Time for the struggle between life and death...but before that
"Shinji. Tonight. [Lullaby Tree]", A voice reverberates
"Say no more, I'll meet you there", I reply
Without context, it would be very weird for some pink-haired girl, Sirena Brise, the daughter of Gala Empire's Magic Council member Allard Brise, to talk to me randomly but... I did something before the academy and before all these shenanigans started.
But it's not like I could go back in time to fix it since the 'problem' already started before the academy, like Dongmei. Not like I wanted to fix it in the first place.
So what went wrong? Before I got my memories my science-obsessed self didn't really bother making friends and only attended social gatherings if they were ever urgent.
I always liked attention though, so I always tried showing the kids my age the inventions I make. They thought they were cool at first, but this world is ultimately based on personal strength. Someone could kill me before I even enter any mech.
Instead of wows of wonder, I got ridiculed. Those nobles with mediocre or no talent get sent to the army although they get better treatment than the peasants there.
So Shinji what did you do? Did you retaliate? you may have asked. I didn't do anything, I had greatly understood the point that I was inferior to others. I didn't know exactly why I wasn't actually bothered but it was ultimately because no one could actually get in the way of my thirst for knowledge.
After a few rounds of ridicule, I eventually got bored of them. the same lines and the same names. Loser, nerd, untalented noble, and anything in between. Have I ever told you I get easily bored? I get the urge to do anything that can satisfy my bored mind.
I think that was when I was 10? yeah, the age in which we could start cultivating qi or gather mana.
Since they were children, they were already satisfied with verbally insulting me until I didn't bother with them. So of course they would choose the violent option.
As one kid punched me I realized how great a mech would be, my desire to get into Gold Coffin Academy slowly took its seed into my heart. It was far from the thought of going to the academy but it was ultimately the start of my desire for funding a powerful mech that could threaten even those of rank 9.
The end result of them trying to beat me up? I'm not a wimp of course so I immediately did what every professional kid would do. Lies and Deceit.
I took a prototype gun and scared them as it glowed red. There were arrogant ones but once they heard the sound effect they couldn't be so sure of their confidence.
It was a good thing they were still young so they weren't very addicted to their strength.
Now, this is where Sirena comes in. She had seen what I did and thought it was cool. Unlike others, she had an innovative mind and asked me to be her friend. As I had said, I didn't bother making friends but as long as I had someone who would turn their attention to me then I was all for it.
So yes, we are childhood friends. Now, what would cause her to kill me you say? Well, would you look at who is beside me right now? THE Dongmei von Shiraki!
Now, what would be the solution? running away? trying to clear the misunderstanding? no, it was far from that. It would be very stupid to run from a yandere.
There was one key barrier that stopped me from stopping her from killing me. She has a mind-reading ability.
She was greatly obsessed with me, so much in fact that she awakened her [Pshyce]. Considering she is a yandere and the abilities she showed me so far, I would say that she is definitely a Rank 4 in that area.
She must have definitely read my thoughts on what would happen between me and Dongmei this week.
Her mind-reading is already an OP counter against my [Death Reversal] so I can't beat her in battle at all.
Now to another question, why didn't she appear earlier? Apparently, she transferred here when she heard that I passed the test. Those people with privileges...
Because she's already read my mind she will be at a spot on this planet called the [Lullaby Tree]. She and I knew what we were going to do there. If I do anything else then she would, unfortunately, kill me to restart the day.
That would make any normal person either afraid or mad at her but I did one tiny cliche thing—a promise to get married. Honestly, first is a xianxia plot and then a childhood romance that stars an undying boy and a yandere girl. What could go wrong if they merge together?
What's worse is the love triangle that will be formed this whole week. I don't know why Dongmei fell in love with me. I really don't understand feelings. Why would one love the person they hated a day ago? It's like I speedran a capture target.
I say that but I feel really giddy inside for scoring 2 girls. Although it was bad in some way, I really liked both of them. The feeling of love? not so much but I'm getting there in yandere speed. Wait, isn't that obsession?
I really am a scumbag to even think about a harem even though it's legal. I really do hope I could treat them well though.
