7 Day 31 - 35
- Day 31
While Rou and Kichi are having a spar, I was finally able to go hunting. Though I was by myself, I was able to find a few new things since we're in a different part of the forest. A three horned unicorn gave me the most trouble but I was able to take it out with a few slashes from Crescent Dawn. It actually managed to withstand a few blows from my blade which was surprising but its soul was worth the effort. I received {Triple Strike}, {Scaled Horse's Neigh} and {Scaled Armour Creation}.
After using {Triple Strike} for a while I was able to find out that not only does a single strike land three simultaneous blows, but I can choose the strikes' orientation. {Scaled Horse's Neigh} is pretty much the same, if not a little more effective, as {Intimidating Roar}. Finally, {Scaled Armour Creation} was similar to my {Grow Armoured Shell} ability except for the fact that these looked more like scales than a shell and the colouring is a deep red.
After hunting a few more scaled horses, I received the skills {Quick Heal}, {Walking Enhanced} and {Charged Power Strike}.
Satisfied with my hunt, I return home and enter the girls workshop to see how Emery is doing and whether Alchemist lady was busy. Emery was fine and happily working away at the forge while Alchemist lady seemed to be hard at work on something. When I asked what they were, she pointed towards a corner where a bunch of multicoloured liquid in vials was stashed while saying "failures".
I reassured her that regardless of what she's trying to do, that since it's her, she would be able to get it done. She showed me a rare smile and asked if their was anything I needed. I shook my head and told her I was just visiting, though I did ask if I could take the potions in the corner. She said it was fine but suggested that I don't drink them as they wouldn't settle well with my stomach. I nodded appreciatively before picking up the vials and taking them to my room before eating their essence, learning a few new skills. {Moderate Healing}, {Laxative Creation}, {Muscle Relaxant Creation}, {Herbal Tea Creation}. What was that last one? Also, Laxative? That could be fun.
Later that night, {Echolocation} and {Sense Presence} started going off like crazy near the human girls living quarters. 9 of them. I made my way into the girls room using {Presence Concealment} and waited for them to make a move with my sword drawn. The moment they made a move, on Emery no less, I struck, slicing through the goblins outstretched arm and cleanly cutting off half of his head, leaving the body to drop back towards the other intruders. That's when I noticed that another goblin nearby had been slain by none other than Rou. It looks like I'm not the only with with {Sense Presence}. The girls screamed while the two of us proceeded to beat the intruders and wrap them with silk.
When we finally had the time to look at their faces, the leader of the group turned out to be the former Hobgoblin leader, while the rest of the group consisted of his former lackeys. When it was settled, Red head began crying in Rou's arms while I made sure the other girls were okay. Though the two sisters were apprehensive of me, Alchemist lady managed to calm down and Emery hugged me. Ahh, I feel like murdering someone.
When the others arrived at the scene, they witnessed Rou's angered eyes while I attempted to keep calm for the girls sake. Rou told the others to gather everyone and wait outside, he had something to show them.
While everyone watched, Rou proceeded to torture, cauterise, heal, torture and finally kill all the lackeys. The former leader, who was now pleading for his life whimpered as Rou grew close. Before he could do anything else, I placed my hand on Rou's shoulder. He questioned my reasons so I told him that I wanted to be the one to do it.
He was surprised, but when he saw the look of pure hatred in my eyes, he backed off and let me take the reigns. I cracked my knuckles as I stood before him. Why I was so mad at this one in particular? Aside from being the one that instigated the whole thing, he actually told his lackeys to assault Emery first. This, I would not let slide.
It was almost noon by the time I was almost finished with him. His body has been constantly healed but his mind is another story. The only thing he could mutter by the end of it was "Kill me..." after hours of his begging, I finally allowed him to die, as painfully as possible. How that was done, I'll leave that up to you to figure out. When I turned to face everyone who was still watching, many of them showed nothing but fear. In fact, the only ones who didn't were Fu and Dou, who either showed interest and lust or respect.
I walked past the group and immediately went to sleep.
