Chapter 4: We're Moving Out Of The Forest!
"Yukiyo don't you think you have reached a slump ever since we killed the Giant and the Orc King?"
Shen asked this question as she sat across the table whilst biting into the T-bone steak of an earth wyvern. In order to eat my food she took the appearance of a beautiful woman in her twenties with light ocean blue long hair tied into twin tails, she had pearly white skin and the same eye color she had when she was a dragon. What she wore as of now was a sea green one piece. She had a magnificent set of horns which protruded out of her hair and pointed ears which certainly made me want to touch them but she didn't allow me. We had been living a life of hunting and gathering, the sound of fizzling could be heard in her cup and she drank it with a cute face whilst holding her cheeks and smiling. She is a glutton who enjoyed junk food. The Killer Slimes had different flavors and when their cores are added to water it creates a soft drink, I had to add several things to recreate the fizzy effect. It was very hard you know?
Back to her question it has been quite a while since we defeated the giant and the orc king, the forest which had been increasingly dangerous has become really tame. I think there is at least one target that we need to take care of before ultimately leaving here.
"Yes but a new challenger has appeared"
"Kaa-chan means there is a goblin king in the vicinity now"
"How boring, are they no more monsters strong enough to face me?"
"I do not think so"
Shen's status has grown weird don't you know?So has Geri and Freki, they have grown into adults after our leveling regime for some reason. They can even speak as well.
"Ah Geri what were you doing all day?"
"I found the elusive jackalope"
"UOOOOOOOOH?!ANIKI WHERE DID YOU FIND SUCH HIGH QUALITY MEAT?!"
Freki was more a shut-in dungeon exploring type rather that the type that would proactively search for monsters to fight, hence he had grown used to the type of food we were eating even more than myself. He wasn't chubby, hell no, he was just as healthy as Geri. Freki was more reserved than his rash and head first into any battle brother. I would usually scold the idiot Geri because of him often diving into danger as if it is nothing, not that there is anything that can harm the current Geri.
"Kukukukuku near River Atalis where you and Kaa-chan fought that orge"
"Ohhh"
"How about we save the meat for the evening"
"Good idea"
Hmm its been a while since I looked at everyone's status, maybe a little peek will not hurt.
『
• Name: Geri
• Age: 20 (Due to Accelerated Leveling Growth)
• Race: Beast King Fenrir
• Title: Lightning Beast Prince, Battle Maniac, Yukiyo's Number 1 Disciple, The Wolf That Rips Through The Darkness, Alpha of The Lightning Savage Wolves
• Job: None
• Level: 380
• Job History: None
○ Attributes:
• HP: 400,000
• MP: 600,000
• Strength: 500,000
• Agility: 700,000
• Stamina: 500,000
• Intelligence: 600,000
○ Skills:
• Beastly Combat Level 18
• Size Alternation Level 10
• Shapeshifting Level 20
• Increased Attack Power When Using Magic: Lightning Level 20
• Mana Enhancement Level 10
• Lightning Aura Level 5
• Divine Bestowal Level 1
• Fang and Claws' Extreme Sharpness: Mithril
• Power Roar Level 16
○Passive Skills:
• Lightning Induced Attack Level 6
• Alpha Aura Level 5
• Beastly Kingship Level 5
• Nascent Divinity: Demigod Level 9 (Godhood Achieved In Next Level Up)
• Lightning Agility Level 23
• Boosted Agility Level 19
• Combat Knowledge Level 17
• Storm Perception Level 3
• Change Weather: Storm Level 3
• Reduced Elemental Damage (Lightning) Level 20
○ Unique Skills:
• Indra Level 15
• Howl of God Level 6
• Destruction: Lightning Level 10
· Synch: Freki Level 20
