Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Whale hunting on… land?

Sitting on one of the massive tree branches, Ray looks down to see Subaru, Rem and Wilhem talking near a cluster of yellow flowers which probably are the grave of Theresia van Astrea.

On top of the flower field is a red headed girl wearing a green and white dress. She was looking at Wilheim with a sad and melancholy face. The girl is the phantom of Theresia, Wilheim's late wife.

Looking towards the north side of the tree base Ray saw Crusch and Reinhard talking something to the subjugation force members which were arranged into four box formations probably briefing about the upcoming battle or giving moral support.

Located closer to the tree base is a group of mages and alchemists belonging to the Anastasia group assembling and tuning the magic cannons.

Ray remains seated with his back against the tree trunk while his left leg dangling from the tree branch as he adjusts his equipment and inventory.

In his inventory is his accumulation throughout the world of Bloodborne. He constantly gains more consumables like bolt paper, fire paper, blood vials, quicksilver bullets and many more.

He rarely uses them unless fighting boss type enemies since his strength before fighting Mergo's Wet Nurse was already enough to manhandle any opponent he can find.

He considered distributing fire paper to useful close range fighters like Wilheim and Ricardo that will attack directly on the White Whale.

'System, can I give my equipment to another person?'

(Yes, can users not ask obvious questions?)

'Since I have my own revival ability, I should let someone else wear it. Someone like Crusch perhaps since the White Whale is stronger this time and she might get killed or Subaru?' Ray ignores the rude system before continuing organising his messy inventory so he can easily take items mid battle.

A miniature blue magic circle appears on Ray's ear. "Ray, meet up with us, we need to brief you about our role during the fight."

Receiving Reinhard's call, Ray reluctantly leaves his comfortable spot which will disappear after the fight.

Ray climbs down low enough before jumping down, he lands soundlessly on one of the protruding tree roots which attract Reinhard attention.

Ray greets the key people of the subjugation, Crusch, Wilheim, Ricardo, Reinhard, Julius, Subaru and Felix.

"Everyone done?" Which they replied with a nod.

"Now let's discuss our plan, Subaru here possesses a metia that will indicate the White Whale arrival time."

"Ray also informed me during a meeting that someone tampered with the White Whale making it stronger than before."

"No wonder…" Subaru mumbled softly upon hearing the latter part of Crusch talk.

"Due to that we will change our tactics since the White Whale current strength is... unknown." Crusch stared at Ray hoping he had some solutions.

"Unfortunately I am also in the dark about it." Ray shrugged before continuing, "But I have an ability to discern the White Whale if it appears. I will inform you all about my discoveries later."

"Wonderful, knowing our enemy will increase our chance to succeed." Subaru added with a thumbs up which everyone else nods with a smile except Wilheim whose expression remains neutral.

The discussion concluded with everyone going to do their final preparations.

Crusch doing her final adjustment to the troop placement.

Reinhard led the royal knights to take the first line in the formation since the royal knights were able to use magic to strengthen themselves.

Wilheim and Ricardo ride their respective mount to the edge of the formation followed by Subaru and Rem riding a black ground dragon.

…

Night had arrived, coating the land in darkness which was illuminated by the moonlight and man-made fire.

On the massive tree base, the subjugation force is arranged into 4 parts, leading the front are the royal knights and followed by a combination of Fang of Iron and Crusch's soldiers covering the rear.

Ray standing at Crusch right grip his saw spear looking at the bright full moon.

'Such a beautiful moon tonight, suitable for a hunt. Just like the perpetual night of Yharnam.'

Ray can feel through his spiritual connection with the Holy Moonlight Sword, the sword shivering in excitement bathed by the moonlight.

It is a lie if Ray says he isn't afraid of the White Whale since it is stronger than the one he saw in anime. But his excitement to fight overwhelmed his fear, making him wonder when he became a battle junkie.

A sudden noise resembling a ringtone and Crusch shout pulled him from his inner musing.

Everyone including Ray frantically looks around trying to find the White Whale which they manage to spot when someone points at the shadow seen on the Flugel tree trunk.

The White Whale appears, almost blocking the moon due to its enlarged size. Its crimson red eyes shine brightly as it moves closer for a dive right above everyone.

'Observe'

———

Name: The White Whale(Gluttony)

Title: Servant of Gluttony

Status: Mind controlled, Enhanced

Level: 100

HP: 10,000,000

——

STR: 5000

VIT: 20,000

AGI: 1000

DEX: 500

INT: 1000

WIS:1000

LUK:-

——

Ability:

-Clone spawning

-Flight

-Mist of Elimination

-Magic Resistance Skin

-Low Tier Physical Immunity (New)

-High Magic Resistance (New)

-Enhanced Regeneration(New)

-Incubator(New)

———

Looking at the White Whale status, Ray saw some concerning abilities which could be problematic for the weaker soldiers and mercenaries.

-Low Tier Physical Immunity

Render weaker attack or attack using inferior weapons useless. Vulnerable towards enhanced or enchanted weapons.

-High Magic Resistance

Provide high damage reduction toward any magic ability and magic skill.

-Enhanced Regeneration

Increase natural regeneration speed and regenerative rate of ability or skill.

-Incubator

Ability that enables one's own body to be used to grow and store insect type monsters. Having low vitality can cause harm to the host.

Ray informs Crusch and Reinhard about the White Whale's new abilities.

"Wouldn't that mean that the normal weapons used are useless?"

"No, they just need to hit harder to deal damage. Wilheim's attack will puncture it's skin regardless due to his strength and... that." Ray points at Rem shooting multiple icicles at the White Whale after rushing forward.

The icicles puncture its underbelly, spilling out dark red blood making the whale release a loud grunt.

Clearing his throat, Ray took out stacks of coarse looking paper before distributing them to everyone nearby before quickening on a random soldier's ground dragon.

