6 Chapter 5

"Can't believe this is my third attempt to reach a city, I'm all powerful! It's only been a few days, how did this happen??!!"

Leon cursed his misfortune as he walked, occasionally storing an unlucky creature to sell. So far he'd collected, 14 giant centipedes, 8 nine legged tigers, 3 parasitic doves and a ridiculously green frog. Mere lone adjectives cannot do these creatures justice: the 'giant' centipedes were larger than anacondas, the 'nine' legged tigers literally had nine legs, on its way towards him it had stumbled and killed itself, saving him a job! The parasitic doves spent their brief encounters wailing in some unknown way, the countless organisms living on their bodies fighting for dominance at all times. Perhaps the strangest was the 'ridiculously green' frog; it looked like a child had taken every shade of green imaginable and just shoved it all up in the creatures guts

He had generally started to doubt whether or not every creature in the world was as weird and unnatural as the one's he'd found, and he'd already scanned the whole planet!

'Just gotta stay cool and keep walking, you don't get views like this very often.' Leon calmed himself and let out a heavy breath.

The scenery around him was gradually easing his frustration, the sounds of nature were unlike any other and Leon couldn't help but release some of the limits on his body. Immediately the whole forest seemed to brighten, subtle sounds of ants marching and birds rustling filled his ears.

Sunlight delicately curled down onto Leon's face and unconsciously he began releasing a warm aura, its range was limited but within its influence nature was blooming at an incredible pace.

Plants turned from shoots into full grown trees within the blink of an eye, countless hidden nests glimmered slightly and the creatures within wriggled in delight.

Of course Leon was quick to notice the aura, but he chose to feign ignorance; he was definitely enjoying the forest and giving it a helping hand wasn't beyond his tolerance. Perhaps if his actions were going to create a suped up death monster then he'd change his mind, but he knew that wasn't going to happen.

Slap!

Leon hit himself on the forehead, "Why don't I just create an identity?!"

Creating an identity would not only limit his powers, but allow him to experience a different outlook on life.

"Hmm, well the development in this world is a bit lacking so no high level technology, but I definitely want to keep my normal body shape so..."

Leon began to realise that being terrifyingly intelligent, wasn't always a good thing. Whenever he came up with a potential character he'd immediately pick it apart; identifying every flaw and ruining his enthusiasm.

"Why is this so hardddd???" No matter what he did, Leon kept encountering some sort of invisible wall, so he did the only thing he could think of.

Grinning he shouted, "Let's make a magic lotto machine!"

A few minutes later and a fully functional wooden lotto machine was resting on the ground in front of him. It'd been crafted using a mixture of magic, wood and then some very heavy editing software to smooth out any rough edges.

"Let's play!"

Leon grabbed the handle and gave it a strong tug, watching nervously as the options spun past him.

Ding ding ding!!!

A burst of confetti landed in his face and his new identity was gradually revealed from a cloud of grey smoke.

"Seriously?"

Hovering in front of him was a plainly dressed youth, the only distinguishing feature being the long white sword strapped on it's back. Leon could see countless runes whirling about on the blades surface, he immediately knew it was anything but simple.

Aside from the weapon and appearance he'd also been given a summary of his identity.

[ Swordsman Kieran -

As a wandering swordsman there is little you won't do, but your bottom line is never broken! ]

Leon was rather fond of his new character and only changed a couple minor details, satisfied he then allowed the formless youth to settle on his body. It was much like a costume, merely resting on the surface and not truly altering his body.

"This is well nice!" Seemingly teleporting on each step, Leon covered ground at an incredible pace.

The month long trip had been forcibly twisted into a couple hours of light exertion, not that it was actually possible for him to get tired. He'd being coming across light footprints for the last few minutes and a dirt track was quickly taking shape.

Not too far in the distance he could hear the sounds of battle, particularly clear was the frequent explosions and strange sickly scent that wound it's way towards his nostrils.

"Ha! Not my problem!" Laughing nonchalantly he kicked out and changed direction, but the swordsman illusion refused to budge, instead it tapped it's foot angrily and pointed it's blade at Leon.

His expression contained boundless sorrow as he asked, "Even you?"

Whoosh!

A formless blade shot towards Leon's neck, but his impenetrable defense meant no damage was dealt. The caster was of course the grumpy illusion, and after a short but fearsome stare down Leon gave in and relented.

Scowling at the illusionary figure, Leon teleported to the fight.

...

"Hehe, sorry Lady Rose, but your little pet seems to be in a pinch!"

Shwoo!!!

A dagger pierced through the air, colliding violently with the wicked man's arm guards, the sound was deafening and the man was sent flying backwards like a broken puppet. But he wasn't alone - a masked helper chanted softly and a black gas flew into the man's body.

"Now that's the good stuff!" The man grinned devilishly and picked up the fallen dagger, "Nice bit of kit you have here, I'm sure daddy would hate to see it in such a state!"

In spite of his words the man slipped the cracked dagger into his pocket, the lady's extraordinary background had saved her countless times, but in the end the spoils always landed in his pocket.

The woman in question was panting heavily and bleeding from numerous cuts, but her appearance couldn't restrain the immense hatred in her eyes.

"Little girl I don't know who you stepped on, but -"

Without a sound the man's head was separated from his body, he didn't even manage to register his death before being killed.

Phwooo!!!

Another black gas flew out from the man's body, quickly forming an enraged face, "How dare you kill my servant! You shall forever be hun-" The face suddenly collapsed and a pained roar could be faintly heard.

The killer was of course Leon; he stood silently amongst the blood, gently wiping it from the surface of his blade.

After doing so it disappeared from his hands and into the sheath on his back, then his gaze fell upon the wounded woman.

For a moment the woman stared back, but she soon realised her position; she'd used up her entire stock of items and the man in front of her could kill an S class criminal in an instant. Even her father couldn't take down Drake The Alchemist without calling in some powerful friends.

"Thank you kind sir!" Despite her injuries, the woman thanked Leon with full sinceirty. In return he waved his hand and mended her more grievious wounds, the cuts and bruises however still remained. Nonetheless the woman gasped in shock, only some ancient items could heal near fatal wounds and yet this man did it casually.

Leon nodded in response, then turned to the masked helpers. They were obviously well trained and had all scattered in different directions, but in front of Leon their small tricks weren't even worth mentioning.

"Kind Sir, there is no need to trouble yourselves with such scum!"

Covering her wounds with a green balm, the woman threw a yellow powder high into the air.

Hurried footsteps could be heard almost immediately. Leon presumed these were her guards, but judging by their light injuries they'd been delayed by the wicked man's helpers - strength in numbers can never be underestimated.

"My lady!" The strongest among the guards stepped forward, hitting the ground with a full thud as she kneeled with incredible force, behind her the others followed in practised ease.

Smiling grimly she responded, "Shara, please stop doing this?"

"Other knee!"

Bang!

The guards landed with even more force than before, but despite the pain they were smiling proudly beneath their helmets.

"Shara, this is the man who saved me!"

Shara was instantly on alert. She had been the lady's most loyal guard since birth and treated her duties like her life! Naturally a stranger suddenly appearing and killing Drake would rouse her suspicion.

"Goodbye."

Leon didn't linger any further.

Shara and the woman could only watch numbly as he flashed throughout the forest, quickly escaping from their vision.