First Encounter

And so Kiren filled him in on all the details.

"So! We currently are at the border of the Geros Kingdom. Well, we are still inside the Faras forest, but we are on Geros territory."

[Updating your archive systems now, Sire. It would appear that the neighboring kingdom of Faras Forest would be the kingdom of Geros. Visualizing a map...]

Derek's mind expanded into a map with a towering kingdom. A scribble of nonsense slowly transformed into, "Kingdom of Nihial". On it's left, a forest outlined with opaque lines came into view, written as "Faras Forest Border". Past the line was a lesser dense forest that radiated brightly. "Outskirts of the Geros Kingdom."

* Aeras' geography updated. The Geros Kingdom indirectly share a border with the Nihial Kingdom, with the Faras Forest considered as a neutral zone. New information discovered! *

[Sire, you can access your map and Archive anytime.]

This should prove useful in learning about this world. I don't have to remember anything, as it all saves into my archive. I guess I should talk to Kiren more, found out more about this world... Derek thought to himself as he continued to look dumbfounded.

"Have you not heard? The kingdom of Geros, founded by the mighty elven King Reikas, prospering throughout centuries and the inhabitants of all races!" Kiren's previous look towards Vars slowly faded away and was replaced with shining pride.

"We are known as the Geros and are illustrious for our diverse community and joyous unification of races. It has been said that our greatest achievement in Aeras was our elimination of discrimination."

* The Geros Kingdom archive has been updated. *

Kiren continued to babble on about the legacy and history of Geros, but Derek focused on the new archive of information he just gained. At the very top, it mentioned: "Hailed as the greatest kingdom to unify all races."

A kingdom that accepts all races? Why has Vars been running all this time? His reincarnation really was stupid... Derek realized he wasn't good at anything at all. He went around stealing goods and didn't think to learn about the world or train at all. The Panthos Kingdom really did a number on him. Because of his horrific past of isolation, Vars always thought that each kingdom was homogenous with their respective races and hid from everyone.

As Derek figured out just how unfortunate Vars came to be, he overheard Kiren switch subjects.

"--recently because of the Anarchy--"

Derek refocused his attention on Kiren. Where has he heard that word before?

* New Archive Discovered. Archive "Anarchy" is now accessible. *

"What did you say?" Derek faced Kiren.

"Oh, I was just mentioning how these past few days haven't been the best for the kingdom. Because of the prophecy, you know."

"Prophecy?"

"Were you even listening? I'm talking about Anarchy. The seers predicted that the land of Aeras will fall to ruin as a result of civil wars and the rebellion of citizens. Personally, I think it's a load of hogwash. Geros has been fair to its people for quite a long time. But recently... the people have been growing restless and uneasy..." Kiren's joyous attitude quickly turned to one of confusion and uncertainty.

* The Anarchy archive has been updated. *

Again! That same word! He recalls it like the back of his hand, but where did he hear it from...

Kiren nudged him with her elbow. "Hey, daydreamer boy, we got to get back to camp. It's getting late, and I don't have any more food or water." She was right. The sun was setting, and parts of the woods were starting to get dark. "It'll take about half an hour to get there by foot. This way."

Derek aptly stood up and rushed alongside Kiren into the dark forest. This would be a great time to learn more about the system. Since the start, Derek's had something at the back of his mind. It was the ranking system that he saw on himself and previously, Commander Sterik. Ensign, Bishop... those words didn't really mean anything to him. He consulted the system for some help.

[The ranks displayed next to your name determines your rank level. There are nine ranks in total.]

[Ensign, Regent, Bishop, Sentinel, Herald, Templar, Vizier, Justicar, and Overlord. Everybody in this world starts as an Ensign and can slowly progress to become the great Overlord. Within each rank are nine tiers that must be progressed through before a user can break through towards the next rank.]

[The difference in tiers is subtle but still gives a slight advantage over an opponent, an example being a Tier 3 Herald has a chance to beat a Tier 5 Herald. Whereas a difference in ranks is immeasurable. A Tier 4 Regent cannot hope to win against a Tier 1 Bishop. You are a Tier 1 Ensign.]

Derek was able to learn a bit about the tier system in Aeras not before a way marker appeared once more, but this time towards their destination. Their camp was at the heart of the forest, providing access to all different kinds of fauna and flora. Kiren led the way, hacking away at trees with a small dagger she kept around her waist. While they traversed through the forest, they exchanged more words, eager to learn more about the other.

The two young individuals were too preoccupied with getting to the camp that they didn't notice two creatures emerging from the shadows behind them. A menacing growl emanated from behind the two as they suddenly pounced towards their helpless victims.

Z.E.D. was able to respond in the nick of time.

[Sire, I advise you to grab your associate and jump sideways. Imminent danger. Threat Level: High.]

Derek instinctively reached out, but not before Kiren made the first move. She had already noticed the growl seconds before the leap and already jumped away as the two beasts went straight for Derek. "Watch out! Those are Tigressi! Watch for their fangs and claws!"

Derek froze on the spot. Flashbacks of the burning car seethed in his mind as the disaster was created once again, in the form of two tailed beasts. His motionless body could only stand there as the beasts lunged at Derek.

[Activating Demonic Angel Battle Sequence.]

