I ran down the cave to catch up with the pig. Knowing him, he probably hasn't gotten that far considering his stubby legs.
That bitch, I'll kill him!
I used Wolf's Blood and searched for his outline. When I spotted him, I knew I was close.
Eventually, I caught up with him. Pff! Looks like he was struggling to climb some steps.
"You really thought you could get rid of me that easily, huh?"
The pig squealed as he turned around.
"H-h-h-h-how?! N-n-n-no one is a-a-a-a-able to avoid m-m-m-m-my Den of Gluttony!"
"Bitch, please. You shouldn't underestimate humans that much, especially me."
I threw two rounds of Volatile Orbs at him and he quickly defended himself using Earth Dome. However, since there were multiple explosions, his shield was quickly shattered.
"N-no!"
"Not so funny now, huh? Come on, keep dancing for me, pig!"
I threw another round of Volatile Orbs at him. He stabbed the ground with his staff and multiple spikes protruded from the walls and my Volatile Orbs exploded even though they weren't near him.
I quickly pulled out Aura Barrier, protecting myself from the flying debris. When the smoke cleared, I noticed that the pig was attempting to flee again.
I noticed that the exit led to a forest. If I'm guessing, this leads to the forest on top of that cliff. No wonder I felt like I was climbing up a set of stairs.
Hmm, if I block his exit, then that'll hinder him from running.
I rapidly Flash Stepped my way up till I appeared in front of him.
"Huh?"
"Go back to where you belong, pig."
I then kicked him in the face and he tumbled back down. He managed to stop himself when he created an erosion.
Watching him stand up, I sent another wave of Volatile Orbs at him. However, my arms froze when I was just about to launch it.
Suddenly, my other hand punched me across the face and I fell down but managed to hold onto a ledge. However, my hand seemed to let go on its own and I tumbled down the tunnel.
I passed the pig and there was a massive grin on his face. This bastard!
I fell and violently landed on my head.
Snap!
[Status: Critically Injured]
…you…
…gotta be…
…kidding me…
"HAHAHAHA! Fool! You should've known not to mess with me! With my Shadow Puppet skill, I can control your movements however I want! It's useless to try to get in my way!"
My vision was slowly dyed red as I had also split my head. I quickly used Quick Regeneration so my bones would mend back into place. Noticing my current state, instead of finishing me off, he went ahead and fled.
"…you…"
After the feeling in my neck returned and the pain subsided, I lifted myself off the ground and chased after him. He managed to notice that I was back up on my feet again and used Shadow Puppet once more.
I froze and couldn't move a muscle. Of course, like the pig mind he has, he fled.
"Coward…"
Does he think he can just get away just by freezing me in place? No, I won't let some stupid spell fuck me over, I won't! If I do, then all this power I have obtained will be put to no use if I let some stupid demon flee, I won't!
With all the will in my body, I moved my arm. Then my other arm. Eventually, I moved my entire body despite resisting the spell the pig had cast.
"I'm… almost there," The pig said as he continued to climb up.
I followed after him while activating Stealth. He won't detect me. That swine probably thinks I'm frozen at the bottom.
The pig had finally arrived at the surface and he took a deep breath of air.
"Finally, I can see the light again," he said as he relaxed his muscles.
Clutch!
The pig turned around startled and squealed.
"EEK! How did you-!?"
"You can't stop me! I did say I'll kill you, and I don't ever take back my word!" I smirked at him as he struggled to shake my hand off.
"Tch, get off me!"
He'd kick my head repeatedly with his staff which slashed my left eye. Then he attempted to use Shadow Puppet again but I was still holding onto his hoof.
"Huh?! How?! No one is able to resist my Shadow Puppet spell unless they have a strong will!"
"It's exactly as you say, my will is strong enough to defy your stupid little spell. You can't hold me down, nothing can!"
I'd pull his leg so he'd fall. He fell flat on his belly and I got up on my feet. I'd then start to kick him repeatedly. He attempted to use Earth Dome but I kicked his staff away before he was able to.
"What's wrong? Can't do your little spells without your wand?"
I then used Fallen Descent and sent him flying towards a tree. Once I glanced at him, I knew I had won.
"Damn h-h-h-h-hero…"
I healed my left eye and looked over at the trees. Once I saw tree branches, vines, and rocks, a grin appeared on my face.
Snapping two branches off, I collected some rocks and began shaping them into a sharp point. Then I strapped it onto the end of one of the sticks using the vines. I also did the same for the other.
