>Isabelle’s PoV<
This is bullcrap! Why do I have to deal with this jackhole again!
I thought I was done with this guy when I overkilled him, but looks like he was a player instead of a NPC. From the way he was talking about selling us, I was sure he was a NPC bandit.
Maybe I just didn’t want to believe that someone from my world could be so cruel. I wasn’t stupid, I knew there were plenty of horrible people in the world. But to think someone could talk about treating a sentient being as an object so nonchalantly made my blood boil.
“What do you want, asshat?” I asked him as the hands hidden in my sleeves clenched into fists. I was having a hard time just standing there, as every urge I had was screaming at me to attack him.
“Something similar to last time missy, only this time I’ve decided to keep you for myself. I’ll take great pleasure in teaching a pet like you exactly who’s boss.” he said, his cocky smirk only widening as he stood there with his arms crossed.
...Yep, time to kill him.
I rushed in with a flying kick, confident I could kill him in the same way as last time. I was wrong, dead wrong almost to the point of being literal.
He stopped my kick, which was enhanced by the [Gale Burst Strike], by closing one of his hands around my leg. He then proceeded to slam me into the ground by swinging me downwards, creating a crater underneath me.
The edges of my vision turned red and I could hear my heartbeat, the indicators that my health was in the red. I had managed to activate [Gale Clad] for it’s defense boost before the impact, but my health had still dropped to the double digits.
“H-How…?” I managed to speak in spite of both pain and surprise.
“Do you get it now, fox brat? The only reason you beat me last time was by surprise.” he said as a number of figures dropped down from the trees, blocking the others who had tried to rush over to me.
Each were almost as big as the ogre and carried a large axe with a blade sheathed in flames. They were all dressed similarly to the ogre, sans the gauntlets.
“Ladies meet the Flame Ape Tribe! They’re a Monkey Beastkin bandit group I took over by eliminating their old boss in order to replace my old crew, which got wiped out for some reason. They’ll be entertaining you three while I handle your foxy friend over here.” the ogre said with a laugh, before signaling them to attack. Returning his attention to me, he picked me up by the neck and held my at arms length.
“Now then, do you have anything to say for yourself, my little fox?” he asked, a triumphant grin on his face. The jerkward that he had won. We’d see about that.
“I-I just want to apologize for what h-happened last time, s-sir…” I said, trying to make my voice sound as timid as possible, tearing myself up to activate [Teary Eyes] for good measure. It wasn’t to hard with the amount of pain I was it.
“I-If it would help you to f-forgive me...I-I have a present I would like to g-give you, sir…” I continued, taking out a leather ball from one of my sleeve pockets and holding up to him. Confused, he leaned in to take a closer look at it, while I closed my eyes.
The next moment, the ball exploded in a brilliant flash of light. The ogre’s face was inches away from it so the light easily blinded him. Roaring in pain, he immediately released me in favor of covering his eyes with his hands. I took the chance to gain some distance from him by using him as a foothold for [Gale Step]. Naturally, I waited until the last possible moment so as to use his crotch, further stunning him and getting some payback at the same time.
Since he had been facing about 90 degrees to the right of the skirmish between my friends and his goons, I didn’t land near them. Nor did I want to, as I hoped to deal with the ogre first. I was planning to use everything I had to teach him mess with me, though I doubted the lesson would stick. Either way, the asshole was due for another dose of overkill.
I rushed back in with another [Gale Step]. When I was in front of him, I used a third to jump straight up, converting my forward momentum into a somersault that slammed a [Gale Burst Strike] straight into his jaw via a kick. Continuing my assault, I used [Gale Walk] to spin myself around to deliver another kick to his ribs while still upside down.
Righting myself quickly, a landed my foot on the ground and immediately jumped back up with another [Gale Step], this time driving a [Gale Burst Strike] into his solar plexus using my knee. This sent him flying back into a tree several meters away.
“Y-You little brat…I...I’LL F**KING KILL YOU!” he roared, jumping to his feet and charging at me.
