The presence of the golden threads confirmed the approaching valkyries, leaving Dream with two options. One was to remain and confront the advancing valkyries, while the other was to opt for a strategic retreat. Dream chose the latter.
Name
H.P
P.P
O.P
O.M.P
A.P
Level
Dream
90▲/122
383▼/2086
12▲/438▲
41.7▲
151▼/570
17
While the gains he reaped from his recent battle with the Nagadread were substantial, enabling him to replenish some of his depleted reserves of P.P and A.P, it was an undeniable fact that was exhausted from that confrontation and thus far from operating at his peak performance. While he took pride in his newfound strength, Dream remained grounded in his understanding of his own limitations. He knew not to push his luck too far.
But apart from all the logical reasons driving his decision to retreat, there was a personal factor he couldn't ignore: a subjective feeling urging him to sound the retreat. As much as he desired retribution against the valkyrie who cut his arm, he equally wished to avoid encountering "her" once more.
“With these dangerous monsters around, what are you doing here? Are you trying to get yourself killed?”
Somewhere in his heart, he was hoping that she would at least be reasonable enough to not follow him to this place.
I guess I was the stupid one for expecting that.
Darting through the gray expanse aided by his Aero-elementalis, Dream raced onward. Occasional shrieks from the Skyshriekers echoed from above the gray mist. As he ran, the golden threads displayed diminishing fluctuations, indicating he was gradually distancing himself from the valkyries.
As he continued his hasty escape, Dream mumbled to himself, “Maybe I should find a cozy spot and bury myself in deep mud for a good, long nap. I think I've earned that much,” treating himself to a hint of humor amidst the tension, a brief smile forming. However, the smile disappeared as he caught sight of a lone golden thread displaying significant fluctuations.
“Huh?! What the hell is that? It’s closing in, and it's... closing in fast!”
Turning around in the direction of the intensifying golden thread fluctuations, Dream watched as the fluctuations grew stronger and stronger, indicating the approaching valkyrie. Soon enough, she came into view, but that valkyrie was any other valkyrie he had encountered before.
This valkyrie didn't approach from the ground; instead, she descended from the air. At first, Dream mistook her for a Skyshrieker or some other flying monstrosity common in this gray wasteland. However, as she drew nearer, it became clear that she was indeed a valkyrie.
She possessed quite a plethora of striking characteristics: long orange hair, a muscular build that rivaled that of a man dedicated to bodybuilding, with her attire consisting of dark-gray light armor. Those features alone set her apart significantly from the other valkyries Dream had encountered thus far. Most of them, aside from the towering Valkyrie, bore an appearance that suggested their priestly and reverend roles in Odo society. However, the valkyrie before him, apart from the usual golden visor, looked more like a buff construction worker than it could ever do a valkyrie. Yet, that was far from the full extent of her “uniqueness”.
The most distinctive features were undoubtedly her right arm, which appeared golden and resembled a massive claw, and a pair of large golden feathered wings on her back. With each flap of those wings, they produced a metallic noise that echoed in the desolate landscape. But soon, it wasn't only that sound that filled the air. With a forward flap of her wing, dozens of golden feather projectiles whistled through the air in Dream's direction.
With the metallic noise and the barrage of golden feather projectiles closing in, Dream couldn't help but mutter, "Tsk, why does it always have to end up like this!" as he conjured a countermeasure.
[ Aero ]
Acolyte
Unrelenting Surge
46
Conjuring [Unrelenting Surge], Dream created a powerful force that intercepted the incoming Odo feathers, scattering them harmlessly in the turbulent air. However, Dream didn't intend to simply defend himself. Feeling bitter over his wasting of attacking first, he immediately initiated a rapid counterattack, this time around conjuring his electro-elementalis.
Skill: [ Aspect ]
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
Electrokinetic Resonance
Elemental Resonance
30
With [Electrokinetic Resonance], Dream felt as if a clear path had opened for his electro-elementalis to flow swiftly through.
[ Electro ]
Acolyte
Thunderstrike
46
Unleashing [Thunder Spear], Dream hurled a spear of lightning towards the flying valkyrie. The spear whistled through the air with rapid speed, but the valkyrie reacted swiftly, ascending rapidly to evade the attack by a considerable margin. Although the disappointment of his missed strike crossed Dream's mind, he had little time to dwell on it, for the valkyrie swiftly changed her approach. Descending rapidly from above, the valkyrie made a hurling descent towards Dream.
With the help of his aero-elementalis, Dream leaped backward, narrowly evading the valkyrie's landing. As she touched down, a small explosion marked the spot where Dream had stood just moments before.
As the settling dust revealed the scene, the valkyrie stood within a two-meter-wide crater, her monstrous claw-like fist embedded into the ground. It was a stark reminder of what Dream's fate could have been had he not managed to evade her attack in time.
