Fiends

We got to the top and she started

-You didn't seem surprised when the Fiend appeared

-Not my first rodeo lady, I have had my fair share of monsters and demons across my life

-Bit too young to be saying that no?

-You barely are older than me lass! Still, that's a fully fledged fiend huh?

-Yeah, hard to believe they were ever human right?

-Seeing the shit I have? Not that hard to believe, anyone can turn into one if the curse afflicts them right?

-You are well informed

-I tend to help the Hayabusa clan with their problems, lesser fiends are one of them

-Hayabusa…no wonder you played around with that thing

-Indeed, so are you susceptible to the curse then Rachel?

-I am complex, what about you? What brings you here?

-You know of Doku?

-Yeah, why?

-Gonna send that bitch screeching back to hell

She smiled amused

-Hell of a way to claim you'll kill him

-You don't seem convinced

-Why would I? You don't know what you are up against, if he could be killed, I'd done it myself a long time ago

-You too huh?

-He was the one who took my sister away from me after all

-Did he kill her?

-Worse…he turned her into a Fiend

-…Is that right?

Now that I think on it…could I save anyone who transformed into a fiend?

-Unfortunately it's not that easy

[Why not? The Song of Healing has proved to be an invaluable asset]

-Indeed, but I want you to think, what have you used it on?

[Huh?]

-All those who have heard it retained their sense of self, even if it was muddled, it was still there, a Fiend is animalistic, you can't save someone who no longer has a sense of self

[Is that how it works?]

-This is the first time you have come across this situation master, the song can do a lot, but it isn't all mighty

[Understood]

-You ok?

-Yeah, I was just thinking

-About what?

-…Well…it depends, Rachel, how willing are you to cling to hope?

-What is that supposed to mean?

-If I told you I could revert your sister back into a human, would you believe me?

She didn't take kindly to that and immediately rushed at me with her hammer, I didn't bother moving since Kasha emerged and caught her hammer with one hand, not hard to see how

"Kasha (Summon)"

"Rank: SS+"

"Age: ?"

"Strength: S+"

"Agility: SSS"

"Magic: SS"

"Endurance: SS+"

"Charisma: SSS+"

"Luck: SSS-"

"Perception: SS"

"Rachel"

"Rank: A+"

"Age: 21"

"Strength: S"

"Agility: A-"

"Magic: D-"

"Endurance: S+"

"Charisma: SS+"

"Luck: E-"

"Perception: A"

She has become stronger, I guess it's inevitable with the amount of shit I get into

-?!

-Now that is very rude nya!

Kasha tossed her hammer aside with ease and said

-Meowster is being awfully kind to offer his help, if you don't want his help little slut, you don't have to take it, but attacking him in front of me is a death sentence

-What the hell are you?! You are no fiend!

-Do not compare me to such lesser creatures, I am Kasha, a humble servant of my beloved Meowster, and I will not tolerate your insolence a second time, you only get one free pass

-Kasha

-Yes meowster?

-Cool down, come here

She happily got to my side and hugged my arm as I used the other to pet her

-Listen, I don't really give two damns whether you believe me or not, I offered to help since any Fiend I can transform back into a human is a punch towards Doku, if your sister was personally turned by him, turning her back will be a glorious way of telling him to fuck off, saving an innocent life is just a wonderful bonus

-…

-I'm not asking you to believe me right now, just know that when I end up fighting her, I will try to save her, you can then choose to help me, or attack me, and I pray you pick the sensible option

-YOU HAVE NO IDEA OF WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT!!

-Wrong

-!!

-When I say I can save someone, I always mean it, I am not giving you fake hope or mocking you, I am being honest and upfront

-…

-Besides! If meowster wanted to mock you, he'd mock what you are wearing! Seriously what is that?! A stripper set?!

-Kasha…

-You can't deny that is no armor meowster!

You are one to talk…

-…ANYWAYS! Take some time to think about it, I'll be going now, good luck to you Rachel

I then began heading down the stairs but

-Wait!!

-Yes?

-…Can you truly save her?

