Re: Ascension Rebirth – Honest hearts

Chapter XIX

PART ONE

[Eternum Calendar - Year 990]

[Miko’s] ears twitch as I reproach her and her eyes wince as she registers my harsh change in personality. She seemed lost on how to handle me, not surprising since my night time persona is a breakneck descent from my day time persona.

“It’s none of my concerns? O- of course it is! You’re a child of this orphanage too! You really think I’d let a child like you go into this deadly forest?!”

She’s shaken up; I could see the subtle shivering of her body under the red moonlight, yet she still tries her best to stop me from proceeding. I try once more, this time I reply to her whilst activating my [Evil eye], in hopes that it would be enough to convince her to leave. Out of everyone in the orphanage, only her, I don’t want her to be mixed up in my own state of affairs. That isn’t what I desire.

The atmosphere around us turns tense and foreboding, mostly due to my presence. I stare at her and reproach her once more.

“I have neither need nor asked for your permission. Step aside and this time, don’t get in my way.”

This time she seemed to have perfectly registered my harsh façade; her body starts to tremble and she takes a few steps away from me. Keeping up appearance, I scoffed at her attempts to stop me and proceed on my course towards the dungeon.

“N- no! You can’t! I won’t allow it!”

Breaking past her fears she runs past me and impedes my path a second time, she clutches tightly onto her staff as she struggles to fight the fear. She was the first person I’ve met that was of a lower level and yet was enduring my [evil eye]; a testament to her mental fortitude and will. Due to that I was able to tell that she really meant when she said she would stop me, because she cared for me that much.

Still, as I said, I do not wish to involve her further with my business. Not this person.

“Leave.”

Activating [enchanting voice] I command her. Since she was of a lower level and she was also using most of her mental faculties fighting off my [evil eye] I had thought ti would work. However to my surprise my commands were not carried out. She was still struggling to fight against it, even more desperately than before. Just what was she doing? What is she? She who fights and struggles for me, through even the cold, pain and fear?

I was aware that people with strong wills or high mental resistances could fight against the commands I give. I had underestimated it, the will to protect someone you dearly cared for. I could only scoff at myself this time, I had forgotten about such a strength, even I wasn’t dense enough not to realize this. Even for me, there was a time when I had something I truly wished to defend even if it cost me my life. Ironically it cost me everything but my life, which was why I was in such a position to begin with.

Still, I appreciated her efforts at least.

It doesn’t matter anymore now. Even if she does struggle against my commands, that was all she could do immobilized like that. I could simply walk past her while she was distracted. As I continue on with my path she stretches out her arms to stop me once more, she struggles to glance my way but when she does she gives me an uneasy but triumphant smile.

“Hah… Hah… I… I won’t let you.”

“Tch, you’re annoying. Is it a fight you’re looking for?”

It hurts to act the part of an evil bastard towards someone I have come to appreciate but this needs to be said. These types of people, type like her, they won’t understand unless you say it to their faces straight on, and if it was mere words and acts then I could do it flawlessly.

“Hah… haha… you shitty little brat. I don’t know what strange magic you’re using… but you’re 10 years too early to be fighting against me.”

Even though she tried to act tough, it wasn’t convincing when she was struggling so hard just to bypass my [enchanting voice]. I saw droplets of sweat forming on her head and her tail started to twitch violently as she was getting close to her wit’s end just enduring my power.

“I wonder…”

I tap on the floor lightly and a large black object appears in front of me.

[Shadow Shield]

It was a defensive skill but it could also be used as an offensive skill if I wanted to. It doesn’t have any piercing power like [shadow lance] but it does have considerable blunt force bashing power. She flew a few meters back as I swatted her away with my [shadow shield]. I didn’t hesitate much because I knew the ground was coated in soft snow so there shouldn’t have been much damage done to her aside from the initial shield bash.

Turning my back on her I continued on with my path.

“W- where do you think you’re going? I’m not done with you yet.”

Recovering much quick than I had anticipated Miko points her staff towards me. A subtle silver glow surrounds her as her wounds heal at a visible pace. Perhaps it was some sort of healing spell? An icon appeared under her status indicating that it was indeed some sort of skill.

