While he was thinking about his occupation, which would have solved many problems, the female Dragonkin asked aloud.
Granberia: Is that it?! Having your city taken over by a monster… There's no complaints?!
Marco sighed and took deep breaths before coming out from his hiding place, Granberia heard his steps and turned towards him before narrowing her eyes.
Granberia: You want to fight?
Marco: Yes… I know that I can't win, but at least I can say that I did my best…
Granberia appreciated his thoughts and said with a smile.
Granberia: I like your behavior, but are you sure? You don't have a weapon.
Marco: I don't have one right now, except for a kitchen knife, so I will use the tails…
Granberia: Tails?
Alice heard him from away and raised an eyebrow at his words.
Marco: Can you give me 1 minute to prepare myself?
Granberia shrugged and watched him, Marco's back was a bit bent forward and a strange thick red aura surrounded him, his pupils turned in slits, his nails were getting a bit longer, and his canines got sharper.
Over his head, the red aura formed 2 long ears while in his back a tail appeared, this sudden transformation surprised both Granberia and Alice, who didn't knew what was going on, but Granberia waited anyways.
30 seconds later, Marco bent a bit more forward and a second tail appeared, both the spectators noticed the boost Marco got when the second tail appeared, but it was still too far to reach the Dragonkin's level.
And after the last 30 seconds, Marco got on his four limbs and his third tail slowly appeared, Marco's aura got a bit denser and released a bit of heat, under his limbs a small crater was created and started to look menacingly at Granberia, who seemed to ignore it.
Marco: Alright! I'm ready! 'I have only one chance… If I can throw a heavy hit at her the first time, surprising her, then I have a chance to win this fight…'
Granberia nodded and picked up the giant sword before pointing it against Marco.
Granberia: Then, the fire swordswoman, Granberia, will fight you right now!
The moment she finished to talk, Marco's tails rushed at her at an amazing speed while turning in claws, she wasn't prepared for this speed so she couldn't dodge, but she blocked the hit with her sword, all three tails hit Granberia's giant sword, making her backing away of some pair of steps, surprised from the strength of the tails.
Then her sword was covered in flames and started to cut the tails, but since the were made of aura, they immediately reformed back and grabbed her sword, Granberia could feel a pull and looked to see that Marco was coming towards her really fast with his claws ready to slash her.
She immediately reacted by grabbing Marco's arm that was coming towards her, it was really hot, if it was any normal person their hand would be turned black from the heat, but she was a dragonkin, a strong one, so the heat did nothing at her.
Marco raised his other arm to slash at her, but Granberia let go of her sword and grabbed his other arm, Marco tried to struggle but Granberia's grip was too strong, then Marco took a deep breath and roared against her.
She was surprised when she flew some meters away from Marco, since he used his energy to create a shockwave, and was free from her grip.
Then Marco grabbed the giant sword the fell in the ground and used his other hand to use his energy to create a long limb to capture Granberia, which was done successfully.
After that, Marco brought her close while he brought the heavy sword against her, but Granberia took a deep breaths and fire came out from her mouth, surprising Marco.
The fire covered his vision and was really hot, forcing him to release her while he backed away, at least he was still holding Granberia's big sword.
Marco: 'How can I be so stupid… She's a dragon, it's obvious that she can breathe fire…'
She was taking deep breaths and smiled from a bit of excitation.
Granberia: It was a while that I encountered someone as strong as you… Are 3 tails the maximum you can use?
Marco: Unfortunately yes, after some training I can get some more tails, but not now, I can't use the 4th tail unless I want to destroy the town…
Granberia: Nn, I get it… What's your name?
Marco: My name is Marco, just a traveler that want to visit the entire world.
Granberia nodded in respect and took a stance before saying.
Granberia: Alright, Marco, I will get a bit serious now…
Then Granberia became a blur that was going towards him, Marco was surprised from the speed she was going on and tried to dodge her, but she punched his stomach, making him spit saliva and fly some dozen of meters before rolling in the ground while holding his stomach in pain with one hand.
That hit made him release the grip on Granberia's sword, which was picked up from her original owner, soon the pain in his stomach left and Marco put himself again in 4, like an animal.
Then he runned towards her as fast as he could, but she clearly seen him coming and threw a heavy kick in his face when he was near enough, making him fly against a wall and crash.
Marco got a big bruise on his face while his nose was bleeding, but slowly regenerated thanks to his regeneration.
But before he could stabilize himself, Granberia was in front of him with an hand on his neck and the other one in her sword's handle, Marco tried to remove the grip on his neck while Granberia slowly lifted her sword.
Granberia: I liked your spirit, and you have the strength to prove it, but it is not enough… It's time to rest, Marco the Traveler.
Then Granberia raised her sword, Marco's heart was beating fast from the incoming death and his pupils shrunk to the size of needles, and she brought it down, slashing Marco's chest and heavily injuring him.
This would happen if someone else didn't interrupted her attack, and this someone is Alice who was still in her human form.
Alice: Oi… Granberia.
She turned towards Alice and her eyes widened.
