The chimera had a grotesque appearance. Layla and Alfred were at the verge of vomiting from how hideous it was. The chimera was half-deer and half-bear. The four legged creature... no, the four legged abomination had crimson rot-like fur and had a strong foul stench. It emitted such smell from its body which seems to be decaying already.
I heard that the common monsters here in this kingdom were chimeras but I didn't expect that a chimera would look like this.
Just how in the world is this kingdom not even bothered by this thing's appearance.
The chimera roared. The howl made the three to tremble on their knees, frozen solid in place.
Well this is a first. I never saw Nunu to be this scared about something before.
[The slave(Nunu) and other two friends are in a state of
So it was a skill that made them like this. Since I am the boss here, showing off won't be a problem.
"Water manipulation"
Using this skill, I remove the blood flowing from the inside of the chimera. The blood was dark red. Darker than a human's blood. It showed such sickening aura from it that it almost gave me chills on how disgusting it was.
I put some of the blood on a vial to experiment on it later on. I don't think that chimeras' appearance would be like this.
Another disturbing fact is that among the seven generals there is someone called the 'Chimera queen'. An existence who is three times stronger than Gwen.
I hope I don't run into whoever that is.
"You guys okay?"
The three whose knees were still on the ground grit their teeth. They were frustrated at their own powerlessness, not physically but mentally. They know very well that the abomination right in front of them just now was something that was weaker than them and it would have been easy to defeat it, even on their own they would have won a one-on-one match with it.
And yet they were all petrified from the horrifying look of it.
To me it was indeed disgusting but it wasn't scary nor intimidating at all.
A cub that barks who thinks he's a lion is nothing but trash.
One must always be able to gauge the difference in over all power when fighting someone or something. A limited mindset will only kill you thus many tries to widen it when they are still young so that they wouldn't be caught up by unexpected situations.
These three never really got to know what true fear is.
I'm not supposed to be the one saying it to them since I, myself am also frustrated about a 'certain someone'.
"Let's go. I need to do something so that something like this won't happen again"
Forcing themselves to stand up, they followed right behind me without saying a word.
I can't let them rely on me every time, can I. They won't be useful to me if they stay like this.
On a vacant spot near a pond the three stood up towards me as I sat down on the ground.
"The test is simple: Make a single step forward and you win. It doesn't really matter which one of you accomplish it. Know that you three will face equal judgement later on. Now, do any of you wishes not to participate on my little screening test?"
They shake their heads.
"Then, let us begin"
Without any aura, I emitted a killing intent like no other.
It brought fear to their bones, even stronger than the one earlier. If it were to be compared to the abomination that appeared earlier, it would be comparing a sapling to a fully grown tree. The killing intent that were directed to the three was down right ominous, it won't be an exaggeration that it could easily kill someone who have a half-baked determination.
I stop.
They experienced something like that in the span of five seconds. And in that five seconds, Layla fell down and tears formed in her eyes, Nunu was still trembling all over, and Alfred was mad at himself. From what his master said, his clan, the wolf tribe are the ones who boast about their undying tenacity. As the oldest and strongest among the three he felt that all of his hard work were all for nothing.
That five seconds literally shook their insides and scarred them down to their souls.
Udo who was watching from the spirit realm made his own remark, "Aren't you going overboard?"
"Not at all. It's not like I am doing this for fun. With this they would be able to have a clear goal in mind. Just like me"
Getting them use to this kind of feeling is not that bad when they will be going to the front lines in the new holy war in the near future.
Honestly speaking, I thought that they or someone at the very least among them would faint or something. Besides I am using the same 'Screening test' I had before I became a soldier. You can't hesitate in the battlefield. If you do, not only will you die but you will also endanger the lives of you comrades. A single hesitation will kill anyone, which is why you must instill fear in their system while it is still early.
"You're not going to heal them with your powers?" (Loki)
"There is no need for that. If I do that the effects of what I just did will vanish and it will be all in vain"
The three stayed silent after regaining the ability to move. They did what they think best. One of them started to gather firewood within my sight. The other set up the camp. And the other one started to prepare the food that I would be cooking.
