Chapter 28: The Changes

After thinking about it for a moment. Venture decides to meet up with this Wright now than later. No point in waiting. So, Venture heads off to meet the last member of the faction.

-LIABG-

Venture returns back to his bedroom not even an hour in, to find out that Wright wasn't in the building and somewhere else doing a job, where she won't be back for a while. Not to mention with the Burning Life going on, it won't be today or tomorrow. Therefore, Venture got nothing else to do other than maybe begin stocking up on bullets right now via [Elemental Bullet Generation Spell].

"Venture!" Gat burst into Venture's bedroom without a care, where she almost got shot at; well, more like she did get shot at, but easily avoid getting her head hit and didn't care if she almost died just now. "I need your help!"

"You couldn't call me or text instead of rushing into my bedroom without knocking?" Venture asks Gat while putting away his handgun, which was just enhanced and tossing the idea of stocking up on bullets for another time.

"You didn't answer my calls or texts." Gat replied with a deadpan on her face, daring Venture to say something against her words again.

"Oh..." Venture quickly takes out his phone, and sure enough, there are three missing calls and two text messages. "Whoops. Sorry for doubting you." Venture put the phone away a second later after checking and giving Gat a sheepish smile.

"Apology accepted." Gat didn't care about being offended for not being trusted by her newest minion. "Anyway, I need your help with something!"

"If it's within my power, then sure." Venture may as well see what Gat got so excited about.

"Out of everyone else, I can only think of you who could help me with this job I have in mind." Gat begins to explain the reason why she looked for Venture in such a hurry after failing to contact him by calling and texting. "Tomorrow, we're going to hunt down as many [Life Seekers] as we can for their ashes! They are the key ingredients for Edify to develop her next [Booster Fatigue Shot] and potential her other medicine as well! Furthermore, Edify is already at a critical point in her research and if she succeeds, then we'll be able to do many things that were impossible in the past!"

"Uh, my [Assassinate Rate Skill] might not work on [Life Seekers] without anything to support it." Venture didn't want to claim he could kill these [Life Seeker] monsters. In fact, he can, but just that the method of doing so wasn't something Venture wanted to reveal to Gat, nor for the public either. Every new method to boost Venture's survival is another trump card that should be kept hidden at all times until the best moment to use it. In fact, Venture has already brought out enough abilities that should already draw attention to him. Including the time he used [Elemental Bolt Spell] during the protection job at the rooftop against the last wave from the [Poison Fang Faction].

"That's fine. The reason why I think you would be a big help is that you have the [Modifier: Mind Attack]. Between you and me, not many know this, but the [Modifier: Mind Attack] or any [Skills] that could affect the minds are considered very powerful against anything with a mind and the [Life Seekers] have somewhat a mind of their own, but barely, which make the [Modifier: Mind Attack] a big major factor in the Burning Life." Gat explains a few things, that can't be found out online and could only by others either in person or private messages.

"I see." Venture should have expected this, but then again, he was too caught up with all the other important things to consider this. Well, more like he still in the middle of thinking about what else he could learn about this world. Either way, Venture really needs to find that [Mind Attacking Spell] before Gat suspect him not having the [Modifier: Mind Attack] and thinks he lied, which is true and expected Venture to be prideful for not getting it on the first try or planning to get a different [Modifier] or something. Nonetheless, it shouldn't take too long for Venture to find a [Mind Attacking Spell] and have [Idle Simulation Accumulation] to work on it.

"Yup, so are you in or what?" Gat folds her arms over under her chest, not that it does much to make it look bigger, much to Gat's hidden shame. "This is mainly to help the faction really, so there won't be any money involved just to let you know." Gat knew how some assassins hate how they are not fully informed or at least the important facts beforehand of the job.

"Sure." Venture knew that this is the moment he needs to show that he is willing to provide helps to the faction. After all, with all the benefits he gained from the [Dark Star Faction]. It would be very foolish of Venture to decline in helping out. Especially when being asked by the leader of the faction. Otherwise, later on, there might be a chance of Gat and the other forming a grudge at Venture. Therefore, better help out once in a while.

"Great!" Gat smile at Venture. "We'll head off the moment the first part of the Burning Life end and wait for the first [Life Seeker] to appear before we head out of the building safely."

"Understood." Venture replied while quietly casting [Ally or Foe? Spell] on Gat to check if she truly an ally or foe, maybe neutral. Much to Venture's hidden relief, the light came up as blue, which means Gat is an ally. Honestly, this took a bit of a load off Venture's shoulders since he rather not have to be guarded up whenever Gat is nearby. Though, that doesn't mean an ally can't become a foe later on. So, Venture will just lower it a bit around Gat, but not too much.

