Chapter 47

“You can’t be serious?” Henry asked as he looked down at his phone screen. He’d just received a D.E.D. from Caleb via the ritual transfer, in much the same way he’d received his Evil Eye from Loki. This time though, the app was showing what he’d received was most definitely not a trash tier common D.E.D.

Summon transferred D.E.D.?

[Level 25- Chimera – Fire Type]

“Yeah, I figure you’ll put him to good use.” Caleb said with a grin.

“How did you even get this D.E.D.?” Henry asked as he activated the summoning. He felt a hot, fiery rush of essence burning around him as the creature seemed to suck the very life from him. Around him, his three D.E.D. watched as well.

“Fusion.” Caleb responded matter of factly. “It’s a hobby of mine. I don’t let people know about my D.E.D., for obvious reasons.” He motioned towards Henry’s trio, “but the fact you’re leveling up an Evil Eye, and that you actually let me pact with the Kitsune, tells me I can trust you.”

“I…” Henry trailed off as he looked at the stats of the Chimera. This was a game changer. Truly, this D.E.D. alone, could likely take on all three of his. After all, it’s name appeared in the app as bright orange. Meaning it was Ultra Rare.

Chimera

Fire Type

Level 25

HP: 267/267

MP: 170/170

Henry double checked his Bladed Drakeling’s stats, just to compare the two.

Bladed Drakeling

Earth Type

Level 17

HP: 110/110

MP: 50/50

“Besides,” Caleb continued, pulling Henry from his comparisons before he could look at the Chimera’s skills. “It’s not like he could be much use to me given my resonation limit. And when it comes to Ultra-Rare D.E.D., he’s on the lower end of the spectrum.”

Caleb said it so matter of fact. But like, this was an Ultra-Rare D.E.D. And Caleb was just giving it to him. What the actual fuck?

A roar before him caused him to turn away from Caleb to focus on the D.E.D. that had formed before him. Summoning it had cost him a total of 290 D.E.D. points. Making his previous 169 in use pale in comparison. This D.E.D. was on a whole different level.

Foolish mortal who has summoned me. A voice said in his mind with a deep growl. Know that you’ve summoned your doom.

The creature before him, the Chimera, fixed its glowing red eyes on him. The snake head of a tail on the creature hissed, while its two heads, the goat head, and lion head, both seemed to bare their teeth. Which was disturbing. It was one thing to have a lion barring its fangs at you…but a goat gnashing its teeth just intensified the disturbing factor.

Henry felt a thrill rush through him, combined with fear. This D.E.D. was dangerous. That much was certain. And yet, the pure power rolling off of it was something he needed. Something he desperately needed to prepare for what was to come.

“One last thing.” Caleb said as he looked from Henry to the Chimera. “I recommend you tread carefully with D.E.D. such as this.” He started walking away, doing his best to avoid stepping too close to it. “The more powerful the D.E.D., the stronger their link to you. Which also means, the stronger the potential feedback if they fight against their pact.”

That was something Henry hadn’t heard before. But his focus was still on his Chimera, as he couldn’t bring himself to look away from it. He had a feeling if he did, it would strike. Could it hurt him? Technically, through the transfer, it was now pacted with him right? Then again, he remembered what Jewel had said about Fenrir. And that it tended to burn through users. Suddenly, this seemed like less of an awesome deal for Henry, and more like Caleb had just unloaded a problem D.E.D. onto him.

Unfortunately, it was at that moment that the Chimera in front of him opened its mouth and sent a wave of fire flowing towards him. It was all Henry could do to fall backwards to not be scorched, though he felt the intense heat flow over him.

“Stop.” He called out to the Chimera, and it simply shook its head, like he’d annoyed it. He focused on the app, trying to force his will over it, and he felt it fight back. The mental link that formed with the D.E.D. when he summoned them was like a wall. It was one thing to work hand in hand with his D.E.D., but for the first time, Henry was finding asserting his actual will over one was a different story.

Which, he figured, affirmed his need to work with D.E.D. that shared his goal, or at least agreed to work with him. Because this struggle, was something entirely different.

You’ve not the right to wield my powers. The Chimera’s voice hissed this time in his mind. You surround yourself with weaklings. Yet you believe you can wield a power such as mine?

It lashed out at Henry’s other D.E.D. this time, sending a blast of fire towards the Storm Crow even as the snake head for the tail struck towards the Bladed Drakeling. Henry winced as they both nearly avoided the attacks.

“Hear me out.” Henry started as he began unsummoning his other D.E.D. He couldn’t deal with losing them right now. Not after all his training with them.

Words are for the weak. The goat voice bleated in his mind. Power is all that can contain us.

Henry’s other D.E.D. faded from existence, and as they did, he realized his mental capacity seemed to sharpen. Unbeknownst to him, it seemed having multiple D.E.D. summoned at once lessoned his ability to mentally command and control them. Again, something that would have been nice to know about before now.

Still, with the others gone, he was able to turn his full focus on the creature before him.

“You will listen.” He said through gritted teeth, trying his best to summon all his resolve. He respected these creatures. He knew they were sentient and sapient. So forcing them to bend to his will felt wrong. However, he was facing off against a damned supernatural creature that he figured could kill him in an instant if it landed an attack. So, out of self-preservation, drastic measures were needed.

The Chimera thrashed about as it fought against his mind, but he could see it beginning to temper, at the very least. It glared at him with baleful eyes but stopped launching its attacks. Though, if looks could kill, Henry was certain that creature would have slain him over a dozen times with those three sets of eyes.

“If it is power you respect.” Henry said, his voice shaking. “I’ve every intention of growing stronger.”

The creature just looked at him.

“And if you want power.” He continued. “It would be in your best interest to actually work with me, rather than try to kill me and my D.E.D.”

The Chimera glared at him, unspeaking.

“Now then, are you going to listen to me?” It was like he was scolding a rebellious teen. One that could breathe fire and who knew what else, but still, a rebellious, strong-willed teen.

I will destroy you. You’ve not the- Henry promptly unsummoned the Chimera, grimacing as he did. It seemed; he would have to work his way up to mastering that D.E.D. But first, he would have to figure out how. For now, he would actually keep that one secreted away, and head back to his first plan. Getting his three D.E.D. who actually worked with him, to level 25 as soon as possible.