Strange thoughts

(Danny's POV)

To be honest, My plan was to use this 'life and death battle' to gain their trust in me. The nightmare ghoul was actually created by a demonic spawn that I summoned. Using a dead body that I illegally bought from the cemetery. In any case, the grave keeper was an experienced one. He didn't question my origins or purpose with it—what a blackhearted keeper, but I like it. Thankfully, Vick's here to distract Alice.

Using the demonic key that connects to hell. I barely summoned a demon that would raise a nightmare ghoul. Without a proper sacrifice, I can't muster a monster. Summoning a demon always needs blood; Thankfully, my royal blood is enough.

I ordered my demon to control the ghoul to do this and it's smart enough to understand.

We walked deeper into the forest. I tried to keep the conversation up, using Vick's feelings for Alice and her shyness. I genuinely wanted to get them close just so they could not notice the demon from afar. Alice's still reserve and quite vague if she really liked Vick.

After reaching the spot where we met the nightmare ghoul, that's the deciding factor. It's a risk. I ordered the demon to hurt us.

We've battled for just seconds and successfully beaten it. They are no levels nor numbers that will decide the outcome.

After that battle, both Alice and Vick are suspicious of the undead. But they didn't delve deeper as they were just happy and satisfied that they actually lived. Alice even got the material that she needed to be promoted.

We joyfully returned as we all gained what we needed. Alice's material, Vick's gotten closer to Alice, and I gained a little bit of their trust.

***

"We're fortunate we met that undead." Vick can't stop grinning.

"I wonder where that undead came?" Alice finally can't keep her curiosity.

"Didn't you notice? The undead is a mutated one. He doesn't have a strong smell of death, perhaps of the unique circumstances in the forest. The original body had extreme resent that grew over time." I bullshitly explained that seems reasonable.

"Why is he naked?" Vick asked.

"Isn't it obvious? He got robbed, murdered, and thrown deep into the forest. An undead can rise even if it's not an undead hotspot. Just like we encountered."

"You're really knowledgeable." Both of them praised me as they look at me with admiring looks.

"Hays, read more books, and you'll see nothing. It's nothing special."

***

We've successfully returned back to the guild. Alice went preparing for her promotion and Vick's out training again.

I went to the training hall and saw Vick's continuously hacking his wooden sword.

I went towards him with a wooden sword.

"Do you mind sparring with me?" I asked Vick.

"No problem. Let's polish your sword skill." Vick grinned as he followed me to the sparring ground. Sparring would make it us closer.

He took his stance—Sword in front and left foot forward. He held his sword with two hands. He looked at me seriously; he studied my movements.

I prepared my stance—Sword in front with right foot forward. I held the wooden sword with my right hand.

He advanced slowly so I backed away.

I'm waiting for him to strike first, he will definitely try to disarm me.

After a few moments, he advanced a large step, then he delivered the first attack. He delivered a overhead slash.

Rather than blocking it, I attacked by piercing my wooden sword into his solar phelux.

*Pak!*

He then brought his sword down, slashing into my sword instead. Successfully blocking my counter attack.

His swing was heavy and precise but I didn't let go of the sword.

He then move another step, slashing his sword upwards. I subconsciously took a step back, successfully evading the sword. I then took another a jump back and took a defensive stance.

"Good reactions but that's all."He said.

He then attack again by piercing his sword towards my chest.

I deflected it to the right side but he recovered easily and delivered another overhead slash. I could not evade that when his that close so I could only try blocking it.

*Pak*!

I used my two hands to hold the sword but this attack was more heavier than the first. He definitely used his weight into it.

I was pushed back causing me to almost stumble. I then reacted by slashing to stop him advancing. It was successful, It created a little more space as he reacted to block my attack. I then retracted my sword. I prepared my stance to counter attack this time.

He smiled and continued moving forward without fear.

"Actually, I'm thinking of courting Alice." I suddenly said, causing him to stop on his track.

I then used that moment of hesitation to attack. Using all the strength and weight of my body to pierce again towards his left thigh.

And then he easily deflected it. He moved his body to the side and tripped me.

