Clammis Aturen. That was her full name. Twenty-seven of age. Unmarried but a maiden no longer. Typical of your standard adventurer, fickle with commitments.

She was born into a family of knights. Her mother died shortly after giving birth to the fourth child, the second daughter, Clammis' younger sister, Rien.

She had two brothers, both knights to Farmas Kingdom like their father.

Due to not having the charms of a woman and the knight's prejudice against women, Clammis trained hard and became an adventurer. Muo Li was the first adventurer she has paired up with. They weren't the best of friends but they would mourn heavily for each other should the other pass on.

Her swordplay and techniques are magnificent and she is considered a genius. Because of her strength, she swings fast even if she wields a greatsword. People have high hopes for her.

But....

None of those matters anymore.

She is dead. End of story.

I ate her flesh and her soul. I gained her memories and her abilities.

Though, I wished the memories could be left out. Her story is one suffering after another. Being a woman in this world is hard, especially if you lack the charm of a lady. Her whole life combined might be more tragic than mine.

She had joined this expedition to prove herself. Look where did it got her.

"Hyx? Are you alright?" Tom asked. Instead of me, Tom is the one carrying Muo Li. I'm missing an arm so I have to let Tom carry her. I can carry Muo Li with just one arm but that would slow our pace.

I have borrowed fire from Tom's magic to cauterized the wound. Lubac and the goblins have a twisted face as they watch. Tom looks unpleasant from the sight but not as worse as the former three. Cauterizing is a cake compare to my blood vessels popping. Still, the throbbing is unsettling.

"Hyx?"

This must be the third time Tom has asked of my condition. I'm well aware of my complexion but nothing can be done.

"Tom." I said. "No matter how many times you asked, my answer won't be any different. I know you want me to stop and take a rest but we can't stop right now. Not with those endless swarms of giant black ants."

When I caught up with Tom, they getting attacked by some black giant ants. Well, they look like ants but they are not exactly ants. They have four eyes and their legs are pointed. Their blood is acidic so I eliminated them using long range magic, [Hell Spike]. I must have made at least twenty of them into skewers by now.

Still, they kept swarming us and every once in a while, we are assaulted by tremors. I have no doubt is Vira's battle against Aedrox. They have been going for at least ten minutes now. I hope they are taking it slow. I want to be completely out of their range before the fight is concluded. Therefore, we can't afford any delays.

"Maybe we should stop." Lubac timidly suggested. His complexion is the palest despite having the least injuries. In such a medieval setting and at that age, you would think he would have his fair shares of nightmares. Turns out, I'm wrong. He's not used to such things.

"Obviously, you do not know monster language." I commented.

Lubac clicks his tongue at my mention of "monster language". There is some strong aversion to monsters it seems. Obvious.

"You can rest if you want. I won't stop you."

Lubac was about to ask why the permission when another three black ants swarmed us. Like the previous twenty, I skewered them too with [Hell Spike]. Lubac seemed to get the idea after that.

Another thing I have to note. My Mana, after consuming Clammis, it has turned purple, dark purple. I have forgotten what color my Mana is suppose to be but I'm sure it isn't this color. My Mana color is just like Aedrox's but his purple is of a much darker hue.

"Hyx." Tom called out again. "How are you...."

Before Tom finishes, I cut in. "Tom. Stop it. It doesn't...."

"I don't mean your arm. I mean about the two. You were there. You saw them die. It must be hard for you."

Ah.... I see. Instead of blaming me for their death, he is even consoling me. Damn it. I have the wrong notion of you again. What an ass I am. I'm just the worst....

"No, Tom. I should be the worrying about you, Bartholomew, and Cormac. Unlike me, you guys are closer to each other than I am. Therefore, I'm sorry."

Yes, I named Goblin B and C, Bartholomew and Cormac respectively. It just felt wrong to keep being ignorant to them.

Lubac put on a difficult face at hearing our conversation. His face says enough of how much he scorns the atmosphere.

"It's not your fault. You did your best. You did saved Barthy and Cormy."

It maybe out of place for me to point it out but I find Tom's inability to pronounce some names to be quite amusing and heartwarming but.... "I didn't." I replied, honestly.

"Hyx. That's not...."

"I wasn't at my best. I didn't do my best. I couldn't. So Tom, stop trying. I'll be fine. Don't worry." I'm not sure how much credibility I have with those words but Tom is just nodding to my every words. I wish he can be a little bit defiant. Maybe I would then have a fresh perspective on matters.

"Hyx..."

That voice, is Muo Li's. She's awake.

"Hyx."

"I know, Tom. Let her down, gently."

Tom nods and gently lays her on the ground. Of course, I support her head with my left arm. I gesture for Tom and the others to give some space.

