Deal and Hatered

"Hey!" In the dimly illuminated dark corridor, after just a minute of walking in silence, Temrosth's restless personality pushed him to call out.

"Yes?" Without turning around the mannequin responded with a serene yet cryptic voice that echoed in the long corridor.

"Tell me the truth, how did you reach after me into space itself? When I told him, even Dad said that he didn't fully understand what happened to my step so he couldn't teach me this ability." Temorsth sought to unravel the enigma behind the mannequin's ability.

"Hmh... I understand your question but sadly I can't give you any grand revelation or something if you were hoping for any."

"No, I was just curious to..."

"To how I did it?"

"Yeah."

"When you were between the layers of the different dimensions I simply recognized at which wavelength you tried to travel and broke through enough of 'space' to reach you before you could leave this location." The words were calm, as if her actions were a mundane feat all could do.

"What!?" Yet Temorsth halted his step, his eyes widened in disbelief.

"Is this hard to understand?" The mannequin's voice remained composed, unperturbed by Temorsth's astonishment.

"Obviously! My Dad said that breaking space is insanely challenging, he said that after a certain level because of their speed becoming too fast many people's step breaks it but that doesn't mean they can do space-related stuff. He even said that only a few people can actually do it... Yet you say 'simply'!?" Temorsth couldn't help but emphasize his disbelief since his father's teachings clashed with the mannequin's statements.

"Yes, his words were true. It's just that I'm 'a little' stronger so I become one of those 'few'." The mannequin's words exuded an air of confidence, leaving little room for doubt.

"I know my Dad didn't lie. I'm not asking if he was right, but rather how did you decipher the wavelength or whatever so quickly?"

"Hm... It's hard to say, but let's say it's something like I read down the energize your step pulsed and the ripples it caused in space with that I simply followed it." The mannequin's explanation still held an air of mystery making it feel that the abilities were beyond simple comprehension.

"Again this simply..."

'He is lying! If he could have done it so easily he wouldn't have waited for so long!'

'He is telling the truth.'

'Uh!? Bu-but... something isn't right!' As always Seeker's words were right and as always Feral didn't doubt it, but now there was a slight nudge that made him restless and this feeling was right as well.

The activity was indeed rather simple for her... but now something that wasn't yet clear for them was different from all the other times they had met with the mannequin.

"If you are still surprised about it, I will tell you something you might not know." Noticing the changes within Temrsoth's energies, words with a touch of intrigue sounded.

"Umu?" As Temorsth signaled his curiosity the mannequin continued.

"Using the same skill 2-3 times in front of someone will most likely cause them to understand the fundamentals of the skill and make them be able to counter it in their own way."

"What? But how? It took so much effort and pain to learn it! How could they just understand it like that!?" The mannequin's insights into combat tried to provide a glimpse into the idea of skill counters but Temrosth couldn't help but express his bewilderment.

"Don't confuse things. Completely learning and slightly understanding something are different concepts. You will understand later when you survive some life-and-death battles." The mannequin's words carried a sense of foresight, giving a feeling as if she knew what will happen.

"Hm, umu... I understand! So I can use my skill against the same opponent only two or three times...?" As Temorsth contemplated the implications of this newfound knowledge the mannequin spoke up again.

"Yes, this is why I'd like to advise you to hide some of your skills and powers."

"Hide them?" The words of wisdom urging Temorsth to be prudent made him question, uncertain about the notion of concealing his abilities.

"The deadliest blade is the one your opponent doesn't know about, and you don't even need to use it for killing." The mannequin's enigmatic words seemed to hold a deeper meaning, one that extended beyond mere physical prowess.

'I have long before told you all that lies are the deadliest and most disgusting things.' Seeker, ever the discerning voice within Temorsth's consciousness, interjected.

'Yes, you indeed have, but we have never really implemented it in our fighting style before.'

'And I don't wish we do... Do we really want to become cowardly bastards who hide because we fear a future enemy?' Seeker's disapproval was strong he advocated for transparency and courage.

