A grin cracked through the golden haired child's mouth. Rows of pearly whites revealed themselves to the world, eyes squinted into joyful little crescents.
He shook his head. Crystal clear eyes locking upon my figure.
"Can you really do that?" Derision.
This walking cheater was mocking me. To that statement, I can only close my eyes. There existed not a need to speak. There was only one answer. My mouth parted as a word left it, a declaration of war and a war cry.
"Haste."
Mana roiled within me. I could feel it being consumed as the cool, relaxing sensation flowing through the veins lessened considerably. The leaves gliding within the air visibly slowed down, my body felt light as a feather. As if chains binding me were undone and I was finally free.
[The wind cherishes your body] Discomfort crept into me upon hearing the system's worlds. Steeling myself, everything shall be ignored for now. The only thing that exists is me, my strings and the target.
Invisible blades cried forth, wind scattered fearing the sharpness bound within black colored strings formed through mana. My target's eyes shone brighter at the sight of the strings racing like lack snakes, he twisted his body to avoid it.
Boom! Ground cracking underneath him, he lunged forth, wrist tightening its hold onto a wooden sword shaped in the form of a claymore. He was fast, but compared to earlier he was a little slower.
Strings slithered through the air, trying their best to capture a golden haired runt moving at a ridiculously high speed. My haste allowed my body to keep, to continue observing while moving yet my strings were a different story. They lagged behind unlike my grandmother's which were no different than flying bullets.
Swish! Tilting my face to the side, a wooden sword missed its mark yet just by doing that my cheek felt hot. It stings.
With his heel as a pivot, he quickly spun to launch a slash coming from the ground. Jumping backwards, I avoided it as best as I can. If I can catch his sword or a body part with my strings then I've already won. But this kid.
He won't stop moving!
Taking large strides, the gap between us was closed in an instant. Hard wood pressed against my back as a tree cut off an escape route. With another strike aiming for my head, I rolled out of his firing range, and hurriedly retreated.
Crack! Crack! Snap! Chips of wood flew through the air. Audible cracking sounds sparked throughout the area. At first, I thought that I had successfully disarmed my opponent.
"Reality is often disappointing." A bitter smile hung on my face. The tree that came into contact with his strike had a huge scar running down on the trunk. His crystal clear blue eyes glinted dangerously. Swatting the air with his wooden claymore, the child threw off any wooden chips or debris clinging onto the weapon.
"I don't seem to be begging for mercy. Are you sure are not the one who would do so?" His smile was sickeningly sweet. Resembling the morning sunshine beaming onto my eyes. It was irritating to look at. And he was an irritating opponent.
The sensation of everything slowing down stopped. I recast haste and stared silently at him. Fast movements. A melee type that needs to get in up close to deal damage. And a swordsman to top it off.
His wooden claymore caught my eye. It looked unremarkable. Focusing more onto the blade, a strange violent energy seemed to wrap around it. It was a colorless energy unlike mana which tended to be white and misty in form. This energy seemed more condensed. It was similar to my Magic strings but different at the same time.
No doubt, that sword in his hands is just a plain wooden sword. But thanks to that energy, its sharpness and durability had surpassed its former self. In the hands of that person, it was more like a real metal blade.
No
It was far better and sharper than that.
Shaking his head, he rushed at me again. My arms swung, fingers moving quickly while my black strings kept on chasing. He evaded all of my strings again and tried to slash me again.
Dodge it.
My body moved, twisting to the side as my footwork allowed for greater and fluid fast movements. Thrusts, slashes, swings, jabs. His blade never stopped moving and the kid never stopped advancing. Likewise, my body never stopped retreating and dodging. The forest grew deeper as I ran and as he pursued. My eyes locked onto him without fail. Taking note of every movement.
The more I think about it. And the more he attacks, the more certain I am about my knowledge of him. His stature was small, it was as tall as I am and his palms were too small and dainty. It even looked feminine due to the his clear rosy white skin. Those hands of his lacked callouses. Or any marks of damaged acquired from training swordplay.
He was young. Young but his body moved so agilely, each step opening a door to countless other paths forward to his goal. He was relentless in chasing, I am able to keep up and dodge thanks to my haste buff. These movements. They were too good and too effective. Any other person would've fallen by now if they weren't me.
This kid isn't a child. He was fighting as if he had fought time and time again. To be so good at swordplay at such a young age. Even a prodigy would doubt their capabilities.
"Aren't you getting tired of running?" His tone was grave. Irritated even.
