by Virlyce
Anyways, I’m doing my best to adhere to her words. What I didn’t know at the beginning of our journey was that being left behind meant I would die. Seriously. I will die if I let this eccentric squirrelkin lady out of my sight. As much as I loathe to say it, my livelihood depends completely on Lucia. And the reason for my dilemma is that beast chasing after me—the four-meter-tall creature with two heads, six legs, and a snake for a tail. Well, it’s not only that, but that’s just an example of the average beast I run into at least eight times a day.
“Unrelenting Path of Slaughter: Breaking Blade!”
And the creature that could kill me if it even looked at me the wrong way was promptly killed in a single strike. I don’t know if Lucia is at the peak of martial arts or not, but if she isn’t, then I’m willing to bet my left pinky toe that she’s extremely close. Her fighting style is very simple: approach, dodge, slash, repeat. She never blocks, never disengages, and doesn’t care about getting minor injuries. She’s a completely self-destructive fighter who reminds me of a blood magician. Her personality probably has something to do with it too.
“Oh, nice! There were two cores! Like I thought, two-headed beasts are the best.”
When she talks to herself like this, I’ve learned not to say anything or else she’ll glare at me with a bloody aura. Why did you leave me with such a crazy person, Teacher? No, why did my father even choose you to teach me if you were going to abandon me like this? Experiences? Worldliness? I’ll die before I learn anything. And keeping up with her is extremely difficult. That’s actually how I broke through from the third circle to the fourth circle. Everywhere Lucia goes, she engages in a battle which attracts the attention of many beasts because of the bloody smell in the air. We have to leave the area quickly before a swarm of beasts arrive.
To keep up with Lucia, I had to use all the wind magic I knew. But even that wasn’t enough, and the motivation of not wanting to die spurred some kind of breakthrough in my magic. I transcended the wall and learned how to control my wind magic in a more efficient manner that allowed me to barely keep track of my crazy companion. Not only that, but Lucia doesn’t sleep. It’s odd, yes. She doesn’t eat either which I had trouble adapting to. She occasionally gives me bones to consume—which are extremely addictive by the way—to rid me of my weariness and hunger. I don’t think she realizes what consuming the bones are doing to her body. I don’t think she realizes anything at all.
A faulty machine. If I had to use three words to describe Lucia, those are what they’d be. How does someone become like her? What kind of life has she lived so far? What about her—dear lord, that’s not a normal tree. Why do even the trees want to kill me in this place? “Lucia! Help!”
“Unrelenting Path of Slaughter: Flying Blade!”
I dove down as the massive red surge of qi flew towards my head. I felt it shave off years of my life as it passed by and bisected the giant tree that had a mouth and face. It screamed so loud that I thought I’d be hearing ringing noises in my ears for the rest of my life. When I finally managed to pick myself off the ground, Lucia was staring at me with completely white eyes—no traces of irises or pupils. She opened her mouth but closed it again before turning away while muttering something about a fluffy cross-dressing bastard.
And with the narrow escape from the tree, I’ve nearly died eighteen times now. That’s an average of six times a month. Six times too many if you ask me. I wonder how long I’ll have to live like this. I don’t think I can take much more.
***
Ilya’s sturdy! I hate to admit it, but she’s a lot more competent than I was when I was her age. Which wasn’t too long ago! I’m not old. Gosh. She also eats a lot. I really, really want her to cook for me, but the last time someone did that, I was poisoned and Durandal nearly died. Maybe if I watch her as she casts the barbeque spell on the meat, it’ll be fine. But there’s no way for me to know if it’s barbequed or barbequed and poisoned. The safest bet is to not play, so I’ll continue being bitter—err, not jealous of her food at all! How come magicians don’t have to worry about running out of mana in the vicinity? It’s not fair.
And she also has the clean spell which I am also completely not jealous of. I’d ask her to use it on me, but I haven’t talked to her in a long while and it’d be awkward to start now. Besides, I have it too! But if I overuse it, I might not have enough mana to cast barrier and haste when my life is in danger, so that’s a no-go. Especially since we’re in the desolate mountains in the north. Wasn’t it super convenient that Rogath’s laboratory was situated right outside the mountain range? I didn’t have to cross the human kingdom or the demons’ territory. It’s almost like there’s someone out there plotting out my life and helping me avoid all human interaction. It’s great! And with that super-long-ranged teleportation, anyone tracking me will be bamboozled by the lack of my traces!