I didn’t respond, too busy creating a little surprise for him. I activated [Gale Burst Strike] on my leg and added to it by using [Air Bullet], compressing the air further with [Wind Manipulation]. When he was halfway to reaching me, I swung my leg in a roundhouse kick and manipulated the air to force [Gale burst Strike] to be released without hitting something solid. As I did so, I shape the compressed air into a crescent blade with [Wind Edge].
Shishou had told me he had recreated a skill from one of his favorite game series, so I decided to try doing the same with a move from one of my favorite anime. The results were magnificent.
A glass looking wave of compressed air shot forward, cleaving the enraged ogre in two along with several trees behind him.
“You’ll pay for this…I swear it...” the ogre said, just before the two pieces of his body disappeared.
Before I could react this, a series of clanking noises to the side drew my attention. I turned my body and was met with the sight of the Flame Ape Tribe kneeling to me, their axes having been dropped to the ground.
“What are you-”
*Ping!*
As you have bested their previous leader in single combat, the Flame Ape Tribe now answers to you and you alone!
The Pinal, Grento, and Felno Mountains are now part of your Territory!
The Flame Ape Hideout has become your Fortress!
SON OF A…!!
Before I could protest out loud, however, one of them, slightly bigger than the others, walked up to me.
“Whatcha want us to do for ya, Boss?” he said so eagerly that I didn’t have the heart to refuse his loyalty. Giving a sigh, I turned to him.
“Are you the second in command?” I asked him.
“Yup, been so since two bosses ago.” he answered proudly.
“In that case, have the others drag these trees back to your hideout. If you really intend to follow me, then you’ll have to give up banditry. Instead, I’d like for you to start selling lumber and maybe sculpting wood. Understood?” I replied, motioning to the trees I had cut down. He gave a quick nod.
“Good. You guys go ahead, I need to discuss with my companions and after that we’ll catch up to you. I’ll be visiting the hideout to check it out and then I’ll be continuing on my journey, so you’ll be in change while I’m away.” I continued, causing his grin to widen.
“Gotcha, Boss. I’ll make sure to keep the riff raff out while you’re gone.” he said, before striding over to the others and relaying my orders. It didn’t take them long before they had worked together to gather the fallen lumber and started running towards the north.
Once they were out of sight, I gave a sigh of relief just before I was tackled by Lynn and Lilith once again.
“That was amazing, Milady! And here I was afraid that I would fail you right at the start of becoming your maid!” Lynn said, her eyes shining.
“Indeed, I was worried as well, but it seems it was for nothing. Forgive me for doubting you, Mistress.” Lilith said, wrapping her arms around me.
I didn’t get a chance to reply because they started petting me. As always, I blank out during the petting. I’d like to say I hate it, but it just feels so good that I can’t.
As always, I came to a little bit after they stopped. Looking around, I saw Lynn and Lilith deep in conversation a little ways away.
“You okay?” I hear Dawn says as she sits down next to me and hands me a health potion.
“I’m fine, but we should see about getting a healer instead of relying on potions.” I say as I drink it, restoring my health to full.
“Let’s just hope whoever we get isn’t as crazy as those two.” she says, nodding in agreement as I turn my attention to the system messages that had been floating around me for a while.
You have unlock a hidden stat!Bloodlust
Your [Charming Aura] skill tree has combined with your new Bloodlust stat, unlocking the Bloodthirsty branch along with the [Bloodthirst Aura] skill!
Bloodthirst Aura - Basic Lv1Aura SkillSemi-PassiveThis skill clads the user in an aura that carries a feeling of menace. All who feel the effects of this skill will experience a desire to cower before you. The strength of this desire is dependent on the user’s CHA and Bloodlust stats. As a semi-passive skill, this skill is only in effect when the user is angered.
For once, I get an aura skill I actually like. I’ll take it! Looking at the time stamp, I notice that I got it just before attacking…… huh, never asked his name. Oh well, I’ll just refer to him as Jerk from now on.
With a smile, I closed out that set of windows and turned to the other.