· Divine Protection Granting Level 1
』
『
• Name: Freki
• Age: 20 (Due to Accelerated Leveling Growth)
• Race: Beast King Fenrir
• Title: Fire Beast Prince, Dungeon Explorer, Elder Dragon's Favorite, The Wolf That Ignites Light Into The World, Alpha of The Fire Savage Wolves
• Job: None
• Level: 380
• Job History: None
○ Attributes:
• HP: 500,000
• MP: 700,000
• Strength: 700,000
• Agility: 500,000
• Stamina: 700,000
• Intelligence: 600,000
○ Skills:
• Beastly Combat Level 18
• Size Alternation Level 10
• Shapeshifting Level 20
• Increased Attack Power When Using Magic: Flame Level 20
• Mana Enhancement Level 10
• Flame Aura Level 5
• Divine Bestowal Level 1
• Fang and Claws' Extreme Sharpness: Mithril
• Power Roar Level 16
○Passive Skills:
• Flame Induced Attack Level 6
• Alpha Aura Level 5
• Beastly Kingship Level 5
• Nascent Divinity: Demigod Level 9 (Godhood Achieved In Next Level Up)
• Dungeon Perception Level 12
• Monster Knowledge Level 12
• Weather Change: Drought Level 3
• Reduced Elemental Damage (Fire) Level 20
• Mana Enlargement Level 14
• Flame Strength Level 19
• Boosted Strength Level 17
○ Unique Skills:
• Agni Level 15
• Howl of God Level 6
• Destruction: Fire Level 10
• Synch: Geri Level 20
• Divine Protection Granting Level 1
』
...….These two were abnormally strong. That much can be said, I believe no one can hunt these guys down. I looked at Shen who kept on eating her food in a daze, certainly she has taken a liking to junk food. I am not exactly sure what her level is but the last time I asked she said she is level 520, I asked the advanced Appraisal-sama for my own status and it came out as follows.
『
• Name: Yukiyo Shinohara
• Age: 0 (19 base appearance)
• Race: Death Eater (Dark Elf base)
• Title: Kin Eater, Goblin Killer, Berserker, Battle Addict, Friend of Water Elder Dragon Shen, True Monster, Foster Mother Of The Beast Kings
• Job: None
• Level: 464
• Job History: None
○ Attributes
• HP: 717,000
• MP: 807,000
• Strength: 639,800
• Agility: 639,800
• Stamina: 639,500
• Intelligence: 639,610
○ Skills:
• Massive Area Scan Level 4
• Absorption Level 30
• Dissolve Level 30
• Object Detection Level 10
• Appraisal Level 25
• Mana Control Level 23
• Chantless Revocation Level 23
• Monster Detect Level 10
• Master Bow Technique Level 1 (Upgraded from Bow Technique)
• Club Technique Level 10
• Master Sword Technique Level 1 (Upgraded from Sword Technique)
• Axe Technique Level 5
• Tame: Wolf Level 7
• Riding: Wolf Level 7
• Alchemy Level 7
• Command Level 9
• Necromancy Level 9
• Instant Death Magic Level 9
• Mana Recovery Level 7
• Mapping Level 6 (NEW!) (LEVEL UP!)
• Increased Attack Power When Equipped With A Bow Level 8
• Increased Attack Power When Equipped With A Sword Level 8
• Shape Alternation Level 4
○Passive Skills:
• Monstrous Strength Level 5
• Monstrous Agility Level 5
• Magical Attack Resistance Level 30
• Physical Attack Resistance Level 30
• Fatigue Resistance Level 30
• Status Effect Resistance Level 30
• Regeneration Level 25
• Dark Vision Level 25
○ Unique Skills:
• Skill Eater Level 10
• Belphegor Level 10
• Marchosias Level 3
• Alpha-Omega's Library Level 10 (100% Released)
• Perfect Stealth Level 10
• Limit Break: Attribute Boost Level 5
• Advanced Martial Beast: Insta-death Level 6
• Alpha-Omega's Library Card Access Level 4 (NEW!) (LEVEL UP!)
』
Apparently Shen has been using some of the skills and spells that were within my library so I am glad some of the skills were put to use. We had greatly cleared this forest and its dungeons, I was thinking about it and instinctively looked at Shen who then looked up at the ceiling for a minute before resuming her eating.
"Say what is on your mind Yukiyo"
"We're moving out of the forest"
"Eh?"