"Rub the paper on your weapons! That should help again with physical immunity." Ray spoke loudly before ordering the clueless soldiers to bring him to Wilheim and Ricardo.

Reinhard took one of the coarse paper then rubbed it on the spare sword he was wielding. Word cannot explain his surprise when fire magically burst into existence coating the sword.

Everyone follows Reinhard action which is followed by multiple gasp as fire magically coats their swords, turning their common steel sword into a magic flaming sword.

"What a magical item he gave us… Go distribute this paper to everyone combatants! Also fire the 'Night Banisher' flare!"

"Yes milord!"

The knights and soldiers rush quickly to join the battle and distribute the Fire Paper while one of the magic cannons fires a special flare that turns night into day across the battlefield.

…

Meanwhile on the White Whale.

Ray hitched a ride with Ricardo to reach Wilheim. Ray slipped a Fire Paper to Ricardo before dismounting the wolf.

"This paper is a magic tool that imbues fire into your weapon without side effects. Use it to slow the whale's regeneration. Also take these Molotov cocktails, throw it to cause fire."

"Woah nice stuff you have there, brother. I'll be sure to use em 'nicely'." Ricardo replies with a thumbs up before continuing his assault with a new flaming sword and occasionally Molotov in the deeper gash.

"Here" Ray gave a few Fire Paper to Wilheim since he had multiple swords before attacking the whale with his flaming saw spear.

Although negligible, they manage to deal some damage to the whale but the annoying regeneration keeps fixing the wound. The fire did help though in slowing down the regeneration.

"Wilheim! Make it open its mouth!"

Wilheim, who understood my order, skid across the whale head to its eyes then dig the eye out making the whale open its mouth to roar but silenced by the magic cannons barrage.

Although the whale has high resistance to magic, the impact and blast manage to deal significant damage to the White Whale's mouth.

The whale slowed down and incapacitated.

Mounted units hop on the whale to attack, leaving multiple open wounds burning in flame and releasing blood like a river painting the ground red.

The whale looks up with its eyes turning from murky yellow to crimson red. It then roars loudly causing shockwaves to wash over the people on the ground.

Activating the Mist of Elimination, the battlefield is slowly being covered by thick mist blocking the sight of everyone.

"Everyone retreat to the tree base! The mist can devour people's existence!"

"Reinhard! Crusch do something about the mist! Don't get swallowed up by it!"

Ray barks out orders while helping the stragglers evacuated to the tree base.

He saw a mist free area under the tree created by the joint effort of Crusch, Reinhard and several knights using wind magic and… shockwave from sword slash.

Truly worthy of the title sword saint.

Everyone regrouped under the tree while Crusch, Ricardo and Reinhard getting a sitrep from their respective group.

The royal knights suffer no casualties while the soldiers and mercenaries suffer several casualties which is significantly lower due to Ray helping the stragglers.

He didn't help out of kindness of course.

In Ray's own understanding, the skill 'Incubator' indicates that whatever the outer god is doing is lurking inside the White Whale.

In conclusion, the White Whale are simply appetizers before the main course. Ray needed as many of them as he could get to fight the latter threat.

That is the reason why Ray asked Reinhard to delegate half of the royal knights led by Julius to 'guard' Felix's group of healers.

"Oi! look, the whale is doing something." A random mercenary point at the White Whale with a large amount of mist gathering in its mouth.

"Magicians! Erect a magic shield, we need to protect the healers and supplies."

Before the magicians are able to create the magic shield, the White Whale fires a straight beam of the mist which Reinhard effortlessly slash in half, splitting it in half and redirecting it to the side.

Wilheim and Ricardo take this chance to lead a second charge against the White Whale only to be stopped when they see five more White Whales with identical wounds, indicating that they are a copy of some sort instead of another new White Whale.

"You gotta be kidding me! Look!" Few people exclaimed loudly, making everyone look in the direction they were pointing at.

ROOARRR x6

The whales roar loudly sending stronger concentrated shockwaves in their direction causing them to fly backwards due to the strong wind accompanying the shockwave.

Everyone was disoriented, the weaker minded people started to give up after seeing a total of 6 whales floating in the sky like a pack of wolves surrounding the helpless sheeps.

…

"Damnit!"

"Subaru-kun, it isn't your fault, we can't predict that there is more than one whale."

(Subaru talking in his mind)

'Damnit! I thought we could do it this time with the help of Reinhard and the royal knights.'

'The previous 8 runs we were almost able to kill the whale even if the casualties reached 80%.'

'Gramps Wilhelm, Crusch and… Rem also died in the last run.'

"Aghhh!" Subaru scratch his head rapidly as he fell to the ground lying limp as he looked around at the disoriented people trying to get up to reorganize.

'This run is different. There is a new scenario, the guy in a modern look suit came out of nowhere and he probably knew about Satella.'

'The guy even managed to involve the royal knights…'

As he is grinding his brain thinking, Rem helps him up to the dragon mount before regrouping with the rest.

(Subaru inner monologue end)

"Status report!"

"Crusch sama, 1/4 of our forces are unable to continue fighting!"

"Knight Felix and the other healer are trying their best to heal those with more severe injuries. Those with lighter injury are given medication temporarily until the healers are available."

"Good. Split the wolf rider into smaller groups to lure away each whale. Their fast mount is able to outrun the whale, perfect for distraction."

"Mimi, Hetaro, Tivey, go get every available wolf rider to distract five of the whales. Also to get the riderless wolf for other mercenaries, we need to get as much personnel as we can."

"Aye aye sir!" "Yes Captain x2"

The three small beastman then quickly carry out their captain's order.

"Reinhard and Wilhelm, I need you to lead our main group to quickly take them down one by one."

