Zesshi took some time sifting through the sheets.
When Renner first came into possession of the documents, I had a look through them. I wasn't lying; most of the Cardinals owned significant portions of arms manufacturers and the like. However, the link between ownership and dubious intentions was just fabricated speculation on my part.
In reality, such companies were most likely a reliable asset considering the ongoing war and not the other way round. Naturally, I didn't mention this to her.
The meeting records were genuine, however. But the cause of the continued war was not for reasons I would've guessed. Zesshi was akin to using a tactical nuke by New World standards, able to crush entire armies and level countries almost single-handedly. Apparently, the higher-ups were worried about the Dragon Lords' retaliation for deploying her, a relic of Yggdrasil—something not belonging to this world. A rather amusing prospect considering that, from what I knew, the only active Dragon Lord was busy using a remote-controlled suit of armour to play the hero. I suppose that the Cardinals did have a duty to consider the country's welfare and its citizenry, but…
Still, politicians, huh.
"Zesshi, are you satisfied with the proof?"
She remained motionless as she stared at the papers. If silence was usually uncomfortable, this was doubly so. I didn't have a perfect handle on her personality yet, so I was unsure what kind of reaction to expect.
"Say, did you think a few practised words and some carefully selected transcriptions would be enough to sway me?"
She's joking, right?
"I can hear your heartbeat quickening."
…
I sighed. This wasn't going to be an easy task, was it?
"I hoped that the material provided would have been enough-"
"I am acutely aware of the Theocracy's meddlings thanks to your chicanery. For that… you have my gratitude. However, if you believe that I'd blindly shadow some child around for that reason, then you'd be sorely mistaken."
"…"
I see. So, there was a fine print.
She was no longer loyal to the Theocracy.
But also, not an ally of mine.
That was what Zesshi was implying.
"I suppose my prior display with the cube didn't convince you I'm one to be around?"
Zesshi scoffed at my remark.
"I can admit that your intelligence is formidable. Though, intellect is not something I treasure. One thing, and one thing only, rules this world we inhabit."
Strength.
Something I was intimately familiar with and something I desperately lacked.
Was this really going to slip between my fingertips? Like grasping for sand pouring from a broken hourglass, my window of opportunity was narrowing.
Zesshi would play a vital role in securing my safety against the Theocracy's hounds.
I was going to fail… because I was weak?
Just because Player's blood doesn't run through my veins? Wasn't greeted with a character creation screen when I woke up? Wasn't blessed with the avatar of an eldritch abomination?
…
I bit my lip.
It tasted like iron.
I could play smart all I wanted; it meant nothing in the face of absolute power. I could feign strength as much as I wished… but a roleplaying salaryman would have me forever eclipsed.
With just a word, my heart could be crushed between bony hands and tossed aside like a second thought.
Was this my limit?
I had scoured avenues and attempted all of them; tangible gains were dwindling. All I could do at this point was surround myself with those whose abilities complimented mine.
Renner was one of them.
Clementine was one of them.
And Zesshi was also one of them.
"…"
"So, have we reached a mutual understanding?" The half-elf simpered. "Feel free to help yourself to the treasury; I am no longer affiliated with this country. With that, farewell."
She dropped the papers to the floor, letting them flutter to the ground scattered. She picked up her war scythe and began walking away, spinning it effortlessly in her hand, its movements seemingly impossible. As if it were as light as a butterfly knife, its hilt danced over her fingertips in a show of inhuman strength.
She was going to leave, just like that? I wasn't going to let her go so easily.
"Wait!"
She paused.
"What must I do, for your… approval?"
"Hm? How bold; you wish to tame me? Right after I have escaped the grasp of my previous masters, you have the gall to request this of me? I'm sure you did not ask this without already knowing what my trial would be."
I assumed it would be…
"A battle, to prove my strength."
"Ha! As if one like you would be able to do battle with me. No, something less ardent; one strike. Survive one attack from me, employing whatever puerile tricks you desire, and I shall entertain you. You're still young; a show of potential here would not go unappreciated. However, a word of warning first; you'll become nothing more than a bloody splatter on these hallowed halls with a flick of my finger." Zesshi adopted a lazy fighting stance with the tip of the scythe pointed toward me. "I don't care either way, but out of courtesy I will ask this only once: are you sure?"
Good point; I should check first.
[Wave Function Collapse]
The world around me stilled.
Again, familiar, glowing lines spread out before me. I didn't let her get the jump on me; more possibilities would be open to me the earlier I activated it.
Two immediate futures presented themselves. Quite clearly, a 'yes' and a 'no' path. I decided to explore the former's possibilities.
What would happen if I continued down this path?
