Alan POV
My body is sore and numb at some spots, the dungeon really pushed me to my limits. The angelic artefacts to the other hand are... disappointing to say the least.
My phoenix eyes weren't enough to acquire the information, so I used Casein's phoenix eyes, which made the information appear instantly.
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Wisdom Pen (B- rank)
Scripture of prediction
Through the past forms the present, through the present forms the past and the future. Writes the possible future on a sheet of paper.
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This is just this, a pen that can predict possibilities of an upcoming future. It is rare to see such a skill as well as this kind of rating on it.
'Casein show me what they got'
"Got it, my junior"
I glance towards Ben, he has an hourglass in his hand while holding it with trembling hands. His concentration on the object, made me suspect something I hope doesn't exist here.
'Please let my mistake of storytelling and plot holes in Bens past not change it even more'
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Raphael hourglass (S rank)
Price extraction for the good
Every miracle needs a price, every lawbreaking curing of diseases extracts plausibility on the beings. Exchange a story worthy to cause a miracle of equal value.
1-minute grace of liberty (2/2)
Time isn't linear and can't be played with, the history of one's worth is the same in the eyes from time. Denying the law of time to rewind time for 15 seconds. Look into the future for 15 seconds.
(warning: both skills are dangerous for mortals to use. The damage suffered could range from soul damage to deletion of one's existence)
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'Holy shit, This is insane!'
Ben is staring at it with an intense gaze, his hand trembles even more as a small tear of joy falls on his hand. He jumps back from his emotions of joy and relief, trying to hide the artifact as fast as possible.
'I can't leave him with this artifact, or else he will kill himself'
His emotions now started to burn with determination... which isn't good that the protagonist of this world feels this.
'Why did I write her existence to begin with?'
I dash towards Ben, grabbing his hand that holds the artifact. Surprised by my sudden action, he couldn't hide his artifact.
"What are-"
"Give me this artifact, it won't change the past you wish to forget"
I insisted on it, my blood-red fire starting to burn his hand. I muster all my strength and push the pressure points on his forearm.
"You... know about-"
I stopped him, inquiring even further to the topic. Shooting my fire at him to get him distracted.
^Boom^
His astral mana blocked most of my attacks, his released mana grows even further to devour my fire.
"Tell me... how do you know of her?"
My strategy to distract instead makes him even more furious. Therefore, he summoned his astral sword to kill me... or beat the living crap out of me.
"Hey, give me the artifact, and we don't need to do this"
I tried to sound convincing and authoritative... nevertheless, Ben is outraged by what I said.
'Why can't I do it like Kim Yong does it?'
Above all, everybody is looking at me with a confused expression. Benjamin doesn't understand why I am doing this but supported me, releasing his mana to fight back Ben's.
"Ben give him the artifact, your eyes scream determination to sacrifice yourself"
'Thank you, Benjamin, for being smart and perceptive'
Due to Benjamin sharing his perspective on what Ben wants. Everybody now released their mana with the attention to suppress Ben.
"You all really want to fight?"
Ben hissed, the spite and hatred towards us made us slightly tense. Thus, his mana slowly started changing to Cosmic energy.
"You really underestimate us a bit too much"
^crack^ ^Boom^
Benjamin's surprise attack hit, causing Ben to release his strength in his hand. As a result, I grabbed the artifact and hid it in my stigma.
Hence, Ben's rage reached a point of no return. Pushing us all back, his cosmic power constructing weapons of mass destruction, in the form of humans.
'How can I-'
Before I can think of a solution to this problem...
^Bam^
The Astral queen smacked the back of Ben's head.
^Crack^
The floor made of normal concrete broke by impact with Ben's head, letting his head enter even deeper in the ground.
"Sorry for my child's rude behaviour, new leader of this team"
I feel a bit of sarcasm in her words, indicating that she really hates me as a leader, probably.
'How can I solve this situation?'
The astral queen has her grip around his throat and pulls his head out of the ground. Following this, she put him on her shoulder, ready to walk away with him.
'I can't let that happen!'
"Queen please-"
"Shut up"
I stand in front of the portal in shock, she respected Kim Yong as a leader. Yet, I am just an annoyance in her eyes... I stare her deep in the eyes that seem to contain the universe.
"Stop copying him... you aren't him"
^Whoosh^
She vanishes with Ben on her shoulders, throwing back my plan quite a bit. I grab my hair and lowered my head to not show my expression right now.
'I will show you that I am greater than him'
I left the portal area and went to my room, cursing on the way back.
Benjamin POV
'Why is he so focused to beat Kim Yong in any way possible?'
It doesn't make sense, Kim Yong is similar to a veteran soldier fighting against people for decades.
Meanwhile, Alan... is Alan, he doesn't have extraordinary leadership, a fearsome aura that creates respect, and feels like an anchor for them.
He is Alan, who has his own unique leadership qualities as well as communicative and emotional more available.
"Haaa, this is tiresome"
Snow falls down from the sky, the temperature dropped and a crystal of ice appeared. It ripped open, moreover lead to some room.
'I don't want to step in it'
Different from expected, Jette walks out of it with a nonchalant expression on her face. Additionally, is she showing her red metal-like wings... almost burning me.
"Oh, sorry Benjamin. Do you have an Idea where Alan is tomorrow?"
Jette asked-no, insisted on an answer from me. Her red eyes are terrifying to watch... strangely weighing down on me.
'It hurts'
I can't feel my legs any more... they feel frozen in place. Sweat started to build on my face because of the increasing heat.
"He is tomorrow with us in the angelic dungeon, as we try to gather more angelic artifacts"
Jette started to take slow steps in my direction, the smile on her face gives me goosebumps.
"Tell your group and the leader to gather at Kiro's residence..."
She stopped speaking, looking at me like a test subject... or this is what I thought.
"We all will be going for the last month to the mercenary group of Kim Yong to hone your skills"
'W-what?'
"They will give you jobs to work as well as training with some of their members"
Jette never fixed her eyes on me, I feel a small fire behind me growing. Likewise, are new eyes watching me and her.
"Master, what are you doing here?"
Alan's voice is entering my ears from behind. The heat also started to grow behind me.
"I simply told him that you all gather tomorrow at Kiro's residence"
Alan started to release his bloodlust, nonetheless it doesn't affect me that much.
"Stop your child's play and put your attention on yourself"
She vanishes from my sight, my senses... hell, even my lightning couldn't keep up with her.
"Benjamin is on his own path and is evolving... however"
Jette her gentle and calm voice behind me feels horrifying, my body terrified to even move.
'Wait, I can move'
"Come tomorrow to Kiro's residence and do what you are told"
Jette her pressure and presence in general vanished, leaving someone gasping for air behind me.
'Alan is struggling to breathe'
I turned around to see what happened... and got speechless by his perfect condition.
Yet, he is gasping to get some air in his lungs.
"Shut up"
Alan screamed towards the sky, I'm perplexed as to why he is doing this. Madness is visible in his eyes.
"Alan"
The voice entered my ears... or brain, I didn't know, but this female voice sounds alluring and is relatively deep.
"What?"
Alan replied, while trying to stand up, his body didn't let him get up for some reason. I couldn't feel anything, despite my vision turning slightly purple.
"You are not him"
The voice spoke, vanishing right after it. Alan didn't move, he seems devastated by something.