'Yes...' But at the moment before anything could escalate, a steady and calm voice, the most mundane and 'human' one of their group sounded.

'Uh? Original, why would we need that?' Seeker's apprehensions regarding the uncertainty of the future came to the forefront.

'Until this day, we haven't really met an enemy stronger than us...'

'An enemy?'

'This could change really quickly... In this world, there are still too many variables that we can't see...'

'I-I see... Alright, then... I won't oppose this any further.' Seeker approved with broken words. With this, all of them recognized the importance of staying vigilant and prudent.

"We are here!" And as the mannequin's announcement diverted the conversation. Temorsth's thoughts shifted back to the immediate surroundings.

"Uhm?" A short confusion appeared on his face as he looked around.

"Did we teleport?" Realizing that the shaded and narrow dungeon-like corridor turned into a grand luxurious one, with the colours of black, green, and silver, an obvious question arose.

"Hm? What, you got surprised? My place is too big so I obviously have teleporters all around that only me and my people can use."

"Your people?"

"Yeah, many are out now for a mission so you didn't see any."

"Hmh, yeah a mission..."

"..."

'Kid, don't talk back! It was my kindness that made me sand them away, if they saw you here most would have attacked without a word and caused me even more trouble.'

*Sigh* "Anyway, for now, you should come in instead of standing outside."

Without worry and further thought, Temrosth went through the large doorway that was just opened by the mannequin.

"Oh...! I soo freaking love magic!" The room that emerged before his eyes was so grand and shimmering with colors like a mystic room full of magic... And maybe it wasn't just his imagination after all he was in a castle of magic.

"Hm? What are you saying?"

"Uh, nothing!"

"Then come sit down." While pointing at the sofa across the decorated wooden coffee table, she beckoned to Temorsth.

After a few moments of silence.

'Ugh... how should I even start this...? Now that I think about it, have I ever actually tried to convert someone? Most of the time they come to me... this is new...'

*Sigh...* 'New things are bothersome...'

"Do you want some tea?"

"Tea? Hmh, I think I could drink one." With the confirmation, two tea cups appeared with a steaming teapot in the middle of the table.

"Oh. Thanks!"

*Sigh* "..."

"Hm? I have noticed that you sigh a lot... Are you tired?"

"Hm? Yes, yes I'm... I'm too tired for all of this." Her voice carried a weariness that had accumulated over a very long time.

"Then why not rest for a while?" Temorsth's voice, filled with genuine concern, tried to offer a simple solution.

"Uh?" The surprise was evident in her confused gaze.

"If you are tired, you should rest. If you want instead of talking we could just chill out a little." As Temorsth's words held a comforting tone, his genuine care for her made her feel a strange feeling she hadn't felt for some time now.

"Hah, yes, I would be happy if it was that easy..." The mannequin's response carried a hint of resignation, her voice tinged with a touch of melancholy.

"Uhm... Sorry, I don't understand." The genuine admission of confusion carried a touch of disappointment.

"Don't be... You are just a mortal boy, it would be hard for you to even hear it." Her response held a mix of understanding and sympathy towards this boy that can only be considered as a lower life form compared to her.

"..." Even though her voice was filled with a compassionate understanding of Temorsth's limitations something changed from her words.

"Oh? Did I say something you didn't like?" And she instantly noticed that change as well. Curiosity seeped into her voice with a hint of concern underlying.

"Yes...! But no. It is not your fault."

"Then...?

"It's... It's just... everywhere I go, and in everything I do, it always comes back to me..." Temorsth's voice, which changed its tone multiple times carried a mix of frustration and self-doubt.

"Wh-What comes back?" Her voice held a touch of surprise but it was for a completely different reason than the previous words Temrosth spoke.

'His soul's structure changed?'

"That I'm not strong enough." Almost like he was waiting for the question, Temorsth answered. His admission was tinged with vulnerability and his voice was heavy, completely different from the previous ones.