I smirked smugly at him. It was frustrating to fight you. But to see your irritation was a pleasant change. Even I would feel pissed if there was a pest that kept on running and running, preventing me from catching it.
"I'm getting tired." I yawned at him, my hand covering my mouth as I kept on evading and smiling at him afterwards.
His frown deepened, movements growing more erratic but faster. Plants, rocks, vines, bushes. All of them crumbled with each of his swings if they were unfortunate enough to get in his way. If that wooden sword hits me, I'm dead for sure.
"Is this all you can do?" I laughed at him and jumped up, pulling myself up to a tree branch. I had long given up on using my strings as offense and only settled for using it as a means of getting into places and removing obstructions. Squatting above from a tree branch, I looked at the pitiful golden haired swordsman fuming at me.
"Shut up." He threw his sword. It missed my head as I tilted it to the side again.
I heard movement from behind me and saw the sword flying at me like a boomerang. I turned my attention to the annoyance and he was already near me, a fist flying into the air wanting to punch me. To jump from the height of a little above a dozen feet and reach me quickly. You little monster.
I jumped from the branch, he missed his punch. My strings flew onto another tree far away and I reeled myself quickly.
Swish! As I expected, the little bugger caught his sword and quickly rotated his body mid air to perform an upwards slash.
Snap! Broken branches accompanied by hanging leaves ran off into the air. I could feel the frustration welling up inside him. His arrogant smile turned into bitter gritted teeth. I shook my head at him.
"I expected more from you..." Sighing, my shoulders sagged,. My eyes trailed off to the side, bored as everything seemed mundane again. It was annoying to fight this swordsman, though it benefited me too.
His expression grew ugly. He was smiling so happily. Though it looked more like a beast baring his fangs. Eye twitching, the boy slowly approached me. He dashed at me again, crimson rays pierced through the forest, my attention was drawn elsewhere. The false sun was setting again. Soon it would be pitch darkness.
And that thing would try to kill me again. Wonderful.
I have to end this.
Waving my hands, my strings wrapped around whatever was in the vicinity. I threw large rocks and fallen rotten pieces of wood at him. This time he was not even dodging. Everything that barred the path of his was either cut down or shattered by his sword. Having abandoned dodging, I could somehow predict his next words judging from his character.
An arrogant main character.
"I'll kill you" I muttered and smiled with a shit eating grin.
"I'll kill you." His eyes widened before fury consumed him.
Bam! He lunged at me again, at a speed that was faster than before. Two hands gripping the handle of the wooden claymore as he brought it up high into the air. He was airborne, his legs far off the ground as he jumped at me wanting to finish it in one swing. Unable to maneuver himself, my opponent was left open for attacks.
I shook my head at him. Thanks to the class that the unsettling system gave me. I had more than one buff.
=====
[Dominic Remington]
Sex: Male
Age: 6 years old
Class: [Enabler] (Uncommon)
Subclass: [Magic Puppeteer] (Rare)
Trait: [Ill Fated Star] (Mythical) [#"?!=](???)
Attributes:
Str: F
Ten: F+
Dex: C+ [Temporary]
MI: F+
Spirit: C-
Invariable Attributes:
Charm: 7/10
Luck: -1/10
Willpower: 8/10
Int: 7/10
Skills: [Fate Palace] (Mythical) | [Pain Resistance lvl 5] (Uncommon) | [Basic Puppetry lvl 4] (Uncommon) | [Magic String: Sharpness lvl 3 ] (Uncommon) | [Footwork lvl 7] (Common) | [Detection lvl 8] (Uncommon) | [Dextrous Hands lvl 3 ] (Uncommon) | [Mana Affinity lvl 1] (Rare) | [Mana Manipulation lvl 1 ] (Rare) | [Haste] (Uncommon) | [Empower] (Uncommon) | [Reinforce] (Uncommon)
=====
"Empower and then Reinforce."
Consuming more mana, aside from the feeling of the world slowing down by a little. My body felt more amazing. This fullness of energy as if I had just woken up. My muscles screamed in joy, it felt more liberating. This feeling, the three self strengthening skills combined together produced a sensation of being unburdened by anything. This forest, the surroundings. Everything answers to my call. I rule this place.
A fist punched through the air, traveling at the blink of an eye, my punch already landed onto my target's stomach. His grip on his sword weakened resulting in the glorious blade leaving its owner's side. Eyes widening and mouth gaping, he stared at me in disbelief.
My cheeky smile never left my face.
