The art of manipulation

[N/A : Feel free to comment and rate the novel. I write non stop every day and even at night to make sure I can get 2 chapters out to you each day. I will admit that I need to have some feedback to know if you really like the story, the characters. Thank you and happy reading]

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-- POV Freya --

[Race : Sphinx

Name : Magni

Element : rock

Lvl 16/30

HP : 35 000 / 35 000

MP : 17 000 / 17 000

Strength : 120

Defense : 180

Agility : 150

Stamina : 115

Speed : 70 ]

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I was standing in front of Magni accompanied of course by Kira who had become a soul inside me. We were in the lair of the sphinx controlling the rock...my second victim.

Her stats were high but despite the difference in levels between us, it wasn't that incredible. Magni seemed very agile and had a very high defense.

*I think her agility and strength stats are a perfect match for her race and element.*

[What do you mean?]

*Remember, Gaya told us that the Sphinx had an attack called "rock rain" and a defense called "stone body". Her agility comes from the fact that she can fly, do you think you can hit her ?*

[Yes, as long as you get close to her to carry out your physical attacks, it's not a problem, especially since we have a margin of 200 meters.]

Staring at the creature in front of me, I could see that I had piqued her curiosity. Instead of attacking me, Magni jumped down from the pillar and was on the ground a few feet away from me. The powerful muscles of her lion-like body were sculpted and slender and her black eagle wings made a pleasant sound as they split the air. Standing in front of me Magni was larger than me and towered over me slightly in terms of size.

"An unknown creature and strange to say the least. Tell me, what brings you to my home?"*

Her voice suddenly echoed in my mind, leaving me stunned for a few seconds. She could speak so she had the telepathy skill, but I really had no idea how she got it. Gaya had it, but Warg didn't, and I hadn't thought to ask her for details before leaving the cave.

Ignoring her questions, I decided to ask my own. After all, she would soon find out sooner or later what had brought me to her suddenly. My voice in turn echoed in her mind with a firmness and coldness almost natural to me.

"How is it that you can speak telepathically?"

"I think you're pretty rude, but since I'm interested in you I'm willing to answer."

Gritting my teeth so as not to rip her head off with a paw, I held back to hear the answer to my itchy question.

"If you don't know that, then you're not at my level. The telepathy skill is naturally obtained at level 15. Now tell me little wolf, what are you doing here?"

*Little wolf?*

[Calm down onee-san, I know you're dreaming of torturing her but for now we can glean some information].

*Tsk...fine.*

Breathing in and out slowly I faced the beast.

"First of all I am not a little wolf my name is Freya, and to answer your question I came here to kill you."

"OH???"

" ... "

"Hahaha...There is no way you can kill me little thing. I'm the second most powerful creature in this forest. You think you can kill me easily? How foolish!"

At that moment an evil idea was born in my mind. Why couldn't I have a little fun? Using my natural skills in terms of mental manipulation, I decided to act out.

"I...I'm sorry in truth I don't even want to be here. Oh great and noble sphinx please forgive me."

[Um...onee-san what are you up to now?]

*Hush, watch and listen. I will teach you the art of manipulation.*

[Pffhahah ~ onee-san you always surprise me!]

Taking a submissive posture, I cursed myself inwardly for having such ideas. If there was one thing I hated was submitting to someone, I couldn't bear the thought of having to bow my head even to manipulate. However, the prospect of seeing Magni's face change and losing her trust was worth some effort on my part. I didn't like to submit, but I loved to manipulate! It is not necessary to believe that in my past life I caused disasters only with the force of my fists, I could be anyone and sow destruction of a simple sentence.

"Well I see that you have become more reasonable little wolf. Where did you come from? Who sent you here? That person definitely sent you to die, I wonder why."

"I'm from the east, my family was taken hostage by a lion named Daggus. Being the most powerful of my pack, he ordered me to travel north to kill a weak and useless sphinx if I didn't want the blood of my people on my heart."

I insisted maliciously on the "weak and useless".

"WHAT DID YOU SAY?? DAGGUS??"

"Y...Yes. He said he was the most powerful beast and that he would soon rule the entire Syn forest."

Watching Magni's reaction I could easily see that she was seething with anger. Her face had turned red as blood and her paws were scratching the ground in frustration.

My plan was simple, get the two to fight in order to weaken them both. I knew only too well what kind of spirit was behind Daggus, Magni and even Warg (rest his soul). If they had been able to betray Gaya, they were able to do it again. Therefore, Magni did not even look for the few inconsistencies that might have been in my story.

First, I had never met Daggus, so if she had asked me for more physical details I could not have made it up or lied. Secondly, she should have noticed my change in personality, but blinded by my compliments she didn't notice. And thirdly...she's pretty dumb.

*Perfect, that's how I like to manipulate them, to break them. A self-righteous bitch, completely stupid and blinded by her non-existent strength.*

Although her level was higher than mine as well as most of her stats, it wasn't necessarily the most important thing. An individual's overall strength and power lies in everything that makes them a warrior. This includes intelligence, strategy, dominance, mental and poise. Magni, on the other hand, had none of these, she was for me a non-existent strength, a coconut: hard on the outside and empty on the inside.