"Divide and conquer huh, this will help avert its attention from the wounded and avoid them ganging up on us."

"Yes" Crusch replied to Reinhard who analyzed her choice of tactic while rubbing his chin.

Ray sneaks up to the group on foot which is unnoticed by everyone but Reinhard.

"Yo Ray, where have you been?"

Reinhard ask suddenly causing the group to look in the direction he is facing to see Ray completely unscathed from the previous attack.

"Helping the stragglers to reach the main group. How's the situation?"

"Not good but could be worse if not for Reinhard splitting the initial mist breath attack."

"I am simply doing my duty, Crusch sama."

Reinhard dismissed the praise then looked at the whales trying to figure out how there are multiple whales that appear when only one ever existed.

Not even the kingdom's archive ever recorded the existence of more than one of the White Whales.

Reinhard rubs his chin before Subaru who is silent since his arrival with Rem suddenly asks while pointing his finger at Reinhard.

"Isn't Reinhard strong enough to kill the whale alone, why hasn't he done it?"

Although the question is rude, no one points it out. Crusch about to explain the reason before Ray stopped her.

"He is conserving his power for another mission of greater importance."

Subaru who heard Ray, walked forward before grabbing Ray's coat looking angry which confused Ray.

He didn't understand the sudden hostility Subaru was showing to him.

'Did I say something wrong?'

"What kind of mission is more important than killing the White Whale? The people are dying, fighting the whale!"

Subaru grip became stronger as something snapped in his mind. He cannot comprehend what is more important than killing the White Whale.

He knew there is Witch Cult that is going to appear later which can be handled easily by the help of the subjugation force. Even more so when the knight is involved.

Subaru of course is oblivious to the outer god's involvement. Ray didn't bother to tell him because it's better that way since Subaru can't fight against them anyway.

"Is the mission important enough for you to disregard their lives! Answer me!"

Ray replied Yes without a shred of doubt which surprised some of the nearby people and further enraged Subaru.

"You bastard!"

"My job includes eliminating a bigger threat. If we fail to stop the bigger threat, even more people will die, and the whole world will be affected by a calamity."

Ray revealed slight information hoping that Subaru can understand his reason. But it seems that Ray failed to convince him even after revealing some detail.

Crusch and Reinhard at the sidelines wanted to step in but they stopped. They saw an opportunity to dig more information about Ray via Subaru. Ray also seems to loosen his lip when talking with Subaru.

They both have their reasons to gather information about Ray since his full capability is unknown and have involvement with some sort of higher power.

"Aren't you strong enough to save them? What is the use of being strong if you can't even save those in front of you!"

"Subaru you—"

Reinhard tried to stop Subaru as he felt this conversation was going to derail soon as he could feel mana released by Ray become more intense.

"You talk as if I am some sort of hero of justice. As if I am obligated to save someone just because I am strong."

"What right do you have to place such an obligation on me!"

"Do you even know the price of this power I gain?"

"Let me guess… you don't, that's why you don't understand."

"You only know how to blame or whine when things don't go the way you want."

"Instead of finding a way to solve your predicament, you shift blame to escape the guilt."

"This is why I can't stand ignorant people like you."

Ray slowly reels his anger which forms due to Subaru somehow reminding him of his old self.

He can see his countless failures slowly surfacing in his mind. The most memorable one was him wallowing in despair as he failed to save Father Gascoigne and his family then directly killed Gascoigne and indirectly killed his own daughter.

His powerlessness is his drive to become powerful so that it wouldn't happen to himself but this random guy thinks he is entitled to be helped just because he is weak.

With his mood ruined by Subaru until he suddenly gets angry which he very rarely does.

"Haah…"

'Inhale… Exhale…, It isn't fully his fault too since he grew up in such a peaceful world. He wouldn't understand it at all, even the old me.'

Ray regains control of his emotions as he realizes that he is at fault too. He is so afraid of the outer god's agent that he unconsciously lets those people be sacrificed just to save Reinhard's strength to deal with the agent.

'I am no different than Subaru then, in fact I am even worse than him.'

Realising his fault he looks at Subaru then loosen his tense body.

"After I think about my actions, I just realized that I am even worse that you for sacrificing those people just because I am afraid of the stupid outer god."

Ray stores his saw spear and blunderbuss into his inventory before taking out a pair of earrings.

"Take this, a good luck charm. Make sure you wear it or you'll die."

Ray tosses the earrings to Subaru before walking forward leaving the dumbfounded Subaru, Reinhard, Crusch and the nearby healer who are shocked by my sudden change of mind.

"What just happened, he went from very angry at me to suddenly apologizing."

The rest just ignore the scene before resuming their task while the trio just stand back, looking at Ray who seems to be doing something.

…

'Did something happen to my mind? I didn't realize until now that I had condemned people to death just because I am afraid of the outer god.'

'I am strong enough to fight the White Whale which only has big health which is literally a punching bag for me since most of its skill is useless against me.'

'What I am afraid of is the thing inside it, the Incubation skill which means that whatever the outer god's agent did is inside the White Whale.'

"Do you know anything about it, system?"

(User twisted mindset and instinct cultivated in Bloodborne world made user instinctively choose the path with the greatest chance of success.)

'I see… no wonder i didn't realize it until now. It's my unconscious action that causes it.'

"Haah, such a bother, I wonder what else had changed that I didn't realize."

Opening his inventory, he took out the one handed form of Holy Moonlight Sword.

A very worn looking sword with its lower part warped by tattered and dirty rag. It gave the sword a 'mysterious and powerful looking artifact' image which isn't wrong.

Before Ray able to hold the sword in his hand, the sword glows in a blinding ethereal green light before it dies down, revealing a blue haired girl around 140 cm tall with a pair of green eyes similar to the ethereal green light from the sword.