BANG! His body flew into the air. A tree stopped his flight.
"Ah!" Coughing up blood, the golden haired child only had the look of confusion.
Capitalizing on the sudden turnaround, I waved my hand and strings merrily snaked their way to him. Wrapping the kid by his limbs and torso. Bound and unable to move, he struggled to break free.
"Guh!" I pulled him towards me. I stared into his eyes. I could see resentment building up within them.
"I said I will make you beg for mercy." Patting and ruffling his head, his frustration grew darker.
"I'll kill you once I break free."
"I don't know... Can you do that?"
"You!"
I laughed at the child bound by black strings. A main character huh. Yet you're only at this level. I know that this kid would grow stronger in the future but it seems that my presence was bad luck to him. He was supposed to be invincible against his peers as any typical story goes. Unfortunately for him, I was here.
"Whenever I say I will do something. I will certainly accomplish it."
Bang! I punched him again, my fist landed square onto his right cheek and he reeled back from it. Not yet finished, my fist descended again. Sending him flying back.
My hold onto my strings tightened as I grasped them. Holding the strings together with two hands I swung him around.
Boom!
"Gah!" His body collided against a tree.
"Heave hoh!" I was certainly enjoying this. Not gonna lie.
I swung him again and his body slammed against the ground.
I didn't have to worry much. This guy is a main character after all, some sort of stupid cheat should kick in before he kicks the bucket. And I don't plan on killing him anyways.
His growls and howls of pain continued
Slamming him against obstacles for a few more times, I gave up on doing that. He looked like he would die after all. Instead, I just spun him around as I spun in circles.
"S-Stop!" He shrieked.
"I don't want to!" I laughed at him and tossed him high into the air. His body was flung dozens of feet into the air. He started falling. And he started screaming. Falling down head first, this kid would surely die. I caught him by the waist just before his face was just a mere foot away from the ground.
Gently placing him down and making him sit on his sorry ass on the ground. I stared at him and patted his head. He was shivering, and I'm pretty sure I traumatized him.
"I-I-I don't want to fight anymore." Stuttering a reply, he struggled to
"You owe me something for being a prick."
"I'm sorry."
"Eh I couldn't hear it. Care to repeat it again?"
"I'M SORRY!"
"Not enough."
"Then what do you want me to do!??!??!"
"Kneel and beg for forgiveness."
The air fell silent again. I stared at his eyes, not breaking eye contact. I want you to beg for mercy so hurry up and kneel. Too extreme? I was minding my own business and this arrogant fool just had to act like he was invincible.
He was just a child. But I know that he wasn't at the same time. He needed to learn this lesson to cull that unhealthy arrogance. Arrogance would only consume and maim him.
He will die again in the future. I may not know his cheat but I am sure it involves something about the future. Regression? Time travel? Even with knowledge of future events, the way he is now he would only die pathetically.
A main character was a rare specimen. He would be more useful alive.
Afraid? I should fear this thing's potential and fear that he could possibly kill me in the future? How laughable. I am not that pathetic.
I am no fool. And I am no weakling either.
He greeted his teeth again. His head remained low while sitting but he refused to kneel. A stubborn one I see.
"Kneel."
He was still motionless. My strings tightened around him. If he does not move then even if I don't cut him into pieces he would still suffocate.
"Kneel"
"No." He shook his head stubbornly.
TWiiin!!! My strings tightened. He started choking as the threads of mana bound his neck, limbs and body.
"You won't kneel?" I tilted my head at him.
His body was shivering, turning darker as seconds pass yet his eyes remained firm and defiant. He has potential and he has determination.
Pondering over this matter, I loosened the strings a little. Biting my finger, my eyes trailed to the depths of the forest. Darkness was slowly blanketing the land. A chill ran down my spine, countless eyes seemed to stare at me from afar.
Thump! Thump! Thump! The land was shaking slightly.
It's coming.
I turned my attention to the bound blonde boy and made a decision.
I knew little about this world. And even if I can stand on my own, it would still help if I had people that can do things for me. This person has the greatest potential in this world due to his nature. And he has the foundations of a powerhouse but I wonder.
If he was really as determined and as relentless as he was in the beginning of our fight. Then why did his will crumble and why did he apologize? A main character that had experienced the future would surely be immune to physical torture.
I stared at his bright blue eyes again. Those eyes were clear and bright but I could pick up roiling emotions. I see...
This person is broken. The future broke him.
