Now, finally things get messy. I'm moving this to M because it is going to be gore and swearing from now on.
My character may seem OOC but, that is the point of fanfic.
Your opinion please.
Also. Slight edits for the two latest chapters.
I don't own arifureta. Shirakome does.
"Ah"
My eyes opened and I jolted from my position. It was dark, a green light coming from the ceiling and the walls was the only source of illumination. I was in a river, my body was soaked and half my body was still in the water.
"Where I am?"
Fresh memories assaulted my mind, Orcus Dungeon expedition, fights, a trap, behemoth, being an idiot, a promise, the bridge collapsing.
I had no time to sort all of it because—
"Achoooo"
—I was freezing.
"Achooo!"
Quickly I left the water, the icy wind against my soaked body made me quiver.
Not wanting to catch a cold, though I might already have one, I discarded my clothes, except for the underwear, then sat on the ground.
'I need fire, but how I am going to get fire in this place'
There wasn't anything remotely inflammable and I had no lighter or matches.
"Achoo"
Then it came to me. Magic.
I admit it took me a while to come with the idea, but in my defense, that's because I am a total failure at magic, so I tend to not consider it.
I have no affinity for spells, but I can still draw magic circles, it just takes me more time, effort and mana than any normal mage and will never be applicable in combat.
[Mineral Shaping]
I made a circle of a meter of diameter in the ground. It took me a whole minute to get all the details fine.
The spell I was casting was called Ember, a spell casted by children with five centimeters magic circles and no chant.
"Give me heat, give me a flare, I want fire—Ember"
The only advantage of being alone is that there was no one to see, or I would have died from embarrassment.
Fire burned in the centen of the circle, my clothes near, getting dry. Warming myself close to it, I think about what I should do now.
'I don't know where exactly I am, but it must be an inexplored floor in the dungeon, that means monsters, and no food and I... I...'
Tears, forming in my eyes, I wanted to cry.
But I didn't. I took deep breaths and calmed down my negative thoughts.
I was still alive, I had almost no injury, just minor scratches, and I could still be saved if I can live enough for the group to reach this level.
Diverting my mind from despair through positive thinking I took my already dry clothes and put them on.
Having played several survival games, I checked for the things I have with me right now.
Apart from my clothes, I seem to have just some pills, eight on total, two blood pills, two mana pills and four ration pills.
"These rations pills are just too few"
Also, at some point I lost my sword, maybe when I fell from the bridge. It doesn't matter much because I wasn't so skilled with it either way, and if I need something sharp I'll just made it with my skill.
Feeling ready, I wanted to leave before any of the predators that live here feel like looking for me.
Then I heard it, the noise made by dogs running in packs. Also the howls.
"Of course, nothing can go never my way! "
There were four paths, I just took the closest to me.
I ran, I ran scared. I had no way of defend myself if the monsters catch me, I would just die. I don't want to die.
This place was like a labyrinth, the way turned left, left again, then right...
They were getting close fast, the sound of their howls becoming stronger.
I reached an intersection, three ways, to the left, right or keep straight. I had to choose quick.
The pack of wolves reached the intersection and kept running straight, their sense of smell telling them the way their prey took.
When there was no one left, a hole appeared in the wall and Hajime walked out from it.
"That was close"
I took the straight path, then used [Mineral Shape] to hid behind the wall, at the speed the monsters ran they won't notice.
I return to the intersection, eager for take any other path.
Taking the leff path, this time I had active [Mineral Sense] just in case.
The way turned to the right this time. I got four reactions.
Scared again I took a look hidden behin the corner and the relative darkness.
Three wolves were circling a rabbit. Or so it looked to me. I finally had a good look to the monster in this floor.
Blue and gray fur, sharp fangs and claws, red eyes and two tails, their zize almost the same as me. Red sparks flickered in their bodies.
White fur, large and fluffy rabbit ears, out of place fangs, a pair of large and strong legs and red eyes.
Oh, and both had ominous red marks in their bodies. They looked almost as tattoos or blood vessels. Beating and shining tattoos I choose to believe.
The situation was clear, like me, the rabbit was a prey of these wolves. Such are the laws of nature, the strong devour the weak.
Sorry rabbit-chan but I'll use your sacrifice and scap—
My insincere apology was interrupted for what happened next.
The rabbit vanished, then appeared kicking the head of one of the wolves, sparks surrounded the rabbit and the wolf was sent flying, its neck bended in a wrong and unnatural direction while the rabbit having used the wolf as platform was high in the air.
The other two wolves jumped, their jaws aimed toward the air bound rabbit, that should have lost mobility. It should.
The rabbit back flipped mid-air avoiding both wolfs, then once again its figure vanished and the ground exploded. There was a headless body in a crater under the leg of the rabbit, blood and cerebral mass everywhere, and a lone wolf landing after the jump.
Red sparks covered the body of the last wolf and from its mouth a lightning bolt was shot.
The beam hit the rabbit and went through, it was just an after image. The last wolf died with a kick from below, his ribcage broke and its heart stopped beating, blood oozed from its eyes and mouth. The rabbit sparkled briefly.
All this happened in seven seconds, it took another six for my brain to process what just happened.