[Respite: Casts an aura around the user for a short period, healing them for a set amount. Healing amount depends on skill rank. While the skill is active the user gains a large boost to physical/magical/mental defenses.]

I’ve never heard of a skill like that, most likely it was some sort of monk-class related skill. Still, if it boosts her mental defenses then my [evil eye] and [enchanting voice] may not work, at the very least it would be enough to cancel out the defense drops from [evil eye] and since she has a strong will it would be easy to endure [enchanting voice].

“Tsk. Looks like you want me to beat you down then…”

I clicked my tongue as replied to her earlier threat.

Despite the ground being covered in snow, Miko dashed towards me with her staff in hand extremely quickly. She covered the distance between us in less than 3 seconds and started to strike with her staff. I tried to counterattack but she quickly managed to avoid my strikes and skilfully parry my blows and return them.

Luckily for me weak blows such as those weren’t enough to even put a scratch on me thanks to my [undead’s tenacity] passive ability. Even still, despite being 9 levels higher she was matching my pace without even breaking a sweat, no if we were on equal terms I would’ve already been beaten to the ground many times over.

To think a properly trained fighter was this much stronger than me. If I had been without my overbearing skills I would’ve already lost. I suppose that the lesson for me to learn here is that I need to properly train my skills in combat, though I guess this wasn’t the time to be thinking about such things.

I summoned 2 [shadow shields] and distanced myself from Miko. The silver glow that was surrounding her was starting to dim and by the looks of it that [respite] skill drains quite a lot of stamina since her breaths were starting to become heavy.

“Why don’t you give it up there? It’s clear who’ll come up top if this continues.”

I tell her. Compared to her, my condition had not deteriorated even a bit since the battle had started, while she was almost done for. For some reason this battle had turned into one of attrition and I was winning, thinking about it like that it was a little creepy since this was the way the undead do things. I guess I wasn’t too far off from them.

Miko returns an intense glare towards me as she picks up her staff and charges towards me. She dishes out a flurry of jabs but at this point I had gotten used to her attack patterns and style thus I was able to dodge most of them, though it wasn’t like I needed to dodge them since they wouldn’t even put a scratch on me but it was just a natural reflex.

“Why… ? Why don’t you understand?”

She asks me, half in tears and half in exhaustion.

“What…”

“Why don’t you understand that I’m here for you?! It’s not just me, everyone’s there for you; [Alice], [Ren], [Celina], [Diana], even [Lilith] who’s always saving you!”

“Lilith?”

That was a name I haven’t heard of. Questions for a later time.

“You’re so annoying, as if I wanted anyone to care about me. You guys keep doing that on your own. Never have I once said that I needed any of your help. Tsk, fine I get it now Miko. All I have to do is leave right? If I’m no longer part of the orphanage you won’t interfere with me anymore, is that right?”

I launched my [shadow shields] towards her, but she skilfully evades them and tries to close the gap again. Unfortunately the same trick doesn’t really work well if done so many times; to stop her I summon more [shadow shields] to impede her path. She tries to smash through those shields but despite the fact that they were made of frail looking shadows they were extremely tough.

The tip of Miko’s staff glows silver and she strikes again and again but regardless of her efforts not a single scratch is on those shields.

“You think you can just cut off ties that easily? Once you’re part of the orphanage you’ll forever be a part of the family! If you’re family then I will do everything to bring you back safely!”

At the word ‘family’ I temporarily let my guard down and she strafes around the shield to get into striking distance. With the same glowing staff Miko strikes at me. For the first time her attack actually felt painful… was she going easy on me this entire time?

Taking advantage of my hesitation Miko gets in a couple more strikes with the same power strike. I thought something was off, even though I had mastered [undead’s tenacity] and I was several levels higher the attacks dealt so much damage that I began to bleed. It seems like those power strikes contain some sort of magical element too, perhaps of the [holy] magic variant.