I put two runes around us so that the three can relax even just for a bit.
The night pass by silently.
...
After I finish another one of my experiments, I saw the three training even harder.
-Hey, Udo, how did you manage to come here even though I didn't summon you?
-Hehehe. I elegantly went through as I possess enough mana to do so, master. I was just giving them advice, that is all. I promise!
"Loki, is he lying?"
"Unfortunately no"
Eh? Is it possible for spirits to naturally come here on their own? Never mind that,
"All of you form a line"
Udo stared at me as the other three walk towards me.
-Yes, including you.
-U-understood.
Udo reluctantly sat beside Alfred.
I gave them a piece of paper and a pencil.
"Answer the questions on the paper given to you. You guys have thirty minutes to do so"
On the paper it stated that,
"1.) What did you feel after yesterday's event?"
"2.) What do you want to do after experiencing such things?"
Lastly,
"3.) Would you put your love ones on the same situation?"
These were the questions that Michael gave the three. As for Udo,
"1.) Do you still want to receive your biscuits?"
"2.) If you are planning to train them will you see to it to the very end? Why?"
Lastly,
"3.) If you still want to eat good food, what do you think you should be doing?"
At first Udo look at Michael with a confuse face right after receiving the paper. As he read the contents of the paper his smile disappeared and was replace with teary eyes. His expression which says "Y-you're joking, right? Are you serious?!".
As Michael shrugged, Udo went behind a tree and started to answer the questions on the paper while holding back his tears.
Half an hour later they gave me their papers, not leaving any question blank.
They return to their training as I went back to my tent to read their answers.
Alfred's answers were directed to me and Nrowe. It's not surprising.
Nunu's answers were directed to me and Layla. Also not surprising.
Layla's answers were directed to Nunu and her mother. Not so surprising as well.
Udo's answers were directed to me. Now that is surprising.
He basically said that he'd be a good slave and would do every of my orders from now on as long as he can eat good food. His reasons why he wants to eat good food is because he was sick of eating water.
Eating water? How does he do that? Am I even reading this correct or did I started having eye problems?
Reading Udo's answers was downright... pitiful and pathetic.
I ask Loki what Udo meant by 'eating water' and he said that as a water spirit he isn't allowed to eat anything from the sea or anything that came from the bodies of water except water itself. He was not allowed to eat sea creatures or even sea plants as he is a water spirit who is supposed to be protecting the life within the water not destroying it. The only thing he ate was... water. For all those years, since birth up till now, he ate water on a daily basis.
I don't know whether I should be laughing or I should feel sorry for this guy. I don't even know what face to make.
[Quest that cannot be rejected has been activated]
Huh? What's this now?
[Quest of the Master of the Souls]
Some black magicians nearby is experimenting on both innocent human and elf bodies to create even more intelligent chimeras.
Objective: Kill all of the black magicians and set free all the remaining living humans and elves inside the facility.
Clear condition:
Kill black magicians: 0/14
Living humans to save: 0/46
Living elves to save: 0/5
Time limit: 17 hours
Reward:
-Egg???
Penalty upon failure:
-All blessings will be revoke
+
What is up with this?! I can't reject it and all my blessings will be revoke?! The reward is... an egg? What is up with the question marks? Not to mention all I have is barely a day.
"As an apostle of the Goddess of Souls and Rebirth, you must bring judgement and justice upon evildoers. This is what you sign up for basically" Loki said as if he's having a good time.
What is up with that?
I organize my belongings before going out.
"Spirit summoning: Fegonia"
The four look at me as to why I suddenly summon Nia.
"I don't have much time left. Nia will stay here and you three will continue your training. Udo, come with me"
As the snake(Udo) climb to my shoulders I immediately went out to locate this human chimera laboratory.
With the help of the spirits I arrive at my destination earlier than I expected.
Having someone to guide you is really convenient.
An abandoned... mansion? There were moss growing on the walls, vines climbing up and some bricks were covered with a lot and lot of dusts.
That's odd. We are in the windward side and the trees in the forest aren't even thick. So how come these dusts was able to accumulate so much.
