'Honesty... who really are you?'
I didn't answer that question.
After that, Alisa and Elien headed back to the village that they came from.
And I was once again alone.
After they left, the only change to the place was a dead bear and a couple of broken trees.
But before they left, I looked into their status.
[Alisa Age:14 Sex: Female
Blessing: None
Species: Human
-Strength Lv.1
-Stamina Lv.1
-Magic Power Lv.1
-Agility Lv.1
-Endurance Lv.1
-Dexterity Lv.1
Special Skills: None
Elements: None
Current Power Level: 12
Potential Power Level: 18]
[Elien Age: 14 Sex: Female
Blessing: None
Species: Human
-Strength Lv.1
-Stamina Lv.1
-Magic Power Lv.1
-Agility Lv.1
-Endurance Lv.1
-Dexterity Lv.1
Special Skills: None
Elements: None
Current Power Level: 12
Potential Power Level: 24]
They were weak.
Very weak.
If I had not killed that bear, both of them would've been ripped to shreds. What also surprised me was that they both had a single name. But that only lasted for a moment.
"Thank god, I choose to become a Demon."
I sighed as I looked at the bear gaining fly's over it, and a thought entered my mind.
'Wait... Could becoming a Demon be the reason I am stuck here?'
I sat there in silence until a -system- message popped up and broke it.
[Status obtained a new feature!]
'Ah. I forgot I had this.'
"Open."
[Allos Age: 14 Sex: Male
Species: Human(Formerly), Demon(Currently)
-Strength Lv.???
-Stamina Lv.???
-Magic Power Lv.???
-Agility Lv.???
-Endurance Lv.???
-Dexterity Lv.???
-Luck Lv.15(Special Stat)
Special Skills: -Mind Seclusion Lv.5-, -Flames of Hell Lv.??-, -Disguise Lv.3-, -Basic Weapon Aura Lv.??-, -Clone Lv.??-, -Demonic Weapon Aura Lv.??-, -Divine Weapon Aura Lv.?-, -Barrier Nullification Lv.?-, -Debuff Lv.?-, -Mythical Eye Lv.3-, -Blood Intensity Lv.??-, -Earth Martial Arts Lv.16-
Elements: All
Boost: Bear Slayer
Current Power Level: ????
Potential Power Level: ??????]
'Boost?'
[Boost has been added to your status!]
[Bear Slayer: Beast-like monster's stats will be reduced by ten levels when facing them.]
'So this is some kind of buff?'
I was happy about the new feature until I realized it didn't matter since I could take a -Giant Forest Bear- down with just one hit. Another reason was that I was stuck and couldn't use it to its full extent.
Feeling down a bit, I looked over my entire status again.
All my basic stats, except -Luck-, had three question marks ever since the beginning of the second month started.
The last time I saw it had a numerical value was 150. After that, it turned into question marks. The same went for some of my skills level and my power level.
I closed my status, along with my eyes.
'Will I ever see those two again?'
My first encounter with another human being.
Alisa and Elien.
They had completely different personalities from each other.
One was friendly, caring, and a little carefree. While the other was cautious and rude but protective when it came to the former.
And they both had pleasant appearances...
I opened my eyes and looked at the palm of my hand.
I deactivated -Disguise- on my hand, and it returned to its pale color.
'What do they think of Demons?'
The question I asked myself made me think about the perspective of the people of this world.
Do humans hate Demons?
It overcame me with worry when I thought about that.
But it quickly went away when I thought about the skill I had that could hide this fact.
With that, I spoke only two words.
"-Mind Seclusion-."
***
The next afternoon, I left -Mind Seclusion- after entering it yesterday.
I looked around, and it was...
...the goddamn same as always.
If I am being honest, I was hoping the same message from before would pop up saying that a living being was near me.
But it didn't happen.
I sighed in disappointment at myself, and just when I was about to utter the exact two words as before, I sensed two familiar things.
I quickly stood up from my spot.
'Is it them!?'
My excitement was so high that my heart was bumping into a dangerous amount.
They got closer and closer and closer.
Until finally, I heard the light steps of two people.
And then a voice.
"Ah! Allos, you're still here!"
"Alisa, don't shout. Unless you want another monster to be killed in front of us again."
"Sorry."
It was them.
I couldn't help but smile a little.
I noticed Alisa was carrying two picnic baskets.
'Wait, don't tell me!'
Alisa approached me while Elien was still quite distant.
"Um, Allos, have you eaten anything today?"
She spoke in a soft and soothing voice.
But disregarding that, the words that Alisa said made me twitch.
I responded, trying to hide my excitement. "No."
"Perfect!"
Alisa then placed the two baskets down, took out a checkered blanket big enough to fit three people, and laid it on the grass.
She then sat down on it and prompted Elien and me to sit down with her hands.
I sat down with no hesitation, and so did Elien.
"Now then. Let's eat!"
Alisa opened the basket, and my eyes gained many stars.
Sandwiches, boiled eggs, fruits, and something I can guess is pasta.