You have created the original skill: [Tempest Kick]
Tempest Kick - Basic Lv1Attack SkillActiveThis skill compresses air around the user’s leg, to be released when the leg is swung. The released air will shot out and form a crescent blade parallel to the leg’s path. The strength of this attack is dependent on the user’s skill level, INT, CHA, and how much mana is used.Wind Aligned50+ Mana Cost
Your [Gale Burst Strike], [Gale Step], [Gale Walk], [Gale Clad], and [Tempest Kick] skills have combined to form the [Gale Force Striker] combat style!
Gale Force Striker - Basic Lv1Class Tree(s): Warrior/MageThis combat style revolves around using the air around user in conjunction with the user’s physical prowess in order to augment movement and unleash devastating blows.
Style Effects
+25 AGI for every skill tree in this style.
+25 STR for every skill tree in this style.
Current Skill Trees
Body
Legs
Gale Force Striker (Legs) - Basic Lv1This skill tree collects the skills of the [Gale Force Striker] combat style that focus on the use of one’s legs. Your movement speed will be multiplied by the number of branches of this skill tree you possess.Current Branches
Attack
Movement
SpecialAttack
Gale Burst StrikeMovement
Gale Step
Gale WalkSpecial
Tempest Kick
Gale Force Striker (Body) - Basic Lv1This skill tree collects the skills of the [Gale Force Striker] combat style that affects most of one’s body. The effectiveness of your wind based abilities will be multiplied by the number of branches of this skill tree you possess.Current Branches
DefenseDefense
Gale Clad
I-Isn’t this kind of OP…?
”Are you alright, Lady Isabelle?” Sorako asked, jumping onto my lap.
“I’ve just got a combat style is all...But it seems a bit too strong…” I answered, inciting a laugh from Dawn.
This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“I thought the same thing when I got mine, Isabelle. They’re all like that, so it balances out though.” she explained after noticing my confused look.
“Just what are they for though?” I asked.
“They’re the bread and butter of combat in this game. And if your class is in the same tree as the style, it becomes one of the main factors to the path your class takes as it upgrades.”
That sounded interesting, but something about mine had me confused.
“What if the style belongs to multiple class trees? Like Warrior and Mage, for example?” I asked Dawn, but she shrugged.
“Not sure. I’m kind of new myself, so I don’t know everything about the mechanics.” she replied, looking a little apologetic.
”In that case, allow me to explain, Lady Isabelle. A combat style that belongs to two or more class trees is called a cross class style. If you were to have class in one of the style’s trees, it will most likely evolve into a class that has access to the other class tree’s skills, allowing you to level those skills beyond the Intermediate stage and use them without a class penalty. To use your example, taking a Warrior class and evolving according to the style’s influence would allow you to level Mage skills past Intermediate and vice versa.”
I nodded in understanding. I was planning on getting a Warrior class anyways, so that works out for me! Just as I closed the window, a roar loud enough to shake the ground stunned all five of us.
The ground continued to shake in short bursts, indicating that something big was approaching. Sorako found a good spot off to the side to view the battle from while the rest of us got ready for combat.
We didn’t have long to wait, as the trees in front practically burst as a HUGE shape came straight for us. We barely managed to dodge, with me and Dawn lunging to the sides and Lilith shooting up into the air carrying Lynn. She set Lynn down on a large branch of one of the trees encircling the tiny clearing we were in, while stayed airborne.
Now that it wasn’t a moving blur, we got a good look at our assailant.
It was a lion, a HUGE lion. It was was almost as tall as the trees! What did it to get so big, eat a bus?!
The massive feline was a glittering gold, but was really caught my attention were the blades on it’s body. It’s mane wasn’t made of fur but actually consisted of a forest of long golden swords. On the end of it’s tail was the blade of a golden greatsword and each of it’s paws had a set of golden scythes. It roared again, revealing that his fangs were blades as well.
Nemean Blade Lion [Lv ???] [Elite Boss]
(Aggressive)HP: 30000/30000
Oh crap.
