What doesn't kill me, Might make me kill you .3

A suspicious figure cloaked in a black robe, his hood pulled down to reveal a pale complexion and disheveled black hair, ventured into the vast expanse of Mesa Plains outside the Beginner's Town. This grassy landscape was teeming with low-level monsters, providing an ideal environment for gaining experience and leveling up to 10. However, his determination to search for the missing 14 players prompted Althea, now life-sized, to intervene and prevent his risky decision.

"Are you crazy? Do you truly comprehend the potential consequences of your actions? Do you genuinely wish to meet your demise so recklessly?" Althea's urgent voice echoed, her hands raised as she summoned a shield of light magic to encase Aiken. Intent on proceeding, Aiken vehemently opposed her and unleashed a powerful punch against the glass-like shield, creating a small crack that took Althea by surprise.

In her momentary stumble, Aiken seized the opportunity, using his left leg to shatter the shield into pieces. His history in hapkido, surged to the forefront. With a determined sprint, Aiken broke free from his confines and fled without a second glance.

Yet, his escape was short-lived, as a luminous sword materialized perilously close to his neck. Althea's expression shifted, her tone taking on a more serious edge. "Accept your fate already, or I shall sever your head." A rough laugh escaped Aiken's lips, the tension between them palpable. "Easier said than done." Ignoring the looming threat, Aiken grasped the light sword, trading a portion of his health for the bold move.

Althea's voice grew urgent, emphasizing the gravity of his situation. "That body is no mere avatar. It now houses your lost soul! This means that if you perish within this game, your real-world existence will also come to an end." Realizing Aiken's intentions, Althea hurled her light sword away from him, anticipating his audacious next move. A dense shroud of black fog began to envelop Aiken, an ominous transformation taking shape.

"Tell me about it," Aiken retorted with a mocking tone. Althea found herself caught off guard as an onslaught of skeletons surged forward to attack her. "I thought villagers weren't capable of using magic?" she questioned, her voice tinged with surprise. In her life-sized form, Althea lacked the ability to fly, but she compensated by executing nimble gymnast-like jumps.

"Don't even compare me to those amateurs! I am Cziell, a necromancer!" Aiken's legs wavered, his newfound power straining his unaccustomed body. The summoned skeletons remained immobile, their existence fueled by the mana drawn from Althea herself. Their intertwined connection made their mana, skills, and abilities shared between them, even in the midst of their adversarial standoff. Despite the animosity between Aiken and Althea, a peculiar bond of necessity held them together. Althea maintained her steadfast stance, determined not to yield to futile resignation.

"I need to find the other 14. I need to—no—I will be the one to defeat them!" Aiken's voice quivered with desperation as he continued to struggle against Althea's control. "Is power truly worth this much to you?" Althea couldn't bear to witness Aiken's pitiable state any longer. Aiken's movements came to a sudden halt, and then, as if by some unseen force, Althea felt her very being being drawn apart. Her mana began to deplete rapidly, a shared consequence of Aiken's unchecked emotional turmoil.

"We will both face ruin if you don't regain control over your emotions!" Althea's voice held a mix of urgency and determination. In a decisive move, she seized control of the situation, channeling both dark and light magic into a seamless integration.

"He seemed to have fallen asleep unaware," a woman's voice flowed into Aiken's consciousness, causing him discomfort. The grass beneath him was incredibly soft, wrapping around his body like a gentle embrace. Slowly, he opened his eyes, squinting against the bright sunlight. The memories of the battle flooded back to him, a surreal experience that felt more real than any dream. Yet, he knew it had taken place not in the realm of reality, but within the vast expanse of the virtual world.

A strange sensation stirred within him, prompting Aiken to tap his wrist and summon his status window.

[Aiken Clint]

-Level ---

-Class: Villager (Light and Dark Necromancer)

-Title Count: ------

Stats:

Strength (---)

Stamina [HP] (----)

Intelligence (----)

Magic [MP] (---)

"Huh? What's with my stats?" Aiken's voice held a mix of confusion and surprise. Suddenly, that grating voice resounded within his mind, catching him off guard. He glanced around, half-expecting someone to emerge from the surroundings. However, the vast expanse of the Mesa Plains stretched out before him, devoid of any other presence.

"W-who are you?" Aiken mustered the courage to inquire, his voice tinged with curiosity. "Eh? You don't know? Hehehe, it's been a long time since we last spoke," the voice replied, its tone light-hearted and somewhat mischievous. "I'm your conscience, silly! It's been quite a time since our last conversation..."

"ALTHEA! WHY ARE YOU INSIDE MY HEAD!" Aiken's exclamation burst forth with a mixture of surprise, frustration, and a hint of annoyance.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───