Chapter 66 - Concerns about the new race

After leaving the dungeon, I started walking towards the camp. It didn't take long since the cave wasn't that far from the beach. While I was walking, some thoughts went through my head, but for sure the weirdest of them was why I didn't feel uncomfortable. Although I had switched races, I didn't feel any difference or discomfort, as if I was already born this way.

Putting these thoughts out of my head, I looked ahead. The beach was already in sight along with the huge sea that seemed to have no end. A light could be seen along with some people around the light.

"Makoto? Is that you?"

As I approached the campfire, I heard my voice being called. As soon as I looked towards the voice, I saw Saemi, Fujiwara, and Aoi-sensei looking at me.

"Yes, sorry for the delay. While exploring, I found something like a cave and wanted to explore it"

I said as soon as I approached. Hearing my words, Saemi and Aoi-sensei were visibly concerned, while Fujiwara looked curious.

"Are you okay?"

Aoi-sensei asked. I could tell that Saemi and Ana were also having the same doubt.

"Don't worry, I am fine. Although it was a bit dangerous, I gained new powers, and I am much stronger than before"

I said, leaving Saemi and Aoi-sensei visibly calmer. Although Ana also seemed a little anxious, her face was still inexpressive as always. While this was going on, Fujiwara put a huge smile on her face. From the way she was looking at me, it seemed she already knew about my new powers and maybe my new race.

"Looks like the powers weren't the only new thing you got"

Fujiwara said with a smile on her face. Hearing Fujiwara's words, both Saemi and Aoi-sensei got doubtful expressions on their faces. Ana didn't seem to have heard what we were talking about and continued to eat her fish.

"What do you mean?"

Saemi asked while looking at Fujiwara. Sighing at Fujiwara's nonchalant attitude, I looked at Saemi and Aoi-sensei, who were looking at me with doubtful eyes.

"She probably means this"

I said, deactivating the mimicry. As soon as I did this, I felt like I finally came out of a shell. Although the feeling was a bit bizarre, this form really was starting to make me more comfortable. Ana, Saemi, and Aoi-sensei jumped back when they saw my new true form. On the other hand, Fujiwara looked simply surprised.

"Makoto... What happened to you?"

Aoi-sensei asked with a visibly worried expression. I found their behavior a little strange since I had initially thought that both of them would be scared, but all I could see was surprise and concern in their eyes.

"Well... It's a bit of a long story"

I said as I activated the mimicry and returned to my human form and sat down between the girls. After that, I told them about everything that happened as soon as we parted: the spiders, the dungeon, and the enemies. I also told them about the boss that initially was a slime until it turned into a giant snake and split in two.

I told them about how I killed her and the powers I gained from her. Lastly, I also told them about the warning and how I ended up changing into the new form they had previously seen.

"So... you're not human anymore?"

Saemi asked as she looked at me. Hearing Saemi's question, a wry smile made itself present on my face.

"And what does it look like?"

I said as I looked up at the sky. I wasn't really bothered by it. To tell you the truth, I couldn't see any difference between my old race and the new one.

"But... Ma-kun is still Ma-kun... isn't it?"

While everyone seemed to have their thoughts on the new state, a quiet voice echoed, surprising everyone. As soon as I looked at the owner of the voice, I saw Ana looking at me, her still inexpressive face showing no particular expression.

"And... I think so"

I said with a soft smile on my face. After that, the night went on quietly. We ate and talked about various things. The girls seemed quite curious about my new form. They asked me about various things concerning it, if I felt hungry or needed to eat, if I felt uncomfortable in any way, and the like. I kept telling them that it wasn't bothering me, but I also told them about the fact that I felt like I was in a shell when I used mimicry to assume human form.

After all the talk, the girls went to sleep, leaving only me and Saemi awake. To tell the truth, there was something I hadn't confirmed in my new form, and that was if I had still kept my friend or not. In my human form, I can still feel that he is in place, but I can't tell if it is the same when I am in Netherborne form. With all these thoughts in my mind, a sigh ended up escaping my lips.

"What happened?"

Saemi asked from beside me, looking at me with an air of curiosity.

"It's nothing, I was just thinking about some things"

I said as I gave Saemi a comforting smile.

"Anyway, I've been wondering how the others are doing. I'm curious to know how many died"

I said as I looked out to sea. Hearing my words, Saemi didn't seem particularly surprised at my choice of words. Besides, she also knows that I don't really like our classmates. To be honest, the fact that they die or live doesn't really affect me at all.

Ironically, I think I would only be sad if Shinji and his friends died, since I wouldn't be able to get revenge on them. These thoughts made me giggle, as before, my thoughts would never go in that direction.