Chapter 62 - #61 Taeko discovering a new emotion. (1/2)
After a few more seconds of ”treating” Babara's condition...
[Energy: 505/1265]
Babara's condition finally turned better and although it looked like she was totally exhausted, at least it didn't look like she was about to die...yet.
”?! Impossible...” Gozuki muttered when he saw that Babara had yet to die after such a long time.
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'What had he done? There is no way Murasame would fail to kill anyone in one cut...The only ones it can't kill are artificial beings without heart. The markings from Murasame's cut are still around her wound but they are no longer moving...' Gozuki thought with a shocked expression, his eyes were shaking while he was looking at people in front of him. His entire mind was in disarray because he knew very well how strong Murasame is...and how death is absolute once receiving a cut from it.
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Although the curse is no longer spreading, her condition still isn't stable and it could start spreading once again. That sword is really dangerous if it was able to almost kill Babara with only one cut. If I hadn't come in time, she would already be dead. Such weapon...should be destroyed.
I thought while glancing at Babara before directing my gaze at Gozuki's weapon with narrowed eyes.
Babara is definitely not just any weakling, I am confident that she would be able to hold all those guys that attacked us while occasionally striking back. However, just a little nick was enough to kill her. What an absurd weapon. If I had time right now, I would have taken it and destroyed it. Unfortunately, others could come to help Gozuki and I am already quite exhausted, I would be forced to show my flames against so many enemies and my energy is already low. Not to mention Babara's unstable condition, I won't let her die now that I spent so much energy on saving her. And most importantly...Babara is strong yet Gozuki was able to keep her busy without getting even scratch...I don't know what his abilities are as a Rakshasa demon but he definitely must be much stronger than Suzuka and Mez.
But I am sure that Gozuki won't let me just leave so easily now that he saw how I cured Babara, judging from his shocked expression.
”Gozuki...” I turned at him and said with a small smile, obviously changed voice.
Gozuki wanted to move closer and maybe attack us but me calling out his name stopped him from taking any additional steps.
”?! How do you know my name?” He asked with narrowed eyes while vigilantly watching me. He was aware that I shouldn't have been able to hear it anywhere since his ”kids” are calling him father instead of his name.
”Heh” I only smirked and gave him look of contempt which only alarmed him a bit however it didn't anger him at all.
Let's see how are my acting skills but first...
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Special Class: Fire Monarch (Lv. 10; +28 Cha, +20 Int, +10 Const, +5 Str) ?/?
[Health: 520/720]
[Energy: 575/1335]
<Stats>
[Strength: 47 (77)]
[Agility: 50 (73)]
[Intelligence: 40 (69)]
[Constitution: 47 (69)]
[Charisma: 33 (69)]
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I changed my special class and hoped that Gozuki won't be able to recognize me but he shouldn't be able since we only met each other once. Akame is a different case because I caused her emotional shock by taking her sister so she remembers me very well.
Let's also tune it up a bit.
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[Intelligence: 40 - > 41 (70)]
[Constitution: 47 -> 48 (70)]
[Charisma: 33 -> 34 (70)]
Free Stat points: 29 -> 26
[Health: 530/730]
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When all of my stats hit 70 I felt like I had a little breakthrough, especially with charisma stat.
I tilted my head slightly to the side and looked at Gozuki with an arrogant smile. The change in my demeanor was easily visible just by looking at me however one could also feel a completely different aura around me.
”I forgot to introduce myself, how impolite of me. I am Katsura Akuma, the first and oldest son of the leader of our Akuma clan. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Gozuki from the Empire” I sarcastically introduced myself with my right hand held at my heart and when I mentioned Empire, ridiculing tone appeared in my voice.
”Akuma clan? Never heard of it...” Gozuki said while taking one step forward.
”Of course you didn't, we don't usually meddle with frogs in the well like your Empire. Just seeing your reaction after saving this granny from the curse of that sword was funny to watch.” I said with an amused smile.
”...If you don't usually meddle with us then why are you here, traveling with those people from Oarburgh and attacking us.” He stopped advancing and asked another question with a hostile tone.
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'I have never heard of any organization like that...On the other side, how was he able to stop Murasame's curse? And what's up with his change in aura? Was he hiding so much aura inside him? Maybe that's the reason for my bad feeling when I saw him near the inn.' Gozuki thought and played it safe since he had too little information to just attack them and the things that Katsura told him only made him warier.
”True enough but this is one of a few exceptions. I, as the oldest son of the leader, I am considered as a prince of my clan and I am of age to find a suitable wife. And there is a woman in Oarburgh who I find more than worthy of being with me.” I said while widening my smile and increasing my aura thanks to my passive [Contempt for the Weak] combined with my high charisma.
Although [Contempt for the Weak] wouldn't normally work on someone of caliber like Gozuki but the shock he received from seeing his weapon's ability fail to kill Babara made him more vulnerable to its effect.
Babara and Taeko must be dumbfounded from my acting but they can't afford to let it be seen by Gozuki so they kept glaring at him as nothing changed.
Gozuki's gaze moved a bit to look at Taeko upon hearing my words.
”That's right, that's my future wife so it is only my obligation to help her.” I nodded when I saw where Gozuki was looking.
”...That still doesn't answer my question of why you know my name.” He said while he took 1 step back.
”? *sigh* Why do I have to always explain things to everyone once I leave my clan grounds? Are you all in the Empire so stupid? You don't know about my name, not to mention my entire clan, yet we know about you, Gozuki or for example, your biological daughter Mez who is currently training inside the Kouken Temple. Tsk, tsk, what kind of father are you? To spend more than 8 years with those kids instead of your own daughter.” I said while using a ridiculing tone.
”?! What is your aim, goal?” He looked a bit surprised to hear this information since not everyone knew all of this. First of all, these kids were always kept in secret and even his daughter isn't exactly publicly known since he never spent any time with her.
”*Sigh* Like I already told you...To make this beautiful and talented woman my wife and then return to my clan. I don't give a damn about your filthy and slowly crumbling Empire, don't worry.” I released a tired sigh and explained while pointing at Taeko with my hand while also looking at him like on idiot.
”...” He didn't say anything further but he was still wary with undecisive expression.
”Anyway, I will take my leave now, we won't bother with you any longer.” I said and put both Babara and Taeko on my shoulders while moving as if I wasn't carrying anyone.
”Wait!” Gozuki suddenly shouted at me and I stopped walking.
”Your kids are alive...for now that is, however...if you intend to stop me from leaving, I don't mind killing all of them. I won't even need to use the influence of my clan on people like you and your Empire.” I informed him about the others before abruptly turning around with an enraged expression and completely cold eyes with vertical slit pupils.
I need to take granny somewhere safe and very quickly, her condition is already worsening, she is just doing her best not to let Gozuki notice it.
”So, what will you choose? Die while delaying my marriage or will you actually go check on your kids? I am pretty sure that one of them would definitely appreciate your help, you should have some medical skills right?” I asked with a smile, trying to look like I am not in a hurry.