294. Pink

Centina stood along the shore of a beach, staring out into the coast— over at the red horizon where the sky and the sea met.

A crimson ball descended and left the world in darkness. The color of the ceiling changed. The previously azure dome grew redder and redder before it was finally consumed by a deep purple. It was such an odd scene. So different from the world that Centina knew.

She’d been told— Erhard had told her what the outside world entailed. And she’d seen glimpses of it in the past. But this was the first time she just sat there and basked in it, fully taking in the difference of the outside world.

Here she was, finally free. No more red sand. No more rock walls. Able to find love once again.

The [Evolved Centinel] fumbled with a ring, removing it from her finger and placing it gently on the palm of her hand. It had been given to her by her first lover, and it held an insignia on it. A cloud with the letter ‘s’ on it.

“Thank you, Erhard. For making me who I am.”

Her head lowered as she bowed like he’d thought her. Tears streamed down the [Evolved Centinel]’s cheeks, fists tightening around the ring. She bade farewell to the Human which taught her how to love. To overcome her hatred.

The soft sounds of feet trudging on sand approached Centina. She glanced back at the [Krokodis] who came to a halt behind her.

“Think she fine?”

Kron asked, eyes fixed onto the horizon. Centina blinked away her tears and cast her gaze towards the night sky. It took her a moment to infer who this ‘she’ was. And to be perfectly honest, Centina didn’t know.

“We can only hope…”

Salvos had challenged an [Ancient Centinel] for the sake of those who were trying to leave the Land of the Lost. The haven of monsters she had barely known. All because of a promise. All because of her pride.

Centina found it foolish, but she was grateful nonetheless. The [Ancient Centinel] Salvos had faced was incredibly strong. She had defeated Centina and Erhard Skyshredder in the past, when she was only a mere [Evolved Centinel]. Now, at her level?

“But I fear the worst outcome is more than likely to happen.”

Sighing, the [Evolved Centinel] admitted her true feelings on the matter. She didn’t wish it, however it was more than likely that Salvos was dead.

Kron deflated. Her snout lowered. She didn’t really try to argue against it herself.

“Oh…”

But someone else didn’t believe it. Willy. The [Will O’ Wisp]. He’d overheard the conversation and was adamantly against the conclusion drawn by the pair.

“Alive.”

He flitted over to them, flames changing color. Centina looked up at him as he blazed an indignant red.

“Salvos alive.”

“Willy…”

She stared at him, her lips pursed in a way she often saw Erhard react.

“While I hope for the best too, I can only fear the worst…”

“No.”

The [Will O’ Wisp] refused to accept it. His fire burned brighter, illuminating the night as he flew over the crashing waves. He focused on the horizon as he spoke more than he ever did before.

“Salvos is alive. She has to be. If not…”

Centina closed her eyes. She watched as Willy spoke softly, his voice carried away by the wind with the motes of flames wisping off him. A quietus hung over the group of monsters.

On the beach, dozens of monsters were gathered. An eclectic bunch that would not otherwise have been with each other if not for all they’d gone through in the Bloodied Gulf together. There was a soft pop in the background— one which drew Kron’s attention— but Centina didn’t look back. Instead, she approach the [Will O’ Wisp].

“I’m sorry, Willy. I wish I could speak with confidence and say that Salvos survived. That she won her bout with an [Ancient Centinel]. Alas, I do not believe that is the case. Their level difference was too large. I cannot fool myself into believing Salvos won.”

The [Evolved Centinel] closed her eyes. Willy’s flames dimmed. And yet, he still protested.

“No. You’re wrong. Salvos lives. She won. Trust me. Trust…”

Centina opened her mouth to say something, then paused as she felt a tapping on her shoulder. Kron was hurriedly gesturing at something on the beach. The [Evolved Centinel] blinked and faced the figure. Then her jaw went slack.

“S-S…?”

Willy continued, not realizing everyone else had their attention turned to something else.

“Trust Salvos. She said she would get us out, and she did. Now, she said she would beat [Ancient Centinel], and she will. Believe in her. You have to.”

He finished, and right as he did, a chipper voice broke in.

“Hey! How are you guys doing?”

The [Will O’ Wisp] froze at the familiar voice. He slowly turned around as a Demon strode along the beach of monsters, waving at everyone there. This friendly Demon came to a stop right before Centina, Willy, and Kron.

She cocked her head.

“Why are you all just standing there with your mouths open?”

Her eyes narrowed, then she looked over at Willy. The [Will O’ Wisp] said nothing. She crossed her arms.

“Wait, were you really worried about me, Willy?”

He shrank in size, speaking in a small voice.

“N-no…”

“Aw, you were!”

Salvos smiled, and his flames burned a bright pink.

“No! Am not!”

Willy turned away from me, hiding his face. Well, he didn’t really have a face. He was made entirely out of fire, but I could see the color of his flames change in embarrassment. It shone a light red. Pink.

Huh. I wondered what its effects were.

“There’s no need to be embarrassed about it.”

I walked up to the [Will O’ Wisp] as he tried to fly off. I caught him and wrapped my arms around his warm flaming body.

“I was worried about you guys too.”

He froze. Willy’s fire calmed. Then it returned to a normal color.

“Worried.”

“But we’re fine now.”

“Fire…?”

He drew away from me, flames flickering at my body. I looked down at myself. I was still covered in wounds. But I knew that wasn’t what he was referring to. Grinning, I snapped a finger and a small rainbow-colored flame sparked to life.

