Chapter Seven:
Fighting Sins
Carriage
"Are you still not done?" I ask the tiny girl on my lap.
"This cube is infuriating, in fact." I had bought a rubix cube for her in the store expecting her to quickly, but she's been struggling for a bit.
"Try not to get annoyed, that'll just serve to mess you up even more. If you really need help, don't hesitate to ask me."
"Betty doesn't need-" She pauses for a moment, realizing what she was about to say. "Betty will keep it in mind."
"Heh. You do that." I go back to upgrading my stats with the AP I have left.
Name: Ren "Maxwell" Fujimura
Level: 59 (200/2675)
Fatigue: 07/100
Job: N/A
Title: N/A
Hp: 7000/7000
Mp: 3900/3900
STR: 94
AGI: 86 (2)
SNS: 100
HLT: 138
INT: 154 (10)
AP: 90
'Hmm…I think I'll increase Intelligence to 200 and use the rest of the AP to even everything out.' And I do just that, raising both STR and AGI to 100 even, and all the leftover is used on HLT.
Hp: 8200/8200
Mp: 5050/5050
STR: 100
AGI: 102 (2)
SNS: 100
HLT: 162
INT: 200 (10)
AP: 0
'Ahh…It's nice to look at your own actions bearing fruit. Now, If only it was easy to make a decision on all these choices.' I give an annoyed stare at the screens that had just popped up a little while ago.
HLT has reached 100, Choose a Skill as a Reward!
Impenetrable Defense - Active Skill
Once Casted, The Player is invulnerable for 5 seconds
- Costs 2000 MP
- Cooldown 1 Day
- Cannot be dispelled by Nullification Magic
Or
Tables have Turned - Passive Skill
-Activates once HP is below 15%
-All Damage is increased by 400%, All Stats except HLT Double
INT has reached 100, Choose a Skill as a Reward!
Mana Battery - Passive Skill
-Double MP max capacity, increase MP regen by 100%
Or
Bullet Time - Active Skill
Activating this skill casts (Bullet Time).
Bullet Time slows time for the Player by 50%
-Costs 500 MP to activate
Duration: 20 Seconds
SNS has reached 100, Choose a Skill as a Reward!
Clairvoyance E - Passive Skill
The Player's vision "enhances" slightly
(This skill evolves with each 100 SNS)
Or
Danger Sense - Passive Skill
Warns The Player of any attacks within a 10m area around him
STR has reached 100, Choose a Skill as a Reward!
Herculean Feat - Passive Skill
Activates After 10 Successful Melee Hits on an Opponent
Deals 300% Damage on the next hit
Or
Piercing Hit - Active Skill
The next attack will ignore any defense, or defensive shields
Costs 20 MP
AGI has reached 100, Choose a Skill as a Reward!
Inexhaustible - Passive Skill
Fatigue is Removed!
Or
I - Frames - Passive Skill
Dodging gives the Player Invulnerability for .5 Seconds
New Skills Gained!
-Tables Have Turned
-Bullet Time
-Danger Sense
-Piercing Hit
Making my choices, all except for the AGI skill, I had to really think that one over. Only for another screen to appear.
INT has reached 200, Choose a Skill as a Reward!
Efficient Intelligence - Passive Skill
Gain 25% More Exp For Skills
Or
Telekinesis - Active Skill
…It's just Telekinetic Powers
Each 10 Seconds of Skill Use Gives 5 Fatigue
Weight Limit: 750 kg
'Telekinesis? Fatigue cost? Hold on, what if I were to…'
New Skill!
-Inexhaustible
Telekinesis - Active Skill
…It's just Telekinetic Powers
No Cost
Weight Limit: 750 kg (Int/Str Scaled)
'That totally isn't busted.'
"Tell me about it. You're somehow the luckiest SOB ever."
'Is that a compliment? Or…'
"A fact."
'Know what? I'll take it as a compliment.' Dismissing the screens, a thought hits me. 'Say, 2B?'
"Yes?"
'Lide mentioned I'd be able to travel to other worlds. How do I-'
"You remember those Loot Boxes you're hoarding?"
'Oh.'
"Yeah."
'So, if I use them-'
"You get a World Key, which you can use whenever. So, no, you don't get transported without your wish to do so."
'You know…I still feel lucky from earlier. Let's use them.'
"You do that."
Digging through my disorganized inventory, I find the collection I've amassed soon enough. '37 in total? That makes it what? A month and a few days since I've arrived? Yeesh. Time sure flies.'
Opening the first of many, a new screen appears.
Loot Box Opened!
Wine
Type: Consum.