'You gotta be kidding me'
The rabbit was no prey to the wolves, they were its prey. The rabbit was eating the wolves. The strong devour the weak, there were never words more true.
'This rabbit is even more dangerous than the behemoth'
Scared beyond ever before, unconsciously I took a step back and fell in my butt.
I turned around to run away and go back to the intersection. Or so I had planned to do if weren't by certain detail that made my blood freeze cold.
In the time I turned the rabbit already had blocked my path.
I stood there, like a deer when caught by a car. My brain ordered my body to move but I was to scared to do it.
The rabbit almost lazily took a step. My arm was lifted in reflex and guarded my head.
My body was sent flying and crashed in the wall. Mana reduced the force, and my arm took the worst of the attack.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh"
Pain, pain assaulted me, I couldn't think straight anymore, my arm simply hurts too much.
I could only scream while looking my left arm, it was broken beyond the natural ability to repair. The arm wasn't just bended and limping some of it was turned into bone dust and splinters that hurt even more.
"Ahhhhh, Ahhhhh"
The excruciating pain, made me forget that the responsible of it was still before me.
The rabbit eyes were filled with disappointment, but to me, with my bloodstained eyes clouded with tears, it felt like pity. The rabbit was looking down on me.
It was clear that it could have killed me already but it was toying with me. I wasn't dead yet just because I was so weak I was no threat, I was just food.
I have never really hated someone before, even my bullies, I didn't truly hated them, angry at them, sure, but true hate, the wish of see them dead, never. For the first time in my life I wish the death of a living being. This creature before me.
The rabbit seemed ready to stop my misery, I couldn't do anything about it. This feeling of impotence, I hate it.
Suddenly a oppressive presence made itself present and fear followed. My pain disappeared, drowned under the waves of fear that now oppressed my heart.
I wasn't the only one, the rabbit looked just about as scared as me. Even worse, it could see whatever it was behind me, for the first time I saw true fear in its eyes.
Rabbit vanished, a fifty meters ahead it reappeared together with the new monster that looked like a bear. The rabbit fell apart in pieces after reappear.
White fur, red eyes, deadly sharps and the same ominous red tattoos that all monsters here seem to possess.
The demonic bear munched in the body of the rabbit. This bear was to the rabbit what the rabbit was to the wolves.
Devoid or any rational thought and already used to the pain enough to move I tried to run while it ate the rabbit.
The moment I took a step something flew past me, it was wind, magic wind. My left and mangled arm was flying in the opposite direction and fell to the ground in the middle point between the bear and me.
The bear sent me a glance that seemed to convey a clear message.
'Don't move'.
I could only look at where my arm used to be in wonder, a shower of blood flowed from the bit of forearm I had left, then it calmed down and turned into a normal stream of blood.
My brain that couldn't keep with the quick flow of events and with the blood loss started to get sloppy. Fortunately, pain was among the first things it stopped processing or I would be screaming in the ground.
The bear walked slowly toward me, stopped mid way and munched in a familiar arm.
"Whose is the arm is eating?"
I could only watch in fascination how the bear devoured the arm, knowing the same fate awaited me. I didn't feel scared though, lack of blood in the brain tends to cloud one senses.
But, when the bear was finishing the arm, from the same way I did, a pack of six wolves appeared.
These were the same wolves that were after me at the start.
At the sight of the bear they cowed and tried to run away, but it was too late. Ignoring me in favor of the wolves, the bear proceeded to massacre them.
Ironically, I was just alive because of my weakness, just like the rabbit the bear knew I couldn't out run it, or be any threat.
If my mind were working as intended, the thought would have made me angry, but instead the little brain power I could muster focused in scape while the wolves are killed.
[Mineral Shaping]
In the wall next to me a little hole of seventy cenimeters of height was opened. I dropped into the floor and creeped into it.
With just an arm I used all my strength and moved inside, closing the hole, blocking the path, and moving further ahead with [Minera Shaping] just in case.
Like a worm, I kept advancing until my mana dried, or I lost enough blood to keep moving, the details are lost to me.
I rolled over my back and looked up, I wasn't eaten by the bear, but, I knew I was dead already, I lost so much blood, there was a trail all the way here and more was being spilled under me right now.
Why did I struggled so hard if I was a dead man walking, was it out of spite for the monsters, was it human desire of live even just a more second.
My fuzzy and dazzled consciousness started turning dark.
Flashes of my past played one last time in my mind before it closed forever.
There were several things I regret, but the most important was the last promise I made.
Spitting blood, I said my last words—
"Sorry, Kaori... I lied to you... I couldn't ... keep my... word"
—before closing my eyes to sleep and never open them again.
"Listen well, Kaori... This is not the end. Whatever happens next I'll promise you that I will live"
"Not matter the distance and not matter the time it takes, we'll met again, of that you can be sure because...—"
"—I love you"
Drip... Drip...
I awoke at the sensation of something wet in my face.
My eyes opened.
"Ahh, aauuuu"
When trying to get up in instinct, I hit my head with the low ceiling.
Mineral Shape
The ceiling grew and water poured down on me, soaking me.
"...I am alive?... I am alive!"
But how?, did someone saved me, no, I was alone here, then.
I look at the floor, my blood still fresh, and my arm still missing.