As I walk closer to the entrance I was stop by a barrier.
"Do you want me to destroy it, master?"
"No need for that. You will only alarm them if we destroy the barrier. Give me ten minutes and we'll be able to enter"
After five minutes the two entered as if there wasn't any barrier just now.
(Didn't he said he needed ten minutes? And how was he able to overwrite the whole barrier for the two of us to enter?)
Little did he know, for Michael, it was as simple as hacking into a flimsy firewall. As he have advanced knowledge about runes and barriers he was able to swiftly hack into it without anyone noticing anything.
I spread out my aura and found out that there are fifty one on the basement while there are fourteen are scattered in the second and third floor.
"Udo, go and restraint all the black magicians. I will go underground to help the lab rats"
"Lab eh- Understood"
As he slither up using the walls I head to the basement by teleporting.
I can tell that the first floor is nothing but decoration to catch unwanted visitors. A floor full of traps. There is no need for me to put any extra effort to evade the traps when I can just teleport.
As I appeared at the basement, the humans and elves were surprise to see another human to suddenly show up.
I healed them very easily this time compared to the time when I met Alfred. This time I now have a big mana pool comparable to a high elf.
"Listen up because I don't like repeating myself, when you guys get out head west. My team is there and they will welcome you all. Do not worry, I've put many warding totems on my way here"
"How will we get out without going through the first floor?" The elf girl ask.
"I'll be teleporting you all outside the mansion. I don't have much energy left to teleport you all to the location where my underlings are. That is all"
-Master, I am having a hard time here.
-You serious?
-Very serious.
I don't even feel like his fighting with someone though. There are no sounds as well.
I teleported all of them in one go in front of the mansion and head upstairs.
-Nunu there will be more than fifty individuals coming your way. I've already mark them so that they can enter the barrier. Prepare them some blankets and some food now.
-Yes, master!
Good. He's now back to his usual self again.
Marking Udo's location, I was able to teleport beside him.
"How the hell are you losing against them?"
"They are immune to elemental attacks so I am useless against them. I am sorry for my incompetence"
They are immune against to Udo's attack?
Hmm, I've already run out of aura so I can't use phantom world anymore.
"Grand Magic: Soul chamber"
With this they wouldn't be able to get out of here.
"Grand magic: Sanctuary"
I showed myself now that I have a barrier that will protect me. Their spells that were fired were no match for my barrier.
"G-go back! Go to the warping gate!"
"Oho~ A warping gate, huh. Show me"
They were stuck in place due to my
A black cat appeared.
-Master, that cat is the reason why I wasn't able to hit the black magicians!
It is?
The black cat's mouth suddenly got bigger and it stretch even more.
"I see, you're a demonic cat from Hell with the attribute of anti-magic. Now this is fun"
No wonder I didn't felt anything while I was at the basement, this cat was eating all of Udo's attack.
"You are no match for lord Kaota, human"
Why did he said the word human? Oh right, this shits ain't human anymore.
The cat got blown away leaving the black magicians with an open mouth.
"That cat is one of the weakest demon in hell whose creator is the demon of gluttony base on the mark. Even if that cat were to eat my holy attribute, as a demon, it would affect him in a very negative way. So he tried to run away but since you all are inside my
The demonic cat didn't got blown away because of Michael but because it tried to escape. It was an automatic function of the grand magic that Michael originally created.
-Udo, now that this cat has been restraint you won't have a hard time anymore on killing the other black magicians, right?.
-You can leave it to me, master! I shall take care of them elegantly!
The snake slithered away.
I read through their research, research to create intelligent and powerful workers. In a way they are doing the same thing as I am. The difference is that they are experimenting on 'Live' subjects while I experiment on the 'Dead'.
By merging two different chimeras using the blood of deceased elves and humans they succeeded on creating a powerful chimera but there were no intelligence. The solution they thought to be the answer to their questions is that they need to use fresh blood. Blood that was taken directly from humans and elves.
Udo return with the bodies of the black magicians.
"Master, where are the other black magicians?"
