Chapter 59: Strength And Planning

As I slept, I could hear Vengeance speaking to me.

[You denied me the blood of my prey. Why?]

Don't get me wrong, I hate Cassandra. But how can I kill her when she looks like Isabella?

[You are growing soft. The flames of your hatred for that wretch have dulled... How am I to lend you my full power if you refuse to slay your enemies?]

Lend it to me because I told you to. I am not a slave and I am not a monster. I bathed in a river of blood today. Do you know what that does to a person?

[Irrelevant. You must disconnect your feelings. Tear them apart. Show them no mercy. Slay your enemies with ceaseless brutality.]

And what happens if I lose myself? I become a monster. Seeking only to continue the cycle of violence. Killing everyone and everything in sight. Even Isabella. If I kill Cassandra, who looks like her, what stops me from killing Isabella too?

[Fool. Isabella is not a wretched sinner. She has not incurred my wrath. She is safe.]

For how long is she safe? How much blood do you need? I will draw the line. I can slay an illusion, but not the real thing. You mentioned being an Overseer, right? A leader? If I'm to be a leader as well, let me make my own decisions. Regardless, you're too late. Cassandra is gone. Devoured by the Ooze.

[You have a point, wielder. But I can only tolerate so much disobedience. Cassandra will receive forgiveness for her wretched crime. I will no longer target her. I will also continue to lend you my power...but I am watching you. Do not fail me again.]

That's fine by me. Don't target her if you don't want to. It doesn't really matter since she's probably dead anyway, but sure. And don't mistake my mercy for forgiveness. I haven't forgiven her and I still don't like her.

[You pity her. You feel sorry for that torturer because of the life she has led and the resemblance she bears to Isabella. You regret the terrible end that befell her. No one deserves such a fate. Not even the most wretched false wielder should be condemned to that. But take my advice given in confidence. Do not let your feelings stand in the way of following my philosophy. There is more at stake than you realize and sacrifices will have to be made.]

What? Do you know something?

[I know much of what is happening. But I will not reveal anything until the time is right. Continue to work with me and we will see.]

Fine then...and sorry about the Cassandra situation.

[I need no apology. You disbeyed me and have made a decision as a leader. This is both good and bad. You are learning, but you still need more time. Two steps forward, one step back. I will not hold it against you because I am not as malevolent as others think me to be.]

I understand. Thank you, Vengeance.

* * *

Once Isabella and I woke up, we began sorting our abilities and new powers out.

Vengeance's power had completely taken over my stat pool.

My stats were focused more towards offense than defense. It also seemed like the rate of skill points doubled starting at level 100.

Meaning that I had extra points to spend on finalizing my skills.

I started out by reading some of the skill descriptions on my new Vengence-related abilities.

{Special Skill Name: Vengeance Form two: Dual Wield}

{Skill Description: Manifest a copy of 'Vengeance' to attack your enemies. The second sword gives a 100% chance to double attack when using skills or abilities. This form also gives access to Vengeance's ultimate skill: V.Double Strike. V.Double Strike may be upgraded as well to reach its true potential.}

{Skill Name: Vengeance Form Three: Shapeshifting Weapon}

{Skill Description: Allows the wielder to shape-shift Vengeance into any type of weapon as long as they have an understanding of it. Two-handed and one-handed weapons are both usable as long as this skill is active. Restriction: WHILE DUAL WIELDING, Vengeance may not become a weapon that requires more than one hand to operate.}

Amazing... So I could even use a crossbow or a staff...

I decided that I would test these abilities out later and moved on. At this point, I began purchasing and upgrading my skills.

I was also given the option to get rid of abilities that I had no use for anymore such as my shield proficiency.

Recycling high leveled skills would allow me to refund skill points based on the level.

I could abuse this system for infinite skill points...but ultimately decided not to for now.

First, I upgraded my existing skills.

Certain new options became available after hitting level 100, 130, and 150 for some skills.

