Fire behind his back, the plants on the ground charred because of the heat, the smoke in the sky ever increasing, and a mythical creature way above the combat abilities of an under-gifted level 5.
For half a second, Eric was ready for his fourth life!
After that moment of submissiveness, he regained his usually calm expression and dried the sweat on his face while using the simple yet complex smile he had perfected for all of his life, but all this while, his mind was all but calm and serene.
*Ok, the first point to correct is that I have no certainty whatsoever that there is even going to be a fourth possibility for me!
Second, from her mannerisms, I can get that she isn't experienced in social interactions and probably has a shy personality.
At this point in time, my best course of action is 'becoming her friend'. *
All of this happened in a second, and then he executed his plan:
'' Good evening, my name is Alec, and I'm an herbalist.
May I know this beautiful lady's name, whom I'm blessed enough to meet?
Because(1989 study by Harvard social psychologist Ellen Langer) I'd like our conversation to be more relaxed and informal?''.
Unimportant was the fact that the only truth he had said in his previous sentence was the statement about the girl's appearance.
His smile relaxed, and he started nodding slightly, while waiting for her answer (A.N: Gary Wells and Richard Petty in their case study, "The Effects of Over Head Movements on Persuasion").
The beautiful red-haired girl's golden eyes trembled, and she wrapped her right index finger with her pigtails-like hair.
She answered, seeming uncertain about what to do.
''My name is Rubra, but why did your soul change one day ago?''.
Her face was more relaxed but still on the ready because of this event she hadn't ever witnessed.
Still, it was sure she had lowered her defenses since the intensity of the fire near Eric was decreasing slowly as if representing her mistrust in him.
Immediately, he was thrown again into the sea of desperation, and his thoughts ran wild.
*For sure, today isn't my lucky day!
As the first intelligent being I met after my reincarnation, it had to be someone expert in souls and with a power capable of canceling me from existence in a matter of seconds.
Seeing the positive side, she still is putting away her flames, so she doesn't think that someone changing his soul is something particularly out of the norm or worrying…she sure is naive.
Somehow it seems I can still make it work and save my life, and since I'm already on it, I may as well get a helping hand as compensation for the emotional damage! *
Suddenly Eric dropped to the ground and started weeping, getting to relax Rubra's tense face even further.
Consequently, the flames behind Eric and the crimson aura surrounding her disappeared, and she was shaken.
On the inside, Eric was joyous, confirming he had found a sucker, and then the 'curtain rose': ''T-The truth is my name is Eric.
I died in the past trying to save my brother Alec because of a monster attacking me when I wasn't ready to fight.
Then I remember finding myself surrounded in never-ending darkness and didn't know when my lonely existence would come to an end…''
*Crying and pausing are important to obtain pathos! *
As if unable to stand the view, Rubra decided to get closer and patted his back: ''You can take your time.
It must certainly be difficult for you to tell this story.''
While smiling in his mind, he continued:''Then from the darkness a figure similar to a bloody angel appeared and told me I had to possess my brother's body and overcome a trial in order to save him…I was scared at the idea of beating a minotaur and honestly gave up living for a long time in that boundless black, but the idea of saving Alec made me accept the proposal of that angel.''
*Ok, now the final push! *
His thoughts were in complete conflict with his actions, but his act was of such a high level that Rubra's snow-white face was starting to redden, and she was almost crying.
He ignored the feeling of pain in the middle of his chest for an instant and continued his act.
''I'm sorry for lying to you before, but I didn't want such a cute girl to think I'm crazy or make her cry because of my story.''
''All I'm asking you now, if it isn't too big of an ask, would be to not kill me and allow me to increase my level hunting monsters: if I am to save my brother, I surely can't beat an Lv. 500 minotaur being an Lv. 5 novices.''
Rubra felt her heart writhe because of her initial aggressive approach and decided to raise on her feet before bowing her head to Eric and saying:''I don't know how to excuse myself for my previous acts towards such a kind-hearted person, please allow me to at least help you in the process of becoming stronger.
In your actual condition, you might end up being killed by the forest's monsters!''
Hearing her words, Eric sighed in relief mentally and thought: *Luckily, everything went as planned.
The minimum level of monsters in the Forest of Cinders is around Lv.100, I would have had to slowly proceed building traps or trying an all-or-nothing bet in order to escape from here!
Now that choice isn't a problem anymore.
Now I've got a phoenix as a bus! *
For a while, Eric had indeed deduced the race of Rubra, seeing her incredible fire proficiency and understanding her mastery of the topic of the soul's perception.
Without further ado, he proceeded slowly, raising his head and showing his watery eyes:'' R-Really?!''
''If it isn't too big of a problem for Rubra, I will accept readily.
I don't know how to thank you, I was desperate about how to survive in here because of me not having strength, but thanks to you, I now have hope for mine and my brother's future!''
Showing a smile that left Eric speechless for a couple of seconds, Rubra answered him:''Don't worry, I'll help you save your brother!''
The happy atmosphere between the two caused a reaction in the mind of a being in the forest:
*Ah, that brat met someone! *