- Day 33
I woke up today to find Fu using one of my arms as a pillow, snuggled up next to me, which was relatively normal. What surprised me, was that Emery had also found her way into my bed on the opposite side. How did this happen? Was I so tired that I didn't notice my {Sense Presence} alerting me?
While I lay there awake, a few people passed by offering prayers or giggling, even Kichi had a chuckle at my expense. Sei was the last to walk by and seemed conflicted about something, swaying between coming over to us and leaving us be. In the end, she chose to leave us.
Later on, I came across Rou in the girls area having breakfast, well, struggling to have breakfast. We made eye contact and nodded to each other with more understanding between us than we've ever had as both of our arms struggle to regain their strength.
Once our arms had regained their strength, I decided to spend a little bit of time watching how the other half live. Rou went on to explain that due to the increase in our numbers, he's sorted everyone into teams and he will be the one to supervise them all. The teams go like this.
Anger: led by Kichi, will be the heavily armed force that'll attack the enemy head on.
Hatred: led by Sato, the lightly armed force that will focus on mobility.
Regret: led by Mi, will focus on long range attacks that use projectile weapons.
Pleasure: led by Gobue, will focus on chores and logistical support.
Agony: led by Sei, will be the mage group, though there are no other mages at the moment so she's the only member.
Death: is apparently going to be led by me. It's a group that will be mainly backup and won't appear unless needed or an absolute victory is required. Basically, it's a way for me, Fu and Dou to keep to our freedom for the most part and continue to grow stronger for when the time comes and we're actually needed.
I was a little averse to the idea of being a leader but with everything that I've been told, not much is going to change. Currently, I only have three people in my team but apparently I can bring anyone I want into the team so that's something to keep for future reference.
After this was sorted out, Rou and I decided to go hunting together for the first time. As we walked, we got to know each other a little more and decided that it would be best to keep nothing secret considering how alike we are in terms of power. I told him I'd seen him eat the bodies of humans and goblins and he panicked for a second until I told him I ate their souls.
After we both explained ourselves, I told him I had the {Soul Eater} Skill and he told me about his {Consumption Absorption} skill. It seems that one aspect is being kept secret from both of us however as neither of us told the other about our reincarnation. It is likely that he remembers who I am but since he doesn't seem to be taking any actions, I won't either.
As we're walking, we come across a demon spider and after killing it and taking the valuable materials, we both burn it with {Pyrokinesis}. Rou got to witness me eat a soul but according to him it looks like I'm eating air. I gained the {Expanded Vision} skill and apparently so did Rou. As we continued, we also came across another Triple Horned Horse and Rou thought up the idea to use his Demise magic. I was curious about how it worked in actual combat so I agreed. We both hid in the bushes and I watched as Rou threw a black spear at the horse, completely obliterating the unsuspecting things' neck.
I didn't gain any new skills but Rou learned {Armoured Scale Production}. His reaction was hilarious as he grew scales on his arms and thought he was turning into a lizard man. After waiting for Rou to regain his composure, we found a green slime and both learned the {Metamorphosis} skill. We decided to test it out by letting horned rabbits leap at our stomachs and get stuck. I found it amusing so I continued to do so as we walked. It tickled.
By the time the sun was setting, I was having fun with the rabbits when Rou suddenly ran off. I quickly dispatched the rabbit in my stomach and set out to try and find my hunting partner. That's when I heard a roar, no, two roars. One in front of me where I was assuming Rou ran off to and another from behind me. Turning around, I witnessed a massive creature three times my size made of what looks to be stone with a large, bulky, humanoid shape and a single, glowing red eye in the middle of its head. On a whim, I attempted to use {Detect Analysis} on it and discovered that this thing is a golem. Though it appears that it's not just any golem. The {Guardian of Velvets Treasury}.
Who the fuck is Velvet!? What the hell are you doing here!? I don't see a treasury anywhere!?
Before I had time to complain anymore, I was hit with an immense pressure that almost brought me to my knees.
