Chapter 97: [Day 54] – “Going Home” (1/2)

∼ Day 54 ∼

‹ Xavier ›

With the swish of my hand, the flames that engulfed my body were blown away in one swell swoop. Standing completely unmoved, body unscathed of even a single burn mark, was I. My comment before the sudden attack hadn't been directed towards Adran's pitiful attempt to burrow his sword in my chest, but rather the petite Ireli who had been attempting to discreetly conjure a spell.

Trying to hide the use of magic in my presence was comical as a magical monster of the 4th-tier. My attunement with the ambient magic was extremely sensitive, and humans who drew upon it were so obvious that she was literally a bonfire in the dark to my senses as she forced the magic into being. That said, their attempt to trick and lower my guard failed spectacularly.

Breaking through my physical defenses was one thing, but overcoming my magical resistances was a whole other matter altogether. Mages or generally creatures more prone to magic seemed to usually all share the same focus in the magic power attribute. This coincidently also raised their innate resistance to magical damage with the resistances, so what happens when you have a mage monster that specializes in defense?

You get a fuck-ton of resistance.

Below my level of power, I would practically have immunity to any and all elementary magic. So if any magical creatures or opportunistic human mages tried to best me with unexpected magic, then they would be in for a rude awakening as the four mercenaries here had all just been subjected to.

Gawking with googly eyes that slowly turned into the despair of realization, the four humans were at loss at what to do next. Their plan of attack had completely failed, and they now knew just how out of their league they were.

I had not exactly wanted it to come to this, however, I wasn't that amenable. My original intention was just to get information from these humans while also wanting to take a different approach than simply killing or slaughtering, but I truly didn't care for their lives and if my first approach proved too inefficient I would just have to take the alternative. But after having been fed and clothed while also having the lovely company of Elora, I hadn't forgotten the small kindness she had shown towards me.

I was a killer who would end lives indiscriminately for my own gain, however, I wasn't somebody without their own set of morals or beliefs. Not living by the morals imposed by society anymore, I lived like I truly wanted. Kindness and goodwill went a long way for my impression of others and similarly would hostility and malice determine how I treat others.

Although I didn't bear any good intentions towards Adran, Elora had been very good to me, so I had simply intended to leave these humans alone to live their lives after learning human mercenaries and adventurers were in an abundance in this area. But it wasn't that simple to win over my favor and magnanimity. For me, it was just a small gesture towards Elora to spare her friends' lives, but now that we've reached this point, I was all out of patience.

Before Adran could recollect himself, I disappeared from sight with the use of Blink.

”NO!” - Adran

He screamed, the terror of realization in his voice.

But when Adran turned around, he could only sound out his protest in horror. He was already too late as Ireli's decapitated head fell to the ground with a tumble, causing her golden locks to be smeared in blood and mud.

[Human has taken 196 damage, a critical hit!]

[LVL: 38 - Human ”Ireli” has been slain!]

[You have been rewarded with 402 points of EXP]

Upon seeing his sweetheart's death, he fell into a maddening despondence and charged recklessly at me; completely abandoning all sense of caution. Right behind him was a solemn-faced Oren, and true to Elora's words, he seemed to not turn tail and actually accompany his leader in this futile last struggle.

Simultaneously, Oren and Adran launched their desperate attacks towards me. But before even Adran's sword hit me, his sword suddenly flung to the side, and his arm with it. While Adran was now missing an arm and screaming, Oren was listlessly staring into the sky with multiple blood spikes and holes in his chest, blood pooling on the ground beneath him.

Having dealt with the last threats, I was going to end Adran right then and there to put him out of his misery. However, in the corner of my periphery, I saw Elora's approaching form. She wore a forlorn expression, trying to keep tears in and stopping the slight tremble of her body. Ignoring my still form as I observed her, she kneeled beside Adran and slowly stroked the screaming man's hair in order to calm him down.

But all of a sudden, she drew a dagger from her belt and stabbed it under Adran's jaw, instantly killing him. Seeing his life escape his eyes, a single tear escaped and rolled down Elora's cheek. I didn't interfere, allowing her to collect herself.

”I-I'm sorry Adran, but I held my promise.” - Elora

She whispered to the now dead man, her action of ending his life obviously having some other meaning that must've gone way back in their history together or as mercenaries; I wasn't sure, but not that it mattered to me. Wiping the runaway tear from her face with the cloth of her bracer, she locked gazes with me; determination and resolve obvious in her eyes.

But before she could speak the words I knew she was going to, I stopped her.

”Elora, you don't have to die today. I can take you back with me to the place I call home, but that would mean forsaking your country being under my influence... I would do this only for you because of the kindness you have shown me, however, it's your choice.” - Me

With the shake of her head, she simply presented me with the dagger she had used to put Adran out of his misery.

”I'm sorry, but I won't be able to take you up on that offer. Under other circumstance, I would've loved to b-but...” - Elora

I nodded, not pressing her further as she obviously had her reasons. Looking intently at me, a slight amount of fear did finally manage to slip into her gaze.

”Just... don't make it hurt...” - Elora

I respected her choice, so I closed the distance between us. Foregoing taking the dagger, I went around to her back and with a slender finger removed the loose hair that ran down her shoulder and covered her neck. Embracing her lithe body from behind, I bit into her neck that actually induced a small groan that turned into a moan from Elora.

My newly gained instincts from becoming a Strigoi told me that this very vampire-ish gesture actually didn't exhibit pain from the recipient but rather caused intense bliss. The process was quick and seamless, and I soon felt her body turn cold and she died in my embrace.

[LVL: 45 - Human ”Elora” has been slain!]