"I already dispose them"
I put them on my inventory though. Ever since I became level zero my inventory got max so I can put tons of things inside now.
"For now, clean the whole mansion"
"I'm going to clean all this?"
"Idiot, I meant to collect all the research and any valuable papers they have in here. To 'clean everything'. Do you get me now?"
"I do!"
After separating the souls from the bodies I put the bodies of the dead black magicians on my inventory that Udo brought.
[Quest completed]
Your blessing won't be revoke. Good job! ^_^
+
What's up with the emoticon?
Never mind that, the important thing is that my blessings are still here.
After collecting all their documents, we clean the mansion. Removing all the traps and removing the torture devices as well as the blood on the basement.
After five hours of non-stop cleaning with the help of the spirits the mansion became clean. But it still looks horrible.
I spent another five hours on putting several layered runic barriers so that no one would be able to find this mansion.
I need a resting place or something every now and then. It's not like I am owning land on different countries or anything.
"Master, I'm done" The exhausted Udo said.
"Here, good work!"
I gave him a basket with different dishes that I personally made.
He ate the delicious food as he cry.
"
The negative mana which is also the cause of outbreaks were absorb by the
I need to replenish all of my weapons so I don't feel any guilt in doing it.
What should I do with the cat?
"Uh, Demon of Gluttony?"
[Beelzebub is listening to what you have to say]
"Do you mind if I kill this cat?"
[Yes]
"Can I take him as my own? Even though all demonic creatures are supposed to attack me on sight, this guy is too afraid of me"
[You can't]
"I can't just let a demon roam free"
[Then send him back]
"I don't know how"
[I will tell you]
"I don't do things for free"
[...]
[The Demon of Greed is laughing at what you've said]
I won't do something if I won't profit anything.
[You shall send the cat for free]
"Ahem, Gods do you even see this outrageous demand. Why should I do something for free to you when I am not even your apostle anyway"
[Demon of Pride say that "You can do anything you want with the cat, I shall handle the Demon of Gluttony myself. We are in the middle of something to begin with"]
"How can I trust him"
"He is the demon of pride therefore he never goes back to whatever he says" (Loki)
"Okay"
I went to the cat and perform the
"Hey Kao, come here!"
The cat reluctantly went to Michael.
"Don't be like that I won't harm you or anything"
Michael pull a fish from his inventory and gave it to the cat.
Kao purr as I gently scratch him.
...
We went back and the rest were already sleeping with Alfred guarding.
"How do you feel?"
"Better than earlier, master"
"You should sleep now. We will be departing tomorrow morning"
He needs to get some rest, his overexerting himself too much.
At dawn the humans and elves that I rescued thank me and went on their way, except for one of them.
For some reason I feel déjà vu.
"W-will you please help me to... go back to my hometown?" The elf girl said.
"How can you be so sure that I can be trusted?"
"The spirits are saying that you are a good guy"
Right, all elves can talk with the spirit of nature.
"Sure, our destination is also there"
"Thank you very much! My name is Annie Flora"
-Master.
-Yes, Udo?
-If I remember correctly the Flora household is a noble forest elven family. If I am correct, they are viscounts.
I shake hands with the girl and saw that she is a high elf. She can be useful as well I guess.
What's up with her mana pool? Her's is twice bigger than mine. And she is also a spiritualist.
"Can you call spirits?"
"I can summon two for about twenty minutes"
What did I even expect, spiritualists use their own mana to summon spirits while I not just summon them but also manifest and give them bodies to stay in this realm.
We use the car for three days to travel on land to reach the north east part of the Ochikris kingdom which is the nearest place towards the elven kingdom of the forest elves.
No one really lives here due to the huge numbers of the sea monsters here.
They pose no threat to us since we are strong enough to defend against them. They are weak the only annoying thing is their numbers. Even with that, the only one who was allowed to kill them was me.
"Grand magic: Sanctuary"
This should be good.
"Master, why did you use a grand magic around the tent when we can easily beat all the sea monsters here"
"That's because of those guys"
I pointed towards the sea monster.
