Chapter 10: Innocent Smile

Akuji was stunned Silas left without begging her to say goodbye after giving her a gift. Normally she would be disheartened if she had to deal with his antics but he was actually charming and calm for most of their chat.

She looked at the sleek silver tablet in her hands with great interest. She briefly browsed the list of items she could buy from him through the trading energy and was stunned. For two hundred credits she could buy a basic, non suppressed sniper rifle without bullets and for a thousand credits she could buy a technologically advance sword that can cause a pressurized wave of sound to attack enemies twenty meters away before dispersing.

She looked at the child standing by her side and patted their head. She knew Silas was being very irresponsible for giving her five hundred credits and it warmed her heart. While she still don't forgive him for what he has done, she will repay his generosity.

Rehna stared at her then looked at the space were the rip in space appeared. “Is that the god you are gathering energy for? I must admit they are very pretty but a bit… strange, no?”

Akuji chuckled. “He is horrible and twisted but very loyal. He was obsessed with me before I died and reached the other life. He took my soul and bounded it to his without my consent then threatened my freedom. I had to make a deal with him to be able to live without being locked in his cage. I have to earn a large amount of mana though or else I will die.”

The nomad looked repulsed then bowed her head. “I’m sorry you have a horrible sponsor god. I will help you on your quest for mana while I am by your side.”

She shook her head and said, “You don't need to do that. I’m surprised you are being kind to me at all after what I did to you.”

Rehna glanced at Aegeus then looked into Akuji’s green eyes. “I must admit. Your protectiveness over a child that you picked from a war torn street shocked me. You have kept your distance from me and respected my wishes. From our nightly talks I can tell that you have a different set of morals than mine but you try to respect my background. That shows me you're not as horrible as I thought you were.”

The demi-god smiled at her then patted her shoulder in appreciation. She turned her attention to her child then looked at the tall mountain before them. “We have a long way to go.”

Aegeus gestured at the tablet in her hands and jumped up to explain their excitement towards the new item.

Akuji rubbed their head and said, “Close your eyes, the both of you.”

The child quickly closed their eyes and was shaking in excitement while Rehna looked away. The redhead sighed at the nomad’s actions. She opened the catalog and quickly scrolled through the clothing. She pulled out a beautiful poncho and slid it on her child. They couldn’t hold their curiosity and opened their eyes. When they saw the colorful beaded poncho adorned on their shoulders, tears streamed down their cheeks.

She scratched her neck and muttered shyly, “I believe the first items go to the youngest. This is something my family, despite all their flaws, taught me.”

Then she pulled out a thick fur jacket, three pairs of pants, leather boots, a scarf, and four shirts in Aegeus size. In her heart she thanked the system for making children’s clothes cheaper so the assemble costed about 30 credits.

The child held the clothes closed heart and wept in happiness. Despite knowing Akuji for a few months the woman only showed her kindness. She even used the points from a god on them. They could feel her warmth through the clothing and swore to always be her knight, even if she turns on them. Akuji could feel Aegerus faith in her grow, shifting from a small trickle to a steady river of power into her.

She tried to ignore the pleasant feeling over washing her body and turned her focus to search for Rehna’s gift. She purchased a bronze spear with a bloody cross at the base. From the description, it said the spear was a magical replication of the spear Longinus used to check if Jesus was dead on the cross. It had the ability to turn any blood split by the spear into a small, 10 cm wide shield that grows with more blood.

Rehna studied the spear then strapped it to her back. She smiles at Akuji and said, “The craftsmanship of this spear is amazing. I will remember this favor.”

The reborn female waved her hand and said sarcastically , “I’m surprised you didn’t say I have more favors to pay.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t buy yourself new cloths. You still wearing that faded, torn cloth I given to you when we first met.” She shot back, caressing her new spear.

Akuji sneered at the brunnett’s snark then purchased a new outfit for herself. She quickly threw the ragged cloth a Rehna then slipped on a tank top and new pair of shorts. She didn’t bother with buying undergarments and changed freely because Aegeus attention was focused on their new outfit.

She bought a satchel, placed the tablet inside then scooped the child in her arms. “Come on, fool.” She looked at the mountain before them. “If we hurry we could reach the top in a week or two.”

Rehna snorted, “If you can fly and carry us we could reach it in weeks. That mountain surpassed the clouds.”

“I feel you are underestimating my stubbornness.”