When it comes to it, Axel City is not that different with the city in my previous worlds. The sound of carriage being draws and the shouting of merchant shouting their wares in hopes of gathering their customers attention, a house wife chatting with their neighborhood about the newest gossips.
The city, just like in the previous worlds, is bursting with life, and in a sense, it comfort me in its familiarity.
I actually never an outgoing person, I prefer to spend my time reading some novel or manga online with a cup of coffee rather than partying or hanging out in a mall, but it didn't change the fact that this background sounds of crowd is something familiar, something that I experienced everyday on my way to works or just when I want to eat outside.
It anchored me, reminding myself of who I am used to be, that I am my own person rather than just Alicia Frey being reborn in the new world.
With that reason I decide to just relaxing today. With place to stay and money already secured, as temporary as it is, I could finally kick back and just relaxing, enjoying the wonderment of this new world I reborn into.
"Excuse me..." A small, hesitant voice took my attention to the small girl carrying a bag filled with croissant breads, her wide brown eyes peering at me. "Would you like to buy one of my breads?" She asked, raising the bag slightly.
I hummed for a bit while inspecting the bread. Honestly, it did looks tantalizing, and when I reach for one, it was actually still warmth, probably fresh from the oven.
Smiled. I patted the little girl before nodded my head. "Sure, I will take two." The girl immediately brightened hearing my answer.
Now armed with two breads on my arms, I decide to take a look at the river that said to be flowing, cutting the city in two segments.
I hear this place from Rin, she said that it was a beautiful place that become a popular place to meet up. Originally, we planning to meet up in there for next quest, but with Kyre being arrested for attacking a guard, we all decide to dissolve the party for now.
Honestly, it works for me, since I haven't decide how I'm going to fight without exposing my nature. From the other reaction, it seems that it isn't normal for human to slam a wolf into pasta, but without access to my magic and my shout, physical attack is the only thing I have.
Maybe I could said that I focused my stats on physical strength? But with my job, it would be suspicions for someone with a job depending on intelligence to increase their strength stats instead.
Before I could think deeper on the topic, I finally arrived at the river bank, and immediately I decide to put away the thought for later to focusing on this spectacle.
Rin was right, this is really beautiful river. Unlike the one in my world, the water in this river is clear, very clear in fact I could even see the fish swimming following the currents. The surface of the river glittering brightly, reflecting the light of the sunlight and make an imitation of the starry surface.
I could see why the river was famous for hanging out spot. From where I stand, I could see several peoples, most of them couple, hanging out sitting or chatting on the river bank, leaning their back or chest to the railing.
I lean my back to the railing, closing my eyes to fully appreciates the soothing sound of the flowing river. It was really relaxing, something that I rarely could enjoy back then in my world where everyone have to move and works as fast as possible.
The breads too, was a pleasant surprise. At first I bought it just because without much thought, but it was actually quite tasty, the soft breads easily crumpled under the force of my teeth, spreading the sweet taste to my buds. It was really good.
Unfortunately, everything will come to an end. I let out a long sigh, feeling the presence of three person surrounding and trapping me. I cracked one eye open, and almost regretted it.
The man was the very definition of punk, hairs fashioned so badly and comically, with more rings in his body than a woman in a party, and ugly leer splitting his face.
His two companion isn't helping.
Honestly, it was comical how they trying to intimidate me by looming over me, but all it did was making their ugliness the more apparent.
"Hey lady, You must be lonely being alone in a place like this." The man on the center leered, his breath dusting against my nose in disgust-
Actually no, he actually have a good breath. Huh.
It taken me aback so much, that when I snapped back into attention, the man is already getting closer to me.
Not that I'm worried. Flexing my hand, I just about to throw the man into a river when a loud voice interrupt us. Turning around, I saw a blonde haired woman running towards us in a hurry, almost eager even.
"Get away from that woman!"
The brutes surrounding me all turned into the newcomers with annoyed frown, but immediately it turned into another pervert leering, with the leader measuring the woman with appreciative hum. It was really disgusting.
"Are you lonely too, miss?" The grunt B on my right stepped up and grabbed the newcomer shoulder. The woman is certainly look uncomfortable, fidgeting with red face while averting her gaze away, her breath come in panting, no doubt because of her fear or exhaustion from running to save me.
"Please leave that woman alone. As Crusader, it is my duty to protect the civilians… Y-Yes! If you want, please just take me instead!" The woman shouted, face red from mortification. Her declared stunned me into silence.
This woman, she goes that far to protect the people just because of her chosen job? It was very admirable, albeit a bit foolish. But it was the kind of foolishness I like.
I could feel my lips quirked into a satisfied smirk.
"The-" I stopped the brute leader's words by grabbing the collar of his distasteful clothes. He only have a time to squeak in surprise before he meet the cold water of the river and then swept away by the river, or drowning.
I smirked to the three stunned person in front of me, before gestured to the river behind me with my thumb. "I will give you two a choice. Either leave us, or I throw you both into the river just like that man."