- Day 33: Side Story
• Fu's account
I had a pretty good sleep last night. I used my lovely Kei as a pillow and he felt like a mix of the warmth of life and the cold of death. When I found out that Emery slept wth him as well, I wasn't really all that bugged. I mean, she hasn't slept wth him yet and besides, there's enough Kei to go around~.
Emery asked me a strange question today. It was about Kei. She asked if he'd done anything special lately so I responded by saying that he •••• in my •••• while •••• and I •••• his •••• while licking •••• and she turned as red as a freshly crushed head. I feel like I won something today.
Later, as the sun was starting to set, I decided to try and find out the location of my beloved. Unfortunately, neither Dou or the blacksmith girl knows where he is. I'm sure he'll be fine. Right?
- Day 33
• Main Story
The pressure this thing emitted was immense but I managed to make it to my feet and gain some distance by activating {Pump Up}, {Toughness}, {Retreat} and {Gravity Law}. Standing before the golem with my sword drawn and activated, I prepare myself for what will likely be a life or death battle and surprisingly, I'm excited.
The lines running along the golems body begin to glow white as it launches a beam of light at me. I manage to avoid it and use {Triple Strike} alongside my swords energy arc ability to launch three arcs of light right back at it. It chips the golems body a little but doesn't do much else.
I realise that it's surprisingly fast as it races towards me, slamming its fists down where I would have been had I not jumped back. I slammed my back against a tree but using {Metamorphosis} I was able to soften the blow. Before I could react, another blast was shot towards me, this one being of the dark variety. I use a combination of {Aero Master} and {Gravity Law} to avoid it but it still manages to nick my shoulder. It singes for a moment before turning black. Watching the golem, it seems to almost be laughing at me. I laugh back and use {Shedding} to remove the afflicted skin while {Quick Healing} and {Regeneration} take care of the rest.
The golem doesn't seem to take kindly to this as it charges. Adding {Retreat} and {Walking Enhanced} lets me avoid it by a hairs breadth but the force of the charge sends out a shockwave as it collided with a large rock, knocking me down. The golem immediately follows up by spewing flame from the stone in its head. I attempt to use {Hydro Hand} and {Gravity Law} to create a shield of water but it quickly turns to steam and the flame continues through, burning me. I can feel my muscles crackling under the heat as my regenerative skills kick in, healing me as I get to my feet.
I'm stuck on the defensive, avoiding its blows as I try desperately to think up a strategy. I can't poison it because it's made of stone, I can't use {Stench} because it's made of stone, Fuck it!
I throw a <Bolt> of {Chaos Magic} at the golem and it seems to stop for a moment. What did I do? Oh well, no time to think about it now. Using this moment I appear to have bought myself, I attempt something stupid. Going by my old worlds logic, golems have cores, which means that if I remove it, it should stop. Where's the last place you'd think the core would be? Well, that's where the something stupid comes into play. Using {Pump Up}, {Piercing Power}, {Sword Proficiency}, {Earth Control}, {Assassination}, {Job: Light Swordsman}, {Charged Power Strike}, {Mining Proficiency} and most certainly not {Magicians Wisdom}, I leap towards the gem in its head.
I reach the target and stab into the golems head using all of my strength to try to remove the gem from its face. As I'm doing this, it charges up another black blast and fires it at me at point blank range. Thinking quickly, I activate all of my defensive skills. {Poison Resistance}, {Grow Armoured Shell}, {Toughness}, {Bodily Fluid Manipulation}, {Metamorphosis}, {Physical Damage Reduction}, {Aqua Resistance}, {Lightning Tolerance}, {Fire Resistance}, {Earth Resistance}, {Dark Resistance}, {Demise Poison Resistance}, {Regeneration}, {Quick Heal}, {Steel Skin}, {Scaled Armour Creation}, Storm Resistance}, everything! {Beast Mind}
I can feel my body being torn to pieces but finally, the gratifying *Pop* sound of the gem leaving the golems face echoes. The golem crumbles and I lie atop said rubble. My vision is blurry but I can feel something in my hands. I don't care what it is, I'm really hungry.
