As they delved into the nuances of energy manipulation, Reyes felt a shift in his perception. He could sense the subtle flow of energy within him, the same energy he had previously harnessed instinctively. Now, he had to consciously guide it.
"Focus on your breath," Nex instructed. "Feel the energy with each inhale and exhale. Let it circulate through your body."
Reyes closed his eyes, following her guidance. He visualized the energy moving within him, intertwining with his breath. The sensation was faint at first, but as he concentrated, it grew stronger. He could feel the energy pulsing through his veins, a tangible force ready to be molded.
"Good," Nex said, her voice a calming presence. "Now, direct that energy to your senses. Enhance your sight, hearing, and touch."
Reyes focused, channeling the energy to his eyes. He opened them, and the forest around him seemed more vivid. He could see the minute details of leaves, the slight movements of distant animals. His hearing sharpened, catching the faintest rustle of wind through the trees. His skin tingled with heightened sensitivity, aware of every brush of air.
"You're doing well," Nex encouraged. "This is just the beginning. With practice, you'll be able to manipulate the energy for more complex abilities."
Reyes nodded, feeling a surge of power as he harnessed the environment's aura around him. Nex watched him in awe; he was progressing rapidly, perhaps too fast. Reyes could sense the auras of others now. Furthermore, his own aura, in comparison others hiding around in the background, his was enormous, akin to moons of the others as if they orbited him, around the Jupiter he was.
Remembering his skill from the game, he felt his magical energies mix as he lifted his right hand as if he were holding a sword. Suddenly, the energy manifested into his hand, forming a glowing, ethereal blade.
"Impressive," Nex murmured, her voice filled with wonder. "Your ability to harness and shape the energy is...far beyond exceptional, even without the system's direct assistance."
Reyes swung the energy blade experimentally, feeling its weight and balance. It felt real, solid, as if it had been forged from the finest materials. He marveled at the sensation, the tangible connection between his will and the energy he commanded.
"This is just the beginning," he said, his voice resolute. "If I can harness this much power now, imagine what I can achieve with more practice, and the other skills I could use before."
Nex nodded in agreement of a slight discomfort, her tiny form bobbing in frightened silence. "You have monstrous potential, Reyes. But remember, with great power comes great responsibility. Use it wisely please."
Scoffing at her, he'd heard of that cliche line as he went on to practice its limits, Reyes noticed a change in the forest around him. The animals had grown silent, sensing the powerful presence in their midst. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath, as if nature itself acknowledged his growing strength.
He dispelled the energy blade, letting the magical energies dissipate into the air. "Nex, I need to learn more about the people here. Their customs, their politics. I can't rely on raw power alone. I'm not an oppressor, nor plan on being one. There's nothing more displeasing to me to act upon such means of my new self as some king. I wanna see a world of possibilities that isn't made through oppression. That's why I want information to help NPCs...I meant,...people."
Nex nodded again, she could tell he still didn't view the lives of those living in this life as people just yet. "You're right. Power without knowledge is a dangerous thing. Let's start by learning about the village and its people. The more you understand, the better you can navigate this world."
︽
[Void Strike • Level 1 (3) ] A swift, radiant light attribute melee conjuring of a single manipulation of their energy into physical form for attack dealing pure transparent energy for a single burst of damage action.
︾
With the view to others as a 'Sword of Dimensional Disparity' in his hand, those watching, it appeared as a frightening ghostly shape of doom, but he saw it as pure white energy, akin to a glass—see-through lightsaber yet pulsing with immense star-like power. Nex was shocked at his rapid mastery, her tiny form floating in stunned silence.
Reyes swung the sword, again and it vanished, only to be conjured again with ease. He continued to experiment, shaping the energy into different forms. "So once I make an action with it, it fades away. But I can reshape it however I want. The skill used to be a simple blade that I could move around forever until cooldown duration, but now it feels like I can shape it freely, and it costs nearly nothing less to summon."
He reflected on his past gaming experiences. "I played with the settings on extreme high sensitivity for magical feel only, so I guess I made the right choice. No wonder it feels familiar. You didn't seem to know that, Nex, meaning you only watched my memories but didn't get to experience them. This is the big difference between seeing and experiencing something. Now, stop looking down on me as some inferior, ignorant idiot. Understood?" He pointed the blade at Nex, who bowed immediately in the air, her tiny form trembling in fear.