"Ahh, ahh, ughu, ugh... "
I cried, I couldn't keep it any longer, all the dark thoughts I pushed away came back like a boomerang.
I was trapped behind the walls, in a room stained with blood, my blood, that also was covering my body, monsters roamed this place, ready to eat me if I caught their attention.
I stopped crying when something fell in my eye.
Water. It was the same water that soaked me a seconds ago.
I would have thought that somehow I was under a river, but it wasn't normal water. Normal water doesn't shine or sparkle like this.
Curious, I decided to search for the source, eager to do anything can could help me to avoid thinking about my situation.
Mineral Shaping.
The more the ceiling retract, more water oozed from the cracks.
Finally I reached the source, a soccer's ball sized cristal with a mysterious aura around it and a aquamarine glow.
While admiring it, a certain legend I read in one of the books came to my mind.
"Can it be?"
I drank from the crystal, wanting to confirm my idea. When the water got into my mouth, a feeling of warmth and peace flooded me. It lasted a pair of secons, but it was enough.
"The legendary Ambrosia, then I guess this is a Divinity Stone"
After drink a bit more of Ambrosia, I slumped in the wall of my improvised room and hugged my knees.
To many, be alive after so much might seem a miracle. But it wasn't for me,
I was alone, trapped here, sorrunded by monsters with an arm missing.
To the inhabitants of this hell I was food, nothing else.
In fetal position I could only wait for a miracle.
"Someone... anyone... please... save me"
Three days here, I think?
It is just me, the walls, the divinity stone and my dried blood.
I need something to do, something to distract my mind or I feel like I'll become crazy.
The only thing I have with me are my synergist skills.
... Oh, I know I'll write a diary in the walls, with Mineral Shaping I can engrave the characters, like primitive people used to do when internet didn't existed.
This is the first entry.
{I miss internet.}
Perfect.
{I ate the last of my ration pills. I'll guess now I'll have to survive with just water}
Ambrosia can in theory keep you living forever as long as you drink it, I don't think I want to live forever in this conditions, neither I think I have enough ambrosia for even a year.
Flashback
"Ahh"
Class already ended, yet I was still in school. It was one of those rare days in which we had to stay after class to help in decorate the classroom.
After finishing my part, I tried to get out of school the fastest possible. I wasn't fast enough, hidden before a corner Hiyama and his group took hold of me and dragged me into one of the empty classrooms of the school.
Their punches, kicks and words were in sync with each other. All seemed practiced and coordinated by an orchestra director.
I think that if they put as many effort in their studies as they do in make my life miserable, they would be in the top of the class.
But of course, their lives are so empty that they have nothing better to do than this, I feel pity for them, alongside rage. But, there is little I can do about it, my best shot is to avoid them. Today I didn't have luck.
Once they had enough, is over and I am left alone in the empty classroom. I stand up and check the damage. Several bruises and parts where hurt to touch. Walk is somewhat difficult and will be for a few days.
This is the main reason I hate school. I came here for obligation, a sense of something I have to do as a normal japanese boy. The truth is that I don't need this, if I wanted I could leave school, even my parents think so.
I already knew my forces and weaknesses.
My dad is the president of a company that makes games.
My mom is a popular shoujo-manga artist.
I have a plethora of options where my talents can be used and connections to the industry, I can get a work pretty easily right now. That's why, I don't have any real reason to be here, after the first semester is over I'll left school.
With my forced walk I made half the way for the exit when I was ambushed again—
"Nagumo-kun–what happened to you!? Are you okay?"
—by this school most popular girl Kaori Shirasaki.
'Of course I am not fine'
"Yes I am fine, I just... fell from the stairs...?"
I made a excuse just a gullible fool would believe.
"That's terrible! it must hurt we have to get you medical help"
Of course, Kaori Shirasaki would believe it. Still, her concern is so genuine that now I feel bad.
"No, it is not that serious, the damage is mostly cosmetic, I am so clumsy some times, falling from stairs I don't saw were there, this isn't the first time"
"That doesn't mean it is fine, you have to take better care of yourself Nagumo-kun... and be more careful around stairs"
'This is somewhat your fault though'
A small part of me still blames Shirasaki-san for my troubles.
"You are right Shirasaki-san, I'll go to the school nursery"
With a forced smile I tried to take another path to the exit. It was too late Shirasaki-san had my arm.
"Let me help you Nagumo-kun, I'll take you there"
Kaori Shirasaki is a person I can't understand.
She is one of the most popular girls in school, together with her best friend Shizuku Yaegashi, and with the also popular Kouki Amanogawa.
I am an otaku, I have no friends, and don't do so great at school, my grades barely acceptable.
We are in completely different social circles, she shouldn't even know I exist at all, like that guy with thine shadow.
Yet somehow, I found myself talking with her almost in daily basis.
The first time it was pretty normal. She presented herself, I did the same, she talked about the weather, I told her that I knew nothing about the weather. The talk died. She stammered, and left in an awkward fashion.
I thought it would be the last time she would try to talk with me.
'Like everyone else do'
It wasn't the case though, she came the next day, and tried again. It didn't worked. My years of being a social outcast rusted my ability to talk with people outside themes of my interests.
Also, it was very awkward for me, I was aware of the glares most of the class were giving me, they were clearly not happy, so I stood and excused myself to the bathroom.
