Void.

This is the same void I used to go. The same void I'd always feel alone. The same void that made me remember my pain. But why is it different? Everything looks bright and the atmosphere was dense with hope.

"Look at you, Yakiro nii-sama."

I looked behind and found Namimi standing behind me with a blissful smile on her face. She was thrilled to see me after all this time. She was waiting for me to come here.

"Namimi..."

"Nii-san..."

"Namimi..."

"Nii-san..."

"Namimi!"

"Nii-san!"

We ran at each other and held each other within our arms. We embraced each other as we whirled in this blank void.

"Thank you... Nii-san... Thank you..."

"For what?"

"For not letting your hatred control you. I was afraid of losing you."

"I won't go anywhere."

"But still, don't use it Nii-san. Don't use Zen."

I remembered what Mr. Arthur told me. Zen Aura is a demonic skill that devours the sense of justice and innocence of the person. He told me that this power belonged to an accused demonic G.o.d which was pa.s.sed through a bloodline.

"I won't."

"Say promise! Nii-san, you idiot!"

"Hahaha yes yes. I promise, my beloved sister Namimi."

We smiled at each other. Suddenly the light behind my back disappeared. Behind me was a void of darkness and I can hear millions of souls screaming for help.

".. Lies.."

"Don't touch my Brother, demon!" Namimi angrily shouted. I looked behind and I saw myself.

"H-how?"

It smiled like a psycho and blood suddenly dripped down his face. It was like a ghost, a phantom... like a demon.

He raised his head and stared at me with agonizing eyes. There were death and murder inside his eyes and the only thing he sees was a ma.s.sacre.

".. Lies... One day, you'll call me! One day, you'll say that word. One day!.."

"Brother, don't listen!"

I turned to face Namimi and she was terrified. I returned to glance on the demonic version of myself and he was suddenly in front of me.

His eyes were dark and his iris were white. It was the opposite of the human eye. His eyes were stygian and it was filled with terror, a cataclysmic glare. His teeth were gritting and his hands were pulling his face. He was terrifying!

I felt something coming out of my nose. I touched it. The substance felt warm and thick. I turned to look, only to find my blood dripping down my nose.

"Knock knock!" He said with a menacing laugh and suddenly he stabbed his hand deep into my heart.

"AHHHHH!"

I woke up only to find it was a dream. I looked at Ayumi and Koneko, they were mumbling. Mr. Arthur rose and asked me:

"Hmmm, Mmmm... What's wrong Yakiro? No. Why do you have a nosebleed?" He suddenly changed the question.

I touched my face above my upper lip and felt a thick and warm liquid dripping down from my nostrils.

I started to search my chest, running around my hand, for holes. But there was nothing. There were no holes and I'm still alive. I'm still Yakiro. I'm still me.

Mr. Arthur stood up and gave me a cloth to wipe off my nosebleed. He started to search his bag and gave me something to drink.

"Drink this. No questions."

I took it and drank down. It tasted like a salty tear and I felt my face twist in sour. It was not disgusting. It was just salty.

"Wew! What was that?!"

"That was an angel's tear. That was dangerous Yakiro. If you ever get a nosebleed while asleep, the demon inside of you must have appeared before your eyes."

"How did you know? How do you know this stuff?"

Mr. Arthur wasn't able to answer my question because Ayumi and Koneko were worryingly listening to us. They looked worried.

"Is master gonna be okay?" Asked Koneko.

"Yakiro... What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"What were those demons you spoke about?"

"Nothing, Ayumi. Nothing." I patted her head. She suddenly took my hand and bit it.

"Ah! Ayumi!"

"Master, do you want me to bite you too?" Koneko asked.

"Hahaha no. I'm fine, Koneko. Really. I just had a very bad dream." I smiled at them.

I stood and walked away but Ayumi grabbed my hand. I turned to face her.

"Whatever it is, Yakiro. I'll never leave you."

"Me too, Master." Koneko joined our hands.

"Thank you. Both of you... Thank you." They smiled.

"Now please let me go. I really need to p.o.o.p!"

"EW! STUPID YAKIRO!" Ayumi stood up and slapped me. Koneko got angry at her and they started to quarrel. I just ignored them and I went into the woods to do my business.

We got down from the hill. There was a huge waterfall there and there were wisps floating around. It was a level two wisp.

It looked like a firefly, only that they emitted golden light. It was pure and majestic. I took a closer look and they look like a human. Some were pretty too. They smiled at me and did kind gestures at me. They were more like a fairy if that what they are.

Koneko suddenly released her clothes and jumped down the river. She popped out of the water and smiled at us.

"The water is great, master! It's not cold and it's not hot!"