Not to mention that I also have to deal with both Mac, Gerwulf, and Vasco (with no last name of course). The primary mission is also to get treasures and monster carcasses from this dangerous planet.
I need a high grade so that I can get better resources. I, Being both a mechanic and engineer cost a lot. I also had taken an interest in the potential of alchemy.
hm? oh, everything is going slower. I immediately take an injection full of cortisol. I also cast a 1-Star [Heal Up]
Everything must be handled in its due time. Sirena understood me and will wait till tonight for me to finish my grudges. She wanted to help but I have already told her in a previous iteration that she shouldn't since both Dongmei and her will try to kill each other.
Oh, she was even more insistent but I already told her that she was no match against Dongmei even with her high ranking [Pshyce] and [Mana Heart]. Dongmei is a mid-rank 7 after all.
In weeb term it didn't make sense since Sirena was more yandere active than Dongmei but bullsh*t like that doesn't work in this world.
Honestly, out of the 2 things I liked, kuudere and yandere. and they both had to pick the more violent one.
Ok, onwards to something I can't return to.
The four, Quad, Lin, Dongmei, and I went through the planet. My plan is to go to a certain place to make some territorial advantage. After all, we're already being followed.
As we traveled, I kept double-casting 1-Star [Gather Air] and 1-Star [Gust] to practice my magic and to keep those Rank-3 [Spike Grass] away.
The problem with [Spike Grass] is that it grows randomly. Quad would pull up the [Spike Grass] that were triggered as we continued on.
*Grunt*
"There are Rank-4 [Mad Hogs] they won't care about the pain and they won't stop chasing so it's best to kill them. Aim for their eyes rather than their head!", I say
A horde of Mad Hogs arrives.
"Split up and kill them but don't go too far!", I say as I dash first
There were 12 of them and unfortunately 4 of them came after me.
I dash to the nearest tree, jumped on a Mad Hog, and immediately stabbed its eye using a hidden blade on my shoe. I also made sure to cast 1-Star [Speed Up] and 1-Star [Strenght Up]. As I stabbed it I also jumped on top of the tree that I went up to before.
I cast 1-Star [Fester Up] and [Heal Down]. The Mad Hog Kept smashing into the tree, what an idiot. I took out a [1908 Steel]. Unlike the monster it once was, it somehow turned into metal. I took a bottle out of my space pouch. Thanks to headmaster Hideo's 'daily training' my [Psyche] went to Rank 3. I now have 3 powers, 2-Star [Poison Detection], 2-Star [Poison Immunity], and 1-Star [Poison Fluid].
I dip the thin steel into the bottle, I then pierce the hog with a javelin throw as I keep taking out more steel blades and repeating my actions against the other 3 hogs.
Gore aside, you have to look at their pathetic display of what they call a struggle for life. it doesn't help that they keep banging their heads into the tree.
I jump down as the tree I'm on finally collapses, I go behind them as I stab poisoned spikes up their opening.
They turn around as spikes stick out of their body. They then collapse before they take another step forward.
I take out the spikes and released my festering spell on them. I also cast [Fester down] on one of them as I still want to let it live. I take out some parts from my space pouch and assemble a cage and stuffed the paralyzed hog inside.
I didn't lift the [Heal Down] on them though as I don't want them to annoy me. I immediately stab the hogs till they died to death.
The others gather too with the spoils. I dismantle the hogs and took the poisoned parts out for Lin and me to eat. Lin stored the snouts as they were the indication that we hunted them.
We take a break as I cast another double casting of 1-Star [Gather Heat] and [Flame] inside a container full of Mad Hog Meat. I take out 1-Star [Sap Oil]. Although this planet is infested with killer plants, these plants are still plants and have very delicious drops.
I made very tender hog meat and gave it to the others.
Lin's eyes lit up, "Shinji, you are so convenient. You have all the skills a survivor needs while we just live off you."
Quad says, "This is amazing, I usually hunt before I went to this academy so I find your cooking to be better than what I could offer. Could you teach me sometime?"
Dongmei just enjoyed the taste as she trembled. Please don't make me have weird expectations.
