11 Just A Pretty Face

Authors Note: I will be likely not be putting a chapter like chapter nine out for a little bit so they may feel somewhat shorter ALSO PLEASE GIVE ME FEEDBACK ON THE FINAL POV

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POV: Astaros

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The meeting with the guild master gave me an idea of my next move. She said she wasn't an imperial hag. Was this kingdom an empire? If so, who was its leader? Where is it located? What I need now that I have money is geographic and societal information. My existence and comfortable life was secured the moment a platinum coin entered my hands.

Now what I need to do is find a place for me that is out of the way of everyone else. I am not someone who hides from the world but I want to fight and interact on my own terms not someone else's.

I reached the door of the inn that me and Fillia were staying at and waltzed in.

"Wel- FILLIA!!" {Dryis}

Dryis the innkeeper rushed over to me the lime green tips of her hair flowing behind her. I removed Fillia from my back who, while I was carrying her, had begun to hold me like a koala her head resting on my shoulder.

"She is fine just a little exhausted" {Astaros}

Dryis held her with tears in her eyes as she looked up at me. She began to opened her mouth before stopping. She then wiped her eyes in her sleeve and looked at me with confidence.

'Hoh I expected her to cry her eyes out when she saw this but she is actually not going to get angry' {Astaros}

"Thank you for bringing Fillia back safely. I wouldn't know what to do if she was hurt." {Dryis}

I raised my eyebrows and released the dark field covering my face within the helmet. I was genuinely impressed by her emotional control. I had expected distrust and yelling but this was a true surprise.

"You are impressive" {Astaros}

She looked at me with a little shock which then dissipated.

"I would have put you above flattery" {Dryis}

I then shrugged.

"Think what you want I won't stop you" {Astaros}

I walked away leaving Fillia in her care. It was obvious they had some form of relation to each other that was more than just innkeeper and good customer. That was not my concern though.

I went up to the desk and left 8 silver. I would be staying a while and I wasn't in the mood to be disturbed.

"I left some pay on the desk also," {Astaros}

I placed some platinum down on the table. Dryis's eyes widened as she watched me place down 30 glittering coins on the desk along with another 10 gold coins.

"payment for Fillia's services plus a tip for good work."

I then turned away from her shocked face and walked up the creaking wooden stairs and went to my room.

Closing my door I sat down on the edge of my bed and planned out my next few steps. I need to go to the library in the guild and then also get Fillia to continue to provide me with missions as going into the guild is now and being seen was a no-no. I also need to figure out what to do with the wolf army out in the forest.

Alright first let's deal with the burning pain in my chest.

I had gotten used to the damage core by now and now it just feels like weird heartburn.

'Requirements met title achieved advancing class' {Damage Core}

'WHAT THE HELL. I HAVEN'T GOTTEN USED TO IT. THIS BURNS DANG IT.' {Astaros}

The spinning red sphere in my chest retracted as I fell back on my bed, my throat feeling raw as fire seemed to burn through it. A place deep in my chest contracted and I nearly blacked out. Then the pain disappeared leaving only an aching body.

I sat up and groaned. There was no physical damage but it really did hurt more than the last two updates.

'Class upgraded Magic combatant has become Arcane warrior. Skills Overload, Deadlock, Outburst and Link acquired. Soulscape unlocked.' {Damage Core}

I felt something new in me? Around me? I don't know. I need to know.

'Damage core define new abilities and title.' {Astaros}

My damage core began to glow a deep red.

