15 「Dubious Cabbage」 (2/2)

”Yes!” Aura would leap off in the direction she was to go in order to gain the attention and lure out the Wise King of the Forest. She immediately bounced off one tree trunk, onto a thick branch, and finally she was gone as she faded away into the green.

”I guess I'll make my way back to the team,” Cipher stated as he folded his arms behind his back. ”Oh and for now on,” Cipher looked over at Momon, ”Call me Jack.”

”Jack?” Momon raised a brow.

”My given name, Jack Graham.”

Momon nodded slightly and smiled the best smile a Skeleton could give, ”Alright Jack.”

”I thought his name was Cipher,” Nabe said as she blinked a few as he was leaving them, not understanding what he meant by given name. ”Then what is the name Cipher?”

Momon just looked over at her, a figurative sweat drop forming.

”So what are you planning to do?” Nabe continued to question even though he didn't give a verbal answer. She just assumed it was something he couldn't explain to her for the time being.

”I will fight the Wise King of the Forest.”

”Wasn't fighting the Ogres enough?”

He turned and began to follow after Cipher's general direction. ”No. For spreading rumors of the adventurer Momon in Town, is on a different level than just killing Ogres in one hit.”

Cipher had left the Lich behind and regrouped with the others as they were guarding Nphirea as he was collecting herbs. His eyes watched the little blond man for a few moments before glancing over to Ninya.

”I'm back~” He chimed as he walked towards her with his arms wide open until he heard sounds off in the distance. Unlike everyone else though, he was the only one to hear them. Two new beasts had appeared; using his powers of detection, he was sure it had something to do with Aura.

As he was distracted, Ninya came running into his arms, wrapping her arms around him. Her staff resting under his cloak and poking out at his side.

”Welcome.. back,” her voice faded out and in before looking to the rest and scooting away from him swiftly. A small smile over her lips as she now held her staff behind her back.

”So what does the Wise King look like anyways?”

”I'm.. Not quite sure.” Nphirea admitted which caused him to frown slightly at the boy.

”Then how are we supposed to identify it?”

”If its strong, legendary and mighty. Might as well assume it's the Forest King?” Peter questioned with a chuckle, trying to give Cipher a satisfying answer.

They both just ended up shrugging at one another and continued to watch over the budding wizard, alchemist and potion maker. The fact that he could use any magical item made him a threat, but also a very powerful tool if used in the right fashion.

Cipher himself even had some items which could boost his prowess, or anyone's prowess through consumption. He had bought thousands of Experience Potions when he wanted to make his guild larger until he learned of the game shutting down. So now these potions had any use until he came here.

Using them he was sure he could make these lesser humanoids even more powerful. Maybe even bring one or two of them to his level or just beneath.

He was also operating under the idea that he was functioning immortal, that he wouldn't die or perish from aging or illness, but instead until someone or something ended his life. That was due to his undead nature of course.

So if he was going to have a life with just about anyone, and make them powerful to boot, he was wondering if they would make the jump of faith and become the same as him.

His eyes were resting Ninya as he was letting these thoughts accumulate.

Then after a short while the ground began to shake and everyone was on alert. ”What is that!?”

”Something big is coming this way!” Lukrut who had his head to the ground was getting up and everyone was readying to retreat.

”Please, leave the rest to us.” A confident Momon stated, assuring them that they'd be able to escape.

As long as it wasn't a Dragon, Cipher was sure that he would be okay. There was no problems though since he was certain that the Wise King was definitely not a Nature Dragon.

”Please,” Peter thanked him.

”We shall depend on you,” Dyne added as the group began to shrink away, moving backward to get close to Nphirea so they could retreat together.

Cipher in turn took hold of Ninya's hand and smiled as he pulled her close, his other hand cupping her chin before suddenly vanishing with her into thin air.

The group just shook their heads at this as they all made their way away from the general location and back to the village where they were sure it would be safe.

Cipher and Ninya resurfaced on the roof of one of the houses in Carne Village.

Standing there, she was staring up at him as they were in the same position as before. Her chin in his clutches and her hand wrist trapped in his. He was keeping her close, a smile across his lips. A daring one at that.

”J-j-jack!” Ninya sputtered and squirmed, ”Ever-everyone can see us!”

Enri and Nemu was standing at the base of the house, staring up at them in surprise.

”Big sister, how did they get up there?” The little one pointed, bouncing in place, giggling a git.

”Magic I suppose?” Enri was a bit bewildered by the sudden appearance of the two adventurers. She gave a light wave before they vanished again only to appear standing beside them, still having not changed their stance.

”Jack!” Ninya squealed before Cipher snickered and pecked her nose as he'd be releasing her from his hold only seconds later.

”Oi...” Cipher couldn't help but pretend to be disappointed.

”Whatdoyoumean!?” Ninya whined out loud, squishing the words together, as he was now teasing her.