To the hidden onlookers, the sight of a wisp acting submissive and fearful was unprecedented. Their own wisps appeared intimidated too, further amplifying their confusion and awe. Something special was with this teenager; they felt it deeply but couldn't place him. Given the golden ring reserved for nobility that he wore, they reached a collective conclusion: "He is the new prince of Azrael! The Queen of the Kingdom!" They nodded amongst themselves, slowly retreating from the scene, except for one little boy who watched in awe.
Reyes noticed the boy and walked over from the distance, his aura now completely under control, exuding an approachable demeanor. "Hey there," he said gently, kneeling to the boy's level. "What's your name?"
The boy, wide-eyed with admiration, stammered, "J-Jareth, sir."
"Nice to meet you, Jareth," Reyes smiled, extending a hand. "Do you like magic?"
Jareth nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, sir! That thing you made was amazing!"
Reyes chuckled. "Thank you. It's a special skill I have. Maybe one day you'll learn to do something even cooler."
Jareth's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Really?"
"Absolutely," Reyes assured him. "But for now, you should get home. It's getting late."
Jareth nodded, still grinning from ear to ear. "Thank you, sir!" He scampered off, waving as he went.
Reyes stood up, watching the boy disappear into the village. "Nex, let's head to the hunting grounds for this pest."
Nex emerged cautiously, still wary of Reyes's earlier display of power. "Understood, Reyes."
As they made their way back deep into the forest without any apparent scouts or spying on him, Reyes felt a at ease as Nex stayed with him giving him common knowledge he could learn.
He was still just a stranger in a new world; but he was a force to be reckoned with if any dared their luck, and he would use his abilities to carve out a place for himself, all while learning the intricacies of this world and its people.
**
[Year 524 C.A • Monday morning • September fourth]
Reyes, now known as Xela, had been absent from the village for three days, leaving behind a whirlwind of rumors and speculation. The village buzzed with stories of his identity, many convinced he was a prince of Azrael, the Queen of Caliphia, come to scout or even replace the village chief due to the village's lack of support for the frontline.
In the chief's quarters, the atmosphere was tense but filled with anticipation. Chief Thorin, a level 57 warrior class, received the news from his clerk with a contemplative smile. "So, the prince is indeed coming next week. Interesting." He stroked his white beard thoughtfully.
"Well, it seems we guessed wrong. Way to make things interesting. Has that young man come back to the village?" he asked his clerk.
She shook her head. "Should we take the ring back?" she asked nervously. She had tried to spy on Xela but found him impenetrable, her instincts as a level 45 assassin class screaming at her not to engage.
Chief Thorin nodded, understanding her caution. "He won't run off. He seemed clueless, but capable. The adventurers who followed him were unmotivated to try anything against him. His armor is of sovereignty class, and he has no notable name. Very mysterious indeed."
The chief reviewed his notes, reflecting on the strange calm that had settled over the forest since Xela had ventured into it. "Strangely, ever since he left for the quest into the woods, there have been no rogue goblins, direwolves, or forest creatures running wild. It's like the infamous plagued monster feast forest is quiet. Even the evil mushroom swarms have become nonexistent."
The clerk flipped through her notebook tablet. "Xela, the unsung hero. Is the prince him, or have we found ourselves a new hero to set the rebellion into motion?"
Chief Thorin nodded, staring out the window. "Let's see the coming weeks. We need to decide if we can convince him to join our faction. Make sure your sources know not to make any ill-intents against him."
The clerk vanished, leaving Chief Thorin alone with his thoughts. "A new era is upon us," he murmured. "I can feel it."
**
In the dense forest, Reyes was deep in meditation after refining his technique and exploring his new passive abilities. He had been hunting and slaying monsters left and right, fulfilling his quest to return with as many monster cores as possible, with a minimum requirement of three C-rank cores.
Nex hovered nearby, observing his progress with a mix of awe and concern. He had already mastered the art of energy manipulation, creating and controlling the skill Void Strike with ease and mastery beyond its limitations.
"Nex, so Rating levels equal the potency of an entire individual entity's ability. If that entity had intelligence or not, is that factor included?" Reyes asked as he sat on a blood-stained boulder surrounded by a mess of dead monster bodies.
Nex had evolved from Tier one to Tier three at an unprecedented rate, enjoying not feeling weak anymore. However, the cores from the beasts had been used for this evolution, and if Reyes had decided to turn them in, he'd probably be sitting on a wealth of rewards and a new promotion rank.
She replied, "Correct, Reyes." She had tested saying his true name multiple times, and his reaction had lessened from aggressive to docile ignorance. "The system knows the limits and possibilities, thus making its rating accordingly."