The pleasure of destroying her was all the more divine. I decided to push my arguments even further.

"He told me to give you a message"

"..." staring at me intensely as if she was going to explode she reached out.

"Enjoy your last moments as an ugly old creature, the world will soon be rid of your repulsive existence."

*Kufufufu ~ this is for the "little wolf*

[Pfffhahahaha ~ stop please onee-san ahaha ~]

I could see Magni's face twist into a hideous expression of anger, the veins even popped out of her red forehead ready to burst. Staying in character I hastened to continue.

"Oh great and noble sphinx I am ready to give my life for my clan, please help me defeat Daggus"

Magni, still shaken by the "words of Daggus" was animated by an urge to kill. I didn't know if she would decide to turn her rage against me, but if she did, it wouldn't be a problem. Kira and I were already determined to confront her the moment we entered her lair.

"I CAN'T LET THIS GO! YOU WOLF, WHERE IS YOUR PACK?"

Her voice trembled with anger and his eyes seemed to shoot deadly lightning.

"In the East, my pack is trapped in Daggus' territory. I am only allowed to return if I possess your head."

"HAHAHAHA! I'm going to pay him a little visit to remind him who I am and that no one has the right to make fun of my appearance!!!"

" ... "

"You! You could be useful to me, you're going to come with me and we're going to the East ! If you try anything suspicious I will kill you without hesitation, in the second!!!"

*Tsk, wait a little bit, I'll take care to cut your tongue for your words !*

"I would never dare oh sphinx, only you can help me."

As I bowed to her, Magni walked past me to lead the way. She was as pissed off as ever and didn't even think to speak to me as she muttered insults at Daggus.

"So you thought you'd send one of your pawns to kill me you little shit? You don't know what's waiting for you ahahaha I've already commandeered your pawn and I know about your plans! Laugh while you still can! "

Me a pawn? Magni didn't even realize that she was the one being manipulated from the beginning, it was all part of my plan. I stood behind her, making sure to retract my urge to kill her on the spot. But hearing her disparage me like that only made it harder.

*Kira, remind me later to rip out her tongue for her insults and teach her the same little rules that I taught to Warg*

[I'd be happy to do it onee-san. Since I'm a soul I feel every emotion stronger and at this moment I just want to shove an ice pick into her skull].

*Oi ! You're supposed to be the most reasonable of us, if you fall to the dark side who knows what will happen kufufufu ~*

[Onee-san, know that I fell to the dark side the moment I became your helper system]

Joking with Kira helped me to calm down, previously I had never left a person who insulted me alive. Even though I knew it was only a matter of time, I couldn't help but be extremely frustrated that I had to let this go.

I had to be patient because my reward was clearly worth it.

My plan was simple: manipulate Magni into leading me directly into Daggus' lair. Being enraged and stupid, she would attack him without even asking if what I told her was the truth or not. The lion was the more powerful and cunning of the two, he would throw himself into the battle without question, convinced that he could easily defeat her thanks to his strength and intellect.

As for me, I would continue to play my role until we reach the lion's den. When the battle starts, I will discreetly move back to observe them from a more distant place waiting for the best moment to intervene.

[It's a risky plan, what if Magni talks to Daggus before fighting?]

*She won't.*

[How can you be so sure?]

*I just know. I know the psychology of powerful beasts, they don't ask unnecessary questions and prefer to settle everything by force and killing. If something different happens, it's okay, I'll fight them both if I have to.*

[WE !]

*Haha~ forgive me, yes "we".*

The sun was already setting as I ran behind Magni. We were heading north to defeat Daggus who had offended the sphinx and free my captive pack.

But what the winged creature next to me did not know was that this was all part of my plan. The sphinx did not know that in a few hours she would meet her end in excruciating pain...a tragic and cruel end.

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FULL STATUS

Name : Freya

Age : 0 years / Mentally : 25 years

Sex : Female

course : Ice Demon Wolf of chaos - Cub

Race : Demon

Title: Blessed by Titania Goddess of endless Chaos and eternal frozen Hell.

Dragon Tamer

Level : 14/30

Exp required for next level : 300 / 15 000

HP : 25 000 / 25 000 MP : 12 500 / 12 500

Strength : 140

Defense : 151

Agility : 140

Stamina : 133

Speed : 132

Intelligence : 115

Charisma : 110 (majestic she-wolf)

Attribute points to allocate : 0

Related to: Dragon Earth Gaya

Elements: Ice / Chaos

Skills (all):

Attack - Demon Claws (Lvl 3)

- Bite of hell (Lvl 4)

- Infernal ice spikes (Lvl 4)

- Fighting techniques (lvl max) - blocked

- Katana mastery (lvl max) - blocked

- Demonic Aura (lvl 2)

Defense - Ice demon wall (lvl 3)

- Demonic Cloak (lvl 4)

Resistance to pain (lvl 2)

Other - Humanoid form (blocked)

- Ice creation (Lvl 3)

- Chaos Storage (Lvl 2)

- Devouring Chaos (Lvl 3)

- Analysis

- Second soul (lvl max) - unique

Passives - Commander (lvl max) ]