Chapter 7: Agent of Death

Vali’s POV:

Stepping in front of this monstrous figure, I can’t even begin to know where to attack him. Though attempting to stand up to save Hlökk, after seeing the devastation of that last attack I disrupted is enough to make my heart skip a beat. This giant undead was shrouded in darkness and practically absorbed the light around it. It wore a black cloak and had a dark aura surrounding him that honestly looked toxic. He had a skinny frame but had long limbs and was easily a couple meters taller than me.

The one who called himself Malthiel was originally hovering slightly above the ground which showed he was quite skilled in magic. I had charged him and delivered a blow with Lord’s Earth Shattering Smash to his left side of his shin and greatly using up a bit of my stamina. Though I couldn’t exactly knock him down he just stumbled over and dropped the large death scythe he was holding. The weight of the scythe must have been ridiculous because the whole earth shook as the scythe touched down. It left a crater several meters wide and whatever skill was about to be activated severed the large rock behind Hlökk and devastated the surrounding forest behind it. The once lush forest was now black and decayed as though no life had touched it for centuries. Ash floated from the land that was once covered with life and I can sense a real emotion of fear that I’ve never felt before. Though trying to act confident for Hlökk, I sensed a huge gap between this thing and me.

I gave Hlökk a smile to let her know I wasn’t going to leave her......I couldn’t. I feel as though I’ve grown attached to her somehow. Always watching over me these past couple months and showing such odd and awkward behaviors has meant something to me. She honestly feels like the first friend I’ve ever had. I couldn’t let her meet a fate like that. Not alone anyways. I’m tired of not being able to protect those around me. I’m tired of watching as the people in my life are taken from me I can’t accept it. I’d honestly rather die along with the person then just sit here and watch again.

‘ Being so weak before and seeing those I cherish tormented and abused right in front of me is something that has honestly broken me. I don’t think my mind would be able to handle much more grief. I honestly don’t know how I would react if something else was ripped away from me again. I’d probably truly fall.‘

The undead is facing me now and I can see the name Malthiel with the title Reaper of Kings and 3 question marks where his level should be. Clearly this thing is much stronger than the boss class monster I just faced. I can feel my hairs stand on end and my skin starts to tremble.......what’s happening, as my natural instincts send me all kinds of alerts in my head warning of intense danger I immediately activated my spatial magic and reappeared dozens of meters away. I see now that Malthiel’s hand was raised and now lowers it.

“Ha....Quite a familiar ability. But a human challenging me? Surely you jeeesttttttt.”

His voice had a truly inhuman sounding echo and his large frame then turned towards me......I have to do something quick or I’m going to get killed. I then teleport right behind him and delivered a kick to his back leg. His body gives no movement by the power of my kick and I can feel that the body behind the dark cloak doesn’t feel natural. I assumed an undead has much less of a resistance to blunt attacks than to sword type weapons. But he seemed to receive no damage at all. He casually moved his limbs back and tried to grab me and I reappeared in front of him and while activating fireball with my hands I simultaneously activate Demonic Awakening and Stunning Blow. Now I see that the dark aura surrounding him is making it to where my punches aren’t even touching him. He swings his hand like a blade in my direction and I use flicker to dash backward as fast as I can.......’Oh my God what is this thing.’

He stares back at me and tilted his head back and raises his long arm. Then a powerful lightning strike which is almost as large as he is rains down on his body......No....his skeleton hand which is wearing shining jewelry is stopping the lightning from striking him and the lighting shoots out after colliding with his fist and scattered.

The sound of the lightning strike that came from above ripped through the air and a blistering roar erupted over middle earth.

“Hah....You’ll have to do better than that Valkyrieeee”. His voice gave a chill down my spine being so deep and ominous.

I then look back and there standing in bright shimmering armor and a large spear covered in an intense bright light stands behind me. Her armor is platinum and produces an intense light that looks like a bright star in the night sky. Hovering over her shoulders are other pieces of the same silver armor and look like small shields. She looks violently pissed and is staring straight back at Malthiel.

“GLADLY!”

A loud roar erupts from her spear and a golden lightning strike shoots straight towards the undead and I can feel the surroundings getting darker. I look up and clouds are forming with dark clouds and are blotting out the sun. The light from the lightning strike tints the earth in a golden flash. Four very large tornadoes begin to touch down on the ground, while trees, water and earth begin to fly and swirl around the area. A large storm then began to tear through everything.

The golden flash is somehow again dissipated by the dark aura surrounding the King Reaper. Within an instant I see Hlökk appear behind Malthiel and delivering a strike just above his right flank. The force from the strike launches Malthiel forward but was not enough to knock him over.

