Chapter 136 - I think you were cute

Ryuu nodded, feeling the soul around him even the subtle detail of the grass and mountains have the semblances of life. It was still weak but he was able to feel his own soul and its shape. 

'Maybe I can manifest my soul?'

He thought of possibilities of spirit manifestation like monarchs do and unleashed their power. Ryuu was able to map out that his soul had grotesque appearances having the shape of a long serpentine creature with the head of lion and reddish body but if one looked closer it was made of countless flesh and body parts as if it was painted by a clumsy child. 

Ryuu felt that he should be horrified yet he is more curious than anything else. His soul to have such shape only thought of a possibility that he was truly different and the chat group was no coincidence.

'I don't care what it means for now since I don't have the faintest idea.'

He shrugged it off since he already accepted his power and everything about him was eldritch and grotesque. Ryuu turns his attention to his clones being trained and reabsorbed into his body. 

'Still it is troublesome to think how my parents will react.'

Ryuu thought to himself, still having the lingering doubts and fear of his parents rejecting him. There some change into something beyond human. A monster. 

'Whatever they think of me, I have to accept it.'

He has already gone too far to step back and his only option is to move forward. Ryuu then gave a small laugh at himself.

'If I still have my doubts and fear then I'm still human.'

Ryuu tried to convince himself in regards to his monstrous power. He put aside his thoughts and focused on the fight between his Grand Marshal, Orok and Erza who fought using one of her strongest armor, Armadura Fairy. 

She gathered every ounce of her power to fight it as the two appear and disappear causing a massive explosion from their clash while Ryuu whistles seeing the spectacle.

"Wasn't Erza part dragon? I wonder if I could awaken with [ Rebellion ]."

Ryuu thought since her mother was Irene, the first Dragon Slayer and one of many who turned themselves into a dragon after excessive use of their magic. He could guess that the reason why she is so strong was because of it but hadn't completely tapped into it. 

Her blood was mostly human therefore it doesn't have the perfect union. But with the power of [ Rebellion ] that unify the two. 

"That's enough."

Ryuu appeared between the two holding both of their weapons with his hand that had transformed to absorb the impact creating a crater below him. He saw that things were getting out of hand and decided to interfere. 

{ Forgive my Lord for getting out of hand. }

Orok kneels down before him apologizing while Ryuu just lets him before absorbing him back to the hive, turning to face Erza who felt exhausted after the fight and took a break where Ryuu offered her some refreshment.

"Is there something bothering you?"

Ryuu asked, seeing that her action was getting out of hand and tried to push herself when it wouldn't do her any good. Erza felt reluctant to speak her mind yet knew that Ryuu know more about her because of the story from her world. 

"...I'm worried about the future of my world."

Erza said, taking a moment to let out the burden in her heart. Ryuu nodded since he was also worried about the upcoming fight in the future.  

"I am as well. But pushing yourself too hard won't do you anything good. How can you fight something when you're injured or worse dead."

She fell silent for a moment and understood his words but it isn't as easy to let go of her fear. Ryuu is the same but…

"You're scared yet there is nothing to fear. Like I said to Rias before, you are not alone. They are people willing to be by your side and that's what makes someone stronger."

It may sound cliche and cringe but it makes someone motivated to grow stronger and have a reason why they are fighting. Though, Ryuu doesn't like the idea of the power of friendship doesn't mean he doesn't disregard its merits. 

To each their own. Ryuu isn't the type who likes the selfish lonewolf as it isn't his character to do so. He isn't aiming to become the strongest and only enough to enjoy his life. 

He won't kill someone who isn't worth killing and for the most part has killed people who have truly made horrible action. Erza looked at him, reminding the words of what makes her guild special. 

"I see….thank you Ryuu."

"Anytime, sorry for the cringy lines but…"

"No, it's a great help and clears some of my doubts."

Erza stood up having come to understand that she should trust her current allies for the future. Though, she hardly knows Ryuu yet the way he had been tells her that he was worth her trust along with girls. 

Ryuu nodded before he left Erza, who wanted to be alone for the time being. He nodded and went to his villa to rest. 

===========

The event of Ryuu's first raid had spread like wildfire within a few hours of it being leaked and released. People still hate the fact that a newcomer guild was composed of foreigners and had received some criticism but obviously no one tried to fight an S rank hunter. 

It happened yesterday since the group spent some days inside the [ Dimensional Training Room ].

Ryuu went to the hunter association to speak with Go Gun-Hee in regard to the Monarch action and how they started to act more frequently. This in turn helps them prepare tofr incoming attack while informing the ruler of the situation. 

'I wonder if the corpse of the absolute still exists? Perhaps I can convince the ruler to give it to me.'

As the creator god, the Absolute Being was the most powerful individual in all of existence and was able to create life, both inorganic and organic, from nothing. He was also able to create objects with otherworldly powers, such as the Cup of Reincarnation.

He was the one who created the monarch and rulers watching the ensuing battle as if it was nothing more than entertainment and witnessing countless worlds destroyed until the Ruler betrayed him and was killed in the process where only the original shadow monarch had been by his side till the end. 

'I'll try to take it as my reward for assisting.'

Ryuu believes that it would help him gain a new type of physiology and grow even stronger than before. His attention was then drawn by people craning their heads when they all saw Rias walking towards him. 

She was wearing a more casual long sleeve and shorts that show her shoulder and thighs. This only made her crimson hair more alluring and eye-catching than before.

[ image here ]

'Why do I feel so giggity when he looks at me.'

Rias thought, looking at his appearance like the abyss that gazed into her. He wore a simple black overcoat and turtleneck with his wild long hair dripped into his shoulder. 

[ Image here ]

'Look at that man's drip!'

'I wish my boyfriend was as handsome as him!'

'Dominate me daddy!'

These were the thoughts of those who saw Ryuu who used subtle [ Hypnosis ] to not cause ruckus since he was still an S-rank hunter. 

"Hope you didn't wait too long."

Rias apologized while Ryuu just shook his head.

"I just arrived a few minutes ago. Your outfit looks good on you."

She smiled hearing his words and didn't use big words like you're beautiful or anything cheesy. He had a simple compliment that was genuine considering Rias always was praised by her beauty and body. 

Ryuu didn't even consider those things and spoke out his mind. Rias felt special just hearing his words that didn't hold any lecherous intentions. Though, Ryuu can't deny he was attracted by her body but more into her personality. She is portrayed to be the perfect woman but in truth she's flawed like anyone else and that's what's make truly special. 

"Thank you, I can say the same thing to you. The first time I saw your face, it was…."

"Ugly right?"

"N-No not like that it's…."

"Hahaha I'm just teasing you. I don't really feel proud of how I look right now since it looks fake."

Ryuu touches his face since he can shapeshift in the appearance he wants, which means that his form is fake. He felt somewhat ashamed of it since he felt he was cheating. Rias felt the urge to comfort him and went closer to touch his face.

"I think you were cute before. At least I know the real you and regardless of appearances you are Ryuu. The person who changed my life."