“Why? Why can’t you understand that?! You’ve been a part of this family since the day you’ve arrived! So stop being such a baby and accept that fact already! If you’re feeling down then tell me! If you’re feeling scared or hopeless then come to me! If you’re feeling frustrated then rely on me!”

She continues to reprimand me as she delivers power strikes. Since half of the damage was physical and add that to the fact that [undead’s tenacity] also gave passive 6000% regeneration rate, those attacks while they hurt, they weren’t too much of a trouble for me.

In fact Miko was the one who seemed to be the most affect by using that attack. She fell to her knees as she had tired herself out from the barrage.

“Why…”

She drops her staff and falls into my arms. I tightly embrace her head and stroke through her hair as the bright red moon stared down at us. Miko didn’t try to struggle out of it and was simple resting on my lap. I felt a hint of a smile creep onto my face.

“Thank you Miko… you’ve always been honest with me.”

I place my lips on her forehead as a thank you as well as starting to cast a very light [life drain] to lower her guard.

“Y- you…”

“It seems you let down your guard from that, but my path is only for myself to walk. Perhaps from your point of view it may resemble nothing but a child’s tantrums but to me it’s a trial for me to succeed. Listen Miko, there is no light at the end of my tunnel, so it’s not for honest people such as yourself to follow, but I am eternally grateful that you care about me that much. That is enough for me.”

“What are you...?”

She looks up into my eyes from my laps and I stare deeply into her eyes.

“Thank you. Miko, it’s time for you to return. There are many more children who require your assistance.”

Taking advantage of the fact that her guard was down I slip a [enchanting voice] command. With her fatigue levels at an all time high as well as myself casting [life drain] on her the skill works perfectly and she gets up to walk back to the orphanage. After seeing her leave I too decide to continue on with my journey into the dungeon.

PART TWO

Once again I found myself on the fourth floor of the dungeon of malice. Seriously, this place is as foreboding as always; I just can’t keep calm here. The legions of undead type monsters do not cease to come at me in hordes.

I’ve managed to gain a few levels in the last few days, but that wasn’t enough and I’ve found myself backed into a corner once more with the undead knocking at my door. My [skeleton knights] try to hold them back as best as they can while I try to [life drain] to heal up but as expected, it wasn’t enough.

“[Fortification]!”

I shouted out. It was a skill that I had used a lot recently, it converts all the offensive capabilities of the [skeleton knight] into their defenses. They become a nigh impenetrable wall, or that’s how it’s supposed to go but the undead are relentless after all. Even if you can’t make a dent on the first strike, as long as you keep chopping at a tree it will eventually fall.

Leaning against the walls of the dungeon I stare back at the horrific scene of the undead trying to get past my own undead. It was like a scene out of a horror movie, actually it was a little funny when I really thought about what I was doing. This entire situation was absurd; magic, monsters, 2 billion years, gods, demons.

I felt my head becoming a little light from all of the fatigue. Everything around me felt like a dream, that at any moment I would find myself dozing off on my desk and my secretary would come in to wake me up and inform me that there was a shareholder meeting. I could practically smell the scent of coffee being brewed.

Perhaps even get a call from [Erin] telling me how much she misses me, but I knew that was the dream and my situation right now was reality. They say that reality was stranger than fiction after all, but this was beyond my imagining.

Initially I had 4 [skeleton knights] summoned but 2 of them had already reached the maximum pressure and crumbled to the undead’s relentless barrage. The remaining two didn’t look like it’d hold up much longer either.

I guess it was about time. I closed my eyes and waited.

The last two [skeleton knights] were destroyed and now the undead were about to strike. A barrage of undead horror were unleashed towards me, but I knew it wouldn’t connect, I was hoping it wouldn’t connect. As I had anticipated, just before the attack landed everything was surrounded by a bright pink light.

The attack was intercepted and the undead that were about to kill me were also all decimated. Slightly opening my eyes I saw a figure of a tall, slender, curvaceous demoness. She had bright red hair and blazing eyes, two horns and wore a generally gaudy attire, in fact she reminded me of a certain someone.

She approached me who was writhing in pain against the wall and picked me up.

“How many times does that make?”