Malthiel then straightens his poster and raises his hand and then prevents a flying tree for crashing into him. He tossed it to the side and swung his hands in the form of a sword back towards Hlökk. She blocked it with her spear and tried to deliver a counter. The two begin swinging back and forth at one another but neither is gaining any ground. Their speed is unmatchable and I can’t even follow it fully myself with my heightened senses and eyes from experience. Though it does look like Hlökk has the advantage at close quarters combat and started to gain some ground with each strike that sends rain water flying in every direction when making contact.

I’m not going to lie as I’m seeing Hlökk in her battle uniform that shows her nicely toned legs and plush cleavage with the shining armor only one thing is going through my head.......’Is.....is this turning me on?’

Seeing Hlökk fight in such a majestic and brilliant way while wearing shining skimpy armor......in the rain, I’m hard pressed to not find this in any other way as sexy. Though our lives are on the line right now I can’t help but admire what I’m seeing....... ‘Uh..... I need to stop checking her out and help somehow.’ Regardless of any opening she receives Hlökk cannot seem to land a hit through the dark toxic aura surrounding Malthiel.

“That’s and interesting skill you have.....”

“Ah...Do you like it. A gift from my masterrrrrr hahaha”

As the two trade another strike Hlökk jumps several meters back and gets some distance from the large reaper. ‘How are we going to hurt this thing. Can we even get away from him?’

“Haha here feel the weight of having come here and treading on my masters grounds.”

The reaper of king's then flicked both of his wrists and several dark balls began to appear in the surrounding stormy area.

The dark spheres began to grow and pulsate. Before the attack takes place I jumped behind cover of the same broken rock from before just in case.

Then I see the surrounding trees that haven’t been swept up in the storm in my side view being ripped from the earth and hurled towards the black spheres. Rain, clouds, even the light from above, everything began to be sucked into the dark spheres. Though so much was being absorbed by the spheres they all remained unchanged.

“Does......does he have the ability to make black holes?”

My mouth now wide open in shock thinking of this possibility.....he’s strong. Very strong.

Looking in the sky I can see the bright shining light from Hlökk’s armor. She now has bright wings of light coming out of her back and is trying to fly away. Though she is getting away from them the dark spheres begin to spin and I think the force is becoming even greater.

“Mhmhm...what’s a matter Valkyrie?”

The reaper laughs to him self and I with Demonic Awakening deliver another Lords Earth Shattering Smash at the large rock I’m hiding behind. The rock then bursts and a large chunk is launched in the direction of Malthiel at an unbelievable speed.

But is again just waved off by him casually. How is he so strong.....seriously he’s strong enough to take on a Valkyrie?

Seriously if he didn’t have that stupid aura surrounding him.

Malthiel then snaps his fingers and all the dark spheres in the sky explode and a thunderous noise is heard and shook the land. I look up to see if Hlökk is ok and the blast sent her flying and she is slowly falling to the earth......no.

I dig my feet deep into the ground and begin to sprint in her direction. The vision around me becomes hazy as I slice though the air and leave craters with every step and gaining stride. I dive and catch Hlökk just before crashing into the ground. Lying there I then turn off Demonic Awakening because my mana is about to run out.

Both of us are then breathing deeply......this is going to be tough. How can we even hurt him with that dark aura. What is it

anyway? It looks exactly like the miasma that was coming off of his scythe.....oh shit his scythe.

His massive weapon he left, its huge but......it’s covered in the same dark aura that surrounds that undead. Maybe this can be used somehow.

“Hlökk, I have an idea. If you can hold him off for a little bit longer I think we can take him out.”

“What are you talking about. Vali....get out of here! That person is a master of death magic and you don’t stand a chance

against him.”

“I know....I know....but I think I can get you an opening. It wont be for long but the moment I give you the signal give him your finisher move because we’ll only have one shot at this.”

“.....Ugh.....fine! But get out of here if the plan fails ok!”

“Sorry.....Couldn’t hear you, I’m partially deaf from all the loud noises.”

I say that and simply crawl away into the direction of the large crater in front of me.

“What?!......Vali!.....VALI!.....Ugh..”

Hlökk seeming frustrated and turned her head and faced the king reaper once again.

I arrive at the large crater and there standing in the shallow hole is a large metallic death scythe covered in a dark aura. It has several designs and glyphs across the blade many fancy grooves going down its shaft. It looked to be a legendary artifact that one would never be able to see in my old world.

Reaching for the scythe and trying to pick it up an unbearable surge of pain enters into my limbs while dark crimson and black veins appear to be running up my arm.

“AghhhhhHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

I dropped the large scythe and it crashes into the earth again. I scream in agony as the pain is more than anything I have ever experienced in my life.

“Hahaha!......Seems the boy is feeling the constant pain of wielding my weapon, it has but one wielder.”

“Vali?!”

Hlökk turned and saw me in agony and couldn’t believe what she saw. But quickly realized she was in a fight and shortly distanced herself.

The pain was enough to crush me from the weight of making my blood boil and bones crack. My flesh began to rip and the pain was unbearable. Blood began to corse out of the cracks of my skin and wash over me.....’geezes what is this pain. I.....can’t.......breath at all.....mmmmmm’

I rolled on the ground throbbing in pain and then a familiar light began to erupt from under my shirt. The same light I saw almost a year ago, the light from my mother’s cross. I had forgotten about it until now. Hlökk had given it to me upon our first day at the cabin and I’ve had it on ever since. Though I don’t know what causes it to produce such a glow it has done this before and healed my body. The small bright white crystal shined and my pain slowly subsided.

Though my hands felt like they had been burnt beyond repair, I could breath again. I left my hands up and see the scars over my arms have not been healed but the horrifying pain has subsided.

“WOW.......Fuck that hurt!”

I turn my head over and see Hlökk is still trying to fight with Malthiel and keeps trying to turn her head over to see if I’m ok. Ok I don’t know how my necklace has somehow managed to stop the pain of lifting this thing and I don’t know if it’s going to work again but I need to pick this scythe up or both of us are dead regardless.

‘OK.......here it goes!’

I prepare myself for the intense pain and activate demonic awakening again. My muscles surge with energy and tense up as if being flexed.

I reach for the death scythe and wrap my wrists around the handle. Using all the strength I can muster I lift the scythe and place it over my shoulder to support the weight. It’s unnaturally heavy for its size and am currently being engulfed by the weight.

The pain wasn’t as strong as last time but I can still feel my skin being burned and bones cracking from the weight.....I have to hurry. I prepare the scythe and immediately use spatial magic.

My vision reappears and I’m slowly falling from behind Malthiel and swing the monstrous death scythe in a downward fashion towards Malthiel’s wide open back.

“GAH.........”

Malthiel’s whole body froze as it has just been pierced through from the back of his spine by a large death scythe covered in black aura. As his body twitched the dark aura surrounding him had also vanished.

“NOW!”

I hit the ground and screamed with my last bit of energy and before I could finish my next breath a bright flash passed over me and the sound of a large explosion reverberates my ear drums.

The image in front of me is the dark cloaked undead Malthiel now with his hood having been blown off from the blast I can see his face. Though what is standing there is a headless figure with a small piece of bone sticking out from under the hood. The power from Hlökk’s flash was enough to take the head clean off of Malthiel, ending his life permanently.

I smiled knowing that we had somehow managed to attain victory over this ridiculously powerful opponent and my eyes closed and as my consciousness faded away due to intense exhaustion and mental fatigue. In my final moments of consciousness I could hear Hlökk screaming my name getting closer and the sounds of notifications blinking

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Opening my eyes I can see the sunlight cascading through the windows and has lit up the entire room. I’m currently laying in the bed at home. I tried to sit up but I can feel an intense sourness in my muscles and it makes it difficult. I looked down and noticed my stomach up to my chest is covered in bandages while my arms also have bandages and cloth wrapped to my fingers.

‘Oh ya......I remember now. We were fighting that massive undead and somehow made it out alive.....Well barely. By the looks of my body the damage must have been extensive but I can feel enough strength to stand up. I got up from the bed and staggered a few steps to try to exit the bedroom. I walked through the hallway of the house and everything looks different and my vision is blurry. I heard the voices of my mother and Hlökk talking.

Entering into the living area that was connected to the kitchen I see my mother and Hlökk sitting down and chatting. As if noticing my presence Hlökk looked in my direction and gave me a smile I had never seen from before. It was enough to shock my system awake and made my heart skip a beat.

“Oh Vali!!! Your awake!”

Running over to me my mother pressed her face against my chest and tried to hug me without causing me any pain. She then placed her hands on the back of my head and kissed my cheek before burying her face in my neck. I can feel her shaking and even smelling my neck. It must be a demi-human thing as she normally does this while were sleeping and said she enjoys my scent. Her tail with the white tip then wrapped around my right leg.

“Ah....yah....you didn’t need to worry mom. Hlökk was looking after me so nothing would have happened. Besides...I don’t go down so easy.”

“Yes....though yyou should still be more careful. The extent of your wounds were so severe. We rubbed an old ointment remedy I remembered from childhood over your body but it still took days to heal properly. We’ve had to change your bandages 3 times and Hlökk and me even had to slee..”

