The scenery throughout the entire trip was beautiful, we were able to enjoy it even more because today it isn’t snowing. There is a beautiful clear sky and, if you lower your gaze, you can see an entire forest partially covered in snow or completely green grasslands.
Several mountains surround us with snow-covered peaks, small and large lakes around us, and some rocky formations. Overall, it was a peaceful journey at the beginning, everything changed a few hours later when we ventured deeper into the forest.
Monsters usually avoid staying near humans if they see them in large numbers, which is why even a small village is relatively safe. There are many occasions where villages are attacked by hordes of monsters, but they are generally caused by some kind of intervention.
Once you move far enough away from civilization, you encounter much more wildlife. I have been releasing my Imra to make my superiority clear to everything in the area, it has worked for almost the entire trip, most monsters decide to move away.
I’ve only crossed paths with a few grade 4 monsters, these might have had a slight chance, but they are intelligent enough to know they would most likely die. That was until a moment ago, now there is a flock of birds chasing me even though they know they will die if they attack.
That would be the case if I didn’t have luggage that looks more excited than scared in the middle of this situation, it also doesn’t help that there are four grade 4 monsters alongside hundreds of grade 3s. I don’t know if I passed near some kind of nest or special zone to encounter such a huge group of birds.
“How can you be so happy in the middle of all this?” I ask Nanly while summoning Joyeuse to kill the nearest monsters and increasing gravity to make it harder for them to approach me.
These monsters are generally quite beautiful and adorable, soft green feathers decorate their bodies, they are about the size of falcons, and their golden eyes are worthy of envy. The only problem is that they want to kill me.
“It’s my first aerial battle, I can’t help getting excited.” She shouts at me while smiling from ear to ear.
“Aren’t you afraid of dying?” I can’t see even the slightest trace of concern on her face.
“No, not really. I know you’re stronger than you appear, the pressure I feel from you is unlike anything I’ve felt from any other ruby rank. Are you a limit breaker? Well, I know somehow you’ll either escape or kill everything in your path.” She answers me completely relaxed.
I can only sigh at her response, I’m going to ignore the fact that she basically just said softly, “I already knew it, we won’t die here,” after seeing me sigh.
I slowly retreat while trying to keep all the bird-type monsters away. I hadn’t noticed it at first because I was worried about our safety, but they aren’t attacking me as aggressively as I thought, they’re simply driving me out of their territory.
They focused on sending wind gusts and a few occasional attacks. They can’t break through my defenses and, after several kilometers, they decide to give up. The birds stop pressuring me and turn back, though not before trying to threaten me with a burst of Imra.
“I told you, I knew we could get out of that situation unharmed. I trust you.” Nanly raises both thumbs to show her confidence.
“I think this woman is a little crazy…” Glia speaks to me telepathically, she has been sleeping or processing some cores. This girl really loves sleeping.
“A little… but I think it’s more because she never had the freedom she truly wanted.” I answer Glia. During the trip, I was able to talk more with Nanly about her past, part of her doesn’t want to return because she will be locked up even more strictly than before, she’s only doing it because she knows it’s the right thing.
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Nanly always wanted to live exciting adventures and tell stories to her friends, family, and future descendants, but her father was always afraid of an early death or her being kidnapped. Her beauty is very remarkable and there are many people with bad intentions in the world.
That is exactly what happened when they became slightly careless and she went somewhere she shouldn’t have been, she was kidnapped.
I look at her again, that ear-to-ear smile shines brightly on her face. At least now she will have a tragic story with an exciting ending to tell her future children and grandchildren. I’m glad to be part of that story.
“Aren’t you developing mixed feelings for her? Right?” Glia asks me with a teasing tone in her voice.
“You already know the answer… but let me say it clearly: No. She doesn’t feel anything for me either, I’ve seen many women with hopeful or desirous eyes, Nanly isn’t one of them, she sees me as a friend.” My answer is clear.
“I know, I know, calm down.” I can hear giggling in the background when Glia stops speaking, she achieved her goal of irritating me a little.
“Is everything alright? You suddenly went quiet.” Nanly’s voice brings me back. I never neglected anything around us, I was always monitoring for enemies or possible dangers nearby, I simply didn’t answer her because I was talking with Glia.
“Yes, everything is perfe—” Before I can finish, I suddenly fall silent, I even stop moving, freezing in the middle of flight. “Don’t make any noise, stay silent, something isn’t right.” I tell Nanly, she quickly understands my seriousness and remains quiet.
Something has pierced through all my senses and defenses, I feel as if someone is watching me from every possible direction. What the hell is happening? Am I going crazy? No, I’ve had this feeling a few times before.
Is it an obsidian rank person? Where? I don’t feel any bad intentions, but you never know what might happen. Shit, now I’m dancing in someone else’s palm, I don’t like that.
“You have good senses, child, you detected me faster than I expected. Well, you wouldn’t have if I had truly wanted otherwise.” I can feel a slight amusement in her words, somehow she is communicating directly into my brain.
“Hello? Should I address you as sir or madam? I don’t want to cause any misunderstandings.” I speak as seriously and politely as possible.
“Hmmm, I am female, but I am not human, I am a monster.” I’m surprised by the information she reveals, and I also become a little more worried, a grade 6 monster is more intelligent than most humans and far more unpredictable.
“I apologize if I offended you. May I help you with something? Do you need anything from me?” I need to remain as calm as possible.
“No, I was simply passing through this place to remember old times and I was surprised when I sensed your presence. Your Imra and Dominion shine like a great star in the middle of a clear night, it works on smaller monsters, but at the same time it creates curiosity among the stronger ones.” The voice, now sounding a bit more feminine, speaks to me.
“Don’t worry, there are no monsters above grade 4 in this place, it was only a coincidence that you encountered me.” I relax a little when the grade 6 monster finishes speaking.
“Thank you for the advice, I’ll try to be more careful next time.” This monster indirectly gave me advice.
“Tell me your name, I want to know who you are and who your master is.” Her voice sounds authoritative now, the previous curiosity has completely disappeared.
“My name is Maki Vichag.” For a moment I hesitate about who to mention as my master, in the end I decide to mention two people. “I’ve had two, the first is Susan Pors and my official master is Eisty Gelor.” I answer the monster.
“Eisty Gelor… it has been a long time since I heard that name. That little brat must already be as strong as her talent promised, I hope to cross paths with her again someday.” I open my mouth in surprise, I didn’t know Eisty was known even among monsters, though honestly, to society she is already a natural anomaly.
“Well child, I have important things to do, but before leaving I want to give you a small gift.” I become a little suspicious of her words. “Don’t make that face, it’s nothing bad. It’s like a small mark, other grade 6 monsters will know you know me and hesitate a little before attacking you. I also want you to show it to Eisty when you see her again, it’s a message for her.”
I can’t do anything, I can read between the lines, she isn’t asking me, my only option is to accept her offer.
“I’ll be happy to deliver the message to my master and grateful for helping me avoid future problems.” I answer quickly so I don’t keep her waiting.
An instant later, it feels like a direct attack on my cube. I become worried for a second, but after checking twice, I relax, she isn’t trying to hurt me, though it still hurts.
Several minutes pass and finally I see the mark of a bird resembling a falcon with golden plumage inside my cube. If I wanted, I could remove it, at the same time I could strengthen it, but I leave it exactly as it is.
“I hope our paths cross again in the future, it has been a pleasure meeting you, Maki. By the way, most people know me as Goldird.” I can feel her energy slowly separating from my body.
“It has been a pleasure meeting you too, Goldird, I also hope to see you again in the future.” I only feel a sense of happiness resonating through me before her presence disappears completely