After two weeks of futile talks that didn't got far and the increasingly murderous glares, she left for the first time disappointed and a bit down.
That day I feel bad for make a girl sad. Also, it was the day I first met the punches of Daisuke Hiyama and the petty four.
The next week, she didn't came to talk with me, I feel the occasional glances she sent my way but she didn't tried to get near.
For a moment I really thought it was over. No, it wasn't.
She came back, with a confident attitude different from before. The topic that time was about one of my favorites animes which she started watching. I didn't knew what to do. For one side, it was the first time I could sincerely talk with her about something I knew. For the other, evil eyes looked with disapproval and Hiyama hand was closed in the form of a punch.
I knew in that moment that I was doomed not matter my choice, so I talked with her. She wasn't a expert in the series, so I ended doing most of the talk. She laughed at my bad jokes and terrible puns. It was the most I talked with another human being outside of my parents.
When our conversation ended, she left looking satisfied and I felt somewhat happy.
Then I met Hiyama again and my good mood vanished.
I decided from that day to actively avoid Shirsaki-san. It became a game of cat and mouse since then. I spent the less time possible in the classroom and try to hide anywhere she can't find me.
I have tried from the school roof to the men's bathroom. None of those worked. The last one invited a big misunderstanding that got me into detention for two weeks and several beatings from the bullies.
She shared her lunch with me once time I forgot mine. It was delicious. After that day beating, I decided to never forget my lunch again.
She keeps occasionally sending me invitations to her house or other places. I always refuse and run for my life.
It was a game I couldn't win, and maybe I didn't want to win.
At first, I tried to dislike her. To be mean to her, and make her stay away from me. I couldn't.
From the start I knew she was a good person with no malicious intent.
'I can't hate her'
She is just... naive, unaware of how her actions affect me. I can tell her, but I didn't want to hurt her with the truth. I suspect at some point I started to like her company.
That didn't stopped me from run from her.
'But, what does she want with me?'
Her unknown motivation is the reason I am still wary of her, I can't understand her.
Resigned as usual, I left Shirsaki-san help me to the school nursery. We walked in silence.
"—house, what do you say?"
I don't know what she said, lost in thought I zoned out and ignored most her talk. In any case, the safe option is to tell her no, whatever she said.
"Sorry, I can't Shirasaki-san, maybe in another occasion"
She seemed disappointed. This is so frequent I feel less guilty each time.
"By the way Shirasaki-san, is there a reason why you still here"
After dragging me here against my will and call the school nurse, she has yet to leave.
After check me out and give me some painkillers, the nurse, told me that I should rest for at least an hour and then go home.
"... Of course, I can't leave you alone with that nurs–I mean, how can I leave you when you need help, I will never left you Nagumo-kun"
There were some aspects of the last statement that scared me.
"What did you say?"
"I can't leave a friend alone when needs help, we are friends, right, Nagumo-kun?"
'That wasn't what I asked, and I have the suspect the last part wasn't a question'
But most importantly.
Friends. It was what she said and how she said it. She consider me a friend.
I always wondered what she thought of me, that would shed light about her intentions and reasons. Something like, 'the quiet boy who is funny to mess with'. For my part I always considered her 'the weird girl that can't read the atmosphere'.
It never crossed my mind that she just might want to be friends with me.
'I am such a fool'
I spent these few months trying to avoid her and wary of her. I have no experience about what friends are supposed to do. But, it wasn't too late yet.
"Of course, we are friends Shirasaki-san"
I'll give it a try.
"You can call me Kaori"
"No, I don't think I can, not without fell from the stairs"
The bullying is going to get worse, I know, but I won't let it stop me from this.
Maybe, we are not truly friends yet, but, somewhere we have to start.
For the rest of the hour Shirasaki-san and I talked about the last episode of the manga my mom is writing right now. Though, I'm sure I never tell her my mom alias in the manga industry, neither that she writes manga, I haven't told anyone in this school, so, how does she knows.
I decided wisely, don't ask questions.
Flashback End
Before Kaori I was alone, just like now. Alone with my thoughts, I can only think, things I give for granted are now out of my reach.
{Things are getting worse here, just the ambrosia is keeping me alive at this point, nightmares and flashbacks are becoming somewhat frequent things when sleep.}
Flashback
"So what are you going to do son?"
I was eating breakfast when my dad asked me a question.
"What to do about what?"
I knew what he was talking about, but I didn't want to discuss it.
"You know, about sch—"
"I have something urgent to do right now so I must leave, I'm sorry"
I swallowed the last part of my breakfast and ran for the door. When I opened it, mom was there blocking the way.
"I knew you were going to try this, there is no escaping this talk son"
"Tch"
I click my tongue in annoyance. They knew me too well. I can boost of have a good relation with my parents, but it can be such a pain sometimes.
I took seat again and my mom followed suit. We were going to have a Nagumo-family meeting.
"The first half of the school year is over, you has have time to consider it. So tell us, do you wish to continue going to school?"
It was time to decide.
My parents know I am being bullied in school. It is impossible to occult it, so I didn't tried. They feel concerned about it and are advising me to drop school right now. Well. Their exact words were.