I still can’t believe Rogath let me go like that though. Does he really think I’ll uncover the Godking’s legacy part two? The legacy’s a once in a lifetime lucky chance; I already spent mine on finding Durandal. There’s no way I’ll find what’s her face’s necklace too. But I’m not complaining! Rogath was even kind enough to give me his four favorite spells—the ones he used on me. He told me I’ll probably only be able to use them once every two weeks though, and no other magic tool will work for a week after their use. It’s in the form of the totally cute red ribbon tied to the base of my tail by the way. It used to be white, but, eh, beast blood does that, you know?
Speaking of beasts, the ones in the outskirts of the mountain range aren’t much different from the fat bears I used to kill in the southern pass. They’re definitely a step up though. I bet I’ll find ones stronger than the three-headed lion in the center of the range. I wonder if Ilya will survive. She’s been having a really tough time keeping up with me. She almost died like … two times? I guess that isn’t too bad, but for someone as young as her, it can be awfully scary.
Well, I’m sure she’s been left some life-saving items from her teacher. Maybe an instant teleportation button, or a three-week shield, or an instant-kill needle. …Now I’m scaring myself. What if she does have an instant-kill needle? Do those things even exist? Hmm. Somehow, it feels like my focus bones are becoming less effective over time. Obviously, I need to consume more. There we go. Why’s Ilya looking at me like that? Does she want one? I guess I can give her a spare.
“Thanks.”
It wasn’t out of kindness! Don’t thank me. It’s because your teacher would definitely punish me greatly if anything happened to you. But I’ll let her think it was kindness. I’ve been giving her a lot of my bones; she probably has a positive image of me in her mind. Did you know I could sell these bones for at least 50 gold each? More for the bigger ones too. But it doesn’t matter since I won’t be going to civilization for an awfully long time.
I say a long time, but I plan on going as soon as Durandal wakes up. With all the beast cores, bones, and penises I’ve gathered, I’ll definitely be able to buy a mansion! I’ll have dozens of servants to cook for me and clean for me and do everything I don’t want to do. Then I’ll hire some financial advisors, invest in the right things, and maybe start a dojo where I can put Puppers to work. I’ll be set for life and Durandal and I can live happily ever after! I’ll pay for surgery to alter my appearance, or if the emperor is willing, I could pay him off and free myself of my bounty forever. Anything can be solved with money; Durandal was right. Screw angular momentum—money makes the world go round!
I feel like I’m forgetting something though that would ruin that dream. But I’ll deal with it when the time comes. Mhm. For now, I have to focus on getting stronger. I’m definitely approaching the peak of high-ranked spirit warrior. I can even hear things and make out details during the Path of Slaughter. Durandal should wake up when I reach the peak, right? I’ll be as strong as the Godking was, so…
Holy shit. I’ll be as strong as the Godking was! Aren’t I qualified enough to
be a legend!? Wait. Lucia, you’re forgetting the existence of mages. Any seventh-circle magician is stronger than a high-ranked spirit warrior—remember Rogath? The guy you were just talking about that rendered you helpless with eight words? Darn. It seems like I’ll have to transcend the peak to become a divine warrior. But how do I do that if no one’s ever done that in the past? …I’ll worry about it after I get stuck at the peak.
“Lucia! Help!”
Again? Didn’t I already kill a tree like ten minutes ago? What’s trying to kill her this time? “Unrelenting Path of Slaughter: Flying Blade!” I renamed Flying Qi Blade into Flying Blade because Flying Qi Blade was too unwieldy to shout every time. Now, what was trying to kill her…? Oh, would you look at that: Purple rare spirit monkeys.
“M-murder.”
Aww. Ilya doesn’t know about the specialty of the beasts. She looks absolutely terrified with large, rabbit-like eyes. How cute. “Don’t worry. They were spirit beasts.” See? I’ll prove it to you. …Hmm, no beast cores. Welp, can’t get lucky all the time. I’ll prove it to her during the next batch we run into.