Granberia: A… Alice?!
Marco sighed in relief and his heart calmed down, meanwhile Granberia released Marco's neck and thrusted her sword in the ground, before slowly getting on one knee, to show respect to Alice.
Marco was caressing his own neck because it hurted a bit from Granberia's grip, but didn't deactivated his 3rd Gate yet.
Alice: Granberia… What are you doing? Who ordered you to do invade this town?
Granberia: I decided by myself. To get rid of those annoying heroes, I…
Alice: Go away, you annoyance.
Granberia was surprised and said with a panicked tone.
Granberia: B… But! If I leave now, more heroes will show up…
Alice: I told you to go away. If you go berserk like this, how am I going to eat the Ama-Ama Dango?
Marco: I still think it's a stupid name…
But he was ignored from them.
Granberia: If you want something like that, just let me take control of the city first.
Alice: How can I sightsee with such an unsightly event like this going out? Idiot. Having to say the same thing three times… Is that how you show your loyalty? I told you to go away.
When she finished to talk, an intimidatory aura surrounded her figure, but both Marco and Granberia were immune to it.
Granberia: ...At once. If it's your will… Then, if you excuse me…
After she talked, she magically vanished with her sword, leaving only Marco and Alice in the middle of the plaza.
Marco deactivated the 3rd Gate and the aura retreated back in his body, and his aesthetic modifications were undone, making Marco turn back normal.
He took deep breaths and slowly stood up before saying to Alice.
Marco: Well… We need to talk about this and I think you have some questions too… But, Jesus, thank you for saving my ass.
Alice avoided eye contact with Marco but nodded. Suddenly they heard a man's voice, followed by others.
Citizens: Is… Is she gone?! That monster… Did she run away?!/ Those two over there! I don't really know what really happened, but they drove her away!
The citizens left from their houses and surrounded Marco and Alice with an excited expression and thanked them.
Civilians: Thank you! A bit longer, and this would have been a monster city!/ Even though you're so young, that was amazing! How did you drive away such a strong looking monster…?/ They are our Hero!!
*Ding*
*Special Quest[Successful]: Be recognized as a True Hero*
Marco smiled at this sound of his System and thought.
Marco: 'Mom, do you see me now? I am recognized as a real Hero, unlike those other fakers…'
After some time, they turned at their daily routine, it seems that Alice's disguise worked like it should, but one was stopped from Marco.
Marco: Hey you.
Civilian: Yes?
Marco: Do you know where is the Sutherland Inn?
The civilian raised an eyebrow at his question before pointing towards west.
Civilian: Just walk at west, it is old so it will stick out, but be warned, that place costs five tons of gold coins…
Marco: Thanks, c'mon Alice.
Alice nodded and followed Marco towards the Sutherland Inn, neither of the two wanted to talk, Alice was a bit afraid about Marco finding out her status and a bit curious about his thing, while Marco just didn't have nothing to talk about now.
[Later]
They reached the inn, and Marco was a bit thirsty so he started to drink water while Alice checked the price for the Inn.
Alice: 3.000.000 Gold.
Marco: Pfffff…
Marco spit all the water in shock in the ground, and kneeled while coughing.
Marco: *cough* *cough* What the fuck?! 'It was less than this!'
When Marco recovered, he stood up and walked towards the board and seen the word 'Discount' with a cross over it and beside it there was a 2.400.000, which had a cross too, under it there was 3.000.000 in black. Marco looked a bit around and found out they were alone.
Marco: Well… Alice, I will make a Kebab for you...
Alice raised an eyebrow, curious about the word 'Kebab', and asked.
Alice: Why?
Marco: I should be a retard if try to I pay this shit, I couldn't last 1 minute inside the room with the money I currently have, and I am not a hero, we will go in a normal inn, so no Ama-Ama Dango.
Alice narrowed her eyes and said with a menacing tone.
Alice: Oh? You think you are able to stop me?
Marco: I don't even need to try, you can't stay here because we la-
?: I-I will return here to get revenge!!
A guy came out from the inn, while a woman walked at the door with a broom in her hand and a pissed off face.
??: And don't ever enter this inn!!
The guy ran away as fast as he could, Marco let out a sigh. Then the woman, who owned the inn, turned towards Marco and Alice with a pissed off face, which was immediately replaced with more soft expression.
Owner: Oh, you two! The ones who saved the city! Please, won't you stay here tonight?
Marco: It cost too much for us.
Owner: I'll give you the special Hero rate, two gold per person. I'll bill the other 5.999.996 to the Illias Temple.
Marco: 'Thanks god she did that…' Thank you very much, Lady.
Owner: Don't worry kid, you two saved all of us… Unlike that scum who hid in a barrel immediately…
Marco smiled and entered the inn with an happy Alice.
[SPECIAL QUESTS]
1st. Kick Gabriel's ass
2nd. Achieve coexistence between Monsters and Humans
3rd. Kill Illias
4th. Return to Lucifina's grave
5th. Visit every places in Illias Continent, Sentora and Hellgondo.