Chapter 108 - One-Hundred-Four (2/2)
I start with the easier ones. ”Vok and Von.” They look at me, two almost identical Dobermans that, if not for my status ability, could pass as mere dogs. Von, the one with the dropped ears, seemed to be the shyest of them, always hiding behind his brother, but since his brother hid as well they end up looking like a pile of fur.
”Since you two are so low level.” And naïve. ” I will give you my Fire Dash so you can run and escape faster if trouble comes, and… how about Fire Jump too?” A good run away with your tails tuck combo.
”Yeah!” ”Cool!” Both say, eager to try, but I wish to end this quick so I already turn around and continue speaking.
”As for you two…” I look over the old hound and the red female, passing my eyes over the wolfhound and smirking, as if making sure that she knew that I was not including her in because, well, she was not one of my servants.
She only raises her eyebrows, fidgeting amus.e.m.e.nt, sitting tall even though I won against her in mere seconds, her pride stronger than a little beating could teach otherwise.
Not complaining though, who am I to question after all…
”I think you should have the Dash as well, old hound, and together with that… that's it, Fire Shield!” So you can keep those two out of trouble if need it be.
”Thank you young king���” He says, polite as always.
”As for you…” I look, standing and coming closer, staring her down and narrowing my eyes- but internally happy that I finally could look down on someone because, you know, I'm as big as a mountain in my true form, so why the hell I was looking up all the time because there were so many tall guys around me oi?!
”I don't want it!” She says, not once pull back by my stare, but I could hear her heart racing faster behind that strong facade.
”Hm… why is that?”
”I came here to become strong on my own. Wasn't you who said that you wouldn't protect us? I don't want your powers, I want to grow with my own strength!” She says, firmly printing her paw on the floor.
”Oh, such noble words…” I say sarcastically.
I stay still in front of her, staring for a while, and smack her face with my paw with only enough strength that she falls flat on the ground.
Everybody is shocked, some even gasping as the wolfhound starts to growl, looking at the red female that was still paralyzed on the ground, too surprised to stand up as I say:
”And do you think that your enemies will give a damn about where your power comes from? You wanted to learn the ways of the world young lady, so here is your first lesson; in a battle there are only two results, you win, you live, you lose, you die, no in between, and if one day you need the power I can give you but you don't have it it will be too late for regrets. Your death to maintain your pride will achieve nothing, only prove your stupidity. If you have any chance to get stronger, don't be naïve and pass the opportunity.” I say, letting my word sink in, harsh and sore like the world she wanted to learn and live on, but after the blow was made I softer my voice to say:” But, in the end, using it or not is your own choice, but have it as trump card anyway in desperate situations. Now… Have I made myself clear?”
”Yes…” She says, clenching her teeth, not wanting to admit it, but even the wolfhound stopped to hear my words.
”…Good. Then I'll give you…” I look over my abilities once more, but there was not a lot I could give her since I have always focused more on the shadow skills and the really good ones would use too much mana that she did not have; like the Fire Army; and some other have special requirements, like the Voice of the Night and such.
An attack would do her good, and it should be different from the others as well so they would complete each other in battle, but the second ability in special makes me ponder for a while.
”I'm going to give you the Lava Breath.” Mostly just because you don't have that one yet. ” And… Humanoid Transformation!”
Once again she is shocked, but before she could even complain I hear a ding informing that the skills shared had been chosen and were being transferred at this moment.
They all crouch at the same moment, turning into a ball and grunting, and I quickly assert the situation with my third eye, and strangely enough my own magic was reaching out for them!
Like red and black veins mixed together they reach out like vines and warped around the hounds, finding ways to get in and mix with their own magic, but only the red was being absorbed as the black veins were left to simply wrap around their bodies.
I was a little worried that something was going wrong there and that I had just killed innocent hounds by mistake, but as I watch I do not let my worry show on my face, simply snorting when the process is over, playing it cool but sighing internally, relieved.
”What the hell?!” Says Isaac after witnessing their struggle, especially without contest nor explanation, all just barks and grunts, and yet amongst all the weird things his eyes where fixed on something behind me, and only by looking behind me myself I understand why that place was the one that shocked him the most.
Uhm, let's just say that… the skill-sharing worked pretty well, well, better than well I would say.