The grunt B was the first to react. He screamed some obscenity while running towards me despite there is barely five steps distance between us. It was easy for me to turn aside counter clockwise to dodge his groping hand, grab his wrist, and using his own momentum to throw him into the river to chase after his drowning leader.
"Two go, one left." I smirked at the last man while dusting my hands. He hesitated, taking a step back subconsciously in fear, even the crusader looks dumbfounded. I smiled reassuringly at her even though the grunt taking out a knife and swing it desperately at me.
A knife. In a city full of adventurer who carrying a sword and bow as natural as wearing a hat, these grunt only carrying a knife to intimidate their victim?
Are they an idiot?
I back handed his wrist with contemptuous easy. His wrist snapped, the knife tumbling down from his opened grip into the ground. Before he could even cry in pain, I already grabbed his injured wrist, and then using my feet as a pivot, I spun to throw him into the river.
"Done and done." I grinned, dusting my hand before turned to the still shocked Crusader. I smiled at her pleasantly, and then offer my hand to her.
"Thank you for sticking up for me. It's not really necessary, but I'm still grateful. My name is Alicia by the way, Alicia Frey."
The Crusader, who is stunned into silent, took a few seconds to snapped back and comprehend my offer. She hurriedly grabs my hand while nodding hesitantly at me, though I notice a slight disappointed frown on her face. She must be a bit down her help isn't really necessary, but I still appreciate it either way.
"M..My name is Darkness, it's nice to meet you." I blinked, doubting my own hearing. Did she really introduce herself as element?
Either she is a Chuunibyo, or she have a bad luck of having a parents with zero naming sense. But as I didn't know about the culture about this place yet, I keep quiet. For all I knows, it might be normal for people in this world to naming their daughter with the name of the elements.
Beside, this woman already shows her worth, no need to mock her over something as simple as her name.
"Excuse me, but are you the rumored Vampire Hunter everyone talking about?" She asked hesitantly. I smiled while placing my hand into my sweater's pocket, and nodded my head.
"Yes, that's me." I smirked while leaning my back to the railing, once again enjoying the feeling of the breeze teasing my hairs. It feels really good; I never know having a long hair could be this pleasant. "The rumors are really spreading fast." I shrugged helplessly at her. She feels a bit hesitant for a moment, before deciding to lean to the railing beside me. I smiled.
"It's really rare that this city got an attention from the Capital, so it can't be helped." She explained. I hummed softly, before glanced at her.
"What else do the rumor say about me?" I inquired, curious. I can't help it, after all, even though it's only been a few days ever since my arrival, the impression I left would be a do or break for my new life here. It was no difference how importance the first impression is between here or in the previous world.
Darkness hesitated for a bit, an awkward smile on her face while she rubs her cheek. "Honestly, there's not much yet, but they all agree that you're strong. Though some people say that you're not really useful since you're weaker than the vampire."
I hummed at Darkness answer. Honestly… It stings. Despite the fact that Remilia and I are the same person, being called useless is hurt. It reminds me of the calling name I used to receive back in the real world when I'm in high school.
"B-but there is some people who feel safer with you here now!" Darkness desperately trying to reassuring me. It was only then I realize that I subconsciously clenched my hands so much the fabric of my gloves made audible sounds.
I shouldn't buy the leather one.
Still, This Crusader is really a kind girl. I took a glance at her who is still trying her best to find a words to comfort my hurt feeling despite only meeting me now. I smiled at her, which seems to help because she smiled in relieve back at me.
Hm… Now that's an idea.
"Darkness, is it?" I asked, which she nodded her head hesitantly. "Want to make a party?"
We ended up in the plain field at the outskirt of the city, on the opposite end of the forest I burned down on my first day here. Being half vampire half dragon, I'm confidence in my five senses, six if you count my presence detection, but even with my eyes all I can see is either a grass, an empty sky, and giant frog as big as a house.
It seems that these frogs are in their mating season, and because of that they would need a lot of energy to breeding. The would attacking the human settlement on the outskirt of the town, eating cattle or if one would be unlucky, even human.
Though despite that, they are actually a low level monsters who hates steel, therefore it was easy for an adventurer to exterminate them.
"So, Crusader is mainly good for being tanks right?" I asked Darkness beside me while stretching my hands. She nodded her head while tapping the shield in front of her.
"Yes, I'm confident with my durability, so please leave me to get hit by all attacks." It is just me, or she seems to be too much enthusiastic when saying that? "But on another hand, I'm not really good with my attack."
Hm… Specialization? Well, no matter. I nodded my head before once again swapping my gaze on the field, until I found a nice target, a single green frog on the ahead and left side of us.
"That is our target, it is alone, so it would be easy. Ah, and don't worry about attack, leave that to me." I grinned confidently at her. Darkness, who saw this, also nodded her head with a smile.
"Yes, then without waiting… Please leave the luring to me!" Before I could even say anything, Darkness already running towards the frog with reckless abandon, that Crusader. Well, I didn't hate an excitable and determined person, so I suppose it is okay.
