"Thanks for the help, little miss," Garm said as we lifted the last of the supplies into the storage area.
"Hmmmmhmmm." Myrd nodded in agreement, and, as usual, I appreciated his quiet nature.
I rubbed the back of my head sheepishly at their thanks. "It's no problem. I was just happy I could help."
"No need to be so modest, little miss." Garm laughed before smiling at me. "Honestly, I'm somewhat surprised at how strong you are, although I suppose I shouldn't be considering you're a phoenix and all that."
"I guess that's true..." I mused, remembering how a second ago I had been carrying four boxes filled with various metals without breaking a sweat.
(He's right. I hadn't really noticed until this point, but I'm far stronger physically than my physique would suggest. Another thing to test out later, I suppose.) I thought to myself.
I had been walking around town when I noticed these two struggling to move all these containers by themselves; there was no one else around, so I decided to help out. I had honestly been surprised at how easy it was for me to lift so much weight all by myself. Anyway, once we had finished chatting and unloading everything, I was quick to make my leave.
"Well, that took a while, although it's not like I had anything else to do," I muttered under my breath.
(The training session I have with Hakurou isn't for a few hours now, so I still have some time to burn I guess.) I mused internally, heading toward my favourite quiet spot on the edge of town.
As I began approaching my destination I couldn't help but hum to myself. "Additionally, according to Great Sage, Rimuru should wake up later today."
"I wonder what it's like to enter that 'sleep mode' of his. I mean, it's probably pretty boring considering he's still aware the whole time."
(Maybe I should ask him about it...) I thought inwardly before deciding to think about it later. I was almost there now anyway.
"I guess I can relax and mess with my subminds for a bit-huh?" I suddenly stopped when I felt a familiar presence stumble out of the forest close to me.
"Oh, it's you." I mused happily as I turned, only to freeze in place a second later.
There, off to my side, was the familiar form of a certain feline emerging from the nearby bushes; however, something was wrong, very wrong. Blood stained her fur; a massive gash had been torn open across her side where crimson fluid oozed out. Also, from the way one of her back legs was bent as she limped towards me, it was rather obvious the leg in question was completely broken. For a moment I just stood there, completely shell-shocked, before snapping back to reality and rushing over to check on her in a panic.
"W-what... what happened?!" I stuttered, skidding to a stop next to it.
Of course, I didn't get an answer, which made sense. (Right, cats can't speak.)
"I'll get help. Just stay still and don't mov-" I was cut off when it suddenly bit into my sleeve and began trying to pull me somewhere.
"W-what? What's the matter?" I asked and, surprisingly, got an answer, just not from the kitten.
[Notice. The creature, despite its grievous physical injury, appears to be attempting to get you to follow it.] The voice of Great Sage echoed in my head.
(Why?) I thought, confused.
[Answer. Unknown; further information required to narrow down possibilities.] She hummed mechanically.
(What's the most likely option? You don't have to be one hundred percent sure, just give me your best theory.) I asked as I tore off the sleeve of my shirt.
[Analysing...]
While Great Sage was doing that, I leaned down slightly and wrapped the ripped-off fabric tightly around my little friend's torso, hoping to at least slow the bleeding. (Sorry about this, Shuna.) I thought, not having time to dwell on the fact I had just damaged something the female kijin had made for me.
Just then, Great Sage finished her analysis and spoke up. [Answer. After compiling all the relevant information, from the position of the wound, to the heavy amounts of adrenaline, oxytocin, and endorphins in the blood, to the creature's behaviour, the most likely possibility is that it has companions who are in imminent danger.]
(Should I call for help?) I thought to myself, but the desperate look in my two-tailed friend's eyes made me pause. (From the looks of things I probably won't have enough time.)
(Guess there's only one option then.) I thought, as I activated a skill that I hadn't used up until this point.
I found it uncomfortable, but I didn't have a choice. I activated Thought Communication and reached out to the closest person to me. <
<
<> He answered back seriously and without a second of hesitation.
<> I said while I picked my feline friend up, placed her on my shoulder, and began heading in the direction that she had come from, the wind picking up around me as I moved. <
<
I was running through the forest a moment later. It probably wasn't the smartest idea to go alone; however, I wasn't really thinking too clearly right now. Some may call me stupid for charging into unknown danger, and part of me would honestly agree with them. Anyway, I had no real idea as to where I was exactly going, or what awaited me once I got there. Thankfully, my little buddy was able to help out; add in my Wind Speaker skill and it wasn't long before I arrived at my apparent destination.
The moment I broke through the tree line I found myself in a situation that was definitely not what I was expecting. I was in a clearing, broken trees and trampled shrubbery filling the surroundings. However, the real sight was the three things standing not too far away from me, three things that stuck out like a sore thumb.