"Z Rank > SS Rank > S Rank > A Rank > B Rank > C Rank > D Rank > E Rank > F Rank > G Rank > H Rank > I Rank > J Rank. Where do I fall into?" Reyes asked coyly, glaring at Nex who appeared annoyed.
"If I had to guess, I'd say around SS Rank to S Rank. You're not a threat to the whole world if you have no army to do your bidding or one loyal to you," she replied.
"Level equals advancement, performance, and complexity. So you're one of the few in this world with armor that even dragons cannot damage. Anyway, do you want to see your system?" she asked, admitting she couldn't see it.
"No," he smirked at her as she approached him, wanting to go back inside him. He laughed as he stood up to allow her. He had learned her limits once more. "Well then, I sensed something far inside the forest that might be a challenge. I was holding off addressing it because of you, Nex, but since you got strong enough, it's time to get myself a challenging exercise." Reyes smiled as he bolted through the forest.
These past days, he had learned to control his senses and attune them to meet his needs for reactionary levels fitting each situation. He could match the speeds of his opponents or surpass them if necessary.
"Reyes, your progress is... astounding," Nex said, a mixture of annoyance and fear in her voice. She had a habit of summoning herself whenever he felt alone during activities. "But you must be cautious. Many will fear your power and seek to challenge you. You're one, and many weak ones can eventually bring you down. Like a dragon, one cannot overcome it alone. However, an army can."
Reyes opened his eyes, having run relying on his senses alone. The white energy of his sword faded away. Along the way, he had slain monsters and assisted struggling adventurers in the woods, like the wind. They didn't see who or what had aided them in dire moments of conflict. "I know, Nex. But I need to understand this world and my place in it. If I'm to navigate the political landscape and the dangers that come with it, I must be prepared."
Nex nodded. "Then let's continue. We need to ensure you're ready for whatever comes next. The beast we are approaching is surely S-rank, it must be the ruler class of this forest."
As Reyes and Nex approached the deepest center of the forest, the atmosphere grew tense. The trees were tall and ancient, their twisted branches casting eerie shadows on the forest floor. Reyes's senses were on high alert, every rustle and creak putting him on edge.
"It's been a while since I have met a level low max. I know the sensation now, so this is a possible level 70 to 80 beast," he said to himself as Nex appeared extremely distressed.
"Please let it sleep. Let's not try it. I know you're strong but, this... is a ruling class! One of a high level too. It's protecting the 'Nest Core,' it clearly isn't worth it. If this was a dungeon, we could at least know killing the core would kill it, but a 'Nest Core' destroyed doesn't mean it would die too," she frantically said to him as she buzzed around him. He giggled.
"Hmph. Players have an advantage. Since you're now able to scan things, mind telling me its type?" Reyes said as he walked towards it.
"If I scan it, the beast will awake! I know you think this is a game, but players are not a thing anymore. If they were, then the people who have us Wisps are already players too!" she worried as he smirked.
"Oh? Try me then. Let me show you the difference. What tier evolution do you need to access dimensional storage?" he asked her as she appeared defeated, ready to become a Wisp ghost as she was once.
"As you command, tier five. This beast would be able to possibly allow me to reach that level. It's not certain, however, so you still need me to scan it?" she robotically responded, emotionally defeated.
"Nah, let's see what happens. I like the experience of this unknown surprise. It's a warmth I need to stay sharp anyway," he replied as she appeared completely shattered by the frantic lunatic she had just met a few days ago, now going to his death.
"It's been an amazing short time, Reyes. Thank you," she replied, which made him stop at a standstill, only to glance at the ground. A moment of no words but pure silence as Reyes appeared disappointed by her words. She looked ahead, accepting the fate she could already see.
This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
"Stay close," Reyes advised, her light dimming to latch onto him. She knew he wanted her close because of the possibility of a suddenly unknown adversary who could still devour her while in battle. "If you sense any danger, return into my body. In the meantime, enjoy the show," he said as he continued to leave the trees into the open field where the giant cat-wolf-dragon beast lay.
Nex nodded, watching his hand rest on the hilt of his sword. "What kind of creature am I dealing with here?"
The beast, still lying there calmly, smelled him and lifted its paw, showing a single claw as a swipe came down in a downward motion.
"Here we go," he muttered, bracing himself.
The swipe, a crest slash in a moon shape, came fast but not enough to surprise or catch him off guard. Instantly his passive was triggered as he unconsciously used 'Divine Agility,' which increased his evasion by the equivalent reactionary time to his opponent's action. Furthermore, once triggered, his ability to react quickly was increased by five percent until the confrontation was over.