She is taking a chance, and judging by her quivering voice, it's not easy

-Of course I can, I just need you to remind her of her humanity for a second, that is all I need, once you do, I'll handle the rest

-…I'll believe you…if such a strong monster follows you so willingly…you have no reason to lie to me

-Monster?! I am a Kasha damn you! A Youkai! Don't compare me to that rabble!!

-Kasha honey please chill out…

-But-

-Please

-…Fine

Truly like a cat with her tail stepped on…regardless, I pulled some walkie talkies from my inventory and threw one at her

-If you find her first, contact me through this so I may rush your way, I'll do the same if I come across her

-…Thank you

-No problem, now tell me how she looks so I can recognize her

-You'll recognize her at once, pink skin, she looks mostly humanoid and her face will be similar to mine

-Got it, it should be simple then, I'll contact you when it's time

-Hm…Eric

-Yes?

-If you lied to me-

-I'll save her, I promise

-!!

-Just leave it all to me

I gave her my most honest smile and she turned, grabbed her hammer, jumped and rappelled off the building

"Fiend hunter: Rachel"

"50 (Don't fail me please…)"

I won't

-You have quite the way with the ladies my frien-

He was cut off as both Yuki and Kasha emerged and held their weapons against the man who appeared from nowhere

Gamov, a fool who also wants the Dark Dragon Blade and conspires with Murai to get it, only to be betrayed like a schmuck and killed at the end of the game unceremoniously, he is a spy, you'd think he would know better than to appear before me

He is wearing a trench coat and a fedora, both opaque green in color, he has shades too

-Thanks, but I believe that is due to my open nature and good looks, with your ugly mug and creeper behavior, no wonder you thought I was lucky

-Well…how rude

-Says the creeper, what do you want and why should my cute summons not rip you to pieces?

-I can offer you information, and besides, you can't really kill me

-I envy that cockiness, you wanna bet?

-Look, I know Rachel!

-Congrats, you know a hot girl, how is that supposed to dissuade me from showing you how your insides look like?

-I feel a lot of aggressiveness compared to your conversation with the girl!

-Well for starters she wasn't creeping on my conversation so she has that going for her

-Tch!

He hit both weapons and ran for it, Yuki was about to catch him with her ice chains but I stopped her

-Don't bother, he is wasting his energy, he won't survive to the end of the day

-Understood my liege

Let's see how much she has grown

"Yuki (Summon)"

"Rank: SSS-"

"Age: ?"

"Strength: SSS-"

"Agility: SS"

"Magic: SSS+"

"Endurance: SSS-"

"Charisma: SSS+"

"Luck: S-"

"Perception: SS"

…I still am the weakest huh?

"Eric"

"Rank: S"

"Age: 15"

"Strength: S-"

"Agility: S-"

"Magic: S"

"Endurance: SS"

"Charisma: SS+"

"Luck: A-"

"Perception: S+"

And Fate Crusher gives me a hell of a boost if I am going up against a massive problem

"Eric (Fate Crusher)"

"Rank: SSS-"

"Age: 15"

"Strength: SSS-

"Agility: SSS-"

"Magic: SSS"

"Endurance: SSS+"

"Charisma: SS+"

"Luck: A-"

"Perception: SSS-"

Well, at least my abilities should keep me safe in case things get difficult…

All right, I should stop jinxing myself

-We met Rachel, all that's left now is to move on, won't be long before we meet everyone again

-So then, to the monastery?

-Yup, let's go

As we headed down however, soldiers had shown up

-You all must have a death wish! Do you not understand that only greater fiends stand any chance?

-May I meowster?

-Let us handle the fodder my liege

-Go wild, I ain't gonna deny your fun

As both girls rushed to slaughter those fools, I sighed

-These assholes gave me hell on my playthrough but in reality, they ain't that dangerous

-It's less them being weak and more you being a monster master, then again, since you aim to kill gods, I suppose it makes sense that mere mortals wouldn't be all that challenging

-I have to ask, how close is S rank to kill divinity?

-I mean…you can harm them

-…Is that it?

-Hey, S ranks can destroy an entire city block in one move! It only gets crazier from there!

-Jeez…so what stage do I need to actually threaten the lesser gods?

-Z at a minimum

-If I attack before that rank my attacks won't do shit huh?

