Names Pt.II

'Eat… consume… everything.'

'Eh?!'

A voice came into my head.

"Like I said, it's only in rare cases."

The sprite misunderstood my yelp.

'Haha. I'm guessing Minerva received her name from the forest king?'

I changed the topic.

"I'm not too familiar with how the Tyrant of the West got her name, but we speculate that that must be it."

'You aren't too familiar? What about you?'

I then directed the question to the leader of the rat men.

"I am not too sure of it myself. Even amongst the rat men, the Tyrant of the West is a bit of a mystery. Apparently when she was talking to Larm, all creatures within hearing range passed out. Also when she was born, her mother nearly destroyed a portion of the West, and I'm sure you can't argue that they should have risked their lives for something like that."

'Yeah, I see your point.'

Gorm himself never told me how Minerva got her name. Maybe I'll ask him after all this is done.

"Are there cases of creatures naming themselves?"

They both broke into laughter, making me blush red.

"Such a thing is impossible."

'I-It is?'

"Well yeah. I have not heard of a magical creature ever naming itself."

'What about humans?'

"What about them?"

The rat man asked

'Well, do they also have to earn their names or something?'

"Maybe. I'm not sure. I haven't had a chance to interact with humans."

"I haven't been taught anything about humans except that they are savages who just try to harvest our resources to satisfy their greed."

Oi! What kind of things are sprites taught!? Then again, she had a point there.

'Yo, agent! Does the same thing happen with humans?'

<<Negative>>

What? Why?

<<Human souls are different from monster souls. As in, a human soul is already a defined designate whereas monster souls are irregular and unrefined. Names clarify these souls and refine them to bring something similar to a human soul. These souls are called Named Souls and are given access to a lot of benefits refined souls have access to >>

'What? This makes no sense. What the hell is wrong with you agent? How do you give such a crap explanation?'

<<Sigh… >>

'Eeek! Did you just sigh?'

<<Notice: It is impossible for the skill [God's Voice] to 'sigh'>>

'But you just did! Ah!'

<<Notice: In the world, there are various kinds of souls. The basic kinds that every living creature is born with can be separated into two types. The Whole Soul and the Incomplete Soul. Every human being, elf, dwarf and other races are born with a Whole Soul, giving them access to benefits that an Incomplete Soul would not gain. For example, access to the afterlife. An incomplete soul on the other hand is what every monster is born with. This soul is an amorphous mass with no true shape that has more disadvantages than benefits. This soul is said to be incomplete because it does not possess a 'True Name' as the Whole Soul's do, making it incomplete>>

'Ah! Now I get it! So all monsters have Incomplete Souls that need to be named so that they can pass on to the afterlife. So they basically just want to see heaven after death.'

<<That may be the goal of some, but it is not the goal of all monsters that seek names. Most are just born with a craving for a name. The chances of monsters knowing the truth of their souls is close to zero>>

'Ah… that's kinda serious. Damn, so there is nothing awaiting monsters after death? And they don't know this? Ah… that's kind of… damn.'

…

I went silent after a while, thinking about how dire their situation was. But, I quickly got a new mindset about it. Before I didn't really believe in gods, so I assumed there was nothing after death. It was probably the same for these monsters. Well, they were monsters, so this knowledge probably wouldn't really affect them much.

'Wait a moment! Oi! Then how was Shiro able to name me! I was human before, no? So I should possess a Whole Soul.'

<<Notice: Before the human Tatsumaki Shiro named you, your soul was incomplete. You were an average monster>>

…

'What…? You gotta be kidding. I was human before.'

I tried to laugh off the stupid comment.

<<Negative>>

'Ah… maybe something happened to my soul during my reincarnation that made my soul incomplete. Does that mean a portion of my soul got destroyed or is somewhere else in this world?'

"Speaking of names. How did Sir Hinotori get a name?"

The sprite caught me off-guard.

'Eh?'

"Oh yes. I too am curious. Please, do tell."

They looked at me with expectant gazes and I flinched. How could I tell them that a human, which they didn't seem to get along with much, gave me my name?

'What to do? What to do? Agent. You got any suggestions?'

<<Solution… say the word "Humans" >>

'Humans? Isn't that something I would want to avoid at all cost?'

<<Notice: It is the best option>>

'You sure? Won't they think it's quite odd?'

<<Affirmative. This is calculated to have the highest chance of success. Look down, be quiet for four seconds and activate [Aura Control] to a certain degree then say the word "Humans" >>

I was a bit skeptical, but I followed the agent's orders. I felt it was a bit melodramatic, but then the agent activated [Aura Control] causing the two to flinch. The mood felt sort of odd, but then I said exactly what the agent said.

'Humans.'

They both looked at me curiously for a moment then looked down.

"I see. So that's how it is." The rat man smacked his head and said with a solemn voice. "It must be a very painful memory. We understand if you don't want to talk about it."

"Indeed. Certainly a creature as strong as Hinotori must have a serious story to tell."

The sprite said.

In the end they completely misunderstood the situation. It would be too much of a bother for both parties if I attempted to explain. Was this the agent's plan all along? To increase my 'bad boy rep' with these two?

'Anyway, it's getting sort of difficult to call you guys the dryad and the rat man. I asked you this because I wanted to ask if I could give you nicknames or something, but it seems like that's impossible as well.'

"Uh? What are you trying to say?"

'Er well, I said I wanted to give you nicknames, but that seems to be impossible.'

<<It is possible for you to give them names>>

'Huh? It is? But I thought it could only be done by a higher being. Oh! Wait! I named Ichi, Ni and San! Why is that? I don't even have mana!'

<<Notice: The reason for this is unclear for you. But normally, a creature can be named by a stronger being that can sacrifice Mana to name them. This is the reason why magical creatures, who are on the same level of power are incapable of naming themselves>>

'Oh? So that's why the other creatures couldn't name themselves? Still, I can't give these two, names. Like you said, I don't have enough MP. In fact, I don't have any at all.'

<<Notice: It is as you say until your mana circuits are built>>

'Oh right, when are my mana circuits getting completed?'

<<Approximately 252 hours, 27 minutes and 30 seconds>>

'In 'me' words, please'

<<Notice: Post evolution into a Golden Demonic Hen, the creation of your mana circuits have sped up. The process is estimated to end in the next 10 days>>

So literally after the fight with the east. What kind of bull was that!? It was disgustingly inconvenient yet convenient. A damned paradox.

'Anyway, I might be able to give you guys names after the battle with the East. That's if you haven't gotten any names and you are still interested.'

When I said this, both of them stopped walking. I must have asked something I shouldn't have. What a bother.

'Not saying that you aren't getting names or anything.'

"Hinotori…"

Suddenly, they looked at me with gazes of excitement. It was a complete one-eighty from the cold atmosphere just a second ago.

"So if we perform well during the invasion you will bless us with names?"

The sprite asked

'Eh?'

"Huzzah! I shall prove my worth during this battle to earn that name!"

'W-wait…'

"Hahaha! When I tell the others, they will be so jealous!"

"I know right? My friends won't leave me alone. Oh Sister Diane, I may be able to talk to you like an equal after this."

"It's settled then! Let's do our best!"

"Yes! To earn the names."

And just like that, they had decided for themselves what would happen after the invasion. To think names would help make people so close. I let out a sigh. Once again, somebody misunderstood my words and are explaining them to suit their wishes. I hoped everything ended well.