Rank: E
Aged 7 Years
'...Something to fuel my alcoholism once I'm out of gambling boxes.' I use another.
Loot Box Opened!
Bloodborne
Type: World Key
Rank: A (???)
For More Information, Go To [Worlds] Tab
'That was fast.'
"Ren, no matter what, do not use that key. You're not ready for it."
Before I can give the System Mod a response, I feel a finger poke my cheek, looking down to my pouting spirit partner, I give her a curious look. "Hm?"
"Have you finally stopped staring off into space?" She asks.
"...I wasn't, I was just finishing up with expanding my skill set and obtaining dimensional travel." I say proudly.
"Betty doesn't understand…You have not moved since we got here. I suppose."
'I already explained to her how I got here, but I never really explained what the system is entirely, did I? …2B?'
"Yes?"
'…do you think I can make a party? Is it possible?'
"It is currently not possible, however if you were to update the system software it would be possible."
'And how do I do that?'
"It's simple, just wait a moment."
'Ok, will do.' Waiting for a few seconds, a new screen appears.
(Update)
Updating System Software…
19 Min 50 Sec Left
"Remember, Ren. Don't use that key."
'...Right. Guess the explanation will have to wait.' Turning back to the girl in my lap, I find her staring at me expectantly. "I'll tell you la-Woah!" I grab onto Beatrice as we suddenly stop.
World Quest has Started!
Defeat the Witch Cult
Kill ??? - 0/1
Kill ??? - 0/1
Kill ??? - 0/1
Kill ??? - 0/1
Kill ???, ???, ??? - 0/3
Kill Witch Cultists - 0/200
??? - 0/9
Rewards - New Title, New Quest, 500000 EXP, 500 AP, ???
'That can't be good.'
"Hold on tightly, we may have trouble." Grabbing Beatrice by the hand, we hastily exit the carriage. We find Rem glaring intensely at two guys blocking the road.
"Witch's Miasma…" Both Rem and Beatrice speak in near unison. 'Damn it, that confirms it then. These guys are part of the Witch Cult.'
I put on my most calm look, and turn slightly towards Rem. "Don't do anything reckless just yet, but stay on guard for any attacks." Rem seems to hear me, but continues glaring regardless. "Rem? Did yo-" I am interrupted by the sound of something impacting Beatrice barrier.
"How dare you!? Trash like you has no right ignoring a 'Perfect Being' like myself. Such a violation of my rights will not go unpunished!" What the fuck?
"As if Cultists scum like-"
Holding out my hand to stop Rem, I take the reins in the conversation. "Why have you stopped us? Matter of fact, who are ya'll?"
"Excuse me? Don't you know it's rude not to introduce yourselves first? In fact..." Why the fuck is he ranting?
Observe.
Lye Batenkaitos
Level: 180 (???)
HP: 5000
MP: 1000
Title: Witch Cultist Archbishop
One of the Three Archbishop's of Gluttony.
Regulus Corneas
Level: ???
HP: ???
MP: ???
Title: ???
Archbishop of Greed.
'This…isn't good. We might have had a chance against just Gluttony, but Greed's tag…it's a dark gray.'
"Rem! Beatrice! We're up against two Archbishops! Greed and Gluttony!" Rem immediately brings out her weapon as she nearly charges in, the only thing stopping her from a quick death being me.
The ground in front us was completely pulverized by a mist, along with a loud screech coming from the sky. Looking up, I find myself unpleasantly surprised again. 'Is that…one of Daphne's creations? The White Whale?!' It's large body twisting and turning in the air as I look on in horror.
"This has gone from really bad to horrible to shit, real quick. Hey, Beatrice? What are our chances against an Archbishop almost as strong as Reinhard, another Archbishop and a Great Beast?"
"Hmph! With Betty at your side, nothing is impossible. I suppose." She confidently declares, but I can tell even she's not 100% sure.
"Really now? I'm starting to like our odds." Turning to Rem, I whisper something into her ear as I place a hand onto her shoulder. "If anything goes wrong, take Beatrice and run away…please."
"...Understood Guest-sama."
"Alright! Beatrice, drain all of my mana, and go with Rem to take out the Whale. I've got these two." At this, Rem sputters in confusion.
"But, Guest-sama you're…" She leaves it unspoken, but I know what she's trying to say. That I'm weak, and technically speaking, she's not wrong. I am level 62, while everyone else here is in the triple digits, but I have stats and skills on my side.
Feeling and seeing my MP bar empty, I use a status recovery. "Ahh…That hits the spot. Now, go! You guys got a whale that needs spearing. I've got a date with two Cultists, and they're the ones who are paying."
"You say the strangest things. I suppose." Beatrice says, shaking her head at my antics.