{Skill(s) Upgraded: Rage of Iratus > Extreme Rage of Iratus, V.Double Strike > V.Execution > V.Exterminatus, Sword Proficiency > Sword Mastery > Grand Sword Mastery, Ranged Weapon Proficiency > Ranged Weapon Mastery > Grand Ranged Weapon Mastery, Magic Proficiency > Magic Mastery > Grand Magic Mastery, Light Armor Proficiency > Light Armor Mastery > Grand Light Armor Mastery, Armor Destruction > Armor Obliteration, Vanguard Strike > Vanguard Assault, Piercing Shot > Rail Shot > Sniper Burst, Nightvision > Nightvision Passive, Enemy Detection > Enemy Detection Passive, Fireball > Fireblast, Chain Lightning > Thunder Blast, Sword Enchant > Greater Sword Enchant > Grand Sword Enchant}

It appeared that some regular Vengeance skills could not be upgraded.

Next, I began searching for new skills I could upgrade... I was starting to become mentally exhausted from dealing with so many new abilities.

Unfortunately, I wasn't sure of any abilities that would be a great benefit, so I decided against it.

After I finished, I took a good look at my new stats.

{Status}

{Name: Mizik Iratus}

{Class: Arcane Executioner}

{Level: 150}

{Hp: 55297(+15000)}

{Mp: 79472(+28000))}

{P.attack: 190921(+25000)}

{M.attack: 195679(+27000)}

{P.defense: 47553(+22000)}

{M.defense: 54877(+23000)}

{Acc: 65899(+1700))}

{Eva: 64021(+16000)}

{Spd: 70271(+15000)}

{Passive Abilities:

Grand Sword Mastery LV.1

Grand Magic Mastery LV.1

Grand Ranged Weapon Mastery LV.1

Grand Light Armor Mastery LV.1

Nightvision Passive LV.1

Enemy Detection Passive LV.1

Unknown Skill LV.????}

{Active Abilities:

Full Moon Slash LV.10

Armor Obliteration LV.1

Extreme Rage Of Iratus LV.1

Assassinate LV.10

Vanguard Assault LV.1

Sniper Burst LV.1

V.Exterminatus LV.1}

{Magic Abilities: Ember LV.10

Create Water: LV.10

Arcane Ballista LV.10

Grand Heal LV.5

Fireblast LV.1

Thunder Blast LV.1

Grand Sword Enchant LV.1

Grand Silence LV.10

Grand Dispel LV.10

Grand Haste LV.4

V.Vengeance Death Curse LV.3

V.Flames Of Rage LV.2

V.Wrath Possession LV.1

Vengeance Form Two: Dual Wield LV.EX

Vengeance Form Three: Shapeshifting Weapon LV.EX}

{Current Equipment Bonuses}

{Hp +15000}

{Mp +28000}

{P.attack +25000}

{M.attack +27000}

{P.defense +22000}

{M.defense +23000}

{Acc +17000}

{Eva +16000}

{Spd +15000}

{Class Bonuses:}

{Hp +9000}

{Mp +12000}

{P.attack +14500}

{M.attack +21000}

{P.defense +9500}

{M.defense +9500}

{Acc +8500}

{Eva +9000}

{Spd +9500}

{Skill Points: 81}

I'd come a long way since the day my father died. Now I could probably kick his ass... If he were still around, that is...

I looked over at Isabella who was silently messing with her skills as she cuddled my chest.

She'd hardly said a word for a while now. Because of the Black Ooze, she had lost everything. She was in mourning... Still trying to get over the fact that I was literally all she had left.

To be honest, I was trying not to think about it. I knew the second I thought about never seeing my loved ones again, I would break down.

I had to be strong for Isabella...but I felt like my mind was hardening...

I gently stroked her hair and she slowly looked up at me. Her eyes were red from crying.

"Isabella, let's show each other our skillsets. It might be best if we know what we're working with, here," I said.

She nodded and requested to view my stats.

I saw her eyes widen in mild surprise and then she buried her face in my chest.

"You're so strong now, Mizik. Your attack power is amazing..." She said.

After that, I requested to view her stats.

Upon looking, I realized that I'd never actually seen her stats before. The first time she saw mine, I didn't bother asking to view hers. I felt it would have been rude. But now...she had no reason to hide anything.

