I stared at Artemis with a nervous smile. The glare she is giving me is enough to murder me 100 times over. Play it cool now. No need to take an unnecessary risk. I gathered the courage I had left before trying to talk to the goddess before "Hello Goddess Artemis, pleasure seeing you here." I said grinning, hiding the fact that I was practically shitting myself right now.
Artemis's eyes narrowed, her fingers beginning to tighten around the bowstring. "Who are you, boy? You are no demigod, I cannot sense any divinity within you. Yet you can see and fight monsters. How curious." she looked over at me once before becoming vigilant of me "And you knew my name right off the bat?" Fuck, I guess I shouldn't have said that. I need to think of something fast.
"Me? I'm just a nobody." I'm trying to play myself off as someone that wouldn't be the object of worry for Gods. "I'm just a man that is in tune with the supernatural. Nobody special." her eyes seemed to sharpen even further… woops. Bad choice of words.
"Do not play coy with me boy, you are not just a 'nobody'." She nocks her bow and is ready to let loose at me. "I asked you a question, and I expect answers! Now I will ask you one more time boy. Who. Are. You?" She was far firmer in tone now, an arrow beginning to form in the bow.
"Matt, my name is Matt." I said in desperation. It buys me some time as she decides not to plug me full of holes. I stammer out the rest of a cover story "Uh, I'm a magician, which is why I can see monsters. And due to my limited knowledge I took a guess. You feel nothing like a human, and hold some sort of aura about you I can partially sense. I thought since you have a bow, you are a young girl and you are calling me a boy as if boy was a curse." I answered back.
"You continually disrespect me with your lack of manners and mock me for my chosen appearance?!" she pulled back the bowstring, lining up an arrow made of pure moonlight. Foot, meet mouth. Mouth, think of something fast.
"Oh, fuck-" Just as I was about to meet my maker, a voice called out to her and quelled her anger.
{Calm yourself godling, you lose your temper rather quickly.} Ddraig comes in with a save. Thank the heavens for a dragon bro.
"Who are you calling a godling? I am one of the main members of the Greek pantheon and holder of one of the 12 seats of Olympus! Now reveal yourself!" the goddess proclaimed, swerving her head back and forth to find the source of the mysterious voice, the arrow receding and dimmed.
Boosted Gear's gauntlet formed around my arm, where the gem began to blink or flash depending on what Ddraig said.
{I am the Red Dragon Emperor, or the Divine Welsh Dragon if you prefer my alternate title… but my proper name is that of Ddraig. And this welp in front of you happens to be my host.}
"I have heard of no creature by your name, even before the pantheons stopped interfering with the human realm." she retorted.
{I'd be surprised if you did, for I never leave any enemy of mine alive to tell the tale. However, it seems like you are intent on striking my host down. Something I would rather you not do. Is there no way to convince you to spare the welp from his stupidity?}
"Yeah-HEY!" I thought we were bros. You traitor.
"Hmm, a quest? Yes… I may have the perfect one." she hummed absentmindedly. A small glint in her eye appeared. "There is a cyclops who has been hunting young girls. Unfortunately one of them that was captured was a follower of mine under orders to eliminate the mongrel. Here is the bargain for your life: You will hunt him down, and bring back my hunter alongside all the young girls. One week should be enough time to track the monster down. "
One week? That might be plenty of time if I knew where to even look.
"His methods of capture are normally around central park. Plenty of people to stalk and few to notice if someone went missing." she said.
Quest Received
Hunt Down And Kill The Cyclops Hunting Young Maidens
Rewards:?
Requirements: Save The Girls And Bring Back The Hunter Alive In One Week
Penalty For Failing: Death
'Well, it's not like I can say no…unless i have a death wish.'
"I accept the quest Lady Artemis." I bowed to not dig myself deeper into a hole. I wait for her to allow me to stand straight, but no voice ever calls out to me. I decide to be brave and look at where Artemis once stood…only to find her missing.
{You dumb welp, what gave you the bright idea to mouth off to a goddess? Especially one known to hate men?}
My legs give out as I fall flat on my ass "Ddraig it's not like I wanted to disrespect her it is just how I am." and while being me is awesome. Not everyone gets it unfortunately.
{You need to be more cautious about what you say to people, especially around deities}
I wave my hands in dismissal, "Alright alright, understood. Don't piss off deities and especially don't disrespect man-hating ones unless you want death by arrows."
3 days later:
My investigation is going nowhere. Because of the shitload of factors, I don't know what to look for besides cyclop. Great. All that gives me is that the dude likes kidnapping women, and has a boner for Central park for taking them. My frustrations show as my forehead creases. I've got no detective skills, and all the crime shows that I watched are not helping me in this situation. How do you find a cyclops who could take on a follower of Artemis and looks only for women…fuck.
"Ok. Ddraig, I've got an idea, but it's a stupid fucking idea."