On the far side of the clearing was another twin tailed cat, similar in appearance to my wounded friend, except it was mostly white with black patches. It looked terrified as it hid behind what looked like a massive black python that was at least six meters long, a python that was covered in deep wounds all across its body.
Despite all of this, what truly got my attention was the thing that was partially blocking my view: a massive, very angry-looking bear of all things. Its large form took up most of the clearing as its body cast a long shadow over me. Still, it was currently looking over its shoulder at me, and it didn't seem pleased with my sudden intrusion.
Of course, the creature wasn't just going to stand there as I gawked at it. It roared at me before swiping a massive clawed paw toward my head, and I could tell that it would probably do far more than just crack my noggin if the blow actually landed. So my body moved before I could process the attack properly, jumping back just as the claws of the beast sliced through the air where I had been standing.
"Well... nice to meet you too, I suppose..." I muttered nervously as it roared at me again.
(Well... that's quite the scent...) I coughed, cringing as the smell of its breath filled my senses. (Great Sage, any idea what this thing is?) I asked while trying to ignore the stench assaulting my nose.
[Answer. It appears to be a "Tremor Lord." They can range from B to A rank in strength and use primarily rock- and earth-type skills. Their bodies are partially covered in a rock-like exoskeleton that acts as biological armour.]
[Additional Notice. The entity "Suu" could simply use the subskill "Inspection" to easily gain all the necessary information.] Great Sage added, sounding as sassy as a robotic voice possibly could.
(That's true.) I thought back, completely unbothered by her words. (But... well, I probably wouldn't have time to read through it all.)
"Friends of yours, I presume?" I asked without looking away from the towering creature before me, getting a weak meow in response.
I simply nodded at that while trying to ignore the blood that was seeping into my clothes. "Yeah... yeah, I thought as much."
(Gob'emon should get here soon, so they'll probably be okay until then.) I thought, taking a few cautious steps backward. (Well, that is if I can deal with this big guy anyway.)
The creature was massive, to say the least. Even standing on all fours it was over five or so meters tall. That height would probably double if it lurched up on two legs mind you. Its body was covered in rocky plating as well as dark, almost black-brown fur. What was more notable was the fact that it had three sets of eyes as well as stone spikes running down its back and spine.
Before I could actually come up with a proper plan however, it roared and charged at me. (I can't fight with her on my back.) I thought as I attempted to get out of the way
"S-sorry about this..." I muttered as I reached behind me and grabbed the wounded and now very confused kitten by the scruff of the neck.
Without much hesitation, I tossed her toward the serpent and the other cat. "Catch!" I yelled, and thankfully the snake had just enough strength to gently grab the fluff ball out of the air with its mouth before placing her near the white one.
(Now then...) I breathed, turning my attention back to the behemoth who was still attempting to attack me. (I need to deal with this.)
"This might... this is a crazy thought but... this might actually be a great time to test the results of my training," I muttered out loud, taken aback by my own words. "Hakurou did say to take every opportunity to hone one's abilities."
(Yep, definitely sounds crazy.) I thought with a sigh as I readied myself.
It wasn't long before it ran at me again, roaring at the top of its lungs as it tried to tear me apart. I dived forward, ducking under another paw swipe and punching it in the side, somewhat surprised when the bone-like plating around that area cracked as a result of the blow. I knew that I was physically strong, although I hadn't really tested how strong, so I was somewhat taken aback. Either way, I didn't stand still for long and continued dodging until I saw another chance.
This time, just after I moved out of the way of another lunge, I breathed in deeply through my nose. I then opened my mouth and released a yellow, gaseous cloud, a stream of acidic spores that flowed out directly into the beast's face. I hoped this would possibly scare it off, make it realise that this fight wasn't worth it and that it should just leave. It didn't. Still, the spores quickly began burning away at the soft tissue around its eyes as well as the inner parts of its mouth and nose, something that caused it great pain if what happened next was anything to go by.
Simply put, with its vision partially blinded and its senses of smell and taste almost certainly damaged, it flew into a rage. It began swinging its weight around, lashing out clumsily at me. Of course, with its now blurry sight these attacks were rather chaotic, to say the least. At first this was to my advantage, I was able to easily manoeuvre out of the way, but as its attacks became more frenzied and fuelled by pain, things quickly took a negative turn.
It swung wildly at me with a paw while I was momentarily off balance from a previous attack. Unfortunately, I didn't react in time. My multilayer barrier skill took most of the damage, but the bloody wound carved across my waist was my reward for not acting quickly enough. The wound healed almost immediately, mind you, but the pain, no matter how small, made me flinch for just a split second, something that gave it an opening.
It lunged at me, its body lifting off the ground as it committed to the assault, its maw open wide and aimed directly at my head. I didn't let my panic consume me, however. In a split second I activated one of my subminds; my body burst into red-hot flames as the massive grizzly shot right for me. A second later my body reformed completely unharmed, however the enraged roar I heard a moment later made it clear that this wasn't the case for my opponent.