Anyone who plays MMOs or reads light novels based on them knows that a hidden level can only mean one thing: “You’re about to get rekt.”
I noticed movement to my right and used [Gale Step] to move back, right before the lion’s tail blade dug a trench where I had just been standing. Looks like we weren’t going to be able to run away from this fight.
Lilith seemed to have same thought as I did, as she landed in front it of it and started to attack.
”Frozen Shade.” she said, and immediately her shadow turned an icy blue and stretched upwards forming something of a flat wall behind her.
”Volley.” she commanded it, and a swarm of ice projectiles began to fly continuously from the surface of her shadow at the lion, which had to take a step back due to intensity of the assault though it’s health didn’t drop much.
She was pinning it down and testing it’s defences at the same time. Smart.
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>Lilith’s PoV<
HOW DARE IT! HOW DARE THAT FILTHY MONGREL ATTACK MY ADORABLE MISTRESS!!
I’LL F**KING KILL IT!! DIE BASTARD!!!
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>Isabelle’s PoV<
It’s always nice to have someone who can stay calm and strategic in times like this.
Dawn and Lynn joined in with their own respective attacks.
Dawn’s method of fighting involved a continuous flurry of slashes with her daggers. Her arms were a blur as she used them to unleash strike after strike in such a way that seemed like she was attacking wildly. In knew from sparring with her, however, that each of those strikes her coordinated to give the maximum effect. Currently, she moving around the lion, striking wherever she could to try to find a weakness.
Lynn, on the other hand, fought by gathering mana into her staff and then swinging it to fling orbs, waves, and even spears of fire magic at an opponent. Each of her movements flowed into the next, allowing to send a stream of attacks at her opponents as long she had the mana.
Deciding that it would be best for me to join in, I sent a [Tempest Kick] at it, which was currently my strongest attack.
(-112 HP)HP: 29212/30000
SERIOUSLY?!
At this rate, we’d run out of mana before we could get it down to half health!
The lion seemed to have other plans, however, as he let out another roar, momentarily stunning us all. He followed up with a spin, causing his tail to slash me and Lilith as well a cut down a ring of trees around him, including the one Lynn was in. He then slammed his right paw into Dawn, who had jumped and been in the air at the time, sending her crashing to the ground.
Looking at the party window, I could see that all of us were in the red. Dammit...What now?
I suddenly noticed Sorako sneaking closer to the lion. The next second a vision came to my mind from Sorako’s [Shared Senses] skill. It had been leveled somewhat, so I could see color through it now. What Sorako showed me was a patch of silver fur of the lion’s under bellow.
>Lady Isabelle, my [Analysis] has shown that this spot is it’s weakness as this silver fur has almost no defensive power.< Sorako told me via the telepathy that comes with being my familiar.
What did it matter though? Unlike the fight with Jerk, I was at my full health going into this and all it took was a single attack to bring me into the red, and I was in so much pain that I barely move. I suppose if the Flame Ape Tribe came back, we’d stand a chance. But with my luck, there was no way that was going to happen.
The lion was approaching to finish me off. Better to respawn back and town and try to make our way to the mountains while avoiding the boss.
…
……
………
What. The hell. Am I THINKING?!
I could feel my blood boil as a forced myself to my feet. Since when did I give up?! If I couldn’t kill this oversized alley cat, then I would at least go down trying!
Besides, if Big Sis learned that I had backed down from a fight, she’d probably beat me half to death in another one of her “sparring matches”.
The alley cat in question backed up a few steps. Score one for [Bloodlust Aura].
I took the chance to chug a couple of potions in order to to refill my health and mana and noticed my party members doing the same. Good, it was payback time and I had a plan.
>Hey Lynn. Do you have a spell that can make something along the lines of an eruption, as well as [Fire Manipulation]?< I asked, “speaking” over the party chat.
>Hm? Yes, I have them, Milady. Why?< came Lynn’s confused reply.