{Being sealed inside you, I already know what you are planning. All I can say is in the matter is why do I have to be sealed in such an idiot.}
"Well then let's hear some ideas from you then." I couldn't help but snark at him. "Can't sniff him out. NY has the largest population of supernatural beings so there are plenty of creatures out there, magical in nature. We never met a cyclops so we have no reference for a smell. Even if we did this place ain't exactly the cleanest so that option's out. Can't use observe on everyone because there are too many people here at a time. Best thing we came close to in fighting were a few close calls of monsters attacking people but none of them were cyclops'. I may be a scumbag but I don't wanna use a woman to draw him out. Right now this is the best thing we got and we are running out of time. Let's make a skill of it."
{Dont come crying to me when this idiotic plan backfires}
"Duly noted. Do it."
(Skill Create) alter appearance
Skill Created (Alter Appearance)
Allows The User To Change Their Appearance
(Skill Create) genderswap
Skill Created (GenderSwap)
Allows The User To Switch Between Male And Female
Perfect. Now let's get this over with. I find a spot outta sight just in case and start casting the skills together. I quickly changed my appearance to that of a young girl about 11 years old with midnight black hair and blue eyes with my height being about 4'9 and a porcelain-like skin complexion. I stroll over to a tree and lean against it. Now it was the waiting game. Hopefully it will be enough. Waiting around for nightfall, I let out a small pulse of energy. Enough to make a monster move their attention towards me.
'I hope this won't attract the wrong monster, I thought. 'While gaining more experience is good, I don't want to waste energy before I get the one I want.'
My thoughts were interrupted when I heard heavy footsteps. I turn around to find a cyclops lumbering toward me. My god he's a head, maybe two taller than me in my original form. 'Maybe this guy is it'. I cast observe on him hoping for an answer.
Name: Otis
Level: 51
HP: 10K
MP:1K
SP: 10K
Title: Molester
Primary Stat- STR
I widen my eyes and take a quick second to check my own stats.
Name: Matt
Title: Gamer
Level: 25
Race: Dragon/Human- Hybrid
Alignment - Neutral Evil
HP - 6K Regens 1 Per Minute
MP - 5k Regens 5 Per Second
SP - 6K Regens 10 Per Minute
STR: 50 (x 2) = 100
END: 52 (x 3) = 156
DEX: 60 (x 2) = 120
INT: 112
WIS: 112
CHA: 50
LCK: 10
Points - 0
Money - $6000
'Welp. I'm fucked. He is a lot stronger than me and twice my level.' I thought to myself, 'this is gonna be difficult.'
Otis grinned lecherously as he approached me, "Hey pretty girl." He's acting so innocent in all of this as he bends over with his hands on his knees, "Why don't you come with me? I can take you to a wonderful place where you will have lots of fun." His eyebrow…errr eyebrow is wiggling as he's telling me.
I look at him with a look of disgust. I was going to wait a few seconds but no, this creep needs to die now. "Your one sick fuck, you know that." As he is processing how a masculine voice is coming from an 11 yr old girl, I return to my original form as I quickly summon Boosted Gear and uppercut him with the gauntlet. My sudden surprise attack knocks him in the air and back a few feet.
Otis -100 HP
Only 100 damage?! Fuck.
"Take that you perverted fuck!" I yell. I'm gonna need a few boosts for this.
Otis slowly jumps to his feet. A small bruise is forming on his cheek and he seems pissed. With a look of fury, he roars at me, "you will pay for your insolence"!
Despite the situation I'm in I can't help but rage back at him, "Whatever sicko. You're going down just on principle, you pedophilc fuck."
'Let's do this Ddraig'
{On it partner.}
{BOOST}
Otis snarls, "I will take great pleasure in roasting you alive boy. "The taste of human will be a fine treat tonight.'' He lifts his hand with his palm out and summons a club bigger than my entire body into his grasp. He slams it down onto the concrete and I watch as it breaks the ground underneath it, leaving spider web-like cracks. He then charges me, moving at a speed faster than someone his size should. He brings his club over his head and slams it towards me. I roll out the way but just as I face him again, all I see is a foot implanting itself straight to my face, sending me flying slamming straight into a tree with such force, the tree bends and nearly toppled over.
- 2500 HP
One attack. His fucking foot was enough that it took out nearly half my health. I need a game plan with him otherwise I won't have to fear Artemis anymore.
Groaning as I get up, I barely get any chance to recover as he's already on me with a horizontal swipe with his club. I duck down and attempt another roll, this time keeping an eye on him as I roll away. His club impacts against the tree and whatever left it standing was splintered into a thousand pieces.
'I need more power. Ddraig!'
{BOOST}
I feel the rush of power fill me as I dash toward Otis. Gotta do this if I wanna have a chance at beating him. As he brought his club over his head I needed more speed if I wanted this to.
{BOOST}
Time slows down for me. At this point I can see more clearly than the blur his club was before. I continue my charge as I start to slide down with my knees. The club inches closer to me as I close the distance and cock back Boosted Gear. I twist my body at the last possible second and create a circular motion as the club skims past me and I move forward towards my target. His eye widens at my evasion and I smirk as I throw my punch…right into his crotch.