I say, "I'll teach it since I can't be the only one cooking but before that..."
I look in a certain direction, the place where we were going. A strategic field against those cowards following us.
It was a forest full of Rank-4 [Hanging Vines] and a certain trap perfect for our pursuers.
I gesture to the others. we planned on running through the forest to gather the vines on our tails. well gather around at a certain point and destroy them altogether.
They went ahead as I pack the meat into my space pouch. I stayed behind to lure Vasco and his gang of losers to the trap.
I ran through the forest while casting wind magic. Although the vines couldn't catch me, I may still be stabbed randomly by a spike of grass.
I should note that the wind flowing through my skin is very satisfying. Coming out of my introverted shell of both my past lives makes this just much more memorable.
Sadly the trauma and suffering that comes with it will stay more than just memorable.
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They had split up, and the annoying one got left behind.
"Vasco, that is the guy that dared talk with Dongmei! He is also the one that humiliated me! I must get him back or I will lose face!", I say
"Don't worry Mac, we will follow behind him and gang up on him. We can then use him as blackmail material against the others.", Vasco replies
"Oh, that is really smart. I think their team values this wastrel a lot.", adds Gerwulf
Vasco takes the lead as we three, and our lackeys, ran after that piece of sh*t.
We encountered a lot of [Hanging Vines] along the way too.
Gerwulf inferred, "This is odd, can't catch up to that nerd because of the vines but why isn't he also being slowed down?"
Vasco also notices, "There is no evidence of fighting here or dead monster bodies here."
I propose, "Do you think they already noticed we were following them and tried to lead us off course?"
Vasco becomes alarmed, "Forget about the monster corpses, let's break our way through! Those who can't keep up get left behind!"
Vasco and Gerwulf who were cultivators ran ahead. I had to use a 2-Star [Fire Boost] on the soles of my feet to keep up.
The lackeys on the other hand had a hard time but they caught up with minor injuries. Rank-4 monsters are no match for the people that we chose to be on our side after all.
If they couldn't then they shouldn't be our lackeys in the first place as they only bring disgrace with their presence.
When we found the bastard called Shinji, he immediately looked at us and made a horrified face. You're regretting it now, right?
"Gerwulf! Take him down!", I order as I launched a 2-Star [Fire Storm] at that d*ckface.
Shinji should have been injured by now but he performed a familiar martial art. He performed a 1-Star [Swiss Palm Technique] against my spell while double casting a wind spell.
Gerwulf in his anger says, "That is my technique! I'll pay you back for what you did to me!"
The prat just flipped us off and ran away by performing another of Gerwulf's techniques, 1-Star [Spring Step Technique].
"Catch me if you can losers! I never lost a race! I bet you will feel pathetic not being able to catch up!"
We are now pissed off. We run after him. Unlike what he claimed himself to be, we eventually closed the distance between us. What is a rank 2 compared to us rank 3's and 5?
But then I widen my eyes. He activates a 1-Star [Leap]. I was confused until he casts a 1-Star [Rot] below him. It was directed to a certain flower that looked out of place in this vine forest.
Shinji then says, "Bye Bye Dollar Store Team Rocket Knock-Offs!"
That b*tch.
The ground began to collapse as I, Gerwulf, and most of the lackeys were consumed into the earth.
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"Y-You, you dared to kill off the son of a guild leader? You even tried to kill me!", I shout at that insolent junior.
"I mean, you would try killing a prince of a kingdom through poisoning so I don't know what you're getting at here.", Shinji replies
"Aha! So you actually knew about the poisoning scheme but it's too bad. You don't have evidence!"
Shinji then facepalms as if I were stupid. I'm not stupid.
He then says, "I'm tired of explaining this flawed logic again and again. I'm an engineer, I can do stuff. Anyway, it won't be that important as it will only be used to justify to your father why we had to bury your dead body here...", He smirks
His smile grew so much that it looked like his face split in half, "...along with all your previous iterations."
I didn't know why but I felt very threatened by the rank 2 in front of me. I snapped out of it as I tried to take him and beat him up but I immediately was stabbed from behind.