{Status}

{Name: Rose (Isabella Iratus)}

{Class: Arcane Crusader}

{Level: 150}

{Hp: 135487(+50000)}

{Mp: 78480(+25000))}

{P.attack: 54773(+15000)}

{M.attack: 55656(+14000)}

{P.defense: 201897(+35000)}

{M.defense: 189244(+35000)}

{Acc: 35768(+10000))}

{Eva: 17399(+8000)}

{Spd: 31042(+9000)}

{Passive Abilities: Grand Shield Mastery LV.1

Grand Heavy Armor Mastery LV.1

Grand Sword Mastery LV.1

Grand Magic Mastery LV.1

B.Autoguard Passive LV.1

Grand Elemental Resist LV.1

Unknown Skill LV.????}

{Active Abilities: Aegis Barrier LV.2

Shield Wall LV.3

Vanguard Assault LV.1

B.Blast Nova LV.2

B.Sunlight Blade LV.2

Power Bash LV.1

Shield Assault LV.1

Valiant Charge LV.1

B.Enrage LV.1}

{Magic Abilities: Grand Heal LV.1

Light Blast LV.1

Thunder Blast LV.1

Grand Shield Enchant LV.1

Attack Support LV.1

Defense Support LV.1

Grand Illumination LV.1

Destroy Undead LV.1

Grand Purification LV.1

Grand Lantern Light LV.1

Bravery Form Two: Aegis Shield LV.EX

Bravery Form Three: Aegis Armor LV.EX}

{Current Equipment Bonuses}

{Hp +50000}

{Mp +25000}

{P.attack +15000}

{M.attack +14000}

{P.defense +35000}

{M.defense +35000}

{Acc +10000}

{Eva +8000}

{Spd +9000}

{Class Bonuses}

{Hp +25000}

{Mp +11000}

{P.attack +7000}

{M.attack +9000}

{P.defense +21000}

{M.defense +22000}

{Acc +6000}

{Eva +4000}

{Spd +4500}

{Skill Points: 64}

I was impressed with her abilities. Her defense was unbelievably high. I didn't doubt that she could protect me at all.

However, I also noticed that she changed her name. She was no longer listed as an Albatross. But instead as an Iratus.

"Isabella, when did you change your name?" I asked.

"A few minutes ago. I figured I might as well have your name... And it's not like I need to be called Albatross anymore..." She said sadly.

I wished things could have been different...

"So...do you like it? Does it sound nice? I think it has a nice ring to it. Mizik Iratus...Isabella Iratus..." She said quietly.

"It's a beautiful name, Isabella. I hope you'll keep it that way forever," I said.

"I will. This name is something precious that you gave me, Mizik. You're all I have left... There's no one else..." She said.

* * *

Eventually, we felt motivated enough to get out of bed.

After we got dressed, we made our way to a nearby blacksmith with some directions of.

I had to wear a hood and hide my eyes.

Isabella took care of the arrangements and paid extra to have it done quickly. They didn't even know who she was, thankfully.

Once we returned to the Inn, we decided to wait until our armor was fully repaired.

Something I didn't want to think about, was that I wasn't sure if I was a criminal. We heard rumors that the Iratus family was furious about their mansion burning down and that no one was technically in charge right now... But that wasn't my business anymore.

I wanted to wash my hands of that entire blasted family. As far as we were concerned, Tyranus might very well have doomed us all in his lust for power.

As we waited, Isabella and I sat down to chat about what we were going to do.

We talked for a while, and although we wanted to check if anyone survived the destruction of Albatross, we agreed it would be a waste of time.

We needed to locate the Source.

If we killed that bastard, then Avernia would be saved.

After that, we spent the next few days searching and asking around about the man that spreads the Black Ooze.

The most recent information was that after Albatross was destroyed, strange activity began appearing around the nation of Hakumo to the southwest.

Hakumo was a collection of islands in the middle of the ocean... That was what Isabella told me, anyway.

Within the Mountain on the center island, supposedly dwelled a very powerful and wise water dragon.

We decided that our next destination would be Hakumo. Not only to check on the strange activity, but to petition the water dragon for help.

A couple of days later, we got our armor back and set out.