Chapter 3

[Master, I apologize beforehand but let me use your body first. I shall protect you…]

‘Is that you, Sylphy?’

[Indeed, Master. It is, I, Sylphy!!]

'... ...'

[...However, I can only do this for a certain period of time. But I shall protect you no matter what happens…]

After saying that, ‘Rain’ saw three Bone Eaters rushing towards him. But instead of turning around to escape, he grasped several bones on the ground and throws it towards the incoming monsters with all his strength. However, the bones actually shot in the air like a baseball being thrown by a professional pitcher despite ‘Rain’ throwing with a seemingly casual swing.

‘How is this possible? Are you doing that?’

[No, Master… Master’s strength is originally beyond normal people in this world. Hence, I mentioned that Master is capable to kill them if Master wanted.]

‘How is that possible?’

[Normal human in this world only possesses H4-6, with elites reaching 7 and 8. Normal humans with status H7 to H8 are those belonging in the soldier class with a month or two months of training. Although I’m not certain as to how Master was able to possess this kind of attribute points in the starting point, still it must be because Master came from another world, blessed with a natural power…]

While explaining, ‘Rain’ dodged a Bone Eater’s claw and drove a sharp bone he had picked earlier into the eyes of the Bone Eater, causing blood to splutter on his handsome face.

The Bone Eater let out a yelp and ‘Rain’ turned around, driving his knee on the injured Bone Eater, then punching its head. The battered Bone Eater was blown away by ‘Rain’s punch, hitting two Goblins that were sneakily looking for an opportunity to shoot their arrows.

The Goblins panicked.

“Uugh,” Suddenly, ‘Rain’ let out a painful groan. And even Rain who was watching everything unfolds, like watching a movie using a TV screen felt his heart beat painfully. This is…?

[I can borrow Master’s body but I cannot do it for long. Master’s current level cannot let me possessed freely…even still, I hope Master can forgive me letting Master’s body with a slight defect]

‘It’s fine… what about you?’

[There will be no apparent effect; however, I would not be able to help you like this for a period of time. Or else Master’s body would lose its life force beyond tolerable limit…]

‘Rain’ rolled in the side to evade the last remaining Bone Eater. However, this ――Woosh! Wooosh! Wooosh! Three goblins let loose arrows. Twisting around with a flourish, ‘Rain’ dodged two while he managed to block one with a skull he picked up. Then, grabbing the arrow that lodged on the skull, but the Bone Eater had already pounced on him.

‘Rain’s brows furrowed as the Bone Eater’s jaws lodged on his left shoulder.

The goblins slowly walked over, seeing that ‘Rain’ and the Bone Eater remained still. They walk over with stone axes and clubs. There are three of them. Behind them was the remaining goblin nocking another arrow. They look in utter confusion—did the human die? Or so they thought.

However, as they walked over, suddenly the Bone Eater moved and before they could understand were going on, a figure pounced on them like a hunter and pierced one of the Goblin’s head with an arrow already dyed by blood and the other Goblin’s neck with a rib bone, spewing blood.

Echoes of cries and pain rang out in the cavernous cave, but ‘Rain’ didn’t stop as he grabbed the small axe held by a goblin and throw it towards the Goblin who was shocked and panicking, tried to use its bow. But the Axe perfectly lodged on its skull, killing it in the spot.

On the corner of his vision, ‘Rain’ saw the last goblin swinging its club at him. However, ‘Rain’ was still calm and nonchalantly grasped the dying Goblin beside him, which was just as tall as a baby and used it to block the incoming club. Although ‘Rain’ was certain the club wouldn’t kill him even with a direct hit. However, letting the body of her Master get hurt than more than necessary was something Sylphy couldn’t allow.

Baang! ‘Rain’s leg lashed out, and with a pounced ‘Rain’ straddled the Goblin and rained down his punch until his fist was entirely covered with blood.

The thing that only echoed in the cavernous cave was the sound of being hit and the Goblin’s agonizing cry. Even Rain who was watching the scene as if he was watching from a tv screen paled in shock from the violence that appeared. He never thought Sylphy could be so strong…

[I only made enough calculation. Though I still let Master’s body get wounded, my apologies, My Master]

While saying that, ‘Rain’s hand grabbed a femur bone on the ground and drives it down towards the twitching Goblin whose face was battered like a squashed melon.

Red flowers blossom.

To be able to kill all those monsters…

Rain who was watching this scene was flabbergasted, and also almost vomited out things he had eaten from before.

Blood and flesh all around the sea of bones. And that dangerous fight and the violence Sylphy had made cold-heartedly—for someone like him who only reach and stop in the level of purple bruises in fist and brawls, this was something even he cannot endure.

Fortunately, he was not in control of his body, or else he would have vomited out.

‘Rain’ let out a sigh and stood up, however, before he could take a step further;

[Apologies My Master…]

His body fell face flat on the ground and immediately after, Rain started regaining the control of his body coming into him, along with the massive pain on his shoulder.