Strings unwound, his body was set free but he remained sitting there as bruises riddled his body and a trail of blood dripped from the corner of his mouth. I extended a hand towards him, offering to help him stand up.
His expression turned ugly again.
"After all that. You think I will just accept your help?" Voice tainted by bitter poison, he hissed at me, finding his courage again yet he was still shivering a slight bit and could not stare at me directly in the eye.
"You... What is your name?"
"Why should I tell you?"
"You know my name. Its rude to not introduce yourself at this point you creepy stalker."
"Bastard! If we're talking about rudeness than how audacious of you!"
I closed my eyes and stared at him again. "Do I look like I care?"
His protests were silenced at the chill found in my voice. I can kill him right now. I can ruin all his hopes and dreams by crippling him but I refrain from doing so.
"You fought so well. So well that it was too good to be true."
"You have a special ability don't you? An ability that gives you strength. Some may call it a blessing but it had been nothing but a curse so far hasn't it?"
Fear devoured the child. His eyes shrunk into dots. His mouth opened to speak but nothing came out. He could only stare fearfully at me, the one who saw through him so easily. Everything was under my control. I held true power over him.
"Say... Isn't it lonely?"
"To walk to the end of the world. To have no one to rely on."
"Stop!" He shook his head in denial.
"To keep on fighting and to keep on doing your best. But to still fall short of accomplishing your goal."
"Stop it damn it!"
"And in the end you have to repeat everything again. Your efforts, your accomplishments gone."
"At the end of the day, at the beginning once more. Can you say that you've even existed? Is it worth it to continue to fight?"
"No..." He shook his head and curled up into a ball. Light sobs could be heard as darkness hugged the two of us. Fireflies rose into the air and buzzed happily. Not knowing that their light would be the cause of their deaths.
Retracting my hand. I approached him and patted his head again.
What happened to the monster that threatened to kill me earlier? To the swordsman wielding a wooden sword able to slice apart trees?
No matter how strong nor how exceptional a person was. A human was still a human. A main character's life was destined to be lonely and full of hardships. That was why they are so desperate to protect the one who gave them kindness and acceptance.
I am no saint. And I am not a good person. I'm selfish man who only cares for himself.
But I am curious.
What will happen if...
"If so then you don't have to fear loneliness anymore. I will use you but I won't break you. If you follow my words then I will support you."
What will happen if I were to support and guide a main character? I just want to live a peaceful life but that can wait once I stand at the top of the world.
One of his blue eyes stared at me. It was dark and only the soft light of fireflies illuminated the area. Yet his eye was faintly glowing.
"If you don't kill me now then I'll kill you in the future."
"You can try. But I assure you, I would be the one to kill you if you do." There was nothing to fear.
"Then swear on it. Swear on your name." He shook his head and vigilantly gazed at me.
I chuckled.
"I, Dominic Remington swear on my name to help you accomplish your wishes as long as you help me get what I want. I will kill you if you ever raise your sword against me."
"I, Ray Dawnsorrow swear on my name that only I have the right to kill Dominic Remington as long as I live." I laughed at that statement of his. From the surface, it would seem like a negative statement and it certainly is. But it has a double meaning.
As long as I live. Only Ray is allowed to kill me. I can accept that. Anyone else who tries to kill me would be cut down by him.
He stood up and we shook hands. His face soon devolved into a scowl as he tried to cut me again with his wooden sword. I dodged and shook my head at him.
As someone who knows too much about him. And as someone who had humiliated him greatly, only my death would serve as solace to Ray.
ROAR! A howl echoed through the night. Ray and I looked at each other and we started running at different directions. He was heading back to the village and I was heading back home. Our bout had ended in a shaky truce.
Despite not having told me. I know that something was about to happen.
I blinked. The white mist of mana pervading the air was growing thicker. I glanced at the ground and surely enough, it was scary.
The ground was leaking gusts of misty mana into the air. Cracks started spreading on the ground as I hurried back home.
Rumble! My balance shook, trees started falling as an earthquake assaulted the land.
Ten years my ass.
Everyone is a liar. Even an envoy of a god.
At the end of every thousand year cycle's preparation phase, one voice would be heard by all.
[The destined time has come.]
[Live or die. It is your decision.]
[Head deeper into the earth, thread through the underground and try to reach the core. Whoever does so successfully shall become a god.]
[And for those who stay behind. Can you weather the storms they would send?]
[Welcome to the start of the 44th cycle. May luck favor your journey.]
It was the beginning of the end. Things are subject to a grand change from now own.
I wonder... What does the future have for me?