A line flickered, then disappeared.
That path led to death.
Then, another wavered, fading.
Another death.
As futures exploded outward by the thousands, countless others were mercilessly put down at the same time. Like a game of catch-up, where possibilities were generated, so were they destroyed almost as fast.
…
Lunge to the left.
Not quick enough.
Decapitation.
…
Adjust it slightly.
Same outcome.
…
Adjust it more.
Unchanged.
…
No…
Wrong…
It's all wrong…
[Mental Enhancement]
More lines faded into the darkness as I navigated the endless stream of death. The skill has never failed me before. There were always favourable outcomes; I just had to be patient.
A way to survive Zesshi's attack.
Where was it?
…
Twist to my right.
Slow again.
Abdomen pierced, fatal wound.
…
Ducking?
Downward slash.
Inescapable.
…
[Flow Acceleration]
[Ability Boost]
Dodging.
Parrying.
Blocking.
Feigning.
Countering.
Nothing would work against her, and now, all possibilities were exhausted.
I returned back to the two paths. The 'yes' branch flickered, millions of futures decaying, and soon faded out entirely. I was left with 'no' as my answer.
I could not beat Zesshi… I would not survive a single attack from her. No amount of trickery, finesse, or preparation would allow me to triumph here.
That is what I foresaw.
Defeat before it even began.
…
I cancelled the skill, and time resumed. A wave of exhaustion and nausea swept over my body from the excessive use of martial arts, and I tried not to let it show.
I raised both hands as bitter words crossed my lips.
"…I concede." She looked up with an expression half disappointed and half amused, how fitting. "Your strength is something I cannot even hold a candle to. It's… it's not even a competition."
Her weapon pivoted upright, and she stood back straight.
"Hmph. While humility is a rare quality amongst those with fleeting lives, once again, it is not something I look for in a mate."
Hold on…
"Though, with such an attitude, I do not see you dying senselessly any time soon. Come back to me in a century or two and try again. Maybe you'll be a formidable opponent then."
A mate?
"W-Wait, wait, wait. I thought we were talking about being allies! I-I never said anything about being your mate!"
"…"
Zesshi's head turned lopsided for a moment, just as confused as I was.
"Eh?"
Awkward embarrassment flushed my face as I tried to recompose myself from the mental whiplash.
I looked over to Renner and Clementine off to my right, both trying to hold back unfettered laughter. Shit, I've just made quite the fool of myself.
"Pray tell, for what reason may I need allies?" Zesshi inquired.
Oh, I was expecting a flat-out rejection. It seems I have managed to sneak some semblance of respect between us.
"…You are not opposed to it?"
"Do not get ahead of yourself, child. Speak your reasoning first, then I shall decide. While I may not see the benefit myself, perhaps you can shed some light upon this matter. You have already opened my eyes to the true nature of this world, have you not? What challenge is there a little more?"
She hadn't even considered the possibility of having allies. Her strength has isolated her, and years down here in solitude would've only reinforced the concept.
Nobody has seen her as anything but a weapon.
For hundreds of years.
But now was not the time for philosophical introspection. I had to convince her that the pros of associating with my party outweighed the cons.
Protection? She needed none.
Assistance? For what, exactly?
Insurance? Again, a useless concept.
…
The half-elf stood quietly as she waited for an answer, and I felt her impatience growing.
The only thing benefitting from this transaction was me. Well, except for…
"…Zesshi. What will you do once your father is defeated?"
She was surprised by my question.
"What will I do…?"
I nodded.
"Mhm. What are your plans? Will you take over as ruler of the Elven Kingdom? Raze it to the ground? Travel the world in search of a 'worthy mate'? But mate with a strong being for what reason? Your father will already be dead. For whom would you wage revenge against?"
"I…"
"You haven't thought about it, have you?"
Her eyebrows furrowed, and her forehead formed a crease. She understood the connotations of my words. Beyond her short-sightedness…
She was an aimless existence.
"I do not particularly enjoy meaningless things, Zesshi; things must be done with purpose. This is where my offer comes in."
Just as she fell into despair, like a lifeline, I dangled the hope of rescue at the same time. An underhanded tactic, I'm sure she's also realised but didn't bother bringing it up.
"How about being allies for the fun of it?"
"…Hah?"
I raised my index finger.
"Indeed. What greater reason is there for doing something than for entertainment? I can assure you, Zesshi, being an ally of mine will leave you with no short supply of amusement, stimulation to keep you occupied for millennia."
She scowled.
"…You, a mere human child, speak of time so flippantly. I rescind my previous statement about you. You are not humble, but both prideful and delusional. Promising me something like that, your barefaced lies transcend arrogance."