>I have an idea. Dawn, I want you to draw it’s attention and keep it. Make sure to keep it facing me. When it roars, I want you to get out of there and Lynn to cause an eruption directly underneath it’s head and dump every bit of her mana into using [Fire Manipulation]. At the same time, I need Lilith to bind it’s back paws and keep them anchored. Think you guys can do it?<
I received confirmation from everyone. Dawn, as her part of the plan, started attacking the lion to keep it’s attention, while Lynn and Lilith began to gather their magic.
As for me, I backed up a bit and knelt into the position used for a crouching start when running. I prepared a [Gale Step] and added an [Air Bullet] to it but stopped it from activating. Next, I activated [Gale Clad], using [Wind Manipulation] to make it spin around my body.
The key to [Wind Manipulation] is imagination. In this case, I was imagining a spiral cone around me with the tip pointed towards the lion.
I wasn’t done just yet, though. I used [Wind Edge] a few times and added the blades of air to the cone around me and the image of a spiral in my mind changed into one of a drill. Finally, I activated [Gale], making the wind come from behind me which then got sucked up into the cone around me.
I finished my preparations just as the lion drew it’s head back to roar. At that moment, Dawn drew back and the other two took action. Lilith locked down it’s back paws as a massive pillar of flame slammed into it’s jaw, forcing it into an upright position.
I released the [Gale Step] I had been holding back and shot forward like a bullet, activating [Flight] to increase my speed even further and leaving a cyclone trail behind me. As I passed through Lynn’s still going pillar of fire, the flames were sucked into my attack just as I had hoped.
I knew where the silver patch was located so I didn’t have to see it to aim at it. I struck my target, dumping all my mana into it at once just as I hit.
The result? A flaming cyclone slammed into the lion’s weak spot and exploded on impact.
Brutal hit! (-12391 HP)HP: 16821/30000
…...Dammit.
A moment after the cyclone surrounding me fade to nothing, the part of the lion’s tail just below the blade slammed into me, knocking my body to the ground and my health past the red zone and into the critical.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the same tail stab Lilith and her name in the party window turned grey, indicating her death.
He swiped his paw, offing both Dawn and Lynn with a single attack.
My vision started to fade just as I noticed him looming over me.
I waited for my turn, but instead of a fatal blow, the last thing I noticed before I blacked out was the feeling of being lifted up and carried.
You are unconscious!You have lost consciousness for the next 8 in game hours.
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>God’s Domain: Third person PoV<
In the white void, something that had become a common occurrence was happening once again.
Clarissa and Aurora were struggling to get free while the other gods, except Lucas and Dalmar who were too busy laughing, were trying to hold them back.
They had been like this ever since Isabelle had tried on her new set and had gotten worse after she posed a bit in it.
“For the last time, you manga loving idiots, NO. DIRECT. CONTACT!” Irene shouted.
“SHUT UP YOU FRUMPY PRUDE! EVEN YOU BLUSHED WHEN YOU SAW THAT!” Clarissa shouted back.
“I BET YOU WANT TO CUDDLE HER JUST AS MUCH AS WE DO!” Aurora added angrily, causing the elven goddess to turn red.
“W-W-What are you saying?! I-It’s not like I want to hug her or anything…” Irene stuttered.
“““Elf Tsundere””” Clarissa, Aurora, and Lucas said in perfect unison.
“S-Shut up, you stupid manga trio!”
They were so distracted with each other, that no one noticed the fight with the lion or said lion carrying Isabelle off afterwards…
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Cookie Corner
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Today’s recipients of the “Good Job!” cookies are: xacual
xacual: Suggested the ogre be like team rocket and suggested I have the God’s Domain segment in this one make up for forgetting to do it last time.
Good luck next time, guys!
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Author Corner
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Phew, this one took me a while. Mostly because I’ve been feeling tired lately plus the fact that there were so many paths I could have taken with this chapter.
Don’t worry about my feeling tired, it’s just something that happens on and off with me.
I don’t think there’s anything left to say, but if I think of something I’ll leave a P.S. below.
See you next time!
GrandFinale, over and out!