"Inside that sea monster, there is a parasite that is consuming the sea monster from the inside. There is an island right between the Ochikris kingdom and the Elven kingdom. And that very island is infested with millions of deadly parasites. One of the reasons why no one is living near here"
Even if I were to put a multi layered barrier from runes, I am not confident enough that It'd be able to protect us from the vast numbers of the parasites.
"If there are so many parasites in this part how come there are a lot of sea monsters?" Layla ask.
"That's because when they are about to die they would possess the bodies of the sea monsters to create even more for their children. It won't be wrong to assume that all the sea monsters in this part of the sea may have parasites in them"
An island filled with parasites that can't live on land. Which is why they need to go inside the body of other creatures, they then take control over that creature after a week and it will die after another week.
"How did you know that there were parasites here?" Annie ask.
"The water spirits told me"
"Eh?"
"Something wrong?"
"N-nothing"
The four went back on setting up camp.
"Loki did I said anything wrong just now?"
"Elves have affinity towards wind, water, earth, and plant spirits for about thirty percent. And yet you are capable of conversing with them who is a human. So of course she'd be surprise"
Is that how it works? I guess I didn't paid much attention to it since I got my affinity towards spirits thanks to the quest that the Goddess of Water gave.
"Are you going to be okay, master? You said that we will be staying for the whole night here. Will your mana be able to last that long?"
"It's fine Nunu. Udo can just give me some"
It is mentally exhausting though.
We left at dawn riding the car to go to the elven kingdom. It may sound stupid but hey this is the best plan I can think of without anyone knowing we entered another country. When going to another country you need to be scan by an orb which automatically says your name and tell whether you are a criminal. It would be easy for me to change my name since I control what information they will get if the did scan me but that won't be the case for Layla and Alfred.
The missing princess from the imperial family and a member of one of the four royal families from the black wolf clan is in my group. They'd send who knows how many to get them back.
The estimated journey itself is about seven hours. Me and Alfred would switch if we almost run out of aura.
We would normally go with riding Nunu and Nia but their stamina won't hold for seven hours at high speed.
Traveling about a hundred meters above the water is still a bit low. There were some sea monsters that tried to attack us.
"Alfred let's switch"
"Have you rested enough, master?"
"Well no, but I need to be the one to drive now. We are almost near to the island that I told you guys earlier"
After switching, our altitude rose to five hundred meters above the surface of the sea.
As we pass by the small island, you can hear sounds that resembles from an insect. The sheer number of the parasites living in that island were eating themselves from hunger.
I wanna bleach my eyes, I shouldn't have look at those things.
-Master.
-Udo?
-If there are so many parasites here, why choose this route? There are some other routes other than this, right.
-It will take us an additional week if we do that. We need to get there as soon as we can.
-Why?
-When we arrive at Ochikris, Nrowe told me that we have to reach the elven kingdom as soon as possible. Plus it is near the domain of the land that Annie's father rules over.
Michael receive his quest from the Goddess of Hunt before leaving Aigreos. He then receive news that he needs to go to the Elven kingdom as soon as possible from Aira through Nrowe the moment they arrive at Ochikris.
So he thought that something might- no, something will happen and he needs to stop it from happening. The sudden quest, the time limit, and Aira's premonition led him to one thought: "The forest elves and the dark elves will have some sort of conflict that will lead to the death of many".
...
In the southern continent at a certain country, there, a demon and human is fighting a one sided battle. The human overpowered the demon.
"I'm sorry but I will have to kill you Poison king, Dilitrio. It was fun hanging out with you"
"W-why are you doing this exactly when you have already sworn allegiance to the demon king! Tell me your reasons, gambler king!"
It was one of the seven demon generals, poison king versus the gambler king.
"Grand magic: Hell fog"
"Forbidden magic: Stasis"
The poison king froze in place. The mana around him and the grand magic that he was supposed to cast stop.
Using his sword clad in black, the gambler king decimated the poison king Dilitrio.
"The flow of time once again have change. Hmm, something big is happening. I need to go to the western continent"
Using his powers, he put the poison king in a subspace.
"Forbidden magic: Rewind"