He almost let out a piercing cry from the stinging pain as if his entire left shoulder was dislocated. Wanting to cry, but he knows he cannot do so. Especially not in this place, where he might attract another group of monsters. Hence, biting his lips to endure the pain, he crawled towards the stone pedestal, his vision slowly turning blurry and dim by the minute.

Rain can hear Sylphy’s voice but it was turning dimmer and fading. The wound is really painful, but he didn’t blame Sylphy as she was the one who had saved his life.

Without her, even if he can indeed fight against a Bone Eater like she claimed he could, but fighting was impossible. He was not like those protagonists from light novels that can fight even though it was their first time fighting, and would burst in a heroic might and bravery.

He has power, but he has no experience in fighting monsters.

Only death waits if he foolishly fights like a confident idiot.

Rain crawled towards the pedestal and when he finally arrived, he powerlessly sprawled with his back on the ground, feeling and tasting the salty tears that had reached his mouth. Rain felt like crying loudly… but he was scared that it might attract something far worse. If that happens, perhaps he might not be able to protect his little life anymore.

However, in his hazy mind he was assaulted by realization.

Those monsters didn’t attack him when he was still at the top of the pedestal and only showed themselves when he carelessly jumped from it. Could it be….? Although there is no proof, and perhaps even appeared idiotic. However, his situation was already enough to feel a need to laugh. Then, perhaps, this sacrificial-like altar was like a safe zone?

Rain let out a bitter sigh. His body was still trembling and he felt something warm on his crotch… damn. I’m already old and yet… so pathetic…

[Master]

He heard Sylphy’s mechanic voice yet for some reason, he suddenly it was softer than usual. However, he wasn’t in the mood to care or respond. He closed his eyes with his right arm. He can feel the pain in his left shoulder and trembling of each of his body parts… he can feel the fear surging inside of him…

He was extremely scared… he didn’t want to die… he didn’t want to be eaten…

He was weak, he knows that.

He knows a little fistfight but it doesn’t mean he can fight monsters with it.

Just how can protagonist from novels managed to fight monsters in their first encounter…?

“What a pathetic man I am…”

With those words…

Rain felt himself falling into the darkness.

… …

Rain didn’t know how long has he been in this world.

When he woke up, everything was still the same, mercilessly pouring cold water on the hope that all of this was just a dream.

He didn’t have the energy to move, so he continued to lie on the ground. He can hear some growling of beasts; however, not one appeared in his line of vision. It’s as if there was an invisible barrier around the pedestal that made the beasts around him not able to come over.

Finally, he was reassured that he was safe…of course, only for the time being.

Rain stayed in that position for another few hours, perhaps. When he felt hunger, he grabbed one chocolate bar and slowly ate it. Then, something unexpected happened.

The pain in his left shoulder, actually slowly disappeared and when he looks over, the bite marks were even fading.

What happened?

How is this possible?

Then, his attention turned towards the Chocolate Bar—

“Don’t tell me,”

[Yes, indeed, Master. I can feel some amazing amount of magic power coming from that Chocolate Bar.]

Rain’s eyes widened in shock that he almost dropped the mere cheap brand Chocolate Bar he had bought for a measly 12 dollars.

To think it was this awesome… Rain once again took a bite from it and then carefully keeps the rest. Since he was able to heal his wound, it was much better to use it as some sort of healing food rather than used to satiate his hunger. It might be able to save his life if needed.

Without any pain assaulting him, finally, Rain was able to clear his mind. He took a deep breath and tried thinking about some ideas. But he couldn’t think anything that might be able to help him leave this place safely.

Damn it! Should I have chosen [ Pyrokinesis ] instead of [Predation] for firepower?

Rain never thought that he would be engaged in a fight immediately upon arriving. That is why he worries about food first before anything else. But it seems like, it was a miss…

“Sylphy, can I still change my unique skill?” He tried asking.

However;

[Apologies Master, but it isn’t possible…]

“I thought so…” Rain sighs again. Well, the only saving grace in this situation is that, even if he stays inside this area for a long time, he wouldn’t starve to death since he can eat those stones and bones lying around the pedestal …

Though, I don’t want to do it… but I don’t have a choice.

Rain reached to one of the stones lying and tried eating it.

Crunch. A crispy sound rang out but sadly, it didn’t taste anything. Still, he can feel something filling him up. Rain felt a headache. He was still safe but for how long…?

“For now, I need a weapon… anything.”

Rain looked around, picking some sturdy looking stones. Then he found something that seemed useful after a few minutes of digging. It was like an obsidian rock, though he doesn’t know what kind of rock it was since he was no expert in geology, still, it was a black colored mineral, found behind the pedestal.

There were several pieces of them.

Rain immediately took the largest and started scraping it on the ground, trying to sharpen it. He wanted to reproduce the weapon of his ancestors in the era of Stone, Stone Age. Although he wasn’t sure if he can kill a monster with it, still that’s better than being barehanded, at least.