“Elyria!”

“Oh come now......Your body temperature dropped and was so cold so I had Hlökk get in bed with us and we warmed you with our bodies.....its not shameful.”

“.........”

I looked back at Hlökk whose face was pure red. I then looked down at my mom whose fox ears are drooped to the side and is also showing a cute experience........of course I’d be asleep for this.....Wait.....I need to stop thinking about this as Hlökk and me aren’t like that and this is suppose to be my mom’ Seeing my flustered look I try to change the subject.

“Umm......how long have I been out ?”

“........4 days. The extent of the damage you received from picking up that cursed weapon did considerable damage to your body. After looking over the weapons true abilities you should have died from the curse but somehow managed to repress it. Loki would like to know what happened to allow you to hold it? Do you remember anything of that day?”

“Loki huh? Ya know he still hasn’t come down here yet? .....Ah...and I don’t know really. I just remember picking it up and my flesh started to tear apart and I felt a horrible pain rush through my body. Then my cross lit up and ..... somehow the pain had subsided slightly and allowed me to breathe again.”

“.......I see. I’ll report this to Lord Loki later.”

Hlökk said this while intently staring at me with a puzzled look. Her eyes then look downward to the silver cross that is on my chest as if trying to receive some answers herself.

“Yah....about Loki, seriously where has he been? I’ve been here for weeks and he hasn’t come to see me once. You said he’s been to busy but with what?”

“He has been searching to the answers to some things that have been troubling him. He told me to give you a message however.”

“A message huh?”

“Yes....He wanted to say congratulations on your remarkable achievement in your assistance in taking down such a considerable foe. He wants to prepare a gift for your achievement but it won’t be ready for a few days. He plans to deliver it personally and speak with you then. He has also taken a couple of items that we recovered from Malthiel that he wishes to investigate further.”

‘A gift?’ As if noticing my confusion she continued.

“Yes....he didn’t say as to the nature of the gift but he said it was something truly invaluable to a a new hero......then he made a joke that I think you would be mad if i told you and then told me also to give you a few things for taking away some of the items from Malthiel.”

“..............”

‘I can just see Loki sitting there....smiling his stupid smile. Why did he send me here away from Kaylan? Why did he allow more trauma to happen to me? Where has he been? Seriously what game is he playing.’

She gave me and assortment of random gifts that came in a small black bag. But pulling things out I could tell it was a magic item back as the things inside were probably too big to fit in it......10,000 gold. A black v-neck shirt and tan jacket.....and.......what the hell is this.’

I pick up a white mask with black beady eyes and a red smile. It has one black tear on it........Does Loki think I’m gonna wear this. Is there a tear because he’s sorry for taking my things?.........I somehow don’t know how to react to this mask but it does seem quite durable.......Hmm oh wow and it has a few interesting abilities I might like to try out later.....oh well whatever.

Looking back at my mom who is smiling at me and Hlökk is remaining quiet I notice something. Hlökk and my mother look different somehow. Everything.....in this house is different somehow. But what is it? Wait.

‘I’m looking down at my mother. I use to come to her chest but right now I’m at least a few feet taller than her.

“Wah...I grew?”

“Oh yes....so you finally took notice. yes you’ve grown all up Vali. Into such a handsome young man.....but your still my little boy always ok.”

Saying this my mother caressed my cheek with her soft hands and looked back at me with her one emerald green eye and one off white.

“Yes Vali.... due to your massive increase in levels and some various other circumstances we should discuss.....you have

aged to roughly the same age you were befo......” Saying this Hlökk paused and then looked towards my mother.

“Oh.....That....I already knew that Vali was probably not from this world. I’ve had those assumptions for some time now.” -Elyria

“You....you knew?”

“Well sure....as just a baby you could understand me so well. You never cried unless mommy cried. You showed such wisdom and intelligence a child your age shouldn’t...

You had odd fighting techniques that clearly looked to have been learned somewhere. You could even cook such amazing dishes I have never seen before. I originally thought maybe it was all in my head and Hlökk was teaching you those things but then we had a meal together one day and I saw I was right. I’m assumed you must have had a past life.”

“............”

I was speechless. I had assumed I was being careful as to not reveal anything too soon. i even snuck out in the early morning to practice as to not let her see my training and get any ideas. Apparently she wasn’t always sleeping in as I had originally thought. My mother is clearly a very wise woman.

“It’s ok.....even if you don’t come from this world. Even if you had....another mother. I still see you as my son Vali. And I’m so happy I was chosen to be your mother.”