-Hel did teach you that lesson

-Don't remind me…so when I am Z rank I can kill her…

-Don't get too excited master, anyways, keep going, Yuki and Kasha are done painting the streets green

-Just to make sure…none of these military are humans right?

-Eh, who cares?

-…I care?

-Master, not all lives are precious, I truly adore your kindness, but if you think too hard about the enemy, you will get yourself hurt, all of them are under the Fiend control, isn't that enough?

-…

-You have been like this lately, what is bothering you?

-…It's just…I'm scared ya know? An unpleasant thought appeared on my head being…well, what if I'm wrong?

-Wrong?

-What if my knowledge fails me? What if someone isn't evil here and I hurt them? What if someone isn't good and I trust them? History seems to happen regardless but…what if that pattern breaks? With how much outer forces have suddenly started taking an interest in me…I am scared they might pull a fast one on me and I make an incorregible mistake

-It is true that their interest in you is concerning…a cleaner and then Hel herself…

-I never asked but…what is a cleaner?

-Exactly what the job entails, they are minions of other Multiversal or even Omniversal Gods that handle the dirty work of dealing with creatures that go against the natural order of things

-…Natural?

-Where there should be death, there will be death, the fate that you defy is the natural order

-…

-Erizabeth is completely with you there, some fates should be altered but those old fools don't like it when someone start making waves like you, they feel threatened you know?

-So in the end it's all about power

-In essence, I can't deny that your soul is one in a Billion, perhaps more, and seeing how strong your emotions are and how kind your soul is, I can see why they would assume you could grow out of control

-The soul again…

-Don't bother master, it's too abstract to get anywhere

-…I feel like I am stumbling blindly lately

-Maybe? Then again, you always end up right where you are needed…so maybe it's less you being dragged by someone and more your soul answering a call?

-I dunno about that…maybe both?

-Maybe, guess only time will tell, anyways, you may wanna pay attention, the Hydracubus is heading our way

-Oh right, the sea cucumber looking fiend

I focused on reality again, I was so busy speaking to the air that I didn't realize I already reached the arena, Yuki and Kasha were covered in blood, green…and red

-Hopefully it's not innocent blood…

-Meowster?

-You've done enough, let me stretch a bit too girls

-Understood

-All right! Show us your stuff meowster!

They sensed them too huh? Well, no matter, I walked to the center as suddenly two fiends dropped, 2 red dino looking fiends, like a cross between a velociraptor and a wingless dragon, they began to breathe fire as I dodged

-I have some time before the big boss shows up, let's dance!

Deciding to test this replica of a blade, I quickly moved, dodging the charge those things performed and sliced one, cutting the head clean off, then I smiled and jumped, right above the second one as it charged at me and I stabbed it's head, killing it immediately

A third one popped up from above and attempted to bite me, I threw the sword up, grabbed the fiend by the jaws, stopping it, threw it down, caught the blade and sliced it in half before it could recover

-…Yeah, I can work with this

-Beautiful!

-Nicely done Meowster! Those fools didn't stand a chance!

-All right, shall we move on?

-That was impressive

I looked to the nearby wall and Rachel was sitting there, clearly she enjoyed the show

-Thanks I guess, enjoyed the show?

-Quite, so what are you? Cause you are way stronger than a regular human

-Dunno what to tell you, I am human, I am this strong due to psychotic levels of training, not blood or some shit

-Are you sure? I once thought my blood was clean and then I watched as it turned my sister into a Greater Fiend

[Monica?]

-You don't have any issues master

[Thank you]

-Nah, I am certain, I have plenty of ways to test it

-Hm, hope you are right

-Let's go more into fiends, you hunt them right?

-Indeed, I think they are pitiful, forced to live forever and slaves to the forces of evil…with only one way to release them

-Death, I see what you mean, but that is not necessarily the only option

-I have been hunting them for a while, so I am quite certain

-Well, to be fair, you ain't ever meet someone like me before

-…You still think you can save her?

-I wouldn't bother if I couldn't, destiny had always been something I enjoyed breaking

-…The whole point behind me becoming a hunter was to kill my sister…to free her…

-And now you can save her, shouldn't you be at least a bit happy?

-I'll be happy when I see it happen

-Oh, ye of little faith

-Are you two done?