A voice that didn’t quite fit the image I had appeared, a deep male voice. Of course it couldn’t belong to the woman in front of me, that wouldn’t be right. This voice was familiar, right, I’ve heard this voice before back then, in my village.

I opened my eyes a little more to see the owner of the voice. A being covered in black fire. The [Ghost King], and standing next to him with an icy presence was [Arachna].

“You should get him back to the orphanage.”

Arachna speaks to the person holding me.

“Ah, yes. Okay.”

Bat-like wings form behind the flamboyant woman. Right… these wings too, I’ve seen them before; they are similar to her, [Astaroth]. Before she was about to take off and exit the dungeon I mustered up my remaining strength to intervene.

“Don’t… touch me.”

“Eh?!”

In surprise the woman let go of me and I was reacquainted with the dirt floor. A cold sensation ran through my back, of course it was the dungeon’s natural miasma. The floor was coated in black mist that made anyone who lingered in here for too long to feel nausea. Luckily for me my [Toxin Resistance] also negates the negative effects of the miasma but there was still the psychological aspect of wondering around this disgusting black mist.

“You were awake?”

The Ghost king asks. What was his name again? I dragged myself to a wall to lean on and sat upright to get a better viewing position. I opened his status to check his name.

[Texzatopekmetziluxotl. Level 142, Ghost King]

Ah… right, it was that long-ass name. I’ll just call him [Xotl] for short.

I took a few deep breaths to calm myself down and stabilize my condition. Slowly but surely, [Undead’s tenacity] was also in effect and was healing me, though even at 6000% it wasn’t exactly instant; it still took a while for me to recover.

I turned my gaze towards the gaudily dressed woman. I focused my senses to open her status.

[Lilith De Signa. Level 89, Succubus Princess]

‘De Signa’?

…

Could it be? No, but she’s clearly much bigger than Astaroth… perhaps Astaroth’s mother? No, that makes no sense level wise. Then her daughter? No, it can’t be… but then her features do greatly resemble Astaroth’s, aside from the actual physique. Her title [Succubus Princess] would suggest a lineage, it’s just that her proportions are so much more developed than Astaroth’s it’s a little hard to believe.

“You…”

I called out to her.

“Y- yes?!”

“You are Astaroth’s child?”

“Y- yes! Astaroth De Signa is my mother!”

No hesitation in that response; she’s telling the truth, although it is hard to believe. As I glare at her she fidgets and squirms around waiting for me to talk again. Is she nervous or something? Or perhaps there’s some sort of ulterior motive for acting like that? Perhaps to let down my guard? No, if she wanted to defeat me she could’ve easily done so.

Still… she’s the one that’s been rescuing me each night? What does she want? No, perhaps is should be a little more grateful.

“So? What do you want?”

I was too tired, so I just asked straight out.

“Eh?”

She dawdles and panics at my sudden question. It’s slightly annoying but I let it be.

“You rescued me each night I came here, you must have a reason for doing so. Right now I’m too tired to even try and deduce what it is you want so I’m just asking you straight out.

“Eh! Eh… um, because you can’t die.”

She gives me a cryptic reply.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I- I mean, you can’t die because I need you!”

“Huh?”

Her face becomes as red as her hair and she slumps forward as though she’s embarrassed. What now?

“Ummm… I- I want to serve you…”

Serve me?

“What are you talking about?”

Just so you know, I haven’t forgotten that she was a [succubus] but I was too mentally exhausted to retort to that kind of easy innuendo. From her actions so far she was obviously not to type to sleep around with men, despite being a [succubus]. So it’s obvious she meant to say she wants to serve under me.

“A- as a [General] of the Demon Army. I want to serve under you!”

“…”

“Ummm, I’ve always wished to help my mother with her job but I was far too weak to be of any help and because of my position as mother’s child the other [Demon Generals] were too reluctant to take me in. So that’s why when I heard that mother appointed another General I thought you would let me serve under you. So just when I thought I found someone, you can’t die!”

“… No. Sorry but try someone else. I’m not interested in taking in an underling.”