Blitzing over to the beast, a swipe from his Void Strike didn't even leave a dent on it. However, it was now awake and annoyed. The forest shook as birds and animals escaped the terrain for a battle of two powerhouses was commencing.
**
After a series of explosions and testing the waters, the two began to move seriously and quickly, too fast for the naked eye to track. No lesser level of 40 or below could manage to follow their performance or exchanges.
A massive cat-wolf-like dragon creature emerged from the shadows of the trees, its eyes glowing with malevolent intelligence. Nex's wisp flashed red as a warning, indicating the creature's high level. Changing colors in distress was a rare feat for wisps, and somehow, Nex had unconsciously achieved this in the moment. She was beyond scared.
"That's a Dire Feline Shadow Draco," Nex said urgently after scanning it. "Be careful, Reyes!"
The beast lunged forward, swinging its head with precision. Reyes was faster, but his attacks were ineffective, leaving only tiny scratches on the beast. He had yet to master any of his other skills, relying primarily on his passive abilities to carry him through the fight.
His passives were mostly defensive and agility-based, and thankfully, he knew how to use them instinctively by flowing his mana through his mind and body.
The wolf dodged, causing Reyes's critical attack to fail. Now he was in a dire position, its movements almost too quick to follow. It countered with a swipe of its massive paw, knocking Reyes back through the air into a grove of trees.
"You're stronger than this! Please get up!" Nex encouraged. "Use your abilities!"
Coughing blood, Reyes smiled. "Oh, if only it were that easy. The damned wolf won't give me a chance to catch my breath."
In those circumstances, the beast appeared back on the scene, going in for another attack. Reyes evaded it, and the beast grew more annoyed by his elusive speed.
"Ugh, pesky ant. Fine. I'll have to corner you." It spoke telepathically, then purred and howled, summoning shadows around the forest in a circular manner, besieging Reyes.
Nex almost fainted, or if she could, she was shaking. Reyes smiled. "Nex. Guess what?"
"Huh!" She stared at him, dumbfounded. He was smiling. "It's so screwed."
She watched, confused, as the beast moved around to attack him, almost endlessly, while the beast sunk into the shadows to aim for a surprise attack.
During the onslaught, Reyes was gathering essence for Nex, who started to understand what was happening. The only problem was that for Nex to evolve, Reyes couldn't use his abilities for a few minutes. In such a fight, she was beyond doubt this still didn't solve their problems.
However, suddenly she noticed he moved too fast, avoiding an attack that was surely his end. She wanted to say something, but he gestured for her to stay quiet.
Magical beasts had the natural ability to see wisps, but they couldn't hurt them. Using his Void Strike repeatedly, Reyes slew all the shadow beasts, allowing Nex to evolve to Tier four. However, the ruling beast was still without a hint of harm or fatigue.
"You know I can summon those shadow beasts again. Can you keep up?" it asked telepathically to Reyes, who visibly couldn't possibly continue if the horde came again.
"No, I wouldn't. That's why I am ending this dance. Thank you for sharing your time helping me recall my innate love for this game. Or rather should I say, passion for the hard times that do come to fruition after a long journey," he said, as both Nex and the beast appeared visibly confused.
The Dire Shadow Wolf howled in pain, retreating momentarily. Reyes didn't let up, pressing his advantage. With a final, powerful strike in the darkness and into the open field, the beast fell, its body dissipating into a dark mist. Left behind was a core of an A rank.
"That's for you, Nex. Take it and evolve to Tier five, so I can get my potions," Reyes said.
"How!" Nex yelled, her light brightening.
"Ethereal Step," he gasped for breath, "I moved into its body and attacked from within. Twice, one to the chest, and another to the head." He fell to the ground, exhausted, as he glared at the flabbergasted wisp.
︽
[Ethereal Step • Level 12 (14) ] Teleports you a short distance within range, visible. Moving locations are not susceptible options. Upon relocating, if no space is available, user will be ejected out of location to return to previous location. WARNING • High risk of permanent mana internal disability at 10% chance per use.
︾
Reyes panted, adrenaline coursing through him. "That was intense. The hard part was getting out. The idea came to me when the cat-dog beast momentarily froze when sinking into the shadows and also when I noticed I moved so fast that it felt like time froze due to my reaction being extremely beyond it."
"You were lucky," Nex said. "That skill is deadly; its use can permanently make you unable to use mana. You used it twice too. You're lucky."