'Uh? Not strong enough?' Her inner monologue echoed with a hint of contemplation, her thoughts delving into the depths of Temorsth's revelation.

"But you are at the Body Tempering Realm's Late Stage. With your age of mid-forties... Ah sorry, I mean seven, it is already pretty impressive." She got confused for a moment but her touch of admiration and acknowledgment of Temorsth's achievements wasn't just trying to lighten the mood.

"Yes, it's just impressive." But Temorsth's disheartened response revealed a desire for something greater.

'...!?'

"Just impressive...? What are you trying to say?"

"I... I have to go even beyond what is considered impossible. To reach what I want just a little bit sooner." Before she could form another thought, Temorsth's determination shone through in his voice.

"What you want?" Noticing the quick change, a note of intrigue appeared in her glowing green eyes.

"Don't bother asking, I won't tell you."

"Hmph, that is your decision. I don't care anyway. But..." Her voice trailed off showing the difference between the words and her emotions to Temrosth.

'Isn't this exactly what I wanted... but... should it be so easy? This kid... I could never fully read him... Did he do it intentionally?'

"But, what? What do you want to say?" Temorsth's voice held a hint of anticipation, his curiosity piqued by the figure's unfinished sentence.

'Ugh... It doesn't matter now, I'm obviously overthinking this... He is still just a kid after all.' These thoughts will soon hit her in the back of the head but who could have expected it?

"If it is strength what you crave, heed my words..." With an unhurried pace, the mannequin extended her lifeless hand, beckoning to Temrosth.

"Let's make a deal." With the words, poison green and dark energy appeared around the hand stretched out for a handshake.

[Warning!]

[Warning!!!]

"Uh?" As even the system reacted to the ominous energy movement, Temorsth wanted to take a step back, something like caution laced his confident look.

'Again?' The figure's inner thoughts mirrored Temorsth's surprise followed by a realization that her words had triggered another strange response in Temorsth's energy.

[Warning: A Great Being of Darkness has offered the Host a Deal!]

'The system reacted to his words... Is it something that important?' Temrosth become truly curious, his 'thoughts' contemplated the significance of the warning while he thinks of the deal at the same time.

"What kind of deal is this?" Temorsth's voice held some apprehension, but his curiosity outweighed his caution.

"It's simple. I will give a portion of my power to you in exchange for a few things." The figure's voice carried a note of confidence and authority, their words filled with a sense of purpose.

"Don't beat around the bush. What kind of things?" Temorsth's voice cut through the air, his impatience clear in his tone.

'Hm...Should I ask for that now or...?'

"Say it! What do you want!?"

'Hmh.. his changes are too obvious... But anyway it just makes it easier for me to get it. It's just... I still can't understand why it feels so strange...'

"Hey! Don't wander in your head and just say it!"

"Ugh! Alright-alright! First, you will show me that technique of yours that allows you to tear space even with your mortal body." Her swift words of request carried a hint of curiosity and fascination, her desire to witness Temorsth's ability was evident in the voice.

"And secondly!?"

"Um..." As Temorsth's current impatient tone started to irritate her it quickly became visible in the green eyes. 'This little...! Now he sounds even more like him... Sigh...' But after a soft inner sigh, the thoughts vanished and she continued.

"You will have to stop jumping through the realms."

"...!" As a touch of confusion appeared on Temrosth's face, she explained it further.

"I mean, either you stay with me or you will stay in your realm forever, or until I allow you to jump again." Her proposition carried weight and consequence.

"..." Temorsth fell silent, his "mind" racing as he weighed the potential benefits and drawbacks of the figure's offer.

[Warning!!!]

[Warning!!!]

[Warning!!!]

'Can't you shut up!? You don't let me think!' Brilliance's shout resounded as the incessant warnings from the system crept into his thoughts.

[Warning!!!]

[Warning: If the Host accepts the offer, the Host will be forced into the class "Warlock (Legendary)"!]