A shriek reverberates around the park as I slide myself under his legs past him. His falls to his knees and groans in pain
Otis - 3000 HP
I don't let up. As I get behind him. I jump on his back and wrap my arm around his neck. My next few moves involve hammering away at the back of his head while he was still reeling in pain
Otis - 200 HP
Otis - 200 HP
Otis - 200 HP
I'm able to get a few more strikes in until he was finally able to recover. I thought I had a few more moments but I paid for being wrong. A hand grabbed my bicep that was around his neck and I was thrown off him. I landed head first in the pavement as my head rattled from the collision.
-1000 HP
Whether or not I could see, we were both on the ground. He barely gave me a single hit and all I've been able to do is chip away at him.
Instead of seething in rage, I hear laughter coming from him. In my woozy state of mind, my attempts to get up were that of a drunk trying to admit he's sober. He is able to get up, but there was significant bleeding in his head as he holds it with one hand. He's away from me and I can afford another boost.
{BOOST}
"Good. while crude, you did not hesitate. I will remember your face." Otis laughs are like that of a mad mens. I guess I didn't hit him hard enough there. When he looks at me, there is this smile that doesn't reach his eye. He lets out a roar as he slowly regains his footing"You are a worthy opponent boy. but this ends here." he declared. He hoists his club over his shoulder as he trudges towards me.
"Let's make sure he stays down Ddraig."
{hang on partner. One more boost will be all you can manage.} he cautioned me. {any more and you'll be dead afterwards.}
"Then let's make it count."
I grin with my blood pumping with adrenaline "You're damn right it ends here pal. It ends with your funeral! "
{BOOST}
My status pops in front of me as I reach my final boost.
Name: Matt
Title: Gamer
Level: 25
Race: Dragon/Human- Hybrid
Alignment - Neutral Evil
HP - 200K Regens 1 Per Minute
MP - 350K Regens 5 Per Second
SP - 200K Regens 10 Per Minute
STR: 50 (x 2) = 1000
END: 52 (x 3) = 1560
DEX: 60 (x 2) = 1200
INT: 112
WIS: 112
CHA: 50
LCK: 10
Otis' walk becomes that of a snail's pace as time slows to a crawl. This must've been what Issei felt like during his boosts. My body feels sore and I can hear my own heart pumping in my ears. Each step I take makes the pain around my body very pronounced. He swings his club at me with one hand. I can calmly dodge it this time by twisting my body left. He attempts to swing back as I twist my body to the right. When I get within arms reach, I flash my gauntlet in front of his torso.
'It's time to end this.'
{EXPLOSION}
Light erupted in central park as the accumulated energy was released. When it fades away, I look to see that despite my extremely earnest attempt to kill him, he still clings to life. Although he is missing his arm and club. Must've used it to try and block that last attack. . Relief floods my body as I slowly take a knee…only for the pain to come rushing back towards me. It's only made worse as the following words echo in my ears.
{RESET}
-1900 HP
Suddenly it became hard to breathe. It was as though I was drowning and after so long came up for air. Just the act of it sent pain shooting across my body. But the worst of it was when I looked at where Boosted gear was. In no way can I sugarcoat it, it was fucked up. It was mangled, twisted in an unnatural position. And in my pain addled mind, I had enough to joke about how fingers aren't supposed to bend that way. A message pops up in front of me.
Debuff Acquired: Broken Right Arm Sleep To Remove Debuff
A broken arm for a defeated Cyclops sounded like a good deal to me right now…wait shit. The whole point of finding him was to get the girls.
Powering through the pain and stumbling up, I limp over to him and ask him, "Otis tell me where you are keeping the girls?" I hope to be able to hear him. My eyes are starting to black out.
Otis laughs only to cough up blood before giving me a bloody grin. "Of course. That's the reason you went to look for me." His laugh makes him cough up more blood but despite everything it seems content. "Very well as a reward for defeating me I will tell you where they are." He took one deep breath before revealing their location. "They are being kept underground on Long Island near Camp Half-Blood. There is a hole in the ground leading towards their cells; you can't miss it." Otis continues to laugh as though there was some inside joke before dying and turning to dust. I drew a smile that I was that closer to my objective… and kept that smile as I collapsed onto the floor soon after going unconscious. When I woke up to find myself right where I collapsed, the debuff was gone. It seems that the gamer abilities I had helped me to recover, but I still had a splitting headache. As I got up, I stretched myself out to try and get rid of some of the stiffness I had and boy, oh boy, did every bone in my body crack as I flexed my muscles. I roll my shoulders and crack my neck, "Well time to head to Long Island." I said before walking away.
Author's Note: Thank you guys so much for reading this chapter. If you enjoyed it, please leave a review and tell me what you think! The next chapter will be posted soon, see ya there! This chapter has been revised!