"You could at least wish me good luck, then maybe I might praise you after this fight."
"...Good Luck. In fact." A red hue on her face accompanies her words. 'Cute.'
"Overconfident aren't you? Or perhaps have you given up? Both are quite unsightly, I myself would never dare lower myself to such a degree. But if it's a quick death you want, then die." As the Archbishop finished his sentence, a strong gust of wind that destroyed everything in its way starts to come at me.
I am forced to dodge out of the way, and dodge some more as Gluttony decides to finally join in.
"Such a tasty meal, all mine!" Feral attack after one another, tired of being on the receiving end of their attacks, I throw an attack of my own.
Bloodlust!
"El Jiwald!"
Only my debuff hits the Gluttonous Archbishop, my other attack misses him by a few hairs. "Tch. I just need to use a faster spell, Ul Fura!" The wind blades prove ineffective as well, having been dodged as he turns into a blur.
"Kehehe…You're really good! We like a good meal. Who are you?" They suddenly stop, looking at me with a hungry gaze.
'Should I really reveal my name to terrorists? Who knows what could happen? I'd rather not have a hit out on my head.'
"My name is Maxwell Williams, I am a guest at the Astrea Manor." I lie as naturally as I breathe. Said breath hitches as the battle resumes from its momentary pause. 'He's too fast, even with Bloodlust slowing him down.'
Exhaling that same breath, I make things lean in my favor by using El Dona. The terrain changes, putting distance between us as I make the platform beneath me begin to rise. Continuing my spellcasting, my gaze falls on the one actively engaging me in battle.
Sending a barrage of elemental magics, he dodges them effortlessly. 'Damn it…' Feeling a tingle at the back of my head, I'm unable to do anything as a strong attack launches me off my elevated platform.
"Aghh!" Feeling myself ragdolling across the ground, a new screen appears before me once I finally stop.
Tables Have Turned - Active!
Somehow, through my agonizing pain, I read the screen, and I knew exactly what it meant. 'Use a status recovery!'
Status Recovery Used!
Tables Have Turned - Inactive!
Bullet Time Active!
Feeling another tingle, I erect a few stone walls to my left, effectively stopping the slowed Gluttony from attacking me. 'Damn it, I didn't realize it, but I'm burning through MP…'
Wait…
Throwing my Kukris into the air, I activate my new favorite skill.
Telekinesis
Looking at the one responsible for almost killing me, a bored look rests on his face, one that infuriates me to no end. "Fucking die already." Outstretching my hand towards him, my knives travel through the air like bullets, and he's unable to perceive them until it's too late…
Or so I thought.
Bullet Time Inactive!
Standing there, in the same spot, unhurt and seething, is Greed. "You dare attack me? You impudent-"
Feeling Danger Sense flare up again, I avoid the serrated whip from ripping my arm off.
Without a weapon to engage in close quarters combat, I erect more walls between us as I jump back, away from them.
Breathing heavily, the mana exhaustion hits me as I feel my reserves go to zero.
'Shit…Looks like I'm relying on Telekinesis until I need to use a Status Recovery.'
Calling my Kukri back, I notice their state. Completely shattered. 'Fuck.' Putting them away, I breathe in, and out.
My walls were almost all destroyed.
Crash…
Now, they all were, and rushing towards me was Gluttony. "Sit still!"
"Okay, but only because you asked." With my hand already outstretched, I close my hand into a fist.
The remnants of the stone walls soar through the sky as they all crash into him. Slowly but surely crushing him, I allow myself to glance at Beatrice and Rem's battle.
The White Whale flying through the air was currently eating bark as it crashed into the Flugel's Tree. A good chunk of its lower jaw was crystalized and shattered, probably Beatrice's handiwork. '...Wait, is that Rem on its head, steering its fall with its horn?'
Tingle
Fu-
Boom!
Landing roughly on my stomach, I get the same alert as before.
Tables Have Turned - Active!
This time, I felt my senses return far too quickly, and… "My…My legs! I can't feel them! St-Stat…"
Status Recovery Used!
Still on the ground, I breathe in and out at a rapid pace as any pain I had disappeared. Yet…I still felt it.
"Ren! You need to-"
"Bullet t-"
"Thank you for the feast!" Is all I hear before everything goes white.
Opening my eyes, a ruined environment greets me. Stone flies all around as I hear and feel a loud shockwave behind me.
"G-Get away! Wh-What are you?! M-Monster!" With the dust settling, a boy on the ground next to me yells. His long hair dragging through the dirt as he panickedly crawls away.