“My Grand Skill is still active. See?”

I wasn’t sure how long the Grand Skill was supposed to last, but I felt like it would last at least a few more hours. It was quite powerful. I just feared its cooldown would last… a while.

Willy flitted around me.

“Hmph. Copy.”

“Yep!”

It was true, even if I would joke otherwise. I found the way his fire changed color to be fascinating.

“But mine is better.”

“No.”

He protested as I laughed.

“Salvos.”

I turned to the source of the voice. Centina stood behind me alongside the other monsters. Kron, the [Storm Crustaceans], the [Talonflayers]... all of them.

“What happened to the [Ancient Centinel]?”

Centina gave me a worried look.

“Will she be coming after us? How’d you get here?”

“Oh, I just teleported here. And there’s no need to worry about the [Ancient Centinel]. I took care of it.”

“How? Did you trick her? Did you…?”

The [Evolved Centinel]’s eyes widened, and I nodded knowingly.

“I did.”

“You killed an [Ancient Centinel]...”

Kron blinked. Willy paused. The other monsters stared at me, and I shrugged.

“Yep. I did.”

“How?”

Centina gaped. I waved a hand dismissively.

“It was a bit difficult, but I dealt with it.”

“But she was over thirty levels above you—”

“I know.”

I beamed.

“I’m pretty amazing, aren’t I?”

Kron nodded eagerly, and Centina just stood there. I spread my eyes wide, gesturing at the monsters around there.

“Now, you’re fine. All of you are free. You can take your leave.”

Most of the monsters exchanged confused glances. It took them a moment, but they finally understood what was happening. The first to go was the [Talonflayers]. They dug down in an instant, disappearing into the sand. The [Storm Crustaceans] returned to the ocean, streaming away slowly along with the other monsters.

I watched them go. I was satisfied— happy that I finally finished my job here. The only ones who remained were Centina, Kron, and Willy. I cocked my head.

“What’s wrong?”

The three of them exchanged glances. Then Centina answered.

“We don’t know where to go.”

I raised a brow.

“Huh.”

Kron shook her head.

“Me know. Me want return to family. But me don’t know where go.”

“Willy?”

I looked over at the [Will O’ Wisp]. He spoke, not really caring either way.

“No master. I can go wherever.”

“I see.”

I tapped a finger on my chin. I glanced over at Centina, and she shook her head.

“I don’t know where to go. I’d like to… explore the world. Find love. There are so many things I want to do. I don’t even know where to begin.”

“What about this?”

I looked at Kron, Centina, and Willy.

“I can help you guys! I can find you places to go! Kron, I can find you your family. Centina, I can find you a place where you’ll be accepted, maybe. And Willy… want to kill a Primeval Demon with me?”

“Sure.”

The [Will O’ Wisp] nodded his body. Centina hesitated, then she shrugged.

“I’d appreciate if you could show me around the world.”

“Kron?”

I turned to the [Krokodis], and she shuffled her feet.

“If find me family, me happy.”

“Alright! I’ll help you guys out!”

I clapped my hands together.

“But…”

Then my mind flickered. A thought crossed my mind. I took a look at my Status, and I lifted a finger.

“But just wait a moment. I have something… else I need to do for now.”

Salvos (Liberator of the Plaguelands)

Species: [Archdemon of Pride]

Subspecies: [Daeva Cambion] - Lvl. 130

Class: [Grand Mystic of the Nexeus] - Lvl. 94

General Skills:

[Advanced Mana Manipulation] - Lvl. 8

[Identification] - Lvl. 6

[Racial Skill: Universal Language Comprehension] - Lvl. 2

[Rest] - Lvl. 5

[Lesser Enhanced Wisdom] - Lvl. 6

[Title Skill: General Curse Resistance] - Lvl. 4

[Title Skill: Recall Skill] - Lvl. 1

[Racial Skill: Divine Essence of the Daeva Cambion] - Lvl. 1 (Maxed)

Stats:

[Available Stat Points: 0]

[Vitality]: 150 (+25) (+100)

[Strength]: 135 (+25) (+100)

[Endurance]: 150 (+25) (+3) (+100)

[Wisdom]: 265 (+25) (+10) (+100)

[Agility]: 320 (+25) (+5) (+100)

Skills:

[Available Skill Points: 15]

[Barrage of Cinders] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)

[Demon’s Mark] - Lvl. 10

[Haste] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)

[Intimidation] - Lvl. 10 (Maxed)

[Faux Limbs] - Lvl. 10

[Nebular Construct] - Lvl. 6

[Radiant Slash] - Lvl. 15 (Maxed)

[Salvo of Vanity] - Lvl. 15

[The Primordial Spark] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)

[Wings of the Netherworld] - Lvl. 10 (Maxed)

[Passive - A Hunter’s Sense] - Lvl. 10 (Maxed)

[Passive - Blue Flames] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)

[Passive - Weapon Mastery] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)

[My Flame Shall Burn Until Eternity Ends] - Lvl. 1 (Maxed)

Secondary Skills:

[Available Secondary Skill Points: 20]

[Dimensional Pocket] - Lvl 5

[Mass Particulate Modification] - Lvl 10 (Maxed)

[Mystical Projection] - Lvl 15 (Maxed)

[Long Range Teleportation] - Lvl 20 (Maxed)

[Planar Navigation] - Lvl. 10 (Maxed)

[Scattering Displacement] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)

[Warped Time] - Lvl 10

[Titles Available]