Jun's POV
Spirits and magical beasts come in various sizes and abilities. Some are benign creatures who depend on others to sustain them. Others are savage beasts who feed on weaker monsters to evolve and grow in strength and speed. In the mountain range where I reside, there are few spirits and magical beasts that endanger the human world. Often, they stay in the mountain range and never leave its borders. The protective wards that surround Marchosia Hold and its surroundings have kept the supernatural away for a long time.
We marched through the forest, occasionally stopping to sense the area ahead of us. So far, we hadn't encountered a single spirit or magical beast. God had indicated that our foes would be somewhere in the southwestern region of the mountain range. Unscrewing the cap from my canteen, I slurped the cool water hungrily as it slaked my thirst. Both Eugeo and I were dressed in brown khaki shorts and light T-shirts. A lightweight utility belt was wrapped around the waist, where it held the tools for our short excursion. Vesemir hadn't bothered to change out of his armor and despite the pulsing summer heat, the Witcher didn't seem to break a sweat. Artakha took up the rear and carried a large insulated backpack containing rations and water.
"Are we... there... yet?" Eugeo panted. Setting the backpack down, Artakha handed a water bottle to Eugeo, who tore the cap off. Vesemir checked his medallion, the wolf's ruby eyes pulsing every second. In addition to being his badge of office, it also tracked magical signatures.
"We're in the right direction, but we aren't there yet," Vesemir answered.
"We... should have... sent.. familiars ahead," the blonde teenager groaned and fell on his back, exhausted from the hike. "We don't have any familiars, Eugeo," I said and wiped the sweat off my forehead.
"Actually, we do," Artakha said and unrolled a small scroll of parchment from the backpack. A summoning circle painted in red ink glowed as he concentrated. With a squeal, several familiars leaped into the air. With mottled brown skin and small spikes along its spine, the creatures were small enough to fit in the palm of my hand. Artakha explained what the familiar was as it sniffed our hands.
"This is an Archive Mole, a small and nimble Rahi. Often found in small crevices and spaces, they can go anywhere without being detected." Pointing in the southwest direction, the moles dashed through the underbrush and ferns.
"Let's go. We will know the location soon," Artakha said and grabbed the backpack. Our trek resumed and we marched in the direction the moles took. It didn't take long when the moles returned from their scouting mission. One by one, they climbed up to the giant's shoulder and gave their report. Artakha said nothing until he willed them to disappear.
"There are several beasts and spirits nearby. They are at a riverbank."
"Is anyone commanding them?" I asked.
The giant shook his head, "No, however, they appear to be in a middle of a ritual."
"We need to hurry," Vesemir grumbled. The wolf medallion trembled and gave a small shriek, notifying the Witcher that someone or something was coming toward us. The sound of baleful howls and roars filled our ears as a pack of Cerberus charged at us, orbs of bloody crimson gleaming in the setting sun's light. The King Rouzer blade materialized in my right hand, I took up a ready stance and calmly pulled out five Rouse cards from the deck. As I inserted each card into the sword's card reader, the sword shouted the card's name once it was scanned.
{Thunder, Fire, Blizzard, Tornado, Poison}
The amalgamation of the elements coated the length of the sword and crackled with power. Orange-red flames burned alongside crackling white lightning, chilling frostbite and sickly green-purple liquid covered the blade. Sidestepping to the left at the last minute, I stabbed at the Cerberus's left head, driving my blade through its check. Blood gushed from its sliced cheek as it reared its hind legs to face me. I slashed at its hide, cutting away at its furry hide with deep bloody wounds before jumping away. Sliding the {Bio} card caused thorny vines to erupt underground and bind themselves around its feet. Immobilized, I quickly activate the {Rush} and {Slash} cards, which grants me increased speed and enhanced slashing damage. The blade cuts through the ligaments and muscles easily as I slide underneath the beast's belly. Steaming blood and entrails splash on the ground, the massive dog convulsing in its death throes.
Unfortunately, I crash into a tree, slamming headfirst into its thick trunk. Grasping my head, there is a throbbing sensation and I dab at it with my hand. Red shining blood covers my hand and I quickly wipe it on the trunk.
"Jun, watch out!"
A loud crack echoed throughout the forest as a Cerberus's jaw was dislocated from Artakha's war hammer. Wreathed in electricity, he lifted it over his head and slammed it into the Cerberus's center head. The smell of burnt flesh and boiling blood filled the air as the Cereberus howled in agony. The remaining heads lashed out at the blacksmith, their massive jaws ready to snap him to pieces. In quick succession, the giant blacksmith punched the two heads, stunning them momentarily. Stepping back, he focused the magical energy around him into his fist. Slowly but steadily, his cold gunmetal fists transform into blazing orbs of fire. He winced at the brightness surrounding his fists and jabs them at the stunned heads. There is slight resistance as fist meets fur, the black-brown hair igniting into flames. The fist sunk into the skull, melting away flesh and bone. When Artakaha felt he had reached the brain, he released the roaring tempest within his fist. The resulting explosion covered him in gore and the second Cerberus fell.