""Do what you want. If you want to transfer, transfer. If you want to fight back, fight back. If you want to become a shut-in, become a shut-in. Hell, get yourself expelled for all I care, I'll hire you. It doesn't matter if you're a high-school dropout or have 10 PhDs, the ones making money in the end are the winners.""
Yeah that.
"Why do you had to say it again!"
"You looked about to have a flashback so we wanted to help you refresh your memory"
"Why can't you act like normal people!?"
They are so... weird sometimes. Still, it is a part of what did my parents unique and I would not change.
"We want the best for you, if you don't like school we aren't going to go"
At those words I could only answer with my honest opinion.
"About school, I think—
The me of a month ago would have dropped immediately, there was not a good reason to go there, just good reasons to leave.
But, right now.
The image of a certain girl flashed on my mind.
—that I'd like to keep going"
I have a reason to stay, it was also the cause of my reasons to not want to go.
The girl called Kaori Shirasaki, my first friend, my only friend.
Of course my parents don't know about her, and don't plan on telling them. They will surely make fun of me and do something I might regret for years.
"Are you really sure?"
Still, I need a good reason for them to let me go, so I'll bullshit my way with words.
"Yeah, I'm sure, it is something I started and plan on finish, so don't worry about it, I'll show you both how a little bullying can't stop me, because... I am Hajime Nagumo, someone who isn't deterred by even the worst this world can offer, sometimes it might try to break my spirit, but my will is strong enough to withstand, believe it"
It is embarrassing to say this, but luckily they'll decide to no pry in my business and leave the matter lay down.
"Okay, I don't know why do you keep doing this to yourself, but it must be really important for you to say all these things"
Dad said all this while mom showed me the phone in her hand.
"Since when were you recording?"
"From the start, this will be great blackmail material"
"Give me that"
I tried to take it from her hand but she ran away together with dad while laughing. I stood there, alone in the dining room.
"Why can't you two be normaaaaal!?"
A common day in my house.
Flashback End
I miss my parents, my family, she. Using my incredibles skills as sculptor I did rock statues of several people I know. There was, Ai-sensei, Yaegashi, my parents, Meld-san, the hero, hell, even my bullies were here. I don't know so many people.
Still, this statues almost look like real people. I'm for once proud of my work.
Flashback
"Is that you, Yaegashi-san?"
While walking through the streets in the entertainment zone of the city, a brief glimpse of a ponytail drew my attention.
Thinking it was my imagination I turned and got into one of the arcades of this side of the streets.
Imagine, my surprise when I found Shizuku Yaegashi, here of all places.
"Ugh, Nagumo-kun?"
She seemed surprised of see me at first, or more like, resigned. Apparently she didn't wanted to be found here.
"Is that a UFO Catcher? Are you trying to get a prize from it?"
I admit I know little of her, Kaori introduced us last month and from her attitude in class I thought I had a good insight in her character.
"Ughh"
She hid her head behind her ponytail in embarrassment.
I just pointed the obvious, but now I feel like I kicked a puppy, really bad, so I tried to fix this.
"There is nothing to be embarrassed about here, Yaegashi-san, is pretty normal for girls to want cute stuff"
She got even more embarrassed, God, I had to do something. Looking inside the machine, there were several plush dolls, one of them called my attention.
It was a plush swordsmen that looked like Kenshin from Samurai X.
'That must be what she is after'
Yaegashi-san seemed to have been trying here for a while and I got a idea.
"You seem to be bad at this game"
"It is not like I am bad in this game, I just don't have luck today"
Fighting her own embarrassment Yaegashi answered back my provocation.
"It is a matter of skill and trickery, this machine is one of the latest models created to keep the money of young people that likes plush dolls, however I have an intensive set of skills based around beating impossible odds in anything game related."
"What a useless set of skills to have"
Yaegashi reflexively said what was in her mind.
"Ahh, sorry I didn't wanted to offend you"
She hastily apologized.
"Why would I fell shame of being myself?"
"Uhh?"
"My skill are the result of intense training and nights with no sleep, they are prove that my efforts weren't wasted and a reward for spend entire days before the PC, they a part of what makes me the person I am"
Yaegashi stayed in silence, like contemplating something that wasn't there. I'll take that as a good sign.
"I can't be Hajime Nagumo and have not skills at games, just like you can't be Shizuku Yaegashi and don't be a kendo prodigy"
Okay, now I was just telling bullshit at this point. Strangely Yaegashi didn't said anything yet, she just watched me manipulate the claw. When it was above the plush swordsmen.
"And my skills allows me to do this"
The claw dived in the sea of plush dolls. And came back with a prize on tow. A pink dolphin.
It wasn't what I tried to pick at all, I somehow missed, yet I didn't want admit failure after my long speech, so instead I'll bullshit my way again.
"Just what I wanted, isn't this cute, like, just look at it, who doesn't love dolphins, they are great, intelligent and mammals? They even come in pink for girls, or so I think I read somewhere, and if they don't, then this do, so take it Yaegashi-san"
I seem to have spent my inspiration for today in the last speech so I cut this short.
I really didn't expect for Yaegashi to take it. Yet, as said before, I really knew little about her, or about anyone, really.
She took the pink dolphin from my hand and for a moment she looked to me like any normal girl that likes cute things.