-We have reached a monastery meowster! It feels off!

-I suppose a monster would be able to tell

-Nya?! You bitch! I am a Yokai! YOKAI!!

-Cool down Kasha, you are embarrassing our lord

I sighed

-Anyways, we going into the monastery, you in?

-…Do you know what is underneath it?

-Guess it's important huh? Then we should-!!

There it is! The Hydracubus is near!

-MOVE!!

But being too slow, Rachel got hit in the back by the creature, I know I call it a sea cucumber, but I honestly dunno how to describe that thing…jeez…tentacles and eyes everywhere, motherfucker would be right at home in Yharnam…

Anyways, that thing grabbed Rachel and attempted to eat her just like I remember, so

-CHAOS! CONTROL!

I swiftly sliced the tentacle holding Rachel off, grabbed her in a princess carry and retreated back to my summons

-Time flows again

The beast roared in pain as I told Rachel

-You really should be more careful, how you gonna let THIS catch you off guard?

-Tch…this one is new…never seen it before

-So? It's still a weakling, one second

I let her down gently

-Could you 2 be dears and guard her? I'll be done with this thing in a second

-As you command

-Hah! Some fiend hunter! This thing got the drop on you? Watch as meowster handles it!

…Kasha really doesn't like Rachel huh?

No matter, I have a fiend to kill

I sliced the other tentacle off and in an instant, I annihilated the creature once it's eyes opened, it wasn't anything special, Dynamo put up a better fight

-What a let down…

-!! My liege! Don't lower your guard!!

-!

I quickly reacted and got on guard only to see dark energy take the corpse of the Hydracubus and reshape it

-OH HELL NO!

I was gonna blast it but I was stopped

-Master don't!

[The hell?! Why not?!]

-The stronger the fiend, the stronger the sword will be once it awakens! Let it be reborn and it's energy absorbed into the Dark Dragon Blade!

[You're gonna get me killed faster than fucking Nekro my girl!]

-Tch…

-My liege?

-Can't, hands are tied

Before long it was done and now, now it was a proper enemy

"Hydracubus (Rank: SS+) (Corrupted)"

Now some weird fucking skeleton looking thing was before me, in all fours like a feral animal, tentacles sprouting from all 4 joints of it's now rotting flesh, the jaw now a chest cavity resembling a maw and it's head small and without a discernible shape, hell I only figured out it was it's head because it has one singular eye, it is all I got

It's roar deafening, it rushed at me and I quickly got out of the way but the tentacles were way faster and one caught my leg before slamming me against the floor, thinking fast and ignoring the pain, I sliced it off and made the fire wings emerge

I flew above it and then dove, aiming for one slice, it was meant to be an instant kill but the creature used all 4 tentacles and a barrier was formed, halting my attack

-Oi seriously?!

It roared again and attempted to impale me by having it's tentacles split disgustingly, I had to cancel my attack and gain some height, however, it jumped after me

And in that instant, I smirked

-Gotcha

Immediately I activated the ninpo art of inferno, covering me in a protective barrier of fire, smoldering the bastard and making it fall, before I bombarded him with the fireballs

Ninpo…unlike mana, I can't shape it at will, and it functions more like a technique than magic since it has a cooldown, according to Monica, it uses a different energy, one different from mana, but it is a lot less flexible and a lot more restrictive, but it can get the job done in case I am out of mana, I only know a limited amount and can perform 1 per hour and have got 3 uses, so after I am done, I need 3 hours to recharge

-WITHSTAND THIS!

Immediately I dove back down, directly at it and began setting up the small flames all over it's body, it reacted quickly and shook me off before rushing again

I dodged each attack and accepting some damage, I allowed myself to be stabbed as it gave me a perfect shot at the head, which I touched, setting the final fire

I then freed myself by cutting off the tentacle and backing away, it roared and chased after me relentlessly, but the fight was over

-Shiranui-Ryuu: Kyuubi no Kitsune

With a smirk and a snap of my fingers, the full strength of the attack emerged, once again as a pillar of blue fire, this time absolutely devastating as the creature was scorched out of existence

[And that's all she wrote!]