"Eh?"
"Well that's surprising but I guessed you would say that"
"Of course, don't you want to explore the world Shen?"
"I do, I was thinking about it before I met you and the Fenrirs but it was obvious that I was weak, that is not the case now."
"Well Kaa-chan is right, this forest has began to become boring"
"Indeed, monsters were avoiding the very sight of us"
"I mean anyone would avoid a king casually walking down the street "
"You're right about that Kaa-chan"
"I just remembered"
"What Aniki?"
"We've been living in this forest for the past 4 years."
"Eh?It's not 40?"
"No it's not, stop making it seem longer than its supposed to be Shen-anego please tell Freki we haven't been living that long inside of the forest"
"We haven't. Anyway what is your plan of getting out of here?"
"We follow the river, it should be easy"
"Yes it should be, if I recall my younger years I did spot a city whilst flying into this forest"
"Eh?You weren't originally from this forest?!"
"Yes"
"""Ehhhhh?!"""
The three of us exclaimed as we heard something new about Shen, she wasn't born in this forest which was a great shock given with how much she knew about the forest.
"It would be exhilarating to travel for once"
Shen smiled as she looked at me in particularly.
"I was right about sticking with you, as a result I have grown stronger and have enjoyed these amazing treats. You have my thanks Yukiyo"
"Are?Shen actually thanking me without adding in some kind of insult?!Shen is there something wrong with you?"
"No there isn't I am perfectly fine you idiot"
"That's the usual Shen we know"
"Oh shut it you"
We all laughed at the table as Shen was flustered as usual.
☆ The Great Sage's POV
The Great Forest of Arensha, it was a huge area that was filled with powerful monsters. One could expect anything there however there was one exception that had dwelt inside of the forest's lake. That is to say the Water Dragon, it was a fierce monster with knowledge of magic and the ability to speak in the human language. The nearby kingdom once tasted its wrath before a great sage had managed to chase it away with her power, even now they feared the day the water dragon would make its movement. For the first time in 150 years the constant beeping of the presence reader for the dragon had stopped.
"Hmm?Something weird has happened Lady Sev"
"What?"
"The Presence Reader for the Water Dragon has stopped giving us updates, its completely vanished from The Great Forest of Arensha"
"Eh?"
She had created this device to keep tabs on that dragon Shen, it wasn't possible for her to suddenly just die. Dragons stood at the top of the food chain but the only thing that could kill them were either giants, gods or heroes that's all. She was the aforementioned Sage who drove off Shen into the forest, Sev had long pure white hair with golden colored eyes wearing a black robe, her age had stopped at around her twenties, she carried a sophisticated look on her. Sev was curious as to what happened to Shen.
"Tell no one you hear"
"As you wish Lady Sev."
"It seems that dragon has either grown stronger and evolved into something more than just a water dragon or has kicked the bucket. The latter being pretty much impossible. I shall investigate this personally, tell the kingdom I've gone to search for a new spirit to tame"
"By your will Lady Sev"
Had Shen really grown that strong in such a short amount of time?150 years was rather short for a dragon to gain an immense amount of strength , unless there was something that prompted her to do so nonetheless she was going to find out what pushed her to become stronger.
☆
"Tell me once more about the stories of the dragons of your world Yukiyo"
Shen asked me in a haughty way as we had started to move out sitting on Freki's back with her arms crossed, she did it like Date Masamune and it seemed so cool. Shen is so amazing at times.
"Hmmmmm in my world we had tons of stories of dragons and video games about killing monsters, especially elder dragons"
"Are all humans bloodthirsty cutthroats in your world?"
"Ah no not all but some are. Most are relatively peaceful. In my culture we have the Dragon King Ryuujin who has a underwater palace in the sea, he is a dragon god of the sea and has many subordinates which include several strong yokai."
"Oh?"
"There is an elder dragon within a certain game that I forgot its name, its presence alone could cause storms and typhoons to occur. Could do these wonderful water attacks from above"
"..."
"He was called Emperor of the Skies. A truly magnificent final boss."