"Nah. I'd win. Never played the chance when I knew my passives were in play. From the start, the odds were stacked against it. Magical beasts don't have as many skills as pla—" he caught himself, "as people. They have the strongest abilities of damage and destruction but rarely as many as peop—" he corrected again. "Well, you know."
Nex seemed to accept it, after all, she was a walking library of knowledge. She floated to where the wolf had fallen, the dark mist coalescing into a glowing orb. "Yes, this is it. Essence of a Dire Shadow Wolf. It will do perfectly. For sure, I'll be a Tier five with this. The next tier is almost impossible. You'd have to kill twenty of these to make that possible."
Reyes sheathed his sword, feeling a surge of fatigue. "Alright, let's go home. I'm beat. That was a good workout."
As they started back, the forest, once teeming with danger, now felt eerily quiet. Nex hovered closer to Reyes, her glow steady. "Thank you, Reyes. For believing in me and trusting me."
Reyes smirked, wiping some blood off his face. "You're my partner, Nex. We're in this together. Besides, you've saved my hide more times than I can count."
Nex glowed a bit brighter at the compliment. "Well, let's get you patched up. I can sense you're running low on energy."
Reyes nodded. "Yeah, I need to recover. And after you evolve, we'll have even more advantages. But let's keep it low-key. I don't want anyone knowing how strong we're getting just yet."
"Agreed," Nex replied. "Let's stay under the radar. For now, we focus on getting stronger and learning more about this world."
As they reached the village outskirts, the setting sun cast long shadows, giving everything a serene glow. Reyes felt a sense of accomplishment but knew this was just the beginning. With Nex by his side, he felt ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.
**
Returning after four days in the woods, Reyes left the Nest Core intact, understanding from Nex that removing it could disrupt the village's economy. As long as adventurers managed the monster population, the village would thrive, and a new ruling class monster wouldn't emerge for another century.
With Nex now at Tier five, she was more active and visible, but other wisps seemed to avoid her.
"Reyes, I have to tell you the truth," Nex began one evening at the inn's estate. "You placed me in a position I didn't want you to know about. However, given the current circumstances, I need to tell you. You can decide to join us or not, but I'm on your side, not theirs."
"Keep that to yourself. If it's important, it will come to me. Now, you said something about devouring other wisps. Can you do that now?" Reyes dismissed her revelation, focusing on the practical aspects of her abilities.
Nex felt frustrated by his lack of interest. She tried to explain again, "LOOK! If it's some world quest or whatever, I don't care. I will deal with whatever comes to my doorstep. Don't try to push me into some path. I'm no hero!" Upset, he forced her back into his body, unwilling to engage in any grand schemes.
The silence that followed was thick with unspoken words and unresolved tension. Reyes sat back, taking a deep breath to calm himself. The weight of Nex's revelation lingered, but he chose to push it aside, focusing on his immediate goals.
After a few minutes of silence, Reyes muttered, "I need a break." He stood up and walked to the window, staring out into the night. The village was peaceful, a stark contrast to the chaos and uncertainty that seemed to follow him everywhere.
Nex, from within, tried to soothe him. "I'm sorry, Reyes. I didn't mean to upset you. I just thought it was important for you to know."
Reyes sighed, "I know you mean well, Nex. It's just... I need to take things one step at a time. Let's focus on what we can control for now."
"Agreed," Nex replied, her voice soft. "We'll face whatever comes together."
**
A few days passed peacefully until a late afternoon, when the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the inn. People swarmed towards the exit, their faces painted with a mix of fear and curiosity. Nex, ever vigilant, floated nearby, her small form glowing with anxious energy. She could sense the excitement from the other wisps, who seemed almost gleeful at the unfolding situation.
Downstairs, a booming voice reverberated through the building. "Mercenary Xela! You demon avatar! You're accused of impersonating the prince! The Church of Holy Wispy Faiths is here to bring you to judgment! Come downstairs unarmed, or we will kill you on sight!" The synchronized shouting of guards and holy priests filled the air, causing a rush of patrons to flee while others remained, eager to witness the drama.
Nex darted around Reyes, clearly distressed. "Reyes, this has the other wisps' fingerprints all over it. They must have orchestrated this," she said, her voice tinged with worry. But when she looked at Reyes, he was calmly surveying the room, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Is there something I'm missing? I count thirty, maybe fifty people, all ranging from levels 50 to 90!" she exclaimed, her worry evident.
Reyes chuckled softly. "What are levels again?" he asked, his tone teasing.