-As usual, fantastic job master

[Still, these corrupted guys are strong but…]

-Idunn was still way stronger right?

[Is it about potential?]

-There is only so much that can be done with regular monsters, it's not everyday you get a demonic divine dragon ya know~?

[Fair enough, tch…fuck it still hurts]

-Heal up already, the wounds are minor but they are still wounds

I scoffed and healed myself, hopefully this doesn't become a regular thing…I'd rather eliminate the corpse than risk it getting back up, lord knows it did me well when I played Resident Evil Remake

As I looked at the girls, I saw Rachel looking shocked, Kasha with a smug smile and Yuki with a gentle smile

-What?

-A bit sloppy, but overall a good show my liege

-That was awesome! Poor bastard never saw the pillar of flame coming!

-You…are absurdly strong…

-Glad you all enjoyed the show! Didn't it cross your mind to join in?

-You had it handled

-I wanted to see meowster look cool!

-…Apologies…

I felt my eye twitch at Kasha's response before sighing

-Whatever, how you holding up Rachel?

-I'll be fine…a little lovetap won't keep me down for long

-Sure, "Heal"

I healed her completely

-Magic is so convenient…

-Ever thought about learning?

-I thought my fiend strength would be enough…clearly it wasn't

-Glad you figured that out, anyways, take your time and recover, I'll see ya later, girls, come on!

But before we could leave, I heard a chilling voice

-MY-DEAR-SUN

-…Ah…well shit

-Gah the psycho is back!

-Be quiet Kasha! She is one of our mistresses!

-But she is-

-I said quiet!

As Yuki blasted ice into Kasha's mouth to keep her quiet, I sighed and turned with a smile to face Ayane, whose's smile resembled that of a fucking Oni

-Hey love

-Don't use your sweet words on me! I specifically told you to not steal any hearts!

-Don't think I've done that yet…

-And yet she is looking at you like a maiden in love!!

No…that's called shock Ayane…

-No…she really isn't

-Still, I am surprised…I didn't think you had such…extreme taste

-?!

-BDSM huh…

NOPE!

-HOLD IT RIGHT THE FUCK THERE!!

-Hm?

-My taste is rather normal ya know?! Also! This isn't a random slut! Don't you see the big ass hammer?!

-…Oh

-REALLY?!

-Hey, in my defense, her outfit is truly misleading

-Told ya!

-Be quiet dammit!

I sighed

-Look…let me start from the beginning and then you judge all right?

-Fine, do tell

After I caught Ayane up to speed

-I see…I apologize my dear sun for jumping to conclusions

-No…I can't really fault you here…

-…I was looking forward to tying you up though…

…Your whisper was really fucking loud…

-ANYWAYS! What info do you got?

Please let's move away from this conversation as fast as possible!

-Nothing too substantial, I know that the Dark Dragon Blade is currently being held in the palace of the emperor, Master Ryu is currently on his way there cutting down the fiends that show up while Impa has discovered that the Fiends are growing stronger due to the blade's malevolent aura

-…So that is the reason my blood stirs…

Ayane focused on Rachel

-Rachel correct?

-Yes…

-I understand that my dear sun has elected to help you, as such, I'll let this slide…but if you try anything to sedu-

Since her gaze was becoming dark, I did the rational thing and grabbed her by the chin before delivering a passionate kiss, something she happily returned, completely eradicating the dark aura around her

-You ok?

-Absolutely~

…Yanderes are fucking scary man…

-Wonderful, I'm heading to the monastery, something there is bothering me, care to join?

-As much as I would love to, I still have some things to handle, but I'll see you at the emperor's palace my beloved~

-Fine, leave me all alone then, I won't cry too hard due to me missing you

-Would you like some more love before we part then~?

Before I realized it, we were flirting back and forth, something that Yuki thankfully interrupted

-My liege…we still have a blade to retrieve

-Right! I'll be going on ahead then! See ya darling! See ya Rachel!

I hurriedly ran to the monastery, Ayane seemed unsatisfied but quickly left too, leaving Rachel there, looking bewildered

"Rachel"

"70 (What did I just witness?)"

I feel ya and I'm sorry…but I won't risk Ayane deciding to stab someone who isn't an enemy…