Haays, I lost again. I sparred with him when we were gathering materials.

"Let's end it here." He said while offering a hand. I took it without hesitation and thanked him.

"I thought you were going to be my wingman, I never knew you're going to be my rival in love. Is this some complicated love triangle like those on romance novels?" He jokingly said.

"Well, I wonder."

"No offence, you're improving very slow." He said at me seriously. He seems worried.

"You should take another class. Swordmanship seems not for you."

"Man, you're cruel."

"I'm sorry, I don't know if I should say this or not but I'm really worried for you. You unhesitatingly sacrifice your body too much."

"I noticed that you're trying to cover up for your weakness with your own body and magic. You already knew that you're not exactly strong with the sword and that's why you kept risking your body. You aren't exactly weak with the sword but you're aren't strong either. Your swordmanship sucks like a lot, if not for the your enhancing magic. You wouldn't be able to tackle that ghoul."

"Now look, we've just spar without magic, you lose easily."

"So, should I be an alchemist? Me and Alice would definitely be closer. Hehehehehe." I jokingly threatened him.

He awkwardly laughed.

"Thanks for worrying Vick, I already got that advice a lot. I just can't let go the sword that easily." I smiled and walked away.

I mustn't rely too much on magic and my demons. I must strengthen my body and swordmanship so even if I both lost magic and demons. I can still fight. Even if I lost Percy and Zadicus, I will still fight on my own.

Even if I'm against the world.

Wait...

Lose them? 8

***

(Lea's POV)

Seriously, I hate Nobles, no matter if it's elf or human. An arrogant bunch even though they're shits. Just like Percy, weak and yet arrogant.

"No need to be grumpy about it" Cal waved his hands as he smiled kindly.

"Indeed, just imagine them as barking dogs." Vesana smiled at me as she patted my shoulder.

Well, they're comforting now because I slightly argued with a noble and His Highness is handling the aftermath. I'm sorry your highness, for cleaning up my shit.

It happened like this, when we arrived here at Greenwood town, I wondered around alone. Looking at the vendors here and there, there are quite elven population here.

And then this certain noble saw me, walked right at me and started to bark, I mean flaunting his beautiful and glorious "feathers." I'm not stupid he is trying to hit on me but I respectfully declined.

But he unhesitatingly used force. I can't help but feel pissed because this Noble was definitely a tyrant that taking advantage of anyone around here.

He's not even drunk and fully sober of what he is doing. So I can't help but break his arm that tried to hold me.

He then started screaming all kinds of profanity at me, and the guards around him started to encircle me. In the end, Prince Roy just arrived and I 'respectfully' escaped the scene.

Yeah right, my backer is a prince, what can you that disgusting noble do about it? Still, I don't feel good using the prince. God, he is still royalty and my benefactor.

Anyway, I want to be alone. Something's bothering me lately. After talking for a bit with my companions.

I went alone again but this time, I'm a bit more discreet. Walking through the quiet streets of greenwood town, I'm suddenly reminded of my childhood. Good old times.

I suddenly reached a graveyard. It looked normal but it feels ominous.

I don't know what went through my head but I just walked in.

I saw a man standing from a far. Looks like he is the grave keeper.

I stopped at a certain distance. I just looked at the back of the grave keeper.

I don't know why but I just waited. I don't why i am here and what I am doing... What is....

"Hero, in the near future, you'll meet a Fog. Meet the destined to unravel it's mysteries."

I can't help but gulp. This isn't the grave keeper! This is a God, delivering a prophecy to me! Holy Mother of Goddess, what shit did I get into? Hero? What? I'm no hero, I'm just a soldier who became a Griffin Knight.

"Perhaps you're mistaken, I'm not the hero..." I don't know where the damn hell I gathered my courage from to say God made a mistake.

He chuckled.

"You will be one." He stated as a fact.

***

In a blink of an eye... He was gone. Seriously, How can they just say vague things and disappear?

Destined? Fog? What the hell are they? Tsk, I guess, I'll definitely meet them anyway.

This is definitely a bad sign.

All I could do is save everyone I can.

...

Save everyone?

***