The earthen wetness squelched beneath our boots, while the stale and humid air was prevalent throughout the atmosphere. Jacob and his team of acolytes marched ahead of us, while Amara and I positioned ourselves at the rear.
Each of the acolytes was carrying a backpack, filled to the brim with destructive potions that usually cost exorbitant amounts of money. They were to be used against the monsters to bring peace and harmony to the lands. Yet, Amara's words had struck a chord in me, and I couldn't help the feelings of unease from gripping my heart.
I sighed. "In the unlikely scenario we do end up in a situation beyond our ability to handle, what are our chances of survival?"
Amara had proven time and again her tactical insight and battle awareness. As an SSS-Rank existence, it stood to reason that she must've had knowledge regarding how to deal with existences on higher levels.
"Depends." She said. I gave her a critical eye, and she continued. "Most of my talents are focused toward keeping me alive. Even my highest attribute is agility, to help me extricate myself when faced with a scenario like you described. However, the attribute difference among higher ranks is simply enormous, and even I can't guarantee anything beyond a 'maybe'."
"So, not very likely?"
"Anything beyond A-Rank would be impossible." She finished.
After my earlier discussion with Amara, I was now aware of the level to rank correspondence. E-Ranks ranged from Level 1 to 25, D-Ranks from 26 to 50, while C-Ranks were those between Level 51 and 75. However, starting from B-Rank, the difference grew startlingly huge. Those from Level 76 to 125 could all be categorized as B-Ranks, while Level 126 to 200 were known as A-Ranks.
The Dragon that had brought me back to life was at Level 205, positively in the ranks of S. Though Amara speculated that its level might've dropped due to long-term isolation and heart extraction.
But the point remained—A-Ranks were currently beyond our ability to handle. One might wonder why I would even bother calculating my chances against A-Ranks as a mere E-Rank, but for a while now a seed of ambition has embedded itself within my heart.
With all this power at my fingertips, I would have to be a fool to not direct it toward fulfilling my dreams and, most of all, somehow benefiting the world at large.
I would never consider myself a hero, but the world facing extermination-level threats was the one I lived in. And when the threat of death comes knocking on our door, both the good and the bad must band together to fight against it.
The Kingdom of Eirland, in particular, housed more threats than the Empire despite being weaker than the latter. End Forest was a glaring powder keg, but the Red Forest adjacent to Dorein Marquisette fared no better.
Thinking about the Empire, I couldn't help but wonder if the vampire clans of that place would hold any relations to Amara. Though that prospect seemed far-fetched and wishful thinking.
"We can leave if you want, you know?"
I was so lost in my monologue that it took me a few seconds to register Amara's words. When I did, I turned toward her with a questioning look that said, Why would I want to leave here?
"I thought you might be anxious to reunite with your former teammates." She offered. "You know, thank them and all."
Oh!
As the realization dawned on me, I felt a spark of happiness flicker in my heart. She was concerned about me, and that filled my heart with warmth.
After leaving home, I had been so focused on realizing my dreams that I had forsaken the small joys that life could offer. People my age would usually partake in merry activities among their friends or search for a partner to share their youthfulness with.
After my near death—well technically actual death experience I now understood the weight of regrets one would feel at the end. I had promised myself to live a life worth remembering, and I was determined to uphold that promise.
"I can't." I shook my head. "Not with what we're facing here."
"Sure you can." Amara countered. "If you really wish to leave, who would be foolish enough to stop you?"
I smiled at that, and seeing Jacob almost stumble turned my smirk even wider. "We can't, Amara. We have a bigger priority at the moment, and reuniting with my friends can wait."
Elias and his team would have to be within the Erdwatch, and as long as I remained anonymous, nothing would urge them to escape. I wasn't in a hurry.
Amara stopped pestering me after that, and we continued with our walk. It was about half an hour later that Jacob stopped and held up his hand.
"This is it." He spread his hand to emphasize the empty glade we stood in. "We are to spread out from here."
The acolytes dropped their bags full of potions and started equipping themselves.
"I would like to help in distrusting the potions." Amara spoke, the words more of an order than a suggestion.
"Eh...?" Jacob glanced up from where he was picking a glass vial and shot me a conflicted look. I shrugged. "I was hoping you would keep guard and extricate any of us that need help."
"He would do that in my stead." She pointed at me. "You can trust him."
To say I was confused would be an understatement. I hadn't expected Amara to suddenly direct the motion and put me in the middle of rising conflict. She, however, ignored any inquiring look I threw her way.
Jacob glanced between us and bit his lips. He seemed to be contemplating something and ultimately nodded his head. "Very well. You can cover the East."
Amara beamed and happily took her portion of the potions. I pulled her aside promptly behind a tree where we wouldn't be heard properly.
"Why would you do that?" I asked, equal parts confused and annoyed.
She shrugged and lifted her case full of potions. "Don't you want this?"
"What?" Her gesture only served to enhance my confusion.
"Listen, they need to scare the monsters and push them toward the center, and they are using potions for that. However, if I want to terrorize the monsters, why would I rely on something as fickle as magical liquid within a glass bottle?"
Seeing the mischievous glint in her eyes alongside the wink she was giving me, I couldn't help but consider her words.
"You're not suggesting..." I trailed off, and Amara's smile widened further.
"That's exactly what I'm suggesting."
"And you're sure you can handle it."
"More than handle it."
Suddenly I was matching her grin. The sack of potions appeared as a bag full of gold and silver to my eyes. With the mana stones I had and with this number of potions, we may have solved the problem of our funds for the future.
We returned soon after and found the team ready to go. My duty was to handle any monster attracted to the origin of tremors and send them to the afterlife. Jacob would accompany me, though our stations would be farther apart.
"Maybe the Goddess bless us." Jacob muttered a small prayer, and the acolytes mirrored his devotion. It always struck me as odd that the Church of Ilios, which was primarily rooted in the Empire, would have followers within the Kingdom and those who affiliated with the Royal Family at that.
Either way, our destination and purpose determined, each of us left in a different direction. While acolytes and Amara spread along East and West, only Jacob and I pushed further inward up North.
Our paths diverged midway, and I soon found a spot that would prove beneficial to my combat style. Which, for lack of a better term, was non-existent.
My level 7 with a Scout Origin was very telling of my attainments in terms of armed combat. I could use a dagger a bit more proficiently than a sword, but I unfortunately lacked one. That said, my attributes were absolutely monstrous, even when discounting Spirit that seemed primarily focused on enhancing my summons.
The past me would've been nervous at the prospect of facing a monster tide. The current me, on the other hand, had to calm the excitement my heart seemed to be bubbling with. It wasn't distracting, but something told me keeping my emotions in check would only serve me in the future.
While I was ruminating on my non-human existence, the ground quaked beneath me. The trees and branches swayed with furious intensity, while fractures became visible all around. For a moment the scene reminded me of the time when the Event Rapture had happened.
I shook my head to focus on the situation at hand. With the sword in my hand, I would be facing demons from hell. With a beat in my heart, I would laugh at every turn. And when the embers turned to ash, I alone would rise from within.
Despite the beat of excitement filling my dragon heart, my very human mind felt nervous.
The fact that we were cornering the monsters, breeding desperation and rage made me question the intelligence of those at the top. It was certainly not something I would advocate for, but I was willing to extend my trust.
Hopefully everything would be resolved, and the Kingdom would welcome the peace once more. Hopefully.
Sigh, I just jinxed it, didn't I?
Get early access to 20 advanced chapters and support my work by joining me on Patreon—your support means the world!
Link: patreon.com/Immortal_Phoenix