It took Rain, for who knows how many hours of scraping until he produced a sharp edge and he was completely exhausted and tired. Then, he grabbed some sturdy-looking bones and also started to sharpened it, while he attached the sharpened obsidian on some sturdy bones. Now, he has several stake bones and also a make-shift bone axe.

The Goblin’s short sword as well as bow, it would have been good if I was able to grab it. But sadly… he overlooks it. I just hope they are still there later. Although he wanted to pick them up now, the growling of beasts around him stop him from doing so and even making him somewhat scared to leave the pedestal.

Sighing helplessly, Rain crawled on the bed-sized pedestal and look for a good place. Finally, he hides behind the altar and curled himself, trying to sleep while holding the sharpened black stone. Trying to find some sense of security, he embraced the stone axe, and slept in a fetal position.

--- ---

[…ter! … as… ter!]

Rain groaned.

He can hear someone calling him and there was only one person who he knows who would call him master and that is none other Sylphy.

“Not yet, Sylphy… let me sleep more…” Rain lazily muttered.

[Mas… ter! …ake up!]

Rain was too exhausted, not just physically and spiritually, but also mentally and he wanted more than nothing but to sleep more and try to forget reality he never wanted. However, he suddenly felt as if his body was getting difficult to move.

It’s as if something was restricting his movements. Rain couldn’t help but groaned while trying to move his limbs but for some reason, they felt as if they were bound.

Bound…?!

Rain’s sleepy eyes instantly opened in shock!

Something was coiling around his body, restricting his movements.

“Wa, wa, what?! What is going on?”

Then fear hit him relentlessly as he panicked. Unless you’re a corpse yourself, anyone would panic when they were in a completely dark environment and cannot move.

[Master! You’re finally awake!]

“What is happening here?” Rain wiggled, however, the more he struggled the tighter it gets. When he looked down on something that was binding him, scales…?!

No, this texture, this appearance, Snake?!

“Was I captured!!??”

Rain’s eyes widened as they can.

A foreboding feeling surging through him.

[Affirmative master!]

Sylphy’s bitter voice answered.

And then, he suddenly got hit. It came from somewhere he couldn’t see after he saw two red balls of light in the dark. It was a hit from his blind spot. He had been hit so many times in his whole life, but to be hit while he was bound, panicking was a first time even for him.

The attacker even deliberately aimed for his head.

It wasn’t that painful, not until to the degree of him being beaten to death, at least. If you ask about the dizziness, then he really felt dizzy. It felt worse than the worst hangover he had in his whole life. The dizziness overcame him as he almost fainted.

“Oh, you’re awake?”

As Rain was trying to digest the situation, a voice rang out behind him, startling him. He tried to raise his body, and clear his mind from the dizziness. He turned his head, but because of the tight binding, he couldn’t turn around properly and looked at the perpetrator.

Slither, then he heard about some movements and in a blink of an eye, Rain finally saw the monster that had captured him. He saw a beautiful girl coming from behind him.

When she finally stops and looked at him, Rain saw her full appearance.

She was a beauty over 2 meters tall. That said, she looked to be in her early-twenties at absolute oldest. With the aroma wafting toward him, he might have accepted that she was still a bit older than that. Her long, wavy emerald-colored hair was worn up and a single tuft of beautiful hair hung down over one eye like an accent.

She was extremely beautiful. In fact, borrowing the phrase from novels and books he had read before, her complexion can indeed cause the downfall of a city. With creamy skin, red slit eyes, unblinkingly staring at him, and they were full of surprise, interest, and curiosity with a hint of vigilance.

“What a surprise, a human in the lair…”

Her expression was cold and appeared indifferent. But it didn't reduce her beauty at all. In fact, she appeared even more charming and alluring.

Rain couldn’t help but stare at her.

The beautiful girl had a long mane of bluish-green hair, demurely cascading down her shoulders. Indeed, supernaturally finely crafted statues of beauties in the world could not show the perfection of this natural delicate body.

"Beautiful..."

Rain unconsciously muttered while looking at her, making the girl in his line of sight became somewhat bashful.

... ...

Although the girl kept her cold expression anyone could see the edge of her cheeks dying in red. It seems like the fastball that Rain had thrown was out of her expectation, hitting her with a fast heartbreak shot. However, it was only momentarily as her beautiful red eyes gleamed in the dark like beautiful gems radiating light.

Rain who was staring wide-eyed at the beautiful girl that came out of nowhere, already forgetting about the merciless sudden bout of violence he had received, felt his heart throbbed. He had never seen someone so beautiful that it could make his breath almost stop.

Who is she? Such thought came into him. However, when he lowered his gaze, wanting to see her entirely, his jaws hanged open and his eyes widened in shock, completely different from the previous reason.

He finally knows what is binding him.

Not a rope…

Not a chain…

…it was a tail…!

"Oh my god, you...your legs a snake's tail? No, wait are you, you, you’re one of those legendary Gorgons?!?"

Rain exclaimed in shock and horror.