She held her hands up to her chest and I could feel my eyes becoming watery at hearing her words. I told myself she was a sweet and gentle woman, but in the back of my head I was afraid she’d become distant if finding out. What if she didn’t accept me as her child anymore, not that she’d have a reason to, but......I didn’t want to risk that.

“Oh it’s ok sweetie......Mom loves you”

“I love you too.....mom.....thank you.”

I had lost the ability to properly tell my feelings to this women. She had gone through so much in her life time and was in a way the same as me. We’ve been leaning on each other these past couple months and I feel that she felt for me the same way I felt for her. She needed me as much as I needed her.

I kissed her cheek with the scar and give her a warm long embrace. Hugging my mother like this is new for me. This is the first time I’m able to fully wrap my arms around her. We stood there for some time hugging as I tried to convey without words all the love and warmth I share for this woman.

“Ummm not to interrupt your moment you two but, I still need to convey some of the things Loki wished to tell.”

“Oh yes...of course.”My mother answered Hlökk and we both separated.

“Ya know before we continue this what is Loki exactly looking into? It’s enough that I haven’t seen him at all and you haven’t even been clear on that yet.”

“Well, I’m not entirely sure as to what he has discovered as of now, I am told he was wishing to learn more of the inherited skills you posses and to their origins. As well as to the origins of demons in general. He also told me he was very curious about that necklace from your mother. After I tell him that is how you survived the curse of that weapon he will probably have more questions for you.”

“Oh...so that cross is actually jewelry your mother from your past life gave you?”

“ Yes....due to circumstance....I didn’t have much of a relationship with my mother. She died when I was still quite young and one of the only things she left was this necklace.”

“.....I see” - Elyria said drooping her ears down thinking to herself.

I can see that hearing a piece of my troubled past has saddened my mom having heard that. I wanted to reassure her though that I did see her as a mother and was truly happy about our meeting.

“ The one thing Loki has done that I agree with.....is choosing you as my mother. Not in a 1000 lifetimes could he have found a better woman than you. Your my mother.”

Saying this my mothers ears perk up and she began to show a warm motherly smile my why and then looked to the floor embarrassed.

“.......”

Not knowing how to respond to the atmosphere Hlökk remained quiet.

“I’m sorry Hlökk. What did Loki have to say to me?”

“...yes well. While your wounds were healing we did some research as to why that king reaper appeared on Middle Earth and we found some interesting information. “

“Oh? Like what?”

“Do you remember seeing anything when you looked at him before? Like about his status?”

“Oh....not really. Just his name and title followed by 3 question marks since I couldn’t see his level. Ya know what’s your level Hlökk?”

“Hmm so you noticed. My level and combat ability are far too strong to be read by a status.”

“....and this Malthiel person. Who was so strong did have a level of some kind?”

“Yes....which can only mean one thing. Reapers are much like Valkyries. They are creations of the God of the underworld Hades. They can match a Valkyrie in strength and are all masters of Death Magic. You were truly lucky he didn’t see you as a threat and kill you immediately, before he was destroyed. “

“Yah yah....so this is what Loki had in mind to tell me. Not to jump in half cocked? I’m aware he was strong...”

“No...you don’t! You don’t understand just how lucky. Listen I didn’t even use a 10th of my own strength when fighting him as it would have caused too much devastation to the surrounding environment and you would have been potentially caught up in that.......He was taking it easy on us, which ended with him dead. Due to the unique ability he used to absorb all of our strikes with darkness magic. Something we believe was given to him by whoever he followed.”

“Do yall know who that is?”

“We believe it to be a fallen God possibly. One who has descended.”

“Descended?”

“Yes...that is why you could read Malthiel’s level. He probably went against the treaty due to not following its laws and the power of the treaty caused him to descend. It’s known that Valkyries as well as Reapers hold are beings of immense power. Not able to match a God in strength but can be a potential threat as we are essentially body guards of the divine. When descending however you lose a considerable amount of your divine power and are forced to live out your days banished from the God realms.”

“So that’s why I could see his level? And you think that his master too may be a fallen god?”

‘Yes....that is what Loki is currently looking into as well. Which is why he requested to take some of the magical rings he was wearing and study them as to their possible creator. We’ve found that a ring is what gave Malthiel the ability to use that aura we saw. “

“ I see....Did he leave anything else?”

“.....yes. Loki believes you should keep Malthiel’s Scythe, cloak, as well as be allowed to consume his core he dropped. However, Loki as well as I feel it necessary to properly warn you about such items.”

“Huh...can I even wield that weapon? And why is Loki acting like he’s allowing me to do something, like its his choice?”

