This...
When I thought everything would be smooth sailing from now, the fact that not only the fake and Mr. Gerald turned, but it was multiple other students as well, sent shivers down my spine.
It was such an absurd thought that I didn't even think about it.
The possibility that what I was looking at was not multiple people at all. Yes... A single creature capable of multiplying itself. A creature far stronger than the alleged Soldier ranked Original, that was responsible for handling the Pillars, the future of this world...
A Captain ranked Original. A threat that was supposed to appear way later in the story when the pillars could actually stand a chance.
Pleis, better known as the Mask of Deceit.
He was an Original that appeared a lot in the story. At least during the early to mid-stages where the Pillars were just beyond B tier and moving up into the ranks of top tier Guardians.
Although he was alone in most of his appearances, it didn't feel like it all. Besides from their innate ability to control Inters, he had the ability to copy the faces of anyone he sees. Coupled with the artifact that makes him form clones that copies half of his strength, which goes down by another half whenever he makes more, he was the ultimate and only spy capable of going in and out of Sense alive, and also the only Original capable of changing their appearance to that of a human.
Although he wasn't the strongest compared to the other higher ups of the Originals, this ability that made him so humanlike raised him through the ranks. He was a top target for humanity even though there were the Generals, Lords and the Princes, which were the ranks higher than him.
I could only hope that my suspicions doesn't come to fruition.
" Seems, like there were rats snooping around my house. " The fake Mr. Froil smile, vanished as he stares towards us.
" ... " Yang and the others weren't speaking as of that moment, as they could feel his eyes stare at their souls as if it was ready to escort it to the afterlife.
" Was it you, you bastard? " Mr. Froil looked annoyed as he walks forward while cracking his neck.
" This fucking bastard really dare to do all of this to students under my protection... HUH?! " He jumps down to the top of another building, causing him, to be the same elevation as Mr. Gerald and the fake. It seems like this was Mr. Froil's personality when he's fighting. He suddenly becomes a gangster.
Though, his personality was quite special, I can't help but feel safe when he acts tough even in front of someone like that...
" Kukuku, I guess my impersonation was miles off, huh? This crazy bastard is really difficult to mimic, fucking ay... " The fake, suddenly disappears from where he was at and appeared in front of Mr. Froil. He was teleporting like this exact same thing when he was toying Mr. Gerald around, but it was nothing special. It's simply the raw speed of someone in that level of strength.
" Hah... You think your little sleeping pills are going to work this time? " Mr. Froil raises his face and stares at the fake's eyes with clear anger.
Mr. Froil was stronger than the fake, that's for sure. But if we're simply talking about strength, that is.
The man standing in front of him was simply unpredictable. He was, at the least, a contracted, that was for certain. The Shrieker's that was under his control had been released, the moment we broke the catalyst, but he still had his ability.
I wanted to know what it was, but it seems like I didn't have to wait for long.
" I know they won't. I'm going to fight for my life here, you know? You're forcing me to be serious here. " The fake forms a large grin in his mouth, exhuming confidence out of his entire body.
I didn't understand why he was so confident in front of Mr. Froil, as even if he brings Mr. Gerald and all of his allies together, they wouldn't be able to beat Mr. Froil at all.
Well, that was if he wasn't who I was expecting him to be.
Which was not the case here...
As his grin grows bigger, his skin suddenly starts to shed right off, showing an incredibly pale white skin, that looks like he got painted instead. His ears started to point, resembling those of an elf. His hair was short, and he had a manly face.
Pleis... The mask of deceit. The only Original who could change their appearance and the Captain ranked Original, who rises up the ranks as a General, due to his ability.
A Mid-tier boss that even Sol had a hard time dealing with.
" What in the hell... " Mr. Froil looks at Pleis who was standing about twenty feet away from him.
It was a reasonable reaction.
It was due to this incident that the news about the Originals came out, so there were no prior information towards them, unless you were a higher up. Besides, the shock you would get from seeing an Original when you know what they are isn't so different from seeing them when you don't know them. Seeing something as smart, as strong and humanlike, yet it was not human, was terrifying. Although there are abilities that changes your physical appearance, the deathly aura and unknown energy that the creature in front of him was using, was undeniably inhuman.