I didn't let her rather intense slander faze me.
"Is there anything more entertaining than watching—in your words—a prideful, delusional maniac try to fulfil that oath, then? Following a mere human around for no more than a century should be no less than a blink of an eye for you. Wouldn't that at least warrant consideration?"
"Hah. How ridiculous a notion. You profess a thousand years of entertainment yet admit your mortal coil is limited in scope. I pity those two over there you have deceived with sweet lies."
"And suppose I lied. And yet, despite being deceived, do they appear aimless, Zesshi? Do they look like they are wandering through life chasing false hope, or is there something more to it?"
Her heterochromatic eyes gazed coldly at my two companions. Calculating, considering.
"…"
"Now, suppose I speak the truth. Do they appear any different now, Zesshi?"
She stared a while longer before facing me devoid of emotion.
"Whether you spew falsehoods or not, it matters little… is that what you mean to say?"
"Don't you agree with such logic?"
"…"
"Trust me, Zesshi, some people view this world as nothing more but a game. Once the music stops, you best avoid being on the losing side. My recommendation? You want to be on the side that'll have the most fun. You want to join the side which watches the world dance as you sit on the sidelines, a burning world where even the winners don't realise they're on stage for you. This, is my offer."
"…You preach of meaning and purpose, yet you speak of inaction, observation. I have remained a spectator all my life, and you ask for me to continue doing so? I'm sure of it now. There is something wrong with your head."
Inaction, she said?
"Not quite; it is the world that has gone insane, not me, Zesshi. Nonsensical beings like you are allowed to exist purely by the absurd laws we are governed by… and as such, you are not unique in the slightest."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Yggdrasil. Are you familiar with it?"
"…"
"I'll take that as a tentative yes. Then, I shouldn't have to explain that your strength is inherited."
Her face contorted in disdain for my accusation.
"The strength I possess may be inherited by blood, but it is still mine nonetheless."
"Yes, yes. I will not argue that. However, I am trying to convey that if what you have is inherited, think to your progenitors. The so-called originals."
Zesshi shook her head at my continued persistence.
"They're dead. The Six died centuries ago, Surshana among them being the last to go."
"And do you think they had fun?"
She blinked twice, her face growing twice as confused as before.
"Even with all that strength, with power surpassing even you, they decided to do something mundane. They fended off hordes, founded a country, built an economy, managed trade, and educated the masses. I'll tell you what I think; at the time? They were having the time of their lives. And you know what separates them from you?"
"What?"
"There were six of them. Whereas there is only one of you."
"…"
"Zesshi, I promise that you'll supersede your predecessors in every aspect if you join me."
I extended my hand.
The action felt awfully familiar.
"And while I don't suspect we'll be doing any kingdom-building in the near future, there is something just as good."
"And what may that be?"
"There is nothing better than the banquets served at the Valencia Palace. This is a formal invitation, by the way, right, Renner?"
The blonde shot me a clumsy thumbs-up, wholly unbefitting of a royal princess. It was something I taught her, but it looked like we needed some more practice.
"Hm. A shallow tactic, exploiting my basic necessities to further your ambitions. But… I am feeling rather ravenous after all this," the half-elf admitted.
I couldn't wipe the smile from my face.
"Then, you admit my tactic has worked?"
She hesitated for a moment before taking my hand.
"Let's have some fun, shall we?"
Zesshi Zetsumei, get.
Executioner Class Skills (lv. 10):
[Choir Eternal] – Physical attack. Guaranteed fatal strike against captured, trapped or surrendered opponents. Cannot bypass immunities such as physical-attack immunity or instant-death immunity
[Value Judgement] (Passive) – Opponents with a karma score difference greater than 100 receive additional damage from the user
[A Tower of Skulls] (Passive) – User becomes unnaturally desensitised to death as kill count increases. Allows the user to retain logical thinking during life-threatening situations, sometimes thinking even more clearly than usual
AN: We see some of Climb's limits being tested here. Unfortunately, even being generous, a level 30-40 cannot stand against a level ~80-90. The argument whether a one-hit-kill is feasible is irrelevant, in my opinion; by NW standards, I'd say physiology matters a lot more than HP.
This chapter, the Executioner Class. I've decided to list Climb's Class Skills at the end of each chapter if there isn't a character sheet/update. Please note that not all skills under the Class may be listed because I'm too lazy to list boring skills like [Lockpicking]… does that even need a skill?
Anyway, Zesshi is now officially part of Climb's gang. A bit dialogue-heavy, but she is an interesting character. Now, interesting romantically…?
I'll state here and now that I don't like harems.
But.
There can be exceptions.
Maybe.
Thoughts?