After eating the mysterious substance, I took a quick look at what I thought would be the tattered remains of my body, only to see that, while my clothes are ruined beyond repair, my body seems to have a pitch black marking etched into the entire upper left half of my body.
{Skills learned:} {Magic Resistance} {Improved Physical Damage Reduction} {Speed of the Goliath} {Power of the Goliath} {Spirit Energy Projection} {Mana Projection} {Goliaths Resilience} {Goliaths Endurance} {Velvets' Key} {All Tolerance} {Goliaths Pressure} {Daunting Presence} {Shattering Strike} {Wild Charge} {Shockwave Strike} {Loyalty} {Mind Resistance} {Ally Communication}
{Existence: Kei has achieved the required results: <Indomitable Will> <Golem Slayer> <Survivor>}
{Rank up to Dhampir Variant Species avail-Error}
{Existence: Kei has achieved the required results: <Forgive> <Compassion> <Lover>}
{Rank up to Half lord Variant Sp-Error-Error-Error}
{Existence: Kei has achieved the required results <Indomitable Will> <Golem Slayer> <Survivor> <Forgive> <Compassion> <Lover> <Abandonment> <Cursed>
{Rank up to Ghoul Variant Species available}
{Do you wish to rank up? Yes/No}
{Do you wish to rank up? Yes/No}
...
....
.....
{Rank up confirmed}
{Blessings Received} {Blessing of the Demigod of Flowing Water} {Blessing of the Demigod of Berserkers} {Blessing of the DemiGod of Colour} {Blessing of the Demigod of Swords} {Blessing of the Demigod of War} {Blessing of the God of Gambling} {Blessing of the God of Lightning} {Blessing of the God of Judgement} {Blessing of the God of Light} {Blessing of the God of Darkness} {Divine Protection of the God of Death} {Divine Protection of the Great God of Chaos}
{Skills gained:} {Water Manipulation} {Water Sense} {Berserker mode} {Disguise} {Identify} {Sword Mastery} {War Cry} {Probability Manipulation} {Risk Reward} {Advanced Lightning Tolerance} {Lightning Breath} {Judgement Call} {Summoning: Valkyrie} {Dark Nullification} {Purify} {Light Nullification} {Curse} {Improved Life Drain} {Soul Strike} {Feral Mind} {Child of Chaos} {Chaos Magic Rank 2-3}
{Skill Rank up: Soul Eater 2-3}
[A/N] : I did it...Thinking up all the skills and writing them down took forever! I'm probably going to be doing a lot of this...aren't I?
- Day 35
Hm? Where am I? Oh, that's right, I took on a Golem and almost died. I did almost die, right? The blue sky I'm looking at is real? When I tried to move I could feel the rocks beneath me so I suppose I'm not dead but, what's going on with my body. As I motioned to sit up, I could feel something crush under my hand. Lifting my hand up, beneath it I could see what looks to be the core from the golem I fought. Why has it shrunk? Oh, maybe I'm bigger? I need to find my sword-ah, it snapped in the battle. Emery won't be happy with me.
I lift the flat side of the broken steel blade close to my face so that I can see my reflection. The image I see is...not what I was expecting. My entire body has lost its dark blue colour and become a pale, porcelain white. My body from neck to toe is covered in strange black tattoos while the marking around my still orange eyes has vanished, to be replaced by a black tattoo across my forehead in the shape of a crown. In the centre of the tattoo is an orange diamond. Not the actual gemstone, just the shape. My hair is still black and I appear to have grown a little bit, now approximately 6-6'1" tall. My patterned, naked body is quite lean in the sense that it's not too skinny and not too muscular, even though I can feel an amazing amount of power coming from within me. What did that notification say? Apart from the absurd amount of skills and blessings I'm now remembering I got. I think it said I'm a Ghoul Variant now. I sure don't feel like one. It's probably because of all the gods that seem to have taken a liking to me.
When I stand up, it takes me a while to get used to the sudden size difference but once I am, I head back to the mine, hoping that they don't see a naked Ghoul and decide to attack me on sight but there's not much I can use around here for clothing. It's not like I could skin the golem.