The valkyrie's imposing figure stood there, her golden visor gleaming, as she gradually straightened herself up from the impact.
“Hey kid, are you BlessingReaver, the one I'm looking for?” she asked, her voice greatly contrasting with her bear-like physique.
Shouldn’t you be asking that before attacking me? What are you, mentally ill or something?! What are those stats?
Name
HP
O.P
O.M.P
A.P
Class
???
98
1409▼/1829
364
⥈
Valkyrie lvl.56
What the hell is that? The other day what came after me were level 22 valkyries, soon followed level 40 valkyries, now I’m stuck with a near level 60 valkyrie on my ass. Did those twins and that mother of theirs decide to awaken all their valkyrie and unleash all of them on me or something?
“You don’t have to answer, kid. That’s what we call a rhetorical question,” she added with a proud smile.
Hahahaha, very funny.
“I wasn’t planning to.”
Now, what should I do? If I had been in top form, especially after the recent gain I made, I would have no doubt been able to handle her easily. But here, I'm barely at 10% of my overall strength, both prana-wise and energy-wise. His Odo reserves were literally empty.
Tsk, why do I have to deal with such ridiculously bad timing? How did they find me in the first place—ah, it must've been due to the commotion of my battle against the Nagadread. But even so, that doesn't explain everything.
Dream wasn’t the type to believe in hazards like luck, but as of late, due to hostile encounters, he could have done without one piling up after another. He was starting to believe that if there were an attribute of "luck" in his system, it would be leaning toward the negative.
Sporting a smirk on her face, the valkyrie chuckled and remarked, "You're quite the character, aren't you, BlessingReaver?”
“My name is Ehd'Vina,” she continued.
“Didn’t ask, don’t care,” Dream internally wanted to shout at her, but the sight of the valkyries, and at the same time, something within him stopped him from doing so. He needed the time she spent talking to come up with a way to get out of here alive. However, given the current state of things, with his O.P, A.P, and PP all below 10%, his brain was unable to figure something out.
I should’ve buried myself when I got the opportunity to. These idiots obviously don't have a means to trace me down, I’m just being overparanoïd.
“But out of the little I've been told about you, to think you'd be just like me,” the valkyrie stated, leaving Dream puzzled about her words. As he followed her gaze to his arms, he began to understand.
“That's a nice pair of arms you have there,” she remarked.
“I can't say the same for yours,” Dream retorted, attempting to prolong the conversation to buy some time to figure out his next move.
“Oh, well, true enough,” she responded, raising her gigantic, monster-like arm as if admiring it, “I've had a lot of people trash-talking about this arm of mine, but for some reason, most of them became silent when my closed fist greeted their face,” she declared before bursting into laughter.
Come on, Dream! Think of something.
Think of something!
Think of something…
Dream wracked his brain for a way to escape, and soon he stumbled upon a realization. Unfortunately it wasn’t one about how he could get out of his, least to say, dire situation but rather concerning the valkyrie: She didn't seem intent to initiate further hostilities. Initially, Dream attributed it to his successful efforts to buy himself some time to think of an actual plan. However, it only now became evident that the valkyrie's demeanor had shifted dramatically from their initial confrontation. She was way too docile.
“A problem?” She inquired, seemingly aware of the thoughts racing through Dream's mind.
“You're buying the other Valkyries time.”
Her eyes widened suddenly, and a broad grin spread across her face. “Was it that obvious? Too bad.”
Dream couldn't help but click his tongue in frustration.
“My name is Ehd'Vina,” she introduced herself.
“You've already introduced yourself,” Dream retorted. but she seemed unbothered by his response.
Instead, she continued with unwavering determination, “—and I shall be the one to claim full honor in recovering what you've robbed from the Matriarch.”
In that moment, Dream immediately understood what was about to unfold. Without a single moment of hesitation, he reacted, determined to ensure that this time around, he would be the one to strike the first blow.
Holding his hand out, Dream unleashed an aero-elementalis attack at the valkyrie. However, almost immediately, she deployed her wing as a shield in front of her, intercepting Dream's lightning attack. Without hesitation, she used her wings to surge herself forward, rapidly closing the distance between them.
“This is going way beyond what I can reasonably afford right now,” he thought in a flash. “ but screw it.”
[ Aero ]
Acolyte
Unrelenting Surge
46
As Dream saw her approaching, he bitterly bit his lips. Dream understood that allowing the valkyrie to get close was the last thing he could afford in his heavily weakened state.
“Stay in your place, Vermine!” Dream barked as he leapt back with the help of his aero-elementalis, creating distance between himself and the valkyrie. Initially, he intended to follow up [Unrelenting Surge] with an electro-elementalis attack. However, given how well the valkyrie had tanked the powerful gale, Dream didn’t dare to bet on the little prana he had left in reserve.