I kneeled to see if the water was just like how Koneko told me. I dipped my finger then my whole hand and found that she was right. I took off my clothes and joined Koneko. We started splas.h.i.+ng water at each other while Ayumi also jumped in. She was reluctant at first but when she saw us enjoying it, she got jealous.

Mr. Arthur was deep inside the woods. He told us that we'll wait by the river and he'll return in about two-hours.

The water was sky-blue and it somehow contained some kind of magic. The magic that heals injuries. I felt my injuries disappear and I saw Ayumi's injury disappear too.

Koneko jumped behind my back and embraced me while cheerfully smiling. I splashed water at Ayumi's face.

"Hahaha!"

"Geez!" She stretched her arm wide and swung at the water. A huge wave appeared in front of me and Koneko.

"Master, what is that?"

"Koneko... That's a tsunami..." We ended up getting washed into the sh.o.r.e. Ayumi laughed at us.

"Are you trying to kill us, Ayumi?!"

"Bleee! Serves you right! Yakiro-kun!" She laughed.

I went near her and we played again, the three of us. We're enjoying the water and the loud noise of the waterfall hitting the river continued.

We finished bathing and got out to wear our clothes. We sat by the tree and Mr. Arthur hasn't returned yet. It was already noon and we just patiently waited. Koneko transformed into her cat form and started chasing the wisps.

Ayumi had pretty much indulged herself in the grimoire that I had brought her. Come to think of it, I had a new cla.s.s.

I flicked open my cla.s.s panel and lists of unknown cla.s.ses appeared. I scrolled down until I found the cla.s.s that I got. It was basically the 299th cla.s.s on the list.

-Cosmic Swordsman Cla.s.s-

While equipped with this cla.s.s, the user's attack is enhanced by cosmic-affinity if cosmic skills are active.

Cosmic-Affinity: May deal burn, slow, weaken, explosion, gravitational pull, void and stardust effect.

Stardust Effect: Each time the user deals damage to the enemy target (not including allies nor people not registered as an enemy) stacks a stardust effect on their system. Each stack deals bonus damage.

That was all there is to it. It sounds pretty good and it might help me dealing damage. I realized that it will only effect if I was able to cast these skills.

Milky Way: Dashes in a curved line while using stride. Enemies caught in the line are attacked (Manually).

Starry Night: Deals a 99-combo attack, as long as Calibur is equipped. Dramatically boosts the dexterity of the user until the end of the 99th attack.

Stardust Arc: Slashes in an arc, dealing a high amount of damage. Might ignore armor.

Shooting Star (Buffed)

Stride (Buffed)

Ren Aura And Zen Aura (Buffed)

Woah! This is awesome!

The new skills I got was pretty awesome too. I equipped it and the skills immediately registered into my skill set. My Skill tree was buffed too, especially my sword Calibur. Now that I remember, Milky Way is similar to Ayumi's Shadow Flow. But she doesn't have that skill anymore. That's why she's studying skills.

It really didn't matter if I was strong or not. All I ever thought of was living peacefully in this world. That's why I didn't want to be a landlord or more like that I can't decide. I just wanted to have a normal life in this world, do good and pa.s.s on so that I could be with my mother and my sister.

For me, I'm just training to defend myself. I realized that I couldn't save the world all by myself. Things are difficult when everyone knows you. Especially when you're a hero. There will be always someone there to wish your downfall. That's why I decided to be strong for now. Not to save the world, but to live a happy life and pa.s.s on.

I also realized one thing. This world Nas.h.i.+ki called h.e.l.l isn't really h.e.l.l. Maybe what he meant was to accept that the reality is cruel and it was wrong for me to end my life when I could achieve more. It was stupid of me just to give up. I didn't even give justice to my sister. But I doubt that the police would help me. If you're rich, you can just pay for the bailout. That's why the world is cruel. There isn't much a difference between Alheira and Earth. There are war and peace in both worlds.

Being a representative might also mean that I was reincarnated to save this world. But from what? I know that now the cataclysm isn't the only thing wreaking havoc in this world or causing misery. It's the people itself who abuse their power.

"Master! Please hold my hand!"

Koneko, all of a sudden, threw her hand out for me. A magic circle was floating above it and it sparkled like an iridescent star.

"Why?"

"Just hold it! Ehii!" She smiled happily.

I reached for her hand and I clasped it. Suddenly, a burst of an air burst. Our hair and clothes quivered in the huge gust of air. Ayumi's grimoire flew out into her hand and out into the river. She was able to jump and catch in on time.

"Stupid! What did you do Yakiro? I almost lost the grimoire!"

"Don't look at me. It was Koneko, Ayumi-chan. Heh heh." I scratched my head with my free hand.

I turn to see Koneko slightly floating above the ground, her eyes closed with her lips parted.

"With the veins of the cosmic veil that surrounds my spirits. Heed my call oh familiars and I cast!"

Suddenly, all the wisp gathered around us.