“Yes....we’ve determined you will be able to wield it now. After somehow being able to wield it through being extensively cursed....you were able to help slay the previous owner of it. It now has a new owner. It is a magical weapon so it can have its size changed due to your will. Though you’d only be able to wield a fourth of its power yet. I and Loki both feel it necessary to warn you about this weapon.....

This is a Celestial Class weapon, one level under Divine Class. Though it isn’t anything compared to Thor’s hammer Mjoinir or Loki’s magical staff Gungnir. It is much more dangerous than many Celestial class weapons I’ve seen. You saw what it did to environment and it’s honestly enough to probably hurt a God.......Don’t go waving around so candidly!”

With eyes telling me she wasn’t joking I simply nodded in respects to her wishes. It made since, I mean I kinda don’t even

want to wield that thing it was really creepy looking. Even though I’m someone who always found myself in fist fights, I always did want to learn swordsmanship when spending my time in this world. Never did I think I would wield a crazy death scythe from some high being. But I guess it doesn’t hurt to have such a powerful weapon at my disposal should things get ugly.

Hlökk after seeing my understanding flicked her wrist and out appeared the same designed death scythe from before but it was much smaller. Almost the size of a spear. She then flicks her wrist again and a dark crimson core exuding dark aura then appears and she floats them both towards me.

I’m sort of freaked out to grab the death scythe but I touch it with my finger just to see if it would sting.........nope......just floating there there though.

I grabbed it.

Wow.....it’s got a good weight. It’s not too heavy and I feel like I could swing it easily but it feels as though it has a perfect defense. Man we are lucky he wasn’t using this thing.

I then grab the crimson floating core that is suppose to be the last bits and pieces of this person magic and stare at it menacingly. What powers could I gain from something like that? I almost forgot entirely about the weapon I was holding.

“Vali.... also concerning your unique ability to absorb skills. We feel it highly necessary to warn you of the potential danger of the ability you attain could have. Do not use the skill until we are in a safe place to perform it and away from anything.”

“Yah I get it...he was strong so be careful.”

“No! You don’t fully understand how lucky you were with killing him at your level. That being....was a master of death magic. Not to be confused with dark magic like on your weapon or black magic that necromancers use but death magic. Most get it confused but it is much more dangerous.”

“Ok....I won’t mess around with it.”

Damn what is the potential of this death magic. The effects of this world are truly insane upon raising skills and I can’t imagine the type of skill I would gain from a death master.

I took a bite out of the essence and it tastes sour. It’s really hard to finish and tenses up the muscles.

You have gained a new skill!

Death’s Grip

Your affinity to dark magic has been increased due to absorbing the essence of Malthiel. Your darkness resistance has risen to 25%

You can now use the ability Dark Pressure

You have gained a 33% Immunity to Fear

‘Woh... he must have been powerful to raise my resistance and give me 2 skills. Now what are they?’

Death’s Grip

Feel your victim’s heartbeat and let them feel the beauty of death.

Cost 10,000 Mp

‘Woh.....this skill feels weird. I feel like I understand how it works though. I’m somehow able to use this magic to feel everyone’s pulse or lifeforce. I can somehow grasp it and crush it with this magic. Ugh.....What? This guy could have killed me from a distance with this magic before I even did anything to him......If someone doesn’t have a resistance to something like this they would die immediately!

“Woh. He was really powerful!”

“So you understand now yes?”

Hlökk seemed to understand I came to a realization of just how weak I currently am.

“Ugh......yah. It’s certainly not something we can test out here at all.”

‘Wait there was another ability.......Dark Pressure?

Hmm it’s seemed to be a semi-passive skill. It cost 2,000 mp per minute to use. It appeared to be a brand of magic that combined physical and magical ability into a sort of pressure to exude towards the people in your surroundings. It can send them into terror if they aren’t strong enough to resist it. Wow....It’s like an intimidation skill from a boss monster!!!’

On my I can’t even comprehend looking at my stats. I still haven’t done that yet.

Name: Vali Race: Human Age: ? Level: 147

Class: N/A

Title: Lord of the Forest, Slayer of Death

Health: 115,645 Mana: 333,665

Strength: 13,235 Intellect: 16,224

Stamina: 10,445 Wisdom: 9,230

Agility: 8,390 Defense: 12,550

Luck: 16,890

Magic Resistance: 25%

Poison Resistance: 7%

Immunity to Fear: 33%

Elemental Resistances:

Fire 28% Earth: 3% Dark: 25% Lightning: 4%

Water: 1% Wind: 4% Light: 8% Void: 8%

‘Wait Wah..? My stats, I have a new title? how did I gain elemental resistances which are so hard to raise?’

I look up to notice that Hlökk is looking at me oddly with a piercing gaze.