"Good to hear it." Gat said her farewell, then left with a smile on her face that won't be removed for the rest of the day unless something turns up to ruin it.

Once Venture listens to Gat's footsteps is no longer within the range of hearing it. Venture quickly switch on almost all his [Titles] to active mode to find the [Mind Attacking Spell] fast to work on as the [Idle Simulation Accumulation Spell] has already ended.

-LIABG-

"Okay, you guys ready?" Gat asks her lovely minions, which is just Note and Venture tagging along with her to hunt down the [Life Seekers]. The others are not needed or their [Skills] won't work on [Life Seeker] monsters.

"I'm ready whenever." Note said to Gat.

"Yup." Venture sighed in relief, that he found the [Mind Shatter Spell]. This is a [Mind Attacking Spell], where it can shatter the target's mind from a distance as long as one has the energy to do so as well as having stronger mental strength than the target. Otherwise, it would just cause the target to be a little dizzy for a few seconds. Not to mention, the [Energy Unit] will for sure cover somewhat the weakness for Venture if his mental strength is weaker than the target in the future. Hopefully, that is.

"Now, Venture. You must be wondering why I only got you and Note here to come with me while I could have asked Bout and Cope to tag along too." Gat had noticed the look on Venture's face when he shows up to see only her and Note only.

"The thought has crossed my mind. But, with her being able to kick my butt without much effort during those two tests. I'm not that surprised if she is here to finish off the [Life Seekers] with you." Venture said dryly while is delighted that the [Ally or Foe? Spell] came up as the result of Note as an ally instead of foe or neutral.

"You wanna tell him or not?" Gat look at Note since this is her own business to say or not.

"I'll explain." Note said to Gat, then begin to explain to Venture about her [Title: Spiritual Whisper] and [Normal Skill: Locating]. The former allows her to communicate with spirits and those who are dead, that's about to go to the afterlife. While the latter will is similar to Venture's [Assassinate Rate] but instead of killing the target. Note is able to sense the whereabouts of her targets. She is able to point out the direction and distance between the target and herself within a certain distance as long as she has information on the target that is for sure related to the target.

"Huh, no wonder you were able to notice where I am at all time." Venture looks at Note in disbelief and secretly now placing Note a bit above Cope in the list of people Venture shouldn't mess with. "Wait, so, you were speaking with the spirits to deal with me at the time of the tests?" Venture recall, that he wasn't able to move at all and floating in midair during the test.

"Pretty much." Note replied while nodding.

"Note here is famous for her [Title: Spiritual Whisper] alone as there are other who have the same [Title], but unlike them, they don't have her [Skill: Locating], which allows her to locate all the spirits she needs to speak with to gain help from these spirits for any problems she needs. In fact, you're talking with one of the masters, who have formed a contract with a spirit or more. Making Note here someone who has the ability to use means beyond what her [Title] and [Skill] should be able to do. In a way, just the combination of these two would technically put Note on the same league as [Unique Skill] holders and the [Defier]. Furthermore, Note still hasn't become a [Defier] yet; therefore, if she ever becomes one. Then, she will become a very powerful person, that most [Unique Skill] holders would think twice before facing her." Gat praise Note without holding back, causing the latter to blush in embarrassment.

"I see." Venture look at Note in a new light, but that just made her someone he truly can't go against for the time begin unless he uses [Flowing with Time] and manage to kill Note in one shot before she could use the spirits she contracted to deal with him. Of course, that is the last resort option as Venture got plenty of ideas on how to prevent Note from locating him with her [Skill].

"Please stop." Note said to Gat quietly, where now she can't even look Venture in the eyes without blushing. Now, all her tough look appearance would go down the drain because of Gat.

"Oh, you're so cute when you're like this!" Gat pulls the embarrassing Note into a hug while rubbing her cheek against Note's.

This just made Note blush even harder and did her best to not look in the direction where Venture is.

Oh, how she wishes Gat would quit embarrassing her some time. Note feel like she wanted to drop this whole hunting down the [Life Seekers] matter and stay in her bedroom for a long period of time before coming out. Yet, Note noticed how strong Gat's grip is and knew right away, she won't be able to escape anytime soon.

Venture look away, where he recast [Idle Simulation Accumulation Spell] to continue to work on the [Mind Shatter Spell] since who knows how many times he needs to use it today. So, better to have it improve as much as possible before the hunt begins.

"AAAAH!" Someone screamed that could be heard in a mile radius, then soon multiple screams of different pitch started appearing.