(Note: Her appearance is Danmachi Artemis but lolified by Moi. What can Moi says, everyone has their preference.)

The girl wearing only a white robe jumps without hesitation toward Ray, hugging his waist with tears flowing down her face.

"Master, I will not disobey master words anymore. I will listen to master every order. So, please don't ever leave me there anymore. Please… sob sob…"

After experiencing an emotional turmoil now slammed with whatever nonsense fate had just thrown to him. Roy feels a headache due to brain overload, he raises his hand to relieve his growing headache.

The weapon soul who thinks Ray's silence as disagreement, continues pestering Ray to gain his approval.

"I… I… willing to receive my master's essence even if it's… painful. So please don't throw me in there!" Her face starts to blush which she hides by lifting the robe just below her eyes.

His body immediately became stiff upon hearing her pleading. His mind now is truly overloaded causing his mind to snap.

"Stop. Saying. Misleading. Words. !"

"Do your job properly before I seal you in a concrete barrel and yeet you into a blackhole!"

Facing her master's scolding, the weapon soul can only whimper and sob silently causing nearby people including the trio to stare with indescribable emotions.

---Trio pov---

After Ray apologizes and leaves, Reinhard and Crusch notice that something has happened to Ray. Something about him being afraid of outer god.

They are able to piece together the information and realize that Ray was afraid of the outer god and made use of the soldiers and mercenaries as cannon fodder to lure out the agent without harming himself in the process. Then let Reinhard finish it if Ray couldn't.

From a strategic standpoint, this decision is perfect since it is a powerful asset worth more than a soldier's life. Example is Reinhard, losing a hundred thousand lives is better than losing Reinhard since he is a very important asset in militaristic perspective.

But is it morally correct? No. Value of a person's life cannot simply be counted by number alone.

So, after leaving a pair of earrings to Subaru. Ray magically stores his weapon.

"What is he trying to do?"

"I am also not sure about Crusch sama, but it seems that he just gained his resolve to carry out his duty."

"Is he going to confront the White Whale himself?"

Reinhard only shrugged.

"We have to wait and see… what is that sword!"

"?"

Crusch is surprised by Reinhard outbursts.

"That sword… I can sense some sort of spirit but… the presence is too overbearing even compared to a great spirit!"

"It's like the god of old."

"Gods? I thought that they didn't exist since none ever recorded. Only strong beings worshipped as god like how Witch Cult worshiped the witches.

"Yes, there are few lost records that stated gods once existed but they all mysteriously disappeared after a great war which is said to be the cause for our land to become smaller."

"Wait, our land was different a long time ago?"

"Yes, our world millennia ago didn't have edges. Our world is a massive sphere-sized land surrounded by a large body of water."

"The sword's presence is similar to the gods of old huh…"

"Holy fuk! call fbi, call fbi"

Reinhard and Crusch who are engrossed with history lessons suddenly shift their attention to Subaru who is shouting 'call fbi' with great vigor.

They then looked at Ray and they didn't find the sword anywhere, instead they saw a blue haired girl in white robe hugging Ray in the distance.

"Master, I will not disobey master words anymore. I will listen to master every order. So, please don't ever leave me there anymore. Please… sob sob…"

"I… I… willing to receive my master's essence even if it's… painful. So please don't throw me in there!"

Reinhard is able to hear with his enhanced hearing while Crusch uses wind manipulation to carry the sound further to her.

Both of them are shocked when the sword that transformed into a girl calls Ray his master while pleading about not leaving her somewhere.

But the latter part was somewhat misleading but it isn't uncommon for noble children at age of 12 or sometimes 10 married to older people.

They remain silent as they anticipate Ray's next action since he called upon a strong weapon, he definitely plan to deal with the White Whale.

---Trio PoV end---

After being scolded by her master, the nameless weapon soul transforms back into one handed sword form.

Ray looks at the real White Whale floating in the center of the battlefield. The whale is buying time using the clones to heal itself.

He then suddenly hears a whisper, the whisper of a hunter who he once met.

'A hunter must hunt, they do not save but merely to get the job done.'

Ray interprets the word as he shouldn't let his emotion interfere with his duty lest he fail and cause more problems later.

Almost like a certain scammed red bowman who signed a contract of eternal servitude to a black company.

'You ready?'

'Ye- Yes! master.'

Upon receiving the weapon soul confirmation, Ray redirects mana to his legs before sprinting toward Rem who is fighting against one of the clones with Mimi group.

Ray plans to use the similar way Subaru did in the anime to launch him using a large icicle to reach the real White Whale who is chilling in the air.

He flashes through the battlefield like lightning until he reaches below the whale Rem is fighting.

"Rem!"

Ray shouted while waving his left hand to attract Rem's attention.

"I need your help!"

"Launch me to that whale in the center. The one that didn't move."

Rem stopped her attack before looking at the whale Ray was pointing at. Rem replies with a nod before she jumps down to the ground to rendezvous with Ray.

"Rem, after launching me up, I need you to inform everyone to retreat to the tree base. I suspect something 'fishy' about the White Whale."

"Yes Ray sama"

Rem bow slightly in confirmation, accepting Ray's order without questioning since she also senses something strange inside the 'real' White Whale. She sensed multiple life signals in the stomach area of it.

"Al Huma!"

Upon invocation, a large icicle forms out of mana which Ray hop on. Rem then launches the icicles after receiving a confirmation nod from Rayp causing him to move at breakneck speed toward the real whale.

Everyone stopped for a moment looking at Ray suicidal act which cause Crusch to widen her mouth that can almost fit an egg while Reinhard and Subaru speechlessly look at Ray hoping he can achieve whatever he is trying to do.

Rem immediately rushed to everyone telling them to retreat as Ray asked. She is then joined by Ricardo and Wilhelm who ask why they suddenly retreat.