'Class: Arcane warrior. A warrior made for close range attacks based around magic and soul based enhancements.' {Damage Core}

'Skill: Overload. Use all internal mana in a single blow while absorbing mana from your surroundings.' {Damage Core}

'Skill: Deadlock. Lock the an ability of your opponent's while locking your own most powerful ability.' {Damage Core}

'Skill: Outburst. Enhance your attacks through your emotions literally pouring your heart and soul into every attack. Warning any backlash will damage you on the astral level use with caution.' {Damage Core}

'Skill: Soul Link. Share a form of intimate link with someone you trust. Once the link is formed you may communicate telepathically and feel each other's general location. You may also share soul-scapes. This ability is passive and is based on affection and trust between you and the target. Will form involuntarily' {Damage Core}

'Soul-scape is a form of deep storage. No matter what happens your personality and memories will remain within. Allows you to store spiritual beings through contract along with using some of their abilities also can be used as a meeting place for linked individuals. Accessed through unconsciousness' {Damage Core}

'So the thing I am detecting isn't mana but my soul. Hm. Interesting.' {Astaros}

'BUT AREN'T ALL THESE SKILLS A LITTLE TOO KAMIKAZE LIKE???. SHOULD I GO JUMP IN A ZERO AND ATTACK AN AMERICAN CARRIER!??!!' {Astaros}

The skills I got this time all had huge drawbacks with massive damage. The only two I would really be using are the link and maybe the soul-scape. And that's if I find someone who is worth linking with.

Anyways I won't be testing these anytime soon so it's fine. Time for a well deserved sleep

…

In the morning I woke up and headed downstairs cloaked. I wasn't about to be seen by some paparazzi and then have the inn swarmed.

"Hey Dryis is there anyone there for me." {Astaros}

After looking around I heard Dryis calling me.

"There's no one here to see you and if there was I turned them away" {Dryis}

I walked around the corner and de-cloaked to see Dryis working the counter and Fillia counting silver before putting it in a small pouch on her waist. Seems she exchanged some of the platinum and gold I gave her. She looked up at me and stared.

"Whats with the extra pay" {Fillia}

"Fillia! we already talked about this, don't go any further." {Dryis}

"No I don't want to ow-" {Fillia}

"Its fine, you don't owe me jack" {Astaros}

She looked at me with an eyebrow raised. She then furrowed them and seemed to think about something before giving up.

"Fine but that still doesn't answer my first question" {Fillia}

"You finished the job without a single hitch plus you found the target within hours of us leaving the scene of the first attack. I can take it back if you want?" {Astaros}

She looked at me, opened her mouth and then received the full brunt off Dryis's mana pressure. It was funny but I was hungry and didn't have time for this. I had to go see the wolves and organize them before they went and ate someone under my watch. Actually I might go eat someone too if I didn't get any breakfast.

Fillia and Dryis now seemed to be laughing at each other as their conflict had ended.

"So can I get some breakfast now?" {Astaros}

I sat down and removed my helmet. There was no one odd here and it's not like my face is scary or something.

"Beautiful" {Dryis}

I turned around surprised. Dryis snapped out her stupor and then looked at me her eyes widening as she realized what she said. Her face turned red and she ran into the kitchen. Haaah. There goes breakfast. I looked at Fillia who also had red cheeks.

"Do you have anything to say about this" {Astaros}

She looked down and blushed some more.

"It's not bad" {Fillia}

"I meant the pure maiden who ran by not my face" {Astaros}

She began to steam and her fox ears came out.

"SHUT UP!" {Fillia}

I laughed as I walked out the door deciding to go get breakfast with the wolves.

…

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POV: Fillia

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This is bull. It's unreasonable. The goddesses had no reason making a man with a face like that and yet they did. This is bull. His pale skin. His soft lush looking lips. His entrancing silver eyes. HOW THE HELL WAS HE SO CLEAN AND BEAUTIFUL. I don't understand. I don't want to think about it. I almost messed up worse than Dryis. He teases and causes problems for me so why do I see him like that. I hate this, no I hate him. And I hate how my heart skipped a beat looking at him. I need to remember how dangerous he is. Yes. He is a monster that slaughtered a Fenrir with physical strength alone. I began to place the coins I received from Astaros in the safe for later use.

I won't be fooled by just a pretty face.