A being from another world is not uncommon for the people of Ekolia. They have been dealing with different ones on regular basis. They have separated them into two different types of otherworldly entities. One is connected to the world they live in, and the other has no ties at all. There are those who belong and those who don’t.

***

On a cart heading towards the Capital City of Sonata, Kian asked, “You know, m-miss April, you’re kind of look like a Traveler. O-Or maybe it’s just me.”

The others became nervous all of a sudden except for Siola, tilting her brows as she shifted her eyes to Misty Fang, “Is it the hair?”

Closed eyes squeezing brows, he nods.

“Hunh, my hair is actually short and black. My teacher showed me something really… colorful, so that’s why I decided to go with this look. At least, for now.”

“Oooh! Black hair is actually rare too. They say those who have it must be a descendant or ones connected to— Ouch!” pummeled by Piercer.

[Piercer]: Say, April. How much do you know about Demon King?

[Siola]: Probably not as much as others do, but I at least know it is supposed to be as powerful as a demigod, or maybe even…

[Piercer]: Well, no one will ever know for sure. There are records, the story they’ve been singing around towns, and many rumors from different mouths. Those books that the library sold, doubt who wrote it knows anything.

[Misty Fang]: There are characteristics, however. Young Kian mentioned black hair but that only applies to the people who suffered the demonic plague hundreds of years ago. Parts of their body become monstrous and those people... they are not a demon-kin, but they look like one. You however have no resemblance to that who suffered the plague.

[Siola]: Of course not, my hair is black from birth.

[Misty Fang]: Then that must mean you are their descendant. You are in your prime condition.

[Siola]: Hrmm...

[Misty Fang]: What can you tell us about your lineage?

'Ah shit, am I might actually gonna get busted like this?' thinking it through, something else stuck with her, 'Lineage... family...' recalling the many memories from her past. The moment the first image appears. She closed her eyes and attempt to erase it.

Accidentally muttered, "Family, huh."

Misty Fang pats her head, brushing it gently, "It's alright. Be careful however, if you meet one, it's unlikely that they will be friendly. Many of them still live, walking around the plane of the dead man's land, the Undead Forest."

[Piercer]: It was said that the demon king themselves are involved with the plague, hence why the assumption. Said to be trying to transform humans into demons.

[Siola]: But why?

[Piercer]: Who knows. It is as vague as you can imagine it to be. One thing is for sure, the Holy Divine Order got something to do with it.

Suddenly remembering that the ruler of the Prison Realm is currently having a talk with the order. She remains silent as she passively ponders while listening attentively at the same time.

[Horgan]: The people worshipping Armalia have probably remained firm in their belief about the fact that she had the demon king out of commission. However, just a bit of research on the dwarven history - that was not the case at all. In fact, the actual record of Demon King is made up.

Everyone except Kian rolled their eyes.

[Piercer]: Horgan, we talked about this. Neither the Dwarven nor Armalia’s worshippers have the definitive proof of…

In the meanwhile, Siola noticed that Six Sense has returned from scouting. Nervous with a bit of sweat dripping from her cheek, “There’s an ambush ahead.”

Piercer widened his eyes as he yelled, “Stop the cart!”

“How many?”

“8 lizardmen. They have 2 human captives.”

“Alright, you and Horgan stay and guard the cart. See if there’re some coming this way. Everyone, out now.”

“Wait, I’m coming.”

Piercer stopped and glanced at her, exhaling a deep breath, “If you’re not ready, it could not only endanger yourself but the others as well.”

“I’m…” holding her shaky hand.

Suddenly, a soft touch on her fist. It was Siola, she can feel warmth in her silver eyes. Six Sense inhaled deeply and took out a dagger, looking at her hand still shaking while holding it. She grips tightly, hard, until she managed to hold it properly.

“I’m ready.”

Piercer looked sternly at her fierce eyes. He nods.

Leaving the cart in haste, Misty Fang growled, “Those fish should’ve stayed in their waters.”

Kian chuckled, “They’re not fish, uncle Fang.”

***

Smiling as I leave out of the cart with my staff in hand. With Horgan staying behind, Piercer, Misty Fang, Six Sense, Kian, and me. We went ahead with boots on the ground in the beautiful morning that Ekolia provides. Dirt road, with bushes and trees on both sides.

“Oh wow, I wonder where they’d be hiding to ambush us!” said me out loud.

Grunting inside the bushes, they gave up on the idea and decided to show themselves. The number is just like Six mentioned, but it is still as problematic as anticipated, the two human captives. A young girl and a man. Father and daughter maybe.

“Think you’re so smart, huh, human,” lifting the girl’s head with a dagger close to her neck. “Gyaaaah,” yelled the girl in pain. The man who is tied behind them shouted, “No! Not her please!”

With a tear in her weary eye and the desperation within it, she cries, “Please… Help us!”

It reminded me of the time I begged for mercy.

“Hand over your valuables, or else.”

For the usual party, one usually needs to strategize, but with me here, everything is possible. I can say that because no one in my party is shaken off by the threat. Piercer even made way for me to step forward. Honestly, it thumps my heart.