As if there was an emergency button built in, the strange ring on Derek's hand begin the glow brightly, blinding everyone around him. The wings that previously laid dormant ruptured from Derek's back. Derek was just as surprised as the beasts when the black and white wings waved in one huge motion, jerking Derek's body into the air at the last moment.

[Demonic Angel Battle Sequence has been activated. Sire, how would like to deal with these lowly mongrels?]

Derek was dumbstruck. One moment he was at death's door, and the next he was flying midair, a dark and white wing flapping behind him in continuous motion, allowing him to levitate and move with fluid precision. Even the system's voice changed to a more aggressive form.

The Tigressi turned their attention onto Kiren. From a distance, Kiren could be seen aiming her bow at the beasts, but the animals were quick; it would be hard to land a clean shot on them. It was only a matter of time before the Tigressi closed the gap between them.

[Analyzing... Two Level 4 Tigressi identified. Many roam by themselves or in pairs around the Faras Forest and hunt for smaller prey. Rarely targets humans, only when aggravated or lack of food.]

* Archive Updated. Tigressi added. *

* Quest Begin. The Twin Tigressi Quest Activated. Defeat the Two Tigressi. *

Derek couldn't believe Vars had the ability of flight. "Z.E.D., what else can I do?"

[You have your race and class ability, [Flight]. Your current unlocked abilities as a Demonic Angel is Shadow Descent and Angel's Leap.]

*Ability Preview*

[Shadow Descent - Crash down towards an area on the ground with dark energy, knocking up targets in a ring.]

[Angel's Leap - Blind nearby enemies and leap in the air, gaining Flight, while moving quicker for a short duration.]

Derek's reincarnation was very powerful, but he figured that Vars' full potential was never released for fear that people would notice him and report him to the authorities, where there would capture and interrogate him. The latent powers seemed to have been used for the first time, leaping in the air and maintaining his flight already exhausted Derek quite a bit.

Meanwhile, the two beasts were gaining ground on Kiren. The Tigressi dashed between thickets of bushes and tree stumps to avoid the arrows, each narrowly missing them by a sliver.

"Dark and Light, huh..."

The abilities felt pretty self-explanatory. In his old world, he dabbled in a few video games that had the same gist. Imagine being reincarnated into such a world! Even more so, into such a great character! Huh! His luck wasn't half bad after all.

Derek knew he didn't have time to awe at his newfound abilities. He would have to learn about his character later. The Tigressi had already gotten in range of Kiren and began advancing towards her in a zigzag style, arrows zooming by them as they dodged them in a blur. Kiren couldn't handle one Tigressi at close range, let alone two, and to top it off, Vars was nowhere to be seen. With a cry for help, she shouted.

"Vars!"

Just like that, a streaking dark-winged blur dashes in front of her from the sky like a black meteor.

A glowing purple ring forms around the two beasts as the ground begins to rumble uncontrollably. The beasts barely have time to react to the tremors when-

BOOM! A ghastly explosion goes off as a mixture of earth, fire, and dark smoke shoot upwards.

The two beasts that were caught in the vortex pop out of the dark smoke, airborne and dazed. Amidst the smoke, a voice that did not sound like Derek bellowed.

"Shoot!" Two glowing red eyes appeared amidst the smoke, staring directly into Kiren's. Without hesitation, Kiren knocks her bow back with two arrows. With a look of determination in their eyes, the duo yell out and Kiren fires her bow.

Pew pew!

The arrows zip into the air, the tip of the shot curling with the surrounding dark ghastly energy as it travelled. The dark smoke that initially emanated from the ground begins to rise with the two bolts as they both find their way towards the airborne beasts.

Crackle-crack!

The Tigressi flailing helplessly in the air crash onto the floor, roaring in excruciating pain. An arrow could be seen in wedged into each of the Tigressi's heads as the dark magic energy slowly found its way through the circuits of the beast's body, gradually suffocating the creatures within a dark cloud. With a final roar, both animals let out their dying breath. Dark smoke steadily flowed out of the pores of their bodies as they both laid lifelessly onto the fragmented earth.

* Quest: The Twin Tigressi Complete! Reward: 70 Aers, Tier 2 Ensign. *

* Team Skill: Combo Synergy Unlocked! *

* System Updated. *

* Balance: 120 Aers. *

* Rank: Tier 2 Ensign. *

[Congratulations, Sire. In the midst of battle, you were able to obtain the general passive ability: Combo Synergy, an ability utilizing different combinations of techniques to execute unique outcomes.]

The black fog slowly faded away to reveal the two individuals slowly trudging towards one another. They embraced each other in relief, but only for a moment. Kiren was the first to slump onto the ground, followed by Derek. Kiren couldn't help but let out a joyous laugh.

"Well, that was exhilarating! It's been quite some time since I've seen Tigressi around these parts of the woods. Vars, you were amazing!"

Derek blushed. "I don't know how, but we managed to pull that off."

Derek was worried she would ask about his powers, but she didn't mention a single word about it.

"..." "......"

"Thank you, Vars. For saving me." Kiren gazed up at the night sky. Derek almost wanted to tell her that that wasn't him, but a monstrosity he resurrected in. What was that voice that came out from him? He'd have to ask Z.E.D. later, but for now, he felt like passing out.

"... Great shot, by the way."