In that moment I finally understood.
The Shizuku Yaegashi in front of me is her true self. The Yaegashi Shizuku in school is a mask.
Like most people, I
"How it is, to be yourself without fear of what everyone else thinks?"
She asked me a troublesome question. I'm not the person with the answer she wants, still, I told her what I feel wa my honest opinion.
"It is hard, mostly at the start, but it gets easier with time, troubles still lurk around, people that don't like who you are will always exist"
She seemed to have expected my words, I guess she too considered her situation many times.
I don't want to pry on more details, ultimately is Shizuku decision how she wants to live her life. Instead I'll just gave her some last words.
"Still, I think that there is no a best you than yourself"
"What does that mean?"
"That, is something you'll have to find yourself"
'Because I don't know myself'
Yaegashi seemed to want to say something, but I wanted to leave.
"By the way Yaegashi-san, how about we never talk about this day again?"
"Uh? Oh!"
She got confused with my abrupt change of theme, but understood quickly.
"Once we left this place, none of us will remember this day, it will be like it never happened"
This was obviously something she wanted to keep secret and I didn't wanted get involved.
She nodded in agreement.
After a brief good bye, we took separate ways. Overall, it wasn't a bad day.
Then I was ambushed in a dark alley by mysterious beings.
That day I met the Secret and Exclusive Society.
The Soul Sisters.
Never did I interacted more of the necessary with Yaegashi again. Aside from Kaori-related matters.
Flashback End
I don't even know where this came from. I think I reached the bottom of the barrel that are my memories. I honestly didn't want to remember that 'things'. Any wish of have a little sister vanished from my mind that day. Amanogawa have it rough.
Also with my more refined skills, I turned the divinity stone into a replica of Kaori's head.
{The constant stomaches and phantom pains in my arm, mixed with the memories of good and bad days alive are not helping me. I drink ambrosia and although it stops my pain from a second, it is not enough, so I drink more}
I would like if Ambrosia could get me drunk, maybe then I could forget all what happened and how my life is ruined.
I'm just still living because I am a coward and I'm afraid of die.
{I don't know how long I have been here, but the hunger is getting to me. I haven't munched in anything since a week ago? Time here is getting confusing. There is nothing good here. No one to talk with, just like most of secondary school, just much worse. My intestinal juices are melting the walls of my stomach. Ambrosia-chan can fix them, but it doesn't stop the melting and the pain that come with it. It is not your fault Ambrosia-chan. I feel an itch in my left arm, the problem is, that I don't have a left arm. It is maddening. Ambrosia-chan presence helps me forget it for a moment so I'll be fine along she is with me. The facts stated above also keep me awake, I haven't sleep since five days ago? Ambrosia-chan can stop the physical effects of sleep deprivation, but not the mental effects. I fear I might become insane. Don't tell Ambrosia-chan, she may feel bad for me. Also, I feel like I'm becoming addicted to the ambrosia, I don't think is healthy for my mind. But keep quiet, Ambrosia-chan might hear us. Sometimes I feel like she can even hear my thoughts.}
I really appreciate Ambrosia-chan help, she is not like those useless, Rockagawa, Rockyama or Rockshtar. They just stand there and look me with lifeless eyes while I suffer here.
Ambrosia-chan looks so like Kaori, but her smile is just more crystalline? Do I have maybe a nurse fetish? They are both healers so I might have.
{I don't want to become crazy, I don't know what I might do. Even with Ambrosia-chan here, I feel like slowly my sanity is deteriorating.}
Run away, Ambrosia-chan, I can't guarantee your security any longer, for your own good please run away from me. Rockgashi may protect you, go with her.
What, you are going to stay with me forever, no matter what I may become?
Tears fall from my eyes, after hear Ambrosia-chan sincere words.
{The rock people is so mean, they think they are better than me}
{Even, though my speciality are rocks and minerals, I don't seem able to eat these rocks to absorb their nutrients and minerals, even though they look like food, it does taste to rock}
Hunger has clouded my judgment, it is wrong for a guy to pick up and eat rocks in a dungeon? Apparently yes, because after my long endeavor my only reward is the pain I feel in my teeth.
Ambrosia-chan, heal... Arigatou, Ambrosia-chan.
{How long since I last saw the sun? It is this a punishment for something I did, did I offend a deity in this or a past life? did I killed a saint? did being an herbivore male with no ambition become hard to watch? is this my fault for wish Amanogawa and his group to be summoned to another world? It was a joke, I didn't talked seriously, just forgive me already God, I think it was enough. Eh, God, what do you say?... Well... fuck you too.}
I can only rant toward the unjust Heaven and the unjust life.
{This is hell, now I finally understand, I must have done something wrong and deserving of this. Did I lived my life wrong all this time? It was helping others not the right thing to do? Should I have fought back again those that wronged me? If I have been wrong all this time... Are those that wronged me in the right?... I swear that if you free me I'll fix whatever I did wrong.}
Something... new was making its nest in my heart and mind, it sounds dangerous but it can't be worse that my actual situation.
{I can't stand this anymore I hate this I hate this I hate this I hate this I hate this I hate this I hate this I hate this I hate this I hate this I hate this I hate this... I hate this.}
No, is not like I don't like you Ambrosia-chan, but, I'm feeling like this relationship is too one sided. It is not you, it is me.
