As the talons that heralded the demise of the horned beast were about to reach their mark, it came to an abrupt halt. The chimera's eyes widened in surprise as it stared blankly at the prone horned beast. Its eyes slowly wandered downwards, and there it noticed me, albeit too late.
"Oh, how the turn tables!" I shouted, fumbling with my words. As the battle intensified, I inched ever so closely to find an opportunity to strike, and this was a golden moment for it. I knew the chimera didn't have enough energy to coat itself with electricity, and the vines looked like they only focused on the chimera. I moved forward quickly as the chimera cut off one of the antlers of the horned beast I was now currently only a few feet away from them. I took a gamble and went even closer waiting for my moment to strike just a meter away from the chimera.
And that lead to the situation where I am now. As the chimera was about to end the horned beast's life, I swiftly jabbed my tail up the open wound in its chest, making the nasty substance I create from my tail and claws spread into its heart. The smell of fragrant roses filled the air as my blight corroded the chimera from within.
It stared at me for a few moments before uttering, "D-damn you…" with bright blue blood dripping down its mouth. It lifted its talons away from the beast's neck and slowly raised it, clearly aiming in my direction. A sense of crisis filled my entire being. I gritted my teeth and shoved my tail even further, causing more damage.
SKROAAAAAAAAAAAR!
The chimera roared in fury poised to strike. Shit, I must have miscalculated my entrance. I noticed the shadow of its claws dawn upon me. I closed my eyes in regret, I underestimated the chimera's tenacity, and because of that, I'll die.
...
Huh? Am I dead yet? I wondered as I've felt no pain to indicate if the talon reached my position. I had no time to escape nor even dodge the attack. My tail was deeply embedded into its body. There was no way for me to run from its quick talons. My impending death was inevitable.
I wait for a few more moments, but alas, there was no feeling of pain. The sensation of grass tickling the edges of my fur was the indicator that I was still alive. My heart raced as I swallowed dry saliva, slowly opening my eyes to investigate what happened. My ragged breathing slowly turned into calm, quick breaths as I saw the talons that were supposed to take my life fairly far away from me.
It...stopped...? Why? As I finished the question in my mind. The chimera's body started to collapse on me as its legs began to fold and fall over sideways. I quickly pulled my tail out of its chest and moved to the opposite direction from where it was falling.
Thud.
The body fell with a crisp thud as I narrowly escaped being crushed by its gigantic body. I moved towards the front end of the chimera, and there I knew. I had succeeded. Its eyes which were gazing blankly into nothingness, had lost their light.
「You have slain an Infant Sky Mirage Chimera (Level 7)」
「You have earned experience.」
「You have leveled up (Level 1 -> Level 2)」
「You have leveled up (Level 2 -> Level 3)」
「You have leveled up (Level 3 -> Level 4)」
「Ambush Skill Unlocked」
「Additional rewards and consequences are being granted for slaying a candidate.」
「You have slain Candidate #1888 "Jack The Ripper," those who pledged allegiance to him have sworn to avenge his death. You are now being hunted by (2) Candidates.」
「Bounty Trial Unlocked」
「Kindred Slayer Title Unlocked」
「A Wanderers Worth's First Trial: "Overcoming Frailty" has been updated.」
I read the slew of text that appeared in front of me and sweat began to form on my forehead. I stared at the lifeless corpse in front of me. This monster was Jack The Ripper...? A heavy lump started to form in my throat. It felt like I'd throw up. I just killed a human, even though he's a murderer a human is still a human. I've killed a person before, but this feeling never goes away. Even though I'm now a monster, inside I'm still human.
He had accomplices as well? Two of them, too, and now they're targeting me. What do I do? Crisis took over my mind. I pondered quietly for a few seconds and shook my head. Now is not the time to be thinking of that, I continued reading, and two things caught my eye. Notably, the levels I have earned and the new bounty trial.
As I was about to open my status window, light began to dim around me, and I was all too familiar with this scene. I slowly glanced over my shoulder, and there I saw the towering horned beast casting a shadow over me with its sap-like blood flowing from its arms and dripping down to its fingertips to the ground. I completely forgot about it, as I was too preoccupied with the system. Gulp.
The beast's eyes were focused on the lifeless chimera before glancing towards me, "A rat...?" it spoke with a hint of disappointment. My fear was instantly replaced with irritation. My forehead creased as I stared at the horned beast. It noticed my change in emotion and continued, "Ah...a sensitive topic...I...see..." It lowered its head a little in embarrassment.
'Damn right it is.' I thought inwardly. The remaining antler of the horned beast began to glow a gentle light, mending its wounds from the previous fight. Is it preparing to attack me? My fear returned. I have no chance of fighting against this guy. I won't even be able to escape.
"Thank you," said the horned beast as it kneeled down on one knee in front of me, "You have saved my life. I am indebted to you." It clenched its right fist and placed it on the left side of its chest, and lowered its head as it spoke.
Such a grand beast was kneeling in front of me. My heart couldn't help but rejoice. I cleared my throat before speaking, "That chimera threatened my life just a few hours ago, and it seems like he's also the infamous serial killer "Jack The Ripper." Have you heard of him?"
The horned beast lifted its head and looked at me, "I have not heard of someone with the name "Jack The Ripper," but you seem to know him. A serial killer." the beast's eyes squinted in suspicion.