Turning my attention back to the pig, I couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of the pig.
"H-h-how… how is a mere human able to do thi-"
Schunk!
"AAAAAAAHHHH!!!!"
I'd stab the pig directly in the chest and with my strength, I lifted him off the ground. He'd hover above me as blood leaked down the pike.
"Any last words, pig?"
I positioned my other pike near his throat.
"I… I will get my revenge… just you wait, human! I wi-!"
Slash!
The sharp point of my weapon slashed his throat and blood spilled from the open wound. Since he was above me, that blood poured into my mouth and I swallowed it. And suddenly, a wave of energy surged through my veins.
"Ha…"
Ding!
[Derivation Unlocked]
[Derivation (Unique Skill): By consuming the blood of your enemies, you gain half their life force and skills| Effect: Gain 1/2 of the target's level and a few of their skills| Condition: Must be a demon, human, etc. Consuming normal monsters will not grant any skills or levels using this skill]
[Leveled up!(90)]
[Level: 250]
[Volatile Orbs Leveled up!]
[Flash Step Leveled up!]
[Fallen Descent Leveled up!]
[Quick Regeneration Leveled up!]
[Stealth Leveled up!]
[Shadow Fist Leveled up!]
[Wolf's Blood Leveled up!]
[Passive Skills Obtained: Darkness Manipulation, Water Manipulation]
[Skills Obtained: Inferno(Lvl.1), Shadow Puppet(Lvl.1)]
[Class Learned: Puppeteer]
[Title Obtained: Sin of Gluttony]
[Title Effects Unlocked!]
[Class Boosts Unlocked!]
[Sin of Gluttony: Your desire for food hinders your senses when you are ravenous but will sharpen if you are satiated| Effects: Perception 1/2 if Status: Hungry; Perception x2 if Status: Full]
[Jack of All Trades: Obtain the effects of the classes you have obtained| Effect: +boost from (class)]
After that, the pig's corpse turned into ashes and fell onto the ground. Then it was blown away by the wind.
I stood in silence as I dropped the pikes.
"What a waste, could've cooked me some bacon. Though, I doubt he would've tasted good anyway. Well, at least I know I won," I'd say as I licked my fingers stained with blood.
As I idled around, I heard a faint cry come from the cave.
"Kiyomi."
I quickly sprinted down the cave. Crap, I've been too pinpointed on killing this pig that I forgot Kiyomi was fighting the behemoths. Kiyomi has already reached her level cap, which is 101 and the levels of those behemoths are higher than that. I know I said that a level difference wouldn't make a difference but I'm actually concerned if she is even able to take on three berserk behemoths on her own.
When I reached the cave, the behemoths were nowhere in sight. I eventually spotted Kiyomi lying on the ground near the ledge.
"Kiyomi."
I ran to her side and quickly performed Quick Regeneration on her while glancing around.
I'm surprised. There aren't any behemoths around. Did she really take them all out by herself?
"M-master?"
I looked down and Kiyomi had opened her eyes.
"Kiyomi, are you alright?"
"Yes… I defeated them…"
"Good… though I'm curious how you managed to get rid of them."
"That's simple… they fell down there," Kiyomi said as she pointed down at the bottom of what was formerly a lake. I took a glance and there were three behemoths at the bottom, trapped by the whirlpool that pig had created earlier.
"Smart, you did well."
Kiyomi smiled at my compliment and rose up.
"Master…"
"Hmm? You are still calling me that? You know you aren't my slave anymore."
"I know, but I still want to serve you."
"Why is that?"
"Because… you are the only person left that is important to me."
…
I've never… heard anyone say that… in my life.
"I want to give my everything to you. I want to stay by your side forever."
…so this is what a confession is like, huh?
[Notice: Mark of Fidelity is ready to be used]
I see… But before I do that, I must ask her something.
I'd stand up and walk over to Kiyomi.
"Kiyomi, staying by my side means you are tossing your only chance to live life normally again. Are you sure you want to do this? There won't be any turning back."
Without hesitating, she said yes.
"It doesn't matter as long as I get to be with you."
I see…
"Then with your permission, I will implement another crest onto you. This will prove your loyalty belongs to me."
"Understood."
I placed my hand on her upper left breast and performed Mark of Fidelity.
A black snake patterned crest appeared on her left breast which extended to her shoulder and her upper arm, almost like a tattoo.
[Kiyomi added to the party]
"Done."
When I looked back at Kiyomi, there was a warm smile on her face.
"Thank you..."
.
.
.