Levi watched in awe as the nymphs spoke; they looked so angelic it was terrific, yet he would soon run out of luck. While he had been weary of his surroundings, he had underestimated the enhanced nymph senses. It didn't help that he clumsily stepped on a branch, either. Maybe he should've invested in some night clarity, too, but it was too late; the nymphs already knew of his presence.
"Whoever is hiding in the trees, you can go; we don't want problems," Seras said as she stared at the captain. Her gaze pierced deep into his soul.
"Were you the ones who stopped the soldiers?" Levi asked as he climbed down the tree from which he had been spying on the nymphs. There was no point hiding, so he confronted the creatures, who seemed more annoyed than scared.
"No, that was Aaron. Now leave. We don't like you guys around our forest." Integra spouted as she got her blade ready; Levi did the same in response.
"Who is this Aaron? Is it the kid the mage mentioned?" As the air tensed, things got heated between the human and the magical creatures.
"We have told you to leave multiple times already!" Now, Seras was also getting angry with the arrogant captain. Just who did he think he was?
Seras and Integra got ready to fight Levi, but the one in question chose to sheath his sword and throw it at the nymph's feet.
"I'm not here to fight the forest guardians; I'm simply looking for the one who stopped the Silvet army. I'm sure the king would like to meet this hero."
The captain's move was bold and risky, but that was what made him unique. While most leaders always went for the safe route in battle and negotiation, Captain Levi always chose the unexpected option to get something done. He was indeed a bold man.
The two nymphs then demanded that the Captain surrender the rest of his weapons, and he did, giving them his knives, secondary sword, and a pair of power gloves.
"I suppose we can introduce him to Aaron; maybe they can help us, too," Seras said while Integra tied the man's hands behind his back. Levi let the girl tie him up without resistance, which would be foolish; fighting a mythical creature was out of the question. If you won and killed one, the gods would come and kill you personally.
The two sisters then put a rag over the man's eyes and walked him over to their home without letting him know where he was going. Again, his strategy was risky; what if the dryads chose to tie him up and starve him to death? It could be possible now that he was tied and blinded, so he had put great trust in his plan.
Yet it would work for the captain as he was tossed into a chair after hearing a door crack. The walk home took around ten minutes, so it wasn't so bad, but it felt like an eternity for Levi. He soon heard a kid's voice in the background as a gentler voice spoke near him while removing his blindfold.
"Who is he?" Yaku asked as she took off the make-shit blindfold from Levi's eyes.
"He's looking for the kid. We brought him here to choose whether to kill him or not." Seras responded as she looked for a knife in her drawer.
Hearing her sister's voice, Yaku ensured the guy's hands were firmly tied to the chair. Yet Levi did not look even a bit faced by the dryad's actions, and he let them keep with their suspicion toward him without pressing them about it.
"Hey, Aaron! Are you here?! I'm looking for ugh!" Levi was soon stopped by Yaku, who placed a gag on his mouth. However, in the next room, Aaron managed to hear his name while finishing his noddles. Yaku soon punched the man in the face for being bold; Levi smiled at the nymph's punch. It hadn't hurt as much as he had expected, he thought.
Seras soon grabbed her sharpest knife and returned to the room where Levi was being held hostage. At the same time, Kult walked into the room with Aaron as she had heard the call, too.
"What's the meaning of this? Who is this?" Kult asked the sisters but got no immediate answer; Aaron soon approached the man and removed the gag from his mouth. He wanted to hear what the man had to say.
"Who are you?" Aaron asked the man directly as Levi kept his composure like a true Chad.
"I'm Captain Levi, who was sent to stop the Silvet army. I'm looking for you, the one who actually did." Yaku soon put herself between the man and the kid as Seras pulled on the kid's shoulders.
"Why do you want to? Cut it out; I want to know what he wants." Seras was successful at pulling the kid back, and soon, Kult was the one who approached the man while preparing a spell.
"I'm sorry about this, Aaron, but we need to examine this human before you keep answering his questions. We need to find out if he is trustworthy. Appraisal!"
Human Encyclopedia: File 3
[Character: Captain Levi.]
[Origin: Enginheim kingdom.]
Race: Human
Level: 40
Name: Levi Maximus
HP: 1,000/1,000
SP: 1,000/1,000
MP: 2,000/2,000
Damage output: 1,400 (Type 2)
Speed: 1,600
Defense: 5,000
Skills: Lion's heart, Blessing of magic caster, Fly, Shield prison, Airstrike shield, Herculean strength, Sonic Speed, Steal, Disguise, Parry, Arithmetic processing, Accelerated mind, Leader, Hero, Muso style, Appraisal, Detection, Scout, Shooting Star Sword, Enhanced senses, Abyss Magic, Spatial Magic (Weak), Clone.
Skill points: 0
Titles: {Human Killer} {Dragon Killer} {Orc slayer} {Goblin calamity} {Elf Killer} {Champion V} {Merciless} {Hero III}
The captain's stats made more sense to the nymphs as Aaron watched the appraisal screen and realized the man had the skill "hero." He had never seen a skill named Hero, so he was his successor? What a disappointment! His energy level was laughable.
Just what had happened to the world? Why was this supposed "Hero" so weak? Yet what was more unbelievable for Aaron was that the man held so many titles. What had happened to the world?! With his meek power level, this new "Hero" would have never been capable of killing any orcs, much less a dragon in the past.
Had the gods reduced the monster's strength? If so, it was a brilliant choice; if you wanted to level up, you could either hunt thousands of monsters or try your luck against other humans, a smart strategy to keep everyone weak.
Aaron soon overpowered the nymphs and made his way to Levi to slap him in the face after calling him "Fake."
"How dare you hold the hero title with your miserable power level? You disgust me!"
"Ugh! I don't understand! I'm one of the strongest humans alive! Who are you really!?" Levi asked as Aaron showed him his power Jamming technique while cutting him free from the chair.
"I'm Aaron Nova, the hero who killed the demon king a thousand years ago. I'm disappointed in you, my successor."
"Aaron, who? I'm sorry, I've never heard that name before." Levi's words struck Aaron right where it hurt the most; he hit him on his pride.
"Kill him," Aaron said jokingly afterward as it made Levi's eyes fill with horror from his previous laughter. Seras, However, took immediate action, almost stabbing the guy before Aaron stopped her at the last second.
"Jesus! I didn't actually mean it! Calm down! He's not even a threat. I made him powerless with power jamming. He should be weaker than a human baby."
"So what do you suggest we do?" Kult asked while holding back her anger.
"I think we let him go. I'm not interested in whatever this weakling has to say. His energy level is truly inexcusable."
"Wait! Please come back with me! We could use someone as great as you! Come on! There is a reward for whoever stopped the army!" Levi's words caught Aaron's attention as Kult tried to consider a better offer for the boy.
"Don't listen to him! I can teach you natural magic and skills! Powers unique to our kind! Stay with us!"
"I can get you brand new shiny gear! There is also a guaranteed leadership spot for someone as talented as you!"
"I can also get you new gear! And will let you marry one of my sisters!" The three other dryads watched in disbelief at the little comical war the two were having without them in mind.