"Ray sama and Rem detected something strange about the White Whale and Ray suspected it was the outsider doing."

Wilheim reluctantly accepts, then joined by Ricardo to help inform other groups that are still fighting or luring the White Whale.

…

Ray standing on the White Whale's horn holding a one handed sword with his right hand.

After taking a deep breath, Ray holds the sword facing upward with both hands before closing both his eyes. He remembered Ludwig talking about the light, the guiding moonlight from the sword.

Ray can see tendril of light in the darkness, soft and ethereal green light tendril slowly spread across his body which he felt like gentle caress by his lover slowly embracing his body as he hears a low whisper.

"M...er, Ma..er, Master!"

The whisper turns into a shout from my weapon soul which wakes me up from my reverie when I look at the ethereal light.

"Master, flow the moon energy into me."

Ray absentmindedly did as asked by his weapon soul. He pushes all the energy he obtains from the light tendril into the sword in his hands which become slightly heavier.

The gentle caress intensified into intoxicating pleasure that caused shiver flow down his spine as he pushed the energy into his sword.

"Master… too forceful, please… be more delicate."

The plea was ignored as Ray added his mana into the mix too, causing the enlarged sword to be bathed in even more intense green light particles causing it to gush out like a fountain.

The White Whale felt the intense light and oppressive power of the sword and looked up to see Ray holding the two handed great sword. It can feel terror for the first time wrecking its instinct.

The hunter now became the hunted, the real hunter had arrived to put down the menace that had been terrorising the land for countless years since its creation.

…

"Holy shit!"

Subaru exclaimed loudly at the unbelievable sight he is seeing right now. As a person from the modern world, such a spectacle which is happening right now blows his mind away.

The knights, mercenaries and soldiers that retreated to the tree base look speechlessly at the event happening right now.

The land brightened again not by another 'Night Banisher' flare but by the pale red moon that became bigger as if it was directly above Ray.

The moonlight shines intensely as they concentrate on Ray's body which seems to be absorbing the moonlight. The one handed sword then magically expands into a great sword which glows in ethereal green light causing many to be in daze.

The battlefield is filled with green light particles flowing freely as the sword gushes out green light like a fountain that looks like green fire.

"Kuh…"

"Rem! Hang on, are you hurt? You looked fine just now."

Rem writhes, unable to reply as her horn glows brighter. Felix, who is nearby, checked Rem with his magic.

"Don't worry Subaru kyun, I sense nyowting wrong with Rem. The mana is too concentrated nya. Oni horn nyaturally absorb mana which is now overloading making Rem… aroused. Just let her rest for a bit."

"Oh… I see. Glad nothing… is wrong with her." Subaru awkwardly replies before bringing Rem closer to the tree base using a ground dragon.

"That Ray sure pack lotta surprise." Ricardo said while looking at Ray with his palm on his forehead.

"Indeed, he says that he senses something strange inside the White Whale before Rem dono 'lift' him up." Wilheim spoke to Crusch with a respectful bow which she acknowledged with a nod.

"What can you see Reinhard? I cannot see what happened but my wind spirits are restless for an unknown reason."

"I am also not sure but, the moon, as if alive, is pouring a large amount of unknown mana into Ray which saturated the area with a large amount of mana."

"Crusch sama! The demon beast from the nearby forest, incoming!"

Some of the soldiers at the edge saw demon beast flooding out of the forest in a frenzy like a shark that smelled blood.

"Stay away from its path, protect the supply carriage and healers." Crusch gave order to them before Reinhard added. " They are lured by the mana saturated in the air, they will ignore us if we do nothing."

"!"

Suddenly everyone felt goosebumps as the air stagnated as a colossal amount of mana vanished from the surrounding, then a massive slash made of green light cleaved the whale into two causing other stunned clones to vanish into a cloud of mist, carried by the wind.

The sudden shift of mana in the air causes even the magically inert people to sense it.

Like a wave of tsunami, the sudden shockwave after the attack bisected the whale causing an explosion when concentrated mana suddenly released when it impacted the ground.

"Ray seems to be unconscious from the attack." Reinhard pointed out as he saw Ray fall from the air, not moving while holding the sword now back to one handed form."

"Let me fetch him."

Ricardo sheathed his blade at his back then rode with his wolf mount toward the falling Ray with his body lowered while expertly dodging the confused demon beast.

After a minute, he arrived at the spot and managed to catch Ray, which he carried on his shoulder like a bag of potato while rushing back to the tree base.

Ray was exhausted by that attack but still conscious since he only exhausted his mana, his health still above 70%.

"Ricardo… go faster, the thing inside the whale released… go to Reinhard."

"Hold tight then!"

Ricardo rushed back faster than the previous speed causing his mount to pant in exhaustion due to his rider abuse.

…

The subjugation force saw Ricardo and Ray rushing back, waving their hand for achieving victory against the previously unbeatable demon beast that had been terrorising the land.

They all cheer loudly, even the injured one which is still being healed to cheer loudly while hugging the person beside them.

Ricardo quickly stops by Felix to get Ray treated since the battle had yet to finish. After dropping Ray, Ricardo finally dismounts his wolf which causes the exhausted wolf to 'plop' down before having a quick power nap.

"Yo Reinhard, Ray passed the message 'the things inside the whale is released'"

"It's my turn then." Said Reinhard while stretching his shoulder before focusing on the dust covered land in front of him.

Ray's attack and the whale crashing to the ground cause the dust to cover the area, obstructing view to the crash site.

After a while, nothing had happened and the people still on guard due to Crusch stated that the battle was yet to be finished.

Reinhard continues to wait until suddenly he hears sound which resembles a bee swarm, causing him to hold a blazing sword in a defensive stance to wait until the enemies appear.