"Okay, let's get a move on. The [Life Seekers] have formed." Gat release Note and pick up her assault rifle and equip her belt with the ammo bag attach to it. Filled with [Aqua Rounds] meant for dealing with [Life Seekers] and anything that have the weakness related to the element of water or any liquid substance really. "Also, Note. Use water spirits if possible. We rather not be like those other guys, that burn down a good part of the building nearby by accidents."

Note put on a serious look and nod at Gat, showing she understands and soon multiple blue spheres of various sizes begin to appear around Note.

"Venture. Make sure to follow our lead. When we face a [Life Seeker]. Use your [Modifier] right away, then Note and I will do the rest." Gat said to Venture, who just nods his head that he heard her and understood what his role is. "Note, take the lead." Gat said to Note since with her [Skill: Locating], They have an easier time compared to other people seeking out [Life Seekers].

-LIABG-

It took only 10 minutes before finding the first [Life Seeker] and it's trying to enter a restaurant, but failing to due to the fact, that nearly all the buildings in City N have been modified to prevent monsters such as [Life Seeker] from being able to invade people home temporary for all those [Combat-Type Skill] holders would deal with them.

"Venture!" Gat calls out to her minion as she already got her into a shooting position, ready to fire when the [Life Seeker] stops moving around.

Venture didn't wait for a moment and use the [Magical Formula: Thought Casting] to cast the [Mind Shatter Spell] on the [Life Seeker] before his eyes, leading to the monster to let out a shriek in pain.

Both Gat and Note taking this as a signal to attack the [Life Seeker] right away, with Gat firing away without a care for wasting the [Aqua Rounds] at the [Life Seeker], but mostly towards the bottom part to prevent the monster from escaping. While Note softly mumble words that make those without the [Title: Spiritual Whisper] to unable to comprehend what Note is saying right now. As a few seconds later. A large see-through bluish bubble covers the [Life Seeker], preventing it from escaping as the bluish bubble begins shrinking fast.

3 seconds later, the [Life Seeker] no longer screams nor any bigger than the size of a bowling ball. Gat even stopped shooting after she gives Note a pat on the back.

"Great, the first [Life Seeker] is taken care of. Time for us to aim the rest. Come on, we need to move fast!" Gat said to her two minions, where for the rest of the day. All three begin to hunt down all the [Life Seekers] they could kill before the other people could.

-LIABG-

Near the end of the day. The amount of [Life Seekers] the three members of the [Dark Star Faction] managed to hunt down is 23. This is pretty good for just three people, but compared to those top factions. The numbers have already entered the three-digit range.

"Man, I hope these are enough for Edify." Gat mostly talking to herself as she looks at the 23 floating spheres containing the ashes of the [Life Seekers], which is being held by the water spirits under Note's control. Slowly heading to the fifth floor, where Edify is waiting at the moment.

"Well, now that is done. I'm going to head off to take a bath before heading off to bed." Venture said to Gat as he heads to the third floor while avoiding touching these floating spheres. Furthermore, keeping the [Title: The Cunning One] active for a bit longer to keep the urge to feel some emotions that may or may not lead to problems to appear.

"Alright." Gat replied to Venture, then start a conversation with Note on a subject unrelated to Venture.

While climbing up the stairs. Venture glance at the spheres continues to float towards the fifth floor. The emotion of disguise and among other negative emotions are continued to be suppressed by his [Title]. As the thought of some of these ashes used to be living humans, but here they are being used by Edify for experiments. Back in his world, the whole concept of human experiments is taboo. Yet, it looks like in this world. Anything is possible, including experimenting with humans.

Honestly, Venture beginning to realize that he is already slowly changing from who he was at the start of coming into this world to someone else. Another native person in this world really.

Letting out a sigh. At this point, Venture to start to use [The Cunning One] more often than he should, but it would somewhat prevent him from snapping from all the guilt building up. Venture wouldn't be surprised later on, that with all the time having [The Cunning One] in active mode for a long period of time would cause the passive mode to change and become closer to the active mode, then after a while, there will no longer be an active mode for Venture to use in order to turn off the [Title].

Slowly, Venture push the door to the third floor to open, where he quietly enters to take his long relaxing bath. Hoping this would distract him from thinking about the [Life Seekers] and the thought of all kinds of things Edify had done in the name of science to produce all the versions of the [Booster Fatigue Shot] and the other medical items.

Either way, Venture won't be having a nice sleep tonight. But, at least he is alive and not dead. Better to adapt and change while hoping he doesn't end up like those villains that won't care for anything other than destroying the world for some reason and among other thing.