I decide to walk with more leisure, since I'm also curious about this woman skill. I haven't see her stats yet, but from her confidence it seems she was quite a good meat shield.
Just as I think that, the frog launched its first attack, a very long and… I grimaced at the slimy droll splattering from its tongue. That was disgusting. However, Darkness receives the attack with her body without even a stagger.
"Something like this…is not enough! More, if you want to hurt me, you have to give more than that!" Trash talk? I have to hold back from sniggering at Darkness action. I mean, I understand trash talking an enemy, but to a frogs is a bit too much isn't it?
But contrary to my expectation, the frogs seem to actually understand what Darkness said, because its suddenly being fiercer in its attack. It's futile though, Darkness accept every attack of it with reckless abandon.
Well, time to end this, I suppose.
I kicked the ground hard, leaping above Darkness towards the head of the frogs. Grinning widely in excitement, I do the proven best technique from the sky.
Axe kick.
"Eat this!" I shouted, flipping in midair and- HHOOOOTTTT!
The sunlight is so bright it burned my retina, and it feels as if my face is pressed into a hot pan. It's so hot!
My heel slammed into something, but I can't pay attention to it. Instead I hurriedly flipped back my hood over my head, only then the burning feeling receded. Fyuh, that's close… I forget about the sun completely.
"Alicia!" Darkness warning snapped me back to the situation, but it coming too late. A slippery feeling alerted me to the tongue around my left calf give me a disgusted shudder.
Ukh, it feels disgus- Wait, tongue!?
"Kyaa!" I let out a startled scream as the tongue suddenly pulling me into the frog mouth. I tried to stretch my hand towards Darkness, but it was useless. In the first place, Darkness is too far to reach me, despite her best effort to run to catch me. "Darkn-"
Before I could finish my words, a shadow looming over me. It took me a second to realize that it was the upper mouth of the frog. I widened my eyes, but it was too late, the frog snapped its mouth shut, the flesh ceiling slammed hard to my body.
"Gah-" My breath leaves me in a short pained gasp. As a vampire, I have a very high durability, but the force of its mouth pressed against my chest still make me breathless. In the first place, I have a very big breasts, and now it's all being pressed flat makes me have a hard time breathing.
This...This is bad! I tried to struggle, but the flexibility of its flesh and the narrowness of the space makes me unable to utilize my full strength. Forget punching, I have just barely enough room to push my palm upwards.
However, it was futile, instead, its mouth pressed even tighter around me, trying to crushing and choking me. I… I can't breath. A black spot beginning to gather at the corner of my vision, and my lungs beginning to feel hot in its desperation to get air.
Y...You're joking right? I'm going to die being eaten by a frog? No No! I don't want to die, much less in the stupid way like this! I just finally have this new life, I'm not going to lose it again!
[You say Run OST]
A surge of power flooding from inside me, my eyes narrowed at the wall pressed around me. I'm a half vampire half dragon, I won't become a nutrition for this stupid frog!
I flexed my hands, revealing a claws I keep hidden, and without hesitation, I stab its upper mouth and press my claws as deep as possible.
The pushing force around me immediately disappeared, as the frog opened its mouth to croaked loudly in pain. I use this chance to immediately pushed myself to my feet, but its slippery mouth makes me unable to find my balance. Clicked my tongue, I use my knee to hold myself upright when it try to crush me again.
However, now I'm ready.
Using my both hand, palm open, I caught its upper mouth. It tried to force me down, but it was useless. With my STR stats, it didn't have a chance.
However, it was also true we are on a stalemate. The slippery grounds won't allow me to use my full strength, and it only a matter of times before I slipped and the wall of flesh once again crushing me.
Another force bubbling at my lungs, begged itself to let loose. At the same time, an idea forming into my mind.
I have told myself to not use my Thu'um until I could control it, however, I believe I could make an exception for this one.
Smirking, I let the torrent of power surged up, from my lungs, to my throat, and towards my mouth. Opening my mouth, I declared the words that would be the death of this frog.
"YOL TOOR SHUL!" I roared loudly with voice filled with the power of Dovah. A stream jet of white flames shot from my maw into its throat, traveling to its stomach and even to its brain, burning and melting it from inside. It didn't even have a chance to crock in pain, my flames must have burned its lung almost immediately. Its interior begins to melt, and a loud popping sound from upwards must be coming from its eyes, most likely exploded or popped out.
I close my own mouth when its body begin to feeling sticky and hot, and jumped out of its mouth to see my handiwork…
And what a mess it was.
I…was not exaggerating when I said it melt and burning it from inside out. Even for me, it feels a bit too grotesque to properly describe.
It was a disgusting sight for sure, until the whole body caught on fire and leave nothing but ashes.
I landed beside the shell shocked Darkness. Her jaw hanging open, had its not hinged to her skull, it would most likely already fall down, her eyes was wide open.
I grinned at her reaction, before nudged her with my elbows. Darkness immediately snapped her jaw and turned to me, though her eyes still show her shocked state.
"Useless, huh?" Her wide eyes when she recognizes my jab gives me a vindictive feeling of satisfaction.