Then she opened the second one. Inside were three cups and one transparent container with what looked like orange juice.
I picked up one sandwich and looked at what it contained.
Meat, lettuce, tomato, and sauce.
I took my first bite.
Alisa, along with Elien, both watched me take my first bite.
Alisa looked at me with a nervous look.
As I chewed, I thought to myself.
'This is...'
'This is...'
'...Declious!'
I took another bite and another and another.
I had a face that showed I was enjoying eating the sandwich.
Alisa sighed a breath of relief and happiness and took one of the sandwiches, followed by Elien.
We had a picnic.
It lasted for at least 45 minutes until everything had emptied.
In the 45 minutes, nobody talked, which I didn't mind since it was my first time eating actual food other than my body consuming magic from the air.
Once everything was done, Alisa was the one to speak first.
"Allos. I know we got interrupted the last time we talked."
She says while glancing over at the still-dead bear.
"But if you could. Would you mind telling us why you are here?"
It was a simple question I could answer immediately, but would they even believe me if I told them I came from a different world? That I didn't belong here. That I was a Demon.
Demon.
That was what stopped me from telling the truth.
I then said the following words to them.
"Well... to be honest with you, I don't know why I am here too."
"One day, I opened my eyes and was here and only here."
It was technically accurate.
"Ever since waking up here, I was trapped inside a barrier that kept me from going out."
I explained how I tried to break the barrier many times and how I survived by eating anything that looked like it had protein.
It was a half-lie and half-truth.
Once I was over, Elien also asked me a question
"Then how are you so strong?"
I had the perfect answer to that.
"I don't know."
I said that shamelessly.
Alisa and Elien were both flabbergasted by my answer.
"Wait, that kind of reason is..."
"Ahem."
Alisa cleared her throat, clearly signaling Elien not to pry any further.
Elien grumbled as she looked away from the both of us.
Alisa and I were looking at each other.
I spoke first this time.
"That is all."
Looking content, Alisa smiled and then got up.
"So you're trapped in an invisible barrier?"
"That's correct."
"May I see it?"
I was somewhat surprised at the request but knew it wouldn't harm me.
"Of course."
Elien also was curious about the barrier.
"Could I also see it?"
"Of course."
And so that was the start of a long-term friendship.
***
Once again, they left for their village and told me some things about themselves and the village.
They are called the Village Twins due to being born on the same day and time.
Alisa's father is the village's chief and is known as the strongest.
Since no one was close to their age, they only had each other to talk to until they met me.
And now, I was ready to return to my skill after my second interaction with them.
'I hope they come tomorrow.'
I blacked out once again.
***
The next day they showed up with food, and during this eating period, we talked this time.
I was happy.
This kept on going.
They came back again and again.
Sometimes with or without food.
One month passed.
We got to know each other better.
Alisa and I got more familiar.
While Elien and I were still unfamiliar, Elien knew I wasn't a bad guy.
Several months passed.
And in these months, they kept visiting every single day.
Alisa got used to the place where she started taking naps.
Of course, Elien was there too, but after many months of spending time together, she had grown not to be as distant but even to call me her friend.
I also asked them if they had something called a system. But in the end, they didn't know about the system.
A year passed.
This year we had grown together and reached 15. Our bodies and minds got more prominent and more mature.
I didn't know how the year worked in this world, but I knew that my birthday had passed when I looked at my status and saw that I wasn't 14 anymore.
They also managed to sneak a pair of some pretty comfortable leather shoes for me.
Also, during the year, I gained many more skills and experiences.
But I still couldn't leave the barrier. Although I was a bit sad, the recurring visit from my 'friends' cheered me up.
Alisa, Elien, and I had become close friends this year.
Even Elien had gotten closer to where she would now take naps.
Then another year passed by.
We were 16 and once again matured.
Just like last year, we had gotten even closer.
***
It was a regular sunny day from my spot.
I was lying down on my back with my eyes closed.
I heard the soothing sound of the small river, the pleasant breeze of the wind, and the warm shine of the sun.
But then the warm shine of the sun was blocked.
"Allllos."
I opened my eyes and made eye contact with the culprit.
It was Alisa.
Alisa had grown a lot in 2 years. In mind and body. She had gotten taller, and her looks and body had matured. Her hair was longer than before.
"When are you going to cut your hair?"
'When was I going to cut my hair?'
Over two years, my hair had grown out a lot and could now reach my hips since, for some reason, my hair was growing at a much faster rate than others.
"Hmmm... I don't know. I mean, who is going to cut it, anyway?"
"We could do it for you."
The one that said that was Elien.
She, too, had grown a lot in her looks and body. However, she kept the same hair length over the years.
My and her hair were the same lengths, although mine was messier.
"You guys? Do you even know how to cut hair?"
"Of course we do. Right, Alisa?"
"Uh-huh! We cut our hair all on our own. Well, at least I used to until I decided to grow out my hair."
Alisa scratched her head as she smiled.
