[Alogra Velianor]
[Level: ???]
Every time Jack attempted to check Alogra's stats, he received the same cryptic response. And after so many failed tries, he'd begun drawing his own conclusions.
First, maybe Alogra had some way to mask his true strength, making his stats unreadable. But as Jack glanced over, he saw Alogra casually ruffling his silver-grey hair, his gaze distant and relaxed, with no visible artifacts or charms that might veil his power. 'Nah, that doesn't seem right,' Jack mused, doubting the first hypothesis.
The second possibility was that Alogra's power exceeded the system's comprehension—a force beyond its limits, like some overpowered character in a novel. Jack smirked at the idea, but quickly dismissed it. 'Ridiculous. I mean, I've lived with him for too long… pfft, he's too laid back to be some unstoppable powerhouse.'
And then, there was the third and perhaps most plausible theory: 'The system might just be telling me he's way above my level,' Jack thought, feeling a mix of frustration and intrigue. 'If that's the case, maybe I'll just have to find out on my own… someday.'
As he reached the Magomon's remains, a wry smile tugged at the corner of Jack's mouth. The beast's carcass was in pieces, scattered around like a shattered vase. Flesh and bone lay in all directions as though it had swallowed a live grenade that detonated inside. Jack shook his head, not out of pity for the creature, but disappointment. A beast like that, full of mana-infused meat, could have provided a solid meal and a much-needed energy boost.
'He really overdid it this time,' Jack thought, his stomach growling in protest. He could still taste the bitterness of the struggle he'd endured just to get this far. 'At least it put up a bit of a fight… unlike this mess.'
"Maybe I should actually learn some techniques," he muttered to himself. It was a harsh reminder of why he'd thrown his sword in desperation during the fight. He was winging it, relying on pure instinct and strength without any real technique. 'Swinging a sword is one thing, but knowing how to fight with it… that's a whole other level.'
Alogra, meanwhile, stood a few feet away, his arms crossed, his expression slightly annoyed. "If it's that bad, just let it go. We'll make do with what you managed to bag before," he called out, a note of disappointment in his voice.
Jack nodded, sensing the mild frustration Alogra held toward the ruined hunt. Alogra had been eyeing this Magomon for ages, letting it grow stronger with the hopes of a good meal. He'd left it alone, watched it survive and even nurtured it through indirect means. But today's result wasn't exactly what he'd had in mind.
"If I'd known, I'd have killed it earlier myself," Alogra sighed, regret lacing his tone as he rubbed the back of his neck.
"Alright!" Jack shouted back, ready to move on. But something stopped him. He turned, looking back at the beast's mangled remains, an idea sparking in his mind. 'The Magomon might be dead, but its body is still useful.'
With a slight grin, he extended his hand, focusing his will.
"Arise."
A dark, swirling energy began to gather around the fallen beast, wrapping it in shadows, encasing it in a cocoon-like shroud of darkness. The energy danced, pulling the creature back to a semblance of life—not as the Magomon it once was, but as something else, something bound to him.
Satisfied, Jack glanced over his shoulder. Alogra was waiting, his arms folded and his gaze steady, watching him with a raised brow. Jack knew he couldn't linger too long, not without raising suspicion.
With one last glance at the transforming beast, he turned and jogged back to Alogra, hoping the darkness had concealed his actions. But he saw Alogra's gaze flick to the shadows as they faded from the beast. His grey eyes narrowed slightly, though his expression remained impassive. 'Did he notice?' Jack wondered, but kept his pace casual.
They walked in silence for a moment, though Jack couldn't shake the tingling sensation of Alogra's lingering glance. A system notification chimed softly in his mind.
[Bonded Servants: 2/10]
Jack clenched his fists. 'I'll have to be more selective with these bonds. I've already used two spots on lower-level creatures. Next time, I'll save this for something truly powerful.'
His thoughts were interrupted by Alogra's voice. "Do you know why I called you an idiot earlier?" Alogra asked abruptly, breaking the silence.
Jack blinked, taken aback. He didn't recall hearing that insult directly, but as the memory replayed in his mind, he vaguely remembered Alogra's muttered words. 'Yeah, I definitely need an explanation for that,' he thought, trying to maintain a calm expression.
"No," he replied, his tone edged with irritation but tinged with curiosity.
Alogra let out a low chuckle, his gaze fixed on the forest path ahead. "It's because I watched your fight with the Magomon. I saw your approach… and I saw where you fell short." His tone was as calm as ever, but Jack could feel the subtle rebuke.
"And why do you fight?" Alogra's question came so unexpectedly that Jack paused mid-step, struck by the simplicity yet depth of the inquiry.
Jack's mind raced. He'd never actually considered why he fought. Every battle he engaged in felt like a necessity, not a choice. But what drove him? What lay at the root of his determination?
'Why do I fight?' He almost laughed. It was obvious to him. He was trapped in Asriel's body, navigating a dangerous world with his life constantly on the line. He fought for survival, nothing more and nothing less. The thought reminded him of how pitiful Asriel's existence had been before Jack's soul took over. 'The guy was a reckless idiot… the "hero" who barely scraped by in every battle. I'm only fighting to stay alive.'
"I fight to survive," he answered, his voice steady but void of conviction.
Alogra's gaze sharpened as he shook his head. "Survival's one reason, but it's not nearly enough. There's a stronger drive than mere survival. Think of it this way—why would you keep fighting, even if survival were assured?"
Jack frowned, feeling irritation rise within him. 'Oh, please, don't tell me this is some speech about fighting for others or some noble cause,' he thought cynically, keeping his expression impassive. He held back a sigh and gave a casual shrug. "Fine. Then I'd fight to win."
Alogra nodded, though his expression remained unchanged. "Close," he said, "but not quite. In this world, there's only one reason worth fighting."
Jack waited, eyes narrowing in anticipation.
"You fight to kill," Alogra said softly, his voice like a cold wind. "Survival and winning are noble ideas, but they aren't the end. You see, here, when you're in a fight, if you hesitate—if you pull back even an inch—your opponent won't. They'll kill you. So, you fight with a singular intent: to end the battle. Permanently."
Jack felt a chill run down his spine. He knew Alogra spoke the truth, but he'd never thought of fighting with that kind of purpose. In his past life, every fight had boundaries, unspoken rules. Here, those rules meant nothing.
"Understand this, Asriel," Alogra continued, using his true name with a gravity that made Jack's stomach twist. "Every fight you enter, you commit to one thing—the kill. That is how you survive. That is how you win."
Jack clenched his fists, processing the weight of Alogra's words. 'To survive in this world, I can't just defend or escape. I have to end my enemies. Completely.'
Alogra gave him a final look, assessing him with eyes that held no warmth or sympathy.
"Now defeat me"
Jack felt a dreadful aura burst out from Alogra, an aura with intent–the intent to kill.