"Why are-" Before I can even ask him a question, a purple crystal embeds itself in the back of his skull. "Ahh! What the hell?!" Stumbling back at the gruesome sight of his entire body turning to crystal, I feel a shiver run down my spine as a hand falls on my shoulder.
Shrugging it off, I move away from the…blonde princess? Why is she…No! Sh-She did this? "W-Who are you? Why…Why did you kill him?"
"Guest-sama? Lady Beatrice? Why is he-" A maid? Th-That weapon…it's covered in blood!
"Even if you do not recognize me, Betty shall still follow the contract's terms. Just as you saved her, she shall save you, Ren." She begins to approach me, I try to back away from her, but something stops me.
"Use Status Recovery."
"Wha-Wait. What just…Beatrice? Rem? What are you two-"
Thud! Thud!
Feeling two large impacts behind me, I notice the enraged Archbishop still in the same spot as ever.
Getting off the ground, I regard the now dead archbishop at my feet with cold indifference. "You somehow took my memories, didn't you? Tsk. I only have myself to blame." I sigh, following it up with a muttered 'goa' as I burn his remains.
Regarding Greed for a moment, a smug look is sent my way, one which I don't bother questioning. Why should I try to understand these sociopathic madmen?
Looking back at the spirit, I feel my lips form a smile, as I get down on a knee, down to her approximate height. "Save me, huh? Thank you, Beatrice. You already did." I take her hand in mine.
'You too, 2B, I likely wouldn't have ever gotten my memories back if it weren't for you.'
…
'2B?'
"How is this possible? Betty was sure your memories had been stolen, in fact!"
"Heh. I guess they were, but I got them back. I would explain, but we still have one last pest to deal with."
"I much preferred seeing you on the ground, sniveling around in the dirt, like the worm you are."
Sighing, I look back to my last opponent. "You don't look all that affected by the death of your friend here." I don't bother meeting his insult with one of the many I had on my mind.
"I care not for others who are not important, battle junkies especially. Fighting is my least favorite activity. Actually, I hate it."
"Really? Weren't you the one attacked first?" I scoff.
"I merely exhaled, you just so happened to be in the way. Ah, I see now, you have an issue with me breathing… How dare you try to impose your will on me! Such an act is a violation of my rights!"
'The amount of mood swings and leaps in logic coming from him is absurd.' I can't help but give the madman a pitying look.
He notices the look I give him, which only serves to piss him off even further. "Don't give me that look! Someone as perfectly satisfied shouldn't be pitied, especially not by the likes of you! Someone who is so untalented when compared to me! I have never felt such humiliation before, and for that, I will kill you. Be honored, trash."
"Guess that means we're back to fighting." Before I can even react, a loud impact sounds in front of me. "Eh? Is that yours, Betty?"
"Yes it is, In fact."
"You are one strong spirit, you know that?"
"Praise Betty all you want, but not now!
"Aww…I thought you liked it when I praised you."
"Ah. You…Fine! Do what you want!"
Chuckling at her words, I look back slightly to the maid. "Thank you Rem, you didn't have to stay and help, but you did anyway. So, thanks." She seems shocked at my thanks, probably not expecting it. Guess being a maid is more thankless work than I thought.
"I-It is no problem Guest-sama, the Witch Cult is responsible for a lot of things in my life. Rem would have stayed even if you hadn't asked." I see, she's got more reasons to be here than me.
"In that case, I hope you don't mind me asking for your help again." Turning back to Greed, I find him glaring at us. More specifically, Me. He starts rambling about again, so I do the right thing and ignore him. "Oh, right! Betty? Where's the Whale? Did you completely decimate it?"
"...Perhaps."
"Gosh, who knew a little girl could be so scary…" I joke.
"I am not a little girl! I am more than 400 years old, in fact." She's so cute when she gets annoyed.
"And I'm the sage." I continue annoying Beatrice. Said annoyance disappears once I place my hand atop her head, and start ruffling her hair.
"Stop it! I suppose." Despite her complaints, she makes no move to stop me. Unfortunately, our little bonding moment is interrupted by a very annoying asshole.
"Die!" Swinging his arm at us, a powerful gust collides with Beatrice's barrier, leaving a large crack in the center. "You seem overly fond of that child. I will thoroughly enjoy killing her in front of you, as you watch on in despair. Along with that wench beside you. Then, I will completely decimate you, this is the only way trash like you can make up for looking down on a being like me." It didn't take too long for this asshole to show his truest colours.
"Is that so?"
"Indeed it is, for I declared it as such. For the continued belittling of my rights, one of the few things I possess and care for."