***
“Don’t worry. They were spirit beasts.”
Those were the words Lucia said to me before she proceeded to bash open the demons’ heads and dig around through their brains. Teacher, why have you left me with such a person? I’m not sure what’s worse: if she truly believes they were spirit beasts or if she was making up an excuse for murder. Granted, I did call out to her for help. I sensed someone trying to disable me with magic, and I couldn’t do anything about it on my own. I hadn’t considered how much of a target I was as a young demon traveling through the wilderness. People didn’t only hunt beasts. Sometimes it was easier to hunt the people hunting beasts. It may be a bit barbaric, but the imperial family allows it—if only in the wilderness. Perhaps because it’d be too hard to regulate; I don’t know.
But to be hunting in an area like this; they must’ve been fifth-circle magicians at the very least. One out of 500 people have the potential to reach that level. Magic isn’t like martial arts where anyone can improve so long as they try hard enough. Besides, there’s—wait. Wait, wait, wait! What is Lucia doing!? Lucia was humming while, while…! She cut it off! She cut all of them off!
“Most expensive parts, get! They’re kind of small though. Would anyone still buy them?” Lucia shrugged and the, the things disappeared into her interspacial ring. “Whew. My space is getting full. I wonder if there’ll be a town conveniently placed nearby like Wilderness Town was.”
Don’t be stupid! There’s no way anyone would establish a town inside of the desolate mountains. How would the town defend against beasts? You’d have to have seventh-circle demons guarding the walls day and night in case a divine beast attacks. Only one out of ten thousand people will ever reach the seventh-circle; it’s much more difficult than becoming a sixth-circle magician. That’s why people call the boundary between six circles and seven circles the second wall. Elaine, Rogath’s first pupil, is still stuck as a sixth-circle magician after thirty years. I wonder if her travels bore any fruit.
But now that I think about it, Lucia really … is leaving me behind! “Wind, encircle my feet! Earth, lighten my body! Fire, give me stamina! Water, maintain my temperature!” Wait for me, dammit! Let me monologue inside my head some more! Thankfully, those bones of strength that Lucia give me restore my mana; otherwise, I really won’t be able to keep up with her. And we already saw what happened when I lagged behind. Maybe it was my fault those demons died. If I hadn’t been targeted, Lucia wouldn’t have struck to kill them. Actually, she might have done that regardless if she sincerely believed they were spirit beasts.
“Oh sweet! It’s a person-faced lion with wings! And a pointy tail!”
A divine beast! I never thought I’d see a manticore before I was even an adult! We’re so dead. O lord, if you exist, please, let me die a quick and unmiserable death.
“Take this! Unrelenting Path of Slaughter: Breaking Blade!”
Lucia’s sword was tiny in comparison to the beast. In fact, she was only as large as its face, but she didn’t look scared at all. The manticore roared and blocked the strike with the tip of its tail. “Pitiful warrior.” It could speak!? “Trying to fight me without magic? Realize your folly and die.”
Wow, it sounds awfully snobby. Then again, it is a divine beast. I don’t imagine many things can even hurt it. If I tried to escape right now, could I make it? Why didn’t Teacher give me something life-saving like an instant teleportation button, or an instant-kill needle, or at least a three-week shield? I’m sure dying does not build character. Maybe negative character.
“Go! Puppers, use poison attack!”
Right! Lucia had a sock spirit that looked pretty fierce. He can definitely—he was eaten!? What the hell!?
“Success!”
What the hell was successful about that!?
“Y-you! Warrior! What did you do!?” The manticore looked like it was in a lot of pain. Don’t tell me Puppers was actually poisonous to eat. Was he meant to be used this way…? I wonder how he feels about it. I imagine not very good.
“Let’s try it again! Haste! Unrelenting Path of Slaughter: Repeated Breaking Blades!”