Fine, whatever we are done Ambrosia-chan, our relationship is only causing me pain and unnecessary suffering, and I admit that is hard for me to understand your feelings, our thing is over. Sayonara.
{Fuck, Hiyama and his group, fuck, Amanogawa and his group, fuck the rest of those bastards called classmates, fuck Ishtar and the Holy Church, fuck the king and his kingdom, fuck the devils and their war, fuck Ehit and this world... fuck ... fuck... this shithole.}
I had enough with their non helping attitude. Rockagawa, Rockgashi, Rockyama, Rockshtar, Aistone-sensei. All they do is look at me and laugh at me, because it is so funny, isn't it? I'M JUST A JOKE, ACOWARD USELESS. SO WEAK.
WEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAKWEAK
I felt the last remaining of my sanity crumbling.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"
I hit Rockagawa with all my strength, something broke. It wasn't the rock. I kept hitting till my hands bleed and all the bones there were broken.
Rockagawa was intact.
"Bastard! BASTARD! DON'T YOU DARE TO LOOK DOWN AT ME!"
With all the hate I could muster I hit once more with my broken hand. Rockagawa cracked and then crumbled into pieces.
"AhahahahhahahaHaHAHAHAJAJAJAJAJAAAAJAJAJAHaahahahaAHahaJajAJAJAJAHaahahahaAHahaJajAJAJAJAHaahahahaAHahaJajAJAJAJAHaahahahaAHahaJajAJAJAJAHaahahahaAHahaJajAJAJAJAHaahahahaAHahaJajAJAJAJAHaahahahaAHahaJajAJAJAJAHaahahahaAHahaJajAJAJAJAHaahahahaAHahaJajAJAJAJAHaahahahaAHahaJajAJAJAJAHaahahahaAHahaJajAJAJAJAHaahahahaAHahaJajAJAJAJAHaahahahaAHahaJajAJAJAJAHaahahahaAHahaJajAJAJAJAHaahahahaAHahaJajAJAJAJAHaahahahaAHahaJajAJAJAJAHaahahahaAHahaJajAJAJAJAHaahahahaAHahaJajAJAJAJAHaahahahaAHahaJajAJAJAJAHaahahahaAHahaJajAJAJAJAHaahahahaAHahaJajAJAJAJAHaahahahaAHahaJajAJAJAJAHaahahahaAHahaJajAJAJAJAHaahahahaAHahaJajAJAJAJAHaahahahaAHahaJajAJAJAJAHaahahahaAHahaJajAJAJAJAHaahahahaAHahaJajAJAJAJAHaahahahaAHahaJajAJAJAJAHaahahahaAHahaJajAJAJAJAHaahahahaAHahaJajAJAJAJAHaahahahaAHahaJajAJAJAJAHaahahahaAHahaJajAJAJAJAHaahahahaAHahaJajAJAJAJAHaahahahaAHahaJajAJAJAJAHaahahahaAHahaJajAJAJAJAHaahahahaAHahaJajAJAJAJAHaahahahaAHahaJajAJAJAJAHaahahahaAHahaJajA..."
It was the most satisfying thing I ever did. It was cathartic, it felt even better than masturbation.
I feel like someone new all of sudden (insane), like I had just an epiphany (madness) and have been blind all my life before, looking my past actions I feel like such a fool. What I am doing here? I should be out there eating something (someone), not painting in the walls like a caveman, is time for me to fulfill my stomach and fix my relationship with Ambrosia-chan.
But first I'll destroy everyone of these rock people.
I am looking for food. In this case food means wolves. I know, wolves are not what any person on their right mind would want to eat.
But, beggars can't choose. Also, I am apparently insane. How do I know? Ambrosia-chan was kind enough to tell me without hurting my feelings. Anyway, there is nothing I can do about my madness. I am better this way, I feel like I can do anything if I try enough. I don't feel the fear that constrained me for so long.
In this floor, the Claw Bear is the king, then are the Kicking Rabbits and Spark Wolves. A rabbit alone, can kill a pack of wolves, but in enough numbers, the wolves can kill a rabbit. Oh, and then is me, the most absolute weakest being in the floor. I am at the bottom of the food chain. I have no eaten anything since I fell down here, no, I haven't eaten anything since I left the Inn I think?
In any case I'm too hungry to care, I am going to eat the next weakest creature after me. Wolf.
Still, I know I can't fight a wolf, much less a pack. I became insane not stupid. There is a name for what I am planning on doing. It is called scavenge.
I am looking for a fight between wolves and rabbit.
I'm moving behind the walls, looking for pray through [Mineral Sense].
I have looking for hours and I am getting bored. I might do something drastic if nothing happens here quickly.
Luckily, I found something. Eleven reactions three meters ahead of me.
I made a oval shaped hole at the height of my eyes to see for myself still safe behind the wall.
A pack of ten wolves fighting a rabbit.
This seems like one of those rare occasions the rabbit might lose. I start preparing my trap while observing, though due to the enormous disparity between our stats I can only see blurs and the aftereffects of their attacks. For convenience sake I'll call the wolves with numbers.