So, I took a step, “Clearly, you’re even dumber than me, lizard. See, there are three things you’re doing wrong. First, you underestimated us despite not knowing who we are or what we can do. Second, you threatened to kill someone we have no connection to. Third, you let me talk so long not knowing that I can kill you at any moment,” pointed my staff at him, “With this spell [Firebolt].”

*Fwoosh*

A burst of flaming projectile hits the lizard's head in less than a second. He lost the nerve to grip the young girl. Swiftly, I teleported and grabbed her. Teleported again to grab the man, by then, one of the lizards noticed what just happened and shifted his glance at me where I prepared to shout, “Mist Explosion!”

It was as if I was exploded into a mist that covers the surrounding area, but in reality, I’ve already teleported behind Hill Vines with the captives barfing their previous meals out.

“What is this?!”

“One of us has fallen!”

The lizardmen kept struggling inside the mist. It doesn’t do any damage, but when one’s senses were affected, they will feel an extreme sense of discomfort. Piercer then sternly muttered one of ours, “Kian.”

The young lady of our team raised her staff high, “Bless Armor.” White light glows upon Hill Vines’ clothes, granting them holy benefits.

[Bless Armor / Tier 1 – Basic / Light / Grants blessing of the Order. Raising Physical Defense of equipped armors by 5%, increasing dark resistance by 5%. Lasts 30 Seconds / Cooldown: 30s Seconds / Costs: 40 Mana / Requirement: 30 Faith]

Striking her staff to the ground, “Raise Shield!” an illusory shield appeared in the back of Hill Vines’ back, granting them additional protection.

[Raise Shield / Tier 2 – Intermediate / Light / Grants protection of the Order. Reducing attack damage from behind, negate backstab's critical hits. Lasts 1 Minute 30 Seconds / Cooldown: 1 Minute 30 Seconds / Costs: 150 Mana / Requirement: 100 Faith]

It looks cool, “But why am I not getting them? Look, even these guys got the effect!”

Kian turned around, “Ah, the bishop said it won’t work on a dark magic user.”

“But I don’t—” no wait, “Ahh.”

[Abyssal Link] [Essence Summoning]

“Welp, guess I’ll leave the lizards for you guys to handle. The baggage is safe with me,” pulling both thumbs up.

Misty Fang chuckled as he unsheathed both of his daggers, “That was the original plan.”

One of the lizardmen managed to step out of the mist but Six Sense appeared from the sky, slicing the head of the lizardman with only a single strike from a single dagger.

Decapitated, the head falls as Six Sense splashes the blood off her weapon.

[Assassinate / Level 2 / Increases the next Attack Damage by a short-ranged melee weapon, amplified when the attack is done out of the target’s sight / Cooldown: 15 Seconds / Costs: 800 Stamina]

She turned her head at me for a moment. Her warm gaze. It brought joy to this beating heart of mine and brought a smile to my face. Even when the mist behind her disappeared and the lizardmen regained their original senses, she formed a smile still.

Hill Vines charged with Misty Fang taking the first move. In his hand, arcane particles formed to create a, “Smokescreen.”

[Smokescreen / Tier 1 – Basic / Fire / Creates heated ashes in the palm of the user’s hand. Deal very slight damage over time. Lasts 5 Seconds / Cooldown: 12 Seconds / Costs: 30 Mana]

Scattered precisely towards the head of the lizardmen. Temporarily disrupting their vision, but they responded with, “Earth Armory,” guarding themselves with the ground they touch and imbuing their weapons with it, “Pack of the Might,” a red aura emits out of their skin.

[Earth Armory / Tier 2 – Intermediate / Earth / Enhances armor and weapon rating based on the compatible surface. Lasts 60 Seconds / Cooldown: 60 Seconds / Costs: 300 Mana]

[Pack of the Might / Level 1 / Increases Attack Power based on the number of people in the user’s party. Maximum increase: 5 / Cooldown: 24 hours / Cost: None]

The lizard who died standing still was pulled to the back as the others defended against the attack of Hill Vines. Piercer didn’t waste a single second to attack, “Power Strike!”

*BAM*

Despite the enhanced armor of the lizardman, his attack managed to stagger one when it came to direct contact with their head. Six Sense quickly joins in and was about to deliver another fatal strike, but the [Smokescreen] effect has disappeared. When one of them sees her, it quickly lunges to attack but she suddenly accelerates and flips backward. Not a single hair was cut by the axe slicing passed her.

Piercer went to assist her with a strike, it guards with his hand. But it got caught off-guard, distracting him for enough time. Six Sense took the opportunity to deal a heavy blow with, “Assassinate!”

The battle in front of me, it’s a sight to behold. Seeing a party - my party - working together to challenge the difficulty. But then, the view was disrupted by the presence of four additional lizard men showing up from both sides of the forest. Walking towards me with their weapons wielded. The confidence in their posture.

“I swear…” grinning as I stood, arcane particles gathering at the tip of my staff. I chuckled after knowing that Misty Fang's habits is going to come out of my mouth again, “You should’ve stayed in those bushes.”