Chapter 519 - Thats Not a Forest (1/2)
Shout-out to Patryk Dabrina for the patron support!
***
”Confession?” Swigging in anticipation, Brian placed his metallic jug down. He felt a little unburdened after laying all of it down and as he said, even if there lay a teeny tiny chance of backstabbing, the temporal fiend would be willing to take the risk to finally dispel the long cast of loneliness that his origin and the life after that had cast. ”Don't get angry,” Nik raised his hand with a helpless expression, ”But... um, just remember, I didn't overreact after finding our that you might possibly be a transgender formed from the fusion of two different gendered rank 9 beings.”
”I am perfectly a male,” Brian chuckled, amused, ”The times I have gotten in trouble for being a man and possessing little ways to achieve an 'outlet' has already gotten me in great trouble during my rank-up quest. And stop bitching out...”
'Although... you started the bitching out part,' Nik thought internally before slowly recounting the whole trial of the war between the Infernal and the Holy Paradise. What Nik didn't relay was the conspiracy hidden behind the curtains. The Infernal Ancestors, in the end, wished to use the 'Confusion' Soul to open some sort of tower, as opposed to the general belief of the Infernal Society that would use the three genius Infernal Members to create a big infernal bang, creating a new, superior lineage of infernals. All of it had been a ruse. Deep down, Nik had come to believe the fact that even the Supreme Seraphim, on some level, had come to an agreement with the infernals for he grew the most activist about cutting Kaal down. And that he did, after making sure that two of the three infernal lords fell, when his prowess already allowed him to slay even the last one.
Probably, it might have been a temporary alliance. Or, all of this is merely an elaborate play. For once, Nik couldn't care. The infernals and the Supreme Seraphim had only troubled themselves to stand in opposition with Nik. However, he kept his musings solidarity. Meanwhile, Brian and Ray only caught up to the events that occurred on their face value. Supreme Seraphim was caught humping a body pillow by Kaal, who, in return, projected the image to a few galaxies and finally incited the great war. Though speechless, the two showed themselves of greater mental capacity as Brian pointed out the core issue, ”All of this is... fine. Still curious how you got to know all of this. But, two points remain, where is the confession in all of this, and, you wouldn't happen to know why we are being targeted by our ancestors, do you?”
”The last part... well, I know why I am being hunted. You two? Not so much. Clearly, the archaic beings won't make moves with a clear course of action... so, just keep your eyes open. Now, for the confession,” Nik coughed, feeling a little parched, he placed the edges of the glass of wine against his lips, slowly sipping on the blue-tinted alcohol before heaving a deep sigh, ”I... ehm, Brian, again. No weird feelings after what I am going to tell you guys.”
”Just get on with it,” Brian rolled his eyes.
”Welp, I am your Ancestor.”
Nik stated, making Ray pull a sour face, ”Is that supposed to be some sort of trash talk? Truly disappointing.”
”Agh, I knew it would be awkward,” Nik groaned, ”what I mean is... I have come to understand that my previous incarnation was, in fact... Kaal, the genius Temporal Fiend. I mean—”
”Wait, wait... I have seen Kaal...” Brian's gaze focused on Nik, ”He felt real dead to me. And I don't mean the consciousness image, but the way he talked.”
”Well, as I said, he is dead. Um, I am the next cycle of birth. Something like, um, well, you know what I am saying, right?” Nik inquired with a hopeful expression but all he got in return was a crushing confusion. ”Not really, no,” replied the temporal fiend, ”but... I don't know. I feel a little relieved that you decided to share this fact.”
”Aw~ How sweet,” Ray snickered, making the other two grimace, ”Do you want me to bring you ribbons and tie your hair up? Hmm? Maybe chat about rainbows, snicker about hot men, or maybe, we can all just hit the road with matching skirts?”
”Shut up,” a little hot on the cheeks, Nik gave a rare grunt of embarrassment while Brian shrugged with a casual expression, ”Honey, you are the one who just named our relationship as friendship, remember? As I said, I am relieved to be trusted.”
”Anyway,” changing the topic, Nik looked at Ray, ”That's all I had to confess for now. Ray, want to say something, this is safe space,” Nik nudged the succubus' shoulder as he shook his head, ”Nothing to confess aside from saying that I am no spawn or incarnation of Rank 9 monster... seriously, I feel too ordinary... sigh, I hope that I get a super-strong master to reach your level of absurdness.”
”You'll probably f.u.c.k him, though...” Nik smiled.
”Probably... if he is hot...” Ray nodded with a sigh.
”So, should I just accept the mission?” Nik inquired as Brian shrugged, ”It's up to you. I hope you guys succeed. That auction... though it's sudden formation seems a little uncannily matched with the update of the system provided by the Paradise, we should still be able to gain enough advantages once we have a great stock. So, if you can find good stuff in your quest, get it.”
”Yes, boss!” Nik saluted.
Meanwhile, Ray hummed a soft tune, ”Let's not waste any more time, then,” he tugged Nik's sleeve, ”I am accepting the quest, I'll be the leader of the party this time... since you were the one last time.”
”Go ahead,” Nik agreed, ”After this, it's pretty much Brian being the boss after all.”
”Hey—” before Brian could say anything, Ray saluted with a smile and disappeared from the bar, ”at least, pay up for your food— damnit!”
The fiend cursed.
---
”Hmm?” Nik opened his eyes, a little dazed. Instead of standing, he found himself on his butt. Considering that he had been sitting on a comfy couch, it should be normal. But with his vision and senses monopolized by Ray's sensual scent and touch as she remained on his lap, Nik commented softly, ”It's time to move, darling. Don't just take advantage of me out of nowhere.” His words instantly made the short-haired youth look back with a shameless smile, ”I just woke up, swear to the god!”
As he moved up, Nik chuckled while standing, ”You have f.u.c.k.i.e.d a God, remember? This swear has lost meaning to you.”
”Ah, true~!” Ray nodded, looking around as Nik decided to ignore the behemoth trees for a moment and opened his quest tab to make sense of the situation.
[Transmigration Vs Undead Paradise
Rank-Up Quest— 1