"Pardon my French, but…Fuck your fucking rights, you're going to die now asshole. Ul Minya." Summoning around 50 of the shadow shards, I see my MP bar take a hit, but nothing too draining. Throwing all of them at Greed, they all either bounce off of him and hit the ground with a shatter or they shatter on impact. "I knew it, this guy has an absolute defense Authority. Which he can also somehow use to attack, talk about overpowered. Rem? Stay close to me and Beatrice."
"Yes, Guest-sama."
"Okay. Great. Beatrice, keep the shield up, I have an idea."
"Piercing Hit. Ul Fura."
My attack, like many of the others, does not have any apparent effect. 'What? But…Tsk. Piercing Hit is melee only, isn't it?'
"Well, I'm all out of ideas. Got any yourselves?"
"It's quite simple. I suppose." A dark shadow like mist appears in the sky above greed. 'It kind of looks like shamak but also not really?' "Al Shamak, I suppose."
The second the mist comes into contact with the Archbishop, any and all ramblings he may have been spouting had gone quiet. The mist dissipates and all that's left is a ruined road, and a beautiful green expanse. The only remains being Gluttony, whose body was still burning and the Whale's back half. '...My spirit is one horrifying little thing.'
Collapsing to the ground on my ass, I find myself completely drained. "Phew…That was awful, never again!" Beatrice, who was still holding my hand, took it upon herself to make herself comfortable on my lap. "At the very least we didn't die."
"Hmph, there was never any reason to worry with Betty by your side. In fact." Despite her prideful words, I can tell even she was a little shaken up by it all.
"I guess there wasn't much point in asking for your help again, Rem. Ah, no offense of course. Who knew my little Betty was such a powerful child." I pat her beautifully styled hair as I praise her.
Melting under my praise, Beatrice starts to giggle under my touch. 'Cute. Super-duper Cute. I think I'm going to die from an overdose of cuteness.'
As I praise the child on my lap, I look back to the maid, who I find staring at Beatrice with envy? "Is everything alright Rem?"
She gives me a smile I can't quite describe as she responds. "Everything is fine, Guest-sama."
"You know, you don't have to call me that anymore, we're not at the mansion anymore and technically, I'm no longer a guest. So, just call me Ren." Giving her a friendly smile, I suddenly feel my head hurt.
Vainglory Declares
"Regulus Corneas was not hit with Al Shamak."
"Lye Batenkaitos was not kille- hrk!"
"What the…Who said tha-" I suddenly feel a tingle on my nape, danger was fast approaching. "Rem watch out!" Pulling Rem closer, I take all the hits that were meant for us. "GAAAH!"
""REN!""
'It hurts…It hurts so much, Status Recov-'
Maximum Daily Status Recovery Reached!
Many more impacts sound out behind me, as Beatrice protects us. "H-Heal him! You idiot maid!" Rem follows the order, even as I lose all strength in my legs.
Falling, I find myself lying down atop both of the girls, blood exiting my wounds and splashing down on their beautiful outfits. "Haa…Haa, Sorry…I don't…th-think I've got…all that…much bl-blood left. On…part of me…leaking it…from…everywhere."
"Guest-sama! Please…save your strength." Ah…so warm.
"Heh, d-don't worry…I can g-get…us out…of this. Worlds… Bloodborne." I manage to breathe out, even as the holes in my body leak out more blood, Rem's healing proving rather ineffective, but it was no fault of hers.
"Wai-"
Looking down at my spirit, I find tears starting to exit her beautiful butterfly eyes. "H-Hey, there's no…need to cry…Betty. Don't forget." Using my very limited strength, I wipe away her tears. "I promised."
Transferring The Player and his 2 Companions to [Bloodborne]
3..
2..
1.
My vision begins to darken as our surroundings warp. A feeling of numbness hits me, whether it's because of the dimensional travel or blood loss, I don't know. What I did know, however, is that I'm going to pass out from exhaustion. '...This sucks…'
Lifaus Highway
As the dust cleared, the Archbishop of Greed can only yell out in a fit of anger. "RAAAAH!" Having found no remains of the Cowardly Bastard who would gang up on him and use underhanded tactics against him…
Destroying the carriage that brought Ren here first, Regulus continued to let his anger control him as he began to stomp his foot against the ground, much like a child throwing a tantrum.
Yet, his tantrum was far more destructive than any childs, as he split the earth around him into a web.
Though, soon, his mind cleared enough for him to realize the futility of his actions. Clicking his teeth, Regulus Corneas swore his revenge on the slimy fuck who cowardly ran away.
"Such a humiliation will not go unpunished, I will not allow myself to become so pitiable. Someone who dares make a mockery of my rights will not be left alive." He would return home soon after, killing two of his wives who dared to test his patience by looking at him for far too long.