"I would like to meet such a dragon and do battle with him"
"He's completely fictional though"
Shen looked disappointed after I told her that but then a thought occurred to me.
"Maybe"
"What?"
"Just maybe there is a world were that dragon and the many monsters like it exist"
"Oh?"
"I came from a different world so there must be millions of similar worlds that we think exist in our fiction"
"I will do my best"
Ah she seems determined to travel other worlds, can Shen really do it?If so I just wanna travel back to my world and organize some stuff, maybe carry some of my things back, my life would be complete if I did that. Suddenly Geri and Freki stopped all together right before we were about to exit the forest and entering the mountain area, prompting me to ask them what's up.
"I hear the sounds of battle occurring "
"Ah, is it not some goblins fighting for some territory?"
"No its definitely humans, this part of the forest has less dangerous monsters inside of it. Humans actually pass through it because it has a shortcut leading up to the city"
"Oh?So let's check it out"
I used 『Massive Area Scan』, 『Object Detection』, 『Appraisal』, and the new『Mapping』skill I had obtained after leveling up and spotted where the humans were. Well it seems I'll meet some humans for the first time in a long time.
After some considerable distance from where we were, we finally reached the sounds of battle that Freki was talking about. And would you look at that its the stereotypical bandit raid at night time, I jumped off of Geri with my arms akimbo smiling as I had seen the first of something I had seen many times in Sword Fantasy. It was something for me to absolutely engage in.
"Geri, I want you to use Power Roar mixed in with a little bit of Howl of God. Then like you usually do rush in and give them a fright can you do that?"
"Certainly. It would be my pleasure"
I used Geri's battle hungry personality to my advantage as he howled a blood curdling roar that made all who heard it freeze immediately upon hearing it. He leaps forward leaving behind Freki, Shen and I behind. Freki sighs before joining him after a short while, I take out Star Cutter MK. Ⅰ and pulled back the bowstring with Shen doing the same thing with her ice bow which looked beautiful as hell. We release the constructed arrow that made both a thunder clap and a ice shattering sound both of which took down about four or five bandits. Geri and Freki were doing quite some good damage to the bandits maybe it was overkill to have sent them in. They served the distraction but were pretty active themselves well we were the main force that would surprise them.
"UOOOOH?!A DARK ELF?!AND A DRAGONBO-?!"
Shen used her sharpened ice claws to cut the man down, I had fired a mass of fire arrows using the spell Flame Bullet Arrow. I cut down several bandits who came near me and decided to rest on a rock with Shen as I watched the bandits desperately try to cut Geri and Freki's fur which was as hard as Shen's dragon scales with their swords breaking one after the other and letting out surprised noises as they get slaughtered by these two demigod wolves. If I could roughly count the time that we ambushed them I would say five minutes had passed and now all of them were dancing their last death throes and giving off their final breaths. There were certainly guards who had been protecting the carriage but they were either dead or about to be, Shen was healing them with magic and reviving a few. I went to the beautiful carriage that had the flag of a white flower in a black background, it must be a noble alright, let's give them the best smile I can provide. I opened the carriage door and brightly smiled at ojou-sama and her servants.
"Yo!!"
☆ The noble in the carriage POV
The marquis' daughter Mona Von Ostrosky was on a journey from the royal capital of Philonela where her aunt lived to her territorial home, she had already grown tired of hearing the tales of her kingdom's foundation and its heroes and glorious wars from her old butler. After tasting the horrible cooking from the high quality inn she visited she had foolishly decided to take her leave during the night time. She didn't have anything to worry about but that wasn't the case as Mona looked out to the beautiful serene scenery of the Arensha Forest with the backdrop of the mountain that had her home just beyond it, the ocean of trees were beyond this point and from there she could only imagine the type of magical things she could find within the forest. But then she saw the corpses of her carriage driver and escort knight on his horse fall down to the ground. She screamed loudly but it was futile to do so as she was in the part of the forest where humans were rarely found, she lamented the foolish decision she made to leave at night time.