"Heavenly Blessing!"

Then all the wisps radiated a bright light.

"Ah! Wha~"

I felt a sudden flow in my strength. I look to find myself a bit lightheaded and a bit dizzy. But as soon as the seconds pa.s.s by, I felt somehow strong and benevolent. Like something holy travels inside my blood. I opened my eyes to see that my SP maximum bar was extended to another bar.

[SP Bar 10/10] --> [SP Bar 20/20]

Woah! Now that means I can burst then use Calibur!

She must have learned it from the grimoire. I can't believe how helpful this was! Koneko is really doing her best to keep me strong!

"Woah! Thanks, Koneko!"

Koneko descended on her feet. Opened her eyes and grinned with her adorable cherubic face.

"Ehiii! It's nothing master! Ehiii hii!" She grinned adorably cute.

She jumped at me and hugged me.

"Koneko loves my master after all!"

I patted her head and smiled. I turn to find Ayumi standing and glaring at us with her knuckles clenched on her side. She seemed annoyed. No, she seemed jealous.

"Can you do it again, Koneko?"

"Hmmp!" Ayumi grunted.

"I can't master. It was a one ticket spell." She answered.

It was wonderful that just 60 gold pieces worth grimoire could give us this much. But sadly, I wasn't able to learn any spells from it. Well, it's okay since I got an amazing cla.s.s. It even sounds proper. Eat that, HATAKE! Hahaha! Your Swashbuckler Cla.s.s is no match for my Cosmic Swordsman.

Come to think of it. I haven't seen Ayumi's cla.s.s.

Inari Ayumi

Level 30 ΔUpΔ

Cla.s.s: Lunar Thief

Hey! Now you think of it. The three of us looked like a galactic trio. With Koneko as a Crescent G.o.ddess, Ayumi as a Lunar thief, and me! A Cosmic Swordsman!

It might sound a bit childish but hey! This world is freaking crazy. You wouldn't think it's childish if it saves lives! I remember Elena did have a torture chamber. I wonder how other people tortured there felt. I think they must feel the same way I did. Hopeless and wis.h.i.+ng for the world to end.

Things are crazy here. I had a feeling that we won't only face the Cataclysm or Elena. I felt a much stronger threat. The thought of Elena made me clench my fist.

"Seems you've waited." Mr. Arthur arrived with 12 Dearus monsters strapped in a rope as he carried it on his back.

If he just went out to hunt then I could just go with him and help him do it faster! But I guess he made us stay here to wash our bodies and cure our injuries. This waterfall and river are holy after all.

"n.o.body knows this place but me. Welcome to my mysterious forest. Will-O'-Wisp Forest!"

Suddenly an angelic choir sang a melody. I found that it came from the wisp. It feels like a song from heaven.

"You own this?"

"Yep. This place, kiddo, is my own mystical home. This was the place I was born. Only I and those people I allow could enter this place. This place doesn't appear on any map and only we can ever enter this."

"Just who are you, Mr. Arthur," Ayumi asked.

"I'm your teacher. Now let's begin your training!"

That didn't answer her question, old man. Sigh, Mr. Arthur is very secretive about him. Well not all about him. He told me he was into rabbit demi-humans. The thought of it disgusts me.

"First day training! Meditation by the waterfall!"

"Eeeh?!" I and Ayumi were shocked. Koneko giggled.

"Even you, Koneko." Mr. Arthur didn't make an exception.

"Eeeeh?!" Koneko was even surprised.

"You're a G.o.ddess, aren't you? You can handle it."

"But... But..." Mr. Arthur didn't shuto her. That's unfair!

"No buts, Koneko." Mr. Arthur rubbed her head and Koneko pouted.

"Now then, Take off your clothes and start training!"

We took our clothes off except for our pants. But what about Koneko? She's in a dress.

Ayumi approached her and gave her small pants similar to was kendo clubs were wearing. She looks cute and looks like she's a grade schooler learning kendo cla.s.s. Ayumi took out a bandage and wrapped Koneko's chest.

"How do I look, Yakiro-sama?!"

"You look great!"

"Nyan!" She nyan in happiness. She really is a cat after all.

As soon as we step into the rocks found under the waterfall, the heaviness and force of the waterfall struck us immediately. It was heavy but I was able to endure it. I've been doing this before after all. But that waterfall was different, this waterfall was heavier and much more aggressive. The stones below were placed manually. Like a stepping stone, it placed one by one with a gap on each. Like what you see in some gardens, a river rock stepping floors.

We took each rock individually and meditated. Koneko was having a hard time but she was able to handle it. Any kid would undergo this would definitely die from force or die from drowning. But Koneko is no kid. She's a thousand years old cat with the body of a kid. But all I know is that she didn't have any memory and all she knew was when I woke her up from obtaining her in a gacha stone.