"So it really was you who tried to poison me. I'll make you face the karma of your last 8 evil reincarnations", A cold voice behind me sounds through my ear.
"Oh? the vines are already gathered?", Shinji asks as he approaches.
"All tied up and ready to cut up.", Lin responds.
"Great, then I'll leave this guy to you Lin.", Shinji sadistically smiles.
"I'll be sure to teach him how to beg for his death.", Lin replies.
I tried to resist and attack but for some reason, my body won't respond.
"Don't try to move, it will only make your paralysis worse. I used my blood instead of my saliva so it is much more lethal. Not to mention that you were stabbed into your heart while your blood is flowing at a rapid rate because of adrenaline.", Shinji says as he left.
Did he just calculate everything? Making us chase after him, tiring us out, and panicking and maddening us to the point of being blind to our situation?
"Now where should I start?", The demon called Lin finally says.
I shouldn't have gone after them.
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Is it bad to like schadenfreude? I thought I would be more sympathetic since I suffered pain like them but then again my egoistical self wouldn't bother about their cries.
I walk until I encounter Quad and Dongmei cutting the entangled vines.
Quad cheers at me, "Shinji your strategies are very useful! Although these monsters are very weak, it would take too much time just to get these many monsters!"
Dongmei adds, "It would take me an extensive effort to this on my own. Hunting monsters with just a sword on hand really isn't the right way.", she sighs at her once narrow mindset.
"Once we are done with this we should get to the next destination that has mushroom monsters.", I sigh as I lie down on the ground.
I need to replenish my mana so I just inject an adrenaline tube into my system. [Death Reversal: Einstein] at work here.
A while later Quad and Dongmei were done gathering the bodies and Lin was done taking care of Vasco. Now there was one certain thing to notice.
Vasco wasn't the only one who could react in time and dodge the collapse of the earth. They abandoned Vasco thought, those cowards...
The good thing was that I did it on purpose. I needed physical evidence to justify the claims of the killing off both a son of a guild master and a son of a renowned general.
Although it isn't legal to kill someone. it is 'legal' to disguise it as an accident. These corrupt people...
Anyway, evidence that both of them tried to conspire against a son of one of the four kingdoms of the empire would make ripples flow through the Gala Empire so the guild master and the general will leave me alone after I threaten to send it to King Qing.
As long as the king gets wind of this he can 'question' the lackeys of Vasco in a 'nice' manner to get information out of them. Ever heard of lie detection spells? Yeah, there are many kinds but they are mostly just 3-Star spells so the king could find the information from them one way or another.
Lin assures me that he will inform his father to protect my family from any forces trying to target them. My household has a great relationship with the Nil kingdom's royal family so having another kingdom backing us is like a fantasy come true.
Speaking about the royal family, there was a certain incident that became the reason why the Nil kingdom went from one of the 2 high-level kingdoms of the Gala empire to being the only low-leveled kingdom.
It would be a story for another time as I and the group travel and settle on a mountain that contained [Spore Rain Mushroom] that creat clouds of spores.
Those spores dig into your skin and grow into fungi that release more spores by digesting your nutrients through injecting a certain substance. It was best to have Immunity to poison to combat such attacks.
Ice and Fire magic should do the trick on the clouds but we could also kill the source of mushrooms to kill them altogether. A Rank-5 [Spore Rain Mushroom] hides amongst its children but it could be spotted with its distinct purple raindrop pattern.
We spent the rest of the day here gathering the spoils as we kill off the monsters.
Since it was getting evening I prepared stew using the mushrooms, hog meat, oil, and vegetables I got on the way.
I then told the others that I'll have to go somewhere and that they should keep watch among themselves.
"So you're going to meet up with that pink-haired girl right?", Dongmei pouts. pls, my heart can't take it.
"Yeah, she is a childhood friend who transferred here so it would be best for me to meet her.", they nod in understanding. no, only Lin and Quad do.
"...Anyway, I'll be back soon anyway. If you're ever hungry then there is still some stew left.", finally Dongmei nods.
I went to meet Sirena. She is eagerly waiting for me.