Back when I have just escaped Vira and Aedrox, I had taken a good look on Muo Li.

What I saw had disheartened me. She's in a grievous condition. Her Mana Vessel is in tatters, a wreck like Clammis'. Not even the healing reagents can help her as they can heal the physical body not the soul.

Damn it.

Aedrox's power doesn't just harms one's physical body but the soul too. I didn't realize this before because of [Magic Enhancement]. Not only it protects my body but it cast a layer of protection on my Mana Vessel too. If I noticed this earlier, I would have insist to not let the two fight.

"Hyx...."

"It's alright, Muo Li. I'm here." I said, in Yuewen.

"Is everyone okay?" Her hand reaches for me.

I want to lie but.... "No. Clammis and....." I can't finish.

"Is alright.... I'll be joining them soon.... Don't worry." She said some heart-rending words.

What are you saying? Don't say that. "Muo Li. Listen to me. You will be fine."

"It's okay. I know. It's alright." She wipes away the tears I have unconsciously shed. "Hyx?"

"I'm here." I tried to force a smile. I'm not sure it worked.

"I'm thirsty."

I look around. I have [Mana Perception] and [Clarity Field] on at all times. I don't plan to deactivate the two unless my Mana has depleted. I'm sick of the ambushes.

There.

A few feet in front, at a right turn. A tunnel, leading to a body of water. I can the gush and the rush when I concentrated my hearing.

"Okay." I told her. "There's a river just ahead." I then signal Tom to carry Muo Li.

"Thank you, Tom." Meekly, Muo Li says her thanks.

"Y...you're w...welcome." Tom responded with a smile.

I'll be taking point.

"Lubac."

"Yes?" He straightened when I called out.

"You are a court mage, aren't you?"

"Alchemist, actually."

"Same difference. You are a someone of a high rank, aren't you?"

"Yes?"

"Act like one then."

"Yes." The word seems forced but I'm not intending to doubt it.

"Guard them with your life. I'll be taking point." I told him.

Lubac has a look of disbelief at me giving orders again but he swallows his pride and nodded in compliance. At least, he knows what's good for him.

"Good." I said and run ahead, instantly skewering six ambushing black ants with [Hell Spike].

As I got to the river, another tremor hit. I avoided a falling piece of fragment broken off from the ceiling. This whole place will eventually come down and come apart if that fight keeps up.

The fight sure is something but I have to find a way up. I hope I can find a way out of this layer before the fight is finished. Whoever is the winner, I will be fucked by either one, though Vira might not be a bad choice in this matter.

Oops. What am I thinking? Now is not the time for my perverted fantasies. Get back on track, Hyx.

The river is just like the one where I fell to from the Red Crystal Spriggans dwelling. The shore is smaller but the ground is the same, pebbles and sand. Now that I have some time, it's nice to walk on such soil with bare feet. Feels kinda like a beach.

Oh yeah, I have discarded my boots. They were in a condition where it felt more comfortable walking without them.

Of course I have scanned the waters with [Mana Perception] and [Clarity Field]. No sign of hostiles hiding in it and as for the water.... I took a sip. Tasteless, the taste of water. My Mana flow is not showing any abnormality, so it must be safe to drink.

I heard fire explosions from behind and I turn back to find the rest of my party, breathless as they came out from the tunnel.

"Problem?" I asked.

"What do you think?" Lubac answer in between his breaths.

"Bl...black ants. M...many." Tom replied slowly in Common.

I see. They were attacked by more black ants but I knew Lubac can take care of it. He may not be at my level but he is not a Court Mage for nothing.

Sorry. Alchemist.

Tom entrusts Muo Li to me. With me as her crutch, she is able to at least limp. I bring her close to the waters.

We sat down and she slumped into my chest, entrusting her weight to me. She's so light and frail. I was afraid I would break her if I hug her.

I used one of the bottles that I have took from the goblin's lair back then and scoop some water with it. Of course, I rinsed it a few times before putting it into practical use.

Slowly and steadily, she takes small sips.

A thin silver string forms between her and the bottle's lips, it was very alluring but it will be boorish of me to point it out.

"Much better?" I asked.

"For now." Her voice is faint and meek. She's not getting any better. Her Mana Vessel is shedding off her skin bits by bits.

"Don't worry. Everything will be fine." I said it vaguely because I can't lie to her. I don't want to.

"The vines.... I never really got the chance to enjoy the sight of them." She said. She must be referring to the cyan vines that have grown in a cluster just beyond the river, the wall on the other side.

Not just there, everywhere around us, almost every nook and cranny, the cyan vines grew. The only salvation in the darkness but that's only superficial. I don't know what they actually are but they are terrifying, not anymore though. Aedrox and Vira is right at the top of the list of things I want to avoid the most, for now.