After a long hour of meditation, our shoulders were stiff but we didn't stop there. We were forced to climb a mountain while carrying stones on our backs that are hanging from side to side in a long elongated plank.

On the night, we were forced to sleep above the tree while in sitting position. Koneko had no problem as well as Ayumi. But I kept on falling and I felt about two b.u.mps grow on my head. Not only that, Mr. Arthur took two meal away from me.

I was the only one having a hard time!

By the morning, we were forced to fight monsters with no skills nor weapons. It was starting to become difficult training each second.

"Koneko! Are you all right?!"

"Ughh... I'm okay, master... Just a bruise."

"Growl!"

"Watch out, you guys!" Ayumi warned.

By the afternoon, we meditated. By the night we carried stones on our backs while on the s.h.i.+vering cold night wind.

It repeated and repeated.

Until two weeks had pa.s.sed.

"Shooting star!"

"Graaaaah!"

The dragon's belly swelled up and a stir of red flame rose up into its throat. It widened its mouth with its fangs sharper than any blade.

"Tethys Das.h.!.+" Ayumi disappeared then a sudden three slash marks appeared on the dragon's chest. Ayumi appeared on the opposite side where she was standing.

Tethys Dash is a new skill that Ayumi had learned from her cla.s.s, Lunar Thief, and from the grimoire.

It turns Ayumi invisible and she dashes in a straight line. As she dashes, she's able to hit three consecutive strikes with her knife as long as she's on the effect of the skill. It only attacks single targets so it's different from her first skill called Shadow Flow where she dashes in a river-like line of shadow and attacks all enemies caught in the line.

"Grahhh!" The Dragon was surprised and it flinched, making it's fire breath burst out at random.

"Crescent Cat! Opalescent Barrier! Lynx! Holy Healing Tri-s.h.i.+eld! Ai! Night Fall!"

Koneko is pretty overpowered now that she was accustomed to her skills. She was able to freely take form without a sweat. She's been training her self until she was no longer able to stand. Koneko did her best. When she couldn't stand during our training, she would shout "I will protect, Yakiro-sama!" and she would stand up again.

Koneko blocked all the attack with her Opalescent Barrier. A transparent s.h.i.+eld with many iridescent color glimmering as it floats above the ground. Then she turned into a Lynx to heal me.

The time she screamed "Ai", it meant love, she turned into her loli form and caster her new skill called Night Fall. It's a skill that inflicts drowsiness to the enemy.

The dragon infiltrated the Will-o'-wisps forest's barrier and attacked us. It was basically looking for prey to eat and found us while it was flying around. Normally, people and monster's wouldn't see this place nor even know it existed. It must be because it's a high-leveled monster and exalted-tier.

=

Lesser-Tier

Mid-Tier

High-Tier

Mythic-Tier

Legendary-Tier

Exalted-Tier

Supreme-Tier

OmegTier

Demonic-Tier

Other-dimension-Tier

=

Those were the lists of tiers and this dragon was one of the Exalted tiers. Mythic and below aren't able to see this place so this moment was pretty rare. This wasn't the first time it happened.

Mr. Arthur told us that trainings over but I know this is still training.

The dragon tottered on its feet with its head wringing in confusion. The eyes looked heavy as if it wanted to sleep. It was thanks to Koneko's human form skill called Night Fall.

Now it's my turn!

"Burst!"

A huge golden aura exploded around me. Air began to reverberate and I can feel my left eye change color.

"Silver Sword! Calibur!"

I pulled out my sword and pure white flames wildly enveloped me. My burst affected my flames. I gathered them in the edge of my sword and I cast another skill.

"Ren!"

The flames started to become more fierce and wild. I steadied my grip and permeated the flames within the blade of the sword. The sword radiated a pure light.

I hope this can one-hit him!

"Stride!"

Boom!

In a sonic boom, I dashed in a straight line as I flung my sword horizontally. The blade went smooth in the flesh and bones of the dragon's neck and the head went flying.

SWIs.h.!.+

The body twitched and fell on the ground with a huge thud as gust exploded. The trees started to quiver in the malevolent wind until it calmed down.

I released my sword as I pant.

"Huh... huh... Ugh..."

"That was amazing master!"

"Hmp! Just because you took it down in one attack doesn't mean you did it by yourself. Don't feel high-headed, Stupid Yakiro! Hmp! B-but, you will treat me later. Okay?"

"Yes yes, Ms. Tsundere."

"Huh?"

"Master, did I do good?"

"Yes, you did."

All those training for two weeks paid out. Mr. Arthur smiled at us. He went down the hill and we followed him.

I am strong enough to live my life peacefully. I hope I do. I want to live my life as a normal adventurer starting now on. This world isn't cruel after all. We just needed to see its beauty no matter how hideous the flaw is.