Turning, I was met with the sight of the beast rearing up, its fur scorched by the flames and its eyes filled with a mixture of anger and hate. It bellowed again, glaring down at me before slamming its front paws into the earth with immense force. The ground beneath me shook violently a second later, then cracked open as a wave of sharpened spikes tore their way out of the earth toward me.
(That's... definitely something...) I thought, anxiety flaring in the back of my mind, however I was quick to suppress that feeling.
(Don't panic, you can't afford to panic.) I breathed out, focusing my thoughts to calm down. (This world is filled with potential dangers, so you can't allow your fear to control you.) I told myself as I watched the wave rapidly approaching.
And then... there was a shift. Without warning my body suddenly began to still, my rapid heart beat slowing. "Focus, just breathe and focus." I hummed as my muscles relaxed.
I closed my eyes; I didn't need sight, I had a guide after all. (Remember that feeling, let everything else drop away.)
I breathed out slowly, the wind picking up around me as I felt my emotions begin to dull. It wasn't as dramatic as before; my sense of self was still intact, but something had definitely changed. My instincts weren't in full control this time, maybe it was my desire to stay who I am now that caused this alteration, however, right now it didn't matter. Right now I need to fight.
It was then that I finally moved. I could see the path; the wind would lead me, I just had to follow. And so I did. I didn't run from the incoming spikes; instead I headed right for them. I jumped, following the path laid out for me, landing on a spike just emerging from the earth. It rose in an instant and I jumped with it, using the momentum to push myself forward and increase my speed. A second later my feet collided with another spike, my body compressing slightly against it before I pushed off, flipping over another spike aimed at my torso.
Move forward, dodge, angle myself, land, then jump again. No hesitation, only motion. There was a rhythm to it, one that I quickly picked up on as I continued to gain speed by the second. I wove through the incoming spikes, more and more appearing as they closed the distance. And soon I had reached it.
With one final jump I was above it; the bear snapped up to roar at me, its teeth bared and ready to snatch me out of the air. I didn't let it. Using wind manipulation to buffet its body and knock it off balance for a second, I slammed my fist into its head with enough force to crack its skull if the sound I heard was anything to go by.
I didn't freeze up or lose focus, no, I kept moving. Letting myself be carried by the momentum I had built up, and using the fact that the beast was disoriented from the impact of my fist, I rolled down its back. My feet impacted the earth a second later just as the wind picked up around me again. Following my instincts I ducked down just as the bear whipped around and tried to backhand me away.
Before it could retract the appendage, however, my hand shot up in one swift motion as black flames poured from my palm. The bear roared in agony as the ravenous flames engulfed the limb a second later, spreading across it as they rapidly charred fur and flesh. Its rocky, armour-like plates put up little resistance as the flames devoured them mercilessly.
The beast, of course, tried to shake the flames from its form, to no avail. Instead of dissipating, the black fire stubbornly remained, continuing to rapidly creep up the limb and threatening to overtake the creature completely. It panicked, of course; its body flailed wildly as it crashed backward against its own stone spikes. Thankfully for it, however, I had no intention of dragging this out any longer.
I stood, an arm stretched out to my side, as black, spiralling energy formed in my hand, taking the shape of a javelin. I threw it. I dug my feet into the ground and threw it. The arcing black energy flew through the air, shifting and warping as it rocketed toward the target. And it hit, dead on in the chest, in fact.
What happened next was... well, "brutal" is about the only word I can use to describe it. I had expected the attack to just engulf it, like what had happened with the plants before. Unfortunately I was dead wrong in that assumption. Maybe it happened because of the way I used it this time, or maybe because it was embedded in the creature's chest; either way, the outcome was the same.
I was forced to watch with a mixture of horror and morbid fascination as the bear was sucked into the javelin of dark energy in a sickening display. Its body was pulled inwards, bones and flesh tearing, its roars of pain vanishing; its body became a vortex of blood and gore. The javelin devoured every scrap of fur, muscle, and crimson fluid; only when there was nothing left did it finally disappear into nothingness.
[Integration skill activated. The skill "Earth Shaping" has been acquired.]
[Integration skill activated. The skill "Stone Mail" has been acquired.]
[Integration skill activated. The skill "Ground Quaker" has been acquired.]
(I... oh... oh God... I think I'm... I think I'm going to be sick.) I thought, my skin visibly becoming paler as I snapped back to reality.
(C-calm... calm down...) I breathed while trying my best to anchor myself. (You c-came... came h-here for a... a r-reason, remember?)
"Now... erm..." I muttered awkwardly, as I glanced over at my audience of three. "Hey there..."
"I should probably introduce myself, huh?" I mused, still feeling somewhat disturbed.
"I'm Suu... Suu Tempest."
(((A/N. Over 3200 words... was not expecting this chapter to turn out this long if I'm being honest.)))