"How come you haven't heard of him? He's like a textbook example of famous killers in history." I said, tilting my head. Something was odd about the question.
"Strange. Perhaps my memories are incomplete. I only know of Gilles de Rais. His infamy of killing children is known throughout France." said the horned beast with a hint of anger in its eyes.
"Gilles De Rais? A serial killer from the 1400s. Who are you?" I asked hesitatingly. Jack, the ripper, was from the 1800s, and he got reincarnated into this world. Different people from different times, I wondered who this person was in their past life.
"I am a knight from France. I have long forgotten the name of my order and how long I have been here. All I carry is the name that I was given, and that is Elizabeth." said Elizabeth proudly as she stated her name.
"Elizabeth." I nodded my head, "The name's Vaeden. It's nice to meet you." I awkwardly raised one of my paws, expecting a handshake. Elizabeth tilted her head as she saw my gesture.
"Why are you raising your hand? Are you pointing at something?" asked Elizabeth as she moved a step closer towards me, her hulking figure intimidating me. She glanced over her shoulder and asked, "Where?"
"We're supposed to shake hands after exchanging names, but that would be hard to do since, uhh, you know." I glanced towards her and pointed at myself and her.
"Since what?" her eyes followed my fingers that pointed towards her and me.
Ugh, an airhead, "I'm a rat, and you're uh...what are you?" I bluntly asked. I could just use the system to gain this information, but I think that would be rude.
"A knight," Elizabeth said with a straight face.
Truly an airhead, "I mean, what species are you? I am a Juvenile Blight Rat, and you are?"
"Ahh... you mean that. I am a former human, reincarnated into a Juvenile Arbor Taurean," answered Elizabeth.
Juvenile... those words resounded in my mind. She was massive, similar to the size of the chimera, and both of them aren't even adults. How unfair! They get to be that strong as they start their new life, and I'm here as a rat.
"Is everything alright?" asked Elizabeth with worry in her tone.
"It's nothing. How long have you been here?" I dismissed her worry and asked another question.
"That... I apologize, for I have lost count. I stopped counting after fifty, for I do not know what number comes after it." stated Elizabeth proudly.
Mathematics hasn't improved that much in the 1400s. That explains why she's proud to count to 50. In her time, she's probably very educated. I nodded my head before asking, "How many 50s do you think have passed?"
She looked at both hands and started raising fingers and stopped after a few moments before showing them to me, "About 6." she said as she lifted six fingers in front of me. A small smile was present on her lips.
"300 days..." I mumbled to myself. Her mouth gaped as she heard me mumbling.
"Three hundred...? What's that...?" her words were filled with curiosity as she spoke.
"A number a lot higher than 50," I explained as my mind thought of something else. A bewildered expression was evident on her face even though vines covered most of her features except for the mouth.
"What sorcery?! Are you a wizard of some sort?" shouted Elizabeth. My ears started to hurt, I only hear high-pitched growls and low grumbles when she speaks, but I could understand her.
With my knowledge in history, in the 1400s, they used to burn accused witches and wizards. I need to be careful with my answer before I find my head on a dirt spike. I was tempted to say yes, but I didn't want to die this early. I haven't even survived a day yet.
"No, just an ordinary human," I said calmly. Please don't impale me.
Her mood died down quickly, "That's a shame." she said in a gloomy tone before sitting down in front of me. What was she even doing standing up while we're having a conversation, her neck would hurt looking down on someone as small as me.
"Why? don't you guys burn people on stakes if you found out they use sorcery?" I asked, mildly interested.
"Well, unlike my other peers. I think sorcery is amazing, and I would like to study it," she said proudly. If they heard this in her time, she would have been burnt.
"Isn't the way you control your vines and how you raise earth a type of sorcery already?" I asked, raising both of my eyebrows. I'd only raise one, but I'm in a new body, still getting used to this,
"No, this is magic. It's what the floating words say," stated Elizabeth scratching her left shoulder as the wound began to fully close.
I blinked a few times in disbelief after hearing her response. I shook my head and continued, "Well, there's no point in me hiding it then. I am a wizard." I decided to play along, the difference in our knowledge could prove something useful for me. I need to ask something from her.
"I knew it!" shouted Elizabeth with glee, her antlers started glowing a bright green. Uh-oh, this isn't good. The grass around me began to waving as if they were also happy. Phew. "Can you teach me sorcery, Sir Vaeden?" She knelt forward, pushing her face towards me. Woah, too close.
I moved a few steps back and responded, "I shall, but you must also give me something in return." I spoke solemnly. If people from my time saw me do this, they'd cringe in embarrassment.
"Anything, Sir Vaeden," said Elizabeth calmly, restraining her excitement.
"Let me live in your territory and give me protection." I gave my offer, I was basically scamming her with general knowledge from my time, but I had to survive. Two candidates with unknown species and abilities are currently hunting me, I needed a safe haven to stay in and an ally to rely on.
"Agreed. I was going to offer the same thing because you saved my life, but thank you for being generous," said Elizabeth gratefully. The heaviness in my heart faded as she said those words. Tricking people never left a good taste in my mouth.
"Anyways, how did you die in your past life? If it's okay for me to ask?" I continued the conversation with a new topic. As I started walking around Elizabeth, admiring the creature she is up close. Her head followed me as I paced around her.
"I was burnt at the stake," she responded with a blank expression. I stopped my pace and looked at where her eyes were supposed to be. I frickin knew it.