The buzzing sound intensified as more sounds like crawling insects and claw snap emerged from the dust cloud until suddenly some vague shadow appeared.

Crusch ordered everyone to form up ranks covering the front facing the incoming enemy and ready the magic cannon which had been ignored for a while due to the whale's high magic resistance.

When the first creature emerged from the dissipating dust cloud, everyone except for a few gasped in shock as they saw oversized insects like mantis, ant, spider, cockroach and several other aerial insects.

A swarm of enlarged insects appeared when the dust cloud dissipated completely. Everyone's gaze hardened as they saw the size of the swarm which could see no end to still crawling out of the White Whale carcasses.

…

Ray, who is currently being treated by Felix, moves to a sitting position while Felix tries to stop him as he is still exhausted from the big attack he released.

Ray starts to take out more stacks of Fire Paper and adds Bolt Paper which confuses Felix since he can't see the system interface.

"Distribute this, this paper is the same as earlier but this paper produces lighting instead of fire."

Ray then takes a blood vial containing Arianna's blood which is his last one, he then stabs it in his thigh causing Felix to widen his eyes looking at Ray injecting himself with blood.

"Of all things the outer god can throw at me, he has to throw an insect swarm? Ah… I need a fluffy tail." Ray whines as the blood he just injected regenerates his stamina enough that he isn't exhausted.

The swarm already initiated their assault on the subjugation force by the time Ray reached the frontline.

Situation becomes more intense as more of them get injured by the insects' claws and limbs which relentlessly attack like a starved beast trying to eat the soldiers and mercenaries.

The knights along with Reinhard use magic attack trying to thin out the swarm from overwhelming the fighters.

They are buying time for the mages and magic cannons to chant and load up. They replace the magic cannon spell into a wide area attack instead of a concentrated beam of magic.

"FIRE!"

One of the mages incharge or manning the cannon shout before the magic cannons and mages fire a barrage of magic attacks that burn those insects into crisps.

With the support of barrages, the frontline eases up a little as the raging flame slows down the insects' advance.

Group of knights led by Reinhard rush forward releasing a multitude of magic attacks trying to take the main force consisting of oversized mantis and spiders.

Klang!

Their sword that was previously able to slashes through other insects like butter now stopped by the mantis blade-like limb, creating sparks but the lightning from Bolt Paper electrocutes the mantis causing it to spasms before another knight slash its body in half while the mantis is stunned.

While they are fighting the insects, they hear a chime resonating across the battlefield, followed by a pregnant silence causing both sides to halt their conflict.

The insects quiver slightly as if intimidated by a predator. Ray slowly and steadily walks with the help of a cane as several lamp posts emerge magically out of nowhere.

Mist appears around the lamp as translucent humanoid figures appear and slowly becomes visible. Those humans are hunters of various factions like The League, Hunter's Workshop, Healing Churches and even Vileblood.

Total of several thousand hunters responded to Ray's summon. The hunters wielding various hunter weapons and firearms join the fight, assisting the fight without asking any question other than giving Ray gestures.

The Hunter which belongs to The League especially shouting 'die vermin' with great vigor while wielding brutal weapons like Whriligig saw, saw cleaver, flamesprayer and torch. They also pair oil urn and molotov cocktail to increase their efficiency to grind the swarm.

Such fierce high speed combat and brutal display of the hunters leave the subjugation force speechless, especially Subaru who tried to remember something but failed.

Their efficiency is mind blowing as the knight needs dozens of seconds to kill an insect, a hunter ploughs through six or more with half the time.

There are also church hunters that help tending to the wounded using Choir Bell which indicate their identity as choir members.

Reinhard and their knights finally had their load lessened greatly regrouping with others along with Ray who he was very grateful for.

"Reinhard, let's take down the agent now." Ray urges

"Yes, now that they can hold the line, we can get closer to take down the source of the swarm." Reinhard agreed without problems.

"I will open a path with my wind magic and bombardment barrage." Crusch looked exhausted by the long battle supported by Wilheim that was still in top condition other than whale blood that bathed his body.

Ray and Reinhard leave the conflict zone deeper behind the enemy line where they feel a strong presence which they assume to be the agent.

"Ready… Fire!" Crusch slash down her wind covered blade to release a large wind slash that accompanied by magic barrage, clearing a straight, scorched line almost splitting the swarm in half.

…

Meanwhile with the hunters.

Leading their respective group is Valtr of The League, Ludwig of the Church Hunters, Logarius of the Executioner and Gehrmen of the Hunter's Workshop.

They are revived back into Yharnam at their peak to become the summons for Ray. They at first feel angry and resigned when they discovered that they are now contracted to a great one as its slave.

---Flashback---

Gehrman was facing despair when his soul which was released suddenly returned to the Hunter's Dream. He thought that the Moon Presence refused to let him go, but when he was greeted by the Plain Doll now named as... Maria, is this Moon Presence new method of torturing my mind.

Next, he was greeted by a small great one. Doll explains to Gehrmen the great one is Good Hunter that manages to kill Moon Presence after releasing him and evolve into a great one.

Dumbfounded Gehrmen stunned for a few seconds before deciding to ignore Ray's evolution and asked the reason he was still here instead of being free from the Hunter's Dream.

Maria looked at the Ray she been cradlig for a few seconds, they communicated through the mind before Maria said.

"Good Hunter now inherited the dream and the world as the god. He has already rebuilt and restored the world to its former self, free of the plague and hunt."

"He wishes to give you a chance to live a normal life this time without having to worry about the plague."

"What's the catch? Even if he once liberated me from the curse as the eternal caretaker, I am not fond of being tied to another… great one." Said Gehrmen.

Ray waved his lower tentacle to dismiss the claim before Maria adding.