“No… no way…”

Dejected from my refusal, she slumped onto the floor. We stayed like that for a few more minutes, me because I needed to heal up and she… I don’t know. She was depressed I guess. After feeling myself back in health I stood up and started to walk deeper into the dungeon.

“Ah, please wait!”

“Stop getting in my way.”

“I- I can’t stop! I will stop you! Because you have to be strong!”

“Huh?”

What’s she on about this time?

“You can’t let your grief overtake you! You need to be stronger than that, because there are many people who want to live but can’t. so you who can live needs to live on and be strong so you can get past your sadness.”

“… It seems you’ve mistaken my intentions. I’m not here to find a resting place.”

“Eh?” x3

Not only Lilith but Xotl and Arachna were also surprised at my confession. These guys, did they think that I was here to commit suicide? How stupid, that’s easier done with a knife than traversing a dungeon. I breathed a sigh.

“It’s like I’ve said. All you needed was to look besides you and even you have companions that would help you.”

Shade appears beside me, no, not shade, [Aran Callahad] appears besides me. With his sudden appearance the three were startled, especially Lilith who was practically doing a dance with her sheer surprise. She has way too much energy, but the most eye catching thing was that her breasts swayed side to side as she moved. She has too much ‘energy’ there as well.

At his appearance I felt my hand automatically move the center of my face in irritation.

“W- who’s that?!”

She shouts out.

“What do you want? Why are you here?”

Ignoring Lilith’s question I began to question my other self.

“It seems you’ve forgotten but I’m always here, I’m an after image created by the power of the [Necronomicon] using your emotions after all. You can’t get rid of me even if you wanted to.”

“I disagree, I can burn the [Necronomicon] right here.”

“Why don’t you try it? The book of evil is much more sturdy than you think.”

“Tch. So what do you want?”

“I see you’ve given up. Good boy.”

“You’re testing my patience.”

“Heh. Well no matter. I thought this was a good time to come out. I’m merely here to remind you that your path doesn’t need to be a solitary one. These three seem to be more than willing to become your first comrades, so why not take up their offer? Besides, with your current level of strength you won’t be able to reach the end of this dungeon; having friends is also a form of strength you know?”

I felt my ears twitch. I turned to face my other self head on and shook my head in disapproval.

“Friends? No, they are not friends. They each came here with their own agendas. To be blunt I don’t trust these people and aside from their titles I know almost nothing about them. Such people can’t possibly be friends.”

“Lord Morgant…”

Lilith calls out my name from the sides in a depressed manner. The other two avert their gaze as well. Right, I know nothing about them, so to put my trust in them would be foolhardy and the only thing that them rescuing me tells me is that they don’t want me dead, but that doesn’t mean I should accept them or believe in them.

They are strangers.

“It is as you say, Aran Callahad. Having friends may be a form of power, I know that very well, if not then [Mobius] could never have been created as it were. However I also understand that friendship is a burden; an emotional baggage that I no longer need. I’ve said this many times before and will say it many times after: I will walk my path alone.”

After telling him my most honest thoughts I proceeded down to the 5th floor.

PART THREE

-Arachna’s PoV-

Morgant left. He left us behind as he proceeded down to the next floor. The strange man with a sinister glow that appeared from the shadows also disappeared as he left. I’m not sure what that person was but I feel the same aura from him as I do from Morgant. They are like 2 sides of the same coin; different but the same.

“S- shouldn’t we follow after him?!”

Lilith, the girl that looks and dresses in a manner completely different from her personality calls out to us. She’s very panicky and unreliable when it comes to a lot of things but I have recognized that she does truly care for Morgant as well.

“You’re right.”

The Ghost king - [Texzatopekmetziluxotl] answers her questions. He is a mystery to me, he doesn’t seem to particularly harbor any sort of positive feelings other than curiosity towards Morgant, he’s just here because of his master’s orders. The orders of the previous Demon Lord - [Erendel De Signa].

Still he is persistent, he has never complained about helping Morgant and he will probably do it forever if need be, without complaint.

Then what about myself? Why was I here?

