’my cameras,’ He corrected himself happily.

-autopathing, and he was quite annoyed about it.

But when he saw that the owner of the factory had replied immediately, his annoyance flew away, replaced by nervousness. What he wasn’t expecting, however, was the type of response he received.

Dear Mr. Shuudator,

(Shuusuke had decided an alias was necessary, and had combined his name with the challenger benefactor that lead him to his newfound wealth. Although the alias was one that could easily be seen through, Shuusuke didn’t think he would ever really need it for anything.)

I’m delighted have received your email. Long have I thought about parting with this property and retiring. My only concern is why you are moving to buy this property now, if you take my meaning. We should meet as soon as possible to discuss and finalize the details.

Good Wind and Rich Veins,

Jake Ummtat

“He wants to meet?” Shuusuke whispered to himself suspiciously. And what did he mean about buying the property now…?

Then Shuusuke shook his head. It wasn’t worth it to ponder it too long. What would his benefactor do?

Picturing Predator, Shuusuke could only conclude that he would charge forward.

Trying not to overthink things, but trembling from the adrenaline rushing through his veins, Shuusuke typed out a response.

I’ll be there within the hour.

Shuudator

After sending and smiling for a moment, all the blood drained from Shuusuke’s face.

‘He did say as soon as possible… but maybe not…. So soon….?

******

56 minutes later, Shuusuke found himself being ushered into a posh office in the crystallized brass factory, wearing a traditional Cloit overcoat and sunglasses. The overcoat was made to cover the back completely, hiding one’s wings completely, usually so the color of your feather’s was hidden. Of course in Shuusuke’s case, it hid the fact he hadn’t revealed his feathers, which would have given away his young age.

As Shuusuke was lead into a room with marble floors, an aging Cloit rose from a mahogany desk to meet him, offering him a talon.

“Well, you certainly work fast eh? But I understand why you are doing it. Can’t say I’m a bit disappointed my workers couldn’t keep the secret though. Names Jake.”

Shuusuke shook the Talon. “Shuudator.” He growled.

Desperately hoping his voice wouldn’t crack, Shuusuke tried to keep his sentences as short as possible, and direct to the point. “Business?”

“Yes, yes, I’m sure are busy.” Jake scratched the back of his neck and sat down on the edge of his desk. “Due to your sudden offer, I assumed you must have heard; I have a new method of processing crystallized brass. It’s going to shake the industry. Anyone who doesn’t use it within a year’s time will be driven out of business. It’s almost perfected.”

Shuusuke gaped, glad that he had opted to keep the sunglasses on to hide his shock and confusion. Finally, he stammered out, “....a-almost?”

Jake sighed, shaking his head. “You know everything, don’t you? Who told you- no, don’t tell me, I don’t even want to know. Yes, there are still some kinks to work out. The revenue from the factory wasn’t enough for the experiments. I’ve mortgaged the factory, and even then, I haven’t made the progress I wanted and I’m behind on payments. But I swear I’m almost-”

Slightly swooning from the flood of unexpected information, Shuusuke reached for the glass end table, attempting to steady himself. Unfortunately, it turned out to have been a decorative crystal, and his clumsy talon moved too quickly, smashing into the table. It shattered with a chorus of tinkling.

Jake visibly paled and went silent.

Panicking, Shuusuke practically threw the credit chip with his current assets on the floor, his face coloring with shame and frustration.

“P-Pay for it a-a-a-all.” Shuusuke said, gesturing widely at the table. Then he turned and fled.

By the time he got home, he was sobbing.

He wasn’t like Predator. He couldn’t even fake being Shuudator. Rickter was right, he was just Shitty Shuusuke. And that was all would ever be.