The sounds and noises of swords clashing with her knights screaming and groaning their last as they fell one by one was clearly heard, the last of her knights were fighting the bandits all alone.
"AWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!!!"
A loud howl that shook the earth suddenly made its appearance making even the bandits who had taken advantage of the night time to ambush this carriage surprised and hell afraid. The bandits who were laughing as they killed Mona's knights just a few moments ago were now screaming as a one sided slaughter was occurring on their side. They were now fighting some phantasmal beast that ruled the forest and was angered by their needless slaughter, but there were also other sounds such as the bodies of the bandits being hit by something and dropping to the ground. The bandits were now the ones who were screaming their last shrieks, and then it went silent. The door flung open as a figure peeked inside, she had light brown skin, short white hair and beautiful blue eyes that reminded Mona of ice and a relaxing face that made her feel at ease just looking at it wearing clothes in black and red, what surprised her the most were the long pointed ears she had and the bright smile she was wearing. Although she knew she meant no harm she was rather surprised by her shouting at her.
"Yo!!"
"KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!"
This was the only time she screamed out of pure surprise to the unknown, it was resolved rather quick as she calmed down after being given a fruit by the dark elf before her.
"I apologize for screaming like that"
"Its okay I startled you after all"
"I am glad that you understood"
"Hey Yukiyo are the people inside the carriage okay?"
"Yup, they are doing pretty well"
Another voice called out to the dark elf lady who had an impressive aura about her, but that was wiped clean when the other figure peeked into the carriage. She had pearly white skin and ocean blue hair with eyes of an even deeper sea blue, she also had pointed ears but one could not mistaken her race as she had beautiful dragon horns spiking out of her hair wearing a dark midnight blue leather jacket and jeans of the same color as well as a light blue shirt inside. Her aura was so impressive that she felt like she was in the presence of a great being.
"Apologies if Yukiyo took you by surprise she is an airhead who hasn't had interaction with humans for a long time"
"Uh um"
"I've only had Geri and Freki and you as well after all"
"Geri?Freki?"
"Oh!!I didn't introduce you to my babies!!Geri!!Freki!!"
"Kaa-chan we are not babies anymore"
"We tell her that but she ignores it completely"
Two more voices come out of nowhere but soon two enormous snow white wolves with lightning and fire based tattoos on their fur walk up to the carriage making my wolf beastman maid Gertrude-san fell on her knees and couldn't look at them if at all.
"Eh?"
"Gertrude-san what is the matter?"
"The Gods are here"
"W-What?"
"I said that the gods are here, ojou-sama t-these two are Gods"
"Well I mean she is right"
"Wait are they really Dark Elf-dono?"
"Beast King Fenrirs, demigods"
"Hiiiiiiiii!!!!"
Gertrude-san shivered incredibly as she heard the name of the races and fainted as soon as she learnt they are demigods.
"You guys should control your godly aura a bit."
"Uh alright we'll try"
"Good, you too Shen"
"Umu"
Both she and the other lady entered the carriage.
"Dark Elf-dono, Dragonborn-dono where-"
"Please call us Yukiyo and Shen respectively"
"I have never seen an elf of this skin color before and this race before"
"Mona-ojousama, Yukiyo-dono is of the sister race to the elves called Dark Elf, a race of great strength. Shen-dono is a being born from the union between a dragon and a human, another great powerful race"
"Heh"
"Heheh"
"If they were seen in other nations like the Bolcross Theocracy both would be considered high class demons"
"Ehhhhhhhh?!"
"I see that foolish theocracy hasn't changed one bit"
"Yes dark elves are indeed an rare race to see spotting a dark elf who completely live inside forests and only go out in singles or doubles so not much of the world knows such a thing called dark elf"
"Guuuuu what type of shit game is this?"
"Yukiyo-dono do not worry you are very lucky you were not born in the other nations far west or east of here, we accept all races here did you know our first king was an adventurer?"
"Really?"
"Oh no, it starts all over again"
And thus Yukiyo along with everyone else made their journey into the world, with the winds of change about to occur as she entered it.