“Hmmm it seems the last traces of the World trees’ Essence has left you now. Your growth shouldn’t be as accelerated anymore.”

“Woh.....Why are my stats so high?”

“Heh....you think your stats are high?”

It almost sounded like Hlökk was mocking me just now.

“Well....why are they so high? I was expecting good growth but this seems extreme?”

“Well your stats are higher than those around your level sure. That’s also due to your inherited characteristics and Loki’s blessing on growth correction as well. But Loki has determined that the World Tree’s Essence may have also enhanced your absorption ability while also accelerated your growth rate. It was to remain there until it got you back to the rough age of your past self upon death. Loki explained the spell at the ritual but it seemed to have too many complicated algorithms even for me to understand. He is a master of a magic after all.”

“So you think my absorption ability gained some of the traits of those I’ve absorbed.....and the World Tree’s Essence accelerated the experience gained and raised my absorption.........”

Everything began to flow into my mind as if I could comprehend everything so easily. I could fully comprehend the logic of what the World Tree is and its logic in this world. I feel like I’m much more intelligent somehow. I’m comprehending things way quicker than I normally would and.....hmmm maybe intellect when risen in this world also pertains to one’s actual intelligence.

In my old world I learned that humans cannot use more than roughly 10 % of their own brain capacity at one given time. Every part of the brain is at all times functioning and showing activity all the time. However we as a species haven’t been able to fully activate its functions fully yet. Our bodies naturally have a limit on this and we as a species just haven’t developed enough to be able to access that level of brain activity. It is believed that if one were to be able to access more of that one could understand the farthest reaches of the universe........

My intellect does feel like it has risen considerably. I feel as if I could access all of the information I have learned and read within a millisecond and be able to recite it from memory. This......does feel amazing.

My body though sore and bandaged.....it feels quite strong and durable. I feel like I’m much stronger than I once was. The World Tree Accelerated the experience given from those monsters and Malthiel must have been crazy high to begin with. If I assisted in killing a being of that level and was given the increased experience given from him must have been enough to rise my levels so much. Being asleep for 4 days my body must have adapted accordingly.

“Yes....that is what Loki believes. It is however faded now. Your growth has now stopped accelerating and we both found due to your unique ability you gained experience much quicker than your sibling.”

“I see...”

That brings me back. Back to what really matters.

I got this strong to take care of my sister. But I’m still nowhere close to where I need to be. I need to get much stronger.

As I held the large ornamented black scythe I began to put it up until I saw it......the reflection of myself off the glass window.......NO.

‘I get a glimpse of myself then peak at my face and then peele off all my bandages. Though what should be scars are now simple scratches and show to be healed quite soon. That is not what what concerns me......my hair!!!!’

“Why is my hair white!!!”

“Ohohoho so Vali finally noticed?”

My mother finally chimes into our long conversation to assist in the bomb that has just been dropped.

“Yes Vali, your hair lost its color when I found you. I believe it was an effect of the curse. Luckily that peculiar cross you got around your neck was there.......”

I couldn’t hear what Hlökk had to say right now because the vision of what I looked like was enough of a mental shock I had blocked everything out. I had white frosted hair. I based my height roughly at 6'2 and my skin was tan and unbelievably strong. My muscles are dense and much larger than they once were too. I have appeared to take on not just the abilities of some of those monsters but acquired some of their traits. Which is why my stats are all over the place and my body has gone through such huge changes. Though my unbelievable growth speed has stopped......I still can’t believe this is the effect of something like a world tree essence.....'I look......really stupid!'

My hair was white.. I was holding a large metal framed scythe which was surrounded by a dark aura 'Ughhh, I'm starting to look like a fucking villain!'

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2 days later

Lilly’s Pov

‘Ha...ha...ha.....Why are the humans so mean to us.’

Just 3 moons ago my brother and I were living together with our family up in our small mountain tribe away from the world. It was cold but it was nothing for a Lycanthia race. We were a breed of wolf demi human species that were known for their sharp claws and ability to survive harsh winters. I was just celebrating my 10th birthday together with my family. Everything was so good then. Why did the humans have to take it all away?

‘Ha....ha....I’m currently hiding behind a tree hoping no one can see me. My brother somehow managed to break my chains and kill the man who was about to buy us both from when we were on stage. He told me to run and I did but

why.....why....why.....The rest of our family is dead, everyone in my village is dead. I can still hear their cries every time I try to sleep. Humans always hated us so much and we never did anything to them....honest....ha...ha...ohh ohhh.......’

“Hey boss I think she went this way!”