Nex huffed, annoyed by his casual demeanor. "Level equals advancement, performance, and complexity. What are you implying?" she demanded, watching nervously as the guards outside began setting up a large hourglass, the sand slowly trickling down.
Reyes leaned against the wall, still smiling. "Hmph, fine. Here's a hint: Complexity," he said, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
Nex frowned, trying to piece together his cryptic clue. She had access to his memories, but without experiencing them firsthand, some subtleties eluded her. "What do you mean by that? Complexity?" she repeated, frustration creeping into her voice.
Reyes straightened up, his expression turning serious. "There are only two races I should ever be worried about. One is my own. The other is the 'Fallen.' After all, my race is also known as 'Godslayer.' It's the hardest race to level up due to its passive play style and the necessity for no actual action, just relying on others to carry the load."
Nex's eyes widened as the realization dawned on her. "So, you're saying their levels and numbers don't matter because...?"
"Because they're not prepared for the complexity of a Godslayer," Reyes finished, his voice low and confident.
Outside, the hourglass continued its countdown, the tension in the inn palpable. The guards and priests, unaware of the true nature of the foe they were about to face, stood ready, weapons drawn. Reyes took a deep breath, feeling the familiar rush of adrenaline. He knew the battle ahead would be challenging, but he relished the opportunity to prove his might.
Nex hovered close, her worry slowly transforming into resolve. She knew that as long as she stood by Reyes, they could face whatever came their way. The clock was ticking, and the showdown with the Church of Holy Wispy Faiths was imminent.
With a final glance at Nex, Reyes tightened his grip on his robe, and armor. "Let's give them a show they'll never forget," he said, stepping forward to his room's door to meet his challengers head-on.
"Useful only at level 59 when you gain all skills up to that level," Reyes explained, his voice steady as he descended the stairs. "Then it repeats until level 70, at which point the player account becomes truly playable. Do you know how long I had my account? Probably."
Nex hovered beside him, absorbing his words with growing realization.
"Ten years of nothing but ridicule," Reyes continued, a hint of bitterness in his tone, "until one day, I unlocked level 70. From then on, I defeated every other race as easily as fighting a noob. For lack of a better term, I was a level 70 crushing races capped at level 99 as if I were broken."
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "Long story short, none of these people have any idea what they're walking into. Even if they scanned me, they remain blissfully ignorant. They have no clue how broken I am."
"And now that I can access my inventory via you," Reyes said, glancing at Nex, "I'd like to show you why I say 'NPCs' aren't players."
As he spoke, Reyes walked calmly down the stairs, his demeanor unruffled. The inn's patrons, sensing the impending confrontation, watched with bated breath. At the foot of the stairs, Thoran, the chief, stepped forward, his face etched with concern.
"It is our responsibility," Thoran said, his voice urgent. "Please tell the prince to reconsider."
The archers and knights surrounding the inn were unmoved, their weapons at the ready. The atmosphere was tense, crackling with anticipation.
"Is this the rumored uprising you all planned?" the prince sneered, stepping forward. "We played ignorant, hoping it wouldn't come to fruition, but it seems you all need a reminder of where you stand."
With a flourish, the prince held up a summoning crystal and shattered it, summoning a young knight. The knight was of the holy dragonic class, his mere presence compelling everyone to kneel. The prince laughed, reveling in the display of power, confident that the tide had turned in his favor.
Reyes, however, remained unfazed. "I don't know what's going on, whether I'm framed or not," he said, his voice calm and unwavering. "If you seek a fight with me, meet me outside the village walls. I'd hate to destroy this innocent village. Besides, it's time for me to move on."
Nex, usually so vocal, stayed silent, her presence a steadying force at Reyes's side.
The crowd parted as Reyes made his way to the door, the tension thick in the air. The prince's smug expression faltered for a moment as he realized that Reyes was not intimidated. Outside, the village lay quiet, unaware of the impending battle that would soon shatter its peace.
Reyes stepped into the open air, his eyes scanning the horizon. He knew the fight ahead would be fierce, but he was ready.
"Oh? You and that demonic wisp of yours, hmph, I guess you don't want to show your true colors in front of the public eye," one of the priests proclaimed, his voice dripping with contempt. The knights began to follow Reyes out of the village, their armor clinking with each step.
As they marched, a small figure struggled against the oppressive atmosphere. A child, trembling and bleeding from his eyes and mouth, stumbled forward. "P-p-please, don't... (gasping) kill him, don't kill big brother!" he cried out, his voice barely above a whisper.