"He needs nothing more than your help when he summons you in the future, It's a good deal right? No eternal servitude or whatever, just an occasional call for help."

"Summon?" Gehrmen asked

"Yes, although his true body's here with us now, his true soul is traveling in another plane of existence using this previous body."

"He needs my help to fight his enemies then?"

"Yes and you will return to the dream if you happen to die during combat, he can also provide incentives if you want to be compensated."

Gehrmen nodded then huffed after pondering for a while. At least he is not stuck in Hunter's Dream and he is actually getting paid.

"Wonderful" Maria nodded.

"The messenger lamp will bring you to Yharnam, you will find the real Maria there and your friends."

---Flashback End---

Everyone here agreed with a similar proposal except Laurence who was adamant to 'atone' his mistake by reforming the Healing Church to truly help others not for their own gain using the blood which no longer has side effects.

"It seems that the Good Hunter decided to find the culprit." Gehrmen said while looking at Ray and Reinhard dashing through the path open by bombardment.

"Good Hunter? Isn't he our god now he ascended to godhood and inherited Odeon's position as chief god of our faith?" Ludwig added

"It's your god, I didn't worship the god like the church member. For me, he is master of The League, my successor."

Ludwig and Logarius as members of the church surprisingly didn't seem to be offended by Valtr's claim as they simply nod while occasionally killing any insects that manage to slip through the frontline.

"What a troubling matter… We need a name to address him." Everyone looks at Gehrman who seems to notice their gaze and shakes his head.

"I don't know his name, I simply call him Good Hunter since his arrival to Hunter's Dream and everyone did the same too."

"Let's focus on the battle first, we can meet up at the usual bar later to discuss this issue." The silent Logarius finally stepped up with his suggestion.

Everyone agreed then joined the fight to hold the line leaving only Gehrmen who was confused by Logarius' suggestion.

"Wait! Bar? Since when have bars opened in Yharnam… I thought the city was still being rebuilt?" Gehrman asked, confused.

"You should leave your workshop once in a while or you will stay ignorant of changes in Yharnam." Said Ludwig then Valtr added, "You can bring Lady Maria too since she never left the clocktower since her resurrection."

"How d—" before Gehrmen was able to finish, the other three were already gone.

…

With Ray and Reinhard.

They slash through the swarm of insects which becomes harder as they encounter more stronger insects as they get closer to the whale carcasses.

Reinhard saw a slender figure in the distance wearing a gray ornate robe and a pendant which released dense evil miasma. The figure stands on a giant armoured spider that honestly looks very terrifying.

Reinhard charged his sword with magic that caused it to shine brightly before he made a wide horizontal slash. The attack deleted a wide area of insects but at the cost of the sword.

The shockwave of the attack blasted away the surviving insects, the sword disintegrating into particles, blown away by the wind while Reinhard gave his prayer to the sword.

Clap Clap Clap, the robed figure claps its insectoid limbs. Perhaps impressed by Reinhard's powerful attack which decimated his elite insect which is stronger than the cannon fodder he sent to fight the subjugation force and hunters.

"Impressive, very impressive… Indeed you are worthy of the title as one of the strongest in this world." The voice of the robed figure sounds like the screeching of a rusted machine.

"Ah, forgive my rudeness, my name is 7th Apostle. My name, the symbol if my dedication to my lord the Devourer of Universe, Lord Ba'al Zebuth."

Reinhard's face darken as he looked at the proclaimed Servant of an outer god. The title of the god is a dead giveaway to the god's alignment.

Ray stand at the side manage to use his skill to observe the opponent status while continue slashing enemy with his Threaded Cane and Holy Moonlight Sword.

---

NAME: 7th Apostle

CLASS: Entomancer

RACE: Vermin Lord

GENDER:-

TITLE: Servant of The Evil Overlord, Herald of the Devourer

LEVEL: 87

HP: 8,600/8,600

MP: 19,025/28,500

—————

STR: 20

VIT: 60

AGI: 38

DEX: 22

INT: 195

WIS:100

LUK: 40

SKILL:

*Spell Casting Mastery

*Hive Mind

*Summoner [Insects]

*Tamer [Insect]

*Insect Physique

*Summoner Space

*Hex Magic

*Commander

*???

…

…

---

Seeing the enemy stats, he can conclude that the enemy is a caster type enemy which he is suitable against. His swift and high pace attack is able to easily overwhelm a slow magic caster but the insects around it are very problematic.

Since Ray lacks any AOE attack means that he has no way to clear the insect swarm around the apostle.

'I should remind myself to get more skills or magics to cover up what I lack.' Ray sigh as he tell himself.

"Reinhard"

Reinhard, who was focusing on the Apostle, looked at Ray that called him.

"He seems to be a magic user and lacks physical means of attack. There are also several abilities I cannot detect, probably special one that my skill cannot appraise. So, be careful of them."

Reinhard nods before they move toward the Apostle with weapons ready.

Ray takes out the church cannon and materializes a one handed sword in his right hand. The one handed sword now looks better than its worn out appearance before.

Suddenly the time slowed to a halt and Ray hear voice in his ears.

'Hey Ray, it's me Satella, I wanna let you know that you better be on guard for one of his skills. He can borrow the aspect of devouring from its god to eat your body and soul.'

'We suffered heavy losses during the skirmish with another Apostle that attacked the upper realm of the world. Even Yhaweh sacrificed half of his angel including 4 archangels to push back the Apostles.'

'What!' Ray almost screamed but managed to stop and shout in his mind instead.

'What do you mean? I thought only one Apostle was sent by the Outer god?'

'Well yes only one, but only one managed to slip the world will grasp since it is weak enough that the world will be unable to detect.'

'Other stronger apostles are stopped by the world will influence. The other transcended beings and gods a fighting with bone and teeth to expel the apostles.'

