Chapter 41

"Artemis, you can't win." Swinging his sword, Orion was able to brutally cut Artemis, leaving a deadly, gushing cut.

Issei knew what he needed to do. Using a mana potion, he refilled his mana points and rushed straight into the battlefield. Orion noticed this and smirked, Issei was nowhere near the power of Artemis meaning he was nowhere near the power of Orion. However, Orion noticed as Issei started to slow down next to Artemis.

"Issei, you need to leave. This fight is too much for you." Noticing that Artemis was wearing his chest plate that he gave to her, Issei smiled a little.

"Orion, was that your name?"

"Yes, now can the children leave the area. The adults are talking."

"I'm glad I didn't go down your path. I'm glad I didn't become a perverted monster. I'm glad that I wasn't a creep to your level. If I ever became what you are now, I would be in your situation."

"Which is?"

"You're a forgotten sin for you have no one to love nor care for you."

"What are you talking about forgotten. I am a constellation! I am the ORION!"

"Who the fuck cares?"

Orion looked down at Issei with a glare," Excuse me, what do you mean?"

"Who the hell looks up and cares for the stars? Who the fuck even knows you? Who the fuck wants to know you? You're just a constellation... that people forget exist."

Glaring at Issei, Orion was having enough of this kid. What Orion didn't notice was the fact that Issei being near Artemis was healing her. He was making sure to distract the overly confident man to prolong the fight between Artemis and him, but he was healing her. Artemis was confused in why Issei was speaking ill about someone who could kill him in seconds, but she began to feel much better now. Seeing her wounds closing, she widened her eyes and noticed Issei healing her.

Carefully, Issei bought a large health potion and made sure to make his hand face away from Orion to hide most of the view of the potion. Handing the potion to Artemis, who was behind him, was able to drink the potion before Orion could notice. Once Orion noticed Artemis being nearly fully healed, he widened his eyes.

"You were stalling the fight out! You wanted to heal Artemis! I should have known this!"

Throwing his hammer at full force, Issei watched as Orion chuckled upon seeing the attempt. Stone walling the hammer, Orion merely taunted Issei, "Was that really the best you got?"

"Who said anything about hurting you?"

Orion looked confused before he noticed the hammer igniting. Exploding right in front of the warrior, Orion was sent flying in the air thanks to the trajectory of the explosion. Being unharmed, Orion was very frustrated with Issei.

That was when he rushed straight at Issei, slamming his fist straight into Issei's gut. Trying to defend against the blow, Issei felt nearly all his health pool depleted as he was launched straight into the ground with his Balance Breaker being broken... coughing up blood, Issei was only barely able to survive that attack. The sheer power difference was too large, it was thanks to his immense health pool he was even able to survive.

"Huh? You're still alive after that. I guess I'll have to finish the job before having Artemis for myself."

Artemis, upon seeing Issei being brutally beaten with a single blow and seeing him in such a critical condition, finally had enough and snapped. A huge divine aura began engulfing the entire arena as Artemis began increasing her power even further. Staring right into Orion's eyes, Artemis began preparing a finisher move.

"Anyone who dares to touch Issei will feel my wrath!"

With those words, with all her energy, Artemis empowered her bow with the most condensed and refined divine energy that she could muster and she released her finger and said the following words...

"Shooting Star Ortygia"

A bright ruby colored beam of divine light pierced through the void and struck Orion straight through the heart. Widening his eyes in seeing the true power that Artemis had, he never expected that she had been holding back... "How?"

His question was left unanswered as the beam began increasing in size before incinerating his very being.

Nothing was left, the two were alone. Artemis quickly rushed to Issei's side and held him in her arms as he closed his eyes.

"Issei? Speak to me! Issei! Don't leave me!" In fear of losing him, Artemis began shaking him violently.

"Woman! I'm alive... damn it, now my mood for sleeping is gone."

Pouting before dropping him on the ground, Artemis could only chuckle silently in hearing the goofy response. "Looks like we both saved our asses."

"That attack! You held back against Orion? Why?"

"I wanted to know his true intentions. I wanted to know what he truly wanted. Why did he do what he did to me, but all I was getting out of him was just minor insults and what he would do to me after defeating me..."

Issei blankly stared at Artemis before speaking, "You didn't need my help at all."

Artemis began whistling before looking back at Issei, "No, but it was very sweet of you to do so."

'Damn this woman...'

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Reputation with Artemis has increased deeply

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How did he even get more reputation points when he literally wasn't needed?

Maybe the system was giving him pity?

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Boss defeated!

Rewards will be given: + Level Up X 5

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Minor Race Evolution will be given.

Race will be changed to Shadow Colossus

Shadow Colossus: A race of an evolved titan where the being becomes the incarnation of a colossal behemoth. Being able to tank blows for eons and having more strength than a titan... needless to say, this race is perfect for strength builds.

Benefits: Every endurance point will now give 250 HP rather than 200 HP. Endurance stat will be doubled. Strength will increase by 2 rather than 1.5 for every level from now on. END will increase by 2 rather than 1 from now on.

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Seeing his race, the race choice from before where he became a titan solidified his build, he was a strength build. Issei didn't mind that.

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Name: Issei Hyoudou

Title: Hero of the Devil Faction

Race: Shadow Colossus

Level: 108

HP: 8000/93060

MP: 152/562.5

STR: 290.5 (+92)

AGL: 143.9 (-10)

END: 321.24 (+51)

INT: 120.5 (-8)

Bonus:+88% Damage Reduction

+20% Pierce Damage

Skills: Crystallized Frame

Titanic Smash

Chaotic Manipulation

 Overcharged

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At least he was much more of a tank. His body began getting denser as his height increased, not by a noticeable amount. He felt a lot heavier now. Issei really hoped that he wouldn't have any complications with the next race evolution. What could it be? Could the next race be the level above legendary rarity? Getting up and seeing as though the space around them began shifting once more, Artemis clung onto him again and they were back in the school.

"Woah! Now we're back here."

Issei nodded to her statement before sighing to himself. "I still have to deal with that."

"Partner, what the hell was that? That entire encounter... how did that being have a replica of the Boosted Gear?"

"I have no idea Ddraig. I only know that we fought and won." Issei wasn't going to let Ddraig know about anything with the system just yet. He wanted to make sure he would be powerful enough before the world could take advantage of him.

"Fair enough, I hope it doesn't happen again. Now I'm exhausted with helping you." With that, Ddraig went right back to sleep. He didn't really want anything or anyone to interrupt his sleepy time.

"Artemis, do you want to let me go?"

Artemis looked up at Issei with a blank stare, "Why would I want to do that?"

"What? We're in public."

"And?"

Issei quickly checked her reputation.

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Artemis —> Her love for you has reached a threshold to the point where it is about to reach dangerous and obsessive levels...

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"Oh shit..."

"Issei, how about we ditch the school and go out to watch a movie or eat?"