The boy's legs gave way, and he began to fall. The knights looked on indifferently, making no move to help.
But before the boy could hit the ground, Reyes was there, catching him and laying him down gently. He remembered the young boy who had met him in woods a while back, yet he didn't remember his name.
"Don't worry. I am not going to die. In fact, I am now more than happy to bring massacre," Reyes said softly, his words both a comfort to the child and a chilling promise to his enemies.
The knights exchanged uneasy glances as one of them sneered, "Oh, just like the holy church said! Demon."
Reyes ignored the comment, his focus already shifting to the confrontation ahead. He moved past the knights with a determined stride. "Let's hurry. I need to come back to kill the rest of you knights and then the prince too. I'm done with this storyline nonsense," he said, his voice cold and resolute.
Nex floated close by, her glow pulsating with a mixture of worry and anticipation.
The village lay behind them, its inhabitants holding their breath, unaware of the fate that hung in the balance.
The sky darkened as Reyes and his pursuers exited the village. He stopped at the edge of a wide, open field, turning to face the assembled knights and priests. "This is where it ends," he declared, his eyes blazing with determination.
The priests began to chant blessing casts and curses, their voices rising in a haunting melody that filled the air. The knights readied their weapons, their expressions grim and focused. Reyes took a deep breath, feeling the familiar rush of adrenaline coursing through his veins. This was what they had trained for? What he had endured years of ridicule for to be put to test? What effort was worth more?
Nex, sensing the gravity of the moment, whispered in his ear, "Remember, Reyes, you're not alone. We can do this together."
With a glare at her, Reyes prepared to unleash the most of the power of his race type's skills. Unlike before, he'd managed to unlock twenty of thirty six skills. Or rather minus the ten passives skills and the initial skill, he'd unlocked seven more recently.
The battle ahead would be fierce, but he was ready to see how the NPCs could amount together to equal players.
For the child who called him brother, for the village that deserved peace, and for himself, to finally put an end to this madness.
The first strike came swiftly, and the field erupted into chaos. Reyes moved with a speed and precision that left his enemies reeling. Every swing of his blade, every curse and bless spell they cast, failed as it was a testament to his superiority and skill.
The knights and priests, so confident moments before, now found themselves outmatched. Fear started to slowly creep, until despair came when they saw him summon his ultimate weapon, a scythe. Upon grasping it, one of the priest's immediate knew the ability it had.
Reyes fought with a relentless fury, driven by a deep-seated need to prove himself and to avenge. Nex provided no support, her wisp form darting around, devouring the fallen's wisps. She noticed something strange during this moment. However, decided not to say anything during the intense battle.
And with each fallen foe, he was thinking what do about that prince, would he make them pay for their arrogance, and the village would finally know peace?
Nex hovered beside him, her glow softening as the tension eased.
"It's...incoming! Rey-," she shouted, her voice filled with relief. He'd countered the sudden appearance of the holy knight, who would arrogantly speak, "Well, isn't this a surprise."
**
With the mercenary gone, the holy knight, who was barely twenty, stood idly, appearing bored. But then, his eyes flickered with interest as he glanced toward the distant horizon of the forest.
"Chief, who's that guy?" he asked, breaking his silence for the first time. His voice cut through the lingering arguments like a blade. The prince looked confused, and the bishop seemed concerned. It was rare for the knight to speak unless something truly piqued his interest. His demeanor of excellence was seldom disrupted, as nothing had ever seemed to lack importance to his character.
The chief shifted uncomfortably before responding. "We don't know much about him. He appeared here a week ago. He's strong, but I don't think he's at your level. I believe he's level 70, if I remember correctly."
The prince, still perplexed, glanced between the chief and the holy knight. "Why does he matter so much?" he asked, trying to gauge the situation.
The holy knight's gaze remained fixed on the horizon. "He intrigues me. There's something different about him. I can sense it," he said, his voice low and contemplative.
The bishop, sensing the knight's rare interest, stepped forward. "If he's only level 70, why do you find him noteworthy?"
The holy knight turned to face the bishop, his expression unreadable. "Levels don't always tell the whole story. Sometimes, there's more to power than just numbers."
The arguments ceased, replaced by a tense silence. The knight's words hung heavily in the air, leaving the others to ponder the significance of his rare show of interest.
Then, as his excitement dried up, turning to sudden despair, the knight's aura spiked, as if the distant threat he sensed was right in front of him.