As I neared the settlement, I could hear the sound of angry yelling. This doesn't bode well. When I finally arrived, I could see Fu and Sei both angrily screaming at a large black ogre. Wait, could that be Rou? I slowly walk towards the community with my hands raised as to not cause any panic but apparently that wasn't enough.
[Goblin] "we're being attacked by a...a thing!"
Rude.
The others come running to see the cause of the commotion with weapons at the ready, well, in Rou's case it's just one weapon since he appears to have lost his other arm and gained some blood tendril things. Gross. That's coming from the guy who was having fun absorbing Horned Rabbits into his stomach.
Rou and Kichi were about to attack when Fu came running out from behind them shouting my name. As she got closer, I could see her eyes turn from those of relief to those of pure lust. Oh right, I'm naked aren't I. And a Ghoul...and Fu is obsessed with the dead...oh boy.
She jumped up and hung around my neck, biting, or at least, trying to bite into my shoulder. When I pat her head as she does that, she responds with a quick "Yeah, it's you" to which I confirmed. With the misunderstandings sorted, Rou quickly orders one of his subordinates to bring out a pelt big enough for me. When he returns, I quickly cover myself and we head inside.
Once inside, everyone, besides the human girls listens to our stories. Everyone is shocked to hear that Rou was capable of taking down the "lord of the Mountain" but when I said I fought a Golem called {Guardian of Velvets Treasury} they didn't bat an eye. Some of the goblins even scoffed at me saying that if no one knew about it then it probably wasn't that big of a deal. I became visibly annoyed when they said that and decided to display some of the strength I acquired from it by using {Goliaths Pressure} and {Daunting Presence}. Almost all the goblins fainted, the Hobgoblins became unable to move or talk under the weight of the pressure and fear while Rou visibly sweat and seemed to be affected by the attack as well. I quickly release the skill so that everyone can relax and the questions begin to roll in. Especially from Rou and Fu. When I told them that it found me after Rou ran off, presumably to fight Clifford the big red bear, Fu and Sei gave him a terrifying death stare. I managed to get Fu to calm down by telling her I had something special for her if she did. Yes, I bribed her. With Sei, I simply changed the subject over to when she would like to see my magic, even telling her that I had unlocked new ranks for it. This got her excited and she ended up wrapping herself around my arm while Fu did the same on the other side when I went to go see Emery and my Alchemy teacher. Rou came with us because he had to break the news to them about his new look.
Come to think of it, we really should have done it separately since the girls were absolutely terrified of us when we walked in. Red head was the first to calm down, followed by Emery who noticed the two Hobgoblins clinging to my arms. I managed to get them to let go for long enough to show her the broken remains of the sword we made together. I apologised with my head bowed which seemed to also help calm down the other girls. when I looked up I saw Emery with tears in her eyes and I panicked thinking she was crying about the sword. She proceeded to call me stupid and hug me, crying into my chest. When she told me she would miss me if I'd died, I put my arm around her and hugged her back. The warm scene was ruined when Fu ripped off my pelt, revealing my manhood to the human girls and, more immediately, to Emery who blushed profusely but for some reason didn't let me go.
Eventually I was able to get my pelt back on with minimal damage to the girls eyes and we continued on like nothing happened. Although Fu will be receiving some serious punishment later. Perhaps I could test my newfound strength with her. As if she was reading my mind, she got excited and ran off, presumably to my bed to wait. What a strange girl. I simply shrugged and went to deliver her what she wanted. When Emery tugged on my pelt with a blush on her face, I wasn't so oblivious that I didn't understand what she wanted but I'm not going to assume so I asked if there was something she wanted, to which she responded by stuttering before telling me that she would design a new weapon for me and would like my input sometime. I smiled and lent over, kissing her forehead and thanked her. This time it was her turn to be embarrassed. Huh, I may be slightly masochistic.
That night, I spent the night punishing Fu before going to sleep. The entire time we were active though, it felt like something or someone was watching.