Wolves from one to five attacked the rabit, while six to ten stayed behind charging energy for their attacks. Rabbit moved like a breakdancer, sending four of the wolves flying in opposite directions and upper kicking the fifth, snapping its head. Sparks appeared when the rabbit broke five's neck.
Seven shot lightning from its mouth. The rabbit jumped high and evaded, another shot, the rabbit vanished in the air and appeared over the head of six the which exploded in a shower of gore and sparks.
Three beams of lightning were shot within a fraction of second. Two from the front and one for behind.
Rabbit evaded two but tanked the last. It hurted it slightly. The wolves didn't lost time and jumped to capitalize. The claws of four cut the rabbit–it was an after image! Rabbit was suddenly above four and kicked downward. Sparks shined briefly and four crashed in the ground lifeless.
Then rabbit back flipped in the air and shot itself like a meteor turning eight into a horrible made pizza with too much tomato juice. The ground broke, shrapnel went flying to all parts and dust blocked the sight.
Damm, it got into my eyes, it hurts. Ambrosia-chan isn't with me, she stayed in home like a loyal housewife while I came here, still she gave some of her tears that can heal.
I wasn't going to use them unless necessary though.
Even with [Mineral Sense] I had troubles telling what was happening.
There were six wolves left and a rabbit. Suddenly four of the wolfes disappeared from my senses. Next a four bodies went flying in the hallway.
It was so fast. The rabbit was done playing.
The two remaining wolves readied themselves.
The rabbit was above one of them and kicked. The wolf was buried in the ground. Sparks shined for a moment and the next, rabbit stopped moving.
Paralysis, caused by the [Static Field] that the Shock Wolves have around. Each time you hit them there is a chance of get paralyzed from it.
The last wolf charged its strongest lightning and shot it over the not moving foe.
A slightly charred corpse fell limp to the ground.
That was the signal to act, so engrossed with its victory, the wolf didn't noticed when the ground in two meters around him crumbled and led him down to a pit of thorns made of rock the sharpest I can make it.
He is never going to come back.
'All the food is mine.'
Now, menu to take home, I rarely eat outside and won't start now. Not when predators hide behind each corner or wall.
I took all into my network of tunnels and walk to my place.
Home sweat home.
I discharged the dead bodies from my improvised transport and prepare for eat.
I am ready to eat the wolf with the neck snapped. That's simple.
The me of before would never consider to eat crude meat, much less wolf's.
But, I don't care. He lived his life and is now dead, it is time for me to take the stage, and I can't do it with the stomach empty.
I lust for wolf meat. Crude wolf meat. I guess I can cook it using the [Ember] spell, but it would take time, patience and willpower.
Once dead, monsters are less sturdy than when alive so I cut from its belly all the way till above the ribcage, spilling the shaken organs, but mostly blood.
The food is served.
Wolf meat, heart, stomach, entrails and blood.
Itadakimasu
I still have manners left.
I buried my face in the wolf open body and took a bit.
It taste to shit, I repeat it taste to shit. Don't ask me how I know but it tastes to shit.
Yet, for me right now, shit was the more delicious thing in the world. I keep eati–devouring the wolf.
I drank its blood and Ambrosia-chan accompanied me.
I felt satisfied for the first time in... who cares.
Then came the pain, the fucking pain
Pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain.
Fucking pain.
"Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!"
I feel like the bones of my legs and my arm were turning into jelly.
Ambrosia-chan healed me. The pain disiped and my bones fixed.
Pain came again, my skin was eroding together with my bones.
Ambrosia-chan fixed me again, and the pain came back a second after.
Erosion, pain, heal, pain, erosion. I keep repeating this cicle of extreme agony several times over. I'm sure that give birth is less painful than this , and if someone say otherwise I call bullshit.
I bash my head against the floor expecting, I don't know what I am expecting by doing this, maybe loss consciousness?
"Ahhhhhhhh..."
[...] stirred.
The painful process lasted like ten entire minutes. For me it felt like a fucking year.
'I am an idiot, monsters are not supposed to be eaten'
Something was different. I feel like, I don't know, stronger? Also, it seems like the extreme agony made me less insane.
My reflection in the divinity stone has white hair, and red eyes, some muscles that weren't there before, even a six-pack. I have pectorals without having visited the gym even once. I even think I grew several centimeters.
The only downside is that the red tatoo things the monsters in this place have are now in my body, but they almost look cool in me.
I flex my muscles, eh, nothing bad.
I suddenly remembered something.
I took the status plate I forgot till now because of its uselessness in my situation.
When my mana got into the plate, the sky blue color turned into intense crimson.
Uh, now even the color of my magic power is that of monsters.
I have read enough manga to suspect what is happening.
In any case, it doesn't hurt to check out.
Nagumo Hajime
Race: ?
Age: 17
Class: Synergist
Rank: D
Stats
HP: 1020
MP: 675
Speed: 105
Physical Strength: 118
Physical Resistance: 87
Magical Strength: 63
Magical Resistance: 95
Skills
Body Skills
-Enhanced Senses
-Static Field
-Electric Resistance
-Tough Skin
Class Skill
-Mineral Shaping
-Mineral Sense
-Mineral Break
Soul Skills
-Pain Tolerance
-? ? ?
-Language Comprehension
What!?