As I ask myself that question the image of a certain boy enters my head. He’s completely different from Morgant. Morgant is selfish, arrogant, smug, borderline evil, self important and doesn’t care about anyone else’s feelings. The boy that came to my mind was the polar opposite, a kind, serene, caring and modest.

But they do share one thing in common, it’s that they’re both true to themselves. That boy was my dear younger brother, the one I prized over all else. However the happiness I shared while spending my time with him did not last. Something had happened, something very wrong.

My brother was considered a military genius and as part of the demon race he was quickly recruited by the previous Demon Lord, Erendel. I was weary of that fact, I did not want my precious younger brother to work in such a dangerous field, but against my better judgement I let him go.

During Erendel’s reign there was a brief period of all out war against the forces of heaven and Vertloch. Of course due to his position my brother was dragged into that mess, and slowly but surely he was becoming more and more corrupt due to the bloodshed. Because my brother’s gift of intellect was a double-edged sword, he could see things many people could not, but because of that he was able to witness things he should not.

With the blood and life of many on his hands he simply could not take the stress. His overly sensitive mind which gave him his genius also plagued him with trauma. The day after the war ended… I am unsure of what happened, I was not there but something had happened on that day. Erendel De Signa ceased being the Demon Lord and gave his post to his daughter.

Even now I am looking for answers.

Regardless, to answer my original question of why I was here. It’s most probably because Morgant reminds me of my brother. Morgant is much smarter than anyone his age, there was a time when he was pure as well, but everything went wrong after the day his village was destroyed.

The most surprising thing was that despite all this Morgant had not lost himself to madness like my brother. Morgant’s mind was not as sensitive, no if anything he is very insensitive and arrogant, but because of that he was saved. However even with that iron will of his, if he continues on with this path then surely he would end up no different than my brother.

I didn’t want to see that happen. Morgant is strong, both mentally and physically but he is not invincible.

“Miss Arachna?”

Since I had become quiet, Lilith calls out to me.

“Hmm? Oh, it’s nothing. Still, this is a bit troublesome. Morgant doesn’t trust us and wishes to continue on by himself. I wonder if there is any way to change his mind.”

I reply.

“If there was such a method I would like to use it myself.”

Lilith answers with an uneasy smile. Is there really no other way than to continue on as we have been? Silently watching as his guardians, though Morgant seems self-aware that reproaching us for saving him would be too vain, it does seem like we’ll be approaching the limits of his mercy soon.

“It’s not like there isn’t… a way to gain his trust that is.”

Texzatopekmetziluxotl suddenly speaks up.

“Eh?! There is?! How?!”

Lilith asks as her wings flutter in anticipation. Does her wings work in the same principles as a dog’s tail?

Texzatopekmetziluxotl takes out a small black rock. This is… I’ve seen this before. It’s known as a [Soul-binding stone]. It binds another person’s existence to another, in essence one person become a part of another person. Though they retain separate wills the master’s will takes precedence and the servant must obey the master’s wishes.

This object was used in ancient times for slaves and criminals. I heard all of these stones were destroyed but I guess it was impossible to completely rid them all. To think someone I knew held onto such a terrifying item.

“What is this? I’ve never seen such a pretty black rock.”

Oblivious to what it is, Lilith stares into it.

“[Soul-binding stone]. In essence it binds a person to another person with complete loyalty. If we use this then even Morgant will have a hard time saying he can’t trust us.”

“Oh~! I see, with this item we may actually be able to change his mind!”

Lilith says in a happy voice. Eh? She doesn’t mind becoming a complete slave to that boy forever? No, maybe she just doesn’t realize it yet.

“Are you sure about this? Using this item means we will forever be tied to that boy’s existence, we will have wills of our own but if it cannot be consulted then it merely become an illusion of free will.”

I ask the two of them. Lilith makes a face that seems to say that she finally realized the extent of this item and how powerful it is. He starts to sweat as she ponders about whether actually going through with it or not. An item that disregards the will of the servant; if the master were to walk the path of evil the servant must follow.

“I will use this item.”

Texzatopekmetziluxotl speaks out without hesitation.