Shaking the gore off, he turned around to see a Cerberus leaping at his dazed master. He bolted toward Jun and shouted at him, "Jun, watch out!"
The teenager reacted by shouting "Quen" loudly. A transparent golden dome materialized between him and the beast. The magical shield rippled when the Cereberus attacked it. The blacksmith rammed his shoulder into the Cereberus, pushing it away from the injured boy. Blocking one of the heads from biting him, he yelled to Vesemir, who had finished cutting down his own beast.
"Vesemir, Jun's injured! Give him a healing flask!"
"Alright, no need to shout," the witcher mumbled as he ran to Jun. He grimaced at the wound and shook his head. It wasn't a severe concussion, but the trickle of blood cropping down Jun's face was a bit worrying. Uncorking a healing flask, he gently tilted the boy's head and feed him the reviving liquid. Jun gasped as the medicine's effects kicked in, energizing the boy.
"Easy, now. You got a severe concussion." Vesemir warned him as he helped him to his feet. "I'm fine. It's just a flesh wound," Jun muttered. Frowning, the witcher went to examine the wound more closely and found it to be regenerating. He watched the deep cut sealed itself, the pale white skin covering it. Raising his eyebrows, he backed away from Jun, who grabbed the handle of his sword. Pointing his sword at the Cerberus who was wrestling with Artakha, he inserted the cards into the slot.
{Bullet, Fire, Rapid, Thunder, Scope}
Emerging from the tip of the sword, several orbs of fire and lightning sped toward each of the Cereberus's weak points. Within the span of few seconds, the beast was riddled with holes the size of a golf ball and slumped to the ground. Turning his attention to the last beast, he repeats the combination and ends the beast's life. With the scouts gone, the group made their way to the spirits' lair.
The stench of blood and flesh grew as the group made their way to the riverbank. Eugeo gagged from the metallic scent while Jun tried his best to ignore it. Vesemir was the first person to see them and raised a closed fist to signal the group to stop. No one was surprised when they heard Eugeo throwing up at the grisly sight in front of them. A pile of corpses laid in the center of a bloody pentagram. Hieroglyphs and undecipherable writings lined the insides of the pentagram. At the five edges, wax dripped from the black tar candles that were lit. Magic radiated from the pile of corpses and a small seam began to form above it. The seam grew larger and a howling screech emanated from the tear between realities. Stepping through the tear was a humanoid being garbed in earthy green armor. A sawed-off shotgun was holstered to its left leg while a massive battleax was held in its right hand. A pair of black upward curling horns were attached to its pale white forehead, its ruby eyes filled with demonic energy.
Unbeknownst to the three servants, Jun's Godsight identified the figure as a Marauder, a corrupted Night Sentinel from Doom: Eternal.
Pointing the battleax at the group, the challenge was issued and accepted. Drawing their weapons, the four warriors circled around the figure. After a minute, the Marauder lunged toward Eugeo and swung its battleax with a vicious overhead. Blocking the blow with his sword, Eugeo pushed against the crimson ax. Pulling the sawed-off shotgun, the Marauder pointed it at Eugeo, only for the shotgun to jerk violently out of his hands. The shotgun crashed into King Rouzer's blade and Jun pried away from the magnetized blade. The demonic warrior growled at him when he tossed his shotgun into the river. But losing his shotgun didn't scare him. He was a demon and demons had plenty of tricks up their sleeves.
Tossing an energy orb at the ground, the orb exploded into crimson smoke that covered the area. His eyes darting around, Vesemir took a ready stance and waited. He couldn't see him, but he could definitely hear and feel the demon's killing intent. he turned on his heel to parry the vertical swing and blasted a fireball at the Marauder. As the witcher suspected, it did little to stop his enemy from attacking him. A swath of air swept away the cloud and Jun charged at the demon. Thrusting the sword caused a gust of compressed air to lift the Marauder into the air. For a moment, the demon was helpless until a lightning bolt smashed into his body, sending him to the ground.
The demon gave a frustrated roar and grated his teeth. The former warrior had underestimated the cohesion between the team members badly. Struggling to his feet, he dashed toward the river to escape. Unseen vines and purple spectral chains burst from the charred soil underneath and restrained him. Immediately, the vines combusted into flames and the chains melted away into nothingness thanks to the Marauder's demonic energy. Despite burning off the vines quickly, he wasn't fast enough.
The regal golden blade bit through his pale neck and continued its path until it severed the demon's head. A fountain of blood spurted from the open neck and leaked across the sandy riverbanks and into the river. The head rolled across the sand and stopped in front of Eugeo, who stabbed it with his sword.
Jun's POV
A bell-like chime announced the completion of the quest and a menu box appeared in front of me.