"Have you been to Farmas Kingdom?" She asked.

"I don't remember."

"In the capital, on the main street, stores lined up in a straight line during midday. There's this elderly couple. Xins, just like me and half of you."

I smile wryly.

"They sell some very delicious roasted pork skewers. They have beef sometimes too but you'll need luck for that. The beef is sold out before the first hour of midday."

"If we made it out of here, you can take me there yourself."

"I sure will." She said and looks up at my face. Her hand caressing my cheeks. "I hope I can."

I want to dismiss her statement but the truth isn't so kind.

"Your arm...."

Ah. She finally noticed.

"Will you be okay?"

I bury my face on the top her head. "Of course. Who do you think I am?" I breath through her hair. It doesn't smell as bad as I thought it would be considering how long we have been without shower or bath. She lets out a weak giggle. It must have been ticklish.

Hmm.... do they have baths or showers here in this world.? Maybe they just rub themselves with a hot towel to get by. I want to know but that's a question for another time.

"Clammis.... How did she die?"

I knew she would ask that. "I.... I killed her." I don't want to lie.

"I see...." She said. "Thank you."

She understands. Of course she does. "The food.... What else is there?"

"Hm? Well.... " Her inflated cheeks while she's thinking is cute.

I caress her cheeks and she seems to like it as she closed her eyes with glee.

"There's a shop in the capital, they painted it all blue. Their pies are unlike any pies you have ever eaten. Apparently, it is a secret recipe passed down through the generations. Their honey pie is simply the best. Not too sweet, just the right amount."

"That sounds nice." I said.

I can feel her vital signs dropping and her Mana loosing its color.

"And the yearly Red Crescent Festival, the merchants always brought some strange toys with them. I would always get at least one of them to commemorate for that. And the performance...."

She looses her voice half through. I got worried for a moment but she's just catching her breath.

".... The performance, they are always very spectacular. The Shrine Maiden's dance and the wonderful songs that went with it, wouldn't miss it for the world."

"Sounds peaceful."

"They are. Although, I didn't think so back then. I thought...." She coughed. I help ease her cough by gently patting her back. ".... I thought those things would be the last things I saw before my deathbed...."

"Muo Li?" I called out when she went silent.

"I.... I have taken those things for granted."

"No, you didn't. You're just simply.... mistaken. That's all."

"Do you.... really believe so?"

"I don't lie."

She gives me a delicate smile. "Sure you don't." Her fingers trace down from cheeks to my collar bone. "Then, tell me. What are these?"

She must be talking about the black veins that have grew all over me. "I'm not sure. Must be a side effect from my powers."

"Will you be alright?" The worry in her voice is genuine. I was hoping it to be a satire. It would have made things much easier.

"I don't know." I can't lie. "So far, nothing's happening."

"That's good. Thank god...." Her voice is getting lower.

Gently, I brush her hair and her smile got broader.

I hear Lubac groaning in impatience from the back but luckily for the atmosphere and Lubac, Tom is prudent enough to read the mood and prevent Lubac from incurring the rising fury within me.

"Say...." She said, still with her broad smile on her face.

"Yes?"

Her eyes changed then. I knew what she was going to ask. "Can you...."

"No." I answered. "I can't do that."

"Am I that unneeded in the end?"

Unfair. You, being sly right now is unfair, Muo Li. Don't make me do this.

"I have been nothing but burden to you."

I want to deny it but those are the truth. I can't lie to her.

"This is the least I can do."

"Enough. You have already done enough."

"What exactly have I done?" There's a slight tremble in her voice.

"If it weren't for you.... If it weren't because of you, Clammis, Tom, and the others..... I don't think I would have remain..... sane. Because of all of you, I retain my grasp on what's left of me. I don't what I'll be if I hadn't met you all. So, you have done enough. You have done enough, Muo Li."

"Then.... I"m glad...."

"You deserve better than this. This.... This is just unfair."

"It's okay. It's alright." Her fingers and mine intertwined. "You grew a lot."

I lightly chuckled. "How so?"

"When I first saw you, you look like a monster.... but you're just a boy, afraid of everything, so you destroy everything but.... you crave for interaction, company.... but you're afraid of that too. But now.... you may not be completely different from then but.... you are slowly coming out from that shell."

Strange.... I'm not shedding tears. Why? Is it because I have seen this coming? Was my mind long prepared for it? How cruel would I have to be to not shed tears during such.... situations....

The light of her Mana, it's nearing the end. The light has nearly died out.

"If what you said is really the truth, then.... I'm glad I wasn't a hindrance to you, to all of you.... You're a good person...."

