Leaning back, I took a long, drawn-out breath, thinking back on everything that Sylvia had told us regarding this world, the true power system, and other things regarding the fate of Shinohara and her boyfriend, Toshiro.
Do you have anything to say to me? If you had secrets or lies hidden in that mouth and chest of yours, spill them now.
The face of Rena seemed a little worried, probably because even if they were horrible to her, sometimes they were still her friends at one point.
[I can only promise you that I have placed no limits on you or Rena.]
Is that all...
It bothers me that you didn't tell me the truth, or am I just another pawn like the others to you?
[No...no...no...that can't be true, that would never be true!]
My eyes closed as I realised how harsh the question and tone I used might have been to her.
She saved my life and helped me become stronger.
Yet her voice and tone it was so familiar that all the anger and feeling of betrayal vanished.
Somewhere in my heart, I believed it.
This woman will never betray me, even if she was to die because of it.
Don't cry, forgive me.
The conversation was so dark that my anger got the better of me.
I believe you.
[R-Really!?]
Ah...
You promised that me and Rena wouldn't be limited and could live together with our strength and encouraged us to leave because of this truth, right?
Maybe there is a reason you cannot tell me the truth, likely some god-bullshit.
I will trust you.
So tell me your name; I want to hear it from your lips.
[Re-- Medea...]
[My name is Medea, goddess of deceit and monster girls...]
So your title wasn't true either.
No, I cannot blame you for that, and since all gods can revive someone, then I suppose you all carry a portion of the power over death.
Medea... a beautiful name, but why monster girls?
[Beacuse of y-- I just like them... hehe...]
Hmmm, twice, her words became static and then continued as if nothing happened. It seems I need to speak with Sylvia more and maybe find more information in a larger city to find out more about the gods of this world.
There are far too many restrictions and laws for them to be real gods...
Maybe they are just demigods?
---
An hour after we discussed the truth, I now had a clear proportion of our power levels and realised that everything would be fine if we just continued our current lie about being escaped villagers.
I might just have to borrow the help of Sylvia's mother if I can convince her to accept me and not kill me on the spot, haha...
"Rena, are you okay?"
"Mmm, it's just I worry about Shiori... She was my friend for so long."
"Shiori... the tanned slut who seems to like it in her ass?"
"Eh!?"
Somehow, when looking at that woman after changing, rather it happened to most women, I could see their desires or their sexual tastes.
[That's... because you're a pervert and changed the Taming skill somehow...]
I am just an innocent boy who loves women.
[...]
"We should finish the quest at hand because we really don't have time to waste."
I wanted to let Rena relax before returning, but the warning of the last choice and the situation now knowing the truth. My mind changed, and I thought that returning a little sooner than we planned might be best.
"Mm..."
Rena still hadn't recovered fully, so I pulled her into my arms, lifting her chin with my thumb as her lovely green eyes looked up at me.
"I will protect you, and we will return sooner to find Shiori."
Her expression softened at my words, and she gently smiled, nodding as her hand reached up to caress my cheek.
"You always make Rena feel relieved and safe... So please let Rena fight for you."
She stepped on her tiptoes, kissing me passionately on the lips while her tongue licked across the surface, trying to enter my mouth before breaking apart with a smirk.
"Rena feels like she's alive when fighting for Aki."
"Okay, but don't push yourself, Rena. I would rather lose the quest money than see you get hurt."
"Mmm!"
Her smiling face lit up as she nodded. Turning around, her mace appeared in her hand as the cute Rena became a battle maniac, rushing towards the goblin settlement with a confident aura surrounding her.
Sylvia looked at me with a strange look and red cheeks, seeming to have enjoyed the sight of our kiss, her wolf tail tapping the stone as she avoided my gaze.
"Go, support Rena and protect her from damage."
The moment I issued a taming command, Sylvia rushed towards the settlement with her silver armour, sword and shield in both hands, while Yuzu was sitting on a rock, still imitating her while looking at me with her huge blue eyes.
"Yuzu, can you help Rena and Sylvia from the back with your magic? Keep them both safe."
Her eyes fluttered as she nodded, hopping off the stone, but before leaving, she suddenly hugged me and stood on her tiptoes like Rena before kissing me on the cheek.
"Mmmm!"
Her bright red cheeks were adorable as she ran away while I watched the three charge into the settlement, smashing five goblins with a single swing of her mace.
[You Gained 15 Experience! (Exp: 1007/7000)] x 5
"She's like that dark lord in the Rings movie..."
[Are you not going?]
"How do I gain new techniques? You granted help before, but since then, I haven't learned anything, even when levelling."
My steps towards the settlement were slow, watching the ruined stone walls covered with wooden ones to repair it growing larger in my sight.
[If you promise not to abuse it... I will try to grant you skills when possible..]
"How do I gain them naturally?"
[Agonising practise, trying to manifest them over and over... Or finding skill books that are dropped by strong monsters or humans that you kill]
"Thanks, you're quite cute when not being stuck up."
[!!!]
My eyes focused as I took out my longbow far from the girls. The distance my vampiric eyes could see was far beyond that of an elf.
I want to lock on.
I want to be able to lock on!
Let me lock on!
Lifting my bow, my heart began to scream my desire for an ability that would become something beyond broken in both melee and ranged combat.
Slowly, my fingers slid four arrows from the quiver on my hip, sliding the smooth oak shafts between my fingers.
The cool sensation as I knocked two arrows into my bow, standing more than two hundred metres from the enemy, aiming above their heads, breathing slowly as red magic began to swirl around the tips, feeling the stress on my fingertips.
Even with my strength improved, I felt the force of the bow stings pulling on my fingers slightly.
[Do you want the ability to lock on that much...]
Ah... if you give it to me. I'll return the favour.
[Even if I asked for your body?]
...
[???]
I didn't think you would be so thirsty... But sure, I'll satisfy your sexual needs.
[I didn't mean that way!? Ahh.... so filthy...]
[Hehe... would you really?]
Somehow speaking to this damn goddess ranged from a mature mommy-type persona and one that was just like Rena...
[...]
⟪Learned Ability: Target Lv.1 - Can lock on to Four enemies, and your attacks will be guided using magic always to hit but deal 10% less damage.⟫
⟪Learned Ability: Skill Synthesis - Able to fuse skills to reduce bloating and retain the former skills abilities along with the new one.⟫
⟪Learned Talent: Goddess Charmer - Able to learn the skills desired easier than normal and increases chances a goddess will listen to you before killing you.⟫
"Wow..."
My eyes suddenly became like I was playing an online game with a target lock function with four archers suddenly wrapped in a glowing blue ring that glowed brighter the longer I focused on them.
[That's the visual for your charged shot... I added it as a favour...]
Wow...
I would do more than sleep with you once for this...
[...]
[I will remember that]