"B-But I bet Elien can still do it on her own."
I looked at Elien, and she also looked at me and proudly said.
"I cut my hair all the time. Yours would be no different."
I gave a light smile and agreed with their proposal.
"Alright. I'll let you cut my hair."
"Okay. We'll start tomorrow."
Feeling left out, Alisa declared.
"M-Me too! I also want to cut your hair!"
I stared at her and told her.
"Weren't you also going to do it, too?"
"Oh."
Alisa's face flushed with redness as she was embarrassed.
I couldn't help but laugh.
"Haha."
"Don't laugh!"
She started hitting my chest with tiny fists.
***
It was time for Alisa and Elien to return home.
"I guess it's time for you to return."
Alisa and Elien nodded, faced each other, and nodded once more as if they agreed.
"Umm, Allos?"
"Yeah?"
"Before we go, we wanted to say something to you..."
"Oh. Okay. What is it?"
"Well... we came to a decision and wanted to tell you that..."
Alisa and Elien looked at me with tense expressions and continued.
"...we decided that if you ever were to leave the barrier and roam the world..."
Alisa had a bit of trouble saying the last thing she wanted to say, but Elien stepped in and placed her hand on top of Alisa, and both said the same thing together.
"Would you also take us to explore the world together?"
I was a bit surprised at the question they had. Yet I already knew my answer to this.
"Yes. I would also like that."
The worried expression on their faces turned to happiness after they heard my response.
"Then that's a promise."
***
Shortly after that, they left, and I was alone, but I wasn't as lonely as I thought.
Whenever they left, I also did my usual thing.
"-Mind Seclusion-."
I opened my eyes five seconds later to the nothingness I was used to, but this time, a message greeted me.
[-Mind Seclusion- has reached level 10!]
[One new skill has been added to the skillbook!]
"A new skill?"
I was pretty surprised at the message since this had never happened before. It must be an excellent skill considering it got its system message.
I called out to the skillbook.
In the nothingness, a decently sized book with a hard white cover popped out of nowhere with a poof sound.
[Book of Skills]
[One new skill has been added!]
[Would you like to see it?]
"Yes."
The pages on the book of skills turned as if there were infinite pages.
Then it came to a stop, and the new skill that was added was there.
[-Avatar-]
***
It was almost the afternoon of the next day.
Alisa and Elien were in their moderately big village.
Alisa was outside her house, ready to leave, and was seen off by her mother.
"Make sure that you don't go too far."
"I know, mother."
She then walked in a different direction in the village.
On her way, she greeted many adults, the elderly, and children.
Until she made it to her destination.
She was in front of a different house, and just as she was about to knock on the door, the door suddenly swung open and showed the person on the other side.
It was Elien.
"Is it time?"
"If you mean cutting Allos' hair, then yes."
"Alright, let's go."
They then walked towards the back exit of the village and talked amongst themselves.
"So, what part of Allo's hair will you cut?"
Elien asked Alisa.
"Uhh... whatever is easiest."
"Hmm. Making me do all the work, huh?"
"What? What do you mean, doing all the work?"
"I was just kidding."
Elien smiled.
Alisa was the one to grumble this time.
Elien then asked a question.
"Do you think Allos will take us to explore the world?"
The unexpected question threw Alisa off, and she responded.
"Of course. Do you think the two years we spent together were not enough to strengthen our friendship? And besides, that is only if Allos passes through the barrier."
"I know. But is two years enough?"
"Maybe, maybe not. Even if it isn't, we still have lots of time to get closer. I mean, it was your idea to propose that to him, and I also liked it. Or do you not think of him as a friend yet?"
"W-What? No, I think of him as a friend, too."
Elien exclaimed. Allos was her friend, and under her breath, she whispered.
"...a very close friend..."
"What was that?"
"Nothing!"
The pair were close to exiting the village to meet Allos and cut his long hair, but that had to be delayed for another time.
A giant and powerful explosion suddenly resounded behind them, and the shockwave blew them to the ground.
The entire village was collapsing because of the explosion.
The explosion was at the village entrance, on the opposite side of where Alisa and Elien were. But even that was able to make the entire village suffer incredible damage.
Then the explosion and shockwave finally ended.
"W-W-W-What was that?!"
Elien said in a terrified voice.
"Alisa!! Are you okay?!"
Elien turned her head towards Alisa, and fortunately, she seemed fine, but someone thing was wrong.
Alisa's face was filled with terror as she remembered something that her mother had told her at the beginning of the day.
'Oh, your father? He said he would guard the front entrance of the village's wall.'
Without a second thought, Alisa ran toward the now-destroyed entrance.
"Wait, Alisa!! Don't go there!!"
Elien tried to go after Alisa but knew that if she also went, then both of them would die from the thing that caused the explosion. But she wasn't about to let her childhood friend die, so she ran in the opposite direction to get help from the person she trusted and cared for.
'If it's him, then... he can save us!'
Chapter 3: Twins-Pt.2(End)