"I'm not." I firmly told her so. "Before I met you all, I have let people die.... Not because I couldn't save them but..... My mind just went blank and I didn't know what to do. I thought I was just scared.... But now, I have time to think about it. At that time.... deep down.... I just couldn't care less.... I didn't know them.... never been with them long enough.... so.... I deemed it, unconsciously, that they weren't worth saving.... just because I didn't know them."

"Hyx...."

"So tell me, how am I a good person?"

"You weren't but you are now."

She look up at my face again, her upturned eyes and my downcast eyes met. Our gazes locked.

"People change. And they do that by growing up. And you have grew."

"Muo Li...." I said her name in a way I never have.

What is this feeling?

The air should be chilly but.... warmth emanating..... from her?

Strange.... we haven't been together for a week but yet.... I feel an attraction to her.... Is this real? Or is it just something like a suspension bridge?

A fleeting emotion?

I don't know. I don't understand.

Slowly, we are bringing our face closer to each other.

"Hyx...."

"Yes?" I asked, with a smile....

"Kiss me?"

She didn't realize I have already kissed her back then but I don't think that counts.

Is this it?

Is this love?

I don't even remember how love feels like.

It's frustrating yet.... it's stirring something inside me.

"You don't need to ask." I said and our lips slowly closing the gap between us.

The time for our lips to meet seemed like an eternity but so is the time when our lips finally touched. We both closed our eyes.

It's soft, wet, gentle, warming, and.... I can't identify the last one. I'm not familiar with it but I like it.

What seems like an eternity, our lips eventually parts, and when it did, my eyes opened but hers didn't.

Stil, not a tear was shed.

Her grip on my hand has loosened.

The light of her Mana is gone

Her gentle heartbeat slowly coming to a stop.

"Sorry." I begged. "I can't grand your wish. I can't do it. I'm sorry."

I closed my eyes again, invoking the spirits with my mind.

"Please. Sent her off for me. It will be crude and disrespectful to not ask for your help to sent her off. Her soul.... is in pieces. Burying her will not bring her peace. So spirits, I beg for your assistance. Whatever you ask for me in return, I will comply."

The spirits appeared and they surrounded me. I can feel their consolation and empathy. They can share my sorrows.

[Spirit Magic: Lv. 2 increased to Lv. 3]

[Spirit Magic: Spirit Fire - Acquired]

Thank you.

The spirits nodded. I can tell they are saying "You're welcome."

I conjure cyan flames into my hands, lay Muo Li just by the river bank, I let the flames become her veil.

"Hyx?" Tom called out.

"I'm fine." I answered without looking away as the flames sending every being of Muo Li away to the afterlife.

"Hyx?"

"Not now, Tom."

"Boy!" Lubac shouted at me.

Oh please, not you too.

"Hyx!"

"Not now."

"Hyx! The wate...." Tom was cut off by my glare at him. At then, he understands.

I know. I have already known about it. I never did switch off [Mana Perception] and [Clarity Field] after all.

It's the giant crocodile. It has sneaked up on me while I'm bathed in the last moments with Muo Li.

Or at least, it thinks it has sneaked up on me.

The surface rippled more and more violently until it broke apart, it leaped out of the waters, its jaws opened wider than sixty degrees, and that was the moment I impaled it with multiple [Hell Spike].

It growled in agony and I felt it's gaze at me. I ignored it.

It's tenacious. It didn't die from that. So, I [Sever] its head off.

Black tendrils came out from my back and proceed to devour the giant crocodile's soul.

I feel my Mana has increased and HP too but I didn't received any new magic or abilities. Perhaps I will gain its tough hide from eating it but I don't have time for that.

"Come on. Let's keep moving." I said as I walked past the four. Muo Li have passed on with the last traces of the spirits' flames. I thanked the spirits again.

[Mana Overseer (Unique): Lv. 5 increased to Lv. 6]

It leveled up?

I'm surprised.

I have thought that either [Abyss Magic] or [Spatial Magic] would be first but I didn't think it would be [Mana Overseer]. Must be because of I kept [Mana Perception] and [Clarity Field] on a constant activation.

[Mana Overseer (Unique): Arcane Orb - Acquired]

I'm guessing it's a pure Mana version of [Energy Sphere]?

[Mana Overseer (Unique): Mana Perception evolved into Arcane Analysis]

Oh? Evolution?

[Finally. You can hear me. How long I have waited for this.]

What the... who's that? The voice, it's familiar.

[You know who I am.]

I do?

[I have been with you ever since the beginning. You first awoken me by absorbing Mana from the miniature Crystal Pillar.]

The mini Cryst....

Oh.

So that's it.... You are....

[Yes. I am the Overseer of you Mana.]

But.... How is this possible?

[At long last, I can say this, pleased to meet you, my master.]

Master....

Eh?