A red aura surrounded Lucia. The aura was so dense around her sword that it looked black. She turned into a red blur that repeatedly crashed against the manticore’s body. The manticore swiped at Lucia with its claws and tail, but Lucia didn’t stop. Blood flew into the air. I wasn’t sure if it was Lucia’s or the manticore’s, but there was a lot of it. A droplet landed near my feet and burned a hole in the grass. …Probably the manticore’s then. Will Lucia be alright if she’s covered in that stuff?
“Gah! Warrior! Cease your struggles!” The manticore spread its wings. It was about to leap into the air, but it let out a scream that caused my eardrums to burst. It hurt a lot, and I couldn’t hear anything, but the manticore was definitely hurting more. One of its wings had been severed and fallen to the ground.
My lord, Lucia was an absolute monster. “Light, please heal my injuries.” I wasn’t sure if I said it correctly because I couldn’t hear myself, but I think I did because there was a buzzing feeling in my ear afterwards.
The manticore’s massive body seemed like a detriment as Lucia darted around like a fly. The beast couldn’t hit Lucia at all. It even tried stopping, dropping, and rolling in the hopes of crushing her, but it didn’t work and the manticore lost an eye because of that action. Wasn’t it a divine beast? How could a manticore be so weak? Or was it that Lucia was just too strong? Literally too strong because she had picked the manticore up and thrown it after it tried rolling on her. It must’ve weighed at least 10 tons, but she…, she only used one hand….
“Wah! That was a tough fight.”
It was over!?
“Sweet! A beast core!”
You didn’t even hesitate to smash open a human-like face!
“No! Dammit, why!?”
What was she cursing about now? I still can’t believe she killed a divine beast so easily. The manticore’s corrosive blood didn’t even have any effects on her.
Lucia kicked the manticore, causing its corpse to fly off the ground and fall a few meters away. “This stupid thing was a woman! My money!”
***
Cheated. Swindled. Why can’t I make any money off of this man-faced lion thing? Well, at least, I obtained a beast core from it. It looks red and black and omninous like the one I got from the three-headed lion back in the southern pass. And Puppers isn’t around this time to tell me whether I should save or consume it. He’ll probably be bitter again since I fed him to the beast. Maybe Ilya will know?
“U-um, this body, are you leaving it here?” Ilya flinched under my gaze. Why was she approaching the divine beast? “C-can I have it?”
“If you want?” Where would she even store it? Unless she has an interspacial ring. That’d make sense considering how powerful her teacher was. “I’ll take
the bones later though.”
“Thank you!” Ilya bowed at me before touching the beast. It vanished and disappeared, presumably, into her space.
“Hey.”
“Y-yes!?” Ilya stiffened. Was that guilt on her face? What was she feeling guilty for? Hmm. Hmmm. Hmmmmm. Oh wells.
“Do you know what’ll happen if I consume this core?” If she knows, she’ll probably become my new encyclopedia. I’ve tried messaging Liana and the Briarwood envoy a few times, but I don’t think the range of the messenger extends that far.
“Um. You might explode?” Ilya asked and bit her lower lip. “Please don’t explode. I’ll die if you die.”
Explode, huh? “What happens if I don’t explode?”
“…Increase in strength?” Ilya lowered her head. “I’m really not someone you should be asking about this. Most people don’t consume cores. It takes too long to remove their impurities.”
“Eh? But a day of sparring is all it takes.” Right? And it takes around 30 cores of an animal to develop their attributes. That’s only a month of training. And it goes by even quicker the more you take. Some cores won’t even give you any strength if you’re already beyond their abilities. Wouldn’t it take a year at most to develop a body equivalent to that of a spirit beast? Of course, it only took me a day. Mhm.
“A day?” Ilya asked. “Maybe for a beastkin. Demons have a lot of mana, and mana interferes with beast cores a lot. Even ingesting a beast core brings about a lot of nausea for a first-circle magician.”
That probably explains those magical monkey beast cores then…. Their cores had magic in them, and that was an absolute nightmare to absorb. Mm. No absorbing beast cores with mana. Wait. Aren’t I super lucky that I can’t use magic at all then? Well, it depends on what you call lucky: the ability to use magic, or the ability to absorb beast cores easily. In that case, since I’m specialized to absorb beast cores….