[Quest Completed]
[Level Increase: 1 - 2. All Stats increased by 2 points]
[Rewards: 1 Summon Token and 1 Random Item]
The rewards drop at my feet when the menu disappears. The random item reward is a simple blue crystalline cube the size of a Rubik's cube. I weigh it in my hand and I'm surprised by how light it is. Instantly, the cube dissipates after a few seconds and a throbbing headache sends me to my knees. The sensation ebbs away and a bell-like chime announces that I have received a new skill.
[New Skill: Newtype]
[Passives: Telepathy and Enhanced Senses. The range of Telepathy increases at each level. Enhanced Senses activate during battle only.]
Well, that's an interesting perk. I never thought I would become a Spacenoid, but that's the Gamer system for you. A soft whisper in my mind makes me gasp softly.
It appears the anomaly has been dealt with. Congratulations on leveling up.
I ignore answering God as we march back to the Hold to recuperate. The moment I enter my room, I growl at the omniscient entity. "A bit too early for action, don't you think?"
That wasn't me. The Marauder was probably a scout for the Gamer System. Expect more abnormalities to appear in the future.
Pulling out the Nanosuit from my Inventory, I lay it on the bed and stare at the red visor. The idea of merging with an alien exosuit is a bit terrifying, but I need its power to defend myself. Stripping my clothes off, I put the suit on. Immediately, it tightens around my body frame and a tingling sensation builds from my feet and crawls up my body. The gestalt process of fusing flesh and metal is finished in a few minutes. Turning to the mirror, I mentally activate the Nanosuit's armor mode. A brief shimmer of yellow light covers my body and l feel my skin harden. Deactivating the ability softens my skin.
As I turn in to sleep for the night, the omniscient deity decides to interrupt me one last time.
One last thing and I will be on my way, I promise.
[Ultimate Unlocked]
[Blessing: Soul of Cinder / Curse: XXX]
[WARNING! Activation of Ultimate will result in the Curse being unlocked. Effects of Curse will activate following the activation of Blessing]
A rusted zweihander sword appears in my Inventory and I examine it. There's nothing noteworthy about the sword and I place it back into my Inventory. If I remember correctly, the Soul of Cinder is from Dark Souls. Becoming the deity of all the Lords of Cinder sounds great, but the unnamed Curse worries me.
"Hey, God? What's with the curse? Are you trying to nerf me or something?"
It is not a debuff. The Curse will enhance your strength, but there will be a nasty side-effect. Remember when I said there were restrictions? This is one of them.
"It won't kill me right?"
Unfortunately, God doesn't answer my question and I doze off to sleep. Two days later, Eugeo and I find ourselves in front of the gates of Kuoh Academy. Somehow, God managed to register him as a student. Both of us are in the same grade but in different classrooms. To my surprise, the blonde swordsman is nervous. His legs tremble slightly and he keeps swallowing his throat. Unfortunately, my plan for keeping us incognito is dashed by the gaggle of girls crowding us. I nudge him in the ribs, "Are you fine?"
"Yeah! I'm nervous, that's all..." Eugeo's voice trails off as he looks down at his feet. Sighing, I pull him away from the gaggle of girls crowding around us. Most of them pout at me, disappointed that I pulled the handsome boy away from them.
"Look, Eugeo. Just be yourself and everything will be fine." I reassure him.
"But what if something bad happens?"
"As I said, just be yourself and you'll be fine," I pat his back. "Come on, school is waiting for us." His confidence renewed, we begin our first day of school.
?'s POV
Standing near a window on the third floor, he watched the two people enter the school grounds. The blonde teenager was practically the personification of innocence with his angelic-like features and cheerful personality. On the other hand, his black-haired companion was a brooding figure, wary of everything. To outsiders, they were your standard average high-schoolers. But he knew that their facade of high-schoolers was fake. They were powerful warriors capable of beating a devil if they worked together.
His violet eyes lingered on the black-haired teenager's hand. The mark was gone, but he saw it clearly from his hiding place two days ago. The crimson emblem of the House of Marchosias was imprinted on the back of his hand. He shuddered as long-forgotten memories came unbidden to his mind.
The granite canyon was filled with people garbed in plated armor. Devils in midnight black, fallen angels in dark blue, and angels in blinding white. Razor-sharp blades clashed against sturdy shields and vicious attacks were exchanged with one another. Slowly but steadily, the devils and fallen angels were pushed back against a wall. The angels surrounded them and prepared to slaughter them until he came.
A pillar of crimson light streaked from the violet skies and crashed into the thin space between the two armies. The buffeting winds pushed the angels away while the devils and fallen angels raised their arms to protect themselves from the light. Eventually, the pillar dissipated and revealed a tall figure garbed in red and black armor. His shoulder pauldron displayed a wolf with griffin's wings and a serpent's tail, with flames spewing from the wolf's mouth.
Pointing his bloody hammer at the angels, a booming voice came behind his helmet. The army behind him responds, their morale rising to new heights. He doesn't remember how the battle ended, but he never forgot the shrill battle cry.
Shaking his head, he is brought back to the present world. Taking one last look at the teenager, the Fallen Angel named Azazel leaves for his chemistry classroom to teach his students.