“Yes, I’ve picked up her trail she’s just passed this way. With my skills I can surely follow her tracks. It won’t take long”

“Good everyone spread out. I don’t want to miss the bounty that demi-human’s a white haired one she looked rare. Sell for a hell of a lot too.”

‘Uohhhhh no....please....don’t find me.’

“There!”

A large burly man jumped out and was holding a dagger. It frightened me and I froze.

“Hi!!!!”

He reached for me with his other hand and I out of reflex clawed at him.

“AH!....Bitch that hurt!”

Bam!

“Guuaahhh”

The large man had kicked me and my body flung a few feet from where it originally had been hiding. I started running as fast as I could into the forest and hoped they couldn’t catch me. I cant’t let what Noah did for me go to waste....ughhhh Noah....I wish you were here with me right now brother. Atleast then we’d be togeth.....

Slam!

“Owwww!!!”

I tripped and twisted my foot very badly. Something had been sticking out of the ground but I was running for my life and hadn’t seen it.

Ooooooooo hhhh.

‘I can’t stand on it and slowly crawled to the nearest tree I could find and sat there. My foot looks bad. It’s purple and really hurts a lot..... uhhh ohhhhh. Brother.....I’m scared. Please save me.’

“Just calm down....we’re simply taking a detour right now and are already halfway to Aldain.......I simply want to site see today and since running here only took an hour I don’t see what the big deal is........Come on......We’ll be back before night.”

I began to hear the voices of a man and a women. They appeared to be arguing and the women seemed to be annoyed. She almost sounded like how me and my brother fight sometimes.

“Elyria made me promise!! She was so upset with me last time I brought you home after telling her we wouldn’t go out far! I cannot look her in the face again knowing I was dishonest! She called me her friend!”

“Well where already out here. Just give me a few minutes to catch my breath and we’ll continue on. Besides some site seeing in Aldain I was hoping to buy a few things too for the cab........Hey a little girl?”

‘Oh no....he saw me!’

The man was tall. He had a handsome face and looked had such a gentle smile. But he was human. Oh....No....he’s getting closer. Please...please don’t I cannot run away.....No..no. Eh?

As I felt him get closer I noticed he wasn’t doing anything.

“I know Hjokk stop pecking me...Hey your ankle looks really messed up....want me to take a look at that?”

“Ah!”

“Huh...oh no need to be scared. I just wanted to look at your le..”

“Hey here she is over here! Eh....hey whose this guy?”

“...............”

The man with white hair didn’t answer he just straightened up his body and peered back at the large burly man from before and gazed back at him. It’s now I see a small purple bird on the white haired man’s shoulder. It too looks towards the direction of that man.

The man’s friends came up behind him and were now all staring at the tall man with white hair. Before I knew what happened a smaller person in dark clothing dropped down from a tree and looked to be trying to attack the white haired man. But that’s not what was happening.

“Gahhhghg”

The white haired man held out his hand and was gripping the dark clothed person by the neck and was choking him in air with his arm. The man in dark clothes tried to struggle but before he had a chance to escape the white haired man’s grasp's he was pulled in close and I heard the loud sound of him having his neck broken.

The man in dark clothed man became motionless and was then tossed back at his friends. Uh..the white haired man is now holding onto a small dagger that was originally in the hands of the other person. He turned his head and looked back at me. What a gaze! I can’t seem to stop shaking......is ....is....he going to kill me to......I can’t move right now and my heart began to race as he approaches me with the dagger in his hand.

He lifts his hand with the knife and I can feel I won’t be seeing my brother anymore........

“Hehe....here.”

“Eh?”

The man is holding the blade of the dagger and motioning to say he is giving it to me. Does....does he wan’t me to fight for my life......what a cruel human.

“I had that happen to me one time it sucked. I was just gonna look at it and thought if ya had some protection you’d be more inclined to let me look is all.”

“Huh?”

“ “ “ Huh” ” ”

The scary looking men from before show signs of disbelief as we all didn’t understand what this man was implying.

“ Here....If I do anything you don’t like just poke me with this alright.....I’m just gonna see if I can make your ankle feel better...alright.’

“Umm.....o....ok....”

I grabbed the knife and held it back at him....such a strange human....what is he planning.

“Oh.....you 3 should probably leave......So I'm Vali...you?”

The man threatened the three scary men and then looked back at me with such kind eyes. Much kinder than any human’s I’ve ever met.......

“........Lily.”

The man knelt on the ground and lowered himself to meet my gaze and moved his vision to my foot. He had an odd bird on his shoulder that kept pecking him. The surroundings got surprisingly quiet and I forgot about everyone else around us when I looked back at him.....it was rather......peaceful. I then lowered the knife he had just given me.......I didn’t know how to react to such a human.