Chapter 238 (1/2)

There was something extremely dangerous in Azriel’s voice when she spoke. A strange wariness towards Randidly that hadn’t been there before. After a slight hesitation, Randidly shrugged and decided not to overthink it.

“I was warned to stay away from you by Deardun’s Styles. I was thinking about what to do this past day.”

Azriel snorted. “To think those old fools would even bother to follow up with you. They make something out of nothing. It is not as though my master truly wishes to change the seat of power in the North…”

Cocking his head to the side, Randidly was inwardly very glad that he didn’t plan on remaining in Shal’s world for much longer than was necessary to repay his debts. Still remaining, after he finished the tournament, would be his debt to the Willow Tree Spear Style, who gave him the Engraving books and made him promise to help seek revenge against the Engraving Guilds, but realistically, Randidly would need to come back to that. It was a goal that he could not shoulder at present.

Then Randidly blinked. Wait, female spear attendant… did Azriel mean Helen? Helen was on a DATE?!?

“Well anyway, let me assure you nothing will come of it. By the time of the next match, my master will have arrived in the Deardun, and it will be able to protect you.”

Randidly was once again jarred away from his train of thought rather abruptly. “It?”

For the first time since Randidly had seen the beautiful woman, Azriel looked uneasy. “Yes, it. Perhaps it might seem strange to you… but my master was originally a quest monster, that has gained sentience, and independence from the System, after a fashion. It has even received a class, which should assuage any worries you might have.”

Worries that he didn’t really have until Azriel acted though it was very reasonable for him to have worries. Well, it’s not as though Randidly had a particularly adverse reaction to monsters. Honestly, for the longest time, he had considered some of the residents of Shal’s world monsters, based on their colored skin, how about 1 in 10 had a third eye, and how the physical proportions of their body was far beyond what a human body would be able to equal.

Although Randidly had fought and killed the Tribulations, too, it wasn’t as though he had any particular gripe with them. They were just monsters that seemed pretty clearly out to kill him.

And anyway, the term monster-

“Again, you frown like an elderly matchmaker planning for her daughter.” Azriel announced, a small smile on her face. “You wear your emotions far too openly. Luckily your battle lust covers up most of that, but still. Something to keep in mind. Anyways, let’s begin. We can fight here.”

“Uh wait,” Randidly said, raising his hands. “Although your master is undoubtedly powerful, I don’t want to offend-”

“Nonsense, no one will even remember they bothered to say something to you after I win the tournament.” Azriel said, removing her spear from her spatial ring with a flourish. “Unless you doubt my chances?”

Randidly just shook his head. This sort of shameless, direct person was exactly the type that he had the hardest time dealing with… Annoyed that she was making the decision for him, but curious if his stat gains would make any difference, Randidly removed his spear and prepared for the battle ahead.

As a start signal, Azriel gave him an impish smile, and then disappeared.

*****

Two days later, at dawn of the day of the Top 16 matches, Randidly woke groggily. His body…

He groaned. Azriel was not only extremely powerful with her spear, but she was also extremely energetic. It made Randidly wonder what level her Vitality was at, because even boosted as he was by the Golden Roots of Yggdrasil, she was always a step ahead in terms of recovery time.

Honestly, he was beginning to suspect she had several rather rare skills, ones powerful enough to rival his own, if not in quantity, in quality. It was a frightening thought, and made Randidly even more curious about her opponent, the person who everyone considered even more powerful.

He hadn’t been there to see it, but the analysis and interviews that Claptrap had done for his impromptu talk show had overwhelmingly demonstrated that public opinion was behind Drak Wyrd every step of the way. The only real question was who would face him, and that was almost universally decided to be Azriel, although some suggested two others on her side of the bracket.

Neither of which, of course, was Randidly. But he didn’t mind being underestimated. After all, his attention was focused solely on one individual right now. Dian, the disciple of the Devourer.

Although Azriel had wanted to focus more on training up some of Randidly’s recently neglected skills, he had insisted they focus on the basics, to help out in his fight against Dian. Azriel relented partially, but due to that fact, Randidly’s skills across the board had gone through a nice little boost these past two days. His body was faster, stronger, and more controlled. With this level of strength, he had no doubts in his mind that he was able to overpower the Dian he had faced previously.

Pleased, Randidly looked at his stats.

Randidly Ghosthound

Class: ---

Level: N/A

Health(/R per hour): 1322/1473 [+118] (608 [+27])

Mana(/R per hour): 649/1506 [+5] (174.75 [+9])

Stam(/R per min): 1233/1525 (237 [+9])

Vit: 169 [+9]

End: 77

Str: 119 [+17]