A looming threat that will undeniably make us fight for extinction unlike what we have ever fought for before. And Mr. Froil realizes that.
His face turned serious the moment, Pleis, revealed his true form. He knew he was stronger than Pleis, but that's about everything he understands. What is their power? Could they just change their form like this? Are there any other creature like this thing? Do they have a society among them? Do they have unique abilities too?
Questions fills his head, but there were no answers nor time to think of something.
" Alright, seems like it's time to reveal the surprise. " Pleis waves his hands, as if he's calling for someone.
As he does so, Mr. Gerald appears next to him.
" Go and bring my bodies over here. " Pleis says in a low tone.
He said that like it was nothing big, but Yang and the others couldn't help but flinch from his words. What did he mean, bodies? Did he kill that much of our classmates?
They were terrified by the thought of another creature similar yet hostile to humans.
With that, Mr. Gerald vanishes and returns instantly with Reign, Jian, and his close crew in an instant.
It seems like, Mr. Gerald was a Contracted. He probably met Pleis during the exact same time his personality changed. Original contracts could alter anything you have, after all... They could take emotions, traits and everything in exchange for their power, or the ability to use the energy they control.
I looked at Rena who had a disappointed look on her face, but it seemed like her emotions have stabilized, and she knows she couldn't do anything about it.
Pleis then holds out his hands and points towards Reign and the others. With a wide grin on his face, he stretches his arms towards everyone's head. " These kids are f- "
But in that instant, Mr. Froil disappears and grabs them away from Pleis. He brought them to his back before looking at Pleis in disdain.
" You sick fucking bastard. "
" HAHAHA, you're a lot more heroic than you seem. I never thought a crazy bastard, like you, would even protect his enemy! " As Pleis laughs out loud, Mr. Froil looks towards his back towards Reign and Jian, who were stabbing him with a sharp stone.
It didn't pierce the A ranked Mr. Froil at all, but the expression he had, looked like he did.
" Hmmm... when was it? It was around 3 days ago, when these idiots went begging for some power. So I gave them what they want! They're as strong as me now, but that's because I ate them. HAHAHA "
...
The same laugh that echoed earlier throughout the Sector, reverb all around us yet again.
They doubted the fact that they were even dead. Who was standing in front of them then? It was only when Reign and the others runs away from Mr. Froil towards Pleis, that they believe it, as they suddenly merge with Pleis in an instant.
[ Pleis ]
Rank: A
Variable Stats:
Strength: A
Constitution: A
Magic: A-
Dexterity: A
Speed: A+
Invariable Stats:
Charm: A-
Luck: B
It seems like he finally revealed his real strength. Although he was now as strong as Mr. Froil, he had the potential to grow stronger, as seen in the real story where he reached the position of a General.
" Hmmm? This guy? " Pleis saw Mr. Froil who had his attention towards Mr. Gerald. Mr. Froil was wondering if Pleis could devour Mr. Gerald and grow even stronger. If that was the case, Mr. Froil wouldn't be able to beat him at all...
" You can call him an employee of sorts. Been working for me for 7 whole years, ain't it quite surprising. Little guy just went and ask for power to protect his family or something. Well, I took all his love for his family, and all his love for protection in exchange for the power he wanted so he could protect his family! It was pretty funny. HAHAHAHA. "
He laughs out loud, as if that was amusing to him.
" I did, give him all those traits back a few minutes earlier. I mean, you saw me fighting him and all. I thought, it was a little boring. You know, with you all unconscious and that. So I thought I should, at least, have a fun fight. I did make him eat the mana amplifier, as it would be too easy if he doesn't. It was very fun to watch him fight and protect the students as if he was back to his 14-year-old self. Besides, I'm planning on looking for a new employee anyway. It doesn't matter much that he gets replaced here."
It was a relief. It seems like this was his max strength indeed. Although Mr. Froil still suspected it, something as sick as what he had just said was pretty believable.
It was a relief to him, but Rena, who just heard about everything, looks at Gerald and Pleis in immense shock and grief.
...
" I... "