"W-w-what was his race type?" he stammered, a visible sign of impatience. White angelic wings erupted from his back, shimmering in the light. "W-w-we d-d-don't know!" the chief stuttered, his fear palpable.
The chief's fear intensified, expecting the knight to kill him in frustration. But the knight simply vanished, leaving no gust of wind or disturbance—just pure teleportation. His sudden disappearance left the scene in shock, the realization of a distressed holy knight sending waves of fear through the crowd.
"Was Xela a demon?" many began to murmur, their eyes turning towards the forest. Some started walking towards the distant lights and trembling ground, the echoes of battle reaching their ears.
Silence descended as the bishop and a few knights watched with bated breath. The prince felt a surge of dread when he saw the holy knight emerge from the forest, worn out and bleeding, yet victorious.
The prince's heart rate slowed, relief washing over him—until a shadowy figure appeared behind the knight. Before anyone could react, the figure stabbed the knight through, and a clear wisp emerged from the knight's body, only to be devoured by the dark presence.
The figure was Reyes, now a reaper, holding a scythe and wearing a hood. He drank from a red potion, known to be extremely rare and worth a fortune. As he consumed three bottles, his wounds healed instantly.
Reyes walked down the hillside, summoning another item from his wisp. This time, he drank blue potions, which were well-known mana potions in high society. He gulped down four of them before summoning a scroll, ripping it open to restore his armor to its pristine condition.
The crowd watched in stunned silence as Reyes made his way towards them, his presence both awe-inspiring and terrifying. He had become a symbol of unstoppable power, and the realization dawned on everyone present that they were witnessing something far beyond their understanding.
Frozen like the rest, the chief shivered in manic laughter. "Well, my Prince, is this a demon you can defeat? Do you have any more of the summoning crystals?"
The prince stood paralyzed, eventually fainting as the bishop and the rest of the knights prepared for combat. As Xela reached the village, he walked towards them indifferently. "Chief, are you with them?"
"No, Xela," he immediately replied. The rest of the knights prepared to attack the supposed traitor, but a single step forward from Xela stopped them in their tracks, fear gripping them as they saw Xela ready to move.
"We surrender," the bishop said, his voice steady yet filled with desperation. "Unless you're a demon, you'd allow us that much of a chance. If you're not, you'll allow us to leave unharmed."
Reyes, or Xela, looked at them coldly. "I'll let you leave." Relief flickered across their faces, but vanished as he continued, "However, your wisps will be devoured. So, what will it be? Do you value your lives more than your wisps, or are you willing to throw it all away without going back to your home to report me and bring an army to overtake me? Not that it would make a difference."
Nex, through this whole event, had learned one thing. Reyes was cold-hearted, and from her memories, it was as if the avatar had frozen his heart. He didn't feel the pain of killing another human being; it was a mentality of someone killing a fake, knowing it wasn't real. He was able to switch his emotions off and on.
She wondered if one day he lost that connection, and he wasn't able to, wouldn't he become the very thing they were calling him now? Not true yet, but possibly in the future.
Nex had to say something before Reyes started to slowly fade. "Reyes, ... 'He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.'" - Nietzsche.
The random line in the tension made the bishop wonder what it meant. He noticed Xela's eyes revert from the dark distant glare to a more subtle, lifelike clarity.
"(Laughs)," Xela chuckled as he removed his hood and handed his scythe to Nex, who stored it away. She sighed, relieved her words had defused the doom hanging over his aggressors, offering them mercy.
"Nex...thank you. I forget what's real and what isn't at times. Please keep that attitude, guide me to see things more clearly. You nine, leave the village. Take back to your Queen or whomever. Should you keep coming here after me, I'll keep pushing back as best as I can. Should you go after the innocent... I'm sorry, Nex. Your words would come true. I'll give up on seeing this world the way you want." He said as the bishop quickly summoned a spell to transport them back to the sovereignty domain.
The prince glared with revenge as he disappeared, but it didn't matter to Reyes. The chief placed a hand on Reyes's shoulder. "Thank you. We hope we can rely on you more in the future."
"I'm going back to my inn, and then I'll sleep to see what I will plan on doing tomorrow. I hope that kid is okay. He really set off an awful side of myself I never knew I had. (Laughs)" Reyes said as he left.
"I'll make sure he knows, Xela. Sleep well." The chief said as Reyes waved him goodnight.
"Is his last name Reyes?" a villager asked, their voice filled with curiosity and awe.
"Yes," the chief replied, watching Reyes disappear into the inn. "His last name is Reyes."
[Year 524 C.A • Friday Evening • September eleventh]