'Am I even needed when you guys can handle it?'

Ray sagged his shoulder. Since they can handle it no problem then why ask for his help in the first place right?

'If those incompetent gods can handle it alone, the world will wouldn't negotiate with me for help and I will fully sealed in the tower.'

'Alas they can't and the world will acquire my help anyway and here we are.'

'Unlike witch factors, god divinity requires worshipers to gain or replenish power. Your task is to deal with the last apostle that reaches the physical plane or the world will and gods will lose power if the populations are devoured.'

'We are losing the war of attrition. You need to eliminate the apostle quickly to reseal the space-time passage or the outer god will fully invade this world.'

'Use your true body if you have to, the world will remove the restriction so you won't be suppressed.'

Then the voice transmission stopped and time resumes. He is glad that he didn't use True Body Descent when fighting the whale or we will be severely weakened by the suppression.

If Ray uses his true body, the aura alone will drive people insane due to eldritch divinity. He didn't worry about strong one like Reinhard and Wilheim but the others like the soldiers, mercenaries and knights will be affected. The hunters however are part of his ability so they are unaffected by it.

Ray was burdened by the choice of sacrificing few to save more. He didn't really know everyone in the subjugation force fondly as friends, just acquaintances but they fought along with him even after the insect flood appeared. None of them ran away, they stayed and fought bravely.

'And just earlier, I was lectured by Subaru about this shit.'

Reinhard, who is killing the incoming insects, realizes Ray suddenly becomes quiet, turns his head to see Ray, who seems to be in a state of mental turmoil. He lifts his right hand to shake Ray's shoulder to stop him.

"I don't know what you are thinking about but, if something troubles you that much, I'm here by your side to help, you know."

Ray's face turns sour for a bit before chuckling for a bit.

"That sound real gay ma nigga."

Reinhard didn't understand but at least Ray isn't troubled anymore right now.

"Situation just turned dire, my employer just informed me that we need to kill this apostle or the outer god will fully invade the world. If that happens, everything will be over."

"So… what's the problem?" Reinhard asks while expertly slash an incoming giant spider in half.

"I need to use an ability of mine to quickly finish off the apostle but the effect of the skill will cause a very unpleasant effect on the weaker people."

"I thought you are some sort of expert looking by the way you carry yourself but I never expect you to still be a novice."

"What do you mean?" Ray asks, genuinely confused.

"Look at them, do you honestly think they expect to go home alive? To subjugate the White Whale which was seen as a great calamity no one ever dared to approach, moreso to subjugate."

Seeing that Ray still fails to catch the meaning of his word, Reinhard sighs before telling Ray bluntly.

"They came here expecting to die, they threw their life away willingly to eliminate the calamity called as White Whale. They are willing to die if they can secure the safety of their future child and family."

Ray absent-mindedly shifts his gaze to the subjugation force that are fighting fiercely, roaring their warcry, slashing their sword against the endless enemies that keep coming at them.

"I see… I am the one in fault for being indecisive when they are fighting with their life on the line."

"Thank you Reinhard, for helping me realize."

"I said it didn't I, I'm here by your side to help if you need."

"With such charisma, I might fall in love with you even if both of us are men."

(Note: Great one are genderless and they can change at will but Ray is male and always male. So, don't worry if he suddenly turn gay, the furthest he can go is astolfo.)

Reinhard looks away purposely and ignores Ray's words.

---7th Apostle PoV---

"What is this shit! Are they making some yaoi drama over here? Did this father become the stepping stone for a protagonist to court his love now."

The apostle was speechless and angered by the sudden yaoi drama that caused him mental turmoil and lost some control of the swarm.

---Pov End---

Ray activates his skill then purple veins pop up all over his body as eldritch energy flooded his body to modify it to fit his true body in.

Miasma made of eldritch energy gather around Ray as the energy intensifies causing the phantom of his true body to overlap with the hunter body and four pairs of 1 meter long wing-like protrusion appear on the back.

Ray extended his right hand to grasp something then the Holy Moonlight Sword materialized in two handed form. Immediately after appeared, Ray pumped the endlessly regenerating eldritch energy into the sword like a broken dam.

"Ahn… Mashta sho forceful. Flooding me with… such… such… dense essence."

"Shut up you horny loli." Ray hit the sword on the ground after hearing the weapon soul nonsense talk.

"Very rough too when using me… Strangely, I don't hate it… Mhn... if it's master, I don't mind such rough play."

Ray decides to ignore the sword and instead focus on the enemy who seems to be ranting about being a stepping stone.

Ludwig at the distance wielding Ludwig's Holy Blade looks glad that his mentor isn't gone and instead in a better hand, completely oblivious about the mental conversation between Ray and the weapon soul.

————

AN: Whew, that took me longer than expected. I was editing the White Whale attack part that lacks detail about background which I added some to avoid rewriting the whole part. Then suddenly I got an idea to include one of Ray's powers to summon hunters.

Somehow that spiralled out of control when sudden inspiration came to my mind and end up with 3k more word than what I planned and we end up with total 9k+ words total for the story.

(Notes: The skill like quickening or proficiency all have different max levels but it's stated as max because… max level.

I might change in the future to remove the level and rank it in the fgo way using F,E,D,C,B,A,EX. But it might be confused with stuff I prep for the future since some skill and item from hub is wayyy stronger to be quantified with the F to EX rank alone. For example Weapon Mastery [Bloodborne] when compared with skill like Telekinesis from hub is the difference between lv 5 Thug against lv 1000 God Godfather.

I perhaps will use the rank copper to platinum to rate the rank? Like how Weapon Mastery [Bloodborne] is copper rank or easy mode skill while Telekinesis is silver rank or hard mode skill.)

Anyway thanks for reading the story and the author note over here.