“Are you sure? Don’t you have a different master to serve? If you use this item then you will forever be bound to that boy. You may even end up having to fight your master at some point. Shouldn’t you think about this a bit more carefully?”

He shakes his head.

“No, this the will of my current master. I’m sure he’s prepared to face to consequences of his orders if it turns out like as you said. Lord Erendel told me to protect that boy, and if this is the way to do it then so be it. I will honor his orders no matter the price, even if that price is to serve a new lord.”

“But what if you’re wrong? What if Morgant doesn’t turn out well, what if he turns out like...”

I wanted to say, ‘what if he turns out like my brother’. If that happens then we will be bound to someone who has lost his mind, a worse prospect than to be bounded to someone who is evil.

“Arachna... isn’t that why you are here? To make sure Morgant doesn’t end up like him?”

His words pierce deep into my heart. He was right, the whole point of me being here was to make sure Morgant doesn’t walk down the wrong path, but as I hesitate like this, can I really help Morgant? Worried about myself who am I really trying to protect? Morgant? Or the purities of my memories of my brother that has overlapped with Morgant?

I knew deep down I was just projecting the ideal of my brother onto Morgant.

“I… I will do it as well!”

Lilith makes up her decision.

“Lilith…”

I call out her name.

“If it will help Lord Morgant, then I will gladly become part of him. After all, this is the only thing left for me to do.”

I could see that she was hesitant to follow through but she has still made her decision. Yet I was still scared of what may come of this.

“Arachna. It’s fine isn’t it? You see your brother in him right?”

As though he had read my mind he brings up my brother. Now that I think about it, he was also a demon general under Erendel. Of course they would be acquaintances, and of course he would understand my thoughts.

“… I know I shouldn’t… Morgant is a different person.”

“That’s not what I meant. I think it’s fine to project the ideal of your brother onto his existence. If that is what you believe is best for Morgant than why not?”

“But what if I’m wrong? What if that isn’t for the best?”

“No one can be perfect. If you are wrong, then we will help you become right.”

For an apparition his words are strangely warming. I could feel myself smiling in defeat of his logic. I felt stupid trying to take this on all by myself, perhaps Morgant’s personality rubbed off onto me. Right, there was no need for me to struggle through this alone.

“Having friends is another form of power. Huh. Very well, I too will go along with this plan.”

The three of us were in perfect unison and decided to descend to the next floor.

END REPORT

[Status Menu]

Morgant Fallon. Level 66

NECROMANCER

DEMON GENERAL

Strength: 233 (220 + 13)

Dexterity: 12 (5 + 7)

Magic: 29 (5 + 24)

Insight: 124 (100 + 24)

Agility: 11 (5 + 6)

[Status Points: 15]

[Skill List]

(PASSIVE) [Life Force Sensory]: Level 50 (MASTERED)

(PASSIVE) [Toxin Resistance]: Level 39

(PASSIVE) [Undead's Tenacity]: Level 50 (MASTERED)

(AUGMENT) [Enchanting Voice]: Level 34

(ACTIVE) [Life Drain]: Level 50 (MASTERED)

(ACTIVE) [Wither]: Level 35

(ACTIVE) [Decay]: Level 40

(ACTIVE) [Summon - Skeleton Knight]: Level 44

(ACTIVE) [Shadow Lance]: Level 49

(ACTIVE) [Shadow Shield]: Level 46

(ACTIVE) [Summon - Terror of the Depths]: Level 1/Required Level: 100

(SUB SKILL) [Anti-Life Gambit]: Level 35

(SUB SKILL) [Intimidating Roar]: Level 35

(SUB SKILL) [Shield Charge): Level 35

(SUB SKILL) [Fortification): Level 35

(TEMPORARY) [Evil Eye]: Level 50 (MASTERED)

[Equipment]

[Shard of Tyrving]

+ 4 [All Stats]

[Sebastian's Pocket Watch]

+ 3 [Strength]

+ 3 [Dexterity]

+ 3 [Insight]

[Father's Sword Hilt]

+ 6 [Strength]

+ 4 [Insight]

+ 2 [Agility]

[Necronomicon]

+[20 Magic]

+[13 Insight]